TOPICS OF THE DAY.
LORD BROUGHAM'S LINE.
THOUGH the Reformers of Edinburgh had no such object particu- larly in view—though their chief aim was to instruct Ministers as to the state of popular feeling in Scotland—they did, by in- viting the almost forgotten Lord BROUGHAM to a great political gathering, give him a famous opportunity of expiating those grievous offences to the people which he committed two years ago. He chooses to miss an occasion which is not likely to return. In what concerns himself, therefore, the public can feel ino interest : what becomes of the Lord BROUGHAM who, according to the opinion last expressed by him, thinks that the GREY Ministry proceeded too fast with Reform, is a matter re. no consequence to Reformers. But there are reasons of a public nature why Lord BROUGHAM'S refusal to meet the Reformers of Edinburgh seems worthy of notice. Treating as it deserves the merely courteous excuse of ill-health, and coupling the refusal with the promise of activity in the House of Lords, it would appear that Lord BROUGHAM disapproves of the well-understood object of the Edinburgh Reformers. There, under ordinary circumstances, would be end an of the matter. But, as things stand at present, no one who meddles 'with politics can help "taking a line." The Tories, by their new policy, have managed that those who are not against them shall be for them. Finding that Lord BROUGHAM reproves the Reformers of Edinburgh for wishing to revive the Whig-Radical union upon the natural and firm footing of Whig-Radicalism, the Tories claim him as their own. The Times says, "Lord BROUGHAM'S answer and fiat rejection of the proffered clap-trap, savours of nothing less than downright sanity, and leads us even to believe that he may hereafter be found now and then voting on the side of the Duke of WELLINGTON and Lord LYNDHURST." The Standard also, and still more warmly, embraces the Ex-Chancellor, saying- " We do not venture to predict how Lord Brougham will act in the ap- proaching session. It is dangerous to predict the line to be taken by indepen- dent public men ; but most dangerous in the case of a man like Lord Brougham, who with all his genius, sense, and good dispositions, has oftener than we could wish fatally proved himself to be under the control of too sensitive and too easily excited feeling. Without, however, pretending to guess the precise line which Lord Brougham will take, we think we can safely infer, from the premises suggested, that his Lordship will not descend to the ultra-Radical party, or im- plicitly indent himself to the service of the Whigs. Ile may, and we earnestly hope will, press his views of Law Reform and Charity Trusts Reform; and we anxiously wish him success in both. These are enterprises that will give full occupation even to his active and powerful mind ; and they will raise for him monuments far more honourable and enduring than were ever reared to the champions of faction. " The reply to the Edinburgh deputation, as we read it, presents just that caveat against being claimed by any party, which we could expect from a wise and good man recently escaped from the trammels of party connexion, and re- solved henceforth to prosecute his independent labours for the public benefit. " Next to our gratification in knowing that the noble lord's health permits his return to public life, is the pleasure we feel in believing that he comes again to Parliament in a disposition like this—promising so much honour and happi- ness to himself, so much advantage to the country."
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