DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34827#0345
18.11-33.
ZA77/Z<2 Zz/Z
329
ability, and Cobbett sat in Charles Fox's seat. Better judges
than I are divided about its character. James Loch says it is
very much like the old one ; Fleming, that it is like any other
new Parliament. Sir G. Staunton, whom I sat next to last
night at tbe Dilettanti, said it was more moderate and delibe-
rate than any of five Parliaments (or sessions, I forget which)
that he had witnessed; while Mr. Charles Wynne, with whom
I walked home, said it was so deficient in courtesy that he
could scarcely fancy it the same assembly. All agree that the
members are much older than usual, though there are many
very young too, especially among the ultra-Liberals ; and all
must agree that it is likely to be very economical, and to stand
in great awe of its constituents. There seems no great fear for
Ireland, but how are they to get through with the Budget ?
' Mr. Wynne made a very good observation on the young
orators coming forward ready formed from debating societies,
instead of learning their trade in the House of Commons, which
he says makes them rhetoricians, and not business speakers.
Though there are so many bad speakers, the debates are very
interesting. I sit from five till two without impatience, and
am sorry when the adjournment is moved.
' I went on Saturday to hear O'Connell in the great room
at the " Crown and Anchor." It was a meeting of a political
union. I never was more disappointed. In the House he was
manly, not'without dignity, and never without strength, both
of matter and of elocution; but here he was a low Irish mounte-
bank, degrading himself equally by his buffoonery and his
pathos, and shocking the taste of moderately educated people,
without at all hitting that of the assembly he was addressing.
Notwithstanding his great name, he produced less effect than
Parson Wade. He was cheered often, loudly and warmly, when
he spoke of ballot and universal suffrage, or when he abused
the Ministry ; but when he left the topics on which his hearers
were, already excited, and endeavoured to interest the people
about Ireland, the real object of the meeting, he was received
with great indifference. I have been at " Nell Grwynne," a bad
play wretchedly acted, at Covent Garden; and at " Faust," a
ZA77/Z<2 Zz/Z
329
ability, and Cobbett sat in Charles Fox's seat. Better judges
than I are divided about its character. James Loch says it is
very much like the old one ; Fleming, that it is like any other
new Parliament. Sir G. Staunton, whom I sat next to last
night at tbe Dilettanti, said it was more moderate and delibe-
rate than any of five Parliaments (or sessions, I forget which)
that he had witnessed; while Mr. Charles Wynne, with whom
I walked home, said it was so deficient in courtesy that he
could scarcely fancy it the same assembly. All agree that the
members are much older than usual, though there are many
very young too, especially among the ultra-Liberals ; and all
must agree that it is likely to be very economical, and to stand
in great awe of its constituents. There seems no great fear for
Ireland, but how are they to get through with the Budget ?
' Mr. Wynne made a very good observation on the young
orators coming forward ready formed from debating societies,
instead of learning their trade in the House of Commons, which
he says makes them rhetoricians, and not business speakers.
Though there are so many bad speakers, the debates are very
interesting. I sit from five till two without impatience, and
am sorry when the adjournment is moved.
' I went on Saturday to hear O'Connell in the great room
at the " Crown and Anchor." It was a meeting of a political
union. I never was more disappointed. In the House he was
manly, not'without dignity, and never without strength, both
of matter and of elocution; but here he was a low Irish mounte-
bank, degrading himself equally by his buffoonery and his
pathos, and shocking the taste of moderately educated people,
without at all hitting that of the assembly he was addressing.
Notwithstanding his great name, he produced less effect than
Parson Wade. He was cheered often, loudly and warmly, when
he spoke of ballot and universal suffrage, or when he abused
the Ministry ; but when he left the topics on which his hearers
were, already excited, and endeavoured to interest the people
about Ireland, the real object of the meeting, he was received
with great indifference. I have been at " Nell Grwynne," a bad
play wretchedly acted, at Covent Garden; and at " Faust," a