The resignation of Ministers was not the only one. On
Monday, Mr. Speaker AlIERCROMBY announced, that, by reason of failing health and strength, he should not resume his laborious duties after the Whitsuntide recess. Lord JOHN RUSSELL and Sir ROBERT Pum, briefly complimented Mr. ABERCROMBY on his conduct in the chair ; which, Sir Romer said, entitled him to " public grati- tude :" and from this fair expression of approbation, we presume, there are no dissentients.
Mr. SPRING RIDE had been much talked of for Speaker, in the expected event of Mr. ARERCRONIT'S retirement ; but it was known that many Liberal Members demurred to an arrangement of which the chief advantage appeared to be the removal of an unpopular Chancellor of the Exchequer ; and it has been more wisely deter- mined to propose Mr. SHAW LEPEVRE as the Liberal candidate. Mr. GOULRURN, it is said, will be put forward by the Tories. Probably either gentleman would make a respectable and sufficient Speaker ; and it is a matter of small moment which is chosen. The state of politics differs materially from that which existed at the contest for the Speakership in 183.5. Then it was deemed of the
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utmost importance that the House of Commons should seize the earliest opportunity of declaring its resolution not to submit to the usurping Administration which the Court had forced upon the country. The then united Liberals demanded an immediate de- monstration from their Representatives of a resolution to " turn out the Tories." Much depended upon taking up a bold position at the very outset of the campaign. The division on the Speakership, was regarded as a test of the sincerity of many who were suspected of treachery. Moreover, there was an expectation that the Com- mons were about to contend earnestly tbr popular rights with the Lords ; and it was deemed essential to place in the chair a man of popular sympathies, as well as weight of character and influence in Parliament. But now, all this is changed The distinction between Whig and Tory is grown to be scarcely perceptible. It would be utterly absurd to make the election of a Speaker the point on which, as some talk, the dissolution of Parliament ought to turn.
