Mr. Frederick Peel addressed his constituents at Bury on Wed-
nesday, probably without leaving his mark on their minds. He
explained that 10,000,0001. of taxes had been removed since 1860 without loss to the revenue, and illustrated the remark by saying that prudent removal of taxation was like thinning a plantation. "The more it was cut away within the bounds of prudence the more vigorous was the growth of what was left behind." The remark is just, but the difficulty is about the " bounds of prudence." If Mr. Peel's observations had been thinned within the bounds of pru- dence the remainder might have been more vigorous,—but which not to cut away ? He had a metaphor, too, for the Reform Bill. " The franchise might be extended to a certain point. It was like extending a telescope when the tube was pulled out. The object became more distinct, improved in appearance, had' s.' clearer out- line, had every feature in detail better defined, but if the tube were pulled out indefinitely the object became vaster in appearance bat lost its distinctness,"—after which we wonder that his audience did not find Mr. Peel too vast and indistinct, and beg him to "shut up." He gently patronized Lord Grey, whose book was " well worth reading," " a great contribution to a right settlement," &c., but committed himself to nothing but moderation, which Mr. Peel seldom fails, according to Apostolic precept, "to make known unto all men."
