The Press. — 1853-07-02 (London, England)

"Their tameness is shocking to me."  Some of them seem to think that the honour of a seat in this House in bent appreciated by never sitting in it ; but it will be a strong though novel rearm,' for repealing the Septennial Act if every member is expected to be "on his legs " for the greater part of seven years. A formidable feature of our times is, that, while there are so few new Members who will study, there are so many precocities who will speak. We silent Members too often commit the suicidal error of sneering at " prepared " speeches. Nothing can be easier than to avoid this criticism ; and, if all which was not preparation was inspiration in this House, it would be full of Beam' and Prers at the present moment. But is it, or is it likely to be so ; even when the reporters have washed our dirty linen, what poor stuff it often is, compared with what the press produces ; and the reason in that we give insufficient encouragement to diligence, insufficient discouragement to slovenly mediocrity. We cheer with too little judgment, we cough with too little mercy. Cries of " Bar, bar ! " mean with us that we want to go to dinner; "Divide, divide! " that we want to go to bed; but the expression of these physical desires availed' nothing for the purpose of real criticism, and how can we hope for good orators if we show ourselves at one time impatient of a Datimmosa and at another submissive to a WILLIAMS. There is one thing—probably more, but, at all events, one thing— no longer to be endured, and that is the behaviour of the Treasury bench while Opposition members are speaking. A silent member can comment on this without suspicion of personal motives, and be assured he can name the offenders, though this week, and this week only, he refrains. I may mention, however, that my censure does not apply to Lord .11011% Itutoom., to Lord PALMERSTON, Or to Sir JAMES, who all either listen or slumber with the decorum of the old school. The old school ! No one knows exactly when' or when the old school was: it it associated in our minds with pigtails and leather breeches, yet amid all our reforms. all our laughter at it, all of us respect it, and everybody wishes that everybody else would observe its rules. There is, so to say, no new school now. no discipline, no culture; an anarchy ; a wilderness of manners. We observe now on the Treasury bench audible whisperings, perpetual titterings, ostentatious oseitation, and heels laid on the table evidently not by "command of her Majesty." What would Sir ROBERT have said to these things, he who had the greatest gift of listening I ever met with, and who, pineing the forefinger awl thumb above and below his mouth, could so articulate during smother'm speech that the orator and the Opposition imagined he had been completely silent? Certainly there is this excuse for the subordinates of Lord ABERDICEN : he ham told us, through Mr. Moxaxt.l., that it does not the least matter what any of them say, so long as they are found in the right lobby ; of course, therefore, no official need give or hope for the least attention from any of his colleagues. But a coalition Government may, like other blessings, pass away, while an Opposition is likely always to remain ; so we must assert the de mimics of office, always bearing in mind that a time may return when idem wear( de republics.' meaut what it used to mean before Lord Assapxxs insulted Lord JOHN RUSSELL.  A SILENT MENDER.  SATURDAY,  A PARLIAMENTARY PASTORAL.—No. I.  (Occasionally end slightly altered from Virgil, and other Poets.) 

Article type: NotIncident