The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-16 00:00:00

selection that he made. It is impossible to acconn

altogether for people's predilections as to their own
choice, but it must require a powerful incentive to
induce anyone to exult in the issue that has take❑
place in the affairs of Denmark. The position in
which that country has been placed is a reproach to
allconcerned in the matter who had authority to act,

and yet neglected their opportunity. Mr NEWDE

GATE'S chief object appears to have been to secure

peace. As for the satisfaction with which Mr NEW

DEBATE regards the present interference of neutral
Powers, it rests upon a very shadowy foundation,
and he will be very much disappointed if
he is counting much upon it> His criticisms
upon the present state of the House of Commons
were a little more to the mark ; and, certainly, no
strictures can be too severe which bear reference to
an assembly the majority of which conducted them•
selves in an un•English and anti-national manner
at the period of a great crisis. The hon, member
alluded to the caricature in Panch, and declared,
with reason, that there was truth in the represen.

tation of" John Bull" in a state of plethora, a " sort
of commercial Falstaff in top boots." This is a
ludicrous definition of a serious subject, for it is,
indeed, greatly to be deplored that such a semblance
of indifference to the welfare of others, and of ex-
treme selfishness as regards individual and national
benefits, should have crept in among us, and found
their way to the high places and great assemblies
of the land. The principle that has lately been so
eagerly put forward, and so vehemently proclaimed
by influential persons, and by those possessing
power to regulate the actions of others, is a very
false and fatal one. It is false to the best feelings
and noblest instincts of humanity, and it is fatal to
the growth and maintenance of honourable senti•
ments, to encourage the doctrine that the best
policy is always the safest one. It is not by such
notions that nations have sprung up from obscurity
into renown, and grass-grown solitudes have been
transformed into cities that impress and influence
the world. As Mr. NEWDEQATE said, this Parlia-
ment has grown old, and it is high time that it

was swept into the past; a new one can
hardly so misrepresent the genius of the
people and the spirit of the country.
From the actual state of things at present the
honourable member passed on to discuss the nature
of
ati theceronarsliwamoretnhtyionfitself,notice.
c ea.nd
Braeimdartkbs::.
re
t lately
two attempts had been made to descries
the House
of Commons. One was by Mr. Rr
JEBUCK, and those
who rzmembered that eloquent harangue will ac.
cord with the praise here pronounced upon it by
Mr. NEWDEGATE, when he said that " in speech
the steel of Sheffield shone bright through their
representative." The Duke DE PERSIGNT made
the second endeavour to give an account of Our
Parliament. Ho was not so successful in his task,
it being of course nearly impossible for a foreigner
to comprehend fully and fairly the nature of the
functions performed by that body, and the high
duties and responsibilities it has to fulfil. Mr.
NEWEDEGATE'S definition of the difference that
exists between the constitution of England and that
lof France is a correct one, and he has shown great
perspicuity of a difficult subject. Ho said that the
French Constitution was " based upon what was
called authority, which meant absolute power in the
chief of the State however modified," but that the
Constitution of England was quite different. "It
was based upon the freedom of the people, but a
freedom regulated by this adherence to the only
true source of freedom, that pure morality which
was to be found in the Gospel." In this description
we have, perhaps, as good an account as can be
met with of the difference observable in
the: two countries. 'The French nation re-
present an "idea," but the English ex.
hibit a principle in the form of govzinment, The

former may often be more dazzling in its achieve-
ments ; but the latter is the surer course to follow
in the instability and uncertainty of human affairs.
It is perhaps doubtful if our Constitution would
suit the French, but it has always called forth their
admiration, and their great writers have paid tri-
bute to its excellence. VOLTAIRE, in his " Hen-
driade," has given a fine passage which aptly
describes the apparent enigma of its structure. The
three powers of the State, King, Lords, and Coro•
mons, are spoken of as divided by interest, yet
united by the law. Those who do not follow Mr
NEWDEGATE in his extreme ideas about religious
topics must respect the consistency with which he
advocates his peculiar notions; and he does this
without the bitterness that too often distinguishes
such discussions and observations. Altogether the
House of Commons might have had a far worse
representative to do their service. And the hon.
member for North Warwickshire appears to enter-
tain some of those ideas and principles which are
the source and origin of true greatness, and concern
intimately the welfare and well-being of a country.
" The great powers with which the people of Eng-
land have been pleased to invest the House of
Commons," are fruitful topics for consideration ; but
with slight deviation most educated and intelligent
persons concur in the belief which the test of time
and the experience of trials Las confirmed, that the
popular branch of the Legislature is the sure sup•
port of liberty, and the unfailing medium for the
exercise of that freedom which is our pride and
honour.

New Evidence in favour of the Hon.
Mrs. Yelverton,