The Press. — London, England, 1857-03-14 00:00:00

THE PRESS. MARCH 14, 1851. session to keep Lord PALMERSTON in office. We all know that when Parliament meets again, nothing will be done beyond the ordinary form of business, and that all useful i.egislation is postponed till 1858. In Mr. ConnEN's language, is Lord PALMERSTON worth so much? The retirement of the Speaker of the House of Commons is an event in Parliamentary history ; but the retirement of the present Speaker is more than an ordinary event—it is an epoch. Mr. SHAW LEFEVRE was not merely eminently skilled in Parliamentary pro cedure—he was in some sense the originator and founder of it as it at present exists. A most valuable work has lately been published by the Hon. Mr. BouaxE, containing the decisions of the late Speaker, and all persons desirous of acquaintance with the subject would do well to avail themselves of its contents. Mr. SHAW LEFEVRE was the model of an English gentleman, both physically and morally. He commanded the respect fof the most turbulent assembly in Europe, the love of a numerous body of dependants, and the genial sympathy of a host of social companions. We shall not speculate on his suc cessor ; but it is not likely to be one who combines in a greater degree the requisites for that important office. The Central American difficulty is not yet concluded. A large party in the States is still jealous of our influence in the Isthmus, and is determined to do all it can to repudiate the Treaty which has secretly been agreed upon. The Washington Union, which is, we believe, the special organ of the Buchananites, stigmatises the recent Treaty as a dereliction of national honour, and a sui render of American rights. The real question at issue, however, still hangs upon the old Munro dispute—ls Europe, or is it not, to have a locus standi on the Western Continent? It is impossible that we should give any but one answer to this question ; and we are rejoiced to see that Lord ELGIN has given notice of a motion upon the subject. The Noble Lord's experience renders him an excellent witness on the occasion; and his well-known combination of tact and firmness relieve us from any apprehension of his recommending an un-English policy. It is high time that the real statesmen of the country took our foreign policy into their own hands, and sought to mitigate tho effects of Lord PA ',ME RSTON'S universal system of discourtesy. Concessions which the United States would willingly have made under other circumstances are refused when demanded by him ; and we seem to have no alternative under his Administration but unprovoked hostilities, or undignified withdrawal of pretensions. The City of London meeting at Guildhall yesterday was the heaviest blow which has yet been dealt at the Palmerstonians. It was called to express " high confidence " in Lord PALMERSTON. Will the promoters of this meeting be so good as to tell us whether there can be " low confidence ?" Tne most strenuous exertions were made by Ministerialists to pack the meeting. Yet, in spite of a lavish expendi tin e to secure good bawlers, the resolution moved by Mr. RAIRES CURRIE in favour of Lord PALMERSTON narrowly escaped defeat, and the meeting broke up in great disorder. We venture to predict that this will be the last attempt made to get up a popular demonstra tion in Lord PAr.mEasTos's favour. SHOP OR SHELLEY ? A DIALOGUE FOR THE ELECTORS OF WESTMINSTER. " Mr. Westerton, the stationer, has consented to be put in nomination for Westminster." ELECTOR (entering Mr. 11 7. 8. shop).—Good morning, Mr. Westerton. Mr. WESTERTON.—GOOd morning, Sir. What is the first article ? ELECTOR —lndefinite. A. Mr. 'ArESTERTON (puzzled).—With what can I have the pleasure of serving you ? ELECTOR.—Ah ! that's more like it. Well, I want some note paper, envelopes, and a novel that will keep me awake. But I also want to know whether it is true that you are going to stand for West minster. Mr. WESTERTON.—The cause of civil and religious liberty appears to demand a champion, and ELECTOR.—And you appear to be the man, eh ? Mr. WESTERTON.—If the constituency should think so, Sir -- ELECTOR.—GOOd. Now, Mr. Westerton, do you know how many electors there are in Westminster ? Evidently you do not. Mr. WESTERTON.—I can easily tell you. Excellent little book by Mr Dod, the " Parliamentary Companion," only four and six, allow Inc to put it up for you. Population, let's see—Registered Electors— here you are-14,883. Most serviceable little book. I:um - wt.—And it seems to you that you are a person who should be delegated as the representative of nearly 15,000 persons ? Mr. WESTERTON.