shallow contributions of many men of im- their functions are. Each of them, in perfect knowledge and superficial under- nine-tenths of the things which he has standing, than would be produced by the to do, is virtually absolute in his own calm and elaborate exposition of one loftier department. A number of cases come bemind. For the last half century the nation fore him daily in which he must act at once has done its own work. The union with and upon his own judgment and responsiIreland was probably the last great act of bility. Most of these may be routine matindividual legislative statemanship. Catho- ters, or may appear unimportant; but each lic emancipation was extorted by the Irish decision may carry with it fearful consepeople. Parliamentary reform was carried quences. Parliament gives or refuses to by the English people. The re-organization each minister certain funds for special purof the Poor-law was the work of men out of poses, but there its action and control cease; parliament and scarcely heard of at the the funds are spent as the minister thinks time they studied the subject, elaborated best. The Commander-in-Chief has the apthe plan, informed and prepared the coun- pointment of generals in various quarters: try, while ministers were scarcely per- he may appoint a plausible fool or a supersuaded to adopt so bold, masterly, and com- annuated friend, and the result is and has plete a measure. And the last great change been sad reverses, fearful slaughter, perilous in the spirit and direction of our policy discomfiture. From indolence, prejudice, the adoption of Free Trade-was due to no or incapacity, he may so mismanage the insection of statesmen, but solely to the mid-ternal organization of the army, that when dle classes and their self-elected leaders. an emergency arises we have scarcely a It is not, then, chiefly for the purpose of regiment fit for efficient service; he may comprehensive and philosophic legislation retain flint guns when every other nation that we require public men of superior and has adopted percussion-caps; he may stick commanding ability, but for the purposes of close to miserable muskets when everywhere government and administration. Incapacity else they have been superseded by improved in this department the floating talent and rifles; he may allow our ordnance to fall sense of the country cannot supplement, or so far behind the age as to become our own can do so only imperfectly and at enormous dread and our enemy's laughing-stock; he cost. Incapacity in this department is pro- may dress our soldiers so that they cannot ductive of the most fruitful suffering and march, and mount our cavalry so that they evil; it may continue to work its mischief cannot charge. All this has been done; for months and years before it is discovered much of it is said to be done now. Nay and proclaimed; yet the press can do no-more, he not only may commit many of thing but expose it, and Parliament can do these errors, it is probable that he will. nothing but discard the actual delinquents Inaction is always easier and often safer than and replace them by others who may be no less incompetent. The functions and the "The far greater proportion of the duties which powers of ministers, even in this country, are performed in the office of a minister are and where they are so constantly badgered and must be performed under no effective responsibility. so closely watched, are vast and appalling. matter in question, and so long as there is no flagrant Where politics and parties are not affected by the A thousand eyes a are constantly observing neglect or glaring injustice to individuals which a them, a thousand tongues constantly calling party can take hold of, the responsibility to Parliathem to account, with all the vigilance of ment is merely nominal, or falls otherwise only through casualty, caprice, and a misemployment of mingled envy, animosity, and patriotism; the time due from Parliament to legislative affairs. yet how small a proportion of their daily Thus the business of the office may be reduced within actions ever come to light or become the a very manageable compass, without creating public subject of public animadversion! How still be evaded; by shifting them on other departments scandal. By evading decisions wherever they can fewer are discovered, reprehended, and coun- or authorities, where by any possibility they can be teracted, before they have run a long course shifted; by giving decisions upon superficial exami of misery and mischief! We imagine that nations, categorically, so as not to expose the supera hostile and ambitious opposition affords us ficiality by propounding the reasons; by deferring questions till, as Lord Bacon says, they resolve a sufficient guarantee against matters going themselves; by undertaking nothing for the public much or long amiss. We are deplorably good which the public voice does not call for; by mistaken: it affords us, indeed, a security conciliating loud and energetic individuals at the exthat ministers will act under a nervous attract attention; by sacrificing everywhere what is pense of such public interests as are dumb, or do not sense of responsibility, and probably, there feeble and obscure to what is influential and cogniz fore, with conscientiousness and caution; able; by such means and shifts as these the funcbut it affords, and can afford, no security tionary may reduce his business within his powers, that they will act with judgment or discre- all reputations in this line of life-that of being 'a and perhaps obtain for himself the most valuable of tion. Let us consider for a moment what safe man."-The Statesman, by Henry Taylor, p. 151.

