CAN THE TORIES TAKE OFFICE AFTER ALL ? 597 



The name of Henry Brougham will be regarded for ever by the 

 people of England with feelings of grateful respect and affectionate 

 regard. If ever one man created the spirit of an age, he is that 

 man. If ever man passed through so long, so arduous, so perilous, a 

 period of political existence, with hands more unspotted, with cha- 

 racter more unblemished, with fame more untarnished, than Henry 

 Brougham, we shall be glad to be told, for the honour of this 

 country, who he is, or has been ? But calumny is no dishonour, and 

 detraction no disgrace. Shakspeare has told us that the best cannot 

 escape them, and we know that they never do. 



And yet, we are to spare this man ; he has, forsooth, sunk into in- 

 significance, being no longer Chancellor. He has no such " alacrity 

 in sinking ;" or, grant he be sunk, for a moment, 



" So sinks the day-star in the ocean bed ; 

 And yet, anon, repairs its drooping head, 

 And tricks its beams, and with new-spangled ore 

 Flames in the forehead of the morning sky." 



We have no hesitation in stating our belief, that the folly and 

 weakness of some of these journals have led the Tories to the equally 

 weak and foolish conclusion, that the people responded to their sen- 

 timents of hatred to the Whigs. It was an inference drawn from the 

 gross mistake of supposing that the " fourth estate" represents the 

 opinions and feelings of the nation. But now, it seems, at the in- 

 stance of these papers, we are to merge all minor differences, and 

 prepare to contest the pass with our common opponents. We must 

 do so, indeed ; but we know that well without their teaching. We 

 do not laugh exultingly when Whigs go out to make way for Tories ; 

 nor are we prepared to admire the consistency of such exuberant 

 gaiety. Blind guides, fit only to lead the blind impatient of the 

 ditch into which they are doomed to fall. 



Of a truth, we shall see no press worthy the name until " unli- 

 censed printing" be established in this country. " Taxes on know- 

 ledge" they may well call the stamp upon newspapers ; if, indeed, it 

 might not with more justice be termed a prohibitory duty. 



But let us now recur to the situation of the country at the present 

 moment. . The great question is, can the Tories stand their ground 

 against the people? .apd if they can, how are they to do so? While 

 some of the party, of the Ultra breed, are in ecstasies at the prospect 



M.M. No. 108. 4 H 



