The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-20 00:00:00

decide upon the course which they will pursue.
We have no doubt that the noble lord is perfectly
sincere in the course which he is taking, and
fully believes that the requirements of the case call
for the protest of the House, but at the same time
we think he is mistaken in the matter, and has
arrived at a very erroneous decision. At the pre-
sent time it is not only of consequence for the
House of Lords to pass a Reform Bill, but it is
essential that it should be done with a good grace.
If this amendment be carried it will spoil the effect
of the thing, for it contains rather a sweeping cen-
sure of the measure which has been sent up unani-
mously by the Commons. A collision between the
two Houses is most earnestly to be deprecated, but
it would be a worse result to offend the public, and
the popularity which the bill has already gained
will make it. The expression used in this amend-
ment, that the bill to which the House is resolved
to assent, does not appear calculated in its present
shape to effect a permanent settlement of this im-
portant question, or to promote the future good
government of the country, is a victual reproach to
the House of Commons for having performed the
task intrusted to them so very inefficiently, and for
having urged upon the House of Lords the accept-
ance of a measure which is not calculated to
secure the desired objects and promote the interests
now at stake. The latter part of the amendment
seems to be trying to do away with the impression
created by the earlier portion of it, and seeks to se
it down easily, as it were, by stating that there will
be no opposition to the second reading, because the
House recognises the urgent necessity for the pass-
ing of a bill to amend the existing system of repre-
sentation. If this be true, it contradicts the asser-
tion that goes before, and the sort of intimation
held out that the bill cannot pass in its present
shape. It is idle to lay down rules that
arc at war with each other, and quite un-
suitable to the emergency before the House.
The truth is that Earl GREY has some crochets of
his own, and feels indignant at the thought of Re-
form being settled to last his time without realising
any of his visions, or giving to his plans a local
habitation and a name. Many may have the same
sort of feeling with more self-command, and rank
the general interest as of more consequence than
their own particular and individual satisfaction.
The most noble ambition in such a case will be to
aim at speedily arriving at a result which will satisfy
the country without flying too high at unobtainable
excellence or imaginary altitudes.
Yesterday a meeting of Lord DERBY'S supporters
was held at the official residence of the noble lord in
Downing-street, in accordance with the circular
issued on Tuesday. Lord DERBY stated that it was
desirable to pass the Reform Bill as speedily as pos-
sible through the House of Lords, for it had given
great anxiety to Her MAJESTY'S Government dur-
ing its progress in the House of Commons, and
it was also very much to be wished that
as few alterations as possible should be
made in it. At present, he added, he did
not know the " precise nature" of all the amend-
ments which were contemplated, but ho believed
that some of them would entirely " invalidate" the
bill, and to these he should offer a decided opposi-
tion. The remarks of the noble lord will be con-
sidered most appropriate by those who understand
the question in all its bearings. It is most desirable
that a speedy assent, and, if possible, an unanimous
one, should be given by the House of Lords to this
measure, so significant and so long 'filled for by the
intelligence of the community. It is satisfactory
to note that their lordships separated with the un-
derstanding that " every effort" should be used to
aalstewreataiollnksnaoswp,o:i
dbleh.ene°rittsta‘er-nnce7rourrtglit tll:"fif'lanvd
that the friends and supporters of the Government
are on the look out, and seem resolved to do their
best in the matter. It will take many by surprise if
there is another fight to be got through in tho
Lords, after the many struggles that have been
waged in the Commons; but, if it must be so, the
friends of Reform must do their utmost, and their
efforts may be stimulated and their energies re-
doubled by the remembrance of the many successes
which they have already bad in the hazardous
pursuit of their task. It would be, indeed, vexa-
tious if the work of the Session were frustrated
through the waste of time and the collision of
interests induced by too long an inquiry into the
particulars of the question, and a revival of some
of the most disputed points connected with it ; but
we hope and expect better things from the sense
and patriotism of the majority of the House of
Lords.

Yesterday was one of the most eventful days

since the arrival of those visitors d'outre nier who

have kept our sober capital in one continued whirl
of excitement during the last ten days. During

,he afternoon all the north-west of London was

full of eager anticipation on account of the pro-
posed visit of the Belgians to holly Lodge, Iligh-
gate, and the road from Albany-street to Ilighgate-
hill was lined with crowds of spectators long before
the appointed hour. Every available window
showed rows of lookers-on, while Belgian,
French, and English flags floated gaily in
all directions, transforming the quiet suburban
route into quite a festive spectacle. The Belgians,
when they came, were cordially welcomed, and
marched up to their destination amid loud cheers.
Both they and the populace were, however, doomed
to a slight disappointment, for it had been rumoured

that the Prince of WALES was to honour the fete
with his presence, and the Belgians were accordingly
kept waiting in the grounds for a considerable time,
while the rows of lookers-on up the highway kept
their places, and watched patiently for the coming
of the expected Prince, who, after all, never came.
As the fete was entirely independent of his visit,
there was no real ground of complaint, and the
Belgians soon forgot the tedium of waiting in the
lavish hospitality of Miss BC:EDE-TT COUTTS, while
the sightseers had plenty to do in looking out for
their return. The entertainments of the day were
not then over, so far as the Belgians were con-
cerned, for they had two sources of amusement open
for the evening. At the Agricultural Hall there
was a really excellent concert, and the enterprising
p forro ee
itro r
roefeCe e
pr
timo
no.r n ephea:lp thrownite the fopena h
fatigues
uei gardens
d s
the
day this was the most popular of the two. At any
rate our Volunteer guests will have no reason to
complain of any lack of variety in the entertain-
ments provided.

The day's programme for the SULTAN was a very
brilliant one, including a banquet at Gloucester
llousc, and the magnificent hall at the Indian
Office. 'The latter was one of the most successful
affairs of the kind ever attempted in this country,
and Sir STRAFFORD NORTIICOTE, whose abilities as
a man of business are well known, last night
came out in a new character, and proved
himself to be a most accomplished master
of the ceremonies. The entertainment was
given by the Secretary of State for India and his
colleagues to the head of the Mahometans, of whom
the population of India is so largely composed ;
and, as it was a national State reception, so it was
carried out in a truly national spirit, and was worthy
of an entertainment offered by a greAt people to a