The Sun.
London, England, 1851-02-28 00:00:00

culler or privileged knowledge of the circumstances at-
tendant upon the efforts which that able, chivalrous
statesman has made to obey the commands of her Ma-
' jests, when the secret has been so completely kept from
all. But this we know, and this we fearlessly proclaim,
that Lord Stanley has not been remiss in his exertions;
and that, if he does form a Government, as we trust he
will this day, it will be one based upon the principles
which he has ever maintained—a Government which
will act up to them. If he should fail iv constructing
a Cabinet, which we should regard as a- national cala-
mity in the present crisis, we have not the slightest
doubt that the caussa which may have contributed to so
unfortunate a result will be attributable to his fixed and
unalterable adherence to a constitutional policy, to his
unflinching determination to uphold the prerogatives of
the Monarchy. and the Protestant and Reformed cha-
racter of our Establistsed Church.
DAILY NEWS.—It is to-day our duty to announce
the melancholy fact that Protection is no more! Al-
though it was generally understood to have been for
some time in a very pie carious state, the fatal event can
hardly be said to have been expected to occur so soon.
To those indeed who had opportunities of observing
closely the symptoms of its moribund condition, the
danger of excitement or exertion such as it has lately
undergone seemed to be imminent and obvious. But by
the unfeeling crowd who suddenly beheld it try to take
up its bed and walk, the fevered frenzy that lent mo-
mentary strength to the effort was unheeded, as the
rapidity of the inevitable collapse was unforeseen. None
but those who for the last three days and nights have sat
by the bed of death can appreciate the sufferings or pour-
tray the grief amid which an old and respectable party
expires. We forbear to dwell upon the chronic nature of
the disease against which a natui ally strong constitution
has for years bravely contended. Such a diagnosis be-
longs rather to history than the fugitive columns of obi-
tuary. But whether congenital or acquired, all conside-
rate persons felt that nothing could be more perilous than
exposure; and that the utmost care ought to have been
taken to preserve a uniform state of trauquillity, and
total abstinence from thoughts connected with busi-
ness or action. Advice to this effect was indeed often
and earnestly tendered; but strange tosay, the unhappy
' invalid was always eager to embark in arduous specula-
tions, and anxious to undertake duties and responsibili-
ties that would task the ability of the strongest. For a
length of time these fascinating pursuits were relin-
quished, save only in dreams and in discourse; and so
long the body seemed rather to increase in size than
otherwise; and though not of the healthiest sort per-
haps, it was at least cteculated to dispel anticipations of
proximate decay. But all the while a mournful suspi-
cion haunted the minds of many that there was a lurk-
ing tendency developing itself of the most dangerous
kind. We allude to the affection popularly termed " a
softening of the brain." Be this, however, as it may, it
is now no longer doubtful that, from the ill-fated mo-
ment when Protection began to move actively and bustle
about, the change became fearfully perceptible. Over
its wine or at White's, or even in a sham battle in Par-
liament, nothing could be more brilliant or amusing.
If not always conclusive, its talk was at least conse-
cutive; if not persuasive, it was frequently pleasant;
and though sometimes a little impertinent, it was never
incoherent or imbecile. From the luckless hour that it
essayed to play a real part, and meddle with tough work,
its untrained faculties palpably gave way. On Saturday
last it mistook the condescension of the Queen for confi-
dence in its wisdom, and forthwith assumed the air and
attitude of power. Recalled to sanity by a gentle inti-
mation that all this was very foolish, it was a little later
kindled into such a paroxysm of anger as utterly to
forget itself, its place, and all that it should have remem-
bered. On Monday night it was very low, and seemed
to suffer more than it chose to utter. Nevertheless it is
possible that, had no further incident occurred soon
after, the shock its nerves had certainly sustained might
have been got over, and Protection, in its former in-
active and motionless state, might St still be 'mongst
the things that are." But the fetes had otherwise
ordained. Early on Tuesday morning her Majesty,
who was of course wholly unaware of its true weak-
ness and unfitness for the discharge of any public
duty, and wishing probably to show how far above all
personal partialities royalty in a constitutional govern-
ment ought to prove itself to be—her Majesty was
graciously pleased to say that if Protection thought it
could do anything useful to the State, full permission
was given it to try. With delicate consideration the
Queen is said to have added, that as perhaps no serious
thoughts of the matter had ever entered Protection's
bead before, three days would be allowed for due deli-
beration on the subject. Unfortueate Protection 1 Its
foolish vanity was inflamed by the distinction thus
fatally conferred upon it. Forgetting its helplessness
and weakness, its utter want of practice and training,
and, above all, the resistance of three formidable rivals,
whose open hostility it must from the outset prepare to
and jesting, and
cgrack Minister it
encountere—o
would make. A few hours sufficed, o cast deep gloom
at
no
dC
soeuer
wt chsepte ian
over the scene of precipitate exultation. A sharp and
workff world wenloot
trying struggle to keep its wits together--first in reality,
sod then in appearance—was foll Owed by spasmodic
symptoms of the most painful description. Mortifi-
cation supervened. Then reason became obscured.
