From the proceedings in Parliament few would dieceser cause for
apprehending any thing seriously wrong in the condition of the country or the state of public feeling. There has been a little talk about the fanaticism of the followers of mad THOhI, alias Sir WILLIAM Couteremev, and the extraordinary ignorance of *V. 4 prime yeomen of England, who sojourn in Kent. . Sir EDwaltb KNATCHBIILL declares that the Magistracy are not to blame; Lord Jolly RusseLL protests that he is innocent in the matter; and Mr. WYNN, in a philosophical spirit, attributes the mischief to religious delusion, whieh will come over even the wisest and the wealthieet of mankind. Probably no further notice of the shack- ing occurrences in Kent will be taken in the House of Commons. But it is not in Kent alone, or among the agricultural popula- tion, that a fierce spirit of insubordination prevails. Further on, the reader will find soma account of two meetings in the North, at which, though the Poor-law was the main object of attmelteehe speakers uttered furious menaces of resorting to arms, in order to obtain Universal Suffrage, and effect other alterations in laws which they describe as oppressive and inimical to tho welfare of the bulk of the people. Recollect, too, that although perhaps the late expedition from Birmingham failed to realize what the en- thusiasts who planned awl sent it forth expected, that deputation was cordially received by very considerable bodies of men in different parts of Scotland, and on their return to Birminghatn by a large assembly of their fellow townsmen. We are nut among those who o the importance of such displays as we have mentioned. We are aware that large numbers of the more intelligent working-people stand aloof front the mailmen and firebraude who would stir up the masses to acts of violence. It appears to us that even the more moderato and rational of the popular leaders are apt to entertain extrava- gant ideas of the active power of the party whose numbers make so formidable a show. But nevertheless, these movements are not to be disregarded or despised. They may be symptomatic of one of those changes from peace and prosperity to difficulty and trouble, which occur from time to time, without any cause appa- rently sufficient to produce them. A reason for believing in the existence of widely-spread discon- tent, is the fact, that much has been done to irritate, and nothing to soothe the people, since the middle classes were altnitted by the aristocracy, under compuleion of the in:isses, to a share in the ruling power. The Reform Act, which was to have opened the way to so many popular measures, has sent into the House of Comuninis a majerity ready to unite with the old Oligarchy in the attempt to keep dewn the People. The time of Parliament is occupied in party squaltblesoir contests about class interetta. For the condition of the great bulk of the people little sympathy has been shown. Few think of extending their field or comfort
awl eitio■ mein ; .114 has been done towards establishing
U system of education. 1'.. daSes, it cannot be denied, see their
interests treated with systei,,, e neglect. The only tneisure ever
professedly caleulaied to di) •,n real service, was o ;e of iutrsh .iperulhoi unit stern aspect. i,r iiicApaeily for the exercise of civil and pulithial rights is . lila 4.1y proclaimed by the pi.osons
Who keep out or their react. ineees of improvement.
Now it is not in the nate. _ men or things; that these provo-
cations to thaconiveit should net uperute far and wide. These who li•iegaril the menaces of FE !MOUS °CONNOR, STEPHENY, and the Anti-Pileelaw liAilaturs, Wuuh obierve that there is smother class of the iliesioisfied, who eschew noise and violence, but who would gladly distress the Geverntnent by desisting from the eur clause of exciseable articles. Should this mutation be eaten, sively carried into effect, with reference to home-made spirits alone, a deficit of millions would arise; if abstinence from tea and sugar were also to be resolved upon, even supposing some additional quantity of the favourite English beverage, beer, were consumed, the public finances and credit would receive a severe shock. The revenue is perhaps suffering at present from the partial execution of this plan. We have been informed on the very best authority, that among a large class of the Metropolitan workmen, the habit of temperance and saving is increasing ; and these persons have their minds constantly fixed on the acquisition of political rights.
