The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-13 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, FEB. 13, 1868.

Parliament meets to-day for the purpose of
setting to work, and in consequence of all the prior
arrangements having taken place at an earlier
period there remains none of that excitement of
preparation that generally lends some interest to
the earlier part of the year. The members of both
Houses plunge, then, in medias res, and take up
the thread of their discourses where they dropped
them before Christmas. It by no means follows
that this Session will see nothing, although there
cannot be the excitement that took place last spring,
and imparted so vivid an interest to the affairs of
Parliament. At the same time, the House being in
a collapsing state, it must not be too hardly judged
if it fail to perform very striking acts, or refuse
to legislate in the comprehensive style that has
been advocated by the extremists. Ireland is to
take the place left vacant by Reform, and before
long little else will form the theme of the chief
debates ; but notwithstanding the wrongs that the
Irish members will assert weigh down the country,
and the rights which some English representatives
claim for it, WP eannot goo that thia is this legiti-
mate time to carp on the matter. No one denies
the fact that a good deal must be done to
set things in order, but this Parliament is
already overburthened with minor subjects, and a
good deal of tiresome details must come under its
notice which remain from last year, owing to the
overwhelming pressure of the debates on Reform.
What folly, then, to attempt more than can be
done, especially in a case where failure or incom-
pleteness still have so injurious an effect. It is a
very different thing to do nothing in a great under-
taking, for the reason that the time is not an ap-
propriate one, to what it is to allow the discussion
to come on and then hastily push it aside, present-
ing the appearance of neglect or indifference.
Many and many a prejudice must be encountered,
and many an obstacle will arise when once the
House gets fairly into the swing of brisk debate.
When it is found out, as it must be, that any
active legislation is impossible, the irritation and
indignation that will ensue cannot possibly im-
prove the state of affairs, or render the tone of feel-
ing in the country more genial or gracious. The
true friends of Ireland in both countries should
wait until some of the unavoidable bitterness has
subsided which the present disturbed state of things
engenders. Of course the House of Commons
must listen to those who persist in putting their
views before it ; but, looking at the question in the
abstract, this year is not the fitting time to select
for a work which must eventually occupy much
time and thought.
The education question is the chief subject of
interest, so far as this country is concerned, and
the Chancellor of the Exchequer assured the House
in the autumn session that the paragraph in
the QUEEN'S Speech that bore reference
to this subject meant something in earnest.
We hope and trust that no disturbing
influences will prevent the Government carrying
out their good intentions in this respect, for the
time has come when it calls for a settlement ; and
if there be one thing more than another upon
which differing politicians agree, it is upon the
importance of the Education question, and its
claim to the paramount attention of the Legisla-
The Scotch and Irish Reform Bills will
have to be considered, and there is besides the
Boundary Bill to be disposed of. Bribery at elec-
tions, and a host of other questions, great and
small, await their turn to come before the House ;
and surely, when all these topics are borne in
mind, we may come to the conclusion that there is
quite enough in all conscience to occupy the notice
of hon. members during the lapse of an ordinary
session. If we are to perform the un-
willing task of taking up ,the subjects that were
held last year to be secondary to Reform, it may
be useful work, if not very inspiriting. The old
Parliament has done very well in the eyes of the
nation by the zeal it displayed in the work of
Reform last year, and that accomplishment covered
fai
imff
ourlteintuoed.e ofL eittsnportetvhioeums sinso
nthsof
of andntheaislesc,t2ssion
rollin-
by unimproved, merely occupied in murmuring,
complaint, and senseless clamour on one side, or the
repetition of threadbare arguments on the other ;
but let what has to be done be done effectually. It
is not always the most stormy legislation that pro-
duces the most enduring results and effects the
greatest benefits to the community, and notwith-
standing the somewhat depreciatory view that has
been taken of its prospects, and the disparaging

ture.