have a firmness of nerve, joined with a quickness of perception, a zealous enthusiasm, and a perfect command of temper, which are not often found united in the same person. These are amongst the prime qualities for a good debater in Parliament, and I know not any one who is gifted with them in a greater degree than yourself. But there are even higher qualities than these, which, if I mistake not, you possess. The tide of public opinion is just upon the turn, and you are exactly the man to give it a right impulse. We want statesmen who shall take their stand upon the high principles of religion and old English feeling,-men who shall set their face like a rock against the compromising, truckling, spirit of the day,-shall boldly attack the false notions of utilitarianism and expediency,―shall teach men to laugh to scorn the plausible dogmas of liberalism, as they laugh at the tricks of detected impostors. We want men who shall place things again on the footing of common sense and honesty,-shall force men, from very shame, to regard the sanctity of an oath, and shall arrest at once the progress of that un-Christian and un-English spirit (for all that is mean is un-English), which, for political purposes, stoops to avail itself of the fraud and

the violence of others, and countenances practices which it despises; forgetting that by so doing it renders itself equally despicable. We want men, in short, who shall raise the tone of argument and debate, and shall uphold the eternal principles of right and justice. Conservatism is good as far as it goes; but conservatism, without the energy of a higher principle, will never regain its ground. There must be an enthusiasm for God and for the truth. Our leading Conservatives are too prudent and cautious. They avoid committing themselves, it is true, but they quench the enthusiasm which is struggling to burst forth. Thousands and millions of honest hearts, I am persuaded, are ready to respond, if the right key is struck. A phalanx of true English spirits are panting to gather around a statesman who shall raise the standard of loyalty and religion. All we want is a leader of a bold, decisive spirit, who shall dash straight on to the breach. If he fail, it will be but the failure of an individual, through a generous miscalculation of the strength of good principle in the nation; but if he succeed, and marshal around him the old English spirit and sound religious feeling, which still exists,

and unite it in one concentrated focus of strength, the good which he may do is beyond the power of human calculation.

Ridley listened with interest to the outburst of his friend's political enthusiasm; and though he was not quite so sanguine as to the extent of his own powers, yet he believed in the existence of the feeling which Herbert had described, and he resolved, so far as his own endeavours were concerned, not to disappoint his friend's expectations.

The only question, now, was with regard to the probability of success in his contest for the county. Sir Arthur Ridley was not a man of half measures. When his zeal was roused in a

good undertaking, he rested not day or night till he had accomplished it. The morning sun found him far on his way to the county town of where, after a confidential communication with his man of business, and a conference with other leading persons, on whose knowledge of local politics he could depend,-having good reason to be well assured that there was a fair prospect of success, he dispatched a messenger to the

gentlemen who had been the bearers of the requisition, signifying his willingness to be put in nomination.

Rid

The contest was sharp, but easily won, ley put forth his whole power on the occasion, and the promptness and vigour of his measures, joined with his straightforward independent bearing, secured his success. Perhaps he lost a few individual votes, which might have been gained by a less decided policy; but, on the other hand, an enthusiasm was raised in his favour, which told with tenfold weight, especially as his opponent was a temporizing Whig, who sought by evasion and subterfuge to avoid committing himself to any decided line of policy.

What most surprised Ridley himself, and every one else, except his friend Herbert, was the astonishing popularity of his speaking. Herbert had calculated rightly, and augured well for the future. There is in the English character an inherent admiration of fair play, and manly straightforward dealing, which, though it may be cheated and cajoled, is ever ready to respond to the hand which touches the right chord. Ridley skilfully availed himself of this national characteristic; or rather his own natural bearing and sentiments chimed in exactly with the best feel

ings of the mingled crowds which he addressed. So that, without the sacrifice or concealment of one single principle, he stood on the height of a well-earned popularity, which is too often sought by pandering to the baser passions of a misguided multitude.

It is a mistake to suppose that popular passions are all bad passions. The English people, even the populace, have good and noble feelings, if you can but rouse and direct them.