The English Mail.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IX, Issue 474, 29 April 1867, Page 3

The English Mail.

HOME TALK. (jrrOjii the Koine Xews, February 20.) The Temple, Feb. 26. fhu nnfruM>oo of floo T jjj Hi’"’ C*'*!! -

dition of the young Greek philosopher. in Mr. | Moore’s “Epicurean,” who had been silting for a long time before the Veils, but just ns they were about to rise, and all the glories of the enchantment were to be revealed, stole away (in pleasant company), and the hierophautic pyrotechnics were played off in his absence. This shall he presently explained. At tire despatch of the last mail we were looking forward to the opening of Parliament, and to the revelations of the intentions of our Conservative Government (it still exists) on the subject of iteform. Parliament has opened, hut inasmuch ns typographic requirements compel me to dismiss this page from my charge a lewhours before the morning of its date, I must write in anticipation of what will have been said by Mr. Disraeli, in pursuance of arrangements which shall |he made clear in the following paragraphs. But. the results, which I am at this hour unable to record, will be found stated under the head of “ Latest Intelligence.”

Her Majesty opened Parliament in person. I had the pleasure of seeing the Queen on her way to the Palace of Westminster, and thought that though the royal face was unusually pale, our Sovereign looked well, and more cheerful than ofl late years. Her salutes to the people were not: unaccompanied by smiles. Her reception, as usual since her great grief, was respectful, but not enthusiastic, a proof of the good taste of her subjects, who feel that loud plaudit would be unacceptable to the illu-trious widow. For the Prince of Wales, however, there was hearty cheering, as his manly and English character deserved. Toe day j was very dreary and wet, hut made an occasional feeble attempt to be cheerful—we had no Queen's weather. Her Majesty did not deliver the Speech, as it was rumoured that she would do, and perhaps its terrible length induced tl\e physicians to recommend the Queen not to pronounce it. Lord Chelmsford, the Chancellor, read it sonorously.: As, of course, it will be found in c.den.m in an-1 other column, I will very brieily indicate its heads. These were (after sundry uninteresting references to foreign nations; a statement that |Canada, Nova Scotia, and Xew Brunswick desired

union—a bill lor eli'ectmg this lias since*, been I introduced, and is approved—a mention of thei hideous Indian famine, about which \u» mean to! hear a groat deal more, and, if possible, put the saddle on the right horse—a premature congratu-j lation on the suppression of IVuiauism,an lon the! restoration of the haLcax cur,,’is to Ireland, of .which more anon —an allusion to the termination of the cholera, and a recommendation to he still vigilant over the catih—a tomnicmlaiioa to the notice of 'Parliament of the want of pure water in l/mdon and the large cities —the usiiai paragraph about the estimates, and a suggestion that there iwould be an increase in those lor those for the |army, as we want Reserves, and then the Reform paragraph.

This contained a strong recommendation of moderation and forbearance, and a hope that might be passed which, “without unduly disturbing the balance of power, should freely extend the election franchise,”

The above words of course, intimated that Government had at last made up its mind to do something with Reform, bat we were not told what, or how it wasto be done. Even in the Ministerial speeches on the Address, but early explanations were promised. The rest of the Speech., which contained no fewer than 22 paragraphs, contained nothing that 1 need advert to here, unless the announcement of a bill for improving our mercantile marine have interest where these lines will be read. M’c wanted to know nil about Reform.