With a certain instinct of courage a wonderful effort was
made "to keep up," as it is called, to the last. But
during the greater part of yesterday it was manifest to
all who bad means of observation, that the end was nigh
at hand. Whatever skill could do to save, or art to
mitigate, was done. Protection had the best advice,
ible, prompt, and skilful men. The refLction cannot
heal the grief of a numerous circle of friends deeply in-
terested in the deceased, but it may serve to satisfy all
men that the event came in the natural way. We
believe we may add that in the emanimoue opinion
of the gifted and distinguished persons to whom
ee allude, it was clear a more protracted existence
would have only been a - prolongation of
misery; and that, under the, circumstances, it
is rather a ielief that the objet of their care and solici-
ode has been removed. Of the afflicting incidents con-
nected with such catastrophes, not the least pitiful are
those illustrative of the loyal love and faith that obsti-
nately refuses to admit the possibility of the fact to which
it cannot be reconciled. NV° doubt not that many an
honest and devoted friend of Protecion will, for a time,
not only seem to be incredulous, but will actually be so
as to the truth we have been compelled to chronicle this
day. Fond illusion! It may be ituffered to fade away
imperceptibly; it were mere unfeeling rudeness to speak
upon the matter any further. Peace to its ashes. Mr.
Disraeli will, no doubt speak its funeral oration, and
'he Court newsman will, of course, duly announce that
by the recent and somewhat unexpected death of Pro-
tection, many of the first families of the kingdom have
rieen plunged into the deepest affliction.
POST.—The Ministerial crisis seems at last to ap-
Preach its termination. Lord Stanley has abandoned
els second attempt to constructs Cabinet; and, although
speculation is es busy and as wild as ever, there seems
out one possible conclusion to the unexpected and per-
olexing state of affairs. The negotiations of the last
few days have clearly demoestrated to the country that
neither a coalition between Lord J. Russell and one
-ection of the Peelites on one hand, not between Lord
Stanley and another division of the same party on the
other, can produce a working. Administration. But if
the Peelites could not, either in -Conjunction with Lord
John Russell or with Lord Stanley, aid efficiently
in forming a Cabinet, it is manifest that by thorn-
.elves they could not but be still less successful.
Some of our contemporaries.' indeed, have hinted
at an Administration of which Lord Clarendon should
-stand at the head; but, besides that such a Ministry
,oust, in consistency, fail to Meet the wishes of the
country on the subject of the .Papal aggression, the
Noble Earl whom we have just named, notwithstanding
Nis high talents, and no less high personal character,
is altogether deficient in that ParAiamentary and popular
support, without which no sane roan would ever attempt
the formation of a Cabinet. The'saine remarks would
apply with equal force to Sir Jatnes Graham; and, be-
yond these two statesmen, no one has been named as
likely to be entrusted with the 'task of forming a new
Administration. The meeting of Parliament, this evening,
may probably throw some light upon this important sub-
ject, and we are unwilling, for the few hours that shall pre-
cede it, to hazard conjectures which the future may de-
feat. What seems, however, to be the natural, the just,
and the most desirable result is, that to Lord John Rus-
sell should be recommitted the trust of providing from
his own Parliamentary resources the means of carrying
on the Queen's Government. Every loyal subject will
readily lend his aid to relieve the Crown from embar-
rassment and the country from suspense. And, under
all the ciicumstances, should Lord John Russell address
himself, by her Majesty's command, to this arduous un-
dertaking, we cannot doubt that the great party, whose
leader has himself just failed in forming a Government,
will lend the Noble Lord every support which consists
with the maintenance of its public principles.