Mr. Lowther, the Under-Secretary for the Colonies, made an amusing,
though rather bumptious speech on Saturday to the Working-Men's Association at Thirsk. He admitted our allega- tion that the Conservative Ministry is a coalition one, saying Mr. Disraeli had tried to represent in the Cabinet all sections of the Conservative party.. Nobody was less guilty than he (Mr. Lowther) of knowing the programme for next Session, but he did not believe that when Parliament met, any change would have occurred among Her Majesty's advisers. They must not expect too much of the Government, however. For himself, he had no hesi- tation, when he found his watch five minutes too fast, in putting the hand back five minutes, or in approving a measure which reversed one that had been passed by the House of Commons; but still, though many would like to undo the "ini- quitous" Irish Land Act, and re-establish the Church, and rein- troduce Purchase, still any reaction should be most cautious and heedful. Mr. Lowther evidently does not see that, on his own principles, to alter what is, is revolutionary, but rather thinks Captain Cuttle's watch better than a chronometer. Put the clock of the Constitution on about five minutes at noon and back ten minutes at night, and it is a clock that will do you credit. It is lucky for the ship and crew that the captain does not think so.
