The Sun.
London, England, 1852-02-23 00:00:00

LONDON,

year)—to continue in office for another twelvemonth.
Everything'of real importance was adjourned until the
present year, and the sitting of 1851 acquired an un-
enviable notoriety as the do-nothing session.
However pledges must be redeemed, and Lord
JOHN RUSSELL found himself in the position of a
prodigal with a taste for giving acceptances, and
recklessly writing his name across bill stamps. He
had obtained a feverish and uneasy rest, at the
expense of certain annoyance, when the in-
dicated period should arrive. He was un-
willing—and perhaps he fancied himself " un-
able"—to satisfy the claims for which he had ren-
dered himself liable, and he therefore determined to
go through a course of legislative whitewashing with
all convenient speed. He met Parliament confident,
as he might well be, in the prudence, moderation, dis-
cretion, and loyalty of the colleague whom he had so
wantonly insulted, so grievously injured—he met
Parliament on its opening, and rendered the ordinary
explanations usual in any change of the Cabinet like
that which had occurred. The injured party did not,
for no doubt sufficient reasons, avail himself of the
opportunity of crushing his quondam colleague. Lord
PALMEESTON let him down very easily, a slight chas-
tisement inflicted rather in the manner of an indulgent
and sorrowing parent than of an indignant and
truculent pedagogue, was all that was administered,
and little JOHN went on his way rejoicing, scarcely
anticipating thy, fearful retribution that was still in
store.

Another trial was approaching. The only re-
maining member of the Government who enjoyed
the confidence of the nation, the representative of
Royalty in Ireland, was seriously attacked. Lord
JOHN, secure in the justice of the cause, fearlessly
met the onslaught. There could not be much doubt
as to the result. It would, indeed, be strange if the
representative branch of the Legislature should
sanction a bill of indictment against the Earl of
CLARENDON on such grounds as those put forward.
Viscount PAIJIERSTON came nobly for ward
in defence of one whom we would gladly
see associated with him in the formation of a Mi-
nistry, and who would indeed be a fitting colleague
for the ex-Seclaetary of State for Foreign Affairs.
The result was. what might easily have been antici-
pated ; the Ministers triumphed, and a large and
decisive majority ignored the bill that had been pre-
pared against the LORD-LIEUTENANT of Ireland.
But Lord JOHN RUSSELL was too well aware
that not merely, one, but many rods remained in pickle,
under which he should suffer. One of the inevitable
results of the flomily arrangement would be brought
forward to-moiarow evening by the Hon. Member for
North Staffordslire. The mal-administration of matters
at the Cape, and the deplorable results of the general
colonial policya were about to be brought promi-
nently under l'ahe consideration of the House and
country ; and the despairing head of the Govern-
ment knew that he could not avoid the consequences
of the celeb.eated " family compact," the no-
torious " Grey iniquity." There was no possible
mode of breaking the fall if he remained in power,
f.nd he seized the opportunity which unexpectedly
offered of relinluishing the cares and responsibilities
of office. Likes the motion of Mr. LOCKE KING last
year, the ameitdment of Lord PALMERSTON on the
present was intended, not as a censure on the Minis-
terial policy, hoi t as a real amelioration, an additional
and most useful step in the same direction. But in each
case the Noble Lord flung up the seals of office not
from what had'. actually taken place, but from what
he had but too much reason to fear must speedily
occur.

He is defeate 3, however, in one portion of his pro-
ject. The Protectionists are better organized than
they were in 18Z1. They will at least be enabled to
make a trial, eve do not suppose that it will last
very long. Tho formal business of the session will
be got through. under their auspices. All that is
absolutely necessary will be accomplished ; and
then a dissolutim and an appeal to the country will
show whether o 1 not the people of England are pre-
pared for and def. erving of additional political privi-
leges—if they c-zn safely be entrusted with the right
of " self-govern [cent" in the broadest and most un-
equivocal meanizig of the phrase.

THE PROTECTIONIST
MINISTRY.

LAT:EST PARTICULARS.

When the artuouncement we made on Saturday,
that the resignation of the Russell Cabinet had been
accepted by the Queen, was confirmed by the fact,
which subsequently transpired that her Majesty had
summoned Earl Derby to her councils, all interest
ceased to be taloen in the movement of the unfor-

tunate Whig Ministry. The Derby star at once
rose in the ascendant, and the curious wondered,
not how Lord John Russell would release him-
self from bis difficulties, but how Earl Derby
proposed, with a Conservative Protectionist Mi-
nistry, to paai through those troubled wide's
which only last year deterred him, courageous and
able as he undoubtedly is, from entering on a career
which is probably the highest object of his ambition.
The Ministerial crisis of last year presented nothing
like so absorbing a topic of discussion to the quid-
71211iCS of the pokitical clubs at the West-end. Whe n
one Ministry go( s
Saturday, the out and another comes in on a
ikequenters of these luxurious estab-
lishments don't mind entering upon the failures and
weakness of the one, or the Promises and prospects of
the other on the following day. When a great country
is getting rid of one set of rulers and employing an-
other, the meni)ers of the chief political circles have
scarcely time to breathe, so eager are they to catch
at every rumour and to confirm the probability or
deny its accuracy. Who are the new Ministry ? and
what are they to do, or rather can do? were clues.

tions which yE sterday were asked, but scarcely
answered. In some of the clubs, lists of Earl Derby
and his party, with their different offices in the
Cabinet, were banded about, but without any :fur-
ther autbentica'':ion than the knowledge and experie rice
of their concoct.cors. This morning the names of the
new Government were spoken of with more confi-
dence, but then) are strong grounds for suppoi.ing
that even Earl Derby himself has far from
completed his arrangements. More than one obetacle
has risen up, through the anticipated defeat of Lord
John at an early period of the session, had induced
the Protectionist chief to make preparations for the
event. The list of the Derby Cabinet, as given in
the Morning Herald of this morning, perhaps, the
one upon which most reliance can be placed. It is
as follows :