THE Reform movement is the great question of 1859. That is now acknowledged by all parties. This position is at least in advance of that held by Reform for some past years. Enveloped in mists of promises its form could scarcely be seen, and can scarcely be seen yet; only we have hope that it will take consistency and shape during the present year.

Four parties exist prominently in this question, and many more who can hardly be said to exist, except in torpor, yet. The obstructionists have to be thawed into freshness, vigour, and vitality. Here and there they open, rub their eyes, and repeat the stereotyped groans of all time respecting the constitution, the church, and the throne, going to the dogs in crumble and fragments. Thitherward they have been going, at reasonable intervals, within the memory of the oldest inhabitant; and if they keep only going at the same rate they will be gone when the heat of the sun is expended-and astronomers tell us that, although diminishing-going, namely-it will do for two million of years, or thereby, a sufficient time for this existing generation to contemplate.

This muddle-headed class of enthusiasts for all the past, will be better heard soon. They always come before a change, with evil omens and lamentable prophesyings. The most miserable trade in Asia or Europe is that of mourners by profession. It matters not whether they be mutes, as in this country; or screamers, as in Syria. In either case they are bound to dress their features for the trade, and the worst

part is that they are ever out of one fit into another of grief. They are the families of Lamentation and Woe. The Asiatics belong to the house of Lamentation—our London mutes are of the race of Woe. They never tell their griefs. Money goes for them, and in return there is not a word. A close observer may perceive, from a redness of one exposed feature, and many pimples, that they console themselves for their artificial sorrows, and take for their sufferings vengeance in pewter, at times when there is none to see them; but in their cups they are never uproarious. If they ever get drunk, which we sincerely hope they never do, it must be in a grave senatorial manner, befitting judges and mutes.

Mutes funereal are allied with mutes political; but the latter, in our country, are of the Egyptian, Gipsey, or Syrian races. They make a horrrid noise over the greatest sin that we can put out of sight. The wailings for the Test and Corporation Acts was not equal to the woe heard when the rotten boroughs were urged to rest in peace. The mourners political begin considerably before the death. They have usually three strings to their harp-" Constitution," "Church,' "Throne;' but they have others sometimes. They are to use the three principal during the current year, with the addition of "Plunder," "Property," and perhaps "the old Nobility," on which they are to execute the variations. They are excellent and good people generally. If any of their labourers wanted a certificate

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