tinued to hold for five years, until the dissolution of gained from books and rules, he for a long time travelled Lord Palmerston's administration in the spring of 1858, through the Continent, Egypt, and Greece, where he enand upon his efficiency in which his remarkable reputa-larged his experience and cultivated his taste still further. tion as an official administrator was mainly based.

On the return of the Liberal party to power, Mr. Wilson was asked to resume his post at the treasury, but he declined, accepting the vice-presidency of the board of trade. He had held this post but a short time when he was offered the appointment of financial member of the Council of India. Nothing but a sense of public duty induced him to accept this office. He took a keen interest in Indian finance, believed that the difficulties of it might be conquered, and thought that in even attempting to conquer them he would be doing the greatest and most lasting public service that it was in his power to accomplish. On the 18th of February, 1860, he proposed his budget to the legislative council at Calcutta, and the reception given to it by all classes was remarkably favourable. He had thrown his whole soul into reorganizing the finance, pay, and accountantgeneral's department, and had undertaken a prodigious amount of work in connection with his post. At the beginning of the rainy season experienced observers saw signs of his health breaking. He was warned to seek change of climate. About the middle of July he went for a week to Barrackpore; but returned to Calcutta without any material benefit. On the evening of the 2nd August he went to bed never to rise from it again. During the whole of the 11th he sank rapidly, and at half-past six in the evening he breathed his last.

THE RIGHT HON. MATTHEW BAINES.-On January 13, at Queen's Square, Westminster, died the Right Hon. Matthew Baines Talbot Baines, born in 1799. He was the eldest son of Mr. Edward Baines, at one time M.P. for Leeds, and for some years proprietor of the Leeds Mercury. The late minister matriculated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he obtained a scholarship. In 1825 he was called to the bar, and practised on the Northern Circuit with some considerable success. In 1837 he received the appointment of Recorder of Hull, and became Q.C. in 1841.

His first celebrated public work on his return to this country was St. Peter's Church at Brighton, and his design for that building was adopted for their seal by the Church Building Commissioners. His next distinction in a public competition was the successful design for the Manchester Athenæum, a Grecian building. A still greater degree of celebrity attended his design and construction of the Grammar School of Edward VI., at Birmingham, in the Gothic style, and he increased his fame by his successful designs for the Travellers' Club, the College of Surgeons, and the Reform Club.

The building, however, by which his genius will be most popularly estimated is the Houses of Parliament, which is his monument, as St. Paul's is that of Wren. In spite of an inappropriate site and some faults in detail, which were forced on the architect by difficulties over which he had no control, it is the grandest building of modern times, and well justifies the emphatic description of the Emperor Nicholas, "C'est un rêve en pierre." It was on the occasion of the opening of the finest portion of this great work, the Victoria Tower, in 1852, that her Majesty conferred on Sir Charles the honour of knighthood.

Agreeably to a request of the Institute of British Architects, Sir C. Barry was interred in Westminster Abbey on the 22nd of May. His funeral was conducted with great solemnity, and was attended by nearly 500 representatives from the great societies of arts and science in England, in addition to a numerous deputation from the House of Commons. Besides the buildings above mentioned, Sir C. Barry's chief works are Bridgewater House, built for the Earl of Ellesmere, Trentham and Clifden Houses for the Duke of Sutherland, and Strickland Park, Suffolk, for Sir W. Middleton.

DR. ALEXANDER FLETCHER.-This celebrated minister was born on the 10th of April, 1788, at the Bridge of Teith, near Doune, Perthshire, and received his licence to preach in the year 1806. He quickly became the most popular and promising young preacher in the Secession body, and received many invitations from vacant churches; but he gave the preference to his native place, and in 1807 was ordained at the Bridge of Teith as his father's colleague and successor. But in his twentythird year he was sent by the synod as minister of the Presbyterian Chapel in Miles'-lane, where he preached in 1810. The elders of Miles'-lane Chapel, who were at first doubtful of the success of so youthful a minister, became astonished at the numbers of his followers, and were anxious to secure his settlement among them, which, being declined, he returned to Scotland, only six months afterwards to come back to London as permanent minister of Miles'-lane Church. Here Mr. Fletcher's popularity soon overtasked the capacity of the original chapel, and, after a delay of some years, Finsbury Chapel was built for him, at a cost of 10,000. He afterwards officiated in Albion Chapel, Moorfields. The name of this eminent preacher will be long associated with the foundation of the system of Sunday Schools, in which he was highly useful from his talent in addressing the young. Nor was he without success as a writer of

