The Express.
London, England, 1860-07-07 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY

with an air of doing something very dignified and
imposing, the present Houle at Commons deserves
to be remembered as one of the most revolutionary
Parliaments in the aanalsol leg Land. Lord Rue

- - _
lIIIIIRTON is perfectly satisfied ; so is Mr. Disasimi,
and his great Conservative party. A few years
since there was also • great " satisfied "
party in the French Chamber of Deputies
—so entirely satisfied, indeed, that one fine
morning it was swept away. Nothing analogous
exists, we are aware, on this side of the water ;
but when an English Parliament deserts old

Keglish principles for expediency's sake, it is well
to be reminded that " gigantic innovation " is a
game that two can play at.

Bu•r for the debates of the last two nights we
might not have learned before it was too late
how urgently it was necessary that the unconsti-
tutional action of the Lords should be noted
and repelled by the Commons. The right of
the nation to be taxed only by its repre-
sentatives, that precious and unchangeable prin-
ciple which has been the vital air of our political
life, is denied and denounced as a vain and foolish
dream. The Commons settle the supplies re
quired for the service of the Crown, and
the Lords add to it more than • million
of their own authority. This, rejecting narrow
technicalities, is the literal history of recent
events. The Lords have undertaken to aasess the

obligations of the nation, to declare the supplies
granted by its representatives too small, and to

increase them without reference to the Com-
mons. It makes not the slightest difference
that to perpetrate this huge aggression
they made use of a legal right. The uncon-
stitutionality of their act consists in this, that of
their own authority they have fixed a burden on
the nation which the representatives of the nation
have not voted. Again, we say, the fact that they
did so by refusing their assent to the repeal
of a tax, makes not the slightest difference to the
real character of their act. Nor can it be main-
tained, as Lord PALXIMITON attempted to show
that the Paper Duty Repeal Bill was complicated,
as other money bills rejected by the Lords have
been, with questions of policy, which gave scope
for that ordinary legislative partnership which
they exercise unquestioned. That ground was
definitively rejected in the discussion on Lord
Hotrrasout's motion, and it was expressly affirmed
that the Bill was thrown out because their
lordships thought the Commons had not ade-
quately provided for the wants of the public
service. There is thus no escape from the naked,
staring fact that the Lords have imposed on the
people the obligation of paying taxes which
should never be anything but the free gift and
grant of their representatives. Lord Psurzaarott
hied his best on Thursday to reconcile this act
with the right he claimed for the House of Com-
mons, "the exclusive right to determine matters
" in connexion with taxation '." but he was com-
pelled to give up the task. Why, if the Lords
had amended the pettiest turnpike bill sent
up to them this session, the modifications
they introduced would have come back to the
Commons for consideration. But they have
changed the main features of the Budget, and
the Commons, reputed to have exclusive power in
matters of taxation, have not even the remodelled
financial scheme officially brought to their know-
ledg-

The manner in which this aggression has been

brought about should be a warning. 'Phis is no
accidental collision. The right of the House of
Lords to control the House of Commons and to
revise and amend its decisions in mitten; of taxa-
tion is now exultingly proclaimed as a doctrine.
We are solemnly told by the prophete of reaction

that the Lords have taught a wholesome
and necessary lesion to the House of
Commons " and the constituencies." Pens
which lauded the " coronation of democratic
" liberty," when Louie NAPOLZON set up his
throne on the ruins of freedom in France, are at
work to justify and extol the Lords for " defending
" the country against itself." The public, which

. ,
'watches over the conduct of its representatives,
and has means so ready to rectify their errors, is
insulted with the assumption that it will purchase
a financial rectification with a piece of the consti-
tution ; that it will consent to see an essential
privilege of the essential authority in the State made

dependent on the approval of s privileged and

artificial assembly. This debate will show that
those dreams will not be euily realised. If it

is true, as Mr. GrAnsroirs demonstrated, that the
Lords, during the last two hundred years, have
not once abandoned their pretensions, but have
kept their claims ready for assertion at a
favourable moment, it is equally true that the
House of Commons is as able as ever to assert its
rights against all who may presume to invade them.
And should this House prove less publ'o-spirited
than its predecessors, should its will to uphold the
rights of its constituents be less than its ability,
the nation would still find a way to secure the
continued enjoyment of representative and respon-
sible government.

DIVISION LAST NIGHT.

