. His position here is extraordinary
enough, and his relations with the Government stand upon a
strange footing. They have made no communication to him since his
arrival. Upon the receipt of his Proclamation they wrote to him
and expressed their disapprobation, but those letters never
reached him, as he quitted Canada before they could have arrived.
They now, it seems, consider that silence is token sufficient of
their displeasure at his abrupt return; but, though no doubt he
fully understands them, they ought to have conveyed their
sentiments openly and distinctly. There is an appearance of
pusillanimity in this reserve which does them great harm, and
brings them into discredit. They ought to have told him
temperately, but firmly, that they were entirely dissatisfied
with his proceedings, and having so done they should have called
upon him to afford them all the explanations and all the
information he has to give; but they have done none of this, for
they have taken no notice of him, nor he of them. He has not seen
one of the Ministers, not even his own brother-in-law Howick, nor
any of the underlings, except Ben Stanley, who found Durham in
high dudgeon, and saying, that 'as Government attacked him he
must defend himself.' What he means by 'attacking him' is, that
certain articles reflecting on his conduct have appeared in the
'Globe,' for in no way have Government said or done anything
about him; on the contrary, they have been only too reserved and
forbearing.

[Page Head: LORD DURHAM BLUNDERS.]

The conduct of Durham throughout the whole business, from his
first legislative act in Canada (the Ordinance) down to his
arrival in London, is perfectly inexplicable, and presents a
series of blunders tricked out in plausible language, invested
with the dignity of pompous phraseology, mysterious allusions,
threats and promises, and the affecting complaints of injured
innocence and ill-requited virtue. But still, such is the effect
of notoriety, so dearly do ordinary mortals love to play a part
and 'make the capable,' that in spite of his blunders and his
faults he has contrived to excite a certain amount of interest,
to make an impression, though not a very deep or wide one, and to
raise a vague expectation as to his promised disclosures. His
speeches in reply to the addresses are most extraordinary
performances, unbecoming in tone, contradictory, inconsistent,
and inflated; for as to disclosures he has none to make o