1832.] Affairs in General 471 



were such gay deceivers. Here is a clear case of seduction, and the 

 only remedy within their power is in an action to recover damages for 

 the loss of their high honour and character. But what has induced 

 them to do this ? aye, there's the rub ! And as it is a problem so 

 very difficult of solution, we must leave the noble lords to answer for 

 themselves. We only ask the deluded victims what induced them to 

 listen to the smooth tongues on a former occasion ? 



MAWWORM IN PARLIAMENT. We have already noticed the dramatic 

 talent of the Marquis of Londonderry, in his representation of Marma- 

 duke Magog ; but the noble marquis has been outshone, and that too in 

 a sphere so congenial to his lordship's taste and talents. Mr. Perceval, 

 on the evening previous to the General Fast, arose from his seat, and 

 addressed the members at considerable length, in the true Mawworm 

 strain of religious eloquence, boasted of a call from Heaven to awaken 

 them to contrition, declared that they had <c neglected their God, and 

 that in consequence their God had neglected them," and produced such 

 a sensation in the terrified House as never could have been equalled 

 since the days of Cromwell. The honourable member, we think, forgot 

 one threat which would have been very applicable. We remember 

 having heard it used by the Rev. John Listen, at the Drury Lane 

 Tabernacle, some time since, with considerable effect. That excellent 

 divine exclaimed to his edified congregation, much in the same manner 

 as Mr. Perceval addressed his " When I'm going up to Heaven, yell 

 want to lay hold of the skirts of my coat but I'll fling ye all for I'll 

 wear a spencer !" We have heard, but do not vouch for its authen- 

 ticity, that the manager of one of the patent theatres has offered him a 

 liberal salary ; but as he receives 3,000 a year for performing the same 

 character in another House, we do not see how he is to accept a similar 

 engagement unless he can make an agreement with his conscience to 

 think pluralities as allowable in his profession, as they are among the 

 most orthodox of our churchmen. 



IMPORTANCE OP CELIBACY AMONG STATESMEN. The most singular 

 assertion of the month, is that of the Lord ex-High Chancellor Eldon, 

 that the woolsack was never the object of his ambition; that his 

 mind revolted from the acceptance of the highest judicial honours of 

 the realm, and meant to have contented itself with the mere Chief 

 Justiceship of the Common Pleas. It is as if a man should purchase 

 a lottery-ticket, and declare his disappointment when it came up a 

 prize. The parallel is imperfect, for the Chancellorship has been but 

 a blank to Lord Eldon ; there has been much cry, but little wool in 

 the woolsack. To be sure, his son had the reversion of three offices 

 forced upon him, out of pure love for the people, by George III. ; but 

 then Lord Eldon declares that he even begrudged the fees for the pa- 

 tents which is very probable. In return for the unpleasantness of 

 paying fees, he took undoubtedly all that fell in his way ; but then, as 

 the Duke of Wellington observes, " it is the duty, and the practice of 

 all Lord Chancellors to provide for their families as well as they can" 

 So that Mr. Malthus is right after all the children are to blame and 

 not the fathers and the whole matter becomes one, not of pecula- 

 tion, but of population. We agree with the principle laid down by 

 an -evening journalist (The True Sun, a new paper, that promises to 



