The Press.
London, England, 1855-03-03 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

A youthful Whig I then appeared,
Than me could none be stouter ;
At bit-by-bit reforms I sneered—

Myself an out-and-outer.
For it became my firm belief
The Bill would win the day, sir,
And mobs maintain in power the chief
Who gave me place and pay, sir.

~~-..:

Grey, Melbourne, Russell, came and went,
While I retained my station ;
And duly kept the Continent
Jn ceaseless irritation.
For Liberalism, 'twas my belief,
Was now the game to play, sir,
And Rads at home would hail me chief
Aud gladly vote my pay, air.

When Peel to office came once more,
Towards him my heart relented,
But he perhaps some malice bore,
And left me discontented.
But still I kept my firm belief,
With spirits light and gay, sir,
That, if not ho, some other chief
Would give me place and pay, sir.

When Peel, by Irish famine seared,
His former friends disgusted,
And Tories found themselves ensnared
By him they once had trusted,
The hungry Whigs, with glad belief,
Foresaw the coming prey, sir,
And I foresaw that any chief
Must give me place and pay, sir.

Protection then at once became
A vile abomination ;
By laws it was a burning shame
To fetter navigation.
Free trade was now, in my belief,
The watchword for the fray, sir,
And, stepping o'er its prostrate chief,
We took his place and pay, sir.

When Johnny gave me once the sack,
I veiled my indignation,
But soon with interest paid him back,
And forced his resignation.
For I had then a fixed belief

(Conviction I may say, sir)
That he should never long bo chief
Who should withhold my pay, air.

When Derby took the chief command
I failed with him to arrange, sir,
But still held out a friendly hand,
In case the times should change, sir.
For it was then my firm belief
That 'tis the prudent play, sir,
To keep on terms with every chief
Who has the power to pay, sir.
In friendly chat with Bedford's Duke,
When Peelites sly were seen, sir,
The joyful hint I quickly took,
And lauded Aberdeen, sir.
For it became my firm belief
I now should have my way, sir,
Or, if not so, with him as chief,
At least receive my pay, sir.

The road I saw, with instinct true,
To gain my old position,
Foreswore the Derby-Dizzy crew,
And shouted " Coalition !"
For principle, 'tis my belief,
Is ever in the way, sir—
Of all impediments the chief
To keeping place and pay, sir.

So Whigs and Peelites soon were seen,
A glorious band of brothers,
With antiquated Aberdeen,
The kindest, best of mothers.
I wished I had a firm belief
That thus we long could stay, sir,
For, though I loved not much my chief,
I loved my place and pay, sir.

Patient I bore repeated rubs,
As if in friendly part meant,
Patient, beneath Newcastle's snubs,
Gave up the War Department.
My comfort was my firm belief,
While Aberdeen had sway, sir,
Whoe'er of war affairs was chief,
Would hardly make them pay, sir.

210

Patient I watched poor Clarendon,
In troubled waters angling ;
'Mid sewers and stinks I muddled on,

And Chadwick's endless wrangling;
For I foresaw, with firm belief,
The nation soon would say, sir,
That such a crew, with such a chief,
Were not worth half their pay, sir,
When on their blunders fast and thick
Came crowding fresh disasters,
I thought 'twas time to cut my stick,
And try a change of masters.
And then arose the fond belief,

The game I so could play, sir,
By swamping every other chief,
Myself to get the pay sir.

When Johnny gave us all the slip,
From Roebuck's motion shrinking,
I vowed 'twas shame to suit the ship,
To save himself from sinking.
Yet secretly 'twas my belief,
When he was out o' th' way, sir,
That, Jonah like, our ancient chief
For all the crew might pay, sir.

So overboard " lecher " we threw,
That antiquated lumber,
And with him his companion true,
The luckless Lord of CluMber,
And it became my firm belief,
Since each dog has his day, sir,
That I should now, as England's chief,
Dispense both place and pay, sir.

