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J-

RICHARD COBDEN,
FROivI A.: A::rHEiJiI
.-

FuRThAII

BLACKIE.A S0N.10SDCK. GLASGOW & HDlWSVRCff

WILLIAM EWAKT

GLAD STONE
AND
HIS

CONTEMPORARIES
FIFTY YEARS

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PROGEESS.

BY

THOMAS ARCHER,

F.RH.S.,

AUTHOR OF "PICTURES AND ROYAL PORTRAITS," "DECISIVE EVENTS OP HISTORY, " THE TERRIBLE SIGHTS OF LONDON," ETC.

Vol.

II.

1840 TO 1854.

BLACKIE & SON;

LONDON, EDINBURGH, GLASGOW, AND DUBLIN,

V .0.

{?.RAFp

W.

G.

BLACKIE AND

CO., PTliyTF.RS,

VTI.LAFIELD.

CONTENTS OF VOL.

11.

Portrait

frontispiece. Richard Cobdex From an authentic portrait, Lord John Ecssell (Eakl Kissell) From a photograph by S. A. Walker,... Jo /ace Giuseppe Garibaldi From a photograph by Maull & Co Lord Ashley (Earl of Shaftesbury) From portrait by Sir W. C. Eoss, E.A.,

64

152 204

Albert Prixce Con'sobt

From the portrait by Winterhalter,

,,

,,

232
258

Vlsoou>'T Palmerst.jx From a photograph by Charles Watkins,

Earl of Derby From a photograpli by W. & D. Downey Earl uf Aberdeen From an authentic portrait,

296

316

CHAPTEE
The Coming of
Our Foreign Eelations
"

V.

defends the Scale

Lord

Palmerston's
. .

Speech

The Amendment
Motion

rejected,

19

Fkee-ibade."
1

Mr.

Villier's

for the total

Eepeal of
23

Carlyle

the Corn-duties
ports
it,

Mr.

Cobden ably sup-

Mazzini's Keflections, Affairs in France Difficulties with Melienitt Ali Proposed Fortification of Paris
Napoleon's body brought from
Louis Napoleon in London
St.

....
fiasco

on Mazziui

Sketch of Richard Cobden,

.23

Progi-ess of the Anti-Corn-law

Helena,
at

His

Boulogne

He and Count
Ham,
in

imprisoned at

.....
France

Montholon are

League Its The Grand Banquet of 1840 Daniel O'ConneU and Thomas Milner Gibson are present Public Dinner of 5000 Working Men Ladies'
Great Pavilion at Manchester

Tea-party,

The

four Gr-,at Powers deal with

Mehemet
office,

......
. .

24

Ali

War-feeling

The Thiers
Jean d'Acre
C'aliul

Opposition to the League by so-called Chartists

Coikference of

Ministers of Religion

Cabinet dissolved and M. Guizot in

Doings of Ibrahim Pasha

St.

on the Corn-law Question,

.25
.

bombarded and taken,

Affairs in India

Horrors
Pi.Uock

British Eetreat from of the Khyber Pass General

Eobert Sale in Jella"

....

Great Free -trade Bazaar at Manchester

Opening
raeli

of the Free-trade

HaU,

27

Women's Parliamentary

Suffrage

Mr.
. . .

Dis-

on Female Influence in Politics

.

relieve.^ Sir

labad
of

Lord EUenborough and the " Gates

CIos3 of the Afghan War
three Brothers Napier

" Culture for the Millions,"

28

Somnauth

The
Treatment
Its

Conquest
.

Growth of Popular " Organizations," John Bright His first Public Appearances

30
31

Enters Parliament in 1843

Cobden's
Influence
in

of Scinde

by Sir Charles James Napier,

of our Colonies

New

as

an

Orator

His
.

Zealand
of

early

Government

Sir
I'luu-h

George Grey,

The Truck System Mr. a "Tommy-shop,"

Criminal Discipline

Douglas Jerrold and Thomas Hood,. Disraeli's sketch of Flogging Mr.

in the

.....
Pamphilon,
.
.

Governorship

Speeches
Sir Eobert

the

House

Mr.
.

Busfield

Ferrand's attacks on him,

Peel's

.32

Financial

Proposals for

1842
cier

Mr. Gladstone's Skill as a Finan The Penny Postage System and the

Income-tax,

Army

......
for

34

and Navy

Capital Punishment,
London
1842

Mr. Duncombe's Motion

the Qileen
Assassination of Mr.

an Address to
37

Cofifee-houses in

Edward Drummond by
38

Suburban Cemeteries established,

The

New

Parliament of

Petitions

against the Corn-laws

introduces his Sliding-scale

Eussell's

Sir Eobert Peel Lord John Amendment Mr. Gladstone

M'Naughten, Mr. Cobden's attack on Sir Eobert Peel Sir Eobert's painful Eetort Macaulay's picture of a " Stormy Night " in the House

of

Commons,

......

38


CONTENTS OF VOLUME
M'Naughten's Trial
Insanity,
II.

.......
Legal

Treatment

of

ings of the

40

Times

League The Prophecy in the Opening of the Ports Difficulties

of the Ministry,

The League repels Sir Robert Peel's Accusation Removes its Head - quarters to London A Foreigner's Description of its

and proposed Resignation

85

Relations of Sir Robert Peel to the Queen

Operations,

.41

Notices of Lord Melbourne, Joseph

.
.

Hume,
.

and Prince Albert Sir Robert's Interview with her Majesty at Osborne Lord John Russell fails to form a Ministry and

.44 and Lord Brougham, Mr. Gladstone and the Maynooth College Bill He resigns Office His later views

Peel

is

recalled

Colonial Secretary
for

Mr. Gladstone becomes He resigns his Seat

92
in

Newark

Wellington and the " Queen's

Robert Change of Opinion on
1846

on the Irish Church Question,

.46
.

The League and Agricultural Distress, Lord John Kussell on Mr. Gladstone, Cobden's Introduction to John Bright,
Monster Meeting
at

49
50
51

Government," Opening of Parliament

Peel announces his

Sir
.

Speeches
WiUiam
J.

Covent Garden Theatre by Cobden, Bright, and

51

the Corn-laws His Financial Proposals His Views on Reciprocity,

.

.95
.99

Lord George Bentinck leads the Agricultural

Party

Fox,

His singular Statistics Disraeli's

Leanings of Sir Robert Peel and Mr. Gladstone to a Free-trade Policj-,

. .

Life of Lord George

.52
of

Mr. Gladstone's Act for the Regulation

Railways,
State of the Country in 1843,

.......
.
.

54

The Times on the League,

Opening

.54 .55

Debate on the Corn-laws continued Peel's Advice to the Protectionists Bright's Defence of Peel Disraeli's renewed Onslaught on him Peel's Reply The Corn

Importation Bill finally passed,

Peel's

101

Feeling of the Government on Free-trade Mr. Cobof the Session of 1844

reputed Challenge

to

Disraeli

Re.
.

signation of the Ministry proposed,

106

den's advice to qualify for Registration,

56

Debate on
to Peel

Irish Affairs

Evils of the Game-laws exposed,

.58
.60

The Budget
Mr.
"

of

1844 Peel's Bank Act Re. .

. .

mission of Taxes,
Disraeli's

Jtunnymede

Letters

His
.

Defeat Disraeli's graphic Account of the Scene His Estimate of Peel's Character and Oratory Anecdotes connoble Speech
cerning Peel's Home-life

Cobden's Testimony of the ilinistry Peel's

His
.

tacks on Sir Robert Peel

Study " of Lord John RusseU His AtHis Doctrine of

Political

Career and Patronage of Learning

Attitude of his opponent Disrael:,
Dissolution of the League,
.

New
. .

"Tory Democrac3',".
Debate on

.63
on

the Sugar Duties

Disraeli
. .

.107 .115

Peel's threat to resign Office,

.66

The

Russell Ministry formed,

.US

The

Session of 1845

Peel's Financial Scheme

68

State of Ireland

The Archbishop of

Tuani's

Debates on the Income-tax and Sugarduties Speech by Mr. Gladstone Macaulay's Story,

Letter

Pictures of

Idleness ;:nd Distress

......
Peel

Renewed Discussion on

the opening of Letters

Disraeli
Reply,
.

assails

His

disdainful

73

Mr. Cobden's Speech on Agricultural Distress Mr.Sidney Herbert's unliappy Answer

by the Rev. H. Montgomery and Capt. Kennedy Mr. Smith of Deanston's ProLord George posal for Improvement Bentinck supports it Increase of Crime and dreadful Condition of the Peasantry, 116 Riots and Incendiarism in England and Wales " Rebecca and her Daughters " Mani-

Mr. Miles takes up the Question Disraeli on Peel and Conservatism Peel's Reply to Mr. Miles's Motion and his Retort on

Disraeli,

The Maynooth Endowment

.......
Bill

75

Views

of

Dr. Croly and of Dr. Candlish

aulay's powerful Speech in its

MacFavour

.120 The "Repeal Year" 1843 O'Connell's monster Meeting at Trim Demonstrations at the Hill of Tai-a and at Mullaghmast The Clontarf Meeting prohibited Prosefestations of Disloyalty,
.
.

cution and Imprisonment of O'Connell

The House
latest

of

Lords reverse the Sentence triumphant Release

Mr. Gladstone's Change of Views-j Disraeli's renewed Attack on Peel, .78 Bad Harvest of 1 845 Failure of the Potato Crop Efforts of the League to obtain immediate Repeal of the Corn-duties " Lord John Russell's " Edinburgh Letter Popular Excitement and great Meet.

O'Connell's
House
of

His
in the
. .

Appearances

and Words
Death,
.
.

Commons His
.

Series of Roj'al Visits,

Difficulty with

.123 .129
.

Notice

of

M. Guizot
Castlt',

131 France about Tahiti, His Adventure at

.

Windsor

.....

132


CONTEXTS OF VOLUME
CHAPTER

TI.

made Bishop
\a.
Case,

.......
of

Hereford

The Gorham
168

Cardinal

Wiseman and Papal Aggression

Ecclesiastical Titles
Bill

Yeaiis of Eevolctiox jixn Ixierxationaliti'.

Affairs in France

The

Louis

PAGE

popular Excitement,

....
. . . .

Great
171

Philippe and the

Spanish Marriages

Reform Banquets held Insurrection in Paris The King abdicates and to England A Provisional GovernPoor
flees

Distress

among

the

Flogging in the Army, Dr. Arnold of Rugby,

.....
.

174 175

Events

of

the Decade

1S40-1850 Publica-

tion of the Vestiges of Creation

Combe and his Works

of

ment formed Louis Kapoleon

from

escapes

Ham
Non-intervention

133

Debate on

Sir

Robert
138

Peel's last Speech

The Manchester School

Nationalities

of Politics Mrs. Browning's Appeal on behalf of oppressed

1847 Introduction of Chloroform Mrs. Catherine Wilkinson's work among the Poor Visitation of Cholera in 1849, 175 George Hudson and the Railway Mania, 179 Sanitary Measures of the Government The

George Commercial Crisis

.

General
.

Haynau's Recep.

tion in England,

.139

Soyer

the

Cook's Recipe for

the

Salva-

Board of Health appointed. 181 Distress and Mortality in Ireland Working of the Encumbered Estates BiU Seditious Harangues of Smith O'Brien and the

tion of Ireland

Describes
. .

his Culinary

Economic Importance, .141 The Revolutionary Spirit of 184S Kossuth and Mazziui Manin and Orsini Lamartine, Victor Hugo, and Louis Blanc Feaigus O'Connor and Ernest Jones
.

Tour through the Island

Its

"Young Ireland" Party ITie "Cabbage Garden Insurrection" put doTi O'Brien and his Confederates transported, 182

Deplorable Condition of Ireland in 1848

The Royal
Repeal
of the

Visit in the following Year,

184
186

Narigation Laws,

Agricultural Depression in England

Disraeli's

Sketch

of

Initiation

into

on the Poor-laws,

Secret

Society

The

reforming

Pope
14-2

Reform

in Colonial

Government

Pius
Rise
of

IX
" Christian

South Australia

Socialism "

Maurice and Charles matory Writing of the time, .150 Austrian Rule in Italy Movements of Charles
. .

F. D. Kingsley Inflam-

New

.....

out,

Debate
188

Hawaii Zealand Mr.

189

Wakefield's Sj'stem of Colonization ruined

Governor Grey sent

Convict Settlement in
of

New

South Wales

Garibaldi enters Rome Victor Emmanuel The French besiege and capture Rome Garibaldi's brave Defence
Albert

Social Position of the Convicts

Progress

Van Diemen's Land or Tasmania

The

Cape Colonists
\ncts,

refuse to receive our Con-

192
Bill for

and

skilful

Retreat

Insurrection in Vienna

Sketch

151
of

The Indemnity

Canada,

195

Robert
154

Australian Colonies Government Bill debated

Blum,
Struggles in

Mr.
Efforts to

Gladstone's Views on a Colonial

Hungary

and London,
suth,

Francis Deak, KosGorgei Political Refugees in

155

Church,

pomote Emigration
Emigration

.......
Knowledge
National Arbi-

197

Mrs. Chis198

hohn and Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Herbert

Statistics of

The Dyaks

of

Borneo and Rajah Brooke

157
ItiO

Investigation into Brooke's Proceedings

Discovery of Gold in California and Australia

.

The Sikh War

Mr. Gladstone's View of them, Annexation of the Punjab,

.

Rapid Progi'ess
nies,

Career of Leigh
Literature of the

Hunt

Disraeli's fanciful
.

Discussions on the Taxes on

Sketch of the Prison in Hubbabub,

aulay

.161 Time Carlyle and MacWiUiam Wordsworth His In-

Parliamentary Reform
tration, &c.,

timacy with Coleridge,

....
in

Sketch of Lord Shaftesbury

....... ......
His
:

of the Australian Colo-

201

203

efforts to

163

The Non-intrusion Controversy

Scotland

from the National Church Dr. Chalmers The Free Church of Scot-

Secession

reduce the Hours nf Labour, 204 Eminent Persons deceased Lord George Bentinck Charles BuUer Dowager Queen

Adelaide,

land,

The

Dissenters in England Archbishop Howley's Address to the Clergy Disraeli on the Bishoj) of London Dr. Hampden

165

Tennyson appointed Poet-laureate Pensions for Literary Merit Mr. Bailey and the " Spasmodic School " Sydney Dobell, Alexander Smith, and Georjie Gilflllan,

......

.

205

II.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME
Notice

Jenny Lind, Characteristics of Lord Palmerston

of

..'...

PACK
"208

of the Neapolitan of

Letter on the Austrians,

....
of the

His
208

Government in the case Baron Carlo Poerio Gladstone's Esti-

mate

of Poerio's Character,

259

Debate on the Foreign Policy

Govern-

The

ment

The

Lon

Pacifico Claims

upon Greek Government

blockades the Pir;uus

Claims Admiral Parker

Russia

Mr. Gladstone on the Ne.ipjlitan Monarchy Lord Palmerston action Attempted Replies to
Catecliismo Filosofico
t:ikes

Posture of

the Gladstone Letters

notice of these,
.

Mr.
. .

Gladstone's
.

Attack in Parliament on and France Lord Palmerston His memoi-able Keply Ciiis Jiomanus sum Mr. Gladstone's Remonstrance Sir Alexander Cockburn

Louis Napoleon and French Affairs

fid

Distrust.

Feeling in England,

273 275 275 276

defends Palmerston,

Fatal Accident to Sir Robert Peel

Tributes to his Character
lyle

....
Thomas

Kossuth's Tour in the United States,

'211

National Education

Public
Car-

Views,
221

National Reform Assiiciation

.......
John

Lord

Russell's

The Taxes on

on Sir Robert
Clubs

Knowledge

Frauds of Navy Contractors,

case of

Affairs in France

The

The Republic proclaimed in Paris An Insurrection

terrible Slaughter

Loss of the Steamship Amazon,

The Austrian Government and the

Ml'.

threatened

The
The

The National Assembly meets National Workshops closed Reof

Mather,
of

277

Opening

Parliament in 1852

newed Insurrection and

Archbishop

Paris slain

Napoleon elected Prcsider.t

Louis Philippe rn England,

Death
.
.

Louis
of
.

The " Committee on the Kitchen " Feargus O'Connor His Examination in Chancery Is finally sent to
of the Session

Humours

225

a Lunatic Asylum,
" Sir

277

The Great Exhibition

of

18.^1

Projected

Discussion on Lord Palmerston's Dismissal

and carried forward by Prince Albert

Sir Joseph Paxton's Design for the Build-

ing

Details

of the Structtire

"Cristial Exhibition"

Fears

Thackeray's
about the
Public

Exhibition

proving a Source of

Danger
of the

Grand

opening Ceremony

The

The Duke of Wellington and the Frenchmen Close of the Exhibition remarkable Success The
Opening
Its

"May Day Ode" The

Queen's Account

Menenius Agi-ippa " Lord John Lord Palmerston and Lord Normanby's Correspondence Mr. Disraeli's Speech, 280 Traits of Lord Palmerston His Correspondence with Sir Benjamin Hall about the Parks His Horror of Continental DespotRussell's Explanation

....
Political "
of

ism

Thackeray's

"

Snob

Palmerston's
missal,

.......
own Account
his

Dis-

286
288 288 289

Queen records her

final Visit,

231

Bursting of the Holmfirth Reservoir,

Mr. Carlyle on Pauperism, Lord John Russell's new Reform

....
.

Bill,

CHAPTER
Years of Old Enemie.s
The Story

VII.

.\nd

New

Allies.

Debates on Irish Affairs and on Pauperism, 290 Attempt on the Life of Queen Isabella of Spain The Assassin Merino is garoted, 290 Lord John Russell's Militia Scheme Hume and Cobden oppose it Lord Palmerston's
.

of the Coup-d'etat of 1S51

King-

Speech,

lake and Victor

Hugo

on Louis Napoleon

Renewed Attack on the

His
Fleury

.......
Militia Bill
.

291

The

colleagues

Wholesale

Persigny, Mornj-, and

Imprisonments
in

Dreadful Carnage

Paris

Napoleon
. .

Ministry defeated and resign, 295 Lord Derby's Ministrj' Mr. Disraeli Chan-

cellor of the

Exchequer,

....

296

made President

for ten years,

Lord Palmerston's view of the Coup-d'etat His Letter to Lord Normanby Remonstrance of the Queen and of his Colleagues in office His Spnpathy with the Polish and Hungarian Refugees, 258 Mr. Gladstone unveils the Cruelties of the Neapolitan Government -His Letters to Lord Aberdeen Condition of the Prisons Cases of Pironte, Baron Porof Naples

251

Agitation for the Repeal of the Taxes on

Knowledge

Leigh

Jerrold's Views,

.....
ExF.
of

Hunt and Douglas

Character of the

new Tory Government

297 298

Revival of the Anti-Corn-law League,

Loss of the Troopship Birkenhead,

Sad Story
tracts

of the

Patagonian Mission

from

Gardiner,
Literar)'

Events

cri, Settembrini, a.idFaueitauu

Tyranny

.......
the Journal
AIl;;n
of

298

1852

Death

of

Thomas
Caliii

Morre Publication

of

Unde Tom's


CONTENTS OF VOLUME
and
the
of Thackeray's

II.

Esmond

Activity
.

of

Wellington
301 301

new

Theistic Literature,

Country

Effect of the News on the Characteristic Stories of his

.
. . .

Roebuck rersits Coppock, Meeting of the Liberal Leaders

of

Their Line

Disraeli's Address to the Buckinghamshire Electors Parliamentary Eeform agitated Resuscitation of the AntiCom-law League Its fiRt great Meeting
Action
held

.317 Home-life and Simple Manners, 319 Mr. Xeild's Legacy to the Queen, News of the Duke's Death reaches Balmoral Grief of the Queen and Prince Albert Lord Hardinge appointed Commander-in.

Chief,

319

Mr.

Cobden on the Tory Govern302

ment,

The Lord Derby's Ministerial Statement Battle of Protection renewed Sir James
304 Graham's Speech, The "Christian Socialist' Party Their Opposition to the "Manchester School" 305 Views of Maurice and Kingsley, Mr. CardweU at Free-trade Discussions
.

....

The Duke's Body lying in state in Chelsea Hospital The Times describes the Scene 320 Great Public Funeral Sympathy on the Continent Defection of

Austria

Louis Napoleon's Declaration

singular Speech

Panegyric on the
ilr.

Duke by Lord Derby

Disraeli's

He

is

convicted of Plagiarism by the Globe

Gladstone's Speech
Affairs in France

Jlr.
322

Liverpool

Mr.

Disraeli

Majesty's Opposition,

....
lectures

her 307

Mr. Roebuck on our Relations with France,

Sir

308 308 309

Napoleon through the Southern Departments Strange Performance in his honour at

''

" Progress

of Louis

John Pakington,
Kaffir

the Colonial Secretary,

to Australia,

and Tran.sportation

The

War Rifle

Clubs,

Aix Address of the Mayor of Sevres The President's Speech at Bordeaux His triumphal Return to Paris The Empire

Lord Brougham's Bill regulating period between the Dissolution and Reassembling
of Parliaments,

is

proclaimed,
III.'s

......

324

.....
Statement

Napoleon
309 309

Address to the Senate and

the Legislative

Body

Opinion in England

Joseph Hume's Annual Motion for Parlia-

on the new Regime,

Close of the

....

327

mentary Reform,
State of Public Feeling at end of 1852
Disraeli's Financial

Mr.
Pro-

Feeling
stone
try

Its

Year 1852- State of National Lord Palmerston and Mr. GladAspect of the Coun-

visions detailed in a five-hours' Speech

Sir Charles

Wood

ojiposes the proposed

Sanitary Condition of London New Cattle-market established Public Improvements,

Commercial

remission of the Malt-duty and extension of the Income-tax

......

328

and Hmise-duty
criticises Dis-

Mr. Cobden and Mr. Lowe oppose the

Budget
raeli's

Sir .lames Graham

views on Direct Taxation

The
Bud309

Chancellor's slashing Defence of his

Meeting of new Parliament in February, 1853 Mr. Gladstone's first Budget His Plan for the Reduction of the National Dabt Mr. His views upon the Income-tax It Disraeli's Opposition to the Budget

get

is

finally passed,

.....

329

Mr. Gladstone's Speech on Disraeli and his Budget The Derby Ministry defe.ated

and resign
the

Mr. Disraeli gracefully thanks

for its indulcrence to him.

House

Lord Aberdeen's Coalition Ministry Mr. Gladstone Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lord John Russell Foreign Secretary Lord Palraerston H^ine Secretary

315

Napoleon III. seeks a close Alliance with England His Claims in favour of the Latin Church in the East Designs of the His Emperor Nicholas upon Turkey "Just Demands" and "Precautionary Measures " He seizes Moldavia and

Wallachia
Strfitford

Conference

at

Vienna

Forebodings of the great

War with Russia,

of the

316

Canning supports the Sultan Alliance of France and Britain against

Russia

Sir

Sudden

Illness

and Death

Dr.ke of

War declared,

....

334

GLADSTONE
AND HIS OONTEJSIPORARIES.
CHAPTER
THE COMING OF
'

V.

FREE-TEADE."

Our Foreign Relations Italy France Egypt India The Colonies New Zealand Punch Popular Sympathy The Truck System Flogging in the Army Capital Punishment Temperance Sanitary Legislation Education The Com Laws The Sliding Scale Children of Rebecca O'Connell's ConMr. Gladstone's Resignation The Anti-Corn-law League viction Agricultural Distress ilaynooth The Bazaars in Manchester and London Cobden Bright Chartism Repeal of the Com Laws Mr Gladstone in Office His Altered Views Disraeli's Attacks on Peel The Royal Family.

We

shall

be better able to undei-staud the

general sympathy with ilazzini was at thistime

intense.

condition of the country duiing the period in

Punch, then a new power, entered

which the repeal

of the

Corn Laws was the

if

vigorously into the fray.

Mr.

Carlyle, himself

central political eveut in England,

we again

a very strong anti-revolutionist, and a neverceasing opponent of Mazzini,

take a brief glance at our foreign relations.

came forward
;

The sensation which was caused by the fate (jf those Italiau.s who died for what they believed to be the cause of national freedom,

with this very strong testimony in his favour

" I

have had the honour to

for a

term of

years,

and whatever

know Mr. Mazzini I may think

continued to be

felt for

a long time in

this

of his practical skill

and insight in worldly

such,
ster-

countiy, where there were not wanting active

matters, I can with gieat freedom testify to

all
is

supportersof the claims of "Young Italy."

As it
with

happened, however,

all

Emope

Wiis alive

men that he, if I have ever seen one man of genius and virtue, a mau of

horror of the cruelties perpetrated in Italian

prisons and elsewhere under the

ling veracity; one of those rare

men, number-

name of public
in everyof the

ing unfortunately but as units in this world,

order

the fate of Euffini

was fresh

who

ai'e

worthy to be

called martyr-souls."

body's

mind

and the shookiug episode

Mr. Buncombe, Mr. Wakley,

his colleague in
IVIr.

brothers Bandiera shed a too sanguinaiy light

the representation of Finsbury,

Hume,
this

upon what were held to be the unnecessary

compliances of our ministers.

and some other Liberal members, were at

time the object of as
ation as

The
ways

subject of Italian freedom

and the
is

suf-

much enthusiastic admirAberdeen and Graham of hatred.

is

ferings of the prisoners in Naples

tlian

in

more

There

something so unspeakably pathetic

a particular hour of
it

one connected with the name of

in Mazzini's account of

Gladstone.

The general
it

topic awaits us all

his

owu

suti'erings

during these years that

if

but instantly, but

1

may be said

here that the

may

well receive a place here,

it

only for the

deep and awful colouring

being in prison, was threatened with the torture, in order that he mi^ht be compelled to give up the names of his comrades. Being also shown a confession, purportRutlini,

throws upon what

the best of the "conspiring patriots" of that

time went through.

gentle Daniel

The

sufferings of

the

ing to be signed by his dearest friend Mazzini, but in reality forged by the government, he destroyed himself
in his celL

Mauin

of Venice

were

cert;iiuly

not

less.

' 1 felt myself," says Mazzini, " not

Vol.

II.

22

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

only unutterably and sujjremely wretched
felt
;

post-office at that date

may be

dismissed with

myself a criniin;d

conscious of
The forms

guilt,

yet

the remark that the advocates of Sir

James

incapable of expiation.
shot at Alexandria and
fore

of those

Chambery
of a

rose

up

beits

me

like the

phantom

crime and

Graham always maintained that he had used the common privilege of a secretary of state with much moderation, and was not responunhappy result to the It;dian The whole discussion leil to an amendment of the Alien Act, which was
sible for the
patriots.

unavailing remorse.
to life.

I could not vecaU

them

weep

How many mothers had I caused to How many more must learn to weep

should I persist in the attempt to rouse the

generally welcomed and approved.

youth of Italy to noble action

to

awaken

in

them the yearning for a common country

In order to estimate our attitude with

re-

And
if

if

that country were indeed an illusion^

gard to other foreign relations, we will once

Italy,

exhausted by two epochs of civilization,

to

more

refer to the position of affairs in France.

were condemned by Providence hencefortli

nations, without a

remain subject to younger and more vigorous

The war between Mehemet All, viceroy of Egypt, and his master, the Sultan of Turkey,
combined with the
in the
sinister policy of Russia,

name

or a mission of her

own, whence had

I derived the right of

judging

attempt to become possessed of Constan-

the future, and urging huucb'eds, thousands

of

tinople,

made a combination which long

to take a

occu-

men

to the sacrifice of

themselves and of
I suffered so

all

pied the attention of European statesmen,

that they held most dear?

as to be driven to the confines of madness.

much At
ran

and France was compelled

part in the dispute.

prominent

It required great talent,

tact in

times I started from

to the

my sleep at night and

and experience, and remarkable

some other power, and yet
national dignity.

any

window

in delirium, believing that I

ministry to avoid a serious collision with

to maintain the
qualifications the
Its

heard the voice of Jacopo Ruffini calling to me.

At

times I

felt

myself irresistibly com-

For such

pelled to arise

and go trembling into the room

I should see there

cabinet of Guizot was not distinguished.

dissolution

next

my own, fancying that

I really

was eagerly expected, and was

but in consequence of a
re-

some friends who

knew were

at that

consummated quickly, not by the vote on

Egyj)tian
aff'aii-s,

time in prison, or hundreds of miles away.

The slightest incident

a word, a tone moved

it

quest from his majesty for the settlement of

me

to tears.

Nature, covered with snow as

500,000 francs a year on the

(his

Due de Nemours

then was about Gretchen, appeared to

me
it

to
in-

second son), in addition to 500,000 francs

wear a funereal shroud, beneath which

vited
faces

ah-eady voted for the expenses of his marriage

to the Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg.
It

me
of

to shrink.

I fancied I traced in the

looks,

those

who suiTOunded me
mind

sometimes of pity, but more often of reproach.

was an inopportune time for such a demand. The opposition was powerful and unrelenting.
"Without any debate the votes against the
dotation

Had
it

that state of

lasted but a little

longer I must either have gone

mad

or ended

made a majority

of twenty-six,

and

with the

selfish

death of the siucide. While

the ministry at once resigned.

was struggling and sinking beneath

my

To

refuse to support his family interests

to offend

cross I heai'd a friend,

whose room was a few

was deeply

Louis Philippe, and the

doors distant from mine, answer a young

girl,

adveree vote of the chamber, followed by the

resignation of the miuistrj',
to

who, ha\-ing some suspicion of my unhappy condition, was urging him to break in
solitude,

was a severe blow

him, especially as

it

had been caused by

he could alone look

upon my
he
is
!

by saying, 'Leave him alone;

in his element
little

conspiring, and happ}/.'

guess the state of
it

the very

men

to

whom

for the formation of a

new

cabinet.

It

was

Ah how
done

men

mind
is

of

with some exhibition of

1st of

distaste, that

on the
to send

others, unless they regard

and this by the hght of a deep affection

rarely

March, 1840, he was compelled

Thiers,

!"

for

M.

and request him

to take office

The

subject of the opening of letters in the

and constitute a ministry.

The task was not

WARLIKE PREPARATIONS IN FRANCE.

an easy one, especially as the rivalry of Guizot was likely to weaken the new minister, who
at the same time could not aflbrd to lose his
co-operation.
his work,

was not included

in this agreement,
to

and the
jritch vi

whole nation was excited

minent.

such a

indignation that war in Europe seemed im-

M.

Thiei-s adroitly

completed

however, by making

M. Guizot

The

king, the ministers,

and the opposition

at

ambassador to London.

were alike angry.

the affront
;

M. Guizot was amazed

The ministry was by no means popular, nor was it agreeable to the king. The Democrats disliked

M. Thiers

declared that he had

been deceived, and that the insult to the

M.

Thiers, because of his per-

French national honour demanded vengeance.

Louis Philippe spoke with unusual anger
of

sistence in maintaining the laws of September,

which he refused even

to modify; the

king

the necessity for vindicating that honour by

was

still

chafing under the necessity of accept-

immediate preparations for war.

Meanwhile,

ing a cabinet which had attained power by

the opposition to his wishes displayed by
chiefs.
Still,

Mehemet

Ali, seeing

France in this temper,

its

and hearing
the powers

also that the

mutual distrust

of

the tact and ability of

M.
it

Thiei-s

enabled him to retain the government, and

pressing " foreign affaire " rendered
neces-

who had signed the treaty would prevent either of them from commencing
actual hostilities against him, not only refused
to give

sary for a statesman of experience to hold

office as

head

of the cabinet, while political

should they

np an inch of territory, but swore that make war on him he would overif

events at

home were

of a gi-ave

and even an

turn the Turkish empii-e

in its ruins.

he buried himself

alarming character.

England stipulated that Mehemet Ali (the

viceroj')

He

was

in possession of
;

an army

of neaily
fleet

should give up Syria, of which he

;

300,000

men

and, besides the Turkish

had taken possession

of his retaining
it
;

France was in favour

of nine vessels of the line

and eleven

frigates,

Russia was ready to send

he had in his own navy eleven

line

ships,

troops and shijas for the protection of Constantinople and the Dardanelles.

seven frigates, five corvettes, and nine brigs.

The Sultan
had revolted
of

mistrusted both the latter powera, and was

The season too was in his favour. Before any European naval force would be completed by the agreement
coast
tions.

almost helpless since his

fleet

of the powers, the African

for their opera-

and joined the pasha.

To

recover this fleet

would be too dangerous

Lord Palmerston, then prime minister

England, proposed to send a naval
again France would not consent.
force,

but

There was some reason for his looking

France for
tions
spirit
efi"ectual aid, if

to

The extreme "opposition" in the French chamber went so far as to demand that France should
herself take possession of Turkey.

the war prepara-

were indications not only of the public

but of the policy of the ministry and
Ordinances

the determination of the king.

It

was

at this juncture that the dissolution

were published for mobilizing the National

of the ministry brought

control of affairs.

M.

Thiers back to the

Guard and
navy.

at

once greatly increasing the

a governsailors

To
credit

effect the latter object

Voluminous notes and perpetual negotiations

ment

was opened

to

add 10,000

had

failed to secure

unanimity between

and twenty-seven

vessels to the existing force,

the great powers.

England maintained her

and the measure was passed through the

demand
Syria,

Mehemet Ali shovdd abandon and that demand was not opposed by
that

chamber with the acclamation

can representatives.

of the Republi-

Bussia, Austria, and Prussia.

France, howit.

But there was another

an invader.

proposition.

In the

ever, continued to protest against

At

last,

event of war, Paris was unprotected against

after

much

discussion, a treaty

was signed be-

The

occui^ation of the capital of

tween the four powers for compelling the pasha

to resign the territory
seized

France by foreign troops was but a recent

event,

upon which he had

Turkish
fleet.

and had followed the

of the impeiial armies

brilliant achieve-

and

to restore the

France

ments

when the empire

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOBAKIES.

itself

was overtbiown.

The king pvoposed

round Paris, and

Paris,

and solemnly deposited

its

in the

tomb

to coustruct

fiirtitications

that had been prepared for

reception.

another credit was opened for one hundied

million francs for the

Louis Napoleon Bonaparte,

still

claiming to

commencement
It

of this

represent the imperial dynasty, had, since his

work without was

delay.

these forts and batteries,

to be surrounded,

was suspected that by which the city

less for

retirement from Switzerland, continued to

reside in

London.

He

had

there, with the

were designed

aid of
letters

M. de

Persigny, published various

(Lettres de Londres), in
is

protection against a foreign invader than as

and pamphlets

ready means for securing the royal family and

the govei-nment against the dangers of
rection,
insui--

one of which his uncle

compared to Julius

Cajsar and himself to Octavius Csesar.

less

Hope-

and

for

overawing the popidace in

as

his

position

had seemed

after the

times of political excitement.

absuid attempt at Strasburg, he fancied he

The demands

for

war were probably main-

saw

in the excitement of the

French people
opportunity

tained at this time by the successes which

at the prospect of war,

and in the general an

were reported from Algeria, where a victory had been obtained over the Emir Abd-elKader, who was driven out of MOianah by
the French troops, and being compelled to
leave that strong position, retreated to a rocky
fortress

agitation
for

that

prevailed,

some fresh adventure.

was

The work which

he published just before this extraordinary

enterprise
entitled Idees Xapoleoniennes,

and
to

in

it,

amidst a variety of essays on

beyond Mascara, whence he main-

various subjects, he seemed at the same time

tained an ineffectual opposition to the armies

embrace the principles of a republic, and

under the command of the royal dukes,

his

till

to

show how necessary

should

it

was that those

their
ruler,

camp was

surprised

by the Due d'Aumale

his chasseurs

principles

be

organized and

and General Changarnier, with

d'Afrique, in the spring of 1843.

executive represented

by an imperial

with the control of military power, for the

purpose of protecting
public liberties and
effect this

The English government had agreed to the removal of the remains of the Emperor
Napoleon from
St.

maintaining order.
festo

What

mani-

Helena, that they might

might have had under

different circumit is

be conveyed to Paris, to the HOpital des Invalides.

stances cannot easily be determined, but

frigate

and a

corvette,

named

certain that the time for a successful appeal

respectively

La

Belle Poule

and La Favorite,
of Prince

in favour of the restoi'ation of the

Bona-

were placed under the command

purpose.

partes had not ai-rived when, on the Gth of

Joinville, third son of Louis Philippe, for the

July, 1840, he contrived, by means of one

of his agents, to hire a steamboat

The

British authorities

were wait-

from a

ing to receive the expedition with respect.

The

coffin of

the emperor was disinterred in

London company. It was represented that this vessel, named the Edinburgh Castle, was
intended for a pleasure party desiring to take

the presence of the French commissioners,

and on being opened, the body which it contained was found to be so little injured, that
the pale brow and regular features appeared
like marble.

a month's

cruise.

The

price

was 100 per

week, and on the 4th of August horses, carriages,

provisions,

and arms were sent on

boaid, after which a few of the confederates

Belle

The remains were placed on board the

Poule,

themselves embarked, othei-s of their number

joining

and both

vessels set sail to return.

shiji

On

them

at

Gravesend and at Margate.

the voyage, a mei-chant

reported that

Their destination was Boulogne; and one of

the remarkable preparations

war had been declared between France and England, and it was represented that the Belle Poule and the Favorite were in danger
of being attacked

by which

it

was
is

sought to influence the soldiers on landing

said to have been a

tame
theii-

eagle, the sight of

by English
itself,

cruisei-s.

No

which might kindle

enthusiasm.

To

such danger presented

however, and

man}' persons this strange adjunct (the existence of which has been asserted by those

the body of the emperor was conveyed to

LOUIS NAPOLEON'S ATTEMPT AT BOULOGNE.

whose evidence can scarcely be impugned) seemed but a part of the absurdity that was
to

amidst cries

of,

"Vive Prince Louis!"

to

which he
Let

replied,

"Where

is

Prince Louis?

end with

disaster.

It

was regarded

as a

me

see him."

Louis Napoleon then came

burlesque of imperial claims, and the adventurer was laughed at as a kind of mounte-

forward, and endeavoured to induce him to

join the enterprise, but the captain refused to

bank.

recognize in

him any one but a

conspirator,

There were

many who knew him, and

declaring that he was personally

unknown

to

knew the peculiar temperament of the common soldiers and of the lower class of the French people, who were not so easily disposed to laugh.

him.

By

that time other soldiers

had apofficers

peared ou the scene, and several of the

at once
ai'e

assumed the command, crying, "They

deceiving you!

Vive

le roi!"

Eecalled

There could be no doubt that Louis Napoleon was in earnest. He had become remarkable,

to their duty, the troops drove the prince

and
re-

his

followers from the barracks.

They

even in

society, for the

grave and brood;

treated to the heights behind the town, and

ing expression which he habitually wore

for

took up then- position round the Napoleon

the reticent and almost foreboding tone of his

Column, upon the top

of

which they con-

remarks, ou the rare occasions

when he

con-

trived to plant a flag, but

soldiers

by that time the

versed with any but intimate companions.

had been joined by the National

Always pre-occupied, and professing the sort of fatalism which leads some men to
regard themselves as the special instruments
of divine providence for achieving great ends,

Guard, and, advancing with fixed bayonets,

drove the invaders before them.

The

latter

endeavoured to escape in their boats, but the

National Guard opened
fire

upon them; the

he yet displayed a shrewdness and sagacity

not altogether in accordance with the character of a fanatic.

boat was capsized, aud the greater

the party were taken prisoners.
leon

number

of

Louis Napoof Peers,

life

Those who knew him best

in impressing

was

tried

by the Chamber

and

shook their heads, but not with merriment,

sentenced to imprisonment for

fortress of

in the

and he had succeeded

many

Ham.

Count Montholon shared

thoughtful people with a conviction that he

his captivity.

had a mission to fulfil in France, which would

one day be accomplished.
Sucli a conviction

The

treaty which

had been

effected

be-

was rudely shaken when

tween the four European powers was put in execution, and Mehemet Ali was offered the
choice of retaining

he and his followers landed near Boulogne,

attired in the uniform of the 40th
of the line.

Egypt

as

an hereditary
of his submit-

Eegiment

pashahk, with the government of Acre during

his

They were

at once joined

by

own

lifetime,

on condition

Lieutenant Aladenize, of the 42d Eegiment,

ting within ten days.

who accompanied them

and ordered out
this

to the

town

bai'racks,

ten days would leave

retain

more than him no option but to

twenty days,
once

A delay of

regiment to the parade

Egypt

alone, while, after

ground, to salute the nephew of the emperor,

hostilities

would

at

be

commenced

and march with him upon

were evidently not

Paris.

There was

against him.
last,

The pasha was

obstinate to the

some consternation among the men

they

and refused aU terms; but the western

the time had expired the British com-

very enthusiastic, and

powera had no intention to temporize, and

the few followers of "Prince Louis," by which

when

name they
inspire

hailed him, were not likely to

confidence, although

modore, Napier, with a large naval force, not

only took possession of his
fleet,

them with

among

but pro-

those followers was Count Montbolou, one of

ceeded
fleet

to

bombard

Beyrout, the

French

the attendants of the emperor in his exile.

having been ordered away from those

At

that critical

moment

the oiBcers of the

regiment entered the barracks, and, sword in

hand, attempted to force their way.
captiiin

The

Paris was frantic at this intelliThe ministry was denounced the Marseillaise was called for and sung at the
waters.

gence.

was at once

seized

and overpowered

theatres

at the

command

of the audience.

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

the

Even

men

of

the National

Guard were
which was

professor
lator
failed.

and a theorist than a

try
his

practical legis-

disaffected,

and drew up

a protest,

to

strength after others had

published in the journals.

The king became

large additions to

He

remained minister of France until

alarmed;

the ministry took measures that

;

the revolution of 1848 brought the monarchy

itself to

appeared to be warlike
the regular

an end.
pacific
;

army were

called for

by an
of

ordi-

His policy was

and he at once
a

set

nance of the 29th September.

forces

These new
the

about conciliating the great powers by a more

temperate course, and
relation

would increase the strength

adopted

friendly

regular troops to 636,000 men, and the defences of Paris were hastened with increasing
alacrity.
Still

towards England, in place of the

menacing demonstrations which would have

been more popular with the war party, which

the people doubted, and the

republican opposition treated these preparations

formed the opposition in the chamber. These

demonstrations

with contempt.

Few Parisians

believed

had

injured

the

financial

that the government intended

to vindicate
to

position of French securities,

and new

credits
of the

French

claims.

His majesty continued

of

had been opened to the detriment

exchequer.

depend on the ability and judgment

Thiers, on

M.

Guizot openly declared that he

whom

he believed
as he

all

the popular
initi-

should accept the decision of the four other

censure would
ative.

fall,

had taken the

powers against the Viceroy of Egyj)t, without

He was

mistaken, however, and the

life, for,

any material opposition from France.

By

mistake nearly cost him his

as he

that time hostilities had proceeded so far that

was driving from the

Tuileries to St. Cloud, a

fired at

both Beyrout and Saint Jean d'Aere were

takeu, and the British ileet
to

man named Darmes

bine.

him with a

car-

was threatening

The weapon burst; but the bullet with which it was charged struck a saw which

open

fire

on Alexandria.

On

the 27th of

November Mehemet

Ali signed a convention,

fleet

was held by a stone-cutter on the other side of the street. The king began to believe that
there was a widely organized system of secret
societies

by which he restored the Turkish

i-elinquished possession of Syiia

and

on condition

that the pashalik of

teed to

Egypt should be guaran-

which threatened both

life, still

his throne

him and

his hereditary successors.

of the Paris fortifications

and

his

and that repressive mea-sures

The question

should be

more strenuously put

dislike of

in force. to the

discussed with increased asperity.

was The workof the

To

this

M.

Thiers was averse;

and

men

of the city

and the inhabitants

suspicion and

the revolutionists,

revolutionary faubourgs regarded

tei'ies,

the bat-

who

disbelieved in his intention to go to war,

of

which were increasing day by day, as

for repressing

was added the opposition and reproaches

the court.
resign his
It

means

their demonstrations

became necessary
It

for

him

to

and overawing the population in any attempt

to assert
class,

office,

and the cabinet was once

their liberties.

The shopkeeping

more

dissolved.

was not easy

to

form
of

the friends of order,

who were

sure to

another ministry.
Thiers, the king

Having got
still

rid

M.

be injured by

insiu-rection,

were jealous of

was compelled

to rely

on one

manifestations which would tend to

their

make

whom

he disliked

more, .and

exhibited a more persistent the 29th October, 1840,

minister
of

who had On opijosition.

with

support

less

valuable

by

placing the

protecting

power

in the

hands of the army,

M. Guizot became
Marshal

instead of the civilian volunteer force.

foreign

affairs,

The majority
ever,

of the people of France, to jjrotect the capital

howfrom

Soult

still

president of the council and minis-

were anxious

ter of war, because of his influence

with

tlie

aU probability of an attack from a foreign

army; and the desire for war once aroused,
found expression in demanding that the
fications
forti-

army.

It

was a great opportunity

for the

exhibition of the statesmanship, oratory, and

power

of debate

which Guizot undoubtedly

for

be completed.

possessed,

and the time had come

regai'ded

him

to take the people at

The king was eager their word the first

;

who had been

more

as

an

historical

minister was not averse to this kind of de-

CALAMITIES IX INDIA.
monstration,

which

he

would have been

cost to the nation of

strong as that of the divine right of kings

powerless effectually to oppose, and the fortifieatioDs

formerly used to be; and Turkey especially

were erected at a

was thought
as
it

of,

as

some people

still

think of

it,

about six milliards of francs.

as the great barrier to the advance of Russia,

The
1842

policy adopted

by Guizot contributed

was

called.

Lord Palmereton was

this point.

espe-

so largely to the national prosperity, that in

cially strong

upon

The

" five gi-eat

he found

himself supported

by the

powers," England, Eussia, Austria, Prussia,

to keep Turkey But Ibrahim Pasha defeated the old sultan; the latter died, and Abdul Medjid (a veiy intelligent and good-natured young man,

country as a popidar minister, occupying an

established position. Probably this was gi-eatly

and France, combined to try

on
its legs.

due to a certain freedom of debate and the

display of admirable oratory in the chamber,

which was

to

some extent represented by a

who
tion,

afterwards died nominally of consumpreally of

greater freedom of discussion

and a better

dissipation as
;

was believed)

understandingof the political situation. Guizot

seemed placable
far
off.

so that peace appeared not

was deeply

interested in

certain necessary

measures for impro%Tng the iotemal condition

of the country; but he

said that

Without going into detail it may be it was a dispute concerning the

seemed unable

to re-

handing over of those Turkish ships which had

been treacherously earned to Alexandria that
led to an open

cognize the general

demand

for parliamentary

reform which then began to be earnestly expressed.'

and decided rupture.

It

was

then that the "powers," or at least four of

them

as already mentioned
it),

(France being
to give
Ali, the

We
now

have already seen what were some

of

out of

requiied

our complications in the East, and we

for a

may

up S}Tia and the

Mehemet Ali ships. Mehemet

for

moment

return to them.

"bloody tyrant," temporized; Ibrahim Pasha

name which has nearly passed out of living memory; but in a former generation he was "a lively bird," and did
Ibrahim Pasha
is

was preparing vigorously

short, the

war; and in
hands

Turkish empire seemed likely to

of

have a good deal

work on
fleet,

its

plenty of both good and harm.

ill

When

he was

between Ali in Egypt and Ibrahim in Syria.

once his father sent him a large case of

;

Then

it

was that the British

of Sir

under the
set

medicines
felt

but this an-iving just as Ibrahim

he rejected
it

command

Eobert Stopford, was

little better,

wdth disgust,
)

to blockade Alexandria

and the ports

Lastly,

of Syria

and sent word,

stead.

in the teeth of the Prophet,

and bombard Beyrout.

that he should like a case of champagne in-

Napier, with four steamships

Commodore among others,

He

was somewhat

of a favourite with

bombai-ded the so-called impregnable fort of

St.
it

the English.
rels

In 1839 began the fresh quar-

Jean d'Acre, and took

it,

or rather blew
over.

between Mehemet Ali and his ostensible

up, in

two days and something

killed.

One

master the Sultan of Turkey.

Mehemet

Ali,

of our shells fell

upon a powder-magazine, and

who, as we have seen, was not the

man

to

stand any nonsense, declared himself for open

fight,

the battle-ground of the then present

question being Syria.

The old sultan responded

Though the war was about 100,000 men, our own damage in the siege of St. Jean dAcre was only 60 in killed and
total
loss

2000 of the enemy were

in this senseless

by deposing the white-bearded but terrible pasha and as the latter was just the man to
;

woimded.
cially

Turkey has cost Europe, and espeEngknd, so much that she certainly

make

work with his master and the Turkish empire when once his blood was up,
short

ought to be a " barrier" against something or

other.

he was closely watched by the governments

of

Western Europe.

There

still,

the

old
as

superstition of the balance of

power was

Eetuming to our operations in India, we draw near to one of the most terrible
episodes in the history of British warfare

Dc

Dontiechose (Appendix).

one

which burned

itself

into the

memory

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

whose lifetime
it

of the generation during

with the Afghans, reached Jellalabad, and to

General Nott,
neither
could

occurred, andwliich bequeathed to our

own a
con-

who was
reach out

at Candahar;

but
tl.eir

legacy of more or less confusion and disaster.

a hand to

We

had

set

up Shah Sujah, who was no

could,

brethren.

cern of ours, occupied the territory of Cabul

as far as

After negotiations with Akbar Khau, in

we

and taken possession of the

which the British

wasted time,
it

lost

some prestige and

to force the

city bearing the

chieftain,

same name.

The Afghan

was resolved
to carry

Dost Mohammed, had sought refuge in Bokhara, but, being there received with
treachery, gave himself up to the British. But
this did not

Khyber Pass and

the treacherous
of escort.

away the women

to

and children; but large sums were paid

Akbar

for escort or promises

improve our position with

chiefs

his

On

the 6th of January, 1842, began

people,

and the other

would neither be

this terrible retreat.

soldiers there

Including 2800 native

bought nor fought into submission. Then happened the death of Runjeet Singh, the
" lion,"

were about 4500 fighting men,

with six guns, and a terrible train of about

12,000 camp-followers, including

and our army was in danger from the

]\Iajor-general Elphinstone

women.
were

It
in

fury of the Sikhs.

was the depth

every
river,

of winter; the troops

;

was

old,

decision

and was wanting in the qualities of and promptitude which were neces-

way

ill

furnished

the

way

lay across a

which had

to be bridged, along wild

sary for a crisis of extreme danger.

Akbar
in-

heaths and rugged mountains.

of escort

The promises
guessed only

Khan, the son

triguing and

of

Dost Mohammed, was

were broken, and the march was

conspiring

against us in the
civil

harassed by hostile tribes

too well

who

dark.

Sir "William

Macnaghten, the

envoy, was desirous to return to the British

territory proper.

what would be most gi-atifying to Akbar Khau. It was said among the troops
should get through the Kh\-ber Pass alive, ai;d

Sir Alexander Burnes,

upon

that he had sworn that only one British soldier

whom

the main responsibility of the Cabul

enterprise has been laid,

was not awake

to

that that one would be set

down on our
ofl^,

terri-

the danger of the situation.

And

the

officer.?,

tory with his hands chopped

in his teeth
to enter the

and a

letter

who had

their wives

and families with them,

in their

warning the

infidel

never again

and were pretty comfortable

ventures.

Cabul
adit

Afghan

territory.

cantonments, were not anxious for

new

In the

first

day of

this dreadful
five

march

As
if

far as can

now be

judged,

through the snow only

got through.

weary miles were

seems as

the

common

soldiers took

the

Looking back towards Cabul,

most accurate measure

the case.

of the difficulties of

our troops could see the flames of the burning

cantonments behind them, in which there was

only too

In October, 1841, General Sir Robert Sale

started

much
left

reason to believe the sick,

who

from Cabul in order

to reach Jellaterritory;

had been

behind, were consumed.

When

labad, on the road to our

own

but

the retreating multitude bivouacked in the

between Cabul and Jellalabad there were

snow for the

first

night there was not food for

of their

mountain passes to be threaded, and the winter was upon them. The tribes had risen,
under the command of Akbar Khan, and
early in
itself.

more than a thii-d

confusion

number.

The

tents
of

were mere rags of canvas, and the scene

huddled together, with children crying,

white men, dark men, and camels

women

November there was a rising

in

Cabul

Burnes, Macnaghten, and some other

moaning, and the wounded crying out

indescribably horrible.
it

was
broke

officers

were treacherously murdered

MacDes-

When morning

naghten by the hand of Akbar Khan.

perate indeed
at a distance

was found that

there,
left.

large

numbers were dead,

was the position of our troops, from their cantonments now,

and without any
store of pro-

and
were

on the snow, their dead bodies

Lady

Sale,

Lady Macnaghten, and

badly

fortified,

other ladies were no better off than the rest

visions. Applications for help

were despatched

one of them was near her confinement, and one had an infant at the
bre;ist.

to General Sale,

who

had, after

much

fighting

HORRORS OF THE KHYBER

The next day only four miles
of progress

PASS.

In the meanwliile the treacherous

Akbar

were made, but at nightfall Akbar made his appearance, and again opened negotiations
with the too easy Elphinstoue, with fresh
promises of safe-conduct, and stipulations of
the most wily kind.

had again shown himself, and had again made

proposals.

Lady

with

the other

Sale was wounded, and she, women, the children, and

Eljihinstone were taken back to Cabul in the

On

the third day the

custody of Akbar.

By

the end of the fourth

Pass of Khoord-Cabul was entered for the

day of this retreat only twelve men out of

26,000 were left alive.

Khyber

Pa.ss.

Here were
six

t-sro

ranges of

On

the seventh day,

mountains from 6000 to 8000

feet high, be-

the 13th of January, 1842, the sole survivor,

tween which, for

feet

mDes, were half-frozen

Dr. Brydon, rode half dead on a half dead

torrents to be forded.

The snow

lay three

pony

into Jellalabad.

It wa.s a

happy thing
His mi.stake

deep

the pass or gorge that lay between

for Elphinstone that

he died.

was about six miles long; and l)ehind every peak or ledge lurked a
these mountains

was not pushing forward

Jellalabad,
in the

as fast as possible to

and

this

was

so keenly understood

native sharp-shooter,

who picked out at leisure

army

of Cabul that

some

of our

men

the wretched harassed soldiers of the remnant

of our troops

had deserted and made

tically disappeared

off for themselves.

thi-ee or four thousand of whom

To
fire

The news that the anny

came
whose
hand.
like a thunderbolt

of

Cabul had prac-

had already perished.

idle,

back again was

from the face of the earth

on Lord Auckland,

and there was scarcely au able-bodied

in the

man now
bitten,

whole mass; some were

all

frost-

successor, Loi-d Ellenborough,

was

at

some were badly wounded;

;

were

Lord Auckland had hoped

to signalize

half -starved

but

all

behaved

well, including

the close of his administration

of Afghanistan,

by the conquest

the native troops.

and the disappointment was

No
firing

sooner had the advanced portion of this

fairly into the defile

indeed heavy.

His

last act

was the appoint-

unlucky band got

murderous.

than the

ment

of

General Pollock to the

command

of

from the crags above became swift and

an expedition whose object was to retrieve

this disaster,

Lady

Sale

whose husband was,

punish the Afghans, and force

in order to relieve General

as we have seen, in Jellalabad

pushed forward

the

Khyber Pass

as fast as she could, and urged others to follow

Sale,

who still

held Jellalabad, though against

her example.
rifle-balls

She was saved; but the

hail of

fearful odds.

But

and here, for some

details,

became swifter and sharper, and as

we will be

indebted to a contemporary record

moved forward through these nanow women, and children fell down wounded, to die, till at last the mouth of the
the mass
gorges, men,

Lord
to

Auckland, unsrilling to commit his

successor to a task

which had already proved

too strong for his

listen

own

energies,

was inclined
of the

pass in front was

nearly choked with the

to

the advocates of retreat, and

doomed or the dead.

overflowing the bank.

The stream was

The wife
of

fairly

though the news of the annihilation

blocked with them, the blood-stained water

army

of

Cabul roused him for the moment

"a

an

officer,

into a proclamation that the awful calamity

who had
and had
rags,

baby
icicles

in her arms, missed her horse,

was but
stability

new

occasion for displaying the

of the British power,

to stumble

on foot along the perilous around her

and vigour

and

way, the

hanging from her wretched

bullets whistling

the admirable spirit and valour of the British-

and Afghan
efforts of

Indian army," he quickly followed

intimation that
relieved
it

it

by an

and her child

like hailstones.

She escaped.

when

Sale and Nott

had been

The

little result;

men to hit back had but and when the devoted procession
our

were better that the British troops

Still fresh

should withdraw to Peshawur.

forces

drew near
of 600

to the end of the pass,

and the Briregiment

were

to

be raised, and a

fine soldier
fii-st

was
in

tish territory lay near at hand, one

to head them.

The

offer

had been

made

men

ha<l

been reduced to about 90, and

to M.ljor-genenil

Lumley, ad jutant-genei-al

numbers

of the starving, freezing,

wounded

India; but Lumley's health forbade

accept so important a post,

fugitives lay

down

to die.

him to and Lord Auck-

10
land's choice

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

choice as popular as

it

was

and

to a

man marched back

to Peshawur.

judicious

finally fell

upon Pollock, a

distin-

The sepoys met the enemy

to have spread.
less volley

at the

mouth

of

guished

officer of

the Company's service,

who

the pass, but the spirit of disaffection seemed

had seen fighting under Lake and Wellington, and wherever, indeed, it was to he seen since
the year 1803,
India, a

After an irresolute and aim;

they halted in confusion

his officers called on

in vain

when he had

first

landed in
Pollock a mo-

Wild and
and one
of

them

to ad-

young lieutenant of artillery.

vance, not a

man moved, the guns

broke down,
efforts of

hastened up to his

command without

them, despite the gallant

ment's delay, but before he could reach Pe-

Henry Lawrence, had

of our officers

to be abandoned.

One

shawur our troops had

re])ulse.

suffered yet another

was

killed,

and Wild himself,

back on
fort

with several more, were wounded; the retreat

of the

Mr. Robertson, lieutenant-governor

counselled from the
of retreat,

was sounded, and the column

Jumrood.

fell

north-western frontier, and George Clerk, had

first

The brave men who held the

prompt measures, not

but of

reprisal.

At

their earnest
to

had soon to follow their example, for they had no provisions, and the water was poisonous.

request Colonel

Wild had been moved up

On
and

the 23rd they evacuated their position,

after a short sti-uggle
to their comrades.

Peshawar with four native Indian regiments,

the 30th, 53d, 60th, and 64th, but without
guns.
It

made
his

their

way
at

back
of

Such was the state

arrival

was supposed he could procure them

affairs

PoUock found on

from the Sikhs, and with a great deal of

trouble he did

Peshawur.
Despite urgent appeals from Sale at Jellalabad, the general

manage

to procure four rickety

guns, which seemed likely to do as

to his

much harm

saw that an immediate ad-

own men as to.the enemy, and one of which broke down the next day on trial.
Reinforcements were coming up, which
probable would contain artillery
;

vance was impossible.

The morale

of the de-

feated sepoys had fallen very low; the hospitals

it

was

were crowded with sick and wounded, and

there

but Wild

was

still

an insufficiency of guns.

Re-

did not dare to wait.

to

His sepoys were anxious

the contamination

inforcements of British dragoons and British

artillery

advance; the loyalty of the Sikhs was

were pressing up from the Punjab,

to wait
till

doubtful, and he feared

and Pollock decided

certain of success.

he could make
;

might spread.

On January
Khyber Pass

loth he com-

He

decided well
the

and in
daily,

menced

operations.
of the
is

the meantime visited the fortress

hosjiitals

The key
some

cheering the sick, and reanimating the wavering and disheartened sepoys.

of Ali Musjid, occupying a strong position

five miles

On March

30th

down

the pass, and about

It

the reinforcements arrived, and orders were

issued for the advance.

twenty-five from Peshawur.

cently held

had been

re-

by some

loyal natives

under an

The
clear,

narrative

of

Mr. Mowbray Morris,

is

English

oflScer,

but, straitened for pro\'isions,

it

which we are adopting for the moment,

so

and hard pressed by the Khyberees,

doubtful whether the brave
could hold out
of the loth
little

was

and, while brief, so full of detaU upon

it

garrison

these passages in the story that

to follow it a little farther

will

be well
three

much

longer,

and on the night

still.

At

two regiments were despatched

its relief.

o'clock in the

morning

of the 5th of April,

with a goodly supply of bullocks to

then, the

army moved

off

from Jumrood for

The

fort

was occupied without

some

loss,

but the

the mouth of the pass.

It

was divided into

bullocks, save

fifty or sixty,

had mean-

three columns, two of which were to crown

while disappeared, and there were

now more

the heights on either side, while the third,

mouths
them.

to feed

and

less

wherewith to feed

when

the hills had been sufficiently cleared,

;

WUd

was to have followed with the

was to advance through the gorge

column was composed
Europeans and sepoys.
of a

each

other two regiments, his Sikh guns and Sikh

allies,

mixed

force of

on the 19th; but when the time came

Four squadrons

of

the latter turned their backs on the Khyber,

dragoons and eleven pieces of artillery accom-

SUCCESSES OF POLLOCK
panied the centre column.
of

AND

SALE.
Lughman

11

A huge barricade
of trees

far

away

in the direction of

mud,

stones,

and trunks
the

had been

dashing exploit, and a complete victory, but

thrown across the mouth

enemy,
while

of the pass

by the

on both sides swarmed with the wild hill-tribes. So quietly,

heights

however, did our flanking column advance,

that

they

before the

were half-way up enemy became aware

to

the heights
of the

was won at the cost of the The meeting between the two armies was, wrote Pollock, "a sight worth seeing;" according to Mr. Gleig, the band of the 13th went out to play the relieving force
dearly won, for
it

gallant Dennie.

move-

in,
of,

and the entry was performed

" Oh, but ye've been lang
of
o'

to the tune

ment.

From peak

peak our men, English

coming."
is

as well as sepoys, clambered, as agile as the

The name
of

Lord Elleuborough

asso-

mountaineers themselves, pouring from every

spot of vantage a steady and well-directed
fire

ciated in living

memory with a few

speeches

an order of eloquence which was hardly

business,

ou the disconcerted Khyberees, who had never

parliamentary; and also with "the Gates of

dreamed that " the white-faced

infidels " could

Somnauth"
sliip first

which was the subject of

prove more than a match for them in their

endless ridicule at the time.

When

his lord-

own

Then Pollock with the main The Afghans, finding column advanced.
f:\stnesses.

reached India, as the successor of

it is

Lord Auckland,
not clearly
pursue.

said that his

mind was

themselves out-flanked on eitherside, gradually

withdrew; the barricade at the mouth of the

pass was removed without
loss,

made up as To wipe out

and

to the policy he should

the humiliation of our

restore to the full the

and the huge

reverees at Cabul,

line of soldiei's, camp-followers,

and baggageits

prestige of our arms,

of

wagons passed unopposed on

had been forced with but

victorious

was naturally an object ambition with him but Shah Sujah had
;

way to Jellalabad. The dreaded Khyber Pass

little loss of life,

been murdered, and there were reasons

the return of Dost
tion

why

and

Mohammed to
desii-able.

his old posi-

the Afghans beaten at their

own

tactics.

On

might seem

The

force that

the 16th Jellalabad was reached.

With what

had been sent to had

had
fallen.

relieve

Nott at Candahar and Ghuznee and Nott,

intense delight Sale's noble brigade descried

failed to reach the place,

once more from their walls the advancing

colours of a friendly force

In this case

it

was not the govThese mili-

may

be imagined.
resisted

ernor-general, but Outram, PoUock,

For

five

months that
assault.

little

band had

whose influence carried the day.

tary authorities were
all for

every invitation to surrender, and had beaten

a forward move-

back every
cations that

In February the
raised

fortifi-

ment, and they were

left

pretty

much

to their

had been

and strengthened
labour were de-

own judgment.
concerned.

The

result proved that they

by Broadfoot with

infinite

were right so far as success to our arms was

General Nott had
lieved at Candahar, his

stroyed by an earthquake; and at that very

time they learned that Akbar

Khan was

ad-

and he resolved
India

vancing on them.
restored,
chief,

The works, however, were

way back

to

now been reto make proper by way of

and

in

a dashing sortie the Afghan

Ghuznee and Cabul.

Meanwhile General

with the flower of the Barukzye horse,

his position without the loss

Pollock, with about 8000 men, set forward

was driven from

of a single

from Jellalabad for the Khoord- Cabul Pass

man
is

to the garrison.

All this

refreshing after the terrible

and

wasteful slaughter of which

reading, but the narrative

we have just been

not finished yet

and was victorious. His method of warfare was similar to that which had been so successful in clearing the Khyber heights and gorges,

is

and he now forced the Khoord -Cabul Pass

with but
little difficulty.

few days before Pollock arrived a stiU more daring enterjirise had been attempted.

"A

After this Akbar

Khan made
first

a desperate stand with 16,000

On

April 5th another sortie in force was sent

men, but was routed.

General Sale led the

out under Dennie, Monteith, and Havelock,

column, and the work was done almost

which bore down on the Afghan camp, and sent Akbar Khan flying with his six thousand men

entirely at the bayonet's point.

fled
;

Akbar Khan

our flag was planted on the heights, and

12

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

lotli

on the
Cabul.

of

September

Pillock

reached

tion

was burned

to the

ground by order of

Here

in a

day or two he was joined

taken.

Pollock.

by General Nott, and Ghuznee was

up, unnecessarily, the citadel
tions of

Many

striking features in this story have

Before evacuating Cabiil the British blew

necessarily been omitted

from

this

sketch,

and some por-

the city which were said to have

been built in the reign of Aurungzebe; while,

to please

and some names which as well deserve to be remembered; on our own side as those or on the other of ConoUy and Denuie
;

Lord Ellenborough, who

insisted

side

a Ghilzye

"brave,"

who

will

be

re-

upon

it,

the great sandal-wood gates of Som-

membered

as having figured in the records

nauth, which had been carried to Ghuznee

by

of the time as

"the Gooroo."

It should be

Mohammed

neai-ly

a thousand years before,

said for the unfortunate Elphinstone that he

were carried ofif as a trophy. Lord Ellenborough issued a proclamation congratulating

the Hindus on the recovery of these sacred
gates,

was a

bi'ave

and experienced

soldier,

who had

distinguished himself under Wellington, and

wore the Waterloo medal

the post he

but he was now in

and while the

home,

inflated tone of this pro-

very bad health, and w;is altogether imfit for

filled.

clamation gave offence to sober

classes at
it

men

of all

It has been maintained

J.

on
in-

was regarded by lai-ge num-

high authority, that of IMr.

cluded, that jealousy, in the

W. Kaye

bers of "the religious bodies" as indirectly

flattering the idolatrous superstitions of the

most

restricted

sense of the word, had a considerable share in

"natives."

For a long while

it

was a standtribes of in

the vindictive

feelings

manifested

by the
strict in
it

ing topic of caricature in this country.

Afghans towards the

treat their

British.

These tribes

The

eifect

upon the surrounding

women

well,

and are very

seeing the British ti'oops in large

possession of the

numbers

their notions of domestic morality;

but

is

Afghan

capital

was

vei-y

said that the general attractions

of our officers proved too
ladies.

and the gold

marked.

But there were

stOl our hostages

much for the Afghan

to be looked after

Elphinsitone, Lady Sale,

had underThese

Into the story of the "commercial

of

the othera,

whom Akbar Khan

mission"

"Bokhara Burues," a mission

taken to hold harmless when he promised that

safe-conduct which came to nothing. hostages had been sent off by

which soon assumed a hybrid character, and entangled us in ways which led finally to tlie
Dost

Akbar Khan from Cabul in charge of one Saleh Mohammed, whose instructions were to carry them into Turkestan and dispose of them as slaves. For
a large bribe, promised by Lawrence and Pottinger, the excellent

Mohammed
to

squabble,

it

would have
^

But the end of the whole miserable business was that Dost Mohammed and Akbar Khan were in their old places almost before our army of retribution
been tedious
enter.

Saleh

Mohammed

set

had

settled

down
left

to its place in Hindostan,

them

free;

and

it

was not long

before, after

and that we

the Afghans just where they

nine months of terror,

Lady

Sale and most of

were, except that

we

left

them with an unap-

the other captives entered the

Sale, not altogether fresh,

camp

of

General

peasable grudge against

us.

but well enough not

We

cannot yet leave the peninsula; but we

in Scinde or

to be

knocked down by the welcoming cheers

have a much pleasanter subject

Sinde and Sir Charles Napier.
of three hai-dly

of the soldiere

and the thunder

of the salut-

He was
all

one

ing guns.

Lady

Sale brought with her one

very remarkable brothers (as need

said), all soldiers,

new thing a little baby that had not been in existence when she was intrusted to the Afghan
chieftain.

be

and

men of

ex-

traoi'dinary bra very and administrativeabUity, to say nothing of other accomplishments. It

Elphinstone had died.

Before the British evacuated Cabul, in which the corpse of poor Macnaghten, mutilated as
it

has been pointed out more than once that their

lineage and collateral relationships were as

was, had been publicly exposed to the in-

remarkable as the
as those did,

men

themselves, including,

sults of his

and our enemies, the bazaar which

of this horrible transac-

had been the scene

the

Henry lY. of France, Charles II., Duke of Richmond, Charles James Fox,

"

NEW ZEALANDSIR GEORGE GREY MAORI

lOjj.irithm N<apier,

CHIEFS.

13

and the great Duke

of

Monas

1642, and,

its

is

known

to every schoolboy,

tuMi.

Nor

is

that all

the

three Napiers,

was more than once

about 1770.
of

visited

by Captain Cook
South Wales, the

William, George, and Charles, were

known

From

the time of the settlement

Wellington's colonels, and had borne more wounds than anybody could well remember, unless he was gi-eat at figures. The mother of these magnificent fellows was, when Lady

Port Jackson in

New

harboui's of

New

Zealand began to be visited

vessels,

by British and Amei-ican

of

ually a trade in flax sprang up.

and eventThe history

Sarah Lennox, the betrothed of George

III.,

New

Zealand

flax is not yet ended, or likely

and was understood

attached
to

to

have been very much

to be.
course.

Meanwhile, events took the usual

British adventurers of various kinds
coasts,

him.

There were

two

other

brothers, also remarkable

Richard), but our concern

Charles, the conqueror

men (Henry and now is only with

went and "squatted" on the

ried native

and maror less

women.

Then came more

and governor of Scinde.

stable alliances with native chiefs,

and the

Scinde, as a ghuice at the

lies at

map

will show,

acquisition
cesses

the extreme west of our present terriTlie population is mixed, great part of

by Englishmen of land by promore or less equitable, more or less

Of
course so fine a country

tories.
it

definite.

being warUke; a few are Afghans, and most

country inhabited, too, by a

fine, intelligent,

They had had comit was only upon the commencement of the Afghan war that the question of annexing Scinde arose. In 1838 it was thought advisable by
of

them Mohammedans.

and teachable race of men, was not overlooked

mercial relations with the British, and

by the

missionaries,

who, from about 1813

onwards, laboured in their usual way among

the natives, and sometimes interfered for their
protection, or softened the ferocity of conflicts

the British to occupy a place called Shikarpoor,

that arose.
It

and perhaps two

not well treated.

of the

ameers of Scinde were

of the people resented

was

not,

however,

till

1833, that the

Some

British government sent out a consul or resident oflBcer to

our conduct, and at

in

open war.

Sir Charles

marched against
W.1S conquered,

the first blow James Napier then them, and early in 1843
last struck

New

Zealand, and even then

no sovereignty or even suzerainty was claimed

we

were

still

adventurers and settlers on

less.

fought the decisive battle of Meanee.

Scinde

sufferance

more or

Of course the

in-

and the " Devil's Brother

most admirable way. This
to Charles

evitable fire-water

and the inevitable firearms

silly

governed

it

in the

played a part in what went forward, and the simple though not
willing to part

name was given

robber tribes

James by

certain

natives were found

whom

he certainly gave good

with considerable tracts of

like.

reason to fear him. The whole thing was, like

land for guns, knives, hatchets, and the

nearly

all

the Napiers did, a splendid success.

In 1840

it

was thought high time

;

for

England

to interfere

a lieutenant-governor was sent

Under
being

the influence of various causes, the

out; and a treaty

was made with the

New

extension of sound principles of commerce

Zealand

chiefs,

by which the queen

;

of this

among them, our treatment

of

our

country was recognized as sovereign

chiefs

but the

colonies began early in the reign of

Queen

were

left in possession of all

the unsold

Victoria to assume

new

colours.

This was

land

a simple preferential right of purchase

Zealand was

largely due in practice to the personal activity

of the philosophical school of Liberal politicians, as

being reserved to the crown.

New

now a
it

British colony, and

has already been mentioned.

ihe seat of

government

Great Britain has not a more interesting

culony than

at Auckland.
all

But

we know, was some time before

wiis then, as
traffick-

New

Zealand; the climate, the

went smoothly. For some years previously

natural products, and the physical and mental

qualities of the natives, all conspiring to

the

New

Zealand Company had been

it

make

ing in land with the natives, and,

was con-

the islands conspicuous.

discovered by

New

Zealand was

tended, with results unjust to them, and haz-

Tasman

as long ago as the year

ardous to our general rights, and the rights of

14

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

Betweeu the
conflict
yeai's

others fairly acquired.

184.3

remedies which would neither wound their

feelings nor militate against their prejudices,
it

and 1847

thei-e

wasmucli

between

the natives,

who were a most

the

energetic
it

and

was

necessary

that

should

be able

warlike race, and the British, and

until 1852,

was not

thoroughly to undei-stand their complaints;

when
theii'

New

Zealand Company

and

to

win

their confidence

and regard
all

it

was

ceded

all

"rights" to the crowa for

also requisite that I should

be able at

times,

.270,000, that something like peace

rived

at.

It

must be borne

in

was ai-mind that the

and
I

in all places, patiently to hsten to the

tales of their
if

wrongs or

sufferings,

and even

Maoris were strong, brave, and keen-witted, and capable of great endurance; and they
proved most intractable and unsparing
foes.

could not assist them, to give a kind

reply, couched in such terms as should leave

no doubt on their minds that I

towards them.

clearly under-

The trouble they gave

to our troops,

and the

stood and felt for them, and was well disposed

consequent discussions at home, have by no

means faded out of living memory-.

most interesting account
culties in dealing

Sir George

"Although furnished with some very able

interpreters,

Grey, the governor, has given to the world a

of

who gave me

assistance of the

some

of his diffi-

most friendly nature,

with then- aid
perform

I soon

found that even

with the

chiefs.

One

of

I could still only imperfectly

them would never have occurred spontaneously

to a stranger
;

my

duties.

it

lay in the fact that, in disBritish, the

"I

had on several occasions reasons to

cussions with the

Maoris

fre-

believe that a native hesitated to state facts

quently clothed their statements or arguments

in forms taken
Sir

or to express feelings and wishes to an interpreter,

from native legends

utter

to

which

George

Grey was an
of the

stranger.

the governor, could he have addressed

direct.

which he would gladly have done to him

Hence one

most delightful books in

our language, the Polynesian Mythologt/. With

a few of Sir George Grey's explanations

"These reasons, and

othei-s of

equal force,

much
from

made me
delay,

feel

it

to

be

my

duty to make

abbreviated,

we

will for the present pass

myself acquainted, with the least possible

New Zealand.

" In the year 1845," says Sir

with the language of the

New

Zea-

George Grey, " I was suddenly and unexpectedly required

landei-s, as also

with their manners, customs,

by the

British government

and prejudices.
"Soon, however, a new and quite unexpected difficulty presented
itself.

to administer the affaii-s of

New

Zealand, and

shortly afterwards received the appointment

of goveruor-in-chief of those islands.

On

the

When

side of the rebel party were engaged, either

arrived

in

them

found her majesty's

openly or covertly, some of the oldest, least

civilized,

native subjects engaged in hostilities with the queen's troops, against

and most

influential chiefs in the

whom

they had

islands.

With them

I had, either peKonally

to

up

to that

time contended with considerso

or

by written communication,

discuss

able success;

much

discontent also pre-

questions which involved peace or war, and

vailed generally amongst the native population

on which the whole future of the islands and

of the native race depended, so that
it

that where disturbances had not yet

was

in

taken place, there was too

much

reason to

the highest degree essential that I should

f uUy

apprehend they would soon break out, as they

shortly afterwards did in several parts of

and

entii-ely

comprehend their thoughts

of the

and intentions, and that they should not in

the islands.

any way misunderstand the nature

I

"I soon perceived that

could neither

engagements into which I had entered with

them.

successfully govern, nor hope to conciliate, a numerous and turbulent people, with whose

"To my

surprise, however,

found that

language,

manners,

customs,

religion,

and

these chiefs, either in their speeches to

me

or

modes

of thought I

was quite unacquainted.

in their letters, frequently quoted, in explana-

In order to redress their grievances and apply

tion of their views

and

intentions, fragments


THE
of

INFAI^IOUS "TRUCK" SYSTEM.

he underwent a sad relapse, partly
if

ancieut

poems or proverbs, or made

and although

not
Sixke

allusiona

which rested on an ancieut system

;

mainly through what he suffered for the

of

of

mythology

it

was

clear that

young Gitford White, who had been

life

sen-

the most important parts of their communications

tenced to transportation for

for writing a

were embodied in these figurative

then rarely
ever) translate the

threatening letter to the fanners at Bluntis-

forms, the interpreters were quite at fault,

they

covild

(if

In Hood's Magazine he wrote, on White's behalf, his " Lay of the Labourer;"
ham.

poems or exphuu the

allusions."

and a powerful appeal

for the poor convict.
all

to Sir

James Graham
It

The publication of the Polyyiesian Mythology by Sir George Grey produced in this country
an
effect

" I see that poor creature

night through," said Hood.

was a severe

which was not at

all

to be

measm-ed

blow to Hood that Sir James Graham took no

notice of his passionate pleading in this case.

by the mere
which
those

circulation of the volume.

The

extreme beauty of many of the

is

stories (one of

But probably the poet had never looked the

big bold "Knight of Netherby" in the face.

popular aU

over the world, the

legend of Hine-Moa) went to the hearts of

Scotchmen who remember, as many Scotch-

who obtained through newspapers

;

or

men
them

must, his

high-handed

dealings with

magazines even brief glimpses of them

those Englishmen

and

in the great kirk controverey,

wiU not

who had

all

along been

be apt to think he was a

entreated."

man

" easy to be

pleading for "the salvage men," and con-

demned our policy among them, case much strengthened.

It

felt

their

One

of the subjects that attracted

much

attention during these years, both inside the

may

be mentioned in parenthesis that

in 1841

a new power, to which reference

has just been made, had entered that arena of

"public opinion" with which philosophera

outside, was the The head of the Young England party, seizing upon a real incident (the death of a child in a tommy-

walls of St. Stephen's

and

infamous truck system.

make

so merry.

This was Punch, which was

democratic organ than
it

shop rush), has put into a few graphic passages the essence of

then a

much more

many

debates and blue-

in later years became.

in

Those were the days

of

books

which there was a kind

" the

magic in the

words

people

"

and Jerrold was the

ventiu-e.

leading spirit of the

of
course,

new

He

was,

The door of Mr. Diggs's tommy -shop opened. The rush was like the advance into the pit of a theatre when the drama existed pushing,
;

an out-and-out "people" man.

squeezing, fighting, tearing, shrieking.

On

Poets of the stamp of Dr.

a good time coming, boys

Mackay
!")

("Thei-e's

high seat guarded by

sat ]Mi\ Diggs, senior,

rails

from

all

contact

and Eliza Cook

with a bland smile on

were the

lyrists of the day,

and the Howitts,

his sanctified countenance, a

eai',

pen behind his

be patient and
counter,

Southwood Smiths, Charles Knights, Arnotts, and what-not were preaching, as a final thing,
that
gospel of
till

and recommending Behind

the

his constrained custo

tomei-s in
orderly.

honeyed tones

peaceful

civilization

which

substantial

flourished

the time of the Crimean war.

which was an impregnable

his popular son.

fortification,

was
ill-

There was, however, one writer in Punch

Master Joseph, a short

whose verse proved a

real

power
tlie

namely,
Shirt" pro-

favoured cur, with a spirit of vulgar oppression

Thomas Hood, whose "Song of

and malicious mischief stamped on

His black, greasy, lank

his

duced anextraordinarysensation,auddidmore

visage.

hair, his pug-

good than many a "society" for benevolent

purposes has accomplished in the whole course
of its existence. It proved, in fact, to be the

nose, his coarse red face,

and his projecting

lengthened

tusks contrasted with the

mUd and
who

countenance of his father,

looked very

battle-song of a

new

warfare.

Hood was a
to improve.

much

like

a wolf in sheep's clothing.

first

man who really

1844,

felt for

and with the poor. In

For the

five

minutes Master Joseph

when

his health

had begun

Diggs did nothing but blaspheme and swear

"

"

16

GLADSTONE AKU HIS CONTEMPuRAEIES.

leaning over
Older, or
I'll

at his customers, occiisiuiially

be among you.

And

if I

just do

the counter and cuffing the women in the van or lugging some giii by the hair. " I was first, Master Joseph," said a woman
eagerly.

jump over
right

this here coimter, won't I let fly

and

left ?

Speak out you

idiot

do you

think I can heai'

babel?

your muttering in this

I'll

Cuss them,

keep them quiet,"

"

No, I was," said another.

fii-st,

and so he took up a yard measure, and leaning

" as the clock

" I was here," said the

struck four, and seated

over the counter, hit right and

left.

because I
is

myseK on the steps, must be home early my husband

;

hurt in the knee."

" If

"Oh, you little monster!" exclaimed a woman, " you have put out my babby's eye." There was a mui-mur; almost a groan.

you were

fii-st

you

shall he helped last,"

"Whose
"Mine,
Church."

baby's hurt?" asked Master Joseph

said Master .Joseph, " to reward

;

you

for

your

in a softened tone.
sir," said

pains " and he began taking the orders of the other women.

an indignant

voice,

"Mary

disappointed

"O! Lord have mercy on mel" said woman; "and I got up iu

!"

the
the

"Oh Mary
!

Church,

is

it?" said the mali-

cious imp; "then 111 put Mai-y

for hidf a

Church down
;

middle of the night for this

"
I

pound

of best ai'rowroot

that's the

More

fool

you

And what you came

for

finest thing in the

world for babbies, and will

thought our shop was a

am

sure I don't know," said Master Joseph,

cure you of bringing your cussed monkej's

here, as
if

"for you have a pretty long figure against

you, I can teU you that."
" I declare

you

all

hinfant school.

most solemnly," said the woman.

here," said

"Where's your book, Susan Travers? Left

at

" Don't

Joseph, "

make a brawling or I'll jump over

Master

home? Then you may go and fetch

it.

No

this here counter

books, no

tommy.

You

are Jones's wife, are

and knock you down,

did you say,
did you say
" I don't
I I

What like nothing. woman are you deaf What how much tea do you want
?

you?

Tickets for three and sixpence out of

Is this the only

eighteen shillings wages.

ticket

you have brought ? There's your money;

tell

want

tiny, sir-."
;

and you may

you must take
sha'n't
I'll

your husband he need not

"

You

never w;int best tea

tea, or

take his coat off again to go

down omTell

shaft.

tliree

ounces of best
If

you

have
put

He must

think us cussed

fools.

him

nothing.

you say another word

hope he has got plenty of money to travel

into Wales, for he won't have no
in

you down

four.

You

tall

gal what's yoiu'

I'll

more work

name, you keep back there or

such a cut as
leckoning.
'U

fetch
till

you
next

England again, or

my name
I'll

ain't Diggs.

keep you at home

fool,

Who's pushing there ?

close the shop.

be among you. I'U

Cuss you, you old

to

do you

If I do get hold of
sha'n't forget
is

any of
it.

think I

am

be kept

all

day while you are

you cussed women you

If

mumbling here?
I see you, ilrs.

Who's pushing on there? Page. Won't there be a black

anybody

will tell

me who

pushing there

they shall have

theii'

bacon for sevenpence.

mark
it
?

against you

Oh

it's

Mrs. Prance,

is

Leagued together, eh?

at that.

Then everybody

shall

Father, put
I'll

down

Mi-s.

Prance for a peck

have their bacon for tenpence.

Two
be

can play

of flour,

have ordera here.

little

You
;

think
do,

Push

again,

and
little

I'll

the last bacon a

too fat
cax-e

oh

you

said the infuriated

tyrant.

among you," But the

and anstilled
;

ma'am, do you?
plain in
futiu-'.

I'll

take

you

sha'n't

com-

waving
the

of the multitude, impatient,

I like to please

my customers.
in the

noyed by the weather, was not to be

Thei-e's a very nice flitch

hauging up

movement

could not be regulated

;

the

engine-room

the

men wanted some

rust for

shop was in commotion

Diggs, losing
counter,
all

and Master Joseph

the machinery; you shall have a slice of that;

patience,

jumped on the

and

we'll say

tenpence a pound, high-dried,

and amid the shrieks of the

women
fainted,

and wery lean "Order

will that satisfy you

sprang into the crowd.

Two women

there, order;

you cussed women.

others cried for their bonnets, others bemoaned

HUMANE LEGISLATION CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

their

17

uprons

nothing,

however,
cuffed,

Jeterred
cui-sed in
last there
of,

long ago as

1S:28,

under the patronage of the

Biggs,

who

kicked,

and

and

Duke
Allen,

of Sussex.

Among

the promoters were

every quarter, and gave none.

At
little

the ever-active
Sii-

Quaker philanthropist William

less strenu-

was a general scream

of horror,

and a cry

Fowell Buxton, and no

"A

boy

killed 1"

It

was the

boy who,

ous a
ton.

jui'ist

and moralist than Dr. Lushing-

sent to get a loaf for his mother, had com-

In the year 1830, a petition was pre-

plained before the shop was opened of his

fainting energies.

sented to the House of

Commons by Henry
this

He

had

fallen in the fray,

Brougham,

which

contained

clause

and was smothered.

This
is

"That your

petitioners find

by experience

only one of

many

scenes which

Mr.
conit

that the infliction of death, or even the possibility of

tion,
it,

Disraeli assures us

were drawn from personal

but

jirevents the prosecution, convicof

observation.
fined
to the

The truck system was not

manufacturing
districts,

and punishment

the criminal, and

it is in-

thus endangers the property which

was in those parts that it most readily lent itself to the pencil of an artist like the politician and novelist who came eventually to be
Earl of Beiicousfield.

tended to protect."

This petition was largely

signed by bankers, and the punishment of

death for forgery was, as

abolished.

is

well

known,
case,

The
are

statistics

of

the

as

given in reports of royal commissions and

There

w;is not

an impulse of a distinctly
did not derive fresh
that a

elsewhere,

remarkable.

In

1831,

the

humane order which

strength from this
that

number
In 1833
In 1835,

of capital sentences passed

it

was

1601.
480. in

fact,

woman, and
head
of

woman

young, was

now

at the

it

was 931 was 523

in 1834
;

it

was only

while

it

was only 438

the state.

There was

visible

a strong tendency

the year 1837.

in 1839 only 54.

In 1838 the figures are 116;

In the years from 1812 to

to mitigate the severities of criminal discipline.

Repeated motions were made by Liberal

for abolish-

1818, there were in

England 91 executions,

members of the House of Commons

ing floggiug in the
fatigable

while from 1836 to 1842 the

50.

number was but

still

army and navy, the

inde-

In Scotland the decline was

more

Joseph

Hume

being one of the fore-

remarkable, taking neai-ly the same yeai-s as

points of comparison.

most in this work.

private soldier,

Special attention had

been called to the subject by the fact that a

Of course

this is not the place in

which to

whose name need not now be

discuss so large a question as that of the total

mentioned, but
ability

who was a man

of

marked

abolition of capital punishments,

tails are

and these de-

and

of great use as

a writer in the

quoted merely in illustration of the

Anti-corn-law movement, was, during the heat

of the

general remark that a strong current in favour

of the

Reform Bill agitation, severely flogged by a Tory officer without just cause the

more humane treatment

set in.

of criminals

had now
ing the

It has already been noticed

reason assigned being a breach of discipline,

that while Lord

John

Russell's biU for reduc-

but the actual reason being beyond doubt

political hatred,

number

of " capital " crimes

was under

which was only too glad to an outrageously

of the abolition

consideration in committee in the spring of

1837,

find a pretext for inflicting

Mr. William Ewart moved that the

-severe flogging.

The subject

penalty of death should thencefoi-ward be

confined to the single case of deliberate murder.

of the punishment of death, either entirely,

or in great part, was, from the year 1830
especially,

This was rejected by a majority of one.

seldom allowed to sleep for any

But, as
in

we have

seen,

when

the measure came

long time together.

.subject lection,

As

the history of this

due course before the House of Lords, Lord

declai'ed himself in favour of the

has partly faded out of general recol-

Brougham
that he

a few reminiscences of

it ai'e

desirable

in

any sketch of recent progress.

The

.society for

bringing about the Abolition

Mr. Ewart's amendment, adding was by no means sure that it w:v3 expedient to punish even murder by the inprinciple of
fliction of

of Capital
Vol..
II.

Punishment had been founded as

the ipital penalty.

23

18

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

magazines, four of the greater reviews, and
eleven weekly magazines.
St. Giles's,

at

But there was more thau humaue feeling work in the public mind during these

At one house

in

fruitful years.

An

idea which was, though

practical variance
laissez-faire

which was resorted to by about 80O

f;u-e

not

in

any sense new, at

working-men a day, the

modation (including

and the accompapers) were

with the leading principles of the

or let-alone party, was making

liine daily

itself felt in

quite as good as anything to be obtained

for similar charges,
if

now

the discussion of social questions.

This idea

not (in the most im-

was,

tliat

the state was not free to treat the

if

portant particulai-s) better.

In the evidence

criminal as

the community had no respon-

given before these commissions and committees, too,

sibility in the

matter beyond that of punishThis,

dis-

we

find exactly the

same discussions

ing

him

for the protection of others.

is
;

as those

which are so familiar to us at the

the "moral"

also, is

a topic wliich

not adapted for our duty

is

present time with regard to diminishing the

cussion in these pages

confined

temptations to "drink," and

to recording the fact that the idea in question

value of such houses of refreshment to work-

now became

increasingly

prominent.

We

begin from this time to hear more and more

of social science, of education as a prevention
of crime,

A great increase
questions that
alrea<ly

of attention to the class of

call

and

of the

reform (as well as the

Scarcely any

we now
The

" sanitai'y," has

punishment) of wrong-doers.

been noted as one

era.

of the characteristics

social topic of recent times has led to

more

of the

new

evil of

burying the dead

heated discussions, or thrown up more vividly

the dividing-lines between different schools
of opinion in politics.

in the midst of the habitations of the living

was one
led to
action.

of the topics

which

in this connection

To

this

day

it is

the

same, and in the very latest debates upon the

condition of flogging in the

much The
issue,

discussion

and

large plans of

discussions arose not

upon the

army and navy

main
air

but upon subsequent points of

we may
on

notice that

it

is

possible to tick off

policy.

It

was allowed on

all

hands that the

i^urely political

grounds the advocates and

of

inhabited districts ought not to be

the opponents of flogging

the division
lists.

name by name

in

poisoned by exhalations from decomposing

corpses,

but the question what was to be done

still

In the evidence given before committees on

imports, and similar tribunals of inquiry, the

with the dead

remained open.

priety of burning

The prothem was maintained by

erection

student of the
alights

first

decade of the queen's reign

many.
of

One gentleman proposed the

upon

facts

which at

first i-ather

sur-

monster pyramids by way of cemeteries.

of rural or semi-rural cemeteries,

prise him.
coffee

For example,

tlie

consumption of

But the plan

such as

and cocoa

(especially coffee) being in

we now know them,

or at least re-

question,

we

discover that in the provision

cities like

member them, prevailed. This was the scheme

which carried the
with
it.

which great

London

afford for the

least .shock to the feelings

refreshment of the poor, especi;dly working

There was much opposition in certain

men, the year 1880

is

not so

much

in advance

quarters to any plan which would take the

of the year 1840 as

might be supposed.

In

dead from under the shadow of the church

wall,

the year 1840 there were coffee-houses in

and the poetic feeling underneath

this

London, at which from 700 to 800 cups of

coffee

opposition
fact

was much more than excusable; but

were sold in a day at a penny a cup.

is

and common sense prevailed.

Mr. Pamphilon
this

a name that connection charged three

At one
coffee-shop in

historical in

the most beautiful spots near

selected to begin with
;

Some of London were

halfpence a

but those

who

can

cup, and served from 1500 to 1600 persons

a day.

London we read

remember Highgate and Norwood cemeteries in those days, and who know them now, will
not be able to refrain from a melancholy smile

with astonishment that there were forty-three

London

daily papers taken in, seven county

when they

reflect

how

the obvious prophecies

fulfilled

papei's,six foreign papers, twenty-four

monthly

of fort)' years ago

have been

the

SIR

ROBERT PEEL'S CORN

little

BILL.

19

suburban cemeteries beiug now

than monster
houses.

better

tained a very considerable tax on the staple

churchyards

surrounded

by

food of the country.

The

ministerial plan

preserved the principle of varying the corn

duty inversely with the price of corn in the

We

will

now

continue to trace the course

market, to be calculated by the system of

averages which was already in operation, and

and the country which represents the continuous narrative of

of those events in parliament
legislative progress.

had been the basis of the scheme for the commutation of tithes. Against the representation
that the sliding-scale offered inducements to

The

first

debate in the

new
try

parliament of 1842 was listened to with

intense anxiety.

The

condition of the coun-

dealer to hold back supplies and so force up

the price for the
piirjjose

was

s.uch that legislative relief

for.

was

eageilj'

of
it

escaping the

looked

The cry

for the remission of the

higher duty in times of plenty,

was

said that

tax on foreign corn was growing in intensity

by the

alterations proposed in the scale of

and volume, and 994

sented.
six

petitions in favour of a

duties the temptations to tamper with the aver-

repeal of the corn-laws had already been pre-

ages would be gi-eatly diminished, while the

The House

of

Commons was crowded

to the lobbies stood

averages themselves would be computed by the

excise

hundred anti-corn-law delegates who had

and over a much extended area

of cal-

been refused admission

culation.

Every considerable town possessing

outside the budding exhorting

members

as

a corn market was to be

named

in the act as

they arrived to vote for conijjete repeal and

against the slidiug-scale.

contributing to the averages, and the evils aris-

Pai'liament Street,

They marched up met Sir Robert Peel as

ing from the suddenness of the reduction of

duties would be remedied

he drove to the house, and renewed their

cries

by the new scale by which the duty would never exceed twenty
This declaration of restriction on
belief that
it

for the

removal of the duty on food.

shillings.

The prime minister was very grave, very

anxious, but he clung to the theories by which

duty and the statement of a

would not be for the

if

interest of the farmer

he had defended the protection of Englishgi-own corn, and he would not at once abandon

prices should range higher than

from

54s.

to 58s., did not please the agriculturists, no)-

them.

But there were

those present

who
on

was any such

scale as

was proposed for main-

thought they detected in his manner an uncertainty of purpose

taining duties likely to conciliate the

manu-

and a want

of reliance

facturing interests.

"At
is 59s.

the piesent time,"

the general statements

by which he supported
was enough or nearly

said Sir Robert Peel, "the duty vai-ies in this

his propositions, such as the declaration that

way: when the price

duty
is
2.7s.;

and under
Is.

60s. the

in ordinary years there

it

then diminishes
increase in

in

duty

enough of home-grown corn, and that it was only on extraordinary occasions that we had to
resort to foreigners for
tity of food.

with every

Is.

piice until corn

reaches the price of between 66s. and 67s.

any considerable quanof the govern-

when

the duty

is 20s.

8d.; it then falls 2s. in price; so that

The explanation

duty with the increase of

the price
is

when
is

ment scheme was lucid and complete, but the arguments by which it was supported only convinced some of those who were opposed to them that the scheme itself was a compromise. The cheers of the agricultural party on finding
that they were not to be deprived of the protection of a tax

between

68s.

and
is

69s. the
14s. 8c?.,

duty

16s. 8d., at 70s.

71s.,

the duty

and at
in-

10s. 8d.;

it

then

falls 4s.

with each

crease of price, so that at 73s.

at 75s.

it is 2s. 8c?.,

and

and upwards

Is.

and no more.

The

main objection which has been urged

to that

on foreign grain were scarcely

tlian the derisive shouts of

way

of levying the

duty
is

is this,

that the reit

more pronounced

duction of the duty

so rapid that

holds

the opposition, which were repeated by the

out temptations to fraud. For instance, at 60s.

the duty
is 26s. 8d.,

crowd outside the house when

plated,

it

was found
main-

and at
60s.

73s.

the duty

is Is.

that only a reduction of the duty was contem-

only; so that

between

and

73s. there is

an

and that the

sliding-scale still

increase of price of 13s. and a decrease of duty

20
of 2o.
8c/.,

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

affording a great inducement to

welfare of

all classes in this

country that you

fraud, or to combinations for the purpose of

should take care that the main sources of your

influencing the averages, giving, as

it

did, to

supply of corn should be derived from domestic

agriculture.
price

paities so inclined the advantage of the sale of

You

are entitled to place such a

is

one quarter of wheat of no

less tlian 3Ss. Bd.

;

on foreign corn as

equivalent to the

At

66s. tlie

duty

is 20s.

8d.

so that even be-

special

burdens borne by the agriculturist,

tween

66s.

and

73s. there is

an inducement to
of 7s. in the price

and any additional protection you give them

I

parties to hold

back com

am

willing to admit can only be vindicated

it is for
I,

and

19s.

Sd. in

the duty,

making

total

on the ground that

country generally.
consider that
that
it is

the interest of the

amount

of pecuniary

inducement
66s. the
its

to retain the
to
i.s

however, certainly do

article of 26s. Bd.

At

inducement

for the interest of all classes

retain corn in the hope of

Is.

rising to 70s.

in price

and

10s.

duty, a total inducement

of 14s.

At

70s. price the

till it

inducement for
is 3s.

re-

we should be paying occasionally a small additional sum upon our own domestic produce, in order that we may thereby establish
a security and assurance against those calamities that would ensue
if

taining corn
9s.

reaches 73s.

price

and
is

duty, together 12s.

Thus the consumer

of corn
till

we became

alto-

injured

by the withholding

it is

gether, or in a great part, dependent on foreign

dearer

the revenue by the forced reduction

countries for our supply.

That we might be
dependent on
its

of duty; the agriculturist by the withholding

of corn
till

for a series of years of scarcity

it

has reached the highest price,

foreign countries for a portion of

I

supply,

which

is

then snatched from him and his pro-

do not deny.

But I nevertheless do not

tection defeated, while

commerce

suffers

from

abandon the
for its

hoj^e that this country, iu the

the uncertainty."

average of years,

may produce a
If that

sufficiency

All parties were pretty well agreed on the

difliculties of fixing

own

necessities.
if

hope should

the price of foreign wheat,

be disappointed,

you must

resort to other

and

into these difficulties

and the

details of

countries in ordinary seasons for periodical

the duties which he proposed to impose in the

place of those which then existed, Sir R. Peel

additions to your

own

supplies, then I

draw

a material distinction between the supply that

is

entered very minutely, after which he thus recapitulated the

limited

the supply which

is

is

brought in for

main features

of the

new scale
of
it:

the purpose of repairing our accidental and

that he proposed for adoption, and the reductions that he expected to effect

comparatively slight deficiency

ply which
of a

and the sup-

by means

more permanent and exten-

"

When

corn

is

at 59s.

and under

60s.

the

sive character.

duty at present
is 13s.

is 27s.

8d.; the

duty I propose
is

" I consider the present as a not unfavourable time for the settlement of the subject.

When

the price of corn

is

at 50s. the

existing duty
price
falls,

36s.

Sd.,

increasing as the

There

is

no great stock of corn on hand to

recess,

instead of which I propose that the

20s.,

alarm the growers. The

notwithstand-

duty should be only

.shall

and

tliat

the duty

ing the distress that has existed, has been

in

no case be exceeded. At
;

56s. the

duty
is

marked by an unusual
there
is

calm.

There

is

no

is 30s.

Sd.

the duty I propose at that price

popular violence to interrupt legislation, and

16s.

At

60s.

the duty

is 26s.

Sd.; the

duty I

a disposition to view any proposal

propose at that price

is 23s. Sd.;

is 12.s.

At

63s. the

duty
64s.

for the adjustment of the question

with calmproposi-

the duty I propose

is 9s.

At

ness and moderation.

tion
is

Whether

my

the duty

is 22s. Sd.;

the duty I propose

10s. Sd.;

is 8s.

accepted or rejected, I hope that the

At

70s. the
is 5s.

duty

is

the duty I prowliich, in

question will be adjusted in the

way most
all

pose

These are reductions

my

conducive to the pennanent welfare of

classes of the

opinion, can be

made

consistently with justice

community."

to

all

the interests concerned.

On

the following day Lord J. Ru.ssell gave

"
is,

My belief
it is

and the

belief of

my

colleagues

notice that he

would move an amendment,

of a sliding-scale

that

of the highest importance to the

condemning the principle


LORD JOHN EUSSELL
Mi\
iJie

PItOHIBITORV DUTIES.
thus making the price at which
sold in
it

O^T

21

Villiers

aunounceJ that he should

like

could be
If

sense of the house ou the policy of im-

England in ordinary years

45s. 6d.

posing any duty whatever, fixed or sliding,

you add to that the proposed duty of

65s. 6d.,

20s.,

on foreigu corn or food imported into

this

you make the enthe price of Dantzic wheat

country; and Mr. Christopher, one of the

when

the price at

home

is 50s.,

show-

membei"s for the county of Lincoln, declared

that he should

ing, of course, that 20s.

amounts to a prohiwould
and

move

in

committee the adop-

bitory duty.

In the same way at Odessa, as

tion of a higher rate of -wheat duties, to be

stated in the consul's returns, the price

substituted for that proposed by the premier.

be

26s.,

adding to which

10s. for freight,

Thus the questions

scale, a fixed duty,
all

of

an improved

slidiugof

some farther charges which cannot be taken

at less than
5s.,

and an entire abolition

and adding then the proposed

duties on corn were at once brought under

duty of
61s.,

20s.,

you would have the price up to

to deal with this corn;

disciissiou.

without counting the profit of the mer-

On

the 14th Lord J. Kussell proposed his

chant

who would have

amendment.
possible

After showing that

it

was im-

and

therefore, although

you may say that you

20s., to 19s.,
it

that the nation should be -wholly

have reduced the duty to

18s.,

and to

independent of foreign supplies of

com and

yet iu all three instances

is

can be shown

other food, and reminding the house that

that the duty

prohibitory

and that when

would

even during the war

of

Napoleon 2,000,000

the price

is

at 55s. or 56s.

the price at which

it

of the people of this country derived their

the right honourable gentleman said

please

supplies of food from foreign sources;

and

him

to see

it,

nobody can

tell

why

having replied to the representation that the

countries on -wliich

there would then be a prohibitory duty on

foreign corn.

we

cliiefly

depended for

Indeed, Sir E. Peel was right

our corn supplies were situated nearly in the

when he
sufficient,

said that a duty of 20s.

was quite

same

latitude as oui-selves,
fail

and, therefore,
at the
it

and that

it

would exclude foreign

that their harvest might

same time
confine

coin as eflfectuaUy as a duty of 45s.

At what
and

with our own, by saying that

necessai-y it

showed how
Europe
from
our
should
all

time will the duty cease to be prohibitory?

was that we should not

Suppose you admit foreign

com

at 62s.,

oui^ves

for a supply to the north of

that that price would enable the mercliant to

alone, but should t;ike assistiince also

pay a duty
duties?

of lis.

What has been

last

the conse-

the Black Sea and America, that

stretch the

we

quence during the

year of that system of

arms of our commerce, as

It has been stated in

other powers are stretched, over the whole

phlets written

ou

this subject

one

two new pamby Mr.

world
scale:

he thus criticised the proposed slidingis

" The pro{X)sal before the house

to that extension. to a sliding-scale
is,

opposed

The

fii-st

objection I take

that a high, I should say

it.

a prohibitory, duty alwaj's forms part of

other by Mr. Greg in shown that on the 5th oi -July last Dantzic wheat in bond was 48s. a quai-ter, and that if let out it might have been had with the duty of 8s. for 56s. On the 6th of August the price rose to 60s., your law

Hubbard and the

one of wliich
it is

I could undei-stand a scale not exceeding 10s.

or
12^.,

aflFording special reasons for believing that

still

and going down

51s., is 20s.;
is

to

4s.,

to
is

3s.,

or to

Is.

better price could be obtained for

of

it;

and

Tlie

fii:st

duty when the price

at 50s.

and

ou the 3d
it

September, only two months after

48s., it

under

and I

shall

now

proceed

could have been sold at

was

sold at

to sliow that that

a prohibitory duty.

the information obtained

,,

From by Mr. Meek, who

to
it

70s. in

bond, thereby adding 22s. to the price,

without the slightest benefit to the farmer or

landholder, and with no advantage to any one

was sent
I
I

to the north of

Europe expressly

collect information

ou the subject,

appears

but the foreign speculator.

" It is
calculated

the original price of Dantzic wheat

when
is
Ct/.;

by Mr. Greg that the

I will

brought from the interior of the country

35s.,

sum

paid to ownei-s and growers of foreign

that the charges

amount

in all to 10s.

corn last year was .6,000,000.

assume

22
that
it

GLADSTONE AND
was 4,000,000 or 5,000,000
Another
;

flIS

CONTEMPORARIES.
" I admit," proceeded

a loss

Lord John, " that I

but I think they
it.

which was entailed on

sliding-scale.

this country by. the

evil of that scale lies

do not regard the corn-laws as the cause of the

whole

of the present distress,

in the fact that, take the averages as fairly as

tend very greatly to aggi-avate

Sir Robert

you may, you cannot

tell

the quality of the

Peel says that an alteration in the corn-laws

com

during the past year, and some of the

wiU not
to the

relieve

it.

agree in the truth of

it

preceding years, a great portion of the corn

of the country

that description

when
tlie

is

made

applicable
I agree

was very much damaged,

to

measures of

government.

the extent, as alleged by some persons well

that

it is

impossible to hope that any material

acquainted with agi-iculture, of oue-fifth of the

alleviations of distress should result

from a

whole crop of England.

The consequence was

price.

measure which
a
little

is

only

made

to look apparently

a considerable reduction in the market

better than the former one, which

all

But did the people get their bread a whit cheaper? No; when corn comes to that degree of cheapness,
it
is

keeps up

the vicious principle of the old

law, which

not cheapness to the

speculation, which cramps your commerce, and prevents you from

encourages

consumer

of bread, liecause

he

is

paying as

resorting for food to the Black Sea

and the

much

as

when

the averages are a good deal

United States."

higher.

This has been

made out

in figures

by

a gentleman
subject.

who

sent

me

a statement on the

Lord J. Russell concluded _his speech by moving the following amendment: "That this
house, considering the evils which have been

He

shows that in the month of Jan-

uary, 1841, the average price of

61s. 2d.,

wheat was
in 1842

caused by the present corn-laws, and especially

and that

in the

same mouth
2c?.

by the

fluctuations of a graduated or sliding-

the average was also 61s.

You may,

scale, is

not prepared to adopt the measure of

is

therefore, say that the average price being

her majesty's government, which

founded

the same at both periods, and the duty being

also the same, the people obtained

on the same principles, and

tended with similar
results."

is likely to

be

at-

bread at
it.

the same price.

But

is it

so

Far from

According to the

Mark Lane
55s.

return, I find
fii'st

The opposition to Lord John Russell's amendment was led by Mr. Gladstone, who,
it

that the price of the best flour in the

four

was understood, had been

chiefly

employed

weeks
fii-st

of 1841

was

per sack, while in the

it

in the able calculations necessary, not only for

four weeks of 1842

difference of

was
less

61s.

per sack;
6s.

computing the incidence of the

sliding-scale,

making a
bread
is

no

than

per

but for the completion of the scheme by

sack in that description of flour from which

which remissions
so

made, while no alteration took place

of duty were to be made on many articles of commerce. Mr. Gladstone

in the averages or the

amount

of the duty.

declared that whatever misrepresentation the

The sudden

rise after

a bad harvest, when

government might

incur, they

would be conhad con-

perhaps there has been a prohibition for two

or three years, causes the necessity of a sudden

tent with the reflection that they

ferred on their country a gi-eat boon certain

to secure ultimately the universal approbation

supply from abroad ; there

is

no regular

trade,

and bullion

is

sent to

meet the demand; the

its

which

it

merited.

The proposed plan was

Bank
there

of
is

England contracts
that

issues,

and
I

not founded on the same principle as the

existing one, except as both involved a slidingscale;

a derangement of the currency.

am aware

com must
;

be dearer at some

the distress was attributable to the

seasons than at others

jilaces difficulties in

but where nature

unavoidable fluctuation of the seasons, which

were, he argued, not aggravated by the cornlaws.

your way, you should not

aggravate them by bad legislation.

With

uniform protection coidd not be

it

respect to frauds in the averages, the com-

given to corn as
because

could to other articles,

mittee of 1820 exposed a great number; and

when

corn was at high prices no duty

;

a fraudulent
in one

rise in price to the

extent of

9s.

could be maintained
it

therefore, at

low prices

week was exposed

in 1839.

was

just to give a

duty wliich would be an

RICHARD COBDEN IN PARLIAMENT.

effectual protectiou.

23
this q\ies-

He

believed that the

fail-

tion of the duty.

The debate on

governmeut measure was a

medium

be-

tiou lasted for five nights, but the result

was

tween the opposite extremes of those who

thought with the Agricultural Association of Boston aud with the Anti-Corn-law Convention.

a stiU larger majority for the government,

showing how great was the influence

landed interest and
of

of the

how

little

the principle

free-trade

was

ajjpreciated.

One other

The debate was

ston,

long,

and vigorous speeches

result,

however, was the opportunity which

statements of Mr. Cobden.

were delivered, one of them by Lord Palmer-

the discussion g.ave for the grave and emjjhatic

who defended

the representations of the

He

had

opposition by asking, "

Why

is

the earth on

already achieved a peculiar distinction in the

which we

live divided into zones

and climates?

house for the kind of unadorned eloquence

Why

do different countries yield different

to people

which

is

productions

experiencing similar
intereected

made
which

to
it

neither to be laughed down nor waver from the earnest purpose to

is

wants?

Why
rivers,

are

they

with
of

devoted.

He

cared

little for

any

mighty
nations?

the

natural

highways

pei-sonal misrepresentations or for attempts

Why

are lands the most distant

to disparage his simple

method

of address, so

from each other brought almost into contact

long as he could obtain a hearing;

and once
diffi-

by that very ocean which seems to divide

heard, his arguments were exceedingly

cult to

them?

Why,

sir, it is

that

man may

be de-

answer

still

more

difficult to refute.

pendent upon man.

of commodities

It is that the

exchange
the

He

had

already compelled

attention

and

may be accompanied by

gained respect, and more than that, had been

recognized as the leader of the Anti-Coi'n-law
Association, which, at his instance,

extension and diffusion of knowledge,

by the
It

interchange of mutual kind feelings, multi-

when he
sig-

plying and confirming friendly relations.

is

was one

of the delegates

from Manchester to

that

commerce may
render

freely go forth, leading

London, had been renamed by the more

nificant title of the " League."

civilization

with one hand and peace with the

other, to
better.

mankind happier,

wiser,

It

was

for

some time represented that Cobbirth, as well

Sir, this is
is

the dispensation of Provi-

den was by

as

by

position,

Power which created and disposed the universe. But in

dence; this
the decree of that

interested only in the trade of calico-printing,

and knew nothing of the wants

ploj'ed

of the agricul-

the face of
folly,

it,

with ai-rogant, presumptuous

in
restrictive

tural population, or of the farmers

who em-

the dealers

duties

fly,

them.

He

was, in

fact,

the son of a

fettering the

inborn energies of man, and

small farmer

a yeoman of Sussex who died

still

setting

up

their miserable legislation instead

and

left

him while
Richard

a boy to the care of

of the great standing laws of nature."

an uncle who had a wholesale warehouse in

But the

late ministry

were not bold enough

London.

Cobden was afterwards

a and

to propose the entire abolition of the duties,

known

to be a partner with his brothers in

nor were they ever equal to that enterprise.

calico-printing business in Manchester,

their firm

The house went

to a division,

and while 226

from small beginnings

(it is

said

voted for Lord John Russell's amendment,

that he began business in Clitheroe on a

349 were in favour of the original motion

which, Mr. Macaulay emphatically declared,

borrowed
for the

capital of

500) soon became known

taste of their patterns

remarkably good

was a measure which

nobody asked
Robert Peel
for,

settled nothing,

which

and the quality

of their goods.

Cobden himhouse, and

which nobody thanked Sir

self occasionally travelled for their

for,

a measure which would not

distress.

later (in 1835), after

having visited the Conti-

extend trade nor relieve

nent, Turkey, Greece,

and Egypt

went
on

on

This declaration was justified by events.

a voyage to America.

