NEWS OF THE WEEK.
MHE usual dinner was given to Her Majesty's Ministers on the
9th November in Guildhall, and five of the Ministers made speeches. Mr. Cardwell uttered perfectly meaningless platitudes about the Army ; Mr. Childers said the Navy protected our com- merce; Mr. Bruce promised an Education Bill to reform -the roughs ; and Mr. Lowe responded in a few sentences of crisp but rather stale jocularity for the ladies, who made more conquests than the soldiers, spread more sail than the sailors, and had more influence than the Bar, for whereas the Bar sends you to sleep, the ladies keep you awake, and so on. Mr. Gladatone's was the only important speech. We have commented elsewhere upon its most important statement, that Ireland is hostile and politically diseased ; but he re- ferred also to America. The Alabama claims are not settled, but the delay has "been promoted by kindred good-will," an international public opinion is rising fast to power, and "with the country of Mr. Peabody we are not likely to quarrel." Considering that Massachusetts and Maryland fought to the bitter end, the argument is not strong, but it was a graceful compliment alike to America and her philanthropist.
