X.—: Whig Claims to National Confidence.

Legitimacy.—“Nine-tenths of the people of Portugal were favourable to Don Mignel.”

Belgian Revolution.—“The king (the Dutch king) has conducted himself above all praise, and if it please, I trust his merits will meet with due success. In truth, the cause of Holland is so just a cause, so good a cause, that it must prosper; and when I say the cause of Holland, I entreat your lordships to believe that I mean the cause of England also, for I consider them inseparable and identical.”

As we do not reckon to be bound to ‘men or measures,’ but try to find out and hold fast by that which is good in either, we give insertion without hesitation to the following. It is a summary of the real or supposed benefits conferred by the Reform Ministry and Reform Parliament. It is what Mrs. Austin would call a ‘one-sided statement;’ but as the Whigs are in trouble, and likely soon to be put on trial before the whole country, it would be unjust to suppress any evidence that could be adduced in their favour. Among their good deeds are reckoned these:—

The Irish church placed on a more satisfactory footing by the abolition of several useless bishopricks, and adding to the salaries of the inferior clergy.

Irish church-cess abolished.

Bill for the abolition of Irish tithe carried through the Commons but rejected by the Lords.

The Bank charter renewed on a more liberal system, a monthly report of its accounts to be made public; and to pay £120,000 a-year to the public for its privileges. Also quarterly returns from private bankers of their notes in circulation required.

The East India monopoly destroyed; all India and China thrown open to British enterprise and employment of British capital. The charter granted designated by Mr. O’Connell, ‘the great charter’ of the Indian people.

Negro slavery abolished.

Great and salutary changes effected in the law, particularly in the Court of Chancery, in which alone the public will save £96,000 per annum.

Established the Court of Bankruptcy, by which a vast saving of time and expense has been effected to creditors.

Established the Central Criminal Court, the jurisdiction of which extends over a population of 1,700,000, and which by monthly sessions affords facilities for the speedy trial of offenders.

Established a ‘Judicial Committee’ of the Privy Council for the prompt decision of appeals and admiralty causes.

Abolished the punishment of death for housebreaking, forgery, and returning from transportation.

Almost gave political existence to Scotland by new representative, corporate, and police institutions.

Laid the foundation of a new and, it is hoped, an amended system of Poor Laws, and appointed a commission of inquiry into the practicability of introducing Poor Laws into Ireland.

Commissions of inquiry appointed to inquire into the state of corporations in England and Ireland, and into the state of the churches of the two kingdoms preparatory to effective reforms.

Preserved the peace of Europe without compromising the honour or interests of the empire, and by the Quadruple Treaty of alliance guaranteed the maintenance of the free governments of Spain and Portugal.

Lastly, commerce and manufactures were never more flourishing than under the late Ministry, and by negociations with France and other means attempts were being made still further to extend them.