The Times, on Monday, devoted its first leading article to
the sub- ject of the proposed adjournment of Parliament from the 20th to the 30th instant, and the various speculations afloat as to the probable mo- tive for so lengthened a holyday. With great parade the Tory journalist informed his readers, that rumours of a dissolution obtained some credit, in consequence of the expected absence of Mr. O'Connell; but that they had died away when it became apparent that another seat was provided for that gentleman. Then it was said, that Ministers wanted time to consider their position, and concert some means of ex- tricating themselves from the difficulties in which they were involved: though, if' such was their object, the House might as well be adjourned sine die. All this was but a prelude to the following piece of scandal —or, as the Times calls it, "conjecture."
" We have heard, then, that not the public affairs of this nation, for the ad- ministration of which the Prime Minister has so abundantly proved that he Is incompetent, but certain achievements in a field on which the noble lord has already gained triumphant laurels, render it necessary that, for his own sake, and for that of the Government of which he is the head, the undivided attea- tion of the Cabinet should be given to a matter of the most delicate nature."
Again on Wednesday, allusion was made to the same subject-
" Within this day or two, but not before, we have been prepared for some such revolution in the schemes of his Majesty's Ministers, who became his Ministers in April 1835. A word upon this point is sufficient. If a certain legal proceeding goes forward, Lord Melbourne's career of office is at an end;
wain,
and by what device or subterfuge can' mouths be now stopped' in time to have such critical proceedings arrested ?"
Similar inuendoes have appeared in other Tory newspapers.
Now, as we prefer plain speaking to mysterious insinuation, we shall say at once, that the paragraphs we have quoted refer to a law process, which the :Honourable Mr. Norton has raised against Lord Melbourne, respecting Mrs. Norton. It is neither fair nor usual to press matters of this kind, which affect the private concerns of indi- viduals, into the service of politics : and such practices would not now be resorted to by the Tories but from desperation. Does Sir Robert Peel approve of poisoned weapons in war? does Lord Lyndhurst for- get himself ?
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