activity; changes are troublesome, unwelcipal officials; yet the country may know come and costly; and it requires some nerve nothing of it for years, and when informed to face a Parliamentary debate on an in- of it, can do nothing but dismiss the offendcreased item in the estimates. Thus, with ers and appers who may be to the out the public knowing, without Parliament full as incapable. All this, too, our recent vituperating, our army may fall into utter annals may amply illustrate. The Colonial inefficiency, while appearances are well kept Secretary has, if possible, still greater power up; and the nation may be suddenly of irresponsible, unchecked, and undiscover awakened from its apathy to trace, when able mischief. He governs, nearly autoit is too late, defeat and discredit to ad- cratically, forty dependencies, some of them ministrative incapacity, and to find itself larger than the mother-country, whose dearcalled upon at a tremendous cost to redeem est interests he may irreparably damage, the consequences of having trusted a lazy or whose safety he may jeopardize, and whose incompetent commander. It would be in-affections he may alienate by an injudicious. vidious to specify too closely; but recent despatch, a careless decision, or a bad aphistory and present circumstances may sup-pointment. He may destroy the property ply to every one the needed commentary of hundreds, he may undermine the comand confirmation. Again, the first Lord of merce of a district, he may produce or the Admiralty, and his chief Secretary, de- prolong wars of the most irritating and uncide what stores shall be laid in, and how profitable kind, as in New Zealand and at and whence: what ships shall be built and the Cape; he may act over again on a commissioned, how they shall be manned and small scale, the complicated blunders and armed, who shall command them, and where sad catastrophes of 1776; and the country they shall be sent. If this is done, as we which he is ruining can neither detect nor know it often is done, without discernment control him. His power of mischief is alor discretion, consequences may ensue which most equal to that of the father of evil. All it will require years of care and millions of this, again, the annals of Canada, Australasia, money to obliterate. Not only may the and Jamaica, shew to be no mere, no specupublic money be infamously and unavail-lative possibility, but in some degree, in ingly squandered, but public servants may some form, in some quarter, a matter of be drowned or poisoned by wholesale. An yearly occurrence. The same remarks will ill-appointed vessel, under an incompetent apply with almost equal force to the Govercommander, may go down with a whole nor-General of India, on whose judgment regiment of soldiers on board. A reckless the most momentous questions as to war or hot-headed captain, whose character the and peace in our Eastern empire almost Admiralty ought to have known, may in- hourly depend. How much depends on the volve us in a dangerous quarrel-possibly soundness of this judgment, let Burmah, in a costly war. Mismanagement or mis- Scinde, Cabul, and the Punjab, testify.-At placement of our naval strength may ex- home, indeed, we can watch the Home Sepose our own shores to imminent and deadly cretary more closely, and check him some risk, may compromise our long established what more promptly, yet, in nearly everymaritime supremacy, and compel us to sub- thing that relates to the administration of mit to insult which at the moment we are justice and the disposal of criminals, what unprepared to resist. Hundreds of thou- a mass of vital arrangements depends upon sands of pounds, which might have com- his secret and absolute fiat! What shall missioned a dozen ships, and raised the be done with condemned offenders; whether wages and satisfied the wishes of whole and whither they shall be transported, or crews of deserving seamen, may be frittered in what hulks they shall be confined; what away in building ships that will not sail, system of prison discipline shall be adopted, and then cutting them into two again; in and to whom the carrying out of experi constructing iron steamers which will not ments on which so much depends shall be stand round shot, and are therefore wholly confided; what criminals shall be left for useless; or in making vessels too large for execution, and whose sentences shall be retheir engines, and ordering engines too heavy mitted or commuted ;-all these