On Saturday there was a ‟festival” at the Carlton Club. Between 190 and 200 members sat down to dinner of the most recherche description, the Earl of Derby taking the chair, and Mr. Disraeli officiating as ‟vice.” The dinner was given to Sir Wm. Jolliffe, the member for Petersfield, the whipper-in for the Conservative party, and standing in the same relation to them that Mr. Hayter occupies with respect to the ministry. Sir Wm. performs the duties of his office in a way which entitles him to the approbation of his party. He is equally assiduous, equally energetic, but not so rough as Major Beresford, and the oaths which used, unfortunately, to drop thick and fast from the lips of the latter, are never heard from him. The prospects of the party were discussed, and its position considered, after the ‟cloth was drawn.” The general impression appeared to be, that the Conservative party was much better organised at present than it was in the last parliament, but that there was no opportunity for aggressive movement yet, and that it ‟must bide its time,” endeavouring to prevent mischief where it could. The conviction, however, appeared to be strong, that the present state of things could not continue beyond the present session, and that the union and the energy of the Conservatives would be requisite to preserve our institutions from in-road and destruction.
(See also
20-Jun-1857
15-Jun-1857)