The Express.
London, England, 1867-09-13 00:00:00

HIGH WAIT& AT LONDON BILIDGIL

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LONDON. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13.

THE more we hear of Abyssinia the less we shall
like the prospect of having to carry a war into that
savage and pestilential country. The best thing
that could happen for us would bo to meet the
concentrated force of the enemy soon after
landing and decide the campaign by a fair stand-up
fight. But it is morally certain that we shall
have no such advantage. It is much more likely
that we shall be drawn onward over mountains and
rivers, and that our men exposed to a burning sun,
with bad water to drink, will drop off by hundreds
of fever and dysentery, while in search of a savage
who perfectly understands that the climate is his
best ally, and delay his best generalship. All
this the public by this time must perfectly
understand ; there can, however, be no
harm in repeating it for the purpose of
urging the Government to make its prepara-
tions as complete and efficient as possible. With
Ministers rests the full responsibility of this
enterprise, and they will be overwhelmed with
public indignation if it should appear by and bye
that they have sent our soldiers on a most perilous
errand without taking every precaution against
failure. It is not very encouraging to know
that the Abyssinian expedition is being organized
by the same Administration which in 1869, in the
expectation of a European war, could give us
nothing better than those good-for-nothing
" bounty-men" who were fiddled about London
on the tops of cabs and omnibuses. No one can
give us the assurance that this will be a little war.
Its risks bear no manner of proportion to the rank
and political importance of the potentate
assailed. We are as likely as not to leave
thousands of our soldiers in Abyssinia to be
devoured by wild beasts and birds of prey, while
Mayers at home may think themselves fortunate
if they get off with an addition of no more than
sixpence in the pound to their income tax. The
public, knowing this to be the state of the case,
would feel very much obliged to any one who
would show it a way out of its difficulty.
Undoubtedly it is of the first consequence that
we should not underrate the serious difficulties of
the war upon which we are entering ; but it is
equally important that, while recognising its risks
and liabilities, we should deliberately make up
our minds and abide firmly by our resolution.
It is one thing to remember the dangers to be
encountered in order to make our preparations
more perfect, it is another to dwell on danger so
exclusively as to unnerve the public mind and
weaken the Government. It is not too late even
now to countermand the orders given at Bombay
and Woolwich, and if it is the fact that nothing
can be gained by sending troops to Abyssinia,
it would be better at once to sacrifice the two
millions which have already been spent, than to
make the discovery when a further enormous out-
lay has been incurred and many lives have
been lost. The question which the Government
has had to consider was simple and practical—How
were Colonel CAMERON and Mr. RADIUM, with their
fellow-prisoners, to be released 1 No questions of
policy embarrassed the case, for we are all agreed
that if once we can get our countrymen safe back
we will have no more to do with THEODOR*,
Emperor of Abyssinia. Even Lord Pauszsurrores
Government had come to this resolution, and
was far from intending to impose any duties on
Consul CAMERON which would place him in Teso-
DOME'S power. If there is any bishop at Jeru-
salem, any monk in the mountains of Armenia,
who can negotiate the return of our
countrymen, by all means let us avail our-
selves of his services, and not be niggardly about
the ransom. But, in the last resort, we shall
have to face the question—Suppose we cannot
get the prisoners in any other way, are we to go
to war? It has been said, " If it be possible let
" us save our countrymen, but let us not throw
" away life in the attempt." That is plain
advice, but wo do not think it is worthy of the
country. If the attempt to which we are sum-
moned is hopeless, then on no theory of duty
ought we to send our soldiers to make it.
But, on the other hand, if there are reasonable
grounds for believing that by judicious military
operations, more or less combined with skilful
diplomacy, our countrymen may be delivered,
then we are bound to make the attempt. We
trust we are not insensible of the preciousness of
human life, but life itself is given to be nobly spent,
and may be so degraded by mean evasions of duty
as not to be worth having. It is time seriously
to ask whether there are really amongst us those
who think that rather than encounter the risks
of an Abyssinian campaign, we should fold
our hands, take our ease, and leave our country-
men to their fate. We shall decline to believe
it without indubitable evidence of the fact. If
our military men were to tell us that the expedi-
tion is impracticable ; or if anyone versed in the
ways of the East, and otherwise entitled to atten-

tion, would state that there are more efficacious
means of delivering the prisoners than fighting,
then Government would not be at liberty to
sacrifice a single life in war. But if all pacific
means fail—and Lord STANLEY declares that ho
has exhausted every such resource—and if our
officers experienced in warfare in India tell us
that they can cope with such difficulties as may be
expected in Abyssinia, then our course is surely
clear, and neither obstacles nor dangers ought to
deter us from proceeding to the rescue of those
who have fallen into the hands of a cruel barbarian
while engaged in our service.

OUR CONTEMPORARIES.
(THIS DAY.)

A WORKMAN'S VISIT TO THE TRENCH EXHIBITION.

