charge, which was nothing better than a calumnious aspersion, for which there was not the slightest foundation in any-thing that he (Earl Grey) had ever said or done.

of duty had dictated. What he said was, that the language of the noble Earl had a tendency to expose the Bishops to odium in the eyes of the people, and to instigate the people against them; and this was the echo of what others The Duke of WELLINGTON: The whole of had suggested, for the very same language this discussion had arisen on the question was held by the public journals, which had whether a petition against the payment of assailed the Bishops because they had done tithes should be laid on the table; and the their duty. (Hear, hear.) The Bishops, at clergy were censured by a noble Lord, because the time of the Revolution, had opposed an they asked for that which was justly due to arbitary government, when they found them-them. Another noble Lord had assailed the selves called upon to act in self defence. This was the first time since the Revolution that the Bench of Bishops, as a body, opposed a great measure of Government; and yet they were threatened and menaced for having done so in compliance with their own sense of duty.

Bishops, because they who had always voted for an arbitrary government, had now voted against a liberal one. He called on the noble Lord to say what he meant by an arbitrary government. He had been at the head of the late government; but he denied that that was an arbitrary Government, and he wished the Earl GREY: If any part of his speech on the noble Lord to state on what fact he rested his first night of the debate on the Reform Bill charge, that the Government was arbitrary: had given offence to the right rev. Prelate, he As to the charge against the Bishops, there ought to have commented on it at the time, was not a question for the last ten months, in and then he would have answered. But the which they had decided against the Governright rev. Prelate's proof corresponded but veryment, till the question as to the measure of little with his assertions, for the right rev. Reform had come to a division a few nights Prelate had said, that Ministers had encouraged ago; and yet they were accused of voting and instigated the mob to annoy them. against a liberal Government, because on that one occasion they had thought proper to judge for themselves. If they had opposed the Government, it was, of course, because they thought it their duty to do so. Nothing could be more unfair than to take every occasion even on presenting petitions, to throw out these charges against so respectable a body of men as the Bench of Bishops and the clergy in general.

The Bishop of EXETER: No, he had not used such an expression. He did not recollect that he had said so.

Earl GREY: He certainly did understand that the right rev. Prelate had said that the Ministers or some of them had encouraged and excited a mob against them. But certainly the right rev. Prelate did say, that they had assailed the Bishops in the language of outrage and insult, and how did he make out this by proof? This right rev. Prelate had said, that he had on the first day of the debate on the Reform Bill addressed them in a tone of menace. He had certainly addressed them in a tone of warning, but not of menace. He had put it to them as he had put it to other noble Lords, to consider the consequences of opposing a measure, upon the passing of which the publice mind was so much bent, not meaning to call on them to surrender their consciences, or to vote any otherwise than as their sense of duty prescribed. He did put it to the right rev. Bench to look at the state of the country carefully, and to consider well before they decided how they should vote; but this he had done, not in the language of insult and outrage, but in terms of the greatest respect, and as a decided friend of the church. He absolutely could not conceive what the right rev. Prelate meant when he said that he had addressed them in the language of insult. He had put it to them whether they ought not to vote for a great measure of reform; and had expressed his joy at the circumstance that some of themselves had appreciated the times, and had introduced measures of reform and ameud

The Duke of NEWCASTLE asked whether those who had voted against the bill were to have protection for their lives and their property? He himself had been assailed by a inob, and had applied at the office of the Home Department for protection, but found no one of authority at the office. He thought it the duty of the head of the Department to take care that some one high in the office. should be always in attendance. He had then applied at the head police office, and there had received proper protection. But in reality, there was at present no Government, or rather they were under the Government of the mob. He had heard of collections of persons who had done him and others much mischief, but he only mentioned the circumstance for the general good.

