The Express.
London, England, 1861-03-01 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 1, 1861.

the character and discipline of the Service, while
we were paying off in the barbarous old fashion
hundreds of men-of-wars' men, and tardily following
the recommendations of the Royal Commission
in the establishment of training ships for
boys. Just as we pay off • Board of
Admiralty as soon as they begin to warm to
their work, so we pay off our picked able
seamen, and drag the shuns of all the outports
for • pack of skulkers who would disgrace a collier.
The result is such a state of discipline, that in the
Mediterranean squadron suppressed mutiny is
chronic, and insubordination the order of the day.
True seamen are dispirited and down at heart, and
so are smart and zealous captains, who are not even
allowed by the Admiralty to carry on the duty of
their own ships without the incessant meddling of
" My Lords," whom your sea-lawyer holds in terror
over the heads of his officers. No progress
has been made towards the creation of a standing
navy, or an effectual reserve in time of war. The
Admiralty are for ever botching, mending, and
altering ; but as to barrack accommodation at
the naval arsenals, or a comprehensive plan of
maritime inscription, these are the chimeras of
pamphleteering enthusiasts on half-pay. And when
the seafaring population on the comet come forwards&
a defensive force of volunteers at sea, "My Lords"
pooh pooh the notion, as a freak of yachtsmen ;
and the goodwill of thousands of the smartest
longshore-men, hoblers, fishermen, and boatmen
is held of no account, because they don't care to
bo marked with the broad arrow of "My
" Lords." Such are only a few details of the
immense indictment against the Admiralty. It
is no fault of the British people, of Parini-
meat, or of the press, that the British Navy is
disgraoefully ill-paid from the highest to the lowest
branch of the Service ; that it is the chartered prey
of "interest," favouritism, jobbery, and incompe-
tence ; and that it is not, as it certainly might be,
the most happy and efficient, as it is the richest
in glory of all the navies in the world. It will be
a national peril and disgrace if the present Session
panes away without at least effecting ono radical
reform--the Reform of the Navy.

Tie House of Lords last night was occupied
with a subject of very great importance and diffi-
culty—the hardship and distress caused to the
labouring classes, especially in the crowded eastern
parts of London, by the destruction of their
dwellings consequent upon the multiplication and
extension of lines of railway with their necessary
stations. Its importance is seen in the fact that
in one parish, that of St. Bartholomew, Cripple-
gate, 2,000 poor persons are under notice to quit
their dwellings to make way for the extension of
one railway, and that among the schemes deposited
this year with the Board of Trade fifteen traverse
the heart of the metropolis. The difficulty of the
subject is seen in the fact that neither the Earl of
Dinar, who introduced it, nor the Earl of
SHAPTUBBORY, who brought his great experience
to bear on it, was able to suggest a practicable
remedy. Lord Daisy observed that when the
interests of trade are threatened with disturbance
by public improvements, they are powerful
enough to command attention and exact compen-
sation; but that the interest of the labouring classes
in being housed near their work is destroyed
without a thought of making them amends.
This is too true, althongh it ought not to be
hastily assumed on that account that the interests
of the labourer are lightly esteemed. It would be
nearer the truth to may that the poor are not,
indemnified because their interest in such cases
is so extremely difficult to estimate and ascertain.
It is comparatively easy to settle the value of a
business site, but simply impossible to say what is
the worth of a labourer's weekly tenure of a
couple of living-moms. Then, again, it is to be
remembered that every scheme which facilitates
business—and among these none are more im-
portant than railways—increases employment, and
thus benefits the class which on the other hand it
subject& to inconvenience. The wholesale diaper
session of populations, however, is now reaching a
pitch of importance at which it must be recog-
nised as worthy of the most serious public atten-
tion, and the least that can be granted is a select
committee to inquire into the remedy. Such a com-
mittee, however, would soon perceive that the true
interests of the working classes are not to be served
by resisting the construction of those means of
communication which are found necessary for the
purposes of commerce.