In the debates on the Address there was little to be noted, except that the ex-l'remier, Earl Russell, was about as coarse and offensive as lie knew how to be, and that is saying a good deal, lie, nobleman, scholar, ami gentleman, seemed to have borrowed his style, for that occasion, from the itinerant orators who h ive been infesting the country, and spouting trash, during the recess. Ha warned Lord Derby against “ tricks and shuttling” ami trying to “cheat the people,” and, in short, behaved himself like an old and spiteful person who is angry at the chance of being deprived of Lite credit of settling a question which he considers his private property, hard Derby, however, kept his temper, gravely rebuked Earl Russell’s petulance, but was unable to resist the pleasure of retorting with some sarcasms on the " crude and hasty ” legislation attempted last year. In the Commons, Mr. Gladstone was very polite,! but was not without words of implied menace. The question of Reform was one for the Govern-! meat, and the measure must satisfy just expccta-j tions, and It must lie brought in at once, lie was willing to infer that this was what the Cabinet meant. And we were at liberty to infer that if ; that should not prove to be the meaning of Government, Mr. Gladstone would not be debarred from endeavouring to bring the Ministry to grief. There were no further speeches in either House. It vas announced that on Monday, the 11th TV»., the Chancellor of the Exchequer would explain himself on Reform.

In a sense, Mr. Disraeli kept his word. His enemies allege that, like certain secret, black, and midnight hags known to readers of Shakespeare, he kept the word of promise to our ear, and broke it to our hope. Anyhow, he gave us words enough. He spoke for two hours and a quarter. It is idiotic to talk of Mr. Disraeli as anything but an accomplished orator. If he does not make himself understood it is for reasons of his own. tor when lie dues desiiv to do so, nobody can talk the Queen's English more effectively— have heard lum make hundreds of speeches, and have taken notes of them all, and my evidence is not untrustworthy. But this night he mystified the Commons," and they do not like to he mystified, unless the speaker be like the late Sir Robert l\;el, and can make iheiii Geneve tuat ne is tryiug to k-il everything, and the fault is in their own (fulness, Mr.'Disraeli dwelt at vast length on the history ol the Reform question, and upon the various failures w-hich had taken piaee in attempting to settle it. and he announced two things. One was, that ii was for the House of Commons itself to take the Imatter in hand; the other was, that Lord Derby's I Cabinet had come to the conclusion that Reforir I was not a question which ought to involve the fat< •of a government. The House was sileut with re(gard to the first point, kut there was a iitth j laughter beiow the gangway at the second.

TTa tlicu li- tu proceed by resolutions. The House should be asked to agree to these, and then they would be the basis of a Reform Bill. Well, his audience naturally looked for his resolutions, or a statement of what the Government intended to propose. But the document was not forthcoming. It would be in the hands of members nest day. He gave some details, but did not go to the question of what standard or j fniuCiuse it was meant to propose, and this, it is j needless to say, was the turning point (perhaps' 1 the turning-out pomi) of the whole business. Mr. ' Gladstone couid oniy say that the form of pro-!i cetding v. us no . c!, that t.is own impression was a O’JDGitd to its Iv’f" t’tvt Hts' J'• h.r 1 1 party must have the whole case before them. , This remark, by the way, was not umunnsing, as it was exactly what (the Conservatives kept on saving, and properly enough, during the earlier debates on the Reform Bill of last year. So, we were no further that night. Mcxt morning lUe resolutions had been sent to the papers. They will be found elsewhere. Here it need only be said that there are 13 of them, and that they do mjl tell ns how far the Cab.net proposes to lower the franchise. They enunciate some reasonable propositions, to the eli'ecl that an increase of the number of voters is wanteu, that the standard of value should be lowered, and that other franchise suould be created, that rating should be the occupation basis, that uo class iujterest should predominate. MB also learn that I the Cabinet desires plurality of votes (to which j the House will not agree, and a Conservative : member has given a notice hostile to the pluu), that the existing distribution of scats is to be revised, no borough is to be wholly disfranchised, and votes may be given in writing. Some of this is very well, and some of it is subject for fair argument, but we want to know what Mr. Disraeli will not yet tell us, namely, bow low he means to go with Ills extension. The general feeling of the nation is that it is j rather being played with, and that valuable lime jis being lost. Ido not attach any weight to the foolish resolutions of mob meetings, which pass cut and dry motions at the bidding of the must feeble creatures ever elevated to platforms, hut 1 speak of the feeling of society, both Libera! and Conservative. A fortnight ago we were told all that I have told above, mid those two weeks have 1 been thrown away, i'ue Liberals refuse to say anything until we have more explanations, it has been sought, half a dozen times, to get the Chancellor of the Exchequer to speak out, hut he is dumb until the hour he has fixed shall strike. But he ail'ects to be iu tiie hands of the House, and ready to accept its bidding, an undertaking Upialiiied, however, by a statement that it will be [ necessary for him to draw the line somewhere, as Mr. Dickens’s barber urew it at bakers. And i therefore, at the moment of writing this, Cimmejriau obscurity wraps the Government plans. The I Liberals have called a meeting to consider the | situation, and this was to have been held on lThursday last, hut I suppose that when the pro- '| motors began to make notes for their speeches, ■| they found that they had nothing to say beyond ■jwhat had already been said in both Houses, so the ’ I meeting stands over until the Chancellor of the shall have spoken. It may ho that a ■ •fatal notice will he given, or it may be that Mr. 11 Gladstone will signify that the Government piau ' must be altered, or else . The House is not i in good humour with the Cabinet, but is inclined i to be very grave ami sober iu action, the more so - because of the ia-mlout attempts at intimidation - I Outside.

