ENGLISH NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 83, 7 August 1852, Page 4

ENGLISH NEWS.

By the arrival of the " Samarang," we are put in possession of English papers to the 27th of March, being three weeks later intelligence than our previous advices. - Parliament re-assembled on the. 12th March, under the leadership of Earl Derby and Mr. D'lsraeli, when spirited'debates ensued. All the new Ministers have been re-elected, save Lord Naas, who was advised not to stand for Eildare, owing to the vigorous opposition in store for him, and where a Mr. Gogan, who described himself as an " unadorned Irishman," (in a non-literal sense, we hope,) walked over the course. Lord, Naas had, however, been returned for Ooleraine, which Mr. Boyd vacated for that purpose. Lord John Russell, unable to carry on the affairs of Government himself, is determined not to allow liis opponents to do so, and held a meeting of Whigs and Radicals at his private residence to organise an opposition which must, however, be looied upon as a failure, only 160 members obeying the summons. The Man-_ Chester clique and the extreme Radicals atten-" ded, but the Irish brigade, kept aloof. An attempt to hook in Sir J. Graham was not altogether fruitless, as, though he did not attend, he nevertheless condescended to endorse the move with which Lord John proposed to open the ..campaign. At the meeting Lord John said that he had called his friends together to consult as to the "course to be pursued towards'tbe new Government. He had applied to Mr. D'lsraeli for an exposition of the intentions of the Cabinet with respect to carrying on the Government, to which Mr. D'lsraeli replied that it was not the intention of the Government to make any statement. Lord John thought they should be compelled to make a statement, not only with regard to Free Trade, but what they intended doing after the dissolution of Parliament. He had consulted all his friends, and Sir J. Graham, and Mr. Cobden, and the former had expressed his intention to co-operate in forcing an explanation. He proposed throwing over his new " Reform Bill," because it is a measure for a Government, and not for a " private member," to carry; but should he happen to be connected with another Government, he would bring forward an "improved measure." Mr. Hume and others expressed their dissatisfaction at this, and told some home-truths which, the Spectator says, caused some of the Whigs to " smile grimly and emit interruptive sounds," without, however, disconcerting " Ole Joe." Ultimately a policy of co-operation was adopted. While this triumverate opposition is forming, there are signs of a split in the Peelite ranks, as Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Sidney Herbert, and others, do not seem disposed to go the extreme lengths of Sir J. Graham, and disclaim the right of asking Government what they intend doing in a new Parliament. They pronounce however, strougly in favour of an early dissolution, in order to settle for ever the controversy of free trade, which" is a fertile source of embarrassment and disunion. A buzz of electioneering bustle is heard everywhere, and in the numerous addresses which fill the journals, a noticeable feature is observed that the Whigs are swallowing a vast amount of Kadicalisrn, while the Tories disclaim "protection." In fact, unmitigated humbug, as is usual at election-periods, is prominently the order of the day. The Earl of Derby has delivered some splendid harangues and carried everything before him in the Upper House: he emphatically declared, that with respect to the Corn Laws he would defer to the opinion which the country should express in the coming elections ; but that no taunt, no challenge, no difficulties to which he may be exposed, should induce him to dissolve Parliament an hour sooner than the interests of the country demanded, though he admitted that the interval of suspense ought to be as brief as possible. In the Lower, Mr. D'lsraeli has not been so fortunate, as he does 3)ot seem to be quite at home yet as Leader of the Commons. A journal likens him to a stranger terrier who has dropped into a kennel of fox hounds, pulled hither and thither, mauled, mangled, and overborne ; but, like that plucky little animal, returning snarl for snarl, and grip for grip. He certainly is not a imn to allow himself to be bullied with impunity, and, like a wily Politician, when unable to answer unpalatable questions, he meets his

