The Express.
London, England, 1868-02-15 00:00:00

THE WEEKLY PRESS.

Tho Spectator observes that the Cambrit.lje Uni-
versity Election will certainly not be a contest of principle.
Both the candidates deeare themselves opposed to the Moll-
tion of Church-rates ; both declare themselves in some form
against " the undue preponderance of any ono chili in the
Stato " (Mr. B. Hope paraphrases it more more eautimuly,
that he looks to " the due balance of interests and the
mutual confidence of classes for the future safety and
prosperity of the country "), and neither of them appears
to be aware that this matter was so far settled
last session that they might just as well declare
their wish to got out at a particular station
when they are shooting past it in an express trio. Eoth
candidates declare for the independence of the universities ;
and, except that Mr. Hope is more High.Chureby than
State-Churchy, and Mr. Cleasby is more S tate-Chu rchy than
Iligh•Churchy, there is nothing to distinguish their prin-
ciples. Mr. Cleasby is a barrister. Mr. Hope established
the Saturday Review. Mr. Cleasby magnifies his friend-
ship with the late member, Lord Justice Selwyn, and
so teems to be in some way lie with the administration.
Rut Mr. Hope, who opposed Mr. Disraeli bitterly
List year, has got Lord John Manners on his committee,
which looks like a return to miuisterialism again. Which
to choose, then? It seems to us an insoluble question—
a case of " the liberty of indifference "—the old difficulty
of the ass between two equal bundles of equally dry bay.
The us is sure to choose, nevertheless—and ruciour says,
the wealthy high churchman—the world feeling special
gratitude for theamusement it has got out of the Saturthry
Review, and not caring particularly to reconcile the re-
sponsibility foe that amusement with the responsibility
for High-Churehy views.
Too Saturday Review is in favour for many reasons
of the present ministry remaining in office. There is
no prospect of a bettor, and there is a prospect of getting
a much worse one. If Lord Derby is unfortunately com-
pelled by ill health to retire from office, the loss will
be great to the country and greater to his party,
but the ministry will still, in all probability, be the
best that could bo farmed. We want, above all things at
present, to be able to attend to our own affairs, and keep
out of complications with other countries. To have a good
Foreign Secretary is, therefore, the first of our needs ; and
whereas the present ministry can give us what we want,
there is no proper person in the liberal ranks who would
have any chance of being appointed. Success comes, in a
large measure, from its being expected that a man will
succeed ; and the expectation that Mr. Gladstone will
succeed when the time comes for him to form a ministry
has yet to be created. It may be created, however, in time
to be of nes to him, if during this Session he can inspire the
belief that he has been conciliatory and discreet in opposi-
tion, regardless of himself, anxious to keep hie party
together, superior to petty jealousies, end looking only to
the widest and most permanent interests of the nation.
The conservatives are not very fond of him, but they arc
his truest and best benefactors now by keeping him for
awhile off the Treasury bench. It only remains for him to
accept the benefit meekly and cordially, and to profit by
the opportunity given him.
The Examiner regards the government Bribery Bill as
ono that is sure not to pass. Our contemporary urges
that the question of bribery, and the question who is the
rightful possessor of the seat, ought to be kept just as dis-
tinct as a criminal prosecution for arson and a suit to re-
cover from the insurance company or the county, damage
done by a fire. So far from the two things being neces-
sarily or properly referred to the same tribunal, they ought
to be kept entirely apart, and ought to be disposed of at a
different time, in a different place, and by a different
judicial authority. To sift out cases of corruption, and
weed out offenders, local inquiry appears to be boat fitted ;
and this, like other duties of the criminal code, we should
without hesitation lay upon the common law judges, with-
out fearing any objection from them.
One urgent reason with the Chronicle for abolishing the
church establishment in Ireland is that while that insti-
tution exists the peasantry are apt to encourage the belief
that the Boman catholic bishops and clergy sympathise
with Fenianlam. In Ireland to demand the disendorm
meat of the thumb establishment is to be regarded and

proclaimed as s rebel, and the acceptant* of • domineering
and insulting ascendancy is proffered as a teat of loyalty.
It is because of these things that the abolition of the
church establishment will be so powerful for goad, sad

that the necessity for its rumenl is so imperative. It
presents half to the people as a sort of English pale, out
of whose bosom there is no salvation in the political or
mkt world. " Without are dogs." Beyond it are the
millions of ceitholios and dissenters, suspected, distrusted,
and denounced. It forbids them to be loyal. It lies at
the root of Irish disaffection, and a policy which delay to
deal with it i■ a policy of civil war.

News or Ma. firsiz.—We believe we ire
cermet in annonnsing that all teen as to Mr. flasks baying
been murdered ar baying committed Weide may now
be dispelled. Than is little doubt of the rev. pntls-
msn's =intense, and that informatke has boo received
of his present whsreabsets.—Post.

Riferring to the recent contest for the professor-
ship of political seoeseey at Orford. Mr. Francis W.
Newman mites that anises something is added to the
controversy whisk hes already taken plass an this subject,
Bossay Mee gaffes an undeserved stigma. It is
quite bee that the Orford residents were collectively
favourable to Mr. Thoreld Rogers, or they would
net ham weed the statute which made him eligible
for re.slestion; bet, as the other hand, it was
inevitable that Mr. Prise anal regard thin.
statute as in sew mese isjuriees to him ; for without it '
he wanted apoa his alleiliOn as certain. M. Ammo
thinks that, regarding the gaieties as a public see, them
is reuse to rejoice In Yr. Peke% election ; "as to his
Serytos." adds Mr. Newman, " I wish the tortes good lack

•

FORE N NEWS.

(TELIS DAY.)