Of course, there is an inner side to all things, and it is fair to state whr.t people say about ZVlr. Disraeli’s course. Left to himself, he would have brought in a bill, and taken his chance, in constitutional fashion. But the Cabinet is notoriously divided. Some of its leading members are opposed to all Reform. It is said to have been with great difficulty, and at the last moment, that Mr. Disraeli obtained the assent, of some of Iris col--1 leagues to proceed on the question. lie was j dancing a hornpipe in fetters. He did the best he could in so embarrassing a situation. This is what people say about Mr. Disraeli. As regards Reform, tiie general feeling is that the question is a frightful nuisance, but that it must be dealt with at once, and got out of the way. If the Liberals I will accept the resolutions, anil modify them, and somehow force the bill through without turning out the Cabinet, and slopping business, or causing a dissolution, everybody will be very glad. Bat! whether a powerful party will consent to (his is j the problem. Many Liberals wish it, but are I afraid to say so. But, until we know how low tin; Government are prepared to stoop, it is as idle to attempt to predict tlie future as it would be to prophecy on a race without knowing the weights given out by the baudicapper. I believe, however, that the House will ask more than Mr. Disraeli’s colleagues will allow him to grant. There we will, nil'll next mail, leave a subject which has nece«arily engrossed a good deal of space. The history and chances of our Reform struggle is, however, the topic of the day. Let me at once record the pleasant fact that the Princess of Wales, who is deservedly a favourite with everybody, was confined on i'ebruary 20, and a new graud-daugliter is born unto the hjneeu. As heretofore, the young mother has been beforeihaud with those who reckoned the date for the inIteresting event, bat we all hope that no detriment |to her health will be the result. For some days i great concern has been felt for her, fur 11. R. 11. | was known no be suffering from acute rheumatism, .an alliietion which only bad men can wish to their| ■.worst enemies, and bulletins have been issued, bat,l Jacording to the physicians, this painful condition ■has had uo influence upon the accuuchincnt, which j has been most favorable. Tito Princess at her first !coming enlisted tile affections of us all, and the strongest interest is universally manifested lor 1 i her.

In the Queen's speech reference was, as has been said, made to lenuuiisin. It was put down ; | and civil liberty was to be restored. It was uot put down, arid civil liberty is so far l'rom beiujr i restored that on Pebruary 20 the Government had i to bring in a bill for continuing the suspension of i the Habeas Corpus Act in Ireland, lezriauism . suddenly sprang up, and gave us a start. A large ; body of ruiiians moved from various quarters upon ! Chester, and but that the inevitable traitor gave " information, and the men of Chester, especially the ' volunteers, arose in s>;i' defence ana frightened the 1 scoundrels away, the castle might have been seizi ed. The I'usiiers were sent down in haste from •London, but the renin ns had skulked away. A - more serious demonstration was made near Kil--5 larney, where the Fenians came out, cut the, wires, i wounded (it is feared mortally) a gallant orderly 1 who tried to cut his way through them, and spread . i terror throughout nil the ultra-Catholic regions. fjLord IS'aas, the Irish Secretary, rushed off to si Dublin to see to matters, and afur him went Lord , Straithmairn, who, as Sir Hugh Rose, did such t tremendous service in the Indian mutiny. The 3 numbers of the rebels seemto have been exaggerasiteu, and they are being hunted down—ail immedii ate danger is over, and the Lord-Lieutenant (Lord e Abercorn) holds high feast in Dublin, but the - inflammable state of the Irish peasantry, who are e notoriously led by American-Irish, some of whom jl trust we thall hajxg, is clearly demonstrated.

