t.
If the sentiments of justice and benevolence with which he is
actuated were common to all who profess the same opinions, or if
the same sagacity and resource which he possesses were likely to
be applied to the practical operation of the scheme, the evils
which are dreaded and foreseen might be mitigated and avoided;
but this is very far from the case, and the evils will, in all
probability, more than overbalance the good which humanity aims
at effecting; nor is it possible to view the settlement (as it is
called, for all changes are settlements now-a-days) of this
question without a misgiving that it will only produce some other
great topic for public agitation, some great interest to be
overturned or mighty change to be accomplished. The public
appetite for discussion and legislation has been whetted and is
insatiable; the millions of orators and legislators who have
sprung up like mushrooms all over the kingdom, the bellowers, the
chatterers, the knaves, and the dupes, who make such an universal
hubbub, must be fed with fresh victims and sacrifices. The
Catholic question was speedily followed by Reform in Parliament,
and this has opened a door to anything.

[Page Head: ASPECT OF THE NEW HOUSE OF COMMONS.]

In the meantime the Reformed Parliament has been sitting for a
fortnight or so, and begins to manifest its character and
pretensions. The first thing that strikes one is its inferiority
in point of composition to preceding Houses of Commons, and the
presumption, impertinence, and self-sufficiency of the new
members. Formerly new members appeared with some modesty and
diffidence, and with some appearance of respect for the assembly
into which they were admitted; these fellows behave themselves as
if they had taken it by storm, and might riot in all the
insolence of victory. There exists no _party_ but that of the
Government; the Irish act in a body under O'Connell to the number
of about forty; the Radicals are scattered up and down without a
leader, numerous, restless, turbulent, and bold--Hume, Cobbett,
and a multitude such as Roebuck, Faithfull, Buckingham, Major
Beauclerck, &c. (most of whom have totally failed in point of
speaking)--bent upon doing all the mischief they can and
incessantly active; the Tories without a head, frightened, angry,
and sulky; Peel without a party, prudent, cautious, and
dexterous, playing a deep waiting game of scrutiny and
observation. The feelings of these various elements of