The speeches of Mr. SITYOCI FITZOILLILD, Sir
J. FiIiGURSON, and Mr. LATARD show how MlCeli-
Nary was some such explanation as Lord JOHN
Rcsacti. gave of the part we are taking with
reference to the French occupation in Syria.
The serious inconveniences which are the direct
consequences of that occupation, in addition to
those which present themselves in connexion with
the policy which Russia is steadily, though quietly,
pursuing towards Turkey, impress men of all
parties. The equal administration of justice in
Syria is impossible while the French troops remain
there ; and it is too clear that their presence, and
the part they are taking with one portion of the
population against the other, is preparing the way,
however contrary to their intention, for the out-
breaks which their agents predict will take place
when their army is withdrawn. As tho case now
stands, it is impossible to foretel when the occupa-
tion will cease.

THE PRESIDENT ELECT ON THE

SECESSION.

According to the latest advieds from the United
States brought by the Anglo•Baxon, a summary of which
we published yesterday, Mr. Lincoln continues his lourney
towards Washington, being received everywhere with the
grentaitenthusissm. At Pittsburg, Pennsyl • on the
15th, Mr. Lincoln addressed an immense throng the
balcony of the Monongahela House. After thanking them
for their flattering reception, which was indicative of their
good will and sincere feeling, he said : Allusion has been
made nearly in every short address I have delivered to the
present distracted date of the country, and you naturally
expect me to say something upon this subject. But to
touch upon it at all involves an elaborate discussion of a
great many questions and circumstances requiring more
time than I can at present command, and might unneceesa-
rily commit me upon matters which have not fully deve-
loped themselves. (Cheers, and cries of Good, that's
right.) The condition of the country ia extraordi-
nary, and fills the mind of every patriot with
anxiety. It is my intention to give this subject all the
consideration possible before specifically defining m
position in regard to it—(chess{—so that when I do speak
I may be as nearly right as possible. When Ido speak I
hope to say nothing in opposition to the spirit of the con-
stitution, or contrary to the integrity of the Union, or
which will prove inimical to the liberties of the people or
the peace of the whole country. (Great cheering.) And
furthermore, when the time comes for me to speak upon
the great subject, I hope to say nothing tekodicsausisoint the
generally throughout the country, • yif their
expectations are based upon anything Irbil. I may have
heretofore said. (Applause.) Notwithstanding the
troubles across the river—(pointing southward to
the Monoogahela Hirer and smiling)—there really
is no crisis except an artificial one. (Laughter
and applause.) What is there now to warrant the con-
dition of affairs presented by our friends over the river ?
Take even their own views of the questions involved, there
is nothing to justify the course they are punning. (A
Voice : That's so.') I repeat there is no crisis excepting
such as may be gotten up at any time by turbulent men,
aided by designing politicians. My advice to them is to
keep cool. If the great American people will only keep
then, temper on both sties of the line the trouble will come
to as end, and the question be settled just as surely as all
other difficulties of a like character which have originated
in this government have been adjusted. Let the people on
both sides keep their self-possession, and just as other
clouds have pined away in due time so will this great na-
tion continue to prosper as heretofore."

P4SITIONB FOR MARCH.
---..--
(From Le Pellet.)

Amongst other novelties which have lately ap-
peared, than are cashmere shawls of an entirely new style.
They are no longer of one colour, but covered all over with
some design—palms, or medallions of bright colours ; or
sometimes made with broad, long stripes of white, which
cross the shawl over the shoulder, whilst the other part is
either black, red, or blue. They are made square as well as
long ; and with white, and beautiful Indian pink in the
medallions, are very elegant and recherché.
Satin progresses in favour, and nothing au be "more
charming than this beautiful materiel Velvet, though
very effective, in only deemed suitable for elderly ladies :
at least, such is the opinion of the fashionable world. For
satin, lace is decidedly the mast suitable trimming ; and,
indeed, no other ornament can be said really to equal it.
A dress ornamented with gold can only be worn once or
twice, but lace may bo made into so many different forms
and fashions.

Morning and at-home dress vary but little in make. They
are very simple; the skirts plain in front; sleeves nearly
tight, just loose enough to Fats the hand through; and
trimmed with a cuff or trimming up to the elbow. The
skirts are bound round the bottom with • velvet, throe or
four inches iu width, and • row of mamma buttons up the
front. The colours most in vogue are golden, brown, and
violet des Alpes.

