NEWS OF THE WEEK.
PARLIAMENT is to meet on the 31st of January—not before. Some have expected that the next session would commence a month earlier than usual; and the delay, which will be productive of inconvenience if we are really to have an election in the spring, indicates that Ministers need time and opportunity to solder up the cracks in what was their majority. It shows that they are not quite ready for the work that awaits them—perhaps not altogether resolved to do that which alone can prevent the breaking-up of the Liberal party and keep themselves in office. Apparently, they do not see that every day's delay of the announcement of an effective plan for opposing the Tories, causes a tendency to fall off from themselves. Recollecting how many there are who always side with the strongest, and knowing that the impression created by the procrastination of Ministers must needs be that they are weak and irresolute, we cannot help thinking that they are holding out a temptation to rat.
