troverts its statements in an able Speech-The Debate is prolonged for

three nights by Adjournment-Speeches of Mr. Mangles, Mr. Roebuck,

Mr. Whiteside, Mr. Lowe, Mr. Crawford, Sir Henry Rawlinson, Sir John

Walsh, Mr. A. Mills. Mr. Seymour, Colonel Sykes, Sir Charles Wood,

Mr. Willoughby, Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, Lord John Russell, Mr. Disraeli,

and other Members-Ona division, the House decides in favour of intro-
ducing the Bill by 318 to 173

[Page 1

CHAPTER II.

The Conspiracy against the life of the Emperor of the French-Consequences

of that event upon our relations with France-State of public opinion in

the two countries-Mr. Roebuck animadverts in the House of Commons on

the language of some of the Addresses to the Emperor-Answer of Lord

Palmerston-Bill to amend the Law of Conspiracy introduced by the

Prime Minister-Debate on the Motion for leave to bring it in-Speech

of Lord Palmerston-Mr. Kinglake moves an Amendment declaring it in-

expedient to legislate on the subject under the present circumstances-

Mr. Horsman seconds the Amendment-Arguments urged against the Bill

by the opponents-Mr. Roebuck denounces the Measure with great energy

-Speeches of Sir George Grey, Mr. Collier, Mr. Napier, and the Solicitor-

General for the Bill, and of Mr. Bovill, Mr. Hope, Mr. Warren, Lord John

Russell against Mr. Disraeli and Mr. Sidney Herbert offer a qualified

support to the Bill at the present stage-Mr. Kinglake's Amendment is

withdrawn, and leave given to bring in the Bill by 299 votes against 99—

Lord Palmerston moves the Second Reading on the 19th February—In-

creased unpopularity of the Measure since the former Debate-Mr. Milner

Gibson moves an Amendment expressing the abhorrence of the House at

the recent attempt in France, and its readiness to amend defects in its

Criminal Law, but censuring the Government for not replying to Count

Persigny's Despatch of the 20th January, 1858-A long and animated

Debate takes place-Speeches of Mr. Baines, Mr. Walpole, Sir George

Grey, Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Henley, the Lord Advocate, Mr. Gladstone,

the Attorney-General, Mr. Disraeli, and Lord Palmerston's Reply-The

Division produces a majority of 234 to 215 against the Government-

Downfall of the Palmerston Administration in consequence of this defeat

-State of feeling in the country on this subject-Growing indifference to

party distinctions-Lord Palmerston in the House of Commons, and Earl

Granville in the Lords, announce the dissolution of the Cabinet-The Earl

of Derby undertakes to form a Government-Differences of opinion between

eminent Lawyers in the two Houses on the effect of the existing law of

Conspiracy-Animated controversy between Lords Lyndurst, Campbell,

and Brougham in the one House, and Sir Richard Bethell in the other-

In the House of Commons, after an adjournment of a few days, Writs are

moved for various places in consequence of the acceptance of office by the

new Ministers-On the 1st March, the Earl of Derby makes a full state-

ment of the views and intentions of the new Government with respect to

all the leading Questions of Public Interest, especially our relations with

France, the Government of India, the China War, and Parliamentary

Reform-On the latter subject he promises a Measure after due time for

consideration-Remarks of Earl Granville on these topics-The Earl of

Clarendon enters into a detailed Explanation and Defence of the proceed-

ings of the late Government with reference to our relations with France,

and the Conspiracy Bill

[31

CHAPTER III.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER announces in the House of Commons

the termination of the Misunderstanding with France-The question of

the Cagliari steam vessel-Mr. Kinglake states the case on behalf of the

English Engineers, Park and Watt, then imprisoned by the Government

of Naples-Answer of the Chancellor of the Exchequer Remarks of

Mr. Gladstone, Lord Palmerston, Mr. Seymour Fitzgerald, and Lord John

Russell-Mr. Bernal Osborne makes a keen sarcastic attack upon the

Government, and demands a more explicit statement of their policy

-He is answered in the same strain by the Chancellor of the Exchequer

Remarks of Mr. Horsman, Lord J. Russell, and Lord Palmerston-Further

discussion on the Cagliari affair-The release of one of the English Engi-

neers is announced-Government of India-The Chancellor of the Exche-

quer introduces the India Bill (No. 2) in the House of Commons-His

statement, and the various comments on the scheme Mr. Bright and Mr.

