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    in gold and hope . The precious metal has been found in South Australia , hitherto supposed to be bare of the precious metal ; and the quantities sent in from the Victoria digging ! T ^ $ P ^ moun t ' Some twenty tons are come , or coming to England * Discovery is advancing both in CJeptral Africa and Arctic America . The Isabel has discovered at least one part where Ffanjflin w ^ s nQf , and has all but ascertained that Greenland is insular .

    Overweg and Barth have extended the knowledge of Bornou and Begharme , and have discovered a new path for commerce to our allies in that wild and difficult country , where the Americans are already making way .

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    THE PARLIAMENT OF THE WEEK . IjAST week , the Opposition flung down its defiance , and the Ministry picked it up , meeting the challenge by substituting a resolution similar to that framed by Mr . Villiers , minus the important affirmation of the wisdom and justice of the Free-trade measures of 1846 , 1847 , and 1848 ;—in fact , a resolution amounting simply to an adoption of Free-trade policy , and reserving to themselves the task of carrying it out in their own manner . So far the field was clear for the combat , and both parties in both Houses have not been slow to engage . The first skirmish happened in the House of Lords , on Monday . The Marquis of C : la : nbicakde , in rather a prosy speech , wished to be informed as to the measures Ministers intended to submit during the session of 1852-3 . He also pointed out , that whereas the Premier had promised that the financial statement of the Ministerial views should be made on the 26 th , yet the Chancellor of the Exchequer had , in another place , given notice of a motion embodying those views . Would Lord Derby inform the House of the way in which he intends to bring the Free-trade question before them either before or after the 26 th .

    Lord Deebt was not slow to rise . But before he answered the question , he thought it necessary to recapitulate the circumstances attending their accession and continuance in office , how he had stood pledged to refer the question to the country for decision , how the country had decided adversely to him , how he had promised an autumn session for Parliament to close the controversy for ever , and how they were met for that purpose . He had resolved to be guided by the sense of the community at large ; the Queen's Speech showed how Ministers had adopted that guidance ; and any ambiguity in the Queen ' s Speech had been removed by his own speech on the address , and that of Mr . Disraeli In the other House . Language could not be

    more explicit than that contained in those speeches . 3 $ ut he had not thought it right to rest upon a declaration only . They had announced that a full and detailed account of their financial and fiscal measures would hi ? laid before Parliament on the 26 th . Ministers bad been perfectly satisfied to rest until the 2 (> th , when facts , not words , would prove their sincerity . Hut a member of the Opposition had given notice ; of his intention to move an abstract resolution , couched in terms which " with honour and credit it was impossible that Government and its supporters could accede . " As a pledge for the future , it went no * further than tho iiinendnient which , " for tho purpose of recording the intentions and opinions of fhe House , " the Chancellor of the Exchequer had placed on the notice paper .

    " T know not ; , ofeour . se , what views may bo in the contemplation of those by whom that , motion has been brought , forward . If the intention were to overthrow tho present Government before the period at which they . should have had tin opportunity of developing and explaining their policy , I only hope that in that case the honourable gentleman who moves the resolution ami the hea (( n of those various sections into which the opposition in the House of Commons i . s divided , have ! well considered the full amount of the responsibility which they bnvo taken upon themselves-- that , they have considered , not how they may combine tho largest , amount of force Tor the purpose of overthrowing the Government , hut that , they have conni < lored the interests of the country ; and whet . her , if that Government he overthrown , they have among them tho

    materials of concert , of unity ol action , and intention , which is necessary < o form another Government , mid to preserve the country from the inconvenience of a ministerial interregnum . It may he that they have no intention of taking upon themselves Mich a" responsibility , or of seeking to overthrow the Government ; and if that ho ho , then , considering that this motion can do nothing towards jillirming the principle further than we are ready and willing to allirin that principle ourselves -then , my lords , I say that if it he not intended to overthrow , hut , only to weaken and discredit tho Government , by forcing upon them a resolution in terms offensive to them and their supporters , and if that ho tho only intention which the movers have in view , 1 have then great confidence in . the House of Commons and in tho country that they will not uuuetion or support u proceeding , -which , if that bo ita

    intention , must be purely factious , and , if it be successful , must involve very stFifious difficulties to the country . " He concurred fti "' thinking they had met to decide the controversy : Ijjfinisters would stand or fall by the measures to fte proposed on the 26 th ; but he had no indention of submi $ ang any measures to that House b ' efoi'e Christmas . "liord Ci-ANEICAUDE replied ; ridiculing the idea that Ministers as good as the present . at least could not be fb uiwL . Lord WoDEHOtJSE was rather severe upon the

    conduct of Lord Derby . He had said that the resolution of the Opposition was factious . Was the noble lord in a condition to make that charge ? If Mr . Villiers was factious , what ought to be said of Lord Derby , from whom , on account of his equivocal conduct since 1846 , it was thought necessary to extract pledges for the future not usually demanded of Ministers of the Crown . Obviously , and he had peculiar means of knowing , the agriculturists expected compensation ; so that if the amendment , which does not affirm the justice of the Free-trade measures , be adopted , instead of closing the controversy , we only enter on a new stage .