The Marquis of LONDONDERRY: He was not much inclined to trouble the House with any thing personal to himself; but as the subject had been started, he would mention what had happened to himself. The police stationed about the Houses of Parliament did not extend further up than George-street. As he was coming down Parliament-street, at Whitehall, a mob assailed him, and a strong fellow gave him a violent blow on the arm, and he and others attempted to pull him out of his cabriolet, and if they had succeeded, he believed they would have murdered him, but the cabriolet was driven on and he escaped. He

thought that the persons and the property of those who voted against the bill ought to be more effectually protected. All the windows of his house, which had been spared by the mob on a former night, had been broken by a mob last night. He was indifferent, however, about that, but unless their persons were more effectually protected, noble lords would carry arms in their pockets to protect themselves; and if lives were lost, the Government who did not protect them would be answerable. For his part, he would protect himself, if he should not be protected by Government. He hoped Ministers would take more precautions; for, if the police had been extended up Parliament-street to Whitehall, he would not have suffered under the infliction of a dastardly mob.

Lord WHARNCLIFFE gave great credit to the people for the peaceable manner in which they had conducted themselves, which, he owned, had caused him some surprise, considering the great excitement which was kept up by the Press of the Metropolis. The people had not done any-thing to disgrace themselves. Indeed he was surprised at their peaceable behaviour. If there were no persons employing means to excite the people to treat their Lordships with disrespect, he believed that they would not have been disposed to do that in consequence of the discussion in which their Lordships had been engaged, but would rather think that their Lordships had done their duty, and had given their votes out of a desire to do justice and protect the liberties of the people. The object of their Lordships was to do justice, and the inhabitants of the town would repent of the excesses they had committed in the first heat of their disappointment.

Lord ELLENBOROUGH did not expect any disturbance, and was not surprised that none had taken place. He did not attribute the excitement of the people to their Lordships decision, but to the labours of the Press. If the Ministers permitted the Press to go on exciting the people to crime, it was impossible that crimes should not be committed. He had no doubt that the Government would preserve the peace of the town; and had no doubt that, under the present circumstances, the Ministers would do their duty, which was required of them, both from their official character, and as meu of honour.

Petition laid on the Table.

Lord MELBOURNE: It had been the endeavour of Ministers to afford every practical protection to person and property, and they had had particularly in view the protection of the persons and property of those who were most likely to be obnoxious to the people. He deeply lamented the agitation which prevailed, and was very sorry that the noble Marquis and others had suffered by it, and he had directed a strong body of police to be ready to afford protection wherever it was wanted. But their Lordships must be aware, that when very great bodies of people had assembled and separated, there was generally a rabble Jeft behind who were inclined to do mischief. But it was impossible for Ministers to guard every house in town. He was sorry that the noble Duke did not find any principal officer in attendance when he called at the office of the Home Department; but every arrange ment had been made by Government to afford I shall have plenty of occasions hereprotection, and the noble Duke had only to after to speak of the conduct of these apply at the Head Police Office to get the requisite protection, and he had, in fact, found bishops; and I must now hasten to the it. But outrages on persons were still worse important occurrences of Wednesday; thau outrages on property, and he was truly that is to say yesterday, for I am now sorry for the violence which had been offered to the noble Marquis. But here again the writing on the Thursday forenoon. I observation applied, that it was impossible have described the uneasiness which for Government, at such times, to afford com- had existed on account of the King plete and efficient protection to all, but orders keeping away at Windsor ;.. but, it was had been given to afford as much protection announced on the Tuesday that he was as possible; and the orders had been given in the spirit of attending particularly to the pro- coming to London on the Wednestection of those who were most obnoxious today to hold a levee and to receive the populace. But Government could not the addresses of the parishes, and parprevent all outrages, and he deeply lamented ticularly of the city of London, which, the one to which the noble Marquis had been exposed. He would be one of the last in the according to a very ancient custom, he world to encourage such proceedings, and had had to recieve upon the throne The used every means in his power to prevent intimation of the time and place of them. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY: He gave the doing this was not received in the city fullest credit to the noble Lord for every-thing until a late hour on Tuesday night; so that he had said; but what he complained of that there had manifestly been but a was, that the Police force had not been ex- very short foreknowledge of the King's tended up the whole length of Parliament- intention to be at St. James's on Wedstreet; and he suggested that they should still be extended from the entrance of the nesday. However, on Wednesday he came. My house at Kensington is close

house to Whitehall.

