The Express.
London, England, 1868-12-31 00:00:00

A NEGLECTED ACCOMPLISHMENT.

Wa are glad to see that Miss GLYN has
announced her intention of giving a course of
lessons to young ladies in the art of reading
aloud. There is no accomplishment more ser-
viceable and pleasing than this, and there is
none so universally neglected by women as well
as men. It is hard to say why this should be,
since it may be, to some extent, acquired by
almost every well-educated person, and is
appreciated everywhere. Ho far as we know
there is but one obstacle to success.
A good voice is an excellent foundation,
but it is not indispensable, for a bad voice may be
cultivated and indefinitely improved; but it is
essential to good reading that there should be an
interest in the subject read. No ono can read
impressively a fine poem who does not love poetry ;
no one can read well a magnificent piece of ora-
tory if he is unable to enter into the spirit of the
orator. It does not follow that appreciation will
of necessity produce good elocution, since some of
our poets have been unable to read their own
poems intelligibly, but it is certain that without
appreciation there can never be good reading. It
is evident, therefore, that the acquisition of
this accomplishment is largely dependent
on literary culture, and that the boy or girl who
can read well aloud has received something beyond
the ordinary routine of school instruction. It is
possible to dance gracefully or to sing sweetly,
and to be grossly ignorant notwithstanding, but
ignorance and good reading are wholly incom-
patible.
The art of reading aloud is one which should be
especially cultivated by women, since it is best
exercised at home and is most valued in
the sphere where the influence of woman is
supreme.

COMOSMATION op MB MIGUOP op HONSAV.—
The Very Bev. Dr. Hughes, late Dean of Cape Town, who
was nominated to the Bishopric of Bombay by Sir Stafford
Northeote jug before leaving aloe, will be consecrated
on Sunday next in the Chapel 'loyal, Whitehall, by the
Archbishop of Canterbury who will be assisted by the
Bishops of Rochester and 'Oxford. The new bishop will
leave for India on the following Wedneeday.
MEETING OF RITITALIBTB.—Yeebmday afternoon
a very large meeting of clergy and laity who symse
with the ritualist movement in the Church of d
was held at Freemasons' Tavern, for the purpose o con-
sidering what measures should be adopted in consequence
of the recent judgment of the Judicial Committee of the
Privy Council in the me of Martin v. Mackonochie.
There is said to have been mach difference of opinion
amongst those who took part is the proceedings. Nothing
authoritative however, bee transpired, as the meeting was
held to be private, and representatives of the press were
excluded.

It was stated at a meeting held at Acton a few
eveninp ago in aid of the fund for erecting a yaw eon-
gregations Ica chapel they., that Yr. SWIMS' Morley had
generously offered 291 g. to each of 24 metropolitan and
suburban congregationalist &undue which, having bees
or being in emu* of erection, relaui;est pecuniary mils-
tense; and that the new Aetna would be one of
the recipients of Mr. Korlers Lounty.

'RESS, THURSDAY

01

• .-•—•=o4-- di
The Times esys the year which endi4.day will
be remarkable is the domains history of Meilen& Ice the
close of one political period end the quiet hessltion to
another. The question which chiefly occupied the last
series bag bees practically settled by the result of the
general election, and by the ocrameement change of govern-
ment; but • decision which had been plainly foreseen,
causes little excitement, and the country awaits the
proceedings of the new parliament without any unusual
anxiety.
The Deily News describes it as having been • year of
surprises. Earthquakes in England, primroses in Decem-
ber, Mr. Diana in the °Moe of Prime Minister (thanks to
Lord Derby's gout), and other freaks of nature, have
marked its course. These transitory phenomena have,
however, passed, or are passing away, and things are ones
more usurping their ordinary course. The parliamentary
year has been little more than • continuation of 1887. But
politically, 1888 will be more remarkable as an introduc-
tion to 1869, than as • sequel to 1887. Pew
great achievements have marked the year. The
Abyssinian expedition adds not only to the military
lustre of England, but will take its place among there
healthy traditions of chivalry and self-nertraint which are
• sacred national inheritance. But it the year has been
one of small gains, there are few losses to count up. The
appointment of Dr. Tait to the see of Canterbury, and
the judgment given against ritualistic practices in the
Mackonochie came, foreshadow the uprising of • great
church quertion, which, however, like the Irish land ques-
tion and the English pauper question, is less for the com-
ing year than for the coming generation. But it will be
wire to take account of these things in time, and to begin
early what mast be • long and diMeult work.
In the opinion of the Tehyrejet the moribund year has
not only been remarkable for the virtual settlement of the
reform controversy, but for the opening up of another

momentous question—the diseetablishment of the Irish
Church. Throughout our colonies and dependencies
peace bss been the order of the day ; and the new year
opens with fair promise of continued tranquillity. So fez
as regards the commercial and Anemia history of 1808
the year ham been calm, almost to monotony.
The Herald is not disposed to part with it on friendly
terms. It has given us a constant and calamitous snows-
sion of earthquakes and other terrestrial commotion., vol-
canic eruptions, inundations, dorms, shipwrecks, accidents
upon the surface, and accidents in the bowels of the earth,
Indian famine, a plague of rabbits in Australia, accumu-
lating diets., unvarying depression of trade, incessant
rumours of war, an utter oollapes of public confidence,
and to crown these offences it is going out in a disgraceful
humour, soaked and sullen, with not a sparkle of snow upon
the hedgerows or the ring of an honest winter in tho
_ _ _

The Put can only hope that, on the whole, it has been a
year of progress in the way of improvement for this coun-
try. The event,' which mark the advance, if few in num-
ber, are oonspacuous, and in a manner isolated for identi-
fication, by tho circumstance that they are 'coons-

The Btar mays it has in paving borne prompt fruit in
popular excitement ; and the world, especially the Eng-
lish world, will be much disappointed if, after many days,
the bread cast upon troubled waters in 1868 be not found
in a gnat barred of progres‘, amelioration, and
content.

gbt court.

