The'political movements of the recess have come down to the
very dregs' any y spice of novelty. And what little activity we find is overlaid by the social avocations of the season. Society is divided into two classes—always excepting those ex- alted races who are above the incidents of vulgar life : one is the class intent -upon Christmas cheer ; the other, intent on the mise- ries of a cheeiless Christmas : one is busy with roast beef or turkey and plum pudding, and the accompaniments—parties, dancing, family reunions, and so forth—all as a matter of course ; the other is absorbed in thinking upon the food that is not, the cold that is, the present poverty, and the blank future. " Alas then for the honseless beggar old ! " With these absorbing preoccupations, there is little attention left for public matters. Here and there a stray society holds its periodic meeting ; a stray Protectionist or Anti-Malt-tax meeting—as this week at Devizes—makes its pro- nunciainiento ; and such Parliamentary candidates as are actually canvassing must perforce consent to have their Christmas spoiled. But all these folks wear the constrained, discontented, desponding air, of the exceptional clerk obliged to go to business on Christ- mas Day. Id Scotland, innocent of Christmas gayeties, we see Mr. Oastler and Mr. Ferrand busy with their Short-time agita- tion; evoking half declarations, which will one day be counter- balanced by the other, the adverse half. Ireland keeps up its dismal chaotic chorus, of howling destitution, arming, and agita- tion. O'Connell now talks of demanding from England thirty or forty millions; and he is coming. over.' Amidst the turmoil of worn-out affairs, the most living interest is turned to the imme- diate future—to the meeting of Parliament. The leaders of the several parties are issuing their calls to the battle-field—Lord John Russell, Lord Stanley, and the adherents of Peel, are pre- 'paring to muster their forces; and until we once more hear the familiar sounds of speaking, cheering, cock-crowing, and the like, there will probably be no great stir in the world of home politics.
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