236 THE LATE SESSION. 



rable independence of each other. The ingenious Mr. Thomas Brown's 

 Declamation of Adverbs., is the strongest instance in our recollection of 

 kindred excellence, though in a remote degree. 



As, at the time we write, the elements of the new parliament are at 

 work, we cannot forego the opportunity of again impressing on electors 

 the vital necessity of exercising their privilege with a bold and deter- 

 mined endeavour to return men animated with the true spirit of the 

 times ; men who, looking neither to the right nor left, with no tempo- 

 rizing timidity, no reverence for wrong, because invested with the halo 

 of antiquity, will go sternly to the good work. The English character is 

 so peculiarly fitted for the task, that if the elector act but wisely and 

 honestly in his selection if he but arm himself with the finely-tempered 

 weapons which will be offered for his choice we may expect measures 

 which, in one session, shall prove the substantial blessings of Reform ; 

 blessings that shall be felt in the dwelling of the artisan in the cottage 

 of the peasant. If, however, the elector shrink from his high responsi- 

 bility, if he be found wanting in public virtue and in personal honesty, 

 the Tories have lost nothing by the great measure, the Reform Bill is 

 not a two-edged sword to hew off the hydra-heads of corruption, but a 

 dagger of lath. 



The public mind has been roused from the legarthy which it was too 

 long the iniquitous policy of a heartless and extravagant government to 

 cast upon it. We are on the threshold of great events, and the new 

 Reform Parliament is either destined to be a mighty engine in the great 

 political drama that is opening upon us, conducing by sober, yet deter- 

 mined means, to the amelioration of our social state ; or failing to do so, 

 a mockery and a by- word. The next Parliament must take heed how it 

 tampers with the hopes of an expecting people. If properly elected, the 

 members will enter on their functions with a higher purpose, a nobler 

 aim, than has for nearly two centuries past dignified the meeting of the 

 nation's representatives. Hitherto, the legislature has been too apt to 

 look upon the great mass of the people as so many counters, things to be 

 played with, objects to mark a gain or loss. The increased and increas- 

 ing intelligence for thought is now flowing through thousands and 

 tens of thousands of arteries, from the extremest parts of the kingdom 

 will demand that the politician shall shake hands with the philanthropist. 

 The people now ask and the cry is every day getting stronger and more 

 imperative a legislature which shall cast away its heart of stone, and 

 take a heart of flesh. The inequalities of fortune must no longer be 

 rendered more irritating by a supercilious contempt of those placed " in 

 the lowest round;" the poor man is daily becoming more strongly 

 impressed with the moral consciousness of his natural greatness, and he 

 will not cease to enforce a consideration and remedy of his wants, as far 

 as they are rendered grievous by the design or apathy of the govern- 

 ment. The legislature will either gain strength and respect, or fall into 

 fearful contempt, in proportion as .it exhibits its sympathies, or its 

 indifference of the moral and physical condition of the great mass the 

 poor ; who will cease to be held as insignificant as they cease to be 

 ignorant. 



The Reform Bill is now the law of the land. There are great mate- 

 rials abroad for the composition of a new Parliament. If fools and 

 knaves take the place of wise and honest men, let the elector answer for 

 the usurpation. 



