THE NEW PREMIER OF ENGLAND.

West Coast Times, Issue 840, 2 June 1868, Page 4

THE NEW PREMIER OF ENGLAND.

(From the London Correspondent of the Melbourne ''Argus.") I was in the House when Mr Disraeli made his entry for the first time as Prime Minister of England. I was curious to see how the gentlemen of the proudest Assembly in the world would receive the literaiy person who has come to be their master. v It was an interesting spectacle'! and, on the the whole, greatly honorable to both sides. ' Heralded by a good deal of cheering in the lobbies, Mr Disraeli advanced up the floor of the House to his seat on the right-hand benches amidst a a perfect ovation from either side — expressed in that storm of quick and abrupt '' hear hears" which does duty in parliament for loud cheers. There could be no question of the heartiness and spontaneity of the reception. Liberals, especially of the wider complexion " below the gangway," as well as Tories, cheered iv a good old English fashion the man whom the one party opposes with all its mijrht and the other distrusts and dislikes. The tribute, of course, was to the man — not to the politician. However the British mind mistrusts this Eastern adventurer, with his curious foreign habits of thought and his mysterious reserve, everyone was glad, out of the old national instinct of fair play, to welcome the winning of a prize so hardly, bravely, and patiently earned. Everyone is ready to acknowledge that, however much he may be opposed to Mr Disraeli, no man ever worked more zealously for the reward which'is now his. It was ' this feeling which animated the Liberals in their cheering quite as much as the fact that Mr Disraeli's triumph is in itself an evidenco of the true liberalism which is in English institutions. That this man of obscure birth, without fortune or ancestral advantages, with even less than the usual opportunities of distinction, should have mounted to be Premier of England, and leader of the great Tory party, was one more proof that in England no barriers exist against talent, if the possessor has only the pluck to perseverse. No ono is excluded from the prize by reason of any defects of opinion. Can you say the same of your democracy ? I watched Mr Disraeli's face closely as he walked in triumph between tho applauding benches. I am glad to report that there was not a sign of vulgar exult-

