NEWS OF THE WEEK.
pARLIAMENT ended its labours for the time on Friday, to the relief of mankind. The last debate was on Thurs- day, on the Indian Budget, and was absolutely infructuous. Mr. G. Russell, the Under-Secretary, left a general impression that Indian finance was not prosperous, the deficit being Rx. 1,305,100, or say, £900,000; but neither he nor any one else contributed a thought to the improvement of the situa- tion. The Session has not ended, because it is to begin again ,on November 2nd ; but so far, it has been one of the most discreditable Sessions we can ever remember. Nothing has been accomplished in legislation ; there has been no im- provement of the Executive ; and the speech-making, though often brilliant, has been all on one side, and therefore, comparatively, not educative. The whole time has, in fact, been given up to gratify an idea of Mr. Gladstone's, which, as he himself admits, the majority of experienced or educated politicians pronounce injurious or unwork- able. The country has, in fact, behaved like an able man with a fad in his head which he cannot work, which he half perceives to be nonsense, and with which he will neverthe- less bore all acquaintance to death. Spasms of silliness like that have been unusual in our history; and this one, there is now ground for hoping, will pass and be forgotten.
