In England, there is to be nothing worth thinking about
politi- cally before the meeting of Parliament. Ministers are preparing for it in congenial modes. We have seen how they have been claimed by rumour as the antagonists of a free press in Belgium. Their reported activity in naval and military defences is more creditable. The appointment of Southampton as an emigration-port is a " step in the right direction," as the man said when he walked from Poultry to the Royal Exchange—with an eye to Constantinople at some possible future. Their principal preparative, however, consists in the Louis-Napoleonic silence which they keep as to the measures. This mystery lends some interest which would otherwise be wanting at the agricultural meetings. The landowners are able to show the strength of their faith in Derby, while they confess their want of any data. At Loughborough, still Protectionist, and in himself so far a comfortable Derbyite that he disclaims a foolish desire to retain his own opinion, Lord Granby is willing to make free. trade " just, fair, equal, and bearable." At Leominster, Lord Bateman discloses a solemn promise which he had exacted from the Prime Minister : " I pledge my word," said Lord Derby, " if I have returned to Parliament a sufficient number to carry out a scheme for the benefit of the agricultural class, those classes shall have my very best and most earnest attention" ! Surely that must be the measure which is coming—a bill to secure Lord Derby's attention to the agricultural classes henoeforward. At Saffron Walden, Mr. Beresford vented his dislike of this nasty emigration, which makes labour dear for agriculturists, instead of sending out nothing more than the people that the farmers do not want. His Anti-Colonial sentiment has been followed up by a report that Mr. Beresford, not wanted at the Horse Guards or in the House of Commons, is to be shelved as Governor of Jamaica ; an imputation which the morning organ of the Ministry repels.
Mr. John Bright, candidate for the post of pacific Cromwell in Ireland, has perfected a plan for the partition of the Church pro- perty between the principal denominations in that island ; a project open to question, but much more worth attention than many a Ministerial mystery.
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