trlie &pectator, Member 25tb, 1852
A a CHRISTMAS, 1852
THOUGH a few Lords of Parliament may feel aggrieved by the duty of waiting on a Ministerial crisis, the English people gathered round their Christmas firesides may be honestly congratulated on the improved aspect of political affairs at the close of the year 1852, compared with the hopeless confusion and incertitude which characterised the opening of the year. Politicians, and those whose business it is to record and comment on public events, could then with difficulty evade a dreary feeling, akin to that with which one rises on a dull November morning and looks. out upon an atmosphere dense with fog and presenting a cheerless blank of interesting objects. A Ministry that had never warmed the nation into enthusiasm, or kindled a steady attachment in its habitual supporters, was then feebly struggling out of existence, and men could only see for certain that it could not last much longer, without the slightest glimpse of hope or assurance to pierce through the chaos that was inevitably to succeed its fall. Only it was perceived that a period of chaos and con- fusion was necessary before parties could distinguish themselves, and range under proper principles and proper leaders again.
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