1827.] The New Ministry. 579 



once, but which, we think, has now ceased to be so, the party that has 

 gone out of power was fixedly and determinately opposed. What the 

 new Ministry will do remains to be proved ; but we have their professions, 

 at least, in favour of the course which we think beneficial ; and we repeat, 

 that it is not their refusal to rush prematurely and precipitately into that 

 course, which shall lead us hastily to question their sincerity. The ministry 

 is entitled to time ; and with time, we trust, it will be disposed to realize 

 its pledges. That it will be able to do so, we hope ; because one of those 

 pledges the carrying of the Catholic Question we feel to be of the most 

 vital importance to the interests and safety of this country. That the 

 ministry will have a fair trial and a candid one looking to the disposition 

 which has been evinced by the independent members of the House of Com- 

 mons generally we do not doubt ; and, certainly, if an administration, 

 so constituted and supported, were to fall (except by its own misconduct) 

 we should scarcely know what government could ever have a safe reli- 

 ance. And that the ** Opposition " will fall to nothing, we as fully be- 

 lieve ; because an Opposition cannot stand, unless supported by the coun- 

 try ; and it is upon a few passing prejudices of the people only not at all 

 rn those sound principles which are making progress among them that 

 high Tory party has its hold. For the rest, we have rather to regret 

 that, in some of the discussions which have recently taken place in Par- 

 liament upon this subject, a tone of more hostility has been occa- 

 sionally adopted than either the state of affairs, candidly viewed, de- 

 manded, or the rules of civilized or courteous warfare should permit. 

 Sir H. Hardinge's reference to the old quarrel between Mr. Brougham and 

 Mr. Canning, was not worthy of that officer's general frank and manly cha- 

 racter ; nor was the monosyllable " Yes," addressed by Mr. Canning, on the 

 other hand, to Mr. Dawson, in the House of Commons, such an answer as 

 a man of Mr. Canning's mind, and sitting in his place, ought to have given 

 to a gentleman who asked questions on the part of the Opposition. There 

 are rules of forbearance and good breeding applicable to discussions, whe- 

 ther in or out of Parliament, which it is painful to see men of intellect and 

 station allowing themselves to violate.* 



* Since these sheets were at press, some changes have taken plaoe in the arrangements 

 of the administration ; hut as they are only of a nature which affirms the opinion which 

 we have delivered, we feel it unnecessary, at greater length, to advert to them. 



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