THE NEW CABINET. [From the Times.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 138, 25 November 1846, Page 3

THE NEW CABINET. [From the Times.]

As the Cabinet, of course, professes to be only a revival of the old Whig cabinet, it admits of no other criticism than a general enquiry into the merits of such a revival. Before we drop a word on that subject, it may be as well to relate whatever has come to our knowledge of a nature to throw light on the construction of the Cabinet as it now stands. We believe we may say that Lord John Russell has spared no pains to increase its strength by the addition of new elements. On receiving her Majesty's commands to form a ministry, he sought an interview with Sir R. Peel. The ex-Premier received him with every sign of cordiality, gave him the general promise of assistance, and undertook that he would not oppose any measures Lord John Russell might bring forward, simply because they proceeded from that quarter. To this he added expressions, the force of which may have been overrated, but which implied the absence of all wish for a return to power. On this it is said Lord John Russell ventured to ask for what he considered a fair pledge of Sir Robert's sincerity. He requested that the ex-Minister would acquiesce in three oi his late colleagues, whobe names our readers will probably anticipate — Lord Dalhousie, Lord Lincoln, and Mr. Sydney Herbert — accepting seats in the new cabinet. To this Sir Robert is said to have replied, that he felt unwilling to interfere in so delicate a matter, that he would offer no opposition, but would certainly not recommend a step which would be liable to unfavourable comment, as indicating a too great tenacity of office on the part of those youthful statesmen. Lord J. Russell returned on Wednesday from Osborne House, charged with the expression of her Majesty's wishes that the Duke of Wellington would still continue in the command of the army. To this request his Grace yielded a dutiful compliance, in conformity with his views under somewhat similar circumstances in 1837 ; at the same time be said he considered his political Jife now ended, and that he should never now open his lips in Parliament, except on subjects connected with his office. Lord John Russell hereupon ielt encouraged to make the same request he had previously made to Sir Robert Peel with imperfect success. The Duke at first returned much the same answer as his late colleague ; he was subsequently, however, induced to give his conseut to a letter of which Lord John sent copies to the above-mentioned three members of the retiring cabinet. Their replies left Lord John Russell hope of their assistance as members of his government. Some of our readers will possibly be grieved to find (hat a cabinet which has risen into power on the back of the measure carried by the League, should bear so little outward sign of sympathy with that body. In the first place, however, they will discover some pledge that their misgivings are not founded in facf, in the circumstances that Lord Grey now views in a more favourable light, the difficulties which led him to break with the cabinet attempted last December. The question, too, of offering a seat to Mr. Cobden ; received, we are informed, a long and repeated discussion. Of course, the admission of a great and triumphant agitator to the councils of Majesty, and the executive government of the nation, was a proposal likely to present some unfavourable aspects to persons such as ministers — whig or conservative — usually are. We have reason to suppose that no unbecoming jealousy was displayed. There are circumstances, however, which will occur to all our readers, as offering at least a temporary impediment in the way of that gentlemau's acceptance of office. His business, it is well known, is one peculiarly dependent on personal superintendence, so much so that Mr. Cobden himself considers a period of political retirement necessary to make amends for the loss he has suffered by his generous devotion to a public cause ; and on the same grounds a magnificent subscription has been set on foot by his friends and admirers. However, a communication has, we believe, been made by Lord John Russell, with the acquiescence of his intended colleagues, expressing his deep sense of Mr. Cobden's services and conse-

quent claims, and conveying also the prospective offer of a seat in the cabinet, contingent on Mr. Cobden finding himself some day in sufficient health and wtalth to discharge that great responsibility without danger to his life or fortune. Proposals have also, we have reason to believe, been made to two other prominent members of the League ; and although in one case they have been, also from private reasons, unsuccessful, it is not improbable that at least one gentleman who has distinguished himself by his advocacy of corn law repeal, will enter Lord John Russell's government. The cabinet which has resulted from these negociations and failures of negociations is not more aristocratic- than cabinets usually are, and therefore need not on that account excite the suspicions of the most thorough going friend of the people. That it does not contain more cf the popular element is clearly not owing to any lingeiing spirit of exclusion in the leader. He has done his best to give it a comprehensive character, but found himself limited to the personnel of which it was inevitable that a whig ministry should be composed. It deserves, what it will probably obtain, a fair trial at the hands of all parties. We are not aware of any particular objection to which it is liable, unless it be the right hon. haronet selected for that very arduous and important place, the board of control. Surely it was not necessary to inflict on us, by his return to that office, the painful recollections of his former most unfortunate official career, especially when his qualifications are such as to assure us that his failure was something more than misfortune.