He was elected as representative for Hull in the year 1847, and so continued until 1852, when he was elected for Leeds, for which borough he kept his seat as long as he remained in parliam nt. In 1849 he was appointed by Lord John Russell's government to the presidency of the poor-law board, retaining the same appointment under Lord Aberdeen's ministry; and in Lord Palmerston's first administration was chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The right hon. gentleman was highly esteemed for his moral worth, and for a wide range of administrative abilities which were more solid and practical than brilliant. And though in the political sphere his success was below that which was anticipated by his friends, it may be presumed that certain circumstances contributed to retard his progress and advancement. His position as a Dissenter was, for instance, as times went, though not a bar to his progression, a clog in some of the wheels, while his health was by no means sufficiently robust for continued exertion; and again, he was comparatively advanced in life when he entered upon the labours of administration. He was the first Dissenter admitted to a seat in the cabinet, and won by his sound common sense and right-religious works. He was the author of "A Guide to mindedness the respect and confidence of his colleagues. SIR CHARLES BARRY, R.A.-This distinguished architect died suddenly on the 12th of May, aged sixty-four. He was the son of Mr. Water Barry, a stationer in Bridge Street, Westminster, and at an early age displayed such a decided taste for the profession of architecture, that it was the path at once chosen by his friends for his future career in life. He was articled to an architectural firm at Lambeth, Messrs. Middleton and Bailey, and for a time he studied his art in England with all the ability and ardour that belong to a youth of genius; and having here mastered all that could be

Family Devotion," containing hymns, prayers, and passages of Scripture (with appropriate reflections) for every day in the year; also a variety of hymns and prayers to suit particular days, seasons, and events of providence-the whole forming a practical guide to the service of the family altar. This work met with unprecedented success,-one hundred thousand copies have been sold in England alone, besides several editions in the United States. He also wrote several works for the young, among them "Scripture History: designed for the Improvement of Youth." These books were most favourably received His literary labours ended with a

revised and improved edition of his "Guide to Family Devotion, which was published a few years before his death-a work which seems destined to hand down his name to posterity. He died on Sunday morning, the 30th of September, 1860.

that period Scott was in the zenith of his fame, and had founded the historical school of novel-writing, remarkable for its picturesque adoption of historical facts and personages without any startling violation of historical truth. The popularity of "The Waverley Novels" produced a host of imitators. Young James was seized with the prevailing epidemic. Without much origi nality of thought, he was well educated and well read, had travelled and observed much, had a good eye for stage business, and a fatal facility. He wrote a large number of tales and pieces, which were published in magazines, and which are now unknown; but they had so much of merit that they attracted the attention of Washington Irving to the writer, and at his instigation he attempted something more ambitious. The result of this advice was the novel of "Richelieu," completed in 1825. It was shown to Sir Walter Scott, who was so well pleased with this production of one who promised to follow well in his own line, that he strongly coun selled its publication. It was accordingly brought out in 1828, and had a great success. It is a really good

THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK.-The Right Hon. and Most Rev. Thomas Musgrave, D.D., Archbishop of York, was the son of a draper at Cambridge, and received his first education at Richmond Grammar School, then flourishing under Dr. Tate. In 1806 he entered, as student, Trinity College, Cambridge, and was fourteenth wrangler in 1810. When at Cambridge, he obtained the second member's prize for middle bachelor, in 1811; proceeded M.A. in 1813; became Lord Almoner's Professor of Arabic in 1821, and was senior proctor in 1831. In 1837, Dr. Musgrave was appointed, by Viscount Melbourne, Dean of Bristol, and, in the course of a few months, Bishop of Hereford; and, on the death of the venerable Dr. Harcourt, in 1847, was translated to the archiepiscopal see of York. His grace was by sympathy and principle warmly attached to the views of the Evangelical party in the church of Eng-work, and was followed by one equally good, "Darnley." land. He died on the 4th of May, aged seventy-one.

BARON DE BUNSEN.-Christian Charles Josiah Bunsen was the late Prussian Minister at the British Court; but was better known to the world for his immense literary labours, and for his speculations in religion and philosophy.

The deceased was born at Korbach, in the principality of Waldeck, on the 25th of August, 1791. He was educated at the University of Gottingen. On leaving Gottingen, Bunsen travelled for a while, visiting, among other countries, Holland and Denmark, and in the last-named country he acquired the Icelandic language under the learned Magnussen. About the end of 1815 he visited Berlin, where he became acquainted with Niebuhr, and this acquaintance had much to do with his future life. He repaired to Paris in 1816, and acquired much knowledge in Oriental languages from Sylvestre de Sacy, but he at length fixed himself at Rome, where his friend Niebuhr was then Minister for Prussia. Niebuhr procured him the post of Secretary of Embassy, and by his help in literary matters did all in his power to put him fairly on the road to fortune. In the year 1822 Frederick III. of Prussia visited Rome, when the courtly secretary so recommended himself to his royal master by a display of great theological erudition, that on the retirement of Niebuhr in 1824, he was appointed chargé d'affaires, and afterwards he became minister.

