The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-05 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY, FEB. 5, 1867.

Mr. KINGLAKE has met his constituents at Bridge-
water, and appears to have afforded them satisfac-
tion. In mentioning the all-engrossing topic of
Reform, he said that they might all be glad to hear
from him his impressions, just as when people were
reading accounts of a battle they were pleased to
get hold of a common soldier and ascertain what
were his news of the conflict which took place last
year. Mr. G LADSTONE introduced the bill very
quietly at first, but he soon electrified the house by
his intimation that the Franchise Bill must be
separated from the Distribution of Seats Bill,
which was to form the subject of considera-
tion in a future session. It was almost amus-
ing, the hon. member said, to witness the
manner in which the house understood the keeping
back the Redistribution Bill. It reminded him of
the impression conveyed to his mind in the Eastern
countries, where he had travelled, in the marriages
of the people. What they beheld was a bundle in '
the shape cf a coffin, with a pair of boots, walking
along, and they were told that this was the bride.
" The bridegroom did not sec the bride until
after the marriage ;" but that was not the way of
Englishmen, and above all it was not the way they
could expect to be adopted by such a cunning
old fox as the House of Commons." The confusion
that arose in consequence was very great, and it
gave an excuse to thsoe who were really opposed
to all Reform, and thus everything militated
against the success of the Ministerial measure.
Mr. KINGLAKE described his own intervention and
the way in which he appeared on the scene as a sort
of Deus ex niachina to extricate the Government
from their perilous position. When the second
reading was over he gave novice fora motion, to the
effect that Government should bring forward the
Bill for Redistribution of Seats, and the results
gained the Government a majority of five.
The hon. member delivered some very just stric-
tures upon the course pursued by Mr. BRIGHT in
denouncing Mr. LOWE, and still more in wishing
that plAcards against him might be put upon the
doors of all workshops. He said if the working men
were hit, let them hit again, " hit straight and
hard, but hit fair." As for the resignation of 3.lini-
sters, Mr. KINGLAKE very truly said that there was
no other course open to them which as high-spirited
gentlemen they could pursue, and, notwithstanding
the slurs which some have been pleased to cast upon
them fur so doing, he did not see how they could
have done otherwise. Respecting the position of
the present Government with regard to the vexed
question of Reform, the hon. member uttered some
plain truths, which were free from prejudice at any
rate, and from which his political opponents might
take a useful hint if so inclined. After stating that
it was of great moment that the subject of Reform
should be settled at once, because it stopped
the way of so many other useful schemes
of improvement, he went on to observe that
the Tory party had a "glorious opportunity"
before them in the settlement of the matter,
because they could introduce a Bill with the autho-
rity of Government, and also the measure of last
year was so extremely moderate that they might
readily overtop it with very little exertion on their
part. He saw nothing in the antecedents of the
Conservatives to hinder or forbid them from bring-
ing in a me :sure of Reform, "fur the first who in-
troduced a Reform Bill was Mr. PITT, the great
Tory leader, who introduced a Reform Bill into the
[louse of Gantnons, so that there was nothing in
the traditions of the Tory party which should pre-
vent them from dealing with the question." This is
perfectly correct, but it is something queer to hear
such straightforward statements from a Liberal
member, and Mr. KINGLAKE deserves great credit
for his bold and decided language. Had we more
such honest politicians the great question of Reform
would not for so many years have been dragged
through the mire of party warfare, and been made
subservient to the carrying out of the basest tactics
and the most paltry subterfuges.
When he had advised his opponents in a manner
which might make them glad to avail themselves of

* The Naval Expenditure from 1860 to 1862, and its
Amite. Jidgway, Piccadilly.