Sir John Holker delivered to his constituents at Preston on
Monday an address of singular acerbity on the present state of politics, assailing the Laud Act from all sides, and wishing that, as it has passed, it had been allowed to pass in what he regards as even a worse form than that which it has actually taken ; and declaring in the same breath that it is universally hated in Ireland, and that the Land Court is making it even more un- just than it need be, by deferring exclusively to the interests of tenants. Sir John also inveighed against the Government, both for applying coercion so tardily, and for applying it at all. Sir John Holker is in favour of protecting meat and all farm products which are not strictly " necessaries" by import duties, and has evidently no confidence either in the substantial solidity of the Empire, or in the principles of Free-trade. His only distinct political conviction appears to be that the present Government has proved its incapacity to govern either Ireland or England, and that conviction he expresses with very great force. It is a pity that so able a lawyer should foster in his breast such fierce resentment and such bitter prepossessions. Perhaps the explanation may be, that while Sir John Holker really cares for legal subjects, he cares nothing for politics, and. fights, like a soldier of fortune, for fighting's sake.
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