    " When the noble earl applied the term ' factious to the conduct of those opposed to him , Lord Wodehouse would remind him ( without any intention of imputing motives ) that his own conduct since 1846 would bear that interpretation as well as that of any man in the country . When they considered the way in which he broke up the Ministry of Sir Robert Peel in 1846 , and remembered his declarations year after year to the farmers that he would stand by protection , and then saw the manner in which , when lie was called upon to take office in 1851 , he declared that he would bow to the feelings of the country , he thought his conduct might be as fairly stigmatised as ' factious' as that

    of any public man at any time m this country . Considering the immense amount of abilities which all were perfectly aware was concentrated on the Government benches in . both Houses of Parliament , but particularly in that , he must say that he thought it was extremely remarkable Miat they so seldom heard the sweet voices of the noble lords opposite . It -was curious that the noble earl opposite should in debate take it upon himself , not only to reply to the speech , of the noble lord who might have immediately preceded him , but also to the speeches of all the noble lords on the opposite side of the House who had spoken before him in the course of the debate . "

    The Earl of Derby : I shall not , my lords , answer the speech of the noble baron . I do not think it necessary to make any observations on the terms , the language , the tone , or the good taste of that speech . My lords , my conduct has been before the public for the space of , I am sorry to say , now nearly thirty yeftrs , and I am not now going , in answer to the speech made by the noble baron , to defend my conduct against imputations which I feel to be utterly unworthy of him . That the noble baron will

    give me leave to think myself the best judge of , and that I do not think I have to learn from him the mode in which my personal honour should be defended . I wish to say one word in explanation to my noble friend the marquis opposite . I am sure be will acquit me of having endeavoured to interrupt him ( the Marquis of Clanricarde assented . ) I merely wished to place the discussion , which I thought might be protracted to a considerable length , upon a footing which would save the order of this House .

    Lord Wodehouse withdrawing any expressions considered as personal , and Lord Derby accepting his explanation , concluded this fight of the advanced guard . Following up tho special debate in the House of Lords came the regular battle in the Commons on Tuesday night . It was opened by Mr . Vn / LiKits , who moved the following resolutions : — " That it is the opinion of this House that the improved condition of the country , and particularly of the industrious classes , is mainly the result of recent commercial legislation , and especially of the act of 1846 , which established tho free admission of foreign corn , and that that act was » wise , just , and beneficial measure . " That it is tho opinion of this House that tho maintenance and further extension of the policy of . Free-trade , as opposed to that of Protection , will bent enable the property and industry of tho nation to bear the burdens to ' which they are exposed , and will most contribute to tho general prosperity , welfare , and contentment of the people . " That this llousu in ready to take into its consideration any measures consistent with the principles of these resolutions which may be laid before it , by lier Majesty ' s Ministers . " Mr . Villiers pointed out the position of the House in respect , of the great matter before them . As it , had not been thought , proper to move an amendment to the Address , he had risen and given notice of his intention to move the present resolutions . The paragraph in tho Queen ' s Speech hud caused universal dissatisfaction . ( Opposition cheers . ) Instead of finding something like an otlicial intimation of the Government upon tho great , matter , they found nothing except what , had been justly called an unworthy evasion of the whole mutter , ( dicers . ) Terms were used purposely to be not respectful to the

    Mouse . ( Ob , oh ! from the . Ministerial benches . ) " 1 say that most advisedly . " ( Oh , oh ! and counter cheers . ) We all Know what is meant by the expression , " 1 ' arliumciit in its wisdom . " When any one wants to satirize the House , lie refers in a sneering tone to its " wisdom . " ( Ironical laughter and counter cheers . ) 1 > id Ministers support that paragraph would be satisfactory to the Jlousep Those who did not consider it satisfactory , however , wore called " factious" by tlio Premier ; and on this account lie required a distinct ami positive declaration . He hud been aakod to wuivo hia propoeition , in order that tho Chancellor