He had
of

already

shown
poli-

The rejection of Lord John Russell's amendment was immediately followed by a motion
proposed by Mr. Villiers for the total aboli-

what kind
to a
tical

of

man he was by his

some

contributions

Manchester paper

articles

economy, remarkable for their thoughtful-


24

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

area of 1.5,750 square feet the main pavilion and

ness and the lucid mannei- in which the sub-

the

flooring for

His pamplilet "England, Ireland, and America, by a Manchester Manufacturer," appeared soon after his return from
jects

were treated.

its

ante-rooms hav-

ing consumed 17,100 square feet of threeinch jilanking.

sons,

It

was seated

for

3800

pei--

the United entitled " Russia"

States,

and another pamphlet

same time.
of a

was published at about the They were evidently the work

and 500 more found entrance after the dinner. It was lighted by 24 chandeliers of
twelve burners each, eight each of the three
aisles,

chandeliers

in

man

capable of carrying out the advice

and there were three

which he afterwards made a leading principle

of the League, when at one of the early meet-

othere at the entrances.

dent's chair the
jets,

Above the presiword "justice" shone in gasa yard long.

ings he said, "

The delegates have

;

offered to

with

letters

About

20,0fi(t

instruct the house

the house has refused to

in-

yards of pink and white calico had been used

for the drapery of the interior.

be instructed.
structed
effectual
;

But the house must be

will

and the most unexceptionable and

the galleries was

The front of hung with deep crimson, on

white letters " Laudis

way
It

be

by

instructing

the

which were
owners
!

inscriljed in

nation."

was

after

his return

from an-

honesty

the best policy," " Total

other journey through

Germany

that he began

and immediate

repeal,"

to advocate the repeal of the corn-law,

and in

a fixed injustice."

and " A fixed duty is Ten thousand tickets for

the following year the League was formed.

He
was

the dinner might have been sold, the whole

district

had

failed in his

endeavour to be returned to
ii?

was in excitement, deputies arrived

parts,

parliament for Stockport

1837, but he

from various

of

the

kingdom, and
the
invited

successful at the election of 1841,

and at once
it

Daniel O'ConneU was one of

took a position in the house which, though

guests and a decided attraction, hundreds of

was neither

self -asserted

nor dependent ujjou

people awaiting his arrival at the railway

station,

that kind of oratorical display which distin-

which was then in the

Liverpool

guished " noticeable

"

members, was

felt to

be

Road.

The banquet was a

most
ladies

gi-eat success, tlu

important and likely to continue.

Tlie Anti-Corn-law

meeting

enthusiastic.

The

galleries
sistei-s,

League had gi-own into

had been comto hold

were occupied by
League, and aided

for

wives,

a large and active organization by that time.

and daughtex'S were deeply interested

it

in the

A new and vigorous camjraigu

menced
half the
in

by

their constant efforts

Manchester in 1840, and there was

of the local association.

and by acting and

visitors.

as secretaries, correspondent.'*,

no building in the town large enough

members

The

vacant land in

St. Peter's Field

belonged to

The chairman, Mr. J. B. Smith on whose right sat Mr. Thomas Potter, the Mayor of Manchester was supported by

.-i

Mr. Cobden, who

meetings.

offered

it

as the site of a

number

of

members

of parliament

who

suji-

structure for the purpose of holding large

ported the cause of free-trade in corn.

toast after that of " the

Tli^

In eleven days a hundred workconstructed a great pavilion, which

men had

diate

and

total repeal

Queen " was " Immeof the Corn and Provi-

occupied the very ground where in 1819 a

vast meeting, assembled for the purpose of
petitioning for a repeal of the corn-law
for parliamentary refonn,

sion Laws."

Among
exercised

the speakers

was O'Conhi-

neU,

who

over the audience

and

usual fascination, moving

them by

his alter-

had been dispersed

nate humour, pathos, and declamation.

Mr.
th.

by an armed
replaced
liy

force.

Cobden spoke

for a

few minutes only on

In this temporary pavilion, afterwai-ds to be

the Free-trade Hall, and standstill

objects of the League.

One

of the

remarkabh

incidents of the meetings

was the appearand

ing on the spot

memorable

for the "

masto

sacre of Peterloo," a gi-and banquet

was
It

be held, and the large extent of the structure well fitted

it

among the speakers of a Suffolk landowner Mr. Thomas Milner Gibson, a young gentleman, who, with much grace of manner and
pungent good humour, attacked the arguments
and statements of the landed
interests,

for the purpose.

was

150 feet long,

10.5

wide, and

occupied an

and

PROTECTIONIST CHARTISTS VA'RSCS THE LEAGUE.

supported the claims of
trade in food.
tlie

people to free-

encouragement, would have

little

in

common
It

with the organization of the League.

evident, however, that under the
tists

was

On
held

the nest evening another dinner was

name of Charin-

by 5000 workiug-raen, the

filled

galleries

some

of the

Tory ojiponents of the Anti-

being

with their wives, daiightere, and

Corn-law movement took opportunities to

terfere

sistere.

with meetings, and to hold counter

Tile associations for the rejjeal of the coru-

demonstrations, in which, however, they did

not often come off triumphant.
especially a great

laws had greatly increased throughout the

On one occasion
and
in

kingdom, and each

liad its delegates.

The

or-

demonstration, organized
of

ganization was rendered stUl more complete

by the woiking-men
neighbouring
districts,

Manchester

by the large meetings which were frequently held, and after the two banquets in the gieat
Pavilion
ladies
of

was to be held

Stephenson's Square.

Mr. Cobden had been

were to form a grand
to the

means were taken

to give to the

asked to

pre.side,

and the various trades and

Manchester and other places an

temperance
procession

societies

active pai-t in the cause.

tea party

was

previous

held at the Manchester Corn Exchange, where

friends of the corn-tax detei-mined to

850 guests were received by sixty-five ladies

an

effort to

convert the

The make assembly to their own

meeting.

who

presided at the various tables.

The

purposes, and posted the walls of Manchester,

meeting was addressed by the chairman, Mr.

Bolton, and other large towns with placards

calling

Mark
now

Philips,

M.P., and by other aident

on the

Chai-tists

to

come

in

their

free-tradere, of

whom

Eichard Cobden was

"countless thousands"and put

down the "humwas

issued,

the recognized leader.

He

had in

fact

bug claptrap of the League."

leaders

A list of Chartist
so close to that of
it was e^-iby speakere

virtually left his business to devote himself to

who were

to be present

the cause which he had so

his

much

at heart,

and
be, of

and a hustings was erected

example was followed, as far as might

others.

the supporters of the League that

by many
petitions

An

enormous number
to

dently intended to be occupied

had been sent

both Houses of Par-

who would endeavour

into confusion.

liament, an active coiTespondence had been

opened with every borough where there was

roused into

to throw the meeting The Manchester men were indignation by what they regarded

any probability of influencing the

retiu-n of

as an attempt to prevent free discussion of their

members who would support the

the corn -laws.

repeal of

demands
societies

for the repeal of the bread-tax,

different parts of the

and

million

and a quarter
tracts, 330,0(i0

from twenty
with

town

theii-

of handbills, pamphlets, of the

and

marched

to the appointed place, each

Anti-Com-law Circular, and some thoubeen

dis-

its

appropriate banner.

About 20,000

sands of other publications had

men

assembled to find

that the Chartists

tributed and circulated; the interest of

num-

bers of the clergy of

all

denominations had

had surrounded the League platform with their flags so that the speakers would not be
visible.

been

enlisted,

and coiporations and boards

One

of these banners of large size

!"

of guardians had been urged to support the

bore the inscription, " Down with the Whigs

movement, while a band of lecturers had been at work and had delivered 800 lectures in the
principal towns throughout the country.

and was
carry

so ])laced as almost entirely to ob-

struct the view.

it

The

Chartists were asked to

We

to the outside of the meeting,

where

have already seen how serious was the opposition

the free-trade flags were ranged, and as they

refused,

made by

those

who

called themselves

Chartists to the operations of

the League,

The

so-called

an attempt was ma<le to remove it. Chartists were armed with

to use
it

and

it

may be

readily understood that the

sticks,

and at once began

them

in its

Chartism of the
that
rely
is

"Young England"

party,

defence.

For a short time

seemed as though

to say the

democracy which was to

aristoci'acy

the unarmed free-traders woidd be driven back, but in a few minutes the flag was torn
to shreds

upon the landowners and the

fomi
of

for the best

government and

for social

and the

flagstaff

broken into short

26
lengths to

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

make formidable bludgeons with
Mr. Cobden
question would be brought before hundreds
of thousands.

which the free-traders drove their assailants

to the outskirts of the square.

There were ministers of conmiles to

gregations

who had come hundreds of

on taking the chair pleaded for a fair hearing for all speakers, one or two of the opponents afterwards addressing
result.

be present. The chair was taken at the opening meeting by the Rev. T. Adkins of South-

the

meeting, repeated

ampton, and his address was followed by one

but of course without

lectures,

At

from the famous Dr. John Pye-Smith, who

spoke in deep symp.-ithy with the
of tlie jioor.
sufl'erings

meetings, and

discussions,

amidst

which the operations of the League

became

At

the afternoon's meeting Mr.

to address the confer-

more and more formidable, the excitement

was often very great both in the provinces and in London, but that was to increase still
more.

Cobden was requested

ence,

and in the evening an account was given by each member of the condition of the work-

Soon

after the

election

of the

new

ing-classes in his locality.

At

a late hour
of Ducie

it

i)arliament, when Mr. T. Milner Gibson gained the seat for Manchester which had been re-

was discovered that the Earl

present,

was

and on being asked to speak he comof opinion that the

signed by Mr. Greg, a conference was held

plied, saying in the course of his addres.s, " I

which helped to give not only vast influence but a deeply serious and orderly character to the futvu-e proceedings of the League. Mr.
George Thompson, a name well remembered

have for many years been

corn-laws, as they exist, are extremely oppressive to the labouring population,

to

and injurious
I

every branch of society.

Had

been a

by many as that
British

of the able lecturer of the

monopolist, had I been one of those

who

India Society, sent to the various

voted for charging an additional price on the food of the poor man, I

ministei-s of religion in

Manchester requesting

am

quite sure that the

them

to

meet and confer upon the Christian

dis-

testimony laid before you to-day by the re-

means

of obtaining a settlement of the corncivil

verend gentlemen

who have spoken would

law question without injustice or

turbance.

have been enough to pei-suade

should retract those opinions."

me

that

Twenty-eight ministere responded,

and a resolution was passed that ministers of religion from all parts of the United King-

The conference continued

four days.

to

be held for

Deputations of operatives were

dom

should be invited to a week's conference

received and their evidence listened to with

in Manchester.

A committee was appointed,

sympathy.

Mr.

Curtis,

a gentleman from

arrangements were made, and on the 17th of

Ohio, addressed the audience on the advantages that

August the conference was opened at the Town Hall, nearly seven hundred ministers being
present,

would ensue from a free-trade in

corn with America.

The accounts

of distress

most

of

whom were received by memwho had mvited them to The

The Rev.

bers of the League

and want received from various parts of the The Rev. Dr. country were harrowing.

their houses during their week's stay.

Vaughan

of

London, afterwards president of

meetings in the morning wei-e for four hours,

those in the evening for five hours.

the Lancashire Independent College,

moved

"that this conference, drawn together from

various parts of the United

Dr.

Cox was appointed

Out

provisional chairman,
for each day's

Kingdom by a
affect-

and a president was elected

conference.

general conviction of the existence of long-

of 1.500 replies received

by

continued and stm increasing distress

the committee only six were decidedly opposed

to the object of the

ing the community at large, and bearing with

peculiar severity on the industrious classes,
find this conviction deeply confirmed

meeting and six were in

ministers had ac-

doubt on the subject, the great majority being

in its favour.

by

vari-

Some 650

ous statements

and documentary evidence

them, which clearly prove
of obtaining

cepted the invitation, at least an equal

num-

now

laid before

ber approved of the conference; and thus in

that vast

numbers are incapable

about 1500

localities,

in

1.500

communities,
gi-eat

by their labour a

sufliciency of the

common
them-

and through 1500 agencies, the

moral

necessaries of life for the support of

THE LADIES' ANTI-CORN-LAW BAZAAR AT MANCHESTER.

selves

27

aud

families."

The

resolution
of the

was

car-

canv:is

of

manufacturers,

merchants,

and

ried unanimously.

At one
jieople

evening
elo-

shopkeepers was undertaken, and contributions

meetings Mr. George Thompson read an

in

kind or

in

money were
liberally.

solicited.

quent address to the

of the

United

These gave, and gave

Gradually

Kingdom, earnestly exhorting

suffering

those

who were

a heterogeneous stock of goods accumulated,

of

from the operation of the taxes on

Christian and
constitutional

which Mrs. George Wilson became the

food " to be peaceful and loyal, aud to coo|)erate

in
all

custodian and dispenser.

On

each committee

morning a
textures

pile of materials of all

hues and

efforts to effect their extinction,

with patience,

was

laid

upon

the table, mostly

silks,

relying upon the sympathies of their friends

remnants, short lengths, or patterns of

velvets, calicoes, trimmings, &c.,

and the blessing

of the

Most High." This ad-

from which

dress was agi-eed to and circulated throughout

the ladies present

made

selection with a

view

the country by means of the agencies of the

to their converaion into saleable articles, useful

League and by the ministers wlio returned

their congregations.

to

or ornamental.

Besides laying their business

friends under contribution, each lady set her

Amidst
bers,
gi-eat

all

these

movements the

Ladies'

immediate

female relatives and friends to

scissors,

Committee, now numbeiing about 200

mem-

work, and night and day needles,

silks

was busily employed

in preparing for a

and wools, paint and gum brushes were

demonstration by which funds would

plied
girls'

by

active fingers;

even the pupils in

be raised for carrying on the work,

aud

in

schools were allowed

by parents to

assist

enlisting for their effort the sympathies of

their teachers in

working fancy

articles for

the

women

of

England.

The committee

the "Great Bazaar."

under the active presidency of Mra. George

Wilson, the wife of the general president of
the League, had for months been hard at

No
when

wonder, therefore, at the success of the

undertaking, or at the magniticent display

the doors of the old Theatre Royal in
Street

work

for the

purpose of opening a gi-aud

ladies'

Fountain

and

Back Mosley Street

a third entrance
for that great

bazaar.

This

committee met usually

were thrown open to the public on Monday,

the 31st Januar}',

once a week at the League rooms, Newall's

Buildings,
of

1842;

and several membei-s

were
actively

of the Society
in
it.

from Charlotte Street having

occasion been opened out to

Friends

engaged

what was norburned

Everything was conducted in a business-like

mally the back of the stage.

This

manner, and

if

there were but few speakers

Theatre Royal, which was

round the

table, the

energy and enthusiasm of

down

in 1844,

was nearly the

size of that in

Mrs. Wilson made every

woman

there an in-

Drury Lane, with about

as large a stage,

and

terested supporter of the cause each in her

sphere.

own

an auditorium similarly constructed. The upper box stah'case and saloon were

How many signatures were

appended
in Octo-

hung with
and small

to the cart-load of petitions sent

ber, 1841, to

up

valuable paintings lent by their owners for

exhibition, the needful catalogue

London from Manchester praying

the queen not to prorogue parliament until

fee going to swell the proceeds, aud, conse-

the distress of the people was alleviated

it

quently, the
C'orn-law

funds of the "National Anti-

would be vain to conjecture.

that

It is

known
females

League."

few of the

upper

through their agency 75,000

boxes had been utilized by manufacturers

for the exhibition of their wares

signed a petition praying for the abolition of

the coni-laws, which was despatched to Lon-

and new

inventions, but otherwise they were set apart

for quiet spectators of

don

in

February the following year along

1300 other
petitions

the then novel and

with some

from the
committee

unprecedented scene below and around them.

town.

The
of the ladies' of funds for the

pit of the theatre

had been boarded

;

But the great work

was the raising
truly feminine

over on a level with stage

seats, fronts,

and

League by the

doors had been removed from the two centre

means

of a bazaar.

A general

boxes of the

dress-circle,

and here was the


28

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

eutiauce.

maiu

The sweep

of boxes

on either

One

evening,

during

the

progress of

the

haud had been converted into elegant stalls, whilst a conespondiug line made the circuit Overhead, pit and stage were of the stage.
canopied with a pink and white tent.

bazaar, a party of gentlemen

front of the ujiper boxes
tion.

came

to the

and claimed

atten-

There

fell

a hush on the vast assembly.

All

faces iu the building were turned

;

one

On

scrolls

blazoned to

and banners mottoes were emkeep energy alive and proclaim

fair.

way

a concession made by Peel was an-

nounced, and then a ringing cheer went up

that told
of

the xdtimate object of that fancy

"No

how unanimous was

present,

the feeling
of

Corn Laws," "No Sliding Scide," "Free Trade with all the World," and so forth.
Behind and in front
of the various stalls of

those

and the business

the

hour was carried on amid eager convei-sation.

It

was

not uutU January

30,

1843, that
It

some labelled with the names

towns which

the Free-trade Hall was opened.

long, low, unpretentious
erected, as

was a
edifice,

they represented, such as Buiy or Rochdale,

nay,

ugly

youth and beauty, fashion and talent were

all

was supposed,
first

for a temporary

busy in the cause they had at heart,

purpose, the

brick of which was laid

It

whilst sober matronhood and Quaker gravity

December
said,

21, 1840.

was

built, as

we have

were there as well, to keep flippancy in check,

on a portion of

St. Petei-'s Fields, the site

and show that the movement had influenced

the family
life

of the

memorable "Peterloo Massacre;" the

Its
it

of the people.

gx-ound was lent by the owner, or let on a nomi-

But

of all that motley multitude pressing

of incivility

nal rent-charge.

length

was 135

feet,

on iu a crush but one instance

to a fair

breadth 102, and

was not only capable

of

saleswoman was known, and there

holding, but did on one occasion hold 10,00t)

people.

Roland met with an OKver.

a fopling

young and
courtesy,

(The Agricultural Hall had not then

of,

pretty Quakeress seeking to effect a sale with

been thought
vast.)

and

its

area was considereii

who had more money than

offer to

At

one end stood a plain platform,

was met with the

a
kiss."

"give a sovereign for

afterwards converted into an immense orchesti-a,

To

his surprise

he was answered,

and a gallery
sides.

as plain occupied the three

"Come
thy
in

this

way, friend, and thou shalt have

remaining
It

kiss," and, following the

demure damsel
to

was opened with a

gi'aud banquet at-

amazement was led

as he supposed

some

sly

tended by M.P.'s and delegates from aU parts

of the

corner,

to the refi'eshment-stall close

kingdom; and afterwards

so great

utilized for

by,

where the young lady handed him one

anti-com-law meetings, at which the crush

of those sugai'-drops

known
is

as kisses, with

was

ten^ific,

was the eagerness to

subject of the
da}-.

the words, "Here, friend,

thy

kiss,"

and
the

hear speeches on the

\'ital

claimed his sovereign, which he ruefully paid,

glad

enough

to

beat

retreat

from

It

may

well be noticed here that

among

laughter of those around.

the questions which, not long after the accession of the queen,

The week came

to

an end, but not the

began to emerge from

supply of goods or the influx of buyers, or the

popular excitement the bazaar had roused.

time to time, and to undergo discussion in

a quiet way, was that of giving the parlia-

Committees met in the theatre, and it was resolved to keep it open yet six days more.

mentary suffrage

to

women. At

firet

the point

was, of couree, discussed only in holes and

cornei-s

The proceedings
the ladies

closed with a ball given to

it

and with bated breath, though some of

who had brought

to so successful

the holes and corners were as respectable iu

an

and sm-ely they had earned the had furnished to the funds of the League 9000.
issue,

themselves as the

Academy

of Plato.

Among

tribute, since they

the philosojjhical Radicals there had always

been advocates of female suffrage, and the presence of a

Constant communication was kept up between the League centre in Manchester and
their friends
iu

woman on

the throne of an in)mense

fail to

empire could hardly

into

wake up

the topic
life.

the

House

of

Commons.

something more than meditative

It


WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE EDUCATION-POPULAR ORGANIZATIONS.
is

2i)

well

known
and

tliat

Benjamin

Disraeli always

tion here," said Caroline, "

how

the line ladies

for Culunel

assigned a high place to female influence in

politics,

from the

castle

came and canvassed

in his novel of Syhff,

which may

Rosemary?"

be said to have been an attempt to create a

queen's party in the state, he foreshadowed in
vai-ious

The

old shopkeeper, Mi-s.

Carey,

is

very

much

staggered that girls should get such

ways the views which he afterwards

In one
of the Chartist so

things into their heads, and says angrily that

advocated distinctly.
scenes, of

they were not heard of

LTpon this the lasses
oligarch,"
call

when

she

was young.

which that work contains

(two of them

many,

the poor

woman "an
"

he repeats a discussion between some very

poor

and inform her that there was

no

women

little

more than
queen as

march

of

girls), in

which the presence

politics is

of the

that that

mind " when she was young, and makes all the difference. The freewhich had been gradually

a factor in

made the turning-point

it

dom

of discussion

of the argument, such as

was.

growing, especially in the press, had, of course,

" Life's a tumble-about thing of ups

and

the result that ideas that were once talked of

downs," said

Widow Carey
down

stirring her tea,

under the breath in

select coteries

were now

" but I have been

I

this time longer than

common

property, so that the mill-girls were

can ever remember." " Nor ever will get up, widow," said Julia,

right so far.

^
Mr.

We
once

have in later days seen much ridicule

at

whose lodgings

Julia's friends
five points."

hei'self and several of had met, " unless we have the

of " culture for the millions."

Du Maurier
fol-

made

it

the subject of a special series of

pencil sketches in Punch.

Others have

" I will never

marry any man who

is

not

lowed in the same track.

house
offers to

The

mistress of the

for the five points," said Caroline.

teach the parlour-maid to read

" I should be

ashamed

to

mairy any one

Harriet.

and

write, but the parlour-maid, in an ecstasy,

who had
"

not the

suflfrage," said

pleads to be taught the "planner" instead.

He

is

no better than a

slave," said Julia.

A lady

who, wantiug to engage a housemaid,

that the

The widow shook her head.

these politics," said the good

" I don't like

inquires for her references as to cleanliness,

woman,

" they

honesty, &c.,

is told,

young woman

bayn't in a

manner

of business for our sex."

has nothing of the kind, but that she has

three school-board certificates for " litteratoor,

"And
Julia.

I should like to know why?" said " Ayu't we as much concerned in the

joggraphy, and free-hand drawriu'."

trifles,

In these
nothing

cause of good government as the

don't

men?

sure

we understand as much about it ? the Dandy never does anything without

news
for a
can't

And I am

taken by themselves, there

notice,

is

worth much
that there
is

but

it

is

as well to note
If her

nothing at

all

new in them.

consulting me."
'It's fine

majesty had listened to street songs, or even

summer

day," said

seen some that were popular in middle-class

Caroline, " to say

we

understand politics

drawing-rooms, she might have heard or seen

with the queen on the throne."

"

"The
what

Literary
"

Dustman"
is

She has got her miuistere

to tell her

to do," said
siiutf.

Mrs. Carey, taking a pinch of

creature,
it

.vly

name

Adam

Bell

'tis

clear

"Poor innocent young

makes

often

my

heart ache to think

how

she

That Adam was the fust man, And by a coincydence queer, I'm the wen-y fust o' dustmen

"

is beset."

" Over the

sters try to

left,"

said Julia.

" If the mini-

and other songs, in equally poor

which servant
girls

taste,

in

come

into her bed-chamber, she

were ridiculed for wanting on the piano.

knows how
"

to turn

them

to the right-about."

to read or to play

Under

the

And

as for that," said Harriet, " to interfere with politics as

we not

why are much as

influence of the prince consort, the tendency

to ridicule the idea of popular culture

became
but

the swell ladies in London?"

unfashionable, or

at least spoke chiefly in

"Don't you remember,

too, at

the last elec-

subdued accents

and at present there

is


30
little

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

contempt or real sarcasm
is still

iu the hiiiuour

an impressive, but a slightly coercive

effect

with which the subject

treated.

upon those
influence.

whom

it is

thought desirable to
of

Another feature
live

of the times iu

which we

Tor purposes

propagandism,
is

it is

assume great prominence in the decades we have already glanced at, and it bebegan
to

well

known
its

that a society

mighty power.

Probably the organizations of the Wesleyan

came more and more

strikingly a characteristic

body by
to

distinguished founder had

much
small

of the period as the yeai-s rolled on.

We mean

do with setting patterns

of association tu

the tendency to form large popular organiziitions

social,

the

working

man.

Comparatively

for

the accomplishment of political,

societies,

such as that for the aid of climb-

or religious ends.
it is

The

topic

is

not a

ing boys, helped to teach the old lesson that

new
and

one, but

very large and interesting,

union

is

strength,

and the

associations fur

has a history of its

own which

is

yet to

promoting the educational systems of Bell

be written.

and
the course of

Lanc;ster, the circulation of the Bible,

Nobody can have watched

signed in our
title

events in this country within the limits as-

and similar purposes, greatly extended and widened the lines of organized action. The
trades unions have

without being startled

aheady been spoken

of in

and many serious thinkers have been alarmed at the growth of this tendency to what is

these pages.

But along with the growth

of the piess

and

called "organization"

among

the masses.
special origin

general education, the po]jular impulse in

It
for
it

is

idle to incjuire after

is

any

favour of associated action on a larger and

stQl a larger scale began to leaven nearly the

what

natural and almost ob\dous; but

would perhaps be found upon going far

whole of so much of the activity of the times

as

back that religion and morality have been

the gi-eat suggesters of " societies " spontaneously formed within the
these respects,

had " reforms " or ameliorative purposes

in view.

of of

any kind

The power and habit

body

politic.

In
so of

public speaking increased to an extent which

modern times have not

much
the

to say for themselves in the

way

had even a ludicrous side to it, though this was more the Ciise iu America than it ever was
in England. It almost

originality as

might be supposed.

Among

seemed with us
to be taken for

Romans

there were societies for the cul-

in this country that it

was

tivation of virtue,
of the poor

and perhaps
for

for the relief

granted that whatever could not be got out

of parliament

and

sick,

and the Jewish

ladies

by

direct votes of

members
it

had associations
necessary to

the mitigation of the

within the walls of the two houses, could,

suiferings of criminals.
travel

However,
to

it is

not

without much

difficulty,

be wrung from
It

by

back

Plutarch, or

political organizations.

was

in the Auti-

Josephus, or any other ancient authority, for

corn-law League that the faith in organization

our facts or our theories.

" organizations
"

The germ

of such
is

may be

said to

have reached

its

climax, and
itself.

as are

now
if

in question

in

most successfully to have vindicated

human
is

nature and iu circumstances.

It

is

Meanwhile the great

religious societies,

whose

very easy open secret that

a pound sterling

stupendous meetings at Exeter Hall, Freemasons' Hall, and similar places, but chiefly
at the
first,

wanted

for the relief of an afflicted person,

the desired end

scriptions of
shilling

may be

reached by the sub-

have already been refeired

to,

twenty people at the rate of a each, though no one of the twenty

to give a

were showing to those who were most

indif-

ferent to their special objects or characteristics,

might be able
shillings.

pound or even

five

that magnificent

revenues could
that

be

It

is

another open secret that

when

founded
little

upon the

principle

" every

people unite they create a heated atmosphere,

helps,"

and encourage each other.

secret,

It

is

a third open

least perfect defiuiteness of

and would be applied with at management and

the most striking feature of

and a very

practical one, that ten thou-

purpose.

On

the whole the tendency to popuis

sand people, either actually seen or only imagined as acting together,

lar organization

may have

not only

the times.

JOHN BEIGHT.
Wheu
Eichard Cobdeu weut
to

Jl

parliameut

been particulai-ly energetic, and was, of course,

effectively

as the representative of the deiuand for the

repeal of taxes ou necessary articles of con-

sustained

by the community

to

which he belonged, gave him a further opportunity of taking a prominent part in public
discussions,

sumption he had a vast moral support outside

the house, as indeed he deserved to have, for

and he was already known as a

he had been the organizer, the exponent, the

patient worker in

vivid and aggressive speaker when, at the

whom

the friends of the

to trust.

formation of the Anti-Corn-law Association

at

movement had good reason

was he without
and out
the
of parliament,

Nor

Manchester

in 1838, his

name appeared on

efficient colleagues

both in

the committee.

In the following year Mr.

visit to

among

the latter being

Cobden paid a
orator, of

Eochdale on behalf of
he had already

one who had but recently come to the front

in

the League, and there met with the young

great

question

that was

agitating

whose

abilities

the northern towns

dale.

John

Bright of Roch-

heard.

He

induced him at once to become

of

He was one who would have been by the French " a man of the people," and he li;i.s since that time amply vindicated
called

an active supporter

the anti

corn - law

movement, aud from that time the name of

John Bright was

associated

with that of

such a

title.

His

father, a

member

of the

Eichard Cobden in the great "cause" which

Society of Friends, had risen from the ranks

to

had such a triumphant

result.

become a wealthy manufacturer

a cotton-

Mr. Bright's bold and fervid appeals were

listened to with delight

spinner at Eochdale, near which town the

future famous "Eadical" and free-trade orator

and acclamation

at

the numerous meetings of the League, but his

voice

was born
infancy,

in 1811.

of a large family.

John Bright was the second His elder brother died in

was not heard

in parliament for

two

years after Cobden had

been returned for

and as a

and

ailing.

worth

to

child he was himself weak The "Quaker" school at Ackwhich he was sent was perhaps too

Stockport. Early in 1843 there

for

was a vacancy

Lord Dungannon was the Conservative candidate, aud the League, following

Durham.

rigid in its discipline for a feeble or delicate

the pi-actice which they had adopted, deter-

boy, but at anyrate he was removed from

to the care of a private tutor at

it

mined

to send

a free-trade candidate, and

Newton-Bolhave received he was

selected Colonel

Thompson

Mr. Bright going

retired

land,

where he had healthy outdoor exercise

to
called a classical education,

with him to

Durham

to advocate his claims.

and though he seems never

For some reason Colonel Thompson

from the contest at the
self as

what

is

last

moment, and Mr.

defeated and

either instructed in, or acquired, a very sound

Bright at once issued an address offering hima candidate.

appreciation of the value of the Saxon tongue.

He was

After his return to take a share in the business he

Lord

Dungannon was

returned,

but was

made a few attempts

to address his
Bill.

afterwards unseated on petition for bribery

neighbours on the subject of the Eeform

He
next

was then but one-and-twenty, and

eflfort

his

and Mr. Bright again coming forward was elected. Thus a Quaker became member for
the old cathedral town, and Dr. Waddiugton,

at public speaking

was

at

a temat a

perance meeting of a few young

village at

men

the dean, boldly and honestly gave him his

vote.

some distance from the town.

fashion Mr.

Fol-

He

remained member for Durham

till

lowing the prevailing

Bright

1847, after the repeal of the corn-laws,

when

made a

tour on the Continent, and afterwards

he was elected representative for Manchester

with Mr. Milner Gibson as his colleague.
that time Mr. Cobden,
older than
INIr.

in Palestine

and Greece.

Ou

his return he

By

gave some descriptive lectures on the subject

of his travels at the Eochdale Literary Insti-

who was seven

years

Bright (after a tour on the

and afterwards addressed the membei-s on subjects more immediately connected with
tution,
political rates,

Continent which was intended as a holiday for

rest

and
in

recreation,

but which became a jour-

economy.

The

opposition to church-

ney

which the advocate and representative

which at Eochdale had for some time

of free-trade

was everywhere received with

32
fatiguing
public

GLADSTONE AXD HIS CONTEMPUKAKIES.

recogiiitiou
),

had

beeu

the

humble individual who stated

had an opportunity

it

that ex-

spoiitaueously

elected

both

for

Stockport

cited this manifestation of feeling.

lately

He

had

iuid for the West Riding of Yorksliire. Choosing the larger constituency, he became with

of seeing a report

of the state of our labouring population in all

his coUeagues of

Manchester the constant

which have since

parts of the country.

Piobably honourable

advocate of an anti-warlike policy, and devoted

himself
to the jiriuciples

gentlemen were aware that a very important

meeting had lately been held at Manchester
lie

been suuimai-ized as those of "Peace, Retrench-

alluded to the meeting of ministers of re-

ment, and Reform."

ligion.

Here there was more

:

laughter.

He

When Cobdeu

firet

stood up

in parliament

understood that laugh

but he should not

facts,

to suiiport the address to the queen, lie

was a

pause in his statement of

perhaps notice
it

but might

truly representative
tale that

man, and well knew the

tell.

before concluding.

He

had

he had to

He

told it too in a

seen a body of ministers of religion of aU denominations, 650 in number, assembled from

all pai-ts of

way which fixed the attention of those who remembered what he had to say, and those who jeered or interrupted could not
seriously

the country at an expense of from

three to four thousand pounds, paid by their

congregations.

disconcert him; he

was

too accustomed

to

At

that meeting

most imrelat-

address large assemblies to be confused by

clamour, and he was far too

portant statements of facts wei'e

made

much

in earnest

ing to the condition of the labouring classes.

to regard personal incivility or

any attempt

He would

not trouble the house by reading

to sneer or to cavil at his plainness.

those statements; but they

showed that

in

There was
tives of a

little to

be said about the mo-

every district of the country the condition of

the great body of her majesty's labouiing

suit of his

man who had abandoned the purown fortune to uphold the cause

population had deteriorated wofidly within

the last ten years, and more especially within

which he advocated, but motives were presently to be attributed to the promoters of

the last three years, and that in proportion as

the price of food increased, in the

the repeal of the bread-tax which led to a

same prorespect to
this

very

pi^actical

and emphatic answer. The man

portion the comforts of the working-classes

now for the first time addressing the House of Commons was a man with a quiet earnest expression, a forehead high at the temples, a

had diminished.
the

One woid with

which
his

manner

in

allusion to

meeting was received.

He did

not come tliere

nose denoting what

is

called

the cogitative

to vindicate the conduct of these Christian

and

at the

same time the

practical, active

tem-

men
had

in having assembled in order to take this

perament;
nose,

modification of the
its

Brougham
His

subject into consideration.

to

The

parties

who

but without

aggressive quality.

judge them were their own congrega-

speech was ready and forcible, but peculiarly

simple and unaffected, amusingly unlike that
to

tions.

There were at that meeting members

Church, of the Church of
Baptists,

of the Established

which the house was accustomed, but

it

Rome, Independents,
C^hurch, Methodists,

members

of

told.

He

intended to support the address

the Church of Scotland and of the Secession

because he stood there not as a party

man
food.

and indeed

miuistei-s of
if

but as a simple free-trader, and the address

expressed
hostility

every other denomination, and

disposed to

he were
of those

to the

taxes on

impugn the character

Those taxes were paid

by the hardworking classes, for while the nobleman paid but a halfpenny in every hundred pounds of
chiefly

divines he felt he should be casting a stigma

and a reproach upon the great body

fessing Christians in this country.

of proliap-

He

his

income as a bread-tax, the

shillings

man

earning

pened

to

be the only

member

of the house

twenty
peated
it

a week paid twenty per cent.

re-

present at that meeting, and he might be

This produced a laugh, and he calmly

it.

allowed to state that

of

when he heard
members

the tales

He

did not know, he said, whether

injustice of the case or

misery there described; when he heard

of their

was the monstrous

these ministers declare that

ME. FEERAND'S ACCUSATIONS.

congregations were kept away from places of
ing
it,'

33
for

were the persons

whose advantage

worship during the morning service, and only

crept out under cover of the darkness of
night;

the tax Wiis maintained.

Already

it

when
low

tliey

described others as unfit to

agitation for the rejieal of the corn-laws

receive sjjiritual consolation because they

siuik so
in physical destitution
;

had
the
off;

becoming less

was seen and noted that the was and less distinctive of the manuof

tliat

facturing districts and population.

attendance at Sunday-schools was falling

The motion
lost,

Mr.

Villiers

was

of course

when he had heard these and such like statements, when he who believed that the cornlaws, the provision monopoly,

and a

similai- resolution in

the Lords by

which Brougham proposed

duties

to

abohsh the corn

was at the bot-

met a

similar fate, while the

amended

tom

of all

that

was endured

heard
like

those

scale of duties

brought forward by Mr. Chris-

statements, and from such authority, he must

topher was rejected in committee. It was in his

support of Mr. Villiers' motion that Cobden

say that he rejoiced to see gentlemen of such

character

come forward, and

Nathan

made a
house.

still

more marked impression on the

heard
it

when he addressed the owner of flocks and herds who had plundered the poor man of his
onlj'

He said he had

proposed by a
''

prime minister

to fix the price of corn.

fix

Wliat

lamb, say unto the doer of injustice, who-

an avocation for a legislature, to

of coin
!

the price

ever he might be, "

Thou

art the man."

The

That should be done in the open

people through their ministers had protested

against the corn-laws.
tested

markets by the dealers.

The

legislatm-e does

Those laws had been

not fix the price of cotton, or silk, or iron, or tin.

It appeal's that there are to be found gentle-

by the immutable morality of Scripture.

Those reverend gentlemen had prepared and

signed a petition in which they prayed the

men

stiU at large

who

advocate the principle

of the interposition of parliament to fix the

removal

of those

laws

laws which they stated

and prevented famishall

price at

which

articles

should be

sold.

Is to

violated the Scriptures,

the right honourable baronet prepared

ing children from having a portion of those

fatherly bounties
people.
'

cajTy out the principle in the articles of cotton

or wool?"

which were intended for

Englishmen," he afterwards added,

To

this Sir

Eobert Peel replied that

it

was

" have a respect for rank, for wealth, perhaps too

impossible to fix the price of food

tive enactments.

by

legisla-

much they feel an attachment

;

to the laws

"Then," said Mr. Cobden,

legislating ?
. . .

of their country; but there

in the

is

another attribute
is

"

on what are we

I ask

minds

of

Englishmen, there

a per;

the right honoiu'able baronet whether, while

manent veneration

for sacred things

and
de-

he fixes his slidiug-scale of prices so as to

secure to the landowners 56. per quarter on

when

their sjTnpathy,
ai-e

and

respect,

and

ference

enlisted in

what they

believe to

wheat, he has a slidiug-scale for wages

be a sacred cause, you and yours (here the

speaker addressed the protectionists) will vanish like chaiT before the whirlwind."

Let us only

legislate, if

you

so please, for the

introduction of

com when

it is

wanted.
it is

Exnot

clude

it

as

much

as possible

when

The speech took

of the landed

eflect especially

on some

wanted. But what I supplicate for on the part

of the starving people
is

aristocracy,

and

it

was soon
sense of

that they,
is

and not
wanted.

evident that the energy and

common

you, shall be the judge of when corn

man was making a outside tlie house among

this

decided impression
the landed interest.

By what
ajipetites

right do

you pretend

to

gauge the
of millions

and admeasure the wants

The condition
that there

of the rural population

was such

of people?"

was no gainsaying the declaration and

still less

The next event was the attempt

to be

of

Mr.
This

that not the farmers,

tui-al

the agricul-

Busfield Ferrand to counteract the effects sure

labourer, were benefited by the corn-

produced by Mr. Cobden's speech.

laws, but that the landowner's

who took
had with

the

gentleman committed the most unscrupulous

attacks both on Mr.

rent

"and had no more

II.

to

do with agriculsail-

ture than the owners of a ship

VOL.

trade manufacturers

generally,

Cobden and the freeand as he

24

"

34

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

of the

came from the neiglibourbood

facturing
ilistricts

manu-

rags

was

so abominable to the operatives that

his utterances were cheered

they had

named

ifdevil's dust," and that

many

by the

protectionists,

who were

themselves so

of the manufacturers of Huddersfield

had put

unacquainted

witli the subject that

they were

such a large quantity of devil's dust into their

calicoes that the foreign trade of the country

unable to judge of the probable truth of his calumnies. He accused Mr. C'obden of working his mill night and day

had been almost ruined.

Of course, as the
been applied to

while calling for

name

"devil's dust"

had

really

a repeal of the corn-laws,

and implied that

the dust removed from the raio cotton by the

by these means he had amassed a large

fortune.

operation of the "scratcher," vulgarly called

the " devil," these assertions had
little

lasting

When

the attention of the house was called

weight or influence among people acquainted

to these slanders

he had charged

many

Mr. Ferrand admitted that anti-corn-law manufac-

with the subject.

But the

declarations of
as

Mr. Ferrand were at the time applauded

a spirited attack, and were adojjted and

turers with so acting, but denied saying that

cir-

they were

all guilty,

and on

this the matter

culated as arguments by the so-called "Chartists"

was dismissed.
manufacturei-s of

He had

also accused

the

who were the opponents of free-trade.

at anyrate, that the govern-

sujiporting

the

" truck
its

It

was evident,

system, and evading the law.s pas.sed for

suppression.
letters

After reading

number

of

which mentioned masters in

different

ment had no immediate intention of making any concession towards the repeal of the cornlaws, although it was felt that the slidingscale

districts

who maintained

it,

he entered into a

could only be a temporai'y measure.

the

description of the
alleged,

receive

manner in which, as he the work people went into a room to their wages on Saturday, and after

When
tion

Whigs

joined in the representa-

that the distress of the

to the

country was

owing
reply

duty on corn Sir Robert, with

was,

being paid in money, were comjDelled (instead

of returning

something like haughty sarcasm, was able to

by the door

at

which they had

by asking how
this,

it

if

they were really

entered) to

pass through another

room

iu

convinced of

they had not made eiforts

which

sat a person to

whom

they had to pay

for the goods

to abolish the corn-laws

when they were

so

every farthing of the

supplied to

money

long in

office.

Nor
so

could anybody refuse ad-

them during the previous week

Mr.

at

miration for the masterly scheme of Peel's

tariff

new

25 per cent profit.

Villiera indignantly

by which

many

articles of necessary

denied these charges.

Mr. Cobden did not

consumption were relieved from high duties.

deign to notice them, and there was no more

proof forthcoming than was afterwards afforded
for the preposterous statement that the Antiof

The payment by the unfortunate Chinese

an indemnity of
21,000,000 dollars
or
.4,375,000 to the

government

for the cost of

Corn-law League had enhanced the price of

corn
of

by using no

less

than 100,000 quarters

wheat annually.
it

To the
was

cries of

how?
Mi'.

from the free-traders

daubing their Eerrand then read
paste of fiour
calicoes,

replied, "

Why, by
how
the

war would eventually add to the revenues. had still an uncomputed contest in India to account for, and the deficiencies of the recent government had amounted to an appalthe

We

calicoes

with flour

jiaste."

ling

sum

that

for the ensuing year being

letters explaining

was used in the manufacture of and one complaining of frauds ]>racweaving

old
of cotton cloths

above 2J millions. How was the deficiency to be met? The jjroposal to increase the customs

and

excise

had already been

tried,

and in the

tised in the
collection

by the

previous j'ear the additional percentage of 5

of

ground

to dust

tainted rags which were and mixed with the paste that

per cent had, instead of producing

^100, only produced

10.

b on each The country had

was applied

to the calicoes.

But the writer

of

arrived at the limit of taxation on articles

of consumption, said

that curious letter was guilty of the impru-

Sir Robert Peel.

He

dence of wanting to jjrove too much, and so

could not revive old taxes and return to the

went on

to say that the dust

made from

these

former

post-office system,

he could not con-

PEEL'S
sistently tax the

TAUNTS AND THE DEFENCE OF THE WHIGS.

of conveyance.

35

means

His
of

was an evidence

of

Mr. Gladstone's remark-

scheme was, as we have seen, to relax instead

of increasing the commercial
tariff.

able ability not only as a financier but as

Out

already an adept in the science of the adjust-

1200 articles paying duty he recommended an

ment
fell to

of taxation to commercial interests.

It

abatement of duty on 750, leaving 450 untouched.

him

to explain, to defend,

and

to enforce

The duty on
25s.

foreign timber would

the various details of the plan, and during the ensuing debates he was a hundred times
called

be lowered to

a load, and timber from

Canada would be

let in at Is.

upon

to respond to questions or to re-

Among

one of his most remarkable

illustra-

presentations on the subject of the provisions

of the tariff.

tions that high duties

were a mere delusion,

The

principle really involved

Sir Robert quoted a letter from a smuggler

oflFeriug to

in the policy of the

government was that of

forward every week blondes and

Lille, Arras,

a diminution of indirect in favour of direct

taxation, for though the proposed income-tax

laces " at

from

Caen, ChantiUy, &c.,

a very low premium by the indirect

was intended
to

to be only a temporary

measure

channel," and the prices for which the passage

meet and
its

relieve the deficiency, it

was

also

would be undertaken would vary from 8 to 13 per cent for these and various kinds of silk
goods, satins, jewelry, &c., " for which prices

by
on be

adoption that the reduction of duties

articles of necessary
effected.

consumption was to

would have

to

be determined, but certainly a

great deal under yom- custom-house duties."

'

passing of the

Every year onwards from the time of the Eefonu Bill the increasing
of the national expenditure

I know," said Sir Robert at the conclusion

'

amount

of his speech,

that

strong advocates

many gentlemen who are for free-trade may consider

I believe that
is

the subject of much criticism.

had been The introduction

as a

of the income-tax revived in time of peace

that I have not gone far enough.

what had always been regarded

and the subject

war

tax,

on the general principle of free-trade there

of our general expenditure

now no
all

great difference of opinion,

and that
should
sell in

was of course largely discussed; but Sir Robert,

great in finance, conscious of his strength, and

agree in the general rule that

we

purchase in the cheapest market and

the dearest."
This, of coui'se,

proud

of the confidence of the country in his

was received
com,

skiU and energy, put the question which has

so

with cheers by the free-traders, who, in their

desire to see the abolition of the tax on

often been asked

"

by

successful

finance

ministei-s.

What have you done

with the

observed a principle which they would have

applied to
all

revenue I

left

you?" exclaimed the premier,

" In the year
affaii-s
:

other commodities, but for the

addressing the late ministers.

time they made

as
it

com

the representative article

1835 you, the ministiy, found the

the two

of

was the most important, and the need

great empires in this state

In

for its free importation

distress in the country.

was producing dire

the United

Kingdom

the sui-plus of income

over expenditure was 1,376,000; in India,

1,556,000.

Mr.

Hume

took the opportunity of the

You had
You

then a net surplus

!

premier's declaration to congratulate

his colleagues

him and
!Mr.

approaching to three millions

left mattei-s?

How have you

diffi-

on being converts to the prin-

say I overstate the

ciples of free-trade, a proposition

which

culties.

Can you deny

that you found a sur-

Gladstone at once called in question, on the

plus of three millions, and have left a defi-

giounds that he must protest against the

state-

ciency of five millions?

On
its

the 5th of Apiil,

ment that the ministry were converts to principles which they had formerly opposed, for
the late government had certainly done very
little for

1842, the deficit of the revenue of the United

Kingdom compared with

2,579,000
;

expenditure was

of India, 2,430,000.

The
its

differ-

the principles of commercial relaxa-

ence, then, against this country

is

and

credit

tion.

eight millions as compared with 1835 !"

As we have had

occasion to say, the wide

tariff

One

of

the answers

made by

the
in

and masterly scheme included in the

to the charge of

bad management

Whigs money

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

matters was that parliament was, of late years,
alwaj's

humble defence

of a portion of the national

being new, and in much quicker time than fresh

called to

ujMU

do soractliing
not worth

expenditure about forty years ago.

revenues could be raised.

It

is

In appealing to tlie house on behalf of the income-tax Sir Robert Peel said, " We live in an important era of
think
in
it is

while to dwell upon this point, but the complaints that

human

affairs.

...

were made by certain

critics of

impossible to deny that the period

lot

the diminution of the revenue from the postoffice, after the great

which our
cast,

and the

lot of

our fathers

scheme
" It to

of Sir
fitly
is

Eowland
receive a

has been

the period which has elapsed

fir.it

Hill

had been

realized,

may

since the outbreak of the

tion,

French revolu-

word

of passing notice.
rejily

true," said a

has been one of the most memorable

high authority in
charges, "
it is

some

of

these

periods which the history of the world will

aflFoi-d.

true that the net

amount paid

The

coui-se

which England has purtrust the

to the exchequer,
is

though steadily advanting,

it

sued during that period will attract for ages

to

consideraby less than

had been under

traced to a

come the contemplation, and I

the old system.

But

this

may be
at

admiration, of posterity. That period

may

be

succession of expensive imj^rovements

which

divided into two parts of almost equal diu-ation,

must have been adopted,

an equal charge,

a period of twenty-five years of continual

had no reduction of postage taken place. The impatience of commerce is as great as that of
love
itself.

conflict

the

most momentous which ever

engaged the energies of a nation, and twentyfive yeai-s, in

The
is

bill of

exchange, as well as

which most

of us

have

lived,

the sigh which

to

be wafted from Indus to

of

profound European peace, produced by

the pole, brooks no delay.

Steam carriages

the sacrifices

made during

the yeare of war.

and steamboats must

all

be put in requisition.

There will be a time when those countless

millions that are sprung

Our "West India

line of packets.

colonies
It
is

demand a

special

from our

loins, oc-

gi-anted,

but the conSlick (Mr.

justice

cupying

many jiarts
in

of the globe, living

under
in the

tract

amounts

to 240,000.

Sam

institutions derived

from ours, speaking

Haliburton) and
to

M. Papineau demand

same language

which we convey

our

Nova

Scotia and Canada, and the Halifax

thoughts and feelings

for such

will be the

packets are established at a cost of 145,000.

ultimate result of our wide-spread colonization,

Our annual packet

111,000
for

contracts exceed 580,000,

of

the time will come when those countless

wiU view with pride and admiration

and the admiralty expends a further sum

the

millions

same

service.

France,

the example of constancy and fortitude which

]\Iehemet Ali, and the East India

offer their co-operation
;

Company
is

our fathers set during the momentous period

of war.

a change
six

made,

They wiU view with admiration our

and we are brought within

bay.

weeks

of

Bomand
the

previous achievements by land and sea, our

Nor do we

confine our labours within

determination to uphold the public credit, and

the limits of our own possessions.

Valparaiso, Ceylon
Celestial

Callao

aU those

qualities

by the exhibition

of

which

and

Hong - Kong,

Empire
all

as well as our Australian

we were enabled ultimately, by the example we set to foreign nations, to ensure the deliverance of Europe.
l^eriod the

continent, are

provided with steam comis

In the review of the

munication

and thus there

scarcely a part

conduct of om- fathers during the

will

of the globe into which the great

moving

years of
trast

war

be bi-ought into close con-

power of
It

St.

Martin's-le-Grand

is

not brought

with the conduct of those of us

who have
I

into immediate contact."

lived only during the years of peace.

am
ex-

would be nearly trivial to say that the penny postage system has more than justified
itself financially;

now

addressing you after the duration of

yeai-s.

peace for twenty-five

hibitiug to

am now

but

it

is

worth while, in
(for pur-

you the

financial difiiculties

and

this retros]iect, to place

upon record

embarrassments in which you are placed; and

poses of comimrison with the figures which

my confident hope and

the example of those

belief is that, following

would now have

to

be brought forward) this

who

preceded you, you

COBDEN'S IMPASSIONED APPEAL.

-will

37

look those difficulties in the face, and not

to

disgust.

The

old merchants

who remembered
surcharges, had

refuse

make

similar

sacrifices

to those

the

war

property-tax, and

its

which

yoiu- fathers

made
no

for the purpose of

few

patriotic recoUectious to reconcile

them

to

upholding public

credit.

You

will bear in
occasion;il

a renewal of annoyances, and younger

men

mind

that this

is

ca^sual

difficulty.

You

will bear in
all

and mind

dreaded the necessity for either paying or excusing themselves on the giound of poverty.

that there

are indications

among

the upper classes of

We are told on good authority that in the books

of the

society of increased comfort

and enjoyment,
;

Bank

of

England signed by the drawers

of increased prosperity

and wealth

and that
there

of dividends,

were constantly written emphatic

concurrently
exists

with these
evil

indications,

denunciations of the minister and the tax, by

sufferera,

a mighty

which has been glowing

some

of

whom
all

indulged in marginal

up

for the last seven years,

called

and which you are

If

or parenthetical notes, such as,

"D
!

Sir

now
of

upon

to meet.

you have, as

Eobert Peel and

his

crew

"

But the

believe

you have, the fortitude and constancy

measure passed, the anti-com-law advocates

which you have been set the example, you will not consent with folded aims to view the
annual giowth of this mighty
not reconcile
it

saw that they could gain nothing that session, and the attention of the League was at once
turned to increasing the means of promoting
free trade in corn.

evil.

Y'ou wiO

to

your consciences to hope for

The Free-tiade Hall was

held,
all

reUef from diminished taxation.

You

will

complete.

Another great banquet was

not adopt the miserable expedient of adding

meetings were constantly assembled

over

during peace and in the midst of those indications of wealth

the country, a weekly paper was started, and

and

of increasing prosperity to

arrangements were made

for

to collect

50,000

the burdens which posteiity will be called

canying on the work.

efibrt of

upon to bear.
this evil

...
.

If

you do permit

to continue

you must expect the

The concluding

the session

may be

severe but just judgment of a reflecting and

retrospective posterity.
. .

said to have been that of

Mr. Buncombe, who

the

Your

con-

moved an address
if

to the queen, praying that

in the condition of

duct will be contrasted with that of your

fathers,

no improvement

who with

a mutiny at the Noie, a

people took place after the prorogation, parlia-

rebeUion in Ireland, and disaster abroad, yet

submitted, with buoyant vigour and universal
applause, with the funds as low as 52, to a

ment should be reassembled

corn.

to consider the

question of an alteration of the commerce iu

This was too

much

for the minister.

property-tax of ten per cent."

Thus by

in-

The

persistency

junction and appeal did the minister support

his scheme,

mination of

and unflagging dogged deterthe anti-corn-law advocates had

and he

carried

it

against the per-

exhausted alike their rhetoric and their patience.

sistent opposition of the

former government,
justifiable taunts

They would say nothing, but would

at

whom

he launched many

for having reduced the finances of the country

be contented to outvote their opponents on a But they were not allowed to take division.
refuge in sUence.

to a condition
necessary.
It

which made an income-tax

of the confidence

The taunts of the opposition

was a proof

roused Sir Eobert Peel,

pa.ssionate

who

rose

and with

reposed in the firmness and sagacity of his

sarcasm denounced the continued

statesmanship that those to

whom

he so ap-

obstruction of public business by these repeated

pealed should have submitted to a vexatious

motions against the corn-laws.

passion

With

equal

and hateful impost, the incidence

of

which

could be calculated only by an inquisition

Cobden replied that the salvation of the people from famine or the workhouse
of public business.

made by

persons to

whom

the sufi'erers would

aifau's.

was the essence

Would the
to

be most unwilling to make known theu-

right honourable baronet, he asked, resist the

We

all
is

know now how repugnant

is

a tax

appeals which Lad been

made

him, or

which

paid under such conditions, but

we do

would he rather cherish the true

interests of

not adopt the same means of expressing our

the country, and not allow himself to be

"

38

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

crime occasioned
try

dragged down by a section of the aristocracy?

much

sensation in the coun-

He must

take sides, and that instantly; and

and in parliament, but nobody could

an ensuing debate.
it

shoidd he by so doing disiJease his political

siipjMrters, there

have foreseen the unhappy manner in which

it

was an answer ready.

He

became an episode

in

nught say that he found the country in distress, and he gave it prosperity; that he found
the people starving, and he gave

It is perhaps not surprising that

should
Sir

have produced a very marked

effect

upon

them food
prosperous.

Robert Peel himself, as

it

was evident that

that he found the large capitalists of the coun-

the fatal bullet was meant for him, and not-

try paralysed, and he

made them

withstanding the favourable view he endea-

This was impassioned language, and the whole

attitude of the leadere on both sides
getic,

voured to take at the beginning of the session

as to the stability of the ministry

was ener-

and the

the

atmosphere of debate was heated.

general reliance upon

its

measures, he had

It

is

well to

remember

this in estimating

what
dis-

been burned

in effigy in several towns, and, as

took place soon afterwards in the next session.

we have

seen, threats

and denunciations were

be supposed

We

have already referred to the general

not uufrequeut.
that Peel

It can scarcely

content,

and

to the almost universal distress

was a man who was influenced by

he esteemed and liked, one

which

afflicted

the country, and in such times

of the leaders of a large

personal fear, but his situation was a paiuful

one: a

especially

when some

man whom

and not well organized body, like the Chartists

at that time,

intimately associated with

tial capacity,

him

in

a confiden-

more than hint

at a resort to

had been murdered in the streets

physical force to compel legislation, or at all

in mistake for himself,

and the proceedings

in

events use threats which are intended for inti-

parliament had probably irritated and depressed his nervous system, and rendered
feverishly ready to catch at

midation, and have already practically resulted

in a resolution to cease

him

from work,

it

may be

any expressions

expected that a kind of insanity wOl prompt

individuals to deeds of violence, or that some

directed

against

him.

Only on the sup-

position that his usual judicious mental bal-

persons already insa.ue will have their delusions

ance was disturbed by the anxieties of his

position,

emphasized

by the course

of

public

and by the tragic event referred

to,

feeling.

can his violent imputations addressed to Mr.

On
Peel's

the 21st of January, 1843, Sir Robert

secretary,

Mr. Edward Drummond,

Cobden be explained, and unfortunately his followers were only too ready to encourage
them, though
it

was passing along "Whitehall, when he was

shot in the side by a

was known with certainty that

man named M'Naughten.

seen to put his

no

man

could have been less open to such a

So

close

was the attack that Mr. Drummond's

fire

charge than the leader of the anti-coru-law

coat

was on
fired

when he was
and

movement.
It

hand

to his left side

to reel.
it

The

assassin

was

in a debate
for a

on a motion by Lord

having

one pistol placed

in his breast,
off as

Howick

committee of the whole house

and drew out another, which went

seized

he was

to consider the reference in the queen's speech to the long-continued depression of

by a

police constable, the ball striking

manufac-

the pavement.
is

Mr. Drummond, who was,

it

turing industry that Mr. Cobden, on the fourth

believed, a

man

of very endearing manners,

evening of the discussion, spoke very forcibly.

It

only survived four days,

when he

expired.

was perhaps an unfortunate circumstance

M'Naughten was taken

and defended
his crime

to a police station,

that in the earlier part of his remarks he

referred to attempts in the
associate
"

had

on the gi-ound that

House

of Lords to

the Tories had been persecuting

him

for years.

an almost maniacal transaction

He

had evidently mistaken the secretary for Sir Robert Peel, and it was equally obvious
that he
sanity,

(by which

it

was understood that he meant the

murder

of

Mr. Drummond), with the Anti-

was

suffering,

if

not from actual in-

C'orn-law League, and he particularly characterized the language used

from mental
to
trial

aberration.

He was

by Lord Brougham
ebullition of

committed

for wilful

murder; the

on that occasion as " the

an

ill-

"

PEEL'S ACCUSATION OF COBDEN.

regulated intellect, rather than the offspring
of a malicious spirit."

39

favour of a

new government.

But now the

This reference was of

heated imagination of Sir Robert discovered

in
it

course to denote the stubborn animosity with

a dreadful allusion to the fate of his

which the demands

for a repeal of the

com

secretary,

and

to

what might be

his own.

Nor

duties were received,

it

and he had dismissed altogether, when in his subsequent remarks

Sii-

was he alone in seizing upon

this perverted

on the attitude maintained by

in refusing to take

Robert Peel
in re-

interpretation. He rose, and in an excited and vehement manner exclaimed, " Sir, the

any further action

honourable gentleman has stated here very

emphatically what he has more than once
stated at the conference of the Anti-Corn-law

sponse to the constant and repeated appeals

of the country, he asked the prime minister

what he meant
trade declining.

to do, with capital melting

League, that he holds

me

individually (here

away, pau perism rapidly increasing, and foreign

adopt some change of plan, and

the speaker spoke with solemn expression, and

Everybody saw that he must it was the

amidst continued cheering from the ministerial

benches)
tress

individually responsible for the

suffering of the country
;

dis-

duty of every independent member to throw

on him the responsibility of the present state
of affairs

and

that he

holds

me

pereonally responsible; but be the

responsibility of course arising

consequences of these insinuations what they

from his
resigning

position.
office.

He had He had it

the privilege of
in his

may, never wiU I be influenced by menaces

either in this house or out of this house, to

power

to

carry the measures necessary for the people

adopt a course which I consider "

of the sentence
of shouts

(the

rest

and

if

he had not that power as a minister, he

it

was unheard amidst a storm

pai-ts of

would have

by resigning

his office.

He

fiom various

the house).

The electoral body would force him to do them justice. It is quite clear that this meant no more than that Sir Robert Peel was oiBcially
should be held individually responsible.
responsible for not meeting the wishes of the
country,; that

Mr. Cobden may well have been horrified at the interpretation put upon words which
were only susceptible
strained application of
cal
of

such a meaming by a
to a recent tragi-

them
rose

occurrence.

He

immediately and

he should either act in accord-

said, " I did

not say that I held the right hon-

ance with the popular demand, or resign, in

order that the desires of the people might be
accomplished.

ourable gentlemen personally responsible

Here there were

to the chair. Sir
did."
I

shouts of " Yes,"

and

"

You
You

Nobody who knew Cobden

trulj' religious life

did, yon did," amidst cries for order

and appeals

his real sweetness of disposition, his frank

Robert Peel

also crying, "

simple character, and his

could have imputed to

" I have said," continued Cobden, "that

him any

sinister

meanPeel

hold the right honourable gentleman respon-

ing

but the mental atmosphere of the house

was charged with malign elements.

possible that the

himself was under a temporary illusion, and

it
is

convincing manner

by virtue of his office, as the whole conwhat I said was sufficient to explain." This was received with cries of "No, no!" from the ministerial benches, and the whole
sible

text of

and

clear persuasive language of the corn-law

house was in confusion.

Sir Robert Peel

"agitator" had already had a considerable

effect against the

continuing, said, "Sir, the expi-ession of the

arguments of the other

side.

honourable gentleman was not that he held

The statement that the piime minister became

individually responsible for the delay in fur-

her majesty's government responsible, but,

addressing himself to me, he said in the most

ther legislation while he retained

office

had
at

emphatic manner that he held

responsible."

me

individually

more than once been made by Cobden

meetings of the League, and
planation.
it

At this point

Sir

James Graham

required no exit

handed a paper
looking at
it

Everybody understood

that organized efforts

electors to force the

mean must be made among

to
in

to Sir Robert Peel, who after resumed by saying, " I do not

want

to overstate anjrthiug.

am not certain,

prime minister either to

on reflection, whether the honourable gentle-

abandon the duties on food, or to resign

man

used the word 'personally,' but he did

40

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

me
individually
'beastly bellowings.'

twice repeat that he held

responsible.

Then
at

rose such an up-

am

perfectly certain of that.

so,

roar as no O. P.

mob

Covent Garden, no

The honourable gentleman may do

and

crowd of Chartists
equalled.

in front of a hustings ever

may
that

induce others to do the same, but I only

Men
fists

on both sides stood up and

notice his assertion for the purpose of saying

it

shook their
voices.

and bawled at the top

of their

shall not influence

me

in the discharge

Freshfield,

who was

in the chair,

of a public duty."

Sir Robert concluded

by

strangely out of his element; indeed, he

his business so little, that,

was knew

a long and exceedingly able speech on the

causes of depression of trade and national dis-

when

first

he had

to put a question, he fancied himself at

Exeter

which he quoted endless authorities, from David Hume to Mr. Huskisson and ayes, 191, for Lord the division showed
tress, in
;

Hall or the Crown, and

holding up their hands.'

.said,

'As many as are

of that opinion, please to signify the

same by
unable

He was quite
when

Howick's motion, and

noes,

306

but the

to keep the smallest order

the storm
bull,

majorities were already beginning to diminish.

came.

O'Connell raged like a

mad

and
ex-

Cobden again rose and earnestly denied the meaning which had been imputed to him, and his explanation was with some stiffiiess and hauteur of manner accepted by Sir Robert Peel, who was soon to know him better, and to make ample

At

the end of the debate Mr.

our people

for one

while

regretting and

condemning

his violence, thought it

much

tenuated by the provocation.

Charles Buller

spoke with talent, as he ever does, and with

earnestness, dignity,

and propriety, which he

most amusing

scarcely ever does.

A short and

acknowledgments

of his sincerity of purpose

scene passed between O'Connell and

Lord

and

his great ability.

Maidstone, which in the tumult escaped the

observation of many, but which I watched
carefully.
'

painful exhibition, but

casions

The whole scene had been a stormy and a it was one of those oc-

If,'

said

Lord Maidstone,
satisfied.'

'the

when members

are carried

awny by
per-

word
if

'beastly'

is

retracted, I shall be satisfied,

sudden gusts

of passion, aroused

by the

not, I shall not

be

'I don't care

'

verse misinterpretation of

some remarks adto these ebulli-

whether the noble lord be

wish you would give

satisfied or not.'
'

verse to the prevailing temper of the hearers.

me

satisfaction.'

I ad-

We

are

little

accustomed

now

vise the noble lord to carry his liquor meekly.'

tions,

but there have always been times at

of

At
cal

last

the tumult ended from absolute physiIt

which the House

Commons has suddenly beit

weakness.

was past
with

one,

and the steady

I

come a bear-garden, and by high

even when
the whole,
Barry's

has been compared

bellowers of the opposition had been howling

fi'om six o'clock
little

authoi-ity to a gathering of schoolboys

it is

inteiTuption.

pretty well behaved.

But, on

went home with a headache."

We

have now

we have not had, in new chamber, so many

to

Sir Charles or so gross

no O'Connell, but in the session of 1881 we " have heard the phrase " beastly bellowings
revived.

scenes of noise, confusion, and worse, as are

well

known
is

have occurred

in the

days when

the princess-royal was yet in the cradle.

One
I

such scene

sketched in a letter of Macaulay's.

To the case of M'Naughten, who shot Mr. Drummond, fui'ther reference is perhaps due,
as
it

" This night," he says, "

was very stormy.

formed a point of fresh departure in the and led to much home and abroad. was proved at the trial that M'Naughten
he was ready to fancy almost
It

have never seen such unseemly demeanour or heard such scurrilous language in parliament.

legal treatment of insanity,

discussion both at
It

Lord Norreys was whistling and making

sorts of noises.

all

mannered that
after

Lord Maidstone was so unhope he was drunk. At last,

which
his disgust to me, a

was " a man with a grievance," over which he had brooded

also
till

much

grossly indecent conduct, at

any human being had injured him.

proved
th.at

was

Lord EUiot expressed

he had transacted business

furious outbreak took place.

O'Connell was

on the day before he shot Di-ummond, and

so rudely interrupted that he used the terra

had shown not the

least sign of insanitv in


PEEL'S ACCUSATION
doing so.

REPELLED BY THE LEAGUE.

wrong
that he
act while

41

There

is

now hartUy

a siugle student

of such matters
stress

who would

lay the slightest

at that

labouring under the idea was redressing a supposed grievance

upon such a circumstance, but

or injury, or under the impression of obtain-

time the public, the judges, and the lawyers,

not to say

ing some public or private benefit, he was

liable to

many

of the medical profession,

punishment."

were very ill-informed in such matters.

the
lett,

In
Fol-

" If the delusion were only partial, the party

M'Naughten
the

trial Sir William

Webb

accused was equally liable with a person of

Tory

solicitor

general,

conducted

sane mind " and "if the crime were com;

the prosecution, while Mr. Cockburu, Q.C.,

mitted for any supposed injury, he woidd

then be liable to the punishment awarded by
the laws to his crime."
It will

afterwards Lord Chief-justice, defended the

prisoner.

There were three judges on the

Chief-justice Sir Nicholas

bench, Lord

Con-

be seen at a glance that these de-

yngham

Tindal, Mr. Justice Williams,

and

liverances

amounted

to
if

a condemnation of the

Mr. Justice Coleridge (not the present Lord Coleridge of course). The case was conducted
in a

verdict of the jury,

we may

guess

practically every one did guess

^what

and
had

manner which
;

reflected

honour upon

all

been passing in their minds.

But though

|)ersons concerned

the medical witnesses for

these deliverances have been taken to repre-

the defence being listened to with respect;

sent English law ever since, they have been

while FoUett declined to

evidence in reply.

call

any mediaJ

more or

less

disregarded

by both judges and

Upon

this the trial

was

juries since 1843.

In America and on the

stopped, and the lord chief-justice

summed

Continent they were generally condemned as

up, directing the jury to acquit the prisoner

if

showing an absurd ignorance of the nature

of insanity,

they found that at the time of committing

and

it

is

now

well understood
experts

the murder he did not

know he was doing

by both
of a

legal

and

medical

that

wicked and

illegal thing.

There was nothing

M'Naugliteu's case marked the commencement

new

in this; but the jury, as

may be

gathered

new

era in jurisprudence.

From

that

from their

verdict, really directed their

minds

time to the present

new

light has

been drop-

to another point, namel}', the question

whether

ping in at different points on this dreadful

the prisoner was under an insane uncontrollable impulse to

and
in a

difficult subject,

and the whole subject

uf

commit the murder?

The

the treatment of the insane has been handled

absurdity of a

man

going about to shoot Sir

Robert Peel because his own father had not

taken him into partnership (which was the
real state of the case)

names

more humane and cautious spirit. The of Dr. ConoUy and George Combe beAlexander Cockbum showed himself
to time

long to history in this connection, and the

late Sir

seems to have startled

their

common-sense into a view of the matter

all

from time

an attentive and candid

which took
ju-itice

the force out of Lord Chief-

student of the jurisprudence of insanity.

law.

Tindal's direction upon the point of They acquitted the prisoner on the

On
Robert

the Thureday evening following Sir

Peel's

ground of insanity.

accusation

of

Mr.

Cobden

The excitement, both

outside of
it,

in parliament
great,

and

nearly ten thousand persons assembled in the

had been very

and the
generally

Free-trade Hall, Manchester, to testify their

Lords, the

Commons, and the public

unabated attachment to the cause of

trade and
its

free-

were rather alarmed than

ing.

edified or set think-

distinguished advocate.

Mr.

The House

of Lords, as the highest

Wilson,

tlie

chaiiTuan, after giving

an account
Timei, the
said
:

court of judicature (practically the law lords

only),

of the scene in the

House

of

Commons, and

submitted to the common-law judges

reading some extracts from the

" For four years, under
calurany,

certain questions,

and these

elicited replies

Morning Herald, and the Standard,

of

which the

following

sentences

formed

many a

trj'ing

part:

and under the greatest provocations,

"Notwithstanding the party committed a

we have never deviated from pureuing the


42

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

have never, during that period, turned
chairman had taken his seat that it subsided. The meeting was then addressed by Henry Ashworth, Esq., of Bolton, Thomas Bazley, Esq., Sir Thomas Potter, John Bright, Esq., Alderman Callander, and other gentlemen,

object for which this League was established;

we

aside to refute the thousand-and-one misrepresentations, to call

name, by which we have been beset

them by the mildest and if

;

we depart from
occasion,
it is

that rule

on the

jjresent

and an address
and
mously.

of thanks

on account

of the attack
vilest,

being

of confidence in him,

to Mr. Gobden, was passed unani-

one of the grossest, one of the

one of

the most painful, that could be heaped upon

us.

From

this

time London became the head-

In the name then of

all

who are

included,

quarters of the movement.

The meetings
Cobden and the

collectively or individually, in this accusation, I

throughout the country immediately following

the attack in parliament on

deny

all alliance
of,

with, and approbation and

knowledge

any agent or means other than

League were exceedingly numerous, and when

the most important of these assemblies came
to be held in

those that are peaceful, moral, and in accord-

ance with the principles of the British constitution, for the

London the movement might

accomplishment of our object.

ladies, the

truly be called national.

In the name of the

those galleries,

occupants of

But the

great organization had already been

who have graced our meetings on many a previous occasion, and who are

completed, and had attained to vast dimensions before Manchester ceased to be the chief
centre.

included in that base attack,

the

I deny
I deny

it.

In

A foreign visitor(Kohl), writing on the

:

name

of the thousands of

working-men
and who are
it.

subject after a visit to our large towns, says

who
the

stand before

me

in this hall

"Manchester
law, as

is

the centre of the anti-corn-

included in that base attack,

In

name

of the gentlemen

me

on this platform,

who stand around who countenance our

with them,

frage agitation.
eral

Birmingham is of the universal sufAt Manchester are held genit is

meetings of the Anti-Corn-law League,

that the committee of the
sits.

proceedings,

who

are

identified

and here

and who are included

it.

in this attack,

I deny
of

League constantly
friend procured

The kindness

of

In the name of the great body

merin

me

admission to the great

chants, manufacturers, traders,

this

and others

establishment of the League at Manchester,

and

in difTerent parts of

the country,
in

where I had the

hearing

satisfaction of

seeing and

identified

with

us,

and who are included

it.

much

that surprised and interested

this attack,

I deny

In the name of the

of the legisla-

me.

George Wilson and other well-known

mayors, magistrates, preservers of the peace,

leaders of the League

in

who were assembled

received

and members of both houses

ture,

the committee -room

me

as a

who have
also

contributed to our funds, and

sanctioned our jiroceediugs,
attack,

stranger with

much kindness and

hospitality,

who have
And,

readily answering all

my

questions,

and mak-

and are included in the

lastly, in

deny

it.

ing

me

acquainted with the details of their

I

the

ministers of religion,

name of two thousand who have left their

hungry and
cloth-

operations.

couldn't help asking myself

whether

in

Germany men who attacked with

would not have been long ago
being permitted to
thus freely and

sacred calling that they might lend their aid

in obtaining bread for the

such talent and energy the fundamental laws

of the state,

ing for the naked, and the attack,

who

are included in
finally, I

shut up in some gloomy prison as conspirators

deny

it.

And,

hurl

and

traitors, instead of

back the calumny upon whoever

to utter
it,

may

choose
wilful,

carry on their operations

as a

most atrocious, most

boldly in the broad light of day; and, secondly,

most audacious falsehood."

this

The

hall during

whether

in

Germany such men would ever have

all their

emphatic

repudiation of

the

charges

ventured to admit a stranger into

secrets

against the League presented a most extraor-

with such frank and op?n

to

cordiality.

dinary scene of excitement, and

till

it

was not
after the

"I was astonished

observe

how

the

the expiration of some

moments

leaguers, all private persons, mostly merchants,

A FOREIGNER'S DESCRIPTION OF THE LEAGUE.

manufacturers, and

43

men

of letters, conducted

to the queen, the

Duke

of "Wellington, Sir

political business, like

statesmen and ministers.

Robert Peel, and other distinguished people,

to

A talent

for public business

seems an innate

whom,

as well as to the foreign ambassa-

faculty in the English.

'Whilst I

was in the
letters

dors, they send copies of these journals con-

committee-room immense numbers of were brought

in,

taining the most faithful accounts of their

proceedings.

opened, read, and answered,

Sometimes they send

distinguished

pei-sonal

without a moment's delay.

pouripg in from
all

These

letters,

deputations to

opponents, in

parts of the United King-

order to
faces.

tell

them

disagi-eeable truths to their

dom, were of the most various contents, some

trivial,

Nor do

the leaguers neglect the potent

some important, but

all

connected

instrumentality of that hundred-armed Briareus the press.

with the objects of the party.

Some brought

Not only do they spread

news
is

of the

movements

of

eminent leaguers

their opinions through the

medium
;

of those

or of their opjwnents, for the eye of the League

journals favourable to

them

they issue

many

ever fixed upon the doings both of friend

periodicals of theii- own,

which are exclusively

and enemy.
tributions
for each of

Others contained pecuniary con-

devoted to the interests of the League. These

contain, of course, fuU repoi-ts of all meetings,

from weU-wishers

of

the cause,

whom

the president immediately

letter

proceedings, and

lectm-es

against the corn-

dictated

an

appropriate

of

thanks.

laws;

extracts

from anti-com-law publica-

Other

letters related anecdotes

showing the

tions repeating for the thousandth time thiit

progress of the cause, and the gradual defection of the farmers, the most resolute sup-

monopoly

is

contrary to the order of nature,

and that the League seeks only to restore

the just order of Providence; original articles,

porters of Peel.

"The League
tended
its

has now, by means of local

headed

'

Signs of the Times,'

in

'

Anti-Cornof

associations in all parts of the kingdom, ex-

law
the

Agitation

London^'

'

Progress

operation and influence over the

whole country, and attained an astonishing

national importance.
Its festivals, anti-coru-

Good Work,' &c. &c.; and la.st, not Lays of the League,' least, poems entitled
'

advocating in
free-trade,

various

ways

the

cause

of

law bazaars, anti-corn-law banquets, and others

of like

and

satirizing

their

opponents
wit.

nature,

appgar like great national

Besides
the

generally with

more lengthiness than

anniversaries.

acknowledged

Nor

does the anti-com-law party omit to

members
them
butes
in

of the League, there are

numbers

of

avail itself of the agency of those cheap little

important

men who work with them and for secret. Every person who contrito the
tlieir

pamphlets called "

tracts,"

which are such

favourite party weapons in England.

With
more

50

League fund has a seat and

council.

these tiny dissertations, seldom costing

They have committees of working-men for the more thorough dissemination of their doctrines among the lower classes, and committees of ladies to
a voice in
procure the co-operation of women.

than twopence or threepence, and generally

written

leader, such as

by some well-known anti-com-law Cobden and Sturge, the League

of small shot.

are pei-petuaUy attacking the public, as with

They

bombardment

saw some

have lecturers who are perpetually traversing

the country to fan the flames of agitation in the minds of the people.

three or four dozen of such publications an-

nounced at the same time by one bookseller,

These

lecturei-s

Mr. Gadsby.
are

Still tinier

weapons, however,

often hold conferences and disputations with

lecturers of the opposite pai-ty,

the anti-corn-law wafers, consisting of

and not unfrefield.

short mottoes, couplets,

and aphorisms
all

of

quently drive them in disgrace from the

It
is

every
cal,

class,

grave and gay, serious and

satiri-

also the business of the travelling lecto

witty and unmeaning; but

bearing on

turers

keep a vigilant watch on every

of the

the one point of monopoly and free-trade.

movement

enemy and acquaint the

likely to afiect

These are sometimes taken from the Bible,

sometimes from the works of celebrated writers

League with every circumstance

its interests.

The leaguers write

direct letters

and

orators,

sometimes from the speeches and

44

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOKAEIES.

and

pulilications of the leaguers themselves,

During the period

of the struggle for the

sometimes produced by the inventive ingenuity of the editor.

Eight-ern sheets of these
shil-

repeal of the corn-laws, which

we
to

are

now
our

reviewing, several of the

men

whom

wafers are sold in a pretty cover for one

ling,

attention has been already directed

took a

and each sheet contains forty mottoes.

is

considerable

and sometimes an unexpected

Astonishing indeed

the profuse expenditure

part in the

strife.

of labour, ingenuity, wit,

and

talent,

and

like-

We have already noted how, upon the failure

of his attempt to introduce

wise of stupidity,

folly,

and

dulness, with

some

effective

which, in this wonderful England, the smallest

party operations are carried on
children's books
!

modification

of the tariff.

Lord ISIelbourne
life.

Even

in

may be
was
office

said to disappear

from public

It

do both the leaguers and

of party spirit in the

in the year following his retirement

from

anti-leaguers carry on their warfare, thus early

that he underwent an attack of paralj'sis,

to

sowing the seeds

nunds

which proved
Considering
first sight,

be the beginning of the end.

little lie really

of future generations.

how

did, it

is,

at

"All the publications of the League are not

only written, but printed, bound, and published at the

curious to see the space which his

fill

image appeara to
time.

in

the record of the

rela-

League rooms,
I

in

Market

Street,

This was largely the result of his

It

Manchester.

went through the various

on,

tion to the queen herself.

would be

disre-

rooms where these operations are carried

until I

spectful to say that he " coached " her majesty

at the

came

at last to the great Ijcague depot,

lettei-s,

commencement

of her reign

but

it is

where books, pamphlets,

speeches, reports, tracts,

newspapei-s,
all

known
events
his

that he devoted the greater part of his

and wafers, were

latter years

those
;

that were active, at

all

piled in neat packets of every possible size

and

to

direct personal attendance

upon

appearance, like the great packets of muslin

sovereign

that his admiration of her

and
in

calico in the great

warehouses of Man-

qualities

and demeanour was unbounded, and Edinburgh

chester.

Beyond

this

was a refreshment room

ladies,

that, to use the language of the

which tea was offered us by several

Review, " he died regarded almost as a father

with
little

whom we
while.

engaged in conversation for a

by the queen."
That
judge of
so sincere

a Radical and so good a

unfortunate Lord

" I cannot join the sanguine expectation of

men as the
to

Durham

the leaguers that Sir Eobert Peel will be the

last

should have pointed out Melbourne as the

English minister

who

will venture to up-

man who was

but such
is

head the government after

hold monopoly.

It is well

such struggles generally

frequently,

known how long last, and how very

it is

the letirement of Earl Grey

the fact.

may be
is

strange,

And

there

a certain

'

when

the longed-for prize appears

pathos in Melbourne's
statesman's position:

on the point of being attained,

snatched

suddenly

"The
;

own

account of the
exploits of

the

the

away from that oft-deluded Tantalus people. The immediate aim of the
is

soldier are performed in the light of the sun

and in the
before his
are seen,

face of

day

they are performed

leaguers

the abolition of the corn-laws, but

they do not propose to stop at the attainment

of this object.

own army, before the enemy; they they are known for the most part
;

They

will then turn the

same

they cannot be denied or disputed, they are

told instantly to the

weapon which brought down the corn-laws

against
all

whole world, and receive

other trade monopolies and customfirst in

at once the

meed

of praise

which

is

so justly

house regulations,
in other countries,
restrictions

England and then

due to the valour and conduct that achieve

them.
they
lie

totally

till at length all commercial between different nations shall be done away with, and trade rejoice in

Not

so the services of the minister;

not so

much

in acting in gi-eat crises

as in preventing those crises

from arising;

the golden sunshine of freedom

all

over the
!

therefore they are often obscure and

unknown.

world,

a tempting

object, but, alas

a long

subject to every species

tion,

of

misrepresenta-

and doubtful road."

and

effected

amidst obloquy, attack, ami


THE CORN LAWS MELBOURNE HUME BROUGHAM.
-

45

comlemnation, whilst in reality entitled to the

ni)piobation

and gratitude

of tlie

country;

ger hurried in to say that the moment had arrived. The guests turned pale, but the
worthy manufacturer quietly touched a spring and
let

how

frequently are such services lost in the

tranquillity

which they have been the means

and amidst the prosperity which
These precise

out the waters.

street,

There was some bad

of preserving

language in the

but the drenched

to their homes.

mob
Not

they have themselves created."

soon found their

way

words were uttered while Lord Melbourne n;is yet Mr. Lamb, but they were adopted by

so angry, perhaps, but equally discomfited

him more than once

in later

life.

There must
tlie

have been a certain insouciance about

must have been the "leaders" who had to ask leave of Lord Melbom-ne's secretary to carry out the gi-eat petition back way, and
order a hackney-coach

man, but there was no

ence of

bitterness,

and he de-

up

for

it.

"

Oh, cerof

clared in decisive language that his experilife

tainly!" said Melbourne,

and the honours

had

led

him

to think well of man-

the day were

lost.

kind in general.

He

derived

much

of his

power from a
bent humour.

certain genial tranquUlity, in

of lam-

In the contest for free-trade Joseph

Hume
of the

which there were changing colom-s

was

of course in his element.

Few
Itlr.

There are not many witty

politicians of that

time have received such

sayings recorded of him, but his manner impressed the dullest.

scant justice from the public as

Hume.
There
a

When

in 1834 a proces-

He was commonly

looked upon as a mere

sion of 100,000 Radical

working-men marched
for

haggler over the national expenditure.

through London, and presented themselves

as

never was a greater mistake.

travelled

He was

many

as there

was room

in

Downing

man, a man

of considerable culture,

Street, w-ith their

"monster"

petition, they

found Lord Melbourne looking out of window

as he might have done at a Puuch-and-Judy

and the consistent friend of every popular measure that has been accepted as an indisputable boon.

He

was to be seen

in the

show.
office

The

jietition

had been

rolled into the

wonderful caricatures of IB, with glass on

eye,

by the
;

front door iu gieat

pomp and

speaking to the estimates and calling

glory

but the leaders of the deputation were

attention to "the sum-tottle of the whole."

quietly told (as

we have already
up

hinted) that a

But the

artist, either

by intention

or instinct,

petition brought

in this fashion could not

or both, expressed in the face and head the

be received, and they had to ask leave to caiTy

it

imperturbable conscientiousness of the man.

Conscientious he was in
all

out by the hack door.

It

was a

gi-eat

blow

he

did.

He
his

for " the people in their thousands."

it

Perhaps

began

life

as a naval surgeon in the

pay of

may remind

a reader here and there of an

the East India

Company, and served

incident of certain riots in the manufacturing

districts.

country well while he was in the East.

To

A gi-eat

manufacturer,

who had

dwell on this would be beyond our scope,

dinner-party coming off on a certain night,

but

Hume was

serving in the Mahratta war

was warned that the mob would take advantage of that occasion to sack and burn his

at the very time the struggle at Assaye

was

going on in India.

He made

a fortune, and

house and put

aid.

mills.

He

was recommended to
and apply
for military

then travelled on the Continent.

off his dinner-pai-ty

But he

adojited another plan.

He had

the water-power of his establishment so ar-

ranged and manipulated that the turning of

a stop-cock would drown the
streets.

The cause of education had no better or more detei-mined friend than Joseph Hume, but he was always gi-eat on financial quesCastlereagh thought it becoming to tions.
hold

This

arrangement was placed under his control by

a tube (with a
the end of
it),

little

piece of

mechanism at
to

him up to ridicule in the House of Commons as " harlequin and clown." Even Mr. Huskisson, who ought to have known better,
snubbed him.

which he caused

be brought
of dinner

By

this time,

however, even

up

to his chair.

In the middle

the Edinburt/h Review had found out his usefulness

there

was a dull roar from without, messen-

and did him public honour

46
It

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTBMPOKAEIES.

was a great mistake
as a
to look uiion

Joseph

however, true sagacity of a kind in his remark

that the edifice of the laws relating to

Hume

mere "dour" or humdrum man;

women

he was a great advocate of jiopukir holiday-

was one which, once touched, would be touched

again and again.

makiug, aud

it

that such places as

British

was largely due to his efforts Hampton Court and the

accessible

Twice did

his loi'dship at-

tack the great question of national education,

Museum were made more

and twice were the measures he proposed

unfortunate; the
first

to the public.

The labours he went through,

for the purpose

bills

never went beyond the

to

and the expenditure he made,

of helping forward

reading.

But much honour was due

the return of

Liberal

members

for parliament in the first election

bill

him for his persistent energy in a good cause. County courts are by no means a perfect institution,
it is

after the reform

were incredible.

He
lost

but they have proved very useful, and

declined to take

office,

and he would have

to

Brougham

that

we

chiefly

owe what-

been out of pai-liament in 1837, when he

assisted his return for Kilkenny.

ever good has been got out of this cheapening of the law for the recovery of small debts.

the election for Middlesex, had not O'Connell

In 1842,

Brougham was
still

the originator of some useful

however, as we have seen, he was received by

his old Scottish constituents

changes in the law of evidence, and

we

are

and

sat for the

far behind his proposals for reform in

burghs of Montrose.

He was

too homely a

various directions.

Whether there should be

is

man

for

anybody

to think of offering

title in

those daj^s,

him a but very few members of

a public prosecutor or not

tion.

an open ques-

parliament have ever deserved better of their

Brougham thought there should, and if he was right we owe the existence of such an
officer in

country than plain Joseph

Hume.

England mainly

to his advocacy.
is

If

the codification of the criminal law

not far

In looking back upon a long track of years,

it

off,

that also

we owe

to

Brougham more than

his private tutor

occurs to the candid

mind

that, large as

had
in

to

any other man, except

and

been the space occujiied by Lord Brougham

the public eye,
it is

inspirer

Bentham.

We

have not yet got so

legal provision for

not easy to be quite

sui'e

far as

making systematic

that justice has been done to

public services.

him

for his great

giving

compensation to persons wrongfully

His

versatility, indiscretion,

prosecuted in certain cases, but that too was

and unaccountable temper were always against

him, and his amazing activity was not easy
to follow.

one of Brougham's proposals.

It

was amusing,
the

and no doubt
corn,

ii-ritating, to find

man who
re-

He was

too often seen in the midst

had spoken and voted against the duties on and who eventually supported their
peal, resenting the activity of the

of a blaze of fireworks of his

own

letting-off,

and there was always a

splendid
talents.

sort of jealousy of his

Anti-Cornit

The general suggestions

law League, on the ground that

was an
His

contained in these remarks are not

reader of this narrative, but, after

new
all,

to the

attempt to intimidate the government.

we

too

lordship had done his share of intimidation

in days gone

readily forget our benefactors or disparage

by

but, alas

the days were

them unduly when they do not

us in the details of their career.
again

quite please

gone by.
of 1843

There was
complain
of

and
In the

again

reason

to

During the strenuous debates

Mr.

Brougham, but how many useful things he

did
!

Gladstone was an able ally of the prime min-

new reign we

find

busy and as inconsistent as

ever.

him almost as The biU for

enabling the Court of Chancery to give to

mothers the custody of the children of a marriage in certain cases of domestic difference

and gave valuable services to the government of which he was a member; but although he had reached a position of great responsibility and of remarkable influence, where his
ister,

the most natural measure

would have thought

high talents found an appropriate sphere, he

in the world,

one

was unable

to follow his chief in relation to

was not so fortunate as

There was.

one of those ecclesiastical questions on which

to please the gi-eat ex-chancellor.

he had spoken and written so much.

'

GLADSTONE'S EESIGNATION IN
In the course of the year 1844 Sir Robert
Peel had
it

1845.

47

made known to him

his opinion that

was

desirable to remodel

and to increase
Catholic Col-

the grant to the Irish

lege of

Eoman

Maynooth.

He was the youngest mem-

The government of Sir Robert Peel was believed to be of immovable strength. My place, as president of the Boaid of Trade, was at the very kernel of its most interesting operations for it was
alpha and omega of public Ufe.
;

ber of the government, entirely bound up

iu

progress,

from year to year with con-

with

it

resjjcct,

and warmly attached by and even afl'ection, to its head and

in policy,
of its leading

tinually

waxing courage, towards the emanci-

pation of industry, and therein towards the

to

some

members.

"Of

asso-

accomphshuient of another gieat and blessed

ciation

with what was termed ultra-Toryism,

politics,"

work

of public justice.
;

Giving up what I

in general

he has said
I well

since,

"I

highly prized

aware that
'

had never dreamed.

but that, as

knew

that the
Gratia nequicquam

male sarta
;

words of Sir Robert Peel were not merely tentative,

it

coit, et rescinditur

was right they should,

they indicated a fixed intention.

before

The

choice
his

felt

myself open to the charge of being

me, therefore, was

retire

to

support

opinionated, and

wanting
;

in deference to
I could not

measure or to

from his government

this, subject to

really great authorities

and

but

into a position of

complete isolation, and

know

that I shovdd inevitably be regarded as

what was more than

a gi-ave

fastidious

and

fanciful, fitter for a dreamer,

and general imputation of political eccentricity.

or possibly a schoolman, than for the active

My

retirement, I knew, could have no other

:

purposes of public
age."

life

in a biisy

and moving
not

warrant than this

that

it

woiild be a tribute

to those laws which, as I

have urged, must

In the month
sooner,

of

January, 1845,
the

if

be upheld for the restraint of changes of

opinion and conduct in public men."

the

resolution of
resigned.

cabinet

was

Mr.

taken,

and he

The public judg-

Gladstone has declared that he never entertained the idea of opposing the measure of
Sir Robert Peel,

ment, as might have been expected, did not

favoui- the act
;

but

it

was remarked at the

and that Lord Derby,

to

time, or shortly afterwai'ds,

upon the

case, as

whom

he had already been indebted for

much

a rare one, in which a public

man had
an act of

in-

personal kindness, was one of those colleagues

juied himself with the public by an act which

who sought
oflBce,

to dissuade

him from

resigning

must

in fairness be taken to be

self-

urging upon him that such an act must

denial.
!Mr.

be followed by resistance to the measure of the

Gladstone

calls attention to this

former

government, and that he would run the risk

of being
tion.

expression of opinion in his article on his change

of opinion before the Irish
says, " I

mixed with a

fierce religious agita-

Chmch

bill.

He

Mr. Gladstone's reply to

this

was that

hope that reference to this criticism be considered boastful.

It can hardly

he must adhere to his purpose of retirement,

will not

but that he did not perceive the necessity

of its being followed
posal.

be so; for an infirm judgment, exhibited in a

practical indiscretion, is after all the

by

resistance to the proto

theme

of

Overtures were

made

him by some

these pages.

I do not claim acquittal

upon

of those

who

resisted it;

but they were at

once declined, his whole pmpose being to

place himself in a position in

any one of the counts of such an indictment as, I have admitted, may be brought against
the conduct I pureued.
plead,

which he would

be free to consider what should be his com-se, without being liable to any just suspicion on
the ground of personal interest.

and plead with

confidence.

One point only I Such conconduct or

things of

duct proved that I was sensible of the gravity

of

any great change in

political
all

"It
"if I
this

is

not profane," says Hlx. Gladstone,

say,

opinion,

and desiious bej-ond

now

'With a great price obtained I

giving to the country the only guai-antees that

could be given of

freedom.'
I stood

The
was

political

association in

which

to

me

at the time the

expense of

my integrity, even at the my judgment and fitness for aflfairs.


48
If

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

any man doubts

this, I

a.sk

him

to

ask

education of

its

clergy, the true basis of the

himself,

What demand

poUtical honour could

failed to

Established Church of Ireland for

cut away.

have made, with whieh I

comply!"

him was The one had always been treated

" It
is

lu the ensuing debate on the address (Februai-y 4th, 1845) Lord John Eussell, in terms
of courtesy

by him

as exclusive of the other.

not

now

the question whether this

way

of looking

and kindness,
replied that

called for

an ex-

at the question

was a

coi-rect one.
it
;

There are
it

planation of the cause of

tirement.

JNIi-.

Gladstone's reto

great authorities against

while

seems at

He

it

had reference

the same time to have some considerable hold

the intentions of the goveiument with respect

on what

may

be termed the moral sense of

Maynooth; that those intentions pointed to a measure " at variance with the system which he had maintained," " in a form the most deto
tailed

portions, perhaps large portions, of the people.

The present question

is

one of

fact.

It

is

enough for the present purpose that such was

and dehberate," " in a published

although
lie

trea-

my

view."
that day forward

tise:" that

had never
as

set forth

any
he

From

Mr. Gladstone has

theory of political
stances inflexible

afJaii'S

"under all circum-

not said one word, in public or private, which

could pledge

and immutable," yet

him on

principle to the mainten-

thought those

who had borne such solemn

ought not to be parties

ance of the Irish Church; and even in a speech

testimony to a particular view of a great constitutiouid question "

dehvered on the second reading of the Maynooth College Bill he took occasion distinctly
to convey, that the application of religious

responsible for proposals which involved a

material departure from

his retirement,

it."

The pm-pose

of

considerations to ecclesiastical questions in

he

said,

was

to place himself,

Lelaud would be

entii'ely altered

by the

pass-

so far as in

him

lay, in

a position to form "not

ing of the measure:

only an honest, but likewise an independent

"The boon
,

to

which I for one have thus

I think it imto

and an xmsuspected judgment" on the plan

likely to be submitted

agreed

is

a very great boon.

of all
it

by the government.
I

portant,

most

important with regard

I

He

also

spoke as follows in more forms than

the principles

involves.
it

am

very

far,

one;
" I

indeed, from saying that

virtually decides

wish again and most distinctly to state

upon the payment

priests of Ireland

of the

Eoman
;

Catholic

that I

am

not prepared to take part in any

by the

state

but I do not

religious warfai'e against that measui'e, such

deny that

it

disposes of the rehgious objecI me:in that

as I believe

it

between the

may be; or to draw a distinction Eoman Catholics and other dethem

tions to that measure.

we who
no

assent to this biU. shall in

my judgment

nominations of Christians with reference to

the religious opinions which each of
respectively

longer be in a condition to plead religious objections to such a project."

may

hold."

By

this declaration

Mr. Gladstone claims Church quesit

He did not say that he was thenceforward prepared at any moment to vote for the removal
"
of the Established

that his freedom on the Irish

tion w-as established;
since,

Church

in Ireland;
it

and that

has never

and

this for the best of all reasons:

would
the
It

dming
it is

a period of

nearly five-and-

not have been true.

It

is

one thing to

lift

twenty years, been compromised.

say that

Some may
to uphold

anchor ;

it is

another to spread the

sails.

^1

perfectly consistent to have en-

may be
ture,

a duty to be

in readiness for deparitself

dowed Maynooth anew, and yet

on

when departure

would be an offence

j
'

principle, as a part of the constitution, the

against public prudence and public ])rinciple. 'I

Established Chm-ch of Ireland; but Mi-. Gladstone avows that

consistent for him.
it

But I do not go so far as

trary I

tliis.

On

the con-

would not have been The moment that he ad-

be permitted to continue.
logic

was willing and desirous that it should If its ground in

it

mitted the validity of a claim by the Church

of

was gone, yet

besides, its

might have
of grace.

in fact, like

Eome

for the gift,

by the

free act of the

much

day

I do not

now

imperial parliament, of

new funds

for the

say that I leaped at once to the conclusion that

11


THE LEAGUE AND AGRICULTURAL
the Established Church of Ii-eland must at any
definite jieriod 'cease to exist as
rejiresent,

DISTRESS.

49

but I look to ministers for the peace

of the peasantry

an establish-

of

my private life for the comfort, happiness,

I look to

ment.'

She had

my
to

sincere good-will; I

was

and welfare
me.

not sorry, I was glad, that while Ireland

them
this

to drive

seemed content

have

it so,

a longer time

means or other
emissaries
emissai-ies
;

who live around away by some new mode of sending

the

should be granted to her to unfold her religious energies thi-ough the

throughout
for such are

country

paid

medium

of

an

avowed and boasted

active

and pious

clergy,

which until

this our
re-

day she had never

possesseil.

ily mind

coiled then, as it recoils now,

from the idea

of

by the honourable member for Stockport. of this I complain, and it is from this I entreat the government to protect the counti-yj
of
It
is

worrying the Irish Church

that
it

to death.
it

I desired

as

one of their fellow-citizens, as a faithful

I ask,

should remain even as

was, until the

and dutiful subject of the crown,

beseech, I

way should be opened, and

for bringing about

the means at hand,

things."

demand

this at the

hands

of

her

some better state of

majesty's ministers."

Of course nothing
Before the return of Mr. Gladstone to
office

of the

kind could be

done.

No

ministry could forbid inquiries

the changes which had for some time been

into the condition of the agricultural laliourers

approaching had become imminent. The Anti-

or interfere with the publication of the residts of those inquiries.

Com-law League, growing in power and

ence,

influ-

The truth

w.os that

had long ceased

its

to regard the attacks

the active leaders of the League were themselves learning

made upon

leaders,

who

had, even as early

of

more than they had expected

on corn in the

as the spring of 1843,

met the accusations

of the opei'ation of the taxes

the representatives of the " agricultural inter-

agricultural districts.

The

agitation

was no

est"

by

serious reprisals.

In various parts of
tenant-farmers,

longer confined to manufacturing towns iu

the country

many

of the

Lancashire or to the north of England.

Week

the really agricultural as contrasted with the

merely landed interest, had joined in the de-

by week there appeared in their newspaper Tlie League particulars of the condition of

mand

for the re])eal of duties

on

corn,

and

the peasantry in the southern counties,

where

the starving labourere in the fields were instructed

the wages were seven shillings or eight shillings a week.

by

lecturers, agents,

and pamphlets
seen,

The

disclosures

made by the

on the causes
There were
influential

of their distress.
also, as

agents took the shape of practical reports on

we have

many

the state of farming iu various places,

th&

landowners who yielded to the

neglect of the land, the inequality of rents,

tlie

justice of the representations of the League,

miserable hovels in which the labourers

and became the advocatesof a free-trade

so that the complaints of

policy,

too frequently

had to dwell, the uncertainty and the

distress
fre-

Mr. Bankes, who

of profits, the raising of rents,

was then spokesman for the protectionists in the House of Commons, were not those of the whole of the landed interests. The very terms of his appeal to the ministry showed how hopeless the ca.se was becoming. He said " As
:

quent reduction of wages,

the sufterings
tion

the
be

and

among

that class of the populait

on whose behalf

was alleged that the

maintained >
recess

corn-laws must

necessarily

During the parliamentary

Mr.

'obdeu

to mattei-s affecting those

who, like myself,

safely

himself was in the southern and midland

counties holding meetings

desire to live quietly

and

among

their

on market-days
his op-

tenantry in the country, the ministry have

and carrying the arguments against

ponents, even though they

not the power of knowing, as I and other

made many

de-

gentlemen iu the country have, the enormous

extent of mischief which
this present

monstrations of physical force, or sought to

may be produced

at

drown the

voices of the speakeis

time by the emissaries of this

I

disturbance.

But the

leaders of the

by causing League

League.
Vol.

...
II.

have no

rejison to seek for

were not to be dismayed by clamour.

They
such

any ministerial support iu the county which

had already had some experience

of

25

50

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

when the
" Chartists "
able,

attempts in Manchester

inasmuch as Cobden was, so to speak,

kind of passion that usually

had organized similar opposition; and at Aylesbury, Bedford, Cambridge, Colchester,

Guildford, Hertford, Huntington, Lewes, Lincoln,

deficient in the

rouses enthusiasm.

He was
diffuses

above

all

men

of

that time cosmopolitan, and the cosmopolitan

Maidstone, Bye, Uxbridge, and Winches-

temper usually so
that
it

genuine passion

ter the farmers attended the meetings.

Num-

often renders earnest attachment to a

bers of

them were convinced by the plain

political party,

and what

is

commonly known
It

persuasive eloquence and close reasoning of

as patrioti.sm, exceedingly difficult.

this

was

Mr. Cobden or by the powerful and unanswei-able appeals of Mr. Bright, that the enor-

kind of cosmopolitanism which led to the

distinction of

what was afterwards known as

mous

fliictations in the value of wheat, in a

the "Manchester school" of politicians,

who

country whei'e rents were calculated on the

higher prices, was the farmer's real grievance, and one which could not be remedied while
these
fluctuations

were usually accused of being mere moneygrubbers and seekers of " peace at any price."

There

is

often

something ajiparently cold

continued as a result of

depending for bread on the harvests of one

country, which, under the best conditions,

and diluted about the views of cosmopolitan politicians; and in moments of national
excitement and popular intensity they are

could never supply the

demand

of those

who

mostly obliged to stand aside, since though

it

were the farmer's customers.

it

Cheap bread,
and the

may

be found that their views are sound in

is

was contended, meant national prosperity,

interest of the bread-eaters

the long run, there

frequently an immediate

and the

sense that in their desire to secure equal justice

for all the

farmers was identical, the security of the

world they are wanting in direct

farmer being dependent mainly upon steady

sympathy

for that part of the

world in which

by which the average of rents would be calculated. The capital of the fai-mer was wasting away because the money which should go to pay labour went to pay rents which
prices

they happen to be placed.

The

suspicious

which were long afterwards

entertained against the followers of the cos-

mopolitan school of politics

may
way

be indicated

were based on the high prices of years of

scarcity,
j'ears of

by Lord John

Russell's declaration

on the

and exacted
abundance.

diu-ing the

low

prices of

subject of his having given

to

Mr. Glad-

stone as head of the Whig-Eadic;\l party of

ISOS,

This had been Mr. Cobden's declaration in the House of Commons, anil the " agricultural
party " endeavoured to cry

and the declaration

itself is illustrative

alike of that half di-ead felt

him down.
called

There

of the results of spreading liberalism,

by the older Whigs and of

was

so little attempt to reply to his arguit

the warnings which were then being uttered

ments that the Morning Post

by Mr.
giving
in his

Gladstone's opponents.

melancholy exhibition to witness " the land-

" I cannot think that I

was mistaken in

ownere of England, the representatives by

blood of the
tives

way to Mr.

Gladstone," says Lord

"

John
to

Norman

chivahy, the representa-

Recollections.

During Lord Pal-

by

election of the industrial interests of

merston's ministr\' I had every reason

the empire, shrinking under the blows aimed

at
It
of

admire the boldness and the judgment with

them by a Manchester money -grubljer."

is

which he directed our

finances.

had no

unnecessary to say a word on the injustice

reason to sujipose that he was less attacheil

the epithets that were bestowed on the

than I was to national honour; that he was

less

leader of the League

and on this occasion he

of

proud than

was

of the

achievements of

must have smiled with a kind

swerable arguments.

grim

satis-

our nation by sea and land; that he disliked

the extension of our colonies
;

faction to find himself abused for his unan-

or that his

In several instances his

risen to declamation

measures would tend to reduce the great and

glorious

addresses in the house, usually of a conversational character,

empire, of

which he was put in

had

and

charge, to a manufactory of cotton-cloth

and

almost to passion. This was the more remark-

a market for cheap goods, with an

army and


THE LEAGUE AT COVEXT GAEDEN THEATRE.
uavy reduced by
j>altiT

51

savings to a standard

tion of the influence exercised

by Colxlen

of weakness and inefficiency."

This

is

a re-

may

be proved by the remarkable interest he

markably suggestive passage as showing what

were
the saspicions entertained against

aroused not only in English but in foreign

audiences.

Even

in his continental journeys

minister

who was

supported by the avowed

he was obliged to receive deputations and

frequently to address meetings, and so gi-eat

advocates of a policy of ])eace and free-trade,

retrenchment and non-iuter\'ention.

was the fame

where

of the English free-trade advo-

Eichard Cobden,

if

he seemed to be out of

cate, that special assemblies

were convened on

sympathy with some

sense

of the national questions

his irresistible appeals

and explanations
Of the

because of the calm ])rudence and

common

might be made the means

jjcrsonal influence

of instruction

the utilitari:iuisui as some [leople would

it

the principles of commercial freedom.

have called

actions but; his theories

which guided not only his was just the man to

his political career.
rise to

which he exercised and of

the deep sentiments with which Mr. Bright

first

sustain and represent the great

which he devoted
liave seen,

movement to As we

associated the cause to w^hich he also

is

became attached, the following

record:

an

affecting

he could

something like

passion in the midst of his steady enthusiasm.

"I was
called
gi-ief

in Leamington, I

and Mr. Cobden

in the depths of

But he had found

in

John Bright a

colleague

on me.

was then
of

who who

possessed both enthusiastic force

fire,

and

may

almost say of despair, for th

oratorical

and though there were others

light

and sunshine

my

house had been

took a constantly prominent part in the

its

extinguished.

All that was left on earth of except the

operations of the League these two were

my

young
life

wife,

memory

of

acknowledged

public

leadei's,

each

in

his

sainted

and a too
called on

brief happiness,

was
us.

own manner canying

was large enough
until

conviction to the vast

lying

still

and cold

in the

chamber above

meetings for which no building iu Loudon

Mr. Cobden

Covent Garden Theatre

addressed me, as
of condolence.

me as his friend, and you may suppose, with word.s

uji

was engaged for fifty nights at a rent of 3000.

After a time he looked

The

first

occasion of

Mn
of

Bright becoming

and
of

said,

'

There are thousands and thousands

in

acquainted with the

man

whom

he was to
"I

homes

England

at this

moment where
paroxj'sm of

become the able coadjutor was

iu connection

wives and mothers and children are dying of

hunger.

with the great question of education.

Now when
is

the

first

went over
'

to Manchester," saj's
invite

Mr. Bright,
to

your grief

passed I would advise you to

will
'

to call

upon him and

him

come

to

come with me, and we

never rest until

Eochdale to speak at a meeting about to be

held in the school-room of the Baptist Chajjel
in

the corn-laws are repealed."

Nor did

they.

From

that time

till

Cob-

West

Street.

found him iu the countingI

den's death they

were almost inseparable. Both were

house.

I told

him what

wanted

his coun-

Their tastes and mode of living were similar

they had the same end in view.
indefatigable workei-s

tenance lighted up with pleasure to find that

others were working in the same cause.

He

ardent, patient, coura public speaker, that

it

without 'hesitation agreed to come.

;

He came,

ageous, ready, and yet each differed from the

and he spoke and though he was then so young a speaker, yet the qualities of his
speech were such as remained with
liini

other so completely

a.s :is

they seemed to be,

were, the two sem-

so

blances on either side of the shield of the

long as he was able to speak at

logic,

all

clearness,
jjei-suasive-

League.

The names
gi'eat

of these

two men were

a convei-sational eloquence, a

always mentioned together, and no auti-corn-

ness which,

when combined with

the absolute

law meeting of

importance was complete

truth there was in his eye and his countenance,

unless they could be present.

It
efiect

became a jxjwer it was almost impossible

this
iio

may be

conceived what an enormous

fii-st

to resisl."

was produced when the

monster

That

is

more than a simple descrip-

meeting was held at Covent Garden Theatre.


52
It

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

was a wise arrangement that
at the large
his hearers to

bind themselves in a solemn

ce;ise

organized meetings only three or four leading

league never to

their labours

till

the

men were
anil

appointed to address the audience,

corn-laws

were

abolished

was
feet,

electrical;

though there were many forcible and exit

thousands starting on their

extended, as
if

with arms

cellent speakers

was natural that

at the

first

ready to swear extinction to

meeting Cobdeu and Bright should commence.

monopoly."
Hitherto Cobden and the friends of the

The vast building was crowded to excess George Wilson, the chairman of the League,
presided.

League had represented only a small minority

in the house,

Amidst a general hush Cobden

of expec-

and they had

to strive against

tation the ai'gumentative, perauasive, conversational address of

to the multitude
sure.

numerous difficulties; but a change was already

approaching.

carried conviction
it

The cause which they advocated

characterized
the

who

listened to

with plea-

had been emphasized not only by the enthusiasm

that

Then followed

Bright, full of oratorical

the anti-oorn-law

force

ardent, nervous,direct language a kind

meetings

and

vast

assemblies

which

of suppressed fire of eloquence

breaking now
appeal, rarely

attended to listen to the representations of

the speakers, but

and then

into satire, into

warm

by the admissions

of

mem-

into scorching denunciation.

People breathed

bers of the government and supporters of the

ministry.
Sir
It

hard at the end of each period, and, as a

novelist
of

had become evident that both

Peel

makes one

of her character say, all

eye.

Robert

and

Mr. Gladstone had

them was ear that was not

Another

adopted the principles of free-trade, though

they were not prepared to carry them completely into practice
;

speaker followed

a man with a great reputaamong

those

tion for eloquence

who knew
emotional

and indeed some

of the

him, and having listened to his lectm-es, had

declarations of Sir Robert Peel during the

discussion of the motions brought forward

come under the

appeals

influence of his

by

man

of peculiar appearance, with

Mr.

Ward

for a
if

committee " to inquire into

chubby,

rather

sensuous

face,

diminu-

the burdens,

any, which specially affect the

tive height,

sleek barrel-shaped figm-e,

and
liis

landed interest," and by Mr. Eicardo against

the postponement in the

with thick diU'k hair, falling in a uuiss on

remission of our

high shoulders.

This was William Johnson

import duties with a view to negotiations for

reciprocity

Fox, the Unitarian minister,

(in 1847)

who afterwards

show that

he was

theoreticallj'

became member for Oldham, and

for his eflbrts for the
relief of the

more thoroughgoing

free-trader than

many

had already been noted

labouring

who now
ation.

claim to represent commercial liberof the

promotion of education and the

cla.sses.

In speaking

commercial treaties

To some

of our readers
figure,

then in the course of negotiation he said

"

his will be a

well-remembered

and the

We have reserved

many

articles

from imme-

almost magical eloquence, the perfect articulation of every

diate reduction in the

hope that ere long we

time, I

word will not be forgotten any more than the pathos, the sarcasm, the neat condensed introduction, the happy argument
close

may

attain increased facilities for our exports

in return.

At the same
it

am bound
buy

to

say that

is

for our interest to

cheap,

and

telling,

aud the

fine peroration rising

whether other countries will buy cheap or no.

If
if

to a climax

which carried away the audience

of its final appeal.

by the power

writer of

we we

find that our

example

is

not followed,

find that other nations, instead of re-

the Histor;/ of the

Corn-law

League (Mr.
extremity of

ducing the duties on our manufactures, resort

to the impolicy of increasing them, this ought
not, in

Prentice) says, " His

stage whisper might

fai-thest

have been heard at the

tlie

my

opinion, to operate as a discourage-

gallery

the speech read well;

ment
to

to us to act

on those principles which

we

but the reader could have uo conception of

its effects

believe to be sound.

If the Biaziliaus choose

as delivered with a beauty of elocu-

pay an

artificially

high price for cotton

which Macready on those boards might have envied. The efl'ect when he called on
tion

and woollen

cloths, that is

no reason why we
cofl'ee.''

should pay a high price for sugar and

"

MR. GLADSTONE'S
It

RAILWAY
of

BILL.
or, if prices so ruled, of flour.
tlie

was

little

wonder that

jNIr.

Cobdeu

said

Canadian

Americo-

the i^rime minister was at heart as good a

free-trader as he

Canadian

wheat and

was himself

nor

is

it

sur-

Mr. Gladstone, though he had opposed

prising tliat the delay in putting into execution

repeal of the corn-laws on the ground tliat

what was seen

chief

to be the inevitable policy

the full effects of the revised tariff had not

3'et

of the

of the

government both
the

irri-

been developed, and that the enormous

foreign corn which vrould

tated and stimulated

members

of

the

importations of

League.

