596 CAN THE TORIES TAKE OFFICE AFTER ALL? 



these liberal journals, we shall frankly state our impression with respect 

 to the system of perverse misconception to which Lord Brougham 

 has within the last few months been subjected ; of persecution, we 

 may call it, to which the annals of party hostility afford no parallel. 

 We have seen 



e< All his faults observed, 



Set in a note-book, learn'd and conn'd by rote, 

 To throw into his teeth;" 



and this, too, by parties whose professed principles are in accordance 

 with his own. We have read a great deal of vituperation we have 

 heard a vast quantity of abuse but we have never yet been able to 

 ascertain the grounds upon which these new enemies of the Chan- 

 cellor take their stand, and justify their extravagant vehemence of 

 hatred. There has been " much cry and little wool," so far as the 

 staple of their argument is concerned ; and we shall much marvel if, 

 under present circumstances (to leave out of the question common 

 fairness and common feeling), they can reconcile their proceedings to 

 sound policy or expediency. We had, we thought it was agreed on 

 all reform hands, a common enemy to resist ; and it is but miserable 

 trifling with the best interests of the country to fall to buffets with 

 each other, and leave the Tories to take possession of the crown, and 

 overawe the people with the king's prerogative. 



Apart from a merely personal feeling, which might have been 

 permitted to die the natural death of such feelings, we are certain 

 that Lord Durham cannot and will not object to co-operate with the 

 Lord Chancellor in the struggle (.should there be one, after all), now 

 about to take place between the Tories and the people. We will not 

 flatter Lord Durham : he has proved himself to be a staunch friend 

 to popular rights, and to public liberty. We have read his recent 

 speeches, and we believe him to be sincere, honest, and incorruptible. 

 But he would not, assuredly, be the last man to deny that Lord 

 Brougham has done more much more towards the advancement of 

 the " good old cause" than any man in England. He cannot but 

 admit that, but for that great man, the people would not now have 

 been in a situation to claim the whole entire letter and spirit of 

 Reform ; or to have made it manifest to their old rulers that they 

 properly understand, and perfectly know, what the letter and spirit 

 are what their ancient tyrants the Tories are, and what they them- 

 selves are, and are destined to become. 



