GOVERNMENT NO -GOVERNMENT. 607 



prudence and circumspection of wisdom, and it is still another, to 

 stand still in the midst of the melte, determined to retain our status 

 in quo, come what will. Destruction must inevitably await the 

 first and the last courses; the middle one has at least a chance of 

 salvation. 



The Melbourne Cabinet cannot give us efficient and temperate 

 reforms. It is without moral force in the House, and has not the 

 support of public opinion. What ! it is exclaimed, no moral force in 

 the House of Commons, when it has its tenure from a series of 

 votes from the House? The present Cabinet is in no shape indebted 

 to the House, beyond the House having ousted the Tory Govern- 

 ment ; and had it for a moment been supposed that the present 

 Administration would have resulted from that expulsion, it would 

 never have taken place. But the tactics of the Liberals were 

 unequal to the crisis; they succeeded, by the most ridiculous and 

 childish means, in displacing Sir Robert Peel, and lo ! horror on 

 horrors ! the very Cabinet which had been denounced by every 

 Liberal organ throughout the country was flung into their teeth! 

 Well might there be an immediate and dismayed squandering of the 

 victorious bands ! and it is quite certain they will never rally 

 again. 



Precisely the same objections exist against a Tory Government 

 as against the Melbourne. It would be equally powerless, equally 

 useless, although it would have one merit, denied to the latter, 

 namely, of being composed of men familiar with official details, and 

 who would not have to beg a fortnight's grace in order to be initiated 

 into the " art and mystery " of doing nothing. 



