The Sun.
London, England, 1867-10-10 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, OCT. 10, 1867.

It seems now to be settled that Parliament
shall meet in November, and the nineteenth is
said to be the day fixed upon for that purpose.
If this should prove a correct statement, we have
no doubt that the Government has wisely con-
sidered the matter, and that they have good
reasons for the course they have determined upon.
The Abyssinian Expedition is pointed at as the
reason of its assembling, but perhaps there are
other and weighty reasons as well, although they
do not suggest themselves at once to the
mind. If Parliament has to meet it will be unfor-
tunate on some accounts. In the first place, it
seems but lately to have separated after the labours
of a protracted session, and the members who
worked so bard will naturally be a little disap-
pointed at having to resume their tasks again so
soon. It must be remembered also that an unusual
degree of bitterness was infused into the debates, on
account of the vexed question of Reform being dis-
cussed with such vehemence and under such
awkward circumstances. The House as a
body feels naturally disturbed and unsettled
because of the changes that are imminent, and a
premature meeting will add to the inconveniences
in some respects unavoidable. However, it is need-
less to say that all other considerations must give
way to the important question of the public interest,
and if that is involved in the matter there will be
no alternative but to submit with as good a grace as
possible. It has been said that the DERBY Ministry
would shrink from an autumn session, because of its
having proved so untoward to them on a former oc-
casion. It is worth while, however, to consider how
differently they are situated now to what they were
before, and in 4:10W much better a position they are
placed before the house and the country.

In 1852 they were stemming an adverse tide
of circumstances, which then proved to much for
them, but which they have since surmounted. They
were then a sort of autocrats in the political world,
they now lead the strongest and most united party in
the land, and have just succeeded in passing a
measure which to equal in interest and importance
we must go back a generation to find a parallel.
At that time there was a variety of leaders on the
Opposition benches, who started up like co many
Richmonds to perplex and bewilder their opponents.
It is more difficult to show one with a good follow-
ing, so divided and confused are their interests and
objects. It must be seen that the Government of
1867 is very much stronger and more assured than
that of 1852, and if our autumn session brings the
Ministers to town, it will bring them back fresh
from the glories of Manchester and Edinburgh,
where great things are now awaiting them.
Although, as we have observed, it would be more
desirable for things to take their ordinary course,
still an earlier assembling of Parliament than usual
need not inspire doubts or suggest difficulties. The
Whigs, as a rule, were not fond of autumn sessions,
but it would have been better for their own credit
and the good of the country if they had been more
willing to endure the infliction. Had Parliament
been summoned two years ago the Jamaica affair
would have been settled in a far more satisfactory
manner, and the country would not lie under the
stigma of having done injustice to a valued servant
of the Crown, and stifled inquiry until it was too
late to do any good. It will remain for the mem-
bers of the House of Commons in particular to make
the best use of their time, and to deliberate in such
a manner that the best interests of the country may
be served, while they consult their own dignity in
abstaining from these fights of faction, at all times
undesirable, but, under the peculiar circumstances
of the case, quite uncalled for and most inappro-
priate.

All French friends have really a just cause for
complaint at the state of uncertainty in which they
are kept, and as month after month goes by, and
finds them in the same dilemma, it is indeed most
perplexing and disheartening for them. The truth
is that there are two influences at work—the one
represented by steady, sober-minded folks, who care
little for external causes of disquietude, and wish to
develope the resources of the country to the
best advantage ; and the other representing the
indignation experienced by the generality of the
people at the turn continental politics have taken
of late years. It remains to be seen which will be
in the ascendant at last, but the chances certainly
incline to the preponderance of the latter. Those
who know anything of the French character will
not think it likely that they will settle down in
quiescence after so stormy a period, without assert-
ing their rights and vindicating their claim to
supremacy. The celebrated Circular Note of 88-31
31 ARK did a great deal to foster the angry feelings
already only too deeply evoked ; and it may be
said, without exaggeration, that ever since
that time more and more disquietude has
been felt in those circles and communities most