The Times publishes to-day a long account of the
Paris Exhibition, written by one of ► band of workmen
who have visited the building under the auspices of Mr.
lAyard's committee. Ile started apparently from Shrop-
shire, and it is made evident that he was many years
since, perhaps is still, employed as a painter upon chin►—
indeed. he confesses to have been a participator in the
fabrication of old SZvres, ornamented with designs after
Boucher and Watteau, for the English market. In addition
to this he has been thrown among the iron manufactories of
the country, and he prepared for the exhibition of 1851 •
collection of the fossil plants of the coal-fields of Shropshire.
The summary of his impressions appears to be that there
is danger of a decline in the excellence of our home
productions from the insufficiency of the technical educa-
tion of the workman. When we come, he rya, to high-
class ornamentation in iron, earthenware, china, or glass,
the superiority of French art is obvious. The French
oollections of faience exhibit a richness of colouring which
is not seen in English productions. It is admitted, indeed,
that in ordinary decorations for the general market Eng-
land probably stands first, but there is no power to go
beyond this line. In support of the same view it is
observed with reference to porcelain that the best spe-
cimens exhibited by English manufacturers are painted by
French and even German workmen. In elegance of outline
and delicacy of tint these artists excel all rivals. Our
backwardness he explains by the assertion that the
French workman has an artistic education forced upon
him, while English workmen have been left to find out
their paths for themselves. The Times, however, argues
that we might buy superiority in the decorative arts at
too high • price, and that a tendency on the part of the
state to patronise and stimulate them must be accompa-
nied by a reciprocal tendency to defence and a loss of pri-
vate energy. It is not too much to hope that we may in
the future be able to reconcile the inestimable benefits of
individual development with the growth of national taste,
and to point to products of English art worthy to vie with
those of foreigners without being overrun with an army of
art teachers, still more without being burdened with
national manufactories.

.TOPICP4

The Daily News is disposed to expect something In Irish
affairs from her Majesty's preeent government, who have
already, at the risk of alienating their fanatical supporters,
instituted proceedings against certain orange disturben,
and who through Mr. Disraeli have pledged themselves that
no step shall be taken affecting the educational system of
Ireland without the knowledge and consent of parliament.
The Daily News then refers members of parliament
who are desirous of forming a sound judgment upon a
vital branch of Irish policy, to the report of the president
of the Queen's College, Galway. This document proves to
demonstration, that the catholic party in Ireland previous
to the mischievous step of the late government, were not
dissatisfied with mixed education to any appreciable
extent.

The Times refers to the speeches of Gailaldi at Geneva
and the Bishop of Orleans at Relines as illustrations of
intemperate controversy which is distasteful to moderate
men on both aides. According to the Timer, Garibaldi
hu stolen away without taking leave, "with evident
compunction at his own rashness and folly," and Mgr.
Dispanloup shocked right-minded and conscientious Roman
catholic. at the general assembly at Ballad. Both men
outrage the better feelings of the age; one of them finds
out his error when he is driven from Geneva, the other
when many even of the Ultramontanee fall away from him
at lifelines. The same retribution awaits all exaggeration
of political animosity.
The Post also regards Garibaldi's presence at the Geneva
Congress as a mistake, and describes the opinions which
he enunciated as so many bombshells. The much-vaunted
Peace Congress has unquestionably belied its title by the
character of its proceedings and the circumstances of fits
dissolution, and the saviour of Italy has unnecuaatily ex-
posed himself to the shafts of ridicule.

Commenting upon Ruseian affairs, the Daily Ares says
that the attempt to adopt the military organisation of
Prussia has been unsuccessful, while the imitation in civil
matters of the wearisome procedure of Austrian lawyers
and diplomatists has been only too complete. Never-
theless Russia has derived valuable consideration from its
connexion with Germany. It is not going at all too far to
my that nearly eve:, well-managed estate throughout the
empire is under German direction.

The Telegraph rebukes the Times for dwelling on the
difficulties in the way of the Abyssinian expedition. That
the campaign will be very costly admits of no doubt ; but
the qu.!stion of expense has been well considered and
publicly debated ; and, alter comparing the probable out-
lay which the invasion may entail with the certain lou
which would result from our remaining inactive, the mum,
try, no less than the government, Las said that a decisive
blow must be dealt, and dealt at once.

FEMALE MEDICAL Socusrr.—The fourth session
of the Ladies' Medical College will commence on Oct. 1,
and continuo on till April next. This year's introductory
address will be delivered by Dr. Aida, F.R.0.P., at the
Hanover-square Rooms, on Oct. 1, at 3 o'clock, and the
general public are invited to be present.

It appeared that on the 31st of August 26,191
applications boatmen received and 22,737 volunteers enrolkei
in the Royal Naval Reserve. Of these 102 possess certiti-
cotes of competency ss masters ; 870 certificates of com-
petency as mates ; 9 certificates of service as masters ; 25
certificates of service as mates—total, 1,006. The force
also includes 2,976 petty officers in the merchant service.
Deduct for men who have joined royal navy, 606 ; been
discharged, 1,159 ; died, 1,679 ; not applied to be re-
d enrolled, 3,766—t0ta1, 7,112. Present strength of the re-
, serve, 15,625.

