The Sun.
London, England, 1830-11-20 00:00:00

COURT CIRCULAR.

. Their Alamein entertained the Duke, Duchess, and
Prince Groxot of Cumberland, and the Duke and
Duchess of Gt.oucterea to dinner on Thursday evening,
it St. James's Palace.
Earl ORZY had an audience of his 111.4.1esTv yesterday.
The Duke of Sussex, the Duchess of GtoucesTra,
and the,Princess SOMA, visited their Mamma yester-
day.
The Duchess of Costuenrarrn visited the Duke and
Duchess of Gir.oucesTen yesterday, at Gloucester Howe.
Their MAJKSTIES entertained a select a party to dinner
yesterday. Tire QUERN'S private band attended in en.
ante-roost in the evening, and performed several pieces fi r
the entertainuont of the coMpany.
The Marquis of Lansnowse, the Earl of Cattrastx
Earl Serroe, Lord DURIIANt, and Are Right lion.
CHAILLIS GRANT, had 'interviews with EarI_GREY yes-
terday.

REFORM.

(From the ,S'colonan.)
THE PRESENT IS THEtTIME FOR REFORM.

For twelve or eighteen months past we have been stTotigly Kept*.
sensed with the idea, that the Duke of Wellington and Mr. Peel
would come to perceive the wisdom of introducing some um.
sure of Reform. Doubtless, It would have been extremely sue.
derate, perhaps absolutely trifling; but still, since the slightest
change would have been a recognition of Me principle, that the
system required amendment, we would have hailed it with plea-
sure, as the hnbinger of a series of improvements, which would
ultimately have replaced the people in possession of their rights.
Probably it was an act of simplicity on our part, to entertain
such a notion; yet we had what appeared to be good reasons for
it ; and we were not singular in our opinion. We admit the
truth of lir. Pitt's doctrine, that tinder the present system there
cannot be an honest Minister: our reliance, however, was not
upon the men in power, but upon the exigencies of their politi-
cal position, upon their prudence, their sense of individual inte-
rest, anti even their ambition. The effbct of this conviction
was, not to relax our zeal In the cause of reform, but to induct
us to husband our Meg for a time,. to watch the course of
events in Parliament and the elections, and to wait for that tide
of public feeling which the jounialist cannot create, and with-
out the help of which he soon discovers, that in putting forth
his appeals and exhortations, be is but preaching to the winds.
We think the time is come, when the people of this country are
ripe for some great and united end in favour of reform, and
when the chances of success are incomparably greater than they
have ever been before.