The

convictions of the ministry that

necessarj' for

ensue on the total removal of the duty wouhl

cause both a displacement of a vast mass of

some important relaxations were

already been manifested in a

the admission of grain to the country had

labour and a serious disturbance of the financial position of

way
Our

that left

the country, was yet willing

tlie

few arguments against the

entire removal of

to

admit that the only question before

the duties on foreign corn.

ports

had

house was one of time and degree. That view

been opened to the Canadian harvests.

petition

had been recognized in this country for the

which had successively held
no one who had held
office

jJre-

from the people of " the Dominion

ceding twenty-five years by every government

office
:

for the free importation of their corn into

there

was
tlij

Great Britain had been favourably received,

during that perioil

and Lord

Stanley, as colonial secretary,

had
took

who had not

introduce<l

measures in

admitted the force of their plea.

He
it

nature of relaxation of our commercial code.

occasion to remind them, in rejjly to one of

their representations, that

This was in opjjosition to the motion of Loril

though

was true

Hovvick (son of Earl Grey), who, having aban-

that the agricultural produce of the Channel

Islands had
all

doned the proposal

of the

along been admitted to Eng-

duty, had deserted Lord

Whigs for a fixed John Russell, ami

ti>

land without any duty, and the people of

those islands

advocated a repeal of the corn-laws in his proposal for a committee of the whole house

had

at the

same time been per-

mitted to buy for themselves in the cheapest

markets, the landed interests of this country

consider the reference in the queen's speech

to the long-continued depression of manufac-

saw a very considerable

difference

between

so

turing industrj'.

small a territory as that of Jersey and Guern-

Mr. Gladstone deprecated the

abolishing

i-epeated en-

sey and the vast area of Canada.

difficulty

In fact the

deavours to force upon the house the question

of

was that even

its gi"ain

if

Canada should send by buying a

the

corn-laws,

and

he also

the whole of
tain, it could

produce to Great Bri-

opposed the proposal to reduce the duty on

foreign sugar, because such a reduction would

easily replace it

new supply from

United
States.

the

still

greater fields of the

be against the interests of our West Indian

This would be equivalent to

itself witli

and other

colonists wlio

employed

free labour,

supplying Britain

American corn

and would therefore tend

to encourage slavery.

via Canada, and to a practical abrogation of

But he made a very

wlieu
lie

serious contribution to

the corn-laws, and therefore Canada must

free-trade measures in the

same

session (1843)

impose a duty on the importations of wheat

introduced a

bill to

abolish the reof machinery,

and

flour

from the LTnited States in order

of

to

strictions

on the importation

obtain a free market in Great Britain.

It

was a roundabout way

duty on
League,
colonial grain,

diminishing the
its

and showed that the existing prohibitory law was practically evaded, and was incapable of
being maintained in
its integrity,

and

meaning was

though

it

pretty well understood by the Anti-Corn-law

had already done much mischief

to our trade

who regarded

the

concession with
legislature,

for the benefit of that of tlie Belgian

facturers.

manu-

quiet satisfaction.

The Canadian

with commendable

alacrity, at once placed

an

We
the

liave referred in a

former page to the

import duty of three shillings a quarter on

successful part he took in the discussion of

American wheat coming over their

frontier,

Lady Hewley

charities,

and

his liberal

and

British ports were open to

any amount

views on chapel trusts, and these, together

54

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAKIES.

liis

with

recently expressed opinions on the

paratively abundant harvest and a greatly

jirinciplcs of free-trade, plainly indicated that

improved condition of trade, together with

the advantages alreadj' derived from the re-

his former conclusions were imdevgoing such

modifications as led

many more advanced

and commercial

re-

mission of duties under the tariff of a govern-

]ireseutatives of religious

free-

ment on which
of the taxes

the country

still relied,

would

dom

to express the

hope that he would soon

not ultimately suffice to prevent the removal

be one of the most powerful advocates ou

llieir side.

on food.

In 1843, indeed, the condition of trade which

Before his temporary retirement from the

ministry in 1S45, for reasons which have
al-

had made so many manufacturers bankrupt, had disturbed the whole commerce
manufacturing towns, and had
left

of

our

ready been recounted, the session of

lS-44

was

thousands

a busy one

for him, as for other

prominent

of the people in a condition of

want which
a continual

members of the house, and in its early days lie had obtained a select committee to inquire
into the standing orders relating to railways,

even the operation of the poor-laws was inade-

quate to alleviate, was in

itself

argument
corn.

in

favour of admitting untaxed

iu such a state of

with a view to the improvement of the

rail-

The country was

way

system.

Upon

the results of that inquiry

depression tliat the cry for reUef assumed the

tones of threatening and defiance.

he had secured one of the most useful measures of the time.

It authorized the

Not

in the
silent,

Board

towns only

where

machineiy was

of Ti'ade, after the expiration of fifteen J'ears,

where the furnaces

out,

of great factories

had gone and

to purchase any of the railways

coming within

and the hands stood at the street-corners

and muttering, or
staid in their bare

the provisions of the

bill

at twenty -five years'

pale

purchase of the annual divisible profits not

fireless

dwellings amidst wives and children

exceeding 10 per cent, but this option was not

to extend to railways in of tolls

half famished

and

sick with the

hunger that

which a revised

scale

could scarcely be allayed

dole occasionally

had been imposed.

One of the clauses

and
all

by a share of the extra distributed by the parish, or

to diminish

regulated the conditions on which third-class

trains were to be established,

by some benevolent endeavour

the general suffering

futm-e

but also in the agriculof famine.

railways were to act on

its

provisions from the

tural districts, the very centres of the interest

commencement
train on every

of their traffic.

At

least

one

which was opposing the remission of the breadtax, the people

week-day was

to start

from

were on the edge

each end of the line to carry passeugei-s in

Shopkeepers had their trade diminished, and

yet had to pay increased pooi'-rates.

covered carriages for a jienny a mile, and at

A large
ordi-

no

less

speed than 12 miles an hour including

number

of customers

who formerly spent their

and even on
little

stoppages.

These trains were to stop to take

wages on food and

could not

clothing,

up and

set

down

passengers at every station,

to

nary luxuries, were earning so

that they

and each passenger was

hundredweight
of

be allowed a halfwithout
extra

buy enough

of coarse food to satisfy

luggage

their hunger, cor of the

to replace the rags

commonest clothing

charge, while chOdren under three years of

they wore.

Many

earned

age were to be conveyed in such trains without charge, and those under twelve at halfl)rice.

nothing, for they could find no work, and so

waited among the crowds that went up to

ask relief from the guardians, or joined the
knots of sullen, almost desperate

men who

In the year 1844 the position of the Cornlaw League was less imposing than it had

went about demanding

bread.

to be supplied with

been in the previous year, when

it

had

The League had been strengthened by some

important accessions from without.
Before
the meetings in Covent Garden Theatre, the
theatre in
six nights;

come

to the front
it

and was

full of activity.

had already been acknowledged as a great power, and it could ''bide its time,"
Relieving that the temporary relief of a com-

But

Drury Lane had been engaged

but Mr. Macready, the
lessee,

for

had

THE LEAGUE 'A GEEAT

been prohibited by the sharehohlers' committee

FACT."
Be
it so.

55

Trojan horse of sedition.

answer. The League exists.

But we
tell us,

from contimiiug to grant the iwe of the

first

building for political purjjoses. The

meet-

and with

truth, that there

You may are men

in the
to-

ing at Covent Garden, however, gave a gieat

League sworn
that

foes to church

and crown,

impetus to the cause, which

now numbered

peers and dignities, to bishops and judges;,

among

its

adherents Mr. Samuel Jones Lloyd

now

speaking, and declaiming, and beglike,

the banker (afterwards Lord Overst one), whose

great reputation in financial
his
tial
circles, as

ging and taxing, and, an' you

jjlundering

well as

even, to resist the corn-laws

this

monster
all

known

wealth,

made him a highly

influen-

being will next raise

laws beneath
object
is
it.

its

head and subdue

tell

member.

At

the same time E;u'l Fitz-

You may

ua that

its

william, a large landowner, joined their ranks,

not to open the ports, to facilitate

and attended a public meeting at Doncaster with Mr. Bright and Mr. Cobdeu, when he

commerce, to enrich England, but to ruin our

aristocracy,

whom
could,

leaguers envy and detest.

moved
duties.

the

speedy abolition of

protective

You may
honour

tell

us that no

men

of honesty

oi-

Thus the movement was extending not only in the direction of the poor and sufbut in that of the opulent
classes.

intelligc-nce

consistently

with

their

-and their

knowledge, seek to

rifle

an

fering,
tliis

In

embarrassed state of that just subsidy which

all

time of want, uncertainty, and excitedifficulties that

states

impose ujjon

articles of the

most

ment, when the

surrounded the
riots

necessai-y consumption.

You may tell

us that

political situation

were enhanced by

and

whatever may be the specious pretext which

they hold out, or the disguise under which

disturbances in England, and

insurrection in Ireland
shall

by imjsending

of

both of which

we

they work, they can really only look forward

to tliat disastrous crisis in the annals of

have more

to say presently
its

the League
leading

was
It

active

and hopeful, and

mem-

bers were indefatigable and self-sacrificing.

kingdom when indiscriminate plunder consummates the work of inextricable confusion.

had grown

to the dimensions of

a recog-

You may
its
'

tell

us that the League has

nized power in the state

power that was

whined and
the poor; that

cauteil

about the sufferings of

too well organized to be at the mercy either

of the
to

orators

wink with malicious

government or
of

of

Whig

oppo.sition,
it

cunning at the

point

'

they

make about
truth.

the

whose idea

a fixed duty on corn

was

miserable victims of landlord legislation.

all this

In

as steadfastly opposed as to the sliding-acale of the ministry.

there
tell

is

doubtless
:

much

But
\

we ask,
is

us this

Who

created the League

"The League
'it

gi'eat fact," said the

Times;
its

We

answer experience

set at naught, advice

;

would be

foolish,

nay

rash, to

deny

derided, warnings neglected

these brought
it

importance.

It

is

a great fact that there

the League into existence; these gave

power
it

should have been created in the homestead

of our manufacturers a confederacy devoted

and motion and

vital energy; these

gave

an easy and unresisted ingress into the very

sanctuaries of our domestic
life.

to the agitation of one political question, per-

...

A new
it

severing at

it

year after year, shrinking from

power has arisen

matrons
no

in the state,

and maids and

though

no trouble, dismayed by no danger, making

liglit

flock to the theatre as

were
Let

of every obstacle.

It

is

a great

but a new translation from the French.

fact that at one

meeting at Manchester more

man

say that

we

are blind to the possible

than forty manufacturers should subscribe on

the spot each at least JlOO, some 300, some

mischief of such a state of things.

We

ac-

knowledge that we
tions of cant

dislike gregarious collec-

400, some 50(1, for the advancement of a

and cotton men.

We cannot but
its vio-

measure which, right or wrong, just or unjust,

expedient or injurious, they at least believe
their
in
it

know
lence

that,

whatever be the end of this agitabequeath

malevolence to some successor."

tion, it will expire only to

duty or their

interest, or both, to
.
.

advance

and

its

every possible way.

The League

This was indeed a tribute to the power and

influence of the League, which

may

be a hypocrite, a great deceiver, a huge

had been main-

GG
tained and bad

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

week by week increased the
of
its
tlie

the

demand

for a remission of the duty on

number and
of the Times sentation.

imjiortance

adherents

corn.

A great

improvement

in trade, a con-

against au opposition of wliich

language

seq\ient increase of

wages and a diminution

Perhajjs there could be few

was a comparatively mild repremore

in the last thirty yeai-s than

of ])auperisra,
vest,

had followed an abundant harin

and there was a considerable revival

striking examples of the changes that have

the country.
to 52s.

The

price of

wheat had

fallen

been effected

and

54s.

per quarter; bread was cheaper.

comparison of this manifesto of the Times

against the advocates of free-trade, with the

The queen's speech at the opening of parliament on the 1st of February, 1844, was congratulatory on
land,
all

leading articles in the same journal to-day.

subjects except that of Irechief dilll-

The

effect of this declaration

in the leading
testiall

which continued to be "the

newspaper was extraordinaiy, and the

culty."

There appeared to be no immediate

the further development of
convictions

mony

to the position of the

League was

the

probability of

more valuable because of the terms of dislike and the imjiutations by which it was accompanied. Such a reluctant and bitter admission

the

free- trade

entertained

by
for

leading

members

of the government, for cir-

cumstances

had given an opportunity

was

calculated

to establish

the free-traders

maintaining the duty on corn in accordance

more firmly
"

in public opinion,

whatever

may

with that sliding-scale to the provisions of

have been the distrust of their opponents.

which Sir Robert Peel and

diced

his supporters

The League

is

a great fact" became a kind of

were anxious to give a complete and unprejutrial.

catchword

phrase used alike to express

In reference to the operation of

encouragement among the friends of free-trade

this scale
first

Lord John Russell said during the

and apprehension among

its

enemies.

The

debate of the session

all

" With respect

to
.1

Marquis

of

Westminster, the wealthiest noble-

almost

articles of

commerce we adopt

man
lated

in

England, in a letter to Mr. George

moderate duty; but with respect to corn, au

article in

Wilson, the president of the League, congi'atu-

which the great majority of both

him on the

success that

had hitherto

houses of parliament are pecuniarily interested,

attended the efforts to overthrow an odious

we
hit
;

levy a duty of forty per cent"

to
in

sharp

monopoly, and expressed his opinion that the

country would be so greatly enriched by the

which Sir Robert Peel replied

in

what
"

reading his language seems to be a

removal of the duty on corn that the revenue

rather gi-and (not to say pomjious)

manner

would
rejieal.

suffer

no

loss

in consequence of

its

The experience we have had

of the present

He

contributed 500 to the funds.

attestation of the value of

law has not shaken

consistent with

my

preference for a grait in-

Another important
the

duated duty; and although I consider

work which was being accomplished was the presence of Lord Morpeth at a lai-ge freeSince the dis-

my duty to make engagements

under
all cir-

for adherence to existing laws

trade meeting at Wakefield.

solution of the

cumstances in order to conciliate support, I

can saj that the government have never contemplated, and do not contemplate, any alteration in the existing law."

Melbourne ministry Lord Morit

peth had lived in retirement, and

was un-

derstood that he was an opponent of the freetrade party

;

but at the Wakefield meeting,

his

This statement was regarded on both sides

as a

though he did not renounce

ions,

former opin-

nor give a complete adhesion to the

lauded

somewhat ambiguous intimation. Tinintei'est saw in it elements which

little distrust,

whole policy of the League, he spoke so strongly

in favour of free-trade principles that he

caused them no

even amidst
made.

was

the satisfaction with which they hailed the

held to be a friend of the canse.

announcement that no change was

to be

But though that cause continued thus to increase in strength and influence outside the house, there was no disposition on the part of
the government to yield to or even to consider

The League regarded

it

as a direct refusal of

the claims which they continued to uphokl,

and were indignant; but amidst the complacent declaration that there should be no change

COBDEN'S ADVICE TO "QUALIFY."

they tliouglit
tliev could discover

57

au admis-

that before long

tlie

numbers

of votes

would

sion not only that change might

become ueces-

be so changed as to make a serious difierence

in the composition of the

SM-y, but that the principles held

by the prime

House
was

of

Commons
For

minister would not stand in the

way when,
to

should a dissolution take place before the

question of the corn duties
settled.
its

under altered conditions, his courage rose

tax on corn.

the occasion of announcing the removal of the

not only did the League devote

to this revision,

attention

but just as Sir Robert Peel's

!

Neither party regarded the sliding-scale as

cry to his supporters had been " Register,

register,

final settlement;
it

perhaps most people looked

it

register

"

advice

which the

free-

upon

as an experiment, and

was an
the

ex-

traders
success;

had now followed with remarkable

periment which pleased

neither

free-

Mr. Cobden gave a word that was

a
little startling,

traders, the protectionists, nor those

Whigs

at

first

when he urged

his

who were
duty.

still

in

favour of a small fixed

hearers to "qualify."
investing

He

pointed out that by

it

money

in land instead of putting

Tiie operations of

the League were conit

in the savings-banks it

would be

secure, could

tinued, but in a direction which, though

be recovered
yield interest,

if it

should be wanted, would

included

less display of force,

etiect.

had a

practical

and would at the same time

and permanent
the

la some other respects

secure the franchise.

He
it

also advocated the

work

of the free-tradere appeared to flag.

purchase of a piece of land as a provision for each child, to

People appeared to be weaiy of the iteration

of

whom

would in the future

he was remon-

arguments which were not refuted, and

secure a vote which would be a defence against

political oppression.

though there was no movement on the part

of the

When

government

in the direction of

remov-

strated with for thus,

ing the burden of the corn-tax, that burden,

for a time, ceased to bear so heavily

ment, showing his

by a public announcehand to his opponents, Mr.

very few

when

Cobden

repjlied that

men

were, from

the results of the harvest lowered the price

of the labourer's loaf.

connection or prejudice, monopolists, unless

their capacity for inquiry or their sympathies

But the

attention of

the League was

now

directed to the revision

it

had been blunted already by the possession

of

of the electoral register, which, while

had

an undue share

of

wealth.

"

In the next

been carefully watched by the supporters of

Sir Robert Peel, had been

place," said he, "if they

somewhat neglected
especially

others of a rank below

vote, they cannot trust

by the
traders,

opjiosition,

and

bv

free-

wish to urge upon them to qualify for a them with the use of
got
it.

many

of

whose names had been omitof voters.

the vote

when they have

But apart

ted from the

lists

For above four

diligently.

from

this I

would auswer those people who

months the work was carried on

cavil at this public appeal,

and

say,
;

'You
it is

will

The

effects of this careful revision

were as

not put salt on your enemy's

too wise a bird
'

tail

much
of it

surprising as they were important.

seat

they

have been at this

was gained

in

South Lancashire by a very

the

work long ago and have much the worst

now.

considerable majority, in consequence of the

claims established and

What

has been the conduct of the land-

number
off.

of the

lords of this country?

Why, they have been

voters whose names were struck

In North

long engaged in multiplying votes ujion their

estates,

Lancashire the League chronicled a gain of

533 votes, and in the boroughs the protectionists

brothel's,

making the farmers take their sons, nephews to the register; making
of the laud

were
five

left

only three seats, so that they had

them qualify as manj' as the rent

only

out of the twenty-six

members

for

would cover; making their land a kind of

political capital ever since the pa.ssing of the

the entire county.

In sixty-eight out of the

hundred and forty boroughs where the League

had some influence there had been a clear
gain upon the registration, in some instances

Reform

Bill.

You have

then a

new ground

opened to you, which has never been entered

upon, and from which I expect in the course
of not

a very

considerable gain, and

it

was evident

more than three years from

this time

58
tliat evei-y

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

county,
if

we

persevere as

we have
town

although they seemed to provide that the

in South Lancashire, possessing a large

game on any land was

in
it,

the property of the

population,

may

carry free-traders as their

occupier unless he chose to pai-t with his right

representatives in parliament.''

tenants were almost always ready to

to

The

importance of

this

movement

w:xs

yield

landlords

in order that holdings

scarcely at first perceived even

by free-traders themselves, for it was a direct and effectual correction of the injury that had been done to the Eeform Bill by the Chandos clause,
which
still

might be obtained on more favourable terms

with the implied understanding

as to be
])romises

that bird.s
increasc

and hares should not be allowed to

for the purposes of sport in such

numbers
These

allowed landowners to admit

theii-

iujurious

to the fixrmer.

tenants on easy terms to the franchise, and

to

make

votes

partners in a tenancy at will.

this

by putting together several The effect of

most instances disregarded, the tenants sustained considerable loss and

were
in to constant iiTitation,

were subject
stUl,

and

wor-i'

had been that whUe in the agricultural districts the voters were one in twenty-two,
in the manufacturing districts of Lancashire

the distressed peasantry were constantly

tempted to poach the game which even the

most stringent enactments

coulil

not convinCv-

they were only one in eighty of the inhabit.ants,

them were
ture.

as sacred as the

tame animals

and the landed

interest

gained the

forming the stock of the farmyard or the pas-

In "West Sun-ey the voter's were one to twenty-six, and in Middlesex one to a liundred and fifteen. The remedy for thLs
counties.

The true

stories of the

game-laws of that
Sporting

time are inexpressibly shocking.

inequality

was found

in v.-hat

was known

as

landlords and sporting magistrates combined

to render the punishments
so

the foi-ty-shilling freehold clause of the Ee-

severe that
altl'.ough

form

Bill.

A house, the

possession of which

we read

of

them with amazement,

altogether

would confer the f i-anchise, might be purchased for from 30 to 40, and the League at once
organized a system by which artisans and
othei-s

instances are not

infrequent of
date.

similar occurrences at a

much later

By

what would seem to be an arrogant assertion

of

could become the ownei's of houses or

an indefeasible property in every wild aniland,

land purchased with their own savings. Eegisters of houses

mal on the

and by an almost insatiable

itself to

and laud for

sale

were kept,

greed of the right to pervert sport

assertion of
destroj',

the

the property was surveyed, the conveyance

an authority to preserve or to

deeds prepared, and the purchaser had only

to

the very method of shooting

cases.

was
last

pay for

his investment

and take

possession.

changed in many
fifty yeai-s,"

"Within the

The Chandos clause had been worked to nearly the utmost extent by the landowners, and the time had now arrived when the forty-shilling clause was to be made available for the working

says a well-informed writer at

that time,

excess which
of

"game has been preserved to au was previously unknown. Moat the laws relating to game which have been
preserver's to indulge in this liiste,

men

in

a scheme which taught thousands

passed within this period have been to enable

of thrifty

men

in the

midland counties and

game

and
are

elsewhere to invest their savings for the purpose of obtaining at the same time a freehold

to visit with greater severity those

who

and a

vote, even after the

corn-laws were

abolished and the League had been dissolved.

It

may

not be out of pkice liere to say in

parenthesis, that

among the many

discoveries

game to become poachera. The accumulation of game in preserves, watched and guanled by numerous keepers, has led to changes in the mode of sporting. The sportsman of the old school was contented with a little spoil, but found
tempted by the abundance
of

made by

the League during their investiga-

enjoyment in healthful recreation and

exercise,

tions, that of the injury inflicted

by the game-

and was aided by the sagacity

the

of his dogs.

In

laws was one of the most painful.

called laws

The

so-

were practically inoperative, since

modern system of battue shooting the woods and plantations are beaten by men and

THE" SAD STORY OF THE GAME-LAWS.

boys, attendants load the sportsmen's guns,

59

voured in the House of Lords to bring in

still

and the game

shot,

is

driven within reacli of gunlieads of

more stringent measures

night.

for preserving

and many hundred

game we

game by
it

Both these keepers comassigned for

slaughtered in a few hours.

The

true sports-

mitted suicide

the only reason

man would as soon

yard.
.

think of spoiling a poultry-

at the inquest being that poachers

had done

The

eflect of protecting

game by

much

mischief in the noble earl's preserves,

oppressive laws

is

perhaps more injurious to

that the second keeper had fallen into a de-

the morals of the rural population than any

other single cause."

spondent state

when he heard

that his master

was coming down

harmleft to

for the 1st of September,

lest it

We

cannot yet record that the game-laws

to pi-ovisious for the

and that the head keeper was alarmed

have been reduced

should be discovered that he had removed

less protection of sport,

and

it

may

be

some pheasants' eggs from

tion of the preserves to

his colleague's por-

our readers to judge whether these representations find

make a

better appeai'-

a faint echo at this moment,

ance in his own.

It has

but we shall perhaps have to return to the

subject by-and-by.
It
is

been observed that this di'eadful

sufficient at

this

occurrence had some effect in mitigating the

severity of preserving landowners, but no im-

stage of our chronicle to note that between

1833 and 1S44 half the commitments to the

jails in

provement in the game-laws followed.

Per-

some of the rural counties were

for

haps the abated tone of the owners of preserves

;dleged poaching

and

that the maintenance

may have

helped to the concession of

of the families of the prisoners, the enlarge-

a commission of inquiry, but some very suggestive discoveries

ments

of

the

jails,

and the employment

of

and

disclosures

had been

numerous

police

added

to the burdens of the

made even
liament.

before Mr. Bright appealed to par-

occupiers of land, whose losses through the

Between the years 1833-1844 there

eases, verdicts of

injury done

by the ravages

of

game on

their

had been forty-one inquests on gamekeepers,

and in twenty-six
wilful

crops were so great that

many

farmers were
distress.

ruined, and a large number were in

It

was computed that the

to the income-tax.

direct v;due of food

thus consumed or destroyed was equal in

murder had been returned. The convictions in England and Wales for breaches of the game-laws for the ye;u- 1843 alone were 4529,
in August of the following year it was remarked by a noble lord in the upper house that much observation had been occasioned

amount

and

among the sufferei's, and still more intensely among the starving labourere, who saw how much food was con-sumed by those animals which were protected by laws as severe as game-preserving
Discontent natui-ally prevailed
legislators could enact,

b^'

the

home

secretary having required from

jail

the governor of Northampton

a return of
act of

summary

convictions under the

It

game
cast

and imperious sporting

All this and

that county.

was asked whether any imto

magistrates could enforce.

much

putation was

intended

be

on the
in every

more was

elicited

mittee obtained

by a parliamentary comby Mr. Bright in 1845 for the

and
for the collection of

magistrates of the shire.

The

reply was that

the same requisition had been

county, because
it

made

jiurpose of inquiry,

was known to the govern-

information on a subject to which the earnest

attention of the League

had been

called as

soon as they began to investigate the condition

of the agricultural population.

That there was day are

ample

rea.son for a

commission had long been

of that
full

evident.

The newspapers

ment that great irregularities had occurred in the management of such cases. There was need of such an inquiry; and before Mr. Bright's committee the evidence of Mr. S. March Phillips, the uuder-secretary for the home department, left very little room
for

of accounts of poaching affrays

of men shot
endea-

any further attempt to ujihold the dignity

and gamekeepers murdered. There was a terrible case of two keepers employed bj' Lord
Stradbroke, a

of magistrates in this matter.

The

illegal

commitments

for offences against the

game-

game

preserver

who had

laws were so numerous that the defenders of

60
the system found
ject
it

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAKIES.

convenient
ti)

let tlie sulj-

still

have had an existence as long as that

drop, wliile the

improperly convicted

of

the government, and the struggle would

prisoners were released, to find

tliey

what lemedy
law
if

have been a far more protracted one, but

therefore

might, or to brave the further resentof the admiuistratoi's of the

more permanently injurious

to the

ment

they

country.

The budget

of

1844 was an evi-

dared.

The commission
of
it
;

sat for

two

sessions;

dence of the success of the administration

in dealing

and nothing came

in the shape of

an

with the public income and expenit

alteration in the laws

bnt the

facts elicited

diture,

and

had been brought forward

during the evidence did some amount of good

in mitigating the application of laws which,
if

under singularly improved conditions.

The

estimates of the revenue had been greatly

they were designed to be oppressive, had

exceeded, and some of the figures showed a surprisingly increased

afterwards to confront the possibility of re-

power of consumption, and

at

awakening public
is still

attention.

That evidence

therefore an improved condition of the country in general.

in existence,

and at some future stage

might be found useful for

The customs, estimated

of

game

legislation

19,000,000, had produced 21,426,000, of

reference.

which 800,000 had been paid by foreign corn the probable impoi-tation of which had

Although the attitude of the govei-nment

relation to the corn-laws

in

not been included.

On

sugar .the duties had

was causing widely had

led to rickfinancial

been 200,000 above the estimate; those on

tea,

spread dissatisfaction, and in some of the

agricultural districts distress

300,000

and on cotton wool, 300,000,

in a gi'eat

showing some increase

ing iudustiy.

manufactur-

burning and

other

outrages

the

The

excise also

had shown a
Conthe

ability displayed in the

tariff

arrangement of the

larger result than

had been anticipated.

not caused
a

and the general

maintained

increase in prosperity

trary to expectation the imposition of

had

i^ublic

confidence

in

the
I'ise

income-tax
in

had

diminution
indirect

ministry.

There had been a considerable

the

amount received from the

The estimate

in public securities, the 3^ per cent consols

taxes.

of total revenue

had

being at

102i,

and

this

suggested to the

been 50,150,000; the amount received was

52,835,134, and the expenditure had been
less

chancellor of the exchequer (Mr. Goulburn)

the relief of some portion of

tlie

national

than the estimate by 650,000.

After

debt by a reduction to 3j per cent of the interest on the ^250,000,000 of public stock

paying the deficiency on the previous year of

2,400,000 there was a surplus of 1,400,000.

which had hitherto borne 3i per cent. The reduction to Sj was to last till 1894, and a
further reduction was then to be

By

the calculations for the year to come,

after paying for

the

army

6,616,000, the

made

to

navy 6,250,000, ordnance 1,840,000, the

extraordinary expenses of the Chinese war,
the estimated capital withdrawn by investors
in the public stock

3 per cent, at which rate the interest was to

remain.

The proposal was warmly approved

sides of the house,

on both

and the

bill

was

on which the interest was

quickly passed.

It

had been calculated that

reduced, and

the remaining sums for the

the adoption of this scheme would save the

surrender of the privileges of the South Sea

nation

the annual

sum

of

625,000 from

Company,
to

it

was computed that there would

of the debt.

1844 to 1894, and that after that the annual

saving would amount to 1,250,000.
tain time

be a balance of 3,146,000, of which part was

A ceraccept
oflf

go to the j^roposed I'eduction

was allowed

to the holders of stock

It

was obvious,
was
little

of course, that to

the surplus

to

determine

whether they would

was mainly due

there

the income-tax

and
its

the lower rate of interest or be paid

by

prospect of that being removed

the government.

until at least the expiration of the five yeai-s

Probably

if

financial skill

had been

all

that

for

which the government had advised

was necessary

for indefinitely deferring the

retention.

Nor was

there any further very

repeal of the duty on corn, the League would

encouraging reductions in the duties on im-

PEEL'S
portant articles of consumption.

BANK
of

ACT.

61

There were
cotl'ee,

England should issue notes was 14,000,000,

of the

remissions on glass, vineg.ar, currants,

and the whole

lation

remainder of the circu-

and wool, and

of

also

ou marine insurance,
to

all

was

to be issued exclusively

on the

which amounted

about 387,000.

foundation of bullion.

There was to be a
England, both of the

An

exceedingly important measure which

complete iUid periodical publication of the

accounts of the

demanded the attention of the prime minister and one the completion of which was addi-

Bank

of

banking and

issue departments, as tending to

tional

evidence of the ability with which

increase the credit of the

Bank and
It

to prevent

questions of finance were being treated

by

panic and needless alarm.

would therefore

him and
of the

his chief advisers,

was the renewal

be enacted that there should be returned to

the government a weekly account of the issue
of

Bank

charter, which, in fact, included

a reconstruction of the entire system of banking throughout the country.

of

notes

by the Bank
amount

of

England, of the

The Bank Act

August, 1844,

amount

of bullion, of the fluctuations of the

of deposits,

1833 provided that

befoi'e

bullion, of the

in

sliort,

the government might give notice that parlia-

an account of every
issue

ti-ansaction,

both in the

ment intended to reconsider the terms of Bank chai-tei', and Sir Robert Peel had
inquiry before
.

the de-

department and the banking department,

and that government should forthwith publish unresei-vedly

termined that with the report of the former

and weekly a
Bank.

full

account

him he would
it

investigate the

of the circulation of the

whole question.

This determination

gave

With regard
rule

to private

banks the

gejieral

was a measure with which he and able coadjutore such as Mr. Orladstone were peculiarly competent to deal.
general satisfaction, as
Sir

was

to be to

the privilege of

draw a distinction between issue and the conduct of bankthe change with as
to
little

ing business, the object being to limit competition,

Eobert

himself

brought

the proposed

but

to

make

scheme before the house, and was listened

to with

detriment as

possible

private interests.
of issue

the

Bank

marked attention. With of England there was

respect to
to be

From
to

that time no

new bank
all

was
the

an
of

be constituted, but

the existing banks

to retain

actual separation of the

issue

two departments

of issue

were to be allowed

and banking; with

different officers to

privilege on condition that they did not ex-

each and a ditfereut system of accounts.

The

ceed the existing amount, to be calculated on

the average of a term of years.

whole amount of bullion then in the possession of the

This was
of

Bank was

to be transferred to the
issue of bank-notes

necessary in order that the

Bank

England
it

issue department,

and the

might know the extent of

issue

with which

was
first

to take place

on two foundations only

would have
were
be
to

to compete.

But while the

issues

on a

definite

amoimt

of securities,

and

be restricted, banking business would

the privilege of suing and

after that exclusively

upon bullion, so that

facilitated;

the action of the public should in that latter

respect govern the

being sued, at that time withheld from joint.stock

amount

of the circulation.

banks, would be accorded; the law of

There would be no power in the Bank to issue

notes on deposits

partnership would be so altered that while

the acts of an individual director or other

and discount

of bills,

and

the issue department would have to place to

authorized partner would bind the whole, the

acts of
so.

the credit of the banking department the

amount

of notes

which the

issue

department

Joint-stock

an unauthorized partner would not do banks in London, which

would by law be entitled to

respect to the
Wis

issue.

banking business
it

of the

With Bank it

were then forbidden to accept bills for a date less than six months, were to be placed ou an
equality with other banks,

proposed that

should be governed on

])recisely

the same principles as would reguotlier

accept bills of any

latter privilege

and allowed to amount or date. If the

would at once be
evil.

late

any

body dealing with Bank

of

were abused by the circulation

Joi;itstock

England
ties

notes.
it

The

fixed

amount

of securi-

of small bills parliament

ou which

was proposed that the Bank

called

on to correct the

62

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAKIES.

to puldish a full

Lanka would he required

248,000 for the management of the public

debt,

and complete and

directors,

periodical

list

of

all

partners

and the difference between the two

pay over
to

and banks

of issue to publish

last-named sums was to be the balance that

tlie

an account
lic

of their issues; which, Sir

Robert

government would have

Tlie

to

to

Peel remarked, would be a

security

much

better pub-

the bank.
lish

measure applied only

EngIrisli

than

many

delusive checks to
invited.

banks, the subject of Scottish and

which

his attention

had been

Joint-

banks being deferred for future consideration.

Eleven resolutions, comprising this plan of
the government, were read from the chair

stock banks would be jjrohibited from having

shares less than

some fixed amount; and no

new

joint-stock

bank was

to be constituted

and afterwards printed and distributed

to

except on application to a government depart-

ment.

The Bank
issues

of

England would be allowed

to the extent of a fixed

amount

of

securities, 14,000,000.

The

existing loan of

11,000,000 to the government was to be

continued, the remaining 3,000,000 to be
ba.sed

members of the house, which subsequently went into committee for their cousidei'ation, and after a general discussion the bill passed the House of Commons by large majorities and with only a few unimpoi-tant modifications, and went through the House of Lords'
committee without a single division.

on exchequer

bills

and other

securities

The income-tax was

was the suspicion

to be -continued, nor

over which the bank was to have entire control.

of its perpetuation relieved

of duties as sufficed

On emergency
its

it

would be allowed

to

by any such reduction

tradei'S.

even

extend

issues over 14,000,000,

but only

temporarily to pacify the demands of free-

with the consent of three members of the

government, and in such a case the whole
of
the net
ju-otit
0!i

The

articles selected

fui'

a remission

were

glass, vinegar, currants, coffee,

and wool,

any amount beyond

while marine insurance was also to be relie\'ed

14,000,000 was to revert to the government.

from the burden of taxation.

of the

The remission

The pecuniary arrangement between the bank and the government was that the bank was to retain the privilege of issuing notes on
securities to the

duty on

glass

was perhaps the most

to bring that material

useful, as it did

much

into the manufacture of a large

number
it

of
is

amount

of 14,000,000 at 3

culinary and other articles for which

per cent, which would yield 420,000.

this deductions cost to the
liad

From
total

admirably suited, and to improve the

fashion of

size

and

would be made.

The

windows

in the houses of the poor,

bank on an

issue of :JO,000,000

thus securing more light and ventilation and

been estimated by the committee of 1833

it

promoting the public health.

The

corn-tax,
it was House of

at 117,000, but taking

at about 113,000,

however, remained untouched, and

significant that all the debates in the

whicli subtracted from 420,000 left 307,000,

there was then to be deducted about 60,000

Commons began
discussions

to take the distinct

form of
aboli-

composition with the stamp-office for the privi-

on

free-trade, in

which the

Then there was about 24,000 paid by the bank to those bankers who undertook to issue Bank of England notes, and
lege of issuing notes.
this left

tion of the duty on corn sentative question.

was the

really repre-

But the subject

of the sugar duties,

which

220,000 derived from the issue of

p;iid

had from time to time been brought forward

notes.

Before that time the bank had

its

and always with the

for parties.

result of a rather heated

120,000 to the government for

privileges.

debate, w-as again to form a rallj'ing-point

Those privileges were

given to

to be affected;

but on

The amount represented by the

the other hand increased stability was to be

its

remission of duties in the budget of 1844 was

banking business, and

it

was pro-

387,000, but the question of the sugar-duties

posed that in future the bank should pay that sum, besides the 60,00() for the comjiosition

was

temjioi-arily deferred,

and at

this the op-

position, including the

little

free-tradere,

showed and

with the stamp-office, making in

180,000.

all

about

impatience, since they intended to wait

Government paid

to

the

bank

for tl;e promised proposals on the subject,

DISRAELI
to

AND PEEL'-EUNNYMEDE
whom
and
it

LETTEES."

63

make

the sugar duties the test of the

he wrote after the election that " the

streugth of the ministrj-.

electors of

By

that time the government

was menof the

w;is Sir

Shrewsbury had done their duty;" Eobert Peel who, in the dedicahad been ad-

aced with another opposition

protectionists

that

tion of the liunnymede Letters,

the

extremer members of the

dressed as "the only hope of a suffering island."

" In your cliivalr\'," says that dedication, "

country party, which, though not numerically

formidable, was exceedingly dangerous when
it

our hope. Clad in the panoply of j-our splendid

talents

foiined an unnatural coalition with the

and your

spotless character,
will

we

feel

Wliigs.

For some time past the members

of

a.ssured that

you

subdue the unnatural

" the Tory party"

free-trade

who were most opposed

to

and had formed a compact and

and uunational monster, and that we may yet see sedition and treason and rapine, i-ampant
as thej-

steady contingent of the Conservatire ranks,

way have

of late figured, quail before

had been sitting watcliful and susjMcious of the

Conservative leader and his ministrj".

your power and prowess."

They

In these Rannymede Letters Lord Palmereton had been attacked with astonishing virulence,

had continued

to vote

with the party in relation

to which they had alone had any recognized

political existence,

and

in the next session

an opportunity

but they had already been

occurred for a telling reference to the fact

that the writer and dedicator,

well described as mutinous supporters, and

who had

sup-

they had now found a spokesman, or rather

ported
ceived

tlie

Conservative leader, had not rein

a spokesman had presented himself to their notice, in a way so striking, that though his
claims to be their representative were not fuUy

an appointment

the government
It

when

the latter came into power.

was

during a discussion on a motion brought for-

recognized until after he had become the confidential

adWser and henchman

of a
class

nominal

leader,

who was one of their own

interest,

and with

ward by Mr. Disraeli in favour of uniting the consular and diplomatic bodies that Lord Palmei-ston said, " The honourable gentleman
has indeed affirmed the general principle that
political

a common
the
It

they soon began to identify

cause.

member

for

Shrewsbury with their

adherents ought to be rewarded by

would not be within the scope of these pages to seek for the reasons which led Mr.
Disraeli definitely to indicate his adhesion to

ai)pointments,

and

I regret to observe

an ex-

ception to that rule in the jjerson of the

honourable gentleman himself.

proof, however, of talent

After the

the protectionists
tacks and

by a

series of persistent atSii-

and abOity which the

imputations on

Eobert Peel.

honourable gentleman affords, although per-

we stay to examine the grounds for the charge made against him that he had sudNor
shall

hajH not of gieat industry in getting up the

details of his case, I trust that before the

end

denly changed his opinions

fiom a "prothis sub-

of the session the

government

will overlook

nounced Eadicalism" to "sentimental Toiyiam."

ject in

the slight want of industry for the sake of the

talent,

His reply to

Mr. Roebuck on

and that the house will see the maxim

1846 was, " I

am

not in a condition to

of the honourable to his

member
It

practically applied

have had hereditary opinions carved out for

me, and
all

own

case."

need scarcely be said that

my

opinions, therefore, have been

this broad

and direct reference to the conbut Disraeli

the result of reading and of thought.

I never

tinued indifference of Sir Eobert Peel must

was a follower
pathies

of either of the

two great

have been peculiarly

wa.s not

irritating,

aristocratic parties in this country.

My sraiand when
I believed

even then the

man

and

feelings

have always been with

I spring;
of this house to join a

sailant that the allusion

offer

show his as"I must rankled.

to
vis-

the people, from

obliged as a

whom

my

acknowledgments to the noble

member

count," said he, " for his courteous aspirations

for

party, I joined that party witli

which

my

political promotion.

Such

a.spirations

the people sympathize."

from such a quarter must be looked upon as

su-spicious.

He

liad

been returned for Shrewsbury as

Peel, to

The noble viscount

of the subject,

is

a consumwill only

an ardent supporter of Sir Eobert

mate master

and

if

he

64
impart to
self

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

me
the secret by wliich
office
lie

has him-

is,"

says the author of Coningsby (which he

contrived to retain

duriug seven

himself declares was a grave and deliberate

political manifesto), " that considerable as are

successive administrations, the present debate

will certainly not be without result."

This

the abilities of the

Whig
of

leaders, highly ac-

was good, polite, and perfectly parliamentary;

and Mr.
Disraeli,

complished as

many

them unquestionably
in pailiamentary de-

with some ditiereuces

of

must be acknowledged

opinion, remained a Toliower of the jjremier

bate, experienced in council, sedulous in office,

along with the country or protectionist party till 1844-1845, when he began to show not
only
tliat

eminent as scholars, powerful from

tion, the

theii- posi-

absence of individual influence and

he

diti'erej

on some points from

of the pervading authority of a

commanding
all this

Peel, but that he had the audacity to attack

mind have been the cause

of the fall of the

him by

direct accusation as well as

by damagfirst

Whig
in the

party.

And

yet there was

time

ing innuendo. The protectionists were at

Whig

ai'my one entirely competent to

liis

surprised and then began to cheer; he put

their

the

office of

leading a great party, though

murmured
amused

suspicions

into

trenchant

aipacity for that fulfilment w;is too tardily

X'ecognized.
gi'ee

telling words,

and they regarded him with a

curiosity, then

Lord Julin Russell has that dethough

evinceil
still

sort of

with a startled

of imagination which,

admiration, next with a sense that they had

rather in

sentiment

than

ex])ression,

found a

man who

could, at all events, take

up

enables him to generalize from the details

of

the cause of the landed interest with

vivid
effect.

new and

his reading

and experience and

to take

those comprehensive views which, however

easily dejireciated

by ordinary men

in

an age

In the years

of

which we are now speaking

of routine, are indispensable to a statesman in

we

cannot help noticing that the time has

for changes in the "front" of jjolitical

the conjunctures in which

we

live.
;

He under-

come

stands, therefore, his position

and he has the

parties,

and in the

relations of political

men

moral intrepidity which prompts him ever to

dare that which his intellect assures him
politic.
is

to each other.

Though

there are, of course,

distinguished

men

in the

Whig

jiarty,
:'.s

Whig-

He
he

is,

consequently, at the same time

gism
force.

is

well nigh played out

a political

sagacious and bold in coiuicil.

istrator
is
is

As an admin-

The Conservative party, as organized and managed by Peel, was a great advance upon the old Tory party; but we now find Sir
Robert himself
feeling, or fancying

prompt and

indefatigable.

He

not a natural orator, and labours under

physical deficiencies which even a Demosthenic

he

feels,

impulse would scarcely overcome.

But he

is

that his powers are declining, at least for pur-

exjjerienced in debate, quick in reply, fertile

in resource, takes large views,

poses of debate, and that he can no longer

lead the house as he used to do.
Russell,

and frequently

Lord John

compensates for a dry and hesitating manner

whom Benjamin

Disraeli,
'

when
an

fev,'

by the expression
to the
of

of those noble truths that

years younger, had described as

infinitely

flash across the fancy,

lij}

and

rise

spontaneously

small scarabseus, an insect,"

energetic

is still

active
Ls

and

men

of poetic
r.

temperament when
If

and

still

a AVhig, but he

not apt

addressing popular
this

;semblies.

we add

to

at feeling the pulse of the time.

ing, for

It is interest-

a private

life of

dignified repute, the ac-

many

reasons, to note that Disraeli

cidents of his birth

and rank, which never can

were, to the
it is difficult

at a later date
e.arly

made
tliis

public

amends

for his

be severed from the man, the scion of a great

historic family,

abuse of

statesman, and. ])erhaps

and born, as

it

because Lord John was the sou of a duke,

did
it

hereditary service of the state,

to ascertain at wliat period or

in accents of

much

greater cordiality

under what

than those in which he estimated Peel.

The

circumstances the

Whig

party have ever pos-

great political novelist's study of the leader

of the

sessed or could obtain a

It
is

more

efficient leader."

Whigs

is

well worth

embedding

in this

pleasant to compare this with the lau.

Letters,

sketch of contemporary history.

" The truth

guage of the Runnymede

which were

66

GLADSTONE AKD HIS CONTEMPOB ARIES.

opiiiiniis.

will lie fouiul his delibtirile

Wo

the people and the increasing use of tea and

coffee

should not like entirely to endorse this view,

had created a much larger demand, and

same time the West Indian supply

but there has doubtless been considerable

suspicion of

at the

Mr.

Disraeli's

consistency, be-

had seriously diminished.

Some

provision

cause

when he became

the leader of the C'onlittle to realize

had been made

Indies, but the
ing,

for

meeting

this diftlculty

by

.servative party

he did so

his

reducing the duties on sugar from the East

theories.

make a more
tion

Whether he did not distinctive move

left for

at a later date

in that direc-

demand had gone on increasand as there was now no deficiency iu

it

may

be

subsequent inquiry, but

the revenue of the country

was

])roposed '

at anyrate he had, ten years before Coningshy

to alter the differential duties, that a larger

ajtpeared, given expression to his opinions

on

quantity of sugar might be obtained without

the position and conditions of a statesman,

abandoning the protection

of

our colonies.
2-l.s-.

and

his

own words

will

be

sufficient explana-

Hitherto colonial sugars had only paid

per cwt., while foreign sugar had
all

tion of his having held the doctrines of the

been

Tory democracy iu abeyance for so many

"

years.

charged

0.3s.

per cwt.

Mr. Goulbourn pro-

statesman," he told the electors of

"
is

High
his

posed that, while colonial sugar should remain

at
24.?.,

Wycombe,
child
of

the creature of his age, the

of

foreign sugar produced

.3-ls.;

by

free labour
pr.i63^'.

circumstance, the creature

should be admitted at

and sugar

times.

A
he

statesman

is

essentially a practical
is

duced by slave labour .should be charged

per cwt.

character,
office

and when he

called

upon

to take

At

the same time

it

would be promight
of

is

not to inquire what his opinions

this or

vided that the sugar of any foreign couutiy

might or might not have been upon

that subject
ful

with which

we had commercial

treaties

he

is

only to ascertain the need-

be admitted on the same footing as that

the most favoured nation
related chiefly to Brazil,

and the
in

beneficial,

and the most

feasible

a condition which
whose treaty with
the date

manner

which

affiiirs

are to be carried on.

I laugh at the objections against a

man

that

us would expire at about

when

at a former period of his career he advocated

the proposed changes would come into operation.

a policy different to his jjreseut one.

seek to ascertain
is,

All I
present

whether

his
;

In opposition to this

it

was declared

th::T

policy be just, necessarj', expedient

whether

we had no

real concern

with the

institutioi;.<

at the present nioiiient he

is

prepared to serve
its

of other nations in regard to their

method

of

the country according to

sities."

present neces-

production, and that

if

we were

to regulate

our commercial

transactions

in accordauc^^

Unless ho had either abandoned or considei-ably modified these

with our approval or disapproval of slavery

views ten years

later,

we

could

not consistently stop there, hvA

of other institutions of

a good

many

of his subsequent charges against

must mark our sense

the nations with

Peel were scarcely consistent with such an

avowal.

whom we

traded, which
itself.

might be as objectionable as slavery

All

we had

to consider

was how we couM

The readjustment
of the duties

if

not the total abolition

best adapt the duty on sugar to the purpose

of increasing the

on sugar had already engaged

revenue of the country and

of

the attention of the house.

The government

diminishing the cost of a necessary article

contended that our West Indian colonies were

entitled to assistance

consumption.
eifect of

It

was

also

argued that

tlu'

and protection during

making a

differential

duty for

tin

the difficulties that they were exj^eriencing

purpose of excluding slave-grown sugar

wouM
t'>

because of negro emancipation and the transition

be to induce the more favoured nations

obtain slave-grown sugar for the pui-jsose

from slavery

to free labour.

of

Before the period of emancipation the supply

of sugar

sending
ditions.

it

here under the more profitable con-

from the West Indies had exceeded

the consumption, but the improved habits of

as an

Lord John Eussell, therefore, moved amendment that the duty on all foreign

SUGAR DUTIES PEEL THEEATENS TO EESIGX.

sugar should be reduced to
'd4i.,

67

whetlier pro-

be followed by the w ithdi'av.al of protection

duced by slave labour or

])ropos;il of

not.
itself

from the other.

The an advance iu the direction of free-trade, and it was thought that the amendment would be a further step which would secuie the support of the i)ai'ty represented by Mr. Cobdeu, but
the

the goverunieut was

Mr.

Baillie,

The motion was seconded by who maintained tliat the ministe-

rial ])lan

would encourage the slave-trade aud

yet give only a partial advantage to the British

consumer.

We

should, he said, ''raise our re-

venue from foreign sug:u- rather than from that

of our

more sagacious niembere

of the

League

were not disposed to make any such compromise.

practical

own colonies." It was seen by the more men of the free-ti-aJe party that tliis

They advocated

the entire remission

sufficient pene-

proposition would merely place a differential

of the duties,

and they had

tration to perceive that the overthrow of tlie

}Peel administration

duty of 14s. between colonial and other sugar, and give the West India planters 4s. per cwt.
at the expense of the revenue.

on a question which
than to advance

wa.s

Lord John

merely one of differential duty would be

EusseU supported the proposition, and on a

division

more
^use.

likely to retard

theii-

the

Whigs aud

the Protectionists

went
policy of a sliding-scale

into the lobby together,

many

of the

The Conservative
s-as

free-trade

party joining them.

The more
They knew

lud a gradual relaxation of the taxes on food

pi-ominent

members
if

of the

League and the

more hopeful than that

of the opposition,

free-trade leaders did not

stir.

.vhich

was

in favour of a fixed duty.

For
of a

that

tlie

Whigs

returned to power would

;ome time afterwards there

was danger

not hold

office for

many

days,

and they could

erious misunderstanding between the leaders

f

discern, just as

Mr. Disraeli had from the

the League aud some free-tradei-s wlio were

to

other side discerned, that the repeal of the

eady either

make

the abolition of duties a

corn-laws would not be very long delayed by

jarty question for the defeat of the government,

ir

a ministry

-svliich

showed so much
on other

inclination
articles of

to accept
to

any promise

of remission
final repeal.

which

to diminish the duties

ecmed

tend towards a

The

necessary consumption.

For the time, liow-

esult vindicated the

wisdom
iu a

of the

more ex-

ever, the strange coalition

was too much

INIiles'

for

)erienced advocates of
)ut it

complete free-trade,

the government, and IMr.

amendment

was brought about

way which had

was carried by twenty

council

votes.

cabinet

carcely been expected.

was

called for the following

Sunday

Lord John
10

Russell's proposition attracted

to determine

secedere from the ministerial side,

and

it

the house again

what should be done. met Sir Robert Peel,

When
in deli-

Fas lost

ffectual opposition

by a considerable majority. A more was to come from tlio.se

till

cate but significant language, insinuated his

intention to resign unless the vote were reversed.

"

ho had

that time been

among

the sup-

Not

that the ministry expected ser-

porters of

the ministry'.
tlie

On

the day that

vile acquiescence in all their plaus, or looked

be proposal of
ittee

government went to cominterest in the city,

for indiscriminate support

friends.

even from their

Mr. Miles had met the represeuta-

In certain of their measures the

failed to obtain the appro-

vos of the

West India

government had
bation of
valued.

nd he had
itli

his instructions, in accordance

some whose support they most

wliich he

moved that the duty on colonial

He

could not

profess

that tliey

nd East India sugar should be reduced to

Os.,

were prepared

to purchase that approbation

that on foreign sugars produced

by

free

at the price of refraining from

the policy

ibour to be 30s., or above a certain degree

?

which they deemed

the country."
It

essential to the welfare of

refinement

34.5.

His contention was that and the West ludia

18 interests of the British

was

distinctly suggested that

if

the vote
re-

irmers were identical, except that one pro-

were persevered with, the ministry would

gard
it

uced wheat and the other sugar, aud that

e

as a vote of

want

of confidence,

aud

abandonment

of protection for one

would

the result was that another division

was taken

68

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOKAEIES.

tlie

on the question,
ministerial

vote wjis reversed,

tlie

leagues had justified a strong protest on

score of their having accepted with a

tlu-

proposal

being sustained by a

more
and

majority of twenty-two, wliereiipon ;Mr. ^Miles withdrew liis amendment and the matter was
at an end.
protest from the
lost

hearty appreciation than the

to have
of the

Whigs appear
It

done the principles

of free-trade

Anti-Corn-law League.

was the

But not without a stinging

extreme and direct personality of Mr. Disraeli's

man

who tlieuceforward never

effect of

an oppor-

denunciations which gave them startling

tunity of assailing the minister,

and mostly

intensity,

and caused them

to

be repeated with
of the session

with the

separating the Protectionists

it

malicious relish.
of 1845

The opening

from the Conservative cause as

sented

was

repre-

gave him repeated oppoitunities for

by Peel and his supporters. Amidst many expre.ssions of indignant

it

denouncing the Conservative government and

re-

lampooning the minister who had virtually

deserted the party which had heljjed

monstrance against a submission which

declared would
house, Mr. Disraeli's was most vivid.

was

him

to

lower the character of the

power.

Nor did he

spare those Protectionists

He

who

continued to vote with a government

was afterwards
of the party

to achieve a position as leader

on whose behalf he now spoke;

but from that moment he had gained the

attention of the house, and his flashes of sarCiism

by whom, as he averred, they had been cajoled and deceived. Tlie ministry stood in a commanding position.

It

was strong enough

to

withstand the

became

significant jihrases to
"

be remem-

opposition of the "Whigs and the assaults of the

bered and repeated.

The

right honourable

Free-traders on the one hand and of the Protectionists

gentleman came forward with a detestation

of slavery in every place except

on the other. It had shown that

its

on the benches
repugnance
if

iinancial reputation

was

so high that

it

could

behind him.

If the antislavery
little

control the house

by a threat of resignation.
1845. also,

were only a

more

prevalent,

the right

The

session

of

began under

honourable gentleman did not expect on every

division,

auspices that were in themselves favouralile.

and at every

crisis,

that his gang

The harvest

of the previous year

had been
dis-

should appear, and the whip should sound

plentiful, trade

had revived, the revenue had

expectation,

with that alacrity which he understood was

increased beyond

and the

now

prevalent,

it

would be a

little

more con-

turbances in Ireland had subsided from causes

sistent with the tone

which he assumed with

which we
quent

shall

have to refer to in a subse-

respect to the slave-trade,

and with that which

discussion.

2'ageit

The government was

]\Ir.

strong,
loss

was now the principal subject of

It

though

had sustained a considerable

Gladstone,

by
re-

was better

for the house

and

for the right

the retirement of

who had

honourable baronet that this system shouhl

at once terminate.

signed his position at the Board of Trade because of the views he had expressed with regard
to the question of the Irish

He

deserved a better

position than one that could only be retained

by menacing
opponents.''

his friends

and cringing

to his

relation to the increased

Udoth College.

It

Church and its endowment of Slaywas pretty well known that

had been greatly due

From

this time

Mr.

Disraeli

w;i.s

in

open

the financial reforms which had proved to be

so eminently successful,
to his ability

opposition to the prime minister,

and

repeat-

edly came into the house with an olivious and

it

and assiduous application; and

might almost be said an ostentatious display

his retirement

might have been a serious emarose only from personal

of

an intention

to attack him.

Until the

barrassment to his former colleagues had he

not explained that
scruples,
it

session of 1845 the ultra-protectionists

had

again subsided into a kind of dogged submission,

and that

it left

him

free to give the

but there was no compromise on the

government his support on other important

questions.

part of the

man who had

Pcl-I

felt

a pei-sonal as
it

This he explained in the house, at

well as a party injury, nor can

be denied

the same time expressing his regret at having

to

that Sir Robert

and

his intimate col-

withdraw from the calinet, and Sir Robert

PEEL'S FINANCIAL SCHEME.

Peel, after expressing the high value at

69
alteration

which

then liable

an

which would

cost

he estimated

tlie

services of his late colleague,

the revenue 320,000.

annouuced thut the vote he proposed for the

college at
increase,

duty on raw cotton was a on the coarser

The repeal of the main feature of the

remission was de-

Maynooth
and
it

-was to represent a liberal

it

scheme, and as the tax pressed most hardly

fabi'ics this
it

tliat

was not intended

to

accompany

by any

regulation with respect

termined on, though

as

to the doctrine, discipline,

and management

would take 680,000 computed by the amount it yielded in the

of the college,

which could diminish the grace Eegret at Mr. and favour of the grant.
Gladstone's retirement, and respect and ad-

l^revious year.

The

excise duty

on

glass

was

also to be abolished at

an expense

of 642,000.

Altoget'.ier 3,300,000

would be surrendered
little

miration for his abilities as well as for his

private character, were expressed not only

fi'om the revenue.

There could be very

by

doubt of the free-trade tendencies of such a

budget as
this
;

Sir Robert Peel but

by Lord John

Russell,

but partial remission and

re-

and though

it

was generally underetood that

liis

distribution of burdens

would not

satisfy the

he would give

sujiport to the ministry

it

Auti-Corn-law League while the tax on the

staple of food remained unrepealed,

was

also predicted that to

him would be due

and

still

a very important influence in favour of free-

the

prime minister

offered

no

assurances
colonial

dom

of trade

an

opinion which was soon to

in the following
tlie

that this repeal would follow.

The

be verified,

when

year he
repeal of

planter and the British farmer were alike to

returned to a cabinet pledged to

the corn-laws.

be protected at the expense of the people,

who

needed untaxed food, and no budget could be

to be continued " for a

The income-tax was

certain

satisfacto.y to free-traders

which recognized

number

of years " in order that a surcir-

the protection of a particular interest at the

plus revenue

might be insured, although

expense of the consumers.

cumstances were said to justify an increased

expenditure in the public service, and especially in the naval estimates, to

Such an advance as that indicated by the

financial

scheme brought forward

for

their

which nearly
it

acceptance might have been received as an

a million

was

to be added.

That surplus

instalment of a complete liberation of com-

was calculated would amount to ^3,400,000, and the question was how it could be ap]ilied
to the relief of taxation.

merce

to

be

eventually

effected,

but

no

promise of this sort was given them.

Protectionists

The

again in the front, and

reduce the

The sugar duty was was proposed to duty on brown muscovado sugar
it

took

precisely

the

opposite

view.

They

too regarded the interests of the

colonial planter

and the British farmer

but they foresaw

as

from

25.5. 'id.

to \is., a i-eduction

which would

identical in principle;

in the
lie

apply to

all

sugar from British plantations

large reductions

which were proposed to

and from the Mauritius.

so that they

The sugars from

made

in the duty on sugar an ultimate inten-

British India were to be relieved in proportion,

tion to

abandon
to

still

further,

if

not to abandon

would pay

18s. 8c/.

On

foreign

altogether, the jirotection

which they regarded

or
agricultural

sugar produced by free labour, the duty would

as essential
interest.

the

landed

be

23. id.

Sugars of a higher degree of

re-

finement and East India sugar were to be

A time had come, however, when parliament

began to look for great financial measures
rather than for those municipal and
j'olitical

admitted at a proportionally reduced rate of

duty, and
it

was estimated that the general

by
He/, per

reduction so distributed would diminish the

price of sugar

reforms which had been the chief, and almost

the only, achievements that had once excited
the legislature.
to

pound

at a loss to

the revenue of 1,300,000.

tails of

The further

deall

The scheme now propounded

the budget included the repeal of

duties on exports, including .120,000 derived

them in a speech which lasted for three houi-s and a quarter, had never previously
been equalled for mastery of detail and lucid
explanation.

from that placed upon

coai,

and the

aboli-

tioa of import duties on 430 out of 813 articles

Provisions were

made

to

support


GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMFUIiAKlES.
the revenue and
yet
to
effect

great

and

ment scheme everythiug

interest,

w;is

given to the

comprehensive clianges.

On

all

hands the

mercantile and nothing to the agricultural

applause of the house was sufficient endorse-

which had been disregarded notwithhad been formally communicated

In answer to
tliis

ment

of the main features of the measure, but

standing that the distresses which they were

on the evening appointed

cussion

for the debate dis-

enduring

was

chiefly directed to

two points
Against

to the house.

Sir Robert

the income-tax and the sugar duties.

Peel pointed out

how

the agriculturists would

the maintenance of the former Lord

John
it

be benefited by the jiroposed remissions of duty,

Kussell

protested.

He

predicted

that

and that they would gain more by the general

]u-osperity of the country

would be perpetually renewed, and denied

tliat for

than by being

re-

such a permanent burden the country

sufficiently repaid

lieved from some local taxes and

by burden-

would be

by the
auction

benefit

ing the consolidated fund with a grant.

derived from taking off certain taxes.

remission of
i'300,000
for

The
he

When

it

was moved that the house should

Bill.

duties,

go into committee on the Income-tax

which formed part

the duties ou

of the miuisterial plan,

Mr. Bernal Osborne proposed that Mr. Baring then

it

should

also C])posed, contending that a reduction of

fire

be committed that day three mouths, and

jjointed out that Sir

insurance would have been

if

Robert

more

Ijeueficial,
all

while he asserted that

the

Peel had originally demanded the income-tax

for three years as a

sugar of

foreign countries were admitted

as that of our

means

of recovering the

on the same principle

colonies

own

revenue, the income-tax then to be remitted.

the estimated loss to the revenue

would be avoided.

Against the "odious" and

finances

"But what," he asked, now? On the

"is the state of

tlie

face of Sir R. Peel's

"inquisitorial" income-tax he spoke with

some

estimate the income for the ensuing year,

warmth, but he concluded

his

remarks with-

without the Chinese money or

tax,

tlie

income-

out proposing any amendment.

will

be 47,900,000;

the expenditure

Mr. Roebuck, however, who followed him,

after

49,700,000, leavinga deficiency of 1,800,000,

therefore the income-tax cannot be got rid
of without imposing additional taxes to the

speaking

in

strong and

acrimonious

terms against the ministerial proposal, moved

an amendment for
sions, trades,

tlie

purpose of mitigating

amount

of 2,000,000.

After completing the

the incidence of the income-tax on " profes-

whole of his operations Sir R. Peel calculates

the surplus at only 80,000 or 100,000.

and

offices."

He

asked what

Even

grounds ministers had for supposing that the

income-tax would not be permanent.

that surplus rests on the sugai' duties, they

The

again rest ou the calculation that the consuni])tiou will increase

chancellor of the exchequer replied that their

by nearly

one-fifth

beyond

expectations of the future were based ou the

the

lai-gest

consumption yet attained, and that

not yet certain what scale the right

experience of the past.

The income-tax was

sugar will come in at the higher rate of duties,

originally submitted to the consideration of

while

it is

the house in 1842 for the purpose of covering

honourablegentleman will have to fall back on.'

lai-ge

deficiency

articles

from

restrictions

and releasing a number of which pressed heavily

Of

course, to the genuine free-trader the

inference wa.s, that neither Sir Rol)ert Peel

on industry.

The amount received from the

to parliament in that

nor the
full

Whig

opposition could realize the

ordinary sources of revenue was 47,000,000.

advantage that would be secured in the

The measures i^roposed

and
less

increase of prosperity

by the remission
it

of

in the last session for the reduction of

taxes on commerce, but

a]ipeared

still tliat

taxation withdrew from the public income uo

the prime minister and his colleagues foresaw

these effects, and that though they were not

a sum than 1,400,000, and yet on the

10th of October, 1844, the same taxes pi-oduced not 47,000,000 but 47,497,000. Mr. Bankes, as the representative of the
agriculturists, com])laincd that

jwepared at once to declare for free-trade, the

anticipations of their financial
liased

policy

were
to

on

its principles.

The amendments
all

by the govern-

the Ineome-ta.v Bill were

negatived, and

MK. MILXEE-GIBSON oN FEEE-TEADE.

Sir Robert Peel,

71
of the

who

said that

if

the house

in their

knowledge of the cultivation

was so enamoured
eud of
tliree

of the income- tax at the

it

sugai'-cane,

and in the application

it.

of science

yeans as to renew
it

again they

and machinery to
their estates

They

lived far from

would amend
part with
if

as

might seem

best, declared

and did not place them under

they had

that he did not at

it

all

despair of being able to

proper

superintendence, but
call

no
for

at the end of that time, but that

it

reason on that account to

of

on the

peojjle

the house would give

him

for five yeare,

on

England

to give

them compensation
their loins

condition of adopting alterations which would

their
ence.

want

of skill

and necessary superintend-

render

it less

onerous to the working-classes,

agi-ee to that

They must gird up

and no

he would willingly

amendment.
debate then

longer suffer themselves to be enervated

that monopoly

by

With

little

further dkeussiou the biU was

tlie

passed in both houses, and

themselves

it

which was as injurious to as was to the trade and manufac-

turned on the sugar duties.

Mr. Hiluer-Gibfair per-

ture of England.
facturers

sou commenced the discussion by asserting

that
it

Our merchants and manuhad an equal right with those who

estates, to

was not consistent with the

produced sugar from their own

formance of the functions of the house when

they resolved themselves into a committee of

supply the British community with sugar

from Brazil and other countries which they

obtained in exchange for their commodities

ways and means

her majesty

to consider of a supply to

to levy another tax, which would

who had
their claim to

and home-made produce. no longer supply us with a

of sugar

Our

colonies could

be paid, not to the crown or to the exchequer,

but to a class of their countrymen
not

sufficient quantity

now

that

we had a

vast increase in

made good

any compensa-

the

number

of our population

whUe

the im-

tion for a grievance inflicted on them.

He

port remained stationary.

contended that to levy a discriminating duty

The

afiluent classes

would not forego their

on foreign and colonial sugar was to give the

usual supply of sugai-, and consequently a less

portion remained to be divided

amount

of

that discriminating duty to the

among the
Thus the
of

parties for

whose protection

it

was

levied,

poorer classes at a higher price.

and that the

difference of duty,

amounting to

monopoly diminished the

sugar,
of

consumption

f2,300,000 a year, would cause an addition to

the price of sugai' which would be an injustice
to the consumer.

and thereby diminished the amount

paiel

customs duties

on

it

into the revenue.

That addition had been

:

At

the same time our exports to the

West

defended on two grounds

first,

that there

Indies had not increased in the past twenty

years.

was a deficiency

of labour in our colonies;

That protection,
it

therefore,

and secondly, that the colonies

Viere exposed

revenue, for

defrauded revenue;

it

was not for was not for

to gi'eater expense in the production of sugar

the producer, for his produce had not increased

because of the abolition of slavery and the

slave-trade.

not for the exporter at home, for his exports

to those colonies

With regard

to the first he stated

were stationary;

it

wiis not

on the authority of Lord Stanley that there

to be defended on the
for Su-

ground

of consistency,

was an adequate supply of labour in the West

Indies,

Robert Peel was going to admit East

and that the

hill coolies

were wanderthe

Indian cotton and American cotton on the

ing about in crowds and in

jjenurj', in

same terms.
sophers

It

was at variance w'itli the prinexaction, earned

Mauritius, because they were

unemployed.

ciples of the greatest practical political philo-

With regard

to the second, the production of

mere arbitraiy

a hundredweight of sugar, in the time of

slavery cost 9s. lOW., and at the time at

by the

force of numbei-s in that house for the

benefit of a class for

which no adequate ex-

which he was speaking tween

10*. 2d.

it

cost

somewhat

be-

planation had been offered.

He

trusted that

and

9. 9rf.,

so that the discri-

the house would no longer sanction the principle that free labour

minating duty of

10. ])er cwt.

was more than

was not able

to contend

the cost of producing a hundred weightof sugar.

with slave labour.

This statement shows in outline the
ai'gu-

The

colonial proprietors

were very deficient

GLADSTONE AM) HIS CONTEMPOHARIES.

meuts against
tlio

reteutiou of tbe tax, and

first

brouglit out someof the most accomplished

those which followed ou the same side, iiitluding that of Mr. rucarJo, whose reputation as

speakers. Eailier in the debate

Macaulay had

made

his

contiibution to the discussion

by

a political economist gave his opiuious great

weight,

telling a story

which aptly satirized the

asser-

showed

in detail

and by reference

tion that the discriminating duties on refined

to statistics to what extent the consumers in this country, as well as the revenue, would be affected

slave-made sugar were in favour of free labour

against slavery, while

raw sugar produced by

" I re-

by the proposed protection

of

the

slavery was to be admitted for refinement

West Iudi;m jJauter and

ill'.

the nineteen lUtt'ereut

here without such a prohibitory tax.

rates of duty that were to be levied ou sugar.

member," said Macaulay, "something very

like the right
in a

Gladstone, in suj)i>ort of his former

honourable baronet's morality

colleagues

and

in accordance with the ojiinions

Spanish novel which I read long ago.

lad, a soit of Gil Bias, is

which he had previously entertained ou West

Indian questions, admitted that the supportei-s
of the resolution were bound to show cause
for maintaining the existing protection; but
it

wandering
most
beads,
feasts

taken

into the service of a rich old silversmith, a

])ious

man, who
heai's

is

always telling his

who
and

mass

daily,

and observes the

had been the policy

of parliament for

some

fasts of the

church with the utmo;^t

time past to maintain jirotection where capital

scrupulosity.

The silveremith is always preach'

and

skill

were invested in certain forms, perstill

ing honesty and piety.

repeats to his
liberties

Never,' he constantly
'

haps defective, but

sanction.

adopted under

its

young

a.ssistant,

never take

He

heartily wished, he said, that

with sacred things.'

Sacrilege a>
is tlie

equalization of duties could

be adopti-d on

uniting theft with profaneness

sin

i>f

native and foreign productions; but he was

which he has the deepest horror.

while he
is

One

d:iy

convinced that
it

if

it

were adopted

in this ease of our

lecturing after his usual fashion

would

bring ruin to a
at

number

an ill-looking fellow comes into the shop with

a sack under his arm.
'

countrymen

scribable confusion ou the

home and dismay and indeWest India Islands.

all

Will you buy

these.'

says the visitor, and produces from the sack

The

dearness of production there created

some

chui'ch plate

and a

silver crucifix.

'

Buy

the difficulty.

The

sciircity of

labourers was

them!'

cries the pious

man.
I

'No, nor touch

one great cause of the dearness, and the scarcity

of resident landlords another and a cause.
still

them

not for the world.

know where you

are,

greater

got them.

Wretch that you

will not

have you no

The West India

proprietors

became
If

care for your soul?'

thief, 'if

'Well

then,' said the

nonresident in consequence of the protection

you

given by parliament to the slave-trade.

them down
matter.'

for

me.'

buy them, will you melt 'Melt them down.'

'

then the dearness of their produce was caused

answers the silversmith, that

is

quite another

by

acts of parliament wliich they

were com-

He

takes the chalice and the crucifix

;

pelled to obey, they

had a right

to claim that

with a pair of tongs

is

the silver thus

crucible,

m bond
and
five

parliament should go shares with them in

bearing the mischievous
efi'ects

dropped

into

the

melted,

of those acts.

delivered to the thief,

pistoles

who

lays

down

The house,

in the practical application of the

and decamps with

his booty.

The

doctrines of free-trade, ought to begin where

young servant

stares at this strange scene.

there was no apprehension of mischief, where

there
er}\

was great capitid and powei-ful machinand where there was every prospect of
whose
inability to

But the master gravely resumes his lecture. My son,' he says, take warning by that sacri'

'

legious knave

and take example by me. Think

of guilt lies

success; but not with the We.st India proprietor,

what a load

on his conscience.
long.

compete with his

You wDl
to

see

him hanged before

But

as

foreign rivals was of parliamentary origin.

me, you saw I would not touch the stolen

I keep these tongs for such oc-

The

free-trade leadei-s,

Mr. Cobden and Mr.

property.
casions
;

Bright, both addressed the house, and indeed

and thus

I thrive in the fear of

God

the subject of the sugar duties had from the

and manage to turn an honest penny.'"

DISRAELI ASSAILS PEEL.

In spite of
O])jiositiou

73
it,

and

of satire, liuwever.

Disraeli

had seconded
for

and made use

sarcastic

of the

the government secured the sugar duties as

occasion

a bitter and

I'eview

they had secured

jority

tlie

iucome-tax.
against

Tlie

ma-

of the policy of the government, taunting Sir

for

minister's
1.'33,

Mr. Gibson's
oilier jiortions

Robert Peel with simulating passion for his

amendment was

and the

own

j>urposes.
gre:'.t

" a

of the financial scheme were also carried witli-

had too

The light honourable baronet mind and tilled too eminent

it

out any very material alterations.

a position ever to lose his temper; but in a

to

The antagonist who was waiting

into the front rank soon
tunity.

come

popular assembly

was sometimes expedient

that
Disraeli's
till

had another opporby

to enact the part of the choleric gentleman."

It

As we have

seen he had alreadj' taken

seems

certain

aim

at

his position in the motion brought forwai'd

that time was to irritate Peel

he should

Mr. Duncombe

for another select committee

be provoked to a sudden outburst of auger.

Instead of
this

to inquire into the opening of his lettera in

the

premier treated these

it

1842; he had also been able to rouse the

piime-minister to reply to his attacks.

taunts with such disdain that

added

to the

sense of injury under which the

Eeferenee has already been made to the

suspicions which were directed towards Sir

Shrewsbury pursued
'

his

member for attack by saying,

table.

His case

is

not always best where he vio-

James Graham and to the espionage of the post-office. It was generally understood that
though Mr. Duncombe complained of his own
lettei-s

lently taps the red

box on the
that

know
first

from old

experience

when one

enters the house these exhibitions are rather

having been opened, the demand for

alarming, and I believe that some of the

3'oungev
I advise

investigation

was

still

directed towards the

it

con-espoudence of Mazzini, whicli

was im-

members were much frightened; but them not to be terrified. I tell them
will not even resign
tell

agined had been made known to the

Sardini.-iu

that the right honourable baronet will not eat

government, until the

Duke

of

AVellington

them up,

the very worst

re-

declared that no grounds whatever existed for

thing he will
scind a vote."

them

to

do will be to

such a

sus])icion.

Sir Robert Peel resisted

the appointment of
inquiry,

another committee

of

Mr.

Disraeli

remarked that he made these

when

witnesses would

have to be

criticisms in a friendly spirit,

satisfaction of a reply

and he had the

brought before the bar of the house after the

matter had already been under the consideration of secret committees of both houses.
It

from Sir Robert Peel,

to be

who
and

retorted that he believed the honoui'able

gentleman's

own calmness

simulated,

had been proved by these

opened
letters respecting

secret committees

his bitterness entirely sincere.

He

then

that " information obtained from some of the

quoted the lines

" Give nie the avowed, erect, and miinly foe

an intended insurto a

rection in Italy

had been communicated

it

foreign power, but

was not

Firm
of a nature to

can meet him, perhaps return the blow;

But

of all pla;r\ics tliat

Heaven

in

wrath can

scm'..

compromise

the

safety of

any

individual
it

Save me, oh! save

me from

the candid friend.''

within reach of that power, nor was

made
in-

known

to that

power by what means that

This was not forgotten by his antagonist on the

formation had been obtained."

This was per-

renewal of the debate more than a week afterwards, and he took his revenge iu a series of
brilliant

haps ambiguous enough to justify Mr. Dun-

combe
his

in reviving the question in i-eference to

letters alleged to

sarcasms which have

passed

into

own

have been opened in

epigiammatic or proverbial
he said in referring to the
.ster,

.sayings.

"I know,"

1842. An amendment was moved by Lord Howick asking for a committee to inquire

tactics of the mini-

" that there are

some who think that he

I

into

t.lie

truth of Mr. Duncombe's allegations,

is

looking out for

new allies.
The
is

never believed

iu favour of

which proposal Mr. Duncombe

anything of the kind.

right honourable
cise. I

position of the
is

eventually withdrew his motion.

Bjeut

The amendMr.

gentleman

clear

and pre-

was negatived by a

large majority.

do nut believe he

looking to any

OLAnSTONE AND HIS fONTEMPORAEIES.

coalitiou, althoiigli
ilo.

m.iuy of

my
is."

constituents

but with the repeated expression

" Plere, sir, I should close
if

of disdain.

The

right honourable gentleman has only

had not heard

to

remain exactly where he

Then came

the speech of the honourable gentleman

who

the humorous and

never-forgotten sarca.sra

seconded the motion.

do hope that having

which has already been mentioned: "The right

houourable
bathing,
clothes.

discharged himself of the accumulated virus

of the last

gentleman

caught

the Whigs
their

week he now

feels

more

at ease

and he walked

away with
and he
is

than he was.
he has at

If that is so

he need not be
pai-t

He

has

left

them

in the full enjoy-

disturbed by any impressions on his

all

that

ment
self

of their liberal position,

strict conservative

him-

interfered with

my peace of mind
I

of their garments.

in consequence of the attack he has made.

tell

I look

on the right honourable gentleman as a

the honourable gentleman at once that I

man who has tamed the shrew of Liberalism He is the jjolitical by his own tactics. Then Petruchio who has outbid you all."
referring to the verse from

will not condescend to reciprocate pei'sonalitie-s

with him. Neither

stoop to I'eciprocate
for the practice.

now nor after a week will

them

Canning

" If the
stick

feel

no inclination
that in this

I also

feel, sir,

light houourable gentleman

to quotation instead of

would only

respect the honoui-able gentleman

would have
I have

having recourse to
it

a very great advantage over me, because he

has leisure to prepare his attacks.
often heard from that honourable gentleman

obloquy, he
it

may

rely

upon

he would find

a safer weapon.

It is one

he always wields

with the hand be

of a master,

and when he does

is

observations of a very personal nature against

myself,
.

appeal to any authority in prose or verse he

sui-e to

but I never

felt it

necessary

successful, partly because

he seldom

to notice them,

and I should not have noticed

if it

tiuotes

a passage that has not already received

of parliamentary ajjjjrobatiou." This
hit at the practice, old-

them the other night

had not been that

the

meed

the houourable gentleman

who seconded a
spirit;
. . .

was an undeniable

motion of which he entirely disapproved, said

he did
it

fashioned even in Peel's time, but frequently

in

a friendly

the

observed by him and prevalent among his

lowers, of quoting at

fol-

declaration of the honourable gentleman that

some length more or

less

he seconded the motion in a friendly

spirit

familiar passages from the classics, which were

made me

pai-take of the feelings

which ran
to

applauded because of their familiar ring, and

possibly sometimes because the hearers

through the liouse which

describe, but
v.'liich

we have no words

made

in the

French chambers

believe that they could understand their application

.

are called mouvcinens divers

feelings

partly

"The name of Canning," continued Disone never to be mentioned, I

partaking of the nature of a shudder and

partly of a laugh.
I assure the honourable

raeli, "is

am sure,
us, de-

in this

house without emotion.

;

We all admire
most of
all

gentleman I have not the slightest wish to

fetter his

his genius

we

all,

or at least
;

independence or the independence

of this house.

plore his untimely end

and we

sympathize

of

any other member

...

with him in his severe struggle with supreme

jirejudice

court no man's favour.

I think I

do under-

veterate foes

and sublime mediocrity, with inand with candid friends." This

its

stand the relations in which a minister ought to stand towards those

support.
it,

who give him their general

but I think

subtle reference to Peel's relations with Can-

I think he ought, while he possesses

of their coulidence;
ri.sk

ning was well calculated to arouse

object to

to

be pi'oud

a display of temjier, and the phrase with which

it

he ought to incur the

fidence
to

of losing that con-

ended

"sublime

mediocrity"

sounded

by taking the course which he

interest.

believes

enough
status

like a hasty generalization of Peel's

be for the public

If

you think

and

characteristics

to

surprise even

that any acts of mine are at variance with the

policy

friends into a laugh

and

to please the malice of

which I supported in the year 1834

in

enemies. It was not until the close of his reply

to various speakers that Sir

government or have supported

acts

since, let those

Robert noticed the

be examined, vote against them, and

attack,

and then he

hit liack not unskilfully.

condemn them.

...

If our general

pohcy

COBDEN'S APPEAL TO THE LANDED GENTRY.

is

objectionable,

if it is

uot conservative,

if

we

House

of

are iujuring the rights of property or the

jirerogatives of the crown, if

the gentry of
counties.

Commons. 'You," lie said, "are England who represent tlie

are the aristocracy of England.
;

we

are under-

You

mining either civil or sacred

that

institutions,

prove

Your
us
if

fathere led our fathers

you may lead

we have done
from
lis.

so ;uk1 withhold your con-

you go the right way. But althoiigh you

has not
set-

tideuce

The houourable geutlemau

if

have retained your iufiueuce with your country

longer than any other aristocracy,
it

has referred to the relations in which I stood

to the late

Mr. Canning, but

is

he thinks upon
withhold

been by opposing popular opinion, or by

This

that account he
his confidence

fairly entitled to
us,

ting youi-selves against the spirit of the age.

. . .

and respect from

he ought

is

new

era.

It

is

the age of

uot to have waited for a quotation from a

]ioem of Mr. Canning's to open his eyes to
misfortune.

improvement,

it is

the age of social advance-

my

ment, not the age for war or feudal sports.

The houourable geutlemau must

You
. . .

live in a mercantile age,

is

when

the whole
lap.

jiave been perfectly aware in the year 1841

wealth of the world

poured into your

and subsequently, of
regard
to that

my relations towards Mr.

coui'se I

The English people look to the gentry and

of you,

Canning, and of the

pursued with

aristocracy of theii- country as their leaders.

I,

eminent and dLstinguished

who am uot one

have no hesitation
is

statesman; and the knowledge of that course,

in telling

you that there

if

a deep-rooted, a
call it so, iu

and not an accidental quotation from a poem,

ought to have
lost

hereditary prejudice,

may

me

the honourable gentle-

your favour in this coimtry.

got
it,

man's confidence and respect at a much earlier

period.

and you

will

But you never not keep it, by obstructing

If

...
which I

I repeat that, being in the

fill,

the spirit of the age.

to enlightened

you are

indifferent

position

I will pursue that course

interest,

means

of finding
if

employment
calculated

which I believe to be for the public

for your

own

peasantrj';

you are found

is

and

if

in pm-suing

it

I subject myself to the

obstructing that advance which

to knit nations

right honourable gentleman's vituperations or

to the

more together

in the bonds of
intei-coui-se
;

much

heavier penalty of diminished

of othei-s, that pento the

peace by means of commei-eial

if

confidence
alty I

upon the part

ready to
jiay,

am

and to submit

you are found fighting against the discoveries which have almost given breath and life to
material nature, and setting youi-selves up as
obstructives of that which the

consequences."

This was significant, and might have been

community at
you

regarded as a sufficient protest by a

sistent opponent,

less per-

large has decreed shall go on, wh}-, then,

will

but Disraeli was not tardy

be the gentry of England no longer, and

in returning to the charge.

others will be found to take your place."

On

the 13th of

March Mr. C'obden moved

so

Of

coui'se

Cobden had declared that the

which

for a select

committee to inquire into the

distress in the agricultural districts, of

Giuses and extent of the alleged agricultural

distress,

many

complaints had been made, was the

and into the

elTect of legislative pro-

inevitable result of that protection

which

it

tection

upon the

interests

of

landowners,

was asserted was necessary to

iu

prosperity,

and

tenant farmers, and farm labourere.

))osal
it

The prowas a striking one, though not one whieli was likely either the government or the
;

that the .system of leases and the conditions

which farms were held prevented

capital

from being invested in the improvement of

the land.

Protectionists could support

iu

and the speech

full

He

promised that

if

a committee
it

which

it

wa.s

urged wa.s

of serious

were granted liim he would take care that

so certain

empluisis

and caused a

i-eniarkable sensation

should consist of a majority of Protectionists,

throughout the country.

It

was even
it

said to

was he that the inquiry would lead

arguments

have made a profound impression on the mind

of Sir

to the discovery of the fallacy of

for i^rotection,

Robert Peel himself, and

wound up

and that the system would be

two years after the publication

with a strong and eloquent appeal to the landed interest the country gentlemen in the

abandoned

in

of the report.

76

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

The motion %vns opposiuJ on the part of tlie by ilr. Sidney Herbert, whose
ordinary readiness he
of
it

made

characteristic use

go%-enmieiit

amidst the vehement cheers of the Pro-

un[>ractised and apparently ingenuous speech, which was intended to show that nothing more would be conceded to the demands for
free-trade,

tectionists,

who thenceforward
after

regarded him

as their champion.

Four days
of 92 votes,

Mr.

L'oljden

had been

re-

was regarded by the supporters

of

fused a committee of inquiry, by a majority

the League as a potent contribution to their

chiims.

Mr. Miles took up the question

distress

Parliament, he said, had accorded to

of agricultural distress fi-o-m the Protectionist

side.

the agriculturists a certain

protection.

amount

of reduced

That

he contended was caused

With

that they were content:

and

in adverse circumstances, such as faihn-e

by mischievous and mistaken legislation. Under the new corn-law the importation of
wheat had been seven or eight times
troduction of the corn-law of
1828.
gi-eater

of crop

and the

like,

they would meet them

manfully and put their shoulders to the wheel.

. .

than at the period immediately after the in-

He

was

of opinion that " they covdd

The
from

not do better than follow the excellent advice

to

British farmer had suffered great losses

expend capital on their farms and in im-

the reduction that had taken place, not oidy

in the price of wheat, but in that of every

provements on their lands, and so by their

own
ojinly

efforts restore prosperity.

ment had no wish

had

to

The governmaintain a high monit

kind of food, through tho introduction of

foreign cattle.

By

the poor-rate and the

without alteration, as

proved

nor

county-rate farmei-s wei'e taxed more heavily

it

made any promises

It

to the agriculturists

than the rest

of the

community.

If the cost

of certain prices, in corn

which they knew no

of several charges connected

with the adminiof

law could give."

speech,

was an inconsequent
put capital in

stration

of justice

and the registration

and was regarded by the farmers with

voters were transferred from the county-rate

to the exchequer the

dismay.
their land
capital

To advise them
was a mockery,
left,

to

sum so

transferred would

for they

had no

amount
first

to about i300,000.

Of course the

and they were

to

look for no

part of his arguments was easily answered

to legislate for the purpose

further aid from the government.

by the remark that

Mr. Herbert had said that

useless, as various

to gxaut the

of diminishing the supjily of food

would be
that the

committee asked for by Mi\ Cobden would be

committees had investigated
the matter and no farther information could

monstrous; nor was

it

at

all likel}'

ministry or the house would agi-ee to a direct

burden being

laid

on the rest of the nation

be obtained, while to yield to

this

demand
measure

for the relief of the agriculturists.

Mr. Miles,

would have the

of protection

effect of

conveying to the

however, declared that his pai'ty had no confidence in the ministry.

refrain
'"

agriculturists the impression that the

They could not

going
pi-o-

which they then enjoyed would

from asking themselves what there

prevent the corn-laws from

not be maintained.

was

to

This speech was "nuts" to the free-traders,

next."
posal,

The Earl
and
Sir
it

of

March seconded

the

and

at their

subsequent meetings the changes

its

was supported by Mr. Newdi-

were rung on
luimorous
efl'ect.

various statements with

gate.

James Graham, who spoke on

it.

But one remark above all gave them a phrase which was not soon forgotten. He must add further, as the repre'

behalf of the government, opposed

He
rajiid

remarked incidentally that with the

increase of our population

many

yeai-s

would

sentative of an agricultural constituency, that

it

not

paiss

away without the occurrence

if

of

some

would be

distasteful to the agriculturists to

frightful convulsion

they wei-e to persist in

come whining

to parliament at every period

;

refusing admission to foreign corn.

of temporary distress

nor would they do

so."

But the occasion was memorable

renewed attack made by Mr. Disraeli
speech, accompanied

for
in

Such a declaration was not likely to escape the observation of Mr. Disraeli any more than
that of
tlie

by the applause

of the
suj)-

free-traders,

and with his extra-

men who had

once

been submissive

PEEL'S RETORT
porters of the Conservative govei'uraeut, but

ON DISRAELI.
best of

77
to

who now showed an

to
revolt,

ahiiost gleeful disposition signiticant

stand

it. At all events it is easy how an individual with Mr.

under-

Disraeli's

and cheered with too

It

sensitiveness to contempt or indifference should

energy the sliarp invective directed against

the prime-minister.

have been deeply stung by the

flicted

retort, although
it

was a speech fuU

of

he doubtless concealed the agony which

in-

taunts against those agriculturists

who

still

on him.
!Mr. Miles'

supported Sir Robert, and of charges against

In reply to
said,

motion

.Sir

Robert

him
the
bert.

for

having

desei-ted his party,

and

it

"I have even professed

wrong.

my

belief that

concluded with an inimitable reference to

the system of prohibition and extreme protection

is

unlucky phrase used by Sidney Her"

I do not, as I said the

The

right hououi-able baronet," said

other night, defend the ]jrotection given to

the

Disraeli, " once

avowed that he

wa.s

prouder

West India

interest

upon the principle

of

being leader of the country gentlemen of

of commercial policy;

but seeing the long

England than of being intrusted with the

onfidence of sovereigns.

period for which

it

has endured, the amount

country gentlemen of

But where are the England now

i
.

of capital invested in the cultivation of the

soil in

the

West

Indies, the peculiar position

When
it is

the beloved object has ceased to charm, Instead

of those colonies

with respect to labour

see-

useless to appeal to the feelings.

ing also our obligation to maintain our colonial

of listening to their complaints, the premier

(tends

empire

I have the strongest

but
to the

impression that

to
'

down his valet, a well-behaved person, make it known that we are to have no
'

the sudden and hasty removal of protection

would be an injury not oidy

Indies,

to the

West

whining here.

Such

is

the fate of the great

whole of

this great empire.

agricultural

interest

that

beauty

which
. .
.

We

are

now

taunted on one side of the house

everybody wooed and oue deluded.

with having seriously iujured the agricultural

interest
hiuste,

Protection appears to be in about the same

condition that Protestantism

by the

rapidity, the

inconsiderate

was in

1828.

with which the protection of that in-

The coimtry
jiart,
if

will

draw

its

moral.

For
I,

my
who

terest has

been dealt with.

On

the other

we

are to have free-trade,

prefer

side of the house

we

are taunted with being

liouour genius,

that

such measures

mere instruments
tural party
;

in the

hands

of the agricul-

should be proposed
'

by the hououiable memler for Stockport (Mx. Cobden) than by one who, though skilful in parliamentary mantampered with the generous
conti-

and we are

told that

we ought
all

to proceed at once to the

lemoval of
is

pro-

tection whatsoever.

Our intention

to pursue

oeuvres, has

the coui-se

we have

hitherto taken, without

deuce of a gi-eat people and of a great party.

yielding to the suggestions of the one ])arty

For myself, I care not

result.

what
like,

will

be the

or the other.

We

have attempted gi'adually

Dissolve,

if

you

the parliament

to abolish prohibitorj' duties, to relax

and gradually
In

yuu have betrayed, and appeal to the people

who, I believe, mistrust you.
remains this at
le;ist

extreme protection.
so

my

opinion

For me, there

opportunity of
belief that

we have done

with the best success. I look

results of our policy in the

the
my
is

to the general

expressing thus publicly

position of the country now, as

compared with
it;

Conservative
hypocrisy."
It

government

an

organized

the position in which

we found

and I say

we
effect these
it.

are

amply

justified in the course

we have

may be imagined with what

and

pursued, and are encouraged to persevere in

words came, delivered, as they were, with deliberate, intense,

seai-ching emphasis.

The

passage about the well-behaved

valet

who

The honourable member for Shrewsbury made on a fonuer occasion, of our having retained power by a forrepeats an accusation,

came

to say there should

be no whining was
Peel's reply,

getfulness of the pledges

tion.

we gave
AVhen

in opposi-

received witli vocifei'ous cheers and laughter.

As

before said, I shall not enter

I projiosetl

Yet at

this

moment, reading

it

into personal controversj-.

is difficult to

think that Mr. Disraeli had the

the tariff in 1842, and

when

that charge which

GLADSTONK AND KLS CUlS"lMPOKARlo.

the
lionourable

memljer iiow repeats was

churchmen which
given to
it

nece.ssitated all the support

brought against me, I find the honourable

by both Whigs and Eadicids

its

in the
it

gentleman got up iu his place and stated that

'-ith

house to ensure

adoption.

When

was
thi'

reference to the accusation

made on

introduced by Sir Robert he spoke amidst

the other side of the house, that the right

applause of his usual oi)pouents, and the silent

or expressed dissent of his usual sup;)orterB.

honourable baronet at the head of the government had repudiated principles when in opposition which he had adopted when in office, that that charge had been made without due

On

the sjieaker calling on those

who had
of tht

petitions to present against

au increase

amount

of the

Maynooth

grant, the occupants

examination of the facts of the

case,'

I find

of the ministerial benches rose almost as one

the honourable gentleman again use these words : ' The conduct pursued by the right

man

amidst the inextinguishable laughter of

It

the opposition.

was a tiwing moment

for

honourable baronet was in exact, permanent,

ajid perfect consistency

Peel, but, after a

warm

expression of appre-

with the principles of

ciation for the motives of those

who opposed
<

free-trade laid down by Mr. Pitt. His reason for saying this much was to refute the accusations,

him on

this question,
bill,

he proceeded to show
the miserable stipend

the reasons for tho

brought against the present govemment,

of the professors, the T^Tctched condition of

that they had put forward their present views

in order to obt.iin a change of government, so

the college buildings, the privations of the

ill-

lodged students.
parliament

Three courses were open tu

as to get into power themselves.'

These sentiDisraeli.^

to
to

withdraw the giant already

keep
it

ments I find attributed to Mr. do not

made

to

it,

it

at its present amount,

know whether

they ars of sufficient

or to increase

and

he urged the wisdoni with the institution

importance to mention them in the hous-o;

and propriety

of dealing

but this I know, that I then held in the same

estimation the panegyric with which I

iu a spirit of generosity, as that deiuandeii

now

both by justice and policy.

It w.as

proposed

regard the attack.

so struck

was

certaiidy, however,

that the trustees of the college shoidd be in-

remembering

the former defence

corporated so that they might be entitled

ti>

of the honourable

sation

gentleman which he made to-night should have

that the accu-

hold land to the amount of ,3000 a year.

The sum

of

6000 was

to be gi-anted for the

proceeded from him, that I could not forbear

alluding to
it.''

sal.aries of professoi-s,

who had

hitherto been

miserably paid.
of
it

An

allowance was to be

The motion
negatived,

Mr. Miles was,

of couree,

made adequate
to

to provide

accommodation for
gi-ant

and

may

be imagined that the

500 students, and the whole

was thus

cutting allusion of Sir Robert Peel told upon

amount

to

2G,300 instead of i'9000, and

the house and upon

him against whom

fii-st

it

was

to

be permanent instead of by annual vote;

so effectively made; but the

opportunity

while, as the college building was in a wretched

was taken advantage

vour to mitigate
its

of

by

Disraeli to endea-

and ruinous condition, 30,000 was asked

to put
it

for.

effects,

and when the

for Shrews-

iu conqilete
it.

and comfortable repair

Majuooth
few

College Bill came into debate a

and

to enlarge

There was nothing in this

daj'S afterwai-ds the

member

proposition to cause so

much

public excitew;is already

bury was prepared with another philippic. It must be remembered that the jiroposed

ment
j

as ensued, since

Mayuooth
its

endowed, and the increase of the grant to a

was not for the endowment but for the improved endowment of Mayuooth College, and yet it aroused an opposition not only
bill

sum which would make

1

support a reality

instead of a pretence,

was no more than might

hou.se

reasonably have been expected; but the com-

among

the extreme followei's of the govern-

motion both iu and out of the

digious.

was proconfined
it

ment, but among dissenting bodies and ultra

The excitement was not

London

to pereous holding similar views,

*

and

was

.Sir

Robert had,

of com-se,

been reading

fro:u

HauI

as intense in

as iu other parts of the

sard.

kingdom. At a meeting at the London Tavern,

MM AULA VS
the requisition
foi'

WORD-PAINTING.
Surrej', and, of course,

79

wliifh

was signed

\>y

above

the i)residency of the Earl of Arundel and

a hundred merchants, traders, and bankers of

the city, the
finv-t

Roman
House

Catholics and
of

resohition declared the

]iro-

the Irish party in the

Commons

poscd nieasu.e to be a renunciation of the Protestantism under whicli the nation had flourislied,

gave

it

their

warm

support as a measure of

justice for Ireland.

and the mover asserted that the

gi-aiit

Sir
of the

was

" directly ojiposed to the revealed will of

James Graham was v.armly in favour bill, and when taunted with having
expressed his deep regret that he

the Creator."

formerly declared "that concession had reached

its limits,"

The Dublin Protestant Operative Association demanded the impeachment of the jiriniemiuister. Several members were called on by
their constituents to resign their seats. tions Peti-

had ever used such an expression, and rejoiced from the bottom of his heart that his actions had been better than and
his words.
full of

were everywhere signed

against

the

Mr. Macaulay, in a speech

delivei'ed

power,

The Dissenters, beside their fear of the spread of Eomanism, objected to all state
me;isure.

with that impetuous rapidity

his orations,

which distinguished
of those
if

poured out

endowments

of religion.

Many churchmen
At
a meet-

with emphatic satire the absurd inconsistency

<lenoimced the giving of state aid to reduce

Protestant ascendency in Ireland.

who were

willing to subsidize error

it

they could subsidize

in a

mean and shabby

Vi'ith

ing at Covent Garden Theatre, Dr. C'roly, the

manner, and spo'se of the bad grace

incumbent

of St. Stephen's

Wallbrook, and a
of the

which objections
from members
ligion

to increase the

amount came
Oxford and
colleges,
I'e-

striking example of a

member

church

of universities like

militant, described the Catholic Emaueii)atiou

Cambridge, where, in endowed

Act as "that unhappy, harsh,

measure."

ill-judged, fatal

and learning are surrounded with pomp.

I call to

A popular

king (George IV.) had

it;

''When
cloisters,

mind the long

and
oriels,

streets of

died soon after putting his signature to

the

palaces, the towers

the venerable

House
form

of Peers

was degraded

to pass the

Re-

the trim gardens, the organs, the

Bill,

and the Houses

of Parliament

were

altar-pieces, the solemn light oi the stained

consumed by fire. At a large meeting at the Waterloo Rooms, Edinburgh, Dr. C'andlish
said, " I believe, so sure as I believe

windows, the
leries of

librai-ies,

the museums, the gal-

painting and sculpture;

when I

call

God's

to

mind

also the physical comforts

which are
;

Word

to be true, a
if

judgment must overtake

provided both for instructors and pupils

I reflect that the very sizai-s

when

this nation

we homologate this great sin. Let every true-hearted man who trembles at
the thought of anti-Christian error prevail-

and servitors are

tliose

h.r better lodged

and fed than

students

who

are to be a few year's hence the priests

of the Irish people
;

ing against the truth, let

all

who

look forwai-d

and bishops

when

I tliink

to the destruction of Antichrist

by the breathall

of the spacious

and

stately

mansions of the

ing of the Lord's mouth and the brightness of

his coming, let it be the

heads of houses, of the commodious chambers

of the fellows

duty of

such

men
no

and

scholai's, of

the combination
;

to stand

on the watch-tower,

to give Israel

room, the bowling-greens, the stabling of the

state

rest neither

day nor night, imtil as one man

and luxury of the great feast-days,

of

this nation rises

and demands

to

be delivered

the piles of old plate on the tables, of the

from the plague, and from the

sin,

and from

savoury steam of the kitchens, of the multitude

of gi'ouse

the death which this proceeding of govern-

and capons which turn at once on

the oceans of excellent ale in the
I

ment

will a-ssuredly entail u])on us."

At

the

spits, of
;

meeting in Surrey Chapel, Sir Culling Eardley

butteries
all this

and when
is

Smith spoke

of the

measure as calculated to

splendour

derived;

remember from whom when I rememAnjou

offend the majesty of

Heaven and bring down

in

ber what was the faith of Edward the Third

judgments on the nation.

and
support of

of

Henry the
of

Sixth, of ]\Iargarct of

A meeting of Roman Catholics

the
bill

and Margaret

Richmond, of William of
of

was held

at Freemasons'

Tavern under

Wykeliam and William

Waynefleet, of

sa

(GLADSTONE
wo
luive

AND

HIS CONTEMPORARIES.
;

Archbishop Chicheley and Cardinal Wolsey

wlien 1 remember what
tlie

has guided your conduct with respect to Irish

atiairs.

taken from

Explain to us why, after having

lion)an Catholics

King's
my own
miserable

College,

Xew
;

goaded Ireland to madness for the purpose of

ingratiating yourselves with the English, you

College, Christ Church,

Trinity

and

when

I look at the

Do-tlie-boys

are
of

now

setting

England on fire
youi-selves

for the purjjose

Hall which

we have

given them in exchange,

less

ingratiating

witli

the Irish.

feel,

must own,

proud than I could

Give us some reason which

shall

prove that

wish of being a Protestant and a Cambridge

man.''

the policy which you are following as minister's

This w;is a striking picture and in

is

entitled to support,

and which

shall

Macaulay's best manner, and the influence of

his address to the

not equally prove you to have been the most

factious

house was doubtless en-

and unprincipled opposition that ever

very

hanced when, -with the same impetuosity, and

using his right hand with a gesture which has

the world saw.'

This was

all

fine,

and doubtless

it

was

been described as giving the notion that he

was,
CIS

embarrassing to the ministry, but the answer

it

were, pushing his words before

so

was

clear,

though nobody gave

it.

In a very
is

liim as

he spoke and
"

adding to their

short time

in the following

year that

an

impetus, he accused the ministry of absurd

inconsistency.

answer was given which would have been the

I

Can we wonder," he

said,

right one.

Minister's had, in fact,

changed

"that from one end of the country to the

other, everything should
roar, that petitions

their opinions.

There was soon to be a change

be ferment and up-

of front for all parties.

In 1846, when Mr.

to say

should night after uight

!

Statford challenged Sir

James Graham
corn-laws,

whiten

all

our benches like a snowstorm

Can

whether he had or had not changed his opinion

witli
res]5ect

we wonder

that the people out of doore should

to

the

and when

be exasperated by seeing the only

men who,

quotations from former speeches were taken

when we were
gi-aut to

in oflice,

voted against the old

from Hansard and flung

Sir

.at

the government.

Maynooth, now pushed and puUed

James

said, " I

do frankly own

my change
all

by your whippei's-in to vote for an increased grant The natural consequence

into the house
?

of opinion,

and by that avowal

I dispose of

whole volumes of Hansai'd and of

charges which have been
of inconsistency."

the

follows.

All tliose fierce spirits

whom

you

made on

the gi'ound

hallooed on to hai-ass us

now

turn round and

But the

repeal of the corn-

begin to worry you.

The Orangeman raises his war whoop, Exeter Hall sets up its bray, Mr. ^I'Neile shuddei-s to see more co.stly cheer
the table of the queeu,

laws was yet to come, and nobody could foresee

when, though some had shrewdl_v guessed

that the tax on food could not last another

year.

than ever provided for the priests of B;uil at

Nor

did ministers admit a distinct

and the Protestant

change of ojjiniou with regard to the endow-

impeachment in But what did you expect Did you think, when to serve your turn you called the devil up, that it was as easy to lay him as to raise him Did you think when you went on session after session
operatives of Dublin call for

ment
need.

of Irish colleges.

Perhaps there was no

exceedingly bad English.

I

Mr. Gladstone had from the first been explicit, and had acted on the conviction that
he should not fetter either himself or his
colleagues
I

by retaining

oflice

luitil

he had

taken time to reconsider the stand-point from

threatening and

reviling

those

whom
all

you
the

which he had opposed

ment.

Roman

Catholic endowI'esult of

knew
in the

to

be in the right, and flattering

VCe have seen what was the

worst pa.ssions of those

whom
;

you knew to be

that further consideration, and

now

that he

wrong, that the day of reckoning would

I

had become convinced

ditions

tliat

the relative conto give

never come

It has

come

and there you

sit

were changed he was prepared

doing jjenance for the disingeuuousness of

ye.ars.

a steady support to the government of which

If it

be not

so,

stand up manfully and

tlie

he had been a member.

" Exeter Hall sets lay his seat for

clear your

fame before

house and the

up

its

bray

" lost

Macaubut

country.

Phow us

that some steady principle

Edinburgh

for a time,

THE MAYNOOTH GRANT.

only for a time.

SI

He was

too honest a re-

they gave votes of money to almost every Dissenting sect.

presentative to shirk a thorough expression of

his opinions,

He
w.os

hoped the concession now

a great and liberal
gift,

and

his constituents liked

his genius too

too well desert

and admired
altogether.

him much to

made, which

be-

cause unrestricted and given in a spirit of

confidence,

him

During the time that

would not lead to the renewal of

he was out of p.arliament the world benefited

if

his party lost, for he then took time to

prosecute his most important work, that ac-

by Mr. O'Connell. It might be well for him to reflect that agitation was a two-edged weapon. The number of
agitation in Ireland
petitions

count of a

critical
fii-st

period in the History of

which had been

field

laid

on the table

England, the

volume of which was pubto the debate

that evening proved that there

was in

this

lished in 1848.

country a

open

to agitation opposed to

Mr. Gladstone contributed

that which he might get

up

in Ireland.

He

some

brief but weighty observations,

which

trusted that a wiser spiiit

would preside over

was a

derived additional importance from the fact

that he had stood out of
question,
office

the minds of both parties, and that a conviction

on

this very
tliat his

would spring up

in both, that
to

it

and now frankly confessed

under which that and
grant, but

siu-render

which ought

be made of rival
Believing the
justice,

views had undergone a change with the change

of conditions
all

claims for the sake of peace.

grants
to be to

measure to be conformable to
finding any principle on

and not
it,

of a similar kind

would in future have

it

which
law,

to resist

he

made.

It

was not a new

was

hoped

it

would

p:xss into

and

receive, if

be made permanent instead of being only

annual, and the college would be brought into
close connection

not the sanction, at least the acquiescence of

the people of England.

with the government by being

In

The speech

in

which these views were made

under the care of the Government Board.

the

known

to the house

had a very marked

effect,

name

of the law, the constitution,

and the

and the Earl

that Peel had

of

Arundel took occasion

to say

history of the country he disclaimed anything

like restitution to the

now

the support of everj' states-

land by means of
to give ease
tlie

tliis

Romish Church in Irevote. Whatever tended

tend to soothe and
itself.

men on

either side of the house

who

deserved

the name.
force of his

and comfort to the professors at would

also

Whatever may have been the remark, there was a strong if not

college

a numerous opposition.

On

the second read-

soften the tone of the college

He

found

ing Disraeli spoke against the biU, protesting

that he opposed the grant, not because
it

additional arguments in favour of the measure,

in the great

was

numbers and poverty

of the

a recognition of the social and political equality

of the

Bomau

Catholic peojile of Ireland, in the dif-

Roman Catholic population, but becaxise

was one neither
flattering to their pride

ficulties the}'

experienced in providing themlife,

the

bill

selves the necessaries of

gi-eater difficulty

and

in the

still

nor solacing to their feelings.

think
sure;
it

He

did not

they found in providing for

themselves preachers of their

in procuring

own

faith,

and

was either a great or a liberal meahe thought it was a mean, meagre, and
grant.
If the

means

of education for them.

inclina-

miserable

Roman

Catholic
state

He

found arguments also in the

it,

priesthood were to be educated

it

by the

tion to support

exhibited by

all

the great

statesmen on both sides of the house, and in

the fact that those

must be something greater than the difierence between ^23 and 28, something higher
than the difference between three in a bed

who

paid the taxes of a

country had a right to share in the benefits of

its institutions.

and two. But the main use he made

to deliver another attack of the debate

was

Exclusive support to the Established Church

on Peel, in which he

was a doctrine that was being more and moie abandoned day by day. They could not
plead their religious scruples as the reason for

did not forget the reference that the premier

had made from Hansard on a previous occasion.

"I

know

the right honourable gentlebill told

denying this grant to

Vol.
II.

Roman

Catholics, for

man who

introduced the

us that upon
27

82
this subject there
us.

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

were three courses open
a measure
to

that habitual perfidy

. . .

is

not high policy of state.

this

I never heard the right Iiououraljle geu-

Let us bring to

house that which

it

tleman bring forward

without

has for so long a time past been without

legitimate influence

the
for.

making the same

sense,
right.

coufessiou.
to
liis

In a certain
position,

and salutary check of a

and looking
There

own

he

is

constitutional opposition.

That

is

what the
in

is tlie coiu-se

the riglit honouris

country requires

what the country looks

way

able gentleman has

left.

There

the coiu'se

Let us do
it

it

at once in the oulj'

which

which the right honourable gentleman is following, and there is usually the course which
the right
pin-sue.

can be done, by dethroning this dynasty of

deception,

by putting an end

to the intolerablu

honourable
sir,

gentleman ought to
I

yoke of parliamentary imposture.''

In

referlas'

Perhaps,

ought to say that

it is

ence to the answer he had received on the

there

is

a fourth course, because

possible

occasion he said, " I liope I shall not be an-

for the

House

of

Commons

to

adopt one of

swered by Hansard.

am

not surprised

th;;t
s.

these courses indicated by the right honour-

the right honourable gentleman shouUl be

able gentleman, and then, having voted for

it,

fond of recurring to that great authoi-ity

has great advantages;
record of
of
thirt}',

li-

to rescind

it.

That

is

the fourth course,

he can look over a

thirty,, years
is

and

in future I hope the right honourable

it.

and more than

gentleman will not forget

He

also tells

an eminent

career.

But that

not the

lot

us that he always looks back to precedents

of every
riUe, I

man, and

may

say, as a general

he comes with a great measure and he always

has a small precedent.

am

rather surprised that your experi-

He

traces the steam-

enced statesman should be so fond of recurring to

after aU,

engine alwa3"s back to the tea-kettle.

His

that eminent publication.

What,

precedents are usually tea-kettle precedents.

. . .

do they see on looking over a quarter

If
if

you are to ha\e a popular govern-

of a century, or

more even,

of their speeches

ment,

you are to have a parliamentary

in

Hansard

What
what

dreary pages of inttr-

administration, the conditions antecedent are

miuable

talk,

predictions falsified,

what

that you should have a government which

declares the principles on which
its

pledges broken, what calculations that have

policy

is

gone wrong, what budgets that have blown

founded, and then you can have on them the

up?

And

all this, too,

not relieved by a single

wholesome check
tion.

of a constitutional opposi?

original thought, or a single generous impulse,

Wliat have we got instead

world as

Something

or a single

happy expression

Why, Hansard,
Downing Street,

has risen up in this country as potent in the

political
it

instead of being the Delphi of

is

has been in the landed

but the Dunciad of

This was very clever

politics.''

world of Ireland.
a middle-man

'U'e

have a great parlia-

very fuU of point and

mentary middle-man.
is
;

It is well

he

is

known what man who bamboozles

till,

wit,

and singular
it

sarcastic suggestiveness

and

had a i-emarkable effect on the Protec;

one party and plunders the other,

obtained a position to which he
lie cries

having

tionists

but

it

did not prevent the passing of

Bill,

is

not entitled,

the Maynooth

nor did

it

move Peel
it

to

out,

'

Let us have no party questions,

I want to have a com-

any public outburet

to

of retaliation, nor a reply

;

but

fixity of tenure.'

even in the former terms

but

was known

mission issued to incjuire into the tenure

which Downing Street

is

held.

by Whatever
is

some that these continued and deliberately

the premier bej'ond measure

considered attacks, were irritating and harassing

may be the mixed motives and

at least one

impulses which

espewho

animate different sections of opinion, there

cially as

they were accompanied

bj'

the cheers,

common ground

of co-operation.

laughter,

and applause

of

many

of those

There

is

one animating principle which

all.

may

had once been among

tion

his steadfast supporters.

inspire us

Let us in the house re-echo

This sense of annoyance and of political deser-

that which I believe to be the sovereign sen-

was shortly

to be intensified, for events

fast,
it

timent of this country

let
is

us tell persons in

were now moving

one was aware of

and almost before any

high places that cunning

not caution, and

the repeal of the

com-

FEEE-TEADE BAZAAR, COVENT GARDEN.

l;iv.'3

83

auJ a complete change of parties became

efforts of the

receive from this exhibition; but

we

w.int a

inevitable.

