The Sun.
London, England, 1869-09-16 00:00:00

SPIRIT O TER PllßLlC:ormatT.

The Times thinks the rapid and widespread decay in
the bench of bishops is either a portent or a fact admit-
ting of reasonable explanations. Since it is not a catas-
trophe, it is an improvidence, all the more evidently
because we see plainly how it has come to pass. The
question remains what is to be done to meet an extensive
and, as likely as not, a chronic breakdown in the highest
and, as good Churchmen believe, the most essential order
of the Church. Our dioceses are very extensive and very
populous in comparison with the general scale Of
dioceses in Christendom, and by any standard of
observation and common sense that can be applied.
But the greater difficulty, and the more immediate cause
of breakdown, is that which is to be found in the bishop
himself. His position is very autocratic, and he shares
the temptation of autocracy. He will attempt much more
than he is obliged to do—much more even than is expected
from him. There have been examples lately—melancholy
examples we must call them—of bishops who may possibly
have found much to be done and few persons to do it, but
who certainly had no right to expect that they could do it all
single-handed. There is no real occasion why a bishop
should preach several new sermons a week; why he should
undertake the management of several colleges and
schools ; why he should be found everywhere
at public meetings, dinners, soirees, and recep-
tions ; why he should be writing books, or addicting
himself to special studies out of his duty ; why
he should change his residence a dozen times in the
year; why he should attempt to write fifty letters a day;
or even why he should attempt more confirmations than
are compatible with the limits of human strength or the
laws of space and time. The sum is that the work is
itself very great; the public expects more, and the bishops
will insist on doing even more than is expected from them•
The office is one that requires singular devotion and self-
denial, and it unfortunately too often gives a fresh stimulus
to an ambition likely enough to be found in the man•
very noble, very much to be admired, but absolutely
suicidal, considering what a diocese is, and what most
men are.

The Post remarks that the Bishop of Exeter's resigns'
tion completes the immediate purpose which the recent
Act was designed to accomplish, and three of the southern
dioceses are now in a fair way of being once more pro'
vided with bishops who are up to their work. The three
Prelates who retire into private life have long ceased to be
useful; and though they still retain the affection and
respect of those who through many years have known
them best, yet their truest friends could not wish to sal
them maintaining the possession of offices which they
eauld no longer fill either with credit to themselves
or benefit to the Church. The Bishop of 11.rily
chester was the first to retire, after having held tl5
see for forty-two years. He is the last of the prince
bishops. In future the See of Winchester will he shornil
much of its ancient splendour. The Bishop of Bath and
Wells belongs to a later date. It is hardly possible that
he can long survive, but his memory will be long held in
respect in the county of Somerset, where he had nO
enemies, and many friends. If he has left no lasting
mark upon his diocese, he has nevertheless kept it well nil
to a good standard of quiet practical work, and that Plane
is no small merit in these days. Of the Bishop of Exeter
i
we need say little. He has been so much before the sorb.'
that he is as well known as any of our public men'
With much to eulogise, something to blame, and
great deal to explicate, his biographer will have a tas'`
which propriety teaches ought not yet to be undertaker'
Upon the Premier devolves the weighty duty of filling 121)
these vacant sees. It is a task which no one need Wl'
We can only hope that he may be guided to a wise choice,
We want men of movement, learning, moderation, piety'
and administrative ability. There are such to be had;
the difficulty is in making the choice. Rumour is busy
with many names, but it would be bad taste to naenti°,°
them at this stage. We shall shortly see, and meanwh'e
are content to think that the nomination could scarab'
be in better hands.
The Telegraph declares that the Land Bill which 1,911
he brought forward by Mr. Gladstone's Government will
disappoint both those extreme parties that aspire to 14
distinguished by theirhostilities rather than their alliauc,e°'
by imperious dictation rather than joint working. :1116
Prime Minister and his colleagues will have to consider'
not merely the system which would be best in itself,
but far more seriously the system which viola
best suit the temperament, the habits, A:
In
the actual circumstances of the Irish people,
framing such a bill, strict respect must be P 5.11.
to a few prosaic maxims of honesty and policy. Wiu:
rendering the most ample justices to the tenant, we 11311,
no right to rob the landlord. A more difficult task !levet
came before an English Ministry; but the GoverrnnePa
will find invaluable allies in Irishmen of intellect 11'n
culture who are perfectly equal to the existing oter.;
tunity, who aim at a practical measure, aid who
the confidence of their country. Such men are w`',l
aware that, in a case like the present, Reis°
as well as England roust make concessions. As :
partner with England and Scotland, she can no nicifo-
dictate to the common Legislature the terms of ti't
Land Bill than the sister countries can ask her to acceVic
their fiat without protest cr criticism. To execute a °I.,
of such superlative difficulty will demand the joint lobouat
of all the three countries. It is as arduous a task as til
which has given Stein and ITardenberg an immortal 1113eca
in the annals of Prussia; end if it should be aceoinOsl 'se
with such skill and success as attended the efforts of o°l,
statesmen, the present Ministry will earn an imperishn'

