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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 PoliticsRecent 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

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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

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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

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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-In the IIouse 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

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