CONTENTS TO THE FIRST PART Page Conversations with Lord Byron, by Lady Blessington, Nos. VI., VII. Critical Notices of the most important and valuable Works, Monthly Political Digest.-Great Britain, 125, 259, 388, 519; The Colo- nies, 128, 260, 395, 523; Foreign States, 130, 261, 396, 523. THE NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. THE POLITICIAN, NO. VIII. THE REAL STRENGTH OF THE MINISTERS CONSIDERED.-PROBABLE DIVISIONS IN THE CABINET.-MR. STANLEY'S FAULTS AND MERITS.-A VIEW OF THE POSITION OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS, AND THE NECESSITY OF AVOIDING A COLLISION BETWEEN THE TWO ASSEMBLIES.-THE PROBABLE TACTICS OF THE TORY PEERS. THE world need not be informed that the elections are now over -and an immense majority of what are termed the Whig party returned to the reformed House of Commons. Never had an English administration a stronger body of supporters in the Representative Assembly. Never, therefore, to the eye of the superficial did an English administration appear more powerful. But, examined a little closer, we shall find that what seems the cause of their strength is not unlikely to be the cause of their disunion. Am overwhelming preponderance of members are returned, engaged to the most popular opinions, and the consideration of the most popular opinions is at once forced upon the government. The Ministers run every hazard of losing the majority they have obtained unless they consent to embrace the policy to which that majority are pledged. The consequence of this is an immediate discussion among the members of the Cabinet how far to resist the Movement, or how far to advance with it. Had the proportion of reforming members been less great, it is obvious that there might have been less disagreement among the ministers; for the more Liberal would have said to the more Conservative—“ With this House of Commons we cannot carry popular measures to the extent we wish, and we are contented, therefore, with approaching to the boundary that you would appoint." The Conservative policy would have been embraced, and the very necessity of securing a dubious majority would have made the Cabinet unanimous. But the amazing strength of the liberal party, and the lengths to which they have carried their professions to their constituents, give one part of the Cabinet the courage to advance, as it strikes into the other moiety of the Cabinet the fear of proceeding. One says—“We have now the power to forward the work of good government." The other says-" Things are gone too far, now is the time to resist continued innovation;" with one it is the very moment to advance -with the other to stand still. This, we have cause to believe, is the real Jan.-VOL. XXXVII. NO. CXLV. B |