And so. God bless my noble self,
And next our gracious Queen, sir,
I now have gained both power and pelf,
And laugh at Aberdeen, sir.
And it is now my fond belief
That ,free from Time's decay, sir,
I long shall rule, of humbugs chief,
For nothing else will pay, sir.

MONSTER MEETING OF PEELITES.

YESTERDAY an enormous meeting of members of the Peel party
assembled at the residence of the late Premier, the Earl of Aberdeen,
K.G., in order to take into consideration the present state of public
affairs, and of the war, and to decide what future course should be
adopted by the party in question. The importance of the crisis, and
the peremptory summons which had been sent round by the promoters
of the meeting, occasioned the attendance of all of the members of the
Peel party, and in consequence every one of the six chairs in the late
Premier's breakfast-room was occupied.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM moved, and Mr. GLADSTONE seconded, the
motion that Lord Aberdeen should take the chair, and the rest of the
meeting held up its three hands in unanimous approbation.
Lord ABERDEEN, on taking the chair, advised the meeting to draw
its own chairs up to the fender, as, notwithstanding the weather was
warmer, the damp caused considerable chill, and though they were not
so old as some people—(cheers)—still good people were scarce.
(Laughter.) He then said that at a time like this it was the duty of
a great and a powerful party in the State to leave the public mind in
no uncertainty as to their opinions and intentions. He said a great
and powerful party, for at no distant period their numbers had been
about ninety, and though now they were not quite so numerous—
(Hear, hear)—that made no difference in their own estimate of their
importance. (Cheers.) The eyes of the country were upon them, and
its destinies were in their hands. He rejoiced to see that splendid
muster which he beheld before the fire, and he could assure them that
so long as a powerful party was united, and true to its leaders, there
was no saying what it might do, or might not. (Cheers.) But other
and better speakers than himself would address the meeting.
At this stage of the proceedings a third of the meeting quitted its
seats and proceeded to stand, with its four coat-tails under its arms,
and its two backs to the fire, but a good humoured protest being made
against this course by the other two-th;rds, the Duke of N ewcastle and
Mr. Sidney Herbert sat down again.
Mr. GLADSTONE then addressed the meeting in a long and luminous
speech of about two hours and a half. We regret that we can only
give an outline of it. He said that the present crisis was a very re-
markable one, and it was hot for them to shrink from it. (Cheers.) It.
was the part of traitors and cowards to slink away from the post of
duty when the country required their best services. Indeed, if ho did
not feel that in going out of office, at a time when their doing so had
occasioned injury and inconvenience, he and his friends had behaved

SAttlllliAt.

