LETTERS FROM PARIS, BY 0. P. Q. No. XXXV1.
THE FALL OF THE TORIES.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR.
Paris, 81st Mizrch 1835.
SIR—There was a time when the Tories were hated and leered: this was the time of PITT, LONDONDERRY, and the Gagging Acts. There was a time when the Tories were more feared than hated : this was the time of LIVERPOOL and CANNING. There was a time when the Tories were more hated than feared : this was the time of WEL- LINGTON and PEEL before the Reform Bill. From the passing of that measure till the publication of the letter front Sir Roemer to his con- stituents at Tannworth, that feeling of hating, more than fearing them, predominated ; and the great leaders of the Tories were always con- sidered as a set of consistent and even honourable men, who, though they did not think as the nation thought, still had less of selfishness and of personal chicanery about them than some of their adversaries alleged they possessed. But now the Tories are neither bated nor feared. They ure despised ; they are loathed—and cven loathing implies a sort of -effort which their enemies are not disposed to make ; they are spit upon ; they are walked over, and hardly trampled upon—for trampling implies effort; and they do not merit the trouble of a kicking. We kick a cur because he barks, and snaps, and teazes us ; and he howls or cries, and runs away. But we do not kick a mole or a hedge- hog, a marmot or a grub. That which is courageous and daring, which risks its life and its limbs, we fight and contend with, ad rejoice in conquering; but that which is merely offensive, we avoid, cross over the road not to touch, and turn down a street to avoid looking at. We fight a living lion, but we turn our eyes away from a dead ass. Even that which is actively wicked, we respect and honour more than that which is morbidly and yet fcetidly corrupt. It was the same sort of feeling which was expressed in the sentiment of "I3etteran open enemy than a false friend."
The Tories have fallen in public estimation on the Continent to that abject state of loathing and disgust which I have just depicted. I do not wonder at the indignation of the Royalists, Carlists, Henri- quinquists, and Miguelists of all Europe, at their dirty and pitiful policy. I do not wonder at the attacks of the Gazette de France and Quotidienne. I do not wonder that the leaders of the Royalist party in France declare that they shall even be rejoiced to witness the fall of the Tories. They say that they are afflicted to witness such degrada- tion on the part of any men who once held a place in their affections. They may well ask, what the Tories meant by their multiplied divi- sions in the Houses of Parliament against every Reform measure of the sessions of 183'2, 33, and 34? The Duke of Fir. JAMES is reported to have said within the last few days to an English Tory, " Well, Sir, do have the goodness to explain what is the difference between a Tory preaching Liberalism and a quack-doctor selling poison ? " 1(10 not wonder that the Duke DE NOAILIES is reported to have said, "1 sometimes rub my eyes and ask myself, can it be that I am the Duke of NOAILLES ? and can it be that the Duke of WELLINGTON is the man I knew and saw at Paris in 1815?" I do not wonder that M. DE CHATEAUBRIAND has said, " I thought the greatest miracle on record was the conversion of St. Paul; but the conversion of Saint PEEL is a greater." I do not wonder that the Count D'APPONV and the Baron DE WERTIIER are so disgusted with the conduct of the Tories since they have been in office, as to have been led of late frequently to ex- claim against all Tories and Toryism as vile and deceptive. The FALL Or TIIE TORIES will not excite one sigh upon the Continent of Europe. Not even the bankers of Paris, who stand at the Bourse, rub- bing their backs against the stone pillars of that beautiful building from one to four o'clock every day, haggling for Reines, Coupons, and Emprunts, will shed a single tear. The words " disgraceful, " "humiliating," " ungentlemanly," "undignified," and "dishonourable," are applied to them a thousand times a day, at the Exchanges of Antwerp, Brussels, Berlin, Vienna, Paris, Madrid, and Lisbon. " I ,cannot understand any thing at all now in polities," exclaimed a very celebrated Juste-Milieu Deputy only yesterday, in the presence of the Duke DE BRoGLIE. " I thought I knew something of English history and of the English Parliaments; but I find I am quite at sea, without a rudder and without a compass." The Duke DE BROGLIE listened to him, shrugged his shoulders, and turned on his heel. The King is said yesterday to have asked the new Ambassador, Lord COWLEY, "Well, my Lord, and will the Tory Administration be able to maintain itself?" The answer of his Lordship is differently given. Some say he said," We cannot tell, Sire, at the present moment, but shall see in a few days.". Others say he replied," It is very doubtful, your Ma- jesty:" No one reports that he said, " Oh yes, Sire, for the country is with us !"
The fall of the Tories is not a tumble, but, emphatically, afall. This time they do not break their shins, but their necks; they do not graze their skins, but give up the ghost. History will record of them that they were without courage, without principle, and without honesty. History will record of them, not that they stood up and fought man. fully for their cause and principles, and were shot through the heart, having national honours rendered to them as a departed but valiant foe; but that they ran away from their standard, deserted their cause, and abjured their principles ; and were either killed as they ran away, by stray shot in their hindermost parts, or else that they were suffered to rot in obscurity and be buried in oblivion.
LET THE WHIGS TAKE WARNING FROM THE FATE OF THE TORIES!
The Nation is there, and Public Opinion is there ; and all people and all countries are watching them ; and if they will not act like patrilts and statesmen, they will die like lepers. Your obedient servant, 0. P. Q.
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