The Express.
London, England, 1868-08-15 00:00:00

THE WEEKLY PRESS.

Without wishing to sneer at, or ridicule, the
enthusiasts who expected that the Reform Bill wouldoom-
mence a new era of change, and that the main charac-
teristic of the reformed parliament would be an
aptitude for conceiving and carrying out wheaten of a
large and novel kind, the Saturday Serino observes that,
to all appearance, tho chief characteristic of that
parliament will be eminently common-place ; and
it does not appear at all likely to fulfil the expec-
tations that have been formed concerning it. There
is a complete absence of thought in the addresses of can-
didates on both sides. Of course there are exceptions.
The addresses of Sir Bounden Palmer and Sir John Acton
supply plenty of materials for reflection. But men like
these do not make up a Rouse of Commons ; and the vast
body of candidates issue addresses in which there is no
trace of any feeling that those who framed them either
long for or dread great changes in the immediate future.
What the candidates, and especially the liberal candi-
dates, especially promise, is tbat their constituents shall
have no reason to be displeased with them. If they aim
at a sort of independence, they take care to represent
their independence as a harmless personal freak, like
wearing a wideawake in Regent-street, which will have
no real bearing on their manner of life. Independence is
only the ornamental part of them ; the substantial part
is their entire willingness to please their constituents and
to stick to their party ; and it is impassible not to see that
this opens the door to any amount of change.
It appears to the London Reek', that the liberal party
never bad an easier game to play, if they go about it
properly, than they have at this moment in Ireland. The
history of the past session shows so plainly that on Irish
topics the government were never sincere or honest, that
capable allusions to the debates ought to win general sup-
port for Mr. Gladstone and his followers. No glamour or
finesse ought to shut out from the liberals in Ireland that
their only chance of attaining many reasonable reforms
lies in contributing to strengthen the liberal party here.
So great is the vital power of that party that it has com-
pelled its opponents to do its own work, and it gains
ground every day.
Referring to the uneasiness expressed in Paris as
to the affairs of the empire, the Spectator says there
is nothing which suggests immediate danger except the
internal condition of Prance. Recent incidents no doubt
indicate a temper which at the fitting hour will display
itself in the streets; and doubtless also the Emperor is astute
enough to anticipate that fitting hour by a declaration of
war on any or no satisfactory pretext. But the fitting hour
in Paris is the hour when the army is irritated, the flag
drooping, or the provinces discontented; and that hour is
no more visibly upon us than it was twelve months ago.
Neyertheleas the Spectator does not believe in the empire,
and does believe that sooner or later Prance will re-
sist by force the German aspiration for unity ; because,
if fulfilled, it would reduce her to the position of a second-
rate power; but of evidence that war is imminent there is
none, except, as General Menebrea says, a great deal too
much talk about the necessity of peace.

The Ezanziner is glad to °beery; the stress laid by Mr.
Gladstone, in his speech at St. Helen's, on the neceseity of
seriously setting about the bulginess of retrenchment in
the national expenditure. He may well look back with
pride and satisfaction on the reduction of taxation effected
by him while Chancellor of the Exchequer. He does not
boast of the fact ; but it is only just to recall it to remem-
brance that, while reducing the number of taxes payable
on the necessaries and comforts of life, he laboured hard
to keep down the tendency to lavish expenditure on the
part of his colleagues, even tinder the not particularly
frugal recites of Lord Palmerston. Mr. Gladstone's
speech implies a promise of retrenchment on his return to
office, and the main point for the tax-paying community
is to be able to look forward to the fulfilment of that
promise.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer acknowledges
the receipt of the remaining half notes for 13/.

PLYMOUTH, AUGUST 14.—The Lords Commis-
sioners of the Admiralty arrived here to-night in tho
Enchantress, on their annual tour of inspection. _

•
Sir George Bartholomew Pocock died on Wed-
nesday at Ms residence in Portman-square, in his 90th
year. He was knighted as standard-bearer to the corps
of Gentlemen-at-Arms at tie coronation of George IV.
Among the minors in the peerage who attain
their majority during the autumn are the Marquis of
Bute and the Earl of lichester, both in September; and
the Duke of Norfolk, who attains his majority on the 27th
of December. . .

THE TER-ROIIBE..—The project for widen-
ing Wilderness-row from Doswell-street to St. John-
street, involving the use of land appertaining to the
Muter-house estate, is about to be carried out. To corn-
pieta the enlargement of the thoroughfare a further con-
cession is required which will necessitate the demolition
of the infirmary and other buildings and offices, the dis-
figurement and contraction of a pleasure ground called
the " Master's Garden," and the invasion of the cemetery,
with the destruction of numerous memorial tablets to pen-
sioners and officials long since deceased. On the south
side of Charterhouse-equare other important alterations,
. . ' connected

incl ' the extinction' of objects of interest .
with the -locality, are contemplated.
THE WILBLEYANS AND THE CHURCH OF ENO-
WM.—The writer of "Conference Sketches " in the
Methodist Recorder says of the Rev. Thomas Jackson's
letter:—"l cannot help noticing the hearty response
which the sentiments of this letter elicited. Some few did
not appear to like this strong expression from the lips of
the sunny old conservative, but they were only nits in
comparison to hundreds. The church of England, in the
of many of her sons, insults us constantly by ineo-
relfr :m enials of our ecclesiastical claims, or by proposals
for absorption ; but until she cleanses herself from the
bastard Popery and skulking infidelity which now disgrace
her she cannot hope or ask for our support, and she ought
to thank us if we do not lift our hands to strike her.
Strict political neutrality we are all agreed to observe, but
an active moral support of the church of England, in her
present condition, it would be impossible to secure from
the conference, and it would be improper to give."
CITY CHURCHES.—By one of the lest acts of
parliament passed the tower of St. Mary Somerset, in the
City of London, is to be preserved, and, with part of the
burial-ground, to vest in the corporation. A. portion of
the churchyard may be appropriated to the widening of
Upper Thames-street.
NATIONAL EXHIBITION OF WORKS OF ART, AT
Law, 11168.—Return of admissions :—Friday, August
14.—8 y season tickets, 962 ; by payment of lb. Id. eaok
791. Told, 1,776.