The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-02 00:00:00

popular throughout the country, but nowhere more
so than at St. Stephen's. The Chancellor of the
Exchequer did not dilate upon the loss sustained 'by
the death of his late chief, but touched upon it in
an effective manner. Mr. DISRAELI spoke at great
length upon the subject, and his earnest and elo-
quent words came appropriately from one who,
opposed to the noble lord during his political
career, nevertheless always manifested a friendly
intercourse with him, and fully appreciated his
striking qualities. It is impossible, said the right
hon. gentleman, for us to re-assemble under this
roof and " not feel emotion when they mark that
the familiar form can no longer be observed among
us—a form connected so intimately with the his-
tory of this country and with the most important
transactions of the House." It was no exaggeration,
on the part of Mr. DISRAELI, to affirm that the dis-
appearance of such a character must affect, for a
time even, the House of Commons, and derogate
from its authority. After alluding to his sagacity,
experience, and fame, Mr. DISRAELI concluded by
declaring that, on that occasion, he did not wish so
much to refer to the character of the statesman,
" but rather to the happy disposition of the man,
which lent, indeed, a charm to the struggles and
toils of public life. By lis good temper and good
sense he facilitated the course of public business
beyond what it is easy to ascertain, or ever perhaps
to imagine. lam sure i; must be the general sen-
timent among us, when ve express a hope that the
influence over our debates will not soon cease of his
genial experience and his moderate wisdom. But,
notwithstanding this loss, I will express my hope
that this present Parliament, in intelligence and
public spirit, will not be inferior to those
preceding Parliaments of this happy reign."
However deeply or truly the losses of friends and
associates may be deplored, the public man must
press on, and look forward to the work before him.
The long career of Lord PALMERSTON is ended, and
others not so well skilled must now conduct the
business of the house, and, what is far more diffi-
cult, to bear the burden of directing its minor
affairs.

Mr. GLADSTONE spoke in becoming terms of his
accession to the leadership of the house, and truly
said that great difficulties accrued by the removal
from the Lower House of men of tried ability
and experience. Since the last session, when the
present Speaker was called upon to fill the Chair,
three persons of great note have been lost to the
House of Commons. One is the noble lord at the
head of her MAJESTY'S Government, who has re-
moved his services to the other House of Legislature,
and the others are Sir JAMES GRAHAM, who was of
great avail in the conduct of public business, and
the last its late lamented leader, Lord PALMERSTON.
Still, as the right hon. gentleman himself remarked,
"there is amazing strength in the traditions of the
House, and therefore we may look with confidence
to this the seventh Parliament of Queen VICTORIA,
and expect that it will discharge its onerous duties
to the advantage of all classes of her MAJESTY'S
subjects, and to the honour and interests of the
country." The Speaker alluded to the great num.
ber of new members which had lately been added
to the ranks of the House, and declared emphati-
cally that they " succeeded to no ignoble
inheritance." Several events have conduced
to render the dawn of this new Session
rather overcast, and it will require great firmness,
judgment, and discretion on the part of the House
of Commons to arrive at a satisfactory solution of
the difficulties before it. If there is one quality
more than another which can avail to smooth the
rough and rugged path of controversy, and lighten
the burden for it, it is moderation. The records of
history and the experience of ages have shown that
no great thing is done by violence, and that ex-
tremes of all sorts are to be avoided. Amid the
chances and changes that befall foreign States, we
may well turn with renewed hope and confidence
to the House of Commons, which has so long and
faithfully been a connecting link between the higher
and lower orders, alike avoiding anarchy and pre-
venting misrule.