NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Tux MELBOURNE Parliament assembled on Wednesday; when the session was opened, according to the usual form, by Royal
Commissioners, whom the Lord Chancellor represented. Besides the swearing in of Members, the only business transacted in either House has been the choice of a Speaker by the Commons.
Mr. ABERCROMBY was again chosen—of course. The reasons stated in this journal, more than two months ago,* why the pro- ject of opposing Sir EDWARD SUGDEN or any other Tory Member to Mr. ABERCROMBY would "end in talk," existed in their full force up to the day of election. With respect to known qualifica- tions for the office, no Member could be compared to Mr. ABER- CROMBY. He had that advantage, over a new candidate, which gained Lord CANTERBURY numerous votes—the advantage of Living laid many Members under something like a personal ob- ligation to him; and, which was of far more importance, he was the choice of the majority : so that opposition would have been fruitless.
Nevertheless, the Ministerial newspapers exhibited symptoms of alarm. An article in the Times, written, no doubt, with that design, fluttered the valiant men of Dawning Street. They feared that at the eleventh house Tory candidate might be started and succeed. Their tone, jubilant on the easy victory, proves their previous apprehension of a possible defeat. The Queon VICTORIA will meet her first Parliament on Mon- day next ; and then an authentic exhibition of the policy of the Government, of the Tory Opposition, and of the Independent Re- formers, will be made. It is not worth while to expend ingenuity in speculating on an event so near at hand. There is little doubt as to the intention of either Whigs or Tories. Ministers have given no indication of a plan different from that which has so materially lessened their strength in Parliament and in the country. Lord MELI1OURNE will not be chargeable with any fraud on the Liberals, should he persevere in the system of defeating the majority of his own supporters in the House of Commons by the help of Sir Ro- B ERT PEEL. The Members of his Cabinet, who have met their constituents since the dissolution of the last Parliament, have cautiously obstained from holding out the smallest hope that a more popular policy will be adopted. The Tories mean to control the Government from the Opposition benches. They rely on the feebleness of the Whig party, and the indifference of the country to the Ministerial measures and the fate of the Government. They see no reason to doubt the con- tinued success of a plan which has raised them in the House of Commons to all but an equality with the Whigs and Radicals united. No doubt, the" Fabian policy "is distasteful to the more ardent members of the party, and especially to the place-seekeis; but Sir R013ERT PEEL and the Duke of WELLINGTON are content to bide their time. They will abstain from unnecessary attacks, tshich might alarm the country and consolidate the antagonist forces. This policy, professedly defensive, but in effect aggres- sive, was indicated by the Quarterly Review and the Standard, and sanctioned, we may believe, by Sir ROBERT PEEL, at a meet- ing of Tory chieftains held on Tuesday at Apsley House. Sir ROBERfspmeneo was probably quite as much needed to restrain hasty partisans out of doors, as to head the Tories in Parliament.
How far the Radical Members in the House of Commons may be reckoned upon for pursuing a course of manly and independent action throughout the session, will appear from their conduct on the Adiress. As regards the Civil List, it may be assumed that all parties will concur in a promise to vote a very liberal provision for the support of' the Queen's dignity and comfort. But will the Independent Refocmers be content with formal professions of loyalty ? Will they allow the Address to pass without placing on the journals a record of their principles, their desises, and their firm resolves, in regard to the heaviest grievances of the nation at the present :hue ?
• In the Spy/dor of Ntli August.
[LATEST EDITION.
