Colonel Wilson Patten, in addressing his constituents in North Lancashire
after his re-election as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, appears to have been a little inarticulate as to the treasons which led him to think it his duty to take office and sup- port the Government. It is not that he admires the Reform Bill. He spoke of that as a disagreeable, though manifest, destiny. As far as readers of his speech can judge, he was moved by enthusiastic devotion to Lord Stanley as Foreign Secretary, and gratitude for the Luxemburg treaty, and the revival of English influence on the Continent. If that is really Colonel Patten's motive, we can only say that he must be what we should hardly have thought him,—an impressionable man. He is deeply moved, too, by the serious character of the official resposibilities he has undertaken, not as a Cabinet Minister, but as Chancellor of the Duchy. of Lancaster. Surely the gallant Colonel has a susceptible con- science !
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