The Express.
London, England, 1868-07-08 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JULY 8, 1868.

tnik of what formoil tho blood and marrow of
tho argument " not mattering a pin's point,"
and of " not grudging the noble earl his ad-
" vantage," will remind impartial readers of
nothing so much as a foilod and silly woman
in a rage.

But underlying this passage at arms, and totally
independent of it, lies the broad fact that the
Government have disestablished the Church in
Jamaica. Whatever there was of principle in the
opposition to the Suspensory Bill is strictly ap-
plicable to the proceedings of last night, yet no
prelate spoke, no zealous champion of Mother
Church struck a blow in her defence; and a bill
was rrOpOtial by the SzonsTrinv of STATE for
the CoLostss, and read a second time, which
strikes at the root of what ho and his colleagues
have strained every nerve to defend, and upon
which they moan to appeal to the country and
hope to keep in power. There is something so
inconsistent in this attitude of the Government
that it is necessary to give the details of the case
to make it fully understood. The Church in the
West Indies is, as Lord CAENAILVON said last
night, the Church of the tew, and of the rich few.
The great bulk of the population care little for its
ministrations, but are warmly attached to their
own forms of faith. As a missionary institution
it has proved a failure ; but its bishoprics and
livings have been kept up by tithes and parlia-
mentary grants dating from 11823. Churches
without congregations, shepherds without flocks,
and a state religion opposed to the state weal, is the
condition of things which the Government
has wisely determined to remedy. The measure,
read for a second time last night, withdraws the
20,0001. with which the Church in the West
Indies has hitherto been endowed by Parliament ;
and directly aims at the suspension of all ec-
clesiastical appointments by the state, from bishop-
rics downwards. It will enable the Government
to decide what, if any, reductions, modifications,
and abolitions are necessary in the alien church at
Jamaica, and affirms the valuable principle that
what Parliament gives it can withhold. This is
precisely what Mr. GLADSTONE'S measure was
designed to do. The Government and its sup-
porters found something monstrously wicked in
the suggestion, though few bad the honesty of
Lord SkusavritY—who must henceforth, by-the-
bye, be painted olive-branch in mouth, in compli-
ment to his dove-hie efforts to preserve peace
among his tetchy fellow Peers—who declares public
property to be private property, and the goods
lent in trust to a corporation to be held on the
same conditions as his own family estates.
This view is at least intelligible, though
the distinction between parliamentary grants
such as the Rogium Donum and other
sources of income is more subtle than
acute. But the Government evade anything so
outspoken as this, and leave the nature of their
principles to be judged by their acts. That the
element of burlesque might not be wanting in the
debate of last night Lord DENXAN favoured the
House with his views on the Hampshire yeomanry
in connection with Abyssinia, a subject which
was dragged in apparently on the principle on
which King Minus's head appeared in Mr.
Dicx's memoriaL But this incident was infinitely
lees ludicrous than the ludicrous position of the
Government ; and it is for the country to consider
how justice in Jamaica can possibly be injustice in
Ireland, and why suspension and withdrawal are
right and proper in the one country and wickedly
sacrilegious in the other.

the (0888011, forgotten probably before thonort ,enjoys
an ephemeral popularity. Moreover, while fiction
at such times is in almost universal request, we
suspect that there is by no means the largest
demand for the beet novels; but that the well-
worn materials used by the manufacturer of
tales are more appreciated than the high art
displayed in splendid works of genius such as
" Henry Esmond" or " Romola." The Quarterly
Review, indeed, observes that even Sir WALTER
Sotrrr's novels are comparatively unfamiliar to
the present generation of novel readers ; and the
remark has been recently echoed by the
Saturday Review. We hope the statement is erro-
neous, and wo believe that the publishers of the
Wavorloy Novels could without difficulty prove it
to be so. But, however, this may be, it is certain
that tho literary merit of a fiction does not news-
eerily secure its success, except in literary circles.
By the sea-side nobody asks whether a story dis-
plays genius, but only whether it is excit-
ing or amusing. On the beach and on the
pier it is probable that Mr. WILKIE COLLINB
is preferred to THACENRAT, and Mrs.
HENRY WOOD to °BORON ELIOT. Thera
even " Verdant Groan " has his admirers,
and there the author of " Lady Audley's Secret "
holds unrivalled away. But the sea-side, as we
have said, is frequented chiefly by pleasure-takers,
and if they can find pleasure in the diversion of
reading clever but second-rate stories, it is a mere
folly to say that they might do something better.
Which of us is wise enough to do the best thing
that can possibly be done ? Let them take the
enjoyment that suits them, although perhaps the
censor may be allowed to hint, especially to boys
and girl, in their teens, that even the amusement
of novel-reading may bo enhanced by the exorcise
of a little discrimination. A pastry-cook's shop
is attractive enough to a hungry man, but he will
soon feel the need of a purer and more substantial
diet.

