NEWS OF THE WEEK.
the Liberals in England, Easter is kept sacred from political agitation. In Ireland, Mr. O'CONNELL holds daily meetings on the subject of Poor-laws, Tithes, and the Registries. It is a Matta of the least possible importance whether the decisions of these assemblies be for or adverse to the Government measures, as it is certain that Ministers will encounter no really formidable opposition from Mr. O'Cosistann and the Irish Members of his party; and on this side of the Channel Irish agitation excites no Interest. It has been long since discovered, that the chief end and aim of the party called " Liberal " in Ireland, is to maintain the Whigs in possession of place and patronage, on a friendly un- derstanding with themselves—not the settlement of any of the questions which vex the land. The Tories are exhibiting Sir FRANCIS BURDETT at large dinner-parties in the North. That eccentric Baronet, accompa- nied by Sir GET:411 SINCLAIR, and by young Lord MainsroNs,
whose recent with O'Cosisient. seems to have entitled him t. the honour of moving in sir+ distinguished company, is going a round of visiting, commen. : with Leeds, and to end at Liver- pool or Stockport. The travellers appear to enjoy the occupa- tion prodigiously; and, in return for flattery and rations, rail at O'Cotestann and the "shabbiest of Ministries" with exceeding unction and volubility. The ancient Baronet spouts forth his well-worn phrases about the glorious constitution, liberty, and so forth, after the Westminster fashion of a bygone day. Sir GEORGE SINCLAIR deals sly blows against the Whigs and their Liberal supporters; while Lord MAIDSTONE atones for modest tameness in the House of Commons by bold attacks on the absent Agitator. The proceedings, it must be confessed, are amusing; and it is ludicrous to see the Tories flocking round BURDETT, and hailing "Westminster's Glory" and HORNE Tom's disciple as their champion. The fact illustrates the truth of some shrewd remarks by Sir GEORGE SINCLAIR on the inconsistency and contradiction ?Mich general professions in politics may cover. Except, perhaps, in his estimate of a very few individuals, it would be difficult to point out any glaring discrepancy between BURDETT'S former and his present language; which has pleased opposing parties, and is intended to convey a different meaning now to that which it formerly bore. It is in the North of England that the chief strength of the Liberals has been supposed to lie ; but who will venture to affirin that the most eloquent supporter of the MELBOURNE Administra- tion could make the tour of Yorkshire and Lancashire, like old Buerstrr? O'CosINEnn himself would not hazard the experi- ment in 1838, which was so triumphant in 1835. He ascertained the change in English sympathies at 'Birmingham, last Christ- mas ; a change created by the 'discovery that he was not "time man of the People," in all circumstances and seasons, but the de- voted adherent of the Whigs, for limited and temporary objects.