For visiting dress, richer and more ornamental robes are
worn. Velvet, satins with lace trimmings, moires, and
taffetas antique moire, and satin, are also trimmed with
velvet, interlaced, and forming a trimming en Mblier for
the front of the dress ; or rings of psesemeoterie placed in
bands ins similar form or macaroni surrounded by la
oe Taf-
fetas and taffetas antique are elegantly trimmed with. very
Dlll7Olll finances down the front of the dress ; sometimes
surrounded by a thick ruche, or finished by butterfly
bows—that is to my, bows without ends ; merely two bows
drawn together with a piece acmes the middle, the bows
being left wide out like wings. Velvet really needs no
ornament ; the only trimming admissible is lace put in little
flounces en tahlier ; or, what is perhaps newer sod also
equally pretty, is a band of guipure placed round the skirt,
a short distance from the bottom, with a band of light.
coloured satin-generally white—laid under it.
The skirts have lost nothing of their amplitude, and con.
tinue to be made with small trains. The bodies are made
round at the waist, or in a point ; but the latter is consi-
dered the most dressy. They are very frequently made
open, either a short distance down, which leaves a space for
handsome buttons on the body, or open down to the waist ;
in which case, a rich plastron of Lee can complete the
toilette. Sleeves for dresses of rich material are made half
large, long, and open with trimmings, or of three puffs.
The trimmings, of course, must correspond with those of
the dress.

The following descriptions will put our readers in pores-
lion of the newest styles of bonnets for this month : black
velvet bonnet, with a wide bride of blue terry velvet edged
with white satin, Stood across from ear to ear. White
satin curtain, covered with black Los. Two small blue
feathers planedi en bandeau.
Bonnet of mauve royal velvet ; the soft crown farmed with
a rich blonde. On the leftside, a bunch of mauve festhersandon
the right a shull of blonde, in the middle of which is placed
a small rosette of feathers. A bandeau of mauve flowers
scree the forehead. This bonnet is extremely elegant, as
is also the following made of pink terry velvet mixed with
blonde, eitberwhite or black, or both, mixed with a bunch of
curled feathers at the side. In the inside, two email
feathers form • diadem, being fastened together by a ro-
sette of blonde.

Fancy strewbotinets are beginning to be Worn and c•pottee
of coloured and black, or white ails, are much in favour.
These last are trimmed either with a fiat bow on the top or
• rosette of ribbon or small feathers at the side ; but we do
not expect much novelty in bonnets whilst the weather is
so unsettled.

The eveningcoilfurea are exceedingly beautiful this season.
The u await, and certainlynot the lewd becoming style is formed
with three very small wreaths carried across the head—the
front one forming a small diadem on the forehead, which is
generally a dark shade of colour; Ore second, a straight
wreath, is of a lighter shade ; sad the third is the lightest
shade of the colour. This head.drass may be seen on one
of the plates for this month, and will, we believe, become a
general favourite. The rate style of headAress may
formed with gold cord, or rouleaux or plaits of velvet of dif•
tenant shades, or rouleaux of velvet sad gold.

The publication of the fifth volume of Macaulay's
"History of England" edited by his sister, Lady Tre-
velyan, is announced for the 15th inst. It will comprise the
events of the years 1696, 1699, 1700, and 1701—including
the death of James 11., and the memorable general elec.
tionof 1701—sod contains that portion of the continuation
of the "History of England" which Lord Macaulay
left fairly transcribed and revised for the press.
It is given to the world precisely as it was left.
Besides the revised manuscript, a few pages containing the
first rough sketch the last two months of Williams reign
are all that is left. From this, Lady Trevelyan has, with
some &Sonny, deciphered the amount of the death of
William. No attempt has been made to join it on to the
preceding pert, or to supply the corrections which would
have been made by the tasteful hand of the author.

