To us, then, on these things much meditating--so Cicero and Brougham love to write--many of the speculations in which we had indulged, and of the principles which we had advocated, were obviously not quite in harmony with the views long inculcated by us on a docile public. Suddenly the truth flashed across and illuminated the perplexity of our ponderings. We were aware that, early in the evening, a much milder censure than usual upon some factious Liberal manoeuvre had passed our lips. This took place just about the fourth spoonful of soup. The spells were already in operation under the shape of "_potage a la Marcus Hill_." There is a fascination even in the name of this "delicious soup"--such is the epithet of Soyer--which our readers will better understand in the sequel. Again, it was impossible to deny that we had hazarded several equivocal observations in reference to the Palmerstonian policy in Syria. But it was equally true that such inadvertencies slipped from us while laboriously engaged in determining a delicate competition between "_John Doree a l'Orleannaise_" and "_saumon a la Beyrout_." A transient compliment to the influence at elections of the famous Duchess of Devonshire was little liable to objection, we imagined, during a playful examination of a few "_aiguillettes de volaille a la jolie fille_." More questionable, it must be admitted, were certain assertions regarding the Five Points, enunciated hastily over a "_neck of mutton a la Charte_." No fault, however, had we to find with the cutting facetiousness with which we had garnished "_cotelettes d'Agneau a la reforme en surprise aux Champignons_." The title of this dish was so ludicrously applicable to the consternation of the remnants of the Melbourne ministry--the cutlets of lamb--in finding themselves outrun in the race by mushroom free-traders, that our pleasantry thereanent was irresistible. It was difficult, at the same time, to justify the expression of an opinion, infinitely too favourable to Peel's commercial policy, yielding to the allurements of a "_turban des cailles a la financiere_." And, on the whole, we smarted beneath a consciousness that all our conversation had been perceptibly flavoured by "_filets de becasses a la Talleyrand_." The result of these reflections was, simply, an alarming conviction of the tremendous influence exercised by Soyer throughout all the workings of the British constitution. The causes of the success of the League begin to dawn upon us, while our gravest suspicions are confirmed by the appearance, at this peculiar crisis, of the "Gastronomic Regenerator." What patriotism can withstand a superabundance of untaxed food, cooked according to the tuition of Soyer? How can public virtue keep its ground against such a rush of the raw material, covered by such a "_batterie de cuisine_?" Cobden and Soyer, in alliance, have given a new turn, and terribly literal power, to the fable of Menenius Agrippa.