things are for the ships. Hundreds of thousands more decided, not by Parliament, nor by the may be wasted from the want of a simple country, but by one man and his subordisystem of checks and vouchers, such as nates, who act as they think proper, and every private establishment possesses, but whose capacity and wisdom are therefore such as Mr. Ward's celebrated circular be- questions of national importance, second trayed the absence of in the navy. All certainly to none. And, to conclude, what this may be directly traceable to the negli- fearful contingencies often hang upon the gence, ignorance, or incapacity of the prin- Iright or wrong decision, the tact, the for

bearance, the firmness, the temper, the dis-polished and fastidious circles. They have cretion of the Foreign Secretary, whose line shrunk still more than the Tories from geof conduct is fixed upon in the secrecy of nuine and liberal alliances with men of no his own cabinet, and whose proceedings are family or rank, even when these men had seldom known to the country till many rendered them the most signal aid in their months after they have been in operation, political contests, and were far superior to and till their results, however mischievous, themselves in administrative and parlia have long been wholly irremediable. A mentary ability. They have always been European war the extent, the termination, noted for breeding in and in; and the usual and the significance of which no prophet consequences of such exclusiveness have can foresee may depend, and has ere now followed. Even Burke, it is remembered, depended, on the conduct, temper, and opi- the great political philosopher of his day, nions of one single man whom we place at and long the ornament and the strength of the head of this particular department. the Whig party a man whose name will And shall we be satisfied to have only a live in reverence when all his colleagues and few mediocre and untried men to select him contemporaries are forgotten-was never adfrom?? mitted to a seat in the cabinet, but, when When such are the tremendous and his party came into power, was unworthily though not irresponsible yet certainly uncon- delegated to one of those offices of secondtrolled-powers which we place in the hands ary influence and emolument reserved for of those who administer our national affairs, able and indispensable, but untitled allies. when every decision which they take in- Since that time, Poulett Thomson and Husvolves the welfare and happiness of thou- kisson are, we believe, the only unconnected sands, when the country may be called upon plebeians (out of the legal profession) who to expiate, with its dearest lives and its have ever attained the dignity of cabinet richest treasure, every blunder they may ministers among the Whigs; and the first commit through imperfect knowledge, or in- of these reached that post only by slow deadequate capacity, who shall say that we do gress, and through the personal friendship of not require in our public men the most com- a simple-minded and honourable man, (Lord manding ability-powers the most special Althorp,) and held it only for a short period. and the most rare? The magnitude of the Whenever a popular leader has attained interests at stake cannot be exaggerated; such eminence in Parliament that he cannot the talents required for the task can scarcely safely or decently be passed over, it has been be estimated by too high a standard. The customary to offer him some minor post, the wellbeing of a nation, and of that portion acceptance of which, though it might ultiof human progress which it influences and mately lead to further advancement, would decides, has to be provided for. How cau- impose upon its holder the duty of defendtious, and how deliberately tested ought to ing the measures of his principals, and sharbe the choice of those to whom it is con- ing in the disgrace attached to their improfided; how rich, numerous, varied, and priety, clumsiness, or failure, without conselect, should be the list of candidates out ferring upon him the smallest share in the of whom our election must be made! previous discussion or concoction of them. These considerations may lead us to perceive the dangers which threaten us from the paucity and poverty of administrative materials which we have explained above: it remains to inquire into a few of the causes whence this poverty has arisen, and into the quarter in which a remedy for it is to be sought.

