The Express.
London, England, 1868-05-25 00:00:00

MICHAEL BARRETT.

THE Home Secretary's decision in the case of
MICHAEL BARRErr should take no one by sur-
prise. The condemned man's guilt has been
established by evidence conclusive to Judge and
jury, whose verdict and sentence have been cor-
roborated by the inquiries subsequently made.
Neither during the inflated speech in Court, nor
in the letter to the Glasgow alibi-witness has the
prisoner denied that his was the hand which fired
the fatal barrel ; and the casuistical assertions as
to his innocence of the crime of murder are
consistent with the theory that the outrage was
I committed solely to free BURKE, and that its
horrible consequence. were never contemplated
by the conspirators. The only possible
plea for not hanging Baaaarr is that
he has been respited twice ; and in
common justice to other condemned criminals
this could not be permitted to prevail. Establish
the precedent that inquiries made at the instance
of the prisoner's counsel and friends followed by
a reprieve entitles a guilty man to go free, and
what Home Secretary is there who would not turn
a deaf ear to petitions for further investigation ?
That every loop-hole for legal escape should have
been thrown open to BARRETT ; that the precise
inquiries he declared necessary for the establish-
ment of his innocence should have been instituted
by the Crown; and that all should have proved fruit-
less furnish strong reasons that the law should take
its course. Mr. HARDY'S task has been a painful one,
but we are glad he has not shrunk from its logical
conclusion.

THE political sky is changeable, and it is
unsafe to rely upon its aspect. At present
the air seems to have been cleared by last
week's storms, and there is a promise of the
session being brought to an early close, in
order to allow of a dissolution in the autumn.
The appointment of a select committee is talked of
to consider what amendments are needed to hasten
the registrations; and this step may be of geod
service. The late difference as to the provisions of
the Scotch Reform Bill is apparently arranged.

IT is understood that Mr. DIMHAELI was to have
made a speech on Friday night, on the occasion of
Mr. REAILDEN'S extraordinary motion, in which
the right hon. gentleman was to have entered fully
into the reasons for the QUREN'S departure for
Balmoral, and into matters pertaining thereto, but
he was relieved of the task by the outburst from
the House which summarily disposed of the sub-
ject.

M. LOUIS BLANC, in a remarkable letter to
the Temps on the death of Lord BROUGHAM,
takes occasion to relate a very characteristic story
of that extraordinary man, which has not yet, we
believe, been published in England. M. Louts
&Axe had heard it from the celebrated FRANCOIS
AsAoo, who was one of Lord BROUGHAM'S old
and intimate friends. Some years ago Lord
BROUGHAM, who it may be remarked was an
associated foreign member of the Academie des
Sciences, sent ARAGO a manuscript with the re-
quest that he would read it and give its author
his opinion onits merits. Theillustrious astronomer
read the manuscript, and replied, "Throw it into
the fire and say nothing more about it," advice,
by-the-bye, which reminds us of Uncle TOBY'S
mode of dealing with the production of a very
youthful poet. The work in question treated of
the influence exercised by the philosophical doc-
trines of LA HARPS, on the character, the aspi-
rations, and the policy of the Czar ALEXANDER I.
On this topic the noble commentator had been
lavish of ingenious reflections. Unfortunately
I Lord BROUGHAM had taken the French littirateite
LA HARPS for the Swiss Colonel of the same name,
who was tutor to the Grand Dukes ALETANDER
and CONSTANTINE.

The Prince of Wales has caused a letter to be
written to the Leicester Town Council to say that he will
not be able to attend the agricultural show in Ttily. The
Londonderry Guardian "learns, on reliable authority,"
that the Prince of Wales intends to visit the North of
Ireland in August.

THE DUKE OF EDINBUEGH.--It is said that on
the return of the Duke of Edinburgh the Privy Council
will issue instructions fora Thanksgiving for his recovery
to be used in all churches and chapels.
His Grace the Duke of Wellingtop has given the
use of the Waterloo Gallery, at Apeley-house, to the
Working Men's Club and Institute Union, for a reading on
the anniversary of Waterloo, by the Rev. J. C. M. Bellew,
8.C.L., on behalf of two working men's clubs.
ROYAL Nays'. SCHOOL.—The annual general
meeting of the governors and supporters of the Royal
Naval School, New-cross, took place on Saturday in the
theatre of the Royal United Service Institution, White-
hall-yard. After some discussion the report was adopted,
but there was a very strong opinion expressed that the
school was carried out in too expensive a manner, and that
considerable amendment in its general management was
absolutely needed. Resolutions to this effect were adopted,
and thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.
U6serrer._

The Southampton Obserrer states that the Hon.
Mr. Herbert, brother of the Earl of Carna?von, haa visited
Southampton, and attended a select meeting of the liberal
party in that borough, and that he expressed himself in
favour of disestablishing the English u well u the Irish
church.

PRAISZWORTHY M UNIFICZNCE. - Mr. Mark Firth,
the master cutler of Sheffield, is about to erect and endow
36 almshouses, at a cost of 24,0001. The houses are to be
erected on a site of two acres of land, at Hanging Water,
Ranmoor, a beautiful neighbourhoood, and • favourite
quarter of the Sheffield well-to-do classes, and are to
accommodate 24 single persona either men or women, and
12 married couples. The charity will be open to natives
of Sheffield, without respect to religious belief. Each
single inmate will mein 7s. per week, and each married
couple 10s. A chapel will be erected for the use of the in-
mates, and there will be • house for the (*Tensor. Each
house is to be two storeys high, and will contain • living
room 12It. square, a bedroom of the same aims, and a
cellar divided for pantry and voids, sad gas and water will
be laid on to every house.