THE MINISTRY, THE ARISTOCRACY, AND THE PEOPLE. 243 



firmly believed, that nothing but such a Reform, could permanently 

 improve its condition, and prospects. Although England may have 

 been at former periods, in circumstances of still greater depression 

 than those in which she is at present placed, it cannot be denied, 

 that the existing state of society, presents many alarming features, 

 and none more so, than the fact, that the outward condition of the 

 working classes, is gradually becoming more trying, and unfavour- 

 able; while these classes are at the same time, rapidly advancing in 

 political knowledge, and intellectual improvement. Knowledge 

 must always be attended with many beneficial consequences, but we 

 do not believe, that it will ever reconcile the body of the people, to 

 great and encreasing physical privation ; and we fear, that it is much 

 more likely to aggravate, than to alleviate their sufferings: and may 

 lead them to engage in designs, which, to the country must be pro- 

 ductive of unspeakable misery, and ultimate ruin. But, although 

 the situation of England, at the opening of Parliamant, was not very 

 favourable, that of Ireland was much more critical, and alarming ; 

 and the internal discord which has always been the plague of that 

 unhappy country, coupled with the daily perpetration, of the most 

 disgraceful outrages, and a system of political agitation, which was 

 driving to madness, her excitable population, inspired every true 

 friend of his country, with mingled feelings of sorrow and apprehen- 

 sion. Who can deny that, under such circumstances, ministers 

 could never hope to guide successfully the deliberations of a re- 

 formed parliament, unless by displaying, in every measure which 

 they brought forward, the most disinterested patriotism, the most 

 unshaken firmness, rooted determination, to disregard every party 

 consideration, and every personal interest in the great work of pro- 

 moting the real welfare of their country. 



As it was universally known, that ministers possessed a large 

 majority in the new House of Commons, the first proceedings of the 

 house, were held to be indicative of the policy which they intended 

 to pursue, and in this view, the election of an ultra Tory speaker, 

 excited feelings of surprise and distrust, which all the plausible rea- 

 sons advanced in support of that election, failed to remove. This 

 however, was at best, but a point of minor importance, and the 

 country still awaited, with impatience, and with little abatement of 

 confidence, the announcement of the measures which ministers in- 

 tended to propose, regarding those general subjects which engrossed 

 universal attention. The coercive measures first threatened, and 

 those formally proposed for the suppression of disturbances in 

 Ireland, elicited from the more zealous members of the liberal party, 

 the strongest expressions of its disapprobation, although we are in- 

 clined to think, that the country in general, was on this occasion, 

 willing, not only to give ministers credit for good intentions, but even 

 to admit, that they had performed a necessary, although a painful 

 duty. But while the sincere friends of liberty, and of Ireland, dif- 

 fered in opinion, as to the necessity, and expediency of the Coercive 

 Bill, all agreed that that bill would prove utterly inefficacious, un- 

 less it was followed up by remedial measures, not less vigorous, 

 efficient, and extensive, than those which had been desired for 