Those who imagined that the

undeceived.

more generally implied co-opeiatiou than the mere want of money could imply. We want
to see assembled in this theatre our friends

Anti-Corn-law League had relaxed were soon

The budget,

as

we have

seen,

from

all

parts of the kingdom, in order that

was

itself

a recognition of those principles of

they may confer together; that they may become

free-trade of

which the repeal of the cornIt

known

to each other; that they

may

derive
will

laws was to be the distinct expression.

from such meetings, and from what they

see here, a

was evident that the cause which the leaders of the free-trade movement had so strenuously
vindicated

new

impetus, and carry to the ex-

tremities of the country a redoubled resolution to assist us in

was becoming

national.

At a

promoting the great object

meeting held in Covent Garden Theatre in

Februar}', 1845,
of the

which we have in view."

Mr. Bright traced the growth

as exemplified

movement

by the pecu-

That object was achieved, and even the money advantage was considerable. There

niary resources at the

cates.

command of its advo" In the year 1839 we first asked for suband .5000 was given.
In 1840 we

had never been

this description

so successful

an enterprise

of

there

had seldom been

so

scriptions

attractive a show.
pit

The

entire area of the

asked for more, and between 7000 and 8000

and stage and the

of the theatre

had been boarded

was subscribed. In 1841 we held the great conference at Manchester, at which

over,

interior of the building converted

upwards

of

into a

Norman Gothic

Hall.

The anangefor seventeen

700 ministers of religion attended. In 1842 we

ments were admirable, the organization complete.

had our gi-eat bazaar in Manchester, from which

10,000 was
realized.
it.

The bazaar was open

for admission

In 1843 we asked for

days,

and was visited by above 100,000 people.

50,000, and got

In 1844 we

called for

The charges
realized

and the amount

100,000, and between 80,000 and 90,000 has been paid in, besides what will be received

by

sales

given in direct

was 20,046, and 5000 was contributions. The stalls were

from the bazaar to be held in May.

year
is

This
idle.

kept by 400 ladies

the wives

and daughters

yet young, but

a.sked

we have

not been

of leading free-traders.
tells

As Mr. Mongredien

We

have

our free-trade friends in the

us in his reference to the bazaar in his

northern counties to convert some of their

property, so as to be able to defend their
right

history of the movement, " All the space that

could be spared for the exhibition on stalls of

articles for sale

and properties

at the hustings.
it

This

was crowded

to excess with

has been done, and

now

appeai-s that at

wares of every possible description,

many

of

the recommendation of the council of the

them

of great beauty, rarity,

and

value, con-

League our friends in Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire have invested a sum of not
less

tributed

the United Kingdom.

by almost every town and district in They were classed

to the localities

than 250,000 in the purchase of county

Besides
all this,

and labelled according

they came.
excellence,

whence

qualifications.

we

shall

have

So great was the

variety, the
tlie

our great bazaar in May."

aud the value of many of

they very fairly

The Free-trade Bazaar, which was ojiened at Covent Garden Theatre on the 8th of May, was one of the most striking spectacles ever
witnessed,

articles exhibited, that

illus-

trated the productive jiowei-s of the nation,

and

this not only far surpassed all similar

and

a.s

a demonstration of

the

collections hitherto

known, but remained un-

public

donand
it

for the abolition of the corn-

surpassed until eclipsed by the Great Exliibition in

laws, efl'ected

which

was intended.

much towards the oljject for "If money only were

"a
by

Hyde

Park, which, in 1851, Prince

Albert devised and inaugurated, and for which

our object," said Mr. G. Wilson, the president

of the League, at a preliminary meeting,

Paxton

built so fitting a temple.

" The attendance throiighout the whole of

the eighteen days that the bazaar lasted was
profuse,

greater

amount might

easily be procured

a general subscription than

we

are likely to

and

it

never slackened.

Fi-om morn-


84
iiig

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

to uight

aa unbroken stream
. .
.

of visitore

unnecessary taxation."

"The

present cornin agricul-

filled

every avenue.
of unsold

There remained

law tends to check improvements

ture,

enough

goods to furnish another

in the

produces

uncertainty in

all

farming

bazaar, that
chester.

was held

autumn

at

Manand

speculations,

and holds out

it

to the

owners and
These were

from the
animated.

The scene presented galleries vas most The

vast

to a spectator

occupiers of land prospects of special advantage,

brilliant

which

fails

to secure."

profusion of

various

enunciations of complete free-trade principles;

products of man's labour, the ever-shifting

and the reasoning

to

which Lord John Russell

crowd of human beings, the splendid scenic decorations, the lights, the movement, the
music, the subdued
ciations connected

resorted to induce the house to pledge itself to

such declarations were sufiicient proofs that

hum
all

of voices, the asso-

he had t^ken a rather different standpoint,

with the origin and pur-

and was nearly prepared

with the League',

to

throw

in his lot

pose of the spectacle,

combined

to

fill

the

lie had convinced himself

mind

of the beholder

with varied and pleasing

" that the policy of restriction

was mischievexpense

emotions."

ous, that it favoured one class at the

The emotions produced in the minds of the Protectionists, and of some members of the
govenimeut party, could scarcely have been pleasing, though they may have been considerablj' varied,

of another,
classes

and that

it

injured the labouring

more than any

other."

He

contended

that the agricultural interests were not benefited

and

tliey

were soon

to un-

that now,

by the present corn-law, " for it appeared when they had a protection of 40
still

dergo

still

further

trials.

The League was

scheme of
to

per cent on the ordinary food of the people,

again organizing an examination of the registers

they were
distress."

in a state of difficulty

and

and preparing

to extend the

qualification.

The

contributions

the

He was
4s., 5s.,

read}- to
6s.,

adopt a fixed duty of

100,000 fund had, with the money obtained

or

alternatives

which were offered

from the

bazaiir,

reached to above 116,000.

very

much

as though they were merely tenta-

But
of

there were

more suggestive signs even

at

tive " bids,"

and would without much

w.as

diffi-

than this laige subscription and the success

the

culty be relinquished for complete free-trade.

demonstration

Covent

Garden

His strongest appeal

made by subsequent

Theatre.

Lord John Russell, and presum-

events to seem prophetic. "

Now

is

the time,"

ably some of the influential membei-s of his

jiarty,

he said, "to enfranchise trade and industry

were being dragged after public opinin

now, with

political tranquillity
pi-ices,

and

leisure,

ion,

where they refrained from joining

it.

with bread at free-trade

with revived

leading

commerce and prosperous manufactures

not wanting
that

now

Evidences were
AVliig leaders

" the

with population gi-owiug at an almost fearful

rate of increase

were in competition with the

on record that

now,

before another bad

ministry for the repeal of the corn-laws."

harvest brings on the cry of hunger."

Indeed, Lord John has

left it

The motions were not

Sir Robert Peel nor Sir

gi-anted,

but neither

little later,

though the leaders of the Whigs

in favour of .abolition.
jNIay

advised the retention of a small fixed duty,

he was himself

On

the

26th of

he had

moved a

number

of resolutions

on the condition of the

James Graham, who opposed them, spoke against the policy avowed by Lord John nor was Sir Robert aroused to a denial of the truth of that policy even by the declaration of Sir John Tyrrell that
;

labouring classes, in which he declared that

government had
similar to

forfeited the confidence of

he could not then recommend the fixed duty

of

the agricultural interests.

that already
:

which he had pro])osed in 1841 " Those laws which impose duties, usually
8s.
:

charge by Mr. Disraeli

The reply was made to a similar " He did not know

called protective, tend to impair the efficiency of labour, to restrict the free interchange of

whether Sir John Tyrrell was authorized to

speak as the organ of the agricultural interest;

commodities, and to impose ou the people

but even

if

he were, he (Sir Robert Peel)

THE IKRESISTIBLE CLAIM OF

v7ouIJ not purchase back again the confidence
of

FAMIXi:.
disabilities.

85
Tliere w.ts a

some former

which he was said

ing the
sliglitest

to liave forfeited

by

utter-

vast return of

expression of repentance for

wages were remunerative, lailways were being confor labour,

employment

the course which he had pursued."

structed with enormous rapidity, wheat

was

The motion
negatived, not
tions

of

Lord John Eussell was

not more than 4S. a quarter, and bread was

by denial of the rejiresentaby which it w;is accompanied, but by moving the previous question. When Mr.
Villiers

cheaper than it had been for years. was no external pressure to account

There
for the

advance of the government, as well as the

brought forward his annual motion on

it

Whig
ciples.

opposition, to comijlete free-trade prin-

the corn-laws
of those
his side.
topics

was evident that the majority

against

Why should

they linger?

who voted

him were
out,

really

ou

There were no new arguments, the

had been thraslied

Siiid
:

and as Mr.

Bright
that

though

the fiee-tradere

knew
would

The pressure came. The bad harvest against the effects of which the government had been entreated to provide by the abolition of the duty ou
corn wiLS no longer merely a possible con-

when they went

to a division they

be

in

a minority, minorities in that house had

tingency to be urged as a powerful argument,

often become majorities, and he hoped to see

it

that result produced again.

Wlien the League

still

had become a threatened calamity and more powerful appeal was imminent.
wheat harvest
in

was accused

of rashness in

den extinction of the

duties,

demanding a sudCobden iuquu'ed

The

failure of the

England

was a

factor in the

coming situation whicli

it

whether there was ever such rashness as to leave 27,000,000 of people with a stock of only
300,000 quarters of foreign wheat to stand be-

was important indeed, but

parative
insignificance

sunk into comthe

dism.ay

before

caused by the ruin of the potato crop in Ireland.

tween them and famine

not only by
it,

in case of another

bad

harvest. " I see the fall of the corn-law signified,

tlie

The summer had been

in

cold and rainy,

and

ability of the attacks

bj" tlie

those forebodings which seem to have eclioed

the earlier references to

made upon
it is

but also

manner iu

whicli

a possible bad
as the

defended in this house," said Lord John

"

harvest were likely to be realized

Eussell.

We have now brought

the adoption

meie question of time," said Cobden in addressing a large meeting of friends

of free-ti'ade to a

autumn approached. On tlie 5th of August, when the session was about to close, Lord

John
crops.

Eu.ssell in

reviewing the session again

for the

Covent Garden Theatre on the 18th of June, "we have narrowed it down
of the Le.igue at to one little

referred

to apprehensions

growing

The weather

wa-s being It

watched with
of the

word

When!
little

That question I

the gi'eatest anxiety.

was the duty

answer by another
It

woixl

Now

I"

house to provide for such a contingency as a

to re-

was believed that Peel intended

and at
this very

scarcity

of food

by procuring
it

it

from

all

peal the corn-laws,

meeting

quarters whence

might be obtained.

But

Mr. Bright, speaking of the premier,

a frank fervour that was
proved
there
is

said with

l)arliameut wu.5 prorogued on the 9th,

itself

convincing,

royal speech
in

'He sprung from commerce, and until he has

it

and the was of a congratulatory character referring to the legislative work that had
Still

himself I will never believe that

less will I believe that

been accomplished.

the rain

came down
the middle
to bis.

any man, much

almost without intermission.

of

By

he

is

the man,

who would go down

to his

August the

price of

wheat had risen

but

grave, liaving

had the power to deliver that

liad the manliit."

a quarter

few

fine

days in the following

tliere

commerce, and yet not having

ness, honesty,

month produced a

fall iu prices,

was
and

and courage to do

As Lord

no hopeful continuance of

fine weather,

John Eussell had said, the time was favourable

for the

both the quality and the quantity of the crops

abandonment
was then

of the duties restricting flourishing,

was

so

much below
and

the average that a sudden

to speak of

trade, whicli

and

flourish-

rise occurred,

and people began

a
It

ing apparently in consequence of the removal

scarcity

of bread at "

famine prices."

8G

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

to

was
ever,

Ireland that everybody had to look

minute that no microscope has yet convicted

it,

with the most gloomy expectations,

for alarming reports

howcir-

yet so jiowerful that

it

was soon

to over-

began to be

throw governments, and derange commerce,

culated that though in

some places the liar vests

and

affect for all

time to come the political

settle the question of

of grain had suffered no more than those in England, either from the wet weather or from

fate of

England, and

the

regeneration or the destruction of Ireland.

of

some other cause the more important harvest potatoes was perishing by a blight as
it

mysterious as
jjotatoes

was

incurable.

Foreign

(particularly those of

Belgium) as

The minute plague spread and spread till it blackened thousands of acres and destroyed the food of millions of men. In some wholesome regions, the last to be affected, the inhabitants would hardly believe what they

well as those of Great Britain, were destroyed

by the same

disease;

but in Ireland the

in Ireland tlie potato,

heard and read.

But soon the change

ravages were as complete as they were comparatively sudden

;

a]3peared even in these healthiest districts.

and

man might
it

exhibit his gi'een and flourishing

" the pauperizing root " as Cobbett

had long
the entire

crop to a stranger and say that he should take

before

named

it,

continued to be the staple

up on Monday; on that night would come

if

food supply for the people.

crop was being swept away.

Now

a thunder-storm, and the next morning,

the

Those portions

owner

stirred the soU of his blackened field

which had appeared to be sound when dug up

rotted after having been placed in the pits.

with a pitchfork up came such a steaming

stench as showed

him that
then
it

All that could be taken to mai'ket were sold

for

turned putrid.

And

his field had became known

what they would

fetch.

Prices

con-

why

potatoes were abundant and cheap in the

sequently went lower, and for a time those who

oj)posed the opening of our ports for foreign

markets.

Everybody was eager

had time
to rot.
if

to sell before

his i:)otatoes

"What was to

grain allowed themselves to be deceived by

become

of the poor Irish

this

went on was

the notion that the low prices wore a sign of

jj'enty.

now the most anxious question of the time." ^ Some of the benevolent gentry were already
saving their sound potatoes for the use of the
sick

We were standing face to

of the population

face

with an Irish

famine, for the roots on which three-fourths

and the aged, and were laying

in stores

had

relied for their

common

of rice

and other farinaceous food against the

food had become unfit to eat.

of land

The
so

large area

probable severities of the coming winter, and

such efforts were but the forerunners of an

which had been devoted

to the culture

of the potato, because it easily raised

was

than crops of

much more cereals, now lay

attempted system of general

relief,

but that
to ob-

was not

yet.

The

first effort

must be

worse than barren. " First a market-gardener

here and there, a farmer, an Irish cottier, saw
a brown spot appear on the margin of the leaf
of the potato,

tain food supplies

from abroad.

One

of the first intimations of the potato

blight was

and did not remember ever

to

potato-dealer

made to Sir James Graham by a who observed the disease in the

and even in the
cottagers'

have seen such a thing before.

The brown
a

Kentish

fields,

spot grew black, and spread and covered the

stalk,
till

gardens, and afterwards discovered that the

tops sent as covere to the potatoes consigned
to

a whole pofcito-field looked as

if

scorching

wind had passed over

let

it.

Yet

per-

market were aU

affected.

Ministers were

haps the roots might appear to be in a good

state;

uneasy, and Sir Robert Peel became especiallj'

and one man would

the plants alone

anxious as accounts came in

that showed
if

while another would

mow

off the tops

and

the calamity to be widely spread,

versal.

not uni-

wait to see what happened. The stealthy rain

The condition

of the Irish peasantry

it

had by some means, yet as mysterious as ever, generated some minute plague, of what nature
nobody yet knows,
the rain
if

was already

so wretched that

gave grounds

for serious apprehension.

Letters had ap-

indeed

it is

certain that

was the instrument,

plague so

Hiirriet Martineau.

THE LEAGUE'S OPPOUTTJNITY.

pcarod ia the Times from Mr. T. C. Foster,
!i

07

Dublin

to

Sir Robert Peel, "I send you a

special commissioner seut out

to visit the large estates in

v,-est

by that paper the south and

of the squalid

draft copy of a rejiort

to

which
. .

I intend to offer

my

colleagues.
is

You
it

will see the

of Ireland.

His report

account

melancholy, and
other

cannot be looked
light.

poverty, indolence, and neglect of the cottars

upon
. .
.

in
I

than a most serious

aroused the wrath of the advocates for the

repeal of the union,

am

sorry to give you so desponding

in that part of the island

and as O'ConneU's estate was described as

leltei',

but

that the case

suj)pose."

we cannot conceal from ourselves is much worse than the public

would be dangerous,
failed to

one of the worst and his peasantry as among

the
little

most wretched, the report caused no

sensation and produced indignant pro-

Further

hesitation

and yet repeated cabinet councils

secure a complete agreement

testa

and

denials.

among

the

mem-

Even

Peel's cautious delay in conceding the

bers of the ministry.

in the desire to

Peel was in a minority

relief which he had already made ni3 his mind must be given to foreign grain brought to this country was not likely to endure till the next session of parliament. "The accounts of

abandon, or virtually to aban-

don, the corn duties,

affaira

and

for a little while

seemed to be at a dead-lock.

Time
was
and

had

to be spent in endeavours to assimilate

the state of the potato crop in Ireland are

the views of those to

looking for
relief.

whom
it

the nation
felt that

becoming very alarming," he wrote to Sir

But

was

some

James Graham on the 13th

foresee the

of October.

"I

decisive step could not be long delayed,

necessity that

may be imposed
of considering

that the repeal of the corn-laws alone would give the necessary relief to a nation abeady

upon us at an early period

whether there
is

not

that

well-grounded
justifies

on the brink of starvation because of the

failure of

total

apprehension of actual scarcity that

the one article of food of

relied.

home

and compels the adoption

legislation

of every

means

of

growth on which they principally

" Interference with the

relief which the exercise of the prerogative or

due course of the laws

is

might

afford.

I have no con-

respecting the supply of food

so

momentous

fidence in such remedies as the prohibition of

and

so lasting in its consequences," wrote Sir

letter to Sir

exports or the stoppage of

distilleries.

The
is

Eobert in a second

James Graham,
accui--

removal

'of

impediments

to

imports

the

"that we must not act without the most

ate information."

only effectual remedy."

This will show that

The corn

duties once re-

various expedients had been suggested for

moved
was the

could never be reimposed, and this

difficulty

preserving the native supply of food so that a

protective duty might be maintained, but no

which divided the cabinet.

such plans would have sufficed to meet the

While ministers were undecided how to act, the nation murmured, and the murmur would
soon take a threatening tone.
in Dublin, presided over
ster, it

now

general failure of the staple crops in

At a meeting
of Lein-

Ireland.

Already a meeting had been con-

by the Duke

vened at Kilkenny, under the presidency of

the high
shei'iff,

was resolved that the committee should

for discussing

what remedial
In Galway the

represent to the lord-lieutenant that famine

measures could be adopted.

distemper was spreading with frightful lapidity;

and consequent pestilence were immediately imminent unless the government should without hesitation or delay take the most prompt

from Drogheda reports came that the

ravages were extending, and that potatoes

measm-es to provide for the people, and to

organize

which had appeared to be sound were found

to be diseased after they had been pitted for

means

for the distribution of food

throughout the laud.

They

called

on the

fourteen days.

lord-lieutenant forthwith to order the ports

of Ireland to of

A government commission had been seut to

inquire and report on the condition of the

be opened for the importation

rice,

Indian corn,

and other

articles suited

crops and on the best remedial measures to

for

human

food.

be adopted.

Dr. Lyon Playfalr wrote from

The Anti-Coru-law League was

indcfati-

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

galjle,

and

its

cUief supporters allowed them-

they could not follow him in his conclusions,

selves

little

rest.

Meetings were held

iii

charged him not only n'ith

pereonal treachery.

political,

but with
seen,

which the immediate repeal

of the corn-laws

Indeed, as

we have

was urged with increasing

distributed

force

and

fire

he had repeatedly and distinctly intimated

that
it

innumerable publications and

all

apjieals

were

over the country, and most im-

any

final

must not be supposed he had reached point beyond which he would

consumption from restrictive duties.
em]3liatically declared that
(as

portant additions wei-e

those

made to the ranks of who had worked hard and sacrificed much, to a cause which they now saw must be
were
to

promise not to carry the liberation of articles of

He

had also

he

successful unless the Iiish people

be

was prepared

perhaps he

foresaw

ho

abandoned

to increasing

want and misery.

which was

should need to be prepared) to suffer the loss

of confidence of those

A letter
e.agerly

had been addressed by Lord Ashall

ho had long supported

to him,

ley to the electora of Dorsetshire

him, and an abatement of the friendship of

read

over the kingdom, and in

his opinion that the destiny

some whose regards were valuable

and
to

which he declared
ing

submit to the personal as well as the

of the corn-laws w;is fixed,

and that the

lead-

parliamentary invective of those

sisted in

who

per-

men

in the great parties of the legislature to their even-

were by no means disinclined

tual abolition.
this,

demanding that he should occupy the position of a statesman whose opinions

had undergone no
change, and

For nearly a month

after

on whose
social

however, there were reports of disagreein the cabinet,

policy altered conditions

]iolitical

and the

and

ment

and nothing was done.

progress of a quarter of a century

What

the nature of the disagreement was did

it

had made no impression.

in greater symjiathy n'ith

Already Peel was

not transpire, but

was understood that

it

men

outside the

related to the opening of the ports.

We now

cabinet than with any except two or three of

his colleagues.
like

know

that Sir Robert Peel had determined to

There were men, for instance,

of his

act according to his convictions,

and that he
his

Lord Morpeth, who had much

was prepared

if

need were

to sacrifice

former Whiggism to forget when he joined

the League, and with
liis

great position, the support of old and respected

friends, the leadership of

subscription of 5 to

a dominant party.

the fund sent a letter to Mr. Baines, saying,

" I wish to record in the I can,

By successive
for at least

stages of conviction he had

come

most emphatic way

is

to the conclusion that the time

had arrived

my conviction

that the time

come

for

an important mitigation of the tax on grain imported from abroad, and not
only the failure of the English wheat harvest

final repeal of the corn-laws,

and

my

protest

against the continued inaction of the state on

the present

emergency."

This declaration
frantic delight at
it

but the destruction of the potato crop in Ireland had hastened his intentions.

was received with almost

the meeting at

That he had changed the opinions with which he had

entered parliament there could be no doubt

Leeds where
it

was

first

made known, and

lively satisfaction

produced scarcely

less

among

the free-tradei-s in

but so had most of his contemporaries

at all events, the

and,

London.
together.

But the cabinet could not work

lu a memorandum after a meet-

change had been so gradual,

high
])osition, so

and

yet,

from

his

conspicuous,

ing on the 31st of October, wdiere continued

dissensions prevented

that nobody could pretend to be surprised

even when

it

reached to the relinquishment

rived at. Peel wrote,

any decision being ar"The calling of jjarliaa most

of the corn duties.

Nor was

there any strong

ment

at

an unusual period on any matter

is

expression of surprise that he should,

by

act-

coimected with a scarcity of food

imjjortant step.
It

ing in accordance with his convictions, also

relinquish high station
station

compels an immediate

perhaps

the liighest

decision on three questions: Shall

and

any minister had ever filled lay himself open to the censure, and
that

tain unaltered? shall

we modify?

we mainshall we
The

suspend the operation of the corn-laws?

first

even the denunciation of those who, because

vote

Vi-e

j)ropose

vote of credit, for

LOED JJH-V EUSSSLL'S "EDINBUEGH LETTEE."

instenco,
fo:-

CD

100,000

be placed at

tlie

opening the ports or calling parliament to

disposal of tlie loid-lieuteuant for the supjjly

of food

meet at an

earlier date tlian usual.

At

the

opeus

the whole questiou.

Can we
any

meetings of the League iu various parts of the

country, memorials were ado'-ted calling on

vote public

money

for the sustenance of

considerable portion of the people, on account

of actual or ajjpreliended scaicity,
tr.in in full o])eration

the government to open the ports.

and main-

During

this period of anxiety

and agitation
electoi-s of

the existing restrictions

',

Lord John Eussell was

in

Edinburgh, and

on the
cay

free import of grain

am bound

to

thence he published a letter to the

my

impression

is

that

we

cannot."
to

London which both

wards had some
to ex-

at the time

and

after-

Lord Stanley wrote on the following day

Sir Eobert saying
press

effect,

inasmuch as

in it

he

how

difficult it

was

renounced his former demands for a fixed duty,

the regiet with which he saw

widely he differed from him and

how Graham on

and declared that

twenty

his views

on the general

subject of the corn-laws had in the course of

yeai-s

the necessity for proposing to parliament a

repeal of the corn-laws.

undergone a great

alteration.

"I

foresee," he said,
in

Considering
lingered,

"that this question,

if

you pereevere

your

how frequently he himself had and how late was his convei'sion to
against

present opinion, must break up the govern-

that

free-trade

which
as

his

" fi.\ed

ment one way or the

regret indeed,
if it

other; but I shall greatly

duties" had been

regarded

more

mis-

should be brolien up, not

chievous than the alterable and therefore ter-

in consequence of our feeling that

we have

minable sliding

.scale,

the free-tradei-s wero

little

prepared measures which

it

properly belonged

rather amused and not a

annoyed at the

to others to cari-y, but in consequence of dif-

gravity with which he proposed to give

his aid

them

ference of opinion amongst ourselves."

There

when they had

it.

practically ceased to

seemed

to be little chance of an agreement.

care for

After reproving the ministers for

said, " Fore-

The council had been adjourned to the Gth of November, and Sir Eobert Peel then proposed
to
issue

having met and separated without affording

any promise of timely

relief,

he

immediately an order in council,

gi-ain iu

thought and bold precaution

serious evils, indecision

may

avert any

reducing the duty on

shilling

bond

to

one

and procrastination
it is

per quarter

to

open the ports to

all

may

produce a state of suffering which

. . .

the temporary admi.ssiou of

rate of duty
;

grain at a small

frightful to contemplate.

It is

no longer In

to call j'arliament together to ask for

on

worth while to contend for a fixed duty.

duty of

the 27th of
nity,

November

an indem-

1841 the free-trade party woidd have agieed

to a
8s. ])er

and

to

announce the iuteution of sub-

quarter on wheat, and after

mitting immediately after the recess a modification of the e.xisting corn-laws.

a lajjse of yeai-s this duty might have been fur-

Only Sir

ther reduced and ultimately abolished.

But the

James Graham, the Earl

tions,

of Aberdeen,

and

imposition of any duty at present, without a

provision for
period,
its

Mr. Sidney Herbert supported these proposi-

extinction within a short

and again nothing was done.

The
Relief

would but prolong a contest already

animosity and disconjjut

excitement throughout the country was intense.

sufficiently fruitful of

The Dublin Mansion House

tent.

Let us then unite to

an end

Committee issued a
of Ireland

series of resolutions de-

to a

system which has been proved to be the

claring that already a third of the potato crop

blight of commerce, the bane of agriculture,

had been destroyed by disease

that

the source of bitter division

among classes,
this

the

the ravages of the blight were expanding

cause of penury, fever, mortality, and crime

more and more daily

only be
for

that the approaching

among

the people.
it

But

if

end

is

to

be

and imminent famine and pestilence could

achieved,

must be gained by the unequivocal

It
is

by immediate measures fooil and employment for the people. The resolutions concluded witli an impeachment of miuistei's for not
obviated

expression of the public voice.

not to be

promptly securing

denied that

many

elections

for cities

and
not

towns in 1841 and some in 1845 appear to

favour the assertion that free-trade
is

00

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

.as

popular with the great mass of the comnuiiiity.

Sir Robert Peel possesses the confidence of

The government

ajipears to be waiting for

])resent corn-laws.

the queen

and

of

the jjublic, and he has

some excuse to give up the

strength to perform the duties, his administration of the

Let the people, by petition, by address, by remonstrance, aiford them the excuse they seek.
. . .

goverment must be supported."

of the League.

The
Only
tion,

action of political leaders on both sides

Let the removal of restrictions on the

articles of food

were in favour of the demands

in the cabinet

admission of the main

clothing used

aud
be

was there effectual obstruclike the

by the mass

of the people
all

though of course Protectionists

of

required in plain terms, as useful to

interests

great

Duke
laws,

Richmond denied the urgent need

of

and indispensable

to the progress of

the country, denounced the repeal of the corn-

the nation."
It

aud refused

to believe that ministers

may

be easily believed that the appearstill

would be guilty

of such " perfidy" as to atports.

ance of this letter

ministry, since
if

further embarr.assed the

tempt to open the

Great meetings of

those

members

of the cabi-

the League continued to be held in the Free-

net

who had held out were now to yield, it would appear as though their agreement had

trade Hall at Manchester.

The attendance
w.as very nu-

from the neighbouring towns

merous.
ing

been brought about by the declarations of a political rival, while, should any of the members resign and the prime minister carry his
proposals (which were of course not known to the public), it would appear as though he had

At one of them, arrangements havbeen made with the railway companies

were
the audience numbered

for trains to return after the proceedings

closed,

more than

eight thousand.

Hundreds went away unable

adopted those views to retain

the bids

office

against

to gain admittance.

On

the platform were

made by

the leader of the opposition.

the representatives of an amount of wealth

on the 25th

But the cabinet would not agree, and when of November they again met to

and

capital such as

had never before been Mr. Wil-

collected in the north of England.

prepare instructions for the Irish famine commissioners. Sir Robert Peel contended that the

son, h.aving taken the chair, introduced

Mr.

Cobdeu, who started at once into the object

of the meeting,

proposed instructions were inconsistent with

a determination to maintain the existing cornlaws,

which was

to point out the

remedy

for the famine whie'h, in consequence

and he could not consent

to their issue

of the inclemency of the season, threatened

without reserving on his

to

own

part the power

our own island, and to avert the misery, starvation,

propose to parliament some measure of

relief.

and death

of millions in Ireland.

The

immediate

He

was

still

in a minority,

natural and obvious remedy was to open the

ports.

but the staunch old Duke of Wellington, with

what
firmly

politicians of

a different stamp would

had done

naturally regard as inconsistent loyalty, stood

by

his friend,

and did not shrink from

Germany, and Holland and why should not our government follow the example? Mr. Henry Ashworth, of Turton, followed, and he was sucRussia, Turkey,
so,

proclaiming alike his

own
"I

opinions and the

ceeded

by Mr. Bright, who,

in

a telliug

strong admiration and regai-d which led him

to subordiuate them. said he, "

am

one of those,"

speech, compared the then state of the country under the corn-law with what it would be

who think
its

the continuance of the

when
cils

freed

from that odious monopoly.

corn-laws essential to the agriculture of the

When the latest of the aeries of cabinet counwere being held a startling communication
to the public.

country in

existing state and particularly

to that of Ireland, .and a benefit to the whole

was made
tion of

On

the 4th of Decemit

community.
course

...

In respect to

my own
to sup-

ber the Times announced that

was the

inten-

my only

object in public

life is

government

to repeal the corn-laws,

and

port Sir Robert Peel's administration of the

to call parliament together in

January

for that

government

of the queen.
is

for the country

A good government more important tliau cornlotig

purpose.

Some

ministerial papere doubted,

this.

and

then indignantly denied

it

laws or any other consideration; and as

journals said that

could not be

Some known to

THE LAST PULL "ALL TOGETHER.'

the Times, because tlie fact could

91
to

transpire

net

had,

on Wednesday, assented

Sir

Duly through

.tlie

breach of the cabinet oath.

it

Eobert Peel's proposition that the ports should

be opened, and that

Others said that

af

might

fairly

be a matter

new

financial ai-rauge-

inference

from the general policy being

Times asserted that

ments, including a repeal of the existing cornlaws,

It

understood; but to this there -was the objection that the

its

news

would be laid before parliament. was understood that when the premier

was not a matter of inference, but of fact;

ind
the ordinary government papers persevered in denying the truth of the
iltogether.

discovered his inability to

move

his cabinet

onward he immediately made

his

position

news

The Times was roundly abused by

jther newspapers,

whom it satiiized contempthaughtily asserting that

uously in return,
its
XD.

known to Lord John Eussell, then in Scotland, who consequently proceeded to London, where he arrived at the time when ministers had departed to Osborne House to tender their
resignation to the queen.

intelligence

would be found correct within

On

the following

Meantime the general x)nviction was complete, that the Times had !ome peculiar means of information. One report was that the Duke of Wellington had :ome down to the Horse Guards in great
assigned period.
svrath,

day Lord John Eussell was trying to form a

cabinet; the League

was preparing
arise,

for

any

emergency that might

and

for continu-

ing the struggle against the corn-laws until

they were totally repealed.

On

Saturday,

swearing, as he threw himself from

at the pass things

December
ter

13th,

upwards

of seventy of the

bis horse,

had come

to

principal subscribers to its funds in

Manches-

when the corn-laws were

the

to be given up; but,

and the neighbourhood met at the League

besides that such a freak

was not very

like

rooms, and resolved unanimously that an appeal to the public shoidd be

of 250,000, in the

shrewd and loyal Duke

of Wellington,

made

for a

fund

there

was no reason here why the Times

and that a meeting should be held

Hall, on Tuesday 23d, for that

should be exclusively in possession of the information.

the 4th of

Town

The announcement was made on

December.
"Atrocious

purpose.

Before that time arrived. Lord John

On

the 5tb the

title

/S'iaw-

Eussell had relinquished his attempt to form

rfari^ exhibited

a conspicuous

to a counter-

a ministry; and Sir Eobert Peel returned to

office

statement,

Times;" at

by the the Corn Exchange there was imfabrication

with much greater jjower to

effect

the

reform than the

Whig

party possessed.

But

mense surprise, not so much displeasure as

Tiight

this did not lessen the determination of the

have been expected, and an instant

dechired "that parliament
in

free-traders to put forth all their energy, for

it

ilownward tendency in the price of grain.

was seen that a desperate struggle was

be endured.

stdl

The Times

still

would meet early

January, and that a re-

peal of the corn-laws

would be proposed in

The announced meeting in the Manchester Town Hall was held on the 23d of December, and was attended by
to

one house by Sir E. Peel and in the other by

the
far

almost every merchant and manufacturer of

Duke

of Wellington."

The

free-traders so

eminence in the town and neighbourhood.

gave weight to the assertion as to an-

nounce everywhere, with diligence, that they

Mr. Eobert Hyde Greg was called to the chair, and in a short and pithy speech
called

would accept nothing short

of total repeal

upon the meeting to cash the cheque

not a shilling nor a farthing of duty should

which the League had drawn upon them.

then introduced Mr. George Wilson,

He
ren-

be imposed without sound reason shown.

who

On

Sunday, the 7th of December,

it

was

dered an account, on behalf of the treasurer,

of the receipts

rumoured that the Duke of Wellington had

yielded;

and expenditure, by which

passed.

it

on Tuesday

it

was

asserted that he

appeared that there was a balance in hand of

12,033.
lution

had withdrawn his assent.

rwas

On Thursday
had
resigned.

it

The accounts were

A reso-

known

that ministers

It
of

was then moved by Henry Ashworth, and seconded by Mr. Alderto the following effect:

pippeared that the startling

the Times

announcement

Esq., of Bolton,

was

substantially tnie.

The

cabi-

man Kershaw,

"That

02
this

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

meeting licvcby expresses
its liigli

sense

their

homeward journey

although

they had

of

tliu

invaluable services which the Antilias

previously been his guest there in 1843 and he

Corn-law League
free-trade;

rendered to the cause of

had made a return

visit to

Windsor

Castle.

and

iu order to enable the council

On

this second visit to Trejiort, as on the first,

to

make renewed and

increased exertions for

they received from Louis Philippe and his

family a

the repeal of the corn and provision laws,

ft

warm and

almost

overwhelming
the

subscrijjtion in aid of tlie great

fund

of

welcome, his majesty going on board

^250,000 be

now commenced." The chairman

set the

royal yacht to receive them, and afterwards

then called upon the assemblage to back their

taking them into his state barge, which, however, could not, or did not go inside the port,

words by their deeds, and becomingly

example, on behalf of himself and partner,

but was taken outside so that they had to

by giving ^1000.
spirited

The meeting hailed t\\U commencement with loud cheers,

submit to be dragged over the sands

bathing-machine, which, the queen

iu

tells us,

which were renewed when Mr. James Chadwick gave the second
for an hour
i;i()()().

"did very well."

This was just
.at

From

this

time

the time of the excitement

it

and a half cards were placed in

individuals
five, four,

about the "Spanish marriages," and

was ou

the chairman's Iiands nearly as fast as he could

returning to the royal yacht on the following

read them, from, or on behalf

of,

evening after this

conversation

visit,

that Louis Philippe in

subscribing their thousands; seven,

three, two,

with

her

majesty

and

Lord

and one hundreds, and smaller

Twenty-three persons and firms

Aberdeen, who had accomjianied her, said he

never would hear of Montpensier's marriage

amounts.

gave in their names for 1000 each, twentyfive for i;.500, fifty-one for

with the Infanta of Si)aiu until

it

was no

sums

of

from 200

longer a political question, which would be

to 400, sixty-one for

sums between 100 and

when
we

the

Queen

of Spain

was married and

of this assurance

150, and about

fifty for

sums

of

50

each.

had children.
shall

The meaning

At

the close of the meeting the chairman

have to consider

in anotlier Jiage.

announced that the amount subscribed was

5!),l(j.5.

All the doubts that had arisen as to the

probability of Sir Eobert Peel becoming the

Lord Stanley and the Duke

were the two members

of

Buccleugh

trusted friend of the sovereign as well aa

jirime minister of

of the cabinet

who
in-

England had

disajipeared.

would not consent

volving
tlie

to support a

measure

He

was held

in high esteem not only

by the

ultimate repeal of the corn-laws,

it
if

queen but by Prince Albert, whose confidence

he had won by the honesty and independence
of his character.

and, tliinkiug
public interest
question,

would bo injurious to the

he should
fail to

adjust the

The correspondence between

of familiar

and at the same time doubting

to conduct

the prince consort and Sir Eobert shows that

whether he should be able

the

he

liad

been received on terms

proposal to a successful issue. Sir Eobert Peel

regard

and
is

probably in that rather simple

chief

went without further delay

nation to the queen.

to tender his resig-

and unconventional royal household, the

disjilay of dignity

and the kind

of reticence

Her majesty and

the prince consort had

visit to

which

supposed to exist between the sove-

during the autumn been on a

Ger-

reign and even the most illustrious subject,

many, the Thuringian Forest, and the

birtliplace.

prince's

was on the
haps a
his

side of Peel himself,

who was

perto

received at

way home they had been Antwerp by the King and Queen
the

On

little

too conscious of

what was due

own

self-respect to

assume a confidence
remembered,

of the Belgians,

and the town was illuminated

v^'hich

the manner of his I'eceptiou might well

It should be

in their honour.

From

the Scheldt, where

have warranted.
too, that

the royal yacht awaited them, they jjroeeeded

to Treport in response to the earnest invita-

he was not by birth or even by posi-

tion one of the aristocracy of the country

chiefly

and

tion of the

King

of the

French that they would

at

ou

this

ground he refused the garter

to

pay him another

visit

Chateau d'Eu ou

which the queen was anxious

bestow ou
^1

PEEL TENDERS HIS EESIGNATIOX.

hini, as the

03

only x;ny in which she coiiM mark

estate at

Osborne as a delightful and quiet

too far

her deej) sense of his hoaour and integrity

retreat
all

not

from London, and with

he carried his

aud of the
country.

valualile

and

faithful services that

the advantages of domestic retirement.

he had rendered both to the crown and the

It

It

was

to Osborne, then, that

was well known, he

said, that

he

resignation,

and,

to

quote his

own words,
it

possessed her majesty's confidence, and the

"her majesty was pleased to accept

with

general impression to that effect would not be

marks

of confidence
gratifying,

ami approbation which,

strengthened by this

mark

of her favour.

As

however

made

it

a very painful

far as personal feeling

decline

it.

He

went he would rather sprang from the i)eople, and

and such an
His
of

act to replace in her majesty's hands the trust

she had confided in me."

was

essentially of tho people,

The queen
call

at once intimated her desire to

Paissell to

honour in his case would be misapplied.

heart was not set upon
social distinctions.
titles

upon Lord John

form a minis-

honour or

try,

and he was hastily summoned from EdinPeel wrote to the

His reward lay in her

burgh for that purpose.

majesty's confidence, of which,

dications, she

by many

in-

queen that the principle on which he was prepared to recommend the reconsideration of
the laws affecting the import of the main
articles of

had given him the

left

fullest assur-

ance; and

when he

her service the only

distinction he coveted
to him,

was that she should say

food was in general accordance

"You have

Ijcen a faithful servant,

with that referred to in the concluding para-

and have done your duty to your country and to myself!" It was after the passing of the
grant to Maynooth that the offer was
to

graph of Lord John Eussell's

letter.

He

wished

to

accompany the removal of

restric-

him through Lord Aberdeen.

sensible
of the

made The queen

the

tions on the admission of these articles with

relief to

the land from such charges as were

was so
which

importance of

unduly onerous.

He would

support measures

measure, and of the courage and ability with

it

founded on that general principle, and would

exercise

had been carried

in face of

a marked

any influence he might possess

to pro-

opposition from Peel's

own

supportei-s

and

amidst a storm of invective, that she desiied

to give the prime minister

some

distinctive

But Lord John Russell wanted more than this, and again, a few days later. Peel wrote to her majesty that he had
mote
their success.

mark of confidence. But by that time the prime minister had

become a tnisted
friend,

been asked for assurances amounting substantial!}'

to a pledge that he

would support the

and

in the corresponless

immediate and
he does not

total repeal of the corn -laws;

dence between himself and the prince, no

but that he "humbly expresses his regret that

feel it consistent

than in numerous references made by the

with his duty to

queen herself in her journals, and in those

passages in the Life of the Prince Consort,

enter upon the consideration of this important

que-Ttion in parliament fettered

by

by a previous

Mr. Theodore Martin, which received her

majesty's endorsement, there are

engagement

of the nature of that required."

numerous

Lord John Russell, however, considered

that he had sufficient promise of support to

evidences of the esteem with which he w;is

regarded in the royal family.

For there was

induce him to

make

the attempt to form a

more than a royal hougehold now.

tic life of

The domesaffec-

government, though the summons was sudden

the

young queen had already ripened

and the time was

short.

The queen

reluc-

and expanded in the light of maternal

tion.

tantly intimated to Sir Robert Peel that as

their political relation

from their

The royal record of the return home visit to Germany closes with the words "We drove up straight to the house

was about
at

to terminate
to bid

she wished to see

him

Windsor

him

farewell; but during the twent^'-four hours

(at Osborne), for there, looking like roses, so

that elapsed before his arrival at the castle

well and so fat, stood the four children

her majesty had received a letter from Lord

much pleased to see us." It was Sir Eobert I'eel who had advised the purchase of the

John with
found
it

his

humble duty, stating that he

impossible to form an administration.

94

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

of this failure w;v3 the refusal of
to eiiter the cabiuet

The cause
Lord Grey'
as
it

a policy which involved the principles of freetrade

ou the ground,

William Ewart Gladstone would be

was understood, that he could not countenance the probable policy of Lord Palmerston in the event of the latter being foreign secretary during the critical period through

mostly in advance of his colleagues

and

the
fill

intimation that he had been requested to

the vacant
office

was matter for

congratulatioji

to all those

who

desired the complete and

which we were believed to be passing in reSome bitter Litiou to France and America. reproaches were cast upon Lord Grey by the
Whigs, but he remained
silent;

final repeal of the corn-laws.

Of course Mr. Gladstone's acceptance

office

of

in a ministry pledged to this final mea-

and Lord
position

sure

was

inconsistent with his continuing to

John Eussell was

of the

too doubtful

of tlie

represent Ne-nark as a nominee of the

of Newcastle,

Duke
in
of

Whig

party to venture ou forming a

ministry without him.

which he said

"By

and he issued an address

accepting the
office

On

Sir Robert Peel entering the

room

after

secretary of state for the colonies I have

his arrival at Windsor, the queen said to

him

ceased to be your representative in parlia-

very graciously, " So far from taking leave of

you. Sir Robert, I must requii-e you to with-

ment.

On several accounts

I should

have been

peculiarly desirous at the

present time of

draw your resignation and to remain

vice."

in

my ser-

giving you an opportunity to pronounce your

constitutional

She observed that he might naturally require time for reflection and for communication

judgment on

my public conduct,

by
ou

soliciting at

your hands a renewal of the

with his colleagues before giving a

trust

which I have already received from you and held during

decisive answer, but with characteristic sagacity

five successive occasions,

he begged permission
office

to decide

on resumto

a period of thirteen years.

But as I have
local connec-

ing

at ouce, that he

might return

good reason to believe that a candidate recom-

tion,

town and, without any appearance of vacillaannounce that he had accepted the
Of
this the

mended
tions

to

your favour through

ask your
sufl'iages, it

may

becomes

my

appointment of prime minister.

very painful duty to announce to you on that

queen cordially approved, and the result was

that on his return he immediately called a

ground alone

my
It
to

retirement from a position

which has afforded lue so much of honour and

satisfaction.
is

meeting of those of his

late colleagues
still

who
de-

for those

who

believe the

were within reach.

clined to accept
oflice,

Lord Stanley

government

be acting according to the

but the Duke of Buc-

demands

of public duty, to testify that belief,

cleugh wrote to say that seeing the position

in

however limited

their sphere

may

be,

by

which her majesty

w-as placed,

and the only

their co-operation."

The

result of his retire-

alternative left to her in the event of his (Sir

Eoberfs) failure

perceiving

"the disastrous
critical

consequences that must ensue and the

state of the country"

ment was that Mr. Gladstone, though he had an important place in the cabinet, was without a seat in the House of Commons during the
session,

he

felt it his

imperative

when

his able support of the govern-

duty to make every personal

sacrifice,

and he
neces-

was therefore ready

administration.
It

to give his support to the

ment during the debate ou the extinction of the corn-laws would have been of incalculable
value.

was therefore only

He

had just previously published a

sary to appoint a colonial secretary in place of

pamphlet on Recent Commercial Legislation,

dealing with the subject of reductions of cus-

Lord Stanley, and Sir Robert Peel naturally

turned to the statesman whose indefatigable
attention to details no less than his eminent
financial ability

toms

duties, in a
it

manner so able and

ex-

haustive that

had been recognized as the

questions of

such good stead.

1

had ah-eady stood him in It was known, too, that in

work

of a high authority on

finance.

The

residts of the remission of duties

in relation to British

and foreign

trade,

and

Lord Howick, who had succeeded to the title on the death of his father, the former leader of the "Whigs, in
July, 1315.

the policy of removing as far as possible the charges on the materials of industry in order

THE CHANGE IN
to enable the British

PEEL'S OPINIONS.
authority than before, during the short term
for

workman

to

meet the

opposition manifested abroatl to prevent his

which he remained in power and passed

gi-eater

entering foreign markets, were the principal

subjects of the essay.

the repeal of the corn-laws. "I resume power,"

he wrote to a correspondent, "with

We have

seen what was the position taken

means

of

rendering public service than I

if

by the Anti-Corn-law League during the crisis.

should have have had

it.

I had not relinquished

life after hi.s

At a monster meeting at the Manchester Freetrade Hall on

tlie

I feel like a
service

man

restored to

15th of January, 1846, Mr.

is

funeral
gx-atified

has been preached, highly

his death as I

Cobden

said, "

Whatever course

proposed

by such condolence on

by

Sir Eobert Peel,

we

as free-traders have
If he proposes a

received from the king and our valued friend

but one
total

coui-se to pursue.

M.

Guizot."

and unconditional

repeal,

we

shall

throw
anxi-

Tlie

queen at the opening of parliament

up our

caps for Sir Eobert Peel.

am

referred distinctly to the necessity for a relaxation of the restrictions on the admission of

ous to hear now, at the last meeting before

go to parliament, that we occupy as

isolated position as

we did

at

we much an the fiMt moment

food supjjly, and

it

was understood that what-

ever change was impending, there must be a

of the formation of the League.

notliing to

do with Whigs or Tories.

We have We are

long step taken in the direction of a remission

of the tax on corn.
it

The question was whether

it

stronger than either of them; and

to our principles

we can
idle boast

beat

we stick them both."

if

would be only a temporary or a permanent would

result in the

measure, and whether

total abolition of the

That

this

was no

had already been

to

duty on corn.

Even

indicated,

and was immediately

be proved.

after the passing of the address to the royal

The dreaded "alternative"

referred to

by the

speech this anxiety was not allayed, although

Sir Eobert Peel

Duke
should

of Buccleugh in case Sir

fail

Eobert Peel

had made

it

evident by his

to

form a government after the

to send for

explanations not only that his opinions had

breaking down of Lord John Eussell's attempt

undergone considerable change, but that the

measures he was about to jjropose were due
not to the exceptional condition of Ireland

was that the queen would have

Mr. Cobden. The Duke
characteristic,

of Wellington's loyal

adhesion to his friend the prime minister was

and to the potato famine, but to the general

principles

but

it is

surely not too

much

to

which he had found himself con-

say that his unflinching support of the repeal

of the corn-laws,
tal in ciirrying

scientiously compelled to adopt.

which was largely instrumenrajiid passing of the

On the
in the

opening of the government statement

of

the measure through the House

House

Commons

the scene was ex-

of Lords,
bill in

and indeed the

ceedinglyanimated,and the house was crowded

in expectation of hearing Sir Eobert Peel's

the upper house, was occasioned by the

dread of the free-trade leaders being called to

power.

explanations.

He acknowledged that the proshad been the subbut he

pects of famine in Ireland

of the bill,

"Bad opinion

my lord !" said

the

ject of the frequent cabinet meetings,

duke to a Protectionist peer who complained

that he must vote against the government

said

it

would be unfair to make that cause

occupy the prominent place.

The laws which

because he had such a bad opinion of the bill " you can't have a worse opinion of it than I

regulated the importation of food were the

primary, the grand subject of the deliberation

of the cabinet.

have but
;

it

was recommended from the throne,

On

the question of the corn-

it

has passed the

all

Commons by a large majority,

vote for
it.

laws his opinion had undergone a complete

change.

and we must

The

queen's gov-

This announcement was received

ernment must be supported."

Peel's

with triumphant cheers from the opposition

resignation

had

created

immense

benches, with profound silence from the ministerial.

excitement in Prance, and his resumption of

ofBce

Then the prime minister proceeded

all

was regarded as

of great importance.

with great ability to show that

the grounds

Doubtless he was in a position of far greater

on which "protection

to native industry"

was

9G
advocated Lad
untenable.

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

Lcca proved to be wholly
on as
if

of Tuesday,

January the 27th, Sir Robert

in

He went

he were about

Peel would state what measures he had to

propose.
liart,

to conclude with a motion for the immediate

The house was crowded

every
of

and

total abolition of the corn-law.

"Protec-

and Prince Albert and the Duke

tion," he said, "

was not a

labourer's question,

(,'ambridge were jn-esent to hear the debate.

for iliiring the last three years prices

had been

Sir Robert spoke for three hours and a half.

low and food abundant, and

(.luring that jieriod

The duty on Russian tallow was

from
3s. 2d.

to

be reduced

the woi-king-classes had been better otf than

to

Is. (jd.

the cwt., and that ou

during the preceding three yeare. High prices

did not produce high wages, nor vice
versii.

the coarser fabrics of linen, cotton, and woollen

was

to be abolished.

The duty on the

to 10 per cent.

In the

hist three years,

with low prices and

finer to

be diminished from 20

abundance

of food,

wages were comparatively

A
lon

reduction from 22s. lOd. to lbs. the gal-

high and labour was in demand; in the three

years preceding, with high prices and scarcity,

was

to

be made on French brandy and

Geneva, and foreign free-gi-own muscovado

sugar was to be
bs.

wages were low and employment was

scai-ce.

lOd. instead of 9s.

(id.,

Experience thus pi-oved that wages were ruled

while the duty on clayed sugar was to be

8s.

by abundance
labour,
provisions.

of

capital

and demand

for
of

instead of lis. lOd. the cwt.

to

Indian corn
free of duty;

and did not vary with the price

and buck- wheat were

to
10s.,

come
to be

Again, increased freedom of trade

to the prosj^erity of

on butter the duty was

20,'!.

reduced from
10s. to 5s.

was favourable
merce.

our comyears,

and on cheese from

In

three

scarce

and

dear

namely, from 1839 to 1841, our foreign exports fell off from fiftj'-three millions in value
to forty-seven millions.

The duty on live animals and fresh and salted meat and vegetables was to be abolished. As to
wheat, oats, barley, and lye, he proposed that

But

in three years of
jirices,

on the 1st of February, 1849

(in three years),

reduction of duties and low

namely,

they should be admitted duty free, subject

only to a small nominal registration tax, and

from 1842

to 1844, the value of our exports rose to fifty-eight milof

from forty-seven millions

lions.

meanwhile the duties to be levied on wheat

were reduced
price
to
10s.
jier

Even deducting the amount

reduction
in

the

quarter

China trade, a similar result was shown. Nor

was under

48s.

per quartei'.

when the At every

was the

the

customs duties

rise of

one shilling per quarter in the market

the duty was to be one shilling per
till

unfavourable to the revenue.

In 1842 there
million

price

was an estimated
half;

loss

of

.a

and a

quarter lower,

wheat
after

sliould

be at

54s.,

in
in

1843,

a smaller one of 273,000;

revenue of no

and the duty

wheat being
reduced from
colonial

at

4s.,

which the duty was

existing price of

but

1845 there was a reduction, at an

loss

not further to change.

54s. the

The

estimated

to

the

less

duty would at once be

a quarter.
All British

than two millions and a half. The total amount of the various reductions effected in
three years exceeded four millions sterling;

16s. to 4s.

wheat and

flour

was

to be admitted

at once at a nominal rate of duly.

and many
the

of the duties

were

totally abolished;

As a compensation
great change,

or alleviation for this

loss, therefore,

not being compensated by

some

local

burdens were to be

any increased consumption.

been
lost to the

revenue?

Had four millions He believed that

revised with a view to their economical collection

rates,

and

application,

and

tlie

highway

on the 5th

of

April next the revenue would be

which were then under the control of under the manage-

found to be more buoyant than ever. Sir Robert Peel referred to other proofs of prosperity
resulting

16,000 local functionaries, would be jilaced,

by union

of parishes, &c.,

from reduced import

duties,

and then

ment
in

of GOO.
iis

The law
status,

of settlement

was

to

be

adverted to his

own

))osition
office

and declared
on a servile

altered so

to give residents of five years

that "he would not hold

tenure."

towns a

and thus save rural

dis-

tricts
t'.iat

from a

flood of pauperism,

thrown upon

Notice h.ad been given

on the evsninsj

them

in times of

commercial and manufactur-

rCEL ox
iug revulsion.

"

EECIPEOCITY."
tory,
.'lud

87 with remarkable force on sub-

Various otUer c!iargc3 would

rates,

beai-s

be taken o'S county

and placed ou

se<iueut

problems and later events.

the consolidated fund, as expenses of convicted prisoners, of prosecutions, &c, v.-bich

Sir Robert Peel

had abandoned the opinions

.i

that a low price of food implied

low rate of

were to be wholly or partly borne by the

state.

wages, and that a heavy national debt and a

The

state

would encourage agriculture

in-

high rate of taxation must be accompanied by

jjrotection against competition

ly lending money at a moderate rate of

terest
r.nd other

with foreign
years, high
to-

on adequate security for the drainage

industry.
prices

During the past three

improvement

of estates;

and the

and low wages had been existing

newly-coustituted board for the indosure of

gether,

and that he consideied

to be a proof

commons and the exchequer bill commissionei-s was to be the machinery for this purpose. It
w.as agreed

that wages did not vary with the price of

provisions,

but he was very decided in the

that the delate on Sir Robert

till

belief that the

amount

of crime did.

In the

Peel's propositions should be postponed

year 1842 there had been an increase in crime

Monday, the 9th February. The country w.is ready to respond

invitation.

and commitments.
to this

In 1843 there was a turn,

to 1845,

and a decrease began and continued

It

had the assurance that the

;

and that

in

an increasing population.
to the

With

League would seek no compromise

Ilobert Peel's measure

that Sir

respect to
discontent,

crimes connected with sedition,

was not the League's

the

and disaffection

government,

measme; and that League could throw

one of their

if it

members

of the
it

there had been only a single prosecution for

out and replace

with

an offence of that nature during the whole of

1845, because the crime of sedition did not
exist.

own

they unquestionably would.

There was no fear of embarrassing the prime

minister.

In 1845 there were 422 fewer pereous

The conviction was

that, looking at

sentenced to transportation than in 1842, and

1701 fewer during the last three yeare than
in the three preceding.
of comparative
it

the bitterness of his opponents, he would be

more embarrassed if the free-tradei's departed one iota from their first demand. Amid that
universally iterated

It

had been a period

prices,

abundance and low

and

demand

the triumphant

was impossible

to resist the inference that

prices,

return of Lord Morpeth for the West Riding

of Yorkshire

employment, low

and comparative
of

gave additional energy

to the

abundance contributed to the diminution

crime.

agitation, as a demonstration

from the con-

By

the removal of protection our do-

stituency which so fully and fairly represented

mestic industry and the gieat social interest

of the country

public opinion in England.

had been promoted, crime had

On Monday, February
of the

9tli,

the propositions
discussion.

diminished, and morality had improved.

the question of " reciprocity," which

On
dealt

government came under

March.

was

After a protracted debate the second reading

with at a

much

later stage of the debate

on

was carried on the 27th

of

the extension of free-trade. Sir Robert ad-

During the debate the whole ground which

mitted that in making the great reductions

had been so long contested was retrodden,

and arguments for and against protection
were turned and twisted
in the vain effort to It is not

on the import of

articles, the

produce and

manufacture of foreign countries, he had no

guarantee to give that other countries would

renovate them into fresh interest.

immediately follow our example.

with long and unavailing
satisfactory commercial

Wearied

necessary even to recapitulate them, but

we

efforts to enter into

may

glance for a

moment

at the position (a

treaties

with other

.l;03ition of

courage and dignity) which Peel

it is

nations,

we had

resolved to consult our

own

assvimed from the outset, and

that

desirable

interests,

and not

to punish those other counin continuing

we should endeavour

to

understand the

tries for the

wrong they did us

situation, since this story of the repeal of the

their high duties on the importation of our

corn-laws and the ushering in of free-tiade

ia

products and manufacture.

There had been

2S

one of the most important in English hisVOL. IL

no communication v.ith any foreign govern-

08

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

subject of those reductions.

ment on the
might he
tions,

He

that

now

presented to

tlie

country.

It

may

told,

and

truly, that iiiauy foreign

countries which

had benefited by our relaxahad actually applied to the importation

what dismay, with what scarcely lestrained fury and bitterly

well be imagined, however, with

expressed

anger, these

declarations

of

Sir

of British goods higher rates of duties than

Eobert Peel were received by the Protectionists,

formerly.

He

relied

upon that

fact as a con-

by that agricultural or landed

It

interest

clusive proof of the policy of the course

\vere

we

which had formerly so

him.

faithfully supported
at, fol'

jjursuing.

countries

It was a fact that other had not followed our example, and
cases levied higher duties

was not
left

to

be wondered

they

had been
pelled to

without a leader, without a deparliament.

listen to

had in some
goods.

on our

finite status iu
sit

They were comall

But what had

been the result on the

?

and

a reversal of

the

amount
this

of our export trade

It

had greatly

theories which they

had been accustomed to

politics,

increased.

Among

other reasons
for,

was

to

be accounted

by which were our acting

and that the
burden,

regard as the wisdom of practical

that

and

by the minister

to

without wishing to avail ourselves of the

assistance of these other nations,

their loyal adhesion,

lately followed, not

whom they had given and whom they had till

always without misgiving,

very precautions which they took against the

ingress of our commodities

but without any open signs of disaffection.

were

a,

They

had,

it

is

true,

begun to some extent

dis-

and the taxation increasing the

ductions had disqualified
tlie

cost of his pro-

to rally

louud that exponent of their

foreigner fiom

satisfaction

whose taunts and sarcasms had

sudden lightning about
little avail

competing with

us.

Our exports

whatever

played
cause
;

like

their

were the

tariffs of

other countries, or however

but charges of inconsistency and of

against a minat the very beginning of the ses:

apparent the ingratitude with which they

treated us

treachery were of
ister

had

been constantly increasing.

who

By

the remission of our duties on the

raw

sion

had said

"

Whether holding a

private

material,

by

inciting our skill

and industry

station or in a public one, I will assert the

privilege of yielding to the force of

defied

by competition with foreign goods, we had competitors in foreign markets, and

had even been able to exclude them.
Notabove
tariffs

argument
results of

and conviction, aud acting upon the

enlarged experience.
that there
is

It

may

be supposed

withstandiug hostile
of

the declared value

increased

something humiliating in makI feel

British

exports

had

ing such admissions.

tion
;

no such humiliaif,

^10,000,000 during the period which had

elapsed since the relaxation of duties on our
part.
tariffs,

should feel humiliation

having

modified or changed
to

my

opinions, I declined
of incur-

He

said, therefore, that these hostile

acknowledge the change for fear

so far

from being an objection

to conits

ring the imputation of inconsistency.

question
is

The

tinuing that policy, were an argument in

favour.
It

whether the

facts are sufficient to

tlie

was

in fact

a free-trade policy
it

account for the change, and

it

motives for

that the prime minister announced, and

received with ringing cheers

was

are pure and disinterested.

Nothing could

by those men

be more base on the part of a public

to protect himself

man than

who had
members
tlie total,

so long

and so arduously fought for

from danger by pretending

the principles which he

of the

now enunciated. The

a change; on the other hand nothing could

League would have preferred

but the proposals of the
to this that their

be more inconsistent with the duty he owes

to his sovereign

immediate, and unconditional repeal

and

his country

than
is

if,

see-

of the corn duties,

ing reason to alter his course, he

precluded

government came so near

EusseU,

from that alteration by the fear of being

taunted with
it.

cause was virtually won, and

Lord John
to the

...

I may, without irre-

who had

already

made known

verence, be permitted to say that, like our

house the cii'cumstauces which prevented his

physical frame, our ancient constitution

'

is

forming a ministry,
to accept

felt

that he

was pledged

fearfully

and wonderfully made

to ensure the

'

that

it is

and

to support as

wide a scheme as

no easy task

harmonious and

BENTINCK'S LEADERSHIP
united action of an ancient monarchy, a proud
aristocracy,
facts,

AXD

FIGUEES.

S9

which are as

essential to the success of

mons.

and a reformed House of ComTliese are tlie objects which we have

the leader of a party, as skill in debate and

quickness of apprehension, in neither of which

attempted to accomplish, and I cannot think

they are inconsistent with a pure Consers'atism.

he held a noticeable position.

Perhaps
scarcely

Lord

George

Bentinck

would

Power

for such objects

is

really valua-

able, but for

my own
It is a

part I can say, with

perfect truth, that even for these objects I do

now be remembered by the general public with much definite interest, but for the biograjjhy in which his keen supporter who

not covet
j>hysical,

it.

burden far above

my

had so immediate a part

in inducing

him

to

infinitely

beyond
from

my
it

intellectual

undertake the leadership of the Protectionists

strength.

The

relief

with honour

describes him.'
cist,

This biography, written with

would be a favour and not a punishment.

the consummate skill of the practised romau-

But while honour and a sense

require
it

of public duty
office.

without being untruthful in

its

descrip-

I do not shrink

from

am

tion,

may be
to

said to

throw a peculiar and per-

ready to incur
sacrifices, to

its responsibilities,
its

to bear its

haps a poetical light upon the figure of the

leader,

confront
it

honourable perils

whom

the writer was so loyal.

but I will not retain

with mutilated power

I will not stand at
if

Throughout the debates in which Lord George

Bentinck took a leading part, not only the
influence

and shackled
helm
vessel
is

authority.

the helm during the tempestuous night

that

and

so to

speak the "cramming" of

traced, but his
pai"-

not allowed freely to

travei'se.

I will

Mr. Disraeli may be readily

not undertake to direct the course of the

prompting and even the example of his

liamentai-y or unparliamentary invective

by observations taken
what will be

in the year 1842.

may
and

I will reserve to myself the unfettered power

of judging

be frequently detected.

It

is

a remarkable

for the public interest.

and suggestive indication

of the character

I do not desire to be the minister of England,

unbounded patience
whose

of Disraeli, that he

was

but while I
hold
office oftice

am

minister of England I will

servile tenure.

for so long satisfied to be second to the

social position better fitted

man
to bo

by no

I will hold

him

unshackled by any other obligation than

the recognized chief of the party, and that he

that of consulting the public interest, and

should have kept himself in the background

providing for the public safety."

and worked with unremitting pei-severance

sustain the leader, behind

to

The

agricultural party

had found a leader

whom

he sat with

or

it

may

be more correct to say that a

watchful interest.

Until Bentinck's sudden

leader had been found for

them

in the per-

and lamented death he never moved a step to

take any higher place than adviser and lieutenant.
Still

son of Lord George Bentinck, a well-known

nobleman

to

made

in a

whom reference has already been previous page. He was a familiar

distin-

more suggestive, perhaps, are the

high expressions, not only of regard but of

admiration for the object of his political loyalty

though not in a parliamentary sense a

guished person in the house.

A man

of good

which Mr. Disraeli employs

to

in the

biography

presence, noted for his constant devotion to

horse-racing, on which he was an almost supreme authority, though he had never been
successful in his endeavours to run a

which we have refeiTed.

which in

Even those defects an opponent would have moved his

if

scornful antagonism, are invested with the

winning

appearance of consistent

not altogether adis

horse for " the Derby."

He

was, as his

name

mirable qualities, and care

taken to show

implied, a descendant of an eminent follower

of

how they were relieved

traits of character, or

or controlled

by noble
abilities.

William of Orange, and had, as he

said, sat

by the sudden an d successunsuspected

in eight parliaments without having taken part

in any great debate
it diffic\dt
;

ful exercise of hitherto

he had a weak voice, found

Doubtless the fine presence, frequently cordial

to arrange

had

to say,

and condense what he and was unaccustomed to the

and even

jovial manners,

and frank and grate-

mastery of details and the marshalling of

'

See

vol.

i.

page

332.

100
fill

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

expi-essions of obligation,

may have

vron

as the fruits of one

hundred thousand tons of

upon the uatuie

nor irregular;
praises

of Disraeli,

and have aroused

read his

guano; which at ninety-two pounds per man,

the average Englishman's allowance, atfords

a loyalty which once excited was neither slow

but

it is

difficult to

meat

for one million eight

hundred and sixty

fifty-tive

Lord George Bentiuck without fancying that the encomiums become somewhat
of

thousand nine hundred and

nearly
This

two million
is

of her majesty's subjects.'

more exaggerated

as the apparent necessity

a specimen of those original and startling

for justifying tliem advances, precisely as the

calculations to

which the house was soon to

denunciations of Peel grow more violent and

sometimes more fantastic after the writer has,

as
it

become accustomed from his lips." Well, it was somewhat of an example, but is it conceivable that Disraeli the humorist wrote this

were, persuaded himself that he

is

bound

to vindicate his earlier attacks,

and

to prove

with a grave face?

that they were not ill-directed.

It is exceed-

These " original and startling calculations"

ingly difficult to imagine the author

ingsbi/ seriously

of Coii-

were delivered during the debate on the 27th

of January, on which occasion Prince Albert

writing some of the passages

O'eoiye Dciitinck, as for

in the Life of

Lord

attended to listen to the discussion.

He was
hoi-se,

instance where he quotes in eulogy

some

of

accompanied

by the master

of

the

his leader's speeches, noted then, as since, for

and went, as the queeu herself has assured

royal jninces do, to hear a fine debate,
is

n?.

a remarkable agglomeration of figures, which

merely as the Prince of Wales and the other

he had studied with enormous pains, but seems

which
felt

never to have
gibly.

known how

to handle intelli-

so useful to piiuces,

but he naturally

One

of these quotations is

on the sub-

unable to do so again, for Lord George Bentinck

ject of the application of

guano

to land,

and

and some of

his followers chose to consider

the means of the country to sustain even a

the presence of the prince consort " the unfair

much

increasing population, to prove which,

and unwise manceuvre

of the minister" to give

says Mr. Disraeli, " he entered into one of the

the semblance of the personal sanction of her

Most original and interesting calculations that

majesty to the goveriuuent measure.

Lord

was perhaps ever

offered

to

the

House

of

George in concluding
that
if

his speech intimated,

Commons."
of

The Norfolk

authorities had, ac-

so

humble an
to

iiulividual as himself

cording to Lord George, proved that two cwts.

might be permitted
eai-

whisper a word in the

guano would add ten tons per acre to the

of the illustrious

and royal personage who, was

justly dearest to her

turnip crop, but he gave three cwts., lest he

as he stood nearest, so

should exaggerate the quantity, and then two

million cwts. of guano
six

who sits upon

listened to
ill

the throne, he would take leave

would add

six million

tosay that hecould not but think he(the prince)

advice when, on the
fii-st

hundred and sixty -sis thousand

six

hun-

night

dred and sixty tons to the natural uumanured

produce of the crop
;

of that great discussion, he allowed himself to

and as

it

was considered

be seduced by the
t6

first

minister of the crown

that a ton of swedes would last twenty sheep

three weeks, twenty sheep feeding on a ton
of turnips iu three

come down
it

to that

house and give

eclat,

and as

were by

reflection

from the queen be

weeks would make thirty

to give the

semblance of a personal sanction

it

jiounds of mutton, but to be safe in his esti-

of her majesty to a measure, which,

for

mate, he Would assume that one ton of turnips

good or

evil,

a great majority at least of the

made only half the quantity. Then the biographer comes

tiply, then,'

landed aristocracy of England, of Scotland,

in thus, "

'Mul-

and

of Ireland
if

imagined fraught with deep

exclaimed Bentinck with the ear-

injury,

not ruin, to them

its

a measure which,
down
countless

nest air of a crusader, 'six million six

hundred

not confined in
class,
is

operation to this great

and

sixty-six thousand six

hundred and sixty

less

calculated to grind

by

fifteen,

and you

liave

no

than ninety-

smaller interests of the empire, transferring

nine million nine hundred and ninety-nine

the profits of

all

these interests, great and

thousand and nine hundred pounds of mutton

small alike, from Englishmen, from Scotch-

PEEL'S
lucn,

EXHORTATION TO THE AGRICULTUEISTG.

lo

101

nml from Iiislimen

Americans, to

could by any means be brought to an altered

opinion.

iVenclimeii, to Russiaus, to Poles, to Prussians,

" This night," said Sir Robert Peel

is

and

to

Germans.

Of course

this

was

on

tlie

sixth night of the debate, "

jjolicy of

to decide

exccediugly unpleasant for the prince consort,

between the
hibition.

continued relaxation of

and

it

of protection, for
interest

was not calculated to enhance the cause it was evidence of a failing

restriction, or the return to restraint

and pro-

This night you will select the motto

to indicate the commercial policy of

when such
is

a circumstance could be so

which

is

dragged into the heat of debate.

Tliere

England.

Shall

it

be advance or recede

no need now to follow the leader

Which
pire?

is

the fitter motto for this great em;

of the "third party" in his subsequent efforts;

Survey our position

consider the ad-

nor in the bitter attacks on Peel, in one of

vantages which
us,

which

at a later period,

when

the Irish Co-

God and nature have given and the destiny for which we are intended.
stand on the confines of Westeru Europe,

ercion Bill

was being

discussed, the

prime

We

minister w.xs accused of having hunted Can-

the chief connecting link between the Old

ning to death on the question

cipation,

of Catholic

emanin

World and the New. The

discoveries of science,

on which

it

was alleged he had

the improvements in navigation, have brought

1827 stated that he told Lord Liverpool in 1825 that he had changed his opinions. It was

us within ten days of St. Petereburg, and will

soon bring us within ten days of

New

York.

perhaps to be expected that the Protectionists

We

have an extent of coast greater, in pro-

would

fight

with a certain fury, and the

portion to our population and the area of our

land, than any other great nation, securing to

fashion of the fighting was that of an age that

was already passing away, and has only been revived at heated intervals and amidst great
political excitements.

us maritime strength and superiority.

Iron

and

coal,

the sinews of manufacture, give us

Sir

Robert warmly and

it

advantages over every rival in the great competition of industry.

emphatically denied the charge, and

affected

scarcely

his \iltimate

position

as

the great the

that which they can

in skill, in energy,

Our capital far exceeds command. In ingenuity,

minister

who had gone

out of

office for
liis

we

are inferior to none.

sake of a conscientious regard to

tions.

convic-

Our
and

national character, the free institutions

live,

under which we
in allusion to Sir

the liberty of thought

It

was

Robert Peel's repre-

action,

an unshackled press spreading the

of

sentation of

"an

ancient monarchy" as part

knowledge of every discovery and

advance
in science,

every

of the constitution of the country, that

Lord

combine with our natural

profit

George Bentinck made the reference to the

presence of the pi-ince in the house, and he
also spoke of the

and physical advantages to place us at the

head of those nations which

by the
is

free

"paid janissaries" and the

the minister.
to

interchange of their products.

And

this

renegades
deed,

who supported

In-

the country to shrink from competition?

this the country to

Is
?

by that time he seemed

have become

adopt a retrograde policy

apt at adopting the strong expressions which

Is this the country

which can only

flourish in

had so frequently been used in defending

the interests of his party and attacking the
premier.

the sickly atmosphere of prohibition'?

Is this

the country to stand shivering on the brink

of exposuie to the healthful breezes of compe-

To

return, however, to the

Corn

Bill: the

tition?"

So much

for the general question of

tactics of

Lord George Bentinck were to postpossible.

free-trade; then addressing the agriculturists

in particular,

pone the division as long as

There

he exclaimed, "
come.
.

When
.

'

the yeai-s are

were certain seats in parliament vacant by

death or resignation
;

of deai-th

may have
.

when you

and

it

was sought

to

exhorting a suffering people to fortitude under

their privations.
.

tide over the debate first

recess,

beyond the Easter

side of

and encouraging them

grant that by your delaid in store

and
it

then to as late a date as possible.

to bear without repining the dispensations of

Time,

was thought, might be on the

if

Providence, m.vy

God

the landed interest

the nation and the house

cision of this night

you may have


102
fur yourselves

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

the consolation of reflecting
it

the advantage of every clime and every

that such calamities are, in truth, the dispenthat they have not sations of Providence been caused, they have not been aggravated,

latitude under heaven."

The bill went into committee with a considerable majority for the government, and though

by the laws

of

man

restricting in the hours of

!"

Mr.

Villiers

put his annual motion for the

of the corn-laws, it

scarcity the supply of food

immediate abolition
forward

was

Lord George Beutinek brought

denials sujiported
little

uudei-stood to be only for the assertion of the

principle to

more than

contradictions.

by statements -which were The govern-

which the League adhered.

They

could do no better

now than support

the pro-

ment commission to Ireland had created an The potatoes rotted because they were dug up before they were ripe. The apprehenalarm.
.sions

posed measure.

The member

for

Shrewsbury had already

spoken with his wonted animation, and had,

of famine were altogether a mistake.

There was evidently no compromise. The Protectionists

had drawn the sword and tlirown

away

the scabbard; but, on the other hand,

by the adroitness with which he sprung to the front, placed the stamp of genius, and of the genius of statecraft, upon the former successes which had made him the mouthpiece of the
Protectionists.
their leader;

the leading fi-ee-traders had rallied round the

minister.

He was now
his

little less

than

made

las

The evening after Sir Robert Peel statement, John Bright spoke with
"I

opportunity

own account of the which brought him to the front.

we have

enthusiasm in his defence.

right honourable baronet go
said, "

watched the
last night,"

"There had been a general uudei-stauding that

the great question was not to be entered into

home

he

and I confess

I envied

him

the en-

on
to

this occasion,

and men are not disposed

under such cii-cum-

nobling feelings which must have fiUed his

breast after delivering his speech
I venture to say,

embark
It

in discussion

a speech,
to in
it.

stances unless supported

by a

disciplined fol-

more powerful and more

lowing.
to
fall,

seemed that the curtain was about

In
their- position

be admired than anj^ speech ever heard in this house within the
. . .

and certainly not to the disadvantage

government.
the
first

memory

of

any man
in

of the

There

is

not," he continued, turning to

night of the session passed in serenity was

the Protectionist party, " a

man

your ranks

comparatively a triumph.
of opposition,

With

the elements
so inert

who would

dare to

sit

on that bench as the

however considerable,

prime minister of England, pledged to maintain the existing law.

. . .

and desponding, the first night might give the

cue to the country.

When the right

back
to office of the

Perceiving this a member,

honourable baronet resigned he was then no

longer your minister.

who, though on the Tory benches, had been

for

He came

two

sessions in opposition to the ministry,

rise

as the minister of his sovereign

and

ventured to

and attack the minister.

The

people
class

and

not again as the minister of a

for their

opportune in a popular assembly has sometimes more success than the weightiest
of research
efl'orts

who had made him such

own
The

selfish objects."

and

reason.

The

minister, per-

Cobden was
landed
interest

certain of the result.

haps too contemptuous of his opponents, had

not guarded
all his

might

have

their

pocket

approaches.

His depreciarisen,

boroughs and their nomination counties, but

every town numbering more than 20,000 inhabitants would be against them.
*

tion of those party ties

in an assembly, too, in

by which he had

which they are wisely

ostentatious grati-

He wound
to

reverenced

his

somewhat

up by

saying, "

We

have set an example

tude for the favour of successive sovereigns

his incautious boast

the world in

all

ages.

We

have given the

that his Conservative

world the example of a free press

presentative government

of
and

a rereli-

government had discouraged sedition and extinguished agitation,

felt

of

civil

when

it

was

univei-sally

gious liberty
give

and

we

are going, I trust, to

glorious than all

that he

was about

to legislate

on the most
intimation

them an example more

important of subjects in deference to agitation

;

that of making industry

free,

and

of giving

and above

all his significant

DISEAELI'S OPPOETUNITY.
that an ancient

103

monarchy and a proud

least unless

aristo-

sideration
ter

Sir, I

must say that such a minishe ought to be the

last

cracy might not be compatible with a reformed

may be conscientious, but he is unfortunate.

also that

House
ling of
fail.

of

Commons at

he were

must say

minister

oflei'ed some materials in the hand-

man

in the world to turn

round and upbraid

Sir, there is

which the
it

least adroit could scarcely

his party in a tone of menace.

of

was the long-constrained passion the house that now found a vent far more
sallies of

But

difficulty in finding a parallel to the position

of the right honoiu^able gentleman in of history.

than the

the speaker that changed

the frigid silence of this senate into excilc-

incident in

any part The only parallel I can find is an the lato war in the Levant, which

ment and tumult."

"I should have abstained from
said
Disraeli,
oljtrudiiig

was terminated by the policy of the noble lord

opposite.
gle

remember when that great strugplace,

myself on the house at the present moment,"

in the

was taking
a

when

the existence of

speech to which he

the Turkish empire was at stake, the late sultan,

refers,

" had

it

not been for the peculiar tone I think

man

of great energy

and
to
fit

fertile

in

of the right honoui-able gentleman.

resources,

was determined
fleet to

out

an

that tone ought not to pass unnoticed.

At

immense

maintain his empire. AccorIt

the same time I do not want to conceal

opinions on the general subject.

my
not

dingly a vast armament was collected.

consisted of
built.

am

many

of the finest ships

ever

one of the converts.

ber of a fallen party.
I

am

perhajis a

mem-

The crews were picked men, the

officers

To the opinions which

tliis

were the ablest that could be found, and both

officei-s

have expressed in

house in favour

of protection I still adhere. this house,

They

sent

me

to

fought.
left

and men were rewarded before they There never was an armament which

and

if

had relinquished them, I

the Dardanelles similarly appointed since

should have relinquished

my seat also.

must

the days of

Solyman the Great.

The sultan
the

say that the tone of the right honourable

personally witnessed the

fleets; all

departure of

gentleman

is

hardly fair towards the house,

the muftis prayed for the success

while he stops discussion upon a subject on

of the expedition, as all the muftis here prayed

for the success of the last general election.

which he himself has entered with a fei-vency

unusual to him.
Sir, I

admiie a minister who

Away went

the

ficst,

but what was the con-

says that he holds power to give effect to his

sternation of the sultan

when

the lord high

own

convictions.

I have no doubt that the

admiral steered at once for the enemy's port

right honourable gentleman has arrived at a

Now,
sion

sir,

the lord high admiral on that occa-

conscientious conclusion on this great subject.

The
so

right honourable gentleuKiu says

force
of

it is

not

was very much misrepresented. He too was called a traitor, and he too vindicated
himself.
'

much by

argument as by the
surely the observa-

True

it

is,'

said he,

'

I did place

cogency of observation that he has arrived at

this conclusion.

myself at the head of this valiant armada;

true
it is
it is

But,

sir,

that tny sovereign embraced me; true

all

tion

which

tlie

right honourable gentleman

that

the muftis in the empire ofiered

has

made might have been made when he

a post scarcely
less

up prayers

for

my

success.

But

I have an

filled

considerable than

objection to war; I see no use in prolonging

that which he

now

occupies.

Wliat,

sir,

are

the struggle; and the only reason I had for accepting the

we

to think of the

eminent statesman, who,

on so
cir-

command was

that I might ter-

having served under foUr sovereigns, who,

minate the contest by betraying

It
is

my

master.'

having been

called to steer the ship

all

very well for the right honourable

many

occasions

and imder such perilous

gentleman to come forward to this table and

saj',

cumstances, has only during the last three or

four years

'I

am

thinking of posterity; although,

found

it

necessary entirely to

certainly, I

am

doing on this side of the table

change his convictions

topic

on that important
itself

the contrary to that which I counselled

when

which must have presented

for

I stood upon the other; but

my sentiments are

more than a quarter

of a century to his con-

magnanimous,

my aim is heroic, and, appealing

10-1

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAKIES.

as to the result of his skilful grasp of the

to posterity, I care neither for your clieers nor

for your taunts.'

But we may ask ourselves what were the means, what the machinery, by
quired his position,

situation
tunity.

and
It

his

prompt use

of the oppor-

was he who then gave a

voice

and

which the right honourable gentleman ac-

an

articulate expression to the rage,

we might

how he

obtained power to

almost say the desire for revenge, which was

turn round on his supporters and treat them

consuming the body of men who, believing

that they had been betrayed and deseited,

with contempt and disdain?

Well do we

remember, perhaps not without a blush, the effoi-ts we made to raise him to the bench on

yet found no speaker adequate to represent

their feelings.
of this

They were

lighted by the flash

electric

which
'

lie

now

sits.

Who

does not remember

sudden outburst. It was as an

enei'gies,

the sacred cause of protection,' for

which sove-

shock to their drooping

they

and though

reigns were tliwarted, parliament dissolved,

knew

that they wre defeated beyond

and a nation taken in?

Delightful indeed, to

the present power of recovery, they might yet

have the right honourable gentleman entering

into all his confidential details, when, to use
his

become a party.

The former
had been
full

jiart of

Mr.

Disraeli's speech

courtly

language, he 'called'
his sovereign

upon

his

of statistics, which, however,

to its real

sovereign.

Would

have called on

were but the introduction

meaning

him,

if,

in 1841,

he had not placed himself, as

and intention, and Sir Eobert Peel in his

reply said, "I foresaw that the course which
I

he said, at the head of the gentlemen of Eng-

land ? It

is all

very well for the right honour-

had taken from a sense

of public

duty

able gentleman to take this high-flying couree,

would expose
saw, as
its

me

to serious sacrifices.

I fore-

but

think myself

I say

it

with great respect

inevitable result, that I

must forfeit

for gentlemen on this side of the house and

friendships which I highly valued; that I

must

the other, I say

it

without any wish to achieve

interrupt political relations in which I took a

sincere pride;

a party triumph, for I believe I belong to a

party which can trium])h no more, for

but the smallest penalty which

we have

I contenijJated

was the continued venomous

for Shrewsbuiy.
Sir,

nothing
cies

left

on our side except the constituen-

attacks of the
I will

member

which we have not betrayed

but I do say
is

only say of that honourable gentleman

he, after reviewing the

that

my

conception of a gi-eat statesman

of

that

if

whole of

who represents a gi-eat idea an idea wliich may lead him to power; an idea with which he may identify himself; an idea which lie may develop; an idea which he may and
one can impress on the mind and conscience of a
nation; that,
sir, is

political life

life of

thirty yeai-s before

my my

accession to office in 1841

if

he then enterpro-

tained the opinion of

fesses, it is surprising

me which he now

that in 1841, after that

long experience of

my public career,
to give

he should

my

idea of

what makes a

have been prepared

It
is still

me

his contidence.

man
he
is

a great statesman. I do not care whether

a manufacturer or a manufacturer's son.
is

more surprising that he should have

I

been ready, as

think he was, to unite his

That
tion.

a grand, that
I care

is

indeed a heroic posi-

fortunes with mine in otBce, thus implying

But

not what

may be the position

the strongest proof which any public

man

of a

man who

never originates an idea

can give of confidence in the honour and

integrity of a minister of the crown."

watcher of the atmosphere

a man who, as he
and when he
finds

says, takes his observations,

Disraeli denied that he

had ever been directly

the wind in a certain quarter trims his sails to

suit
ter,
it.

an applicant for place

time.

in 1841, or at

any other
it

Such a man may be a powerful minisis

This was of course true, but

that friends of

was not
for

but he

no more a great statesman than

a carriage
is

unknown
for

the

member

man who gets up behind

a great

Shrewsbury had been interested

in obtaining

whip."

him some

official

recognition duiing the

In his modesty the narrator

of the circum-

early part of the Peel administration

that

stances under which this extraordinary attack

administration which he had

characterize
as
"political

was uttered has

scarcely done himself justice

now come to pedlai's who had 11

THE APPROACHING GOVERNMENT DEFEAT.

liouglit their

103

party in the cheapest market

corn-laws.

Had

anything taken place at the

and solj

it

iu tlie dearest"

wliile the premier

hail

election of 1846

which precluded that revision ?

was described as oue who

on other people's
\v;is,

been "a trader

Was

there a public assurance given to the

intelligence,"

whose
other

"life

people of this country at the election of 1841

that the existing
agi-iculture

iu fact, one great principle of appropria-

amount

of protection

to

tion

the political burglar of ideas who, after deserting his

if

men's

should bo retained?

AVhen he

friends, acted

made
to

this inquiry there

lie
1

were

cries of " Yes,"

as

they ha*l deserted hira."

Sir Robert

had

which

quickly retorted, "There was,

a few words for

t!iese representations of his

was there
guilty
If it
.as

Then
!

if

there was, you were as

the assurance given ?
of protection to

conduct towards the Protectionists.

He

had
cir-

What was

explained more than once what were the

was that the amount

cumstances uiuler which he

felt it to

be his

agriculture which existed in 1840 and 1841

duty to take the course which he had pursued.

should be retained, opposition ought to h.ave

He had

felt in

the previous
cause

November

that
of

been made by you to the revision of that sys-

there w;\s

just

for apprehension

tem

in

1842.

Why

was the removal

of the

famine and scarcity in Ireland, and those

.ii>prehensions,

jirohibitiou

on

the importation of
cattle assented to?

foreign

though they might be denied

brought forward some of the

meat and foreign

That

now, were at least shared then by the Protectionists.

removal must have been utterly at variance

with any assurance that the protection to
agriculture

He

strong declarations then

made by members

of

which existed

in 1840

and 1841

that party in favour of a suspension of the

corn-laws.
said,

He might

have been wrong, he

first

but his impression was

that his duty

towards a country threatened with famine

required that that which had been the ordin-

Yet that removal was voted by the house by large majorities; and after the bill of 1842 was I not repeatedly asked the question, 'Now that you have
should be retained.

passed this
will

bill

establishing a

new
Did

corn-law,
to tliat

ary remedy under

all

similar circumstances

you give a public assurance that

will at all times adhere?'

should be resorted to

namely,

that there

you

I not uni-

should be free access to the food of

man from

formly decline to give any such assurance?I said I

whatever quarter

it

might come.

He was

had no intention

of proposing

an

prepared to give the best proof which public

alteration of the

law at the time when the

men can

give of the sincerity of their opinions,

his

question was put to

me

but I distinctly

by tendering
this

resignation

of

office

and

declared that I would not fetter for ever

discretion

my

devolving upon others the duty of proposing

measure

and

if

these laws were once

by giving such a pledge." Sir Robert's speech went on with an able exposition of the situation iu

suspended, and there was unlimited access

to

which the government

food,

the

produce

of

other

countries,
felt

was

placed,

and

of the continued conditions

he and those with

whom
it

he acted
it

the

which had wrought a change in his opinions

with regard to the retention of a duty on
grain, which, after
all,

strongest conviction that public interest

was not

for the

that

was not

for the inter.an

est of the agricultural party

that

attempt

agricultural

party,

would not satisfy the and would amount to

all

should

be made

permanently to reimpose

giving an ineffectual protection with

the

restrictions

on the importation of food.

He
per-

odium that would attach

quate one.

to giving an ade-

could not propose the re-establishment of the

existing law with

any guarantee for

its

There

is

no need to follow the whole course

Sir Robert foresaw

manence.

of the discussion.
acteil

and

He had
1825,

with Mr. Huskisson

in revising the

in 1822,

was warned

of the result.

In the course of

and 1826

commercial

the final debate, at the conclusion of an elo-

system and applying to that system the principle of free-trade.

quent speech, he
tenure of power

said,

"I

am

not surprised to

In 1842, after his acces-

hear honourable members predict that

is

my

sion to office, he prepared a revision of the

short.

But

let us pass this

100

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

it is

measure, and while

in progre^ss let uie

me; but
even
if

I will

not allow this occasion to pass,

request of you to suspend your indignation.

Tliis

this night should possibly

be the

last

measure

being

once

jiassed,

you on

upon which I
out giving

shall give

you

my advice, with-

and you on the opposite side of the house, may adopt whatever measures you
this side,

my

counsel as to the vote which I

think your loidships should give on this occasion."

think proper for the purpose of terminating

The advice was not

of

to reject

a measure

my

political

existence.

assure you

which had passed by such large majorities in

the

I deplore the loss of your confidence

much
poliI
fall,

House

more than
tical

shall deplore the loss of

.

counsel, for those

Commons, and it was sound who remembered what had

the opposition of the lords

power.

Wlien

do

been the
to the

efiect of
bill

shall

have

the
fall

satisfaction

of

reflecting

reform

could scarcely have desired

that I do not

because I have shown subI sludl not fall because

to provoke a collision

which must ultimately

servience to a party.

put their house iu antagonism to the country.

Peel had undergone so

preferred

the interests of party to the

much during
at, if

the
it

general interests of the community; and I

shall carry

debates on the repeal of the corn-laws that

is

with

me

the .satisfaction of reflectcourse of

scarcely to be

wondered

he looked

ing that during

career

tlie

my

official

forwai-d to the inevitable resignation of office

my

object has been to mitigate mono-

with something like a sense of

asserted, indeed, that

relief.

It

is

poly, to increase the

demand
on

for industry, to

though he controlled his

remove

the

restrictions

commerce,

to

temper in the house, and over and over again

refused to be led
into personal retorts, he
Disraeli's attacks, that

equalize the burden of taxation, orate the condition of those

and

to ameli-

who

labour."

was

so

irritated

by

On

the loth of

May

the division was taken

on the
fen-ed,

latest occasion to

which we have

re-

at four o'clock in the morning,

and the Corn

he asked Lord Lincoln (afterwards

of Newcastle) to carrj' a challenge

Importation

Bill, as it

was

called,

was passed

the

Duke

by 327 votes
votes.

to 229, giving a majority of 98

of

to his remorseless

antagonist,

and that on

In the House
of

Lords

it

was oiDposed
it

Lord Lincoln's
his friend

refusal,

he would have sought

by the Duke

Richmond, wlio described

another second, but for the remonstrances of

as " only the first of a series of attacks that

and threats of application to a

If this
is

would shake the foundations

cripple the church,
of the country,

of the throne,

magistrate.

a true story,

it

was very
his purin-

endanger the institutions

fortunate that he

was diverted from

and

and plunge a happy and coninto misery,

pose, as such a step

would have been most

tented

jjeople

confusion,
it,

and
de-

jurious to the cause

to his reputation.
I'eflection;

anarchy."

Lord Stanley
it

also opposed

Doubtless he saw this himself on

claring that

was

for their lordships to pro-

but he had just

been his

left

the house, and the clamor-

tect the people against those

whom

they had

ous cheers, jeers, and taunts of those

followei-s,

who had
al-

chosen to represent their opinions, and that

the reward would be the thanks of a grateful

and some

of

whom had pro-

fessed to be his friends,

had goaded and

and admiring people, who would

exclaim, "

tlien justly

most maddened him.

Thank God, we have a House of Lord Brougham earnestly supported the measure by one of his most vigorous
Lords
!''

Nor was he

yet to escape from a continua-

tion of such attacks both

by Lord George
politician

Bentinck and the

now prominent

speeches, in

which he spoke of Peel as

" one of

who shared with

that

nobleman the confidence

the gi'eatest ministers

destinies of a country;"

who ever

ruled the

of the Protectionist party.

but the rapidity with

On

the 21st of June, in anticipation of the

which the
to the

bill finally

passed was due chiefly

jiassing of the bill

by the House

of Lords, he

Duke of Wellington, who, on the second

any break-

addressed a

memorandum

to his colleagues in

reading, said, "I shall ever lament

the cabinet, iu which he submitted for their

consideration " whether, after the passing of

ing up of the habits of confidence in public

lifo

with which your lordships have honoured

the Corn Bill and the Customs

Bill, it

would

COBDEN'S TESTIMONY OF PEEL.

he for the interest of
try,
tlie

107

crown, of the coun-

Tlie proposed bill

gave ample power to the

and

for the

honour and chanicter of the

lord-lieutenant to proclaim a district

where

govemiueut, that they should remain in office."

heinous offences had been committed, to appoint salaried magistrates, to increase the con-

He

added "a government ought to have a

;

natural support

a Conservative government

stabulaiy force, and where

necessary to arrest persons
their dwellings
It

it

was thought
out of
sunrise.

should be supported by a Conservative party.

who were

Support from the compassion of

its

enemies,

between sunset and

first

or even from the pei-sonally friendly feelings

of those

had passed the

reading,

and now came

8th,

who ought on
is

public principle to op-

on for the second reading on the

from

pose a government,
ditable support.

a hollow and not a creit

which

it

was adjourned

to the 12th of June.

Depend upon
bill

that
.

we
. .

It w.as understood that the bill

would then
it

shaU not pass the Irish

I

into a law.

be opposed by the Liberals, and

cei-tain that it

was now
of

am

decidedly of opinion that

we ought not
lost

would be

also

opposed by the

to

retain office after

all

we have
of

power."

Protectionists.

There were

rumours

Nearly
agi'eed

the other
tliis

members

government
Sir Robert's

strange coalition between these parties; but

this

with

opinion, and

expectations were very shortly realized.

The

Lord John Eussell emphatically denied. result was, however, that both Lord
still

George Bentinck and Bisraeli were

vio-

The
crop,

sufferings

and want

of the people in

lent in their antagonism,

and Lord George

Ireland, because of the failure of the potato

gave some colour to the rumour refeiTed to

had been followed by a

gi-eat increase in

violence
districts.

and crime
149.3

in

many

of the agrarian

by calling on the opposition members, " who might indeed have profited by the treason, but
could not surely honour the
ti-aitor," to

In 1844 the number of such offences

;

join
is

had been
were
still

in 1845 thej'

were 3642, and

the Protectionists in punishing him.

" It

rapidly increasing.

bill for

the

time," he exclaimed, " that atonement should

protection of life and property in Ireland

had

be made to an insulted countrj', the betrayed

been brought into the House of Lords by

honour of parliament, and the betrayed constituencies of the empire."

It

Lord

St.

Germans, and received for promotion

was then that

in the

Commons by

state of

James Graham. The the country was such that some imSir

he spoke of Sir Robert Peel being supported

by "paid

janissaries

and some seventy other

and

mediate measure appeared to be necessary.

auxiliaries,

who, while they support him, exit

At Clonmel cannon had been

soldiers

stationed at

press disgust at his conduct,"

was then
letters in

each end of the town, the streets were full of

that the charge was brought, which Peel emphatically contradicted

and

police,

and the mob had broken

and brought

into all the bakers' shops,

and taken out

all

order to disprove, that though he had vigoiously opposed Catholic emancipation in 1827,

the food they could lay their hands on.

The

banks and shops were shut, and the whole

place

he had WTitten a letter to Lord Liverpool in

1825, stating that he

was in a

state of siege.

Carrick-on-Suir
stores

had changed

his views

had been sacked, the meal and provision

broken into by the starving, or by the riotous

on the Catholic question, and that the time had come for a settlement. There was much
repeated denunciation, and
expressions, but Peel

who
state

instigated the starving.

of

Mayo was

in

many venomous
a

famine

a boat

proceeding from

had

alreadj- landed in

Limerick to Clare was boarded by a number

of famished peasants,

sereuer atmosphere in the opinion of the country,

and her cargo

away.

of corn

and though he

felt

the attacks bitterly,

and Indian

flour taken

Eobbei-y, mur-

they scarcely told ou his reputation with the

great majority even of those

derous assaults
of

unlawful use

and possession
firing into

who were

op-

arms attacks on houses by

them

posed to him.

The words

in

which Cobden

the administration of unlawful oaths were

reported chiefly from the district between

closed the debate were full of meaning.

They
its

struck
friends

fire.

He

intimated that he and his

Cavan on the north and Tipperary on the south.

would vote against the measure on


108

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

inliereiit merits, certainly

own
want

not from any

" If the

I therefore do not complain of

it

anything

is

of ooufideuce in the minister.

preferable to attempting to maintain oureelvej

in office without a full

divi-sion tliis

night be adverse to the govern-

measure

of the conti-

ment, I will say that should the right hou.

baronet choose to retire from office in consequence of that vote, he carries with him the

dence of this house.

"In reference to our proposing t'.iese measui'cs,

I have

no wish to rob any

is

pt rjon of the credit for them.

esteem and gratitude of a larger number of the population of this empire than ever fol-

which

justly

due to him

But I

may

say that neither the gentlemen sitting on

lowed any minister that was hurled from power. ... I tender to the right honourable
baronet

the benches opposite, nor myself, nor the gen-

tlemen sitting around

of US are the parties to the merit. of parties,

my heartfelt

thanks for the unwearied

me I say that neither who are strictly entitled

of parties,

jterseverance, the

unswerving firmness, and

of the

Tliere hns been a combination

the gi-eat ability with which he has during

and that combination

the last six

mouths conducted one

most

together with the influence of the govern-

magnificent reforms ever carried in any country through this

ment, has led to the ultimate success of the

measures.

House

of

Commons."

But

there

is

name which ought

It
is

The majority presented a combination of members opposed to the measure on its merits, but not to the pi-emier, of those whose way to

to be associated with their success.

not
for

the

name

of the noble lord the

is

member
it

the city of London, neither

my

name.

office

would now be opened up by

its

defeat,

The name which

will

(jught

to

be and which

and

of those

who would

risk

any consequence
in

be associated with the success of these

is

in resenting their defeat

on the corn-laws.

measures

the

name

of the

man who,

acting,

The
silence,

division

was received by the house

I believe,
tives,

from pure and disinterested mo-

and

its

results

were neither unexpected

in-

has advocated their cause with untiring

nor deplored by either of the parties

terested.

energy, and

by appeals

to reason enforced

by

For the second

it, :;94.

rea<ling there

were

an eloquence the more to be admired, because

it

219 votes; against

By a

coincidence

is

unaffected
to

and unadorned
will

the

name

which was

at least noticeable, the bill for the

which ought

be and
is

be associated with

repeal of the corn-laws passed the

House

of
in

these measures

the
sii',

name

of Richard Cobden.

Lords on the same day (the 26th June),

Without

scruple,

I attribute the success of

which the ministry which had achieved that

important measure was defeated in the House
of

these measures to him.

"I

shall leave office, I fear,

with a name
gentle-

Commons.

severely censured

by many honourable
ties,

When
profound

Sir Robert Peel rose there

silence,

was a

men, who, on public principle, deeply regret

the severance of party

and

in the majority of the

not from any

house a profound admiration and sympathy.

interested or personal motives, but because

He

was equal

to the occasion.

" I admit,"

they believe

fidelity to ]iarty

engagements

said he, "that the withdrawal of the confi-

the existence and maintenance of a great jiaity

dence of
i-esuit of

many

of our friends

was the natural

;

to constitute

a powerful instrument of a

the mea-suies

we proposed and

do

government; I shall surrender power, greatly

censured, I fear, by

think,

when

proposals of such a nature are

coui'se

many honourable

gentle-

made, apjiareutly at variance with the

men who, from no

interested motives, have

which

ministei's heretofore

have pursued, and

adhered to the principle of protection, as important to the welfare and

country; I shall leave a
interest of

subjecting

them

to the charge or taunt of init is

the

consistency,

upon the whole and

advantageous

name

execrated by

for the country

for the genuine chai-acter

every monopolist who, from less honourable

motives, maintains
protection
it

of public

men

that the proposal of measures

for

his

own

of that kind, under such circumstances, should

entail that

individual benefit; but

leave a

may

be that I shall

which

is

supposed to be a fitting
office.

name sometimes remembered with

punishment, namely, expulsion from

expressions of good-will in those places which

DISRAELI ON PEEL'S DEFEAT.

are the abode of

109

men whose
daily bread

lot it is to laboui-

and earn
their

by tlie sweat of brow a name remembered with exprestlieir

men of honoui-, breeding, and refinement, high and generous character, great weight and
station in the country,

which

the}'

had ever

sions of good-will whentliey shall recreate tlieir

placed at his disposal.

They had been not

exhausted strength with abundant and untaxed food, the sweeter because
it is

only his followei-s but his friends; had joined

in the

no longer

same pastimes, drank from the same

life

leavened with a sense of injustice."

cup, and in the jileasantness of private

had

The words

of the last paragraph of this fine

often forgotten together the cares and strife

of politics.

speech are engraved on the pedestal of the

statue of Sir Robert at Peel Park, Salford.

"He must
tlie

have

felt

something of this while

They were not

likely to

be forgotten by those

who

Iiad long

laboured and waited for the

life.

Manners, the Somereets, the Bentincks, the Lowthers, and the Lennoxes passed before
him.

abolition of taxes on the necessaries of

And

those country gentlemen, 'those

five

The account
ctfect

of the scene iu the house has

gentlemen of England,' of whom, but

with his pride of being their leader

been given with graphic force and picturesque

years ago, the verj' same building was ringing

by

his opponent, in terms whicli

are

if

his

rather those of the naiTator

fight,

than of the gladiator

tlie

who recalls who was in

the
the

heart were hardened to Sir Chai-les Burrell,

Sir William Jolliffe, Sir Charles Knightle_y,

front rank of

combatants.

Sir

John

Trollope, Sir

Edward

Kerrison, Sir

"At

length," wrote ^Mr. Disraeli in his

Ufa

of Lord George Uentiach, "about half-past one

o'clock the galleries
called,

were cleared, the division

put.

must have had a pang when his eye rested on Sir John Yarde Buller. Ills choice and pattern country gentleman,
Tyrrell, he surely

John

and the question

In almost

all

whom
of

he had himself selected and invited

to

previous divisions where the fate of a govern-

but six yeare back

move a vote

of

want

ment had been depending the vote of every member, with scarcely an excejition, had been .".nticipated that was not the case in the preEcnt instance, and the direction which members took as they left their seats was anxiously watched. More tlian one hundred Protectionist members followed the minister; more
;

confidence in the

Whig

government, in

order, against the feeling of the court, to install

Sir Robert Peel in their stead.

"They trooped
often quickened

on:

all

the

men

of metal

and

large-acred squires, whose spirit he

had so

and whose counsel he had so Mr. Bankes, with a

often solicited in his fine Conservative speeches in Whitehall Gardens:

than eighty avoided the division

these,

few

of

however, had paired

nearly the same

parliamentary

name

of

two

centuries,

and

number followed Lord George Bentinck. But it was not merely tlieir numbers that attracted
the anxious observation of
tlie

Mr. Christopher from that broad Lincolnshire

which protection had created

and the
;

treasury bench

Mileses and the Henleys were there

and the

as the Protectionists passed in defile before

Duucombes, the

Liddells,

and the Yoikes

the minister to the hostile lobby.

impossible that he could have

It was marked them

and Devon had sent there the stout heart of

ence of Walter Long.
there,

without emotion

the

flower of that great

Mr. Buck, and Wiltshire the pleasant presMr. Newdegate wa.s

party which had been so proud to follow one

whom

Sir Robert

had himself recom-

who had been so proud were men to gain whose

of their fathers
tion of
liis

to lead

them.

They

mended

to the confidence of the electors of

of

hearts

and the hearts

to

Warwickshire as one
highest hopes
;

whom

he Lad the

had been the aim and exulta-

and Mr. Alderman Thompson

also

life.

They had extended

him

was

there,

who,

through Sir Robert's

an unlimited confidence and an admiration

without
stint.

selection,

had seconded the assault upon the by Sir John Buller.

darkest hour, and had borne

They had stood by him jn the him from the

Right or wrong, they were

Whigs
list is

led on

But tho

too long, or good

names remain behind.

ostentation,

depths of political despair to the proudest of

living positions.

"When

Prince Mettcrnich was informed at

that

Dresden, with great

the

ito

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

emperor had arrived

his army,'

'Yes;

but without

that Mr. Disraeli had privately expressed ad-

was the

reply.

Sir Robert Peel

as

miration for the prime minister even wliile

was

still first

ministei- of

England

Napoleon

he was constantly assailing him with

all

the

remained emperor for a while after Moscow. Each, perhaps, for a moment had indulged in
hope.
It
is

powers of unsparing sarcasm and ingenious

epigram. The sarcasm was mitigated and the

so difficult for tliose wJio are

life

ou

epigram reduced to literary expression when

the leader of the Protectionists came to write

the pinnacle of

to realize disaster.
it

sometimes contemplate

in their
it is

They deep and

a review of the repeal of the corn-laws after

Sir Robert Peel's de.ath
;

far-seeing calculations, but

only to ima-

but

it is

curiuu;?

gine a contingency which their resources must surely baffle they sometimes talk of it
;

inquiry whether the remarkaljle blending of

political

and personal di.^iparagement whichdis-

to their friends,

and oftener of

it

to their

tinguishes these recollections indicate the survival of a bitter

enemies, but

it is

only as an insurance of their

memory

of supposed neglect

prosperity and as an offering to propitiate

their Nemesis.

and of

political affront, or are, as it were, the

They never

believe in

it.

recun-ent expressions of mislike and distrust

"Tlie news that the government were not

which the assailant thought he should have

felt for

only beaten, but

by a majority
passed
it

so large as

one

whom
who
;

he so persistently attacked.

seventy-three, began to circulate.

An

in-

The

animosities are not imlike those of a

feels that

credulous

murmur

along the trea-

slighted lover

he ought to hate,

sury bench.

and who
seventy-tlu-ee!'

is

ready to depreciate, the object of

'"They say we are beaten by

whispered the most important

his former regard

but at the same time they

member

of the

display

much

insight

and keen perception,

an<l

cabinet, in a tone of surprise, to Sir Robert

Peel.

are expressed with a graphic vigour, gives

which

them painful

force.

"Sir Robert did not

head.

rejjly,

or even turn his

Take

for instance the following estimate of

He

looked very grave, and extended

Sir Robert Peel's

manner

in parliament. in private life

his chin, as

was

his habit

when he was

an-

"This remarkable man, wlio

noyed and cared not

to speak.

He

began to

was constrained, and often awkward, who

could never addi-ess a public meeting or

comprehend

his position,

and that the emhis

make
ill

peror was without his army."

an after-dinner speech without being

former
ease,

at

He may
ship,

have

lieen

without

and generally saying something

little ridiculous, in

stilted,
w.".'j

army, for they had revolted from his general-

or even a

the senate

but his reputation had made him,

if

not

the readiest, easiest, most flexible and adroit

of

the commander, in a certain sense, the hero

of a larger

men.

He

played npon the House of

. . .

army

still.

Parliament was ad-

journed to the

.3d

of July,

and Sir Robert

mons as on an old fiddle. manner in which he proceeded

ComThe
were

to deal with
all

Peel left Westminster Hall leaning ou the

the duties on candles and soap, wliile

arm

of Sir G. Clerk.

large concourse of
to

thinking of the duties on something else ; the

people

was waiting outside

see

him.

bland and conciliatory air with which he an-

Every head was bared, the crowd made way for him, and many accompanied him in respectful silence to the door of
liis

nounced a reduction of the impost on bootfronts

bility

and shoe-leather; the intrepid plausiwith which he entei'ed into a dissertation

house.

Perhaps the acute reader

may

discover in

on the duties of foreign brandy and foreign

sugar; while visions of deserted villages and

Mr.

Disraeli's descriptions

and analyses of the

statesman

who was

once his chief, and for

reduced rentals were torturing his neighbours,

whom he had professed a personal esteem, some

of the causes of the desertion of Sir
Peel's

were
But
"

all

characteristic of his

command over

Robert
be-

himself and those

in another

whom

he addressed."

government by the
first

politician

who

paragraph we come to a

came

the spokesman and afterwards the

It
is

higher kind of testimony.

leader of the country party.

suggestive

Nature had combined

in Sir

Robert Peel

PEEL ACCORDING TO DISRAELI.

many admirable
parts.

Ill

In him a

pliysical

display of admirable tactics, concluded his

frame incapable of fatigue was united with

campaigns by suireudering at discretion.

He

an understanding equally vigorous and flexible. He was gifted with the faculty of method in
the highest degiee, and with great powera of

was

so adroit that
its

he could prolong resistance

little

even beyond

term, but so

foreseeing

that often in the very triumph of his

manjiosi-

which were sustained by a prodigious niemoiy; while he could communicate

application,

rouvres he found himself in an untenable

tiou.

And

so

it

came to pass that Roman

with clear and fluent elocution. Such a man, under any circumstances and in any sphere of life, would probably have beLis acquisitions

Catholic emancipation, parliamentary reform,

and the abrogation of our commercial system were all carried in haste or in passion, and without conditions or mitigatory arrangements."

come remarkable.
to

Ordained from his youth

affaii-s

be busied with the

of a great empire,

And
liarity

again

" Sir Robert Peel

is

had a pecu-

such a man, after long

pi^actice,

yeai-s of observation,

which

and perpetual

discipline,

would have
latter

great talents

men of who have not the creative faculty

perhaps natural with

become what Sir Robert Peel was in the

portion of his
life,

he had adangerous sympathy with the creations

of others. Instead of being cold and warj', as was commonly supposed, he was impulsive

a transcendent administrator

of public business

and a matchless master of

In the
coui-se

debate in a popular assembly.

of time the

and even inclined to rashness.

Wlien he was

method which was natural

to Sir

ambiguous, unsatisfactory, reserved, tortuous,

it

Robert Peel had matm-ed into a habit of such

expertness, that no one in the despatch of
affairs

was then he was perplexed, that he did not

way, that the routine which he had ad-

see his

ever adapted the means so

fitly to

the
into

mirably administered failed him, and that his

end

his original flexibility

had ripened

own mind was not

stitute for the

constructed to create a sub-

consummate

tact; his

memory had accumuall

custom which was crumbling

lated such stores of political information that

away. Then he was ever on the look-out fornew

ideas,

he could bring luminously together

that

and when he embraced them he did so

;

was necessary

to establish or to illustrate

with eagerness and often with precipitancy

he

subject; while in the

House
in

of

Commons he

always carried those novel plans to an extent

Was equally eminent

reply

exposition and in

which even

their projectors or chief promoters

;

in the

firet

distinguished by hisarrange-

had usually not anticipated

as

was

seen, for

ment, his clearness, and his completeness

the second, ready, ingenious, and
in detecting the
adi'oit,

in

example, in the settlement of the currency.

prompt

Although apparently wrapped up in himself,

or supposed to be egotistical, except in seasons
of rare exaltedness, as in the years 1844-.5,

weak

points of his adversary,

and dexterous in extricating himself from an

embaiTassing position."

when he
criticism

reeled under the favour of the court,

Even

these admissions must, however, be

the homage of the Continent, and the servility

of parliament,

mitigated

by a

furtlier

which

is

he was really deticient in

self-

remarkably suggestive.

"We are told that

he was withimagination

confidence.

There was always some person

thus gifted and thus accomplished. Sir Robert

Peel had a great deficiency: out
imagination.

representing some theory or system exercising

an influence over his mind.

days'
it

In his 'saUet-

" "Wanting

was Mr. Horner or Sir Samuel

of "Wellington, the

he 'Wanted prescience.
sagacious
before

No

one was more

Romilly; in later and more important periods

it

when dealing with the circumstances

was the Duke

King

of

him; no one penetrated the present

faultless,

the French, Mr. Jones Lloyd, some others, and

finally

with more acuteness and .accuracy. His judg-

Mr. Cobden."
while, as

ment was
deal

provided he had not to

It

may be worth

we

are on the

with

the

future.

Thus

it

happened

subject, to quote the opinion of the

spokesman

through his long career, that while he always

of the Protectionists on tho oratorj- of the

was looked

ui^on as the

most prudent and

statesman to
position
:

whom

he offered such bitter op-

safest of leaders,

he ever, after a protracted

112

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

r.n

"As
llie

onitor Sir Robert Peel

a\'aihible talent that

liail,

[itrliaps,

the age in which he chiefly flourished, and to

the novel elements of the assembly which he

most

has ever been

of

brought to bear

in the

House

Commons.
His

had

to guide.

He
]

had to deal with greater

We

have mentioned that both

in exposition

details

than his

iredecessors,

and he had in

auil in reply

he was equally eminent.

many
of

instances to address those

who were
Something
into his

statements were perspicuons, complete, ami

dignified;

deficient in previous knowledge.

when he combated

the objections or

the lecture, therefore, entered

criticised the propositions of an opponent he

display's.

