A fatal pettiness of action in the English Protectionist So-
cieties evinces the actual decay of the party. The schism on the question of the Malt-tax is not only suffered to be visible, but members of the party have fallen to bickering about it among themselves. We noted, last week, the difference of opinion be- tween the few leading statesmen and the great body of the Pro- tectionists: alive to the danger of a rupture—unable, we presume, to win over Lord Stanley and other chiefs—the "Central So- ciety " has adopted the mortal expedient of trimming: it has modified its declaration for repeal into a demand for total repeal "as soon as it shall appear practicable." Already we perceive signs that such a confession of weakness provokes contempt oh the part of the main body : the vacillating mediation of the Rich- mond section is likely to prove no effectual shield between the displeasure of the ardent Protectionists in the ranks and-the aris- tocratic self-will of the commanders. Meanwhile, attention is divided between public policy and a project for commemorating the victories which the Duke of Richmond would have achieved, if he could : the memorial is to consist of a fund for the relief of decayed farmers, over which he is to preside. The tenant-farmers are going to immortalize the Duke of Richmond; at his request, by establishing a benefit society for the advantage of their own class. There is a sort of mutual self-munilicence in this plan, at once ingenious and satisfactory. It is a kind of interchange of presents on the principle of the Clearing-house in the City, where mutual credits are set one against the other without the trouble of passing the cash. It has its precedent in any public dinner, which is said to be " given " to such a one, though it is really eaten up by the givers, pampering themselves to his honour. Whilst Protectionists are divided between the Malt-tax and Lord Stanley—the Duke of Richmond between malt and his own me- morial—Lord George Bentinck between Protection and the fund for decayed jockies—the influence of the "Country party" :is evidently going to the dogs. No party can bear up against ite own triviality.
