NEWS OF THE WEEK.
IF the people is happy whose annals are dull, this people is happy. When Parliament rose on Tuesday for the Easter holidays it had scarcely passed a measure of importance, and had listened to only one great debate, that which smashed for the -time the idea of interfering with the Education Act. None of the party conflicts expected had come off—being suspended by the Alabama negotiations—and of the personal conflicts every one -except perhaps the Collier case had been won by Government. On Wednesday Mr. Disraeli gives forth his manifesto in Manchester, the Government shortly after the Recess must announce its deci- sion on the Licensing question, and the Megasra affair will be savagely debated ; but it is not impossible, if the Tories adhere to their self-denying policy, and no crisis arrives in Washington, that the rest of the Session may be as dull as its beginning. There will be interminable discussions over the Ballot Bill, but as yet there is no sign of a real battle, which nevertheless can hardly .be avoided. Parliament recommences on Thursday.
