The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-06 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

THIS DAY.—Morning, 7h. 40m.—Afternoon, Bh. 12m.
Ta-Monnow.-Morming, Bh. 161n.—Afternoon, 9h. 24m.

cia
1.19r,t*
.1t)
-TJUAL

ILONDON, FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1866.

Both Houses met last evening, though little busi-
ness was necessarily transacted. In the Lords,
Lord BROUCiHAM took occasion to say a few words
on the condition of Continental Europe, expressing
his horror at the carnage occasioned by wanton
aggression. As for the Italian part of the
difficulty, the noble lord declared his opinion
to be that the Venetians had a right to throw off
Austrian rule if they felt it oppressive—about which
there can be very little question. No one else
seeming inclined to continue the subject. Earl
RUSSELL roved the adjournment of the House until
Monday next, in compliance with the request of the
Earl of DERBY.

In the Commons Mr. RUSSELL GURNEY brought
up the report of the Helston Committee, which
circumstances have brought into unexpected promi-
nence. Captain VI VIAN gave notice that on Tues-
day, the 17th, he should ask the Secretary of State
for War some questions respecting the Prussian
needle-gun and breech-loaders generally. The battle
of Koniggratz will at least serve the purpose of start-
ling our red-tapists out of their monotonous routine.
Captain VivIAN intends to ask whether any steps
have been taken to supply our troops with any kind
of breechloader, and
if so, when the arm will be
ready for introduction
in the service. In reference
to this matter we may quote some words which fell
from General PEEL at a county dinner a day
or two since, and -which lead us to hope
that our new Secretary for War will turn his atten-
tion promptly to the important
question of our
national arms. General PEEL said, "I believe that
we.
a great deal of money has been thrown, as it re,
into the sea in gunnery experiments ; but I believe
those experiments have proved that the worst
breechloader is better than the very best muzzle-
loader. I say that this has been proved as five to
one, and that of late in the Austrian Army. we
have the best materials and the best soldiers in the
world, and I am among those who desire that our
soldiers should be armed with the best weapon."
This, one would suppose, is a very general wish,
but certainly between official delays and prejudices,
between precedents and favouritism, we are gene-
rally behind other nations instead of before them,
despite our national skill in handicraft and inven-
tion. We hope that the matter will not be suffered
to drop, but that independent members will take
care to impress upon the Government the daty of
providing our troops with the most formidable
weapon, and the duty of spending the public money
to the best advantage.
Mr.
13111" Z" agalual Daotio 02l tlao Ballot

stands for the same evening as Captain VD/lAN'S
question ; and though, of course, at present, it is
nothing more than a mere verbal protest against
the corruptions of our electoral system, still
it is fitting that some member of Parliament
should be found of sufficient courage and inde-
pendence to remind the House of Commons of
its duties. The Ballot is the real key to Parlia-
mentary Reform, and however hopeless the struggle
may seem now, it will be won some day, as the
battle of Free Trade and other long-contested fields
have been won, when public conviction grows too
strong for prejudice and interested opposition. The
Ballot has even greater difficulties to contend
against, because it has more to do than merely
to convince its adversaries. In too many cases it
is because they believe in its efficacy already that
men oppose it. They fear its giving protection
to the intimidated voter, and renlering bribes
of little service, and thus until we see a
' considerable improvement in the political
- morality of both electors and elected, we shall have
a strong party against the Ballot. Nevertheless,
let Mr. BERKELEY and his coadjutors persevere.
The forlorn hope will be carried some day, if they
only maintain the struggle.

It seemed as if the members were determined to
make up, in the variety of the topics upon which I
they touched, for the brief time they passed in dis-
cussion. Mr. WATK IN endeavoured to elicit the
opinions of Mr. GLADSTONE in reference to the
Bank rate of discount. The right hon. gentleman,
while carefully abstaining from giving a direct
opinion, confessed that the present rate of discount
had been kept up longer than was anticipated. If
Mr. GLADSTONE will devote his newly-gained leisure
to the consideration of the fallacies of the Bank Act,
we feel confident that he will, before long, come
forward as an advocate of the extension of Free
Trade principles to our currency laws.
Mr. STANSFELD, who has been too brief a time
at the India Office to effect all that his undoubted
industry and ability would no doubt have achieved,
laid upon the table the expected statements relative
to the moral and material progress of India. This
was the first time which anything of the kind had
been attempted, and the summary will no doubt
realise the hon. gentleman's expectation, that "it
will tend to popularise Indian questions, and to
increase the knowledge of and the interest in them
nut only in the House, but throughout the country."
It is the increase of this interest that we want to
forward our Indian reform, and the veil of reserve
and mystery which has been generally thrown over
all matters connected with our Indian administra-
tion has tended not a little to perpetuate the indif-
ference which is only due to ignorance.
After several other questions had been asked and
answered, Mr. GLADSTONE rose to move the ad-
journment of the House, and in performing what
he termed " his last act in au official capacity," he
took a courteous leave of his supporters, thanking
those who had stood by him throughout this trying
session. Mr. GLADSTONE owes little enough to the
Liberal ranks which broke:down in the hour of trial,
and so many of whose members preferred the pre-
servation of their seats and influence to the main-
tenance of their principles or the fulfilment of their
pledges. For himself he is probably not inclined
to regret the resigeation of his troublesome digni-
ties. The general of a disaffected and disunited
army, exposed to an incessant guerilla warfare, he
could hardly have found the pleasure of leadership
sufficient consolation for the continual annoyances
and disappointments of the session. So the chief
work of the session of 1866 is done, and the parties
change sides once more, having both, let us hope,
learned something from their experience of political