The Express.
London, England, 1868-01-02 00:00:00

Efte eVpreoo.

TO CORRESPON
brDENTS.
ening
gdsemente Inte for " The London Ev
Papvertier, mow be atnded the Mice, 10. loav esa,"
ertritftst, by Two
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HAYMARKET.
TINS EVENING, A WIFE WELL WON. Yaws. Wham, m,
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PRINCESS'S.
TRW Evigrao, THE COLLEEN BAWL Mr. and Sim Dion
Boudcault—After which THE STREETS OF LONDON. Mr.
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Mims /timothy, K Barnett, Rachel Sanger. and Mr.. Addle.

ITAAND.
THIS Ensnio, KIND TO A F —A fter which "FM be pr
dared a Oratxl eltriAtmas Opendic Oental Extravainins; TU E
CALIPH Ole DAGDAD.—ADA NOTHLNG TO MINER

HOLBORN.
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HIGH WATT& AT LONDON BILIDOL
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tll.lloitsoW—Moraths. 7b. Vat---Afternoola. 711. Vbs.

LONDON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2.

Ir has been the pride and the privilege of the
Second Empire to keep all Christendom in a tor-
ment of anxious expectation during those last
days of the old year which in happier days have
been dedicated to thoughts of peace and goodwill
amongst men. Since the memorable Tour de rein
of 18119 it has been almost a mockery among men
engaged in the negotiation of public securities to
wish each other a happy new year. Call no man
happy until the oracle of the Tuileries has spoken,
and the arbiter of peace and war has announced
the destinies of Europe to the Papal Nuncio. To
quiet and peace-loving Englishmen there seems
something Fenian in this capricious dispensation.
If this be the secret of natural influence and pres-
tige, to be able to shake all the money markets,
paralyse commerce and industry, and drive forty
millions sterling into the Bank cellars for safety
by the nod or the frown of a single man, or by
the apprehension of what he may utter or how he
may look when the diplomatic representatives come
to greet him on a New Year's morning, we can
only say that the country that endures it is wel-
come to it. We were assured some years ago on
the highest authority that when France is con-
tent, Europe is secure. It would appear that
France is not so content as her neighbours might
desire when a word or a glance from her chosen
ruler, or even his silence, is enough to coavulso
Europe with alarm. For our own part, however,
we have never been content to hang on the lips
even of a master of thirty legions. It is upon his
general course of policy at home and abroad, on the
necessities and the fatslitiesof his systumof govern-
ment, on his army bills, on his inspired journals,
that we fix our attention. To browbeat an ambas-
sador at a complimentary reception is a theatrical
effort that cannot be repeated. lied the Emperor
KA POLEI Stitoi.cll ever so menacingly yesterday, the
effect of his words would have been more than suffi-
ciently discounted in advance. The present state of
armed peace--more armed and less poacef n I every day
that it is pndonged—is not to be alleviated by a few
trivial sentencis of unmeaning courtesy. We were
not among those who expected that the EMPEROR
would unmask his batteries or fire a ChamepOt in
the air on the Ist of January by way of encou-
ragement to Lien Misisr en of FINANCE in the pre-
paration of a hem for " public works," or of no-
tice to Count Itismaera to keep his powder dry.
On the present occasion, indeed, the charm of a
surprise was wanting to the ceremony. Already,
on New Year's eve, the EMPEROR had received
most graciously the l'russiau Ambassador in his
new character and capacity as representative of
the North German Confederation. Count nr.
Goers had been instructed to assure his Imperial
Majesty of the " eager desire" of the King of
Paus.sia to maintain more and more the relations
of good feeling and confidence between France
and the Confederate States, and of the KING'S
personal sentimente of sincere friendship. The
Etna...run, in reply, had embraced the opportu-
nity with pleasure of continuing the good under-
standing existing between the two Governments,
which he devlanal to be " the pledge of their
" prosperity, and a guarantee of the peace of
" Europe." After this it was evident that specu-
lators fur a fall were a day too late and doomed
to disappointment. It was impossible for them to
make much of the absence of the Ambassadors of
Russia and Italy next day. The Russian Ambas-
sador happened to be attending a diplomaticconclave
at St. Petersburg, and the representative of Italy
was enjoying a brief respite from his arduous
labours. It is scarcely probable that the Emmaus
would have touched upon the Eastern question to
M. TR 111.1.1tElti; ; and as for the Italian question,
Italy must wait to he as strong as the North Ger-
man Confederation before her ambassador can
hope for such a welcome as Count Goerz so well
deserved. For the moment, then, all is calm.
Let us abstain at such a* season from ill-omened
words, and from casting the shadow of uncertain
evils upon serener hours. There will be time
enough to compare the reassuring Imperial words
which are displayed in the most conspicuous page
of the Moilittlor with those fiery appeals to the
warlike passions of the country population which
are being despatched front the purlieux of the
Ministry of the Interior to obscure but not inde-
pendent provincial journals. What matter if the
Munifeur .1.. In Menrihr calls the people to arms to
save the independence of France and restore
her glory ; what matter if even M. ROCHER,
Minister of State, speaking with all solemnity
from the tribune in the Corps Ltielatif, if the
Minister of War and the Minister of Marine,
insist on the urgent necessity of raising the active
army to 750,000 men, and organizing a total
force of a million and a quarter of men, in order
to sustain the military predominance of the Em-
pire, if the EMPEROR himself speaks peace and
friendship to the Ambassador of the North Ger-
man Confederation on New Year's-eve 4 Let us
do justice to the necessities of • Government
which is preparing to face a general election with
a triple programme of Rome for the clergy, glory
and conquest for the army, peace for the trading
classes, and parish roads and general balderdash
for a not too enlightened peasantry. And with
this candid and intelligent appreciation of apowerful
neighbour's domestic difficulties let us wait in
patience to see what another New Year's-day will
bring forth, if we may be permitted at this season
of universal contentment and congratulation to
look so far into the future without misgivings.