—Lord John Russell represents 20,000, and I am not aware that he has rendered more service to the cause of civil and reliqious liberty than I have done. ELECTOR.—What is the nature of those services—yours, I mean— we know something of his Lordships? Mr. WESTERTON.—Why, is not Europe ringing with them ? Haven't I prosecuted the Puseyites, and made them put their candles out, and take their Altar from the wall, and abolish their embroidery? . —that is, I s h a ll h ave d one so if t h e Court of Appeal decides in our favour. ELEezon.—That seems a good reason why you shoullunders tend polities, and deal with them in the lofty and enlightened spirit befitting a representative of Westminster. Are you aware that Mr. Fox sat fur that constituency? ^•• • 253 Mr. WESTERTON.—T hope that I am a better man than Mr. Fox He used to gamble and drink, rye read. Ido neither. ELECTOR.—Sir Samuel Itomilly also represented the city to which Mr. Westerton aspires. Mr. WESTERTON.—He was a law reformer, and I am in the same line, in my humble way. ELECTOR.—Mr. Sheridan was another Westminster member. Mr. WEszEwroN.—A respectable trrdesman, I suppose, is an eligible character equally with a writer of plays, who never paid his debts. _ _ _ _ ELECTOR.—Sir John Cam Hobhouse, now Lord Broughton, had the honour you covet. Mr. WESTERTON.—I don't think much of him. Ho wrote notes to " Don Juan." ELECTOR.—Not that I ever heard of. Mr. WESTERTON.—To " Childe Harold " I mean. I knew it was something of Byron's. Well, they are heavy enough. ELECTOR.—The Earl of Dundonald, formerly Lord Cochrane, is a name you may respect more highly. Mr. WESTERTON.—A brave man, no doubt. I have frequently re marked that military and naval gents are highly brave. But mere brute force is nothing to the march of intellect ; and, excuse me, I think I am quite as good a man as Lord Dundonald. ELECTOR.—And which of the present members do you propose to oust, Mr. Westerton. Mr. WESTERTON.—WeII, Sir, between ourselves, I don't know that either would be any great loss. They are both poor creatui'3B. I don't say but De Lacy Evans may have been a good soldier in his time, but that's all gone by. And as for the Bart, how anybody bear ing the name of Shelley can be such a pump, I really can't understand. Are you acquainted with Shelley's writings. Let me recommend you this little addition, only two-and-sixpence—shall I put it up with " Dod "? ELECTOR.—Never mind, now. And pray, Mr. Westerton, - what is your political creed? Mr WESTERTON.—Every enlightened man's, Sir. March of intel lect, civil and religious liberty, spirit of the age, and all that. If you'll excuse the joke, Sir, I am all for advance though my wares aro sta tionary. ELECTOR.—Very good, Mr. Westerton. Mr. WESTERTON.—And, as I keep a cirnidating library, I should understand the question of a circulating medium. ELECTOR.—Good again, Sir; and Sheridan's seat will not be un worthily occupied, after all. Mr. WESTERTON.—AIthough willing to execute " blind tooling" for a customer, I will be no blind tool of a Minister. ELECTOR.—Bravo Mr. WESTERTON.---T will not be put down by any one, whether a fool or an educated man—" half calf " or " lettered. ELEcToß.—Westerton the witty ! And Maynooth? Mr. NVESTERTOIC—Let the Papists find their own wafers —or, ha! ha! come to my shop for gem. I hope my creed gives satisfaction, Sir —I make no abatement. ELEctoa.—Put up the envelopes and note-paper, please. I really don't see that you are more objectionable than Sir John Shelley, or a bit less modest. Thanks—there's the money—and rely on my vote, if out of the 15,000 electors we can't find to gentleman, or if eilr. Toni Matthews should finally refuse to offer himself with you. Good day. UNIVERSAL SATISFACTION. THE PREMIER'S SOLILOQUY. Yes, gentlemen, the thing is true, Statesmen like me are very few. For I, you know, am Canning's pu pil, and a man of action. Though somewhat queer my retinue ; Though Peel is often in a stew ; Yet I, as Minister, give u• niversal satisfaction. Wood makes me look exceeding blue When something wise he strives to do; And verily Sir Cornew•all Lew is drives me to distraction ; Cranworth's a wretched lawyer, too ; And Bethell perhaps is worse; but who Denies that I myself give u niversal satisfaction ? Clarendon's weak and fickle—true; Grey keeps his burglars ivell-to-do— They find beefsteaks and thickened gru el are a great attraction; Argyll's a nice young man to view, Though rather forward and impru ucut in his speech ; but I give u. niversal satisfaction. Panmure would think it very cru el not to be an uncle true ; Fred Peel—but 'tis not needful to Deiscend to such a fraction. I am the Ministry; my crew Arc nothing in the world to you. Patu—Pam Dictator—will give u niversal satisfaction ! ;