The Express.
London, England, 1867-12-31 00:00:00

OUR CONTEMPORARIES.

(THIS DAY.)

Most of the journals this morning print, instead
of the ordinary leading articles, a lengthened review of the
event' of the closing year.
The Daily Nero discusses the Army Reorganisation Bill
in France, describing it as a measure born of rage and
panic after the Prussian victories in Germany and
Bohemia, and not a measure of mere army reform. The
details affect the French people only, bit it is a fact that
the only unofficial apologists of the bill are the Emperor's
nominees, and a few domestic adherents of the imperial
house. The liberal minority in theilluunber represent those
classes who suffer most from Aar; they represent the
principles and the interests of peace ; and when they give
eloquent expression to the better spirit of the people, and
are not afraid of declaring, in the face of vulgar prejudices
and base passions, that " to be true to France it is not
necessary to prevent Germans from being true to Germany
and Italians true to Italy," it is wise and just to give them
credit for sincerity. There is a fatality in the conduct of
governments as of men's lives. ilapoleonism has its
destiny to fulfil ; and if that destiny be peace, we shall be
agreeably surprised.

A " high sheriff," writing to the Times on the subject
of Ireland, Nays :—" The church establishment is certainly
so glaring a grievanoe to the four-fifths of the people of
Ireland that the sooner for all parties interested in her
welfare it is swept away the better, and the sooner will
intolerant bigotry on all aides be quelled. I, myself, a
Roman oatholio, pay a large sum annually to protestant
clergymen, for which not a soul on my estates gets the
smallest benefit, nor do I believe that the recipient is
aware even of the locality of the lands from which he
derivcs his income ! I do not seek to benefit myself in
pocket by the abolition of the church establishment. My
estates were purchased years since with these charges on
them. What I want is value in some way or other, and
not the enrichment of • number of men who, though ever
so estimable in themselves, one must admit are in a false
position as regards religious emolument in this catholic
country."

Her Majesty's government have declined the
proposels for reducing the duty on Portuguese wines im-
ported into Great Britain which have been submitted by
the Portuguese government as a basis for the negotiation
of a commercial treaty between this country and Portugal.
DEATH or THE HEY. Da. HANNAH.—By the
death of the Rev. J. Hannah, DD., the Wesleyan body has
lost a venerable and faithful servant. Dr. Hannah was
born at Lincoln on the 3rd November, 1792, and at the
time of his death he had consequently just entered on his
70th year. In 1812 be was removed to the college at Dids-
bury, where he remained as theological tutor till be
became a supernumerary at the last conference, in
June. In the year that he was removed to Didebury be
was elected president of the Conference (London) ; and
he was again president in 18.11, when the conference
I met at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was secretary of that
ssaemb'y in the years 1840, 1841, 1849, 1850, and 1834
to IR3B. On two occasions he represented the Wesleyan
Conference, once with the Re.. R. Race, and the
second time with Dr. J. F. Jobson, before the
American General Conference. At the time of his
death he was the oldest member of the legal hundred.
Though advanced in yews, he was physicallyand mentally
vigorous ; be preached even so recently as the end of last
month. A few days ago be took cold, which resulted in
congest;on of the lungs. No danger was apprehended till
Tuesday (a week eines) ; from that day he gradually sank,
and at 10.45 on Sunday morning be calmly passed away.
He leaves a widow, to whom he was married more than 50
years ago, and a son, the Rev. Dr. J. Hannah, warden of
flity College, Glenalmond, and who was Hampton Lec-
turer a few years since.