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to the side of the road on which he swer:-" I receive with satisfaction the passes; and, when I saw him go by, expression of your loyalty and attachand heard the shouts of the people, I" ment to my person and government, could not help thinking of that salutary" and of your confidence in my constitujourney that the King and Queen of" tional advisers. You may be assured France took from Versailles to Paris," of my sincere desire to uphold and to in the year of the demolition of the" improve the securities afforded by the Bastile; which journey, had it been fol-" constitution for the maintenance of lowed, as I trust this journey of our" the just rights of my people, and you King will, by a resolution to accede with" may rely on my continued disposition sincerity to the just wishes of the peo- "to further the adoption of such meaple, that bloody Revolution, which after-"sures as may seem best calculated for wards took place in France, would have" that purpose. For the safe and sucbeen prevented. When the King, ac- cessful accomplishment of such companied by the Queen, arrived at the measures it is, above all things, nepalace, they were received by the cheers" cessary that they should be discussed of, probably, a hundred thousand peo- "with calmness and deliberation: and ple. Soon after their arrival came the "I earnestly recommend to you to use Lord Mayor, some of the Aldermen and "all the influence you justly possess Common Council of the City of Lon-" with your fellow-citizens, for the purdon, with their address, passing along" pose of preserving the public peace about two miles distance from the Guild-" from any interruption by acts of viohall to the palace of St. James, amidst the "lence and commotion." shouts of the people. At the same time, With this answer, there is no fault to the great parishes, headed by their com- be found. It goes as far as the King mittees, and carrying banners and pla- could well have gone without becoming cards, having on them words descriptive undignified. The Common Council of the feelings and wishes of the people, had, to speak in plain words, prayed arrived with their addresses. The order, him to keep his present Ministers and the regularity, the judicious and peaceable manner, in which all this was conducted, must have astonished and confounded those foreign creatures, who are said to have been jumping for joy when they heard of the vote of the House of Lords against the Reform Bill, and who are said to have instantly sent off intelligence of it to Austria, Holland, Prussia, Russia and other places upon the continent. When these creatures saw, if they did see, upon the white flag of the parish of Marybonne, "The King, the Commons, the People's Rights;" and, upon other flags," Equal Rights,' """Union is Strength," and the like, they must have begun to think that all was not over; that all had not been decided when the bishops and the rest of the one hundred and ninety-nine had given their votes against the bill.

to make a new creation of peers, and thereby to cause the Reform Bill to pass; and this, taking the address into view, he tells them that he will do, if such new creation shall become necessary for effecting the object of their prayer.

After presenting their addresses, the people gradually dispersed; and the evening and night passed off without any-thing beyond a trifling smashing of windows and a hustling and kicking and beating of Lord LONDONDERRY. This was very reprehensible; and for the act itself, every one must be sorry; but in a case of such general ferment, and with the passions of hundreds of thousands so much excited, who is to wonder that now and then an act of violence should occur, even from mere accident, without any forethought, and The King always gives a written an- really without any violent disposition swer to petitions or addresses which he in the persons committing the act. In receives from the Common Council of short, it is impossible that such things the city of London; and upon this oc- should not occur under such circumcasion he gave them the following an-stances, and it must be a subject of ad

2

miration with every candid man in the world, that so little violence should have been committed in such a state of things, amongst such swarms of people all assembled upon the same spot.

oak and cedar, and the tapestry hangings of Queen Anue, with every-thing it contained, are consumed. This morning the mobs haveagain assembled; their first exploit was to force a way into the Castle-yard, to gloat over the complete devastation-none but the exIn the country the acts of violence ternal walls being left standing. The mail have been of a more serious character. was expected by them to bring some intelligence from the metropolis; but they expressed. I insert as a specimen the following in-their conviction that the reports, that all was telligence from Nottingham and Derby, two of the finest towns in the whole kingdom.

