6 AUGUST 1842, Page 1

The Anti-Corn-law Conference took leave of London on Mon- day ;

having, according to its own account, done nothing practical except putting Government in the wrong. Ought not the very re- spectable and intelligent gentlemen, who composed at least a great part of the body, to have done more,—being intelligent and respect- able, having a real case in hand, and having, as they allege, the support of the people ? Undoubtedly they might have done more, bad they attempted less of a theatrical or quackish display ; had they stated their case plainly like plain men, without any display of a staff of officers, provincial and redundant oratory, and a sort of extra-Parliamentary importance. They could scarcely, however, fail to achieve something; and if they have provoked sneers, not always unmerited, they have also provoked attention. Probably the most useful thing for them was the fruitless and bungling oppo- sition of the extreme agriculturists to the Government measures : Mr. MILES and his adherents formed a kind of foil to the League, which is at the opposite extreme, but somewhat less removed from ,ascendant juste milieu.