xvi

PURI, = OEDLY,

300

Sacrifices. The strain on the mental power is far too severe; 1846.
I win say nothing of ceremony—of the extent of private Zr. 42
Correspondence about mere personal objects—of the odious
Power which patronage confers—but what must be my
feelings when I retire from the House of Commons after
ight or nine hours’ attendance on frequently superfluous or
Bivolons debate, and feel conscious that all that time
Shoulq have been devoted to such matters as our relations
With the United States——the adjustment of the Oregon
dispute—our Indian policy—our political or commercial
felations with the great members of the community of
Powerful nations ?
“You will believe, I say, if you reflect on these things,
that office and power ray bk» anything but an object of
"bition, and that I must be insane if I could have been
duced by anything but a sense «f public duty to undertake
What I have undertaken in this Session.
“But the world, the great and small vulgar, is not of
this opinion. I am sorry to say they do not and cannot
Comprehend the motives which influence the best actions
of public men. They think that public men change their
Course from corrupt metives, and their feeling is so predominant,
 that the character of public men is injured, and
their practical authority and influence impaired, if in such a
Position as mine at the present moment any defeat be sub-Mitted
 to, which ought under ordinary circumstances to
determine the fate of a government, or there be any cling.
Mg to office.
“I think I should do more homage to the principles on
Which the Corn and Customs Bills are founded, by retire-Went
 on a perfectly justifiable ground, than either by retaining
 office without: its proper authority, without the
ability to carry through that which I undertake, or by en-“ountering
 the serious risk of defeat after dissolution.