to say, but the sentence was suddenly cut short by a loud "hear," we believe, from Mr. Brougham. The joke was too tempting to be lost, and the cry re-echoed through the house. "I have now said enough," repeated Mr. T. "Hear? hear! hear!" reiterated his auditors; and the result of course was irretrievable confusion. But conscious talent is not easily put down, and the individual in question was well entitled to say, like Sheridan when Woodfall told him he had failed, "I have it in me, and by G- it shall come out." His next appearance was in a debate on the everlasting Catholic question. He rose about half past seven, the least interesting hour in an interesting debate, as many of the members are then regaling at Bellamy's. The duke of Norfolk and several Catholic peers were under the gallery, watching anxiously each turn of the discussion; and a murmur of disappointment was distinctly audible, when a young and briefless barrister, with all the shame of former failure on his head, rose up to second their pretensions. It was for him an awful moment. Sink him now, and he was sunk for ever. But his cause was strong he was conscious of its strength; and on this most hacknied of all hacknied topics his views were decidedly original. Attention was rivetted, and the house was rapidly refilled. It was a clear unanswerable speech, and he sat down amidst thunders of applause. The late lord Londonderry shook him warmly by the hand, with a "Depend upon it-they'll hear you for the future ;" and the duke of Norfolk immediately requested an introduction, and was profuse in thanks and congratulations. An indifferent observer would have said, that from that moment his success was certain; and no one who has read the Morning Chronicle reports of his speeches on Sir F. Burdett's motion for an inquiry into the affair at Manchester, and on Mr. G. Lamb's motion for allowing counsel to felons, would hesitate to say, that his more recent efforts are fully equal to his second. Yet, though the house of commons are conscious of his powers, there has always been a prejudice against him, attributable partly to a vague report of his early politics, and partly from the jealousy invariably entertained by that assembly against any one whom they suspect of entering it as a political adventurer What right has any man, they naturally enough exclaim, what right has any man to come amongst us, without birth, or wealth, or high professional celebrity? Though Burkes and Cannings may bear down the cry, less-gifted men must quail before it, till a fortunate emergency occurs. The late change was such to Mr. T., and we feel assured that he will not be wanting to the opportunity. Of Mr. Shepherd we are not called upon to speak. LONDON: Printed by Littlewood and Co. |