Sir Stafford Northcote on general politics was not particularly instructive.
Of course he paid a Compliment to the popular qualities and the statesmanship of Lord Beaconsfield. Of course he contended that the spirit of Conservative improvement was opposed, not to Liberalism, but only to a policy of destructive Radicalism. Less as a matter of course, he warned'the nation against leaning too -much on legislation of any kind, and against goingto Parliament to do what it could do better for itself ; and counselled the working-men--to inform themselves on all important political subjects, and not leave themselves in the hands of agitators who might be mere demagogues. lie was courageous in saying that on foreign vilifies the masses of the people, and even the majority of Members of Parliament, are necessarily ignorant ; butit was not a very happy occasion on which to press this truth home, when the people appear to understand very clearly what they want, and -the Government only appear to know what they don't want. But if ft had been Sir Stafford Northcote's Govern- ment, the speeoli would have greatly quieted the uneasiness of the country. As it is, Lord Beaconsfield's speech has far more than cancelled its effect.
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