A Hundred Years Ago
"THE SPECTATOR," MARCH Ova, 1833.
PROGRESS OF THE SEssrou.
That the proceedings of the Reformed House of Commons have hitherto disappointed general expectation, is undeniable. It is difficult to meet with any person, neither a trimming Conservative nor a Ministerial tool, who holds a different language. That this would be the case as respects a very numerous body of sanguine and somewhat visionary politicians, such as are to be found in all .times and in almost all countries, we clearly foresaw and foretold. But the feeling of disappointment to which we. allude, is not of that unreasonable nature, or confined to those who expected to receive an almost instantaneous and miraculous cure, at the hands of the Reformed Parliament, for the evils occasioned by centuries of mis- government. Sensible and clear-headed men. well affected towards Lord Grey and his colleagues, and anxious to make the best of things as they are, do not hesitate to declare their dissatisfaction at the little progress which has been made in affecting real good for the country since the opening of the session. They complain (and who can deny the justice of such complaints ?) that the disease of talking, and the reluctance to work which is indicated by it, is disgustingly prevalent in the new House of Commons, just as it was in the old : there is scarcely a man actively engaged in life, as merchant, manufacturer, or agriculturist, whose operations are not paralysed at the present moment by want of information as to the intentions of the Governmont, and the apprehension, apparently but too well grounded, that all practical measures will be indefinitely postponed till the session closes.
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