In t he, first place it is incontestable that the present Parliament
is snore pOpular in its composition than any of its predecessors,
for a long course or years. There never were so many Members
chosen solely on the ground of their past services to the people,
or on the faith of the known liberality of their opinions. Mr.
Brougham and Lord Morpeth's return without exeense for York.
shire; Mr. Hume's return for Middlesex ; Mr. Grant's for Nor.
with ; and Sir Ronald Fergiisson's for Nottingham ; with many
others of the same description, are new features almost sufficient
to mark an era in the state of the representation. In counties
or burghs where there was the least opening for the display of
public feeling, if a change took place, that change almost with.
out exception was in favour of the popular cause. The present
Parliament no doubt contains much bad matter; but we may
safely say, that it has a greater infusion of popular feeling in it,
and that it is infinitely better disposed to promote reform, than
any one which has preceded it within the moms ry of living men.
The next encouraging circumstance is, the singular anti ano.
malous position of the Ministry. It seems to have felt a sort of
paralysis clueing the elections: its hand was scarcely seen, or its
influence felt. There were Whigs and Tories, Churchmen and
Anti-Churchmen, Free.Trade.men, and wisdom.of.ancestors-
men, all blazoning their principles; but scarcely any body hoisted
the colours of the Ministers, except in Scotlani,where men would
enlist under Belzebub's banners, if he were first Lord of the Tre-
asury. How did it happen that the Ministry fell into this strange
state of abeyance? Apparently it was because it rested on no
intelligible basis. It stood aloof both from Whigs and
Tories; it had no distinctive creed or emblems no principles
to appeal to; no tangible objects to hold out whic;h could allure
any class of men to its standard; except the mere Swiss of state.
And now we see it in Parliament in thesame predicament. No. '
body knows what are its doctrines, or who are its adherents.
The Whigs disown it; the High Tories, who make their prin.
ciples a matter of conscience, deem it an abomination ; and the
Duke's anathema against reform, having cut the slender tie that
connected it with the people, no one who possesses or seeks po-
pular favour, will lend it any support. Even its influence over
the corps of mercenaries who are at the service of every Mi-
nistry, is less than usual, for to do it justice, it has sacrificed a
good deal of the patronage by which suds influence is upheld.
'hit whether we have correctly explained the causes of the sin.
gular position in which it stands is of little consequence. The
fact is obvious, that no Ministry for half a century has had so
little of that organised Parliamentary strength behind it, which
enables it to defy attacks. The British Ministers, in ordinary
cases, are merely the clerks or managing Committee of the
Aristocracy (but possessing of course some distinct passer through
the favour of the Crown), and at present it happens most oppor-
tunely that they have lost the confidence of a great proportion
of their employers. The conjuncture is theref re most favour.
able for carrying a measure which no Ministry perhaps will ever
willingly concede.
t falls out fortunately too, that a large portion of the Aristo-
cracy, usually the most averse to innovation, are at this moment
actually disposed to promote reform. In this circumstance we
witness the beneficial effects 01 the new French Revolution.
Such an event speaks with a warning voice to all refletting men,
on the danger of keeping alive a feeling of estrangement, dia.
gust, and indignation in the minds of the great mass of the
people towards the Government. It has, we firmly believe, con-
verted thousands of Tories to the cause of reform. We, have
seen, within these few days, the Earl of Wincltelsea and the
Duke of Richmond renounce their long-cherished sentiments on
this subject. May we not be sure that thousands of others who
were not fettered as they were by their recorded votes and opi-
nions, have done the same

We regard it as a tOrtunate circumstance that the country is
perfectly quiet, and free of every symptom of turbulence or
sedition. The King is not only popular, but beloved in every
cottage of the empire. There Is no hostility in any portion of the
people to the existence or just privileges of the Peers, or to the
framework of the GoVernment. There is not, in short, the
slightest materials, out of which the most nervous anti.jacobin
could raise an alarm for the tires in Kent and Surrey have no
connection with politic*. One, and only one grievance, the
corruption and perversion oftite representation leaves a perpetual
soreness in the minds of the people. It may be forgotten for a
season amidst the stir of other interests, or the call of business ;
but--

"I Ever and anon of griefs subdued
There comes a token like the scorpion's sting 1"
Events force the subject into notice hem time to time; and
when this happens, men cannot shut their eyes to the intolerable
and scandalous magnitude of the abuse ; nor is it easy to suffbr
their thoughts to dwell upon it without having their feelings
hurried by a burst of honest indignation. Hence, those fits of
public irritation and discontent, which have recurred every six
or seven years in this country since 1790; and which will, and
must, increase In frequency and force, unless prevented by timely
reform, till discontent is changed into disaaction, and terminates
either in the overthrow of the constitution, or in its conversion
Into a pure despotism. The late French Government fell, not
simply because it was bad ; for it was better than Napoleon's
which was patiently submitted to; but it fell because it had lost
its hold on the affbctions of the people. The rotten burghs may
be extra lied by the Duke of Wellington as something too perfect
for uninspired reason to reach ; they may be baptised the pride
of ages," and envy of nations," but if they are Wend to the
people, they cannot be maintained without endangering the
existence of the Government ; and such dishonest eulogies will
only excite a feeling of indignation at the brazen impudence
which utters them.
The country is quiet, orderly, and bee of Irritation at present.
Let moderate men then come forward and unite in promoting
reform, when every thing invites and favours their efibrts ; and
the winde people will readily follow them. If the middle ranks
hold back, the cause of reform will most certainly betaken up by
the lower, whose prudence is seldom a match for their seal
When this happens either Parliament still disregard their peti.
Lions, and all the stir will end in nothing; or what experience
shows to be possible, alarm may be felt or counterfeited at the
violence of their language and proceedings,. spies let loose, plots
got up business paralysed, a few misguided creatures saerified,
and all the atrocious and melancholy scenes of the Castlereagh
reign of terror acted over again. This alternative is not certain,
but It is possible; and the best means of avoiding it is for the
middle classes to do their duty.
To all these reasons in favour of petitioning immcxliately for
reform, we are able to add, that persons in Parliament, with the
best means and the best qualifications for judging, are strongly
impressed with a belief that there is a. higloprobability, approach.
ing to a certainty, of some considerable reform being conceded,
if the people perform their part with zeal and prudence. This
we know from the moat unexceptionable authority. As to the
sort of reform which should be sought, we shall say something on
Saturday. • _

