LONGMAN AND CO.; J. M. RICHARDSON; HAMILTON AND CO.; SIMPKIN AND
CO.;
SHERWOOD AND CO.; J. RODWELL; HOULSTON AND STONEMAN;
G. LAWFORD; J. DOWDING; J. BUMPUS; COWIE AND CO.; CAPES AND
SON; SMITH, ELDER AND CO.; H. WASHBOURNE; H. G. BOHN; WALLER
AND SON; J. GREEN; J. THOMAS; L. BOOTH; W. J. CLEAVER; AND G.
ROUTLEDGE.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Closing Events of the Year 1845-Sudden Dissolution of Sir R. Peel's Government-Causes of that Event-Failure of the Potato Crop-Lord John Russell is sent for by the Queen-Unsuccessful Attempt of that Nobleman to form a Cabinet-Sir R. Peel returns to Office in the new character of an Opponent to the Corn Laws-Examination of his Conduct and Motives in this juncture-Lord Stanley resigns the Secretaryship for the Colonies, and is succeeded by Mr. W. E. Gladstone-Great interest attending the Assembling of Parliament-It is opened on the 19th of January by the Queen in person-Her Majesty's Speech-Debates on the Address-In the House of Lords it is moved by Lord Howe, and seconded by Lord De Ros -It is then put by the Lord Chancellor, and declared to be carried-The Duke of Richmond makes some severe observations on the Conduct of the Government-He is answered by the Duke of Wellington-Remarks of Lord Stanley, Lord Hardwicke, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord Brougham, Lord Radnor, and other Peers-In the House of Commons Lord Francis Egerton moves the Address in an able and impressive Speech, in which he opens the subject of the Corn Laws-He is seconded by Mr. Beckett Denison-Sir R. Peel enters into a full explanation of the Reasons and Motives of his change of Policy, and of the circumstances attending the retirement of his Cabinet from Office and their return to it-Lord John Russell then makes a full statement of the part which he had taken in the recent Transactions, and the results of his Interviews with the Queen on the different occasions when he had been consulted by Her Majesty, with the Correspondence which had taken place-Mr. Disraeli follows with some severe animadversions on Sir Robert Peel's conduct-Mr. Miles and Colonel Sibthorp follow on the same side-The Address is carried without a Division-On the 26th the Duke of Wellington states in the House of Lords the Reasons which had induced the Government to resign, and afterwards to return to Office-Remarks of the Duke of Buckingham, who declares his Opposition to the Ministerial Policy-Speech of the Marquis of Lansdowne, explaining his Abandonment of the Principle of a Fixed Duty-Further statement of recent Transactions by the Duke of Wellington-Observations of Lord Radnor, the Duke of Richmond, Lord Beaumont, the Earl of Aberdeen, and other Peers on the same subject Page [1

CHAPTER II.

Sir Robert Peel explains his great Scheme of proposed Measures for the Relaxation of Duties on the 27th of January-His able and comprehensive Speech on that occasion-Reception of the Scheme, and comments of

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