Henry Parkes

“ When the wonderment of the Japanese ambassadors and the Honorables from the Antipodes is over, I may go and see the glories which the genius and skill of mankind have garnered up for everybody at South Kensington, and which will lose none of their lustre by being left till the illustrious have passed on. In the meantime you will be amply supplied with descriptions of the Exhibition. In England we have these descriptions morning after morning till the mind is appalled by the frightful capacity of the writers. ”

“ Never in the history of the world was called forth in so short a time an army so powerful and so highly organised, under generals so brave and so skilful, as that which is now fast replanting the flag of the Republic in the rebel States. ”

“ TO be in London, and not to have been at the International Exhibition, will, I fear, be held at Sydney a reflection on the intelligence of your correspondent As truth is a precious thing, however, in this nineteenth century, especially in a confession that narrows the range of one's knowledge, I must frankly acknowledge I have not yet seen what so many Australian colonists have come so far to see. ”

“ Why, it has proved, as only such a tremendous crisis could prove, the vital strength of democratic institutions. What monarchy ever rose up from the lap of Peace to confront so monstrous a disorder, and to suppress it with so strong a hand and with such patriotic unanimity? ”

“ Western Wood, an avowed supporter of church-rates, in the place of Lord John Russell, a convert to their abolition. But the truth is rather to be found in the low ebb of the political life-current when public men live in daily distrust of their own' opinions and are facile in finding excuses for neglect of duty. ”

“ Railway porters were standing at intervals, with lanterns and all the attaches of the station, the clerks from the ticket-office, and the young waitresses from the refreshment-rooms, were looking on in evident expectation of some event, though no one seemed to speak, and everybody looked sad at heart There were not half-a-dozen other persons in the great station: I was only admitted on explaining that I wished to go by the mail train. ”

“ The feeling on the civil war in America is not the least perplexing manifestation of these times. So long as victory attended the rebellious slave-holders, sympathy for their cause was too active to be concealed amongst certain classes here, as well among the new families who have risen to social position by trade, as among the old Conservative proprietors. ”

“ Disraeli in favour with the other malcontents, and it is the difficulty of reconciling with conscience any step that would accelerate his accession to power which often constrains their unwilling votes for the Government But a change is coming, and Benjamin Disraeli, in spite of personal dislikes, will again be the acknowledged leader of the men of great families in the House of Commons.
The opponents of Church-rates have lost their cause for the session in the House of Commons by one vote. The Morning Star argues that the defeat is to be ascribed to the citizens of London, who elected Mr. ”