This style
. . .

may be
jiaiuful

called the di-

was adroit and acute; no speaker ever

sus-

dactic."

tained a process of argumentation in a public

There
of
it

is

something

in in

the tone

assembly more lucidly, and none as debaters

liave united in so conspicuous a degree pru-

much we are

of this criticism,

and

reading

luiavoidably reminded of the pre-

dence with promptness. In the higher eti'orts of

oratory he was not successful. His vocabulai-y

sence of that ability fur invective which be-j

longs to the
earliei-

displays of

Mr.

Disraeli's!

was ample and never mean, but

rich nor rare.

it

was neither

quarrel with O'Connell, and to that tendency

His speeches will afTord no

ears of

towards personality in debate which

the least agreeable

is

one ofl

sentiment of surpassing grandeur or beauty

that will linger in
tions.
tlie

elements distinguishing!

coming

genei-a-

the discussions of some public

men
are

in ]jarlia-j

He embalmed

no gieat

political truth

ment

thirty yeai-s ago.

We

informedj

in immortal words.

His

flights

were

[jon-

for instance, that

"Sir Robert Peel had

;

derous; he soai'ed with the wing of the vultuie rather than the plume of the eagle; and
his

bad manner,

of

which he was sensible

hel

was by nature very shy, but, forced early iul

life

perorations

when most

tlaborate

were
defi-

into eminent positions, he

artificial

had formed
stilT

most unwieldy.
cient;

In pathos he was quite

an

manner, haughtily

or exu-

when
it

lie

attempted to touch the tender

painful.

berantly bland, of which, generally speaking,

passions,

was

His face became

to
Oi-ators

he could not divest himself.

There were,

distorted like that of a

woman who wants

however, occasions
this,

cry but cannot succeed.

certainly

and on

these,

when he did succeed in usually when he was alone

should not shed tears, but there are moments

and with an individual

jilease, his

whom

he wished to

when, as the Italians

weep.

say, the voice should

manner

wa.s not only unafl'ectedly

The

taste

of

Sir
it

Robert Peel was

cordial,

but he could even charm.

When he was

liighly cultivated,
tine
;

but

was not

originally

ridiculed

by

his op])onents in "41," as one little

he had no wit, but he had a keen sense

ailapted for a court,

(jf

and

esj^ecially tlie court

of the ridiculous,

and an abundant vein of

Notwithstanding his
arti-

a queen, those
results

who knew him

well augured

genuine liumour.
ficial

different

from his high promotion,

But, generally speaking,
ease,

reserve, he
;

had a hearty and a merry

his

and they were

right.

laugh

and sometimes

mirth was uncon-

he was never at his

tent except in the

trollable.
;

He

was gifted with an admirable

and never very conHouse of Commons; even

for

organ perhaps the finest that has been heard

in the

there

lie

was not natural, though there the

house in our days, unless

we

e-xcept the

deficiency

was compensated

by

his un-

thrilling tones of O'Connell.

Sir Robert Peel

skill.

rivalled facility,

which passed current with

also

modulated his voice with great

clear,

the vulgar eye for the precious quality for

His enunciation was very

though some-

which

it

was substituted.

He

had obtained a
which was

what marred by
deficiency

provincialisms.
of nature,

His great
which made'

complete control over his

tenij^er,

was want

by nature somewhat
It

fiery."

him
more

often

appear even with a good cause

than persuasive, and more

would appear that Mr. Disraeli

" For so clever a

attri-

plausible

buted some of Sir Robert Peel's defects to his

prosperity.

specious than convincing.

He may
new

bo said

man

he was de-

to have gradually introduced a

style into

ficient in the

knowledge of human nature.

of his youth

the House of Commons, which was suited to

The prosperous routine

was not

SIB KOBERT PEEL AT HOME.

favourable to the developmeut of this faculty.
It " the gieatest

113
of parliament that ever

member

was never

his lot to struggle; although

it

lived," the author of Vivian

Grey was comin"

forty years in parliament,

is

remarkable

near to the

ti-uth.

that Sir Eobert Peel

never represented a
stood
a.

Sir Eobert Peel at Drayton

Manor was

just
Mi-.

jwpular constituency or
election.

contested

the

man we might

expect to find him.

As he advanced
in thought,

in life he

was

alis

Alexander Somerville

" One who has Whis has given the world

spot, wliicli
is

ways absorbed

and abstraction

tled at the Plough," w.is his signature in his

not friendly to a perception of character, or

to a fine appreciation of the circumstances of

Auti-Corn-law writings

some anecdotes gathered upon the

called striking.
estate

the hour."

are singularly truth-like, though not what

Before permitting the image and character

of Peel, as distinguished from his meniorj-,

One

of the poor

men on
is

the

had been speaking of

for such as

Sir Robert's kindly

:

and

his

work and

influence, to pass

from the
of

good

sense,

and wound up thus " He

a good
is

we propose comment another

page,
of the

to frame in a

few words

man

me and

the poor,

Sir

very different sketch of one

most

influential

men

of the century.
of

We
the

have already seen those from the pen

man who made

a parliamentary position

by attacking him.

They

are mostly cold and

They say he is a great man in the parliament. Aj', we hear speak of him there, but we only know him at home; he is a good man at home." Mr. SomervOle then takes us to "the parish clerk, lame and aged, who
Eobert.

guarded, but are perhaps as favourable a study

as could be exj)ected from the author of the

had

fallen into misfortune while Sir

Robert

was

in

London, and seldom at Drayton, during

Life of Lord George Bentincl:

his ministerial years.

With

this clerk I passed

These studies of a distinguLshed statesman

au hour or two in the church, on a week-day.

by a distinguished
cal qualities.

political

and

social critic

He

pointed out the burial-place of old Sir

do not always display the highest psychologi-

Robert and of Lady Peel, and the tablet erected to their

dren,'

The statement that Peel

"

had

memory by
of

their 'beloved chilit,

to deal with greater details than his predeces-

aud the coat

arms over
'

with the

sors" probably

a gi-eater

means that he had to deal with number of them, which is, of course,
Mr. Gladstone has
to deal with

family motto, Industria.

This Bible and

said,

prayer-book from which I read,' he

given by old Sir Robert.

'were

true;and the number has been increasing ever

since, so that
still

This (entering a
sits; this
it;

pew)
is

is

where the present Sir Robert

more.

Sir Eobert, however,

was an ex-

his Bible,

you

see his

name

written in

ceedingly accurate

man a

poiut which does

critic,

here he kneels at prayer.'

not appear to have struck his

who was

"'He
'and he

kneels here,' continued the clerk;

himself often lax both in his " facts " and his
quotations.

It is scarcely true that Sir Robert

sits in this comer just against me. One day I thought he looked harder out of

Peel " had a keen sense of the ridiculous, and

that corner at

me

than usual

he had just

an abundant vein
Peelites

of genuine
if

humour."
all

The

come from Loudon,

after one of the longest

;

had nearly,

not quite

of them,

times he had ever been away

a tendency to a somewhat

philistine solemnity.

The founder of that academy was certainly no humorist, and his laughter was that of a rich
Englishman
full of affairs,

and everybody was taking notice of how the parliament had worn him, and was making him gray; for, as
for

with no time to
Sir
of

we heard him say, it was a harder parliament him that year than lie had ever been in
all

spend over the nicer shades of comedy.

Kobert was primarily and chiefly a
business,

the trouble about taking off the corn-

man

laws was on his head.

Well, as I was sajiug,

first

and

it is

more than probable that his

he sat in that corner on the very

after he

day
at

latent dislike

of the

young

Disraeli began

came home

to Drayton,

and looked

from the

labter's

genteel,

aii-y,

"literary"

more at me than usual; and I glanced

recklessness of carriage.
of dress
Vol.

DisraeU's very style

him, but not often, and thought to myself,

would

irritate

him.

In calling him

'How

sore they are

working you in London,

29

II.

114
Sir Robert I'

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

And
vchiit

Tvould you think?

Sir Robert Peel

art, literature,

was the

intelligent friend of

As

it

turned out, he was lookiug at

me and
and

and

science,

and a warm advo-

noticing

how

I was altered with

illness

cate for the admission, or rather the hearty

misfortunes.

When

the service was over he

introduction, of the poorest to their advantages.

stopped in the church and spoke to me, and asked if I liad been ill. I told liirn my misfortunes,

He

was the

steadfast advocate of the

picture-galleries,

throwing open of parks,

and
of

and he told me

to

go to a

tailor

museums

to the general public.

The

list

(who was named) and get a suit of new black "Well, for Sunday, and to send to the manor.
you
see, sir, I

his acts of "patronage," as

one, but his

it is called, is

a long

way

of conferring "favours"

was

was not only made respectable

v.-as

in the hightst degree honourable to him.

To
of

in the

outward man, but I

comforted

Thomas Hood he awai-ded a yearly pension

Faraday, the
gi-eat chemist,

much beholden to liim, and my son was made sexton in my room. But we do not always die when we look as if we -would. We live long ujwn the
within; and I have been
earth in tliese parts
lived
all
;

100, which was continued to his widow.

received

300 per

aimum.

Dr. Buckland, hooted as a heretic

(for the side

he took in geological advocacy),

and

for myself, I

have

was created Dean

the longer for Sir Robert.

if

Only for

him, I doubt

I should have been on the

this day.'"

sunny side of Basset churchyard

that

of Westminster by Peel. To Mrs. Somerville he awarded a pension; and Mrs. Hemans and Frances Browne were equally fortunate. Not to mention the nu-

In parting with Peel, while remembering

it

merous cases in which he found government

appointments for the
writers or artists,
it

was he who carried the repeal

of the

sous

of

meritorious
it

corn -laws,

we must not

foi-get that

he was

may be

recorded that

a late convert to the opinions of others

who

was

at his

hands that Southey and Words-

would certainly have carried them with or

without his help sooner or
later.

Nor need
which

worth received their pensions of 300, James Montgomery, 150, Mr. M'CuDoch and Mr.
Fraser-Tytler, 200.

we
him
had

omit to notice that

we

are indebted to

In

eacli case
it

we speak

for the revival of the income-tax,

slept since the time of Pitt,

now of

a yearly pension, and

will

be noticed

and which

that the awards are quite independent of political considerations:

we have never
denounced by

since got rid

of.

It

was hotly

.James Montgomery, for

man
in his

men

like

Lord John Russell

from Edinburgh,
impressment for

example, was a Radical. Haj-don, the painter,

and Macaulay

the latter of whom presented

it

was not a

particularly amiable

powerful petitions against

public relations, but his mournful appeal re-

as a wai'-tax, excusable like

ceived instant attention from the most harassed

politician

the navy in time of war, or like the bui'ning

of a

in

the country;

and
to a

the

town

in actual

contlict

between two

awarding of the pension to Frances Browne

is

armies, but in itself a most injurious expedient.

one of

many

facts

which point

good

There was a party then, as there

is

deal of minute observation on Peel's part.

a party
Radicals

now especially among doctrinaire who justified the tax, and Mr. Roeside.

And

as to Peel's opponent

regard him in a different

light.

we have now to In future, we

aftenivai'ds

buck was on that

It

is

admitted by

have to contemjilate Disraeli

confidant of his sovereign

Earl

economists that in theory

it is

a perfect tax denounces

of Beaconsfield, and, in a special degree, the

but Mr. Mill, while admitting

it

this,

in a new attitude.
critiis

in the strongest terms

on practical grounds,

He

no longer presents himself to adverse

and recommends a carefully graduated housetax instead.

This, of course,
is

cism in the light of an adventurer, a vindictive

or solicitous free-lance

not the place

he

now, or

is

about

for discussing the merits of direct

taxation, but
it

and

indirect

to become, a recognized political leader.

startling contrast

The
of

may be added

that the house-

between the recklessness

tax which in 1851 took the place of the old

odious window-tax, was not considered

the

Runnymede

Letters

and the dignified and

by any

courteous e-stimate of Lord

John

Russell, to

party a satisfactory adjustment of the subject.

which reference has been made, suggests a

THE RUSSELL MINISTRY.

new
life

115

key-uote, ami to that

of this remarkable
is

we

shall find the

itself.

almost his whole time to the League, and had

laboured incessantly, repeatedly refusing to
accept any remuneration, the

man conform

Although he
lie

always a humorist

though
discijj-

members

of the

is

always an audacious and self-assertiug

League unanimously determined

to present a

alien,

showing traces of the unhappy

Une of persecution and exilism through which

his race

sum of not less than 10,000. To each of the members of the executive council, who had
been
constant
in
their
efforts,

and family had passed

he

is

now

and who

about to present himself before England and

the world as a responsible leader of men, and
his

had attended hundreds

tea

of meetings, a silver
it

and

coffee service

was presented, and

suitable

whole attitude

is

changed accordingly.

then remained to

make some

acknow-

ledgment of the unremitting exertions of a

The Auti-Corn-law League had accomplished the work for which it had been organized,

leader

who had sacrificed fortune, ease, leisure,

which he had been the
There was no

private advantages, and, to a great degree,

health, to the cause of
chief supporter

and

its

leaders determined to bring its

active operations to a close.

A meeting was
Town
Hall,

and advocate.

held on the 2d of July at the

difficulty in obtaining a large

sum

of

money.

Manchester, under
"Wilson.
sembl)',
cess

the presidency of Mr.

as-

The desire of the members of the League and of

the free-traders of the United
retain Richard

Richai-d

Cobdeu addressed the

Kingdom was to

and congratulated them on the

suc-

Cobden

in parliament as the

which they had achieved, and on the

conveyed to the people, which
it

representative of their principles, and, at the

instruction

same time,

to secure his services to the public.

it

would make
Peel,

impossible ever again to im-

In a very short time

was intimated that the

dis-

pose the corn-law's.

Speaking of Sir Robert

lost office,

sum
posal

of

80,000 had been placed at his

of his

he said, "If he has

he has

by the contributions

countrymen;

gained a country.

For

my

part, I

woidd
last

and by an equally spontaneous movement Mr.

Bright was requested to accept the gift of a
fine library, as

rather descend into private

life

with that

measure of his in

my

hand, than mount to

an expression

of the apprecia-

the highest pinnacle of

human

power."

He

tion of free-tradei'S throughout the country of

his invaluable aid in the great

concluded by moving "That an Act of Parliament having been passed, providing for the
abolition of the corn-laws in February, 1S49,
it is

work

that had

been accomplished.
Loixl .John Russell, in his Recollections, has

deemed expedient
is

to

suspend the active

;

opei'ations of the

Anti-Corn-law League

and

recorded that he voted against the Protection

of Life Bill,

the executive council

hereby requested to

and so contributed to the fall of the

take the necessary steps for making

closing the affairs of the

up and
little

Conservative ministry on Irish grounds.

He

League with as

thought

it

wrong

to arrest

men and

to put

delay

as

possible."

It

was subsequently
payment
of the first

them

in prison

on the ground that they might

resolved "that after the

be murderers and housebreakers. They might, on the other hand, be honest labourers going

instalment (20 per cent), the subscribers to

the 250,000 League fund be released from
fiu'ther liabilities."
all

home from

their work.

He

thought every

After settling some mat-

means should be adopted

justice,

for discovering the

ters of detail, the pi'oceedings of the meeting,

perpetrators of crime and bringing

them

to

and indeed the proceedings of the League

self,

it-

and

for that purpose

it

was right to
to convict

closed

by Mr. Cobden's reminding them

give the majority of a jury

power

that they wei-e under obligations to the queen,

upon
der.

sufficient

evidence a

man acciised of mur-

who was

said to have favoured their cause as

;

one of humanity and justice

act before finally separating

and

their last

man

But he did not think it right to send to prison upon evidence that he had
offence.

was

to give three

been out at night without any further

It was, as

hearty cheers for her majesty.

we have
bill

seen,

on the

so-called

To Mr. George Wilson, who had devoted

"Irish Coercion"

that Sir Robert Peel

116

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEICS.

of power,

weut out

and Lord John Eussell

form a government.

on every measure likely to come up for discussion,

was at once sent

for to

but on the question of fiee-trade there

He

endeavoured to obtain the assistance of

was but one opinion.

people,

He

was favourable to
the

Lord Dalhousie, Lord Lincoln, and Mr. Sidney Herbert, but they would not join the Whig ranks, and for a moment he had to consider
whether he could propose a junction with the
Protectionists but neither principle uor pru-

imiirovement in the rejiresentation of

but would not be a party to any

scheme making an organic change in the franchise.

There was some evidence,

therefore,

if

not of

timidity, at least of probable indecision in the

dence would allow hira to do so

that

is

what

new government
calling

and the

first

mea-

he

tells us,

and we may perhaps wonder how

letter.

sure brought forward served the i^urjjose of

he could ever have entertained the notion

after the

Lord George Bentinck

to the front

Edinburgh

Still

more may
of

again.

new

sugar duties
it

bill

was

intro-

we wonder

that he should have held a long

duced, by which

was jiroposed

to

make the

and friendly conference with the Duke

duties permanent, reducing the differential

duties year

Beaufort, whicli ended in his declining to ask

for the assistance of tlie duke's friends in the

by year
same

till

1801,

when they were

sugar was to

to disajjpear entirely,

and

all

formation of a
leader

new

ministry.
little

The Whig

come

in at the

rate of duty.

must have had

reliance on the

pensations were to be given to the

dia planters

Some comWest In-

power
and

of his party to maintain a majority,

by encouraging the migration

from Sierra Leone and

yet, as it

turned out, the Conservatives

of free-negro labour

were disorganized and never again existed

in the sense of a party holding the jjosition

othei' jiarts of Africa,

and by reducing the

Sir Eobert Peel,

ditferential

duty on West India rum from

which

it

maintained under Peel.

Tliat
to
its

Con-

eighteenpence to a shilling.

servative

body was never restored

power
leader,

though he thought that free -labour sugar

should have a longer jieriod of protection,

and
that

influence after the resignation of

and the Protectionists were

it

in such a minority

supported the

bill,

but Lord George Bentinck

it.

was

possible for the

Whig,

or, as it

was

and the Protectionists opposed

Lord John
said would,

The

result

now called the Liberal government to hold its own without abandoning principle by a coalition with the landed or agricultural interest.

was a long debate and an amendment, which

if

carried, cause the

resignation of the ministry.

On

a division the

Lord John
treasury,
cellor,
cil,

was first lord of the Lord Cottenham was loi-d- chanof course
of the coun-

government measure was carried by a large

majority, and passed in the
against the opposition of
ley,

Lord Lausdowne president

House of Lords Brougham and Stan-

and Sir George Grey home secretary; Lord Palmereton was foreign secretary; Earl

and the Bishops of Oxford and London. The diflSculty was still Ireland, where famine
increasing,

Grey

colonial secretary,

Mr. Charles

Wood

and crime were

districts

and in

fifty-eight

chancellor of the exchequer.

Lord Clarendon
Mr. Macany

the distress

was beyond ordinary

president of the Board of Trade.

aulay, wlio

imagination to realize.
frightful.

The mortality was

of C2,000

had been re-elected for Edinburgh

In Skibbereen alone, out

by a
office

large majority, did not like to accept

inhabitants, 5000 died in three

months and

which would divert him from his literarv

forces.

15,000 were in such

tell

want that they could not

work, so he was made paymaster of the

on each morning how they were to pro" died

Mr.

Shell accepted tlie office of master of the

cure food for the day.

mint, for which he had the reproaches (easily

At Bantry

from starvation

"

was the
in the

answered) of Feargus O'Connor and the

Young

verdict given at forty-tlu'ee inquests held at

Ireland party. Sir John Jervis was attorneygeneral, the Earl of Bessborough lord-lieu-

the same time.

fields

Cattle were

wounded

by the famishing peasants, who sucked

tenant of Ireland, and Mr. Labouchere his

chief secretary.

the blood of the animals to assuage the pangs

of hunger.
tions

The cabinet was,

as the pre-

To

reckless commercial speculafailure of the crops.

mier explained, not one which could be united

had been added the

THE "GODLESS COLLEGES."

which had caused not a
merely, but actual dearth.
loss

117

deficient

hai-vest

navigation laws was to facilitate the importation of food to Irish ports.

set (in

The estimated

At

the very out-

ou the potato and oat crops for 1846 was

August, 1846), a measure had been

magistrates in any
scarcity of employ-

J16,(100,000.

The Report of the Commissioners

passed giving power to the lord-lieutenant to

of Poor-law Inquiry in 1835 had stated that

there were then between eleven and twelve

summon
district

a meeting of

where there was

hundred thousand agricultural labourers in

Ireland whose average earnings did not ex-

ment, and enabling them to order the execution

of

public works most needed

in the
tlie

ceed from two shillings to half-a-crown a week

locality

and

to

an extent in proportion to

each;

that

these with their families reprehalf of

of

want

of

employment.

The charges were

to

sented nearly two millions and a

be defrayed by a loan from the treasury.

human
thirty
sion

beings, in distress

and out

work

These works, however, were not for some

time of any great importance, and in August,
184G,

weeks in the year.

Another commis-

was now appointed (1847), under the presidency of Lord Devon, and it elicited that
these people were the worst housed, the worst
fed,

we

find the turbulent

Archbishop of
Russell
:

Tuam addressing a letter to Lord John

in the Freeman^s Journal in

which he says

and the worst clothed of any in Europe. They dwelt in mud cabins with straw for beds,
lived

" It

is

not on the miserable and peddling

scale of levelling hills

on a mail-coach road

on spare meals

of

]50tatoe3

with the
little

that the physical wants of a numerous people

are to be relieved, but

occasional addition of a herring or a

by those extensive and

buttermilk, were nearly always hungry, and

necessary improvements which, while they

mitigate distress, will afford to the govern-

were clothed in
tliey could

rags.

AVhen the potatoes

disappeared they had nothing, except where

obtain the laver or sea-weed, or
roots.

ment an adequate remuneration

and southern
to the
ex]jlore
fisheries
coasts,

such as

the

erection of quays and piers along the western

a few wild

It was, as

Lord John

by which the

existing

Kussell said, a famine of the thirteenth cen-

misery would be relieved, and courage given

tury with a population of the nineteenth.

Tlie remedies proposed

hardy natives along those coasts to

and cultivate the rich and abundant

and adopted were a

Poor-law Extension Act for Ireland and a

Temporary- Relief Act.
It

on which any benevolent statesman

for supplying the wants of the

was computed that

could

draw

the extraordiuai-y expenditure caused by the

famine, and to be taken from the imperial

people.

Those aie public works which the

people have a I'ight to expect in return for the ample revenues with which their industry
enriches the exchequer."

exchequer, would be 8,0(10,000, in addition

to 2,000,000 that

had

to be advanced.

It

was
this

necessaiy, therefore, for the chancellor of

The

archbishop's letter goes on to announce

the exchequer to borrow that amount, and

that the Irish people could not be diverted

was done
its

at 3, Is. 6d. per cent;

and

to

from " repeal

cation
of

"

expedite

payment

into the treasury,

which

Whig

by the most dexterous applipatronage, and he speaks

was nearly exhausted by the demands made

upon

it,

a discount of 5 per cent was allowed

to contributors

who would pay

their contri-

who are in favour of infidel by which he means the institution by Peel at the time of the Maynooth grant
bitterly of those
colleges,

butions before the 18th of June, and 4 per

cent to those

of three colleges in Ireland

in Cork, Belfast,
Uni-

who should pay them

before the

and Galway, in which the education was to

be secular.

10th of September.

They were

to be afiiliated to a

Already the proposals of the government to suspend the operation of the corn bill and
the navigation laws, with respect to Ireland,

new

university, to be called the Queen's

versity in Ireland.
to establish

It was, of coui-se, intended

neutral uusectarian

means

of

had passed both houses, so that, as far as Ireland was concerned, there was total repeal of the com duties, and the change in the

education, and the measure passed, but with

the bitter opposition of the extreme supporters

both of the Protestant and the

Roman

Church.

118
Sir Robert Hai-ry

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

Iiiglis,

the ultra-Protestant,

applied

to

the reclamation of waste

land,

gave them the name

of " the Godless Colleges."

which govei'nment was to have the jjower to

purchase.

O'Connell, the pope, and the

clergy iu Ireland took

Roman
-word,

Catholic

up the

and they

When

nigh to the close of his career,

Sii-

remained subjects for controversy for many

yeai-s.

Robert Peel announced with respect to Ireland a creed which, so

fai-

as

its

principle is

by employing the people on the roads and pubhc works

But the administration
not
of relief

concerned, would satisfy the most exacting of

Irish politicians or agitatoi's.

The

principle

is

could

be

successfully continued, even

not for discussion in this place, nor are the

though the -wages were to be carefoUy kept twopence a day below the agricultural pay in
the district.
or to

measures taken for Irish

years of this decade.
of the

relief in the latter

But

at or after the time

The small farmers came to work, do what they called work, on the roads

Poor

Law

Extension Act (1847) and

the Temporary Relief Act, the accounts given

in evidence before committees, or otherwise

and drove out the famishing labourers. " Labour," wrote the Tiraes, " has been both
injmiously enhanced and diverted. The alternative, or

authentically communicated to Parliament, of

the state of things in that unhappy country

at this time are so striking as to deserve
notice.

mere hope,

of pottering a half-day

on the road, or some such 'improvement,'

has withdrawn labour from the
fields of

The Rev. H. Montgomery,

iu June,

the

1847, gave evidence of the

most discouraging

few

Irish agriculturists

worthy

of that

name,

kind.

" I have travelled," said he, " through

from the railroads in progress, and to a very

remai'kable extent from this island.
said that this year,
It is

a considerable portion of Ireland in the couree

of the last

two

years.

From Roscommon

to

when

the

demand

for

Clare ou both sides, but especially on the

labom- has been far beyond

there have

all

precedent,
ofi'eriug

Connaught

side of the river, I

saw an im-

been

fewer

Irishmen

mense population apparently almost unemployed even in the early part of the harvest.

themselves for harvest or railway work than

were ever known. The story among the Irish

immigrants themselves
are staying at
is

In Roscommon,

in

Galway, and in Clare there

that their friends

were tens
to

of thousands of jieople

who appeared

ment

in theii'

home in the hope of employown neighboiu-hood from the

If

be

entii'ely idle, their fields

overgrown with

weeds, their houses in a state of ruin, their

pei-sons foul

recent and forthcoming giants.

we

ai-e

and wretched, and altogether

of the world.
;

in

dying of hunger, we must

for the sake of its flesh.
is

kill

the milch cow

a state of destitution which I did not believe

existed in

Ve

must, and there

it is

any portion
to

an end

of the question.

But

as well

idleness appeai'ed scarcely

be universal

The saw
were
a

to

remember that small measures

and extraordinary

of

imme-

any man working.

The

fields

diate

relief are deai-ly pur-

overgrown with weeds.

You might know

chased."

potato-garden by seeing a green leaf occa-

At

the end of Januai-y, 1847,

when

the

sionally appearing amidst luxuriant weeds,

extension of the poor-law and the immediate

relief acts

whilst

men and women were

standing about

were introduced. Lord John Russell

laboui--rate act

or lying in the ditches iu perfect idleness."

announced that the

would be

Of the union

of Kilrush in county Clare

we

withdrawn, as the landlords had grossly mis-

have the following dreai-y record from the

managed

its

working; that the people would

ofl'

pen of Captain Kennedy, the communication being

olficial,

be immediately taken
abled to work ou their

the roads, and enholdings,

and dated in November

:

own

by being

the same year (1847)

" The north and west

Killai-d,

of of

supplied with food through local relief committees,

the union of Kilrush, including the divisions

of

working

in connection

with the poor-

KOmurry, Kilmacduaue,

Killee,

law guardians.

The sum

of 50,000

was

to

and a part
able state.

of Moyarta, are in a

most lament-

be lent to buy seed for tenants on the security

of the ensuing harvest,

The

pai'ts

on the coast are most

and 1,000,000 to be

densely populated with a turf-digging, sea-

BENTINCK PROPOSES IRISH RAILWAYS.

population
culturists.

119
it

weed gathering, fish - catching, amphibious as bad fishermen as they are agri;

so constructed

would be

so great, that

would

pay the cost of the whole construction.'

He
in-

They

liave no regular

mode

of

added that there were few

in

districts in Ireland

gaining a livelihood.

They

are inert, impro-

which railway communication could be

vident, and utterly -without foresight.

Lavish

troduced, where the value of the country

and constant expenditure may keep them from

starvation
;

through which the railway passed would not

but

it

will require years of good

be raised to an extent equal to the whole cost

of the railway.

management and well -devised measures to make them independent or self-supporting.

Arguing on an area

of six

hundr-ed and forty acres for every square mile,

after deducting the land occupied

few acres of reclaimed bog, planted with

by

fences,

potatoes, has heretofore supplied their wants,

roads,

and buildings, Mr. Smith

of

Deanston

and rendered them content on the lowest possible scale of existence.

entered into a calculation of the gain derivable from the

mere carriage

of the produce of

" In the district I have remarked

upon

the land, and the back carriage of manure,

coals, tiles, bricks,

believe one-third of the population will be

utterlj'

and other materiids, and

'iiK),

without food at Christmas, two-thirds

estimated the saving through those means on

starving before February,

and the whole de-

every square mile to more than

or

void of food or

money

before

May.

Many

of

something above i'600 on 1280 acres abutting

each mile of railway, this being the difierence
of the cost of carriage

the habitations are no better thau a fox-earth,

and the inmates in their appearance,

and mode of living hardly human.
are comparatively content

clothing,
class

under the old mode

of

This

conve3'ance as compared with the new. Follow-

and uncomplaining.
Their

ing up this calculation, he showed that fifteen

Their mode of scratching the land does not

deserve the

hundred miles

of railway
it

would improve the

name

of cultivation.

at-

land through which

passed to the extent of

tempts

ai'e

inferior to that I

have seen among

nearly two million acres at the rate of a mile

North American Indians."

Details of

on each

side,

and taken

at twenty-five years'

a kind even more painful

it is

may

purchase, would eqvial twenty-four millions

sterling in the

well be omitted, for

not easy to quote

permanent improvement of the

such things without being suspected, or at

least accused, of

land."

au intention

to point a one-

The

subject led to

much

discussion,

and

sided moral.
It
is

Lord George was not backward with a very

some
of the

with his views of impro%'ing the con-

dition of Ireland that

most hon-

ourable recollections of Lord George Bentinck's career in parliament

are connected.
'

His proposition was, that ^100 expended to the satisfaction of the imperial government in railway construction, .200 should be lent by government
definite scheme.

for every

"

When," wrote Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Smith of Deanston was examined by a parliamentary committee, and asked what measm-e of all
others would be the one most calculated to

at the very lowest interest at which, on the credit of the government, that

amount could

be

raised, so that if

two millions were pro-

duced annually for four years by the Irish

companies, the imperial government should

improve
Ireland,

the agriculture

and

condition of

he did not

reply, as

some might have

but his answer

advance au additional four millions, insuring

in Ireland for four years the expenditure of
six millions a year in public
ful

anticipated, that the

most eficient measure

;

would be

to drain the bogs

works

of

an use-

was, 'Advance the construction of railways and

and reproductive nature.

"This proposi-

then a.gricultural improvement will speedily

follow.'

tion

oifering
illustrate the value of railways to

"

To

an

was recommended by Lord George as an ample security for the public loan. For this purpose he adduced evidence to show
this country, or Scotland, or Belgium,
aflford

agricultural population, ]Mr.

Smith

of

Dean-

that the worst railroad ever yet constructed in

ston said, 'that the improvement of the land

for one mile only

would

on each side of the railway

an ample security under such circum-

120
stances.
^vollld

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

He
assumed
tliat

the government

less

revolutionary Ijut far more effectual ap-

lend the

money

at 3 J percent, and take

peals of "the Liberator."

For the Young

Ire-

the whole railway as security.

Consequently

land party had superseded the more potent

a line paying
afford

ample security

l upon 300 expended would for 200 lent by the state

and he was therefore pre8d. per cent,

scheme by which O'ConneU could repeatedly

menace England with monster demonstrations,

at ?j, \0s. per cent,

and yet not overstep the

line of trea-

pared to prove that a line which paid but a

dividend of 2,
6.

son.

would

afl'ord

The ''Repeal year" had passed without repeal. The son of the great Agitator had
been denounced in the columns of the United
Irishman, which instructed
its

perfect security for the interest of the loan

made by the government." The accounts of the condition

any that are
to

readers to use,

of the Irish

in street fighting,

muskets,

vitriol,

molten lead,
feet.
it

peasantry at this time are more dreadful than

broken glass for maiming the horses'

be found out of ancient

re-

John

O'C'onnell

had been

to Paris,

and

cords of jjestilence, war, and famine, and in

had been represented that he there

subscriptions for "the cause."
of the country," said the

collected

most of the detaUs very

closely resemble them.

"In the name

Women

and children picking up tlie refuse of the raw roots on which cattle have been fed
on the deck
of a steamer
;

United Irishman,

" we disavow the scandalous negotiator." " Let

gaunt corpses found

no man in France dream that this dastard,

this

nearly naked

in

bare and deserted huts

born slave and beggar, represents Ireland,

in

human

skeletons crawling along the roads or

;

or

is

any manner authorized

in

to offer Ireleast of all

leaning against the low stone walls

a story

land's

arm

war

to

any nation,

not of utter destitution and misery only, but

of helplessness

to England."

" Ireland spurns

him, and will

bears."

and abandonment of

efforts for

yet curse the very

name he

They

amelioration

graveyards where dogs fight in

were always

in full cry for a fight, these gentle-

horrible contention,

and where the bodies

of

men, and in that they entirely differed from

the

the dead are scarcely covered by the earth

lightly

man who was

raked over them

I'eople

dying of

political leader.

superior to them all as a They quarrelled with him

want, in some cases where they have the price

of bread, but finding

because he did not

mean

fighting;

and as

none

for sale in the bare

stay^

they had nothing better to do, they ended in

quarrelling and fighting
or

and desolate place

village to

in

which they

have

among

themselves,

not the heart to journey to the next town or

in inventing insulting epithets for each

buy a

loaf or

a quart of meal.
details,

We
nor

other.

"The Repeal year" had come and

need not enter into these dreadful

of the inadequacy of
jilan of relief to

gone, and Daniel O'Counell was dead.

any hastily organized

But we must take another glance backward.

meet such widely extended

We

have told the story of the coming

of freelittle

and general destitution.

It
is

trade,

and

it is

necessary to return for a

not surprising that crime increased,

while to other events which have been

i-un-

nor that the government had eventually to

bring in ,a Coercion Bill only a
little

ning parallel with the main narrative.

counting the history of these yeara
every

In

re-

less

we must

stringent in some particulars than that upon

now and

then I'eturn on the main track,

of the

which they had defeated the former ministry.

Sedition almost ceased to be sedition,
it

and see how some

issues,

byways, the side

of progress, or

was

come into the highway

it.

advocated so boldl}' and openly. Treason was

shouted rather than talked, and the violent
maledictions of

lead off from

We

liave yet a

few words

to

say before entering upon the year of revolutions,

John Mitchel, the extrava-

and touching here and there some

into the decade with

topics
ai-e

gances of Smith O'Brieu, and the fervid poetical

that

come

which we

denunciations of

Meagher "of the Sword"

up

now

occupied.

We have referred

to the riots
to tlie

(so called

because he had said he did not

which took place in Lancashire, and

the queen's

see

why

the sword should not be taken

designs of the Chartists in the early pai't of

I'eign.

against England), had taken the place of the

Those disturbances spread

"REBECCA AND HER CHILDREN.'

with the resistance to diminished wages.
the Potteries troops
-n-ere

121
If they could destroy

In

without concealment.
all

sent to occupy the

the objectionable gates and toll-houses in

race-coui'se, and both there and in Lancashire, and subsequently in the agricultural districts where the labourers were suffering great dis-

like

manner, and

jiei-sist

in their destruction

at every attempt to restore them, the trustees

tress at the very

time that they were told to

would be obliged to refrain, and the roads would become untaxed highways. Conspiracy

use physical force to prevent the meetings of the agents of the League
fires,

among such a people

was, like any other seri-

there were frequent

who burnt ricks,
by Miss Mar-

ous event, sure to be verbally associated with

the

work

of incendiaries

a passage of Scripture, and somebody found in

the twenty-fourth chapter of Genesis and the
sixtieth vei-se

or

first

sacked and afterwards set light to

dwelling-houses.

We

are told

what were considered

to be ap-

tiueau that

Lady Peel

received an

anonymous

propriate words:

"And

they blessed Rebekah,

warning that Drayton Manor would be bunied down. A guard was procured to watch it, but
no attack was made. A clergyman at Leeds had a message from a body of riotei-s who were coming his way, that they intended to sleep in his church and he replied by assur;

and said unto her. Let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them." The leader of the
rioters, disguised in

a huge bonnet, cloak, and

his followers
also called

petticoats,

was Rebecca, and

were his daughters, who were

beecaites.

Re-

Probably there were several

leaders,

ing them that

to

it

was

his intention to

preach

as the raids against the obnoxious toll-gates

them

all

niglit.

They did not appear.

were frequent, and at considerable

distances.

There weie many grotesque elements among

the general sense of fear and violence, as there are sure to be where people of various callings

During the
able,

wintei-s of

1842 and 1843 the

organization of this conspiracy was remark-

and with

different aims

and views are

collision.

either

brought into coalition or

Among

and their mode of procedure iistoundiug. The Rebeccaites were never seen by day, never caught by watching. If their presence was anticipated they were sure
miles away.
to be several

the most extraordinary and also the most

brutal

and sanguinary disturbances were those

Their object was
charges

The

secrecy with which the

mem-

which took place in Wales.

to destroy the

bers of the band worked, and the completeness

of their intelligence,

numerous

toll-gates, the

made

it

apparently easy

made

at

which were a heavy tax on the small

districts,

for
for

them to learn where there was a watch kept

farmers of the rural

and sometimes
]iro-

them

until the watchers were tired,

and

absorbed the small profits of the humble

then, probably on that very night the

toll-keepers

weary

duce which had to be carried through byi-oads

would be aroused

bj' a blast of

and

for a consideiable distance to

tolls also

mar-

cowhorns, the firing of shots, the sudden glare

of toiches,

ket.

The

added greatly

to the price

and the sound

of

saw and

axe.

the people paid for

manure and other

neces-

The gang
clothes

of stalwai-t desperados in
gate-posts,
if

women's
chopped

sary articles for their farms.

sawed down the

On

the bordere of Caeimarthenshire and

the bars in pieces, and

no resistance was

Pembrokeshire a number of gates which were

believed to have been illegally set

offered, helped the toU-keepei-s to

move out
levelled

up were

their furniture, before roof

stick

and wall and every

demolished, and the local magistrates,

the gates were once down,

when made known that

re-erection,

and stone

of the toll-house

was

to the ground.

It

was

all

done with such

they should

oppose

their

and

rapidity, that while the astonished toll-man

themselves became trustees in order to prevent

it.

and

his family

were wondering and lamenting,

This was so

much

of a victor)' for the

they found themselves houseless amidst their

furniture, as the wild weird

primitive people of the district that they began

to hold secret meetings,

gang went

clat-

mined
fii-st

to repeat in

was detergrim earnest what was at

where
it

tering

away on

their hoi-ses or ponies, or

swiftly strode across the fields.

in the nature of

a bold and only halfin d.aylight

Soldiers were sent to guard the

tolls,

but

it

serious frolic,

perpetrated

and

would have required a small army

to ])rotect


122

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

all

them
scent.

at once,

and the

cottars

were

inter-

place, incautiously said she

rioters,

knew some
The

of the

ested in sending the dragoons on a

wrong

and was shot dead.

coroner's

About eighty

gates were destroyed in

jury, too terrified to bring in a true verdict,

Caermarthen alone, and there were few left Only in Cardiganshire and Pembrokeshire.
the old-fashioned and legitimate gates were

said she died

chest,

from effusion of blood into the

suffocation,

which occasioned

but from

what cause was unknown.

tion

A royal proclama-

untouched.

Those that were levelled had

was

issued

and a royal commission was

been mostly put np on bu'oads leading to lime-kilns; and as the farmers burned their

sent

down

tq try the prisoners

a commission
The

with a merciful intention, and accompanied

own

lime for manure, this was creating a

by another commission
grievances complained of

to inquire into the

cruel impost of a shilling on every load of

stone, lime,
to the farm.

by the
fii-st

rioters.

and coal brought from the kUu

judge appointed for the

commission was

Baron Guruey, who well expressed the sym])athy

But a very short time elapsed before Chartist agitators went down to see whether they could
not combine with the Eebeccaites in larger
operations,

which was originally manifested for

tlie

culprits,

and

for

the poverty and distress

first offences.

which had occasioned the

Three

and the small

riot

became a dan-

men

sentenced to transportation addressed

gerous insurrection.

The

leaders were local

their friends
spirit,

and countrymen in a penitent

Jack Cades; and under the influence of their the same school of Chartists evil advisers

and those

whom

they addressed were

so conscious of their folly that they offered

who had already denounced free-trade and the new poor-law they grew murderous and
bloodthirsty.

themselves as

specijil constables.

Light sen-

tences were passed

on other

rioters,

and many

For a time they had

it all

their

were discharged on the understanding that

they would cease from their

own way.
fees,

They threatened
tithes, to pull

to abolish justice

and

down

the workhouses,

would keep the

peace.

illegal acts and The commission of

gi-iev-

and compel a reduction of rents. Police were disarmed, troops were misled, magistrates had
their houses fired into;

inquiry discovered that the original

ances of the turnpike system were in themselves so

and at length Caer-

burdensome and
and a

so widely extended

marthen workhouse was half pulled down by

a

that a measure of relief

necessaiy,
bill

was imperatively

mob numbering some

among

thousands who entered

was passed through parto the

the town, led

carried

by Rebecca on horaeback, and

their weapons, saws
to

liament for the consolidation of turnpike trusts

in

and axes
sweep the

South "Wales.

The leniency shown

desil-e to

brooms with which they were

nor's

prisoners,

and the honest

abate the

very foundations of the building.

The goversoldiei-s

intolerable extortions to

which the people had

legislation,

house was nearly gutted, and he was alarm-bell when the

been subjected, gave a new tone to

ringing the

and was naturally regarded had true sympathy with the

people.

as a fitting con-

arrived after a long journey.

Hundreds of
to

sequence of the reign of a young queen

who

the riotere were an-ested

some were slightly

Rebecca

sufferings of her

wounded.

An

end was coming

for their

This was a happy result, since the

and her

children,

new

adherents

troubles that had arisen from the general

distress

were men who led them to acts which at once

aroused public opinion against them.

had already begun

to

aflFect

those ex-

The

pressions of loyalty which

versal.

had been so uni-

meetings in the hills had few sympathizers where nightly incendiarism formed part of the
procedure, and everywhere armed bands went
destroying.

The

court was engaged in a series of

innocent pleasures, which, hovrever, offered

a contrast to the general suflTerings of the
people;

Crimes were committed.

One

old

and certain newspapers concerned in

columns accounts of

woman who
been set

kept a toll-house begged to save

promoting disaffection had adopted the device

of printing in parallel
balls, festivities,
\

her furniture, the thatch of her cottage having

alight.

A neighboxir

diired not help

and royal expenditure, and

her to put out

tlie

flame; she ran back to the

the reports of coronei-s' inquests, misery, star-

THE "REPEAL YEAE."

vation,

123

and

registrars' returns.

The

conse-

repeal of the union.

tion

quence was that there had been some manifestations of disloyalty,

was shown,

to prevent

Whenever a determinaby force, any of

which were, however,

not very decided. It was then that Sir Robert

Peel, not only

those vast public meetings which he could sway and command, he himself postponed or

by
by

his advice

and

practical financial

countermanded the assembly.

in his hand,

It

would ap-

suggestions, but

his admirable

pear that, with the power of insun-ectiou always

arrangements with regard to the royal expenditure,

he used

it

only as a stage-sword

proved himself to be a faithful friend

to flouri.sh in the face of English authority,

as well as a trusted minister.

The

festivities

celebrating the christening of the Prince of

and never as a weapon actually to fight with. In this he was prudent. He knew well enough
that in actual conflict with the

entertainments

Wales were followed by one or two quiet and state balls where the

power

of

Eng-

land that weapon must be shattered.

manufactures of Spitalfields and of Paisley

O'Connell was unapproached as a leader of

were recognized in the dresses of the court.

a Celtic people.
as])ired to

Most

of

those

who have

The

hints of the premier were sufficient to

hold a similar position have been

confirm the royal household in the desire to

so far below

him

in jjower, quickness of appre-

encourage

native industry, and

to

set

an

hension, humour, impulse, and changeful ex-

example of quiet unostentatious

living,

which

aggerated expression, that they have been

forced to borrow and repeat his sayings, often

was
It

entirely in accordance with the tastes of

the queen and the prince consort.

without acknowledgment, and have so used

tlie

was an anxious

difficult

time both for

them

as to deprive

them

of their original

fire.

sovereign and the minister, and the troubles

O'Connell was reckless in statement, wild in

appeal and iu denunciation, but comparatively

were

gi'eatly increased

by the condition

of

Ireland.

prudent in action.
multitudes

The

ebullitions of the

whom

he addressed found vent in

O'Connell had said, " The year 1843

shall

is

and

the excitement of the hour, and he could then

still it

be the great repeal year." It

is

not quite
of

and charm

it

away.

He

could

certain wliat he

meant by

repeal,

and some
of

people to enthusiasm, and then bid

till

move a them wait

his followers afterwards accused

him

mean-

he told them what was their opportunity.

ing nothing but to deceive Ireland and play

into the

Those who have come after him lacking the

hands of the English government;

power to sway, have only succeeded in exciting

a pojiulace or a rustic gathering, and then leaving

but they were interested in depreciating him

that they might themselves obtain a leadership which they neither
tain nor to distinguish.

them

to uncontrolled acts of violence

and

knew how
It

to main-

crime which must bring them into disastrous

collision

would seem that

with the legal authorities.

"

It

was

O'Connell really intended to try whether, by

continuing to

not untrue that the " Liberator's

agitations

show how extensive a power up a demand

for

sometimes prevented rather than encouraged

insurrection;
ever.

he wielded, and by promoting constant demonstrations, lie could set

rule,

but they could not go on for

home

with a parliament on College Green, of

When
what was

Irish grievances
left to

had been removed

Those grievances
in

which he, aided by the Irish

clergy,

Roman

Catholic
dic-

demand ?

would be a

sort of

good-humoured

were very far from being entirely removed

1843, but there

tator, or elected lord-lieutenant,

owning the
of arbitra-

was no

definite agitation that

sovereignty of

the queen, and with courta

was big enough

tor,

to serve the turn of the agita-

composed partly of law and partly

tion, wliere

and

his promise of repeal

had been
it

so

he would

sit as

judge.

One thing

long held over that he thought

was time
it,

was certain

he was

no more prepared than

something was done

so

he announced

and

ever to risk a revolution in Ireland, or to

with wonderful tact and address proceeded

to

bring against his follower the physical force

make some
It

tentative movements.
as

which would be used to prevent an actual

must be remembered,

Mr. Justin

124

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

iu bis excellent review

McCarthy poiuts out

of
tlie

demonstrations.
wj.rds

These gentlemen were after-

character of O'Coniiell, that Catholic

chosen

by O'Connell

as justices

in

emancipation liad been carried, at the time

sphen
it

arbitration courts, iu favour of

which people

was granted,

b^'

virtue of O'CouneH's
of the

were advised to abandon the established courts

of law.

bold agitation,

and by the wise resolve

to

Tory government nut

Tlie Irish peasant

provoke a

civil

war.

At

length the great demonstration meeting

knew

that O'Connell bad

demanded Catholic emancipation, and bad been answered at firet by a direct refusal;
that be bad said be would compel
sion,
its

was held on the 15th of August at the Hill of Tara, where O'Connell stood beside the stone
said to have been used as a throne at the

concesto

coronation of the ancient kings of Ireland.

It has

and that

in the

end

it

was conceded

been said that there were present, near

this bill, 2,000,000 persons.

him.

"When, therefore, O'Connell said that

and around

The

be would compel the government to give

liim

crowds came in a sort of military order, and

while some were leaving others were arriving.
It

repeal of the

luiion the

Irish peasant

naturally believed that be would keep his

was a great demonstration

round the
bill
filled

of

numbers, and

word.

close
of the first things

stood a vast crowd, while

One
.1

he did was to carry

the roads were

people.

with moving masses of

repeal petition to parliament

iu

by an

overof

O'Connell addressed them, promising

pai-lia-

whelming majority

the

corporation

that in twelve months more a repeal

Dublin, and immediately afterwards be called

a monster meeting at Trim, where 30,000

people were present.

ment would sit in College Green. His speech was less inflammatory than usual, for his
allusions

Both there and at the

In

and references were usually

It
significant that he, like

iu the

banquet which followed be spoke with his

accustomed ])ower.

highest degi-ee exciting

chosen.
is

and were artfully

May

thei'e

was anit

some

of

other great meeting at Mullingar, where

the Irish orators of to-day, took his illustrations of

appeared that the

Roman

Catholic bishops

Saxon cruelty and treachery from times

Cromwell

were

all repealers.

The queen bad expressed

about

at least as far distant as the days of

some intention

of visiting Ireland at

and Elizabeth.

The massacre

of the Irish of

that time, a purpose which was abandoned

partly because of the excited condition of the

chieftains, the slaying of the

women

Wexit

ford, these

were held forth

to the ignorant

country, though she would not have feared to

and fervid peasantry in such a manner that

for the

commit
It
is

herself to the loyalty of the people.

appeared they might be repeated to-day but

remarkable to hnd O'Connell at a meet-

wholesome dread entertained by the

of the determination of the Irish of the

ing of the Repeal Association at Dublin, after

government
jieojjle

denouncing Wellington, Peel, Brougham, and

others, for their " vindictive hatred of Ireland,"

and

confidence of O'Connell

himself in the vindication of their national

rights.

saying,

"Wlien her majesty

visits

her Irish

The

effect

on such audiences

may

subjects she will hear of nothing but repeal

easily

be imagined.
Sunday, the
1st

from one end

There
is

of the country to the other."

On
of iu

of

October, another

no need to quote from the speeches

monster demonstration was held at the Rath

of the agitator at the

nor to describe the

people,

effect

"monster meeting," produced upon the

travelled thirty

Mullaghmast

iu Kildare. O'Connell arrived

scarlet velvet

an open carriage wearing bis

many
in

of

whom had
to-

robe and gold chain as Lord-mayor of Dublin,

or forty miles to be present.

The govern-

and accompanied by a number

official robes.

of the cor-

ment was
sures,

no haste

take extreme mea-

poration in their

After he had

though the Holding of

Sir

Arms

Bill

was

addressed the meeting, a kind of cap of state

or of freedom,

passed during the summer, and

chancellor,

the Irish

made
bis

of green velvet lined with

Edward Sugden, removed

blue and shaped like an old Milesian crown,

from the commission of the peace, several magistrates who had taken part iu reiieal

was placed on
mation.

head amidst general

accla-

He

conqiared bis feelings to those

O'CONNELL CEASES TO BE DANGEROUS.

of Malaclii

125

wheu he wore
tore

tlie

collar of gold

found that he had no such intention.

The

"which he
s.iid

from the proud iuvader."

He
it

government at

last resolved to interfere.

A
near

he would wear it while he lived and have

meeting was announced to be held at Clontarf

buried with

him when he died. At the banquet

this

on Sunday, October
Dublin, and
is

8,

1843.

Clontarf

is

which followed

meeting he spoke of the

famous in Irish history as the

massacre of Irish chiefs at MuUaghniast in

the reigu of Elizabeth.

scene of a great victory of the Irish over their

ninety Irish chiefs

confiding in
protection of
euce.

"Three hundred and They came perished heie

1

Danish invadere.

It

was intended that

this

meeting should surpass in numbers and in

earnestness the assemblage at Tara.

Saxon honour, relying on the

tlie

On

the

queeu, to a friendly couferof revelry, in the cheerful

the}'

very d.ay before the 8th the lord-lieutenant

issued a proclamation jirohibiting the as "calculated to excite reasonable

In the midst

meeting

mirth of the banquet-bouse,

were sursave

and wellits

rounded and butchered.

cue.

None returned

grounded apprehension," in that

object

Their wives were widows, their children

was "to accomplish and

altei-ations in the

laws

fatherless.

In their homesteads was heard

ci-y

and constitution of the realm by intimidation

the demonstration of
physical force."
O'Connell's

the shrill shriek of despair, the

of bitter
it

agony.

Oh, Saxon cruelty

How
!

cheers

power over the people was never

eflfectively

niy heart in all its misery to think 3"ou dare

shown more
which
able
at

than in the control

not attempt such a deed again

Let every

that critical
exercise.

mother who heare

me

think of the

when each
let

gallant chief left his

moment home with a

to

moment he was stdl The populations were

when
was
the proclamation

already coming into Clontarf in streams from

all

parting to his wife and babes.

Let her

oh
to

the country round

her imagine for a

moment

that husband,

of the lord-lieutenant

issued.

No doubt
when
pi-o-

the father of those children, brought

home

the Irish government ran a

teiTible risk

her a bruised and

bloody corpse

In the

they delayed so long the issue of their

clamatiou.

pride of manhood, in the confidence of strength,

With

the people already assem-

with sinewy

arm

capable,

if

but prepared, to
the

bling in such masses the risk of a collision

defend her from any foe did he leave her; next day he was brought home in
all

with the police and the soldiery, and of a consequent massacre, is something still shocking
to contemplate.
if

inanity of death, powerless to defend, incapable of aflfordiug anything but bitter grief,

It

is

not surprising, perhaps,

of his followers

O'Connell and

many

made

interminable sorrow

Oh, England, England

it

a charge against the government that they

thy crimes have

filled

the cup of bitterness.

gi'eatly

intended to bring about such a collision in

order to
repealers,

The hour

of the

vengeance of God, I

make an example
and thus

of

some

of the

fear me, cannot be far

from you
still

but thou,

O
!"

strike terror through the

Ireland, hast days of glory

It is certiiin

before thee

country.

Some

sort of collision

would almost

now
to

that O'Counell did not at

for the attain-

any time mean

employ force

undoubtedly have occurred but for the prompHe at once titude of O'Connell himself.
issued a proclamation of his

ment

of his ends.

But

it

is

equally certain

own

to which,

that he wished the English

see that

government
of

to

the populations were likely to pay far

more

he had the
of

command

an immense

attention than they would to anything coming

number

men, and probably even to believe

if

from Dublin
obeyed,
place,

Castle.

O'Connell declared that

that he would,
rebellion

needs were, hurl them in

if

the orders of

the lord-lieutenant must be

the

upon England

ever she should be

It is cer-

that

meeting must not take

erabaiTassed with a foreign war.

tain, too, that

admirers, especially

many of O'Connell's most ardent among the young men,

call

and that the people must return to The " uncrowned king," as some their homes. of his admirei-s loved to call him, was obeyed,

were fully convinced that some day or other

their

leader would

on them to

fight,

and no meeting was held. From that moment, however, the great
power
of the repeal agitation

and were

much

disappointed

wheu they

was gone.

The

126

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

f;u-

goTernraent had accomplished

more by

among her
to hatred

majesty's subjects, to excite

of

them
was

their proclamation than they could possibly

and contemi^t

the governmejit

have imagined at the time. They had, without knowing it, compelled O'Conuell to show
his hand.
It

and constitution
in

of the realm.

The

trial

many ways

a singularly unfortunate pro-

was now made

have resort

clear that he did

to force.

ceeding.

not intend

to

From

jected to all the Catholics

called as
jurors.

The government prosecutor obwhose names were

that hour there was virtually a schism be-

An

eiTor of the sheriffs

tween the elder repealers and the younger.

in the construction of the jury-list

had

al-

The young and

any
for
case

fiery followei-s of

the great

ready reduced by a considerable number the

roll of

agitator lost all faith in him.

It

would in

Catholics entitled to serve on juries.

have been impossible to maintain

tlie state

It

therefore hajjpened that the greatest of

any very long time

of national It

Irish Catholics, the representative Catholic of

his day, the principal agent in the

tension in which Ireland had been kept.

work

of

must soon come either to a clima.\ or to an antiAll the It came to an anti-climax. climax.
imposing demonstrations of physical strength
lost their v;due

carrying Catholic emancipation, was tried by

a jury composed exclusively of Protestants.

It has only to be added that this in the metropolis of
Catholic,

was done
essentially
in-

when

it

was made known that and

that

a country

they were

only

demonstrations,

and on
not

question affecting

nothing was ever to come of them.

of

The eye

dii-ectly, if

dii'ectly,

the whole position

an attentive foreigner was then fixed on

and claims

of Catholics.

The

trial

was

long.

Ireland and on O'Connell

the

eye of one

O'Connell defended himself, and his speecli

destined to play a part in the political history

of our time

was

univei'sall}'

regarded

as -wanting

the

which none other has surpassed.

his

power that had made

effective in

his defence of others so

Count Cavour had not long retm-ned to

former days.

It

was

for the

most

own

country from a visit

made with the

part a sober and somewhat heavy argument

to prove that Ireland

express pui-pose of studying the politics and

had

lost

instead of

the general condition of England and Ii'eland.

gained by her union with England.

The
to

He

wrote to a friend about the

crisis
is

then

jury found O'Connell guilty along with most

of his associates,

passing in Ireland.
tance," he said,
it
is

"When

one

at a dis-

and be was sentenced

"from the theatre

of events,

twelve months' imprisonment and a fine of

easy to

make

prophecies wliich have

2000.

The

othei-s received lighter sentences.

already been contradicted according

sealed.

by

facts.

But,
is

O'Connell appealed to the House of Lords

against the sentence.
issued

to

my

view,

O'Counell's fate

In the meantime he
Irish people

On

the

first

vigorous demonstration

a proclamation to the

of his opponents he has

drawn back
It

from

that

moment he has

ceased to be dangerous."
right.

commanding them to keep perfectly quiet and not to commit any offence against the
law.
tions,

Cavour was perfectly

was never

"Every man," said one

of his proclama-

again possible to bring the IrLsh people up to

the pitch of enthusiasm which O'Connell had

"who
The

is

guilty of the slightest breach

of the peace

is

an enemy of
quiet.

me and
him

of Ire-

wi-ought

them

to before the suppression of

land."

Irish people took

at his

word

the Clontai-f meeting;

Irish national

and before long the

and remained perfectly

movement had split in two. The government at once proceeded to the

O'Connell and some of his

O'Connell and his principal associates were committed to Eichmond Prison in Dublin.

prosecution of

The

trial

had been delayed

in various ways,

principal associates.
Sfelf,

Daniel O'Connell him-

jhis son John, the late Sii- John Gray, and Sir Charles Gavan Duffy, were the most

and the sentence was not prononnced until May 24, 1844. The appeal to the House of
Lords

we may pass over intermediate stages

was heard in the following SepThe
and Lord
Five law lords were present.

conspicuous of those against

cution

whom

the prose-

of procedure

was

directed.

conspiring

to raise

They were charged with and excite disaffection

tember.

lord chancellor (Lord Lyndhm-st)

CCONNELL'S TRIUMPHAL RELEASE.

Brougham
-were of opinion tliat the sentence

127

the

first

instance to ascertain in the usual

division

of the court below should be affirmed.

Lord

way whether a

would be necessary,
if

Denman, Lord
bell

C'ottenliam,

and Lord Camp-

several lay peers seemed as

they were deof

were

of the opposite opinion.

Lord Denin

termined to vote.

But the appeal

Lord

man,

in pai'ticular,
jury-lists

condemned the manner

had been
prej^ared.

Wharncliffe settled the matter.

peers at once withdrew,

AU

the lay

which the
of his
able,

words ou the occasion

Some became memorsaid,

and

left

the matter,

according to the usual course, in the hands of

the law lords.

and passed into a

sort of proverbial ex-

The majority

of these being
it

pression.

"Such

practices,"

he

"would
fol-

against the judgment of the court below,

make

of the

law a mockery, a delusion, and a

constitution of the

was accordingly reversed, and O'Connell and

his associates

snare."

strange and memorable scene

were

set at liberty.

The

pro-

lowed.

The

House

of
dif-

priety of a lay peer voting on a question of

judicial appeal

Lords then and for long after made no

ference between law lords

was never

raised again so long

and others in vot-

as the appellate jurisdiction of the

House

of

ing on a question of appeal.

But they had

it is

Lords was

still

exercised in the old

and now
satis-

an undoubted right to do so ; and

certain
tli.at

even

obsolete fashion.

in one or

two pecuKar

cases they

Nothing could well have been more

factory

had exercised the

right.

If the lay lords

were

to vote in this instance the fate of O'C'ounell

and

his

companions could not be doubtful.

of Lords.

and more fortunate in its results than the conduct of the House of Lords. The efl'ect upon the mind of the Irish people would have
been deplorable
there were
if

O'Counell had always been the bitter enemy

of the

it

had been seen that

and that the
judicial,

House
its

He
if

had vehemently and

its

O'Connell was convicted by a jury on which

denounced

authority,

its practices,

no Roman

Catholics,

leading members.
voted,

Nor
it

the lay peel's had

of the

sentence was confirmed, not

by a

but
of

had confirmed the judgment

by a

strictly political vote of the

House

court below, could

said that
terference.

have been positively

in-

Lords.

As it was, the

influence of the decision,

an injustice was done by their

which proved that even in the assembly most

bitterly

The majority of the judges on the

In the House
of Lords itself Lord Brougham were

denounced by O'Connell he could

re-

writ of error had approved the judgment of

the court below.

ceive fair play,

factory.

was

in the highest degree satis-

It cannot be

doubted that

it

did

the lord chancellor and

of opinion that the tained.

something to weaken

the force of O'ConneU's

judgment ought to be

sus-

own

denunciations of Saxon treachery and

There would, therefore, have been

for maintaining that the sub-

wrong-doing. The influence of O'ConneU was

some ground

never the same after the

trial.^

stantial justice of the case

had been met by

His
that

release

was celebrated by a triumphal

a triumph
of the justice

the action of the lay peers.

On

the other

procession, but nothing could alter the fact

it

hand,

it

would have afforded a gi"ound for a

of lay
peei'.

was

also

and

positive outcry in Ireland if a question purely

of

leniency of that Saxon government which he

law had been decided by the votes

peers against their bitter enemy.

One

had so often implied was characterized by cruelty and oppression. When he was set free
he
left

Lord WharnclifTe, made a timely appeal

better

to the

the prison on foot with his sons

and a

judgment and

feeling of his brethren.

few

friends, escorted

by a crowd which he

He

urged them not to take a course which

political or

dismissed with a speech from his balcony;

might allow any one to say that

but next morning he went back to the prison.

personal feeling had prevailed in a judicial

decision of tlie

triumphal car was brought, a lofty car

for

House

of Lords.

The appeal

constructed

the occasion, on which, a

had

its effect.

A moment before one lay peer

to vote.

dozen feet above the heads of the crowd, he

stood

at least
insist

had openly declared that he would

drawn up to

his full height

and wearing
Own

on his right

When

the lord
'

chancellor

was about

to put the question in

Justin M'Carthy.

History of Our

Timet.


128
the repeal cap.

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

On
a lower stage of the car

mournful, wistful expression.

He could scarcely
In the

were

his grr.iidsous in green velvet tunics

and

bear to hear or lead about Ireland.

fii-st

caps with white featliers.

In a big coach sat

session of 1847 he delivered his last speech

the lawyers employed on his behalf bearing

tlie

monster indictment.

The proceedings

and it has been described in a few picturesque and pathetic words by the once
in the house,

ended

by O'Couuell again addressing the

vindictive antagonist

whose anger against him

crowd from the balcony. The Clontarf meeting, he said, he hoped would not be necessary,
iis

had been provoked by language such as perhaps only these two men were capable of making so irritating and injurious. Mr. Disraeli's
reference to that last evening of O'Connell in

its principle

had been vindicated by the

of his plans

trials.

He

would speak further

at "Conciliation Hall,"

which was the name

the

given by himself to the Repeal Hall.

meeting Mr. William Smith O'Brien,

for Limerick,
porter.

At that member

tion,
rel,

House of Commons is full of line suggesand seems to imjily that the early quarbitter as
it

was, had been practically eon-

was

his great friend anil sup-

signed to oblivion long before.

" It

He

says

It wiis he

who
his

shook the hand of the

was understood that the house would

inst.

Liberator for some seconds in front of the

adjourn for the Easter recess on the 8th

platform

it

was

hand that was pressed

Alas
they were

There were therefore only two nights

re-

in return to O'Connell's heart amidst a roar of enthusiastic applause.

!

maining for government business before the

holidays.

On

the

first of

these (Friday, April

soon to be quarrelling and denouncing each

other, for the days of O'Connell's

the 3d) Mr. O'Connell had announced that

power were
of

he should state his views at length on the

condition of Ireland and the causes of the

over,

and suspicion followed on the part

could never

the

men who
his.

command

the same

prevalent

agrarian outrages.

Accordingly,

influence,

and had no plans more practicable

There were more demonstrations,
effect.

when

the order of the day for resuming the

than

adjourned debate was read he rose at once to

propose an
sat

but they had no ultimate

His was

still

amendment

to the motion.

He

a voice in parliament, and he attended the

in an unusual pjlace

in

that generally

banquets of the Anti-Corn-law League, where

the charm of his eloquence aided the cause in

occupied by the leader of the opposition

and

spoke from the red box, convenient to him

which

lie

took a
]ilan or

warm

interest,

but he had no

from the number of documents

to

which he
of great

longer a

a policy which he could put

had to

refer.

His appearance was

of his voice

forward to silence his opponents.

Nor

could

debility,
still.

and the tones

were veiy

he or any one

else

have hoped to

stiindard of repeal at a time

set up a when Ireland effectual

His words, indeed, only

I'eached those

who were immediately around him, and

table,

the

must depend on the immediate and

ministers sitting on the other side of the gi'een

legislation of the English jiarliament for the

and listening with that

interest

and

re-

purpose of averting the famine of about half

the population.

spectful attention
" It

which became the

occasion.

When

the

Whig government
was
rein-

was a strange and touching

spectacle to

succeeded that of Sir Robert Peel after the

repeal of the corn-laws, O'Connell

those

who remembered

the form of colossal

energy and the clear and thrilling tones that

stated in the commission of the peace,

and

had once
senates.

startled, disturbed,

and controlled

was on the

side of the ministry.

According

to the taunts of the

Young

Ireland party,

Mr. O'Coimell was on his legs for nearly two hours, assisted occasionally in the

which afterwards made such a miserable fiasco, he had "surrendered;" but the famine would
have made organized
atrocity for
of controlling
political disturbance

management
it

of his

documents by some de-

voted aide-de-camp.

To
in

the house generally

an

was a performance

dumb-show, a feeble
;

any man who had lost the power and restraining the multitudes

old

man

muttering before a table but respect

for the great parliamentary personage kept all

as orderly as
if

who had
grew

once responded to his appeals.

He

the fortunes of a party

;

hung

sick,

and his face was clouded with a

upon

his rhetoric

and though not an accent

LOUIS PHILIPPENICHOLAS OF KUSSIA.

readied the gallery, lueaus were taUeu that

129

next morning the country should not lose the

last

Genoa that he could proceed no fuither, and there he died. His life had been one of great
and constant excitement, and
its latter yeai-s

and not the

least interesting of the speeches

of one

who had

so long occupied

and agitated
parlia-

had been
and

full of

heavy anxiety, and at

last of

the

mind
are

of nations."
latest

disappointment, which had changed his aspect

Truly some of his

words in

ment

better worth

remembering than

left him worn and broken. His heart was embalmed and carried to the Eternal City.

many
of

of the brilliaut but reckless outbursts

His body was taken back

be laid in
tlie

to Ireland, there to

the days of his power as an agitator.

cemetery of Glasuevin, followed

"I

am

afraid,"

he said, "that the house

is

to the gi-ave

by a

viist

procession of at least

not sufficiently aware of the extent of the

50,000 pel-sons of various opinions; Orange-

misery;

do not think that

its

members
I

man and Eibbonman walking

side

by

side,

are suiHciently impressed with the horrors of the situation of the people of Ireland
:

and headed by the Lord-chancellor

the Lord-mayor of Dublin, and a

of Ireland,

do

number

of

not think they underetand the miseries, the

archbishops, bishops, and dignitaries of the

accumulated miseries under which the people

are at present suffering.
It has

Roman

Catholic Church.

The crowd assemas

been estimated

bled in and around the churchyard was as

that 5000 adults

and 10,000 children have

immense a demonstration
at his living

had ever arisen

already perished from famine, and that twentylive

summons, and the whole country

per cent of the whole population will

united in showing respect for his memory.

It

perish unless the house will afford effective

relief.

was

felt

that

many measures

of justice

had

They

will perish of

famine and disease

been achieved far earlier than they would

otherwise, because of his persistent and energetic

unless the house does something speedy

and

efficacious; not doled out in small sums, not in private

demands, and the agitation which he

legis-

and individual subscriptions, but in

of national generosity calcu-

maintained against sluggish or unwilling

lation.

some great act

course

It

was scarcely time then

to recog-

lated on a broad
is

and

liberal scale.
is

If this

nize all that O'Connell really accomplished

not jjursued pai'liament

responsible

or

stimulated to accomplishment;

but the

for the loss of

twenty-five per cent of the

I assure the house

work he had done was more

of

appreciated

population of Ireland.

abroad, where his efforts for the liberation

his
co-religionists

most solemnly that I

am
. .

not exaggerating.

were spoken

of

with

I can establish all I have said

by many and
broken

admiration which found expression in the

many
out,

painful proofs,

the necessary result

in fact has

eulogium j)ronounced on him by Lacordaire,

must be typhus fever, which

and
is

by whom
the

the question

was asked, "Where

is

desolating whole districts.

It leaves

man

in the

Church

since the time of Con-

alive only

one in ten of those

whom it attacks."
tlie

stantine

who

has at one stroke enfranchised

It

was the ajjpeal

one might almost say

He was about
it

six millions of souls!"

p.athetic wail

of a dying man, feeling that he

work

himself had lost the power to aid in the

that

We
the

have already spoken

of the visit of the to

was so imminent.

to

make

queen and the prince consort

France in

a journey to Rome, and, as

die there,

was

feared, to

autumn

of 1843,

and of the enthusiastic

the fact that

though there were some hopes that

Preparations were

welcome given them by Louis Philippe and

his family.

a more genial climate might somewhat restore

his health.
l>ontiff,

He made no seci'et of

made by

the

he had been treated by continental sovereigns

as a

Pius IX., to give a

for
a.s

fitting reception

parvenu monarch, and that this

importance to him; but

visit of

t3

him

whom

he entertained affection and

the Queen of England was of political as well

iis

esteem

the champion of the Catholic cause;

social

it

should also

but "the Liberator" never reached the scene where triumphal arches were beiug erected in
his honour.
Vol.
II.

be remembered that when Duke of Orleans he

had been on terms

of intimate friendship

with
also

He was

taken so seriously

ill

at

the queen's father, the

Duke of Kent, and

30

130

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

merely coming to close quarters with
his jirejudices

with the Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold,

me

all

while as the

Duchess of

Kent, her

were driven clean out

of him. to bring

majesty's mother,
sister to

was a

princess of C'obm-g,

This

is

what I hope by coming here

King

Leopold, the friendly associa-

about with you, and with England generally.

1

tion extended to both families,

and

especially

By

personal intercourse I trust to annihilate

since the marriage in 1832 of the

widowed
hospi-

these prejudices. For I esteem England highly;

Leopold with the Princess Louise of Orleans.

but as to what the French say

not, I spit

of

me

I care

The reception was unconventionally

table,

upon

it."

From which,

of course,

and during
visit

their stay at the

Chateau

people concluded that one of the objects of his

visits

d'Eu the

was one pleasant

It had, or

series of fetes

was

to counteract

any damaging

alliance of the

and family
to have,
it

parties.

was intended
whatever, and

between England and France in view

probable
fall of

no

political significance
till

Tm-key.

He had

become pos-

was not

afterwards that the cordial re-

sessed with the idea, which ultimately proved

so fatal, that

lation which subsisted

between the two nations

seemed
sort

likely to be disturbed.

On the 24th of

and must soon

Turkey was in a moribimd state '! do not covet fall to pieces.

soil for

January, 1844, the father of the prince con-

one inch of Turkish

myself," he said

had died

at

Gotha

after a very short

to Sir Kobert Peel, " but neither will I allow

and the prince was obliged to leave home on the melancholy duty of visiting the
illness,

anybody

else to

have one."

The only reply he

Engclose

obtained was a general assent to the principle

involved, with the further remark that

old

home

to settle the family

first

affaii's.

He

re-

turned after this

separation from the

land would keep in view that there should be

queen since

theii-

marriage to celebrate the

no government in Egypt too powerful to

the passage across that country to
its

royal birthday with gifts

and

gai-lands

and

com-

expressions of unaltered affection.

A few days
England
it

merce and
Peel said

its

mails.

As

to France, Sir Eobert

afterwards the royal household was surprised

it

was, and would be, one of the great

by an intimation that Nicholas, the Emperor of Eussia, was on his

objects of his policy to see that the

French

way

to

throne upon the death of Louis Philippe de-

on a friendly

visit.

friendly visit

was,
it

scended without convulsion

to

the next legi-

and the queen and Piince Albert made

tained
tb'ess,

timate heir of the Orleans dynasty.

The same

domestic and private one, for they entertheii-

language was held by the prince.'

imperial guest with no

little

ad-

England was therefore

took very

distinctly desirous of

and contrived to make him

of

feel that

he

maintaining the status quo, and the emperor

little

was received reaUy

as a private guest.
also

The
Buck-

by

his visit except a

warm

King

Saxony was

on a

visit at

ingham Palace at the same time.

peror's object Wiis really political,

The em-

inasmuch as

welcome and a simple and attentive hospitality, for which he frequently expressed great gratitude both in words and by cai'esses. The
queen, in her correspondence with
pold, describes his

he announced

first,

that though he

knew he

was taken for an actor he was really thoroughly

straightforward, saying
fulfiUiug

King Leomanner and appearance,

what he meant and what he promised. He avoided dis-

and makes some simple but acute observations

on his character, with which she was in the In spite of main favourably impressed. his dignified and graceful manners and his
extreme, almost alarming civOity, his attentions

cussion of political afiairs with the qvieen; but

he was free enough in his conversations with

Peel and Lord Aberdeen, and also with Prince
Albert.

His great desire was to stand well with England, and he assured everybody he came near, that he was the frankest fellow
alive; which, perhaps,

and

politesses, his face

seldom smiled, the

expression of his eyes was severe and unlike

anything her majesty had ever seen before,

giving the imjiression of a

he thought he was, but

man who was

not

tellLug people so scarcely assured

fact.

"

Lord Durham," said

he,

them of the " was sent to

me.

happy, and on

whom

the burden of his im-

me, a

man

full of prejudices against

By

Life of the Prince Consort.

POLICY OF THE KING OF THE FRENCH GUIZOT.

mense jiower and position
'

131

-n-eighed heavily

place the island under the protection of France.

and painfully. Lady Lytton says

lettei-s,

in one of her

The only

fault in his face is that he

AVith this design he made his expedition, and having anchored in the roads sent ashore a

lias

pale cyehishes, and hia

enormous and very

number
Church.

of missionaries of the

Pioman Catholic

brilliant eyes

have no shade, besides which

above the eyeball

they have the awfid look given by occasional glimpses of

-n-hite

which
and
pretty

Pomare had at length consented to accept the protection and to yield to the representation of these ambassadors of France, in op-

comes from his father Paul, I suppose

gives a savage wildness for a
often."

moment

position to the protestations of the English

residents, until the arrival of

especially

The emperor was exceedingly popidar among the ladies, for he was a great

Mr. Pritchard,

who had been made

island.

British consul for the

admirer of female beauty, and remained attentively faithful to those

By

his influence she

was emboldened

whom

he had

known

to resist the

demands
it

of

Admiral Dupetit-

and admired on
ously.

his former visit, yeare previ-

Thouars, and once more displayed her

flag,

own

He

disti-ibuted snuff-boxes

and other

refusing to pull

down

in obedience to

presents,

founded

an annual 500 racing

dignified, courteous,
left

the admiral's orders.

prize at Ascot,

and was

"Without waiting for instructions he lauded

and grateful, and he

with mutual regrets.

political jjarit.

a considerable

force, formally

took possession

The

visit

was noted uneasily by

visit

of the island in the

name

of the

King

of the

ties in

France, but there was no reason for

French, and arrested the English consul, disregarding the protests of the queen and the
presence of a British vessel of
roads.

Louis Philippe was to

tember.

England

in Sep-

"Our motives and

politics are not to

war

in the

be exclusive, but to be on good terms with

all,"

A number of the inhabitants resisted,

arm themselves
against the

said the queen in the letter to Leopold

secret

and, liasteuing to

"and why should we not? we make no

of
it."

invasion, retreated to the mountains.

flict

A con-

took place in which several lives were

the houses of the English missionaries

Louis Philippe's desire to visit the queen at

lost,

Windsor Castle was accentuated by the

factory settlement
of

satis-

were demolished and their property destroj'cd.

Acts
like these

the Tahiti

difficulty.
still

were only to be interpreted

The notes
in France,

of dissatisfaction

were

heard

as a desire to provoke hostilities with

England

but Loth the king and Guizot were

unless they were disowned

by the government
hi.^

determined to prove by their presence here

the friendly feelings which they entertained

under which they were committed. Such was

the opinion of Louis Philippe, who, with
cabinet,

towards this country.

The Tahiti

affair

was as

follows.

For some

time past France had needed a fresh colony

was astonished at the course taken by the commander of the expedition. The admiral had acted without orders, and it was
necessaiy not only to disavow the violence

which could be made a naval

after

station,

and
to

some consideration had determined

which he had displayed, but

to

make the comfirm,

take possession of the island of Tahiti, where

pensation demanded by the British government.

It

English missionaries had long been established.

was a

difficult crisis.

M. Guizot was
war

The inhabitants had been

of

civilized,

and, in spite of the taunts of the

insisted
visit to

party,

<and

most

them had been

instructed in the

on making reparation.

By the queen'a
was

religion of Christianity.

The

missionaries

had

France, and the return visit of the

spirit

acquired great influence, and were the trusted

advisera of

king,

of

mutual

conciliation

Queen Pomar6, who promoted

which were calculated to
raise

estabb'shed,

which was thoroughly in accord-

those interests

ance with the disposition of Louis Philippe.

her people to the rank of a nation under

British protection.

His whole reign had been devoted to the cultivation of the arts of peace and the
commercial and internal prosperity which a
friendly understanding between France

Admiral Dujietit-Thouars was commissioned

l)y the

French government to induce her to

and

'

132

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

M. Guizot
is

the other countries of Europe was best likely

to secure.

one of the most puzzling

But events were moving fast, and the year of revolutions saw Louis Philippe, who
had
failed to recognize the signs of the times,
exile.

figures of the century.

He was

of

Huguelife

not descent, and his father lost his the troubles of

1793-94.
;

in

He

w.as

himself
life

once more in England as an

a deeply religious
his books

No
self,

apology

is

needed for recalling a rather

as related

man his private mark him for a genuine,

impossible to
recollect

and

austere,

humorous anecdote,
of

by Guizot himhe was am-

unbending child

of the old Protestant faith;

an occurrence while he was staying at

Castle, at the time that

and yet
this

it is

make

sense of all
is

Windsor

when we

what

only too

bassador to England, in 1840. a letter to his daughter.

" This is

It

was

told in

mournfully certain, namely, that, though not

corrupt himself or capable of enriching him-

my second adventure
it

it

will
it

make
before

self basely,

he more than winked at such cor-

you laugh, but pray do not laugh at

company, as

ruption in others, and proved a tool in the

might

find its

way

into

some

hands of his master, Louis Philippe.

That he
matter of

newspaper, which

would

annoy me.

On

jockeyed the Queen and Prince Consort, with

AVednesday evening, at "Windsor, the queen

retired at eleven o'clock;

Lord Aberdeen at their

the Spanish marriage
as that base story in
is is

side, in the

we

stayed behind
set out

only too well known,

talking for half an hour.

to find

At midnight I

only too deeply engraven

my own apartment, and I lose myself in

At
last I
dooi-,

the history of Europe.

it is

The important
"'

the galleries, saloons, and corridoi-s.

part of

that in 1846, for

the aggrandizeall

slowly open a

taking

it

for mine,

and

ment

of France,"

Guizot carried, over

op-

I see a lady beginning to undress, attended

by

position, the marriage of Isabella of

Spain to
to

her maid.
.".ud

I shut the door as fast as I can,

a cousin

who was

perfectly well
is

known

be

begin again to search for

my own

room.

an imbecile. The sequel

gained nothing.

well known. France

I at last lind
I

some one who shows me the way.

Guizot and his master were

go to bed.

The next

day, at dinner, the

'

overthrown

in 1848.

In the court of Isabella

of the practical deposition

queen said to
that you
'

me

laughingly,

Do you know
?

no

secret

was made
trois.

entered

my room
Certainly.'
I.

at midnight

of the so-called of

husband, and the setting up

How, madam, was it your majesty's door that

opened?'
'

a menage d

The general bearing

of

I half

And

she began

all this

upon morality at Madrid and on the

Guizot, whose works on

laughing again, and so did

I told her of

sad story of Spanish politics are topics which

my
:>.nd

perplexity,
I

which she had ah-eady guessed,

if,

need not detain

us.

asked

like St.

Simon or
I

Sully, I

European

history, English constitutional his-

sliould

ever write
to

my

memoirs she would

had opened the She gave

tory, Shakspere, Calvin, &c. &c., are in

many

allow

me

mention that

respects admirable,

and

in
life

all

intelligent,

(Jueen of England's door in Windsor Castle at

never showed either in his

or his writings

midnight as she was going to bed.

much

sense of the virtues of truth and justice.

me

permission, and laughed heartily."

In this respect he curiously resembled Bacon.

CHAPTEE

VI.

THE YEAES OF REVOLUTION AND INTERN ATIONALITY.

The French Revolution of 184S Spanish Marriages Abdication of Louis Philippe Tlie Manchester School Revolution and Reaction Mazziui Kossuth Louis Blanc Gorgei Victor Hugo Young Italy Mr. Gladstone on the Pope Chartism The 10th of April, 1S4S Rome and French Intervention Literature of Progress and Refonn Leigh Hunt Carlyle The Church in England and Scotland Cardinal Wiseman The Durham Letter Lord John Russell and Popery Popular Excitement General Progress Prince Albert and the Fine Arts The " Great Exhibition."

"We have

it

on the authority of Mr. Cobdeu

altogether free from the selfishness and duplicity

race.

that ou the eveniDg of the 24th of February,

1848, whilst the
session, a

which had been the characteristic

of the

House

of

Commous was

in

Added

to this, he could never realize

murmur

of convereation

suddenly
tlie

that he was elected king of the French, instead

of being hereditary king of France,

arose at the door

house,

and spread throughout

and

this

when was witnessed a

suspension for a

led

him

to neglect those principles of constitu-

few minutes

of all attention to the business of

tional

freedom to rejjresent which he had been

the house, whilst every

in close

member was engaged

with
liis

placed on the throne.

To

protect his faraily

initiate
firet

and earnest

convei-sation

and establish a dynasty he refused to

to sanction,

neighbour.
the flight

The intelligence had arrived of and abdication of Louis PhOippe

Mr.
Sir
sitting

reforms which he should have been the

and they were therefore forced

and

of the proclamation of tlie republic.

Cobden was

by the

side of

Mr.

Hume

upon him by revolution when he had no longer the power to claim credit for them. By
the means which he took
privileges of the
succession,
to preserve the

when

the tidings reached their bench.

Robert Peel was ou the opposite front seat

alone, his powerful party

crown and to establish the

having been broken

he

lost both,

and he and

his family

and scattered by
law repeal.
"
I'll

his great

measure

of corn-

became refugees and

exiles

from the country

to rule.

go and

tell

Sir Robert the

which they had been invited

news," exclaimed Mr.

Hume; and

stepping
his side

The

cornfields

and vineyards yielded abun-

across the floor he seated himself

by

dantly,

and the country was growing wealthy.

however, arisen a passion for

and communicated the

startling intelligence.

There had,
speculation.

On

returning to his place he repeated in the

Complaints and denunciations

following words the commentary of the exminister:

"This comes of trying to cany on a

what these people (pointing with
his shoulder to the Protec-

began

to

be heard against the corruptions

of

and dishonesty

government

oflicials,

their

government by means of a mere majority of a chamber without regard to the opinion out of
doors.
his It is

shameful influence on the elections, and their

scandalous exhibition of political immorality.

But

to these complaints

had been added had moved the

dissatisfac-

thumb over

another

grievance

which

tionists

behind him) wanted

all his

me

to do,

but I

attention and excited the disgust of Europe,

refused."

and at the same time caused deep

pleasant familiar
tion

Louis Philippe, for

among

those reformei's

who saw

in the

gossipy manners and his social accomplish-

indecent haste with which the king hurried on

ments, was a

member

the Bourbons, and

of a younger branch of was unfortunately not

a marriage between his youngest son and the

Infanta of Spain, another proof of the uuscru-


GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.
lie

134
pulous efforts

was prepared
liis

to

make

for tlie

her two daughters.

When

the insurgents

aggrandizement of
alliances

family by matrimonial

besieging the royal palace, and only prevented

with the reigning houses of Europe.

is

from seizing the princesses by the halberdiers

There

no need in

this

page to recapitulate

declared
Christina,

that they came

first

in the

name

of

the unsavoury story of the relations of the

and when she

denied that they

to pre-

Regent Christina

of

Spain with the

man whom

had her authority, and then ajjpeared

varicate about
it,

she ultimately married.

That marriage was

people began to think that

at the

only permitted by the pope on the conditions

that
all

they

knew who was

back of the

plot.

laws and decrees should be annulled

Espartero abdicated in his turn, came to England,

which excluded the family of Don Carlos, and that the young Queen Isabella should marry
the Prince of Asturia, the son of
in to
to

and was welcomed by a dinner at the Mansion House. In his speech at the close of

Don

Carlos,

the year 1843 Louis Philipjse expressed his

whose favour

aU claims This marriage did not seem the crown. be very probable, although it was doubthis father resigned

deep interest in the young Queen of Spain,

who had
was only

just been declared of age

thirteen,

when she

and expressed a hope that

less

designed to set at rest the contending

Spain would thereafter be more tranquil, a

claims
Spain.

which had

for

so

long

distm-bed

hope which he said was strengthened by the

complete understanding existing between the

Several suitors were proposed for the

infanta, for

everybody seemed concerned in

else

Queen

of

England and himself.

preventing everybody
artful

from taking some

alliance,

Louis Philippe and his minister Guizot had

advantage by
it

this

and

so

always insisted that the young queen should

take a husband from the house of Bourbon.

obtaining, as
in Em-ope.

was supposed, undue influence

herself,

The young queen

last

who

At one time
her
sister,

it

was even hinted that the king

to the

seems to have been the

sulted,

person to be conjiartiality

meant to marry her

Due d'Aumale, and

mere child

was believed

to

have some

the infanta

to the
The

for her cousin

Don

Enrique, second son of

Don

Due de Mont2:iensier, so that one of his two sons

might be sure of the Spanish dynasty. "good understanding" was the voluntarily con-

Francisco de Paula, and an officer in the

Spanish navy.

But Louis Philippe had already begun

play a deep and treacherous game, which,

to
if

ceded assurance that the interests of Leopold of

Saxe-Coburg Cohary, one of the Coburg family,

we

are to I'egard his actions with suspicion,

and distantly related to Prince Albert, would

not be promoted in any
jjrince

will pai-tly account for his anxiety to preserve

way by England.

This
for

the good-will of England, and to sustain in the

was spoken
one

of as a suitable

husband

eyes of Europe a kindly half paternal attitude

in relation to our
politicians

the young queen, and he was doubtless an

eligible
;

own

royal family.

English

but

it

was

distinctly declared,

on

and

especially

Lord Palmerston,

more than one

occasion, that

England would
with one
of the
of the

who, as foreign minister, had always, perhaps too actively, expressed anxiety to check-

remain neutnd. There were serious objections

to a marriage of the infanta

mate any attempt to

abroad

i-educe English interests

French

princes,

and the man'iage

of

young

had

regarded French influence in

queen to either

Spain with some misgiving ever since the accession of the

more
to

objectionable,

them was of course still but England would at all

young queen.

The Eegent
in

events promise that no favour should be given

Christina was herself a relation of the Orleans

family,

any

suitor

whose connection with the

visit of

and on abdicating the regency

1840

Spanish throne should be injurious to France.

It will be

had

fled to France,

and was met by the king

remembered that on the

our

outside Paris, and recei\ed with military honours.

queen to Louis Philippe, in September, 1845,

the cunning old

This was so remarkable that inquiries

all

man had

told

Lord Aberdeen,

were made

over Europe what

it

could mean.

new

insurrection arose in

Madrid against
left

as they were looking contemplatively over the side of the royal yacht, that he had thought
of the infanta for the

the Eegent Espartero, with

whom she had

Duo de Montpensier;

INIQUITOUS SPANISH MARRIAGES.

but in Older that there should be no
Ciinse for

135

jealousy or uneasiness in England he

had

re-

Prance iu an alliance to attempt which had before proved disastrous and would again

solved not to jjroceed with the

match

until

become

fatal to the national honour.^

tell

the queen (her sister) should be married and

" I shall

you

precisely,"

he said, " in what

shoiUd have children.

As

the queen was then

only sixteen there seemed to be no hurry, and

the king spoke with some deliberation as

side. Simply iu having an-anged for the mai-riage of the Due de Moutpensier not before the marriage of

consists the deviation

on

my

my

though in a friendly

convei-sation, to w^hich

the Queen of Spain

to the

for she

is

to be married

Lord Aberdeen had been summoned by Guizot.

All this took place on board the j-acht shortly
before
its

Due de Cadiz
is

at the very

moment when

my

arrival off Trcport, but the subject

married to the infanta, but before the queen has a child. That is the whole deviation,

sou

was renewed afterwards by Guizot, who urged Aberdeen to promote actively the marriage of
the

nothing more, nothing

less."

It could

not have been

October,
ried the

Queen

of Spain to the

Comte de Trapoui,

a Bourbon prince of the house of Naples. But Aberdeen, on behalf of England, would pro-

much more. On the 10th of IS46, the Due de Montpensier marinfanta, a mere giil, who was immeIsabella (as

diately received

mote nothing and oppose nothing, although

the maiTiage of the

palace;
ciiiel

and

by the French king at his it was believed by

Due de Montpeusier, even

oppression of statecraft) took her cousin

under the promised conditions, was objectionable.

Don

Francisco d'Assis,

Due de

Cadiz, elder

He
to

thought that sufficient time must

enable some modifications to be

brother of the

Don
also

Enrique, to

whom

it

was
It

elapse

believed that her aflTections were engaged.

n-as believed

made.

that Louis PhUippe had

Lord Aberdeen's government went Lord Palmei-ston,

to

out,

and

contrived this marriage for the reason that

whom

Louis Philippe and

office, aiid

no issue was to be expected, and that Montpeusier

"
fii-st

Guizot detested, came into

began

would therefore be next

affair of the

to the throne.
is

make some

Httle disturbance on the subject,

The

Spanish marriages

the

which was greatly increased by the lather injudicious wording of some despatches in reference to
it.

grand thing that we have effected com-

pletely single-handed in

Europe

since 1830,"

said Guizot, in addressing the

French cham-

ister

The plotting king and his obstinate minsaw how to avail themselves of au utEngland having pro-

bers on the 5th of February, 1847.

But even

while he spoke the

tion

first

rumble of the revolu-

terly false pretence that

was muttering.
there been

mised to oppose the candidature of the

suitor, his claims

Cobmg

Not for yeare had

classes.

more evidences

were now to be favoured

of the luxury to be enjoyed

by our government.

On

these subterfuges

the marriages of the queen and the infanta

liant

by the upper Seldom had there been a more brilseason but it was a season of distress for
;

were hurried forward, the

rather explained

distinct

pledges

the poor of Paris, and the storm

was gathering.
left in the

given by Louis Philippe were ignored, or

in a

The

control of public

affaii's

was

manner which was

hands of the ministry, who disregarded the

worthy of a farceur rather than of a king. The truth is, that while he had committed

demands
cially

for increased liberty, extension of

the franchise, and measm'es of reform

espe-

by his own cupidity and his obstinacy, he was still anxious not
himself

minister's
to arouse

with regard to the corrupt practices of

Spanish marriages has been The demoralised Queen

the active opposition of

England, and he

The WTetchcd
in
its

fiasco of

caused his wife to write to the queen, and

tragic

consequences.

afterwards sent a letter to the Queen of the

Belgians that
it

might come to Victoria thi'ough

Gay, cunning old man, he

a pacific medium.

was intriguing against himself; plotting not

to gain

but to

lose a crown,

and

to involve

was deposed in 1S68. In 184S the Duke and Duchess de Montpensier were refugees in England. In March, 1870, Don Enrique, the king's brother, was killed in a duel by Montpensier and the question of a successor to Isabella, ia which the Emperor Xapoleon HI. persisted ia interposing with arrogant assumption, was the proximate (though perhaps not the real) cause of the Franco-German war of 1870.
Isabella
;

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAKIES.

goverumeut
chamber.
officials

who held a

place in the

of tlie country

without interference from the

it

authorities

and those who proposed

ob-

Among
Barrot,

the most prominent reformers

-ffere

served the requirements of the law by

making

Odillou Barrot, Ledru Eolliu, and Lamartine.

known

their intention to the commissary of

Constitutionalist,

was

earnest,

police for the district.

moderate, and free from passion and the ex-

treme views of the Republicans Eolliu was violent, erratic, and ambitious of pereonal in;

ground that
character,

The commissary forbade the meeting on the it was an assembly of a j)olitical

and
likely to lead to a breach of

fluence

Lamai'tiue was eloquent, fervid, and

the peace.

His

refusal

was founded on a

unjjractical,

he was a poet and

his theories

police regulation of 1831.

The president and

had no

realistic sustaining

power, but he was

tlie

vice-president of the banquet had been ali-eady

for a time to hold

a foremost place in

chosen at previous meetings.

struggle that

now began. were summoued in various

trj',

Public meetings
pai-ts of

M.

Boisset, the

deputy for the arrondisse-

the coun-

ment, was to be chairman, supported by the

lieutenant-colonel of the twelfth division of

and several banquets were held, at whicli advanced reformei's were invited to be present.

before the
classes of Paris,

The middle

and with them

The matter was brought Chamber of Deputies, and M. Duchatel, the minister of the interior, avowed
National Guards.
dii-ection.

the national guard, were no longer ready to

that the banquet had been forbidden by his

support the king,

still less

the ministry of

M.

Guizot, which they regarded with undisguised

aversion.
fied

The cry

for

reform had been

justi-

by the

legal proceedings

taken against

the minster of public works, General Cubitres,

The government, foreseeing the events which arise from such an agitation, had drawn a large number of troops into and aiound They were computed to consist of Paris.
might
55,000 men.

and other

pei-sous, for official bribery.

The
were

first of

the reform banquets, as they

at

The night before the

was passed
in silence

struggle

commenced
of a city

called,

was held

Chateau Eouge, near

but
it

the silence
fatal

Paris, in the

month

of July,

was quickly
assemblies

reflecting before action.

The morning did

day.

followed by forty or
in the various

fifty similar

not prognosticate

No

arms

towns

of France.

They were

were concealed under garments;

no rage

not

all alike.

In some of them the represen-

was depicted on men's

faces; inquiring

and

tatives of constitutional government,

men
like

inofleusive knots of people constantly

moved

who stiU

held to the monarchy, but advocated

along the boulevai'ds, gathering numbers as

electoral reform,

were present; while others

di-auk to " the
;

they went; other crowds streamed in from

the suburbs of Paris
rather to observe
;

were attended by the actual Democrats,

those at Dijon

they appeared desirous

who
The

advanced

guard of the Monntain

the toast was, "
of man."

" or at

Macon, wheie

meditate any

act.

what was occurring than to The event appears to have

declaration of the rights

been engendered by the very curiosity which

awaited
it.

These

latter

meetings w'ere not attended

At

the

Chamber
signed

of Deputies, Odillon BaiTot

even by the leaders of the opposition.

They,

placed upon the table an impeachment of

ministers,

however, had agreed to attend a banquet of

the electors of the twelfth arrondissement of
Paris,

by

fifty-three

deputies.

Committees of insurrection

sat constantly in

which was announced

to t;ike place in It

the secret societies. Troops bivouacked in the

streets

the

month

of February, 1848.
its

was

to

be

and squares, and

fresh forces continued

to fight, not in

held in a private house, and

to att'ord the electoi-s

intention

was

to an-ive.

The mob began

an opportunity

of stating

numbei-s or at any particular point, but by

their wishes in favour of parliamentary re-

disarming isolated posts, and firing random

shots with the muskets taken

form.

It

was

to be a peaceable

and orderly

from the

ai'-

meeting, such as had been held in other parts

mourers' shops.

Baiiicades had sprung up^

INSURRECTION IN PARISREVOLUTION.
but were abandoned as the insurgents were
attacked by volleys from the soldiers.

137

saw that
his horse

On

the

all was lost, when, after mounting and riding in front of the troops in

23d February the National Guard was called

to arms,

a court-yard of the palace, he heard the few

cries of Vii-e le

and assembled legion by legion. This

only of
citizens

Roi! drowned by shouts

of Viva

force consisted

who

paid

la lieforme!

He chose

to abdicate rather

than

personal or direct taxes.

They represented

to give orders to the troops,

and with the

entered to

the higher and middle classes of society, and

queen, the royal family, and a few supporters,

quitted the Tuileries as the

amounted
ministry,

to 85,000

men.

They consented

to

mob

muster, but

demanded the
by the

dismissal of the
at-

take possession and sack the royal apartments.

and refused to countenance any

soldiery.

Two

hackney-carriages were standing by the

tack on the people

The
by
to

obelisk near the

Pont Tournant; the king,

Municipal Guards, on the contrary, attempted

to disperse the people, but were prevented

who was

dressed in plain attire, entered one

with the queen, and the Duchesse de Nemours

the National Guards,

who compelled them

with her children

driven
oft'

the other.

They were

surrender their colours.

troops began to
fire

In the evening the

on the

i-oad to St. Cloud, escorted

on the crowd before the

for

by a detachment
queen proceeded
after
ville.

of cavalry,
to

and the king and

Hotel Guizot, where the accidental discharge

of a

Dreux.

The next

day,

gun had been mistaken

an attack.
re-

some interruptions, they reached Trou-

Reports were cu'culated that Guizot had

signed,
to

On

the 2d of March, under the names

and that the king Lad sent

;

for Thiers

of

Mr. and Mrs. Smith, they took a passage

form a new ministry

but that single shot

on the express steamer at Havre, and landed

at

had precipitated the insurrection.

of people, killed or

Numbers

and many innocent passengers, were

In vain the general

wounded, though no order had been

fire.

Newhaven on the following morning. The Due de Nemours remained to protect the widowed Duchesse d'Orleans, who had taken
Barrot,

given to the troops to

her two sons to the House of Deputies, where

strove to counteract this fatal mistake, the

who had

joined with Thiers in sup-

crowd became organized, retaliation had begun, large wagons were brought along the
streets to carry the lifeless bodies of the slain

porting her claim to a regency, rose and

made

an eloquent appeal on her

of

behalf.

A crowd
speaker

armed men broke

in with cries of " Vive la

through the
took
its

city.

This torch-light procession

Republique!" and "Decheance!"

No

way

to the

Rue Montmartre amidst

;

could be heard; the duchesse and her children

left

weeping and
riage a
raised

cries of execration

in one car-

the hall accompanied

by

several deputies,

man

standing with his feet in blood

corjjse

from time to time the bleeding

exhibited
it

who took her through by the official passage. M. de Lasteyrie made his way out by pushing
aside the crowd,

of a

woman and

to the multitude.

and perceiving a company

of

The people were possessed with

rushed to their houses to arm, and

fury, they

National Guards outside the door called to

when they

them

to

form

lines to protect the

Duchesse

reappeared dispersed to the most populated

parts of Paris to

d'Orleans,

who was
diil.

following him, which they

The clang

of bells

summon fresh combatants. summoned them to various

and the

immediately
chesse
sons,

In the confusion the du-

was

for a short time separated

from her

quarters of the city, the streets were unpaved,

fresh barricades arose on every hand,

but they were carefully protected and

restored to her.

She

left

Paris that evening for

noise of firing continued during the night.

the Chateau de Ligny, whence she proceeded

to Ems,
ach,

The insurrection was complete,and the morrow

brought revolution. Ministerial proclamations

and afterwards to the Chateau of Eisenuncle, the

which her maternal

of

Grand-

were torn down, and even the assurance of

Barrot that the king had consented to reform
failed to

duke

Saxe Weimar, placed at her

disposal.

A
of

provisional administration

was formed,
Rolliu, of
;

appease the people,

who had been

them
The king

which Laniartine was minister of foreign

Cremieux, of
;

joined by the National Guards, and with

affairs;

justice;

Ledru

were approaching the Tuileries.

the interior

Goudchaux,

of finance

Arago,

138

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

;

the naval departmeut

C'aruOt, of public in-

Tlie last speech Sir

Eobert Peel ever de" Tlie honour-

struction; Marie, of public works.

General

livered laid

down

in very plain language the

Bedeau was commauder

division,

of the first militaiy

principle of non-intervention.

and Colonel Courtais commander

of

able

and learned gentlemen (Mr. Eoebuck)

the National Guard,

which was intrusted with

says there shall be no mistake as to the pur-

the security of the capital.

port and import of

my

vote

that

it is

not a

The Municipal Guard was dissolved; General Cavaignao was made Governor of Algeria iu place of the Due d'Aumale.
After six years' confinement Louis Napoleon

resolution simply of approval of the policy of

the noble lord, but a resolution, the intention

and meaning
the people of

of
all

which

is

this

We are to
is

tell

foreign countries with

whom
fai-

Bonaparte had contrived, with the assistance of the doctor who attended him (Dr. Conneau),
to procure the disguise of a

we have any
as
it is

relations, that

our power, so

physioall}- concerned,

not to be

workman, and

as at

employed to coerce their

rulers;

but that in

that time several masons and carpenters were

so far as the moral influence of this country

employed in repairing the castle of Ham, he took advantage of an opportunity afforded him

and

of

this

government

is

concerned, the

world shall know that we are friendly wheresoever

of

by some

of those in charge to pass out of the

we

find a large endeavour, on the part

to themselves

door carrying a plank on his shoulder. This was on the 24th of May, 1846, and dm-ing his
six years' incarceration

any body of men, to vindicate

the right of self-government.

am

asked.
I have

he had written various

What
clare

is

the antagonistic principle'?

pamphlets.
Ilistoi-iques,

In one of them, the Fragmens he speaks of himself while he

disciissing the

been challenged over and over again to deit.

I will declare

it.

The

principle for

seems to be

Duke of Monmouth,
to the Stuarts;

which
e\-ery

contend

is

the principle for which

fifty

and compares the Bourbous

statesman fur the last

years has

but he was more fortunate than his historical

parallel, for, after leaving the fortress of

contended

namely, non-interference with the

interests of

Ham,
re-

domestic affairs of other countries unless there

he once more reached England, where he

be some clear and undeniable necessity arising

mained amongst many

until 1848,

of his

former associates

from circumstances affecting the

your ow'n
countrj'.

when

he ofTered his services to

That

ie

the antagonistic
I affirm that
is

France, which, however, were not at the time

accepted.
till

principle for

which

I contend.

He therefore
we

remained in England
find

the principle for which you contend

ciple

the prinit

a later time, and

him on

the 10th

contended against by Mr. Fox when

of April enrolling himself as a special con-

was employed
;

in favour of ai-bitrai-y govern-

stable in the

name of law and order to protect London from the possible results of the great Chartist demonstration which had been fixed
for that date.

ment which was resisted by Lord Castlereagh and Mr. Canning at the Congress at Verona the principle which was asserted by the Convention of France on the 19th of November, 1792, and was abandoned by that same Convention on the 13th of April, 1793, because

In referring

to the position of

England

in

foreign affairs we can scarcely avoid illustrating

it

France found
to
it

it

utterly impossible to adhere

by the celebrated debate on the Don Paciwhich the foreign policy of

consistently with the

maintenance of

fico business, in

peace.

It

is

my

firm belief that you will

Lord Palmerston was attacked, the attack

ending iu the inauguration of the Aberdeen

not advance the cause of constitutional govern-

government.

Lord Palmerston made that

which has been so often

wonderful speech of four hours and three

quarters' duration,

ment by attempting to dictate to other nations. If you do, your intention will be mistaken, you will rouse feelings upon which you do not
calculate,

you

will invite opposition to govern-

quoted with honour.

little,

His defence availed

Eobert Peel and Mr.

ment.
arrive,

And beware

that the time does not

inter-

and he had

Sir

when, frightened by your own

Gladstone both against him.

ference,

you withdraw your countenance from

SYMPATHY WITH OPPRESSED NATIONALITIES.

those
their

139

whom you
minds the

have excited, and leave upon

bitter recollection that

It wa:;

during the

yeai's

which immediately
fol-

you

preceded and those which immediately

have betrayed them! If you succeed, I doubt

whether or no the institutions that take root

lowed the repeal of the corn-laws that the

party of the Philosophical Radicals merged
or gave place
to, in,

under your patronage will be

stitutional libert}' will

lasting.

Con-

another

Jiarty,

which was

be best worked out by

looked upon as the natural opposite of the

who aspire efforts. You wiU

those
help,
tliese

to

freedom by their own

it

Young England

party.

This was

known

as

only overload

by your
For
reluctant

the Manchester School of politics, and was so

distinguished, partly

by your

principle of interference.

from the position which

of trade
political convulsions,

reasons I give

my

dissent,

my

Manchester held as a great centre

liable to

dissent,

from the motion of the lionourable

I

be affected by

gentleman.

would not evade the

difficulty

and partly because

]Mi\

by

silence

or absence

have stated the

member

for that city.

John Bright was The gi-eat heads of

grounds upon which I protest against the

resolution

the so-called
course, Mi-.

Manchester School were, of

the

carrying of which, I believe,

Cobden and Mr. Bright, but they

ilr. Bright, as

will give a false impression

with respect to
;

had a considerable following both in parliament

the dignity and honour of this country, and

W'ill

and out

of

it.

member

of

establish a principle

which you cannot

the Societj' of Friends, was

by the

traditions

carry into execution without imminent dangor."

of his pereonal history opposed to wai-,

and by

nature he hated

it

as

much

as a thing could

This principle of non-intervention was one

to

be hated. Some of his grandest sjieeches have

which Lord Palmei-stou was not naturally

been made wholly or partly in denunciation

of

disposed,

and Don

Pacifico,

who

held himself

war from the

Christian point of view.

But

to be a British subject, having a claim against

imfortunateh" for his advocacy he was a

in trade,
I

man
came Lord

the Greek government, Admiral Parker had,

and the doctrine

of " non-interven-

mider our instructions, blockaded the

This
policy

Piraeus.

tion " (in the quarrels of other nations)

to

Mr. Eoebuck defended.

it,

Mr.

be called "cottoning" to despotism.

Gladstone condemned

and delivered a judgI

Palmerston, in spite of his Civis

policy,

Romanns sum

ment upon Lord Palmerston's Civis Romanus sum principle which clearly foreshadowed the
essence, if not so clearly the logic, of subse-

an

ally of the

was by natural and acquired tendencies "party of order" (so-called) on

the Continent and elsewhere, and during these

restless years
it

quent judgments of

his.

Lord John EusseU

politicians of the

and Lord Palmei-stou were

old type.
strike
last,

and more than restless months was believed that be was ijursuiug a policy

Earl EusseU retained his " Britons,

!"

home

way

of looking at things to the

and Lord Palmei^ston professed never

by no means favourable to even moderate ideas of liberty. The struggles and sufferings of the revolutionary party in Hungary, Italy,
and Germany
million or
sorely tried the patience of a
of

to go lower than the function of "judicious

bottle-holder"

when

the waters of strife were

is his

two

sympathizing Englishmen
them, by

out on the Continent ; the phrase

own,

and when Eussia on the one hand and Fi-ance

on the other intervened, both
of

and as "a judicious bottle-holder" his figure

was once common Liberal members of the House

in

caricatures.

Those

general consent, playing the part of national

buUies, interfering to help the strong against

of

Commons
five

who thought

his foreign policy quite sincere

the weak,

it

was

felt

by some

of the best
it

and consistent united to subscribe

be presented to Lady Palmerston
is

hun-

minds

in Great Britain

and out of

that the

dred guineas as the price of a portrait of him

to

theory of political non-intervention was

stretched as

now
of

to whom

a word

due in any history of the time, for

rending.
intellect

much Some of

as

it

would

beai-

without

the very foremost

men

she was a lady of great tact and ability, and

exerted an extraordinary influence in political
circles.

and
of

chai-acter spoke

up aloud

for in-

terference;

and the

late Mi-s.

Browning, in

her

poem

Casa Guidi Windows, put the


GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.
tlie

140
case for

remonstrants with exti'aordiuary

iiothiug tliat could possibly be

But the blue-books

at least prove that in

some

power.

As

minor matters he acted with great dexterity.

quoted from parliamentary debates or diplomatic sources would give the faintest idea of
the intensity of the feeling which existed in
certain quarters in this country that

One

of the

most successful and cruel

in

of the

Austrian commanders

the Italian

and

Hungarian

aB'airs

was Marshal or Genei'al

in the British
to tJie

England

Haynau.
foreign

It

was published
qficialli/

should step

in,

armed, between Italy and

newspapers, and
office,

communicated

France, and between

Hungary and Russia

the case should be
viviil lines
:

that this

man had both

publicly

and

it

is

desirable that

and privately flogged Hungarian

special case reported to

ladies.

One

uiulerstood

we quote a few

from

Lord Palmerston by

the greatest woman-poet that ever lived

our minister abrcad created a terrible " sensation" here.

It

was stated that Haynau had

officer,

"A cry is up in

England, which doth ring The hollow world through, that for ends of trade And virtue, and God's better worshipping,

caused the wife of an

a lady of culture

and

position, to
his soldiers,

be publicly beaten with rods

We henceforth should
And

exalt the

name

of Peace,

by
.

and that the husband, madsight, shot

leave those rusty wars that eat the soul,

.

dened with the

.

himself on the

(Besides the clippings of our golden fleece)

spot.
I love

Two years af terw-ards Haynau hajipened

England, and, among other places

no peace which

is

not fellowship
I

to visit

And which

includes not mercy.

would have

worth seeing, went to Barclay and Pcikins'

Rather the raking of the guns across The world, and shrieks against Heaven's architrave.

enormous brewery, one

world.

of the "sights" of the

It got ttoised abroad

among

the clerks

Rather the struggle in the slippery fosse Of dying men and horses, and the wave Enough said Blood-bubbling By Christ's
. .
! .

and draymen that the

visitor

was Haynau.
never been
of

With a

silent stealthiness that has

for,

own

accounted

the whole

army

draymen

cross.

And by

the faint heart of

my womanhood,

gathered together with their horsewhips, and,

Such things are better than a Peace which sits Beside the hearth in self-commended mood. And takes no thought how wind and rain by fits Are howling out of doors against the good Of the poor wanderer. What your peace admits Of outside anguish while it sits at home ? I loathe to take its name upon my tongue It is no peace. 'Tis treason, stiff with doom, 'Tis gagged despair, and inarticulate wrong. Annihilated Poland, stifled Rome, Dazed Naples, Hung,ary fainting 'neath the thong. And Austria wearing a smooth olive-leaf
!

Haynau out of down Thames Street, till, in danger of his life, he " doubled " down an alley, and was sheltered by some poor person who did not know him. Haynau left Engall in

a storm of fury, flogged

the place, and

up

or

land as soon as he was able, but wherever

he went he was received by the people with

studied contempt.

The Austrian government

applied to Lord Palmerston for compensation,

On

and requested to know when the draymen

her brute forehead, while her hoofs outpress

life

The

from these Italian

souls, in brief."

would be prosecuted
great marshal.

for the assault

on the
is

The correspondence

very

In the light and heat of such excitement

as the poet gives voice to here the Manchester

amusing, and at least puts the coolness of

Palmei-ston in a strong light.

He

in various

name and reputation. Nobody dreamt that Mr. Cobden or Mr. Bright was on the side of oppression, much
School came

by

its

forms assured the Austrian government, with

much
be

politeness, that

General

Haynau must
if

left to his

own motion

in the matter in the

less

of

cruelty;

but what the malcontents

of the policy of

usual course of law; but that

he would
the parties

wanted was a revival

w\is

Crom-

return to England and

summon

well in such matters as these;

and no name more frequently invoked than his by the

oi-ators

who
that

v)ere

said to have attacked him, the case

tried before a magistrate,

would be duly
it

but

anti-Manchester

and

writers.

Lord
of

would be necessary that "his

the assault.

excel-

Palmerston, during the year of revolution

lency," the marshal, should identify the

men
dan-

and the year

of reaction, lost

an amount

prestige -which

he never wholly recovered.

who committed mawhal should

That the great

airaiu risk a climate so

SOYEE'S CULINAEY TOUR IN lEELAXD.

geroiis as ours to
iilentify

141

men

like him, in order to

as well as the cheap cookery-books, dates from

a hundred or so of big Euglislinien

the years upon which this narrative

is

now
he

with horse-wliifs, to

whom

he Lad probably

pausing.