This favourable reception determined Mr. James's career, and from that time he issued novel after novel with inexhaustible facility, and, strange to say, with almost invariable success. Mr. James also wrote some works of strict history; they are not of much value, but this employment of his pen was held to qualify him for the court appointment of historiographer royal, which was bestowed upon him by William IV. In 1850, Mr. James accepted the appointment of British consul in the State of Massachusetts, U.S., and filled that office several years; in 1856 he was transferred to the more dignified post of consul-general for the Austrian ports in the Adriatic. A residence at Venice must have had peculiar charms for a man whose imagination was filled with pictures of ancient cities, magnificent mansions, stately personages and picturesque costumes. He died at Venice on the 9th of May, aged fifty-nine.

MRS. ANNA JAMESON.-This accomplished woman and popular writer was born at Dublin, in 1796, the daughter of Mr. Murphy, a miniature-painter of some repute, and having the appointment of painter in ordinary to the Princess Charlotte. From her father, no doubt, she derived the practical knowledge of drawing: but she had instincts for all that is beautiful in art—a taste for music, if a limited knowledge of it—a feeling for poetry greater than any expressive power, and a delicate appreciation of the drama.

The "Characteristics of Women," was the most popular of her works; and it is perhaps the one which best illustrates her quality of mind. It appeared in 1832, having been preceded by "The Loves of the Poets," and "Lives of Celebrated Female Sovereigns." The "Characteristics" appeared a great advance on the earlier works; and it was, at first sight, a very winning book. Wherever the reader opened, the picture was charming, and the analysis seemed to be acute, delicate, and almost philosophical.

This post he held for nearly twelve years, and he displayed great zeal to forward Protestant interests in various negotiations between the Holy See and Prussia. He was afterwards accredited to Switzerland, and last of all to England. His diplomatic labours were heavy in all these countries, and they were discharged in a way that won him the esteem of all parties-but they by no means exhausted the force of his active mind. He was frequently summoned to Berlin, when any particularly delicate question of State policy was to be dis- Mrs. Jameson's most elaborate and most valuable cussed, and he always threw whatever influence he works are those devoted to "Sacred and Legendary possessed or could command into the ultra-Protestant Art." The work so called is the first of a beautiful (or, as his opponents said, into the Rationalist) scale. series, of which the other published sections are He was the real originator of the scheme for the Bishop-"Legends of the Monastic Orders" and "Legends of ric of Jerusalem, and to him is also ascribed the plan of giving representative institutions to Prussia. But his great and real occupation was literature, and this he pursued with an energy which caused his character as a diplomatist to be lost in that of a man of letters.

He died at Bonn, on November 28, aged sixty-nine. GEORGE PAYNE RAYNSFORD JAMES.-Mr. James was born in 1801, in London, where his father was in practice as a physician. Having received a liberal education, suitable to his position, Mr. James travelled for some time on the continent, and was resident in France and Italy during his early youth and manhood. At

the Madonna." She had also undertaken, and had
nearly completed, another most important branch of the
subject, of which the illustrations have been gathered
with infinite zeal and industry, "The History of Our
Lord and of his Precursor, St. John the Baptist, with
the Personages and Typical Subjects of the Old Testa
ment, as represented in Christian Art." These anxious
studies wore out a frame already weakened by labour
and the anxieties of her life, and Mrs. Jameson was
putting a last touch to the concluding volume, when she
was bidden to cease for ever.
March aged sixty-four.

She died on the 17th

CHAPTER IV.

Review of the Parliamentary Session-Post-office Savings-banks the

Census-New Educational Minute-Easter Vo unteer Revie xs-
National Rifle Association-Death and Funeral of the Prince Consort

Foreign: India; France; Italy; Civil War in America; Russia

Decease of Eminent Persons.

THE MINISTRY

· As it stood at the Meeting of Parliament on the 5th of February, 1861. THE CABINET.

Rt. Hon. Viscount Palmerston.
Rt. Hon. Lord Campbell.

Rt. Hon. Earl Granville.

President of the Council
Lord Privy Seal
His Grace the Duke of Argyll.
Secretary of State, Home Department Rt. Hon. Sir Geo. C. Lewis, Bt.
Rt. Hon. Lord John Russell
(Earl Russell).

Secretary of State, Foreign Depart-}

ment

His Grace the Duke of New

castle.

