The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-22 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

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LONDON, FRIDAY, DEC. 22, 1865.

Mr. FITZGERALD was one of the smartest mem-
bers of the old House, and many who are not actu-

ally found with his views will regret that he is no
longer the representative of Horsham. We can ill
spare such far-seeing and efficient judges of the
state of things abroad, and such bold exponents of

frauds and fallacies from among our politicians, but
it is to be trusted that he will ere long again take

that place in the House for which he is so eminently
fitted. Last week the annual exhibition at 'Tors-

ham furnished an opportunity for the display of the
late member's eloquence, and his searching criticism
and effective style found plenty of scope for their
exercise in scanning the recent course pursued by
Mr. BRIGHT. That vehement orator has called

down reproaches upon himself from all quarters,
which is not to be wondered at, when we consider

the extraordinary manner in which he has acted,
and the unbounded scorn which has characterised
his discourses of late. Mr. FITZGERALD has taken

up the cudgels in defence of his party, which has
been accused of " demerits, failings, arid almost
crimes," by the overwhelming orator of Birming-
ham. He has done so in a spirited manner cer-
tainly, but without that bitterness of tone and acri-
mony of expression which formed such prominent
features in the speeches he referred to. It is quite
absurd for Mr. BRIGHT to endeavour to turn round
upon himself, as it were, and to declare that he
has never expressed a wish that the institutions
of England should resemble those of America,
because he has done so a score of times, and has
shown his want of discernment in so thinking, as
well as his want of discretion in so saying. As Mr.
FITZGERALD stated, what suits one country will not
suit another, and the form of government or mode
of action which conforms to the views of the great
republic will not do for an old-established nation,
or meet with the approbation of our more moderate
We must congratulate Mr. FITZGERALD
upon the very successful manner in which he has
exposed the fallacies and inconsistencies of the
giant demagogue who threatened to swallow up his
party in the fashion in which Mr. COBDEN meant to
crumple up Russia like a sheet of paper some years
ago. He declares, with perfect justice, that there
is not one word of reproach, contumely, and con-
demnation which Mr. BRIGHT now heaps upon the
Tory party which, a few months ago, he did not as
unsparingly and emphatically lavish upon those
whom he DOW calls his friends." The fact is that
Mr. BRIGHT'S feelings and sentiments are most
inconsistent, and different times call for different
tactics. No combination of circumstances ever
induced him to praise his opponents certainly, but
he let them alone while he exhausted language in
pointing out the deficiencies of those whom he
called his friends before whom he now greets by
that title. Mr. FITZGERALD says very wisely that
it will be a good thing when the questions of Par-
liamentary Reform and, other such constitutional
questions are so far settled for our generation that
they may no longer be brought into the " arena, of
agitation." It would puzzle the attentive observer

tastes.