The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-18 00:00:00

ifficirnin AlAt4

LONDON, FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1847.

Although the Protectionists may repudiate the
notion that there was any discreditable collusion on
their part for the purpose of quashing the division
upon the motion of the Hon. Gentleman the Member
for Montrose, it is impossible to regard that catas-
trophe as otherwise than most gratifying to them-
selves. That we are justified in such a supposition
must be self-evident from the circumstance that the
House was abruptly counted out at the suggestion of
Mr. NEWDEGA.TN-Of Mr. NEWDEGATE, the indefa-
tigable and alert whipper-in of the country party.
An opportunity so tempting was as irresistible to
Mr. NEWDEG ATE as a cup of sack with a toasted cake
in it .1d have been to the lip of BARDOLPH. After
the Light Ron. Baronet the representative of Tam-
worth had concluded a speech, which Mr. Hums has
facetiously termed a " tissue of absurdities," the
House thinned visibly—the most important epoch to
an Englishman in the twenty-four hours had arrived
—Members dropped off one by one to BELLAMY'S-
the First Lord of the Treasury himself had strolled
out to observe how matters progressed in the
Rouse of Peers—and Sir JAMES GRAHAM had
yielded to those fascinations of the cuisine which
were, as he candidly confesses, superior in his estima-
tion to the attractions of Dr. BO Vr RING'S oratory.
What a superb opportunity for the Protectionist
whipper-in ! Why, his heart oust have been as
much thrilled with emotions of satisfaction when his
eyes roved over the empty benches as that of the
clown CYMON when he peeped through the boughs at
the recumbent beauty of IPHIGENIA ! When Lord
JOHN RUSSELL remarked last night that, from the
peculiar conformation of the New Palace at West-
minster, there was not sufficient time for his return
to the House before it was actually counted out, Mr.

NEWDEGATE must have chuckled in his sleeve. It
is manifest, in short, that the sudden and fruitless
termination of three nights' prolonged discussion
upon Portugal is attributable to an accidental
paucity of Members and the cunning alertness of
Mr. NEWDEGATE. The Lord Mayor of York may
protest that there was no pre-arrangement whatever
in the matter. That is probable ; but it is no less
certain than that is probable that the Protectionists
are rejoiced at the fact of their whipper-in having
prevented the announcement of a triumphant majority
in favour of the Government. _ _

Perhaps, however, it is as well that the debate
should have terminated in this quiescent manner, as
enough has been said in all conscience to satisfy even
the most punctilious upholder of constitutional rights
and privileges. The Hon. Member for Montrose
himself must be satisfied, even though he have some
compunction in acknowledging as much. No one,
however displeased with the hearing of Mr. HumE's
motion in a condemnatory manner upon the Govern-
ment, will regard the introduction of that motion
with sentiments of dissatisfaction. To the discussion
forced upon Parliament by the representative of
Montrose the caun try is indebted for the most
copious and perspicuous explanations of the mea-
sures adopted towards the belligerent forces in Portugal
Through the impulse of that discussion the diplomatic
portfolio has been opened, and its
arevealedo.ainst
to the multitude. From the oppositionexcited
the Cabinet in the course of that discussion the
Ministerial orators have been put upc,n their mettle,
and the spreches delivered by thP Paymuter of the
Forces, by the President of the Council, and by the
Prime Minister himself, had so entirely vindicated
the coursE, pursued by th,. Administration that little
was left for explanation from the lips of the Noble
Lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
Henceforth there can be no trepidation as to the
consequences of our armed intervention in the Penin-
sula. An entire amnesty has been insured to the
popular ,I.ieftains by the terms of the accepted con-