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

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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-

TIONAL DEFENCES :-Propositions made by Mr. Stafford, Secretary to the

Admiralty-Lord John Russell warmly supports the Vote for an Increase

of the Navy, which is carried-Augmentations are also voted for the

Artillery. FINANCIAL PROJECTS OF THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EX-

CHEQUER :-The Right Honourable Gentleman, in a comprehensive

Speech of Five Hours, developes his Views to the House on the 3rd of

December with respect to Financial Policy--Leading Topics of his Speech

-Alterations affecting the Income Tax, Malt Tax, Tea Duties, House

Tax, Hop Duty, and other minor Branches of Revenue-His Speech is

much applauded, but no definite opinion is pronounced upon the Scheme

when first proposed-A few Days afterwards Mr. Gladstone announces his

decided Hostility to the proposed Re-adjustment of the Income Tax-Mr.

Goulburn expresses the same Views-Observations of the Chancellor of

the Exchequer Lord John Russell expresses his Apprehensions for the

Financial Security of the Country, if Mr. Disraeli's Schemes should be

adopted-The general Discussion of the Ministerial Propositions com-

mences on the 10th of December, and is continued for Four Nights by

successive Adjournments-Most of the leading Members of the House

take part in the Debate, including Sir E. B. Lytton, Mr. T. Duncombe,

Sir Charles Wood, Mr. Cobden, Lord John Manners, Mr. Lowe, Mr. F.

Peel, Mr. Walpole, Mr. Goulburn, Lord Jocelyn, Mr. Bernal Osborne, Mr.

Alderman Thompson, Mr. Hume, Sir James Graham, Sir John Pakington,

Mr. Whiteside, Sir Francis Baring, and other Members-The Chancellor

of the Exchequer retorts upon the Opponents of his Scheme in a Speech

replete with Point and Sarcasm-Mr. Gladstone, in earnest and powerful

Language, answers the Chancellor of the Exchequer-On a Division,

the Government are defeated by 305 to 286-Effect of the Division-

Resignation of the Derby Administration-Her Majesty sends for the

Earl of Aberdeen and the Marquis of Lansdowne-Announcement of the

Resignation by Lord Malmesbury in the House of Lords-Formation of

a New Government under Lord Aberdeen, on the Basis of an Union

between the Whigs and the Followers of Sir Robert Peel-The Earl

of Derby, in a Speech in the House of Lords, explains the Circum

stances of the Defeat of the Government, which he ascribes to a Con-

federacy of hostile Parties-Counterstatement of the Duke of Newcastle

-List of the Aberdeen Cabinet-The New Premier states in the House of

Lords the Circumstances attending the Formation of his Administration,

and the Principles by which it will be guided-Speech of the Earl of

Derby in Answer-A great Number of New Writs are moved for in the

House of Commons, and both Houses adjourn after Christmas to the 10th

of February
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CHAPTER VIII.

FRANCE:-Proscription Decrees-Dissolution of the National Guard through-

out France-Promulgation of the New Constitution-Council of State

-Ministry of the President-Decrees, ordering a Sale of the Orleans

Property-Protests of M. de Montalembert and M. Dupin-Judgment

of the Tribunal of the Seine-Final Decree of the Council of State-New

Electoral Law-Law relating to the Press-Political Anniversaries not to

be celebrated-Inauguration of the Senate and Legislative Corps-

Speech from the President of the Republic-Speeches of Marshal Je-

rome Bonaparte and M. Billault-Transportation for Political Offences—

Decree, defining the Relations of the Council of State to the Senate and

Legislative Body-Speech of the President to the Magistrates-Conver-

sion of the Five per Cent. Rentes-Manifesto of the Comte de Chambord

(Duc de Bordeaux)-Its Reception by the Legitimists-Distribution of

Eagles to the Army-Letters from Generals Changarnier and La-

moricière, refusing to take the Oath to the Constitution-Speech of M. de

Montalembert against the Orleans Decree-Close of the Session of the

Legislative Corps-Speech of the President of the Republic.

CHAPTER IX.

[198

FRANCE continued-Visit of Prince Louis Napoleon to Strasburg and

Baden-Resolutions passed by the Conseils Municipaux-Fête of the

15th of August-The President commences a Tour through the South

of France-His Speech at Lyons-Alleged Seizure of an Infernal Ma-

chine at Marseilles-Addresses to the President-His Speech at Tou-

louse, indicating the approach of the Empire-Liberation of Abd-el-

Kader-Return to Paris-Decree convoking the Senate-Manifesto of

the Comte de Chambord-Message of Louis Napoleon to the Senate-

Speech of Prince Jerome Bonaparte-Senatus Consultum determined on

-Reply of Louis Napoleon-Appeal to Universal Suffrage, and immense

Majority in favour of the Empire-Speech of M. Billault, President of

the Legislative Corps-Reply of Louis Napoleon-Proclamation of the

Empire-Civil List and Dotation of the Crown-Decree regulating the

Succession to the Throne-Senatus Consultum, modifying the Constitution

of January, 1852.

SPAIN: Attempt to assassinate the Queen of Spain-Execution of the

Regicide Dissolution of the Cortes and Change of Ministry-Circular of

Minister of the Interior.

PORTUGAL:-Forcible Conversion of the Portuguese Funds.

DENMARK :-Royal Proclamation on the Subject of the Duchies of Holstein

and Schleswig.

[253

CHAPTER X.

SECOND BURMESE WAR :-Causes and Origin of the War-Demands of the

Anglo-Indian Government-Description of Rangoon-Departure of the

Expedition under the Command of Major-General Godwin-Capture of

Martaban and Rangoon-Bassein taken-Expedition up the Irawaddy

River to Prome-Arrival of the Governor-General at Rangoon-Second

Expedition against Prome-Capture of Prome-Successful Expedition to

Pegu, and annexation of the Province-Proclamation by the Governor-

General-Attempts to bring the Burmese Forces to an Engagement in

the Neighbourhood of Pegu.

CANADA :-Opening of the Canadian Parliament, and Speech of Governor-

General.

UNITED STATES:-Question of Election of President-The Fisheries Dis-

pute-Sir John Pakington's Dispatch, and Mr. Webster's Comments-

Speech of the latter in Massachusetts on the Subject-Amicable Ne-

gotiations-Death of Mr. Webster-Election of General Pierce as Presi-

dent-Annual Presidential Message. TOPICS:—The Fishing Grounds-

Cuba-Central America-South America, the Lobos Islands-The Pacific

-The Treasury-The Tariff and Protection-The Frontier and the

Indians The Navy-Miscellaneous-The Policy of the Government-

The State of Europe-The Progress of the Union-The Rights of others

-Conclusion

[278