(From the Manchester Guardian.)
We have heard from various quarters with great pleasure, but
with no little surprise, that it is considered aimed a matter of
certainty that Mr. Brougham's motion for Parliamentary Reform
will be carried. We thi,k it likely, both from what has been
said in Parliament by various Members, and from the opinions
expressed by several of the most acute and well-informed of the
Newspapers, that there ha+ taken place an almost fundamental
change in the tendency of the Premier's policy ; and that he has
determined, Instead of boldly throwing himself on the people (by
" the people," it may be necessary to explain that we mean the
educated and intelligent part of the community), to seek shelter
under the manna, of the borough.mongering aristocracy. But
this body is no longer what it was; its palmy state is over; its
hold upon the public mind has been vastly diminished; and its
usurpation of the popular right of representation will asmredly
not long be acquiesced in. That Reform would come sooner or
later we have never, for many years, doubted; we have always
regarded the question as one of time; and, from the rapidity with
which it has latterly made its ',regress in the public mind, we
now entertain a very confident belief that the period of its advent
cannot be deferred.

(From the Liverpool Albion)
Whatever may be the fate of the momentous question of Re.
form in the present Session of Parliament, its ultimate success
we now regard as certain. Neither the influence of the Arisio.
cracy, nor the power of the Government can arrest the march of
political any more than they can check the progress of moral
provement. Meanwhile, the duty of the middle classes, whose
cry for Reform is loud raid universal, is plain. They will have
to arbitrate between the Claims of the people who ask too much,
and of those who refuse to concede any thing. The middle clines
must t, pursue the even tenor of their way," neither swerving to
the right nor to the, left, but pursue, steadily and fearlessly, the
great constitutional objects which they have in view,—Reform in
the (louse of Commons ; 'the extension of the right of voting
and of representation; ana the enforcing of the most rigid eco.
,nomy in the expenditure of the Government.
(From the Scots Times.)
The whole country now appears to be on the qui sire with re-
gard to Parliamentary Reform with this salutary feature,
that the movement emanates chiefly from the, middling ranks.
Thequestion, if carried at all, therefore, will be carried by the
triumphant reasoning in the petition of the well educated, right
thinking portion of the nation. The most sanguine expectations
are entertained of the success of Mr. Brougham's' motion. 1

(From the Coventry Herald.)
flis Grace the Duke of Wellington has brought his Official
blunders to a termination. When a man has rendered valuable
services to the State, both as a soldier and a Minister, as the
Duke of Wellington has done, it ought to excite regret when
the brilliancy of his fame is dimmed by the conuoission of errors ;
not merely for their absurdity, but for their singular inconsis.
tency with the general quality of his mind. On one occasion,
we tind his Grace performing an act of justice towards his
country,--an ACC SO wire and patriotic, as would give increased
lustre to the brightest reputation that ever Statesman bore, and
in the accomplishment of his noble purpose, he exhibits A firm.
ness of resolution in all respects worthy nib's renown; and then
again, he is discovered, with indescribable fatuity, attempting
to stem the torrent of public opinion, resisting the national
voice, and weakly endeavouring to resist the mighty progress of
the Constitutional rights of the people. In this set he draws
upon himself the balignatign of the whole empire, envelopes
himself In the derision of the civilised world, trembles before
the very teflise of society, and flintily retires from Whet amidst
the scoff and ridicule of mankind. When the Duke made his
notorious speech against reform, we thought It of no importance.
As it respects the cause itself, we knew it could not retard _it.
The influential portion of society see the necessity or reform ;
they have willed that it shall take place, and their will it is ha-
possible for the Duke of Wellington, or any other Minister, to
resist.

