The Press.
London, England, 1857-07-11 00:00:00

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666

THE IRISH VICEROYALTY.

CONSERVATIVE influence has again signally de-
feated the centralising scheme for abolishing
the Irish Viceroyalty. Into the merits or de-
merits of that institution we shall not here
enter, as when Mr. Itostinekc gave his notice
of motion we discussed the subject at some
length. We eould have wished that the
motion had been met on Tuesday in a more

decided manner than by moving the previous
question, but the resisting power clearly came
- from the Conservative side of the House. The
Premier made a weak speech, not debating the
subject on its merits, but confining himself

to criticising the terms of Mr. ROEBUCK'S
' motion, exposing its unpractical character,
and eonfessing that he did not know what to
put in place of the Lord Lieutenancy; suppos-
ing that it were abolished.
The speech of Mr. DISRAELI was sharp,
salient, and effective, being received with
great favour by the House. The Right Hon.
Gentleman showed with much clearness that
many of the objections urged against the
Viceroyalty could be used against the Court
of St. James. The vagueness of the charges
against the Viceregal institution, and their
contradictory character, were also cleverly ex-
posed. If "pageantry" be bad at Dublin, it
could scarcely be good at London ; and Mr.
DISRAELI rapidly disposed of the vulgar
assumption that the office was " a sham,"
because its officials are attired in Court cos-
tume. The allusion to the Speaker's office,
and the pomp and parade of that great post,
was appreciated by the House, and the refer-
ence in itself was a sufficing answer to the de-
clamation of those who wish to disparage the
Viceroyalty with vain talk about " pageantry."
The charge of " corruption," also, was skil-
fully put aside by Mr. DISRAELI ; and on this
point we must observe that the alleged " cor-
ruption" or " intrigues " attempted to be
fastened upon " Dublin Castle" might gene-
rally be traced to springs of action at London.
" The Lichfield-house Compact," for instance,
and various other extraordinary " arrange-
ments," more or less censurable, were done in
England, and by the heads of parties, and did
not primarily originate at " the Castle." The
abilities, also, and public fame of the great
personages who filled the office of Lord
Lieutenant since the Union are an answer to
the charge that the office is a " moekery."
Great peers like the late Duke of BEDFORD
and the Duke of RICHMOND, a consummate
statesman like the Marquis WELLESLEY, a
princely patrician of the greatest wealth like
the late Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND, ft brilliant
warrior like the Marquis of ANGLESEY, and
other great personages, were proud to have
filled that poet. It were idle, therefore, for
Sir WILLIAM SOMERVILLE to have attempted to
cast ridicule upon the office.
The Lord Lieutenancy is not a " party "
question ; and it should stand or fall on public
considerations. Mr. DISRAELI laid aside all
sectional views in his vigorous speech, and
addressed his arguments to both sides of the
House. It was proper and graceful that a
Conservative statesman in the position of the
Right Hon. Gentleman should have shielded
• Lord CARLISLE from the low style of ridicule
east upon him on Tuesday. Lord CARLISLE is
certainly a most amiable and accomplished
nobleman ; and we hardiy think it proper to
hold him up to Parliamentary censure, because
be had " mastered the Irish national dances."
Such ridicule, we fear, would go farther than the
'personage at whom it is aimed. The gaiety of
Dublin life is in nothing more visible than in
the spectacle of grave judges dancing it
• merrily on the " lieht fantastic toe;" and
some of their exploits have been happily
preserved in the wit of the late Chief Justice
OHERTY. Would it be fair for an English
M.P. to deride the abilities of the learned
members of the Irish Judicature, because they
are as ready to take precedents from Chan-
cellor Hsrros in a drawing-room as from HALE
and HARPWICEE in a court of law ?
MrADlsasiti's gracaftil tribute to Lord
----eARLIBLE will not be misjudged. Censure of