opponents by counter demands as to their intentions. After a long speech, in which it must be confessed that, under the cloak of apparent frankness, he explained nothing, and angered his opponents by repeatedly hoping he had answered their enquiries—he concluded with the following criticism on the character of the Opposition : — " The Opposition has very frankly inquired what are the principles upon which the Administration is formed ? There is a subject scarcely second in importance in this country, and that is the principle on which her Majesty's Opposition is formed. (Great cheering.) I hope, therefore, I may be permitted to take this opportunity of making that inquiry. (Cheers.) I have been somewhat surprised, reading what I am informed is an authoritative statement, that the noble lord the member for London, within a fortnight of resigning the Government of the country from an avowed inability to carry it on—within a fortnight of having communicated to the House of Commons the solemn and mature opinion of his Cabinet that the dissolution of Parliament was not expedient —within a fortnight of having communicated to our gracious Sovereign, that her (Majesty should send for the nobleman now at the head of affairs,—l am surprised that that noble lord (Lord J. Russell) has felt it to be an imperative duty to construct a ne\V Opposition, the object of which, so far as I can collect it from the authoritative statement, is to force Lord Derby to do that which the noble lord himself would not venture to attempt—(Cheers)—-that which he announced to be the opinion of his Cabinet to be inexpedient. No doubt, the noble lord arrived at that conclusion with a due regard to all the important circumstances which in this country cannot but enter into the consideration of an individual responsible for the government of the country. No doubt, the noble lord thought that in the present state of affairs, in the present state of Europe and of England, a dissolution of Parliament was highly inexpedient. It was with this conviction, and this general determination, the noble lord resigned the reins of power, and recommended a successor who surely the noble lord might have felt must be equally conscious of the responsibility of advising his Sovereign to such a step. (Cheers.) But if lam to trust to the authoritative statement, as I have a right to do, the more especially when I have myself been challenged on the part of the Government, surely I am entitled to inquire what are the principles on which this new Opposition is formed, an Opposition which the noble lord has constructed under the inspiration and with the aid and assistance of the right hon. gentleman the member for Ripon—(Cheers)—and the hon. member for the West Riding? (Cheers.) Such unbounded confidence exists between three such eminent men—l wish to know on what principle this new Opposition is founded—this new Opposition headed by a noble lord acknowledged by all of us to be an able and fitting leader, with such experienced vice-lieutenants as the right hon. gentleman ■ the member for Ripon, and the hon. gentleman the member for the West Riding? (Cheers.) What, I again ask, is the principle on which the new Opposition is founded ? Is it the principle of Papal supremacy or Protestant ascendancy ? (Cheers.) Is it the principle of national defences or of perpetual peace? (Cheers and laughter.) Is it the principle of househould suffrage or of the electoral groups ? (Laughter.) Is it the opinion of the new Opposition, along with the hon. member for the West Riding, that Free-trade is a panacea for all the evils of states ? Or, is it the opinion of the new Opposition, in deference to the noble lord the member for London, that Free-trade is a great exaggeration ? (Cheers.) These are questions I think it legitimate to ask, and I think they ought to be as frankly answered, as the question which been addressed to her Majesty's Ministers. I know that the prospects we, as a Ministry, may have in the present Parliament very much depend on our knowledge of those who are our opponents. Considering the circumstances under which we acceded to office, I certainly did not expect within a fortnight of his resignation, to find in the prime mover of difficulties against the Government, the noble lord the member for London. But, great as may be the obstacles we may have to encounter, I confess for myself I do not despair. I have confidence in the good sense and good temper even of the existing Parliament. If I have miscalculated those qualities I shall still hold my trust in the sym-

'pathy and support of the country, convinced that it will support the present Government in their attempt to do their duty to their Sovereign and in their resolution to baffle the manoeuvres' of faction. (Loud cheers.)" There is a story that the Duke of Wellington, being in his seat in the Lords, summoned the Bishop of Oxford to his side to repeat the names of the new Ministers. At each name the Duke made some significant growl or nod; but when the Colonial Secretary was mentioned, he bawled out, " Who, who? Pakington?—never heard of such a gentleman." Some few additions and alterations have been made in the list of Ministers given in our last. The Cabinet consists of thirteen members; viz. Earl of Derby, Mr. D'lsraeli, Mr. Herries, Earl of Lonsdale, Marquis of Salisbury, Mr. Walpole Lord John Manners, Sir John Pakington, Lord St. Leonard's, Mr. Henley, Duke of Northumberland, Earl of Hardwicke, and Earl of Malmesbury. In the civil department we have the additions of Lord Henry Lennox as junior Lord of the Treasury ; of Sir J. E. Tennent, as Secretary of the Poor-law Board. Mr. Cumming Bruce is Joint Secretary of the Board of Control. Mr. Layard, although invited by the Earl of Derby in the most flattering manner to continue in the appointment of Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs until Lord Stanley's return from his tour in India, has felt it his duty to retire from office with the ministers who appointed him. In the legal appointments we have Mr. Christopher as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, in place of Sir J. Yarde Buller, without explanation. The Duchess of Atholl has been appointed Mistress of the Eobes, in the place of the Duchess of Sutherland. If ridicule can overturn a Minister, Sir John Pakington has no chance of retaining the position of Colonial Secretary. Jokes of every kind have been unsparingly hurled at him, but we cannot help thinking that the wit is very small wit indeed. An English gentleman, who has been educated at a public school and at a leading University, is supposed incapable of knowing where New Zealand is —is represented as going through a severe course of the " use of the globes"—as paying secret visits to Leicester Square to study Mr. Wyld's gigantic plan of the world—as " cramming" himself at meal times, not with comestibles only, but with Montgomery Martin's Colonies of Great Britain—?n fact, with doing what a " small boy" generally does, or rather, is compelled to do. Now all this is doubtless very funny, and vastly amusing, and extremely witty ; but ought not the colonists to rejdice greatly at getting quit of Earl Grey, from whom they have received nothing but neglect and contempt for years past ? Sir John Pakiugton has already done service for which the inhabitants of Tasmania will thank him; he has counter-ordered two out of four convict vessels prepared by his predecessor for these seas, and has expressed his opinions so ably to Sir W. Molesworth and a deputation who waited upon him on the subject of transportation, as to have received their warm thanks. We publish the particulars of the interview in another column. Parliament will be dissolved as soon as the usual financial statements are made, and a Militia Bill passed to place the country in a fit state of organization and defence in the event of foreign invasion. The new Lord Chancellor has introduced a sweeping measure of Chancery Reform ; he offers, in every respect, a marked contrast *o his predecessor, who seems to have been quite unequal to the high and onerous duties of his office, being disliked at the Bar, and subjected without mercy to the ridicule and sarcasm of Lords Lyndhurst and Brougham in the House of Lords. The turf is wonderfully well represented in the present Ministry, which contains four of its staunchest supporters in the persons of the Premier, the President of the Council, the LordLieutenant for Ireland, and the Master of the Horse. If the lamented Lord George Bentinck had been alive, it would also have been represented at the Exchequer. The Corporation of London have availed themselves of the option offered by the bill for the removal of Smithfield Market, and agreed to undertake the formation of the New Metropolitan Market, and to defray all expenses connected therewith out of the Corporation funds.

