impossible for a man so to guard his lips that his language shall
not sometimes be misunderstood by dull men, and sometimes
misrepresented by dishonest men. I do not, I say, blame him for
having used those expressions: but I do say that, knowing how
his own expressions had been perverted, he should have hesitated
before he threw upon men, not less attached than himself to the
cause of law, of order and property, imputations certainly not
better founded than those to which he is himself liable.

And now, Sir, to pass by many topics to which, but for the
lateness of the hour, I would willingly advert, let me remind the
House that the question before us is not a positive question, but
a question of comparison. No man, though he may disapprove of
some part of the conduct of the present Ministers, is justified
in voting for the motion which we are considering, unless he
believes that a change would, on the whole, be beneficial. No
government is perfect: but some government there must be; and if
the present government were worse than its enemies think it, it
ought to exist until it can be succeeded by a better. Now I take
it to be perfectly clear that, in the event of the removal of Her
Majesty's present advisers, an administration must be formed of
which the right honourable Baronet the Member for Tamworth will
be the head. Towards that right honourable Baronet, and towards
many of the noblemen and gentlemen who would probably in that
event be associated with him, I entertain none but kind and
respectful feelings. I am far, I hope, from that narrowness of
mind which makes a man unable to see merit in any party but his
own. If I may venture to parody the old Venetian proverb, I
would be "First an Englishman; and then a Whig." I feel proud of
my country when I think how much ability, uprightness, and