(From the Nottingham Review)
On Monday week, there wasp numerous meeting of the inha-
bitants of Nottingham, to petition the King and both !rousts Of
Parliament. Petitions entering largely into the question of re-
form and taxation, were proposed anti received Anil was re-
solved that Lord Holland should be requested to preseht that to
the Lords, and the members for tho burgh the petition to the
Commons.

(Prom Horshamo Advertisvi)
The freeholders td• haul agreod to petition the House
of Commons fur 4 Hell= of Varilament. The petition calif fur
vote by ballot. The petitioners look on the present state of the
repmsentation as dangerous to this nation, and to other nations
also.

(From the Nottingham Reticak)
Extraordinary as were the events of last woek, this trill pay
rallel it in interest; As we predicted, thu hero of I%4de-that has
been obliged to bend to the btonol-the voice of the people ha*
gone forth, and we firmly believe, no Ministry will be able to
mtdiltain.it4 ground, withota giving way to the popular, cry fin
retrenchment and reform ! The unbending opposition of the
Duke of Wellington's Ministry to these demands, hag lost them
their Places, .turd may all who will hot edvocate the rights aad
-claims of the people, be obliged to follow, to the right,gbout,
We hail this event ns a triumph for the pt‘ople as Indicating,
in it jauguagadoo strong to be trilsunderstood; that if the hero of
Waterloo amid not stand his ground, when pitted against
re foint, 110 toan, nor any number of men, will be able to carry

on the Government of this country, without meeting the wishes
of the people on this all.important point. Even the London
Courier, that most abject Vicar of Bray—that long stickler fcr
antiquated risbts—acknowledges that the Duke has been ousted
for his opposition to Parliatne-t-.~v Reform! With respect to
the Ministry that has fatten. there is not one individual worths
of a word. excepting the Duke of Wellington and Mr. Peet.
Had the Duke given us Reform, and that he could have done,
there is no Statesman living whom we would prefer as first
Minister of the Crown. With respect to Sir It. Peel, we feel
bound to say a few words; during his administration of the
Home Deportment there have been no suspensions of the Consti.
tution, many acts against the liberties of the people have either
been repealed or suffered to expire; the Alien Act has been re.
duced into a less questionable form ; and his endeavours to
amend the criminal law, together with his unimpeachable In. '
tegrity, will alivays confer a lustre on Ills name. He has been
the good administrator of a bad and corrupt system. Of the
individual likely to form the succeeding Mtristry, though who
they will be is at present uncertain, we congratulate the country
that what they will be, and what they mutt be, Is as clear as the
sun at noon day ; they must be reformers, and while we are ad-
vocates for Reform In its widest acceptation, we cannot but re.
joice in any step which brings us nearer to the summing honuni
for the country, a full, fair, and free representation ()ate ; eople
in Parliament. _

(From tho Slawford Netvs.)

GLORIOUS NEWS FOR VIE COUNTRY! RESIONATION OF MINISTERS.

We have now the heartfelt gratification of congratulating our
readers on the utter defeat anti discomfiture of the Duke of
Wellington's Ministry, and their consequent resignation. This
intelligence will indeed Wadden the hearts of those who, after
reading the King's Speech and the bravado declaration of the
late Premier against alt reform, were prepared to expect that the
Duke had made such a bargain with the majority of the great
horoughinongers as to command sufficient strength in both
Houses to keep himself in, and to beard at once the King and
the people. Little Stamford has had a good deal to do with these
mighty events. We happen specially to know that the Marquis
of Exeter dined with the Duke of Wellington on Sunday, and
there is not the least doubt that at that dinner arrangements
were made between the two Peers, the one to lend Goverinnent
both his Members, and the other to pledge Government back
again to resist any enquiry into the Stamford case. We observe
that the Morning Chronicle of Wednesday puts Mr. Tennyson
into the list of the probable new Ministry. With that Gentle-
man's high talents, business habit', consistent Parliamentary
life, independence of party, and steady devotion to every prac-
tical measure in favour of the people, we should rejoice to hear
that he formed a part of any Administration, satisfied as we are
that Mr. Tennyson never would join a Cabinet that was not
pledged to those great objects he, has 411 his life promoted.