ardour, they fail to effect great public good, the people will be exceedingly apt to suspect the want of inclination.
"We, however, relying on their honesty of intention, trust they will not disappoint the public expectation. But they must not natter themselves that the rejection of ultra-tories on the one hand, and of ultra-radicals on the other, implies a belief on the part of the people that the administration occupies exactly the just medium between the two extremes, or that the great measure of reform, which, supported as they have been by the public voice, they have happily effected, is complete and perfect. The compliment has been paid them, and deservedly paid them, on account of their past services, of returning persons in office,and members pledged to serve them; but a further compliment has been paid them by the electors, in believing that the representatives most likely to be acceptable to them are those who will urge them onwards, rather than wait for their impulse.
"The county constituences have not shown themselves so favourable to progressive reform as the constituencies of the boroughs, having generally sent members who, like a portion of the administration, regard the Reform Bill as a final measure. But public opinion has gained great force, and we doubt not that many of the administration, though now indifferent to the Ballot and the Septennial Act, will, ere long, accord to the almost universal will of the people. In the meantime it is curious to observe how those tones, who are pleased to call themselves reformers, let forth the secret of their terror of a too rapid march of improvement. The Guardian of last Saturday says:—'We are convinced that ministers will be stronger in the new parliament, to do what is right, than in former parliaments (except for short periods, and under peculiar circumstances,) previous ministers have ever been to do what was wrong. However, it is desirable that there should at all times be a respectable and talented opposition. Public measures of an important character require to be well considered in every variety of aspect; and this can in no way be so well done as by engaging in the discussions on their merits persons of different temperaments, education,principles, and modes of thinking. Whilst, therefore, we rejoice in the probable exclusion from St. Stephen's Chapel of some parliamentary mountebanks and mere factious oppositionists, we are glad to see that there is no doubt of the presence in the House of Commons of a number of the most respectable and able opponents of the ministry. They will not be in force to stop the wheels of improvement; but, like the governor of the steam-engine, they may prevent a dangerous rapidity of motion.' Glad! glad that the onward march of improvement is to be retarded by the opposing force of the enemies of reform! Are there not checks enough provided by the constitution, without sending more into that house