COURT SCANDAL.
THE political barometer this week was still pointing to "Very dry," when there came a refreshing shower of Court scandal to the relief of the dully papers. We could not, if we would, pass alto- gether over a subject which has so forced itself on public notice,— a subject to which in its germinant state, we were ourselves amongst the first to which, attention. That subject, divested of its encumbrances, appears to us to relate solely and simply to the con- duct of the nobleman at the head of the Government ; and to re- solve itself into the question—whether his present position and in- fluence are conducive to the honour and stability of the Throne, or compatible with the interests of the nation and the due ad- ministration of its affairs. Time was when we could afford to laugh at the Major-domo of the Palace, and count his spunging visits as so many capital jokes : but "I-la nugae scria ducunt
"In mak ;"
and the public is beginning already to taste something of their bit- terness.
With the details of the gossiping stories to which allusion has been made, we will not waste our own or our readers' time ; con- tenting ourselves with this general observation—that if these stories are open to doubt, so is their denial. "Nothing easier," it may be said, "than to invent rumours and give them currency." " Yes, one thing," we repli—" to deny their truth." To give a very wide circulation to a false story, is not a very easy matter, we apprehend; and, generally speaking, stories do not gam extensive credence without being either true or probable. On the other hand, their contradiction only requires some usual Treasury hack to come forward with his usual swagger and shuffle, and begin, in the usual tone of mock authority, "We are glad to be able to give the most unqualified denial ;" or, " We beg to announce that there is not one syllable of truth in the statement of a contemporary," &c.;—just as if, one of a gams being brought up for judgment, another of the same gang should leap on the bench, (some "Art- ful Dodger,") amid, affecting to pronounce his acquittal, gravely proceed—" Bill Sykes, it gives me pleasure to say that you leave this court without a spot on your character !" If the mere circulation of a report, then, is not sufficient to es-
tablish its truth, so neither is the mere denial sufficient to attest its falsehood. "It may be spread corruptly, and to serve a party." The answer is, it may be denied corruptly, and to save -a party. In short, where the means of authentication are wanting, denial is just as unavailing as assertion—may just as much be a fiction, just as much an "insult," just as much a "base, abominable asper- sion ;"* and, in the end, the belief or non-belief of such rumours will depend on the good sense of the public : according to their means of judgment, they will receive or reject impressions, without reference to any ipse-dixits either on the side of accusation or of artful-dodgery.
Now, we will only say further respecting these rumours, thats
• See a prodigious use of the vernacular in the Globe of Thursday last. they had been circulating for some time in the whispering-gallery of ikshionable life, before they found their way into the circles below, and began to be echoed by the louder voices of the press : so that, if they are altogether false, delusion has been carried fur- ther in this instance than it was certainly ever known to be before. We have ourselves heard various editions of various stories, some not a little tempting to sport with, if we could bring ourselves— which we cannot—to look on this subject in any other than a se- rious light. But let us make what deductions we may from them,— let us explain away this, and doubt that, and palliate the other,— the result of all is, that the Court of Queen VICTORIA is fallen from its proper government, and that not the Queen, but the " go- vernor" is to blame. Whatever bit of Court scandal is put into the alembic of truth to be purged of its alloy, though every other inciredient fly off in the process, there always appears to remain a residuum gf Melbourne at the bottom. The influence of this nobleman with our young Queen has never been disputed, either by Illinisterialists—with whom it is a boast, or by the opponents of the Government—who resent it as a griev- ance. Now, let any one ask himself, whether, if that influence were exercised to a beneficial purpose, it would be possible—we will not say, for those proceedings to take place at Court, which transpire from time to tune—but (doubting to the utmost limits of reason- able doubt) for the rumours themselves—for the very breath of' such ill reports—to escape the gates of Royalty ? Should we not look rather, after so long a term of uninterrupted tutelage, for the beginning of' some good and solid effects? Would not a press, subservient to the noble and daily tutor, be found, not alone re- pelling charges of unworthy conduct, but putting forward proofs of something of a directly contrary nature ? Should we not find it— if there were but a reed to bang one poor tale on—launching forth in counter-narratives, and chanting the praises of the Premier and the wonders of his guardianship, as loudly as it now is confined to the task of defending him from continual new allegations of a treacherous misuse of' that guardianship, and of the influence it has unhappily invested him with over,the mind of a young and confid-
ing girl, whose character and future conduct—now taking their shape tbr good or evil—involve at once those national interests which ought to be dear to her, and that security to her own peace and happiness which is dear to the nation ? We pause for a reply.
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