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quiet there, were delusive. The return of night is dreaded. An hour ago I saw from the park bills a vast volume of smoke and fire arising at Beeston, three miles distant, said to mob have never come into direct collision with be the factory of Mr. Lowe, of this town. The the military, and have continued to disperse on their approach; but it has always happened that the mischief has been done. Several gentlemen's seats, and some large manufactories, have been threatened. The rioters are principally young men and boys from the country, to the number of 3,000 or 4,000. It is said that many of the Derby mob are have commenced to-day, are postponed. All amongst them. The races, which should the shops are closed.

NOTTINGHAM. (Extract of a Private Letter.) "It appears by the papers you have sent me that London is not so turbulent, and I sincerely hope it will be tranquil, and set an example to the kingdom. Mr. G. has just told me Mrs. Musters died from excessive fright. How it will end, God only knows. No lives have as yet been lost. All business is suspeuded; all the shops in the market-place have their shutters up, and many are totally closed. Mr. Lowe's mill, at Beeston, is on fire at the present moment (two o'clock, P.M.); what violent acts further the mob may do cannot be foretold, and how they are to be put a stop to I know not."

NOTTINGHAM, Tuesday (Three o'Clock).We are here in the most dreadful state of insubordination and riot. After the meeting in the Market-place, notwithstanding every exhortation to peace, the multitudes went away with lowering brows, and a gentleman of long experience observed that he never less liked the people's looks. The windows of many persons in all parts of the town were broken, and a windmill on the Forest nearly demolished. Towards dusk an immense mob went through Snenton; at Notintone-place they tore down an immense range of iron palisades, and armed with these, they marched to Col. wick-hall, the seat of John Musters, Esq., about two miles distant, demolished all the windows, broke and tore to pieces the furniture, and set fire to the house in two places; it was afterwards extinguished without much injury. The speed with which a mob sepa rated, met again in a fixed place, committed the outrages, and again dispersed, showed that some cool heads had the command. They returned at night-fall into Nottingham, many hundreds armed with immense pieces of wood, from Colwick, and not a few with concealed fire-arms. A vast number of special constables were sworn in, and called together by the ringing of the great bell. About seven o'clock an attack was made on the town-house DERBY, OCT. 9. (Half-past Six o'clock, P.M.) of correction, which contains a vast number "The town still continues in a dreadful of prisoners; the outer door was forced, when, state of excitement. An immense body of on the arrival of the 15th Hussars, and the people have proceeded to Little Chester, and civil force, the mob instantly dispersed by the have entirely destroyed the front of Mr. John numerous streets which there unite. In half Harrison's house returning back, almost an hour the Royal Castle of Nottingham, every house was attacked, and scarcely a now the property of the Duke of Newcastle, window remained whole; but the anti-rewas discovered to be on fire, and before aid formers shared much the worst fate. The could arrive, was so completely in flames, that disturbances continued the whole of the night, all attempts to save it were in vain; indeed, and the greatest excesses were committed. from its vast height above the reach of water, The banking-house of Messrs. Crompton the whole population could scarcely have been suffered dreadfully; every window was forced effectual in checking its progress. It blazed in. Mr. Haden's, surgeon, shared the same away in awful grandeur till near eleven fate; and I am sorry to say, Mr. Haden's son, o'clock, when it began to abate, but continued Henry, was killed by the mob. The night to flare and smoke throughout the night. It was very dark; every lamp was broken. The must have been a terrible beacon to the sur- soldiers paraded the streets the whole of the rounding country, being situated on a rock of night, but owing to the darkness were of little forty-five perpendicular yards' height above use. Many shots were fired, and, I fear, the meadows. A heavy shower of rain, of many wounded; one man was shot in Kingvery long continuance, prevented further mis-street, who is not expected to live. chief that night. This beautiful edifice was OCT. 10, (Two o'clock, P.M.)—An immense more than a hundred yards from any other body of people are now assembled, and the building; it was not recently inhabited. Its worst consequence is to be feared; business is magnificent stair-cases and floorings of black quite at a stand, the shops all shut, manu

