In his next speech, Mr. Cross insisted on that kindly
but sometimes rather enervating characteristic of Conservatism, that in their legislation Conservatives avoid treading on the corns of their fellow-citizens. That is all very well for Lord Beaconsfield, who, as we know, despises " parochial " legislation, and would just as soon reform English institutions without touching any of the evils affecting them, as he would pluck up those evils root and branch. But Mr. Cross is a prac- tical lawyer and a practical man, who knows well, for instance, and admirably insists on the mischief of subordinating municipal institutions to political purposes ; and how he is to do any good, —whether in a Municipal Reform Bill or a Prisons Reform Bill, or any other,—without treading heavily on very tender corns, we cannot conceive. Perhaps, however, as a Conservative, Mr. Cross may be permitted to do a skilful chiropodist's work for his own party,—to cut their corns first, after which they will not be so tender to the legislative touch.
Previous page
