We have discussed elsewhere the chief positions maintained by Mr.
Leathern, in his very amusing and able speech at Hudders- field, on Thursday. We may add here that he was very happy on the Licensed Victuallers, and their desertion en mane to the Tory party.- "They were expected to sell themselves to the Tories like -so many-puncheons of illM and noggins of whiskey, and they did it. But not all of them. When the religious society-to which he belonged was cautiously feeling its way out of small-clothes into pantaloons, it was recorded that one staunch Conservative of the old costume publicly expressed his gratitude that, in the midst of right-hand defections and left-htsad fallings away, there was still a blessed remnant left in breeches. That was his consolation in reference to the Licensed Victuallers, who had sold themselves to the Tories for as poor a mess of pottage as that recorded in Scripture. It was not to be argued that the poverty of Tory gratitude was due to inability. They had ample majorities,—majorities as big as their pledges,— to do anything they wished. So many brewers were returned to Parliament, that-the whole Conservative side of the House wore a rosier complexion ; and when honourable gentlemen trooped back from dinner, it was like the entry of a Bacchic proces- sion." Mr. Le-athara's expressions of loyalty to Mr. Gladstone were earnest and eloquent, —and would be redoubled, if Mr. Glad- stone would but assent to disestablish for him, what Mr. Leathern pttnningly;calls the Church in her "sacerdotage."
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