The Sun.
London, England, 1852-08-20 00:00:00

TILE SUN,

ther than this, the people have been left only to
conjecture. In several instances it is true
that, notwithstanding the obdurate silence
of the Cabinet, the more discerning speculators in the
future may count with something like certainty upon
the unfolding of other projects by the present Minis-
try consonant with the spirit of the age and compa-
tible with the wishes of the general community. Yet
still, in all this, however plausible may be the aspect
of likelihood, nothing more in the matter is left to the
country than the most unsatisfactorily vague anticipa-
tions. Besides the reforms already specified as of a
legal, a fiscal, and a sanitary character—the best that
can be said of any other is that such and such
a thing is " probable." Surely this dubious position
of affairs has been quite long enough protracted !
Surely its further continuance at indefinite intervals
is precisely the very thing calculated to give rise to
the most disastrous consequences ! And what pos-
sible good result we should like to know can be
expected from these perpetual delays either to the
Ministers themselves, or to their supporters in the
new Parliament ? So far from the circumstance
referred to being favourable in any way to the
Government, it is, perhaps, of all, the most effectual
means of marring the Ministerial hopes of the mem-
bers of Lord DERBY'S Administration. If continued
much longer, it must necessarily diminish even their
restricted popularity. Everybody seems to be per-
fectly aware of this except her MAJESTY'S Ministers
themselves ! After tantalizing the community by a
series of the most agonizing procrastinations, they
have again deferred meeting the newly-elected repree
sentatives until a period in the ensuing autumn when
the year will be too far advanced for any lengthened
or satisfactory explanation.
October must have almost elapsed before the
House of Commons can have assembled in West-
minster, to hear from the Right Honourable
the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER that
the Cabinet will "positively for the last
time "—like a sort of Ministerial Crummles—
delay the disclosure of their intended policy
until the spring of 1853 has again brought the Im-
perial Legislators together for the dispatch of busi-
ness. The public were heartily tired of
this four or five weeks since. They have
come at last to regard it as simply in-
tolerable. Will the Earl of DERBY recognise the
truth of this assertion and the peril of this system,
before its continuance has placed the difficulty of the
rtoaahsli c entrusted to his Government beyond the
of reparation ? Unless some change
be very speedily manifested in this particular by the
leaders of the Administration, the days of the new
Cabinet must be regarded as already numbered.
The public will not consent to witness with in-
difference the dilatory proceedings by which the
present occupants of office appear to be guarding
themselves against the dangers of a legislative en-
counter with their political antagonists. There is
an old story, familiar enough in itself to be
only hinted at to be understood, about the
ostrich hiding its head in the sand by way of secur-
ing its effectual concealment. Has no ostrich wan-
dered into Downing-street? Westminster is
just now in all conscience sufficiently a
wilderness ! And, although the luxury of
a " tenpenny nail" cannot possibly be found
very easily in the vicinity of St. Margaret's—abund-
ance may be readily discovered in the shape of " tax."
Whatever Ministers may think about the convenience
of delays, they will find rather earlier than
they expect the mistake of these postpone-
ments. England cannot submit much longer
to be committed to these amusing evasions on the part
of her more remarkable states men. The Cabinet
certain of best securing her sympathies and com-
manding her confidence would be a Cabinet manfully
outspoken, not one cruelly and pertinaciously taci-
turn. The people of these islands like, if possible,
to know what are really the sentiments by which
their rulers are actuated. They become naturally
suspicious of men who avoid, by every imagi-
nable device, the necessity of expounding their
political doctrines to the community. A Ministry
acting thus without intermission " is safe" to acquire
an unenviably sinister reputation. Will the DERBY
Administration consent to dwindle to that
insignificance ? It commenced its existence
with a bearing eminently chivalrous. Its
distinguished leader spoke as became a STANLEY
in February. Since which time the Earl of DERBY
appears to have lapsed into asilence as profound ni that
of the ruined Oracle of Delphos. Until the general
election had been completed there was every reason for
this delay of Ministerial explanations. Now that the full
complement of representatives has been returned to
ram remarkable vessel of the State H.M.S. the Lower
ll°use of Parliament, there remains no longer any
sort of excuse for the permanence of this " silent
system" by the Noble Earl at the head of the Govern.
ment. Let him make a clean breast of it, and receive
—if he can—the national absolution.

The Town Council of Leeds, at their last sitting,opened a very important questi .n, namtll7, that of

cutnmereial law consolidation. It hut
ceived the notice of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce,

by whom, indeed, the co-operation of the Municipa

Council was solicited.

Sir GEORGE GooDMAN (lately Mayor of Lee3s,
and now Alderman and M.P. for the borough),
opened the question by reading communications
addressed to the Mayor by the Earl of HARROWBY

aad others, on the subject of the amendment and
consolidation of commercial law, it being important
that the commercial laws of England, Ireland, and
Scotland, should be made to assimilate. He con-
sidered that by simplifying and consolidating these
laws, and by abrogating the present conflicting

and, in mcmo instances, extremely pernicious
laws, in regard to commercial matters,