name.
be
The Standard thinks it is impossible for any °f t
co
political parties in this country to overlook the signifies :Ir,
of the movement which has been started at Mallcilesele
having for its primary object an inquiry into the w p
subject of the present depressed state of capital
P"
J
labour in this country, with the ulterior view ref the
e
the gross injustice which is inflicted on all classes our
community, through the neglect of reciprocity 1n
and
commercial relations, especially with France
this
America. It is easy, of course, to attribute "
on'
•
movement, as some of our Liberal contera
ries have done already, to the machinations of the Tgoo
Bri
party ; and still easier to deride it, 9-9 lane,Bd
has done, as the work of lunatics in ease.
The Reciprocity Association, so far as we unaerol
their programme, do not desire to re-open the contr°' to
b 0
between Protection and Free-trade. They leave tratio
Mr. Bright's own friends of the extreme Denl°:iAlli
party in England and in America. They have esP,cavl
-
guarded themselves against being identified 99itadesixe
party movement or any political design. tbsS+
only to call the attention of the public to the fAc".tiiil
whereas we were promised what is called reeiPrecoa of
one of the necessary. consequences of the recluctkana
duties, that reciprocity has not yet been experieneer 000
is apparently as far from realisation as ever. Theolf the
is, that to this want of reciprocity is due much at tae
evils from which both capital and labour arei tb°—
present time suffering. it is a question which on fo oil!;
would shirk who are not very confident of their °Olfties"
cerity in the free-trade faith, or who have some P
ti
motives for evading the discussion.
A Ay, tli:j
The Herald refers to the case of Judge, and I`,"c
everyone must feel for a man who had struggle° "-.0.0A,
waited long for leave to toil, and who was so 00°1300,rni
suddenly thrown back upon an overdone labour fres
les 00
with all the depressing memories of former strugli..a, Is 0.,
in his mind. But those who sympathise with "pti
11
deeply are bound to condemn him most strong'ficeobig.
guise it as men may under the covering of shanigtie e' of
and excuse it as they like upon the plea of donelps
tion, suicide under any circumstances is a cotvar" oleos
escaping troubles and difficulties which should beTho
met and 'steadily borne by any one who realises "the so'ss
dignity of manhood. Especially is this so
soled]testwn °for
ferer has family ties and responsibilities
which have served Judge and others as Pres 0
the commission of multiplied and aggrar°,,euet st
The lives of his children were not his to cut su°st co,
mere will and pleasure, nor was it aught but tbethe 01g Si
cruel and cowardly homicide to murder them int docia.
to which they lay down, happily unconscious 0' now
cero
in store for them. Among the many who arced, Potit,‘
tending `Ville adversity such as Judge experien
are, happ, very few who would, even for %,plio;o
harbour such a purpose as that which he has 31esia° irsie
And those few, if tempted to carry their ill gcee
so
execution, should remember that there is n°.tn vtbeir tlo
in it, and that those who embrue their hands~tiiit3' at
or others' blood, because of the pressure of c'otsriet.'oe;
but earn for themselves a brief and infanions gfo os
the cost of a total sacrifice of that title to lovinlnstioc'
ful memory to which no one actuated by the
domestic affection can be altogether insensible.
°f the.
ere
The Daily .News says that the policY-1' 1, a rafter
Albert Assurance Company have now not 1.9"' 1001 c
.t for
sentative body which is quite competent
.t.u. imcinlittee%
their interests, but a definitive course
the promotion of those interests. The various
,ureat to ;of
which have been formed in London and the),',ffee•l'fjtisi
joined their forces at the Guildhall uujiitle,,ltigli
on Wednesday, and constituted an t 01
of action
_OllOOO.OO
body. Their resolutions are imPortasT Conlroso
to deci:le the fate of the mismanage . oscois,tU
wit its victimised shareholders.
meetings hitherto held, In .1 at al.rasci
h the opinion which has been express
req,iere'
the matter from the point of view of the 1),!ii5T:.„c13011,50
they resolved to reject the plan for the re().'..o9,torsibitt6
sTea
the company prepared by the provisional t
far as the old company- is concerned, the
and by all persons of
cliff va
now to be done is to make its assets Ir6iiii, of ,ea
lity as far back 33
To do this it ‘viil be needful to trace sever)'
appoit,eilD
theiFb
tl
the interest of the policy-holders will make itotf
tea
uty. In view of the large body of sh3re.lei`:(l4,lol,t
Albert, and of that far larger body, the that.
this ;
.01
tae
atnalgamated companies, we might reg t
possible, and liquidator
this
raetions
view of the public intetest, the investig..,
compla, ocri
now sure to be made must be regarded with
it 01! ts
history of this company raised as yet7.--;1.,_,, anio
We have but a corner of the veil which
duty of the liquidators to raise it up boll ,110elre I
the whole series of transactions to the world',1_ Inv,
or to
plete investigation and exposure is no!vorti; port; tr_
both policy-holders and shareholders, ands
ast,
least, of the squandered hundreds of thous
.n
too v-
ibides the se tl;
recoverable. It will be satisfactory, sharec p
• and theit r
status of amalgamated companos
finally decided, and the Albert cannot
out deciding it.