And besides, Lord yourself you spite, Our lot they can

then make us a distinct propo- change that system by which sition. I, for my part, should they rule. be for a change of the Ministry, John, it is if the new Ministers would and not us. pledge themselves to a reform not make worse than it is: in almost any shape; and espe-yours they not only may, but cially if they would break up certainly will. Rescued all tofifty rotten boroughs, and give gether we may be; but they the representatives amongst fif- cannot continue to grind us, teen, twenty, or thirty of the without reducing you to very great northern towns and vil- dust. The people they can nelages; but I cannot insult my ver wholly destroy; but there own understanding by calling it are those whom their measures a Reform in Parliament to dis-may finally totally annihilate. franchise one villainously rot- It appears to me, my lord, ten borough in seven years, and that, independent of the cause by calling those Reformers, of the Queen, there are ample who, while so many worthy materials in play to produce public spirited men are pining a Reform of the Parliament. in dungeons for their laudable en- The distresses of the nation will deavours to put an end to bribe- of themselves produce this Rery and corruption, can find not one single prisoner, whose prison doors they will exert themselves to open, except Sir Menassah likely that the Reform will take Lopez, who was justly suffer-place in the midst of confusion, ing the punishment due to bri- if it be now put off for any bery and corruption the most length of time. This fatal canotorious and most flagrant! tastrophe might be prevented In answer to this, Lord John at this time; but if this occasion Russell may say: Well, then! be suffered to pass, no other "let Castlereagh and Sidmouth will probably be offered. At " and Canning still continue to any rate, it is very certain that "rule With all my the people will not stir for a heart, Lord John! I would ra- change of the Ministry without ther they than you: unless you a distinct pledge upon this subwill first pledge yourself to 'ject. Let that pledge be given,

you!"

form. Whether they will produce it without convulsion is more than I can say. I think it

and the Ministers will not be in confess, too much to be expower many days from the time pected. All would be easy; of giving it. hideous as are the perils of the

these perils, so I am afraid, they will be the cause of preventing

To expect that the people country, every thing would be will effeet the change of Mi-speedily put to rights, all dannistry first, in expectation of gers would be quickly removed; receiving the pledge afterwards, but, as the borough-mongers is out of the question. If there have been the great cause of be an intention to perform, to give the pledge costs nothing. But, the obstacle is, that there their removal. On their own is no ground for any man's giv-heads be the consequences. The ing the pledge. He who gives labouring classes of people in it must, I am afraid, expect to particular cannot experience be disavowed by those borough- much addition to their sufferholders who belong to his own ings. The opulent and the party; and I frankly acknow-great now begin to taste of the ledge, that I believe, that, be-danger; and if destruction come fore your Lordship gave such upon them, let them acknowa pledge you must make up ledge that it is the work of their your mind to be deserted and own hands. disowned by every boroughholder in the kingdom. I acknowledge that this is too much for us to expect your Lordship to encounter. The people, the people alone, would carry you through; would bear you triumphant through every difficulty to the salvation of the country. They would enable you to compel the boroughholders to yield; but, as this must cost you the loss of all friendship and connexion with those amongst whom you have lived all your life, it is, I freely short duration. So that there

As to any intrigues that may be carried on for getting the Queen out of the country; and for patching up a Ministry upon that or any such basis, they are too contemptible to be worthy of notice. The difficulties of the government are so great, and are increasing so fast upon its hands, that, as an object of ambition, a man must be little short of mad to aim at the Ministry. As to the emoluments of office, or the patronage of office, they could be but of very

appears to be no rational object cular notice. The petition does, offered in the post of Minister to indeed, express an opinion, that

view, which Sir Robert Wilson takes of the matter. This is, I suppose, the view of it taken at BROOKES'S. But, Sir Robert is a very keen man; that is to say,