OUR CONTEMPORARIES.
(THIS DAY.)

FOREIGN NEWS.

(Tnis DAY.)

THE DEBATE IN THE FRENCH CHAMBER.
THE MEXICAN AND ABYSSINIAN
EXPEDITIONS.

In the Myrna of the adjourned debate on the
Budget—
M. Mecum said--The comparison I have drawn would
evidently be false, if any loan had been contracted from
1864 to 1566 for ordinary expenses. Let us therefore
examine the employment of the sum raised by appeal to
public credit. First, 1,500 millions were applied to the
Crimean war, and few will dispute the necessity of that
demonstration. 2ndly, 500 for the Italian campaign ; and
I do not think even X. Jules Fans will blame that
expedition. Thirdly, 292 for the wars of China and
Cochin-China. Were this the proper time, I could easily
convince you of the great advantages obtained for com-
merce by thom measures. The fourth loan was for the
Syrian expedition, which I have no need to justify.
(Applause.)

M. Encnunt Prixrnut.—And Maxim P (Noise.)
M. MAONE.—One word more, gentlemen. I have no
intention to enter upon politics, but in my opinion the
expedition to Mexico is characterised by the phrase, an
enterprise legitimately commenced. (Exclamations on
some benches on the left.)
Volmo—Yes, yes, that is evident; that is indisput-
aMe.

M. Jot= Fay—lt was a monarchical and foreign in-
trigue that cost the country 300 millions. (Noise.)
M. Disown—l give you, gentlemen, the humble appre-
ciation of one who does not make politics his profession,
and who judges facts by the simple light of justice and his
individual common sense.

M. OILLNIXII DM Csaseotac—And also of patriotism.
M. Macnnt—l repeat that it was an expedition legiti-
mately commenced, gloriously prosecuted, unfortunately
terminated. (Greet applause.) The example of England
is continually cited, but them are cases where I
should like well to see it imitated. England is a very
great nation in many respects, and one of the most re-
markable of them is the common feeling which she esta-
blishes between herself and the meanest of her children.
(Hear, hear.) The protection of England follows all her
citizens wherever they are found, and whoever insults an
Englishman, or wounds his interests, person, or property
offends the whole English nation. (Great applause.)
M. Grace-Bmons.—Did England set up an empire in
Mexico ? (Exclamations and murmurs, "We protest")
The Pummel:yr—Do not protest in listening to such
language.
Manint—As the example of England is so often
quoted, I will say that I often put to myself the following
question. I suppose for a moment that the Abyssinian
expedition, commenced with the unanimous assent of the
public powers in England, and for motives analogous to
those which determined the Mexican, had not succeeded.
(Interruptions on the left.) I ask myself, I repeat, this
question : —ln presence of a national and public misfortune,
what would have been the attitude, what the language of
the parliament ? (Renewed approbation.)
M. Grua-Bizont—There is no comparison whatever to
be drawn between the two expeditions.
M. Prcuni—We shall have a better opportunity of din-
cussing the Mexican affair at a later period. I shall now
merely inquire whether the country has reason to con-
gratulate itself on finding that, after a financial direction
of 16 years, the last three years show a large deficit to be
mei by a loan ; and besides all this, a floating debt
promising another loan for next year. This last is the
sixth, and if account is taken of those made indirectly, the
tenth. Facts speak loud enough, and comment is super-
fluous. The hour is come for the country to pronounce a
solemn judgment. What we demand above all is light—
s simplification of the facts presented to the public. (Ap-
plause near the speaker.)

(TIEBOUGH U. ILIVITIEE'S ♦OINCT.)
SERVIA.
BELGRADE, JOLT &

M. Arnould, the correspondent of the Paris
paper, La Patric, in this capital, being alleged to
have forwarded incorrect reports of the recent
events in Sorvia, was to have been exposed to a
demonstration of the popular displeasure. M.
Arnould, however, having received timely warning,
quitted Belgrade, and the demonstration took
place in front of the residence he had left.

