ABSTRACT
In his speech of reprobation against the ministers, before quoted, Lord Lyndhurst said he saw ‘but one ray of comfort shining upon’ the prospects of the country: he augured much from the character of the new sovereign. His party generally saw something brighter in the future, — more rays of comfort than one. The Melbourne Ministry was reduced to its lowest point of weakness and shame. After the elections of 1831, only six county seats had been held by Tory members, and the Whig government had a majority of 300. That majority had declined to 26; and, after the elections on the demise of the Crown, it sank again to 12. The alarm of the Whigs in office and their supporters is very evident now, to the reader of the election speeches and political pamphlets of 1837.