Mr. Buckle's second volume of " The History of
(Ivilieatien in England'l will appear is April

A new volume will appear early in April on the
Natural Dietary of Ceylon, by Sir J. EmereonTennent,
K.C.S., LL.D., &e.

Mr. B. B. Woodward, 8.A., F.S.A., is prepar-
ing for the press a new Historical and Chronological
Encyclopedia.

Tin Weeks in Japan," by the Bishop of Vic-
toria (Hoeg Kong), is in the prem.

A new work is preparing for publication, entitled
the " Treasury of Botany," edited by John Lindle', M.D.,
Emeritus Professor of Botany in University College, Lon-
don, assisted by Professor Balfour, the Rev. J. M. Berke-
ley, John Ball, Fag., the Rev. C. A. Johns, J. T. Syme,
Esq., Maxwell Masters, Esq., Thomas Moore, Esq., and
other practical botanists.
_ _ _

"The Life of Robert Stephenson, F.R.S., late
President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, by John
Cordy Jeanine," Barrister•at-Law ; and Williant Pole,
Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, is preparing
for pnblieatka._ _

"The Autobiography and Services of Sir James
M'Grigor, Bart., late Director-General of the Army Medical
Department." will be published early this mouth.
" Memoirs of the Life of Sir Marc Inambard
Brunel, Civil Engineer, V.P., F.A.S., Corresponding Mem-
ber of the Institute of France, ke., ►y Richard Beamish,
F.A.5.," ars preparing for publication.

"The We of Ifiehaitl Purson, M.A., Profeesor
of Greek le the University of Cambridge from 1792 to 1808,
by the Rev. John Selby Watson, M.A., M.R.5.L.," is in
*sprees

AN ANALYSIS OF "ESSAYS AND
REVIEWS."

Those who have not read " Essays and Reviews"
may obtain a general idea of the contents of the
work from the following simple, correct, and of
course unbiassed analysis, published in Messrs.
Longmans' Notes on Books (No. 24), just issued :