Tax Bills.—Order read, for resuming adjourned debate on
question frith July), "That the right of granting aids and
supplies to the crown is in the Commons alone, as an es-
sential part of their constitution ; and the limitation of
all such grants as to the matter, manner, measure, and
time, is only in them." (Viscount Palmerston). Ques-
tion arain proposed—debate resumed. Question put, and
2. arto.
ejlon made, and question proposed, "That, although
the Lords have exercised the power of rejecting bills
of several descriptions relating to taxation by new
tiring the whole, yet the exercise of that power by
them his sot been frequent, and is 'justly regsirded by this
house with peculiar jealousy, as affectieg tbe right of the
Commons to grant the supplies and to provide the ways
and meson fur the service of the year." (Viscount
Palmerston.) Amendment proporied, after the word
" relating," to insert the words "amongst other matte's."
(Yr. Mellor.) Question fireweed, " That those words be
there inserted. " Debate arising ; motion made, and
question put:—" That the debate be now adjourned."
Mr. Whalley.) The house divided :-- Aram SS ; DOSS,
M. Question put, " That those words be there lastrted."
The house divided : Ares, 52; wws, 369-
A Yrs.
Akvck. T. Tenney, Lord Pease, H.
A W.
L Forster. C. !VW 1,,
Goldustlit tar F. H. sed.Ergibistw
Darter, W. L Greene, J. Wt. Titus
ilAshry, T. Hammer, PIT J. Really, V.
Beale, S. Kershaw. J. Seymour, W. D.
Ileuverie. P.P. Lesion, W. !Shelley. ADJ. V.
Ohm I. Lratham, R. A, Rasitts, J. B.
Collier, I. P. IltkeEvey, E. IbmeryttleJlirW. M.
Crater& IL H. hiltalion, P. Tomer, J. A.
=.. F.
Herlihy, J. P.
, Vivian. H. H.
IL Mellor, JP.
Weethead, J. P.
Hannan, O. Menem, W. J. Whalley, O.K.
Desk J. D. Noble, J W. Wyk, J.
= L L
Mr C. ritionorrhue, The
Heelner, 0. TiLLISS.
limrods_, J. nehrerne. B. B. James, &
Swart. w• Part C. Locke, J.
Swing, IL 1 Parton, RD J.
Yr. Gieniskee, Mr. IL Gibson, sod Lord J, Rumen
voted wad the
voi emeadeetat ; Mr. Bright, Yr. Wardell,
he., abelebei tram la&

Wurramam., JoLt 4. —The Queen has been
=to appoint James Vaughan, Esq., Thome Irwin
, Esq., and Franklin Luehington. Esq., to be Com
enheirsen for the purpose of making inquiry into the ex-
istence of bribery at the Iset election for the town of Ber-
eriek-upen—ae:ette.
Lesson •or Hottom—Memorandum.—Lieut.-
Caked Cliarles Renry Muria, CB., hes received her N.
re. !loyal benne and permeate* to accept and weer the
snub Clue of the Order of the Legion of Homer, and
lest the Ftfth Class as dated in the Loudon o•,7ette of
Toe•day. the sth alt:—Glazette.

Ebt Court.

OfIBORNI, JULY 6.

Prince and Princess Leiningen and Prince Wil-
liam of Baden visited her Majesty yerterday, and remained
to luncheon. In the afternoon her Majesty and the Prince
Consort drove to Hyde in an open carriage and four, accom-
panied by the Duke of Saxe Cobourg and Princess Alice.
The Countess of Caledon, the Hon. Os:aline Cavendish,
and Major-General Grey were in attendance.
The Queen's dinner party included the Prince of Wales,
Princess Alice, the Duke of Saxe Cobourg, Prince sad
Princess Leiningen, Prince William of Baden, Baron Hoch-
weeehter, and the Indies and gentlemen In waiting.

Despatches were sent yesterday from the Colonial-office
to the Governors of Canada and the Bahamas.

Lady Aveland gave a grand ball last evening at
the family mansion in Belgrave-equare. His Serene High -
nese the Sovereign Prince of Lichtenstein honoured the
rfersion with his presents.
The Baroness Brunnow has issued cards for a
grand ball at Chesham House on Wedneeday, the 18th
instant.

The Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe, the
Marquis of Bowmont, and Lady Charlotte Inner Ker hare
loft the Clarendon Hotel for Paris.

The Duke and Docheea of Atholl have left the
Bt. George's Hotel for Dunkeld House, Blair Atholl,
N.B.

The Viscountess Strangford is suffering from a
severe attack of raasalea.

The second subscription night of Alma's, on
Thursday, witnessed one of the fullest and most aristocratic
balls which has taken place fora long period. Nearly 600
were present, and the Countess of Hinnoul and the Countess
of !glint= having obligingly reassembled the ladies and
gentlemen who bad sustained their fancy quadrilles at the
recent Caledonian ball, the brilliancy of the meeting was
much enhanced. The nest and final subscription night is
fixed for Thursday, the 12th inst.