Such posts are very properly offered to ris ing men of promise; but on such they are rarely bestowed by the Whigs. Such posts can scarcely be proposed to men whose character is high, whose position is made, whose talents have already won for them wide influence and independent power, without something approaching to insult. Mr. It is customary to attribute this scanty Cobden, for example, was perhaps too young supply of public men in a great measure to and too inexperienced, in 1846, for an office the aristocratic exclusiveness of the two of first-rate dignity and power, though fifteen great parties which have hitherto divided years older than Mr. Pitt when he was the power and management of the State be- Prime Minister, and than Mr. Peel when Setween them. The Whigs, in particular, it cretary for Ireland;-yet how would it is alleged, have always been notorious for have been dignified or decent for him, with unwillingness to admit to a real boná fide his position as a party leader, his vast influparticipation in either the honours or emolu-ence in the country, and a high character ments of office any but those who were to lose or to confirm, to have accepted the connected with their chiefs by family ties, offered vice-presidency of the Board of Trade, or who had the privilege of moving in their with no seat in the cabinet, and conse

quently with no control over the proceed-age has brought no experience and little enings of a ministry who might drag him lightenment? We might go on through a through any dirt and cover him with any long list; but it is needless, and would obloquy? Till our great political chiefs sound invidious. It would be difficult to recognise and bend to the necessity of en- name a single man of the middle class in listing in their service, on honourable and Parliament who has displayed any superior generous terms, and thus training in time ability, and who is not either in office, or by for future eminence, all rising politicians, some peculiarity or defect, obviously unfitof whatever rank, who display promising ted for it. Mr. Shiel, Mr. Wyse, Mr. Ward, capacity till they can stoop to renew their were all in office, till they accepted diplomaworn-out blood from that middle class tic posts. Mr. Hawes was in office till, which is so rich in strong and practical after repeated failures, he sank in despair ability our supply of statesmen can scarcely upon his present feather bed. Mr. Baines be otherwise than scanty. and Mr. Strutt have been in office, and will

There is considerable truth in this com- be, we trust, again. And Charles Buller, plaint, though, perhaps, something exag- an abler man than any, would probably have gerated. It is certainly much to be desired, risen to high position but for his premature that the ministers who are to rule the coun- death. Mr. Wilson is in office, or has lately try should be chosen from as wide a basis as been; who will say, that Mr. Bright, Mr. possible, and that neither wealth, rank, nor Cobden, or Mr. Roebuck, ought to be? In connexions, should be regarded as indispen- the present state of affairs, we do not besable pre-requisites for high office-wherever lieve, that if the constituencies will send up middle-class men have in them the materials middle-class men qualified for office, there of statesmen they should be appointed as is much fear of their being passed over. freely as any others. But does the fault lie There may, indeed, be a lingering indisposialtogether with those who have the disposal tion to appoint them to the highest posts; of official places? Have the middle classes but to these they must fight their way by sent up to Parliament men trained and qua- convincing the country of their pre-eminent lified for statesmanship? Have the sober qualifications. England will not see her wisdom, the cautious views, the comprehen- destinies intrusted to a second-rate noble sive knowledge, the wide and liberal instruc- man, while a commoner of unquestionable tion, the capacity for seeing all sides of a superiority and fitness stands beside him question, and for looking beyond superficial ready for the task. But the mistake seems appearances and immediate and transitory to be, to assume that popular leaders and consequences have these, the peculiar qua- skilful orators have necessarily any stateslities which mark a man out as fit for office, manlike qualities or capacities about them. been also the qualities specially sought for Probably in five cases out of six their apby the middle classes, and peculiarly hon- pointment would be scarcely more fatal to oured in their representatives?-Have not, the country than to their own fame. on the contrary, the shallow, the noisy, A more really operative cause of the the violent, the flashy, the men of narrow phenomenon we are deploring, may be vision and imperfect education, the men who found in the gradually increasing tendency echoed, rather than the men who opposed, among our ablest and most fitting men to the passions and prejudices of the place and retire from Parliament, and shrink from hour, been chosen by preference for Parlia- public life. Many causes contribute to ment? How many members have been strengthen and to spread this tendency. In sent up by the middle classes, from among the first place, Parliament is no longer as their own ranks, out of whom statesmen comfortable or desirable a place as formerly. could be made to whom ministers, without The work is far harder, the dignity far less, rashness, and without guilt, could intrust the the collateral and sinister advantages far headship of any department? Is it the fewer and more uncertain than they used to stump-orator" from the Tower Hamlets? be. The labour imposed upon those memIs it the medical, or the fashionable, member bers who really endeavour to do their duty for Finsbury? Is it the gentleman who sits for to their constituencies and their countryBolton, so modest, and so highly educated? and no others can long retain their seats-is Or the gentleman who sits for Ashton, so re- so severe, that only the strongest frames can nowned for his sincerity? Is it the dethron- bear it, and only the most obstinate ambied Railway King who represents Sunder- tion will encounter it. Our Senators have land? Or the golden calf who represents to work as hard as the followers of some of one of the Newcastles? Is it the apostle of the most highly paid professions; and they temperance who sits for Derby or the reap no emolument, little fame, and few honourable member for Montrose, to whom thanks. They have to stay in town all sum