The following appears in the Times of the. 27th March:— " The demand for passage to Australia on the part of emigrants of all descriptions has slightly increased during the past few weeks, but there is at present a scarcity of vessels for the service. Meanwhile, the Committee of Colonists formed by Captain Stanley Carr, who meet daily in the city for the purpose of giving information and advice, find the desire on the part of honest and eligible families to obtain the means of departure to be much move ex- j tensive than they had anticipated. The arrangements of the Family Colonization Loan Society, with which they co-operate, are understood to be in progress, and it is evident that whenever a sound self-paying system shall have been organised on a large and safe scale, there will be every prospect of its leading to rapid and most satisfactory results." Twenty-five vessels are advertised to sail for Australia, between the 20th March and 30th April. Canterbury Association. —On the 18th of March, a deputation consisting of Mr. Adderly, Mr. Sewell, Mr. M'Geachy, and Mr. E. G. Wakefield, had an interview with Sir John Pakington, at the Colonial-office. £12,000 has been raised by subscription for the survivors, and the families of those who were lost in the Amazon. A large amount has likewise been collected for the Holmfort disaster, where upwards of a hundred lives were lost, and an immense amount of property destroyed. Mr. Roebuck has been detected in an unaccountable fib. Unaccountable in so shrewd a man —odd in one who is constitutionally so little subject to the particular weakness which most commonly betrays men into a departure from truth. He chose on a late occasion to express an extraordinary abhorence of Mr. Coppock, a personage who has long served as at once the tool and scapegoat of the whole Liberal party. It seems to be an understood thing that Mr. Coppock is a piece of furniture belonging to the Reform Club, which members of that Club are at liberty to use first and spit upon afterwards; and that to repudiate him publicly, while maintaining an intimate private connexion with him, is at worst a mere white lie. Mr. Coppock, however, to do him justice, has at last acquired some susceptibility to affront. His revenge is easy. He has but to open his desk and take from the pigeon-hole labelled " Bath" a bundle of letters which clearly prove not only that he intrigued for Mr. Roebuck at Mr. Roebuck's request, but that he paid into Mr. Roebuck's own hands the amount of the election expenses which the latter proclaims were borne entirely by his constituents. Mr. Roebuck can only plead in excuse that he had forgotten all about it, and that Mr. Coppock was really the agent of the late Government. The late Government is much obliged to him. A curious circumstance has transpired in what is called the literary world. A collection of letters purporting to be Shelley's, lately published by Mr. Mpxon, has been accidently discovered to be an artful and ingenious forgery. Inquiry has been aroused, and the Atlienawm (a good authority), assures us that a great number of letters, notes, and literary fragments, which have within the last few years been bought at high prices, and received by the public as indubitably genuine, under the names of Shelley, Keats, and Byron, are really of the same base metal, and probably traceable to the same dexterous hand. If this is true, one would like to know the full extent of the mischief —how many literary judgments these forgeries may have influenced, how much good criticism they may have insensibly and incurably tainted, and how far they may have contributed to throw a false colouring over the memories of the dead. IRELAND. * The new Lord-Lieutenant, the Earl of Eglinton, has entered Dublin in great state amidst much display of enthusiasm on the part of the populace. Banners and Union Jacks floated from mastheads of steamers and ships, across streets and from balconies thronged with ladies in all directions. When the steamer hove in sight of Kingstown harbour a ''truly Irish cheer" greeted their Excellencies as soon as they were recognised. His lordship took off his hat in acknowledgment of the compliment, and remained uncovered until after his landing. " Nothing could be more elegant or graceful" than the manner in which the Countess expressed her

