is a close and ready debater; he is an admirable chairman
in committees. Though never in office, his long experience of public
life, his gratuitous attention to public business, have ranked him high
among those practical politicians from whom ministers are selected. A
man of spotless character and excellent intentions, no doubt, he must
be considered; and in him any cabinet would gain an honest and a useful
member. There ends all we can say in his praise. As a speaker, he wants
the fire and enthusiasm which engage the popular sympathies. He has the
ear of the House, not the heart of the country. An oracle on subjects
of mere business, in the great questions of policy he is comparatively
a failure. He never embraces any party heartily; he never espouses any
question as if wholly in earnest. The moderation on which he is said
to pique himself often exhibits itself in fastidious crotchets and an
attempt at philosophical originality of candor which has long obtained
him, with his enemies, the reputation of a trimmer. Such a man
circumstances may throw into temporary power; but can he command lasting
influence? No. Let Mr. Trevanion remain in what Nature and position
assign as his proper post,--that of an upright, independent, able member
of parliament; conciliating sensible men on both sides, when party runs
into extremes. He is undone as a cabinet minister. His scruples would
break up any government; and his want of decision--when, as in all human
affairs, some errors must be conceded to obtain a great good--would
shipwreck his own fame."

I had just got to the end of this paragraph when the ladies returned.

My hostess observed the newspaper in my hand, and said, with a
constrained smile, "Some attack on Mr. Trevanion, I suppose?"

"No," said I, awkwardly; for perhaps the paragraph that appeared to me
so impartial, was the most galling attack of all,--"No, not exactly."

"I never read the papers now,--at least what are called the
leading articles; it is too painful. And once they gave me so much
pleasure,--that was when the career began, and before the fame was
made."

Here Lady Ellinor opened the window which admitted on the lawn, and in
a few moments we were in that part of the pleasure-grounds which the
family reserved from the public curiosity. We passed by rare shrubs and
strange flowers, long ranges of conservatories, in which bloomed and
lived all the marvellous vegetation of Africa and the Indies.

"Mr. Trev