It

may

perhaps be said that the

it."

never raised his eyes, w:is not a very feasible

idea; and, to use tlie language of the reporters,

great Alexis Soyer "began

When

wrote his

firet

cheap cookery-book, which sold

the matter then dropped.

But we

shall dis-

by hundreds
pist,

of thousands, he dedicated it to

cover, in a later stage of this narrative, that

it

the Earl of ShaftesbuiT as a great i)hiIanthro-

was remembei-ed by Austria, and that what

Manchester
principles."

and accompanied

it

with a chaiacteristic

subsequently happened was laid to the charge

of "

account of what he had been doing for this country in his capacity of "Gastronomic Regenerator."

While "actively employed under

it

Of Irish troubles some account has already

been given
;

the authority of government in a mission to

the quaiTels and rapprochements

Ireland in the year 1847,"

struck the "great

of O'Connell

and Smith O'Brien, the breakliis trial,

man"

that his "services would be more useful

down
Ills

of the Liberator after

and the

to the million"

than

exposure by the Times of the couditiou of

the w^ealthy few."

to

if he "confined them to But when he had resolved

own

estates

the preparations for revoluit.

"cure the disease of the multitude, that

is

tion,

and the

failure of

But the

jjotato

to say,

bad and wasteful cookery," he found

famine, which so seriously influenced the current of affaire in these islands, had other con-

himself baffled for

want

of

knowledge

of the

poor in their

own homes. "My

readeis," says

sequences besides precipitating the

the corn-laws.
onlj- to

lepe.al of

he, "will easily perceive that

whilst semi-

One

of these will

seem

trivial

buried in
at the

my

fashionable culinary sanctorum

elite

the thoughtless.

Stimulated by govefforts,

Reform Club, surrounded by the

ernment inquiries and private

in their turn
tlie

which

of society,
visits in

who

daily honoured

me

with their

were aided by public opinion,

that lounge of good cheer, I could

latter took a

new turn

in the matter of of food.

not gain through the stone walls of that massive edifice the slightest
life.

bread-stuffs
ideas

and the cooking

into great

Two
lit-

knowledge of cottage

now came

prominency in
;

erature

and philanthropic
all

effort

one of them

"Determined
of project, I

to carry out

was that food of

kinds should be econo-

cheerfully bade adieu to

my long-thoughtmy my
fair

mized by better cooking; the other was that

less reliance

wealthy employers, leaving them in a most

thriving condition, regretting only
visitore;

should be placed upon Cobbett's

"accursed root," and that substitutes should

be found for
iiow^
it.

and, like a joyful pilgrim of the olden

Maize, or Indian corn,

all,

is

time, I set forth on ray journey, visiting on

a very familiar thing to us

but

it

was

my

roxite

every kind of ])}iilanthropic and

not so before the date of the potato-famine.

other useful institution, but more especially

the domains of that industrial
cl.iss,

Immense

quantities were shipped to Ireland,

if

the back-

and tragic scenes were enacted

with the grain or meal

vessels laden

bone of every free country

the people."
and them reads
offence

happened

to get

The
like a

result of Soyer's travels in Ireland

aground in
ports.

j)laces distant

from the regular

elsewhere, though his account of

From

this period dates the free use in

magniloquent piece of pleasantry, was

a joke, and no
of the
tliat so
little

these islands, not only of Indian corn, but of

much more than

Irish party in

other products, such as haricot -beans, and

was taken by some

Dublin

younger of the

much now

as the potato

is

still

prized

for the

much should be
to teach

table, the failure of

a few crops would not

made

of the tour of a

French chef

excite absolute dismay.

is

the Irish people

to

how

to cook, at a time

Nothing
across
foods,

more common now than

come

the country was in such deep distress.

when But
the

some new combination

accompanied by

of farinaceous

Soyer's prescription for the salvation of Ire-

certified analysis of its

land

Sir

Robert Peel's chief

difficulty,

nourishing qualities.

But

this

kind of thing,

chief difficulty of every British statesman

142
is

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

ill

given

truly uraii.siug terms in his record

In the year 1848 the

spirit of revolution

of a conversation

he

liad

with

tlie

then lord-

was abroad

all

over Europe, and although our

lieutenant of the country, Lord Bessborough.

own

islands escaped with a "scare" in

Engeffect

"In an interview granted by

his lordship asked

his excellency

land and a small "rising" in Ireland, an

me

if

I could account for

was produced here which has never been

gotten.

for-

the generality of the people being so poor;

On

one hand, the multitude learned

first,

when I replied, 'Easily,

actually

my

lord

why, they

two
in

lessons:

that they have enormous

fail

manure the land with gold to reap copper.' 'How do you make that out?' was 'Why, my lord, his excellency's inquiry.
they waste tons of good
fish

power, and, secondly, that they must

any revolt unless

and

their organizations be

perfect

their military training as

good

on the ground

to

as that of the

standing armies of the gothe other hand, the "party

grow

few

potatoes.'

'In your opinion, whj'

lord,

vernments.
of order"
(a

On

do they

it?'

'Why, my

because they

phrase which from this time

sinister

know how

to cook potatoes to perfection,

and
fish.'

becomes common, and usually bears a

meaning) took
since

are totally ignorant of the

way

to cook

'Well, I believe you are right,' said his lordship; 'but

and have guided and governed themselves more

once for
all,

abrm

how

could the evil be remedied?'

'I

or less in the light of the events of 1848.

'Easily,' I re])lied.

would

firet

show them

The year 1849 was

and in some

called the year of reaction,

it

how

to cook their food,

no matter how simple

respects

was

so,

but the

such food might be, and prove to them that

the maize or American flour,
use, if properly

haunting terror of 1848 remained.

In deal-

now

so

much

in

ing with the events of the year of revolution,

prepared would be a blessing

;

however

briefly,

a few sketches of the leading

instead of a curse

also the necessity of using

spirits of the revolt

abroad and at home

rest.

may

with their food other vegetables besides potatoes, as well as instruct

help to give colour to the

them

in several plain in

Kossuth, Mazzini, Gorgei, Lamartiue, Louis

Blanc, and Garibaldi are
all

ways

of cooking fish,
all

which could be had

names which are

minds, though

abundance
rate; it

the year round at a very cheaji

popular, or were so, and which suggest pretty

clear images

would, at the same time, give emjjloycoast to thousands of indolent

to

most

men'.'?

ment on the

some

of

them have much

faded.

As

a pojiular

people, as well as circulate an

immense deal of
and

orator, Louis Kossuth, the gi-eat leader of the

money in the much improve

born to
live

interior of the country,

Hungarian
a
familiar

revolt, holds the first rank,

and was
a

the condition of these poor

after the failure or treachery of Gorgei,

figure
a.

wretched beings,

who

only seem to have been

both

in

England and

between povei-ty and starvation.

should be to go round

America, and

general favourite.

He was

My

plan would be to have public lecturers

it

lawyer, though of noble birth, and, as editor

of

appointed, whose duty

newspaper and

deputy to

the diet,

as often as the agricultural lecturer,

the people

person
LTutil

how to now endeavours to make them cultivate.

this
is

and teach cook the food which that

this

advocated what to the Austi'ian mind were

extreme liberal measures.

simply sketching the man,
that in time he found

As we are now we will merely say

in prison.

done

country will never

state iu

himself

emerge out of the semi-barbarous

While

there,

he asked

for

something to read,
This

which

it is

at present.'"

and above
quite satisfactory, the
his

all,

something in English.

As

the relations between England and the

was rather alarming, and he was

trian mind,

told that he to the

sister island are

not

}-et

must have nothing political, which,

Aus-

politician can easily

draw

own

inferences.

meant much the same as English.

facidties

But
high

it

is

a fact that from that time to the

pressure of

Kossuth was a man of extraordinary

as a linguist,
replied,

present

more recently under the

meat

and

this

was well known.

He
don't
,

jjrices for

increased

attention has

"Oh, no; Give

political,

I only

want
It

to learn the

been paid in

this country to variety in food,

and
it.

language.
call

me

Shakspere,

you

to the careful and economical preparation of

him

do you?"

was amusing

KOSSUTHMAZZINI.
to hear
people.

143

him

tell this

story to five thousand

vocation was that of a teacher of religion.

His pronunciation of our language

There was no frogged coat in

dress

his case;

hir.

was never so good as Mazzini's, and he always

called the national poet " Shacbspur."
Still,

and general get-up was that

of a poor,

or, at least, ascetic

man, and when you would

the anecdote was always received with rounds

of cheers, in

have seen Kossuth at a party in the house

of

which

it

was interesting to

see

some rich lion-hunter, you would have

the peaceable Eicliard

Douglas Jerrold
heard

join.

Cobden and the fiery The firet time Cobden

and was,
to

found Mazziui in obscure and even mean

lodgings, reading or praying, or planning to

Kossuth speak he himself proposed

help some poor exile, or perhaps sharing a

scanty meal witli his landlady or some visitor

' three times three " for the patriot,

own word, "the fugleman," the whole assembly of many thousands standing as thej'
use his
cheered.

who

habitually fed better than he did.

Of

his compassionateness

and

self-denial,

even in

However, the Austrian

jailei-s

de-

childhood, authentic stories are related which

are not excelled in beauty
lives of the saints.

cided that Shakspere and a dictiouai-y were

by anything

in thf

not politically corrupting, and with the

assist-

ance of two or three books Kossuth acquired

his

When a

boy

of six yeai's old

he burst into
misery.

astonishing

mastery

of

the

English

tears at the

fii-st

sight of

human

He

language.

This story he was, for obvious

was an extraordinarily weakly

of his parents' house.

child,

and had
at

reasons, fond of telling, and, indeed, he

was a

never before been outside the inclosed grounds

dexterous as well

jis

a most thrilling orator.

His astonishment

He had

none of the simplicity or the solemn

seeing a beggar, ragged

and wretched, was

feeble),

earnestness of Mazziui, and both dressed and

overwhelming.

He

ran to him (as well as he

spoke with an eye to

effect,

though of course
a

was

able, for his limbs

were

embraced

not in any vulgar sense.

He was

man

of

strong emotions, and his evident love of

home him to the English wherever he was known. But his set manner, when a speech was to be made, his semiand friends endeared
militaiy frogged coat, and

him weeping, woidd not rest till his mother had given him something, and never afterwards seemed quite free from the thought
that there

was

suffering in the world.

We
little

speak
boj-,

now

of his

mere childhood.
to

As a

tendency to

and as a youth, he was ver}- exceptionally aud appeai'ed

It

"protest too nuich," had an

eflfect

upon the
If

studious,

be chiefly occupied
of im-

mind

of

sceptical

listeners

which was not

it

with

religion, poetry,

aud the means was

clear

utterly

and bej'ond

susjjicion felicitous.

proving the world.

fii-st

from the

had not been for "Shackspur" and his evident

delight
in the

that he

was one

of the self-devoted order

when his wife was directly iucluded homage paid to himself, he would have
of being called un-English

of

human

beings,

and yet there was nothing

priggish about him, for he

mn

some risk

and

beloved by his young friends.

was universally Whatever he

too fond of applause for a hero.

thought wrong, however, he steadfastly refused

to

Joseph Mazzini, admittedly the "father of

Italian freedom,"

do or to assent to, and acts

of non-compliance

was a very

different

man.

(with rules and customs) which led practically

to the persecution of others,

He also was

a powerful speaker, and was even

were excused in

a greater master of English than Kossuth but to describe him as an orator would seem,
in the eyes of

him, so great was the force of his character.

When

very early in

life

he had got himself

his friends, to degrade

slightly flat face,
it

him.

placed under the ban of the Austrian govern-

Kossuth had a

and

his

head

ment; his father, thinking to compel him to

was not as high as

stamp.

was broad.

Mazzini's

some
(he

act of submission, withheld the supplies

head and features were of a very different

was yet

at the univereity),

and

if it

had

Though he was not orthodox (being

man, and
his friends

not been for the tender care of his mother,

a disciple of Lamennais), he was a profoundly

serious
tained,

who

aided him secretly, he might have been

always main-

placed in a difficult position.

His mother,

with his concurrence, that his natural

anxious that no barrier of feeling should be

144

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

him
the
tial

placed between father and son, kept from

his father's resolve,

tenderness of woman's love

;is

the greatest
at large

and the

fact

was not made

gift of

heaven.

While the world

known
last

till

after the death of the son.

To

thought he was doing nothing but " conspiring" and entrapi)ing others into Austrian
dens, this remarkable
self

over him.
fii-st

day of her life this devoted mother -watched While he was in England he had at
times of the most extreme poverty, partly

the

common

solaces of

man was denying himhuman life, and

arising

from the

difficulty

he had in finding
of,

doing the work of an almoner and a teacher

(secular and religious), among his poor country-

any work that he was capable

from his own

and partly
exiles.

kindness to his brother

it

men

in the neighbourhood of
like Sir

He knew what

was

to

be forced to pawn his

While men

Hatton Garden. James Graham perhaps

boots for dry bread, while he

was working

at

fancied he was cheapening daggers or bombs,

the central warp of Italian freedom.

His

he was probably bargaining for an ox-cheek

or t-wo to

mother knew him too well ever to do anything so risky as to send him two coats at a
time, for he

make soup of

for the poor, or lectur-

ing on Dante to an audience of enra))tured

organ-grinders, or teaching the Lord's prayer
to a

was sure
is

to give one away.

That

he "conspired
nonsense.

" in safety

and

secrecy, -without
it is

grubby brown bambino somewhere out

risk to himself,

not simply erroneous,

of

Saffron Hill way.

Such was Joseph Mazzini.

of his

The amount

danger that he

in-

Of a similar type, though

energy
it is

comparative

curred in times of actual warfare, both in

not so easy to judge -with precision,

out of

Rome, during the republican triumvirate, and it, was at least as great as that -which
generals have encountered, though he

since he was a great sufferer from heart-disease,

was Daniel Manin, the leading spirit

in the great year of revolution.

at Venice

many

No

patriot

Avas -weak in

frame and no

soldier,

and

ho-n-

over

left

a higher reputation for purity, for-

he usually escaped the continental

police,

who
will

bearance, and practical sagacity.

He -nas

the

were on his track a himdred

always be one of

times,

superior of Mazzini in science, in exactness of

the marvels of

history.

thought, and in wise docility, but his inferior

in high

Guiseppe Mazziui was a

I'ather less

man

of middle height,

enthusiasm and pei-haps in pertinacity

Mazzini's guiding idea was the

than more, and well formed, though

of choice.

not robust.

He

had large dark

eyes,

a serious

republic with

Rome

for capital.

iManin was

smile, a noble

head and carriage, and great

ready to accept the house of Savoy aud the

sweetness of manner, except

speaking of the sufferings of other

creatures, or of wliat he called, "

when he was human

with a cut-

monarchy as a middle term

of the Austrian tyranny.

for getting rid

this respect

In

he

was at one with Garibaldi, and most men

Readei-s of the contemporary records

will

ting Italian accent, maitir-ri-alism," which he

think that he and the great soldier were right.

much hated. His masterj' of English was extraordinary, but of course he often made
very
little

must be

on then- guard (while folio-wing partisan memoirs) against heeding the complaints

mistakes; for instance, in .speaking of the

life

made

present
divine
of "

as contrasted with another, or the

life,

he used to say " here down" instead

here."

by hot Mazzinians of the willingness of Garibaldi, Manin, and otliei-s to treat with Victor Emmanuel.

down

From
and
it

pride and vanity he

will be

-was totally free,

remembered
an

A profound interest attaches to the story of

Italy and

more than one occasion, when his countrymen wanted to do him public homage, he declined to be drawn into any "manifestathat on
tion,"

Hungary in 1848-9 and subsequently;

which
is

interest

independent of any

poli-

and gravely rebuked them

(if

for

wanting

and which goes to the roots of the Does freedom move question of progress.
tical creed,
f;ister

to "

throw up their caps before the work was

when her friends proceed by

leaps, as it

done"

we may

qiiote the

language of Mr.

were, not hesitating to disregard the established

order, or

C'obden in 1845).
far as
is

He

never married, or (so

of

known) thought

marrying but he
;

break no law or social convention

when they proceed more slowly and This was ?

always spoke and wrote with the most reveren-

the question which was held up before the

THE CAEBONAEI.
face of
tlie

145
the
lightest
pencil.

world iu the year

of revolutiou,
its

even

with

Feargws

auJ

it

stirred British

thought to

depths

O'Connor, a pure demagogue, consumed with

vanity,
in

great increase of general intellectual activity

and not without a touch

he drew of himself

of the

scamp

following the political spasm, as

is

usually,

if

him, will

be best seen in the passiug

in

not invariably, the case.

England did not

portrait

somewhat

escape a slight shock, but iu her case the an-

later days,

when he had

lost nearly all the

swer was decisive iu favour of order, nor was

there, in

sound sense he ever had.

hybrid, and

a laud of free discussion, any excuse

civil

He was a strange somewhat resembled the late

for

even a whLsper of
is

war.

Dr. Kenealy.

A very different

verdict

must

It

one of the terrors of revolution by war

ai-e

be passed upon the unfortunate Mr. Ernest

J ones, a sincere Radical, an eloquent speaker,

that both sides

often deban-ed from choos-

ing their instruments, or liable to mistake

and a much nearer approach

scores of veree-writers

to a poet than

them. Felice Orsini,

again,

whom we shall encounter

by

who

bore the
a
little

name
prone

was a type

of patriot not beloved

while he was living.

to paradox, tious;

He was

the British mind, but in its despair the cause

of

and was, perhaps, over conten-

Italian

freedom could not keep him at

but he was spoken of with respect

arm's length.

He

is

mentioned here because

even by the least amiable journalists and

politicians

he was a type

a man of gi'eat physical power,

of

on the side opposite to his own.

liis

aud an open-hearted and disinterested man

revolt,

He was
tion

a barrister, but had given up

but not of the highest morale.

There

professional prospects, as well as family posi-

were too

many

patriots like

active in the years 1848-9,

borne in mind that in

events the best

him abroad and and it must be the heat and hun-y of

tell

and fortune,

to devote himself to

what

he believed to be the best methods of advancing the welfare of the multitudes.

paratively late iu
iu
life

Com-

men

could not always

he died of a cold caught

Absolutely disinter-

whose hand
Turning

to clasp.

an

election contest.

to

France we find iu the same year

ested, not to say self-sacrificing devotion to

political ideas is so rare in

a group of patriots whose personalities do not

England that even

loom so large.

Whatever admiration we may

Lamartine
people's

those

whom

this

gentleman had offended

feel for lettered enthusiasts like

and they were many

regretfully of

spoke respectfully and

Per-

and Victor Hugo, or steadfast

like

men

him

after his untimely death.

Louis Blanc,

we cannot

class

Manin, Garibaldi, or Mazzini.

them with They come

Other figures will speak for themselves as

they appear in the course of the story.

much nearer to the Kossuth tyjie, though (except Victor Hugo) they must on the whole take place even below the great Hungarian. The
magnificent powers of Victor Hugo, by general
consent the greatest French poet of the century,
place

haps a special word

Mitchel,

is

due to

Mi-.

John

who

also died comparatively early,

in America, whither he

had

fled

after es-

caping from custody as a convict transported

for high treason.

In that regard Mitchel

fate,

him

altogether apart.

But

all

these

undoubtedly deserved his

but he was a

men, without exception, had a volatility which

at

man

of great general ability, fiery eloquence,

made them a little suspected, or a little smiled by English politicians. It may be added
Hungary, Franz Deak, the
constitu-

and, so far as

human

eyes can judge, of entire

disintei-estedness.

that in

The English genius

is

not favourable to

tionalist,

was somewhat
was opposed

similar to

Manin

in

secret associations for political purposes, nor

Italy.

He

to the revolutionary

are such societies necessary in a land of free

discussion.

war, and did not relish

office

under Kossuth.

But something must be

said of

The most prominent, the most worthy, and the most unworthy of the leaders of
such half-attempts at revolt as our
that

these

bodies on the Continent, and of the

particulars in
in

which they were feebly parodied

Mazzini,

we had

in

England.

when young, had

had been greatly
31

own country are

it is
II.

still

such familiar figures

joined the Carbonari, and

hardly worth while to sketch them

amused with the

trivial

pomposities of their

Vol.

146

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAKIES.

ceremonies of initiation,
should not

wliicli

he took care

and even eloquence.

This was
its

succeeded
conclusion

be imitated

in

the societ}^ of

by the

Hymn of

Labour, and at

"Young
seilles.

Italy" which he founded at

Mar-

the arms of the neophyte were unpinioned,

Benjamin

Disraeli has sketched the

and then

his eyes

were unbandaged.

young Lancashire Eadical into a trades'-union, and a few sentences from his description of the scene will be more enterinitiation of a

"Mick found

himself in a lofty and spacious

taining and more suggestive than any collection of details.

room lighted with tapers. Its walls were hung with black cloth; at a table covered with the same materi.-d were seated seven
persons in surplices, and masked, the presi-

"One
arms
;

of

the silent masks

pinioned

his

dent on a loftier seat;

pedestal,

above which, on a

and in a moment the eyes of the helpDevilsdust were bandaged.

it

was a skeleton complete.

On

each

less friend of

"Conducted by these guides,

seemed to

was a man robed and masked, holding a drawn sword, and on each
side of the skeleton side of

Mick

that he

was traversing interminable

of his supporters

Mick was a man

in the

same garb,

rooms, or rather galleries, for, on stretching

holding a battle-axe.

On
of the

the table was the

out his

arm while one

had

sacred volume open, and at a distance, ranged

in order

momentarily quitted him to open some gate

or door,
of the

on each'side

room, was a row

Mick touched a

wall.

At

length one

of persons in white robes

and white masks,

the

masks spoke, and

said, 'In five

minutes

and holding

torches.

you

will lie in the presence of the

Seven

of

"'Michael

Radley,'

said

president,

prepare.'

'do you voluntarily swear, in the presence

"At

this

moment

rose the

sound of distant
gi'adually in-

Almighty God and before these witnesses,

you
every task and injunction

voices singing in concert,

and

that you will execute with zeal and alacrity,

so far as in
lies,

creasing in volume as

Mick and the masks ad-

vanced.

One

of these attendants

now

notify-

that the majority of your brethren, testified

ing to their charge that he mxist kneel down,

Mick found he
seemed to be

rested on a cushion, while at

still

by the mandate of impose upon yoii

this gi-and committee, shall iu furtherance of our

com-

the same time, his arms

left alone.

pinioned, he

mon welfare, of which they are the

ation of oppressive

sole judges;

such as the chastisement of nobs, the assassin-

"The voices became louder and louder; Mick could distinguish the words and burthen of the hymn; he was sensible that
persons were
entering

and tyrannical masters, or

works, and shops
incon-igible?

the demolition of

all mills,

many
he

that shaU be

deemed by us

Do

the apartment;

you swear this in the presence of the Almighty

God, and before these witnesses?'
"'I do swear
" 'Then rise
it,'

could distinguish the measured tread of some

solemn

procession.

more than once

awful
step.

Round the chamber, they moved with slow and

replied a tremulous voice.

and kiss that book.' and bending,

"Mick rose slowly from his kneeling position,

advanced with a trembling
step,

"'Brethren,' said a voice that seemed a

presiding
receipt of

one,

'before

we proceed
from the
is,

to the
different

embraced with reverence the open volume.

" Immediately every one unmasked. Devils-

the revenue

districts of this lodge, there

am

informed,

a stranger present, who prays to be admitted into our fraternity. Are all robed in the
mystic robe?
Ai-e all

dust came forward, and taking Mick by the hand led him to the president, who received

him, pronouncing some mystic rhymes.

He

masked

in the secret

was covered with a robe and presented with

a torch, and then ranged in order with his

maskr
"'AH!'

companions.
let

Thus terminated the

initiation

"'Then
after a

us pray!'

And

thereupon,
that
all

of

movement which intimated

up au extemporary prayer

Dandy Mick into a Trades'-union." But it must not be forgotten that the author
and Coningsby was a writer
th

present
offered

were kneeling, the presiding voice

of

of Tancred, Syhil, of romances,

power

and that we are not putting

THE EEFORMING POPE PIUS

forward as a description, the detaik of
-nrliich

IX.
venerable the abuse of
pope's clergy are

147
it

the power
pernicious.

is

is

would apply

to anj- particular meeting.

That
in

The

more and

some such ceremony had been more

doubt.
It
is

iidopted

ciises

than one there need

be

little

more an army, a police, or caste, farther and farther from the Christian commons, but
nearer to one another, and in closer subservience to him.
Infallible,'

certain that since those eaily Chartist

societies

And they have made him The

'

days the system of secret

increased in oiu-

has

much

and they have promised he

shall

own

country, and especially

objects.

be made 'The Great.'

And

as

if

to

com-

in connection with "international"

plete the irony of the situation, the owners

But
is

spies

and concealed confederations are and the

foi-mer institution
it

or the heirs of a handful of

EngHsh

titles,

correlative things,

formerly

unreclaimed,
list

are

now

enrolled

not yet flourishing in England, though

upon the

of his

most orthodox, most ob-

exists.

sequious followers; although the mass of the

is

There

one more very xemarkable tigm-e

British nation repudiates

him more

eagerly

not

English

connected

with the year of

This figure

and resolutely than

generations."

it

has done for

many

le volution in Europe,

and with events that

since.
is

have taken place here

This

is

what

all

Protestants will concur in

;

Pope Pius IX.

island
is

The alarm

created in this

thinking very moderate language

1846,

and yet in
Ferretti

by a
has

certain brief or rescript of his

when Giovanni Maria Mastai

by acclamation
chair,

not yet forgotten even as a popular topic,

it

was

elected

to succeed

Gregory

;uid

made an

indelible

mark

in history.
coui-se

VI. in the papal

even Protestants in

Be-sides that,

he had afterwards taken a

Great Britain were half-inclined to think a

which led Mr. Gladstone himself to use language such as this

new

thing was about to be seen in the

eai-th.

Pius IX. began his career by promising, and

ilr.
is

"I do not hesitate to say," writes

stone, "that the policy of the

Glad-

indeed initiating refonns of various kinds,

financial

pope

an

in-

and

other,

and

also

centive to general disturbance

premium
opinion

amnesty for
his

political

offences.

by granting an But partly

upon European wars.

It

is

in

my

own weakness and

It

partly the force of

not sanguine only, but almost ridiculous, to

events soon drew the pontiff into another path

of action.

imagine that such a project could eventually

succeed;

was unfortunate enough that

but

it

is it

difficult to

overestimate
in generat-

one result of the amnesty was that large

the

eflfect

which

might produce
strife.

numbers

of revolutionists,

many

of

them

of to
of

ing and exasperating

to

It

might even

some extent disturb and paralyze the action

governments as might interpose for

of such

by no means the highest character, hurried Home, and in various ways struck notes Mazzini was invited to believe danger.
wrote Pius an open
letter,

in

no separate purpose of then- own, but only

with a view to the maintenance or restoration
of the general peace.

the reforming pope, but declined, though he telhng him, in the

I would pay an unministers of religion,

fills

broken reverence to

all

and
age,

especially to one

who

the greatest see

in Christendom.

But

I see this great person-

what he could do for Italy if he was so minded. The excitement caused in this country was considerable, and there were not a few Protestants who secretly
true Mazzinian style,

under iU advice, aiming heavy, and, so

feared that the

clean that the

far as

he can make them

so,

deadly blows at

new broom might sweep so Romish system would become

But

the freedom of mankind, and therein not only

at the structiue of society, but at the very
constitution of

attractive to a certain class of minds.

hopes and fears alike were cut short by the

course of events.

our nature, and the

high

In a few months Pius IX.

all

designs of Providence for tiying and training

it.

began to go the way of

ally he

popes,

and eventu-

I cannot

under the restraints of courtly

such

was driven from Rome

to Gaeta.

He

phrase convey any adequate idea of

himself was, no doubt, an amiable and intelligent

tremendous mischiefs; for in proportion as

man, and both before the revolution and

148

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

Rome and
the

afterwards did good things for

men, from lich meichants and private gentlemen down to small tradesmen and lower,

Romans.
soldier,

In early

life

he was intended for a

but symptoms of epilepsy cut short

had been sworn

in as special constables,
streets in

and

his career in arms,

and he entered the church.

went marching about the

state of dignity.

a high

His face is tolerably familiar from portraits, and he had much mox-e energy than he seemed
to have.

It has

been recorded, even

to weariness, that Louis

special constable

Napoleon acted as a

Many
the

anecdotes of his good-nature

on

this occasion.

The

pai-a-

and

social tact are current.

But

all

critics

pets of the

Bank

of

England bristled with

outside

Roman
all

Catholic Church,

and
will

cannon and bayonets,

to

say nothing of

indeed nearly

but Ultramontanists,

sand-bags, which last excited great curiosity

in the multitude.

agree with Mr. Gladstone's general verdict

Cannon were

also planted

upon

his later policy.

on boats and
Bridge,
course.

piere along the river

Thames,

and on the bridges,

Leaving
the
pope, his friends, and
his

especially Westminster
the

with their mouths pointed south, of

This was to prevent the Chartists
to

enemies to fight their

to

own

battles, let us

turn

England and English

in April, 1848.

afi'airs,

and

chiefly to

from marching

House
all

of

Commons
display of
said,

London

The very rapid and,

with their petition ; but there was a somewhat

ridiculous

"for a time," successful risings of the people

look

about

this

on the continent of Europe naturally excited

the party of revolt,
the
or,

military

means and

skiU.

It

was soon

to speak

more mildly,

and very

freely, that the desire for

a holiday

party of

democracy in England, and

lay at the bottom of these special constable

Prince Metternich prophesied that though

and other arrangements,

were concerned, and
it is

so far as the public

we should only have the tail of the storm here we should have the worat of it. This
prophecy

quite certain that a

few
ton

fire-engines

pumjiing

on to the poor

was founded

upon

vague ideas

straggling

about the wealth of England, the freedom

allowed by her laws to
all classes,

mob which assembled on KenningCommon would have been sufficient to

It

and the

overawe them.
majority of the

was a pathetic

sight, the

(supposed) recklessness of our poor.

How
not at

men being

undersized, evi-

much
all

real alarm there

was in London, which

of action,
it is

dently underfed, and unhealthy in appeai-ance.

was the Chartist centre

and writing
such matters.

So far

it

was made

clear that there

was some-

easy to say, for people are foud of talking

in a not over-sincere vein about

thing wrong somewhere.

But the government

of the

day not only

But

it is

certain that

presented a strange spectacle

of the 10th of April, the

Loudon on the morning

made an unnecessary
tion.

display of force, they

put themselves in an altogether wrong posi-

day which had been

three millions of

They had ah-eady attempted, by

aii-,

police

fixed

for

the presentation of the so-called

its

manifestos, to put

National Petition, with

signatures.

the open

down public meetings in and they now inti'oduced and

making the open and

This petition had been drawn

of

rapidly carried a bill

up by a new National Convention,

the
it

which
;

advised advocacy of "republicanism" (except,

of course, as

life

and soul was Eeai-gus O'Connor

affair,

but

a purely abstract theory) felony;

I

was a stupid

and the three million

little

clauses

were added to the Alien Act for the

signatures turned out to have very

reality than there

more
to

purpose of making the expxilsion of foreign

refugees an easy and rapid process, in case of
necessity
(
;

was
of

in that very ''brumit

magen"

patriot.

However,

was

be

and the natural

to oppose

result of all this

escorted to the

House

Commons by
to

tens of

which

many

constitutional

Conservatives
thafl

tliousands of Chartists,

and the government

be very
the morning of the

were ready

and condemn) was

and the shopkeepers professed

here and there the Chartists and the polio

much

frightened.

On

came

into

open

collision;

that some poo

ori

dreadful day shops were shut, and

women
All the

creatures got sentenced to trausportatiou

and children were kept

indoors.

the evidence of informers, and that Mr. Eruesj

THE '-CHAETISM" OF SENTIMENT AND EELIGION.

Jones g )t put into prison for a speech wliicli ought not to have been taken any notice of.
friend. Sir

149

Richard Mayne.'

He

then de-

scended from his seat and went to Sir Richard Mayne,

further,

The general

effect

was

to increase the feeling

who

told
if

him he could go no
he would deliver the

among
classes classes

the extreme reformers of the Chartist

but that

type that, after they had helped the middle

to pass the Eeforra Bill, the middle

petition to the police, a cab should

be furif

nished to three of the petitioners, who,

had betrayed them.

certainly large,

unaccompanied

by any

force,

might

cross

The numbers who assembled on Keuuiugtou

"Westminster Bridge in safety and deliver the

petition at the door of the

Common were
At aU
and
effect,

and they might

for pistols

House

of

Commons.

havedonemischief if theyhad beensodisposed.

events, there

After this everything was quiet.

No

great

was a demand

cutlasses in

London that had a romantic

numbers followed the cab which contained the petition, there was no mob at the door of
the House of Commons,
the fate of Paris, Berlin,

and a quiet gentleman who wanted

nothing better or worse than to rest at

with his wife and family that

home morning made

In one

and London escaped and Vienna. For

a fresh

my
fied

part, I

saw

in these proceedings

a surprising

iigure

with a constable's badge

proof that the people of England were satis-

and

staff

and two

pistols in his belt.

with the government under which they

to live, and did not wish by their neighbours in the

case, the special constables

being very

much
was

had the happiness

to be instructed

laughed at by the mob, one of them took a

"proletary" into custody.

But

as there

principles of freedom."

His

lordship's con-

no place to put him

in,

the satu'ical working-

clusion

is

undoubtedly

correct,

but only a

mau had

to be released.

No

doubt

it

was
it is

man who knew

nothing of the people could

wise to take precautious, and soldiers and

have supposed that London was on that day

in danger of "the fate of Paris, Berlin, or

cannon might have been necessary ; but

difficult

to read

witli

entire

gravity Earl
the
subject.

Vienna."
It

Russell's

reminiscences

upon

was natm-ally the part

of the

of the govern-

" It was," writes

tliat

his lordship,

" understood

ment

day to magnify the dangers of

continental outbreaks,
excited speech and

the troops were to be brought to London,

Chartism, and esjiecially of the restlessness

were to be kept out of sight, and that no

militai-y force

which, after the

first

was

to

appear unless action on

showed

itself

in

much

their

part should

be absolutely necessary.

writing and a

little

rioting in

On

the evening of April 9th I received two

letters

other large towns.

London and The government wa:4

portions
of

anonymous
of
success

which convinced me that

preparations,

evidently more uneasy than the more respectable

the leaders of the movement, either hopeless

or

and

well-conducted

the

awed by our

governed, and even as late as June, 1848,

soldiers

had renounced any intention

force.

of using jihysical

were suddenly massed

in the

Bank,

Accordingly, on the 10th of April,

the

Mint, and
of

Downing
case

Street,

and the
if

great

numbers having gone from every part

town
to

Houses
siege.

Parliament provisioned as

for a

of the

Keunington Common, Sir

to the

Whether the

was

serious or not,

Richard

Mayne went on horseback

this state of things was, of course, attended

scene of action.
to

He

told a policeman to go

with very great excitement among the

tive

sensi-

Feargus O'Connor, who had taken up his

magnificent car, and request

classes.

Young men
feeling

of education

and

position on a

high

human
of

went almost beside themin the

it

him

to descend

from his height and come to

foot.

selves,

and a movement commenced

England which, though

his stirrup

on

The part

of

the

mob

Church

soon

which surrounded the car remonstrated with

Feargus O'Connor, and desired him not to
attend to the message.

died out as a

movement

of special character

and

pui-pose, left indelible traces

upon the

O'Connor called out

aspect of affairs between the people at large

to his followers, 'Be silent,

you

fools

don't
best

and the

clergy.

say a word to prevent

my

going to

my

The Chartist

agitations were accompanied

150

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

cumstance which, stupid as
well serve to suggest
there
it

selves to be ovei'lookefl.

by symptoms which would not permit themOne of these was an

more sober and practically-minded
and
indeed
of

seems,

may

what

false

excitement

evident tui-uing towards self-help on the part

of the

was

in the air at this time.

the working-men themselves.

of

In the pauses
while the

the excitement,

excitement ran hot, schemes of co-ojjeration

like

Numbers of co-operative associations were now formed on " Christian Socialist " principles among tailors, hatters, and the rest, and there was much brisk lettei'-writing and
leadiug-ai-ticle

that of the Rochdale Pioneers (which

writing,

with

pretty

sharp
little

dated from the year 1844) in principle were

either started

criticism all round,

and now and then a

or

talked about or silently

in the nature of the case,

abuse.

None

of the labour

expended by the
lost,

planned.
also,

It

was

promoters of the movement was

but

it

that serious

men

of the

more educated

was never

popular-,

and there

is

something-

ordei^s

should ask themselves whether there

pathetic in the histoi-y of its struggles.

In

was anything wanting on their own parts towards the welfai-e of these troubled and
troublesome thousands.

these very "advanced" days

it is

not easy to

understand that a publisher should refuse a

novel like Kingsley's Alton Locke as a
is

Among

those

who

entertained the question were some of the

dangerous book; but that

what hapiJened,
-

very flower of the clergy of the churches, and one distinct school of religiously-cooperative
reformers was set up
their benefit.

though

it

was published
from

at last.

Meanwhile the co-operative movement

self, apai-t

it-

among

the poor, and for

all

question of church alliance,

Christian Socialism, as an oris,

went on

well,

and

not

only co-operative

ganized thing,

so far as

we know, dead
is

"store" companies, but co-operative manufac-

and gone, and

tinct;

certainly its literature

it

ex-

turing companies, on the principle of limited

liability,

nor was

ever popular.

But

in the

multiplied

among working men.

midst

of all these Chartist excitements

men
M.

The

Christian Socialists had always openly

like Julius
ice,

Hare, Arthur- Helps, F. D. MaurJ.

and heartily recognized the work done by

Robert
got
of

Thomas Hughes, Charles Kiugsley,

Neale, and
less,

Owen a

piece of manliness

which

Ludlow, E. Vansittart
were busy, more or

others,

with pen, tongue,

them into much trouble but the majority the more energetic working-men, who gave
minds
to "co-operation,"

and

pui-se.

London, in April, 1848, was

their

were neither

dotted with placards, composed mainly

by

Churchmen nor othodox

their

Dissentera,

and went
all

Kingsley, in which the working-men were

called

own way

in this matter.

Quite apart

upon

to look

to the

clergy as their

from

this particular topic,

it is

and from

merely
if

natural advocates and best friends.

Many
in

economic questions,

probable that

the

and many were the red-hot meetings held

People's Petition had been treated -with

more
then

out-of-the-way places, at which Maurice and

consideration

those

who have

since

Kingsley figured as champions of the poor.

thought they had reason to look with alarm

At one

of these, the clergy having

been much

upon
been

certain points in the procedure of the

abused by working-man speakers, Kingsley

got up and began a speech with the words,

classes

who

live

spared some anxiety.

by mere labour would have SHghted men

to take

"I

am

a clergjTuan of the Church of England

usually find

means

by some means

and

Chartist.''

In a church at Chelsea

what

is

denied to their simple requests.

to rulei-s

he preached a sermon on the "message of the

A lesson
of

might well be gathered

of

Church to labouring men," and at the

the stated minister of the place got

close

from a consideration

what the government

it

up

into

England noticed and what

did not notice

the reading-desk and denounced the doctrine

there was, in fact, a narrow escape of a
riot.

of revolutionary utterances.
at this time

There never was

it

cannot be too often repeated

of

The Bishop

of

London was on the point

in

of

any

danger

revolt

in

this

country.

suspending Kingsley, but, on seeing the ser-

Partly the solidity and partly the stolidity of

the British

mon, found there was no harm

it

cir-

mind tended

to

keep things

toler-

AUSTKIA AND ITALY.

ably even
elsewhere.

151
this.

among
There

us,
is,

whatever was going ou

even in the very poor

"

Look on that picture and on

from the hands

A
act-

great people winning in two days the charter

of their liberties
of false rulers;

iuid discontented

Englishman, something that

sympathizes with the half -triumphant feeling

of Burke,

in the midst of slaughter

and excitement

when,

in the jiride of social order,

(in his celebrated

ing out the poeti-y of religion; another people, once great, gi'ovelling in misery and debt at the feet of the feeblest government which ever

he wrote to the Frenchman

Reflections), "

We

have got Lord George Gorfact,

don

safe in

Newgate." In

though we had

plundered and disgi-aced these realms.

tion

A na-

mutterings, they were only mutterings,in 1848.

But the curious part

tiality of

of the story

was the parwas taken

few stray
a

must be lost indeed which does not profit by the mighty lessons which have just been
read to the world."

the government view of the facts.

tailor

While some poor weaver or

into custody

The author of the

last-quoted sentences

was

and sent to prison

for a

the late Mr. William Howitt, and both the

prose and verse appeared in his Journal, a

words

of insun'ectionary

anger which meant

in

no more than the passing threat of a man

passion, writers

popular weekly periodical which

forgotten.

is

not yet

and speakere
of,

'n'ho

might

easily to

The examples we have given might

indefinitely.

have been made examjdes

say with deliberation, and

were allowed

be multiplied

The popular

liter-

most obviously indictable

week after week, the things. We wUl take

be in verse, but
it

ature of the time was crowded with explosive

writing, of which

no notice was taken.

in France that the revolu-

two examples. The

it

fii-st

shall

will suffer in force because

must be

Although
tionary

it

was

abbreviated.
" Speak, France, unto the world,

inwuhe

of the year 1848

to disclose its activity, it

seemed first was not for France

felt.

With mighty earnest voice; Her red flag is unfurled, Her poorest sons rejoice.
'*

that the greatest

sympathy was
in the main.
is

Nor

was

it

for

Hungary,

yar was then, as he

in a lesser

The Magdegree now,

Beware for daring men Can compass daring deeds You may shoot us do\\'n but ten
! ;

comparatively a stranger to us, and

we

are

under no conscious obligations

such as
of
all

to his land,

Will rise for one

who

bleeds

Europe owes towards the peninsula

Nor think your

soldiers true;

which

Eome

is

the capital, of which the

left so
is

A warning take from

Ye
are weak, and ye

France;

ai'e

few

literature

and the laws have

wide- world
so splendid.

a mark, and of which the story

" With the paper in my hand, That told the news from France, I seemed to understand, In a dream or in a trance. These words by thousands said Thousands of gloomy men. And when that dream had tied I dreamed the dream again.

'

While in the mind

reflection

of the multitudes of

Great

Britain and the Continent there

was not much

about these high matters, they were

sjiirits,

present to the leading

and the rememto the

brance and suggestion that clung to them was in

a thousand ways conveyed
intelligent of the masses.

down

more
the

Besides

this,

Our hands no man will hire, Our skill thei-e's none will try; With head, throat, heart, on fire. We see the great go by.
Of sustenance for
all

Italian face
to us all

and mannera were more familial' here, and the cruelty of the "powers"

Within the was undisguisedly liomble. century no such spasm of moral sickness has
been
felt in this

The fertile earth has store Our wrongs for vengeance call.

country as was produced by

stories

We will endure
It will

the well-authenticated
ciiielty

of Austrian

no more,"
to the uuh.appy Italians,
Sicily.

and those

be admitted that
it

this

is

strong

which reached us from

language ; and

appeared side by side with a

The
late.

story of the confusions produced

by
re-

good deal of prose, from which one passage

alone shall be taken.

Napoleonic intervention would be long to

But the

result

genendly

of the difi'ereut

102

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

assured
b}'

kinds of iuterfereuce which were supposed to

the Piedmoutese minister that

be settled by the Congress of Vieuna was that

Italy

Charles Albert had entered

declared

was placed under the

that their yoke

feet of Austria

and

Lombardy and war against Austria with an eye to

all
it

the pope.
selves so

These high powers conducted themill,

the "safety of

other monarchical

states.'

was found

intoler-

This monai'ch,
porised in the

has been maintained, tem-

able; the land

was honey-combed,

so to sjieak,
thei-e

war against Austria rather

by

secret societies;

and in 1820 and 1821

It

than run the smallest risk of losing his

jiroviucial
Italy.

own
dis-

were risings of the people which Austria without difficulty put down.

crown

in the trium]ili of a united

is

was in Piedmont

One

thing, however,

beyond

and

Sicily that this

happened, but in 1831

pute, that the pope, in less than a

month

Austria had to interfere again in

the

Modena and
with a

from the hour at which he had pi'onounced

his

Eoman

provinces,

and

this she did

benediction upon the jjapal volunteers,

ferocity
line of

which was quite in the traditional

issued an authoritative condemnation of the

her policy.

From

the time of the acto the

cession of the

weak Charles Albert

war was

as
all

"wrongful and injurious."

but instantaneous.

The eflfect The Neapolitan

throne of Piedmont in 1831 the history of the

contingent was recalled, and there were other

signs of reaction.
tion

country takes a fresh departure, and under the

influence of Mazzini, the apostle of Italian unity.

But the

spirit of revolu-

was

still

abroad, and was not

to

be

Piedmont began

to take the lead in the

quelled even by an encyclical letter from the

pope.

progress of the nation.

When Pope Pius IX.

by
his

Garibaldi, after a career of extra-

astonished the civilized world

amnesty

ordinary daring and

heroism in the
Italy,

New

and

liis

reforming projects at Rome, Piedmont

World, was busy in

declared

and had actually

In this un-

and Tuscany followed, but Naples and the

other states remained outside the circle of re-

war not only

against the Austrians

!

but against Charles Albert

form,

lu January, 1848, the revolution cominsurrections in Sicily

toward struggle he made himself a European

reputation as a guerilla leader, and whether
as "bandit" or as "hero"

menced by concurrent
in France, which roused

and Milan. In February came the revolution

Europe and stimulated
on the watch.
the Italians,

was henceforth a
his

power and a terror wherever he drew

sword.
Garibaldi had cut his
five

who

wei-e already

Concessions to the popular will were

Naples, Piedmont, and Rome.
of

made

in

way with

four or

In the middle

hundred

of

his

red-shirt

legion i-ight

March Milan

rose in arms,

and the Austrian

citj',

through a body of ten thousand Austrians,

general, Radetzky,

was driven from the

and was now in Switzerland. Tlie pope, being

told

though he had from G5,000

imder him.

to 70,000 soldiers

that the
at

" bandit "

was

collecting

an

Before the mouth was over,

army

Eavenna, instructed two of his Swiss

Charles Albert was placed at the head of the

great national rising, and entered Lombardy.

regiments to proceed thither and "throw the

bandit and his rabble into the sea."

But

From every
blessed

state in Italy volunteers jxiured

Eome now
fly

arose, the

pope himself had to

in for his army,

and Pope Pius IX. publicly

to Gaeta,

and the "red-shirted bandit"

j)ut

the flags under which the

Eoman

was not yet

down.

We may

say in

troops set forward to join the revolutionary

forces.

jjassing that the regular

war against Austria

jjre-

was ended by the defeat (some say the

of the struggle, including

The prime movers

concerted surrender) of Charles Albert and

his

Mazzini and his coadjutors, had always looked

with suspicion upon Charles Albert.

He

has

the 23d of March, 1849.

army by the Austrians at Novara, on But on the Sth of

been abundantly accused of treachery, and

has never been accpiitted of w-eakness and
versatility of

February of the same year the republic, under

a triumvirate of which Mazzini was president,

movement.

The "Young

Italy"

was proclaimed at Eome, and Garibaldi was

within the walls of the
to say that
city.

party and

the

monarchical party were at

It sounds grand

daggers drawn, and Lord Palmerston was

Mazzini was chief triumvir- of the

USE PPE
FK.O-M

GARIBALD

A PHOTOGRAPH.

EDnarowiE i--i;ee isoH.iraooK.otiSisow-*

THE FEEXCH VERSUS THE ITALIAN EEPUBLIC.

Itomau Eepublic, but he lived
iu vei-y small

153

The

woi-st

enemy

of this "bandit" will not

rooms, was accessible to the pooi-est working

refuse a tribute of
f;istness

homage

to the moral stead-

man

or

woman, and dined

at a refreshment
daj'.

house for about eighteeupence a

which kept him true to his friends. Rosas was baffled, and Garibaldi escaped.
is

A new figui-e
This
is

Victor

now appeai-s upon tlie stage. Emmanuel of the house of

Victor

That he
is

a good shot, and something more,

" On one occasion he was surwooden barracks" by a band of

well known.

Savoy, in whose favour his father, Charles

Albert,

prised iu his
1.50

had

abdicated.

was un-

enemies on horseback.

He

happened to
so, witli

doubtedly a remarkable man, and so far as

have sixty muskets ready loaded, and

the

a king could

be

ti-ue

to republicans like

the help of his cook, he went on picking oiT

Mazziui and Garibaldi, was true to them.

It seems to be generally admitted that he
wa.0, to

men

till

his

own

followei-s

had time

to

come up and complete the

rout.

When we

a singular degree, a

man

of his

word

hear of his sufferings in his old age fi'om

but great

difficulties arise in

such troubled

rheumatism we must remember, not only his

times as these were.

to accept the

Garibaldi was willing

for the sake of a
in relations

many
by

hardships by flood and frost as well as

monarchy

fire,

but that he has known what

it is

to

be

united
to the

It;ily,

and was often placed and

hung up by
also

the wrists and toitured.

Let us

king which puzzled his relations with

this

remember,

the

"extreme" party,

must be
a

the weight his

if we ever feel any surprise at name carried in this country, it

borne in mind.
short, thickset

Victor

Emmanuel was

while the very sound meant revolution, that

man,

of undeniable pereonal

bravely, and very fond of the chase: alto-

was well known that when the man who had tortured him was in his power he simply set

gether a rough customer, a survivor from the

him

free,

and that not a

stain rests

upon

his

middle ages.
<lays (polenta

He
is

could live on polenta for

character either for ti-uthfulness or benignity.

Tlie severest thing
is

a kind of h;sty-pudding),

on record against Garibaldi

and was very temperate and even abstemious,

but neither his attaclimeut
to
bis

his inflexibility in

condemning

to death a

queen,

soldier

who had committed a

was the
grief

violent outrage

which was not denied by his enemies, nor his

liabitual fidelity to his plighted

upon a woman.
Bitter

word, kept

and disappointment on

him true

to her.

He was

really fond of his

this side of the Channel

when

it

was known

country, behaved with forbearance to the revolutionists,

It;ilians.

that the French Republic was about to

make

and was generally beloved

so well

\>y

the

war upon that of Rome,

pope.

in order to restore the

In the spring of 1849 General Cavai-

Garibaldi

is

known that his is

rather

gnac appeared before the gates of the Eternal

City at the head of more than 34,000 French
troops
;

name

to introduce others than to need intro-

duction.

But

it

may

at least be said that of

near at hand also were the Austrian

ai-mies,

no military leader, ancient or modem, can

and Neapolitan

and

more noble

stories of courage

and heroic

for-

cool outsiders that the city

it was plain to must be taken. The

bearance be related.
his noble presence,

His perfect physique,

his beautiful mannei-s

and

most inveterate monarchist, the most devout Catholic, will spare some sympathy for the devoted
little

are familiar to the English.

exploits in South

His disinterested

garrison within the walls.

Early

America are partly forgotten

on the 30th of April, 1849, with his poor

handful of
sortie
ill-fed soldiers.

in the glory of his

European achievements

Garibaldi

made a

but

it

should not be forgotten that being

in the struggle with the infamous

wounded
Rosas
(of

He led the and attacked the French. charges in person, and after six or seven hours'
fighting drove the French
vita Vecchia, these

whom we

used to hear so

much

away towards

Ci-

generation ago) he was put into prison by that

personage, Iiung
beaten,

splendid troops leaving

up by the thumbs,
names

cruelly
to

and tortured for months, iu order

disclose the

behind them in the hands of Garibaldi three hundred prisonei-s. When the French had
asked for an
ai-mistice, the "red-sliirt

make him

of his comrades.

brigand"

"

154

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

tlie

advanced iu anotlier direction to attack

Neapolitan troops, who did
in terror before a
blessed
little

despatched to put

down

the

Roman

Rcjiublic,

more than Hy

and their work was practically accomplished.

General Cavaignac had done his
task,
sliare of

man whom

silver bullets,

the
his.

by the pope, would not hit. While the armistice lasted the French had of course not been idle. The army before Rome
had received heavy reinforcements, and
clear

and General Oudinot was now to do

On
lic

the 2d of July, 1849, the Roman Repubcame to an end, and commenced negotiations
latter.

half a

with the
beaten.

But Garibaldi was not yet

day before the time of the

;u-mistice

was

He

gathered together his soldiers iu

over they entered Rome, on the 3d of June.

the square before St. Peter's

told, cavalry
lei'y

less

than 5000

all

The column that performed

dered the Italian sentinel.

this feat was led

by

not exceeding 800, and some

artil-

a man who, having given a false password, mur-

and baggage wagons

to ofTer

and addressed them

way:
"Soldiei-s, all I
thiret, the

Thus did the

first

briefly in the old heroic

French troops get into Rome. At three

in the

o'clock

have

you

is

hunger,

ground

morning Garibaldi was roused by the

for a bed, the

burning sun as the

sole solace

sound of guns, and found that the enemy had

already taken up a position which
final result

for your fatigues, no pay, no barracks,

tions;

no

ra-

made

the

but continual alarms, forced mai'ches,

a mere question

of time.

Forty

and charges with the bayonet. Let those who

love glory

thousand

men with

thirty-six siege-gvms

were

now
with

able to construct their works of approach

ease,

me."

and do not despair-of Italy, follow The retreat which the "gi-eat bandit"
is

and the only " hope "

"

left for

Rome
with

then executed

acknowledged to be one of the

was, as the " brigand honour."

put

it,

to " fall

most extraordinary on record. Under the very

eyes of the French army, though unseen

by

In no siege that ever liappened since the

beginning of time have acts of more romantic
heroism been performed.
This commonplace

them

(because they never dreamed that anylittle

thing so daring would be attempted) the

renmant made good their

escape.

It

is

not

must stand for a thousand details, some of them

of all but incredible hoiTor,

necessary to follow the story to San Marino

or to Venice. The numbers engaged against Inm were overwhelming the Italian struggle
;

some

of all

but

dawn of the 29th of May the besieged were making a stupendous eflbrt, the very wounded rushing
incredible grandeur.
o'clock at

At two

was

for the present closed,

and

in 1850 Gari-

baldi, greatest of " bandits," with

a royal pedi-

out from their beds in the hospitals, streaming

gree eighteen hundi-ed years old, but

exile

now an
selling

with blood, to help in the trenches. Very soon

after. Garibaldi,

and a labourer, was making and

who had

passed unharmed
bullets,

candles in a small shop in

Aiistrians

New

York.

The

through a hundred hailstorms of

while

had

set

a price upon his head, and

the towers of the churches rocked to the

in the course of his flight towards the coast his

thunder of the cannonade, was summoned by

the triumvirs and the delibei-ative assembly,
v\dio

beautiful

and heroic wife Anita had fallen from

exhaustion.
struggle

But the

story of the Italian

were

sittiog in the capitol.

"When

was not

finally closed,

nor that of his

gloi-y.

appeared at the door of the chamber," says the

"red-shirt," "all the deputies rose

unequalled, almost unapproached,

and apmyself

Turning for a short space to Hungary,

have to deal with a
complicated.
state of affairs

plauded. I looked about

to see
siasm.

me and upon

we mnch more

what
I

it

was that awakened

balls

then- enthu-

Radetzky, the Austrian general,

in Ital}", though,

was covered with blood,

my

clothes

had been busy

in that region.

with the sub-

were pierced with

my

and bayonet thrusts, sword was jagged and bent and stood half

jugation of Venice, his labom-s were at an end

out of the scabbard, but I had not a scratch

But in the meanwhile we may remember that Hungary was under Austrian
and that the Croats, under the Austrian
hciii)

about

me

rule,

The
off.

end, however, the predestined inevi-

king-substitute (or

the

Ban

Jellalich,

had

table close of this great episode,

was not

far

got involved in disputes with the Batthyani-

The

soldiers of the

French Republic were

Kossuth ministry of Hungary, which was pur-

HUNGAEIAJf PATRIOTS.
suing at that time a policy which w;s supposed
to

155
in favour of the Austrian
in

hordes
rule.

who were

be likely to issue in revolt against Austria.

filling

She was now attacked by Austria

Kossuth had been
able,

Without
burg,

up the outlines of a loug story

jjart of

every direction.
incessant effort, to

of intrigue

on the

the house of Haps-

by obtain from the Hungarian

were now to be massed

we may

pass on to the insurrection in

pai-Hament a levy of about 200,000 men. These

iU-discijjliued troops

Vienna, which was attributed to Hungarian

machinations.
ber, 1S48.

This was on the 6th of Octoled

together on the banks of the river Theiss, and

the well-seasoned, well-paid, well-found, and
well-fed armies of Austria were to be defied.

The outbreak,

hy men

like

Bern, the Polish patriot,

and Eobert Blum,

was put down by General Windischgratz after

a siege of eight days.

The

storj' of

the Hungarian struggle must

Blum, among other

be allowed to caiTy us back for a moment to

Deak. Francis Deak

leaders of the insurrection, wa-s shot.

fate excited so

His

the name
tj-pe as

is

pronounced

much attention

at the time, his

Decauk

was, as

has been already hinted, a

death

is still

so seriously

continental party of revolt,

self so noticeable a

remembered by the and he was him-

politician of the

same

Daniel Manin,

the Venetian patriot.

To him more than any

Empire was indebted, with Hungary', and
all

man, that a few sentences

other man, to his moderation in counsel and

in action, the Austrian

may
ijf

well be given to him, as one of the

men
in

1848 of

whom much was known and said

in its better relations

this country.

even beyond them; and he was

true friend of his

the while a

Eobert Blum, whose portrait was once

nearly as familiar in England as that of Kossuth,

was born of very poor parents at Cologne.

soldier,

While very young he served as a

after about 1830
iitteratew,

but

we

find

him a

scene-shifter,

Magyar countrymen, though not an " irreconcilable." He was a very inobtrusive man, and had been so little noticed by the "house of Hapsburg," which owed so much to him, that when he was first mentioned to the emjjeror
aged, well-seasoned hero

and

political journalist in

Cologne

and Leipsic.
seller

Afterwards he became a bookto 1848

being then a middlethat august personis

and publisher, but from 1845

active

we

age said, "I suppose he

I never heard of him."'

a very young

man?

find

him

among the party

of revolt in

This

is

at all events

Frankfort, and in the latter year he was vicepresident of the provisional government.
a political orator he

an

instructive instance of the nonchalance of

As
and

princes,

but

it

may be

paralleled in the case

was very

influential,

of Defoe

and our own Queen Anne.

all

ccupied the position of leader of the

the national assembly.

left in

For centuries Austria had bent nearly

its

This body made him

power tow;uds
liy

the

extinction

of

the

the bearer of an address of congiatulation to

their brethren in

Himgarian

nationality.

Much was

expected

arms

at Vienna,

and that

from the Deaks

Magyar

patriots,

who
the

errand proved a fatal one for Blum.

At

were weary alike of the cruelty and

the hated

Vienna he joined the party of insurrection, and was seized by Windischgratz when the
latter took

treachery, the bribery and the compulsion,

of

Hapsburgs.

When

Francis

Vienna.

was yet very young,

his brother

Anthony,

In the meanwhile there were troubles at

who was dying

comforted;
I

just after

he had been nomidiet,

The pope had been in flight disguised as a footman; and Ferdinand, the Austrian emperor, had resigned his crown
Berlin and elsewhere.
in favour of his

nated as a deputy to the

said,

"Be

am

not he that should come. has more power and

fiuger than I

My
in

brother Francis

nephew, Francis Joseph, then

It

patriotism in his

little

have

Muly nineteen years of age.

was the Archthe real

my

whole body."

Though only twentyj'ear,

is

duchess Sophia, his mother,

who was
a

two

yeai-s old,

Francis succeeded his brother

1825, the cry

reigning power at that moment.

Hungary
same time

as deputy, and in that

must now be regarded

as in

state of insur-

went

forth,

"Hungary
it

not, but

Hungary

rection against Austria, while at the

shall be."

This was the watchword of the

she was menaced in the rear by semi-barbarous

new movement, and

went on

yeai- after

156

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

great eflbrts, and
it

year at the cost of great pecuniary and other

sacrifices
bility.

will

be remembered

on the part

of

the Hungarian no-

how

strong were the hopes of the Radicals,

in this coun-

The

state

of tlie country

and the

and even the moderate Liberals

in behalf of

severity of
gatliered
in

the Austrian tyranny

fact,

may
\Yas

be

try that the western powers would interfere

from one

Kossuth

kept

Hungary, at

least so far as to

prison three j'ears, from

1837 to 1840,

check the interference of Russia.

But the

only for publishing reports of the debates

of

hope was disappointed.

Eventually Kossuth

the diet.

As time
increased

passed, the tendency

resigned his dictatorship in favour of Gorgei.

to violence

ou the

jjart

alike of

Arthur Gorgei was bred a

also devoted to chemistry.

soldier,
is

but was

oppressor and ojipressed, and the illness of

It

probable that
ever lived.

Deak kept him

off

the stage of action.

His

he was one of the bravest

It has

men that
Some

absence from the diet was

the subject of

been said

of

him

that, like

Ney and
of his vic-

openly expressed national

in

grief,

and -when
religiously

Nelson, he never

knew

fear.

1847 he was not nominated, his usual

tories over the Austrians

and Russians during

place in the hall of assembly

was

the years 1848-9 were

among

the greatest

kept vacant, as a tribute to his character

achievements ever recorded in war. But after

the dreadful defeat of his colleague Dembiuski

and a symbol
It

of the

want the nation

felt.

when Kossuth had aroused the Magyar jieople to final action, that Deak entered the cabinet, and he did much good in conciliating Sclaves and Magyars (whose
was
in 1848,

by overwhelming numbers

at the battle of
left for

Temesvar not much hope was

dered on the
13tli

the

Hungarian army, and Gorgei himself surrenof

August, 1849, to the

feuds were a great source of weakness to the

Russian prince Paskewitch.

The pang with

of

popular cause), but the time for conciliation

which the news of the defeat was received in

this country
is

was past
refused

so

far as

Austria was concerned.

by the majority

Englishmen
about

Deak, with others, was dismissed, or rather,

with contumel}', when
to

not yet forgotten.

At

the time of this disto

he
his

visited

aster Gorgei's forces were reduced

Vienna

lay

the sorrows of

people

24,000 men, with about 135 guns, while the

forces tliat

before the emperor, and Windischgratz

was

were hemming him

least,

in

numbered
artillery.

despatched with the only answer the house of

200,000 at

with lOOO pieces of

Hapsburg chose
Early
in

to give

sword

and

fire.

In spite of
since lain,

this, Goi'gei

was then, and has ever

of treachery.

1849

Deak

retired

from public
about

under the imputation

Activity,

and remained

in privacy for

His friends and

but
one

his critics have argued the

twelve years.

During those twelve years we

question in and out and

little satisfaction to

up and down, with

certain,

may

say (in anticipation of the events, as

themselves or to any

they will not necessarily arise in the couree

of this narrative) about 2130 persons were

else.

One thing

is

Gorgei was

not ill-treated by the enemy.

Kossuth, after
,

sentenced to death, about 20,000 were

into prison, while nearly 5000,

jiut

the defeat of Dembinski at Temesvar, fled to

many

of

them them
social

Turkey. There he was hospitably

I'cceived

by
to

of the highest character and some of

of the very purest

Abdul Medjid, who,

and threats
deliver

in spite of the

demands

and

noblest, to say nothing

of Austria

and Russia, refused

of their culture
position,
exile.

and refinement and

beggared

him

up.

Great was the enthusiasm

wei-e

and

driven

into

excited in England
of the Porte,

by the honourable conduct

and

this

was one

of the factors

In April,

1849,

Kossuth, weary of

the

in the state of feeling

which helped on the

temporizing and the quarrelling, and as heart-

Deak of the miseries of his country, urged the Magyar National Assembly to declare the independence of Hungary and
sick as

Crimean war a few years later. The Liberal party here had been willing enough to see
Austria and Hungary fight out their

own

quarrel in 1848-9, but would have been glad

to interfere

the deposition of

the house of Hapsburg.

when Russia took

part with (he

As

piovisional governor of

Hungary he made

house of Hapsburg to crush the poor Hun-

EAJAH BEOOKE.
giiiiaus;

157

aud

^Yl^en

they fouud Eussia subse-

Prussian ambassadors, aud to the English foreign police,

queutly tlireateuing Turkey tbey leaped at the

and

sells

a rejiort of the proceed-

chauce of an opeu revenge.

It

was not Jove

which was
(we

ings for 5."

of the Turk, but hatred of Nicholas, at the

The depth and genuineness

could give at
all

of the

sympathy

bottom of

it.

of the English for these exiles of 1848-9

who

When Kossuth left Turkey iu IS.Jl

France refused to
territory, aud
let

may

an honourable account of

anticipate a little in order to close the episode)

themselves might be illustrated in

Charles Dickens
is

many ways.

him

pass through her

not a revolutionary name,

he came to England in an Ameri-

but the story of one of the noblest of the Ger-

can

frigate.

man
years,

refugees of that time. Dr. Kiukel, was

During these

aud

for

some time

after-

placed by the great novelist in the forefront

of
liis

wards, England was curiously conversant with

"patiiotic exiles'' from Italy,

Iloitsehold ^yords.

Hungaiy, and
were not
gave

Germany.
conduct

Some
been

of them, of coui-se,

Almost every inteUigent school-boy has

felt

very admirable persons, and Fulszky (whose

h;is

the fascination of the great Indian archipelago,

itself

much

criticised)

an amusingly painful account

with the refugees iu London.
arrive," said

of his relations

and wondered over Papua and Borneo, " the two largest islands in the world except Australia."

"

When

they

Little

was known about them when

little

he "

tliey are naturally irritated

the Queen ascended the throne; indeed,

is

by

their failure
to

and unhappy

position.

They

come
no

him and demand money; he has none

'

You wear a gold watch, and knew the pains of want who could afford to keep a gold watch.' But we work. Come and you will see Madame Fulto give

them.

man

ever

'

szky and

me

always writing for our bread. If

in

known about Papua now; but their size and position among the Spice Islands drew towards them the curiosity of eager young minds, who could take iu pictures of gorgeous vegetation, coral reefs, tawny savages, and swift-shooting skiffs. The Twelve Thousand Islands was the name which the Arabs gave
to this

you cannot write you must work

line.'

some other

wondrous archipelago; aud though

ai-e

But they do not

like to

work.
'

They
well,
till

there neither were nor

twelve thousand
of islets

say,

'

We

will deliver Europe.'

Very

counted, there
besides

is

an immense number
;

deliver Europe, but do not refuse to

work
'

the islands

and what with their

you have done

so.'

'

Let us form a committee

thrones.'

remoteness, the sinuosities of the sea-channels,

to hm-1 the tyrants

tainly,

from their

Cer-

and the mixture seem

a young

of savage, half-savage,

and

but a committee of penniless men canthis.'

civilized races, this part of the

world

may well

not do
cause

'All

Europe
all.'

is

ready to

rise;

our

to

man

the very place for ad-

is

the cause of

'Well, suppose

we

venture.

So

it

seemed to the young James

form a committee V

'Every member must be

'

Brooke, whose

name and

enterprise

have

sworn on the dagger.'

spiracy.
will be.
past.
kill

Nonsense, this

is

a con-

already received a word or two of notice in

these pages.

never was a conspirator, and never

Besides, the age of the dagger is

The whole
some
of the

situation

and the whole story

Borneo and
wondeiful
this

You know

that

if

any one

of

you should

must be regarded

as anomalous.

another with the dagger he could not live

minor islands in

in

England.

Let us dispense with oaths and

region had been the scene of

expei-iments
;

many commercial

the dagger.'

The committee meet,

furious

the Dutch and the Portuguese

speeches are made, and letters from the Continent are read, representing all things

and

everybody as ready for a

are proposed, seconded,

rising.

Eesolutions
to deliver

and adopted

making or attempting settlements from time The population of Borneo was of a to time. veiy mixed kind, including Mohammedan Arabs, Malays, and native Dyaks; certain
tribes of
pirates.

Europe, and ordered to be sent to the commit-

whom

were reckless and murderous

interests of British

The committee breaks up, aud the one-half of them goes to the Austrian and
tees abroad.

Meanwhile the

commerce had been much neglected, and there

1J3
\v;is

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

iimple scope for

auy adventurous and not

do both harm

proselytism carried

them

to

the

Pillars of

fastidious brave adventurer to

Hercules in one direction and to the threshold

aud good among the Spice Islands.

James Brooke, afterwards Sir James Brooke, was undoubtedly the man for the work, though he was severely ci'iticised both in jxirliament and out of it, and still more in other countries
perhaps, for the high-handedness with which

man " in another, and we must remember that polygamy gave Mohammedan
of " the yellow

colonists or adventurers

an advantage to

start

with: the advantage, namely, of rapid multiplication.

And we may

conjecture that oc-

casional companies of " the faithful " found

he went to work in dealing with

Dyak

pirates

their way into this south-eastern paradise,

and

aud

otherwise.

He was

n.aturally a little too

by the sword and by superiority of race made

good their footing.
it

fond of his

own way, aud had not been

Of
;

well

At

all

events the end of

disciplined in his boyhood.

his early days

all

was that there were Mohammedan sultanates

amusing

stories are told

but they

point,

or princedoms in the Spice Islands, including

true or false, to a strong will, great combativeness,

Borneo.

and a

total lack of tlioughtful hesitancy.

There were then a few dots or points of

civilization or

Whether a

better

man

than Brooke might not

it

quasi-civilizatiou

from which

have done a better work in Borneo

would
it

webs

of

improvement might be woven by any

not be decisively profitable to discuss, but

is

one as capable as Brooke was;

beginning his
cai-eer of activity in

and when,
and around

clear

he was not a hero of many scruples.

Inside the house of a piratical

visitor

Dyak

the

Borneo in 1839, he was soon made Kajah of

would

see scores of

human
in

heads, male

Sarawak by the reigning

sultan, it

and female, hung up

to dry.

These were the

to see that a considerable

was easy work was easily

for British

trophies of the pirate,

who

making war
of super-

open to him in extending commerce, putting

upon industry had doue a good deal

fluous slaughter,
this part of the

down

piracy,

and paving the way

-

and was proud of

world
it

it.

But

in

influence

in these seas.

large public in

caunot be allowed

this country held that the

new

rajah showed

that everything was unsightly, even in

what

himself far too reckless in the matter of blood-

was

artificial.

The

natives showed great in-

shedding; and an

aftair in

1S49 in which

many

genuity in building their houses. They pitched

hundreds of Dyaks were slaughtered by a

force

upon a favourable

spot, as cool

and as

little

under

his

command was

severely dis-

swampy
to cut

as possible,

and there they proceeded

ti-ees,

cussed in parliament at home, Mr. Cobden

ofi'

the heads of the huge tall

of

the

aud Mr. Joseph

had, however,

Hume

leading the attack.

He

columnar stems

which they barked.

pillai'S,

Here,

many

friends.

His name holds

then, were rows or sets of

on the tops

of which, with light planks

set to

and bamboo, they

an honourable place in the dedication of Mr. Kingsley's Wcsticarcl IIo! aud there were
others in

work

to build their villages.

Eound

whom what

was

called the spirit of

the light, airy, and simply constructed houses

" the great adventurers of the " Elizabethan age

they
then-

made

galleries, in

which might be seen

found hearty admirers and supportei's.

Many

dusky wives and children at work or

touching anecdotes of the bravery of the Dyaks

play, enjoying the prospect

air.

and the

cool ujiper

reached Great Britain.

The Chinese,

too,

having brought with

up, thick as bricks in a wall,

fire of
theii'

The men would close and receive the

them

their natural skiU in gardening, a

Dyak

the English in mass in order to give

village

was a pretty

sight

for a Eui'opean.

women

time to escape.

They were

also

Less agi'eeable to look at was the temple in

good fathers and firm

friends.

At bottom,

which the murderous Dyaks stored up the

dried

the question between the assailants aud the

supporters of Brooke resolved itself into this,

human heads

for the

honour of their

gods and the admiration of posterity.

Is there any race of men on whom forbearance

is

What Ai-abs did in these regions, or rather how they fii-st came to them, is not wholly
cleai'.

thrown away?

Or, in another shape.

all

Had we

any right in Borneo at

except the

We

know indeed

that their zeal of

right of the strong?

But there was a sub-

GLADSTONE AND THE DYAKS.

ordinate question,
interested or not
?

159

Was Eajah

Brooke

dis-

The uprising
is

of the

weak

against the strong

criticised

a diilerent matter, and should be

tenderl}'.

When
title

ill

the year 1847 Eajah

Brookethe

sounded strangely to English ears

visited of

England, he Tvas made free of the city

tlic

But who can be trusted with irresponsible or quasi-irresponsible power ? The subject of Sir James Brooke's career,
more
not to say his character, connects
itself

London;

queen made him a K.C.B.

some-

and Oxford an honorary D.C.L.

he was the man refened
ing's

to in

Whether Eobeii Brown-

what intimately with the

attitude taken

by

Mr. Gladstone at more than one point

this light

of our

remarkable verses beginning

" What's become of Waring?"

narrative ; and as the topic wiU. reappear in

it

cannot well

be passed over.

has never been quite settled.

It is true that

During the debate on Mr. Hume's motion of 1851, unfavourable to Sir James Brooke, Mr.
Gladstone,

the " Waring " of the poem had made a " bolt,"

who

voted against

it

as conveying

had been seen

sands
" in

off Trieste,

and that there are

"

a condemnation too general,

praised

the

references to a "

new avatar" and

new

thou-

energy of the rajah as "truly British," and

the East; but the balance of pro-

gave him credit for "a philanthropy truly

Cliristian."

babilities is against

Waring

of

Eajah Brooke's being the However, the our gi'eat poet.

will be seen
of

Mr. Gladstone, however,

dis-

claimed,

and has

since disclaimed again, all

government, having purchased the island of

idea of having got to the bottom of the story

of that expedition against the Serebas

Labuan (which, as
is

by the map,

and

on the north-west
civil

Borneo), sent out

Sakarran
JS^emcsis

tribes,

in

which the queen's ship

of that sanguinary

Brooke as

and military governor, with a

still re-

took

pai-t,

and has plainly expressed

whole

stipend of ^2000 a year; though he

his horror of the business, giving

mained Eajah

of

Sarawak.

At

last

an expe-

meanwhile some brief and

"It

dition of his against the

gations at

Dyaks led to investihome and at Singapore. Sir James Brooke was charged with having profited by the " head-money," and with reckless slaughter of men whom we had no busiThe charges against him ness to destroy. were found not proven, and lie was acquitted This of having profited by the head-money. last, however, wa.s immediately abolished by our government, and Sir James Brooke was
supei-seded in the governorship of the island
of

very vivid sketches of what occurred.

was," says Mr. Gladstone, "a kind of naval

ambush, having for

on their sand

its

aim

to intercept

an

expedition of the Serebas and Sakjirran tribes

way home. There were men conveyed in more than

four thou-

a hundred

prahus or open boats, on a somewhat dark

night. It followed as a matter of course that

the action broke

up

into

many

actions, par-

took in parts of the nature of a scramble.

Labuan.

Passing no judgment on the

questions examined into

missioners which sat

this

by the Eoyal Comupon the charges against

remarkable man,

we may at least conclude

is

that the moral of the story

that the age of

The fighting must, from the implements of war employed, have been all on one side. The loss in the entire attacking force, which amounted to near three thousand, was two killed and four wounded and it is not stated that among these was any man on board the
;

mere " adventure," in the fasliion called Elizabethan,

is

steamer Nemesis, or indeed a single European,

or that a single shot or a blow struck at
is

over; and that in future the ten-

dency of
that as

civilized

communities will be to see

is

was fired at the steamer, any on board of her. It

fair,

little

as possible

done by irresponIt is

plain, it

is

involved in the
the
witnesses,

ingenuous

sible colonizing or filibustering heroes.

accounts of

that

when we
if

as well to have
is so.

it

clearly understood that this

come

to the case of the five prahus,

not

Some

of the acts of the Elizabethan

indeed before, abject terror had seized on the

heroes savour strongly of the notion that the

mind

of the crews.

By the combined
and the padcHes
it

action
of the

strong

may anywhere enslave the weak, rob

of "uns, small-arms,

them, flog tliem, and burn them at pleasure.

ship as she went round and round,

being a

100
jjractice of tlie

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

D^'aks to

jump

into the water

to atoms.

And

yet they are

now a

fine intelli-

auJ hold by the

sides of their cauoes

these
made

gent race, and cordially unite with the rajah

for the suppression of i)iracy."

miserable beiugs were destroyed like vermin,

till

There

is

some-

not a living soul remained visible; no

thing very droll about this in spite of the

horror.

voice of mercy, no tender of life being

It

is

not to be supposed that the pergirls in

to them from the beginning to the end." That grown women and yonng girls were

formances of the Nemesis, smashing

taught the Dyaks to renounce
as j5art of the

the dark sea with her churning paddle-wheels,

slaughtered on this occasion appears certain,

human sacrifices

and Mr. Gladstone

feeling.

refers to

it

with

much

ceremony at the foundation of

"The hundred and twenty boats piratical expedition. Of all such expeditions the capture of slaves was a principal object, and these slaves were commonly women and young persons. That
had gone out on a
there were

But now hear a witness un"A year or two after the massacre I was unfortunate enough to be
a village.
favourable to the rajah.
capsized in a vessel of which I
called the

was

captain,

Amelia

of Singapore, within fifty

women and
Mr.

girls

on board these

miles of the scene. After three daj-s of miseiy

in

cauoes

is

placed beyond doubt, for on the shore

an open boat without food or water we

pirates,'

after the action

exposed the

John himself saw mutilated body of a girl, and saw

St.

lauded among these 'cruel

who

bar-

barously fed us, cruelly clothed us, wickedly

also the covcriugs

which had been cast over

It

gave us their mats to sleep upon, and

finally

three groups of the corpses of captives.

completed their cup of iniquity by fitting up a

seems, therefore, a moral certainty that there

prahu to take us
tain of a

to

Sarawak, where
ship,

I,

as cap-

were on board the seventeen prahus a greater

or less

wrecked British

was refused by
so small a

number

of these innocent sufferers;

Sir

James Brooke's representative

fii-st

and

it

adds to the pain which the proceedings

fail to give,

loan as five dollars, having

asked for a

can hardly

when we think

of

it

hundred

to

repay in some measure the good

as a certain

or even as a likely fact that

Samaritans who took so noble a revenge on

the next white
If it

among

those

who

bled, gasped,

and sank

man who fell

into their power."

under the

lire of

the jVemesis, or under the

were possible

to believe that the

mid-

crushing blows of her paddle-wheels in the

water, were some of those whose .safety and
rescue ought to have been a main object of

night

expedition against

the

Serebas and

Sakarran Dyaks, in which hundreds of defenceless

men and women were destroyed, had

to receive the

the whole proceeding."

taught the pirates charity and forgiveness, or

himself,

To pass from Mr. Gladstone

bering,

remem-

had even prepared their minds

least that could

however, that
is

his

estimate of the

Christian teaching in these high matters, the

whole business
our narrative,
tions

a subject that will recur in

take from his quota-

be said would be that the

we may

natives of Borneo were a very peculiar race.

two

illustrations of the

of the results of Sir

mixed character James Brooke's doings,

We

have

sufi'ered greatly in

our relations

with India from the

difficulty of

measuring

and the perplexing character of the evidence.

and controlling the and commanders

there

responsibility of govei-noi's

A witness

favourable to the rajah gives this

" I

at a distance.

To our atfoirs

curiously horiifyiug testimony.

was

in-

we

will

now

turn.

Scinde has been

formed," says he, referring to the

built on piles
of

Dyak houses

which mention has been

made, " that on the erection of one of these houses a deep hole was sunk for the corner
pillar,

we have fought and conquered at Hyderabad and Gwalior, Lord Ellenborough has been recalled, and Sir Henry Hardinge,
annexed,
afterwards Lord Hardinge, has been sent out
to supersede him.
his career

and in

this, as

we

place a bottle con-

Sir

Henry Hardinge began

taining a coin and engraved inscription, they

(hoiresco referons) lowered

an unfortunate

girl,

decked out in

all

her finery, and then dropped

the enormous post on her head, crushing her

by promoting works of peace, but the ghost of Ruujeet Singh was abroad, and the Punjab was in such an unsettled condition that the Sikhs saw that war must come before

LITERARY PENSIONS LEIGH HUNT.

long between them and the British.
Tliey
Sutlej.

161

Singh wanted his dram, but was ashamed to

drink before the English Sahib."

began the

conflict

and crossed the

He was
relief.

Then came the dreadful bloody

Chillianwallah, the

battles of

begged to follow his usual custom, which he

accordingly did, with instantaneous

Moodkee, Ferozeshah, Ajiwal, Sabraon, and

names

of -which are still

"It was rare," adds Malcolm, "to see a Sikh

soldier

remembered by even the most

of current or recent history.

casual readers

quite sober after sunset."

his

Runjeet

In these battles

commenced
drink

the Sikhs were defeated, but with such terrible loss of life

Fane's abilities
;

on our side that Sir Charles

despatched to the

and

it

Harry by asking how much he could was said that the "old lion's"
calculations of

Sir

Napier was at
seat of

last hastily

own death

w;is

hastened by his breaking

war to supei-sede the existing commander, Lord Gough. Before he reached the spot, however, the struggle was over, the Punjab annexed, the Koh-i-noor diamond carried off. The career of Lord Dalhousie now commences, and it was crowded with
laboui-s of peace for the

through his prescribed limits in this respect

in order to appear to advantage before the British officers.

To

this passing

sketch of
it is

one of the back-grounds of history,

fair to

only

add that these drunken Sikhs fought

bravely,

and gave our troops much trouble

artillery,

good

of India, includ-

with their
ful

from which, in the

have

di-ead-

ing railways, telegi'aphs, cheap postage, and

useful public

battles

which

been mentioned,

works of many kinds.

they had repeatedly to be driven by the

bayonet.

It cannot be said that the extension of our

Indian empire by the annexation of the Punjab and the conquest of the Siklis was looked

This outline does not exhaust the catalogue

of changes in the East

which concern

us, but for

uiwn at home
bation.

witli eyes of universal appro-

the

moment we will quit the Indian peninsula.

of the pensions
ai-t

Then, as now, there were politicians

that

who knew
or even

we were assuming

fresh re-

Some

awarded

to persons

sponsibilities

which might prove a dangerous,

Perhaps
so

some day a ruinous burden.

a glimpse of these Sikhs, of

whom

much

has been said,

cially as it is

may be

not unedif'iang, espe-

given upon high authority.

On

by Sir Robert Peel have already been mentioned. Amongthose which were given by Lord John Russell while he w.-is premier there was one which, demands a word of special notice; this was
distinguished in

or literature

one very important occasion before the out-

the annuity of 200 granted

by the queen
of age.

to
It

break of 1845 our minister was unable for

days together to obtain an audience, in conse-

Leigh Hunt, then sixty-three years

was a poor compensation

suffered at the
set over English

for

what he had
in the

quence of the helpless and prolonged intoxication of every individual of the

hands of the powers that wer&

Durbar

men and women

but
it it

days
it

queen and

all.

On

one occasion when he

of the regency
is

was something, and

attended with despatches of unusual urgency

not easy to record

without a backwiud

he found Jowahir Singh (then

as a danciug-girl

vizier) dressed

glance.

The

story of his troubles in connec-

and performing a drunken

court.

tion with the

Examiner newspaper, which he

Leigh Hunt had
fat

minuet before

tlie

On

another he met

and

his brother conducted, is too well kno-wn

the whole Durbar going out on a gypsy party,

to require telling at length.

with a cavalcade of elephants, each of which

carried a lady, a gentleman,

called
fifty,"

the prince regent

"a

Adonis of
strong

and a large bottle

in old

and certainly a

gi-eat deal of

of spirits.

It

was the same

times.

writing against that personage and his friends

When

Sir

John Malcolm was

in the

Punjab
been

appeared in the Examiner.

A verse

from a

with General Lake he perceived that a highly

respectable old sirdar, with
for

poem by Lord BjTon, which Leigh Hunt

inserted,

whom he had

would give some idea

of the license

some time conversing,

at a review,

seemed

which
tho
is

political satirists

took in the times

when

low and uneasy.

for the cause
Vol.
ir.

On

looking to an attendant

Examiner was a power; but the writing

32

it

was intimated that " Fatteh

nearly unquotable,

162

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

who would
to a
live

"Speed, speed for Vitcllius the roj-al repast, Till the gluttonous be stutfed to the gorge. And the roar of the drunkards proclaim him at last, The fourth of the fools, and the gi-eatest, called
George."

by his pen was too often

if

to sink

mere caterer or provider,

not a pander,

a calculator beforehand of " what the public

want."

Few

books have given delight to as

of readers as the Indicator

many thousands
Tbis
It
is

is

not the strongest verse, or nearly

so.

Hunt
two

-was heavily fined

a great mistake to suppose that Leigh and imprisoned for

and Autobiography, the Men, ^Vom.en, and Boohs, and some other works of Leigh Hunt
but though,
it

when

once such writing

is afloat,

years merely for one sarcastic or conarticle.

proves profitable
it is

and

finds a

permanent

temptuous

The "fat Adonis

and many
in

of fifty"

public,

never produced on the principle

was a standing
written about

butt,

of the things
taste.

him were

bad

The

point, however, to

which attention may well

the whole story
is

be directed,
in passing,

when
is

recalled

the extent and variety of the

literary,

"a public want." Leigh Hunt may be taken as the last survivor of an extinct race of men of letters. There are many reasons why the name of Leigh Hunt should recall that of Mr. Gladof providing for
stone's rival,

changes political,
Brummell.

and

social

which
Beau

Benjamin

Disraeli.

The

latter,

we have gone through

since the days of

like his father,

had shown a great admiration

of Shelley,
is,

Many of these changes have already

it

of

Lord Byron, and, in a way,

of

passed uuder review; but

so

happened that

though to read his novel

general
consent,

Vcnetia

by

Leigh Hunt, who was alw-ays a w-orking

of letters, reflected

man

bewildering

task,^the

them

all

in one or other of

relations of the

two poets being so strangely

his wi-itings.

He

lived to advocate peace in

jumbled.

Shelley and Byron, however, were

language which Quakers were glad to quote

temperance, nearly to the length of "absti-

both aristocratic personages, and to a lord

or a titled "country gentleman" Disraeli had,

nence;" religious fi-eedom in terms which are

yet too wide for our age ; reform in cooking

by natural
Hunt, after
and

instinct,

a strong leaning.

For

literature, also,
all,

he had a liking; but Leigh

and house-building, education without stint for all, the better culture of women, and the
providing of
art, literature,

though he was

was a middle-class plebeian, a humorist and had

story of Hunt's imprison-

and other enter-

rubbed shoulders with Byron, had quarrelled

with him.

tainments of the very highest kind for the

people in general.

The

In

all

these matters Leigh

ment

naturally

and innocently struck Mr.

True,
it

Hunt was
known
or

not a parrot or an imitator.

It
is

He

Disraeli as comic.

made Hunt
life,

ill

had been a true pioneer.

not generally
of high

and impoverished him

middle-class plebeian

for

but that a
the

remembered that he was

and

who had committed

Puritan descent, but the fact

significance, for, long

may have some

crime of calling a prince-regent fat and

fifty

active as his life

should be allowed to paper his room with

rose-trellis

was, not the shadow of a stain rests upon his

character as the consistent, genial, but unflinching friend of freedom.

and receive "genteel"

visitors

was

just the sort of thing to tickle the fancy of

tunate,

A most unforand by no means blameless, " muddle "

Harold Skimpole has had the
but
truth
eiTect of

the author of Popanilla, and

we

find accord-

ingly that he recalled the story

and bur-

on the part of Dickens in sketching the character of

lesqued

it

"A

prison"

so runs the passage "conveyed

mind
of the

in that

instructive jeu-d'esprit.

doing wrong to the memory of this admirable

publicist;
tlie
is

the most lugubrious ideas to the

he was always

imhappy Popanilla; and shut up

ney-coach with a
witli

in a hack-

poor, and always lavishly liberal to others,

and

man on
of

each side of him

that he went through

much

real privation.

a cocked

pistol,

he formed the most dark dungeons, confetters,

He
it

enjoyed his pension about ten years, and

it

gloomy conceptions
fined cells,

was weU that

if

came to him as
setting in

it

did, for

overwhelming

black bread,

he had nearly,
tion.

not quite, outlived his func-

and green water.

jaU in

The days were

when the man

He arrived at the principal Hubbabub. He was ushered into an

"'OEDSWOKTH
sash

AND

HIS INFLUENCE.
who has been regarded
as a gi'eater

163

elegautly fuinished apartment, with Frencli

man than

windows and a piano. Its lofty walls were entu-ely lumg with a fanciful paper which
represented a Tuscan vineyard;
the ceiling
;

either of these, the poet

who

disputes with
of all intellec-

Byron and Shelley the highest

tual honours.
poet-Laureate.
his time;

William Wordsworth was made

was covered with sky and clouds

in abundance
;

roses were

and the windows though well

He was out of sympathy with was not pleased either with the
;

secured excited no janiug associations in the

manufacturing or the railway system

and

mind
steel.

of the individual they illumined, pro-

had written vei-ses

pressed

which

lie

afterwaids sup-

tected, as they were,

by polished

bai-s of

cut

calling
was
too

the spu-it of political reform

This retreat had been

fitted

up by a

something like a demon "sprung from envy

poetical politician

who had

recently been con-

and
that

self-conceit."

Mr. Grote, "hugging his

rhyme, but

fined for declaring that the statue

idol, originally
Isles.

was an old imported from the Sandwich

His daily
a

ballot-box,"

also celebrated in

Next

to being a plenipotentiary, Po-

was withdrawn; not because the illustrious author had changed his opinions,

poem

panilla preferred being a prisoner.

but because he thought the topics

out of place.
poet-laureate

trivial or

meal consisted of every delicacy of the season

In 1843 Wordsworth was made

a marble bath was ever at

his old friends, the

his service

bil-

upon the death

of Southey.

He

liard-room and dumb-bells always ready ; and

was now neaily eighty

yeai-s of age,

and the
an
inti-

most eminent physician

honour was no more than an honour, though,

in 1847, he ivi-ote (in compliance with

and the most celebrated practitioner in Hubbabub, called upon him daily to feel his piUse and look at his tongue. He was greath' consoled

mation from the queen) an ode for the

instal-

lation of Prince Albert as CTiancellor of the

by a

daily visit from a

body

of the

most
the

beautiful,

the most accomplished, and

Univei'sity of Cambridge. The ode, written when his beloved and only surviving daughter

most virtuous females in Hubbabub; who

tasted his food to see that his cook did his

Dora QuiUinan was dying, was printed

in the

Athenawn

of the day, but has not been repi-o-

duty,

recommended him a

plentiful use of

duced in the poet's collected works.

Words-

pine-apple well peppered, and

made him a
worked

worth died in April, 1850.

His work had

present of a very handsome shirt, with

frills

long been done, but will never be forgotten.

and

ruffles, to

be hanged

in."

His influence was exerted mainly by means of

gradual infiltration through the upper strata
of contemporary thought, but in that

This kind of indirect criticism, committing

him

to nothing, constituted a considerable

way

it

portion of the early activity of ilr. Disraeli's

was without a
the Bible

parallel.

It has been said that

pen and tongue.

last for ever.

But

of course it could not

neither Shakspere, Pope, nor Milton, but only

itself,

Sooner or later a

man

of his

has contributed so man)' vital-

mould was bound to become a

at
fii-st

partisan,

and

izing lines to general literature.

Not a num-

to fight with almost

any weapon that

ber of any reputable newspaper or magazine

appears without some quotation from this
poet,

came

to hand.

very likely without quotation-marks.

Great changes in the general quality and

spirit of

our literature had

now

for

some time

"Huts where poor men lie." (contrasted with palaces); "we have all one human heart;"
"the world
is

been going on.

Mr.

Carlyle's Histoiy of the

too

much with

us;" "one that

Iiis

Frencli Revolution
effect,

had produced a meteoric

would peep and botanize upon

mother'>j

and Macaulay's History of England, which had a gi-eater immediate success than
any novels except those of Dickens, and considering its price the greatest success of

grave;" "all things that love the sun;" "the

depth and not the tumult of the soul;" "earth

has not anything to show more fair;" "pure
as the naked heavens, suming commonplace
majestic, free;" "unasof nature;" "thoughts

any

book that ver was written,

three davs.

may be

said to

have made the author a fortune in two or

that

lie

too deep for tears;" these,

and more

But a word must be

said of one

than two hundred other phrases, are in com-

16-1

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

use n-itbout quotation marks, and
it is

mon

in

an

instant, to the utter confusion of the

plain that the writer wlio uses

them has

often

three luminaries.

no idea that he

is

quoting from a poet at alL

of the intellectual

In his rambles Wordsworth contracted an

extensive acquaintance with
sants,

The

literature

and much

yeomen and

]3ea-

attitude of the period over which

we have

al-

and mingled much in what he expres-

ready passed was doubtless considerably

influ-

sively calls their "slow

and familiar

chat."

enced by the early alliance of Coleridge and

Mr. Justice Coleridge, whose Reminiscences

are the most valuable portion of the
of

Wordsworth, an

alliance

which began before

conversant

Memoirs

our chronicle commences, namely, in 1797,

Wordsworth, says that

it

was impossible to

when

Coleridge,

who was more

go a mile in his company without observing

his aft'ectionate

with systems of philosophy and the varieties

of general literature,

interest

in simple natures;

was astonished

to find a

with what easy, hearty kindness he addressed

all

man so simple and yet so grand, who out of the common appearances of the world, and by
original contemplations of nature, could evolve

he met; and

how

full

was

their

demeanour

towards him of cordiality and respect, of love

and honour.

His particular delight was to which denoted

sensi" I like," said

new and unexpected feelings. "I feel myself a little man by his side," wrote the great conversationalist; while

detect traits in the poor

bility of heart.

a shepherd to
of a nnirI

on the other hand Words-

him

as they

went along the bank

like to

worth, writing of Coleridge, said that other

muring stream, "I

think,"
to give

walk where

can

men

of the age

had done wonderful things,

tlie

hear the sound of a beck."

"I cannot but

widest scope,
feelings

but Coleridge was

only wonderful

man he

comments Wordsworth, always eager

a worthy sentiment
its

had ever known.

There are some amusing
early companionship,
stories told of this

"that this

man

ha.s

had many devout

and of their

joint trans-

connected with the appearances which have

presented themselves to

actions with
tells of

Mr.

Cottle, the publisher,

who
he

him

in his employ-

a jaunt in which, having driven Wordsto

ment, and that the pleasure of his heart at

that

worth from Bristol

called at

Alfoxden in a
to

gig,

moment was an

acceptable offering to

ridge

summon Coleand Miss Wordsworth, who followed

Stowey by the way

the Divine Being."

Mr. Justice Coleridge

swiftly on foot.

empty

so

The Alfoxden pantry was they carried with them bread and

was with him when they met a humble neighbour with a string of trout which Wordsworth
wished to buy.
cannot
sell

"Nay," replied the man, "I

;

cheese and a bottle of brandy.

stole the cheese,

beggar

them

the

little

children at

home

which

set Coleridge expatiat-

ing on the superior virtues of brandy.

It

was

them for supper, and I can't disappoint them;" an answer which charmed the jjoet.
look for

he that, with thirsty impatience, took out the

hor'se;

The

juniors had an abundant share of his at-

but as he

let

down

the shafts the

tention.

Mr. Robinson observed him at the

theme

of his eloquence rolled

from the

seat,

amphitheatre of Nismes absorbed in the least

and was dashed to pieces on the ground.

Coleridge, abashed, gave the horse

imposing part of the prospect.

They were

up to Cottle,
proved too

two young children playing with flowers which

who tried much for

to pull off the collar.

It

had captivated

his eye,

and

his fellow-traveller

the worthy citizen's strength, and

assist.

overheard him murmuring, "Oh, you darlings!

he called to Wordsworth to

Words-

how
It

wish

I could

put you in

my

pocket and

worth retired
likelihood

baffled,

and was relieved by the

There seemed more

carry you to Rydal

Mount !"
air that
it

ever-handy Coleridge.

was in the open

he found the
was, he says,

of their pulling off the animal's

collar,

materials for his poems, and

head than his

and they marvelled by

on.

in the open air that nine-tenths of

them were
"ThiSjl

what magic

it

had ever been got

"La,

shaped.

A stranger asked

permission of the

master," said the servant-girl,

IjJ)

who was
to

passing

servant at Rydal to see the study.

said she, as she
ter's

"you don't go the right way

work;"

showed the room, "is

my mas-j

and turning round the

collar she slipped it olf

library

where he keeps

his books, bujj

THE SCOTTISH CHURCH-DE. CHALMERS.

his study
is

165

out of doors."

The

jjoor neigh-

like this of Dissenters in general

"We

dis-

bours, on catching the sound of his

humming
is;

agree with them on their fundamental principle,

in theact of verse-making after some prolonged

we can have no communion with them."

latter woi-ds,

absence, were

wont

to exclaim,

"There he

The

which certainly did not

the noble, spiritually-

we

are glad to hear

him booing about

again."

mean, in the

lips of

"God
majesty

bless
i.s

your majesty

We hope your
1"

minded Chalmers, that he would have no "communion" (in the religious sense) with
Nonconformists, raised nevertheless a storm,

fur

Doctor Sacheverell
bj'

The

young queen was not plagued mobs as Queen Anne was, but
political controversies

shouting

ecelesiastico-

and caused deep pain both in England and Scotland. Almost before the words were cold
the Dissenters south of the Tweed, roused to
intense sympathy with the Scottish protesters,

were

rife at

the com-

mencement
case

of her reign.

In England an im-

jxirtant legal decision in the celebrated Gorham

poured in very large subscriptions in aid of

the
is

echoes of which have not yet died

the
first

away
what

was

of a series

which made
legal possi-

called the

Broad Church a

Even without that form of from without " Dr. Chalmers would have withdrawn his words, or explained them,
the secession.
" pressure

bility in

England.

Soon afterwards we come

or explained

them away,

as he did or

was
all

to the case of Bishop

Hampden.

In Scotland

said to have done

and this accomplished,

the religious
classes,

occuiTed the great Disniptiou controversy,

went on better. Dr. Chalmei-s was an immense

favourite in England, almost an idol with tens
of thousands of

and with

this

we

shall

open a brief record of

some

of these matters.

Of couree the

histo-

and

rical reporter is neutral

and impartial, except

throughout the Disruption story his noble

so far as

he must and will lean towards noble-

image towers above

all

the others.

He was

ness, sincerity,

and

suffering.

not only, looked up to as a

man

The Disruption, which

sisted in (for

led to, or

which con-

large accomplishment, but

and was beloved and

of genius

we must be
Kirk

cautious) the forma-

honoured as a zealous labourer in behalf of the

poor, ignorant,
tion,

tion of the Free

of Scotland has

now

and

vicious

among

the popula-

passed out of the region of romance, so far as

the general recollection of
it is

over which he had any direct influence.

stories afloat

concerned; but

There were may true

too,

about him

the story had really some very romantic inci-

which went straight

It

to the hearts of earis

dents in

it,

and there

is

not a tinge of exaggerit

nest religious men.

well

known,

for

ation in saying that while

was

in progress

example, that he began his career as a minister with old-fashioned notions of the limits of his function,

the eyes of the world were fixed upon Scotland.

One

incident

we

will dispose of at once,

and spent a great deal

of time at

as

it

deserves record, and yet would interrupt

his beloved mathematics.

Some
in

yeai-s later,

main narrative. The most illustrious name comiected with the movement is of
the
course that of the great

an over -zealous brother

taunted him with
this.

the Assembly

"Sii-," said

Chalmers

and good Chalmers.

in his reply, " I conceived immediately that

this

The

doctor's eloquence

on one occasion early

gentleman had been working at the trade

in the stmggle betrayed

cretion, at least it

him

into

an

indis-

of a resurrectionist, but I stand

now a

repent-

was

so reported,

and the

ant culprit at the bar of this Assembly.

that time I had not learned, as I have

At
di-

subject led to

much angry
it

discussion at the
it

by

moment, though
deserved to be.

was soon forgotten, as

vine assistance learned since, that there are two

It is well

known

that Chal-

magnitudes

"

and so on (we are quoting from

the world, as he
sci-

mers was an ardent church-and-state man, and that the promoters of the Disruption
unwilling promotei-s
all of

memory), canying with him the sympathy not

only of the Assembly, but
all

them

were anx-

compared the magnitude

of

mathematical

ious to avoid "schism," both the

fact.

word and the

ence with that other magnitude of spiritual

truth.

Dr. Chalmers, in an ardent speech, dis-

claimed political Dissent, and said something

ation

The good doctor had a great gift of iterit was part and parcel both of his elo-

1 GO-

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

It
is

queues and Ids earnestness.

that there

recognized

the church courts themselves acted with a

was great truth

in the

humorous

tack of Sara Coleridge on his manner:

the

"When

at-

high hand from time to time, though

tliere

was no

direct invasion of the rights of the

wordy doctor does get hold of an ai-gumeut, what a sphitter does he make with it for
dozens of pages.

congregation

as

conceived by the resisting

side, for, of course, this sketch is written

all

with
even

He is
it,

like a child
it,

with a new
it

reserve.

In most

cases, if not all,

wax
it it

doll,

he hugs

kisses

holds

up

to

where the nominee of the lay patron was

really "forced," or said to be forced,

be admired, makes

its

eyes open and shut, puts

it

upon the

on a pink gown, puts

on a blue gown,

ties
it
it,

congregation, the form of a " call

''

from that
callers

on a yellow sash

then pretends to take

shakes
it,

body was gone through; though the

were often only a few persons,

to task, chatters at
tells it
lets,

it,

and whips

" a driblet of

not to be so proud of
all

its fine false

ring-

a parish," to use the phrase of Chalmers. In the year 183-1 there ensued a change.

which can
it

be cut

off in

a minute, then
at last, to the
to bed."

takes

into favour again,

and

The

so-called

Moderate party were in a minto

relief of all

the company, puts

it

The

ority,

and the accession

power of the party

and was signalized by
This
v.'as

criticisms of Sara Coleridge

wi-itteu

were of course

which held certain

\-iews of the rights

from a point of view not taken by the

duties of the congregation

general reader even of books like those of

the passing of the Veto Law.

an

Chalmers,

much

less

spoken addresses.
cidtivated

by tbe hearers of his The iteration which to a

reader, like

attempt to

make

those views binding within

the kirk (views similai- to those of the English

Congregationalists) in spite of the law of lay

and thoughtful

the

daughter of the great Englishman,

able, is a help rather

is intoler-

patronage.

The Veto Law decreed that no

pre-

than a liinderance to those

sentee should be admitted to minister in the

who

listen to a

speech or sermon and do not

kirk

if

a majority of the male

members

of the

care so

much

for the trains of thoughts it init

congregation, in full communion, voted against

terprets or brings with

effect it produces.

as for the immediate

all

him.

High

legal authorities

gave the opinion

At

events Chalmers

deserved, to the height,

ceived,

all

the homage he re-

and he jiroved a

gi-and leader of the

was not incompatible with the Act of 1711, but practically the two proved to be incapable of being worked together.
that this

Free Church movement, with such

men

as

"When Lord Kinnoull "presented" a

tain

cer-

Welsh and Candlish by

tenants.

his side as lieu-

Mr. Young
the

to the parish of Auchter-

arder,

congregation

vetoed

him,

and
trial,

The
cates)

I'ights of

the Presbyterian Chm-ch of

the presbytery refused to take

him on

Scotland (as conceived by the Free Kirk advo-

standing fast by the Veto Law of the Assembly,

were supjjosed

to

be guaranteed by the

which placed the right

of refusal (to accept

settlement at the Revolution, and the Treaty

of

the spiritual ministrations of the minister

Union, but in about

five yeare,

when

so-

presented by the lay patron) in the hands of

the congregation.

called Jacobite counsels

began to prevaQ

in

The Court

of Session first,

England, patronage was restored by an act of

parliament under Queen Anne.
It
is

and next the House

this; and,

of Lords, oveiTuled all

detail, it will

con-

without going into

civil

tended that this was purely a Jacobite measure,

be seen that the

ties"

and

spiritual " authori-

intended

to

make

Scottish ministere

were thus

(as

might have been preNevertheless,

it

more dependent upon the aristocratic power and influence; but it is beyond dispute that it
soon led to debate, resistance, dissent, and
secession.
tested,

dicted) at variance.

when

the

kirk Assembly

made

clear that they did

it

not dispute the law so far as

secidar,
fight,

was purely

At

first

the Scotch Chiu-ch pro-

and

]Mi\

Young

accepted, without a

but by degrees, under the influence of

the mere manse and temporalities of

still

causes which were as familiar in England as

Auchterarder, the matter stood

for
_

they were elsewhere, the

declined,

protesting spirit
all

very short time only.

and

it is

admitted on

hands that

The presbytery

uf Strathbogie

became the

THE SECEDEKSTHE FEEE CHURCH.

point at which

167

both combatants decided to

coolly,

and rejected the appeal by a large

fight the question out.

Only one male comcall " to

majority.

municant could be got to sign the "

a
certain
3Ir.

In the meanwhile a great lesson was preparing for cynics and

general.

Edwards.

The Assembly
apjilied

men

of the world in

directed the presbytery to "present" another

minister,
for

As we have

before said,

we

are

upon which Mr. Edwards

dealing with this story simply as a matter of

history,

an interdict from the Court of Session

it.

and without passing any judgment

of the Disruption

and obtained

The presbytery, composed

between the Veto

upon the principle or policy

of seven ministers, placed

except such as any honest and disengaged

Law and
civil

the civil power, chose to obey the

power, and Mr. Edwards retained, so

far,

the power of spiritual ministration to the

mind might pass; but all over the world, among aU classes of religionists, thei'e was but one opinion of the lesson of which we have
spoken.

one communicant. But the General Assembly

Was it

possible, the worldlings asked,

had their powers too; they summoned the

seven ministers of the Strathbogie presbytery
into their presence, and,

that any considerable

number

of ministei-s

would give up position and daily bread

ecclesiastical policy or principle

at the

on the motion

of

bidding of a simple conviction on a point of

?

Chalmers, deposed the whole seven, declared

their parishe."! vacant, ministers.

The

cynics

and appointed fresh

the deposed

decided that

it

was not

possible,
thiit

and the more

only about a

Upon

this

seven

sanguine Intrusionists held

appealed, and the Court of Session passed an

interdict against theother and

dozen ministers wovJd secede.

newly appointed

On
met

the 18th of

May,

1843, the

Assembly

seven.

Meanwhile, the words Intrusionist and

in St.

Andrew's Church, Edinburgh. Dr.

Non-intrusionist, Auchterarder
bogie,

and Strath-

Welsh, the outgoing modei'ator, took the

chair (according to custom); but

were becoming household words in

nowdescended

England; the pcrfervidura ingenium Scotorwn

got as far as physical force in a few cases; and
the Dissentei-s everywhere were in high hopes that the final outcome of this crucial case

the thunderbolt.

Instead of taking the next

routine step. Dr. Welsh, with evident sorrow

and deep solemnity, read a declaration of secession on behaK of himself and no fewer than
168 ministers of the Scotch Church. These 168
seceding brethren rose, and withdrew on the
spot.

would
ciple of

settle

the old questions for ever

in
if

spite of the loyalty of

Chalmers to the prinstate.

an Established Church in every

flung, other things were.

Led by Dr. Welsh and Dr.

Chalmei-s,

Of course Jenny Geddes was invoked, and

stools

and followed by cheers

the}'

outside, with

which

were not

The question was

had the best
of

serious enough, but for

would have been glad to dispense, these ministers walked in procession to the buUdiug
at

the space of about two yeai-s the Intnosionists

it.

CanonmUls which had been prepared for

In 1843 Lord Aberdeen,

the occasion, where they found 300 more of the seceding clergy, and a gi-eat number of

acting on the side of the Intrusionists, brought

in a bill giving the presbyteiy

power

to reject

laymen.

Jeffrey,

then

Lord

Jeffrey,

was
it

the nominees of lay patrons.

This might

hardly the
in such

man from whom much

enthusiasm
for,

have answered
a secession
if it

the

purpose of preventing
into

a matter was to be looked

that, looking
if

but

had been introduced

late.

was said
teai-s

on the procession with

pai'liameut at

an

earlier stage of the matter,

in his eyes I

not on his cheeks, he said,

but
to

it

was now too

It took a long time

"Thank God
spectacle

am

a Scotchman!

Such a

become law, and

in reply to a

memorial

could not

be seen in any other

from the Assembly Sir James Graham had

used language which did not cool the flames

country

I"

On
was

this

The appeal from the Assembly to parliament came to nothing, and though a rupture was now imminent, the House of Commons treated the matter rather
that were
raging.

now

constituted,

day the Free Church of Scotlaml and for some time the suffer-

ings of both people and preachers were in

many

cases gi'eat.

Though the genius

of

Chalmers as an economist had previously

IGS

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

Fund (a great financial
unnecessai'y to dwell),

devised tlieSusteut-ition

Tract

XC, seceded

to the

Church

of

Rome, he

scheme upon which

it is

was shortly followed by

Wilberforce.
to

others,

among whom

and though,
no
less

in a very

bad year commercially,

was Robert Wilberforce, the brother of Bishop

than i'300,000 was subscribed towards the support of the Free Kirk in a few months,

The latter is said to have gone Howley for advice under the circumstances,
to

much hardship and privation to be gone through. The gi'eat landlords were very long before they would allow churches or mauses to be built on their estates, and in cold aud heat many of the seceders met for divine
there was
service in the open air as the Covenanters

and

have asked the question, "

How

does

your grace think I ought now

brother]"

to treat

my

The
smile,

kindly

archbishop smiled
answered,
"

serious

and

As a

brother."

had

But uot even

raeli

so amiable a prelate as this

done before them. In the centurj' with which

could keep things smooth in London.

DLs-

we have

to deal this story stands alone for

has drawn a masterly sketch of the

moral sublimity, take which side we will on

the question of intrusion aud uon-intrusion.
It

bishop of that see, aud his

way

of dealing

with the

difficulties

that were
"

constantly
of those
little

was uot alone in Scotland that the winds

let

coming before him.

leaders
real

He

was one

were

loose.

There were mutteriugs of

all

storm south of the Tweed, and indeed

over

Having knowledge, and not endowed with

are not guides.

who

those

Europe where the question

rights of church

of the respective

high qualities of intellect which permit their

possessor to generalize the details aflbrded

and

state could arise.

In

by

1844 the discussions on the Dissenters' Chapels

Bill

study and experience, and so deduce rules of

conduct; his lordship,
fi'equent appeals,

were made use of for the purpose

of rais-

when he

received those
necessar}-

ing wider issues than the measure appeared to

touch.

which were the

life,

To

these wider issues

INIi'.

Gladstone,

consequence of his officious

scure,

became obinconsistent,

among
those

others, showed himself wide awake. In England the Nonconformists proper

confused,

contradictory,

illogical.

The

oracle

was always dark. Placed

political analysis,

who had

all

along hoped that the Scot-

in a high post in

an age of

tish secession

would, by the mere force of

the bustling intermeddler was unable to supply

society with a single solution.

events, land the seceders

on that farther shore

Enunciating

upon which they themselves stood

the Anti-State Church Association
as the Liberation Society),

had

now

second-hand, with cbaractei-istic precipitation,

a special organ, the Nonconformist. This, like

some big principle

in vogue, as

if

he were a
its

(nowkuown

discoverer, he invariably shrank

from

sub-

was originated by
his partisans,

sequent application the

it

moment

that he found

Mr. Edward Miall, who, with

aimed at nothing
tion of chm-ch
less

might be unpopular and inconvenient.

All

than the entire separa-

his quandaries terminated in the

same

catas-

and
if

state in these islands;

it

and

trophe

a comproiuise.
little

indeed acted as

they thought

not so very

" Beginning with the second reformation,

remote a

possibility.

which was a

rash but dashing, the

Many
this

things seemed at the time to favour

bishop, always read}',

had in the course

of his

hope on the part of the Dissenters south of

episcopal career placed himself at the head of

evei-y

the Tweed.
fruit,

and what was known

The Oxford movement had borne as the High Church

In
184.')

movement

in the

church which others

had

originated,

aud had as regularly with-

party was rapidly gaining ground.

there were so

many portents of coming trouble

Archbishop
of

drawn at the right moment, when the heat was over, or had become, on the contrary,
excessive.

that
issued

Howley,

Canterbury,

Furiously

evangelical,

soberly

an address to the

clergy,

recommend-

high and dry, and fervently Puseyite, each

phasis of his faith concludes with

ing mutual forbearance between high and

low.

what the
"'

No

prelate could be

more amiable than

is

Spaniards term a

'

ti-ansaction.'"

Howley, and one very good thing

of him.

reported

The Bishop

of

London pledged himseK

to

After J. H.

Newman,

the author of

the young " Tancred " that there would be a

DK.
:

HAMPDENTHE GOEHAM
tliis

CASE.

