There has come up among them a general feeling that it's just as well to let things slide,--as the Yankees say.

They're down-hearted about it enough within their own houses, no doubt.

But what can they do, if they hold back?
Some stout old cavalier here and there may shut himself up in his own castle, and tell himself that the world around him may go to wrack and ruin, but that he will not help the evil work.

Some are shutting themselves up.

Look at old Quin, when they carried their Reform Bill.