LONDON:
PRINTED FOR J. & F. H. RIVINGTON;

LONGMAN AND CO.; HAMILTON AND CO.; SIMPKIN AND CO.; HOULSTON
AND WRIGHT; COWIE AND CO. ; SMITH, ELDER AND CO. ; E. BUMPUS;
J. WALLER; J. THOMAS; L. BOOTH; A. CLEAVER; UPHAM AND BEET;
BELL AND DALDY; WILLIS AND SOTHERAN; BICKERS AND BUSH; W.
HEATH; J. TOOVEY; AND J. WHELDON.

LONDON : PRINTED BY WOODFALL AND KINDER

ANGEL COURT, SKINNER STREET.

CONTENTS.

CIIAPTER I.

STATE OF THE COUNTRY at the commencement of the Year 1861— Parliament

is Opened by the Queen in person on the 5th of February—Her Majesty's

Speech-The Address is moved in the House of Lords by the Earl of

Sefton, seconded by Lord Lismore–The Earl of Derby enters fully into

the various topics included in the Royal Speech, especially into the policy

of this country in regard to Italy–He is answered by Earl Granville-

The Address is agreed to–It is moved in the House of Commons by Sir

T. E. Colebrooke, and seconded by Mr. Paget-An Amendment on the

subject of Parliamentary Reform is moved by Mr. White-Mr. Disraeli

descants at some length on the State of Italy and the conduct of the

British Government in relation thereto-Lord John Russell vindicates

the policy of Her Majesty's Ministers-He adds some observations on

Parliamentary Reform-Mr. Bright discusses the latter subject at some

length, and expresses regret at the omission of the topic from the Minis-

terial Programme-Mr. White's Amendment being negatived, the Address

is carried without a Division—On the Report of the Address, Mr. Seymour

Fitzgerald renews the debate on Italian Affairs-Lord John Russell again

justifies the policy of Non-interference pursued by the Cabinet-DEFECTS

OF PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE-Committees moved for by the Ministers

in both Houses to inquire into means of expediting the public business in

Parliament-Mr. Horsman moves an Amendment to the Motion in the

House of Commons-Mr. Disraeli expresses his dissent from the Amend-

ment, and Lord Palmerston's Motion is carried-Committees are appointed

-Result of their inquiries—MILITARY OPERATIONS IN China-Lord

Herbert of Lea, Secretary of State for War, moves a Vote of Thanks to

the Officers and Men engaged in the China Expedition-His Speech,

giving an account of the operations of the War-The Earl of Derby gives

his cordial assent to the Motion, and compliments the Military Depart-

ment on the organization of the Expedition-Remarks of the Duke of

Cambridge, Earl Grey, the Duke of Somerset, Earl of Ellenborough, and

other Peers—The Resolution is adopted, nem. con. A similar Resolution

in the House of Commons is moved by Lord Palmerston, seconded by

Mr. Disraeli—Remarks of Mr. White, Sir James Elphinstone, Lord John

Russell, and other Members—The Motion is voted unanimously-Law of

BANKRUPTCY—The Attorney-General again introduces his Measure, some-

1