Rt. Hon. Lord Herbert.

the Sultan by which temporary military assistance was to be afforded to the Sultan for the purpose of establishing order in that part of his dominion. That assistance has been afforded by a body of French troops, who have been sent to Syria as representing the allied powers. The Sultan has also placed a considerable military force in Syria under the direction of an able officer; and I trust that tranquillity will soon be re-established in that province, and that the objects of the convention will

have been fully attained. I am glad to inform you

that the efforts of the allied forces in China have been attended with complete success. After the capture of the forts at the mouth of the Peiho and several engagements with the Chinese army, the allied forces became masters of the Imperial city of Pekin, and the Earl of Elgin and Baron Gross, the ambassador of the Emperor of the French, were enabled to obtain an honourable and satisfactory settlement of all matters in dispute. Throughout these operations and the negotiations which followed them, the commanders and ambassadors of the allied powers acted with the most friendly concert. The Right Hon. Lord Stanley of state of my Indian territory is progressively improving, and I trust that its financial condition will partake of the general amendment. An insurrection of a portion of the natives of New Zealand has interrupted the peace Right Hon. Edward Cardwell. of a part of that colony, but I hope that the measures

Rt. Hon. Sir Chas. Wood, Bt.
Rt. Hon. Wm. E. Gladstone.
His Grace the Duke of Somer-

set.

Rt. Hon. Thos. Milner Gibson.

Alderley.

Right Hon. Sir George Grey.

Rt. Hon. Charles P. Villiers.

which have been taken will speedily suppress those disturbances, and enable my Government to take such measures as may prevent their recurrence. Serious differences have arisen amongst the States of the North American Union. It is impossible for me not to look with great concern upon any events which can affect

Chief Commissioner of Works and Right Hon. William Francis the happiness and welfare of a people nearly allied to

my subjects by descent, and closely connected with them by the most intimate and friendly relations; my heartfelt wish is that these differences may be susceptible of a satisfactory adjustment. The interest which I take in the well-being of the people of the United States cannot but be increased by the kind and cordial reception given by them to the Prince of Wales, during his recent visit to the continent of America. I am glad to take this opportunity of expressing my warm appreciation of the loyalty and attachment to my person and throne manifested by my Canadian and other North American subjects, on the occasion of the residence of the Prince of Wales among them. I have concluded with the Emperor of the French conventions supplementary to the treaty of commerce of the 23rd January, 1860, and in Most Hon. Marquis of Ayles- furtherance of the objects of that treaty. I have also con

Right Hon. Earl of Carlisle.
Right Hon. Maziere Brady.

Right Hon. Edward Cardwell.

Right Hon. Rickard Deasy.
Thomas O'Hagan, Esq.

QUEEN'S HOUSEHOLD.

Rt. Hon. Earl of St. Germans.
Rt. Hon. Viscount Sydney.

bury.

Duchess of Sutherland.

The following changes took place during the year :—

cluded with the King of Sardinia a convention for the reciprocal protection of copyright. Measures will be laid before you for the consolidation of important parts

The Right Hon. Sir Richard Bethell (created Lord Westbury) Lord of the criminal laws; for the improvement of the laws of Chancellor, vice Lord Campbell, deceased.

THE SESSION OF 1861.

bankruptcy and insolvency; for rendering more easy the transfer of land; for establishing a uniform system of rating in England and Wales, and for several other

THE parlamentary session of the year 1861 was opened purposes of public usefulness

by her Majesty in person, on the 5th of February, The debate which followed the motion that the address with much of the pomp usual on such occasions. The be agreed to, in the House of Lords, was only notable for speech, which was considered of much importance, as the vigorous onslaught made by Earl Derby on the shadowing forth the foreign policy of the government, government. The noble earl took objection to the especially with regard to Italy, Turkey and the United address on several grounds. He was surprised that no States, was in its essential parts as follows:-" My rela- notice was taken of the distress which had recently tions with foreign powers continue to be friendly and prevailed amongst the working classes, and that the satisfactory, and I trust that the moderation of the financial affairs of the country had not been commented powers of Europe will prevent any interruption of the upon. His objections to the foreign policy of the governgeneral peace. Events of great importance are taking ment, especially respecting Italy, are worthy of notice. place in Italy. Believing that the Italians ought to be He complained that Lord Russell had written despatches left to settle their own affairs, I have not thought it of the most contradictory character, and embodying right to exercise any active interference in those matters. totally distinct principles. On the 31st of August a Papers on this subject will be laid before you. I an-despatch was written, deprecating, on the ground of nounced to you last session that the atrocities which principle, any interference by Sardinia in Naples; anhad then recently been committed in Syria had induced other despatch, dated 27th of October, was sent, and me to concur with the Emperor of Austria, the Emperor might with justice be called an answer to the former. of the French, the Prince Regent of Prussia, the Em- The relations of England with France were made the peror of Russia, in entering into an engagement with subject, by his lordship, of a lengthened dissertation,

VOL. IV.

1