loyal subject of our gracious Queen can be. I, however, do not shut my eyes against what I see going on in society, but carefully observe passing events, and the result of my observation is, that notwithstanding there is a dribbling undercurrent of Democracy, there is a powerful Conservative stream flowing swiftly throughout the various grades of society. This remark is evidenced by the establishment of Workmen's Conservative Clubs, which, a few years since, no man would have dreamed of seeing established; while now, no class more readily recognises Conservative doctrines than does that of working

men.

There must be some reason for this, and it may be well to ascertain whether or not it proceeds from an impression that in framing recent laws and regulations respecting Free Trade-or as it is satirically designated, want of Protection to native industry-the interests of the working classes have been taken into consideration by our Legislature; or whether the speculative faculty so strongly exhibited by our present Government, and an inordinate desire for change, have led them to wander into regions, where there is an uncertainty of benefit being realized.

The tendency of the present Government has, I fear, been to alter laws beyond occasion, and without considering that Political Constitutions are seldom benefited by frequent changes.

The immense amount of time which was devoted to the Irish Church, the Irish Land, and the Education Bills, has probably caused our governors to forget that many of the poor are unemployed, that our manufacturing industries are not in a flourishing state, that our relations with foreign countries are not what they should be, also those with our colonies; that the defences of the country, and the state of our army and navy are not very efficient. And yet these matters are far more important than the disestablishment of the Irish Church, than the questionable. alterations of Irish Land Laws-and fully as important as education. Feeding the mind of the masses is essential to their future wellbeing, but if while feeding it, the body is starved, the mind becomes impaired and refuses its food, or if taken, mind and body become lost. Beyond all this it is most important that our Government should not shut their eyes to what is passing in France, but

consider well the aggressive acts of Germany, and her desire to become so great a power that she may ultimately be induced to follow in the footsteps of Frederick the Great, when we may find that the "strip of silvery sea" which divides our country from the Continent may not prove to be an impassable barrier against invasion.

I have always protested against the destruction of the Irish Church, and did all in my power to prevent the land of Ireland from being injured by injudicious legislation, not as a partisan, but from a firm conviction that the views of the Government respecting these matters were erroneous. The activity of many opponents to the Government was vivified by their horror of the sacrilegious hand laid on the Irish Church, and may have brought about a change of sentiment so far as they are concerned. Traders, whose political studies extend no further than to perceive that political excitement is not good for trade, may have caused them to alter their views of the existing Government. Convivialists of the lower orders, who only know that politics do not promote harmony and good fellowship when discussed over their

potations, may be annoyed because Government has not taken off the duty on malt, which they hold creates a monopoly in the beer trade; and there are hosts of electors of this sort whose votes count as well in elections as do those in a higher position. The middle class may be enraged with the Premier for having asserted that they were an idolized class." The dockyard labourers may be enraged at being obliged to give up their comfortable homes upon being discharged from Government employ. But whatever may be the cause there is the fact, as recent elections prove, that a re-action has set in, and that the present Government is becoming unpopular.

The Irish Church, as a branch of the English Establishment is now a thing of the past, let us, therefore, try to forget that it once existed, and stand by the Constitution as we find it, and hope there will be no more attempted innovations to distract the public mind, which is still greatly agitated. In legislating for Ireland, Mr. Gladstone has evidently adopted the views formerly entertained by Lord. Palmerston and Earl Russell, who were of opinion that if the Irish people are to be

come loyal and loving towards the Government of their country, the change must be effected through the Roman Catholic Priesthood, who are powerful, because the objects of gratitude and of reverence. Now, I submit that it is an error to the cause of good order to see the Protestant Church destroyed, and the crucifix substituted for the shillelah in Parliamentary elections. Depend upon it the time has gone by, if it ever existed, for using priestly influence for mere purposes of Statecraft. It is too late in the day to set up a spiritual police, a new sacerdotal lackeyhood. The picture of the scarlet lady is not so much admired now, as formerly. That of Protestantism is not so greatly injured, but it can still be looked upon with pleasure, and with certainty that it can be restored to its former state of beauty. I prophesy that it will live, even in Ireland, long after the Pope and his emissaries shall have ceased to preach Romish doctrines to our poor deluded Irish fellow

creatures.

Our Government are certainly in a not very enviable position, they have deputations from Democrats going out at one door, others coming in at another, and all dictating to the