Roebuck denounce the Measure as delusive-Parliament adjourns for the

Easter Recess Public opinion upon the India Bill pronounces a decided

condemnation of its leading features-The position of the Government

Endangered-On the re-assembling of the House, Lord John Russell pro-

poses a new course, to proceed by way of Resolutions-The Government

readily accede to the proposal-Discussion on this occasion-Mr. Disraeli

disclaims the intention of abandoning the Bill-The proposed Resolutions

are laid on the Table-The Chancellor of the Exchequer moves a Com-

mittee of the whole House upon them on the 28th April-His Speech-

Speeches of Lord Palmerston, Mr. Gladstone. Lord J. Russell, Sir George

Grey, Mr. Walpole, and Mr. Horsman-The Motion is carried-The

House goes into Committee on the 30th April, when Lord Harry Vane

moves a Resolution declaring the inexpediency of legislating on the sub-

ject of India this Session-After a full discussion, the Amendment is

negatived by 447 to 57-The First Resolution in favour of transferring

the Government to the Crown is agreed to after some debate, but without

a Division-The Second Resolution respecting the mode of administering

Indian affairs is carried with a slight modification of its terms-Inter-

ruption of the progress of Indian Legislation by the Canning and Ellen-

borough Controversy-Circumstances in which this Conflict originated-

Character of Lord Ellenborough's Despatch, and the effect produced in

the Public Mind by its Publication-Notices given in both Houses of

Resolutions of Censure on the Government for the Despatch-Lord Ellen-

borough, in order to relieve his Colleagues from responsibility, resigns

the Office of President of the India Board-Further Controversy respect-

ing the Non-production of Private Letters received from Lord Canning by

Mr. Vernon Smith-Important Discussions in the House of Lords on the

policy of Lord Canning's Oude proclamation, and on the Conduct of Lord

Ellenborough-Lord Derby pronounces a warm eulogium on his late

Colleague

. [62

CHAPTER IV.

AFFAIRS OF INDIA CONTINUED.-Debates in both Houses on Lord Ellen-

borough's Despatch to Lord Canning-Lord Shaftesbury moves a vote of

censure on the Government in the Upper House-The Earl of Ellen-

borough vindicates his own proceedings-After an animated Debate the

Resolution is negatived by a majority of 9-In the House of Commons

a Debate is commenced on the 14th of May, and continued for several

nights by Adjournment-Speech of Mr. Cardwell in moving his Resolu-

tion-He is ably answered by the Solicitor-General-Speeches of Mr.

Lowe, Mr. V. Smith, Lord Stanley, Lord J. Russell, Mr. Roebuck, Sir C.

Wood, Mr. Hardy, Sir R. Peel, Sir George Lewis, Lord Goderich, Mr.

Bright, Sir James Graham, and numerous other Members-Pending the

Debate, which is protracted by various causes, information bearing on

the point under discussion arrives from India-Change produced thereby

in the feeling of the House-The combination opposed to the Govern-

ment shows signs of dissolution-On the last night of the Debate several

Members of the Liberal party urge Mr. Cardwell to withdraw his Reso

lution-He at first declines, but eventually, being much pressed by the

House, and Lord Palmerston concurring, consents-Remarks of Mr. Glad-

stone, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Mr. Bright on the with-

