s confusion in my recollections. If I were now
to begin to describe the transactions of the late two months, I
should be writing history, for which I am in no way qualified.
However, as I must make up my mind to begin again, and write
something, or give up the practice altogether, and as I don't
choose (just yet, at least) to do the latter, I will scribble
what occurs to me, and take a short survey of the Parliamentary
campaign that is just over. The danger, whether real or supposed,
which the Queen ran from the attempt of the half-witted coxcomb
who fired at her, elicited whatever there was of dormant loyalty
in her lieges, and made her extremely popular. Nothing could be
more enthusiastic than her reception at Ascot, where dense
multitudes testified their attachment to her person, and their
joy at her recent escape by more than usual demonstrations.
Partly, perhaps, from the universality of the interest evinced,
and partly from a judicious influence or more impartial
reflection, she began about this time to make her Court much less
exclusive, and all these circumstances produced a better state of
feeling between the Court and the Tories, and helped to soften
the acrimony of political warfare.

Throughout the Session the Ministerial majorities continued to be
small and uncertain; but it was all along evident that the
Government would not be turned out, that the leaders of the
Opposition did not wish to turn them out, and that the
differences which prevailed in the Tory party rendered it
anything but desirable a change should take place. Consequently,
for one reason or other, the Government were never pressed hard
upon any points on which defeat would have compelled them to
resign. The greatest, most hard-fought, and lengthened contest
was upon Stanley's Irish Registration Bill, which was admirably
devised as a party measure, very ably worked, and in support of
which the whole body of the Tories came down, night after night,
with a constancy, zeal, and unanimity, really remarkable. Their
repeated majorities elated them to such a pitch that they were
ready, one and all, to relinquish everything else, to come and
vote on these questions. It was evident, however, that all their
exertions would be foiled by the determination of their opponents
to interpose such delays and obstacles as must prove fatal to the
measure; and it was not the least judicious part of Stanley's
management when he came down to the House, and, afte