factories at a stand, and the greatest fear horts the people to be quiet as lambs, lest prevails of the result of to-night. It is currently reported that the manufactories will be the point of attack.

Three o'clock.-The Riot Act was read about an hour ago; the soldiers are now firing upon the people; two men are just shot-one dead, and the other, it is stated, cannot live long.

Four o'clock.-The soldiers are using every means to disperse the assembled multitudes; there is no doubt many lives will be lost before morning, as I can hear constant firing at this

time."

they should defeat the Reform Bill, of which he, four days before, expressed his readiness to enter into a reconsideration. Why, the people see that the Reform Bill is defeated, and they see no revival of it, and no positive pledge that there these circumstances do the Ministers shall be a revival of it; and under expect the people to be quiet? I hope that they will be quiet and that they' will wait patiently to see what is to be done; but the question is, can the Ministers, consistent with their own declarations a thousand times made, expect the people to be quiet in this state of things? Let us see how this matter stands: let us see what reason they have for such expectation.

Nobody will dispute the truth of any one of the following facts; namely, that the Duke could neither walk nor ride the streets in safety, on account of his declared hostility to Parliamentary Reform; that he quitted his office because he could not carry on the Government without Reform; that Lord GREY came into office upon the express ground of making a parliamentary reform; that the bill, when brought in, was grounded upon the necessity of it to restore peace and harmony to the country; that the ministers have all along insisted that, to

It is probable, and I most anxiously hope it, that the apparent resolution of the King to cause the bill to be carried through, will quiet the people in the country, not only in the great towns, but in the villages, where the danger is still greater than in the towns; but it is very foolish for men to flatter themselves with the hope that there will ever be tranquillity in England again or in Scotland either, until this bill, or rather another bill, shall have passed into a law. To exhort the people not to commit violences; to exhort them to submit to the laws; to exhort them to withhold their violent hands from the property and the persons of their neighbours: this is the duty of every man who has any influence over the minds of the people; but to expect that his exhortations will have any effect unless accompanied with a statement of rea-pass the bill was absolutely necessary to sonable grounds for believing that the preserve the peace of the country, and bill will speedily pass, is foolishness of to prevent the people from taking the the higher order; is foolishness sublime work into their own hands; that during and supreme; except that it may, pos- the late debates in the House of Lords, sibly, not surpass the foolishness of a great argument with those who urged telling the people that their violence the passing of the bill was, that the will prevent the bill from passing. Why, country would be convulsed, that upwe have church prayers for rain, in dry roar and violence would immediately seasons; but do we pray, at the same succeed if the bill were rejected; that time, not to be wet through? We desire the opponents of the bill called this inthe rain to fall upon the earth; but do timidation and menace, but that the we desire that the rain shall not fall ministers answered that it was merely upon our heads when we are standing foretelling the natural consequences of upon that earth? To see the rejection the rejection. No one can deny any one of the Reform Bill, and to expect no of these facts. The ministers were acviolence in consequence, is to belie all cused of inciting to violence by these that the people have been told by the foretellings, as their Attorney-General Ministers, and by all the supporters of accused me; but they answered, that the bill for six months past. I like the they were only giving a salutary warnpretty song of the Lord Chancellor of ing of the danger, while, at the same Wednesday night, very much he ex-time, they pointed out the remedy. The