The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-09 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

am emboldened to address you again on
the abovenamed most important question, whereby
I think I can prove I have been a correct sooth-
sayer in my former letters to you of the 6th and
18th ultimo, as regarded the probability of the Go-
vernment bringing in a Reform Bill. Not only
have they done so, but Lord Derby has accepted
the resignation of two of his ablest colleagues on
account of their well-known hostility to the passing
of a Reform Bill. So much for the noble Premier.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, moreover, in hiS
opening speech on Reform the other night, so far
from wishing to return to the old state of things
which existed in the good old days of the Georgian
era, gave it as his unqualified opinion that England,
had never been better governed than during the last
thirty years. Now this was a most fair and impar-
tial statement, on the part of Mr. Disraeli ; it did
not savour of anything like factiousness on his part
towards those who, only one short year ago, were
in possession of the sweet and savoury things 0f
office. It is a well-known fact that for by far the
greater portion of the above-named epoch England
has been governed by the Whigs.
Now had the learned Chancellor of the Exche-
quer entertained any factious or ill feeling towards
that party who has been politically opposed to biro
for so many years, it would have been easy enough
for him to have made out a good case in the OPl3°-
site direction. But now comes the thread of nal
argument, i.e.,—is Lord Derby the same individual
in this year of grace 1867 that he 'was in 1833 when
he was Mr. Stanley, Irish Secretary in the Whig
Government, which had carried the great Reform Bill
only one short year previously, an--z-1 when he startled
and terrified the ultra Tory and High Church party of
of those days by suppressing no fewer than ten
Irish bishoprics? Physiologists tell us that every
particle of matter undergoes a complete change ill
every human being after a lapse of a certain num-
ber of years. But still, nevertheless, we are as long
as we live not different,' but the same people. The
immortal John Locke and the learned Bishop Butler
also treat most learnedly on the above-named meta-
physical and physiological subject; it is, however,
more the province by far of the divine and the
physician than that of the politician. I have merely
alluded to it in order to show that both our noble
Premier, as well as our learned Chancellor of the
of the Exchequer, who were, 34 years ago, in 1833,
united with the extreme Liberals of that period, do
not entertain such different opinions, and are by
no means such different individuals now in 1867 to
what they were in 1833. Ido not believe that our
learned Premier regrets the least bit in the world
the part he took in suppressing the ten Irish bishop-
rics in 1833, nor do I imagine for one instant he
would undo it for the world. He simply does not
think Reform necessary to the same extent
measure o
RfreofmortmhelpfreeesleustaAtilsistrfineidw shall have
y
provided they are only
let alone and not disturbed by any factious or need-
less are
will:otdo
outfor o them
the woo
d•
supporters
i t itoon
cry. Butbefore
they
Mr. Gladstone did himself very great credit by the
tone of moderation and forbearance
the other night in the ho
Ministry. But we cannot be sure that this will con-
berance towards he
the d s
pp t
con-
tinue until the Reform Bill has reached the House
rleasycend
of Lords. So much for tho chances of reform.
Then, as regards legal, sanitary, philanthropic, and
church reforms, I feel certain they are all in far safer
hands with the present Government than with their
opponents. Only this session a bill has found its
way into the Lower House for the reform of our
Courts of Common Law and the abolition of their
separate jurisdictions. This measure
alb
brought in principally by the Oppositionaenl
opposed by the Government, still, nevertheless,
it proves most incontestably bow far more
useful the Whigs are in oppositi®u than in once,
and what a good thing it will be if they should be
banished for several years to the bleak and dreary
regions of the Opposition, as what single ineasnr°
of reform or progress did they ever bring forward
during their recent seven years' tenure of office"
I am convinced that no branch of reform or pro-
Ipress will be the least impeded by being placed e'
the hands of her Majesty's present advisers. -b
the country, therefore, give the present MinistrylA
fair trial, which even Mr. Gladstone, as Iba
already remarked, to his credit be it spoken, seems
disposed to do. I will merely add, in conclusion'
that I myself belong to no party, political or religi-
ous but am for measures and not for men. I should
be first and foremost to turn against the present or
any other Government if I thought it was
in all respects for the true interests of th
of office.
disant Liberals lately during their tenure
which I do not consider was the case with the sei-
t • 'e the presen
oa-
position and the country to gm,
Again, and for the last time, let me entreat the
ere
ing members are the same individuals they were
I ministration a fair trial, as I have no doubt the lead-
:octuuaucttiiig,
in
days of yore, in their so-called Liberal re-
main,days.--
Sir, your most obedient servant,
A LOVER OF HISTORICAL DATES AND FACTS'

A LADY BURIED ALIVE.—At Murville, France,
the other day, while the interment of an aged lady Nos
taking place, a noise was heard to proceed from the grave.
Upon the body being exhumed it was found to be warm,
but without any other sign of life. A medical examination
showed that death bad occurred at the time of
exhumation.
FUNERAL OF " M
ARTEUS WARD. "—The remains
of Mr. Charles F. Browne were this day deposited in
Kensal-green Ceinotery. The procession started at one_
o'clock from the reeideuee of Mr. Charles Millward, Mal-
den-crescent, Prince of Wales -road, Haverstock-hill. Thde
carriages of the friends of the deceased joined the proce-
Sion at Mr. aillwarcl'o 4900.