are various circumstances in the present aspect of our national affairs of an encouraging and cheering nature.  The first and most prominent thing which strikes an observer, is, the undoubted general revival of trade and commerce.  Every thing seems to indicate that the morning is breaking; that the dreary night of disaster and suffering, through which all our material interests have been passing since 1836, is now well-nigh over.  The hum of busy industry is once more heard throughout our manufacturing districts; our seaports begin once more to stir with business; merchants on ’Change have smiling faces; and the labouring population are once more finding employment easier of access; and wages are gently, slowly rising.  This has not come upon us suddenly; it has been in operation since the end of last year; but so terrible was the depression, so gradual the improvement, that the effects of the revival could not be perceptible till within a recent period.  Our exports of cotton and wool, during the present year, very considerably exceed those of a similar period in the preceding; and though there might be increase of export without increase of profit, the simple fact that the districts of our great manufacturing staples are now more active and busy than they have been for a very considerable period, coupled with the apparently well-founded belief that this increased activity is produced, not by speculative but genuine demand, are indications of the most pleasing and gratifying kind to all who are in the least concerned about the prosperity of the country.  In addition to the improvement manifested in our staple articles of industry, other important interests are showing symptoms of decided improvement; even the iron-trade has got over its ‘crisis;’ and though we are very far indeed from having attained to a condition of prosperity, the steady, though slow, revival of every branch of industry, is a proof that the cause of the improvement must be a general one, operating universally.”  May we venture to suggest, that the worthy editor of the Morning Chronicle need not go about with a lantern to discover this cause?—­that it is every where before his very eyes, under his very nose, in the form of the bold, but sagacious and consistent, policy pursued by the present Government?

With respect to the second great object of the new tariff, viz., the “Diminishing of the prices of the articles of consumption and the cost of living.”

Has this great object, or has it not, been attained?  Why, the reduced price of provisions is a matter of universal notoriety, and past all question.  Unable to contest the existence of this most consolatory fact, the Opposition papers endeavoured to get up a diversion by frightening the farmers, whom they assured, that the admission of foreign live-stock would lead to a fearful depreciation in the value of British agricultural produce.  The graziers and cattle-dealers were forthwith to find “their occupations gone.”