    t SM 5 J f S £ 2 S , srS » v ~ . do with thepurpose for which they hK t ?^' been dissolved ; tfre Minister had been trieS J }** ^ and found wanting . Was it an answer to iL L'T ^ the country to sdy-If this will not do , we W & f Ct ° thing else—we have got such a wonderful cott some " he can produce a measure satisfactory to everybodf ° ^ tain medical practitioners said similar thi ££ Imperfectl y astonished that his resolution should bP as dered as factious , and framed to upset the GovernT *' Why should he implicitly trust that GovernmS *^ * could he gather its intentions from the inconsistent i . , ° of its members ? As to converts , they were To ^ mS ^ all ; they were merely acting from necessity . The ? dllll ^ they called « bow to the decision of the count ™^ a hat convenient course could not be conceived ; becausP t ° a coarse expression , it was " heads I wiii tniul i Use ( Latter . ) If you are successful , we ^ w to ttTi ^ —if we are successful , we adopt our own poliev A * n events , we remain in . ( Renewed laughter . ) ] 1 h SP / Tl ^ * 8 , * f ? howe £ tow Ministers privately stji , held to their old opinions ; how , respecting those opinion the whole country had decided ; and why was the HoUs ' of Commons to be the only place where such a dedS could not be come to ? He must persist in pressing I solutions . The amendment showe * a greaSanfe nt Ministerial ™ . What was the difference between Z two ? Merey this , * &t the former designated the repeal of the corn-laws as a juat , wise , and beneficent act 2 the proposers of the latter eonsldo red that f ^ Hmu , t before he came into the House he hSwJ « SrT ^ might resign if beaten He had not the ^ Sit idSt see the right honourable gentleman displaced . < Ta » 7 iS " I do not deny that the First Minister is a 3 f ° thorityupon what ought properl y to be called ' factw ( Laughter . ) He has been , as he said last night , thirtv years before the public , and the public have hJfhe opportunity of witnessing his conduct during that period , and I do not in the least doubt his authority on such a subject ( Eenewed laughter . ) But it still is possible for a person to be sm glemmded in his object , and to have but a sino-lo

    purpose in what he does , and it may be possible also for a person to be ready to abandon every principle and every party for the sake of power . ( Laughter . ) But I really care very little whether any credit be given to my statement or not , and do you know , that I really believe this great country would survive even if so great a calamity as the resignation of the present Government should befal it . ( Laughter . ) I should be sorry if it did occur , but I have heard of such things before . ( Laughter . ) I never yet knew a Government that was in power which was not supposed to be without a successor , and I have never seen other persons succeeding them who , within one month , did not have the same thing said of them , I am not disposed to attach so much importance to any

    Government as some people do . I have seen four or fire Governments since I have been in this House , and , so far as I have been able to judge , there has been a very strong family likeness in all of them . ( Laughter . ) This country generally does not suffer much by changes of Government . Those who succeed to power generally do that when they arc in office which they opposed when out . ( Renewed laughter . ) My opinion is , that no great genius is required to carry on tho Government . All tho important parts of the duty of tho Government are performed by public servants , of whom we hear but \ cry little ; and it must bo either a great want of judgment , or some great defect in capacity , when any Government becomes sufiiciently disabled to be displaced . ( Laughter

    and ironical cheering . ) I beg , however , to state , that in making this motion I have no conceivable object in displacing the Government . ' I do not act as a partisan ou the occasion . ( Cheers , and cries of' , oh . ' ) If it should happen that any honourable gentleman doubts niy motive , 1 shall , however , be quite reconciled to it . ( Cheers . ) If I might offer a little advice to the right honourable the Chancellor of the Exchequer , 1 would advise liini , >* my resolution is carried against him , to do no such tiling as resign . Ho should rather be thankful for it , us it will enable him to proceed in the course which he appears desirous of adopting . ( Cheers . ) The right hoiiounilile gentleman appears to bo now entering upon a career ol usefulness , and i would not have him deferred by i | l ( l

    novelty of his position from proceeding in 'hat , cure' ( Laughter . ) Ho appears now to take very much tlio same views of matters of commercial legislation us tlios " whom he formerly assailed ami denounced , and with " great talents , which would seem to be available for any purpose , 1 should be very sorry to see him removed lrom the otlice which he fills . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Koferring to the famous I'Yce-trado budget speech " 1 HM spring , aiidpointingoul , the signal and rapid advance d Ministers since they had been in olliee , Mr . Vilhers went ut great length info statements to show bow very '" ' " . "" V ^ to tho country I < Yce-tmdo had proved- He ren < , chiefly referred to a great mass of documents showing _> said , the unexampled prosperity of the country , whether ^ iiiiiiiiil ' ncl iiri'M . or airriciill . iire . Landowners . te nant-fnU'ii ,

    in id labourers had never been hotter oil ' . A" ' ¦<> , "'" V > ™ " ~ nnees of the farmers they went not those of lost I ' rote ¦¦< They always asked that " a few other things should I ><> *<¦¦ tied law of distress , the law of settlement , Icnant n . ^ and the game laws but those wore questions '" j ^ j a discussed in that , House as fanners' quest ions . I '" , ^ sympathy with the farmers ( ironical cheers ) he "" ,, 7 lU , the time come when they must bo considered nioi'o ¦ they have been . ( Cheers . ) " I cannot help "" '( ' ! j [; , . .,. ) the farmers have been a very ill-uHod class . ( ¦ j Political capital has been made ' out of their ( llHln > HH ' | ( ., | . " do not know any class of people who have been so '" " , ' (< 'boors . ) The farmers had been grossly < leceive « i r \ y ([ " friends" and never more than latterly . What n «> « should be atlirmcd was , that the prosperity ol the u , was owing to tho J ^ rco-trade measurcH , and not and emigration .

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    " 26 THE LEADER . [ SatTODay

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 27, 1852, page 1126, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1962/page/2/