sense of the kindly and warm reception afforded to her and her noble consort. The latter was attired in a blue paletot, a blue satin scarf, &s;c., and wore " a tremendous bunch, of shamrocks" in the breast of his coat. The Countess wore a magnificent Irish poplin, richly flowered, a white gauze bonnet, and very rich black scarf. When their Excellencies were leaving the steamer, the band of the 35th struck u.p the national anthem, the military presented, arms, hundreds of ladies waved their handkerchiefs, the crowds cheered, and all united in giving the new Viceroy and the Countess of Eglinton a hearty welcome. At the railway station they were met by the Duke of Cambridge, the Earl of Roden, and a large party of the nobility and gentry, who escorted their Excellencies witli like enthusiasm to the Castle, where the swear-ing-in took place, followed by an undress levee, numerously attended. The day was somewhat spoilt by the party spirit of the Trinity College students, who had not sense enough to restrain their joy within bounds, but challenged the mob by hanging an orange-coloured handkerchief to the railings of the College, and refusing to take it down. The affair ended in a town and gown row on a formidable scale, resulting, fortunately, in nothing worse than a few broken heads and fines, which, perhaps, were after all necessary to complete the enjoyment of an Irishman's holiday. Another row took place on St. Patrick's Day, when lamps and heads were broken, the military assaulted in pure exuberance of fun, and various other eccentricities perpetrated. The death of the Roman Catholic Archbishop Murray is an irretrievable loss to Ireland, and scarcely less to the United Kingdom. Dr. Murray was struck with paralysis on Tuesday, and expired the following Thursday morning. During Wednesday his residence was surrounded by inquirers of all classes and of both creeds, anxious to hear the latest reports of the physicians. The Earl of Clarendon was a visitor twice in the course of the day. Dr. Murray was consecrated Bishop in November, 1809, and succeeded Archbishop Troy in May, 1823. The particulars of his death are thus related by the Tablet :— '• The manner of his Grace's death must be consoling to his friends—that is, to all who knew him, and may be very simply told. His last public act was to preside over the requiem office, which was said over the coffin of Richard Lalor Sheil in the church of the Jesuits, Gar-diner-street, on Monday. On that day Dr. Murray seemed in remarkably good health and spirits, considering his years, and what, even at those years, were only his incipient infirmities. In the evening of the day, which witnessed the last offices of religion paid to the defunct politician by that venerable and honoured prelate, who was so soon to require the same kind of office to be rendered to himself—Dr. Murray dined at the presbytery of his cathedral in Malborough-street, surrounded by the clergy of his own parish. He slept at home as usual, and rose at his usual hour the next (Tuesday) morning. After completing his toilet and his ordinary morning devotions, he went into the private chapel of his house to say mass as usual at eight o'clock. In the chapel were one or two friends, who had the privilege of hearingmass there. His Grace was in his soutane and rochet, not having yet vested himself, and a few words of conversation passed between him and one of those present, during which he was observed to rub his hands with just so much of energy as to attract attention. On being asked if he felt pain, he replied that he felt a slight pricking in the fingers, and, thinking it might be a rheumatic affection, he was advised to cover his hand with a warm flannel, upon which he held his hand to the fire for a few moments, and passed on to arrange the altar. At the altar he was observed to rub his arm, as if the uneasiness had extended itself higher, and after a little while he came down without having arranged the altar, left the chapel, and went down stairs, as was his wont, into the back drawing-room, to procure the wine for the holy sacrifice. He remained there for a little while, until some one looking in at the door saw him seated in his arm chair, with his elbow on the table, and his head drooping on one side. The alarm was at once given ; the physicians were sent for ; his Grace was conveyed* to bed, and every effort was made for his recovery: but during the forty-six hours that elapsed from the time the fit of paralysis seized him till he expired he exhibited no signs of consciousness. Dr. O'Farrell and Sir Philip Crampton were in

immediate attendance, but they at once saw that the case was hopeless."