LONGMAN AND CO.; HAMILTON AND CO.; SIMPKIN AND CO.; RICHARDSONS;
HOULSTON AND STONEMAN; COWIE AND CO.; J. CAPES; SMITH, ELDER
AND CO.; WASHBOURNE AND CO.; H. G. BOHN; J. BUMPUS; WALLER AND
SON; J. THOMAS; L. BOOTH; A. CLEAVER; UPHAM AND BEET; BELL AND
DALDY; ROUTLEDGE AND CO.; G. WILLIS; J. GREEN; AND W. HEATH.

1855.

Koninklijke
Bibliotheek
to's Hage.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY WOODFALL AND KINDER,

ANGEL COURT, SKINNER STREET.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

State of Europe and the Eastern Question at the commencement of 1854—

Of the Manufacturing, Commercial, and Agricultural Classes, and of the

Revenue-Unusual interest attending the Opening of Parliament-The

Queen's Speech-Debate in both Houses on the Address-Speeches of the

Marquis of Clanricarde, the Earls of Clarendon, Malmesbury, Grey, Derby,

and Aberdeen-Vindication of Prince Albert by the Leaders in both

Houses-In the House of Commons, Mr. Baillie, Sir R. Peel, Mr. Hume,

Mr. H. T. Liddell, Mr. Disraeli, Lord John Russell, and other Members,

take part in the Debate on the Address. RUSSIA AND TURKEY-Question

by Lord Lyndhurst relative to the Vienna Note-The Marquis of Clanri-

carde calls attention to the Eastern Question-Speeches of the Earls of

Clarendon, Ellenborough, Fitzwilliam, and Lord Beaumont-Earl Fitz-

william's Inquiry relative to Count Orloff's propositions - Important

Debate in the House of Lords on the 14th of February-The principal

Speakers are the Marquis of Clanricarde, the Earls of Clarendon, Malmes-

bury, Grey, Derby, and Aberdeen-The Eastern Question again introduced

by Lord Beaumont-The Earl of Clarendon and other Peers speak-In

the House of Commons, Mr. Layard puts questions to Lord John Russell

-On the 17th and 20th of February the Eastern Question is fully dis-

cussed in the House of Commons on the Motion of Mr. Layard-Speeches

of Sir J. Graham, Lord Jocelyn, Lord Dudley Stuart, Mr. Roebuck, Lord

John Russell, Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Cobden, Lord J. Manners, Mr. Drummond,

Mr. S. Herbert, Lord Palmerston, and other Members-Short discussion

on bringing up the Report of the Committee of Supply-Debate on the

Earl of Shaftesbury's Motion on Christianity in Turkey, in which Earls

Clarendon, Ellenborough, Grey, and Fitzwilliam, take part―The Earl of

Derby in the House of Lords, and Mr. Disraeli in the Commons, referring

to an Article in the Journal of St. Petersburg, ask certain questions—

Conversation in the House of Commons relative to the Dinner at the

Reform Club to Sir C. Napier-Speech of Mr. Bright-Debate on Mr.

Monckton Milnes's Motion upon the Greek Insurrection in Turkey-Lord

John Russell, Lord Dudley Stuart, Mr. Layard, Lord Palmerston, Mr.

Milner Gibson, and other Members, address the House .

[1

CHAPTER II.

WAR WITH RUSSIA-A Royal message to both Houses of Parliament an-

nounces a rupture with Russia-The Message-Remarks of Earls Derby

and Grey in the House of Lords-Debate on the Address in both Houses

-It is moved by the Earl of Clarendon in the House of Lords-Speeches

of the Earls of Derby, Aberdeen, and Malmesbury, and the Marquis

of Lansdowne-The Earls of Granville, Grey, Hardwicke, and Lord

Brougham, also take part in the Debate-After Speeches from Lord John

Russell, Mr. Layard, Mr. Bright, Mr. J. Ball, the Marquis of Granby,

Lord Dudley Stuart, Lord Palmerston, and Mr. Disraeli, the Address is

agreed to by the Commons-In the House of Lords questions are put by

Lord Beaumont, and the Earl of Clarendon replies-In the same place a

discussion arises between the Earl of Ellenborough, the Duke of Newcas-

tle, the Earls of Hardwicke and Clarendon, with reference to recent

accounts from the Black Sea and Gallipoli-Questions by the Earl of

Ellenborough as to the transport, pay, and baggage trains of the troops in

Turkey; by the Earl of Malmesbury, as to the Bombardment of Odessa;

and the Marquis of Clanricarde, relative to the British occupation of

Greece-In the House of Commons inquiries are made by various Mem-

bers relative to the transport by steam of cavalry; to the removal of

Russian Troops by sea from Circassia; to the occupation of Servia by

Austria; to the state of the British Troops at Gallipoli; to the Insurrec-

tion of the Greek Christians in Turkey; and to the case of the British

ship Ann McAlister-Remarkable Speech of Lord Lyndhurst in the

House of Lords upon the Russo-Turkish Question-Reply of the Earl of

Clarendon-Speeches of the Earls of Derby and Aberdeen; that of the

latter causes much dissatisfaction, and he subsequently explains it at

great length-Comments of the Marquis of Clanricarde-In the House

of Commons questions are asked respecting the Treaty between Austria

and Turkey for the occupation of the Principalities-The proceedings of

the fleet at Uleaborg-The supplies are moved in both Houses; in the

House of Lords, by the Earl of Aberdeen-In the discussion which fol-

lows, the Earls of Ellenborough, Hardwicke, Fitzwilliam, Clarendon, and

the Marquis of Clanricarde, take part-In the House of Commons, Lord

John Russell moves the vote-Misunderstanding as to his Speech-Mr.

