UNSEASONABLE DUTIES.
GENTLEMEN who ride in their coaches and drink burgundy—who delight in any excitement which relieves the ennui of fashion- able indolence—rejoice, no doubt, in the opportune occurrence of an election in the depth of winter. But we can assure these su- perfine specimens of humanity, that the great body of their coun- trymen are seriously annoyed at the inconvenient season selected for the Tory experiment on the honesty and steadfastness of the People. Severe colds and aching joints, the consequence of long joureies in wet weather—in many instances, probably, the fore- runners of lengthened sickness and untimely death—will make hundreds remember with bitterness and sorrow the General Elec- tion of 18:33. Then, the unavoidable neglect of business, at the time of all times in the year when a tradesman ought to be look- ing sharply after his debts and credits, is no slight hardship. Of course, line gentlemen sneer at these humble annoyances and losses ; but their paymasters and supporters feel them seriously, and are exceedingly indisposed to laughter : and the Tories may rely upon it, that in the account the Nation keeps with them, there is a heavy sum placed on the debtor side for the losses in- curred, and the evils felt and foreseen, in consequence of this ill- timed attack on place, and dissolution of the first Reformed house of Commons.
All this inconvenience and suffering would be avoided by Trien- nial Parliaments—that is, Parliaments to die a natural death after a three years' existence, at the least busy season of the year—the month of October, for instance. The electors would be prepared to give their attention to the important business of an election ; none would be taken by surprise; and the exercise of the suf- frage would no longer be irksome. It would come round as re- gularly and as pleasantly as the triennial music meetings.
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