109

isliop at

ilaucUester soon, and iu 1847 his

Committee of Privy Council on Education

pledge was fulfilled; but

was not

tlie

which accomi)anied the increase

of

tlie

annual

kind of advance to satisfy the

new

party

grant for education to 100,001), contained

provisions as to the application of the

which Disraeli had set himself to form.

pai-ty, for

This

money

whom

he sketched the programme,

cared nothing for what they called " a paiiia-

which aroused not simply disjjleasure, but violent and angi-y opposition. Since those day.s
Dissenters have changed their front iu regard
to national education (or the large majority of

mentary church

;"

they

made no

secret of their
still.

desire to go back to Laud,

and farther

The

throne, the ten-itorial aristocracy, and

them have done

least the

so);

but the prevailing, or at

at to

the priesthood were to be at the top, the poor

at the bottom,

central

and authoritative view

state

and the middle

classes no-

that time

was that the

had no right

where. That was the scheme. " The parochial

system, though shaken by the fatal poor-law,
is still

interfere at all with the education of the people.

Now

it

was

held,

and no doubt

justly,

the most ancient, the most compreheninstitution of the

that certain provisions in these minutes would

sive,

and the most popular

;

tend to increase the power of the Established

country

the younger priests are, in general,

Church in the matter

of popular education.

men whose souls are awake to the high mission

which they have
to fulfil,
;

That any increase in the grant would be opposed by the Church party, and effectually
oj)posed, unless they

and which
there
is,

their

predecessors so neglected

I think,

were

conciliated,

was no

a rising feeling in the community, that par-

argument
the

in the

minds of the more

in

" advanced"

liamentary interference in matters ecclesiastical

has not tended either to the spiritual or to the
material elevation
of

political Dis.sentei-s,

and Mr. Bright took up

opposing
Radicals,

"advanced" ground

the

the

humbler
state,

oi'ders.

minutes.

The Philosophical
Radicals),

and

Divorce the church from the

spiritual

and the

that very unphOosojihical Eadical, Mr.

Dunthe

power that struggled against the

combe (with other

opposed

brute force of the dark ages against tyrannical

minutes, but did not back

up Mr.

Bright.

monarchs and barbarous barons will struggle

again in opposition to influences of a different
form, but of a similar tendency, equally
selfish,

When, however, the

was
created,

bishopric of Manchester
bill for
it

and the

doing so declared

in its preamble that

was expedient that

up in and Radicals
sense.

equally insensible, equally barbarizing.

priests of

The

three other bishoprics should be set

this

God
!

are the tribunes of the people.

country, Whigs, Tories,

O, ignorant

that with such a mission they

united in opposing the declaration, and the

should never have cringed in the ante-chambers of ministers, or

preamble was amended in that

But

bowed

before parliamenDisraeli.

the waters were out, and (Jds was only a

trifle.

tary committees

!"

So wrote

Whatever might be

said for or against this

pai-t

It

might almost be said that

in
little,

in the

Hamp-

scheme, with especial relation to the

that

den case we had,

of Strathbogie.

a question like that

the church was to take in the general progress

Dr. Hampden's heterodoxy

and government of

society, certain it is that

was

of a

kind which would now pass utterly

Dr.

events were hastening to throw side-lights

imnoticed, but those were bigoted and unscru-

upon the whole subject.

When

once

it

be-

pulous days.

Hampden had

in

some

re-

came plain that free-trade could no longer be postponed, and that somehow or other it
would be earned over the heads
corn-laws),
of its

spects succeeded to the position of Dr. Ai-nold,

enemies

and had made himself obnoxious "Tractarian party," as it was then

to the
called.

(much more when Sir Eobert had repealed the

the
Dissenters

Nor was he welcome

called the

to

what would now be

everjTvhere

set

Low Church

party as a body.

He

themselves to force the question of disestablish-

had

fallen

under the censure of

his university

ment to the front. Lord John Eussell and some others offended the Nonconfonnists in
more ways than
one.

(Oxford) for his opinions, and he was no friend

of a high-handed ecclesiastical policy.

When

But the Minutes

of the

Lord John EusseU nominated him

to the see

170
of

GLADSTONE AND HIS CUNTEMPORAEIES.

Hereford, great was
the outer}'.
Tlie

For example, he not only refused to release

one of his clergy, the Rev. J. Shore, from his
ordination vows, but prosecuted
ecclesiastical courts for
license,

Eishop of Exeter, Philpott, was the stormy

jietrel of

those times, aud

much

caricatui-e. fight,

As

a very

was the subject of hii^h churchman

it

him

in the

preaching without a
case

he began the

aud kept

gomg

in

ways

and followed the

sympathy months

up

to actual im-

that led to his being burned in effigy as well

;is

prisonment. Ml'. Shore (whose misfortune excited great

pretty strongly abused.

Thirteen bishojjs

at the time) remaining

united in praying the premier to cancel the

in jail three

for

nonpayment

of costs.

appointment, aud the Dean of Hereford declared his intention of disobeying the conge

This was an act of high-handedness which not

even the celebrated Bishop Wilson of Sodor

Lord John then wrote him a very (lelire. curt and careful letter, in which he acknowledged the receipt of one from the dean, in
which he had "announced
his intention of

and

Man would have been guilty of. More imwas the

gi-eat

portant, however,

Gorham

case,
filled

which kept all Englaud in hot water and

the secular- journals with writing about " pre-

breaking the law;"aud his loxxlship threatened

the vinfortunate cleric with nothing less than
the penalties of the statute of pi-cemunire.

venient grace" aud other such recoudite matter's

As

ter

hardly anybody knew what this meant (though

the subject
is

while it lasted. The great Bishop of Exewas agam the originator of the strife, but the result was anything but agreeable to him

simple enough) the merriment

and

his pai'ty.

now grew
become

louder and louder.

What would
?

Lord - chancellor Cottenham, Lord

John

of the

Dean

of Hereford

The greater

Eussell being premier at the time, nominated

number
rities
;

of the chapter took the usual legal

the Rev. Cornelius Gorham, formerly fellow

of Queen's College, Cambridge,
of
St.

course of compliance; the highest legal autho-

and then

vicai-

decided that the ai'chbishop must do the

in the

Just in Penrith, to the vicarage of

same and Dr. Hampden was confii-med

appointment at
16th
of

Brampford-Speke, in the diocese of Exeter.

Bishop Philpott refused to institute Mr. Gor-

Bow

Church, London, on the

1848.

January,

The

recalcitrant

ham, stating

that,

having examined him, he

to the

ecclesiastics

were there by their proctors aud

had found him to be unsound according

baptism,

claimed to be heard in opposition to the confirmation; but the election

doctrine of the English Church upon the subject of

was pronounced
Records

Mr. Gorham maintaining

"unanimous" in due form, and Dr. Hampden

took his place as Bishop of Hereford.
yet exist, in jirivate or published

that the rite was not accompanied (necessarily)

by

spiritual regeneration,

aud

especially that

lettei-s

and

infants are not therein "

made membei-s

of

otherwise, of the pai'tial "block" in busy

Christ and children of God," as the

ai'ticles

Cheapside on this

cxirious occasion.

Nobody
an un-

was whoUy pleased with the

for

result of

and the catechism declaxe they are. Any omission of details like these would leave the
story imintelligible, particulai'ly in
its

seemly contest, aud Lord John Eussell was

bearing

some

little

time under a cloud for

tact

Iiis

upon subsequent conflicts between

secular
authorities

clerical

aud
the

haughtiness and want of

in a matter

or

partisans.

By
it

which most people fancied might have been

better managed.

Arches Court of Canterbui'y, before which

this dispute

This

case,

however, was

came

in regular course,

only the beginning of a longer story, in which

the relations of the clergy of the Established

decided that "baptismal regeneration"

was was

the doctrine of the Church of England, that

Church

of

peared to

England aud the state have apbe more aud more stretched as time
Bishop Philpott of Exeter was, as

Mr. Gorham held doctrines opposed

of the articles,

to those

and that consequently the

went

on.

bishop, against whose decision appeal

was

has been ali-eady suggested, the great malleus

h(ereticonan in the
all particulai-s

Church

of

England, and

in

made, had rightly refused to institute Mr. Gorham. The appeal was dismissed with
costs against the appellant,

sought to enforce the last jot

and immense was

and

tittle of

the law in ecclesiastical mattci-s.

the excitement of that party in the Establish-

CARDINAL WISEMAN ECCLESIASTICAL TITLES ACT.

inent,
iiuw,

171

then a

much

larger party tliau

it

is

courts

and the country

for

who

sidetl

with the appellant, to say

literature of the subject

two years. The was enormous, and

blood iu
it.

liothiug of the

whole mass of Dissenters, who

there was, of course,

much hot

were of course with him on the point of

iloctrine as lield

by

liiniself,

whatever they

was now brought out clearly first time tliat there was in the Chuixh
it

But

for the
of

Eng-

thought of his attitude in relation to the thirtynine

ai'ticles

land no legal authority, with power to enforce

its decrees,

and the church

of

which he was
rest here,

that could establish or disestablish

sucli.

a member.

points of doctrine as

It will be import-

Of course the question was not to

way.

ant to bear- this iu

years brings this
recent and perhaps

nor was the lord-chancellor to be beaten iu

this

mind when the narrative down

more
of the

course of
to

more

Mr. Gorh;rm appealed

to

the

intricate cases; iu

judicial

committee of the privy council,

who

which the precedent

Gorham

case has

declai-ed that the questions

put by Bishop

been followed in this particular.

out some of the good

Of course

PhUpott to Mr. Gorham in his examination

liad

these controveraies were not carried on with-

been intricate and vexatious, while on

the other

hand the clergyman's

But now came
that they

answer's

had

not been as straightforwai-d as they might

have been.
Fii-st

their decision.
authoi-ities

of all, these highest legal

humour and "fun" which One caricature represented the Dean of Hereford startled in bed at night by a ghost bearing the features of Lord John Eussell, and labelled
aie characteristic of the English people.

laid

it

down

had no power
no

to deterjurisdic''

prmmunirc ; and another showed the Bishop

of

mine points
in the

of dooti'ine as such,

Exeter under an attack of influenza making

faces over a basin

tion for settling

what should be

" the faith

wry

marked with the

woi'ds

Church

of Eiigland; all they could

do

"Gorham Gruel," wliile John Bull

dressed as a

was

to deid with the legal application of the

nurse popped his head into the room saying,

articles

and other formularies. The committee

"You have
it?"

got your gruel,

how do you

like

in their

judgment recalled

facts

which had

The explanation
it

of the allusion

would be

not at that time become so

much common
in such matters.

beneath the dignity of the muse of history, but

public property as they have since, though

was well "understanded

of the people."

they were not

It

new to students

was

clear that the promoters of the refor-

mation of the English Chux-ch held widely

different opinions

Cardinal

The general public have long ago forgotten Wiseman but there was a time
;

on the subject of baptism

when he was

the central figure of as great a

that distinguished prelates,

whose orthodoxy

commotion as any lover of popular excitement

need desire to witness.
too,

no one had ever impeached, had held views

similar to
practice

His

face

and

figure,

Mr. Gorham's, and that in law and

differences of opinion

were very familiar, through portraits

health did not permit the
first

many

had been
of

chiefly, for his

held

consistent

with
court,

subscription
then,

the

Cardinal Ar-chbishop of Westminster to show

himself as

articles.

The

expressing

no

much

as his successor has done.

opinion as the theological soundness of Mr.

(iorham's doctrines (which was not within
function), decided that
its

Neither did Cardinal Wiseman lead so active

a
life.

Dr.

Manning has a

face

and

air at

he was within the law

thei'efore revereed

once ascetic and commanding.

Dr.

Wiseman
fleshed,

and the

practice,

and they

had

not.

His face was broad and well

the decision of the court below.

Mr. Gorham
to

his chin

was double, and he

certainly

had

was in due course now instituted

portion of the
clergy caDed

Bramp-

nothing ascetic in his appearance; on the contrary, he looked (to recall the

ford-Speke, and great was the triumph of that

Evangelical,

words

of

a rude

Protestant) "as

if

he took his glass reg'lar!"

iu art, a great linguist,

a large number of

whom

were prepared to
if

He

was accomplished
self-restrained

secede from the Establishment

of

the decision

and a
sialist.

and jjausible controverat

Seville

the

privy council conmiittee

had gone

Though born

he was of

against him.

This

Gorham

case occupied the

Irish extraction,

and was partly educated at

172
Walei-forJ.

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAKIES.

His
college career at

Rome was
when

England, and they even assumed

titles,

territorial

one of the most splendid on record, and

he came to England
his acquirements as
it

the latter, however, being imaginary.

title of

an Oriental

was not long before scholar, and

on Cath-

For instance, Wiseman had the

of

Bisho])
of the

Melipotamus.

But from the time

his thoughtful ingenuity as a writer

olic

Catholic Relief Act there had been a growing

desire

theology and

its

connection with science,

among

Catholics abroad as well as in

in this

made him

conspicuous.

He

took an active

England that there should be a revival

and effective part in the Tractarian controversy, and, with the aid of O'Connell, founded

country of their ancient system of territorial

sees,

and

this

was part

of a general feeling

that remarkable organ of opinion,

Iteviaw.

tlie

Dublin kind

that the time was come

when the Roman

His talents were

of just the

Catholic system in general might safely, and

that were wanted for the

Roman Catholic cause

with advantage to

itself,

take up a more pro-

at that time, and at about forty-four years of

minent position iu

this country, not to say a

age Nicholas

Apostolic of the

Wiseman was appointed Vicar London district, having for

more authoritative
been maintained,
if

one.

It has,

we

believe,

not proved, that in prois

some time previously borne the title of Bishop The of Melipotamus hi partilms infidcUwn. effects of the Tractarian, or, as it was then
called,

portion to the population there

of

no

" increase
;

''

Roman

Catholicism in England
it

but

it is

undoubtedly true that

of the

has, since the date of

Puseyite

movement had
it

of course

been

permanent endowment

Maynooth,

watched at

Rome, where

was now thought

been, to use a Gallicism,

dence; has claimed
attention,

the time had come for a stroke of policy which

much more en eviand received much more

in a

should supersede the necessity for "vicars

apostolic."

and been treated

more

liberal

and

conciliatory spirit.

At
of

the time of the

This brings us to the point at which the

subject of the Papal aggression, as
it

aggression the Protestant public were yet very

sore

was

upon the subject

Maynooth, and

all

termed, comes into view.

Since the final es-

was ready

for a ferment.

tablishment of Protestantism by law as the

religion of this country,

Things standing thus, the pope (who was

then, of course, a temporal prince) took

members

of the Es-

upon

tablished Church had of course

filled
titles.

the sees,
It

himself in 1850 to divide England into twelve

sees,

and held
illegal for

territorial or local

was

one of them being the archbishopric of

any bishop

of the

Roman

Catholic
diffi-

Westminster, to which Cardinal

appointed.

Wiseman was

Church
culty

to officiate in England,

and the

Care was taken to avoid clashing

which hence arose in carrying out the

with the
sees,

territorial
it

names

of the Established

regular functions of an episcopal church

among

and

was contended by a

large minority

the "faithless" {in partibus infidelium) was

that there

was nothing

in the measure that interference on our

got over by a system of vicars apostolic, or

delegates from the po]ie himself.

called for the slightest

part.

by the

act 10 Geo. IV.

title

c. vii., it

Then again, was provided

Any

reader of this history

may
of

if

he

pleases write

upon

his cards
;

Marquis

Mel-

that the right and

of archbishops to their

rose

and Baron Smithfield

respective provinces, of bishops to their sees,

the minority) were not the

as

and why (asked Roman Catholics

names

and

of

deans to their deaneries,

as in Ireland,

;U3

well in

much

at liberty to assign territorial

England

having been settled

to what they called bishoprics as the Wesleyans

to their circuits or stations?

and established by law, "any person other

tlian the person thereto entitled

This, however,

who should

did not weigh against the strange

of

phenomenon
St.

assume

to use the

name,

style, or title of arch-

a papal rescript or brief issued from

bishop of any province, bishop of any bishopric,

or dean of

Peter's,

"under the ring

of the Fisherman,"

any deanery in England or Ireland,

dated 30th September, 1850, especially as this

should for every such offence forfeit 100."

was followed by a
Cardinal, then at

pastoral letter from the

In a quiet way, meanwhile,

bishojis did

Roman

Catholic

Rome, which was "(iiven

Dr. Candiish

exercise episcojial

functions in

out of the Flaminian Gate.''

AXTI-EOMANISM POPULAR EXCITEilENT.

a I, J others in
t

173

Scotland sounded terrible notes

crown the discretion to prosecute or not any

offensive denial of the queen's rights.

alarm

which was not to be wondered at

commencement
of the session of

My purto

ikI

3145 petitions were presented to parliaat the

pose

was fully answereJ. Those who wi.shed

ment

give the pope the right of appointing bishops in

1851, protesting against " the recent measures

England opposed the bUl.

When my object had

act.
oflice,

taken by the pope for the est;iblishment of a

been gained I had noobjectionto repeal the

liomau Catholic hierarchy in England."

excitement was
general

The
and

During

my

temporary resignation of
of

and

intense,

which took place on the question

franchise.

Mr. Locke
Sir

certainly not unnatural.

l)ublished an
Sense,

Appeal

to

Wiseman our Reason and Good

Cardinal

King's motion for an alteration of the county

Lord

Aberdeen and
to persuade
bill,

James
not to

but the storm was not allayed

and

Graham endeavoured
persevere with the

me

even ilr. Gladstone thought

Letter, &c. &c.,

the I'astoral

but to be

satisfied

with

somewhat

strong.

Lord John

parliamentary resolutions asserting the rights

of the crowu.

Eussell wrote an indignant letter to the BLshop

I did not like to retire from

Durham, and introduced a bill imposing a penalty of 100 for every contravention of
cf

the position I had assumed. the course suggested

But in substance by Lord Aberdeen would

and
less ofiensive

provisions which

made

the lissumptiou of ter-

have been as

effectual

than

ritorial episcopal titles in

illegal.

England or Ireland
to be recoverable
the consent

that which I adopted."

The penalty was

suit of

The

caricature in

which Lord John was

upon the

anybody, with

of

represented

as

little

boy running away

the attorney -general in

England or the advocateIn Ireland this

frightened after having chalked

up Xo Popery
in

general in Scotland, in which latter country the

existing sees were excepted.
act, called

on Cardinal Wiseman's door appeared Punch.

It

the Ecclesiastical Titles Assump-

may be mentioned

that both Oxford uni-

tion Act (14

&

15 Victoria cap. xlix.),

was

per-

versity (for which

Mr. Gladstone was the memof

haps broken here and there, but no prosecutions

ber) and that of Cambridge presented petitions

to the

took place under

its

provisions,

and

queen in favour

the bUl.

Her

eventually, after
ai-y

an inquiry by a parliamentcommittee, it was repealed. Mr. Gladstone

bill,

majesty received the petitions in the presence

of the Prince Consort

and Lord John, and

reflect gieat ci-edit

opposed the

and though

it

was passed by

replied in terms

which
" I

on

a large majority. Lord

in his Recollections his

John Eussell has given

" I did

their inventor.

thank you," said her

your expression of
for the blessings

a rather halting account of

majesty, " for youi- loyal and dutiful address.

I
fully

own

pei-formance in this matter.

participate

in

not," says his lordship

when Earl

Eussell
it

and

gratitude to Almighty
wliich

God

veiy late in

life,

" 1 did not think

necessiiry

He

has been pleased to bestow upon

to enter into

any minute explanations of

my

this country,

and I

rejoice in the proofs

which

reasons for introducing a bUl for the jjreveution of the assumption of ecclesiastical titles

have been given of the zealous and undiminished attachment of the people of England to

by the
It

pope.

The

object of that bill

was

the principles asserted at the Eeformation.

merely to assert the supremacy of the crown.

While

it

is

my my

eaiTiest

wish that complete

was never intended

to prosecute

any

Eoman

freedom of conscience should be enjoyed by

all classes of

Catholic bishops

who did not act in glaring and

artist re-

subjects, it is

my

constant

ostentatious defiance of the queen's title to the

aim

to uphold the great privileges

and extend

crown.

Accordingly a very clever

the usefulness of the church established

by

presented

chalked

me in a caricature as a boj' who had up No Popery upon a wall and then

'

law in this country, and to secure

to

my people

'

the full possession of their ancient rights and

liberties."

run away. This was a very fair joke. In fact

I

wanted to place the

a.ssertion of the queen's

While the queen read

rather excited, and Loid
his chin.

this reply she looked

title

to appoint bi.shops
it.

on the statute-book

Jolm Eussell stroked

certainly carried out

and there leave

kept in the hands of the

The address


174
to
tlie letter

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOE ARIES.

the lawyer's advice, " Listen to
tell

in the air every

way.

Some

of the poems,

all tliat

other people say and never

them

sermons, and speeches of Kingsley and others

anj'thing.''

gave a strange voice to the peut-up excitement

of the time
:

To conclude, as we began, with Cardinal Wiseman. Although he studiously "made

himself agreeable," seized on "sympathetic"
topics with great dexterity,

"

T/ie

Day

of

tin'

Its

storms

roll

Lord is at hand, up the sky

sigh.

nt

hand!

and wrote a story

The nations
All

sleep starring on heaps of gold

called Fahiola,

which had some popularity, the

dreamers toss and

general British public never liked him.

was

too adroit, too artistic, too

much

He man of

the world.

Eightly or wrongly he passed for

of ambition and showy

Gather you, gather you, angels of God Freedom, and Mercy, and Truth Come for the Earth is gi'own coward and Come down and renew us her youth.
;
!

old;

a clever bon vivant, full

rather than solid ability.

He

lived only

till

he was sixty-three years of age.

It mu!5t be

remembered again and again

that the public

mind had been

since 1S45-G,

and

all

thi'ough the years of revolution, under

a perfect cyclone of excitement.

things were said on
Peel's

Some very
Sir Eobert

Gather you, gather you, hounds of hell Famine, and Plague, and War Idleness, Bigotry, Cant, and Misrule, Gather and fall in tlie snare Hireling and Mammonite, Bigot and Knave, Crawl to the battle-field, sneak to yom- grave, lit the Day of the Lord at hand."
!

absurd and some very harsh and unguarded

all

The more
souls

earnest of the prophetic or poetic

hands.

were deeply disappointed when the hoOther excite-

measure for the permanent endowof

rizon cleared, and the nobler enthusiasms of

ment
vote,

Maynooth (the grant

in relation to

to

which had

the hour died out, as they did.

previously

been dependent on an annual

ment was

to come, but the year of the Great

and
be

which Mr. Gladhereafter)

Exhibition, wliich

we

are

now

approaching,

stone took a coui-se the significance of which

will
still

scarcely answered to the spirit of those pas-

further

seen

had

sionate lines of the author of Alton

Lode.

stretched to the utmost the patience of the

old-fashioned

Protestant

party.

Rioting,

The

subject of f!ogging in the

army had

burning in

effigy,
all

pamphlets, sermons, "mass"

the strongest machinery of

never been quite allowed to sleep for

years past.

many
mo-

meetings, and

Mr.

Hume

and others had kept

religious agitation

had been

set in motion.

public attention on the alert

tions, or

by

speeches,

Maynooth was the cause of the Irish famine, It was what and also of the cholera of 1849 had encouraged the pope The cause of Italian
!

pamphlets, and in 1847 occurred an

itself,

incident which, melancholy in

jsroved

beneficent in

its results.

freedom had been cruelh^ checked by the

terference
of

in-

The

records of military and naval floggin^r,

France at the instigation of

like those of the cruelties of slavery

and the

Roman
trusted.

Catholic bigots.

Nobody was

to

be

Inquisition, are unfit to be read

practically

Macaulay, who supported the grant,

they have been kept under lock and key, except on rare occasions.
of victory

talked of "the bray of Exeter Hall"

called

nay, he
little

men

like Candlish

and

Hugh M'Neile
This

In the good old days and glory a thousand lashes was

these would

"braying asses"

for which some reports,

not a very

uncommon award, and

It

to his advantage, gave "praying asses." cost

be doled out in such portions as the

able to bear.

man was
to find a

him his

seat at the election of 1847.

there liad been the Cliartist scare,

Then and some

was not unusual

for debate

soldier so torn with the lash all over

it

him

that
offi-

had maintained that Jesuits were busily employed in that also;

that the policy of the
to

was a question

between the

cers

and the surgeon on what part of the body

infliction

Roman

Catholics

was

shake the foundations

some new

should be made.
it

We will

of belief

and

social order, for a short time, in

not shock any one, or m.ake

impossible to

order to drive England back into the bosom

of

read this page aloud, by quoting tliose instances

in

Holy Church

lu fact there was tluinder

which the sentence, or supplement to the

ADVANCES IN SCIENCE- SOCIAL PROGRESS.

sentence, specifies the particular

175

manner

in

weighed upon lam that he was nearly beaten

out of heart and hope, and
felt

which

tlie

ksh

is

to be applied.

Drimkenuess

almost afraid

was avery frequent occasion for these cruelties;

but of course no

to wi'ite of " heroism " in the history of

Rome

man was

ever cured by being

on which he was engaged. But he persevered

till

flogged half his lifetime, from the shoulder to

he died

of

angina pectoris

in the very
an
indelible

below the thighs, chop and change about. As

soon as ever the poor wretch was out of hospital
tion,

prime of his powei-s.

He

has

left

mark upon public-school education in England.

In the matter of
did
little

he naturally diank again.

Insubordina-

rudeness to superiore, was also a common

Roman history Arnold more than popularize Niebuhr; but

may be
allowed

excuse fur cutting a

di"eadful cat

man

in pieces with the

this reference to the subject

which was then used in the navy.

for no

to introduce the

This also was an offence which was likely to

repeat
feel
itself,

remark that the serious and critical study of history was now becoming more

man

could be expected to

general in this country.

large

Even the

public at

kindly to a superior

who had
to

treated

him

began now

to

have a vague idea that

after all

cruelly,

and was always hinting

in a vague

Romulus was not suckled by a woK

for

way

that he

was ready
all

do

it

again.

The

the word myth, though often erroneously used

case of the private in the Scots Greys,

known

afterwards to

friends of the repeal of the

into popular use

any untnie story whatever, was coming and even schoolboys i:)icked
;

corn-laws as an able writer under the signature of

up such wicked notions as that Homer did not

compose either the Iliad or the Odyssey
notions which,
it is

"One who has "Whistled at the Plough,"

lash

had already excited much attention and

pretty well known, have en-

shown the danger which attended the

and
it

now happened that a private soldier conto 200 lashes at

demned
was

Hounslow BaiTacks

During the decade which began

in 1840-1,

killed

by the punishment.

We will

not

and ended

in 1850, there are

many

striking

by the medical evidence given at the coroner's inquest, but Mr. Wakley, of the Lancet, and Radical member for Finsbury, took up the subject with discretion as well as
sicken any one
ardour, and though

events to be registered, which relate, some of

them

to the progi-ess of science proper, others

to the general

enlargement of our knowledge,

he and his coadjutors

could not get a vote of the

House

of

Commons

more obvious The first importation of the manure known as Guano well deserves to
others to the increase of our
internal resources.

for the abolition of the pi-actice, the pressure

be signalized, for the hopes which

were, for a time, unbounded, and
it

it

raised
fol-

of public opinion (and

it

was said the recom-

was

mendation of the queen) induced the Duke of

Wellington to issue an order that in future
the

lowed by new applications of science to agri-

number

of lashes should not exceed fifty.

Between the accession

end of the
first

of the

queen and the

The completion and opening of the Thames Tunnel was a triumph of enterprise and engineering skill, l:.ut, like so many of the gigantic and wonderfid projects of the elder
culture.

half century a serious

and

Brunei,
pay.

it

was not very

useful,

and

it

did not

important impulse was given to the subject of

high-class education.

This was the work of

one man. Dr. Arnold of Rugby,

who had some

is

The completion of the Britannia Tubular Bridge was a more practical success. The commencement of Mr. Layard's excavations
near Nineveh was the
lar enterprises
lai-ged
fii^st

reputation as a scholar and historian, but

of a series of simi-

whose chief claim to recollection

ferent order.

of a dif-

which have wonderfully en-

He

it

was who, with devout

first

our knowledge of the Orient in ancient

patience

and endless labour,

made a
solid

times; and since the date of his labours

have, following

we

public school

a nursery of goodness and

his

up

similar tracks, touched

bravery of character.

"SMiat awful trials he

imderwent at Rugby

own pen has

told us.

upon times that may be called prehistoric. The completion of the great telescope of Lord
Rofse
is

The baseness and

brutalitj- of

the boys so

an event that cannot be omitted

176

GLADSTONli
of the jilanet

AND HIS CONTEMPORAKIES.

Combe,
as
is

and the discovery

Neptune, by

well known, was the leader of

daj's,

our couutryiuan Adams, belongs to the highest sphere of scientihc triumph.

the phrenological school of those

and

Mr. Adams

was unquestionably an able and useful man.

His brother Andrew was one
of that
of the foremost

and the French astronomer Le Veriier had

long been engaged in the study of the perturbations of the planet Uranus, and the latter

band

of medical

men who devoted

pen and otherwise,

more
to

of their energy, with

was the

first

to publish to the world that his

" hj'gieue "

than to mere medication by

investigations
of the other

had

clearly

proved the existence

orb.

drugs; and had the honour of being appointed

in 1847 one of the queen's physicians in ordi-

and remote

Adams was

really the iirst to determine the e.xact place

of

nary for Scotland.

He

lived

on

till

fifty

Neptune, which ho did in October, 1845,

till

with "scarcely any lungs," and at

supposed to have
of the
lost his life in

last

was

but he kept his calculations to himself

little

consequence

too late for his fame, according to the

unhealthy arrangements of a ship iu

fi'om America.

etiquette whicli gives the precedence to the

first one that " speaks."

which he had travelled few weeks before

However, the Royal

of St.

his death he addressed to

Astronomical Society awarded equal honours

to the

the Times a powerful letter on this subject,

two savans, and the University

and

it

was the

first

impulse towards great

Andrews made Mr. Adams

mathematics.

their professor of

and continuous reforms.

Before cpiitting the atmosphere of science
it

Subsequently that gentleman

to a post of high distinction at

was appointed
Cambridge.
Science
in

may be mentioned

that Mrs. SomerviUe,

general

had by degrees been

whose noble work on the Connection of the P/ii/sical Sciences had been dedicated to the
queen, produced in 1847 her well-known book

claiming more and more of the public attention,

and addressing
and sanitary

itself

more decidedly

to

on Physical Geography.
small

She was one

of a

social

jiroblems.

Geology had

band

of

unobtrusive ladies (Caroline

made immense progress, amidst violent opposition from many theologians; and intense was the excitement and loud the outcry when Dean Buckland, who had distinguished himself in the science, was appointed Dean of
Westminster in 1847.
Natural
Still

Herschell, the sister of Sir John, being another)

whose example did much

to heighten

popular notions of female culture.

In 1847 the

distress in Ireland

and the

long-drawn consequences of the railway mania

of 1845-6 resulted in a terrible commercial
crisis.

more vehement
Vesti/jes

were the denunciations when the

tlie

of

The lowest bank-rate

of discount

was

JJistorij

of Creation were pub-

then 8 per cent, and in October of 1847 the

lished in 1844.
called

In

this

work what was then

development," but
is

Bank Charter Act

ehisticity to

was, by compulsion, sus-

" the theory of

pended for a time, in order to give greater

uow known

as that of " evolution,"

was

first

money

operations.

We find, how-

of all introduced to the general public.

The
attri-

ever,

many

curious indications of the growth

authorship was not named, though

it

was not
Lord
lady

of the nation in
sperity."

what

is

called "external pro-

long doubted

but for some time

it

was

Baron Stockmar had written to

buted to the Countess of Lovelace,

Byron's only daughter Ada,

George Combe (with the active concurrence

of the

who was a

queen and prince consort), to consult

of

of high scientific acquirements.

of

Scotchmen
disside,

him upon the education

Wales, and

the Prince of

middle age will remember the angry

started

Mr. Combe had in

:

cussion,

from the theological

embodied

reflections like these

" The extra-

his

reply

which attended and pursued the increasing

popularity of Mr. George Combe's Constitution of 2Iaa in relation to External Xature,

ordinary wealth and luxury of a comparatively

small portion of the inhabitants of the British
isles

and the appalling poverty and wretched-

which in

this decade

was

at the height of its

ness of

many among

the labouring classes,

is

is

influence over that public

which read
it

it

at all

another anomaly which

at variance with

and

an enormous public

was.

George

ournatural sentiments of humanity and justice,

SANITARY SCIENCETHE RAILWAY PANIC.

and fiuJs
ancient
f;ill.

177

its chief

precedents in the history of

she was tottering to her

at the

Rome when

place before the palace,

end door of the wing fronting the open and in the public eye.
'

This condition of things ainnot perIt

is

Hired caiTiages with one horee,

Broughams'
into all the

manently endure in Great Britain.

and

'Clarences,' are

now admitted
8t/.

condemned by Christians, and the coiTesponding state has disappeared in France and in
the greater portion of Gei-many.

parks, and people of fashion go out to dinner

in street cabs at a fare of

the mile

A
fifty

We see Ire-

hidy

who

has kept a pair of horses these

land agitated to the centre

of a

by the dominance

years told

me

this hei-self.
all

When

her horses

church at variance with the religious

have been out

the morning and cleaned

opinions of a large majority of the people;

and put up, rather than dirty them and the

can-iage again she called a

and

in Scotland also, the lai-ger proportion of

the inhabitants have seceded from the church

established

the street and

went
this

to dinner in

brougham from it. Even a

by

law.
cast their

few years ago

shadows besay that
infra dig.
deeper.

would have been thought

" If
fore,'

'

coming events

we may without presumption

the shadows of gi"eat and important changes

in the social condition of Britain are

and the

The same change goes much Mr. Cobden has taught the public peers the power of reason in the corn-

aheady

so conspicuously written

on the land, that the

fai-

law question, and demonstrated that it is more than a match for aiistocracy and political partisanship

changes themselves cannot be

distant."

combined.

The

peers have

At about

the same date

we may

note in

openly avowed that they consider themselves

the published letters of this acute observer

bound

to yield in

their legislation to the

some instructive comments on the aspects of

the capital of England, as
to
it

public voice

when

deliberately

and unequicheering

presented

itself

vocably uttered.

Add

to

these

a visitor

who knew

Scotland, America,

symptoms, our free-trade principles now practically realized (or

Germany, and Italy very well, and who looked

at social

on the very eve of being

so),

and economic questions with a wide

glance.

our extraordinary railway prosperity (for

only the speculators

it is

and

forecasting
"

"We

saw," says

who are
I

bit

by them), and

Combe,
.ind

a good deal of society in London,

aristo-

the general activity of all branches of industry,

were struck by the diminution of

and
in a

may safely say that

have never known

cratic feeling,

and the increasing ascendency

England and Scotland morally and physically

of reason, since our last visit in 1840.

Omni-

more promising

condition.

Ireland con-

buses abound to an extraordinary extent; every three minutes, three in close succession
are seen running along

tinues as wretched as ever,

and I can scarcely

condition."

conceive what

wiU improve her

years

Oxford Street without

Thii-ty-five

intermission from seven or eight in the moi-n-

ago the application of

iug

till

long past ten at night, and people of

chloroform to the alleviation of the pangs of

some consideration now use them.

We dined

maternity was resisted by thousands of well-

with Sir James Clark on the day of our departure for Scotland, and ordered the Blackwall omnibus to call at his house for us at

meaning pious persons on the ground that

it

was an attempt

to

evade " the curse of Eve."

service

The queen did good

by Prince Albert, she
prejudice.

when, supported

P.M. to carry

us to the ship.

said in joke to

Lady Clark

Mrs.
'

Combe suppose we

set her face against this

To

object to the use of anesthetics

as to object to a lightning-

James for desecrating your door by ordering an omnibus Not at all,' replied Sir to draw up at it.' James, my dignity is quite safe, for the omshould apologize to you and
Sii'

was as reasonable

conductor, or opium, or any process whatever

for the lessening of pain.
of us

Yet we can many

all

'

remember, and we can

of us trace, in

nibus draws up at

Buckingham Palace
fact,

!'

This,

the records of the time, the uphill

work that
his coad-

he

said, is

a literal
it

and

is

a great change.
at the chief
either,

Dr. Simpson and those

jutors or his followers

who were

Of course
Vol.
II.

does not

draw up

had

in the introduction

entrance, but not at

any back door

but

of anesthetics into surgery.

33

178

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEIMPOEAEIES.

phrase, " a sign of the times,"
little real
is

The

some-

by the presence

of

danger was in

many

cases

times used with but

it

meaning.
applied to

But
tlie

only transitory and partial, and some of the

foul neighbourhoods remain to this

has a true significance

for

when

day a

movements

erecting
filled

public

baths and

reproach to our boasted

pi-ogress

and en-

washhouses, which

so large a space in

lighteimient; but there can be no doubt that

the public eye in the last few years of the

half centui-y.

many

Mrs. Catherine Wilkinson (of

oue of the names which the

important improvements were effected by observing the regulations ordered by the

Liverpool)

is

government, and by the measures taken for

preventing
tlie

world should not willingly forget in connection with this subject, but there were others

spread of the disorder, which

in twelve

at the end of

March had broken out

which

also deserve

to

be remembered.

In

different parts of the metropolis, twenty-seven

the year 1844 a meeting was held at the

Man-

towns in England and "Wales, and seventeen towns in Scotland.

sion House, London, for "promoting clean-

By

the middle of Septemits

among the poor; " and Glasshouse Yard, near the London Docks, is a place which is
liness

ber the mortality in London had reached

highest,

and by the 13th

of

October the disease

in a sense classical, as the scene of the earlier

efl'orts

had nearly disappeared from the metropolis.

of the "

Committee

for the

promotion

The
this

total

number

of deaths

from cholera regis_

of the welfare of the

Homeless Poor."

Mr.

tered at that date

was

14,497.

The

result of

Bowie, a medical gentleman, was a very active

serious visitation

was the adoption

of of

promoter of this movement.

to stop at

But

it

was not
'

some sanitary measui'es and the enforcing

what may be

called the charitable

certain regulations intended to prevent the

or merely philanthropic phase.

Other

baths

incubation and spread of infectious diseases.

and washhouses"
in 1846

for public use

were soon

But one

of the causes

which perpetuated the

iU-venti-

established on self-supporting principles,

and

danger was the continuance of overcrowded

neighbom-hoods, consisting of
lated,
foul,

and 1847 enabling

acts

were passed,

in consequence of

which borough councils

could thenceforth,
set

and badly drained tenements, the very

and

vestries of parishes

ground beneath which had been saturated

with sewage, while the germs of fever seem to

with the consent of the ratepayers,

establishments of this nature.
It
is

up

not neces-

have lain in the decaying materials of the

walls

sary to pursue in anything like detail a story

so well

and passages.

For some time

it

had

known, but

it

may

be added that

been generally supposed that the demolition

of

eventually every nation in Europe followed

some

of these neighbourhoods

by the new

the initiation created by this country, and

lines of railway carried

through them or by

from Sweden

to

Venetia there were public

other "public improvements" had effected a

baths and lavatories for the poor set up.

"clean sweep," and that some of the worst

slums had disapjjeared.

But

in

many

cases,

Medical as well as

social science

had made

though the railway had cut through a neighbourhood

it

very remarkable advances, and sanitary im-

had only removed a portion

of

it,

provements wei-e beginning

to

be insisted on.

so that the great bare arcliways

and viaducts

The

visitation of cholera in 1849 called public

had become a kind

of screen to hide sor-

attention to the condition of

oiu- large

some

districts of

did and miserable streets, where the houses

towns wliere the means

of

common

were swarming from gan-et to basement, and

decency and cleanliness had never existed,

were more than ever overcrowded by the

tenants evicted from the places which had

and the authorities who should have been

responsible for a proper supply of water

and

been demolished.
still

This condition of things

is

for the enforcement of the ordinary laws for

obvious in

many

neighbourhoods, which

preserving the general health were awakened

to their duties

are hidden

from casual observation, and ap-

by the prevalence

of

a disease

pear to be neglected or forgotten by sanitary

attributable to the neglect of such precautions.

boards and commissions, which are constantly

boasting of their activity and public usefulness.

Unfortunately, the sudden activity stimulated

THE RAILWAY MANIA GEORGE HUDSON.

An
allusion
to

179

railway extension almost

tlie

the Archdeacon of York, and other distin-

requires a passing reference to

enormous
the

guished guests.
of his success

In 1849, however, the

tide

transactions which belong to the period of the

began

to turn, in consequence

railway mania, 1845 to 1850,

of

when

name

of inquiries that

had

to It

be made as to his

George Hudson, "the Railway King," M.P.

methods of procedure.
as chairman of a

for Sunderland,
try, as the
classes,

was heard
to

all

over the coun-

was reported that company he had bought

man

whom

speculators of all

shares on another line and resold

them

to the

from

dukes to footmen,

appealed

company, instead of buying them as directed

for the

and cringed that they might obtain shares in some of the enormous enterprises which liad
already
fortune.

company
and

at "first-hand," also that

he

exercised improper influence over auditoi-s,

directors,

apparently yielded

him a

colossal

secretary.

In another company

There

is

no need

to enter into tlie

details of the railway speculations

which

this

he and the vice-chairman were both accused of having acted in anytliing but a straightforward manner with the accounts.

one

man

-was

instrumental

in

promoting.

A short

Possessed of an almost

subKme audacity and

time afterwards a petition was presented to

the

with extraordinary aptitude and energy for

business, he

House

of

Commons from
him

the Eastern

became the parliamentary repre-

Counties Railway Company, making grave

charges against
in his capacity as chairto rebut the

sentative of railway interests, and held a position of importance in the chief companies.

man, and he had to endeavour

In one day in 184G he directed the course of

twenty-six
bills

accusation of tampering with the share-list.

which, imder his advice, had

Similar charges began to multiply against

been approved by the shareholders of the

him, and

many

of the aristocratic supporters

Midland

line,

and a day or two afterwards in

who had

flattered

and fawned on him

in the

the space of less than an hour had influenced

zenith of his enormous success, and

who had
and

by the York and North Midland shareholdei-s and seven bills by

the sanction of six bills
those of the Newcastle and Darlington

been em-iched by the premiums at which they

had

sold shares obtained

by

his advice

Com-

assistance,

now began

to fall

away from him.

pany, and had taken his seat as the adviser

or rather controlling director of the
castle

Newhe

and Berwick

line.

In a few

lioui-s

At a meeting held in York the shareholders Newcastle and Berwick line determined to proceed against him for illegally retaining
of the to his

had obtained the consent

forty bills involving

of shareholdera to
of

own

use above 180,000 of the funds

It

an expenditm-e

about

of the

company.

was not

till

1853 that

ten millions

stei-ling.

During the

session of

the suit was settled,

when

the Master of the

1846 the total amount of subscriptions by

persons subscribing 2000 and

upward

to

RoUs gave judgment against him for 54,000; but by that time he had been obliged to
resign most of his important appointments,

any railway

subscrijrtiou contract deposited

was above a hundred and twenty-one millions, and Mr. Hudson was
in the bill office,

and not only the prestige that had attached

to his

name had

disappeared, but the fortune

represented as subscribing 818,540 for twenty-three lines in

which he had accumulated was involved in

the collapse of his reputation.
well
It is pretty

which he was concerned,

little

though how much or how

of the

money
serrail-

known

that the

man who, by unbounded

by remarkable powers
from a compararisen

was

actually paid

and how many

question.

of the shares

confidence, not unaided

of combination,
tively

were held by him as compensation for

vices

had

was another

The new

humble

station to a position in

which

ways authorized
session involved

to be constructed during that

he was courted by the leaders of fashion and

the representatives of aristocracy, eventually

an expenditure of nearly a

hundred and

thii-ty millions.

By

the end of
of

sank

into poverty.

He

defended himseK

the year George

Hudson was Lord-mayor

against the charges of his opponents

by

reprelegiti-

York, and his

official

banquet was attended

senting that

all

he gained was only the

by the Duke

of Leeds,

Lord George Bentiuck,

mate advantage which his exertions warranted

180

GLADSTONE AXD HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

in

him

demanding

in return for unremitting

of the vast

remainder? Can we add 50,000,000

services to the companies with

which he was
case,

to the railway speculations

we

are already

\r-\

connected; but he was unable to impress even

his friends with this

retrievably

embarked
last

in?

We

cannot without'

view of the

and

the most ruinous, universal, and desperate confusion."

though he retained
gains he was

little

or nothing of his

The

week

in

November showed
of the

unable to retrieve his position.

that these prognostications were not altogether

inexcusable.

But he lived on a small annuity, either saved from the wreck or subscribed by those who had known him in his better days, and
maintained his cheerful and undoubtedly
tractive
at-

The railway department

it

Board
delled,

of

Trade had been completely remodid not

and though
of

demand

reports
it

on the merits

the proposed lines,

re-

manner

for

many

years.

He

died
of a

quired to be furnished with plans, specifications,

not long since at the house,

it is said,

and drawings, conveying complete

in-

man who had

once been

his butler,

and with
circum-

formation.
of

Railway committees of the House

sat constantly even during ad-

whom

he had lodged for some time before

Commons

his death in exceedingly straitened

stances,
if

journments of the house.

business brought before
to take the

not in actual poverty.

Of the which

The amount of them compelled them

various

lampoons

and

jocularities

new

projects in groups arranged

appeared in print about the Railway King and

by a
ment

elassificiition

committee,- and yet they

Mrs. Hudson and their sudden elevation to

the companionship of peers and prelates, there
is

could not get through the work.

outside

The

excite-

was tremendous.

railway
re-

no need

to recall the rather coarse particuof our readere will

literature

sprung up specially devoted to

lai-s.

Many

remember

cording the particulars of

new

enterprises

and

Thackeray's " Yellowplush Papere" in Punch,

the condition of the share-market.

Before

and the

burlesqxie but not very exaggerated

the

month

of October 332

new schemes were

to be de-

adventures of the footman

great railway speculator.

who became a
This,
of coui-se,

proposed, involving a capital of 270,950,000,

of

which 23,000,000 would have

was not intended as a special satii'e upon Hudson, who was never a footman, but it was a highly diverting
"skit,"

posited before the acts could be applied for.

The English market was

our

flooded not only with

showing the
its

own but with

foreign projects.

The

last

course of the railway mania and

possible

day for bringing

of

plans, specifications,

and par-

influence in subverting social distinctions.

ticulars before the Board of

Trade was the 30th

this
it

The eager gambUng

seems to have been
first

for

railway shares

November, and by an oversight when

it

prominently mani-

date was fixed

had not been noticed that

fested at Leeds, where, in the

summer of

1845,

would

fall

on a Sunday.

The
and

efforts to

com-

the police had to be employed in keeping a

plete the necessary plans

notifications in

way

along the thoroughfares leading to the

time were tremendous.

Lithographers' clerks

Stock Exchange, the chairman of which called

and draughtsmen were employed night and

day, and one lithographic printer undertook
so

a meeting of the members to remonstrate with

them on the
caused as

reckless speculation that

as 100,000 shares to

had

many

be sold

dred

much work that he had to engage four hunmen from Belgium. Not only in London
car-

there in one day.

new

lines

But the I'ajnd promotion of made such speculation inevitable,

but in the counti-y the preparations were

ried

on in breathless
at the last

haste,

and horses were

and the mania spread.

Up

to the 31st of

hired and kept in readiness to bring the plans

to

October there had been 1428 railway enterprises registered, involving an outlay of

town

moment,

since special trains

above
said,

were in many cases refused to competitors of

the lines of railway already in existence.
lai'ge

701 millions.

"Take away,"
all

it

was

".140,000,000 for railways completed or in

progi-ess,

staff of

clerks

was appointed

at the

exclude

the most extravagant

Board

of

Trade

office to

receive the plans and

schemes, and divide the remainder

by ten, can

specifications,

and the day began with moder-

we add from our present resources even a tenth

ate order: but as the hours

went on and night

SANITARY IMPROVEMENTS.
approached the deliveries became so numerous
that
it

181

realize satisfactory results.

Even

before those

was impossible

to register

them quickly

results

had been largely attained there were

battle of the broad

enough.

endless disputes on the subject of construction,

was a race among the agents to reach the office before the striking of twelve at midIt

and the
which

w;is

and narrow gauge, waged because the Great Western

night,

when the

dooi-s

were to be

closed.

All
the others, divided engineers, and gave rise to

wlio were inside the hall before that time

were to have

their

applications
filled

accepted.

a royal commission, proj50sed by Mr. Cobden,

for inquiring
into the respective merits of

During the
jostling

last

hour a crowd

the lobby

and pushing and yet

listening with
as
it

the rival plans.

In the end

this

commission

feverish anxiety for each

name

was

called,

rejjorted in favour of the

narrow gauge, and

while another crowd outside, assembled to witness the rush,

commented

freely

on the appearfresh

recommended that the Great Western should be altered at an estimated cost of about
1,000,000, but this advice

ance of each

new

arrival

who brought

was not taken.

bundles of papei-s and huiTied in breathless

The narrow gauge was

forth,

to be adopted thence-

and

excited.

As

the hour began to strike an

but instead of altering the Great Wes-

agent pushed his

way

in,

and as the chimes

tern the branches of that line were accommo-

altercation.
last,

had not ceased he was admitted after some It was thought that he was the
but as a quai-ter past struck,
a.

dated to the broad measure, and

it

remained

a practical example of the system which had

post-chaise

been abandoned.

dashed up drawn

by four reeking horses. Three gentlemen jumped out, each with an armful of papei's. The door at the end of the lobby was closed, but in answer to the advice
of the

Lord John
legislation

Russell's

government had accomof really important

plished little in the

way

between 1846 and 1850, although

crowd one

door was opened

of them rung the bell. The by a police-officer, and as he

many

invaluable contributions had been inde-

pendently made to social progress, and some

useful inquiries

refused to admit them, the late-comers pitched

their papei's into the hall, breaking a

by government commissions

lamp

in

appointed for the purpose of investigation

led to the

The documents were flung out and in agaiu and out again, when the door was opened. The applicants not knowing the
the achievement.

more complete and direct adoption

of measures for the

by

pai'liament

public

benefit.

way

to the

Boaid

of Trade, the postboy

had

Among
lic

the chief of these were the group

been driving about the streets ever since halfpast ten in the endeavour to find the
office.

of enactments that

were founded on the Pub1848, introduced on the

Health Act

of

Such was the story told by one of the agents

to the friendly

representations of

Mr. Chadwick and Dr.

inquiries had as
fai"

crowd

outside,

much

to their

Southwood Smith, whose

mission, the report of
lished,

amusement.

back as 1842 been followed by a sanitary comall

Of course

the competitors in this great

which had been pubof political ex-

railway struggle were not successful, and there

though no distinctly inclusive measure

was considerable apprehension

which these
apjilications

in the country
fif

was adopted during the period

citement that followed.
of the act referred to, a general

as to the results of the reckless speculation

Under the

provisions

were the disclosure;

Board of Health

but a large number of the proposed schemes

were

in

some form or other ultimately adopted,

was appointed, on which Lord Carlisle and Lord Ashley joined the two gentlemen already
mentioned, and the Metropolitan Sewers Act,
the

and our gigantic railway system may be said to have sprung into existence with a suddenness
that iu almost
cause*!

Metropolitan

Interments

Act (which

any other country would have

crisis if
it

was

in 1852 extended to the whole kingdom),

a much more serious financial

and several other most useful measures, were

endorsed or initiated.

not semi-national bankruptcy before

could

have been so far completed as to begin to

The sanitary ai-rangements

of

our large

182

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

food from America and from Turkey.

towns, and perhaps especially of the metropolis,

The con-

are

still

exceedingly defective.

The

tinued

helj>

given in these various ways, with

water supply

is

often inadequate, and builders

the ample harvest of 1847, greatly mitigated

tlie

and owners

of house

property persistently
to provide

want and misery

of the people of Ireland,

disregard the law

by neglecting
its

especi;illy as

the navigation laws were susof vessels carrying

proper appliances for

regular provision.

pended in favour
thither;

goods

In many populous
surface drainage

neighboui-hoods

houses

and the passing

of the

Encumbered
by Peel in

have been erected on ground saturated with

Estates Act, brought forward

and

filled in

with refuse, the

July, 1848, had a very considerable effect in

sewers are too often ineffective, and incompetent to relieve whole districts from the constant sense of impure exhalations, while after

permanently terminating one of the causes

of depression,

and

of restoring

a better state

of things in several districts

the construction at enormous cost of a system

the sale and transfer of

by facilitating encumbered estates.

of the intricate

main drainage, carrying the chief part of the sewage of London to a point near the mouth of the Thames, it is contended by some
of

By

this

measure the delays

transfers effected through the Court of Chan-

cery were abolished,

stituted for the

and moderate
costs that

fees sub-

authorities that the consequent poUutiou of the

heavy

accompanied

river

shows the whole plan to be wrong in

them.

Tlie transfers were cheaply and quickly

principle,

and that

tlie

stream
all

is little

better

made through a commission appointed

pui-pose,

for the

than an open sewer.

cies,

With

these deficien-

consisting of

tliree

paid

commis-

however, the condition of London as well

sioners

and a secretary.

This commission was

as that of other large

towns has so greatly

last thirty

oidy to act for such owners or encumbrancers

of estates as applied to

improved during the

of the legislation,

years that

them
sell

for the purpose,

there can be no doubt of the beneficial effects

and they were then to

the property in

which has at

all

events kept

such a manner and in such quantities as they

public attention constantly alive to sanitary

matters, and has

made

the metropolis one of

the healthiest places in Europe.

The mortality

in Ireland w.as ten-ible, ;ind

deemed best their conveyance to the purchaser would be an indefeasible title including the authority to put him iu legal possession the purchase money was to be paid into the
;

only began to diminish

when

the measures

adopted for relieving the starving population

Bank of Ireland in the name of the commission, who were empowered to divide it amongst
the various persons

became more
island

eflfectual.

Before

1847, 5000

who were

in their judg-

of the people of the south-west coast of the

ment

entitled to

it.

This measure could not

had perished, and at

tlie

beginning of

be brought into satisfactory operation until

the country was in a less disturbed condition,

that year 1,000,000 a

month was expended

and 708,230 persons were employed daily in

the public works.

and while

it

had been necessary

to introduce

2,000,000 sterling had

strong measures for the preservation of peace

iu Ireland, the deluded jieople

already been spent, and food to the value of

had

also dis-

16,000,000 had been lost in

tlie

blight which

covered that the leader's

who

talked so loudly

had reduced the country to starvation, while

instead of 2,000,000 quarters of corn

and

so pei^sistently of Irish

wrongs were themany method

we had

selves incapable

of oi-ganizing

been in the habit of receiving from Ireland,

of relieving them.

Then- constant agitation

an exportation
required.

of

that quantity would be

and the

insatiable vanity

which was ready to

A report afterwards
districts,

presented

by

sacrifice the

country to their demands to be

the relief commissioners stated, that out of

regarded as the representatives of the peopJe,

2049 electoral

1G77 had been placed

were daily preventing the amelioration

real

of tliose

under the Eehef Act; that 2,920,702 rations of food had been given and 99,220 sold daily,
while 54,439 had been received iu subscriptions in six mouths, besides contributions of

demanded immediate However, Smith O'Brien, Meagher, redress. O'Douoghue, MacMauus, and others, who had
grievances which
stood in the

way

of every effectual

measure

THE "YOUNG IRELAND' REBELS.

of relief to IielanJ since they

183

became

tlie

country some 40,000 armed

men

in the livery
is

heads of the party which succeeded O'Connell,

Iiad

and

service of England,

and the question

been an-ested after a rather theatrical

how best and

40,000

soonest to kill and capture these

exhibition of violent "patriotism," and had

men?"

But the troops were sent

to

been sentenced to death, but

it

was well

preserve order, and to protect the more law-

understood that the sentence would be com-

abiding Irish people against the incendiaries

muted
it is

to one of banishment, or as their folit

and

jireachers of insurrection,

who, though

lowers would call

pretty

transportation, though

they vainly endeavoured to create a rebellion,

certain that they

were never

were active in their

turbances which
insecure.

efforts to

prolong the dis-

treated as ordinary convicts.

John Mitchel, armed

made both

life

and property

the unyielding advocate of the repeal of the

union,

The people themselves had already

agitation a business

who had

so long advocated

begun
the

to find out that the professed leaders,

rebelUon, had already been sent to the Ber-

who made

and used

it

for

mudas, though the" Confederates" who claimed

to be his suppoi-tei^s swore

pmpose of pei'sonal vanity and self-aggran-

he should not leave

It

dizement, were the cause of

sufferings

many

of those

Ireland while they lived.

sary at length to put

became necesand the more

which they attributed to other

down

the preachers of

political causes.

sedition, the secret assassins

Smith O'Brien, Dillon, O'Donoghue, Cantwell,

open advocates of rebellion, with a strong hand, even for the sake of saving Ireland fi-om utter
ruin and her people from UTetrievable misery

and

others,

went about haranguing and

boasting in the endeavour to excite the people

in vaiious places to

arm and

to rise against the

"

and pauperism.

In a short time the country

live in,

government
ness

but the " Young Ii-eland

use

busi-

would have been unsafe to

j>eople left it

and already

was

to

an Americanism
they were

pretty

because of the ten-orism which

well played out, and people began to see

had begun to prevent the just application of

the laws, and the punishment of criminals

what

sort of

men

who

talked so

had been guilty

presence of

of

who outrages and mm-der. The

in Irish harboui-s,

loudly and posed themselves so heroically.

William Smith O'Brien was a gentleman

ancient family, and
that he
tions,
it

of

suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act, the

was generally believed

war steamers

was

originally sincere in his protesta-

the transport of troops to the towns, and the

but he and the cause he at that time

enrolment of extra police were measui-es which

represented ended in a farce, which was, however, tragic

were thought necessary to show that the Young

Ireland party was not to be tolerated
it

enough for the families of the poor

when

announced that active measures would be

who were killed or wounded in what was afterwards known as the " Cabbage-garfellows

taken to raise rebellions, by

men who, had

civil wai'

den Insurrection."

He

and some

of his

com-

they been successful in fomenting a

panions had three or four days before visited

Mulliualione, where, after calling the people

where thousands of persons would have been

killed,
ize

would have been incompetent

to organ-

together b}' ringing the bell of the chapel, they

a settled government.

induced their followers to accompany them to

the police barracks, on which they were to

Although there have been more recent exhibitions of the extravagant oratory of seK-

make an

attack,

but the few

officers

who were
recep-

styled patriots,

it

is difficult

to understand

stationed there gave

them such a warm

how men supposed

did,

to be sane could

have

tion that they retreated rather precipitately

talked and acted as the rebel leaders of 1S48

to another district,
better success.
It

where they met with no

and the

results

would have been ludicrous

"

became necessary

to order

but for their being so sad.

In the case of

the arrest of the chief agitators, and on the day following the warrant that this should be done,
O'Brien,

Ireland now," said an article in the Irish

Felon, " there is but one fact to deal with, and

who

boasted his descent from the

it

one question to be considered.

that there
ai-e

The

fact

is

ancient kings of Muuster, and

was thought

at present in occupation of our

aspired to a restoration of the regal purple to

134

CLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

O'Donoghue also found somereputable and useful occupation, O'Brien alone making repeated
efibrts to escape,

his own shoulders, marched with his colleagues, and above a thousand followers armed -with muskets, jjikes, scythes, and other weapons,

and endeavouring
it

to

evade

to Ballingarry, halting at a place called the

his parole, so that

was impossible

to give

Bog

of Boulagh.

of police,

Mr. Traut, a sub-inspector was sent with forty or fifty conif

him the same

opportunities of independence

and comparative freedom.

mitigated punishment of
transportation.
It

stables to disperse the insurgents, and,

sible, to arrest their leadei-s, for

pos-

these rebels w.is not cariied out even

whose

ajipre-

The sentence on by the what was known as

hension a reward had been olfered.

The
of

was banishment under not

police expected a reiuforcemeut of constables

very severe conditions.

or soldiei'S,
their

and seeing the

lai'ge

number
fields,

The
was

condition of the Irish people in 1848

deplorable,

opponents, decided

to

station

themat

still

and the

failure of the

selves in a small house

beyond some

potato crop had been as complete as in 1846.

little

distance from the

main

road.

This

A great

breadth of land I'emained uucropped.

house belonged to the widow C'ormack, who,

foreseeing the probabilitj- of
called in her
five childien

a fight, had

and shut the door.

The peasantry were in many places without money or the means of earning it. The rate of wages was fivepence a day, and though
food

When

the

mob

of insurgents

saw the

police
it

was comparatively abundant in the

it.

enter the house and take possession of

they

markets, there were no means of buying

made threatening
was so alarmed,
began to be
O'Brien,

gestures at the widow,

who

The

labourers had neither

work nor money,

In

especially

when

a few shots

and the poor-rates were already heavier than

either landlords or tenants could bear.

fired,

that she ran out to find

in her

who was seated

cabbage garden

October, 184S, Prince Albert, writing of an

with the '82 club cap on his head, but in such

a position as to be out of the line of
the house.
tire

interview which he had had with Lord Clar-

from

endon, said

"

The

description he gives of the

is

The widow endeavoured

to induce

state of the country (Ireland)

most gloomy

him

to

speak to the police, but he not un-

and

distressing.
spirit

naturally refused to trust himself near them,

but the

The rebellion is put down, among the peojile is still the

all

and sent a message

he wanted
wa,s for

to the inspector that all

same, and any agitator will have them

his

at

them

to lay

down

their

command.

Arms

are concealeil, and mur-

arms, a proposal which they in turn declined.

ders and outrages of every kind happen daOy

The

police

were then busily barricading the

firing
situ-

even
quite

highway robbery, a crime hitherto

in Irel.and.
.
.

upper windows, for the rebels were

unknown
is

Eemai'kCatholic

from the adjoining sheds, and as the

ation
treated,
to

able

the fact that the

Eoman

was rather a warm one O'Brien and

after his followers

re-

clergy have lost lately all influence over the

people.
liim,

Lad advanced
oft'

Their agitating and urging to rebel-

storm the house, but had run

all

with the

and when the day came flinching from

enraged the populace.
is

utmost celerity in

directions on being

met

it, h;is

The immediate

with a sharp volley, he was seen making

his

consequence of this

that the priests can get

way on

all

fours
to

whence he emerged

among the cabbages, mount a horse belong-

no dues or other payments, and that in some

places

they are

actually

starving.

ing to one of the constables, and to escape,

loudly complaining of the cowardice of his

Lord Clarendon looks forward to the winter with perfect dismay. The poverty is dreadful,

follower.

few days afterwards he was

and he

is

afraid that a great part of the

;

arrested at the Thurles railway-st.ation,

when

population must die from absolute want

they

he w.as just leaving for Limerick, and with

gi-ow nothing but potatoes in spite of every

Meagher, MacManus, and O'Donoghue was

experience and caution, and these have failed

again entirelr.
instance of a

They were sent to Australia, where Meagher soon becamea farmer and
sentenced to death.

Lord Clarendon knows an

man having sown wheat which

beautifully,

land-owner,

MacManus went

into trade,

and

had come up

and ploughing

it u\>

EOYAL
.'aiu for jiotatoes
ttiL'S

VISIT TO IRELAND.

185

because

lie

saw the potawell.

Dublin, where the royal cortege occupied an

of
is

his

neighbour look tolerably

hour and a half

in passing

through the streets

There

emigration going on, but of those

from the railway-station

to the vice-regal lodge.

:

people only
farniei-s

whom

one would wish to keep

cut the corn on the Sunoff to

The Times in writing of the event said "Such

a day of jubilee, such a night of rejoicing, has

with one or two huudreJ pounds in

their pocket.
ilay, sell it

They

never been beheld in the ancient capital of

Ireland since
Liffey."
firet it

on Mondaj' morning, and are

off

arose on the banks of the

America, having driven

all their cattle,

and sold before

rent.

decorated ai-chway was erected

leaving the waste fields behind

at Canal Bridge,

where the lord-mayor prereturning which the

them and the landlords without

by
poor-rates,

The
keep

sented her majesty with the city keys, the

landlords are oppressed to a dreadful degree

mace, and swurd, in

which must be levied

ali\'e,

to

queen

said, in her usual simple

but earnest

the population
afford

but which they cannot

in

and pleasant mannei-, "I

in

am

delighted to be
at

any longer to pay,

debt as they

Dublin

am

gi-atified

the

recep-

always have been, exhausted by the pressure

of the
rent."

tion I

have met with in this the second city

empire."

two

last years,

and

left entirely

without

of

my

Some

of the spectators

must

have wished that Daniel O'Connell could have

of the

But the exertions

government and

been there on such an opportunity of displaying that exuberant loyalty which was as

the nine and a half millions wliieh was the

total subscribed for relief, beside nearly

much

two
of
in,

a characteristic of his speeches as their deter-

millions loan for land

age,

improvement and drain-

mined denunciation of an opposing ministry.

had greatly improved the condition

before the rigours of winter set

The next
Castle, at

ilay

was occupied by a levee at the

answer to an address of the
:

affaire

which 4000 persons were present,

in

while the tranquillity of the country had also

and where,

been restored.
In thefoUowingyear (1849) the queen visited
Ireland,

Dublin corporation, her majesty said

the lo3'alty with which she was

"I

gladly avail myself of this occasion to express

when

my

grateful

acknowledgment

for the ardent

received attested the general good feeling of

affection

and loyalty with which

my

arrival

the people, and dis|iroved the assertion that

the disaffection
national.

has been hailed.

...

I gladly share witji

visitation with

and rebellious

spirit

had been

you the hope that the heavy

Addi-esses were received

majesty on board the royal yacht in

of

by her the Cove

which Providence has recently

visited large

numbers
away.
I

of people in this country is passing

Cork, and the

name

of the

town was

have

felt

deeply for their sufferings,

changed from Cove to Queenstown.

From

and

it

will be a source of heart-felt satisfac-

Cove the yacht and the

ro3'al

squadron went

tion to

me

if

am

permitted to witness the

up the river

to Cork,

and thence her majesty

future and lasting prosperity of this portion

of the

proceeded to Kingstown, where the sea was

alive witli Ijoats

United Kingdom."

After a review in

and steamei-s crowded with

full of

the

park. Prince Albert visited the Eoyal

people,

and the whai-fs were

eager and
to

Irish

expectant throngs,

who were delighted

show

and

its

Academy, the Eoyal College of Surgeons museums, and then went to the Agri-

liow heartily they welcomed the royal party. The Princess Eoyal and the Prince of Wales

cultural

Show

of the

Eoyal Dublin Society,

had been taken on this agreeable journey, and

the sight of the

and with excellent tact said, in answer to the address which was presented to him as one of
its

two children was hailed with

general acclamation.

vice-patrons, that

it

w;w impossible not

to

much shouting and

queen dear," cried a stout old lady,

one of them Prince Patrick and
will die for
all

Oh "make

"

feel

deeply the marks of enthusiastic attach-

Ireland
of welvisitoi-s

ment which had been displayed to the queen and himself by the warm-heai'ted inhabitants
of that beautiful isl.and,

you

'."

The manifestations
till

and at the .same time

bore

come and rejoicing continued

wei-e ont of sight

the
tlie

exjiressed his sincere

hope that the promise of

fields

and had taken

train to

a plentiful harvest, of which the

180

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

for the purpose of admitting food

such hopeful evidence, might be the hai-binger

of a termination to
tliose

and

cloth-

sufferings

under

ing

to

Ireland

unrestricted

by protective
of

which
with

tlie

people had so lamentably, and yet

duties

on shipping, was evidently a natural

a free-trade

such
visit

exemplary
to the

patience,

labom-ed.

and inevitable consequence

policy,

After a

Duke

of Leiuster, the

and a government pledged to such a

royal party rejoined the yacht

and

its

atten-

policy could not consistently propose to return

to

dant vessels on their journey to Belfast, and

sailed

a system which, by laying a tax on foreign

hindered the importation of necessary
of

up Lough Ryan and

coast to the

theuce

by

the

vessels,
ai-ticles

Scottish

Clyde and Glasgow,

consumption.

whence the queen and prince went to Perth and to Balmoi-al, at which tliey had recently
taken up their permanent autumn residence.

dated from 1G51,

when

it

That system had had been adopted

to restrict

by the parliament of the Protector

the

increasing

competition

of

the

Dutch
into

The

visit to

Ireland was not likely to be for-

shippers,

by prohibiting the importation

gotten either by the queen or her subjects,

to the last displayed the

who

the LTuited

Kingdom and

its

dependencies of

most ardent

loyalty.

any goods, the produce

duction,

of Asia, Africa, or

The scene which had welcomed the landing of the royal pai'ty at Kingstown was repeated on
tlieir

America, except from the places of their pro-

and

in ships of

which British subjects

departure.

As

the yacht passed the

should be the proprietors and right owners,

extreme point of the pier which inclosed the

harbour such a storm of cheers arose from
the crowd,
est

and whereof the master and three-fourths at

least of the
jects.

marinera should be English suboriginal act

who were

clustered at their thick-

But the

went

still

further,

on

this point, that the

queen climbed the

al-

and forbade the importation

except either in British

of goods, the
Eui'oiie,

paddle-box, on which Prince Albert was

growth, production, or manufacture of

shi]5S

ready standing, and waved her handkerchief

as a parting

or ships that

acknowledgment

of their loyalty.

belonged

to

the country where the goods

the}'

At

the same time she gave orders to slacken

were produced, or from which alone

could be or usually had been exported.

speed.
vessel

The paddles ceased

floated

to

move, and the

it

These

on with the impetus

had

prohibitions had been only slightly relaxed

after the restoration of Charles XL, until after

received, very iilowly

and

close

to the pier.

An

occasional stroke of the paddles kept the

the conclusion of the American

war

of inde-

vessel in motion,

and

in this

way

the royal

pendence,

when they were altered

to allow the

yacht glided along for a considerable

it

way after

produce of the United States to be imported

in ships belonging to citizens of those states.

had

cle;u-ed the pier,

her majesty retaining

her place on the paddle-box and acknowledging by waving her handkerchief

how

deeply

Some made

other
in 1S25,

very important

changes were

by the

efforts of

Mr. Huskisson,
;

she had been affected by the incidents of the

last

and nothing further had been done

the law was
that
it

so that

few days.^

"The

royal standard," says

still

of such a restrictive character

a contemporary chronicler, " was lowered in

courtesy to the cheering thousands on shore,

was altogether inconsistent with com-

mercial liberty.
Africa,

The productions
to the

of Asia,

and

this stately obeisance "

was repeated three

wrote

and America might be brought from

Europe
United Kingdom
they were to be used or consumed

times."

The queen's

visit,"

Lord

places out of

Clarendon, " will be associated with a turn in

the tide of their affairs after four years' suffering,

(but only

if

therein) in foreign as well as in British .ships,

with an unprecedented influx of strangers

of

provided that such ships were the ships of the

country of which the goods were the produce,

and expenditure

money."

The suspension of the navigation laws, which

was nominally a temporary measure
of relief

and from which they were imported. Cei-tain goods produced in Europe and not enumerated
in the act might be brought in the ships of

any countr}'; but goods sent to or from the

1

Life of the Prince Consort,

Theodore Martin.

United Kingdom and any of

its possessions.

IIEPEAL OF

THE NAVIGATION LAWS.

must
ation, especially as

187

or from one British colony to another,

enable us to go back upon a policy of retali-

be carried

iu British ships, or in ships of the

he understood that the

country where they were produced or whence they were exported. It will be seen how
these stringent laws were likely to haiass

colonies

were distinctly interested in an un-

conditional repeal of the navigation laws.

He

would have had our own coasting trade thrown

open
to

commercial enterprise, auil to

interests

jirotect certain

America

if

we

expected to obtain the

by crippling and limiting the canning trade between foreign couuti-ies and Great Britain, and of course, in the language of the free-traders, it was paying a bounty to British
shipowners at the expense of British consumers, a principle which had already been

coasting trade of that country.

On

the second

was announced that though the government had intended to admit foreign
reading
it

countries under certain modifications

to

share of the coasting trade, as

it

was believed

that no loss would thereby be caused to the revenue,

it

denounced and abandoned in relation to the

agricultural interest
laws.
ill-.

was found that there would be the

oiF of that

by

the repeal of the corn-

utmost risk of a falling

revenue

if

either British or foreign vessels were allowed

Labouchere, as president of the Board

to

combine the coasting with the foreign

voj'-

of

Trade,

brought

forward

the

measure

age,

and

it

was therefore determined

of the bUI,

to

aban-

designed to abolish these restraints on commerce, and proposed a resolution that "it
is

don that portion

fied degi'ee

which

in a

modi-

threw open the coasting trade of

Sir

expedient to remove the restrictions which

the country.

James Graham was the

on the ground
of the repre-

prevent

tlie

free can'iage of goods

by

sea to

chief supporter of the measure,

and from the United Kingdom and the British

possessions abroad,

that

it

had secured the approval

and

to

amend the laws

sentatives of the chief commercial centres, such

as Liverpool, Glasgow, Newcastle,

regulating the coasting trade of the United

and the

Kingdom, subject nevertheless to such control by her majesty in councU as may be necessary and also to amend the laws for the registration It was on the 14th of of ships and seamen." February (1S49) that this resolution was brought forward. A bill was brought in and
the navigation laws were repealed on the 26th
of

"West Biding.
either
bill

It

was unnecessary to rely

upon reciprocity or retaliation, as the would tend to increase the commerce of the world, and to England would fall the It would neither compromise largest share.
oui-

superiority on the seas, nor injure the mer-

cantile marine,

June;

it

may therefore be

inferred that the

debates were long, and indeed the protectionists

fought hard against the government pro-

which was the mainstay of the The simple and inteUigible basis upon which the measure would place our navigation system was absolutely needed on acroyal navy.

posal.

On

the division 214

members followed

count of the complication of our reciprocity

treaties

Mr. Disraeli into the lobby, while 275 voted

with the government.

a complication which
many
cases to
if

The bill, however, had

cult for us in

undergone several important modificitions.

where we stood.

made it diiknow how or Sir James also made the start-

Mr. Gladstone, though he gave the govern-

ling declaration, that

we

persisted in the

ment proposals his general support, and jjointed

out that the previous reLaxations of the navigation laws had produced beneficial
eflfects,

navigation laws without falling back upon the

protective system in favour of Canadian corn,

as

the loss of Canada would be inevitable.

Lord

shown by the
sels

total

tonnage of British ves-

John KusseU pointed

to the beneficial effects

having increased instead of diminished,

of

of past relaxation in the increase of our ton-

was in favour

some compensations being

made
states

to shiix)wners

and

of conditional advan-

nage and the number of our seamen, and argued that there need be no apprehension of

tages in our

own

ports being given to those

any injurious consequences from the removal

of the restrictions.

which conferred the desired privileges

on our shipping.
legi^dation rather

He was

in favour of direct

Mr. Disraeli spoke with

his usual sarcastic

than a reserve which would

force of the "great sacrifices"

which had been

188

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAKIES.

.auJ
]\Ir.

made by Mr. Laboucliere

Gladstone.

a decided, and in some

re.^jiects

even an ad-

Mr. Laboucliere, lie said, had withdrawn ten of the most iiiiportaut clauses of his bill, which
did not then differ from the measure of the
previous year; Mr. Gladstone, imitating the
president of the Board of Trade, had announced

vanced advocate of

fi'ee-trade,

but he had not

altogether abandoued the idta of compensation

to

those from -whom

;

protc cti >n

was

to be

removed and when Mr.

(iu

Disraeli a little later

February, 1850) reverted to a modifica-

that

lie

also

was about

to give

up the great

tion of a

former proposal of his to relieve

development of the principle of reciprocity

agriculturists of

some

of their local burdens

which the house had awaited -with so

suspense.

much

and charge them

quiry.

to the consolidated fund, to support the in-

He was

reminded by their conduct

Mr. Gladstone was ready

of that celebrated

day

in the

French revolu-

The
was

faruifis

were complaining and

tion

when

the nobles and the prelates vied

in

agricultural depression
sult, as

was extreme

the

re-

with each other

throwing coronets and

alleged, of

the recent adoption

mitres to the dust as useless ajipendages.

The

of free-trade, and

Mr. Disraeli moved for a

day was

still

called "the

day of dupes," and he

iu recalling

committee of the whole house to consider such

a revision of the poor-laws as might mitigate the distress of the agricultural classes.

hoped the house and the country

tlie

incidents of that evening would not be

reminded that they might have had some

share in the appellation.
It

The motion was opposed by Graham, who perhaps saw that

Sir
it

James
covered

was

eas)'

enough for Mr. Gladstone to

explain in committee

interminable discussions, during which the

battle of the abolition of duties on food

reply to the charges insinuated against him, for

wouhl
he he

he had only

ofl'ered to

be fought over again; but

ported
it,

ilr.

Gladstone supif

his reasons for preferring a conditional

change

at the

same time declaring tliat

in the navigation laws to the direct legislation

jirojiosed

saw

in it a reversal of the fi'ee-trade policy

it

by the government
bill,

but he had
the
general

should join in offering

the firmest resistance.

already expressed approval of

objects of the

No

one by voting for the motion would be

to

and had

let it

be underproposals

committed
cial policy,

views advei-se to recent commer-

stood that he should not

jiress his

and he concurred with Mr. Disraeli

on the house, and would not risk the rejection

of the measure.

in the opinion that there

vas a considerable

He had
own
if

also stated that

he

portion of the charges

connected with the

should use his

discretion as to

making

poor-law which might be transferred to the

consolidated fund without detracting from the

any proposal on committee.

the house that

He

reminded

Mr.

Disraeli

had not seen

advantages of local management or impairing

the stimulus which local management gave to

that the coui'se he

had pursued was one fav-

ourable to the objects he had in view, he

economy.

He

was prepared

to go into

com-

woukl not have made that attack upon him.

"I

am

perfectly satisfied to bear his sarcasm,

brilliant as it
is,

what establishment charges or what other charges there were upon

mittee and to consider

good-humoured and
step I have taken

while I

the poor-rates (whether in England, Scotland,

or Ireland), or

can appeal to his judgment as to whether the

what expenses

of

management

was unbecoming

in

one

who
free-

there were which, without injury to the great

principle of local control,

conscientiously differs with

him on the

might be advantage-

dom
it,

of trade,

and has endeavoured

it

to realize

ously transferred to the consolidated fund.

because so far from

lieing the cause of

it

the distress of the country,

has been, under

The motion could not be construed into a return of protection, and in fact it had rather
a tendency to weaken the arguments in favour
of a retrograde policy

the mercy of God, the most signal and effectual

means

of mitigating this distress,

and

acceler-

and

to

draw

off the

ating the
perity."

dawn

of the

day

of

returning pros-

moderate
this

iii'otectionists.

He would

vote for
his

motion on the ground upon which

right honourable fi-iend

had declared he sliould

It

Mr. Gladstone had,

as

we have

seen,

become

resist it

the

ground

of justice.

was im-

COLONIAL GOVERNMENT OWHYEE.

possible to look at the nature of
tlie

189
see in the proposal for
free-

tax for

members who did not

trade principles

the support of the poor without being struck

a committee of inquiry any danger to

The rate by the inequality of its incidence. was levied locally for two reasons: first, for
the purposes of police; and secondly, for the
tiischarge of a sacred obligation enforced

may be

inferred from the fact

that the motion was rejected

by only a majoRobert
it ;is

rity of 21 votes, 273 against 252, Sir

upon
all

Peel,

who

pi-obably regarded

an attempt
to the agri-

us by religion. The rate ought to

descriptions of property, taking

fall

upon

to revive the question of a

bounty

an abstract

cultural interest, voting in the majority.

view; and though this might be impracticable,

that objection did not
lie

against the motion

The

repeal of the navigation laws as it

before the house.

of the

"With regard to the position

atTected the colonies

had hastened the conthe

landed interest, they were asking at

sideration of cei-tain inevitable reforms in the

present to be relieved from only a portion of

government

of

British jjossessions, anil

burden which had descended to them. They did inherit poor-rates with their- land,
the

change which was soon afterwards effected in

our colonial policy, followed by the rapid

but they also inherited with

it

a protective

and enormous advances of the Australasian

settlements, are

system which had given to this property an

artificial

among

the most remarkable

value

a system which

he admitted

events of a period full of important changes

was

as

contrary to abstract justice as the

and extraordinary developments.

inequality of the incidence of the poor-rate,

When King Kamehameha

to

ceded the Ha-

which, on the ground of this protective system

waiian Islands to this country, and wanted us

being thus contrary to abstract house had eiTectually destroyed.

.stone entirely diifered

justice, the

become possessors
spelt

of

what was then

little

called

Mr. Glad-

and

from Sir .James Graham

Ije

Owhyee with the soft name

was because the
being

the beautiful

island

that sounds like a sigh

it

as to the class

which would

relieved

by the

jioor sovereign

found

it

impos-

transfer of the rate.

He
by
tlie

believed that the

sible to satisfy the claims that

were continually
injuries

fanner and the independent yeoman would be

the persons to benefit
if

made by English diplomacy for

change and even

;

to British subjects.

We

refused to take over

the landlord should ultimately receive

tlie

the place as an actual possession, but were

quite ready to accord to
as
it

entire benefit, that

would not be a

fatal objec-

our protection
to confer on
it

tion to the motion.

The

condition of the

an independent

state

and

fanning class and of the agricultural labourers

in

the blessings of constitutional government,

so that

a large portion of England, to say nothing

by

184.5 the

Hawaiians were instructed

of Ireland,

was such as

to

demand

the careful

in the art of forming a

tatives as a

House

of Represento the

attention

and consideration

of the house.

He

due and proper balance

trusted something to the spirit of liberality

and conciliation

but he trusted likewise that

The king had opened parliament with a speech which was in foi-m a very
House
of Nobles.

some who might not consider the claim as

exactly one which could be mathematically

good imitation of some

ration that measures

of

our

own

royal com-

munications, but dealt chiefly with the decla-

demonstrated to be one of
regarded
it

justice,

but who

would be taken for a

as a claim connected with the

census or calculation to determine whether

the population was increasing or diminishing,

gallant straggle of the farmers

and yeomen,

and with the independent condition of a large

portion of the peasantry of the country
trusted that there were

he

and with the earnest reminder that it was the possession of the Word of God which had
enabled the people of those islands to take
a place
nations.

many

such

who would

not hesitate to give their support to a proposition,

the reasonableness of which was, to his

in its

among the family of independent The first vote of the nobles was one
Great Britain, France, Belgium,

mind, clear and satisfactory both

^^tance

sub-

of thanks to

and

spirit.

That these opinions were shared by other

and the United States for recognizing this independence of the Hawaiian Kingdom, and

190

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

duced the colony to insolvency, and 155,000

the ministers then presented their reports and

estimates, the business of the session having

had

to

be^advanced from the treasury.

On

commenced

in regular fashion.

This newly

his removal

from

ofiice

his successor (Gov-

adopted constitution has lasted and prospered, though the initial fear has also unhappilj' been
verttied,

ernor Grey) found that the annual expenditure

had been 150,000 with a revenue

of

and only as

it

were the other day,'

only 30,000, so that the sudden reduction

to ^35,000 expenditure so depressed the colonj'

King Kalakua,
came on a
of

the successor of

Kamehameha,

visit first to

England, and to other

that the treasury at

for its relief,

home had

to

pay 400,000

countries of Europe

and the Southern States

see

and the whole public administrabe reorganized, which was like

over again.

America, anxious not only to

the

tion

had

to

progress of invention and science in these

countries,

beginning

all

The

first

conces-

but to invite colonists to his king-

sion towards representative

gi'anted to

government was

dom

that they
life,

may

infuse into

it

a more

South Australia and

New

South

robust
prise of
lation

and not only take to it the entermodern Europe, but form a new poputhat native
race

Wales

in 1842, just after this reorganization,

when it was enacted

that the legislative council

to succeed

which

should consist partly of membei-s elected by

the peoijle, and that under royal sanction a
general assembly chosen

appears to be diminishing.

Tlie

Sandwich

Islands have, in fact, never become a colony,

by popular

election

and the English settlement there has not been

of

might be convened.

any immediate

significance;

but

it is

not

The

position of

New

Zealand was perhaps

impossible that the knowledge that they had

risen to the dignity of self-government in-

the most striking example of the influence of

corrupt or incompetent unrepresentative gov-

creased the intensity of the

demand made by

ernment.

This was a colony which consisted

our actual and really important Australasian

colonies, that

of emigrants belonging to the best of our in-

they should be permitted to

dustrious classes as well as to the educated

appoint representative assemblies for the gov-

portion of English society.

These islands

ernment

of

tlieii'

own

internal affairs, instead

were from the nature of their climate and productions jieculiarly attractive to British colonists,

of being ruled

from Downing Street by the

intervention of a governor and a commission.

and

to

meet the strong popular desire most

eligible persons to emi-

In 1846 there were forty-two British

nies, containing a

colo-

here a company was formed for the purpose

of enabling the

population of 4,674,000, no

more than that

these colonies

of

London and the outlying

Twenty-five of
of representative

grate and
settlement,
friendly

form a compact and

especially as

successful

suburbs at the present time.

the

natives
to

were
the

had some kind

and even desirous

receive

government

of their own, but they

were not

English

who were prepared

to live in

good

those which possessed the larger j^opulatious,

fellowship with them.

and they had numerous complaints of injustice and incompetency against the governors and
tlie

The plan adopted by an

association of inself-

tending emigrants was to try a system of

colonial ofiice.

Among

the most bitter

supporting colonization, devised by a Mr.

Wakefield, by which the capital realized by
the sale of land was to be used for bringing

charges were those of the sudden imposition

of heavy taxes, interference with the currency

by governors or
public

their representatives, favour-

out agricultural labourers to the colony in

itism in the appointment

officers,

and treatment

of

detachments in proportion to the amount of

land bi'ought under cultivation.

and the application to other

The

culti-

communities of special conditions which had

been adopted as suitable for penal
ments.
settle-

vated areas were to be so arranged as to be

near each other, so that there should not be
lated settlements at great distances,
colonists
iso-

In South Australia the extravagant

where the

expenditure of one governor had almost re-

would become mere squatters, out of

reach of co-operation and without the improv'

July and August,

13S1.

ing social influence of a regular community.

THE STORY OF NEW ZEALAND.

The government not only
tually inimical to
obstacles.
it,

191

refrained from en-

to

fulfil.

Though a parliamentary committee

bad a

couraging this attempt, but seemed to be ac-

of inquir}' declared that the settlere

aud opposed numerous

-was that

clear right as against the cro^wn lands to the

Perhaps the chief of these

fulfilment of their agreement,

no

justice could
colonists,

there

was no regular
left -without

principle adopted on

be obtained, and the unfortunate

claiming the territory.

The

fii-st

colonists

who had

lost their

money and had no

other

were

any

settled government,
legislate for

and

resource, sought to begin afresh in

Sydney or
for-

were denied the power to

them.

them-

South Australia, or took a passage back to

England.

selves tUl the colonial ofBce could attend to

Those

who remained were

When

a governor was at

last sent out

bidden to maintain a volunteer force for

their

he conceived

it

to be his duty to thwart

and

own

protection in a teiTitory extend-

humiliate the officers of the company, and

ing to 1000 miles in length and inhabited

he exercised his privileges by upsetting

the plans of the colonists, injuring

all

by 10,000

persons, to

whom

the governor

them with

offered the services of a foi-ce of fifty soldiers.

the natives, interfering -with their financial

Consequently their houses were demolished

arrangements, and, as was afterwards charged

against him, permitting his
their pick of the land,
realized
officials to

and

their crops

burned

b}'

the natives whose

take

reserves of land remained uncultivated.

The

and

of applying 40,000

governor seemed to be concerned in opposing

the natives to the settlers
pai-ed

by the

sales of lands to other purposes

it

instead of using

for bringing out labom- in

first

to

instruct

who had been preand improve them, and

accordance with the

principle

of

the

eventually the whole scheme was irretrievably

scheme.

He

died

before these accusations

ruined by the iguorance and arrogance of the

could be inquired into, and left the colony

governor and his

officials,

and the

indiiTerence

with a debt of 68,000.

He

was succeeded
less

and apparent incompetency

office,

of the colonial

by a

less

competent and apparently even

under Lord Stanley, to underetand the

scrupulous gentleman,

who

could not keep the

true bearing of events.

ists

expenditure for a colony of 15,000 persons at

so low a figure as 20,000 a year,

therefore

The case of the colonbecame an appeal, which was iu

Mr. Charles

and there-

fact a bitter accusation against the colonial sec-

fore issued assignats or debentures to the

retary

and

his department, or as

amount

of

15,000 with promissory notes

BuUer, the friend and pupil of Thomas Carlyle, said,

down

to the value of

two

shillings,

which he

" It is in truth the history of the

office

war

afterwards
to arouse

made a leg;d tender. He contrived discontent among the natives by

which the colonial

the colony of

has carried on against

Is this an exag-

New

Zealand.

meddling with the terms on which land had

been bought of them, though the price had
been already paid.
Before
it

gerated expression?
tish

What enemy of

the Bricivilized

name and

race could

what

was found abso-

enemy would have brought such ruin on a

British colony?"

lutely necessary to recall

him he had man-

aged to subvert the promising organization

that had survived the interference of his predecessor.
its its

The New Zealand Company retained

it

Of course though a promising and earnest had been thwarted, and a number of energetic and honest men who had sought
enterpiise
to found a

good financial reputation and had preserved

commercial integiity, but

new

colony had been ruined, the

so

bad spent

country

itself

had

many

natural advan-

300,000 of capital and 300,000 raised on

credit,

tages that the settlements were not absolutely destroyed,

and had not been able to take possession was

entitled,
its

and when
set

at length

Governor Grey

of an acre of the land to which it

anived and

about doing for

New

Zealand

although

members

in

England had paid

have been

for their allotments

tional

on the faith of a condi-

agi-eement which should

what he had previously done for South Australia, there was a revival of interest, and after the raids of the natives had been suppressed and a better feeling restored, the
colonists

concluded between the government and the

company, but which the governor now refused

were

left

with greater freedom

of

192

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTE^MPOEARIES.

own
iifi'aii-s,

action to settle their

Epei'ity of

aiul the pro-

renamed

New

South Wales by the English

the community began the

advei-se

to develop

explorer iu 1777

when

the British standard

even

under

conditions

-which

was planted on
sent

necessarily followed a period of licensed disorder.

and this fii-st settlement became the mother country of the preits

shores,

great Australian colony.

In March,
transport

It has

been convenient

to

recount thus
reiter-

787,

the "

first

fleet "

of eleven

briefly the events

which led to the

shi[)S,

under command
ship

of Captain Phillip of

ated appeal of the colonies for jiermissiou to

elect their

H.M.

iSirius, sailed to

New

South Wales
After eight

own

representative government, in
realize

with 565 males and 192 females and a guard

of marines, in all 1030 souls.

order that
ation

we may

what was the

situ-

when

in 1850 the question of colonial ad-

months' passage they reached Botany

safety

Bay

in

ministration was forced upon the attention of

swampy, sandy,
the
fierce

ill-watered phice,

parliament.

That

it

should have demanded

with a shallow harbour, and exposed to the

attacks of

and received
event, the

partial redress

was a remarkable
of

and

hostile

natives.

momentous importance

which

Phillip searched northwards

inlet set

and came

to

an

was

by the almost immediate increase of emigration, and by the subsequent discoveries which tempted such vast numbers
intensified

down
but

iu the chart of Captain Cook's

expedition as a boat harbour.

This was Port

Jackson

tlie

magnificent haven of Syd-

of persons to the Australian gold-helds.

ney Cove, veiled from the view of Jackson the

sailor

As

early as 1840 Sir William

of

Molesworth
that

by the high headlands, was

fleet

discovered,

had proposed in the House

Commons

to the great delight of Cajitain PhiUip,

who

the penalty of transportation should be abolished and the penitentiaiy system of punish-

hastened to remove his

from Botany Bay,

where the

first

convict settlement

ment adopted in its stead as soon as practicable, and that the funds to be derived from the sale of waste lauds in New South Wales
and Tan Diemen's Land ought to be
antici-

on the 26th of January, 1788.

of the colony

commenced The live stock

was then 2

bulls, 5 cows, 1 hoi-se,

3 mar-es, 3

colts,

29 sheep, 19 goats, 74 pigs,

5 rabbits, 18 turkeys, 29 geese, 35 ducks,

and

pated by means of loans on that security, for

the purpose of promoting extensive emigration to those colonies.

210 fowls.

In the following mouth 2 bulls

lost in
it

and 4 cows were

which, serious as

the bush, an event

to the

The

resolution did not

may have seemed

to

go to a division.

new

colonists,

was destined

have very im-

As we have

seen, the various provinces of

portant resxdts, for these animals, crossing the

the Australasian colonies differed consider-

sandy tracts around Sydney, found a great

pasture about forty miles from the settlement

ably iu their conditions, but they alike desired the privilege or the right of internal

on the banks of the Hawksbm-y, and there

multiplied into a herd large and fierce enough
to keep the natives at a distance.

self-government,
.sentative

if

not of a complete repre-

legislature elected

by the inhabi-

The new

tants.

When

those which

had been penal

settlement was exposed to great hardships.

settlements ceased to receive criminals sen-

The

stores failed,

and there were but scanty

prisonei-s

tenced to transportation, and the improve-

crops,

and as more

were arriving

ments in passenger vessels increased the number of free emigrants, this desire grew into a
repeated and emphatic demand.
earlier

the governor sent the Siruis with a party of

marines to take possession of Norfolk Island,

It w;xs

no

but the

shij)

was wrecked, the provisions

to live

lost,

than 1770 that Captain Cook had landed

and the people had

that

on the sooty petrels

in the neighbourhood of the peninsula

which

swarmed

in the locality until the grain

came

to be the capital of

New

South Wales,

crop could be harvested.

at

Then the
of

convicts

and that Port Jackson had been named after the sailor who first saw land. The New Holland of the old Dutch navigator Abel Tasman,

Sydney mutinied, twenty

to

them escaped

and started "

those

go to China by land," and

who

survived were brought back to the

who had

explored the coast iu 1644, had been

settlement half-starved.

The

natives

made

AUSTRALIAN COLONIES -CONVICT POPULATION.

attacks on the colonists.

193

Supplies of food

the woi-st elements of a convict settlement

had

to be sent for

from Batavia and the Cape.

were in

full

view, and

New

South Wales had

But

for the plentiful supply of fish iu Bot;iny

to pass through

remarkable vicissitudes of

famished.

Bay and Port Jackson the people must have Then agriculture was gradually
biought into systematic operation.

wild speculation, extravagance, bankruptcies,

mortgages, panics, and public disastere, before
it

Land was

came out

of its distresses

and showed

its

granted to the few free settlers and to emancipated prisonei-s, and several of the marines

amazing

capacity

for

progressive
its

success.

Several events contributed to

prosperity.

ultimate

became
clothes,
stores,

colonists

upon being furnished with

As

early as 1803 the first

move-

implements, seed, grain, live-stock,

and rations for eighteen months. Event-

ually they

and the other

free colonists wei-e

permitted to engage as labourei-s as

many

of

ment had been made towards the success of the great staple trade by which it has since risen to wealth and importance. In that year Mr. John Macarthur brought to England samples of wool grown by himself iu the
colony,
here,

the prisonei's as they could undertake to feed

and

clothe,

and

this

was the origin

of the

and showed them

the
to

to

some brokers
that

" assignment system,"

which was said to have

relieving the treasuiy

who, foreseeing

advantage

worked well enough by

from the expense

would be gained

Great Britain by the

of maintaining the prisoners,

extensive cultivation of the Australian fleece

to compete with those of Spain

and at the same time separating them from

their associates

and Saxony,

and placing them under the

families.

obtained for Mr. Macarthur a grant of land

suitable
for sheep-rearing,

direction

of

respectable

It

was

and a

sufficient

through the abuse of the .system by granting

assignments of prison labourers to convicts
themselves after their emaucipution or the
expiry of their sentence, that the subsequent
evils arose.

number

of

assigned convicts as labourers.

first

His success was at

subject to

many

variations, but at length the enterprise proved

so profitable that sheep-farming

became the crown lands and

to

The mischief was manifold, and

little

general pureuit of the colony.

added not a

to the struggles through

its

In 1831 the system

of granting

which the colony had to pass in

experience.
scarcity,

early

as rewards for service to the state, or as free

gifts for the

In addition to

floods, storms,

and

encouragement of

settlers,

which more than once nearly resulted

intemperance was

induce them to employ and maintain convicts,

in actual famine, the vice of

was abandoned, and land was

free

sold, that

by

a prominent factor in the general obstacles to

])rogress.

the proceeds of the sale the immigration of

There was no currency

no coin in
settlers,

and respectable pereons might be

first
5s.

assisted.

fact

and

rum became

the standard of value

The
was

upset price of land sold

btit

and the chief

article of

ordinary exchange.

an acre,

Not only the

convicts

chief officers

and the
it,

but

Lord Glenelg
it
still

to 12s.,

and

soldiers, bartered

and

licenses
privi-

further to

by 1838 it and Lord Stanley i-aised 1 an acre; but Sydney

by auction was raised by

to retail spirits

were conferred on the

was
of

rising into importance, considerable suras

leged class of society.

The
this

military staff be-

money have

recently been

made by

the

came demoralized by
tlie

huckstering, and
to the

sale of plots

which originally cost only a few

vice of drunkenness,

added

comocca-

pounds or

shillings,

and land in the town had

parative scarcity of reputable

women,

reached an enormous value before the latter

rise

sioned so

much

depravity that in 1806 twoille-

took place in 1842.

Meanwhile the con-

thirds of the children annually born were

gitimate.

dition of society
tive,

had been singularly unattrac-

Of couree there was a great deal of

because of ditlereuces in the manner

hanging and shooting and bushranging, and

society
it

of

treating the convict or ex -convict pop-

was in a rough condition even where was not permeated by the criminal element. was not
established.

ulation.

One governor held

the

opinion

that a return to good conduct, and tried integrity

Provisions and other articles were dear, and

public security
voi,.

should be sufficient atonement for

title to restora-

Some

of

past offences, and should be a

n.

31

194

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

-n'liicli

tiou to the place iu society

forfeited.

had beeu
but the

portation,

and stimulated the

colonists

them-

This view was accompauied hy the

;

selves to protest against the continued pollu-

discouragement of free immigration

tion

by the dregs

of British prisons of that

next governor held a ditierent pohcy, and

which had grown to a

munity.

free

and virtuous com-

made a decided
pired.

difference in his conduct to

In 1850 not above 370 convicts

the convicts whose term of servitude had ex-

As

the

numbers

of free colonists

and

were undergoing punishment of any kind, and there was pretty well an end to the
system which during
its

convicts were about equal as far as the male

course had introduced

it

population

was

concerned,

these

changes
feel-

60,000 offenders, by whose agency

said that the colony

may

\x

brought about injurious alternations of

was

first

redeemed from

ing and bitter rivalry between the two classes,

savagery and prepared for a regular Euio-

and

it

was

as

much as a

third authority could

pean family.
were, in 1850,
life,

Of these 60,000 about 38,000

filling respectable positions iu

do to harmonize the conflicting elements.

In

1S33 there were 22,798 free males against

21,845 male convicts, and 13,453 free females
against 2693 female convicts, but of the free
jiopulation about half

and earning their livelihood in the most

of convicts

creditable manner.^

Though the transportation

Great Britain to
in 1840,

from

were liberated convicts.

New South Wales

had ceased

In 1840 the number of convicts assigned to

private service was above 21,000, and six

years later, and even

up

to the iseriod

to

it was not till 1852 that Van Diemen's Land was relieved from the infliction, and by that time it had become a rapidly increas-

which we
colonial

shall presently return,

when the
South
bitter-

ing and prosperous colony,

its

name having
district of

government measures were brought

been popularly changed to Tasmania, after

forward in 1849, the "society" of

New

Tasman, the

first

discoverer.

That

Wales recognized, not njithout a certain

ness, that

New

South Wales

kuown

as Port Phillip or

many

of the "old hands," the con-

AustraliaPelix had been formed into a separate

colony under the

vict settlere or their successors, to jjositious of wealth,

had attained
to in-

name

of Victoria,

and had

and were able

taken the foremost place in the history of our

Australasian possessions, because of the sudden

dulge in a luxury and display which far ex-

ceeded that of even the more aristocratic of

the colonists, and were significant of a plutocracy able to purchase anything except the
entree to those exclusive circles maintained

and enormous rush

of emigrant;] to its

newly
have
be

discovered gold-fields, of which

more to say

presently.

It

we may

shall

easilj'

by

imagined, however, that the English govein-

their

poorer

oflicial

and

aristocratic neigh-

ment had met with what

answering the question,

at one time ap-

bours.

peared to be an insurmountable difficulty in

the 20th of August, 1840, the transport-

On
to

What

are

we

to

do
of

ation of convicts to

New

South AVales came

with our convicts sentenced to long terms

an end, and offenders were oidy sent to Van Diemen's Land and its dependency Nor-

penal servitude, or to life-long detention under

punishment?

Before a system of

convict

folk Island, while Cockatoo Island, a natural

labour in this country could be organized, an

hulk situated about two miles above Sydney,

in the creek

endeavour was made

to induce the colony of

recei\'e criminals,

between Port Jackson and the

New
and

South Wales again to

to assign

Paramatta River, received the evil-doere from New South "Wales itself. It would be out of
the course of these pages to enter into any incidental allusions to the horrors of these places

some portion
;

of

the land as

a convict settlement

but there was so strong though for some time

an opposition to

it

that,

the subject was discussed, the proposal was

finally rejected,

but

it

may

easily

be surmised that the dread-

and

it

had become evident

ful disclosm-es of the vile

moral condition of

that the whole system would have to be aban'

the wretches

who were

there under punishLetter of Mr. Dumas, clerk in the convict department,

1S50),

ment had
a

a considerable effect iu procuring

abolition of the system of trans-

Sydney (June,

and Our Antipodes, hy General

summary

Munday,

fouitli edition, 1857.

CANADATHE INDEMNITY
doned, as
it Tvas, liy

BILL.
not, cannot,

195

the

new

organization of

convicts

must

and

shall not

be

Tasmania in the following year.

mination of
tlie

The

deter-

landed or kept in any parts of the

tliat

colon)',"

colonists

no longer to receive

the Xcptnne should be ordered, after

for ultimate disposal, culprits

liad

whose

ofl'ences

victualling, to leave their shores.

The gover-

been too heavy for the shorter terms of

inflicted

punishments

in English

jails,

had

nor was in a dilemma, and endeavoured to appease the excitement by promising that he

been already tested in 1848, when the people

of the Caijo of

would not receive the

convicts,

but that the

Good Hope
It

resolutely refused

ship should ride at anchor in Simon's

Bay

for

to receive a ship-load of prisoners deported

the month or six weeks during which he

from Bermuda.

had been represented that

prisoners

would await answere

for instructions

to his despatches asking

state.

at least one or other of the colonies might be

from the secretary of

of

required to receive

jjolitical

from Ire-

But the inhabitants

Cape Town would not

laud or elsewhere whose crimes were not those

usually regarded as heinous moral offences,

wait on the chance of any of the convicts

being smuggled on shore, and they at once

stopped the supplies of the army, the navy,

but were of a

jjoliticid

character ; and

it

was

thought that the colonists at the Cape would

scarcely object to a penal settlement for convicts

and the government revenue, so that the governor himself was obliged to have bread

made

under sentence for treason or rebellion

tl;eir terri-

and baked in

his

own

house.

It

was

so evi-

being formed in some portion of

tory.

dent that the temper of the colony was roused

to

This explanation was regarded as only

a pitch that would endanger the authority

an afterthought covering an attempt to renew

the system of transportation, especialty as
it

of the governor,

and would perhaps

result in

a rebellion against British authority, that the

point was conceded, and the Neptune was

was

also

mentioned that at the Cape, consupjjly

victs

might

good and cheap labour,

to reformacolonists,

ordered
vict.

and

at the

same time be subjected

away without landing a single conThe protest against transportation of

from Great Britain, and the continuand
results

tory social influences.

The Cape

felons

however, were disinclined to obtain labour at

the price of being responsible for the safe-

ance of the colonies as penal settlements, was

effectual
its

were permanent.
of misnile,

keeping of a number of prisoners

bring

who might
homes.
very
effect

This unmistakable resistance to retrogressive measures,

many

evil influences into their

and the complaints

At

a public meeting at

Cai^e

Town

extravagance, and tyrannous suppression else-

emphatic resolutions were passed to the

where, pressed the necessity for a reform of

colonial

that the inhabitants resented the attempted

degradation, and would use ever}'
their

government on the attention

of par-

means

in

liament,

and events in Canada had not been

legislature of the
bill

power to resist

it.

That

this expression

without a very definite bearing on the same

toijic.

was

to

be interpreted to mean even a demon-

The

Lower Province

stration of physical force

was evident from

had passed a

granting indemnities to

the excited temper of the people, but happily

people whose property had been injured dur-

they proceeded in a more "constitutional"

ing the rebellion or insuiTectiou of 18.37-8,

manner.

On

the 19th of September a ship

and

this

had been strongly opposed by the

it

named

the Xeptunc arrived with a large

numThe

British party in the province, for the alleged

ber of prisouei's, some of tliem supposedly

Irish political offendei's,

reason that

would be tantamount
of those persons

to

com-

from Bermuda.

pensating

many

who had
and

anchoring of the vessel in Simon's

Bay was

actually taken a part in the disturbance,

immediately succeeded by signals of alarm.

would be holding out

community.
bill

to disaffection a

premium

The great gong

at the town-liaU

was sounded,

taken from the law-abiding tax-p.ayers of the

the bells of the churches were rung at half-

In

spite of these objections the

minute time, and an address was instantly

sent to the governor, Sir

was carried by a large majority, and

Harry

Smitli, jiray-

received the assent of Lord Elgin, the gover-

ing " as the people have determined that the

nor of the colony.

The

effect of this

was that

196
the objectors,

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

who
liad claimed to represent

the act, but for an assurance from the govern-

the observei-s of the law, themselves raised a

serious
riot,

ment
under

that rebels should not be indemnified

it,

duiing which

the parliament

house of the province was destroyed, a great

deal of violence had to be suppressed,

parties claiming

and for evidence to prove that money had taken no part in

Unless the government gave

and an

the rebellion.
this assurance,

inquiry into the circumstances had to be

in the

made

he recommended that the be suspended

rati-

House

of

Commons, where Lord Elgin

fication of the act should

till

the
of

was warmly attacked for assenting to the measure which had caused the disturbance. His conduct was defended on the gi-ound
that no person could be treated as a rebel
uuless proof were given of his having taken

colonial

legislature
it.

had the opportunity

amending

Lord John Russell, however, censured Mr.

Gladstone's speech, as one likely to increa.se

the antagonism of parties in Canada, and

a part in the insurrection, and that anyone

claiming compensation for loss of property
could not reasonably be called upon to prove
that he was innocent of having participated
in the rebellion.

announced the determination of the govern-

ment

to leave the act in operation.

A hostile
The
be-

motion by Mr. Hen-ies for an address praying

her majesty to withhold her assent to the

The party

in

Canada who
its

measure was

lost

by 291 votes
after one or

to 150.

had objected

to the bill

on the ground of

question of colonial government was

fore the house,

now

possible encouragement to rebels

had not been

and

two

inefiectual

slow to commence an insurrection on their

propositions, Sir

W.

Molesworth

later in the

own

account.

Lord Elgin had been pelted

bill,

session brought forward a

motion for the ap-

with stones on his return from the parliament

house after giving his assent to the
the

pointment of a royal commission to inquire

into the administration of the colonial possessions,

houses of some of the ministers were sacked,

with a view to diminishing the causes

and

as

we have

seen the legislative building

of colonial complaint, decreasing the cost of

colonial government,

itseK

was destroyed.

Mr. Roebuck depre-

and giving free scope to

IMr.

cated any interference by the

House

of

Com-

individual enterpi-ise in the business of colonizing.

mons with
paid in

the expression of their opinion by

The motion was seconded by

it

the Canadians.

The money which was to be indemnities was Canadian and not

Mr. Gladstone
wa.s

Hume, and Mr. Gladstone supported

interests of the colonies,

in the

and

of the main-

English money.
to this view,

opposed
fact

tenance of our connection with them.

Sir

and pointed out that the

W. Molesworth

in his introduction of the

that the sanction of the crown was required

to

proposal, alleged that the

misgovemment of the
and other

any measure brought the matter under the

colonial office, convict emigration,

jurisdiction of the house.

On

the motion for

causes which a commission might be able to

investigate

going into committee of su])ply, after arguing

the question whether the Indemnity

now turned

the tide of colonization

Act was

from our own settlements.

rejected

brought forward for the purpose of compensating those

The motion was by the government on the giound

their

who had been

innocent sufferers,

that the question should be brought forward

or for the indemnification of those

who had

by ministers on
was

own

responsibility under
It

borne arms against the

state,

he contended

the control and supervision of parliament.

therefore negatived

that there could be no doubt that such an act

of indemnification
sideration,
sistent

by 163

votes to 89,
till

demanded imperial con-

and the main subject was shelved

the

fol-

and that the measure was not conwith the honour of the crown, and

lowing year, when the results of the alterations

which had been made in the navigation laws and the changes which had taken place in the
relation

brought forward several illustrations which he stated were proofs of the intentions of the
framers of the act not to treat participation
in the rebellion as a disqualification for compensation.

between the mother country and the

colonies helped to revive the subject,

and the

ministry brought in a bill for the improve-

He did

not

call for

the reversal of

ment

of colonial

government, by giving the

|

GLADSTONE AND COLONIAL CHUECH GOVERNMENT.

Australian settlements more control over their
other side of the world.

197

The bishop was

own

affairs

by means

of a

new

legislative con-

powerless, unless he acted with arbitraiy des-

stitution.

potism and without any forms of judicial

colonists for

The demands by the

control of their

a complete

procedure; and

if

he did

this,

the right to

popular

own affairs and for elective govemmeut had been already proactive in disseminating information

appeal w;is a right upon paper alone.

Mr.

Gladstone proposed, inasmuch as the colonial

moted by a Colonial Reform Association, which

had been
on the subject; and the Australian Colonies

church was excluded from the rights and

privileges of establishment, to untie its hands

from

all disabilities,

and

let it fall

back on

its

Government
Lord John
tical

Bill

was at length introduced by

It

original freedom.

"With this object he

moved

Russell.

was

far

from being so
poli-

that a clause be added to the bdl, enacting

that the bishops, clergy,

complete a measure as the advocates of

and

laity in

commun-

progress desired for the colonies, and met

ion with the chxirch, in the several colonies,

with much opposition on various grounds.

should have power to meet from time to time,

Mr. Gladstone, who represented the opinion

of

and make regulations

clesiastical affaii-3.

for the conduct of ec-

many

membei-s, objected that in each Aus-

The objections

to these

tralian constitution there

was

to

be only a

proposals were, that they attempted to graft

single

chamber instead

of

an upper and a

upon the biU a

sort of legislative convocation

lower house, and he supported an amendment

or ecclesiastical synod for the church, indepen-

by Mr. Walpole, that the chambers should be

divided

dent of the local legislature, a convocation

which,

one being nominated

elected

by the crown,
This

whUe

it

would have been constituted

a clause
the
lay

the

other

by the

colonists.

of laity as well as clergy, contained

amendment was

lost,

however.

On

the report

practically

nullifying

element,

by

being brought up, Sir

W. Molesworth moved
bill,

making the
cation.

assent of the Australian bishops

for the recommittal of the

for the purpose

essential to the efficacy of the acts of convo-

of omitting
colonies a

some

clauses, in order to give the

Some

critics outside the

house said

more complete government, indeand

this also

that,

judging from the results of episcopal adit

pendent of the control and interposition of the

colonial office;

ministration in the Old World,

would have

was

supjjorted
it

Mr. Gladstone on the ground that

control of the

by was most
far as

been " hard to deliver over the

like tender mercies."

New

to the

This was intended to

o'f

important to emancipate the colonies from the

point at the existence

cure,

an

ecclesiastical sineyeai-,

government at home, as
interests.

worth

fifteen

thousand a

alleged
for

was consistent with imperial

But

to have been appropriated

by the primate

Mr. Gladstone, in accordance with the position

the benefit of his son, and at the Bishop of

which he then sustained towards the church,

not altogether because of
his representing

London's palliation

of

that

procedure by

referring to the enormity of

decessor,

an episcopal prea son of six

Oxford, but consistently with the attitude

who had
to

ajjpointed
office,

which he had always assumed with regard to

the authority
its of.

months old
it

a similar

and

so secured

church government within

to

him

for

seventy years.

Tlie explan-

own

sphere, also proposed

an

ecclesiastical

ation of the appointment

made by

the primate

constitution for the Australian colonies, con-

was, that

by a

recent act the legislature could

if it

tending that instead of the system of established religion prevailing there for

reduce the salary or increase the duty

any useful

was

so decided;

but the subject of church

purpose, the church was simply, like those of

livings in the gift of high dignitaries w;is at the

the sects, a stipendiary church, although the

ixjwer of appointments to benefices lay with

moment a
disclosures

painful one, in consequence of

some

the governor.

There were no

ecclesiastical

which had been made during the discussions on the Ecclesiastical Commission
BUI, which was then pending.

courts for the maintenance of discipline: all

discipline

Of course

this

had to emanate from the Prerogative

had only a
reference to

theoretical or rather

an allusive
respect-

Courts of the province of Canterbury at the

Mr. Gladstone's proposals

19S

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

Plans for promoting emigration by means
of carefully organized associations

ing the Austi-alian Colonies BUI, but the whole

subject was peculiai-ly irritating.

