The Sun.
London, England, 1867-08-16 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
flus DAY.—Morning, 2h. 38m.—Afternoon, 2h. 53m.
To-Moßßow:Morning, 3h. 10m.—Afternoon, 3h. 2711).

(17
A. 44 ~s 3---1 11141's,
tikg

LONDON, FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 1867.

We have now arrived at the period when there
can no longer be any doubt as to the fate of the
different measures before Parliament, and the hopes
and fears of different sides of politicians reach a
climax. Yesterday the Royal assent was given to
several bills ; first and foremost among which was
the Reform Bill. The proceedings characterising
the ceremony were of a very formal character, and
but a brief time was occupied by them. In the
House of Commons general cheering greeted the

announcement of the Speaker that the Royal assent
had been given to the bill, but the fact alone was

enough, and needed no excitement to give it effect.
It is something at this time of the session to find
that the bill is really and truly safe beyond all

chance of interruption and danger of interference on

the part of any, and that all the opposition of some
and the jealousy of others, cannot now stop the pro-
gress of this popular measure, so long demanded
and desired. Perhaps it is as well that the last
scene in this strange eventful history should have
been delayed until the close of the Session, for it
seems more suitable in many respects, and by the
time Parliament reassembles we expect that even
those who are most disappointed now will have be-
come reconciled to part, if not all, of the provisions
of the new scheme. It is a wise arrangement, by
which it has been decided that the bill will not come
into effect until January, 1869. The delay will give

ample time to those most affected by the changes
about to be introduced to make up their minds re-

specting them. So many and so comprehensive arc
the changes that will have been wrought by this bill
that a precipitate entrance upon the work could not
havebeen a successful one. Another thing to be consi-
dered is that a general election taking place soon of ter

the stir and excitement caused by the passing of a
Reform Bill would have done a great deal of harm.

We can fancy Mr. GLADSTONE telling the electors of

South Lancashire how much better it must have been

if he bad bad the opportunity of introducing a bil;

himself, while Mr. BRIGHT would have disturbed
the serenity of Birmingham by his noisy assertions
concerning the wrongs that would be done, instead
of the right conferred, by the new Reform Bill.
He may do so now very likely, but it will be with
impunity, whereas it might occasion evil under
other circumstances. At the comparatively distant

period to which we refer, it will be quite impossible
for the same angry and excited feelings to obtain the
mastery that they do now, and most likely many
will be glad to think the work is over instead of
having to be begun.
The new aspect which affairs seem likely to as-
sume may puzzle some inexperienced politicians,
but there can be no doubt that the general gain to
the community far outweighs any individual in-
convenience. It has been seen that great injury
resulted to the cause of progress by the
question of Reform, so long being made
a stalking-horse of party warfare, and
it is a relief to think that this dodge can no more
be tried by any ingenious member of the Liberal
party. Through how many years of inaction have
they not monopolised this to themselves, and upon
the momentous occasion of 1859, when they drove
the Conservatives out of office by their deceit and
treachery? Reform, rightly considered, should
be the appanage of no party, but the
intelligence of the experienced, and the
patriotism of the elected representatives,
should concur in making it easy for any govern-
ment to introduce and carry to a safe issue a mea-
sure of this kind. It is not so, howeier, as we all
know to our cost, and more especially has it not
been so in the case of the Reform Bills introduced
of late years ; because the Whigs and Liberals, or
whatever they are, have been so prejudiced and
resolved to keep all the game to themselves. The
Radicals have also been most faulty in the
matter, and over' and over again have nearly
spoiled everything by demanding impossibilities,
and denying that there was any gain without some
of their own schemes had been put into practice.
The curtain now falls, however, upon all those
actors, and it is indeed a consoling reflection to
carry away, after the whirl and excitement of the
session is over, that the great work has been done
which has so often been deferred, or the absence
of which has made the programme of many a
session blank. The Government may well be con-
gratulated upon the position before the country,
and Envy may hide her diminished head, while
political jealousy is silenced, and those who are fond
of speculating upon the advantages of a Liberal
Ministry, may change their minds when they find
that it is not they, after all, who can point to the
Royal Assent being given to the Reform Bill, bu t
to those to whom they begrudged the honour of
so doing. Their disappointment is a well-
merited one ; but it is not of failures that we would
now think, but rather turn gladly to the bright
side of the picture, and contemplate, the advantages
that will accrue from the settlement of this vexed
question, and acknowledge the skill with which the
measure was devised and the spirit with which it
was carried out ; for to glin the end yesterday
celebrated, it was, indeed, 'necessary to climb the
bill of difficulty with courage and good faith.

The lateness of the Session has stood the Re-
form League in good stead, and they will be able
to rejoice, as no doubt they will, over the defeat
of the Parks Bill. It is rather unfortunate for
their cause that they had no more heroic leader
than Mr. WHALLEY, who contrived to bring
down upon himself and his cause the displeasure
of the House. Certainly his persistence in pro-
secuting his visionary question of privilege did
him good service in one sense, because it frit-
tered away the time of the llouse, and got
through the previous minutes, and saved Mr.
DENMAN a little labour in fulfilling the arduous
duty of talking against time. Mr. lIAnDY did
very wisely in withdrawing the Bill, which it was
quite evident he would not at that late hour of the
session be able to pass into law. The opponents to
the measure, which, no doubt, was far enough from
perfection, have ingeniously contrived to mix up
with it the right of public meeting, with which it has
really nothing whatever to do. The parks, how-
ever beautiful, are not the only places in London,
and very certainly the right of public assembly
can be vindicated in other quarters. The continual
meetings of the Reform League are, in fact, proof
positive that men can talk as freely as they like on
any subject they please to sekct, and we need not
go very far back to recall the Anti-Corn Law
meetings, and many other important popular de-
monstrations, with which Hyde Park had nothing
to do. But the opponents to the Parks Regula-
tion Bill talk and act as if so long as
the parks are kept for their legitimate uses
there is an end of free discussion. We
have little doubt that the good sense of the
public will eventually triumph, and that a.measure
of some kind will be adopted for the preeeryation of