Cobden, Mr. Layard, Mr. Disraeli, Lord Palmerston, and various other

Members address the House-Motion of Lord D. Stuart for an Autumnal

Session-Debate thereon, and Speeches of Mr. S. Herbert, Mr. Layard,

Admiral Berkeley, Lord John Russell, and other Members-Further criti-

cisms upon the conduct of the War by the Marquis of Clanricarde, in the

House of Lords, on moving for additional information-The Earl of Cla-

rendon's reply-Question by Mr. Hume, in the House of Commons, rela-

tive to the evacuation of the Principalities-Answer of Lord John

Russell

[53

CHAPTER III.

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM-Notwithstanding the state of affairs in the East,

Ministers persevere with the Reform Bill-Public opinion is in favour of

its postponement-This feeling is expressed by Earls Grey and Derby in

the House of Lords, and in the House of Commons by Mr. Disraeli and

others The Bill is nevertheless brought in by Lord John Russell--His

Speech-A brief and miscellaneous Discussion by various Members ensues

-Sir E. Dering gives notice of a Motion to defer the Bill-Lord J. Rus-

sell announces that the Second Reading is postponed-Sir J. Shelley

expresses strong Disapprobation of this course-It is approved of by Mr.

Labouchere, Mr. Hume, and Sir G. Grey-Sir J. Pakington and Mr.

Disraeli comment severely upon the Ministry-Lord John Russell replies

-In answer to a question by the Earl of Derby, in the House of Lords,

the Earl of Aberdeen states that the Bill is not abandoned-In the House

of Commons Lord John Russell finally announces its withdrawal-His

Speech-Sir E. Dering, Mr. Hume, Mr. Bright, Mr. Labouchere, Lord

Jocelyn, Sir G. Grey, and Mr. Sidney Herbert, approve of the Ministerial

course-It is severely criticised by Mr. Disraeli and Sir J. Pakington-

The same subject is briefly mentioned in the House of Lords-Apathetic

reception of the Bill by the Country, and general satisfaction at its with-

drawal-Bills to amend the Law of Bribery, and for the Trial of Election

Petitions, are introduced by Lord John Russell-His Speech-The Bills

are much opposed, and several Clauses are added, by the Commons-The

Allowance of Voters' Expenses Clause struck out by the Lords, and the

Bill finally passed-Bills for the Prevention of Bribery in certain corrupt

Boroughs brought into the House of Commons-Discussion of them-

Upon their ultimate withdrawal, an important debate ensues on the gene-

ral conduct and position of the Ministers-Mr. Disraeli's speech and

sarcasms-Lord J. Russell's reply-Mr. Disraeli renews his assault-Sir

G. Grey and Colonel Peel interpose-Lord John Russell rejoins, and the

debate is continued by Mr. Walpole, Mr. Bright, Mr. Gladstone, and

others-Parliamentary Oaths Bill introduced by Lord John Russell-

Debate on the Second Reading-Speeches of Sir F. Thesiger, Mr. Glad-

stone, Mr. Napier, Mr. J. G. Phillimore, Mr. Newdegate, Mr. Miall, Mr.

Whiteside, Lord John Russell, Mr. Disraeli, and others. LAW REFORM-

Speeches of Lord Lyndhurst and the Lord Chancellor on the Consolidation

of the Statutes-Common Law Amendment Bill introduced by the Lord

Chancellor His speech-Mr. Cardwell's two Bills for the Amendment of

the Navigation Laws-Bills for the suppression of Gaming Houses and

the Repeal of the Usury Laws are passed-Testamentary Jurisdiction Bill

-Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Bill, and Pauper Settlement Bill,

withdrawn-The latter measure occasions Mr. Baines to resign his office,

which, after explanations, he resumes-Mr. Locke King's Real Property

Succession Bill rejected
[109

CHAPTER IV.

FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.-After some observations by Sir John Walsh and Sir

De Lacy Evans, the Estimates for the Army are moved by Mr. Sidney

Herbert-Those for the Navy by Sir James Graham-Sir H. Willoughby

calls attention to the battle of Sinope-Sir J. Graham's answer-A con-

versation ensues, in which Admiral Walcott, Lord D. Stuart, Lord John

Manners, Lord John Russell, and others, take part--Admiral Walcott's

remarks Mr. Monsell moves the Ordnance Estimates-Amount of va-

rious Supplemental Estimates voted during the Session-The Budget

Speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer-Revenue of the last year-

Receipts-Expenditure-Surplus-Results of the Remission and Exten-

sion of Taxes-Revenue of the ensuing year-Receipts-Expenditure—

Deficiency-He argues against a Loan, and maintains that the Income of

each year should, if possible, cover the Expenditure-He proposes an

increased Income Tax-Alteration of Stamp Duties, and a Vote of Ex-

chequer Bills-Remarks by Mr. Hume, Sir II. Willoughby, Mr. Henley,