THE FIRST RESIGNATION.
MR. PORTMAN has resigned the representation of Marylebone. The state of his health, which will not admit of his regular attendance to the Parliamentary duties, is assigned as the reason for this step. We regret much that this should be the case, for there is no superfluity of such men as Mr. PORTMAN in the House of Commons. We should like to know how many of the two hundred other absentees have so good an excuse to offer for their almost constant default. The letter of Mr. PORTMAN, in which he announces his intention of resigning his seat to his constituents, conveys a well-deserved reproof to all these gentlemen. " I promised," he says, "not to linger in your service if I could not serve you efficiently ; and I redeem my promise at once, because constant attendance can alone gire effect to the exertions of a Member of the House of Commons. I promised ' to do my best to promote your welfare ;' and I think that I best do so, under existing circumstances, by giving you the opportunity of selecting a Representative who may be blessed with health sufficient to enable him to watch constantly over your interests, and to labour for the welfare of the Nation." " Sincerely regretting my inability to labour usefully in your behalf in the great cause of Practical Reform, I can only now express my hope that you will receive my withdrawal from your service as the best proof of the sincerity of my desire to merit your continued esteem."
This is sensible, manly, and elevated. Let others study and learn to imitate Mr. PORTMAN'S example. If he considered "constant attendance' in Parliament essential in a real Representative of the People, how do the idlers and skulkers propose to settle the account with their consciences and their constituents ?
We have not heard who is likely to succeed Mr. PORTMAN. Not Colonel JONES at any rate. If the thing is not already settled by some parish clique, we beg to suggest, that Marylebone would confer an honour on herself and a favour on the country by electing Sir HENRY PARNELL. We cannot recollect the name of any man whose services in the House of Commons, at the present time, are more wanted.
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