CHAPTER II.

Parliamentary REFORM:-Lord John Russell states the Objects of his in-

tended Measure for extending the Franchise on the 9th February-Out-

lines of the Scheme-Remarks made upon it by Mr. Hume, Sir John

Walsh, Mr. Bright, Sir R. Inglis, Mr. Disraeli, Sir Benjamin Hall, Lord

Dudley Stuart, and other Members-Leave given to bring in the Bill, but

it is not further proceeded with. REORGANIZATION OF THE MILITIA :—

Lord John Russell enters at large into the Question of the National De-

fences, and proposes a Scheme for raising a Body of Men on the footing

of a Local Militia-Details of the Plan-Speeches of Mr. Hume, Colonel

Thompson, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Sidney Herbert, Mr. Cobden, and Lord Pal-

merston, who expresses his preference for the Regular Militia, and sug-

gests the omission of the word "Local" from the Bill-Leave is given to

bring the Bill in-On bringing up the Report Lord Palmerston moves to

omit the word "Local" from the Title of the intended Measure-Lord

John Russell strongly opposes the Proposition-Speeches of Mr. M. Gib-

son, Mr. Disraeli, Sir George Grey, and Mr. Hume-On a Division, Lord

Palmerston's Amendment is carried by 135 to 126-Lord J. Russell there-

upon throws up the responsibility of the Measure, and treats the Decision

of the House as a Vote of withdrawal of Confidence-In answer to Sir

Benjamin Hall, he declares his intention to abandon the Reins of Office

-Remarks on the Dissolution of the Ministry, and the causes of that

Event-The Earl of Derby is sent for by the Queen, and entrusted with

the Formation of a New Cabinet-Official Statement of the Resignation

of the Government by the Marquis of Lansdowne in the House of Peers

-Lord J. Russell makes a similar Announcement in the other House, and

states the Principles to which he intends to adhere when out of Office-

Mr. Hume presses for a Declaration of the Policy of the New Government

-The Earl of Derby, on the 27th February, delivers a comprehensive and

eloquent Exposition of his intended Policy in the House of Lords-He

enters into the subjects of Foreign Affairs, Commercial Policy, Parlia-

mentary Reform, Law Amendment, and other topics-Discussion on Free

Trade-Speeches of Earl Grey, Earl Fitzwilliam, and the Marquis of

Clanricarde-Both Houses are adjourned to the 12th March

CHAPTER III.

[17

THE NEW GOVERNMENT:-Attempts made by the Opposition to elicit a dis-

tinct Statement of their intended Commercial Policy-Guarded Language

of Lord Derby-Various Discussions in both Houses on the subject of

Free Trade, and on the period of dissolving Parliament-Measures of the

Administration. THE MILITIA BILL:-It is introduced by the Home

Secretary, in an able Speech, on the 29th of March-He enters at some

length into the subject of National Defences-Details of the Plan for

organizing the Militia-Observations of Mr. Hume, Sir De Lacy Evans,

Mr. M. Gibson, and Lord Palmerston, who expresses a general approval of

the Measure, Lord John Russell, who pronounces no decided opinion, Mr.

Cobden, Major Beresford, Mr. Fox Maule, Mr. Hobhouse, the Chancellor

of the Exchequer, Mr. Bright, Mr. Roebuck, and other Members-Leave

given to bring in the Bill-On the Motion for the Second Reading on the

23rd April, an important Debate takes place, which is continued for Two

Nights, by Adjournment-Sir De Lacy Evans moves that the Bill be read

a Second Time that Day Six Months-He is supported by Lord John

Russell, Mr. Frederick Peel, Mr. Rich, Mr. Ellice, Admiral Berkeley, Mr.

Bernal, Mr. M. Gibson, and Mr. Roebuck-The Second Reading is advo-

cated by Lord Palmerston, Lord Seymour, Mr. M. Milnes, Mr. Cardwell,

Mr. Sidney Herbert, and Mr. Walpole, and is carried by 355 to 165-Great

effect of this Division in strengthening the Position of the Government—

Much Opposition is made to the Bill in Committee, and many Amend-

ments are moved, but without success-Certain Modifications proposed by

Ministers are adopted-A Debate arises on the Third Reading, which Mr.

