The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-24 00:00:00

siderable curiosity, and with a fervent desire that
" the best man may win," We. have already
announced the instruments by which a triumph
may be obtained. "The Ballot" will be the
enchanter's wand that will give victory to its
possessor. It will be like the lance celebrated by
ARIOSTO, against which no opponent could main-
tain his seat. Other matters must of course be
alluded to, but that is the charm to render its
bearer absolutely irresistible. _ _

It is delightful to witness the new pledged zeal
of some of our contemporaries in the good cause.
The Times has quite changed its views. A few
months ago, commencing on the 18th of Novem-
ber, it announced authoritatively that the country
did not require a Reform Bill, and that it
should be postponed. By a strange coincidence
the Morning Post enunciated a similar opinion at
the same time. It was manifest that so far as
either of these journals were concerned, they
would not pour the vials of wrath on the head of
Lord PALMERSTON had he chosen to delay his
promise. Now, we rejoice to find that these
views have been greatly modified, and that the
vast importance of the measure is clearly percep-
tible to both journals. The Times declares that,
" as for this Reform Bill, there seems no escaping
it." And exhibiting the pertinent interrogatory,
" What will Lord DEBBY do ? " Reform
is palpably to be the political watchword
of the Times and Post. The Standard, under
which the discomfited Palmerstonians are to rally
their forces, and win the disputed possession of
the Treasury benches. This beneficial change
has already resulted from the acceptance of office by
Lord DERBY ! Need we point out how valuable
it has been to independent Liberals—who advo-
cate "measures, not men," and desire the intro-
duction of matters which are calculated to pro-
mote the interests of the million, and to confer
the greatest good on the greatest number.
The other appointments are such as we indi-
cated on Monday. There has been a little shuf-
fling of the cards, but the materiel is unchanged.
Sir FREDERICK THESIGER is to be Lord-Chancellor
of course, with a Peerage. Lord ELLENBOROUGH
takes the India Board instead of the War-office,
and Lord STANLEY has not yet been appointed to
a post, it being hinted that he will be made
Governor-General of India in the event of Lord
CANNING'S retirement. Lord ELLENBOROUGH
will certainly be a vast improvement on either
Mr. VERNON SMITH or Sir CHARLES WOOD. He
has already proved himself thoroughly acquainted
with the duties of the office, and will be tested
to the utmost under existing circumstances.

Sir J. PAKINGTON is to be first Lord of the Ad-
miralty, and Sir E. BULWE& LYTTON will find in
the Colonial-office a position better befitting his
talents than the almost sinecure position of Chan-
cellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Mr. WALPOLE,
as might be expected, goes back to the Home
Department ; and Lord MALMESBURY accepts the
Foreign Portfolio. It is possible that this may
be of a temporary character, until Lord STRATFORD
DE REDCLIFFE can be substituted, and that the
new Foreign Minister may become Ambassador at
Paris.

We cannot say that the appointment of the
whitewasher Ganeral to the head of the War De-
partment affords very auspicious auguries with
respect to military reforms. He will, however,
be in his place whenever there is a blunder to be
excused, or an incompetent officer to be pro-
tected.

As we have already stated, we shall give the
new Ministry fair play. We shall not condemn
them without affording a full hearing, and allow-
ing them to defend themselves. A Reform Bill
will be the test of their fitness for office, and of
their acceptance by the community, with a,large
and comprehensive measure (including the Ballot),
a modification of the Currency Laws, and a new
apportionment of the Income Tax. They will do
very well for the time being, when satisfied that
to retain the popular favour they must be pre-
pared to act in accordance with public opinion.

The impsrtance of the last intelligence received
from the seat of war in China ought not to be
overlooked in the midst of the very natural ex-

citement produced amongst us by the nearer
interests involved in the recent change of Admi-
nistration.
The capture of YEH, as well as the Tartar

General—now prisoners on board H. M. S.
Inflexible--are occurrences in the very last degree
extraordinary. Comparing the Chinese with the
British Empire—it is as if some hostile power had
descended upon the shores of Hindostan, had bom-
barded Calcutta, and in one daring raid had seized
simultaneously upon my Lord CANNING and Sir
COLIN CAMPBELL. So that the information sud-
denly brought home to our Pekin here of London
resolved itself into the startling announcement
that both the Governor-General and Commander-
in-Chief were prisoners of war now on board oue
of the enemy's ships, riding triumphantly at anchor
near the mouths of the Ganges and the Bur-
hampootra.