29 JANUARY 1870, Page 2

The public feeling against what the Pall Mall mills the

"one- horse system of legislation," i.e., giving up the session almost exclusively to one great measure, has been, very clearly declared. And nothing can be clearer than that there will be great dissatis- faction if the Houses of Parliament cannot manage a scheme of primary education, and the abolition of University tests, as well as the Irish Land Tenures Bill. For the instant abolition of University tests there is a good Conservative reason. Lest session the Con- servatives might have had a merely permissive measure as regards the College tests, if the House of Lords would have let them. This year they cannot have that, but they may have the clerical fellowships let alone. If the measure waits till next year, it will almost certainly include a provision for secularizing a large pro- portion of the clerical fellowships, which are far too numerous. Would it not be wise in the Conservatives to accept reform as Mr. Disraeli educated them to do, rather than by delay to invite revolution ?