Rich moves to postpone for Six Months-He is supported by Mr. Mackin-

non, Mr. Headlam, Mr. Ewart, and Mr. B. Osborne-The Solicitor-General

vindicates the Bill, and other Members speak on the same side-The

Third Reading is carried by 187 to 142—The Bill is passed-The Second

Reading is moved in the House of Lords by the Earl of Derby on the

15th of June-His Speech-The Marquis of Lansdowne refrains from

opposing the Bill, but expresses doubts as to its efficacy-Emphatic and

interesting Speech of the Duke of Wellington-Earl Grey opposes the

Bill-The Earl of Ellesmere supports it, and enters into a consideration

of the State of the National Defences-The Second Reading is voted, nem.

con., and the Bill becomes Law

CHAPTER IV.

[38

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM:-Mr. Hume moves for Leave to bring in a Bill for

the Extension of the Franchise on the 25th of March-His Speech-Sir

Joshua Walmsley seconds the Motion-Speeches of Mr. H. Drummond,

Sir W. P. Wood, Mr. Roebuck, and Mr. Disraeli-The Motion is rejected

by 244 to 89-Mr. Locke King renews his former Motion for assimilating

the Franchise in Counties to that in Boroughs-He is supported by Mr.

Hume, Lord Robert Grosvenor, Mr. Bright, Mr. Wakley, and Sir Benjamin

Hall, and opposed by Lord John Manners, Mr. H. Drummond, Lord John

Russell, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer-The Motion is negatived

on a Division by 202 to 149-Lord Brougham proposes and carries

through Parliament a Bill for shortening the period between the Dissolu-

tion and Re-assembling of the Two Houses to Thirty Days. BRIBERY

AND CORRUPTION AT ELECTIONS:-Increasing prevalence of these Prac-

tises-Case of St. Alban's-A Commission appointed to inquire into Bri-

bery at that Borough reports the existence of extensive and systematic

Corruption-A Bill is introduced and taken up by the New Government

for the Disfranchisement of the Borough-It is passed without Opposition

-Lord John Russell having introduced a Bill to empower the Crown to

direct a Commission of Inquiry to any Place at which Bribery is reported

by an Election Committee, Lord Derby's Government proceeds with the

Measure-It is carried with some Amendments made in the Upper House

-Enfranchisement of New Constituencies-Mr. Disraeli's Plan for the

appropriation of the Four Seats vacant by the Disfranchisement of Sud-

bury and St. Alban's-His Speech in the House of Commons on the 10th

of May-The Motion is opposed by Mr. Gladstone, and the House divides

-A Majority against the Government of 234 to 148. NEW ZEALAND

CONSTITUTION BILL:-Sir John Pakington, Secretary for the Colonies,

moves for Leave to bring in a Bill for this purpose on the 3rd of May-

The Measure is, on the whole, favourably received by the House-On the

Second Reading being moved, Sir W. Molesworth raises several Objections

to the Bill-Speeches of Mr. Adderley, Mr. Vernon Smith, Mr. E. Denison,

Mr. J. A. Smith, Mr. F. Peel, Mr. Gladstone, and Sir James Graham—The

Bill is read a Second Time without a Division-Sir J. Pakington proposes

certain alterations in Committee-Sir W. Molesworth moves an Amend-

ment, but without success—
s-In the House of Lords the Bill is carried,

after a Debate, in which the Earl of Desart, Lord Lyttelton, the Duke of

Newcastle, Lord Wodehouse, and Earl Grey take part. THE COLONIAL

BISHOPS BILL:-Measure proposed by Mr. Gladstone for extending the

deliberative Powers of the Church of England in the Colonies-His

Speech on proposing it-The Bill is strongly opposed by Sir John Paking-

ton, as affecting the Royal Supremacy-After some Debate the Bill is

withdrawn. EPISCOPAL AND CAPITULAR REVENUES:-The Marquis of

Blandford moves for Leave to bring in a Bill for the better Management

and Distribution of Ecclesiastical Funds-Statement of his Plan-It is

favourably received by many Members-Speech of Mr. Walpole on the

part of the Government-The Bill is eventually postponed
[70

CHAPTER V.

