THE TERRORS OF INTELLECT.

Press, Volume VIII, Issue 930, 31 October 1865, Page 3

THE TERRORS OF INTELLECT.

[From the " Saturday Review."]

The Liberal aristocracy, as well as the Conservative clergy, seem to look upon intellect and education as thoroughly undesirable things. The exhibition of himself which Lord Ufiington was good enough to make for the benefit of the electors of Berkshire, though utterly different in its accidents, is in its essence much the j same as the exhibition made by the | rural Masters of Arts. Lord Uffing ton and Archdeacon Denison practi- | cally agree in treating intellect as a mistake in political transactions. If the former had only been a Master of I Arts and a Tory, he would have been a much more suitable candidate than j Mr. Hardy. His display might have convinced the sturdiest enemy of intellect that here at least was a man after I his own heart. " Gentlemen," he ' began, "I am in favor of the Government that have governed this I country for the last six years, and am of opinion—l am of opinion—should tbe upheld." At this point the noble orator looked steadily into his hat, and a spectator ventured on-the very apposite remark —" You've got more in your 'at than you have in your 'ed, guvnor." After another word or two, the invitations to bring the piece of paper out of the hat were too loud to be resisted, and the candidate complied, with the explanatory words, " It's all very fine ; if you think it an easy thing, just you come up and try." He then went on to say that, " as to America, the Conservatives evidently wanted to fight with the Southern States;" and amid the roars which this remarkable statement produced somebody took the occasion to ask his Lordship, " Who's your hatter ?" to which the undaunted candidate replied with the inimitable repartee, "Who'syours?" The noise having been quelled by such wit as this, Lord Ufiington declared his intention of "supporting the present Parliament, and hoped they would do the same." Then, after renewed convulsions, there was a considerable pause, during which some of his friends, obeying the voice of the crowd to " help the poor young man," had vainly tried to give him an idea or two. The " poor young man" frankly said, " I don't care—l don't want to speak." Somebody suggested, "Give us a song then, guvnor." Once more refreshed by his backers, he began about the French Treaty — " one of the best things out —ever so long, for the last, I should say, hundred years." This sentence, we are told, " was brought out in such a hesitating manner, a word at a time, that it produced shouts of laughter." The treaty, the candidate proceeded, " not only preserved peace with the two nations,but developed,developed ." At this point ne turned round to his iriends and inquired "What is it ?" amid loud and prolonged shouts. "Well, gentlemen," he concluded, "I'm not & speaker, but I intend to vote straight." Mr. Bouverie had introduced this extraordinary person with the assurance that he "he was thorough-bred, with no hair about his legs." It is sincerely to be hoped that the thorough-bred will some day win a seat in the House. All minorities ought to be represented, it is said, and there is a huge minority of people who tremble at the [mention of intellect, and hate a man who is always educating himself. This admirable body may congratulate itself on having, as it were by a special providence, had so suitable a representative brought under its notice. No slight political difference about Liberalism or Conservatism need stand, in the way. The sacred interests of ignorance _jd stupidity override mere political considerations.