Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-07-31

had often shveIng with udicrous ndecson on the
very brink OF positive declaration. But It's singular fact
illustrating the real character of Sir Robert Peel that every
great crisis of his public feon bringing the Emancpa
ton bill, assuming Office in 1884, and, finally, intro
ducng the for repeal of the Corn awhe has thus
flung aside his Disguise and has spoken plainly and boldly
his real mind regardless of personal consequences This
may have been magnanimty may have been moral had
hood political passions will always usurp in such the
decision of calm judgment.
eff Sir Robert has acquired, by long study and prac-
tice the Of leading and moulding his will body OF
several hundred intelligent men, he may be pardoned if the
matter of his speeches be state Excepting occasional
passages of the kind just referred to, the character given al
ready of his earlier speeches applies to his later Ne
her the thoughts the language rise above the level
common They political and purposes
put into language, because free constitution requires that
the people shall at least to be parties the policy of
The difference between Sir Robert Peel and other
statesmen is, that he does not think in public does not invite
the public TO think with them He forms his plans of
the elements of thought he finds in the House of Commons,
and trusts to each party liking the ingredient has separately
contributed 10 the hash.
stranger TO the House of Commons who, having heard
of Sir Robert Pees influence there had conceived ideal
portrait OF great orator, would assuredy be disappointed
He would observe in his speeches of strong reasoning
on fixed principles lax loose, mode of viewing
the most vital questions and great command of that of
logic which takes in common minds by clever falaces He
would look in vain for vivid Imagination profound thought
He would find outline Of complete scheme of policy,
any ruling idea with which his views and political
sympahies could associate The style he would pronounce
narfcia that there attempt construction, but
that the speech crowded with NATTER and
many ends have to be gained by it, that perfect plan would
be impossible. He would complain Of verbosiy of repet
ton OF ideas, nay whole arguments in different words and
then mperfecy expressed; Of pervading preension to
something very profound which constantly falls short of
compishment Of the action used by the speaker he would
be tempted to say that neither modest becomes
unassumng reasone imposing ought he the action
of great orator He would at time pompous
enniy Leading to nohng at another The most trivial pos
lures everyday aferdnner conversation usherng in the
most important topics He would notice with surprise the
orators elbow resting the table before him. while his point
ed finger shakes omnousy at his opponents and leg
crossed the other the posture Of laying down
argument familiar friend or, his thumbs buried in the
pockets Of his capacIous waiscoa while his thrown
back ostentatousy, foreigners do show their fine
velvet nings is commonly the case his hands
hidden under his coatta while he stands much he might
with his back to rethese not exactly the positions
gestures of great orator.
But other hand whatever the defects of Sir Ro-
bert Peel when his speeches his actions looked c
cay you fail to admire his and seposession,
the thorough knowledge he has the mnutes Details
of every subject he undertakes the adrotness with which
he all the different feelings preiudices and nte-
rests which surround him and the art he eynces in welding
them produce all the appearance of enthusiasm and
in moulding them to his purpose of subdung their varieties
harmonious of action In the of managing
the House OF Commons he is, indeed, unrvalled."
Of Sir Roberts Wing successor in the Premier
!
with giving that part Of the portraiure which brings
him, in life-ke sort, before our eyes. After
sketch Of his political rise, and of his style and
dichon, Mr.. Francis produces him to us as follows
in act to speak:
Notwithstanding the many points of excellence in his
speeches. Lord John Russes personal and style Of
speaking most Disappointing Remembering the pleasure
be has given paper and the prominent position he holds
in the House of Commons your first sensation seeing and
him iS If that
fragile, modest almost Notwithstanding man, neat
pan and formal in his black and snowwhe neckcoth
who sits with his legs crossed any how, and his hat
shadowng his small sharp features till they scarcely
that be Lord John Russell Is he really the leader of
that compact and party And has he the power
or the skill to rule and rein them in to amalgamae all their
dscordant varieties TO tame their political violence of which
you have heard and much pour the oil of his
phosophc spirit the troubled Of their excited pas
sons; 10 begue them into suspendng giving Up ts
cherished opinions and settled purposes and cordially uniting
IN working out his views and respecting if not obeying his
will When you regard the physique of Sir Robert Peel ;
his full commanding figure his Intellectual face and head
his handsome expressive counenance his and manly
bearing you half tempted to believe, trust all you
have heard OF his magical influence the House Of Com
mons but persuasion will induce you TO think that the
dminutve model Of who has been pointed out 10 you
Lord John Russe-whom Lord Panerston, his neigh
Dor might almost dandle in his ams-can possess those qua
es which history tells necessary in order sway po
puar assemblies
"ln few he takes of his hat and rises from his
seat advancing the table speak. Now for the first time
you something that preposscsses His head though small
is finely shaped is highly intellectual head and the brow
is wide and deep The face broad and rmset sphinx like
in shape, Of faultess outline, strongly mark
ed with character. thoughtful repose slightly inged with
melancholy peryades it, The features sharply defined
they look more so in the extreme paeness Of the complexion
paleness Of i'll health, but Of refined breeding The
mouth Is wide but finely shaped surrounded with marked
line as though were often made the vehicle Of expression
while the lips firmly compressed from habtua thought
The eye quick and intelligent the straight and decid
ed the eyebrows dark and well arched and the whole face
which smaller still than il is from the absence OF whisk-
er surmouned by dark and scanty hair which leaves dis
closed the whole depth Of ample and intellectual forehead
moment and you struck with the proportions,
though small Of his frame-his attitude erect his chest
banded You begin TO perceive that a little need Of
necessity be insignificant There presence upon him,
firm compacness Of outline, self possessed MANNER con-
ciousness Of latent strength that lead you abandon your
unavorabe view Of his physical attributes and TO hope much
| from his moral and intellectual qualities.
He speaks, and for time your disappointment returns.
You have him make step forward the table, look
all around the House. then make step back again bis
old place then, with the right stretched partly out and
his face half turned 70 his supporters, he begins His
voice is feeble in quality and il thin, and there
is wang upon il which smacks Of aristocratc afectaon
but il is distinct He is, perhaps, about
speech, TO attack Of Sir Robert Peel He
goes in level strain, utterng few of the obvious
commonplace Of apology OF deprecaton till the idea Of
medocr grows rressbly upon your mind Yet the House
listen anxiousy-hey would do il they did not
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