Miss Coate gave a grand entertainment last even-
ing to their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge
and the Princess Missy. The following were invited to meet
their royal highnesses :—The Duke of Newcastle, the Mar-
quis and Marchioness of Normanby, the Earl and Countess
of Hopetoun, Viscount and Viscountess Stratford de Red-
alit% and the Hon, Miss Canning, Viscount and Viscountess
Falmouth, Viscount and Viscountess Lsgestre, Lced Ole-
wag, Lord Dufferin, the Right Hon. Sir John Pakington,
11. P., sad lady Paldngtoa, Lady Fitzwygram and Miss
Fitswygrans, air Harry and Lady Smith, Sir J.Ray Sind-
Haworth, air Coatis Lindsay, General and Ira. Malcolm,
Dr. and His. Holley, Mr. and His. Floyer, Mrs. Browne,
Mae Glegg, and Mr. °report, M.P. Colonel Home Purves
and Lady Geraldine Somerset were in waiting on their
royal highnesses.

Mr. Jones (of Pant);Us), M.P., and Mn. Jones
entertained at dinner yesterday evening the Earl of Shrews-
bury and Talbot and lady Gertrude Talbot, Earl of Leven
and Melville and lady Emily Leslie. Earl of Canarvon,
Lord and lady Proby, Lady Rolle, Sir James and lady
Edith Ferguswon, Lady Abinger, Sir Laurence Palk, M.P.,
and lady Palk, Sir Richard Laving., ILP., Mr. Du Cane,
LP., and Mr. Vivian.

The President of the College of Physicians has
issued cards for so evening reception on Wednesday next.

The great toxophilite gathering, which has been
held at Bath during the present week, and was brought to
• close yesterday (Friday) evening, has been, taken alto-
gether, one of the most successful and satisfactory yet held
by the National Society. The weather has been splendid ;
the assemblage of ambers, both ladies and gentlemen, the
largest yet known ; and though the shooting has not,
especially with the "celebrities," bees up to the average,
it has exhibited on the part of the " middle people" an
amount of precision which will make the " dons" look
anxiously to their laurels. Nearly every leading archery
club the kiagdom has been well represented at this
mooting.

Captain Lynch, of the Indian navy, and Mr. J.
Drummond Hay, brother of the British consul at Tangier,
both of whom are perfectly oonvenant with Arabic, accom-
panied the Moorish Embassy to Woolwich yesterday, and
acted as the medium of conversation between the authorities
and the Moorish visitors, the whole of whom, with one ex-
ception, are totally unacquainted with a syllable of our
language. While examining the Armstrong gun factory,
in consequence of his Excellency's too near approach to the
dripping metal, a portion of his rich garment, evidently of •
moot inflammable nature, suddenly took fire, and was
seriously damaged.
The late Mr. Joseph Mayer, of Hanley, Stafford-
shire, whose death took place last week, has left upwards
of 200,000/. His nearest relatives are cousins. Mr. Mayer
has lett handsome legacies to several public institutions,
namely. to the British and Foreign Bible Society, 5,000/. ;
to the London Missionary and Church Missionary Societies,
2,5001. each ;to Gray's Inn-lane Free Hospital, 1,0001. ;to
the Brampton Hospital for the Cure of Consumption, 500/.;
and to the North Staffordshire Infirmary, LOCO/.
The Military Organisation Committee met again
yesterday for the further consideration of their report.
"From all we hear," says the Army and Nary aerate,
" there is not likely to be a unanimous decision respecting
the larger questions upon which the recommendations of
the committee are naught ; but we believe that a clear defi-
nition will be given of what ought to be the respective
duties of the Secretary of State for War and the Com-
mauder-in-Chief, as well es their relative position towards
each other. At present the commission of the Secretary of
State excepts from his jurisdiction the discipline and patron-
age of the army, and we are inclined to anticipate that this
exception will not be permitted to continue. The effect of
this will be to make the Commander-in-Chief formally and
virtually the subordinate of the Minister responsible for the
conduct of the department."
The Cork Herald announces that a case calculated
to create a good deal of general and local interest is set
down for trial in the present after sittings of the court at
Westminster. It is an action at the suit of Mr. John
George MacCarthy against Mr. John Pope Hennessy, M.P.
It will be recollected that Mr. MacCarthy acted as conduct-
ing agent for Lord Campden at the recent contest for the
county, on the retainer of Mr. Hennessy. His lordship has,
it appears, repudiated the agency of the hon. member, and
Mr. MacCarthy is now compelled to proceed against Mr.
Hennessy for the recovery of the large sums he most nears.
eerily have spent in his onerous capacity as conducting
agent. _ _ _

A letter from Haden-Baden states that that
place still remains the residence ot a great number of Ger-
man sovereigns and princes. The Grand Duke and Otand
Duchess of Baden gave a tea party a few evenings sines at
which the King of Bavaria, the Crown Prince et Barony,
the Prince of Hohenzollern, the Princess Mary of Baden
(the Duchess of Hamilton), and the Princess of Furstenburg
were present. The Prince Regent of Prussia arrived in the
evening.
Mulameißietori will epend the winter in Rum*
and on her returning to Paris next spring, it is said she
will adventure a part in French, in • tragedy, by IL
Legouve, which is about to be produced at the Odeon
theatre.

