In Queensland, in spite of a Conservative constitution, the debates, if we may believe the fortnightly letters published in the leading papers of Sydney and Melbourne, rival those of Victoria in rowdyism.  Personal animosity between members runs to an unpardonable height, and the leaders of the two parties are constantly making accusations against each other’s integrity.  Political scandals are more numerous, if less important, than in Sydney.  Altogether, the impression that I have gathered is unfavourable to the Brisbane Legislature.

The most prominent politicians in Australia are Sir Henry Parkes and Mr. Berry.  Of these, Sir Henry Parkes is unquestionably the abler.  He is a fair administrator, a good debater and leader of the House, has statesmanlike ideas, and but for his overweening conceit might have risen to the rank of a statesman.  Mr. Berry’s talent lies in a fluency of specious but forcible speech appealing to the mob, rather than in debating power.  His vision is limited, and he is a poor administrator.  After these two I would place Mr. J. G. Francis, now the leader of the Victorian Conservatives, who is decidedly able, and Sir John O’Shannassy, whose adherence to the Catholic claims alone keeps him out of a commanding position.  Sir John Robertson may perhaps claim to be placed before either of these two, but it must be upon the ground of past performances rather than of present action; he is emphatically a light of other days.  Sir Bryan O’Loghlen will never do anything remarkable; and the same may be said of Mr. Stuart.  South Australia has two good administrators in Messrs. Morgan and Bray.  The latter has developed during his Premiership abilities for which no one had given him credit.  As a leader of the House, he has raised tact to the dignity of a fine art.  Mr. Patterson seems to me the ablest of the Victorian Radicals.  Mr. Parsons, of Adelaide, should also make his mark.  In Mr. Ward, South Australia possesses the most brilliant speaker in the colonies but he has not sufficient application or steadiness to become powerful.  Mr. D. Buchanan, of Sydney, is also clever, but his tongue runs away with his discretion.  Sir T. McIlwraith, Sir T. Palmer, and Mr. Griffith, in Queensland, should of course be included in any list of prominent politicians of the day, but unfortunately I do not know enough about them to pronounce any opinion upon their abilities which would be worth having.  Amongst living politicians who are not now taking part in politics, but whose names deserve to be mentioned, are Mr. Service, Mr. Murray Smith, and Sir Charles Sladen, who throughout the Reform agitation were the pillars of the Conservative party in Victoria, and Mr. Douglas in Queensland.