The chastened feelings with which the House of Representatives sees approach the hour of dissolution are surely signs of grace. Only the most hardened cul prits " die game." When tho last hope of reprieve has vanished, the chaplain understands that his opportunity has come for awakening the condemned to " a sense of his position." This stage has now been reached in Wellington, and inquiring friends may be assured that the House is in a moat edifying frame of mind. The " Who's afraid 1" attitude of last week, when each side was vaunting its superior eagerness to go to the country, has completely disappeared. The Premier remarks, pathetically, that he is " a dying man," and doesn't know whether he will be at the head of the Government next session ; Mr Rees feels that he addresses the House "for the last time " ; Dr Wallia renews his Cas sandra warnings against more loans, and points them with the reflection that his incredulous hearers will not be privileged to listen to them again. With the feeling that a common doom overhangs them, and that they all must soon appear before the tribunal of the constituencies, hon. members are strangely drawn towards each other. Animosities are hushed, aud the kind of general goodwill provails which leads Bailors on a wreck to shake hands all round. May' these Christian tempers survive the ordeal of the elec tions ! I confess to a sneaking kindness for Sir George Grey, with all his faults, and don't like to see the old warrior down on his luck. But " sweet are the uses of adversity." A little tribulation, judi ciously applied, improves a man of his kidney. He may live to lead the Senate yet, and to serve the country — aad the human race as well.