any man who takes a just view a Reform in the House of Comof our present situation. The mons ought to take place; but, commission of First Lord of the it has this saving, or, rather, Treasury would scarcely be damning, observation, subjoinworth the cost of the parch-ed: " That, sooner or later, ment and the wax; but it is" such Reform is inevitable, but very well worth while for the "whether such Reform be imborough-holders to consider the "mediately effected, or not, it wide difference that there may" is indispensable, to the welbe, in the consequences, be-" fare, the security and the hotween a voluntary and a com- nour of the country, that the pulsory surrender. There is yet" government should no longer time for the former; but time" remain in the hands of the flies swiftly; and, they should" present Ministers.” This is the recollect that yesterday never returns. It is yet in their power to conciliate the people; but a time may come when it will be too late for conciliation; and when transactions, which might he is keen upon the scent, Sir now be buried for ever in obli- Robert is active as well as amvion, may be revived and made bitious. He is not a lazy fellow, the ground of proceedings that who lies snorting out his comwould otherwise never have mands to others, and who thinks been thought of. However, it all the world made to admiis really their affair much more nister to his pomposity. Sir than the affair of the people, Robert is willing to bestir himwho will have a Reform, at no self, and I like him for that. He distant day, let the borough- does not want to cut across, and holders do whatever they may. thus, without toil, come in at The Borough of Southwark the death, and participate unhas, I perceived, petitioned the worthily in the spoil. But, the King to dismiss his Ministers; worst of it is, that Sir Robert, in and the petition is worded in a his keenness, over-runs his way, which is worthy of parti-game. A little less haste would

one rose from the dead to teach them.

Petitions of this stamp may be drawn up, put neatly upon paper or parchment, and sent to

have enabled Sir Robert to per- to be enlightened even though ceive, that the converse of this passage of the Borough Petition would have been much nearer the truth: that is to say: "Whether the Ministers retain "their places, or not, a reform the King; but, while the Minis“is indispensable to the welters will pay no attention to "fare, the security and honour them, they will be almost im"of the country." If we, the mediately forgotten even by people, were asked; if the peo-those who live in the places from ple of the Borough were asked: which they have been sent, To "Will you have a change of talk of a change of ministry without a Reform is, in short, nonEvents will bring the

Ministry and no reform; or, a "reform and no change of Mi-sense. "nistry?" would they hesitate Reform, a single moment? Would they not instantly say, give us the latter?

if it be not assented to before the arrival of those events. At this time, the aristocracy might make it at a future There is something very ugly time it will be made without in this saving observation of this them. If men always pursued petition. The petition must be their real, permanent interests, considered as the work of Sir R. we should be certain which of Wilson; or, at least, as having these the aristocracy will now his entire approbation; and I prefer; but, as this is far from should not wonder if this parti- being always the case, we must cular part was rather a favourite with him. It is, on this account, importantly suspicious. It seems to indicate, that there are men, who think of coming into power

patiently await their decision, and, in the meanwhile we shall, I trust, take care to give not the

smallest countenance to any

change of ministry, not includ ing a Reform in the Commons'

without a pledge to give us a Reform; who think of leaving House of Parliament, to the

want of which Reform, and to

that matter for future consideration. And, if this be the case, it only shows, that there still are in the world men too blind the calamities that afflict, and

that alone, are to be ascribed all

all the dangers that menace, the country.

I am,

Your Lordship's most obedient
And most humble servant,
Wм. COBBETT.

THE QUEEN

AND

HONOURABLE HOUSE.

The following account of the transactions in this famous and unreformed Assembly will need no comment. I take it from the COURIER. It is a complete thing, exhibiting in a single view, "the envy of surrounding na"tions and admiration of the "world." Mind, this Assembly is not composed of Radicals and Lower Orders."

mind that!

Pray

draw, withdraw! Shame, "shame!" and the noise was such, that what he said could not be heard. As soon as the Deputy Usher withdrew

The Speaker prepared to leave the Chair, when

"Mr. Tierney rose and observed, that not one word of what had fallen from the Deputy Usher had been heard; and how then did the Speaker know what was the message, or whether he was wanted at all in the other House. (Loud cheering.)

"The Speaker left the House amidst great uproar, loud calls of" shame, shame!" and seve"At a quarter before two ral of the Opposition Members o'clock the Speaker entered the hissed very loudly as the House, Many members were Speaker was quitting the House. present, particularly on the Op-But few Members accompanied position Benches. Prayers hav-the Speaker.

ing been read, and the Speaker "Many Members remained in having ascertained that 40 Mem- the House, but the Speaker did bers were present, he took the not re-enter it. On his return, Chair. he went along the side gallery "A new writ was moved in to his own dwelling; and the the room of Mr. St. Paul for Ber-Sergeant at Arms took the mace wick-upon-Tweed. to his room up stairs.

Two Members then appeared at the table to be sworn, and such ceremony takes precedence of other business. When the oaths had been administered to

them,

"The Members then gradually separated."

Mr. Denman had, it seems, a Message to deliver from the Queen, in which her Majesty