he world has been occupied with the elections as long as they
lasted. After much disputing between the two parties as to the
actual result, it appears by an impartial examination of the
returns that the Ministers will have a majority of 30, and
possibly a little more. As the Government members always attend
better than their opponents, the working majority will probably
be usually greater than this. The Conservatives are exceedingly
triumphant at the result, and not without reason. The English
counties have made a very important demonstration in their
favour; they have not lost in the towns, and the Radicals have
been almost everywhere defeated. This latter circumstance is
exceedingly satisfactory, but the Radicals themselves do not
admit that this election affords any proof that their principles
are on the decline throughout the country. There cannot, however,
be a doubt that questions of organic change are not at present in
any degree of public favour. Charles Villiers, one of the
Radicals with whom I sometimes converse, insists upon it that the
Ballot has made great progress, but he also declares that, if
carried, it would prove a Conservative measure, and that better
men would be chosen. He predicts, however, with greater
appearance of reason, that the question of the Corn Laws will,
before long, become of paramount interest and importance, and I
am induced to think that the next great struggle that takes place
will be for their repeal.

[Page Head: TORY OPPOSITION TO THE POOR LAW.]

The Tories behaved exceedingly ill in one respect during the late
contest, and that was in availing themselves as much as possible
of the cry that has been raised against the Poor Law. No measure
of the Whig Government deserved greater credit than this, or
obtained so much unqualified praise and general support. Inasmuch
as the Tories are the largest landed proprietors, they are the
greatest gainers by the new system, and if a Tory Government
should be in power at the period of the expiration of the Act,
they will not hesitate to renew it. Nevertheless when they found
that some odium was excited in various parts of the country
against the new Poor Law and its administration, many of them did
not scruple to foment the popular discontent, and all watched its
progress with satisfaction when they saw that it was exclusively
directed against their political antagonists. It has been
remarked with truth, that Peel has observed an almost in