Tho Rev. H. R. Stern, one of the Abyssinian
captives, writing to his wife on the 29th of June, describes
the prisoners at Magdala as almost daily agitated by
reports relative to hostile neighbours, the Gallas, and
from the various provinces in possession of the rebel troops.
A dozen stout Englishmen," he says, " with a revolver
or two each, might easily subdue the whole garrison
here, and set us all at liberty." Of the king, Mr.
Stern writes :—" I trust we shall never see his face again,
or hear his venomous and unblushing tongue prate about
Solomon, Jerusalem, Scnnear, England the Turks, the
bishop, and an sorts of worthless trash with which he has
tormented his white prisoners, and delights his malicious
heart. The report about the imprisonment of the Garet
workmen is contradicted, and it would appear, if the ac-
count we have received is correct, that they are, on the
contrary, in Theodore's favour, and are the manager of
his artillery." In the postrript Mr. Stern suggests that
these workmen have been obliged to submit to become the
king's artillerists to save themselves from a worse fate.
Despite the revolt of so many of his subjects, Mr. Stern
thinks it more than probable that the king will maintain
his position "till a hrgher power terminates the devastating
contlict, and restores peace and quiet to this unhappy,
torn, and distracted country."
MI PAN-ANGLICAN SYNOD.—The scial ser-
vices in connexion with the Lambeth Synod, which are to
be delivered in the church of St. Lawrence Jewry, will be
commenced by the Bishop of London on Saturday next,
the 14th hut. The other preachers, as far as they have
been arranged, are—September 15, the Bishops of Derry
and Dunedin (the church in Ireland and New Zealand; ;
September 16, the Bishop of Quebec and the Bishop
Coadjutor of Newfoundland (North America) ; Septem-
ber 17, the Bishop of Barbadoes, the Bishop of Lawn,
and Archdeacon Hunter (Asia and the West Indies)
September 18, the Bishop of Honolulu, the Bishop of
the Orange River Territory, and Bishop Tozer (Scat-
tend Missions) ; September 19, the Bishop of Ar-
lianas', the Bishop of Vermont, and the Bishop of
New York (United States' church) ; September 20, the
Rey. W. F. Erskine Knollys, M.A., chaplain to the
Bishop of London, the Bishop of Graham's Town, and
She Ftishop of Cape Town (South Africa) ; September
21, the Very Rev. J. Pow nall, late Dean of Perth, and the
Bishop of Perth (Australia) ; September 22, the Bishop of
New Zealand and the Bishopot Andrew's(New Zealand
and Scotland).

Cite (curt.

BALMORAL, BUT. 11.

The Queen went out yesterday morning accom-
panied by Princes Christian and Princess Louise, and in
the afternoon drove out with Princess Christian, attended
by the Hon. Lady Bidduiph.
Princess Louise went out riding, attended by Lady
ChurchilL

Mr. and Lady Frances Baillie arrived ►t the Castle yes-
terday, on ► visit to her Majesty.

A deputation from the guardians of the poor of the City
of London, East London, and West London Unions, con-
sisting of Messrs. D. Smyth, W. WaWord, J. Thomas,
J. ',taker, 0. Shaw, R. White, H. Nird, C. Barber, C.
Crane, R. B. Whiteside, W. Clements, A. Suter, J.
Butterworth, P. Johnson, J. Toads, J. Hudson, Colman,
Rigby, G. Cuthbert, and G. Shaw, accompanied by Messrs.
Bowring, Baylis, and Pontifea, clerks to the guardians,
had an inter►iew with the Earl of Devon at the office of
the Poor-law Board yesterday.
Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-office
from the Governors of New Zealand, South Australia,
Victoria, Tasmania, the Mauritius, and the Straits Settle-
ments. Despatches were sent to the Governor-General
of Canada.

The British Medical Journal states of the Princess
of Wales, that in addition to the exercise which she is able
to take in a carriage and Bath chair, over ground however
rough, she is able to walk in her room, and, with the help
of a crutch, to bear slightly Wpm the affected joint,
which is moveable. Thus,"even the minor misfortune of a
fixed joint, which seemed almost inevitable, is likely to be
averted, and an almost =hoped for success will be
attained."

The Marquis and Marchioness of Ailesbury are
now staying at Vichy, and will remain on the Continent
for several weeks.

The Marquis of Lorno left Scotland on Tuesday
last for Turkey. His lordship also intends visiting Inds,
and will be absent for several months.

The Earl and Countess of Yarborough have
strived in Paris from Aix-la-Chapelle.

Viscount Burke was returned for Galway yes-
day without opposition. He was proposed by Mr. Robert
Bodkin, and seconded by C►ptain Blakeney. At a meeting
subsequently it was resolved to erect a statue to Lord Dan-
kellin.