MAYNOOTH COLLEGE-Motion of Mr. Spooner, for Inquiry into the System

pursued there-His Speech-Mr. Walpole states the Views of the Govern-

ment on the subject-Speeches of Mr. Gladstone, Sir R. Inglis, Mr. Ser-

jeant Murphy, Mr. Napier, Lord John Russell, the Chancellor of the Ex-

chequer, and other Members-The Debate is several times adjourned, and

at length falls to the ground, on the 9th of June, without any Division on

the Motion taking place. RIGHTS OF BRITISH SUBJECTS ABROAD :—Out-

rage on Mr. Mather, at Florence, by the Police Authorities of Austria-

Lord John Russell brings the Case, and the General Foreign Policy of the

Government, before the House of Commons on the '14th of June-He

comments with some severity on the Conduct of the Foreign Secretary,

Lord Malmesbury, and on the general course pursued by the Ministry—

He is answered by Lord Stanley-Speeches of the Marquis of Granby,

Lord Palmerston, Lord Dudley Stuart, and the Chancellor of the Exche-

quer, who vindicates the Foreign Office and the Ministerial Policy-The

same Question is discussed in the House of Lords, where it is introduced

by Lord Beaumont-The Earl of Malmesbury announces the Adjustment

of the Dispute respecting Mr. Mather on the 1st of July. FINANCIAL

AFFAIRS :-Mr. Frewen moves for a Remission of the Hop Duty-The

Chancellor of the Exchequer promises to give the Subject full considera-

tion, and Mr. Frewen consents to withdraw his Motion-Mr. Milner Gibson

moves Three Resolutions condemnatory of the Paper Duty, the Advertise-

ment Duty, and the Stamp on Newspapers-The Motion is seconded by

Mr. Ewart and opposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer-Speeches of

Mr. Wakley, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Gladstone, Sir William Clay, Mr. Mowatt,

Mr. J. L. Ricardo, and other Members-The Three Resolutions are re-

jected, after Two Nights' Debate, by large Majorities. THE Budget:—

On the 30th of April Mr. Disraeli makes his Financial Statement-He

draws a very favourable Picture of the Commerce and Finances of the

Country, and concludes by proposing the continuance of the Income Tax

for One Year-His Speech is much commended, and the Proposals favour-

ably received-Remarks of Mr. T. Baring, Mr. Gladstone, Sir C. Wood,

and other Members-Debate on the Income Tax Renewal Bill in the

House of Lords-Speeches of the Duke of Newcastle, Lord Berners, the

Earl of Albemarle, and Earl Granville-The Earl of Derby explains and

vindicates the Policy of his Government-The Bill is passed-Conclusion

of the Session-An unusual number of important and useful Measures

are carried-Measures of Law Amendment and Sanitary Reforms-Review

of the Legislation of the Session-Lord Lyndhurst compliments the Go-

vernment on the Success of their Parliamentary operations-Speech of

the Earl of Derby in answer-Remarks of Lord Beaumont, Lord Brougham,

and Earl Grey-The Prorogation takes place by the Queen in Person on

July 1st-Address of the Speaker, recapitulating the Results of the Ses-

sion-Her Majesty's Speech-Immediately after the Prorogation, Parlia-

ment is dissolved by Proclamation

CHAPTER VI.

