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of public economy, are settled. But there are other questions not less important, and of deeper and higher reach and range, which must engage the attention of a Constitutional Minister. There is the question whether the aristocratic principle should be recognised in our Constitution, and if so, in what form; whether the Commons of England shall remain an estate of the realm, numerous, but privileged and qualified, or whether they should degenerate into an indiscriminate multitude; whether a National Church shall be maintained, and if so, what shall be its rights and duties; the functions of corporations, the sacredness of endowments, the tenure of landed property, the free disposal and even the existence of any kind of property. All these institutions and all these principles, which have made this country free and famous, and conspicuous for its union of order with liberty, are now impugned, and in due time will become great and burning' questions."

A Laudable Ambition.—In reference to his friend Mr. Thrale's seeking a seat in Parliament, Dr. Johnson said: "It would be with great discontent that I should see Mr. Thrale decline the representation of the borough. To sit in Parliament for Southwark is the highest honour that his station permits him to attain; and his ambition to attain it is rational and laudable. I will not say that for an honest man to struggle for a vote in the legislature, at a time when honest votes are so much wanted, is absolutely a duty; but it is surely an act of virtue. The expense, if it were more, I should wish him to despise. Money is made for such purposes as this."

What the House of Commons Loves.-Sir T. F. Buxton wrote as follows to a friend (Mr. North) whom he wished to induce to enter the House of Commons: "I do not wonder why so many distinguished men have failed in it. The speaking required is of a very peculiar kind: the House loves good sense and joking, and nothing else; and the object of its utter aversion is that species of eloquence which is called Philippian. There are not three men from whom a fine simile or sentiment would be tolerated. All attempts of the kind are punished with general laughter. An easy flow of sterling plain sense is indispensable; and this, combined with great powers of sarcasm, gives Brougham his station. Canning is an exception to this rule; his reasoning is seldom above mediocrity; but then it is recommended by language so wonderfully happy, by a manner so exquisitely elegant, and by wit so clear, so pungent, and so unpremeditated, that he contrives to beguile the House of its austerity. Tierney has never exerted himself much in my hearing. Wilberforce has more native eloquence than any of them; but he takes no pains, and allows himself to wander from his subject: he holds a very high rank in the estimation of the House. And now let me tell you a secret. These great creatures turn out, when viewed closely, to be but men, and men with whom you need not fear competition."

Influence of Character in Parliament.—On the death of Sir Robert Harry Inglis, who for a long period had represented the University of Oxford, the following tribute was paid to his memory by the Times : Sir R. H. Inglis has been for a whole generation one of the most con

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spicuous and honourable personages in the great council of the nation. Much more than any other living man, he illustrates the force of what English people are proud to call character.' People may or may not have valued his opinions, or respected his reasoning powers; they may or may not have followed the lead of one who scarcely ever assumed to guide; but all respected, admired, and even loved the honest, hearty, genial, courteous gentleman, who spoke the whole truth, as he held it, from his whole soul, with no respect either of persons or of circumstances, and apparently with no other object than to record a clear testimony and quiet his own conscience. Hence, while it would be difficult to say what Sir R. H. Inglis has done, what vote he has carried, what measure he has forwarded or delayed, he has undoubtedly possessed a great, though indefinite, weight in the Legislature. No one who ever heard him speak could fail to understand how it was that he won the respect and affections of men who, nevertheless, declined to acquiesce in his conclusions."

"Great Wisdom" in Parliament.-Old Thomas Fuller, writing the character of the "true gentleman," says: "If chosen a member of Parliament, he is willing to do his country service. If he be no rhetorician, to raise affections (yea, Mercury was a greater speaker than Jupiter himself!), he counts it great wisdom to be the good manager of Yea' and •Nay.”

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APPENDIX.

(A.) THE PARLIAMENTS OF ENGLAND AND OF

THE UNITED KINGDOM.

The following list, to the reign of Anne, is from Returns compiled by order of the House of Commons, and published in 1879:

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