66

mer, and to sit up nearly all night. They to public shame; it was there that sound have often to put a strong control on their views of policy were argued and inculcated, own feelings, and severe restrictions on their and sound principles of morality disseown tastes. They have to be considerate minated through the national mind. Parlia and courteous to all their constituents, to ment was not only the great guardian, but endure the caprices of the fretful, the com- the great educator of the people. Now, the plaints of the captious, the exactions of the Press has superseded many of the functions unreasonable, and often the insults of the of Parliament, and performs them far more vulgar. The title of M.P. used to be a di- ceaselessly and efficiently than Parliament ploma of distinction: it is now too frequent- could do. It ferrets out abuses, exposes ly only the badge and livery of servitude. jobs, and detects secret iniquities and negliFormerly, it meant access into the best so-gences, and strips naked hypocrisies and ciety, a share in the deepest national in- shams. It represents grievances, denounces terests, admission behind the scenes of the oppressions, diffuses information, examines most exciting drama. Now, it signifies, for doctrines, and inoculates the country with the vast majority of those who hold it, no- them. Public meetings too, associations thing but enrolment in a miscellaneous herd and organizations out of doors, do much to of over-worked and unremunerated drudges. prepare, to instruct, and to inform. In every Formerly, too, a seat in Parliament often town, and every circle of society, men who gave a man the means of providing for him- in Parliament would be dumb and powerself, generally of providing for his friends: less, are actively at work in forming and now, happily and righteously, these igno- spreading their own opinions. It has beminions and underhand perquisites are near- come easier to act upon Parliament through ly all swept away. What wonder then that the nation, than upon the nation through the the quiet, the unambitious, the self-respect- Parliament. Hence it has begun to be ing those who, undazzled by the hollow generally felt, that unless a man be endowed splendour, and undeceived by youthful with some rare and special faculties, of dreams, can calmly measure the object which oratory is the first, and a peculiar soagainst the price, the gain against the sacri- cial tact the second, he will be actually more fice should incline to keep out of an arena influential out of Parliament than in it. where so much is to be endured, and, un- Those who have had an opportunity of less for the exceptional few, so little to be tracing back public movements to their achieved! What wonder that one, eminent origin, are well aware how many of the alike in literature and in Parliament, should most important of them are due to men of write thus of the latter life:"There is whom the world never hears, but yet gifted little reason, in our opinion, to envy those with great ability, and that peculiar ability who are still engaged in a pursuit from most adapted for the public service, who which, at most, they can only hope that, by study in quiet and in patience the great social relinquishing liberal studies and social plea- questions of the day, form their views upon sures, by passing nights without sleep, and them, and then, either by writing or conversummers without one glimpse of the beau- sation, contrive to indoctrinate others with ties of nature, they may attain that laborious, them; while ostensible Members of Parlia that invidious, that closely watched slavery, ment become the unconscious instruments which is mocked with the name of power." and mouthpieces of these silent and obscure There is another reason, less selfish and politicians. Both in the higher and the midmore creditable, which induces many men dle ranks may be found numbers scattered peculiarly qualified to influence, to guide and through the land, whose minds are incesto instruct the country, to retire from public santly occupied with public interests, whose life and seek out other channels of patriotic views are far profounder, whose knowledge usefulness. Parliament is no longer the sole, of affairs is greater, whose mastery of nor the chief arena in which public service subjects is more complete, and whose accan be rendered. Formerly, Parliament tual influence on the world's march is was the only place in which the national more real and more powerful, than is ever work was done; a warning voice, if raised attained by those who are prominent before anywhere else, was like that of one crying the country, and who are its nominal rulers in the wilderness; wisdom and information, and administrators. speaking elsewhere than at St. Stephen's, spoke without an audience or an echo. It was there that public grievances were made known; it was there that freedom and justice were defended; it was there that public delinquents were brought to public trial and

But not only are the best men often unwilling to go to Parliament-the constitu encies are often unwilling to send them there. Those who would make the best legislators and administrators are not always adapted to the tastes or malleable to the purposes of