wisely and. patriotically, he for one would have remained in place, in
order to counteract the objectionable policy of the present Premier.
But they felt that they could do more mischief—he meant good—
(cheers)—when seated beside Mr. Bright than upon the Treasury bench.
They should be able to speak more frankly from that position, and
their official knowledge would enable them to strike more darrwr,ing
blows than others could do, while in regard to such matters as it might
be deemed indecorous in ex-officials to discuss, they could serve the
cause of truth, and promote the welfare of the nation, by affording to
Mr. Bright (for whose talents he had the utmost esteem, though he
did not agree with his theological views), and to their other new asso-
ciates, hints and promptings as might render the task of defence a
difficult one for the Government. Convinced, therefore, of the recti-
tude of their course, he would move the first resolution, which was,
"That this meeting pledges itself to remain true to the real principles
of Peelism, and to carry the same into action whenever circum-
stances may permit."
Sir JAMES GRAHAM seconded the motion. He might be permitted
to feel peculiar pleasure at the present crisis, for he had abandoned an
office the duties of which he understood, and had discharged, he be-
lieved, satisfactorily, and had caused those duties to be handed over to
Sir Charles Wood. (Roars of laughter.) Well, poor dear Charley, he could
not help his deficiencies. Ships were made of wood, and now to see
what Wood would make of ships. The frightful mull— if he might be
pardoned the expression—which must bhortly be made at the Admi-
ralty, would be a subject, on which, with the permission of Providence,
he should feel it his duty to bed little disagreeable. (Cheers.)
Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT moved the second resolution, which was, " That
this meeting has no confidence whatever in the Right Hon. the Vis-
count Palmerston." He thought such a proposition needed no argu-
ment from him. What confidence could they have in a man of 70?
(" Hear, hear," from the Noble Chairman.) Ah ! but Palmerston was dif-
ferent. However, to waive that question, he would remind the Noble
Chairman that Lord Palmerston had described his fbreign policy to be
that of " antiquated imbecility," and yet had solemnly assured their
friend Sir James Graham, that ho intended to adhere to it in all
respects. (Cheers.) What confidence could they have in him after
that? If Lord Palmerston did adhere to their policy, which he had no
right to do, for it was theirs, and not his, he, Mr. S. Herbert, should
move a vote of censure upon him for his double-faced jesuitism.
(" Hear, hear," from Mr. Gladstone.)
Mr. CA.RDWELL seconded the motion. He had felt, he said, that he
had been placed in a situation of tremendous responsibility. Lord
Palmerston had told him, in a tone of more levity than the circum-
stances warranted, that he might stop if he liked. But he had felt that
the nation and the world were watching his every movement, and that
a false step at this time might entail fearful consequences. He had,
therefore, declined giving the Noble Viscount his support.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE : Let's see, Cardy, were you in office
with us ? I almost forget.
Mr. CARDWELL (highly offended) : My course not having been marked
by blunders, it did not attract so much attention as that of some de-
partments. But still
The Duke of NEWCASTLE disavowed any intention of giving offence,
but it was impossible to remember everything. He had no resolution.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM ; So everybody said of you. (Laughter.)
The Duke of NEWCASTLE : Quarter-deck wit was sometimes out of
place and pitiable.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM : Yon are both. (Sensation.)
Lord ABERDEEN here interposed, and begged the Noble Duke might
be heard without interruption.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE had really nothing to say. He had no re-
solution to propose, and being in the House of Lords, unluckily,
Sir JAMES GRAHAM: For the Lords.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE should not complain again. In the Lords
he might not have so much opportunity of assailing the Government as
elsewhere, but he would do hie best. Ere long he hoped to see that
strong Government for which the nation was languishing, namely, a
Peelite Administration; in which he hoped to bear a humble part.
(Cheers.) He was glad to see that his successor, Lord Panmure, was
already preparing the way for his downfal, for he had actually been
weak enough—(the Duke was seized by a violent fit of laughter tchichlasted
him eight minutes),—he begged pardon, but Lord Panmure had been
weak enough t—t—to deny that his predecessors had been guilty of
much mismanagement. (Shouts of laughter, and cheers.) After that heima-
gined their own return to office was not far off. He proposed a vote
of thanks to the Noble Earl for his conduct in the chair.
The vote was carried by acclamation, a forest of five hands being
held up for it.
Lord ABERDEEN returned thanks, and rang the bell. The meeting
refreshed itself with six glasses of sherry, and then broke up. Thanks
to the admirable arrangement of Lord Aberdeen's footman and hall
porter, the vast assemblage dispersed without the slightest confusion
or accident, with the exception of the loss on the part of the Duke of
Newcastle of a housewife in which he used to carry needles and thread
to stitch up auy holes he observed in the canvas wraps of the boxes
for the Crimea. It was, however, found next day by an intelligent
housemaid, and bent to the Duke's residence.

A NEW MINISTRY.
With costs all paid, on double dealings bent,
Lord JoHN ÜBIQUE to Vienna's sent.
A combination new our Premier tries,
A Minister of " Peace and Colonies !"

MARCH 3, 1855.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

A SUBSCRISZI, Dolton, is luformed that the whole of the
Numbers he requires can be had at the Office, with the excep-
tion of No. 1.