288 THE SUP11KMACY 6F PUBLIC OPINION. 



fessed reformers, it was admitted by all parties that an extensive 

 measure of parliamentary reform had become necessary, and that auy 

 partial or temporary expedient would only aggravate the evils which 

 it was intended to remedy. Earl Grey and his colleagues, compre- 

 hending the position in which they stood, and the conduct rendered 

 necessary by that position, disdained the paltry and contemptible 

 policy of merely calculating what would be barely sufficient to satisfy 

 the demands of public opinion ; they viewed the question of reform 

 as liberal and enlightened statesmen, and endeavoured to devize a 

 measure which might at once remove the abuses and supply the de- 

 fects which were universally admitted to exist in the system of repre- 

 sentation. It can scarcely be denied that the measure actually de- 

 vized and prepared was eminently calculated to accomplish these 

 objects; and while willingly admitting that future changes in the 

 representation may become expedient and necessary, we think that 

 those changes must consist, not in an alteration, but in an extension 

 of the great principle acknowledged and established by the reform 

 bill. 



Since public opinion has secured the principle of the reform bill, 

 in spite of the most active, determined, and powerful opposition 

 which any political measure ever encountered, it follows as a matter 

 of course that it must now exert a direct and immediate influence 

 over the proceedings of the legislature and the government. It 

 matters little who are the members of the new House of Com- 

 mons, for they dare not and will not disregard the voice of the 

 people, or lend their support to any administration, whatever may be 

 its party designation, which does not adopt a policy suitable to the 

 present condition, and which is not sanctioned by the general opinion 

 of the country. It is reasonable to conclude, that statesmen who 

 staked their political existence and reputation upon the success of 

 the reform bill, will not shrink from proposing those ulterior mea- 

 sures which they could scarcely fail to anticipate as the inevitable 

 consequences of that success, and we therefore believe that it is the 

 firm intention of the present ministers to carry forward that great 

 work which they have so happily commenced, and led on with an 

 energy and decision becoming those whose chief dependence is 

 placed upon the favour and support of the people. Without entering 

 at present upon any question connected with our foreign policy, we 

 cannot conclude this article without offering a very few observations 

 upon two subjects of great domestic interest : we allude to the state 

 of Ireland and Church Reform. 



We never recall the name of Ireland without the most gloomy fore- 

 bodings, and when we consider the numerous and complicated evils 

 which oppress that country, and which are apparently becoming 

 every day more aggravated and hopeless, we cannot but tremble for 

 the future fate of Great Britain, indissolubly connected as it is with 

 that of Ireland. It would be ridiculous at the close of an article to 

 enter upon a discussion regarding the remote or immediate causes 

 which have led to the present calamitous state of affairs in Ireland, or 

 to indulge in speculations as to the means best adapted for improving 