Loyal Katies Lolge, 1.0.0.r’., M.U. —The tenth anniversay of the above Lodge will be celebrated by a Ball, to be held in the Masonic Hall, Tennyson-street, on. Friday, 17tb May—dancing to commence at 1 o’clock, Tickets, admitting lady and gentleman, 15s each. Kins Match at Havelock. —W 6 understand that a rifle match between ten townsmen and ten countrymen took place at Havelock on Saturday last. We are unable in this issue to give the scores, but can state that the Napier men came off victorious-Captain Kennedy making the ...... 1.1, ,i« 'r;,„ "-'J rx ' J ‘ mugu were 000, 400, uud odd yards. The Telegraph.—lt will be seen from our ad vert is ng columns that tenders are required for she supply of telegraph poles between Castle Point and Porangohau, and between Porangohau and Napier. Provincial Council.—The return of the newly elected members having been duly gazetted, the Returning Oflieer has named Thursday, 9tu May, as the day of meeting for the new Council.

Wholesale Embezzlement of Postage Stamps—A clerk in the Sydney Post Ollice, named Coleman, has been brought before the Water Police Court, Sydney, on a charge of embezzling 10,z50 postage stamps.

The Wanganui Election. —The Returning Officer of the Electoral District of Wanganui, has appointed Friday, the 29th instant, as the day for the nomination of a candidate for the representation of Wanganui in the House of Representatives. If a poll be demanded, it will take place ou the following day. The Times says that Mr Harrison will be returned without opposition.

Eiee at Havelock, in Maelboeough. —A serious fire has taken place at Havelock, three houses being burned, viz., the building once used by the Union Hank, 'he Provincial Hotel, and the dwellinghouse occupied by Moses hear. An inquest on the origin of the fire resulted in the following verdict—“ Cause unknown; but we are of opinion that suspicious circumstances are connected with the origin of the lire. 1 ’

Me E. J. Cox. —This worthy arrived in Auckland ou the 15th, and crowds of people besieged the approaches to the lock up in order to catch glimpses of the prisoner. Several other charges of em« bezzlement have been preferred against him, ot which the most serious is one of forgirg bank shares of the Bank of New Zealand. Cox is remanded to tne 21th • mUnt.

New Motive Powee. —In the Hobart Town Mercury of Hie 30th March, it is announced that her Majesty’s letters patent have just been issued by the Tasmanian Government to the Rev. W. Richardson, of Avoca, for an 'invention which proposes to supercede steam as a motive power for railways, traction-engines, and road car-ru-'es. Our contemporary expresses an opinion that—“As it dispenses with the use of fuel, water, and any expensive agent, and requires no engineering skill in its management, and is not liable to dangerous accidents by explosions, it promises to be a valuable application of meclianical power especially on the score of economy —an engine cm this principle being estimated to cost about one-fourth of au ordinary steam locomotive, and yet being more easily managed, and capable of greater speed. The patent also includes its application to ship purposes. It lurnishes a mode of sale anchorage for vessels, which secures them from the danger of dragging their anchors, breaking their cables, or going down at their moorings in open roadsteads or in heavy gales."

Glad to ueab it.— We learn from our English Hies that Lieut. Brand, of Jamaica “ notoriety, ’ retires from the service with a pension of £l2O a-year for life.