Sir Stafford Northcote also was very anxious to seem wholly
undismayed. He dwelt, somewhat injudioiously, we think, on the success his Governinent had had in keeping the majority undiminished throughout the six years of office, for now he ought to see that it would have been much better for the Government if they had had some warning of the change which was coming over the country. The most remarkable passage, however, in Sir Stafford North- cote's speech was its close. "We have confidence in our cause. We have confidence in our leader,—a leader who has distinguished this country so much within the last few years, and to whom I think the country is already beginning to do more justice than was done in the late contest." We wonder whence Sir Stafford Northeote infers that. He must have a very special avenue of secret communication with the country, to be able to infer this BO soon ; and apparently his avenue of secret communication with the country before the late elections, was only of a kind to mislead him. "Having confidence in his leadership, believing in the justice of our cause, trusting to our own determination to stand by each other in maintaining the institutions of the country, we look forward with auything but discouragement,— we look forward with hope, with animation, with eagerness,—to the conflict to which we are invited. Taking comfort from the motto of this Company, we shall look forward to a battle in which we shall expect to succeed, because we are united among ourselves, remembering always,— Concortiiii purees res ereseunt." That is a little over-bold. It is all very well to be courageous and undismayed in adversity, but it is a mistake so to over-act the part of fortitude as to simulate joy.
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