CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. ENGLAND-Generally prosperous and peaceful State of the British Empire at the commencement of 1852-The late Coup-de-Main in France-State of Trade, Agriculture, and Revenue at Home-Aspect of Home Politics— Recent Removal of Lord Palmerston from Office-Anticipated effect of this Event on the Whig Cabinet-Parliament opened by the Queen in Person on the 3rd of February-Debates in both Houses-The Address in the House of Lords is moved by the Earl of Albemarle, seconded by Lord Leigh-Speech of the Earl of Derby, who animadverts on the intemperate Language used towards Louis Napoleon by the English Press-Speeches of Earl Grey and Lord Brougham-Allusions to French Affairs, and to the Retirement of Lord Palmerston from Office-Speech of the Earl of Harrowby, who vindicates the Course taken by the English Press with reference to the Coup-d'Etat-The Address is agreed to by their Lordships, nem. con.-In the Commons it is moved by Sir Richard Bulkeley, and seconded by Mr. Bonham Carter-Sir B. Hall calls on Lord J. Russell to explain the cause of the recent Rupture in the Cabinet-Lord John Russell enters into a full explanation of the Circumstances which had impelled him to advise Lord Palmerston's removal from Office-The Noble Lord also announces the intention of the Government to propose an increase in the Estimates, with a view to the Defence of the Country, and explains at some length his Views respecting the existing Foreign Relations of the Empire-Lord Palmerston enters into a long Detail of the Transactions in reference to which his Conduct has been impugned, especially of the Circumstances which have taken place upon the Coup-d'Etat in France-He justifies his own Acts, and his general Policy, during the time he had held the Seals of the Foreign Office-Observations of various Members on the Points in controversy, Mr. Baillie, Mr. M. Milnes, Lord Dudley Stuart, Sir Harry Verney and Mr. Roebuck-Mr. Disraeli enters at large into the Topics embraced in the Royal Speech-The Address is assented to without a Division . Page [1 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 . . [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. 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 CHAPTER V. · [70 MAYNOOTH COLLEGE:-Motion of Mr. Spooner, for Inquiry into the System AFFAIRS-Mr. Frewen moves for a Remission of the Hop Duty-The CHAPTER VI. Results of the General Election upon the State of Parties with reference to |