drawal of the motion-Effect of this result in strengthening the Govern-

ment The Debates on the India Bill are resumed-Mr. Gladstone

proposes a provisional arrangement for governing India by the existing

Court of Directors for one year-This proposal is opposed by Lord

Stanley, and rejected, after debate, by 285 to 110-Mr. Roebuck's motion

for dispensing with a Council is also negatived-Discussion of the several

Resolutions on India in Committee-Numerous Amendments are moved,

but opposed by Lord Stanley on the part of the Government, and rejected

in each instance by large majorities-Five of the Resolutions being

passed, Lord Stanley announces his intention to proceed no further with

the Resolutions, but at once to bring in the Bill-The second reading of

the "Government of India Bill, No. 3," is moved on the 24th of June-

Speech of Lord Stanley on moving it-Mr. Bright enters into a length-

ened statement of his views respecting the Government of India-After

speeches from Mr. Whiteside, Mr. Roebuck, Mr. W. Smith, and other

Members, the Bill is read a second time without a division-Numerous

Amendments are moved in Committee by Lord Palmerston, Lord John

Russell, and other Members, but the propositions of the Government are

in each case supported by the House-Some new clauses added-Lord

Palmerston's Amendment to limit the continuance of the new scheme of

Government to five years, is negatived by 149 to 115-The Bill passes

the House of Commons with various comments upon it from some lead-

ing Members-The second reading of the Bill is moved by Lord Derby in

the House of Lords on the 15th July-Earl Granville criticises the

measure in some respects, but declines to oppose it-Lord Ellenborough

expresses strong objections to some features of the Bill, especially the

constitution of the Council and the competitive examinations for En-

gineer Officers-Debate in Committee on the proposed Council for India

-The Duke of Somerset, Lord Broughton, Lord Wodehouse, and other

Peers object to a Council altogether-The clause is eventually carried-

Various amendments opposed by the Government are rejected—Ani-

mated discussion between Lord Ellenborough and Lord Derby on com-

petitive examinations-Lord Derby carries his clause-On the motion

that the Bill do pass, the Archbishop of Canterbury makes some remarks

on the duty of the British Government towards India in regard to re-

ligion-Observations of Lord Derby in answer, and of the Bishops of

London and Oxford-Discussion between the two Houses on the Amend-

ments made by the Lords and objected to by the Commons-The question

of competitive examination for the Army is much debated, and ulti-

mately the Lords succeed in retaining their amendment-The Bill re-

ceives the Royal Assent on the last day of the Session
. [90

CHAPTER V.

FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.-State of the Income and Expenditure of the country

at the commencement of the Session-General apprehension of a Deficit

-The Budget-Mr. Disraeli, the new Chancellor of the Exchequer,

makes his Financial Statement on the 19th of April-He states his views

of the condition of the country-Proposes to postpone the re-payment of

the Exchequer Bonds, to equalize the Spirit Duties, and lay a Tax on

Bankers' Cheques-The reception of the Budget is generally favourable

-Remarks of Mr. Gladstone, Sir G. Lewis, Lord J. Russell, Mr. Cardwell,

and other Members-The various Bills for giving effect to the financial

arrangements are passed with little opposition-Sir G. C. Lewis, the ex-

Chancellor of the Exchequer, vindicates his own financial administration,

and impugns the policy of postponing the Exchequer Bonds and Sinking

Fund-Speeches of Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Cardwell, Mr. Bright, and the

Chancellor of the Exchequer-The Bankers' Cheques Bill is passed after

a short discussion-Mr. James Wilson moves a Resolution, affirming that

loans of money for war purposes ought to be for a limited term, or other-

wise provided for by gradual repayment out of surplus revenue-The

Chancellor of the Exchequer opposes the Motion, which is also dis-

approved by Mr. Gladstone, Sir G. Lewis, Mr. Cardwell, and Lord J. Rus-

sell, and is negatived by the House-The Paper Duty-Mr. Milner

Gibson moves a Resolution condemnatory of this Tax-The Chancellor

of the Exchequer gives a qualified opposition to the Resolution, but is

willing to assent to so much of it as condemns the permanent con-

tinuance of the Duty-Speeches of Mr. Bright, Sir G. Lewis, Mr. Drum-

mond, and Lord J. Russell-Mr. Gibson consents to give up the latter

clause of his Resolution and the former part is agreed to-The Naval

Estimates and State of the Naval Defences-Sir John Pakington moves

the Estimates on the 12th of April, announcing some reductions upon

those prepared by the late Ministers-Sir Charles Napier praises the First

Lord's statement, but desires further improvements in order to render the

service more efficient-Sir Charles Wood vindicates his own adminis-

tration of the Admiralty-Speeches of Admiral Walcott, Lord Clarence

Paget, Lord Palmerston, and Mr. Horsman-The Votes are agreed to-

Manning the Navy-Sir Charles Napier proposes a Motion for issuing a

Royal Commission to enquire into this subject-His Speech-Answer of

Sir J. Pakington, who assents to the Commission, with some reservations

-Observations of Admiral Walcott, Lord Clarence Paget, Mr. Lindsay,

Mr. Bentinck, and other Members-On Lord Palmerston's recommen-

dation, Sir Charles Napier assents to the suggestion of the Government

. [131

-A Commission is issued accordingly

CHAPTER VI.