The American clipper and the Utile steamer, just
released by the Neapolitan government, arrived at Porto-
Fermin on the 3rd, with all their passengers on board.

Thb following "communicated note" is pub-
lished in the Moititeete de rArnie :—" After the cempaign
of Italy an anonymous letter was received by the Minister
of War against an officer who was accused of not having
done his duty during the battle of Solferino, where he
fell into the power of the enemy. An inquiry took place,
and another officer was proved to have written this cow-
ardly denunciation, for the purpose of securing to himself
a favour which he feared might be disputed by his com-
rade. He has been defuiitively exeloded from the ranks of
the army for this diahmonrable ecedoct."
Downso-essoatr Jrol.—The Queen hoe been
plowed to appoint Wlllia' Heavy Adams, Foil., to be
Chief Justice for the colony of Ho%Monj.—Gentee.
FOREIGN-Orrice, JULY 1. —TIER Queen has been
graciously pleased to appoint Joseph Archer Crowe, Esq.,
to be her Majesty's consulleseral in the kingdom of
Sexoey.—Garette.
Tue Tows--Lord de Be., the High Constable
of the Tower of London, has been making greet improve-
ments there by cultivating the ditch mid other available
=Colonel Palmer, of Naaing-park, has seat his lout-
cutting from the vine planted by the great Napoleon,
at St. Helena, shortly before his death. and brought to Eng-
lend soon after. The original vine Colonel Palmer. a few
months Inc., gave to the Governor of the Hotel Imperial
des issididee, at Paris, having previously had some oat-
' tings struck from it.

EVENING, JULY 7, 1860.

and that in the ease of such persons, simple im-
prisonmant shah be substituted. The supreme
court held that the fact of the prisoner having re-
fused to stela his age when interrogated, made no
difference, and that evidence was admissible after
judgment to show what his age really was. The
man will now be tried again by another court, and
will, of course, run the risk of capital punishment.

THE CENSOR AMONG THE FEUILLETONS.

The French Minister of the Interior has ad-
dressed the following circular to the prefers:
" Monsieur le Prtfet,—lt is not only for the maintenance
of order that the administration has received 'peewit powers
the

from the law respecting the press ; it is for t. , defence of
public morality as- well. The feuilleton romance which in
the lower columns of • journal offends against respectable
sentiments, does as much and possibly more harm than the
political exhortations which in the upper columns may tend
to agitate men's minds. This facile literature looking for
its rooms, only to the imprudence of its pictures, the immo-
rality of its intrigues, the strange perversity of its heroes,
has in our day reached a deplorable and dangerous stage of
development. Invading nearly all periodical publications,
taking advantage of their periodicity to keep the public
curiosity in suspense from day to day and incessantly eager,
it spreads forth in profusion the inexhaustible fancies of the
moat ill-regulated imagination. The serious journals have
' permitted themselves to give it an asylum ; it penetrates
with them the privacy of the domestic hearths, and once
thus admitted into the family neither youth nor innocence
are secure from its contagion.
"But this is not all. By the side of the political sheets,
lending it their publicity in exchange for the subscriptions
which they fancy they shall get or keep by it, we have seen '
rise up • crowd of small publications entirely devoted to
the diffusion of this unwholesome literature, and sold
every week at a low price, and by the hundred thousand
copies, to greedy readers. To any one who still retains any
respect for decency and good taste such an inundation is de-
plorable ; it is more than time to put • stop to it. The in.
Went of the people has • right to better nourishment, and
we ought no more to allow hearts to be corrupted than we
allow minds to be perverted.
" I beg, then, to call your most vigilant attention to
this point. Against the political sheets the decree
of 1852, against the others the law respecting
the distribution and colportage of printed matter,
furnish every means of effectual repression. Besides, for
journals which have any sense of self-respect and of their
obligations towards public morality, the advice you will
give them will be sufficient, I am sure. As to those—if
there are any—who, through love of an easy source of
profit, or inability to raise their tone, shall persist in such
publications, use towards them the utmost rigour of the
law ; and bearing in mind that, if necessary, there are penal
laws for the protection of public morality, hand them, by
means of these, to the justice of the tribunals.
`The Minister of the Interior, 131maour."