396 STATE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. 



We are aware that some persons suggest'the expedient of a dissolu- 

 tion of Parliament. In the circumstances in which the Melbourne 

 Administration are placed, that is clearly not the course which an 

 honourable and sagacious mind would adopt. What special benefit is 

 to be expected from a dissolution at this moment? If Lord Mel- 

 bourne were in a minority, or had only a small majority in the Com- 

 mons, that, doubtless, would be his alternative. But he is already suffi- 

 ciently strong there. He can boast of a majority of upwards of 

 sixty in favour of all his leading measures in the Lower House. And 

 what more would he have ? It is true, we are told, that by a disso- 

 lution he would re-inforce the number of his supporters in the Com- 

 mons, and that a larger majority there would compel the Peers to 

 pass the measures sent up to them. We admit that by a disssolution 

 Lord Melbourne might gain about thirty more adherents; but 

 would that have any effect on the Peers? Not the slightest. Those 

 who can disregard the wishes of a majority of sixty, would treat with 

 equal disrespect those of a majority of ninety. The fact is that the 

 Lords have come to a determination to frustrate all liberal legis- 

 lation ; and they make no secret of their resolves. They are— if 

 the statement of the Duke of Beaufort at the Covent Garden Con- 

 servative dinner may be credited, and there is no reason to doubt 

 it — they are " panting" for a collision with the Commons. The 

 sooner their wish is gratified, the better it will, undoubtedly, be for 

 the people. 



In the contingency, then, of the resignation of Lord Melbourne, 

 what may be expected to follow? The Peers, we apprehend, have 

 not maturely considered this question, if indeed they have bestowed 

 any consideration on it at all. The Tories of course, having once 

 displaced the Melbourne Ministry, must accept the vacant offices. 

 Well, but what are they to do when they have undertaken the reins 

 of government? In the Lords all will, no doubt, go on as smoothly 

 as they can wish. But there is a branch of the Legislature called 

 the Commons. How are they to " manage," as the Americans say, 

 there ? With the majority of sixty against them, they will find they 

 have caught a Tartar. 



In other words, a more desperate enterprise was never engaged 

 in by any body of human beings, than that in which the Tories 

 will engage, when they undertake the government of the country 

 with the present House of Commons. In plain language, it is utterly 



