The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-20 00:00:00

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS.

PROX THE DAILY PAPERS OF YESTERDAY.

GLOBE.—When death has closed the career of an
individual, his real character, and the estimation in which
he was held by his contemporaries, become known.
Even an unfounded rumour of the event, if strengthened
by circumstances which seem to justify its claims to
credibility, produces a similar result on public opinion.
The individual whose demise has been prematurely an-
nounced, becomes'acquainted with the place he occupies
in public estmation. He has the privilege of reading
his own epitaph ; and may indulge in those reflec-
tions, pleasinfc or painful, which the sentiments it re-
cords respecting him are calculated to impart. Lord
Brougham, a few years since, was furnished with this
posthumous privilege. The hoax that was practised on
the public in the form of an apparently circumstantial
and well-attested account of his death—by whom-
soever planned—whether with, or without, the eccentric
Lord's aid or privity—called forth in the daily
journals comments on his Lordship's public character
and course. The latter were appealed to as reflect-
ing light on the former; and both were chronicled
under a conviction that the man and his deeds had
become matters of history. It is with Governments as
with individuals. Events occasionally occur in their
existence which give rise to rumours of their dissolution.
In proportion as they are popular or unpopular, the re-
ports of their disruption will be received with reluct-
ance, or be grasped at with avidity. If there has been
an universal expectation and hope of the termination of
their career, the report that the end has come will be re-
ceived with avidity and be celebrated with delight. Even
though the event do not justify the conclusion—though
the fate of the Government be postponed, instead of
realised, the testimony borne to its character is not im-
pugned, nor are the feelings called forth by its sup-
posed dissolution the less genuine, because premature.
The subjects of public praise or censure, of the general
regrets or exultations, are instructed as to the terms in
which they would have been spoken of had they really
become defunct. The office of the " great teacher,
death," has been anticipated in the case of the indivi-
dual ; and a government, before it actually gives place
to its successors, may witness the satisfaction, or regret,
with which its loss of power has inspired the community.
The present Administration has this unenviable pri-
vilege. The rumours of its resignation had, it seems,
been communicated in a letter from the London corre-
spondent of the Dublin Evening Mail, dated Satur-
day evening, in terms which implied that the event
was certain. In the positive arrangement of respect
and confidence that pervades the Conservative party in
Dublin, so far as Sir Robert Peel and the policy of
his Government are concerned, and which has gradually
grown into an earnest desire for its disruption, the organ
of the Dublin Tories gloried over the supposed fall of
the Administration in terms of triumph which would
be sufficiently strong if found in a Repeal journal ; but
expressed by a Conservative organ, may be safely taken
as evidence that if the Administration be endured with
impatience by Repealers, it scarcely is less cordially de-
spised by those who actually placed it in power by their
votes and influence. That we have not stated the import
of the announcement alluded to in terms too strong, will
be seen by a perusal of the article :