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- PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

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PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS. THE lengthened interval between the change of Ministers and the declaration of their policy has oeen still further protracted by the necessary re- election that the acceptance of office involves. It would be well if the country waited patiently to heap what the policy of the new Ministry is, rather than condemn them unheard. If they set aside Eeform altogether, or if they do not introduce progressive measures, then the people should peti- tion, hold meetings, and show their sense of the wrong done to them; but it is, perhaps, unbe- coming at a time when the new Government -are framing new plans and new laws, to assert that they will not do this or that, or that they will do that which will stop progress. Without myself taking any part in politics, I think there is a fairness in permitting the new Government a trial. They will have quite enough to do to compete with Mr. Gladstone and his party on the Opposition side. A new club has been formed, it was to have been called "The -Gladstone," but on the late Chancellor of the Ex- chequer being asked to preside, he suggested it should be called The Cobden," after, using his own words, "the great apostle of Reform." Already the members of this club number over 200, most of them being members of Parliament, ,and the two who took the most active part in framing the rules of the club were the Duke of Argyll and Mr. Milner Gibson. It is believed that this will quite eclipse the old Reform as well as the new Reform clubs. There will be political gatherings there frequently, and advanced Liberals will be specially invited to attend. Here, it is conceived, Mr. Gladstone's adherents will rally round him and form themselves into a party pre- pared at any moment to advance him to the Pre- miership of England. How long he will have to wait for this is another question, for the present Government will doubtless be very cautious what measures they introduce, knowing that they have a strong opposition to contend against; and again, Mr. Gladstone promised, in his farewell address in the House, not to factiously oppose serviceable measures. It was rather a pretty scene the other evening at the Lord Mayor's dinner, when the present Chancellor of the Exche- quer and the late one shook hands, as it were, across the table, and declared that political fighting fair, but had nothing to do with personal friendship. IP. Thus, these bitter political foes, each in his turn, complimented the other. Mr. Disraeli responded for the Government, and called Mr. Gladstone his right honourable friend, pointing to his valuable services; and the latter, when called upon to re- spond for the House of Commons, thanked the new leader of that House for his remarks, and recipro- cated his sentiments. I wish the public generally were like-minded. Let them argue fairly, and abuse each other politically as much as they like, but not go hooting at people's doors who differ from them in politics. I have a word or two to say about these open- air meetings which have been held in Landon. No one is more pleased than myself to hear the sentiments of the working man, and many a ,sensible speech have I heard from men with corduroy and fustian habiliments. In my impression, it was injudicious for Sir G. Grey, in the House of Commons, or Sir Richard Mayne, in his place of authority, to tell the people they should not meet. We are in a free country, and, so long as there is no rioting, we have no right to be told we shall not meet to express our opinions. There are always some disorderly, people in London, and it was not the working men who yelled at Lord Elcho's house and used threatening language; these were what may properly be termed the mob. Turning to the new Ministry, it was rather funny on Friday evening to note the change of seats in the House of Commons, particularly to a practised eye accustomed to see special members in their own place. It was like the &a111e of U Turn rush from one side to the other, hardly knowing what seat to occupy. On this particular evening only Mr. Whiteside and the whipper-in for the Tories, Colonel Taylor, occupied that Treasury bench where a few short weeks ago we were wont to hear the eloquence of Mr. Gladstone, the states- manlike expressions of Sir G. Grey, the learned versions of Sir Eoundell Palmer, the jerked statis- tics of the Marquis of Hartington, the geogra- phical knowledge of Mr. Layard, and the soft whisperings proceeding from the happy lips of Mr. Brand, the whipper-in. These, with their more immediate adherents, were now seated in the front Opposition bench, which was so crowded that they appeared almost to be sitting on each other's knee3. Mr. Brand was the only one of the late Ministry who forgot himself, and, as if preoccupied, he walked up the floor of the House towards the Treasury bench, but, catching sight of Colonel Taylor in his old seat, he skipped across to the other side, amid much laughter. Mr. Mill cast a furtive glance at his old seat below the gangway, and, fiading Lord Hotham there, took the exactly corresponding one on the Opposition sida which his lordship had vacated. Then came Sir William Jolliffe, who, as if carrying out the principle mathematically, walked in a straight line from his old seat to the new one behind the Ministry. Alderman Salomons looked immensely bewildered; he had always sat on the second bench on the Government side, but the corresponding one on the Opposition was filled, and no entreaties of his could prevail upon those who had seats to make room for him, and he was therefore forced to take a position below the gangway. Some members would walk in, tnd, with a puzzled look, retire, not being able to make up their minds where to sit. Mr Gladstone was greatly cheered when he en- tered. His face looked less careworn than usual as if the weight of office no longer rested upon his head., A few months' holiday always show upon the right hon. gentleman, and generally as the session progresses you see his face become more wan care and anxiety day by day being more visibly Slaved; and when the vacation arrives you feel that it is necessary at least to one individual. All agree in paying this tribute to Mr. Gladstone, that he is one of the most conscientious, pains- taking Ministers this country ever had. The outward signs of changed seats convinced strangers as well as members that the old Minis uers W Piven up their portfolios, and that the new ones were Tn possession of their credentials of Xe. The morning papers had been read with Seat care, and it only now remain^ for the Smes of the new Cabinet to ba confirmed by .Parliamentary proceedings, ^tmbers were^ not long in doubt. The portly form of Colonel Taylor rose, and he moved for new writs fox Bucking- hamshire, in the room of Mr. Disraeli, who had accepted the office of Chancellor of her Majesty s Exchequer and Under-Secretary of the Treasury, for Cambridge University, in the room of Mr. Walpole, who had accep ted the office of S ecr etary for the Home Department; for King's Lynn, in the room of Lord Stanley, who had accepted the office or Foreign Secretary, &c. This was so exactly to the purport of the list given in the papers that it excited no sensation. A slight murmur was heard in the Opposition benches when Viscount Cranborne's name was given as Secretary for India. An untried man in such a position," you heard whispered. But this died away in cheers from all parts of the House when Sir Hugh Cairns was mentioned as Attorney- General-a compliment due to the learned gentle- man's great ability, and his mild and moderate tone in debate. The only other feature notice .Ue was when Lord Royston and Lord Burleigh's names, as having offices in the household, inter- vened between great officers of State; and then the members laughed. The strength or weakness of the new Govern- ment will soon be matter for consideration. Some days must yet pass before they are legitimately in, harness. I will not, therefore, comment upon what is to be, but leave the subject for discussion when the secrets of the Cabinet are divulged.

ON BOARD THE GREAT EASTERN.

GREAT BOAT-RACE AT NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE…

FENIAN PRISONERS.

THE GRAND NATIONAL BIFLE MEETING.

OUR "CITY" ARTICLE. ;-

ENGAGEMENTS AT MUNCHENQRA…

Money Market.

The Corn Trade.

Meat and Poultry Markets.

Fruit and Vegetables.

London Produce Market.

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