TOPICS OF THE DAY.
LORD PALMERSTON, EDITOR OF THE DESPATCHES.
THERE is a wicked disposition in some quarters to underrate the talents of Lord PALMERSTON. The superior style in which his office is managed, and the elaborate elegance, the curiosafelicitas, with which the papers that issue from it are composed, have not yet received their full measure of fame. The public in general, indeed, are not aware of the assiduous attention which the noble Secretary pays to points which, in less fastidious eyes, would appear to be of little consequence. But his Lordship is experienced in the niceties of diplomatic intercourse, and knows the value of a choice selection of phrases. So great, indeed, is the labour he bestows upon the wording of his despatches and other official communications, that an ill-natured person might allege, that their substance was too often neglected—that principles were lost sight of in discussions, which deserve a place in the Diversions of Purley, but sound rather strangely within the walls of the Foreign Office.
This, however, is the remark of one prone to carping. If there should be the least foundation for it, the fault will doubtless be speedily corrected. Lord PALMERSTON must be aware that
‘, Chatham's language was his native tongue :"
and if he ever peruses, as we are certain he frequently must, the despatches which issued from the pen of that statesman and Foreign Secretary, he will see principles laid down, and the clearest directions conveyed, in the best language. We refer more espe- cially to his despatches to our Ambassador at the Spanish Court; and we take leave to suggest to Lord PALMERSTON, that in the present crisis of affairs in that country, nothing could possibly be so advantageous to British interests, as instructions to Mr. VIL- LIERS, our young Ambassador, framed upon their model, and con- ceived in their manly and truly English spirit.
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