The dullness of the political world negatively lends a sort
of interest to the few political displays which have taken place in theatre and diningroom. The Protectionists have had a great "demonstration" in Drury Lane Theatre, to found a kind of Anti- Anti-Corn-law League—a Dogberry and Verges association to shut the stable-door. after the robber has galloped off upon their favourite steed. The " aristocracy " are joining with the farmers to don the cast-off clothes of the League. It is remarked, how- ever, that Lord Stanley staid away,—not liking, perhaps, to be the Anteros to the Eros of the original League, Mr. Cobden.
He has selected for the display of his political opinions, in all their vigour and pride, the hospitable and neutral board of the Lord Mayor. By way of being impartial, Sir James Duke, who not long since entertained Ministers and Ministerialists, now en- tertained Lord Stanley and Protectionists ; and Lord Stanley re- paid him by a full-dress review of his Protectionist and lordly sentiments—a thundering manifesto of his standing by his order and his cause, apropos to nothing in particular.
Sir Robert Peel and his friends behaved better, when the civic hospitality came round to their turn. Although Sir James Duke was less guarded,—for an eulogy on his chief guest betrayed him into very decided avowals of political sympathy,—yet Sir Robert judiciously kept off the ground so temptingly opened to his foot- steps ; avowed himself removed in earnest from office and the party struggles for it ; eulogized his old comrades; and made a single exception to the rule of excluding contemporary politics, by an eloquent exhortation to encourage the City in its scheme to promote the redemption of Ireland.
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