AMERICA.
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
NEW YORK, dram 7.

The Democratic National Convention which as-
sembled here on Saturday last have to-day an-
nounced their platform. It favours the taxation
of United States Bonds, and the payment in
currency of the bonds of all public debts except
where payment in coin is expressly stipulated.

It declares that naturalised American citizens
abroad enjoy equal rights with nativo born sub-
jects of the United States.

THE POPE AT HOHE.—The Univers contains a
special account of a ceremony which took place in Rome
on the 29th of June. "At 11111 e in the morning the Hely
Father," it says, "was borne to the basilica of St. Peter
in the &die gestatoria by twelve attendants, dressed in
red damask, between the two fans of ostrich plumes and
peacock feathers, and accompanied by eight prelates, who
held'over his head a canopy of red silk with gold embroi-
dery. The decorations of the basilica were of a piece. The
portico was hung with box, mingled with golden
coloured ribbons ; the pilasters and friezes were
ornamented with red damask and gold. The
statue of St. Peter was clothed for the occasion in a
Pope's dress, and the head was covered with a tiara. The
altar was ornamented with purple and gold fringe ; the
cross was covered with ornaments of lapis lazuli. Amongst
the relics was to be remarked one in the form of a dome
supported by little columns of gold, which contains a
anger of St. Peter, with this inscription—" Tu Terns cly.
pens nobia."
The Austrian Minister of Commerce, M. de
Plener, gave a grand dinner on the 3rd, in honour of the
members of the International Telegraphic Conference.
The series of toasts was opened by the Russian delegate,
who drank to the Emperor Francis Joseph. M. de Plener
replied in French, and gave the health of all the Sove-
reigns and Governments of Europe represented at the
meeting. 11. de Durkheim, on behalf of France, proposed
the Austrian ministers. Baron de Beust returned thanks
in French.

Count de Murat-hfurinais, who lives at theCha-
teau de Fontlosier, near Valence, having offered to his
Holiness Pius IX. the armchair which Pius VI. had used
in his prison, has just received from the Pope a letter of
thanks, accompanied by a portrait of the Holy Father, and
an autographic communication according some " spiritual
favours" to the count's family.

A Berlin letter of the 4th says :—" Yesterday,
being the anniversary of the battle of Sadowa, the King
and Queen arrived in the capital from Babelsberg. His
Majesty, attended by his aide-de-camp, Count de Lehn-
dorff, at once proceeded to the barracks of the regiment
of grenadiers of the guard, to be present with the princes,
generals, ministers, An., at the solemn consecration of the
monument erected in the court-yard of the building to
the soldiers of that corps who fell on the field of battle in
Bohemia. The King afterwar4p presided over a cabinet
council at the palace, and returned with the Queen to
Babelsberg in the evening."
BANQITET TO GEPIERAL SIR ROBERT NAPIER,
G.C.B.—Yesterday evening Sir Stafford Northoote, Bart.,
Secretary of State for India, entertained at dinner General
Bir Robert Napier (the distinguished commander of our
army in Abyannia) at his residence in Harley-street The
fact of Sir Robert's probable presence as a guest of Sir
Stafford Northcote had got bruited abroad, and a consi-
derable congregation of people assembled outside the
mansion to catch a glimpse of the gallant general, and on
his arrival, shortly after 8 o'clock, he was identified and
greeted with ahearty cheer. Covers were laid for 20. On the
right of Sir Stafford Northcote sat her Royal Highness the
Princess Christian, Sir Robert Napier, and Lady Susan
Melville, their via-a-via being Lady Northcote, his Royal
sr:lthe Duke of Cambridge, the Countess of Tanker-
the Duke of Buccleuch. On the left of Sir
Stafford sat her Grace the Duchess of Wellington, the
Earl of Malmesbur7, Lady Napier, and Sir John Poking_
ton, their vis-a-rss being his Royal Highness Prince
Christian, the Duchess of Buccleuch, the Duke of Welling-
. ton, and the Countess of Malmesbury. Mr. Northcote
and Miss Northeote, Colonel the Hon. James Macdonald,
and Colonel Gordon bad also the honour of being invited
to meet Genets/ Naples.