What is the nature of Lord John's Reform Bill i
Nobody knows ; although the provincial papers volunteer replies to the question, oftener than it is asked. If they are not deterred from discussing the nonexist- ent, they are kept in countenance by the highly speculative organ of the Whigs in office.
" There is no doubt," says the Globe, "that an infusion of the popular element into the Legislature will accelerate many ular reforms, to the importance of which the richer classes are often not su ciently alive. Thus, a lower franchise in rural districts will, in all probability, soon settle the Game-laws. The admission of working-men in towns will again soon compel Parliament to pay more than usual attention to the various schemes ranging from downrightSocialism to the Partnership-laws, which maned the most in- telligent of our operatives regard as means for the profitable investment of their small savings. But all these objects are as compatible with our ex- isting constitution—in a word, as thoroughly Conservative—as any measure ever intzadimed by dukes."
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