OSBORNE, Dam 30.

The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon,
accompanied by Countess Spencer and Visoountess
Clifden. Colonel Maude was in attendance upon hone-
beck ea Equerry-in-Waiting; and her Majesty, accom-
panied by Princess Louise, drove in the grounds this
morning.

Prince Arthur, attended by Colonel Elphinstone, shot in
the preserves at Sweinston to-day, with Sir John Simeon.
Hie royal Whore afterwards honoured Sir John and
Lady Simeon with his presence at luncheon.
Lord Alfred Paget and General the Hon. C. Grey bad
the honour of moompsnying hie royal highness.
The Earl and Countess Spenser left Osborne this
morning.
Mews. ElEngton have had the honour of submitting to
the inspection of her Majesty a centre ornament intended
for presentation to the Mem of the 17th Lances% by
officers formerly belonging to the regiment, the subserip-
Son Mat being heeded by the Duke of Cambridge.

His Royal Highness Lieutenant Prince Arthur,
who has been granted have of absence from his military
duties from the 19th inst., to enable him to spend Chriat.
mem with her Majesty at Osborne, will rejoin the corps of
Royal Artillery at Woolwich on Saturday asst. _ _

Their Serene Highnesses Prinoe and Prinoess
Edward of Sas♦Weimar have arrived at Italcomb, Suns;
from visiting ths Duks and Dualism of Manolmstur at
itimbolton Castle.

The marriage of the Marquis of Hamilton, M.P.,
sad Lady Mary Carson, daughter of the Earl and Coun-
tess Howe, is lad to take place on the 7th of the ensuing
month.

The Earl and Countess Beauehamp arrived at
their residence in Belgrass-square yesterday from Meares-
field Court, Worcestershire, for the season.

Viaoount CaatJerome has loft town fur his seat,
Killarney, Ireland.

Lord Bingham ie staying on a vita to tho
Duke and Duchess of Richmond of Ooodwood-park,
Susie:.

Tho marriage of Lord Archibald Campbell,
the ion, and Miss Callander, the ward of the Duke
of Argyll, will take place early iu January, at ArgyU
Lodge.

The Archbishop of Canterbury and Mrs. Tait
have been oommanded to attend her Majesty at Osborne,
on Tuesday next, when Me grace will do homage to the
sovereign.

The Hight Hon. H. A. Bruen Lug loft town for
York'lire.

It is rumoured that Sir George Grey, M.P. for
Morpeth, is likely to retire. The Marquis of Harlington
and Mr. Milner Gibson have both Duca mentioned as can-
didates.—Northers Daily Expreas.
DEATII 01, CAPTAIN SPEIII9, M.P. FOR RENFREW-
emus.—A telegram from Glasgow states that Captain
Spain, M.P., died yesterday morning, at a quarter to ten,
at

of gastrio fever, from which he had
been suffering for a fortnight. Captain Spoke was born
in 1840, and four years thereafter succeeded to the erten-
sive family estates in Benfrewshire, on the death of his
father, Alexander Spears, req., of Eldership, a leading and
consistent whig, who was at once the lord-
lieutenant and member for the county. The lamented
deceased was educated at Eton ; in 1858 be entered
the army, and obtained in 1882 the rank of captain
in the Scots Franke Guards, from which, however, in
1866 he retired, on being elected, by a large majority, re-
presentative of Beatrewshire in the liberal interest, after
a keen ponied wit► Sir Michael Shaw Stewart, Bart., the
emesevative eaadidele and Ilannee member. Iced yeas
Captain Spain married the Hog Anne Pleydel-Beavirie,
eldest daughter of Viscount Folkestone and grand-
daughter of the Earl of Radnor. In the event of no
ism readting from the marriage, his only eider, married
to Lieut.-Colonel Claud Alexander. of Balloehmybs, will
succeed to the estates, the rental of which amounts, we
understand, to fully 26,0001. a yeas.

We (Brighton- Pont) regret to hear of the dan-
gerous iless of the Hon. and Rev. Canon Tortuous.
On Tuesday it was stated that the rev. gentleman was
dead, but that was incorrect. The rumour probably had
its origin in the death of Yrs. Fortaseue, the rev. gentle-
men's wife, who died on Tuesday at the Deanery, where
both she and bar husband had been staying. Canon Foe-
testae is is entesie wertia, and has been given up by his
medical attendants.

AECTIBISITOP CANTERBURY'S
PATINNAOI.—The new Archbishop of Canterbury_ will
have in his gift two canonries in his cathedral, which are
connected with the archdeaconriee of Maidstone awl
Canterbury, six preachsrahips in the cathedral, and
nearly 200 livings. Amongst these are the rectory of
Lambeth and several in the city of London, mom of %im
alternately with the Crown and the dean and chapter of

Fria CIIUIOII ix AUBTEALTA.—The Anti-
Ritualist port] in Australia bare formed Wad they
sate a "Free Church of and hare Dr.
W. F. Dailey to be its iirst Ha meat throat
form of mmescretiom took the of supremacy, a•
tLe following deader held a gull ordination.