The Essays comprised in this volume are stated to have
been written independently of each other, and do not ap-
pear to have been associated upon any prescribed plan.
1. Dr. Temple opens the view of a progressively spiritual
development of the human race, which he likens to a pro-
cess of education. To this development the Hebrews con-
tributed the conception of the one God, and the regulation
I of the passions; the Greeks educated the intellect and
taste • to the Asiatic is due the imaginative element, and
to the Roman the discipline of the will. All these be-
longed to the childhood of the world. When mankind
was ripe for it, the Lord Jesus came to teach by his
example ; and in the third period, that of the Christian
church, humanity is left to the guidance of the mature
reason and of the indwelling spirit, to learn the one remain-
ing lesson of charity and toleration. The Bible contains
the record of the earlier stages in this spiritual progress,
and is the divine instrument for transmitting the spiritual
life. The exact study of it is declared to be the immediate
work of our own day.
2. " Bunsen's Biblical Researches," as carried through
the k" Egypt's Place, Re.," the " God in History," and
some parte of the " Bible for the People," form the
subject of a Review by Dr. Rowland Williams. Without
approving of his author in all details, he admires the large
grasp with which he treats his material and assents to the
great principle of biblical and historical interpretation
which recognises a spiritual growth in humanity. If the
specific unity of the human race, as he has always
' taught soil believed, is to be maintained, he agrees with
I Bunsen in the necessity for au extension of received
chronology during the prehistoric and early his-
lark periods; he considers it required, in order
to make room for known events, for ethnic and
linguistic developments, and for the rooting of spiritual
growth. Part of the Bible he consider to have been com-
piled out of earlier documents. He follows Baron Bunsen
with approval in his treatment of the prophetical portions
of scripture, including those typical analogies usually
esteemed Messianic prophecies, and especially Is. liii. ; and
he regards the prophetic spirit rather as a faculty of insight
into the laws of God's moral government of the world,
than as a power of predicting the events of external
history. Lastly, the " Hippolytus " is referred to as illus-
trating the first growth of the Gospel, its original relation
to heathenism, and the hardening of Christianity into dog-
matism and ecclesiasticism. The Essay appreciates, in
conclusion, the learning and moral courage of Bunsen.
3. The leading idea in the Eery by the late Profaner
Powell appears to be, "that the more knowledge advances,
the more it will be acknowledged that Christianity, as a
real religion, must be viewed apart from connexion with
physical things." Hence it follows that the portion of
the " Evidences" which tarns upon miraculous attes-
tations of the Gospel may impede its reception rather
than favour it. Miracles are said to have become in fact,
in the minds of many, a part of the object of belief, and,
as such, to present the greatest difficulties to belief. When
the analysis of any alleged supernatural or miraculous
event is carried to the utmost, we can never have more
than negative evidence as to its cause, no more than this,
that it is not consequent upon any known antecedent.
Testimony also may reach as far as sense does—namely,
to the occurrence of the physical phenomenon itself, but
no further. Whether that phenomenon were due me-
diately to some secondary unobserved cause,or to the imme-
diate action of the First Cause, escapes detectioc,and there-
fore cannot be the subject of testimony. To arrive at the
"source" of • miracle we must transcend nature, and
when we have transcended nature we are in the pre.
since of the Deity, who cannot work miracles relatively to
Himself. The result of the discussion is to make a
distinct severance between the external and internal
evidences of Christianity ; and to show that the progress of
' physical discovery may ied the former, ea they have
usually been treated, but not the latter.
4. Mr. Wilson's Bray is chiefly devoted to the considera-
tion of the means of rendering the National Church more
comprehensive, especially in reference to the difficulties
occasioned by modern biblical criticism and theological
speculation. He lays it down as the true principle of
the Christian church generally, that it should be
what he calls multitudinous—that is, as we un-
derstand it, inclusive of persons of all degrees of
iatellernal attainment, and of moral and spiritual
advancement. He shows that the apostolic church was
very slow to excommunicate, either for moraldelinquency or
erroneous belief. Much lees should a national church, in
which all the citizens have an interest by birthright, prac.
really shut out multitudes from itself, by placing artificial
speculative barriers in the way of communion with it. Mr.
Wilson argues, indeed, that the stringency of terms of coin-
amnion in the Church el England, and of the clerical obli-
ptious, is less than is usually supposed, on two grounds:-
1. Because the National Church is a legal institution, and
the State being the imposer of its articles and formu-
laries, interprets them ultimately with great latitude
In its own court. ; and the legal obligation of subecrip-
tins and declarations so ascertained becomes the measure
of the moral one. Yet the modification of existing sub-
seriptions is advocated on grounds of public policy, inas-
much as they practically deter many from entering the
ministry ; occasion scruples to others • and furnish contra-
Tardier with invidious weapons. The author thinks the
requisite modifications would be consistent with retaining
the Thirty-nine Articles as the ultimate standard
of doctrine and as a barrier against Reinanism ;
2. Inasmuch as the Church of England forniularies
declare themselves to be founded upon scripture,
the same latitude must be allowed in their in-
terpretation which belongs to the interpretation of
the scripture itself ; this varies according to the differences
of men's circumstances and attainments. Instances are
given of the range of these varieties of interpretation.
From the removal of speculative obstacles to communion
with the National Church, Mr. Wilson looks forward to
an increase of its power as an educator of the Christian
life ; and finally he anticipates there shall be found here-
after, as in the Church on earth, places not only for the
perfect, but both for "small and great," in the world to
come. _ . _

-5. The Essay on the " Mosaic Cosmogony " un-
dertakes to free the Yentsteuchal account of the