[94

Results of the General Election upon the State of Parties with reference to

the Free-Trade Controversy-Recent Language of Mr. Disraeli respecting

a Re-adjustment of Taxation-The Meeting of the New Parliament an-

ticipated with much Interest-The Attention of the Public Mind occu-

pied with the Death and expected Funeral of the Duke of Wellington-

The Two Houses meet on the 4th of November-Election of Speaker of

the House of Commons-Mr. Robert Palmer moves, and Lord Robert

Grosvenor seconds, the Re-election of Mr. C. Shaw Lefevre-The Right

Honourable Gentleman submits himself to the Pleasure of the House, and

is conducted to the Chair, nem. con.-Several days are occupied in ad-

ministering the Oaths to Members-On the 11th of November, Her Ma-

jesty, in Person, delivers Her Speech from the Throne-The Royal Speech

-In the House of Lords the Address is moved by Lord Donoughmore,

seconded by the Marquis of Bath-The Marquis of Lansdowne and the

Earl of Derby pronounce eloquent Panegyrics on the late Duke of Wel-

lington-Remarks of Lord Brougham, and general Discussion on the

Royal Speech-The Motion is agreed to, nem. con.-In the House of Com-

mons, Lord Lovaine moves, and Mr. E. C. Egerton seconds, the Address to

the Crown-Speech of Mr. C. Villiers, who complains of the vague and

equivocal Language of the Royal Speech respecting Commercial Policy-

Speeches of Mr. Hume, Mr. Walpole, Lord John Russell, the Chancellor

of the Exchequer, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Christopher, Mr. Adderley, Mr. Cob-

den, Lord Palmerston, and other Members-The Address is carried without

a Division. PUBLIC FUNERAL OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON :-Addresses

of the Crown are moved in Terms of eloquent Panegyric by Lord Derby

in the House of Lords, and by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the

House of Commons, respecting the Interment of the illustrious Duke-

The Funeral takes place on the 18th of November with great Magnifi-

cence of Ceremony, and every Demonstration of Public Veneration for

the Deceased-Admirable Speech of Lord Derby in the House of Lords

in reference to the Event. THE FREE-TRADE CONTROVERSY :-Mr. C.

Villiers brings the Question of Commercial Policy to a definite Issue by

moving certain Resolutions, pledging Parliament to a Free-Trade Policy

-Long and adjourned Debates on these Resolutions, commencing on the

3rd of November, in which almost all the leading Members of the House

of Commons take part―The Chancellor of the Exchequer moves

Amendment, which is afterwards withdrawn-Lord Palmerston also

moves an Amendment, which, after great Discussion, is adopted by the

House, 468 Members voting for, and 53 against it-The same Question in

the House of Lords-The Marquis of Clanricarde proposes a Resolution

affirming the Principles of Free Trade, for which he afterwards agrees to

substitute one suggested by Lord Derby-Debate on this Motion on the

6th of December-Speeches of the Marquis of Clanricarde, the Earl of

Aberdeen, Lord Beaumont, the Earl of Derby, the Duke of Newcastle,

and the Earl of Harrowby, who suggests an Amendment of the Resolu-

tion-Other noble Lords move Amendments on the Resolution, but Lord

Harrowby's Proposition is finally agreed to, nem. con.-Termination of the

Parliamentary Controversy on Free Trade

an

[123

CHAPTER VII.

IRISH LAND TENURE:-Mr. Napier, Attorney-General for Ireland, intro-

duces four Bills for adjusting the Relations between Landlord and Tenant

-Serjeant Shee brings in a Bill for the same object-After some Discussion

the respective Measures are referred, by consent of the Government, to a

Select Committee. THE SUGAR DUTIES:-Mr. James Wilson draws the

attention of the House of Commons to the beneficial Effects of the suc-

cessive Alterations in the Tariff as regards Sugar-Speech of Sir John

Pakington in Answer-Remarks of Mr. Hume, Lord Stanley, and other

Members. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EMPIRE IN FRANCE:-The Event is

communicated to the House of Lords by the Earl of Malmesbury on the

6th of December-His Comments on the Event-Remarks of Viscount

Canning on the Terms of the Foreign Secretary's Announcement-The

Fact is briefly stated by the Chancellor of the Exchequor in the House of

Commons. INCREASE OF THE ESTIMATES WITH REFERENCE TO THE NA-