ation. Not a muscle moved of that cold, impassive, sphinx-like countenance. Except that he was rather paler and gloomier than usual, it was impossible to perceive any change in the face of the new Premier which told of his recent elevation. Afterwards, when rising to explain the circumstances connected with the change of Ministry, Mr Disraeli spoke in a more deliberate and subdued tone than usual — saying little of his own plans, but, with great good taste, dwelling chiefly on the excellencies of his predecessor. Since then the strife of parties, suspended for a brier moment, has broken out as violently as ever. For some time it was a matter of dotibt as to which side of the new Premier's policy should bo the first to be assailod. A weak point, convenient »for attack, has been found in the Irish ques^ tion. It is hard upon Mr Disraeli, who has inherited all the vices and weaknesses of his party on the Irish question, that he should be called upon to justify his existence upon this issue. But the Liberals are clamorus for a return to power, and Ireland is the best cheval de battaille. (FEO3I THE IONDON SrECTATOB.) The new Premier met his followers at his official residence in Downing street, and made them a short speech promising a truly Conservative policy, which was well received. At half-past five he appeared in the House of Commons, where he was received* with cheers from his own side and a portion of those opposed to him, cheers which, however, subsided ! rather quickly. His speech on rising had a shade too.niuch of Uriah Heep, a mock humility which never suits the speaker. He had, he said, " personal and .peculiar difficulties" to, increase the usual burden of forming an Administration ; in succeeding Lord Derby he succeeded to his principles ; in twenty years there had " never been a cloud" between him and the Earl, and he was cognizant of all _ his ideas. Mr Disraeli seemed, in. short, quite sorry to let go of the Earl's coat tails. His foreign policy was Lord Stanley's — peace without isolation — but his home policy would be " a liberal one, a truly liberal one," a statement which provoked both laughter and cheers. The Reform Bills must proceed, and an education Bill would be introduced; and, as to Ireland, Lord Mayo would explain the views of the Cabinet, views which he hinted would meet the " enlightened and temperate" of all parties. The speech was fairly, but not enthusiastically received ; for, though no one in the house expected a declaration of policy, members did expect a more eloquent speech and a more dramatic scene. The general impression at its close was, that the Premier was anxious to gain time. (JPEOJI A LONDON PAPEB.) Mr Disraeli is Prime Minister ; which sends us back, some thirty-seven years, to " Vivian Grey." Why then the world's mine oyster Which I with, sword will open was the prophetic motto of the title-page. Young Vivian, without fortune or noble birth, " paced his chamber in an agitated spirit and panted for the Senate." "Curse on my lot !" he soliloquised, " that the want of a few rascal counters, and the possession of a little rascal blood should mar my fortunes !" But a cheering thought came to him. "At this moment how many a powerful noble wants only wit to be a Minister, and what wants Vivian Grey to attain the same end? That noble's influence. When two persons can so materially assist each other, why are they not brought together?" Vivian Grey and Lord Carabas came together, and Vivian's problem was solved. "A smile for a friend," said Disraeli the younger, "and a sneer for the world is the way to govern mankind, and such was the motto of Vivian Grey." When, in 1846, Mr Disraeli and Lord George Bentinck set to work together to make a party it seemed fulfilled prophecy. Vivian Grey is now above all the Carabases, and has risen even beyond the highest aspirations of his young imagination. What must be Mr Disraeli's thoughts and feelings at this moment, when, having clutched the greatest prize of English citizenship, he looks back upon his strange career? Hooted down on his first attempt to speak in the House of Commons — passed by with something like contempt by Sir Robert Peel when he formed his administration in 1841 — furiously hated and reviled by Sir Robert Peel's followers, after he had wreaked his vengeance on Sir Robert Peel in 1846 — he, whom the great Conservative leader of yore rejected, goes to the Premiership, with the assent, if not toih delight of Conservatism. Since " a gentleman of the press" has become the premier of England, it seems that other members of the profession have begun to stand upon their dignity. A reporter of the Dublin " News Letter," having purchased a ticket of admission to an Orange meeting recently held in the Ulster Hall, was ordered to leave the platform, one fellow threatening to kick him downstairs. The reporter retired,but other persons interested in the meeting endeavored to induce him to return. Mr Thomas Ward, the chairman, offered by way of apology to conduct the insulted representative of the press to his seat,, but that was not enough. The reporter insisted that the assemblage should adopt a resolution requesting him to be present, that this resolution should be communicated to him officially, and that finally, he should be led into the hall by the chairman with al) proper form. These hard terms were, strictly complied with, and the Irish comrade of the English Premier allowed the business of the meeting to proceed.

The modest virgin, the prudent wife, or the careful matron, ai'e much more serviceable in life than petticoated philosophers, blustering heroines! or virago queens. She who makes her husband and her children happy, who reclaims the.one from vice, ahd trains up the, oiher io virtue, is a much greater tllan ladies described iri romance, whose whole occupation is to murder manking with shafts from the quiver of their eyes. — Goldsmith. The* other day two colored individuals were standing at the depot — one on the platform, the other on the track. The gemman on tho track was indulging in loud .laxighter at something he had witnessed, when his .comrade called out—" I say, Bill, you's *is great danger dar !" "Why so?" says Bill, "feasewhen de train como along it'll tako your mouf for the depot and run in dar ! " — American Paper. Mr Alfred Pye was employed to design a gateway for, the palace bt" Cuddesden ; and when it was finished Bishop Wilberforce liked it vsp well that, he graciously suggested that his own initials should be placed over oha pillar and those of the architect over tho other. But when it was proposed to put " 5.,0," on the right column and " A. P." on the left, the Prelate objected that that would never do, as 'it palpably spelt " Soap." -