RELIGIOUS AND ECCLESIASTICAL QUESTIONS. Admission of Jews to Parlia-

ment. Lord John Russell brings in a Bill to alter the Oaths of Allegiance

and Supremacy, and to relieve Jews from the necessity of using certain

words in the Oath-The Bill is read a second time unopposed-Discussions

in Committee-Mr. Newdegate moves the amendment of Section 5, con-

taining the relaxation in favour of Jews-Speeches of Mr. Walpole, Mr.

Roebuck, Lord John Russell, Sir R. Bethell, and other Members-The

Clause is carried by 297 to 144-The Bill is passed through the House of

Commons-Lord Lyndhurst moves the Second Reading in the Lords-

Speech of the Earl of Derby, who consents to the Second Reading, but

intimates his intention to oppose the Section in favour of Jews-Debates

in Committee-Lord Chancellor Chelmsford moves the omission of the

5th Section-His Speech-He is answered by Lord Lyndhurst After a

full debate, the Clause is rejected by 119 to 80-The House of Commons

on the Motion of Lord John Russell refuses to accept the Bill as altered,

and appoints a Committee to draw up reasons for their dissent-Mr.

Thomas Duncombe moves that Baron Rothschild be a member of the

Committee-He alleges a precedent for this course-Discussion in which

most of the legal Members take part-Mr. Duncombe's Motion is carried

by 251 to 196-In the House of Lords the Earl of Lucan proposes a

solution of the difference between the two Houses by a Clause enabling

either House by its Resolution to modify the form of Oath-This pro-

position is favourably entertained by the Government, but it is suggested

that a separate Bill be brought in-The Earl of Lucan and Lord Lynd-

hurst each prepare a Bill in the form suggested-The Earl of Derby on

the part of Government prefers Lord Lucan's Bill-It is passed by the

House of Lords-Lord John Russell, while objecting to the mode of pro-

ceeding by the Upper House, intimates his intention to accept the com-

promise offered by Lord Lucan's Bill-He moves the Second Reading,

which is resisted by Mr. Newdegate and other Conservative Members-

The advocates of the Jews condemn the course pursued by the Lords, but

support the Bill as the best practicable solution-It is passed by a large

majority-The Oaths Bill is also passed-Lord John Russell moves Reso-

lutions pursuant to the new Act to relieve Baron Rothschild from the

objectionable words of the Oath-The Motion is opposed by Mr. Warren

and other Members, but without success-On the 26th of July, Baron

Rothschild takes his seat for the City of London. CHURCH RATES. Sir

John Trelawny brings in a Bill for a total abolition of Church Rates-

The Second Reading is carried after considerable debate by 213 to 160-

Various Amendments are moved in Committee-Discussion of Mr. Puller's

scheme for imposing a fixed charge on the owners of property in lieu of

Church Rates-Mr. Buxton moves an Amendment-After much debate,

both Motion and Amendment are rejected-Speeches of Sir James Graham,

Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Walpole, and other Members on the Third Reading of

Sir John Trelawny's Bill-The Bill is passed by 266 to 203-It meets

with an unfavourable reception in the House of Lords-The Second

Reading moved by the Duke of Somerset-Speeches of Lord St. Leonards,

Lord Wodehouse, the Duke of Newcastle, Earl of Derby, Archbishop of

Canterbury, Earl Granville, Bishop of London, Earl Grey, and other Peers

-The Bill is lost by a majority of 187 to 36. MARRIAGE With a De-

CEASED WIFE'S SISTER. Viscount Bury brings in a Bill to legalize these

Marriages-The Bill is strongly opposed by Mr. Hope, Lord R. Cecil,

Mr. Lygon, Mr. Puller, and the Lord Advocate, and supported by Mr.

Baines, Mr. Buxton, Mr. Collier, Sir G. C. Lewis, and Mr. Milnes-The

Second Reading is carried by 174 to 134, and the Bill passes the Commons

-In the House of Lords, Lord Redesdale moves to postpone the Second

Reading for six months-The Bill is supported by Lord Lyndhurst, Lord

Wodehouse, the Bishop of Ripon, Earl Granville, and Lord Overstone,

and opposed by Lord Cranworth, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the

Bishops of Exeter, Oxford, and Lincoln-It is finally rejected by a ma-

jority of 46 to 22. Special Commemorative Services of the Church of

England. Earl Stanhope moves an Address to the Crown for the discon-

tinuance of the Services for the 5th November, 30th January, and 29th