Parliament adjourned on Tuesday for an unusual holiday, the Commons
taking a Recess to May 6th, and the Lords to May 13th. Nothing was said in the Lords, and no question asked as to the position of negotiations, but in the Commons Mr. Forster asked for information, and Sir Stafford Northcote declared that nothing had occurred to increase anxiety, that the Government hoped to stop the bloodshed in Tbessaly, and that this country was not isolated. The House, after a discussion raised by Sir Wilfrid Lawson, and mentioned below, and a strong effort from Mr. Forster to tie Sir Stafford to his declaration, dispersed as quietly as if all affairs were in their usual condition. Parliament has now sat through half its Session, and has done nothing beyond voting six millions for War preparations, and an extra- vagant though indispensable Budget. It was called together because war was possible, and has certainly done nothing to diminish the possibility of its occurrence. Indeed, it may be doubted if it has not increased the probability of a campaign, by increasing the influence of the War party, which has always threatened the Ministry when it conceived them to be honestly seeking peace. In our days, popular Parliaments certainly do not prevent the Kings from making war.