Creation from the forced interpretations put upon
it by attempted reconciliations with modern disco-
veries. This is required in the interest of a genuine
piety, of reverence for the biblical records, and of critical
morality. The author confines himself to the first narrative
of creation, which terminates Gen. ii. 3. In this passage
there is a sublime grandeur, when the language is received
in its plain and obvious meaning ; but there is nothing in it
poetical or allegorical, nor anything to indicate an inner
hidden sense. The schemes of reconciliation pasmfl
under review are chiefly those of Ituckland, Chal-
mers, Hugh Miller, and Archdeacon Pratt. It is shown
how they mutually destroy each other, and how the
conciliatory hypotheses have always given way before
the advance of actual discovery. Time, the assumption of
an indefinite period elapsed between Gee. 1. 1 sod 2, ;1=
which the geological phenomena were at one time supposed
to have taken place by catastrophic action, surrendered to
the discoveries of Lyell, and room had to be made for the
terrestrial changes in the hexaberneron itself. The
"periodic" explanation of the " days" of Gen. i., to which
conciliators were thus driven, is next examined, and par-
ticularly the " visionary" hypothesis. Some pointed ex-
amples are then given, to show the disagreement of par-
ticular statements in the scriptural text under any of these
views, with the information since acquired by obser-
vation. The text, it is said, can only be made to
accord with scientific discovery by emptying its statements
of all specific meaning. But it is maintained that the
admitting of elements, of error or defect in this ancient
utterance ought not to detract from the admiration due to
a composition which embodies the great truth of the unity
of the design of the world, and its subordination to one
sole Maker and Lawgiver; and which it has pleased Pro-
vidence to use for no many ages in a special way for the
education of mankind.

IL Mr. Pottierm reviews the course of English
theological literature from the Revolution to
the middle of the eighteenth century, so far as
those controversies were concerned in which the
opponents and defenders of Revelation equally appealed to
the common Reason. "Rationalism" was, during that age,
a method and universal habit of thought. The effort on
one side was to prove, on the other side to disprove, the
truth of Christianity. The literature, however, of the period
ending with 1750 is characterised as far superior in spiritual
elevation to that which succeeded it •, it was concerned with
a comparison of the contents of Revelation with the dictates
of Reason • from 1750 onwards, the discussion turns upon
the external " Evidences." The author illustrates his sub-
ject by ("miens extracts from all the writers of any duitinc-
tion on both sides of the Deistical controversy. His eon-
cluaion seems to be, that if the question at issue between the
Deists and their opponents was not mistaken, the appa-
ratus employed for its solution was at least inadequate ;
and that the chief service rendered to the muse of Christian
tenth in the course of those controversies has been the
abiding conviction of a failure on both aides in the use of
the rationalistic method.

7. Mr. Jewett treats fully the subject of the Inteie-
tation of Scripture. He shows the impediment+ to a ht
understanding of it which arise from controversial habi ;
from theories of inspiration and of prophecy from the practice
of accommodation, whereby scripture histories are explained
in conformity with creeds, and scripture precepts are merle
to accord with modern standards of morality ; from the
isolation of texts, in the search after scriptural proofs ;
from the invention of allegorical, mystical, and other

double senses ; from a confusion between the parts of the
Bible and a misunderstanding of the relation between the
Old Testament and the New; and from a harmonising
principle carried to excess. Unless the difficulties
which beset the interpretation of scripture are cleared
away, Christianity must remain in a false position,
and objections to erroneous methods of scriptural
explanation will continue to furnish objections
against the religion of the Bible itself. Chris.
tianity must he relieved from all appearance of disguiee or
unfairness. The scripture, therefore, should be interpreted
like any other book ; that is, the meaning should be ascer-
tained which it bore to the minds of the original authors.
Hidden meanings should not be brought to it, but it should
be interpreted from itself ; not as an indistinguishable man,
but as a special literature, forming an organic whole,
wherein a spiritual growth is to be recognised. Forms of
thought which belong to the classical and modern periods
should not be attributed to the writers of the Old
or New Testament. ; and especially in the case of
the latter, grammatical rules and canons of criti-
cism which are applicable to classical Greek are very
liable to mislead. Numerous instances are given in illus.
tration of these various positions. Moreover, the interpre-
tation of scripture is to be carefully distinguished from it,
adaptation or application in controversy, in sermons, in
writing, in public speaking, in colloquial use. ',healed.
applications of the words of scripture injuriously affect its
interpretation • while a true interpretation will load toe sound
practical application of it. The author expresses a hope
that the interpretation of the Bible may yet become ap.
proximatively one—an unison which would have the
weightiest effect, on theology and Christian life, male.
rating controversies, enlarging charity, and improving
mo Finally, truth is to be sought for it, own sake.