Eventually

were made

Mr. Labouchere's opposition

synods
of

to the proposed

public,

and were immediately successful in

the

colonial

church closed

the

conveying to the
pei-sons

debate, and the proposals were rejected.

On

new land of plenty, the very who were most needed there, biit who
here to obtain subsistence;

the third reading, however, Mr. Gladstone

found

it difficult

moved an amendment
had an opportunity
of

for

suspending the
should have
its

and

it is

worth remembering that they were

jjassing of the bill tiU the colonies

often accompanied
to

by persons with from oOO

out to settle

considering

pro-

oOQO

capital,

who were going

visions as well as the proposals to vary

them

in farming

and grazing or other occupations,

for the services of

which had been submitted to the house.

objected to the bill because
it

He

and frequently arranged

permitted, and

their poorer fellow-passengera.

This, indeed,

even implied and required, the constant interference of the authorities at

affairs of the colonies;

was a part

of the successful system instituted

ili-s.

home
it

in the local

under the direction of

Chisholm and

because

gave power to

supported by the advice and assistance of

the requisition of two colonies to form a general assembly,

Mr. and

iirs.

Sidney Herbert and others,

with hand-

which would exercise legislative

;

who
some

not only gave their attention to the ex-

power over

all

and because the constitution

cellent scheme,

but supported

it

gave the Australian colonies only one legislative

subscriptions.

chamber

in each colony,

whUe

the same gov-

Mr. Sidney Herbert had organized a committee for raising

ernment which had decreed

to the colonists of the

this,

had granted
legislative

funds and sending out

Cape of Good Hope a

companies of female emigrants imder proper

supervision.

chamber

of representatives

and a

The greater number of these emi-

council based on

the principle of election.

grants in the earlier days of the society's operations

There was
tions

much

force in

many

of the objec-

were needlewomen and sempstresses.

made, and they supported the original

of Sir

There was also a British Ladies' Female Emigration Society, of which the

amendments
was
felt

W.
it

Molesworth, but

it

Duke

of

Argyle

that, imperfect

as the ministerial

was chairman, not established with the view

of directly promoting emigration,

measm-e

miglit

be,

was a considerable

but with

advance on the existing system, and contained

the elements of an inclependent government

the admirable intention of elevating the character of those

which might be practically exercised without

entirely abolishing the colonial office or trans-

country, and

who were who would

its

leaving their native

foi-m the basis
Ije

from
built

which society in the colonies woidd

up.

porting

it

to the antipodes.

On

a division
lost,

Among

principal

objects were the

the motion of Mr. Gladstone was

votes being 226 against 128.

the

establishment of homes for the reception of

Mr. Roebuck,

female emigrants befoi'e they

left this

country,

who was
raeli

its

seconder, acted with

Mr. Glad-

pro\-iding visitation at the ports, supplying

stone as teller in the division,

It

and Mr. Diswas one of the supportei-s of the minority. was time that some decided reformation

means for instruction and employment during

the voyage, appointing competent matrons,

and forming corresponding

colonies to receive, protect,

societies in the
assist the

should be

made

in colonial government,
affaii's

and
local

and

emi-

that the internal

of the Australian

grants on their arrival.

The

Society for the

settlements should be administered

authorities,

by

Propagation of the Gospel also received funds

for

those grand

possessions

of

from an association formed

of

for the purpose

the British crown were rapidly increasing in

improving the condition of emigi'ants by

importance.

The

tide

of

immigi-ation

was

sending out with each emigrant vessel a chaplain or lay teacher,

ah-eady surging upon the shore of the

new

and providing the ship

There were, in
fact,

world, which was becoming the nui-sery of

with books, maps, and tools and materials for

another

if

not a greater Britain, the cradle

manual employment.
numerous

of another family of the

Anglo-Saxon

race.

associations for the express pui-pose

LOSS OF IRISH POPULATIONEMIGRATION STATISTICS.

of proDiotiug

109

aud regulating emigration to

to all classes of emigrants, both
classes, before their departure,

It

was

in

Sydney that Mrs. Chisholm's

in

the colonies, and giving advice, instruction,

admirable

efforts

favour

of

emigrants

and assistance
in

began, but her benevolent

homes and

menced much

earlier.

work had comIn 1830, when she was

during the outward voyage, and on their

arrival at

but twenty years

the port where they landed for

old, she had man-ied Captain Alexander Chisholm, with whom she shortly

their destination.
efforts

Of course some of these

successful,

afterwards went to Madras, and there established a school for the female children

were not completely

and
to

and

there

was much

to leam, as well as

much
It

orjjhans

of

Bi-itish

soldiers,

an

institution

contend with in the character and disposition

of those

which was remarkably successful until in 1838

her husband's weak health compelled him to
leave India.

who were

to

be benefited.
avoid

was

nearly impossible

to

some

disorder,

He

removed
at

to

Sydney, and

and occasionally much that was painful and

deterrent,
especially

there

Mrs. Chisholm
effoi-ts

once commenced
of emigrants

during the voyage of

in ships not yet

benevolent

on behalf

and
of

a number of

women

com-

their families, lending

them small sums

pletely arranged for securing the degree of

money, establishing a temjDorary asylum wliere

she received destitute girls until she could

comfort or of privacy which was desirable,

if

not necessary; but the efforts to meet the

procure situations for them, and generally

advising and helping
all

rapid increase of emigration

by well-con-

who

applied to her.
his wife re-

sidered and practical methods of obtaining

In 1846 Captain Chisholm and

visited

decent and orderly an-angements, to improve

England

after their long absence,

and

aud direct the emigrants themselves, and to

provide trustworthy people to accompany and
protect

took up their abode in Islington, and from

that date to 1854,

when

she returned to Sydin estabin

them on the passage, were praiseworthy

successful.
efforts

ney, Mrs. Chisholm

lishing her "

was occupied

and mostly very

Family Colonization Society,"

meetings,
in

Such truly philanthropic Mr. Sidney Herbert and

of Major-general

were in

explaining her views on emigi-ation at committees and

ijublic

thorough accordance with the disposition of

of his wife (daughter

collecting

passage -money

in

weekly instalments;

in

Ashe & Court and

niece of

helping emigrants with advances, arranging

for the classification of groups of families

the

first

Lord Heytesbury), who

since their

and

marriage in 1846 had admirably seconded

his efforts to ameliorate the distress of

their

employiSes,
for

in

establishing temporary
to leave the

the

homes

young women about

poor needlewomen of

London, and subse-

country',

and in organizing means

for their

quently devoted her attention to the improve-

reception on the other side.

similar benevolent efforts

These and many

ment of soldiers and their wives and families. The name of Mrs. Caroline Chisholm continues to be remembered whenever the subject of
left

which were active in

1849 and 1850, and aftei-wards, were certainly

not more than adequate to give effectual aid
to the

emigi-ation is mentioned; and when she

in 1854 to take

numbers who were suddenly desirous to

England

up her permanent
South Wales, for

try their fortunes in the

new

land.

abode in the colony of

New

As

affording

some data for estimating not

which she had indirectly done such faithful

service,

only the enormous inci-ease of emigration, but

also the

a very considerable sum of money

to her, because

comparative commercial condition of

was subscribed and presented

it

the country,

we may

quote some of the pub-

her
it

was known that she had freely given away own means of support, and also because
still

lished returns, to

which a very able reference

was believed that she would

be in some
to

was made by Mx\ Washington Wilks in his brief volume tracing the events of the half
century ending in 1851.

sense a public sen'ant, ready aid

and willing

by her advice aud

active influence the

The

emigi'ation from Ireland

was

so great
it

cause of emigration and the well-being of

those

as to be of painful significance, and

must

who were

leaving the mother country.

be remembered that the exodus from that


200

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

Britain had exceeded the natural average rate,

country was chiefly to the United States of

America.

The population The

of

England and
of

numbers
towns.
the

of

Irish

had

settled

in our large

Wales w.os 17,905,831, the decennial increase

only 12 per cent.
total population

The census was half a million below average, after making these calculations
and
it

Great Britain and Ireland

was only 568,108

is,

for emigration,

was asked had the

had the birth
It

large

more

in 1851 than in

1841that

27,452,262

number

perished, or

rate

been

against 26,833,496; and the increase of females

so seriou.sly diminished.

was not forgotten

and that the
left

was considerably greater than that of males. The population of Ireland was ascertained to
be 0,615,794, whereas in 1841 it was 8,175,124; and in 1821 it was in 1831 it was 7,767,401
;

that numbers of the eniigi-ants were people

who were

likely to be parents,

natural offspring of Ireland were born in

other lands, but even this consideration

6,801,827.

Thus instead

of

an increase

of

a large margin for untimely deaths, and for

about 6 per cent, as in the preceding twenty years, there had been a decrease of 20 per
cent.

an unusual diminution of the number

births.

of

The population, which

in

1841 had

In relation to the returns, which were

of

been believed to have exceeded the returns,

some importance as indications

ing table will be interesting

of

the com-

had been reduced nearly 300,000 below tliat of 1821, so that it was to be inferred that
there

mercial condition of the countiy, the follow:

had been a

loss of

population of about

two

millions.

This was to be attributed not

PI
r.20

61;

&

alone to the permanent causes of Irish decadence, but to the increase of our facilities for

6
t-e

emigration.

Within twenty years 2,566,023

1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1S3S 1839 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1S46 184 1S48 1S49 1S60

persons had sailed from the ports of the United

46,424.440,49,797,166 47,322,744 46,379,092 46,271,320 45,782,026 40.425,263 46,678,079 45,893,369 45,669,309 48,691,180 46,093,196 46.475,194 49,116,839 47,333,460 47,686,183 47,844,899 49,357,691 47,567,665 49,169,652 4t>,084,360 60,185,729 46.P05,631 60,963,735 62,582,817 61,148.254 54,003,764 52,211,009 69,140.319 53,385,603 69,700,408 65,683,025 65..372,071 69.230,413 60,866,963 58,990.736 69,168,.374 56,480,659 58,838,700 64,036,534
1

Kingdom, and the following table will show the variations, progress, ami destinations of
the numbers of those
North
Tears.

2,673,868 6,096 1,023,784 1.776,378

1,270,0.60

who

left

the countrv

49,713,889' 44,686,741 46,962, ,561 49,363,811 4S,91 1,642

1,690,727 1,985,885 7,496

'

American
Colonies.

United
StatL-s.

Auptralia

All

and New
Zealand.

Other
Places.

Total.

8,016

'

1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1830 1837 1833 183D 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844

1845 1848 184T 1848 1849 1850

58,067 66,339 28,808 40,060 15,573 34,226 29,804 4,577 12,658 32,293 38,164 54,123 23,518 22,924 31,803 43,439 109,680 31,065 41,367 32,961

23,418 32,872 29,109 33,074 26,720 37,774 36,770 14,332 33.536 40,642 45,017 63,852 28,335 43,600 68,538 82.239 142,154 188,233 219,450 223,078

1,561 3,733 4,093 2,800 1,860 3,124 6,054 14,021 15,786 15,850 32.625 8,531 3,478 2 229

114 196 517

288
325 293 326 292 227 195S 270 1835 1881 1873 2330 1826 1487 4887 6490 8773

830
2,347 4.949 23,904 32,191 16,037

83,160 103,140 62,527 76,222 44.478 75.417 72,034 33,222 62,207 90,743 118,592 128,344 57,212 70,686 93,501 129,851 258,250 248,089 299,493 280,849

8,560

67,023,837 54,737,301 61,268,320 62,004,000 67,432,964 64,377,962 05,204,729

70,093,3.63

8.741 1,563,361 1,143,891 2,846,307 2,966,683

76,441,550 86,281,955 95,958,875 90,921,866

37.804,372 30,450,594 39,667,347 41,649,191 47,372,270 63,668,671 42,069,245 60,060,970 62,233,580 61,406,430 51,634.023 47,381,023 62,278,440 68,584,292 60,111,081 67,786,676 58,971.166

9.3,647,134' .13,083,344

2,098,1 26 10.'>,S74,607 63,696.02.'. 2,578,806 100,460,433! 71,369,184

These were the figures that told of the

growth and

progi-ess of the parent country, colonies,

and the young

which were soon to

grow

rapidly to gigantic proportions, were

already opening out for themselves a career of

vast prosperity.

The

peo])le

who left England

Of the 1,692,063 persons constituting the

emigration in the interval of the censuses of
1841 and 1851, 1,100,000 sailed directly from
Irish ports. It was known that of the remaining haK million a large proportion had

because their own conditions were those of constant poverty and ever-threatening want, went
to a land of apparently illimitable resources

and constant plenty; a laud which

in flocks

in

its

natural productions was one of golden promise

made Liverpool only a

for the West,

and

it

port of embarkation was thought probaUe that

and herds and

gi'ain,

and only needed

the host of willing hands

who took

to

it

as the increase in the population of Great

knowledge and labour for

aErriculture,

and

"THE DIGGINGS" GEEAT "GOLD

skill

FINDS."

201

iu mecliauical liandicrafts, to

make

it

attempt to solve any of the problems in political

truly a land of Gosheu.

verified that

And

thLs

was

so far

economy which

arise in connection

with

even when, a year after the date

firet startling

this subject.

A distinguished wit and thinker

to

which we have aiTived, the

declared that, after years of intercourse with

political

note of surprise and wild excitement w;is

economists and every possible effort

sounded, and the rumour of the discovery of

gold in Victoria
to

to drag their great secret

from them, he had

was

verified, the

stampede
i

been utterly unable to find out what they

the

" diggings"

neither

overthrew the

meant by "

value,"

and humble students

fact that

of

colony, nor permanently superseded the labour

passing events have often expressed themselves puzzled

which found, when the mania was over, the

true

by the

one

effect of

and sustaining source

of wealth to

be the

the gold discoveries

was

to " raLse prices."

suffice us.

fertile

land and the regular industries, to

oc-

which mining was added as a recognized

cupation, yielding in the
rate of profit to

The The

facts,

taken in

brief,

must here

results of the discovery of gold

on the

main a regulated The exordinary labour.

Sacramento Eiver in September, 1847

dental as
ory.
it

acci-

was

are well within living memcalled " the gold

ceptional great successes of miuers were such as

Now began what was

may find

occasional parallels iu the discoveries

fever;" there was scarcely a gi-oup of friends

iu Great Britain

or inventions that pioduce large fortunes iu

agi-icultural, or

from which some one was

It

more

frequently, in mechanical

not soon bound for California.

was the

and commercial pursuits. This regulating level

same

was

of course only reached after long

and ex-

citing fluctuations, eager, feverish speculations,

Germany, France, and elsewhere, and in ten yeare the population of San Francisco increased from about 300 to 40,000. For a
iu

and the temporary subversion

" gold mania."

of the ordinary

long course of time the gold-finding in California reached about 13,000,000 per

routine of the communities aifected

by the

annum.

At

fii-st,

the effect of the dis-

The change
tion
;

in the character of that popula-

covery of the precious metal was convulsive

the teirible preponderance of males

and alarming.

The

intelligence of the dis-

the wild scenes of adventure, gambling, rob-

covery of gold iu California in 1848 had pro-

duced a very marked

effect

not only in Europe

and murder; the extemporization of government from time to time; the slow
bery,
siiaking

but in Australia, and early in the following

year four or five large vessels were chartered
at

down

of

life

in those regions into

something resembling order; these are topics

for specialists in history,

Sydney

to take out diggers

and

speculatoi-s

and not

for a general

to the distant gold-fields.

sons,

Nearh' 5000 perbeen taken from

sketch like

this.

many

of

whom had

In

spite of the fact that Sir

Eoderick Mur-

England to Sydney at the expense of the

chison and others had predicted, on scientific

New

South TVales Land Fund, had

left

the

grounds, the discovery of gold in Australia,

there

colony by the end of 1850; but in 1851 the

was fresh excitement

of the

wildest

note of recall was sounded: gold had been discovered, as

it

nature when, in 1851, a Mr. Hargraves or

were, at the doors of their former

it

Hargreaves discovered gold in the Bathurst

region in the spring of 1851.

homesteads, and though

cannot be said
it is

how

Besides those

many

actually

went back,

certain that

who went
allured

out from England and elsewhere,

of finding gold,

Califomian diggers soon

ance in the

made

their appear-

by the mere chance

new

diggings, whither they took

nearly the whole population of Melbourne

experience and the rough usages of

It

camp

life.

and Geelong rushed

case, iu the

to the diggings.

In one

would be dreary work

to trace the his-

tory of the gold discoveries in Eussia, dating

from 1842; those in California, dating from

1847; or those in Australia, dating from 1851.
It

would be

still

more dreary

to discuss the

effect of

these discoveries on prices, or to

month of July, 1851, a hundredweight of gold was discovered at once. This was struck upon by a native while he was looking after his master's sheep at Wallawa. The total mass, including the quartz in which the gold was embedded, was from

202

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

to three
liuuilredweiglit.

two

For convenestate,

diggings the state of society was ill-regulated,

ieuce of removal

Mr. Kerr, the shepherd's

broke
it

while in the towns

much

of the busine.'js

had
the

master aud the owner of the

direct reference to the gold-fields

aud

to the

up before

it

was seen by many

people.

The
means

supply of the miners.

gi-eat pai-t of

colouial governmeut, of course, took

for asserting the rights of

population became migratory, and there was

"the crow-n" (which

some
it

lawlessness, robbery,

and violence

but

really

means the
and

people),

aud for maintaining

Acts of

something like order and security.

violence

was soon seen that the true prosperity of the colonies was founded too deeply to be
ultimately dependent on the gold discovery,
or to be always feverishly associated with
it.

robberies there were, almost

wherever

men were assembled by

thousands

at " the diggings," but not

spi-ing of the

many, and by the

We

need not forestall the events and the

year 1852 the gold exports of

suggestions that belong to a future portion of

Australia to the mother country amounted to

.3,600,000.

our story of national progress to show

this,

In the

fii-st

six

months

of that

but

it

may

not be altogether out of place to

year the
26,000.

number of emigrants to Australia was In May a lump of auriferous quartz

.800, was exhibited

bring into comparison with the figures and

returns which have been already quoted, the
surprising statistics

from Melbourne, valued at

at the

more

astonishing than

London Stock Exchange, and

the escort from

in the

same
dig-

those that relate to gold-finding or to early

month

Mount Alexander

emigration

which
of

belong to recent returns

gings brought into Melbourne 31,478 ounces

of gold, the result of a week's digging.
effects of

of the population

and condition

of Victoria

The

aud
the
is

New

South Wales.

In the census for ISSl

such items of intelligence and the

number

the inhabitants of Victoria

display of " nuggets " in the money-changers'

given as 858,582, including 11,835 Chinese

of the natives

shops in London and the

electric efiect

lai-ge

towns, had an
of people.

aud 770 aborigines, 309

projjortion of

and

on a large number

only 196 of the Chinese being women.

The

In November tbree vessels arrived in the

men
is

to

women among

the Euro-

Thames bearing seven tons of " the precious metal," one of them (the Eagle) having six
tons on board.

pean population
following figures

483,186 to 407,791.

How

the population has

:

She had made the passage

grown is shown by the The fii'st census, in 1836,

of only 177 souls.

from Melbourne to the Downs in seventy-six

days.

showed a population
years later there
after that there

Five

In January, 1853, the steamer Aiis-

were

11,738.

Ten years
yeai-s

tmlian arrived at Plymouth from Melbourne

with 222,293 ounces of gold, and the famous
Victoria nugget, weighing 28
lbs.,

were 77,345; and ten

later again, in 1801, there

were 540,321.

lu

and sent

1871 the population was 731,528.

It

by the

colonial

government as a present to
the end of 1852 fresh discov-

the queen.

By

separated from

must be remembered that Victoria first New South Wales in 1851, and

eries had been made not only in New South Wales and South Australia but near- Adelaide,
wliile the old diggings

Queensland eight yeai-s after.

We are now read-

ing of an industrial exhibition at Melbourne

in 1880,

remained as producto extend across the

where

New

South Wales occupied a

tive as ever.

vast belt of highly auri-

prominent position, after having had a similar

exhibition of
its

ferous land

was believed

Australian continent from the Victoria goldthose of Bathui-st, aud thence to the banks of the Hunter and the back of Moreton
fields to

at late statistics

own at Sydney; and glancing we find that in the 310,937

square miles of

New

South Wales there are

about 800,000 inhabitants; that in round numbers there are 636,000 acres under crop, with

Bay.

From

October, 1851, to August, 1852,

it

the Victoria gold-fields had,

was

calculated,

370,000 horses, 3,000,000

cattle,

29,000,000

yielded 2,532,422 ounces, and the worth of

sheep, 260,000 pigs, about 1000 miles of rail-

the exports was estimated at 8,863,477.

Of

way, aud a

total value of trade

imports and

com-se the stream of emigration continued

exports of uearly ^28,000,0000; while Victoria,

month by month, aud

in the regions of the

with 88,178 squai-e mUes of territory.

THE TAXES OX KXOWLEDGEAEBITRATIOK.

exceeds eveu
.and equals

203

New Soutli Wales

while
it

in population,

pensation to the agricultural interest; and as

it

in the total value of trade ex-

we have
as

seen, even free-traders as

advanced

ports

and

ini])orts,

has a gi'eater

Mr. Gladstone was

at that time, regarded

if

number

of miles of railway,

and 1,688,275

the latter proposal with some favour

such

acres under crop, the

&., of couree

number of sheep, cattle, being much lower, as it is an

South Australia, Queensthe enormous proba-

compensation could be made by the removal

of certain

agricultural rather than a great gi-azing land.

press
]Mi-.

burdens which were supposed to upon farmers with unequal severity.

The vast
land,
progress,

tracts of

Cobdeu's propositions in 1840 for a reduc-

and Western Australia, are now making

tion of the public expenditure, supported as

and there

lie

they were by Mr. Hume's demands for greater

bilities for

future emigrants.
pi-ogress of

economy
our
col-

in the salaries of officials

and in the

In connection with the

onial

organization of government departments, were

of

possessions
to the

some reference should be

to explore the Polar

no

little significance.

Mr. Milner Gibson

made

endeavoms

also

on the debate on the budget, which

deficiency of 269,378 (caused,
it

regions,

but a mere mention

may suffice. The

showed a
.said,

was

long story of the search for the North-west

Passage, and of Arctic explorations in general,
is

by expenditure on the

alleviation of Irish

distress, assisting

emigration to Canada, and

far too

for

momentous and complicated a matter But the queen had a mere summary.

paying for the excess in naval expenditure in

jjrevious years), of the

recommended the remission

scarcely ascended the throne

when a gleam
named

of

penny stamp duty on newspapers, the

duty on paper, and the advertisement

success shone

upon British enterprise

in the

excise

Polar seas, and a tract was

Victoria
in

duty, and refeiTed in support of his arguments

in favour of the abolition of " taxes on

Land.

The end, not long delayed, was that

the year 1839 the coast-Hne of the extreme

ledge " to a petition presented to the

knowHouse of
of

north of the American continent was deter-

Commons by

the Messrs.
it

Chambers
fii-m to

Edin-

mined, and Victoria Laud surveyed.

said "the end," but this
course,

We -have
of

burgh, in which

was

stated that the tax on

must be read,
started,

paper had compelled that

discontinue

with much reservation. It was in May,

a publication intended for the instruction of

the working-classes, and of which 80,000 copies

1845, that Sir

John Franklin
Terror,

with the

ships Erebus

and

upon the errand from

This

had been

cii'culated.

Mr. Hume's endeavour to

which he was never to return, namely, that

of

advance the cause of parliamentary refox-m by

determining the North-west Passage.

moving
lish

for leave to bring in a bill to extend

all

achievement was reserved for Cairtain M'Clure

at a later date.

the franchise to

householders, to estab-

Men

of science

have now

a system of secret voting, to hold triennial

dreams, which some of them contend will

parliaments, and to give the representation a

prove more than di-eams, of one day utilizing

the knowledge acquired in these "expeditious"
for the purpose of modifying the climatic con-

more equal proportion to the population of the places represented in parliament, was rejected;
but
'it

was

significant,

and was

of course only

ditions of the globe.

intended to assert a principle on behalf of

reformers, whose

marked minority was due

pi;oposal.

to

Many

of the parliamentary occurrences of

the co-operation of the protectionists with the

the years 1849 and 1850 were tentative, and

government against so daring a

though they were of great importance were

chiefly so because

Mr. Cobden's calm and deliberate representations in favour- of his plan for settling inter-

they were indications of

futm-e measures in the direction of liberty

national disputes

by

arbitration instead

of

and progress.
of the tenacity
still

Othei-s, to

one of which refer-

war was another

tions which,

of those suggestive declara-

ence has ah-eady been made, were illustrative

though they could not have been

with which the protectionists

expected to meet with acceptance, yet wei-e

too serious to be passed over without important
discussion,

held to certain political tenets involv-

ing either a renewal of duties or special com-

and were

of a nature to clear the

21)4

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

atraosphei'e

moral

and

to

give

new ami

England, than had been

efl'ected

by any other
life

oiilighteneJ views to thinking people outside

l>arliament.
iu favour of

agency whatevei-.

Early in his public

this work,

C'onservatives were as earnestly

Lord Ashley had chosen

those

though

in

retrenchment and economy as

days

he was

accused,

not

without

Mr.

Hume

or

Mr. Cobden, aud though the

apparent reason, of leaving the agricultural

labourei-s

extension of the franchise was at present conlined

to Ireland,

on the

estates

iu

which he was

where there was some

it

in-

personally interested to ignorance and poverty

crease iu the electoral suffrage,

to sagacious

was evident
not a very

that he might expose the neglect of

facturers.

manu-

men on

both sides that the time

if

He set

on foot schemes for shortenmines and

was arriving

for a readjustment,

ing the hours of labour and providing for the

nece.ssities of v/orkers in

considerable augmentation of the class entitled

to parliamentary representation.

factories,

At

the same

who were committed

toil

to

almost unrelieved

time the question of the admission of Jews to

parliament was opening up the subject in

without the means of living in decency

or of emerging

from a condition of ignorance

another direction; and the repeated applications of M.V. Rothschild to be

and depravity.

He

pursued the course which

sworn as the
led to discusnecessity for

he believed had been marked out for him

without being deterred by the outcry raised
against him, which at one time
oljject of

member
sion

for the city of

Loudon
on
the

after

discussion

made him

the

modifying the parliamentary oath of allegiance

very general abuse, aiid even of disto the class

It

by leaving out
of those
ties

tlie

words ''on the true

faith

like

among many who belonged

of a Christian,'' in order to

meet the objections

which he was striving

to benefit.

was

who belonged to religious communiwhich would make that form of words

Eventually the
till tlie

perhaps not to be wondered at that some of

the manufacturers, during the time that inquiries

objectionable.

-wliole

subject

were being made by the Anti-Corn-law

into the destitute condition of

was postponed

session of I80I, tliat a

League

farm

measure might be prepared and submitted to

l)arliament.

labourers,

should have resented the inter-

position of a

nobleman who presumably be-

longed to the landed interest, in exposing the

One
social

of the
]3oint

most important topics

of

from a
the

wretched condition of the operatives in the

great
industrial
centres,

view

which

engaged

while Dorsetshire

attention of parliament

was brought forward

the Earl of Shaftes-

peasants and other toilers in the fields were

starving in a state of semi-bai-barism.
It

by Lord Ashley.
liow during his long

Everybody now knows

life

soon became aj)pareut, however, that Lord

Ashley's
representations

bury has devoted himself to the amelioration

of the condition of the labouring poor of our

were

not

for

political purpose,

but were intended as incen-

great

towns

to

the cause of education, of

tives to action,

religious instruction,
It
is

and

to sanitary reform.

for aid in the

and as unanswerable appeals work to which he was prepared

and
his

only lately that, on his eightieth birththe noble earl was invited to a great

to devote his energies in parliament,

<lay,

tenacity of purpose underwent

tion.

little

relaxato

meeting in the Guildhall of London, there to

receive congratulations
i-egard

He

remained as faithful to the duty

and assurances
of

of

deep

which he believed he had been

called as he

from the representatives

r;igged

was to evangelical churchmanship, and

consistency has surely been vindicated
fact that
I^eriod

his

schools

and other successful

institutions of

by the

which he had been the founder and constant

supporter

he has for a great part of the whole

institutions

-which,

by their unim-

during which our narrative extends

ceasing operation, and patient, faithful administration,

been regarded as the representative of that

direct religious effort for the amelioration of

have done more for the

social

jirovemeut of the poorer inliabitants of London

the social needs of the poor which has enlisted

aud our large manufacturing towns, and

cially for

espe-

under his name and

jjersonal influence

the otherwise necrlected children of

a whole

army

of

indefatigable

workers iu

ANTHONY ASHLEY COOPER.

I.OTiD

ASHI.EY__1^0W y^ KA?^,L OF SHAFTESBURY. TROM THE PORTRAIT BY SIR W C ROSS. R.A.

BIACKIE.& SON. LONDOH, OLSSGOW- i EDIMBTmoH.

DEATH OF LORD
numerous philanthropic
legislative

G.
tion

BENTINCK.
was passed

205

enterprises, -without

in a very small house against

which even the most recent and important

measures for the education and
moral and social improvement of the workingclasses

the opinion of the government, and as a conse-

quence the decision was hurriedly carried into

effect

with

the

purpose of

obtaining

the
sin-

would have seemed impossible.

1851, he

For

reversal of the vote.

The proposer was

many
and and

years, after

he succeeded to the higher

mentioned with respect
of those

cere in his endeavour to obtain a law enjoin-

title in

was known as Lord Ashley,

who, even
of his

ing the observance of the Sabbath, and this

is

his

name

is still

not the place to enter into the questions

the sacred obin

affection

by thousands

either of expediency, or of
ligation

though they
opinions,

may

not agree with

many

which

w;is

necessarily involved

had learned to revere him

in their

considering the adoption of such an enact-

youth, and have

to

grown gray

in the service
ha<l

ment.

The measure was regarded

as

an

which he

called them.

He

already

introduction of certain views belonging to a

particular religious class, and the complaints

outlived the censure of those

who perhaps
to the

misunderstood his object when, in 1850, he

called

not only of private persons but of the newspapers and their correspondents as well as
the newsvendors,

the attention of parliament

defective
in

working of the Factories Act passed

of labour of
factories

who

could not obtain their

by which the hours women and young persons in

1847,

was

limited to ten hours a day.

This provision

Sunday supply, were loud and persistent. The whole country was suddenly subjected to great inconvenience, and Lord Ashley
vainly endeavoured
to

was

in numberless cases
little

being evaded or

point out

that

as

rendered of

value by the system of what

there were already no

letters in

Sunday

deliveries of

were called

"shifts," or the

employment

of

London a

fair trial

would cause the

relays of juvenile or female workers during

fifteen

appai'ent privation to appear comparatively

trivial.

hours a day out of which the stated

This had not

For about three weeks he was the

ten hours might be calculated.

centre of

much abuse and

insult,

remonstrance, not
parlia-

been contempLited by parliament in passing

the
bill,

and Lord Ashley earnestly and

and
be

and another mentary debate ended in a return

to say positive

to the

solemnly appealed to the justice and honour

of the house on behalf of the temporal
eternal welfare of thousands
affected

previous practice.

who would

By

the close of 1850 a

number

of

eminent
in

by

their decision.

The appeal was

pel-sons

had passed from the scene

which

accepted,

and Sir George Grey afterwards

bill

they had borne a conspicuous part.

Lord

brought forward a

limiting the working

George Bentinck's sudden death on the 21st

of September, 1848,

hours to between six in the morning and six

in the evening, deducting

had sdmewhat changed

an hour and a half

on Saturdays

the aspect of the party of which he had been

for meals, so that the

working time was ten

the nominal head, but theleadei-ship of which

and a half hours

to

daily: the time

had passed to Mr.

Disraeli.

It is probable

be from six

till

two, deducting half an hour

total week's

that the change which he had

habits, or rather his pui-suits,

for breakfast.

The

work was

made in his when he sold otf

thus

made

sixty instead of fifty-eight hours.

his stud

and gave up his great ambition of

It can scai-cely escape

mention that just

being a winner of the Derby

ribbon of the turf "

Cup

" the blue

and that

before the passing of this bill Lord Ashley

to take an arduous part

until late at night, in

had again
liaving

incuned

public displeasure

by
to

in politics, injured his constitution,

induced the House of

Commons

his practice of eating only a slight breakfast

pass a resolution for an address to her majesty

])raying that she

and taking no more food

clear for the debates, did
Still

would be graciously pleased

order to keep his attention fixed and his brain

to direct that the collection

letters

and delivery

of

him further mischief.

on Sundays should in future entirely

nothing unusual w;3 observed in his

cease in all parts of the kingdom.

The

resolu-

manner or appearance on the morning before

203
his death.

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

After spending some hours in
srallc

his aid

both as a statesman and as one of the

m-itiug lettere he set out to

from

his

originators of the

New

Zealand Company to

house at Welbeck to
Thoresliy,

visit

Lord Manners
for

at

the settlement of colonial government and

to all the questions that affected the position
of our Australian
sessions.

where he was to stay

two

days.

His

valet drove over to Thoresby expecting

to arrive soon after him,

and North American pos-

Lord George
beck, called

but he

Apart

froju his legislative ability,

never came, and the servant returned to "Wel.

however, ]Mr. Bidler possessed the art of parliamentary speaking to a degiee which enabled

up the gi'oom who had driven him over, and inquired whether he had seen The groom got his master on his way back.
up and, accompanied by the valet and two
others, took lanterns,

him

to

make repeated

impressions on the

house by the bright and easy wit and the

luminous illustrations of his addresses.

and followed the

foot-

path which they had seen Lord George pursuing as they themselves went to Thoresby.

The death

of the

on the 2nd of December,

which, though
it

Dowager Queen Adelaide lS-i9, was an event

sincerel_y

About a mile from the abbey on the path

which they had observed him following, lying
close to the gate

affected the royal family

more

neai-ly

than the nation, was yet

which

sejiarated

a water

mourned by the country.

meadow from
body
of

the deer-park, they found the

The time had long passed when William IV. was suspected of
having been influenced by his queen in those
unpopular changes on which he so obstinately
insisted,
it all "

Lord George Bentinck.

He was

lying

on his
ill

face, his

arms were under

his body,

and

one hand he grasped his walking-stick. His

and the charge " the queen has done

of a benevolent, kind,

hat was a yard or two before him, having

evidently been thrown off in falling.

had been contradicted and forgotten.

The

Only the memory

and

body was
dead.

cold

and

stiff.

He

had been long

conscientious royal lady

was cherished
it

in the

hearts of the people, and

was known that

At about

the same time (28th of November,

Queen Adelaide, as she continued to be called by many, had spent a large proportion of the
handsome income
in
gi-anted her

1848) the death of Charles Euller,

who had

already been regarded as one of the foremost

rising statesmen of the age, left a vacant place

works

of unostentatious charity.

by parliament To the
as her

queen her death was a great

loss, for

in parliament
filled,

which could not

easily

be

majesty wi'ote to King Leopold, "she was

truly motherly in her kindness to us
children,

and accomwould have given him a conspicuous place in any public assembly in
plished gentleman

for the oratory of this able

and

to our

and

it

always made her happy to be

with us and to see us."

The Princess Hohenfrom Baden,

love, respect,

the world.

When

several membei-s rose to

lohe, her majesty's sister, writing

said,

speak, and one of them was Buller, the house

"She has

left

behind her

gave him the preference by calling on him by name. Carlyle had been his tutor, and the
Earl of Durham, to

and

gi-atitude,

and she was ever ready to go to

rest,

her place of eternal

where she

will find

whom

he was secretary in
so that

that happiness which she never

. . .

knew

here.

Canada, was his

first political leader,

Let us think of her

bliss after this

he was rather a Eadical than a so-called

Liberal,

life

of suffering,

which she spent

in doing

and had given evidences

consented

of remark-

good to thousands, who will bless her memory.

.
.

able ability in practical statesmanship, especially

Let her

life Ijo

an example to

us."

when he

to undertake the

administration of the poor-laws after break-

In 1850 Wordsworth passed away and Mr.

down

of the commission,

but that was only

Tennyson was appointed poet-laureate. There

just before his death,

and he had already become an active and untiring authority on

colonial
aflfaii-s.

was no one
the

else

on

whom

the crown could de-

volve, unless it
office

was

clearly undei-stood that

lie

He was

one of the chief pro-

was

in future to

a mere matter

moters and organizers of emigration, and gave

of form.

Christopher North (John Wilson)

TENNYSONBAILEY.
was
old

207

and much exhausted

for his yeai'S.

tlie

stood to be very fond of the simple sweet

idyll called

Lord John Eussell did himself and

ero\ni

"The

Miller's Daughter,"

and

it

an honour by assigning to him a pension of 300 a year; but it was not chiefly as a poet that the author of the JS'octes Amhrosiaiue had
distinguished himself, and
liis

can hardly be said that the choice was ever

very doubtful.

Mr. Alfred Tennyson

brothers, all poets, and

wa.s one of seven

time was

slioit.

was born at Somersby in and acquirements.

origin,

Leigh

Hunt was put forward by more than

politics,

Lincolnshire in the year 1809, his father being

one zealous friend and admirer; but though he

a clergyman of

gi-eat ability

Lad now retired from aggressive

also

he
in

The family were

descended

of very old

being

was aged, was not a poet

and
it

to be

named

from the Norman D'Eyncourts.

his brother
jolace

the same rank or even order with Mr. Tennyson,

One of the brothers, the Eev. Charles Tennyson

Tiu-uer,

would have been, or

at all events

might evidently have run

might have been, considered a grotesque thing

for her majesty to appoint the libeller of her

very close in the race, and has a high

among modern

lyrists.

The apijointment

of of

deceased uncle to the post of court singer.

Dr. Charles Mackay's
gested as feasible

Mr. Alfred Tennyson to the post or dignity

poet-laureate gave general satisfaction,

name even was

late

sug-

and
were

by

certain public writers.

the un23leasant criticisms

made upon

it

Barry Cornwall (the

not omitted from the

Mr. Proctor) was

candidates, though

soon forgotten.

list of

One
Bailey.

poetic
it

name has not

is

hitherto been

we may be
(E. B.

certain that his

his consent.

name was put

for-

mentioned;

that of Mr. Philip

James
as the

ward without

Elizabeth Barrett

Mr. Bailey, considered merely

Browning) was at

this

time very eagerly

author of a poem called Festus, would have

"run"

for the laureateship

it

that under the reigu of a queen a lady

was thought might

it

no

pai'ticular place in

a general sketch of pro-

gress,

but he was the head, or was treated

well carry the laurel, especially as

was even

as the head, of a school of poetic

romance
will

then admitted that this pai-ticular singer stood

second in
all

and philosophy which was known and

continue
School.
w.as

the English-speaking woi'ld to

to

be

known
written
to

as

the

Spasmodic

no one but Mr. Tennyson and Mr. Browning.

Festus,

when Mr. Bailey

age,

Mr. Browning had

school,

at that time founded

of his best

no

from twenty
simplj' a

twenty-two years of

and though some

work had

was

poem

in which the Faust idea,

start/,

been long familiar to a certain public, though

and partly the Eaust

were treated in a

he had besides had two

plays represented, and

pieces a very strong

new

form.

It

would be

tedious,
this,

and inconit

had made

in one or

two

gruous

also, to

dwell upon

but

must not

impression on the people, he was somewhat

in the shade.
lai'ity

be omitted that the Faust or Festus of the poem

It did not conduce to his popu-

that he

was one

of the

most learned

(who was imitated by several minor poets) was so far like the older Faust that he was
represented as being carried tlirough a gi-eat
variety of mental
Lucifer,

men

living,

given to making most recondite

Italian in topics

refei-ences,

and very

and in
of the

and moral experience by

agonies of love having

manner.

Besides there was the

poem

women and the

Lost Leader, which everybody read as an

attack upon
ting."

a large share in the story.

(to

This poem was

Wordsworth

for political "ratall

speak roughly) a mixture of Pantheism

To

the prince consort he would be

but unintelligible, and probably not

better to the
poetic

much
now,

and Christian Fatalism, ending with universal restoration (the fine hymn, " Call all thy servants. Lord, to Thee,"
is

young queen
it

herself.
it

In sheer
is

from

this poem).

endowment

was then, as

admitted that he stood next to Milton; but

his

want

of reserve

in relation to certain
style

topics

and his peculiar

made him an unwas under-

But those who followed in the wake of Mr. Bailey more or less, such as Mr. Sydney Dobell, author of The Roman in Balder, and Mr. Alexander Smith in his Life Drama,
troubled themselves very
little

likely candidate (if

he had been a candidate)

cjueen

with traditional

for the laurel.

Then the

terms or current theology,

and presented to the

208

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

men who went
a Swedish
career in
girl,

reader passionate -minded

born of poor parents.

lies

Her

through stupendous "experiences," in order

to learn tlie

England

mainly between the

meaning

of tilings in general.

years 1847 and

1850.

She was a

special

These poems were parodied with extraordinarypower by Professor Aytoun (Sir Theodore
Martin's coadjutor in the i?o?i Gaultier Ballads)
in a spasmodic tragedy entitled Firmilian, the
titudent of Badajoz, a

favourite with the queen and royal famUy,

and the
ploited"

receipts at concei-ts

were fabulous in amount.

where she sang In Amei-ica, " ex-

by Mr. Barnum, she made about

In that country she married Mr.

book which, burlesque

GO,000.

as

it is,

leaves on the reader's

its

mind

a stronger
all

Otto Goldschmidt,
ist.

who had

acted as her pian-

impression of

author's powere than

the

Ou

her return to Europe she endowed

rest of his writings

put together.

Meanwhile

schools in her native country to the

of 40,000.

amount

the "spasmodic school' was formed, had ac-

Part of her success as a singer,

quired influence over the young, and was

responsible for a large quantity of the excited,

which was of course aided by her success in

society,

vaguely-aspiring poetry of the year's between

depth of her character.

to be a religious

was founded upon the purity and She was well known
and charitable
lady,

1845 and 1860.

Mr. George
critic of

Gilfillan

was the
develop-

and

it

prophet and friendly

the

new

has always been maintained by her more

serious panegyrists that her j^ower as a singer
of the

ments, and Mr. Sydney Dobell, Mr. Alexander

Snuth, and Mr. Gerald Massey were the most

music of Mendelssohn

(for

example) was

prominent of the bards.

Mr. Bailey and

^Ir.

largely the result of the strength of her

own
is

Dobell were poets of ver}' rich endowment.

It
is

moral and religious

feelings.

One thing

in

them that the ultimate tendencies

must be sought, though these more than half the
cur-

certain, that her success

made an epoch

in the

of the school

cultivation of sacred music in England.

So

are to be seen in

great was the interest felt in this lady, that

rent literature of a whole decade or more.

thousands of those who, though ready to give

large prices for tickets, were unable to obtain

No

such general excitement, straining, and

large phrasing has been seen either in prose or

admittance to her concerts, were willing to

verse since about 1856.

Orion,

Mr. E. H. Home,

in

pay heavily

for the chance of seeing her get

stairs.

had struck a peculiar key which belongs

out of her carriage or go up

strictly

The
fas-

movement; but his mode of treatment, like his story, was classic, and he would not thank any one for classifying him with the
also to the

musical public rebelled and criticised

her singing, but the general public were

cinated.

spasmodics.

Some
The mention
art of music,
of tlie poets of the time

reference has already been

made

to

which

the attitude of Lord Palmerston with regard

to the diplomatic relations of Great Britain
to other countries,

we are now considering reminds us of the sister

and
it

must be admitted that

and though we must defer

there have been greater singers and

greater actresses than

much

our continuation of the narrative of foreign

events,

Jenny Lind, afterwaids

She had neither the
of Malibrau.

and

especially the later startling events

Madame

Goldschmidt.

in France, to another chapter,

we cannot

pass

statuesque beaut)' nor the tragic power of

Grisi, nor the

on to the most important occurrences

in 1851

charm

Neither
Catidani,
faint

without dwelling for a page or two ou the

subject of the great debate on the foreign
policy of England, in

had she the astonishing organ of whose voice used to make people
Paganini's violin did.

as

which Mr. Gladstone

parlia-

But Jenny Lind had

orain

took so conspicuous a part, and where the last

an extraordinary
torio,

success, especially in

words uttered by Sir Robert Peel in

and her

influence

making music

ment were
tion.

listened to with profound atten-

fashionable

among
comes

the more serious classes

was a

fact that will

life

have to be dwelt ujion

to

It

is

not altogether easy to define those

when her

be written.

She was

characteristics

which caused Lord Palmerston

PALMEESTON HIS
to

POLICY.

209

be accepted as

tlie

popular representative

lar because

he knew and on the whole coin-

of every tiling Eiiglisb,but they may perhaps be

cided with the popular opinion and sentiment.

summed
" pluck."
ity of
little

uj) in

the sliujgy but significant word

foreign minister had the qual-

On the occasions when he acted

it

in opposition to
for a time,

The

he

lost

power and prestige

assailed, as

and

good-liumoured persistency, nliich took

to develop
it

was vehemently
fidence, for

we

shall see here-

into a kind of pugnacity to

after; but he soon regained the public con-

that was

quite a different thing

mere
ora-

he

w.-is

usually prompt, certain,

all,

quarrelsomeness.

This with a shrewd himiour

(apai-t

and

practical,

and above

there

was a

tra-

and a readiness

from

his great

dition that he

made
if

the

name and power

of

torical ability) to

put common-sense notions

England respected,

not feared, abroad.

He

into pungent, easily understood epigi-am, gave

Lord Palmereton a very

definite, and, if

we

had some such notion himself, and the this general impression was peculiar.
tional ru lei's

effect of

He was

may use

the word, uudei'standable personality

strongly of opinion that foreign unconstitu-

with the English people.

He would

not ac-

and arbitrary ministers were op-

knowledge defeat, but fought on and went in

to win,

posed to the English policy, not so much because

they were averse to the policy itself, but because
it

and he had an easy confidence, which,

without being aggressive, would in a

of less ability

man
have
as-

was A is policy, and they had a personal gi-udge

and

of lower position,

against the

man whom

they

knew would

(to

been called " cocky."

But there was no

use a \'ulgar expression) stand none of their

nonsense, but would everywhere assert British
influence

sumption of any of these characteristics.

courage

His

and

determination

were genuine.

and protect British

interests.

He

One who knew him well recorded that he had been to see Lord Palmerston and found him hard
of letters at work,

probably never suspected that he had at length

introduced a policy of self-assertion and iuterf losition

and surrounded by

piles

which was a

little

too read}' to

demand
and
to

and papere, while he was suffering

gout that would have sent

satisfaction without adequate inquiry,

from an

attajck of

recommend English modes

foreign governments in a

of procedure to

any of

his colleagues

howling to their beds. It

he supported,
list
if

way

that was either

was reported,

too, that

he did

high-handed or patronizing, as kings and

councils
on,

not head, a subscription

of membei's of the

might happen to regard

it.

Later

House
Sayei-s,

of

Commons

for the benefit of

Tom
won
This

when he was compelled

temporarily to re-

the famous

jHigilist, after

he had

sign office in consequence of his persistence

in acting

a fight against more than equal odds.

is

on his own responsibility, he did

office to

as

we hear of pugilism being openly patronized by members of the

pretty well the last

not hesitate to attribute his loss of

the influence of foreign ministers or sovereigns

legislature;

but

it

the pluck that

objection

was

was not the pugilism but in question, and whatever

who had a
jM'etty

pereonal dislike for him, and he

broadly intimated that their influence

to the thing it was That Lord Palmei-ston would have admired the spirit of the famous boxer,
illustrative.

might be taken

extended to the queen and Prince Albert,

and that a

clique in the
to depose

were also ready

House of Commons him from office on

even

if

he had abandoned admiration for

itself,

personal grounds.
little, if

That these notions had

is

the "sport"

can scarcely be doubted.

any, foundation

obvious enough,

now

He had
of

great individuality, great freshness

that
case,

we

are in possession of the facts of the

clique

view and expression, and just that sort of sympathy with current popular feeling which
enabled him to understand and interpret
it.

and indeed the charge against a

in the house appears to be absurd,

when we

observe the

number and

position of the

men

Probably nobody could

better than he,
success;

feel

the public pulse

who

felt

compelled to protest against the

and

this

was a great cause of his

policy

which he constantly pui-sued for some

It is only

buthe wasnotfar-seeing; thetwoquali-

time during his administration of foreign

afiaii-s.

fications, if

in

not incompatible, are rarely found thesame person. Lord Palmerston was popuVOL.
II.

with the famous question

for

of the

demands he made on Greece

com-

35


210

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOKAEIES.

who
it

peusation to two persons

cliiimed to be

their feelings of generosity

and gentleman-

recompeusod for alleged

to of

injuries, that

we have

likeness that

is

out of the question, becausi'

a,

was the key-note It must not be forgotten that the popularity of Lord Paluierdo at the moment, for

such feelings exist not in

set of officials

who

much

that followed

it.

have been trained up in the school of Metternich.

fail
. . .

But

do hope that you will not

stou arose not only from the conviction that under his authority Englishmen abroad would

constantly to bear in

mind the countiy

and

and the government which you represent, and that you

will maintain the dignity

be protected by their own government, but because his sympathies were believed to be,
(as in

honour of England by expressing openly and

decidedly the disgust which such proceedings
excite in the public

the main they were) emphatically, on

the side of oppressed nationalities and peoples

struggling against tyranny.

mind

in this countrj'.

As he was

never

I have

no great opinion of Sohwarzenberg's

is

cautious in expressing his opinions, and the

statesmanlike qualities unless he

altered from

complication of foreign affairs during the time

that he held
office left

what he was when

very much knew him

much power

in his
little

but at

least

he has lived in England, and must

feelings

hands, England was regarded with no

suspicion and some hostility

know something of English

. .
.

and

ideas.

by the potentates

He must
is of

see that the good opinion of

to Austria;
if

who

suffered during the year of revolution,

England
nothing

some value

for

and with earnest regard by men who were

foremost in the struggles for independence,

else,

at least to act as a check upon

the ill-will towards Austria which he supposes or affects to suppose

is

and afterwards found a refuge here when

efforts

their

the great actuat-

had been frustrated or had only parhave said that Lord Palmeraton did

ing motive of the revolutionary firebrand

tially succeeded.

now

presides at the foreign office in

.
,

who Downing

We
foreign

Street.

Tliere

is

another view of the

not hesitate to assert that he was assailed by

iniluence

matter which Schwarzenberg with his personal hatred of the Italians

to

which extended
;

to

high

would not choose

nevertheless well
is

quarters in England

but

it

should be men-

comprehend, but which

is

tioned that this assertion was

serious confidence, or
in his

made only
letters

in

worthy of attention, and that

the obvious

to his

tendency of these barba-ous proceedings to

perpetuate in the minds of the Italians indelible hatred of Austria;

brother, our representative at Naples.

He

had

too

much command

of temper,

and was

and
to

as the

Aus-

too manly, to go about

charges of this

making promiscuous kind, nor had he occasion to

office.

trian

government cannot hope

govern Italy

always by the sword, such inextinguishable

hatred
is

do

so, for

he did not long remain out of

not an evil altogether to be despised.

We

cannot refrain from showing what his

like,

The

rulers of Austria (I call

them not

states-

outspokenness was

and how

little

he re-

men

or stateswomen) have

now brought

their

garded the mere conventionalities of diplo-

country to this remarkable condition, that the

macy, by quoting from a

letter written in

emperor holds his

territories at the good-will

September, 1849, to the minister at Vienna:

and pleasure

of three external powers.

He

"My

dear Ponsouby,

The

Austrians are

holds Italy just as long as

really the

greatest brutes

that ever called

France chooses to
quarrel

let

and no longer than him have it. The first

will

themselves by the undeserved

ized men.

name

of civil-

between Austria and France

Their atrocities in Galioia, in Italy,

drive the Austrians out of

Lombardy and
Galicia just

in Hungary, in Transylvania, are only to be

Venice.

He

holds

Hungary and
The
first

equalled by the proceedings of the negro race

in Africa

as long as
to let

and no longer than Eussia chooses

quarrel with

and Haiti.
forty

Their late exploit of

people,

him have them.

flogging

odd

including

two
dis-

Eussia will detach those countries from the

women

at Milan,
is

some

of the victims being

Austrian crown.
vinces
gree,

He

holds his

German
it

pro-

gentlemen,

really too blackguard

and

by a tenure dependent,
feelings

in a great dewill

gusting a proceeding.

As

to

working upon

w^on

and opinions which

PALMERSTOXTHE
be very
either to
difficult for

'

DOX PACIFICO" CLAIM.

the doggerel
nents:

211

him and

his ministera

rhyme

of his

German oppo-

combine with or

to stand out against.

The remedy against

which are
instead of
raj)idly

these various dangers

"Hat der Teufel

So
ist

einen Sohn

undermining the Austrian

er sicher Palmerston."

empire would be generous conciliation; but

that,

But

this

he might quite consistently have

re-

the Austrian government

of administration but

garded as an unintentional compliment, and

know no method

what

have appreciated

it

accordingly.

consists in flogging, imprisoning,

and shooting.
force."

"The

fault I find

with those who are so

here or elsewhere in

The Austrian^ know no argument but

This letter
ston's
is illustrative,

fond of attacking

me

not only of Palmer-

this country or in others,"

he said in defend-

emphatic plain manner of writing, but

ing his foreign policy from the attacks of Sir

of the strength of his opinions,

and
if

of the

James Graham
tiy to bring

in June, 1850, " is that they

shrewdness which could see plainly

ahead.

not far

down every
If they

question to a perto oppose the

When

he had resigned, or rather had

office,

sonal bearing.
policy of

want
'

been dismissed from

he was equally

England they

say,

Let us get rid of

ready to state his opinions, and did state

the

them with almost equal

rity as of

decision

and autho-

policy.'

man who happens to be the organ of that Why, it is like shooting a policeman
1

one who only waited for the re-

As
and

long as England

is

England, as long as the

sumption of power.
Neapolitan princes

He

called

on one of the

English people are animated by the feelings,

spirit,

who was

in London,

and

and opinions which they

possess,

gave his views on the government of Naples

you may knock down twenty foreign ministers

one after another, but depend upon
will
it

with the most perfect sang-froid, and yet probably without any assumption of manner.

no one

keep his place who does not act on the

principles.

Nor was

his suspicion of personal dislike to

same

himself altogether unfounded. It would have

in pursuance of
policy of
is,

When it falls to my duty, my functions, to oppose the

man
or that

been strange

if

the Austrian minister had not

if

any government, the immediate cry

it's all

entertained such a feeling

opinions ever reached

Palmerston's

'Oh

spite against this

him

in the

manner

in

man, Count
you do
It

this or Prince that, that

makes

which they were

set forth.

At

all

events in

this.'"

1851, when Palmei-ston went out of office, Mr. Mun-ay wrote from the British embassy at

was in the debate on a vote of confidence

government that
of it

in the foreign policy of the

this occurred,

Vienna

to a friend saj'ing with

what

regret

and the occasion

was an

Lord Palmerston's retirement was received

extraordinary one which not even Lord Palmereton's tact and ability could explain satisfactorily,

by the Liberal party

it

there,

who

looked upon

as the utter annihilation of their hopes.

though the government obtained the

"It will hardly be believed," he continues,

"that these arrogant fools here actually think
that they have overthrown Lord Palmei-ston,

vote,
office.

without which they must have resigned

The question
it

of the claims

made by

the

and the vulgar triumph of Schwarzenberg knows no bounds. Not content with placarding the news with lying comments of
all sorts,

English government upon that of Greece was,

.should

be remembered, placed in a more

emphatic light because

time been protecting

we had
the

at the

same

and despatching couriers into the provinces

to circulate the

Porte from the

most monstrous

fictions

about

united demands of Austria and Eussia for the

arrest

the 'victory of Austrian policy,' his bad taste

and surrender

of

Hungarian refugees

has actually gone far enough to make him

give a ball in consequence."

who had

sought shelter and protection in

fleet

There seems to have been some reason for Palmerston to

think that he, and not his policy alone, was the
aabject of intrigue, and he had doubtless

Turkey. United with that of France, our

had proceeded
powers.

to the Dardanelles,

and we

had supported the sultan against the stronger

In
this

the country had heartily the

heard, directly

it

was composed and repeated.

concurred, for

we were upholding

weak


GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAPJES.
other articles in proportion, including

212

against the strong, and inaiutaiuiug a great

principle of public law in whicli eveiy civil-

two

thousand pounds worth of jewelry belonging

to his wife

ized state wiis interested; but there

least a

was at

and

daughtei's.

Of course no
bills

very great difference of opinion on the

evidence in the .shape of receipted

or

Greek question, especially when the grounds of the claims came to he examined, and by
jiersisting in it

vouchers was produced, as

all his

papers had

been

lost or destroyed,

and nobody had ever

we very
us.

nearly united Franca

suspected

him

of having lived in such style

and Eussia against

appearances having led them to suppose that

The demands

of our foreign office chiefly

he kept only a very moderate establishment.

arose out of claims for comjiensation fi-om the

Greek government by two persons who, as

British subjects, were,
to support
Pacifico,
it

sort of person

was argued,

entitled

The other claim was made by a veiy different and on much more easily ascertained gi-ounds. It was that of Mr. Finlay,
the historian of Greece,
at

and

protection.

One

of them,

Don

who having gone out

Greek indepen-

was a Jew

of Portuguese extraction,

the time that

Bvron and others were

but a native of Gibraltar, living in Athens.

flushed with the passion for

On

the 4th of April, 1847, the Athenian

mob

dence, had remained and settled in Athens

prepared to celebrate one of the popular Easter

observances
Iscariot,

when

that independence had been achieved in

by burning an

effigy of

Judas

a ditferent
plated.

way

to that

which they contembelonging

for

but on that occasion the police had

A small portion of the land

received ordera to prevent this portion of the

to

Mr. Finlay came within the plans made

and as he was
onl)'

usual

demonstrations, and
it

report

went

extending the gardens of King Otho's royal

palace,

about that

had been forbidden by the

It

one among several

influence of the Jews.

happened that the

former yeare been

land-owners whose property had been appropriated for the

house of

Don

Pacifico stood near the spot

same purpose,

it

was contended
coui-ts of law,

where the
committed

figure

had

in

that he should have sought compensation, as

to the flames,

and as Don Pacifico

for
pil-

they had done, in the usual

where, though his

was a Jew, the populace considered that the

logic of true patriotism

demand was
it

far greater
to

and a due regard

required them to

than

would have appeared

reasonable

the interests of

i-eligion,

ordinary arbitration,

might have received

lage the building

and thus wreak

their ven-

proper attention.

He

prefeiTed, however, to

geance upon

its

owner.
it

make a
for

direct charge

Accordingly the place was sacked, and

1500 on account

of land which,
it,

upon the government though

had only

would appear that

little

or no eflbrt was
it.

made

he perhaps had greatly improved

originally cost
entitled to ask

by the
courts

authorities to protect

Don

Pacifico

him 10.
any
it

He

was of course

therefore, instead of
for

appealing to the law-

price he liked for his pro-

redress,

made a

direct
for

claim
losses

perty

but as

may

be conceded that the

against

the

Greek government

government of the country had powers equal

to those given to oui- railway

which he estimated at about thirty-two thousand pounds

sterling,

companies and
to

about twentj'-six thou-

boards of works,

it

was not unreasonable

sand pounds of which were for certain claims

suppose that he should have

made

his

demand

which he alleged he held against the Portuguese government, the papers on which his
proofs depended having been destroyed

through the

ordin;irj' legal channels.

These were not the only causes of the aibitr'ary action

the

mob

along with other property.

it

by The

of our

government.

Some

ar-

rears of complaints against Greece

had been
that

balance,

was represented, was

for house-

accumulating, but

it

may be presumed
call for

hold goods, which must, on his

own showing, have been of regal magnificence, since when the inventory was made out the items included a bedstead valued at a hundred and
fifty

they were not of a nature to

very

imperative measures, or action would have

been taken earlier and they would have

put forward as of the
Ionian
t;ulo:-s

lieen

first

importance.

Some

pounds, a pillow-case at ten pound.s, and

had sent

in complaints of in-

COMPLIC'ATIOXS IN TUE GREEK QUESTION.

justice

213

and oppression ou tbe part of

authorities,

tlie
liei-

of the

Greek

aud a midshipniau

of

Islands, should be given

in the

Morea and forming a part of the Ionian up to him, threatening

event of refusal to blockade the Pir-Teus

majesty's ship

Fantome had beeu arrested by

mistake on landing from a boat one night at

Patras.

and make a

This had been apologized for and

explained,

humbly

and other

acts of careless-

reiiiisal. Tlie demand was refused, and he therefore took possession of the islands and the men-of-war in the Pirieus and block-

ness or disorder had been ackno\ledged, so

aded the

coast.

The blockade was not accomit

that there appeared to be very

little

reason

panied by any unnecessary violence, but

for bringing a cumulative charge against the

authorities.

was an

assertion of domination

which roused

It

was supposed, however, that

of

much

indignation especially on the part of

Palmerston was jealous of Fi'euch influence,

Russia.

and suspected that the government might be encom-aged to

tions,
resist

Otho

The Russian government wrote a beautifully

virtuous remonstrance in
offensive terms.

our representa-

lather angry and

and he therefore took sudden and very

Her
of the

foreign minister hero

decisive

means

to ;issert them.
to

The Greeks
France aud

spoke of "the very jminf ul impression produced

ujion the

were alarmed, and appealed

mind
had
if

emperor by the unex-

Russia as the powers associated with England

in the protection of their i7idependence. It
is

pected acts of
authorities

violence

which the British

abusing the

just directed against Greece;''

certain tliat Palmerston did not expect that

and

asked

Great

Britain,

any

furtlier

demonstration would be required.

advantages afforded to her by her immense

He believed that when the Greek government found the demand was made in earnest,
and that means were at hand
it,

maritime superiority, intended to disengage

hei-self
all

from

all obligations,

and

to authorize

to

enforce

great powers on every fitting oppoi-tunity

satisfaction

would at

last

be given, and

to recognize

towards the weak no other right

physical strength."

he wrote to the queen to that effect as early

as the 30th of November, 1849.
sian

but their

own

This was

The RusWyse, our

charming as coming from such a source, and

and French representatives at Athens

give their aid to Mr.
settle

must have made Lord Palmerston

little

l.iugh

oflfered to

bitterly,

though jjrobably he did not

envoy there, to
it

the dispute, and

when

take the rebuke to heart as he might have

done.
\

became evident that an English squadron

to

The two

islands of

which we took pos-

was

be sent to the Pir^us the French

either

session

were important as marking our diplo-

cabinet,

supposing

or

affecting

to

matic action, though Lord

Brougham

in a

believe that our representatives in Greece had

subsequent debate said that one of them only

supported three goats and the other a single
hare.

misunderstood their instructions, appealed to

Palmerston for an explanation.

He

replied

that there had been no mistake, and more-

On

the 1st of

March a

circular

was issued

over that the affair was solely between Greece

and

ourselves.

Still

M. Drouyn de Lhuys,

the

by the English consul at Athens announcing that tlie British government, having good
hopes of obtaining a satisfactory settlement of
their

French ambassador, proposed the good

of his

offices

government in obtaining a settlement and

as the threat of coercion

demands through the good

of the

offices of

the

of the claims,

government

French Republic, had given

had not been

effectual this offer

was accepted.

orders for the suspension of the coercive action

of the squadron, but that the

Before the orders to suspend active measures

Greek

vessels

during negotiation had reached our envoy,ho\vever.

would

still

be retained as pledges in deposit

Admiral Parker had arrived at Athens

fleet,

until a final

arrangement should be made.

the Greek ships

with his
hours of

and demanded from the Greek

to the British or pro-

This was done, although the French representatives

government the payment within twenty-four

all

had

offered

if

money due

were given up, to guai'antee the payment by

Greece of the British claims. Baron Gros, the

tected British subjects; also that the islands of

Sapieuza and Cabrera,

off

the south-west side

French commissioner who went out to

offer

214
to act unofficially

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

pected to be removed immediately.

between our envoy and the Greek government, could make nothing of Don Pacifico's extravagant claims, and as no instructions had arrived from England tlie affair was at a deadlock; but meanwhile the government had continued negotiawith Lord Palmerston through their tions representative in Loudon, and on the 18th of
Frencli
April, 1850, a convention
on, settling the

Happily

nobody was prepared to make such a miserable

dispute the occasion of actual hostilities, and
the good temper of the French government

was conspicuous,
also

so that the

matter was

ulti-

mately arranged by a compromise, which had

been suggested by Prince Albert,

to sub-

stitute the clauses of the

London convention

was

at last agreed

for those clauses of the

Athenian agi-eement

whole question in dispute.

which had not been already executed.

As

to

sum
to

of .8500

was

to be paid

by the Greek

Don

Pacifico, it

was some years before

his
it

government to the English minister at Athens,

be distributed by him among the different claimants, and they were also to pay whatever

claim was settled by the arbitratoi-s, and

was then found

to be about a thirtieth of the

might be found to be due for Don Pacifico's Portuguese claims on the decision of two

sum which he had originally demanded. The whole wretched dispute, which seems to have been made use of by Lord Palmerston
to
trifled with,

and an umpire to be named by Baron Gros, Mr. "Wyse our envoy, and the Greek premier M. Loudos. " The aruouut of
arbitrators
these,"

show that our government would not be was thus settled. Admiral Parker
Greek
vessels

raised the blockade, the

released,

were

Lord Palmerston wrote

if

to the queen,

and such

of

them

as

had been

"
is

is

not likely to be great,

indeed anything

likely to

be due ou that account."

But

at the

damaged were repaired, a subscription being same time raised among the officers
of

there were

more

complications.

Before the

of the English fleet to supply the necessities

convention was signed, the French government

some

of the masters

and crews an act of

despatched a steamer to acquaint Baron Gros

generous consideration which was the more

conspicuous because of the high-handed proceedings that had led to the sufferings wliich
it

with the basis of the agreement, and he naturally at once

conveyed the information to our

envoy, who, not having himself received any

du-ections
it.

was intended

to alleviate.

from England, could not

of coercion

act

upon

But the
this

effects

were not at an end so far as

The measures

were therefore

government was concerned, and though

opponents, the

continued, and the Greek government sub-

Palmerston was neither dismayed nor convinced by the action of

liis

mitted to the demands that had been made

at the last stage of the negotiations, viz. the

whole

affair placed

the ministiy in a serious

immediate payment of about 6500 in

settle-

position.

Lord John Eussell had already seen

ment

of the claims other

than those of

Don

reason to complain of the arbitrary

in

manner
his

Pacifico on Portugal,

and a deposit

of some-

which the foreign minister conducted and the queen

of action
felt

thing like 5000 to meet what might after-

office,

keenly the irrespon-

wards be found to be the true amount of those

claims.

sible

mode

which had been adopted

It

was then a question (though many

question) whicli of the
of

in relation to the despatches sent to our re-

people thought with Prince Albert that there should have been
7io

presentatives abroad, without either herself

or the prime minister being informed of their

two conventions should become the basis

intention or their probable consequences until

an arrangement, and as Lord Palmerston, on

behalf of our government, insisted on the

they were ou their way.

Still

Lord John

Eussell felt obliged to support his colleague,

adoption of that which had been concluded

at

and so great was the admiration for Palmerston's abilities,

Athens a serious disagreement with France

and

for his

remarkable equaspirit, that,

tlie

apjjeared to be imminent.

The French amit

nimity of temper and dauntless

as

bassador was recalled from London, though

was afterwards
of

seen, a

majority in

was on the eve

of the queen's birthday,

and

House

Commons was ready

to accept his

Baron Brunnow, the Eussian ambassador, ex-

representations and to excuse his temerity.

TALMEESTON'S DEFENCE" CIVIS EOMANUS

On
tunity
the ISth of

SUil."

215

June Lord Stanley, wlio

ojtpor-

rose to give notice of a resolution

which ex-

had been impatiently waiting for the

till

pressed confidence in the foreign policy of the

the negotiations were completed,

government.

It

was

carefully worded,

re-

brought forward in the House of Lords a

resolution of

ferred to no particular issues, but

in its scope
ciples

was general
for-

which he had given

notice, that

and intention.

"

That the prin-

while that house fully recognized the right

which have hitherto regulated the

and duty of the government to secure to her

majesty's subjects residing in foreign states

eign policy of her majesty's government are

such as were required to preserve untarnished

the honour and dignity of this country, and
at all times best calculated to maintain peace

the full protection of the laws of those states,

it

regretted to find

recently Liid

by the correspondence upon the table by her majesty's

between

this country

and the various nations

command, that various claims against the

Greek government, doubtful in point of justice and exaggerated in amount, had been enforced

of the world."

The

character and standing of the

to the resolution,

men who
sufficient

were opposed

were

by

coercive measures directed against

proofs that they could not have been influ-

the commerce and people of Greece, and calculated to endanger the continuance of our
friendly relations

enced by any foreign intrigue, and

it

was

almost as certain that the question was not

with other powers.

No

one of mere party policy; but at the same

time
it

fewer than 301 peers voted, and the resolution

was seen that the vote

of Lords

of censure in the

was affirmed by a majority

majority than

of 37.

'

We were

beaten last night in the lords

we had up

to the last

by a larger moment
that

was a decided attempt made The opposition to to upset the government. Mr. Eoebuck's resolution was formidable, for it

House

expected," wrote

Lord Palmerstou the next

office

was supported by Sir F. Thesiger, Sir James

day; " but

when we took

we knew

our opponents had a larger pack in the lords

Graham, Sir W. Molesworth, Mr. Sydney Herbert, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Disraeli, and
Sir

than

we had, and

that whenever the

theii-s

two packs

Eobert Peel, and yet the govc-mment

were to be fully dealt out

he said about

would show
but

triumphed.

The terms

of the resolution pro-

a larger number than ours."

it,

That was what

:

posed by Mr. Eoebuck had indeed removed

the issue from the particular ground on which

and that was the man

he had not neglected to prepare for the coming debate in the House of Commons, a debate

the vote of the House of Lords had placed

it.

It did not call for a special vindication of the

which

still

stands out in parliamentary histoiy

proceedings of the foreign minister in the

recent affair with Greece, but challenged an

as one of the most brilliant and powerful on

record,

and one which, while

it

added

to his

adverse vote on the whole principle of the

foreign policy of the government.

great reputation,

was

also the occasion for dis-

This was

tinguishing other mastere of eloquence.

a ch.allenge which they had reason to believe

On

the 20th of June Lord

John Eussell

would

enlist the

support of the country, and

made a

ministerial st.atement of the vote in

their confidence

may

well have stood high

the upper house, and after defending the

while they listened to the brilliant, adroit,

general foreign policy of the government, gave

and

telling speech in

which Palmerston did

the key-note of a resolution, of which notice

not so

much

defend, as assert

and glory

in,

the

was

aftei-wards given,

by speaking
for

in tei-ms

course that had been pursued.

Seldom if ever

of eulogy of

Lord Palnierston

having acted

in the conduct of foreign alTaiis,

"not as the

had such a magnificent reply been heard in that house. It was spoken, as Mr. Gladstone
afterwards said in his

minister of Austria, not as the minister of

Russia, not as the minister of France or anj'

warm

admiration for
it,

the splendid ability displayed in

" from the

other country, but only as the minister of

dusk

of

one day to the dawn of the next," and

its

England."

occupied nearly five hours in

surprise
of

delivery

To the

many

it

was Mr.

spoken, too, without the aid of a single note,

for Palmerston held that to speak eflectively

Eoebuck who, as au independent member,


210
a
if

GI>ADSTONE

AND HiS CONTEMPORARIES.

shown the example
lot

man

should not use notes ou sucli occasions

of

a nation in wliich everv

he could possibly do without them, and he

class of society accepts

with cheerfulness the

to
it,

relied, as well

he might, ou his readiness of

which Providence has assigned

while

illustration, fluency,

and the spontaneous alterhumour' which

most attractixe

at the

same time every individual

of each

nations of

earnestness and

class is constantly trying to raise liimself in

made

his speeches

among

tlie

the social scale, not by injustice and wrong,

of i)arliamentary utterances.

But he
tlie

sur-

not by violence and

illegality,

but by per-

passed himself

now and through

when
supportei-s

whole

severing good conduct, and by the steady and

energetic exertion of the moral and intellectual
faculties

of that oration the house silently liung

his words, except

upon

and anta-

with which his Creator has endowed

people as
tlie
tliis

gonists alike forgot themselves

and broke into

him.

To govern such a

is

half-unconscious applause.

It

woidd be

far

indeed an object worthy of

the noblest

ambition of

beyond

tlie

limits of this

page to repeat that

it

man who

lives in the land, and,

speech, nor would the reading of

its effect

convey
Palmer-

therefoi-e, I find

no fault with those who

may

upon those who

listened.

think any opportunity a fair one for endea-

ston was re.ndy to enter into the question of

vouring to place themselves in so distinguished

the recent proceedings in Greece, but he must

also

and honourable a

position;

but I contend that

review the whole story of the foreign

we have

not in our foreign policy done any-

policy of the government,

and

in a rapid

and

thing to forfeit the confidence of the country.

yet

lucid

and striking survey carried the and replied to the

We may
that,

not, perhaps, in this

matter or in

majority of the house captive in the thralls of

his masterly eloquence,
strictures that

have acted precisely up to the opinions of

it

one person or of another, and hard indeed

is,

had been made on the general

office.

as

we

all

know by our

individual and

tendency of the foreign

" I do not," he
s.aid

private experience, to find an}'

number

of

men

in conclusion, " com})lain

agreeing entirely in any matter in which they

of tlie conduct of those

who have made

these

may

not be equally possessed of the details of

mattei-s the

means

of attack

upon her maof a great

the facts, and circulnstances, and reasons, and

jesty's ministei-s.

The government
is

conditions which led to action.

But making
arise

counti-y like this

fair

undoubtedly an object of
all

allowances for those differences of opinion

and legitimate ambition to men of

It
is

which may
those

fairly

and honourably which

can

among
traccil

shades of opinion.

a noble thing to be

who concur
the
all

in general views, I maintain

allowed to guide the policy and to influence

the destiny of such a country
;

that

principles

be

and

if

ever

it

through

our foreign transactions as the

spirit of

was an object
wliich I

of

honourable ambition, more

it

guiding rule and directing

our proI

than ever must

be so at the moment at

ceedings are such as deserve ajiprobation.

therefore
fearlessly

am

speaking.

For while we have

challenge

the

verdict

seen the political earthquake rocking Europe

which

this house, as representing a political,

is
it

from side

to side

while we liave seen thrones while in almost every

civil

a commercial, a constitutional counti'v,

give on the question

to

shaken, shattered, levelled, institutions over-

now

brouglit before

thrown and destroyed

wliether the principles on which the foreign

policy of her majesty's

country of Europe the conflict of

war

government has been

has deluged the land with blood, from the

Atlantic to the Black Sea, from the Baltic to

conducted, and the sense of duty which has

led us to think ourselves

bound

to afford jiro-

the

Mediterranean,

this

country has pre-

tection to our fellow-subjects abroad, are pro-

sented a spectacle honourable to the people of

per and

fitting

guides for those

who

are

England and worthy mankind.

of the admiration

of

charged with the government of England; and

whether, as the

Roman

in days of old held

"We

have shown that liberty

is

compatible
is

himself free from indignity

say, Civis
ject, in

when he could
be, shall feel

with order, that individual freedom

eUable with obedience to the law.

recon-

liomanns sum, so also a British sub-

We

have

whatever laud he may

GLADSTOJfE'S EEPLY
contklent
tli.it tlie

AND EEMONSTRANCE.
tries

217

watcliful eye

and

tlic

strong

to extend institutions

from which we

arm
tice

of Eiiglautl v/ill protect liim against injus-

derived so

much

benefit

but we were not to

of

and wrong."

make
tlirilling peroration,

occasions,

and become propagandists

It
it

was a

fine

and

and

even sound

political doctrines.

No

minister

was

successful.

The

Ch'is

llomanus sum

could really protect Englishmen except upon

principles of policy

effectuall_v cauglit

the ear not only of a majority

which universal consent

government
of

of the

House

of

Commons

but of the countiy,

had prescribed
ajipeal,

for the

of nations.

and the verdict was already foretold by the

Taking up the peroration

he said,

Lord Palmerstou'.s
I will grapple with

overwhehuing plaudits that greeted the

of the greatest speech that

cloae

"And now

had been delivered

the noble lord on the ground which he selected

for himself in the
his speech,

for

many

sessions.

On

the 27th of June the

most triumphant portion

of

debate was resumed, and another very remarkable oration roused the
It
lie

by

his reference to those emphatic

listening assembly.

words,

Cicis

liomanus sum.

He

vaunted,

was that

of

Mr. Gladstone, who, thougli

acliieved
his reputation

amidst the cheers of his supporters, that under

his administration

had long before

former

an Englishman should

be,

as a parliamentary orator,
of

now exceeded most

has since so often

throughout the world, what the citizen of

his

efforts,

and held the house

it

Rome had
citizen
?

been.

What

then was a

Roman

under the

spell to

which

He

was the member of a privileged

all

yielded with delight. Mr. Glad.stone, who began

caste;

he belonged to a conquering race, to a

others

by

particularizing,

remarked that there was

affairs of Greece.

nation that held

bound down by the

to

an indication of a very great unwillingness to

strong

arm

of power.

For him there was

meet the discussion upon the

be an exceptional system of law; for him principles wei-Q to

With

reference to this

Greek question he (Mr.

be asserted, and by him rights

Gladstone) repudiated precedents which in-

were

to

be enjoyed, that were denied to the

Is such, then, the

volved the conduct of strong countries against

rest of the world.

view of
is

weak
which

ones.
it

He then examined

the cases ujion

issue should

the noble lord as to the relation which

subsist

to

was contended the main

between England and other countries?

to

have depended, namely those of

Don

Pacifico

Does he make the claim for us that we are

standing ground of
all

and Mr.

Finlaj'.

In summing up his charges

be uplifted upon a platform high above the

other nations?
It
is,

against Lord Palmerston

instead of trusting

he affirmed that
of

and trying the tribunals

indeed, too clear, not only from the expressions

the country and employing diplomatic agency

but from the whole tone of the speech of the

noble \'iscount, that too

simply as a supplemental resource, he

hail

much

of this notion is

interposed at once in the cases of Mr. Finlay

lurking in his mind; that he adopts in part

that vain concejition that we, forsooth, have a

and M. Pacifico the authority

of foreign power,

in contravention both of the particular stipulations of

mission to be the censors of vice and

folly, of

the treaty in force between this

abuse and

imperfection,
;

country and Greece, and of the general principles of the

countries of the

among the other world that we are to be the

law of nations, and had thus

set

universal schoolmasters; and that all those

the mischievous example of abandoning the

who
sity,

hesitate to recognize our office can be

methods of law and order in order to repair

to those of force.

governed only by prejudice of personal animo-

The

fruit of this policy

had
les-

been humiliation
BOU, received

in regard to France,
rejilj',

and a

and should have the blind war of macy forthwith declared against them.
if

diplo-

And
all

without

from the autocrat

certainly,

the business of a foreign secretary

of all the Russias.

laid

Non-interference had been

properly were to carry on diplomatic wars,

down

as the basis of our conduct towards

must admit that the noble lord

is

a master in

other nations; but the policy of Lord Palmerston

the discharge of his functions.

What,

sir,

had been characterized by a

occasions, be exercised

sjiirit

of

active interference.

British influence might,

Is he to be ought a foreign secretary to be ? like some gallant knight at a tournament of

on

fit

with other coun-

old pricking forth into the

lists,

armed

at all


218
])oiats,

GLADSTONE AKD HIS CONTEMPOKAEIES.

confiding in
all
liis

sinews and

liis skill,

principles,
policy.

no

enlarged
will

ideas

of

national

challenging

comers for the sake of honour,

You

take your case before a

and having no other duty than to lay as many

as possible of his adversaries sprawling in the

favourable jury, and you think to gain your

verdict; but,
sir, let
it is

dust?

If such is the idea of a

good foreign
But,

be

warned let
There

the House of Commons warn itseK against all

in this case also a court

secretary, I, for one,

would vote to the noble

life.

illusions.

lord his present appointment for his

sir,

of appeal.

There

is

an appeal, such as the

do not understand the

to be his

dutj' of

a secretary
I

honourable and learned

member

for Sheffield

of foreign affairs to

be of such a character. duty

it

has made, fi-om the one house of parKament

to the other.
this

nudor.stand

it

to conciliate peace

There

is

a further appeal from

with dignity. I think

all his

to

be the very

first

of

house of parliament to the people of

lastly, there is also

duties studiously to observe,

and to exalt
of

England; but,

an appeal

in

honour among mankind, that great code

from the people of England to the general

sentiment of the civilized world
;

jirincij^les

which

is

termed the law of nations,

and

I,

for

which the honourable and learned gentleman

for Sheffield has found, indeed, to be very

my

part,

am

of opinion that

England will

.stand

shorn of a chief part of her glory and

if

vague in their nature, and

but in which I

gi'eatly

dependent

pride

she shall be found to have separated

on the discretion of each particular country,

find,

herself,

through the policy she pursues abroad,

on the contrary, a great

of

from the moral supports which the general

and noble monument

human wisdom,

and

fixed convictions of

mankind
she

afford

if

founded on the combined dictates of reason

the day shall come

to excite the

when

may

continue

and experience, a precious inheritance bequeathed to

lis

by the generations

that have

nations, but in

wonder and the fear of other which she shall have no part
and regard.
. .
.

gone before

us,

and a firm foundation on

in their affection

which we must take care to build whatever

it if

"Let us
strong

recognize,

and recognize with

may be
indeed
tlie

our part to add to their acquisitions;

frankness, the equality of the

;

we wish

to maintain

and

to consoli-

the principles of brotherhood

weak with the among

independence.
all

date

brotherhood of nations and to proof the world."

nations,
.
.

and

of

their sacred

mote the peace and welfare

After referring
policy of to

Let us refrain from

gratuitous

the tendency of

the

and arbitrary meddling in the internal concerns of

Lord Palmerston
and

to strengthen the

other states, even as

if

we
it

should
at-

insular temper

self-glorifying disposition

resent the same interference

were

which were so mischievous, Mr. Gladstone

concluded by saying
:

tempted to be practised towards ourselves.

If the noble lord

has indeed acted on these

"Let an Englishman travel where

as a private person, he
is

Ive

will

principles, let the

government to which he
its

found in general to
liberal,

belongs have your verdict in

if

favour; but

be upright, high-minded, brave,

true;

and
in

he has departed from them, as I contend,

as I
it

but with

all

this,

foreigners are too

and
that

humbly think and urge upon you

often sensible of something that galls

his presence,

them

has been too amply proved, then the

of

and I ajjprehend

it is

because he

House

Commons must
of
its

not shrink from the

has too
little

gi'eat

a tendency to self-esteem

too

performance

duty

under

whatever

disposition to regard the feelings, the

habits,

and the ideas of

others.

Sir, I find

momentary obloquy or reproach, because we shall have done what is

expectations of
right;

this characteristic too plainly legible in the

we

shall enjoy the peace of our

own
little

policy of the noble lord.

I doubt not that

consciences,

and

receive,

whether

use will be

made
this

of our present debate to

sooner or a

little later,

the approval of the

work upon
those

peculiar weakness
will

.of

the

public voice, for having entered our solemn

protest against a system of policy which
believe, nay,

English mind.

The people

be told that
bj'

we

who

oppose the motion are governed

which we know, whatever may

personal motives, have no regard for public

be

its first aspect,

must

of necessity in its

ALEXANDER COCKBURN STEPS TO THE FRONT.

final
resf.ltS

219
of being

be uufavouralile even to the

and had besides the reputation

some-

security of British subjects resident abroail,

what

dissipated.

It

was

in the present debate

which

it

professes so

much

to study

un-

that he found his opportunity, and taking his

favourable to the

dignity of

the country,

which the motion of the

learned

honourable and
pieserves

cue from a remark made by Mr. Gladstone about what that gentleman termed " a sneer

member

asserts

it

and

from the honourable and learned member for

Southampton," rose and delivered in defence
of

equally unfavourable to that other gi'eat and

sacred object, which also
recollection, the
it

suggests to our

Lord Palmerston's whole foreign policy Of the

tliree

maintenance of peace with

one of the finest speeches ever heard in parliament.

the nations of the world."

speeches

made that

The next remarkable speech was

of the government,

in support

evening Lord Pahnerston's, Mr. Gladstone's,

who from
so that his

that

and was made by a man moment may be said to have

will again

and Mr. Cockburn's were the most .striking, though the style of the latter was more diftuse
than would now be admired.

been able to date a high and successful career,

Mr. Cockburn

name

be encountered in

was, however, always a diifuse orator, though

the course of this history in connection witli

he never overlaid his meaning with words.

more than one question of national morality and

jirogress.

In truth, he understood very well the true

art of repetition,

This was !Mr. Alexander Cockburn,

when

the object was to imcalibre.

afterwards Sir Alexander Cockburn, Bart.,

press

minds
of

of

moderate

A
"

few

Lord Chief-justice of England.

one of those lawyers

He was

not

sentences from his speech will give a very

who

rose to eminence
social posi-

good idea
people?
gi-eatness

his

usual

manner.

Have

from poverty or disadvantageous

tion ;

you," said he,

"no sympathies
j'ou

for the Italian

having been born

of a

good family, and

Can

not recall the eminent

of

had every advantage

introduction.

of education

and

social

and glory

these

people

their
?

The baronetcy to which he He succeeded in 1858 was created in 1627. w;is educated at Eton and subsequently at Cambridge, where his career was fairly brilliant,

mediaeval splendour

their renown in art and

monuments

arms, and
of

all

those imperishable

human

greatness which they have reared

Do these
for so

things not touch your hearts?

for the people
?

though not

first-rate.

In 1829 he became

you no sympathy

If

Have they who

a fellow of Trinity
to the bar of the

(his college),

and was

called

many
day

years have been degraded under

Middle Temple.

Joining

the leaden rule of Austria thought that at

last the

the western circuit he gradually acquired a

of their regeneration

had arrived,

good business as a barrister, being largely engaged in the defence of prisoners.

and the establishment

which
in their

of

that nationality

He had

dreams they had pictured as

much

practice

on election petitions on the

rivalling the glories of ancient times

have

was soon marked out as a useful man by that jmrty. It was not till 1841 that Mr. Cockburn "took silk" as a
Liberal side, and
queen's counsel.

you no sympathy for these men? Do you l)refer that Radetsky with his Teutonic hordes
shall pillage their

homes, and drive the best

In

1843 his defence of

and noblest
horror,

of their sons to those horrible

filled

dunto be

M'Naghten, the lunatic who shot at Mr.

geons which have already

Europe with

Drummond

(in

mistake for Sir Robert Peel),

;

and turn that which was wont

attracted great attention

his speech exhibit-

the gai'deu of the world into a desolate wilderness and a desert?

ing in a high degree that power of lucid state-

ment joined with eloquence

of expression for
all his days.

Austria against

Are your sympathies with Hungary that noble people

which he contin\ied remarkable

In 1847 Mr. Cockburn was returned for

Southamjiton on decidedly Liberal principles,

but neither in parliament nor at

lie

tlie

bar was

who possessed a constitution as ancient as yotir own whose nationality was secured to them by treaty upon treaty who raised Austria at a time when that state was .almost prostrate

seen at his best, unless the occasion was a

under a combination of the powers that sought

the dismemberment of the empire, but

strong one.

Ho was a little

indolent

by nature,

who

220
are

GLADSTOKE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

now
souglit to be absolute]}'

merged

in

the abuse that has been heaped on the noble

lord on account of them, they

the Austrian Empire, and to become a sub-

come

to nothing.

ordinate ]>ortion of the Austrian people? This

was the people

put down
;

whom

Austria attempted to

but she had no power to put down

They have not imperilled the peace or the prosjierity of the country." There is not much thought in this, b\it it went straight to the
points

that gallant jiopulation.

last

But there did

at

on which the foreign policy of the

come the intervention

of tlie barbarous

government was arraigned, and was a great

success.

hordes of Russia, and your sympathies are for

the butcheries of

executions

for

Haynau for his military his scourging of women your

;

Cockburu
became
and

The ministry afterwards made Mr. The next year solicitor-genei-al.

In
ISoG be
Pleas,

he became attorney -general.

C'liief-justice of the

symiiathies are for those things because j-ou

Connnon
of

say that order

is

restored.

Tyranny,

absijlu-

in 1859

Lord Chief-justice

England.
all

tism, desjjotism, do not change their character

He made

no parliamentary speech at

because you

call

them

order.

Liljerty, free-

equal to the one from which

we have

quoted,

dom, constitutional
ism.

rights,

do not change their

nor was he always very successful in small

character because you call them republican-

law

cases.

But when the occasion was conv.

No,

sir; these

things will not deceive

siderable, for instance in the case of Palmei-,

the people of England.

The cause

is

the

the Rugele}' poisoner, or Achilli

(to

Newman

cause of civilization and humanity

all

over

which we

shall

have again to refer for other

impression.

the world.
will

The question

is,

whether you

reasons), he

made a powerful

have absolutism on the one hand, or con-

Sir
call

Alexander (jockburu

(as

we may now
fine

stitutional

government and freedom on the

tlatter

him) was rather short, but he had a

other;

and do not

yourselves

that

face

and head, and a singularly

dignified

because for a time a desjjotic government

presence.

He

had a ruddy complexion, a

has prevailed
is

because
Europe

order, as

you

call

it,

cheerful, sociable look,

and a voice

of great

restored in

because

the spirit

power and beauty. As a mere lawyer he had on

the bench not only rivals, but at least one
superior.

of

Hungarian

liberty has

been extinguished

in the blood of the best

sons.
is

and noblest

of her

He was

man

of considerable range

Do

not fancy that such a state of things

of accomplishment,

both in science and lan-

to last.

There

is

not a drop of the blood

guages, and was a great master in questions

of international law.

that has been spilt that does not call to heaven

for vengeance.

As

a judge he too often

The generation that

is

to come,

exhibited some of the heat of the advocate,

whose fathers have been gibbeted and whose mothers have been scourged, they will yet
avenge those
atrocities.

and was not

all

free

from love of claptrap

at

events he was too fond of applause.

He

And you who

com-

died an octogenarian, having walked from

his place in

plain of iutem]>erance,

you who complain that

Westminster Hall within a few

a

her majesty's government has interfered in

this case

hours of his death in 1881 (which was sudden,

and

in that

what do you say to the

What do you
say to
extin-

from heart-disease), and

constitution.

w;is

man

of a fine

intervention of Russia?

the

intervention

of

France?

Who

way

to

guished the liberties and constitutional rights

of

a lord

Nobody meeting him on his his court would have taken him for chief-justice. He much more nearly
era,

Hungary

Russia.

Who

restored the old,

resembled a buck of the Georgian

iu dress

both

worn-out, and etTete government of the pope

and manner, and

it

was

said (and

and

his conclave of cardinals at

Rome?

France.

has not been contradicted) that his jiersonal

habits were originally as unlike those of his
stiffly

Wliat right have Russia and France to take

umbrage

at the noble lord because

he has

staid

and decorous

successor.

Lord

interfered in favour of constitutional liberty,

Coleridge, as they could well be.

It
is

while they interfered in favour of arbitrary

said that after

Mr. Cockburn's speech

its

power?

have now disposed of these three

the treasury bench was left empty, as

instances of intervention,

and I

say, after all

occupants rose and almost tumbled over each

FATAL ACCIDENT TO SIR ROBERT PEEL.

other iu
theii-

221

eudeavours to shake hands with

th.it I ever,
iii

help,

by

}'our principle of interference, against

him.
of

"I

do not know

the course

which

I remonstrate

against

which I enter

my life,

heard a better speech from anybody

after-

my

protest.

You

are

departing from the

without

any exception,' Palmei-stou

established policy of England;

you are

in-

ward wrote Lord Normanby; "Gladstone's was also a lii-st-rate performance, and Peel
aud Disraeli both spoke with great judgment and
talent with reference to their respective

volving yourselves in difficulties the extent of

which you can

hai-dly conceive

you are beadvocates to

stowing no aid on the cause of constitutional

freedom, but are encouraging
its

positions."
'ir

There was no atom of bitterness

about

look to you for aid instead of to those efforts

ill-temper

Lord

Palmerston, no
account not only

which can alone

useful."

establish

it,

and upon the

it

uriere pensee,

and

this

may

successful exertion of

which alone

can be

for his great success as a statesman

for his popularity.

but also

Weighty words, and taking something

of

Peel, even though he could not agi-ee with

solemn import inasmuch as the sjieaker of

the speech to which he listened with profound

attention,

took occasion

in

his grave

and

them would never again address the house where his unfaltering eloquence had been so
often listened to with respect
It

quiet reply, not only to refrain

from any

and admiration.
Robert
left

severe attack, but to express the sentiments

felt by the whole house at such a display of consummate ability. He did not disapprove

was near daybreak on Saturday morning,

the 29th of June,

when

Sir-

the

house at the close of this debate, which had

of the

whole of the foreign policy

of

the

ended in a majority for ministers of 46 votes

in a house of 574.
to sleep, for he

government, but he disapproved of a part of

it,

He had
to

but a short time

and he must give

his dissent, his reluctant

was

be jiresent at a meeting

dissent,

from the motion.

"I have so
into

little

of the commissionei-s for the jiroposed Great

disposition for entering

hostile

any angry or controverey," said Sir Robert Peel,

International aud Industrial Exhibition at

twelve o'clock, and at that meeting the

site

on

'that I shall

make no

reference whatever to

which

tlie

building should be erected was to

many
iuto

of the topics

which were introduced

temperate speech

be chosen.
After the regular business of the board was
over. Prince Albert

that most able aud

(Lord Pahnerston's), a speech which made us

all

aud Sir Robert Peel

re-

proud

of the

man who
:

delivered

it."

The

mained
of

to talk over the plans submitted

for that
shall

by

main import
"It

of Peel's opposition

was conveyed

Mr. Paxton
count.
j

famous Palace of Glass

presently give some ac-

in his declaration
is

that you will not ad-

which we

my

fii"m belief

Sir Robert Peel greatly admired the

its

vance the cause of constitutional government

design for

unity and simplicity; remarkif it

by attempting to dictate to other nations. If you do, your intentions will be mistaken you will rouse feelings upon which you do not cal-

ing with pleasure that,

it
;

were accepted,

would occasion the

These were the
to

first

great operation in

glass since the introduction of his

tai'iff.

own new

culate.

You will

invite ojiposition to govern-

last

words which he was

returned home, aud
in
his

ment; and beware that the time does not

an-ive

known
after

have uttered on any matter referring

when, frightened by your own

inter-

to public business.

He

ference,

you withdraw your countenance from

have excited, and leave upon
bitter recollection that
If

passing

the

afternoon

study

those
their

whom you
minds the

went out

at about five o'clock to take a ride

you

in the park.

After calling at Buckingham

have betrayed them.

you succeed, I doubt

lasting.

Palace and writing his

name

in the queen's

whether or no the institutions that take root

under j^our patronage will be
stitutional liberty will

visiting book, he rode to Constitution Hill,

Con-

where he met Miss EUis, a daughter of Lady

Dover, and stopped for a

be best worked out by

moment

to chat

who aspire efforts. You will

those

to

freedom by their own

it

with her.
at

Soon afterwards
in

his horse shied

only overload

by your

something

(he road, aud

threw him


222
over
Iiis

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

head.
Sir Robert fell ou Lis face,
Eice, a late well-known horse-dealer in Piccadilly,

but keeping hold of the reins, drew the animal upon him with its knees on his shoulders. He

who was

for

many years manager

to

Mr.

Joseph Anderson, but who for more than a

quarter of a century had one of the largest
stables in
to ]Mr.

was

so seriously injured that he could not

extricate himself, but several gentlemen

who

London.

"When acting

as

foreman
re-

came up recognized him.

Dr. Foucart of Glasgow,

Among them was

who
helped to place

Joseph Anderson in 184S he was

quested to select a carefully-trained hack for

Sir Eobert Peel.
for Sir
It

him

in a private carriage

and accompanied him

had been a long

difficult

affair,

home. Before he arrived there Sir

ing heard of the accident and

James Clark,
tlie

Eobert was a most

man
seat,

to

the queen's physician, was in attendance, hav-

mount

lumping

rider,

with no

no

met

carriage
]iain

hands, altogether a very bad horseman.

On

ou

its

way.

On

his reaching

home, the

he

a day appointed George Eice took the hack to

sufi'ered,

and the sight

of the gi-eat distress

Whitehall Gardens, a beautiful brown, under

fifteen hands,

of

Lady
the

Peel, so affected

Sir

Eobert that

up

to

any weight, with a

blooil

he fainted.
of

Sir Benjamin Brodie and several

head and neck, long sloping shoulders, and

that shape for the saddle that
cult

most eminent surgeons in London

aid since he was so sensitive to
to

makes

it diffi-

arrived almost immediately, but they could

even for a clumsy horseman to

fall off

give him
pain,

little

a grand and exciting walk, an easy trot and

canter.

and any attempt

full

move him gave him

It

He
like

stood to be

mounted and

dis-

so

much

agony, that they could not even deextent of his injuries.

collar-bone

mounted

a rock, and no sights or soimds

Sir Robert

termine the

disturbed his high-bred placidity.

was evident that the and

that there
.shoulder;

was

fractured,
to
tlie

gave him a long thorough

paces for two hoiu-s, and

trial at all three

was severe injury was

when he returned

to

but

it

also feared that there

Piccadilly he said, in his solemn tones, " This

of the ribs, and this was unhappily the case. On the first of July there were some hopes of his amendment since he slejit for some time, but the symp-

had been serious fracture

horse is perfection, Mr. Eice; what is his name?" George Eice replied, "Mr. Andei-son was determined when he could find perfection
to offer
is it

to you, Sir

Eobert

and
is

his

name
Four

toms soon became alarming and he was

rious.

deli-

The

Premier.''

"And what
!

his price?"

While

in this condition he frequently

" Four hundred guineas, Sir Eobert."

"

murmured

the names of his old friends and col-

hundred guineas
W'Orth four

Was any

riding horse ever

?

leagues, especially of

Hardinge and Gi'aham.

hundred guineas

am extremely
Lord
is

He

could not, at one time, bear the preof

obliged to you, Mr. Anderson, for aU your

trouble
;

sence even

his wife

and

children.

At

but neither

my

son-in-law.

length
friend

it

was evident he was sinking,

to see him,

his old

Villiers,

nor any one I could consult

in

Dr. Tomliuson, Bishop of Gibraltar,

town.
horse,

I could not give such a

sum
to

for a

was admitted

and

his family

were

and must decline him."

It

was prokeep

present while the bishop offered up at his

posed and pressed on the great

man

bedside the prayei-s for the sick. For a moment

the horse in Piccadilly so as to give Sir Eobert

and extending his hand over the kneeling and weeping group he slowly murmured, " God bless you God bless you " Lord Hardinge and Sii- James Graham
his consciousness returned,
! !

time to consult his friends, Mr. Eice and Mr.

Andei'son being most anxious to mount the

statesman

but the

offer

expressions declined.
ton, then

with his medical attendants and several of his relations were present when he sank quietly
into his last sleep in the evening of that (the 2d of July).

Speaker of

was with courteous The late Lord Ossingthe House of Commons,

bought a hack for Sir Eobert by auction at

Tattersall's,

day

and every one knows the melan-

choly result.

Again and again Lady Peel was

Some
dent,

particulars connected with the accitragical result,

which had such a

have

warned by her coachman that the speaker's purchase would not suit Sir Eobert. More
than once Lady Peel mentioned this wai'ning;

since been published, as related

by Mr. George

GLADSTONE'S TEIBUTE TO PEEL.

but Sir Robert thought
like, so
it

223

was merely the

dis-

welfare of his country he was prepared to

coramou in servants, of a horse purtime that Sir Eobert Peel lay

make, and actually did make, every

sacrifice.

chased without their assistance.

In some cases those

sive that I hardly

sacrifices

were so extenthe great

During
ill

tlie

knew whether

the public anxiety was intense, and crowds

painfully awaited the reports of his condition.

It

and jjaramouut object of his coimtry's good was a sufficient reason to exact them from any
public man."

was discovered that one of the

ribs

had been

broken and had penetrated the

lung, causing his death.
universal, for the countr}'

left

lobe of the

TTheu the House

3d" of July,

of

Commons met on
few sentences,

the
of

The mourning was

had learned how emiit

Lord John Eussell was out

town.

Mr.

Hume

in a

full of

nent a statesman and faithful a counsellor

deeji feeling in reference to the loss

they had

had

lost,

and the courage with which he had

sustained,

moved
and

the immediate adjournment

IMr. Gladstone, as the onl}'
officially

followed his convictions in the repeal of the

of the house,

corn duty and on behalf of free-trade had

elevated

member

present

who had been

con-

him above mere party

regard.

From

nected with Sir Robert Peel, sui^ported the

resolution, saying with
" I

that time he had belonged to the nation, and

it

much emotion

trusted

him

greatly.

am

quite sure that every heart

is

much
of

The loss of his friendship and sincere coun.sel was felt acutely both by the Queen and by
Pi-ince Albert,

too full to allow us, at a j)eriod so early, to

enter upon a consideration of the

amount

who had

continued a familiar

that calamity with which the country has

and pleasant correspondence with him and greatly admired his character and ability.

been visited in

his, I

must even now

say, pref uU of

mature death
yeai-s

for

though he has died

honours, yet
it is

"You
know
and

will

mourn with us

deeply, for

you

and

full of

a death

the extent of our loss and valued our

which our human eyes will regard as premature; because we had fondly hoped
in whatever position he
that,

friend as we did," wrote the Prince to Stockmar

to the

Duchess

of

Kent he wrote, " Death

was

placed,

by the

has snatched from us Peel, the best of men,

weight of his character, by the splendom- of

liis

our truest friend, the strongest bulwark of

the throne, the greatest statesman of his time."

talents,
still

by the purity
have been

of his virtues, he

would

spai-ed to render to his

In a

letter to

King Leopold her majesty

and
grief at his death are

said,

country the most essential services. I will only,

sir,

"The

sori-ow

most

quote those most touching and feeling

touching, and the country

as over a father.
lost

mourns over him Everyone seems to have

pai-ty,

lines

which were applied by one

of the greatest

poets of this country^ to the memory of a

gi-eat

man

a peisonal friend."

indeed, but yet not greater than Sir

:

Peel had indeed outlived the strife of

Robert Peel
'

and had begun

between
;dl

to take a position

which he

strongly desired to sustain

parties.

that

of

a mediator

The language of sorrow from was not merely the eloquence of a funeral eulogj', and though it was mostly brief, it perhaps, partly on that account, bore
sides

Xow is the stately column broke, The beacon light is quenched in smoke; The trumpet's silver voice is still The warder sileut on the hill.'
wiU add no more in saying
It
this I have,

Sii-,

perhaps, said too much.

better
inn-

might have been

to second-

the stamp of sincerity.

had I simply confined myself

I

"I

believe," said

that step

which

led

Lord Stanley, "that in me to differ from him he

which he believed
to

the motion.

am

sure the tribute of

offer will

respect

which we now
received,

be

all

the

was actuated by
a public good.
view, I

a sincere and conscientious

more valuable from the sUence with which

the motion
is

desire to obtain that

be

and which I well

Mistaken as he was in that

on that occasion, as

know

has not arisen from the want, but from

am

satisfied that

on

all others,

the public good was the leading

life,

'

Sir

Walter

Scott.

Lines on 'William

Pitt,

ilanaion,

principle of his

and that to promote the

1st Canto.

224

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

ilie

the excess of feeling on

of this house."

part of

members

before his death he had pointed out to

Lady

Peel the spot where he wished that his body

When
grief,

parliament met again Lord John

might be
tion

laid.

Neither his widow nor any of

title of distinc-

Russell, in a broken voice

and with evident

the family w-ould accept auy

spoke of the prominent features of Sir

from the government or the crown, and

Robert Peels public character, and noticed his candour and kindness towards a political
opponent in his
last act in the house.

this also

was

in accordance with

what was

knowu would have been

It

his desire.

The

may be

not altogether out of place in

example

of sucli

a man, who, with a love of

connection with the last remarkable acts of

Sir Robert Peel's career to refer for a
to

literature
all his

and a

taste for the arts,

had devoted
lost

moment
in 1850.

energies to labour for the sake of his

more thau one passage written by Thomas

countr_y,

would

not,

he hoped, be

ou the

Carlyle in the Latter

Day Pamphlets

people of that country.

Prince Albert

made

It seems evident that Carlyle

had a notion

an eloquent and touching " epigraph " ou Sir Robert Peel at a great banquet which was
held sometime afterwards at York; and Lord

that Peel, while perhaps taking

up an

in-

dependent position
the

in parliaraeut,

might be
but by
all

man who would

successfully devote him;

Brougham and
and esteem
touching of

others of

all political

opinions

self to true

parliamentary refonn

joined in expressions of sorrow, of admiration,

;

parliamentary reform Carlyle did not at

but
all

perhaps the most

truly

mean what
he
says,
'"

23eople

mostly meant

were the short and pathetic

used these words.

when they " Everyone may remark,"

of

sentences in which the old warrior, the

of Wellington, with the his
'
teai-s

Duke streaming down

what a hope animates the eyes

any

circle

when

it is

reported that Sir Robert

aged
all

face,

spoke of his departed friend.

Peel has in his mind privately resolved to go

In

the course of

my

acquaintance with
a

one day into that stable of King Augias which

appals

Sir Robert Peel I never

knew

man

in

whose

human
felt

hearts
that

for

it is

uni-

truth aud justice I had a moi-e lively confidence, or in

vei-sally

some

esoteric

man, well

whom

saw a more invariable

In the
with him

acquainted with the mysteries and pi-operties,

desire to promote the public service.

good and
the fittest
it

evil, of

the administrative stable,

it,

is

V hole
I

coui-se of

my communications

to reform

nay, can alone reform

destruc;

never

knew an

instance in which he did not

to truth;

other than

show the strongest attachment

and
life,

tion,

which

is

a way

by sheer violence and we would avoid

is

that in

I never saw, in the whole coui-se of

my

fact Sir
likely or

Robert Peel
possible

at present the one to reform it;"

the slightest reason for suspecting that he

stated aurthing that he did not believe to be

man

and

again, " whether Sir Robert Peel will under-

the fact." That was the testimony of the

man

take the reform of

Downing

Street for us, or

who was soon

leal."

to follow to

'

the laud of the

any ministry or reform

He, they
say,
it,

farther, is not

known.
pos-

is

getting old, does himself reit,

public funeral

was spoken

of

by Lord

coil

from

and shudder at

which

is

.John Russell,

and the nation would have been

sible enough.

The

clubs

and

coteries appear;

wiUiug enough to join in the public tokens

of respect for the

to

have settled that he surely will not

that

memory

of the statesman
;

this melancholy wriggling seesaw of red-tape

whom
(

they had learned to revei-e

but Mr.

Trojans.aud protectionist Greeks must continue

its

roulbourn, ou the part of Sir Robert Peel's

course

till

what can
?

happen,
. . .

my

friends,

family, declined the honour,

and read a

testa-

if this

go on continuing

A minister
Downing
manage-

mentary memorandum wherein Sir Robert

that will attack the augeau stable of

Street,

had

exjjressed his desire to

be interred in the

and begin producing a

real

vault of the pai'ish church at Drayton Bassett

ment, no longer an imaginary one, of our

affaii-s, /le

where

his father
liLs

and mother were interred, any kind.

or else in few years Chartist parlia-

aud that

funeral should be without ostenta-

tion or parade of

Only

six

weeks

ment aud the deluge come, that seems the As I read the omens there was alternative.

THE FEENCH REPUBLICNATIONAL WORKSHOPS.

no
m;iii in

225

my

time more autheutically called

the plan was said to belong to the former.

to a post of difficulty, of danger,

and

of

honour

than this man.

heart for
it

...
it
;

If the faculty

and
to

were young men of the working-classes who were without employment. There were
Thei-e

he in him, he, strangely and almost

yamins, " enfans de Paris," youths without

occupation and always ready for mischief, for

tragically, if

we

look upon his history,

is

have leave to try

he now, at the eleventh

whom

enlistment in the garde mobile would

hour, has the opportunity for such a feat in

find congenial occuiiation;

and they were to

reform as has not, in these late generations,

been attempted by
gether."
all

supersede the regular troops in protecting the

city.

our reformers put

to-

There was

still

great distress
this

among

the

In these and other words Carlyle repeatedly

refei-s

working-classes,

and as

had been one of

joining the
set
it.

to Sir Robert Peel during the

months
strain,

the causes of so
insurrection, the

many workmen

preceding,

and the very month

of his death,

new government

about
Perstill

and

in one place says, in

an exalted

finding some scheme for remedying

that such a leader or to death.

lelation to

would ride forth to victory

haps the doctrines of so-called socialism

The words are only striking in the manner of the calamity which
sig-

had great

influence, because of the supposed

strength of the party professing views totally

unpractical,
political

so soon followed, but this gives the appeal, of

and without any foundation in

There was
crisis,
little

which they form a part, a certain accidental

nificance.

economy.

work

to

Whether Peel had ever contemplated

Seer"
it w;s

do,

and a monetary
added

caused by over-

initiating such reforms as " the Chelsea

speculation,

to the general depression.

eft'ected

hinted

at, it is

not easy to guess, but

The working-classes had

tion,

the revolu-

by no means probable that he would have

attempted any sudden, or what are usually

and were

still

armed.

Something was
com-

necessary to be done.

First, the officers

known

as heroic, remedies for the condition

of official administration in

Downing

Street.

Yet he had undoubted courage,

already

as he

had

manding the posts of national guards were directed tomake requisitions on butchers, bakers, and other provision dealers, to supply certain
quantities of articles of
fii-st

shown

he was a

gi'eat administrator,

necessity to
bills

citi-

an able statesman, and at sixty-three years

old liad

zens in want of food, and to send in

able at the Hotel de Ville.
articles

payall

shown no

failure of mental vigour or

Secondly,

of ability.

It

is

necessary for a

moment

to return to

pawned at the Mont de Pieto for sums of 10 francs and under were to be redeemed at the expense of the treasury. Thirdly and

the events that

had succeeded the revolution

this
split

was the rock on which the new republic

which had driven Louis Philijjpe from the

throne of France, and set up a republic which
.\

the government pledged

itself to
;

itself to

secure
their
to all

the subsistence of
labour; engaged
the citizens

workmen through
secure

et ajipeared to

have in

it

few

of the elements

work

uf stability.

recognized the right of

workmen
to

The army was appealed

the

to, to rally

round

to iissociate, in order to enjoy the legitimate

common

standard;

and

twenty -five

benefit of their labour;

as

and restored

them

battalions of

movable national guards were

their due

the million of

francs which

ordered to be formed by voluntary enlistment within the capital.

would have been

j^ayable to the civil W^i at

The men were

to to receive

to list for a

the end of the month.

This, of coui-se, presupposed the ability of

year and a day

and were
:is

be clothed and

equipped, as well
of of

pay at the

rate

the state to find

work

for every

workman

or,

a franc and a half per day.

The minister

in other words, to ensure or to create

markets

war and the commandant

of the national

for the produce of all kinds of labour.

guards were to take immediate me;tsures for

organizing this corps.

On
tine

Saturday, the 26th of February, the

The decree was signed

credit of

republic

was solemnly proclaimed by Lamar36

by Lamartine and by Pages, and the

Vol.
II.

from the front of the Hotel de Ville;

22(5

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

formed into brigades under their respective
leaders.

aud amougst the measures enumerated was tliat of tlie opening of national workshops
for

For the purposes was divided

of the society the

unemployed worl^men.

The

abolition of

city of Paris

into six or seven

the penalty of death for political ofleuces was

also included in the

strategical arrondissements,

having each

its

following

new programme. On the day a great demonstration was made

and soon afterwards the new gov-

bureau, with a president.

Each

arrondisse-

ment was divided

into

four quarters,

the

in the Place de la Bastille to confirm the pro-

heads of which were called chiefs of c[uarters;

clamation

and these quarters were subdivided into

tions of fifty
leaders.

sec-

ernment received the adhesion of the whole

of France.

men

each, with their respective

of Revolution,"

There was a " Club

its

The revolution was not over when the proThe visional government had been foimed. violent Republicans, who soon became known
as the "

with Barbiis for

president; and a score of

others, representing all kinds of oijinious

and and

movements

and

fin.ally,

there was a " Club

Red Republicans," could never endure

of

of Clubs," intended as a

common

centre,

any form
against

constitution

which

set

itsslf

meant

to influence the provincial elections.

turbulent

025position

to the

state.

This club sent agents into the departments to

report to
it

They seemed

to desire nothing but continued

the tone of public feeling and the

It

insuirection until, under the

cracy, they should be able to

name

of

Demo-

political probabilities.

was declared

in the

assume a violent

inquiry wliich afterwards took place, that the

dictatorship
terror.

and establish another tyranny of

these Lamartine

Club of Clubs received money from the minister of the interior, to

its

To
to

had always been

populace against

whom

the reports of

opposed, and his eftbrts had long before been

directed

agents were comn)unicated, and

who had

dissuade
fallacies

the
of

also his

own commissioners
it

in the provinces.

the

specious

communism and

No government
an exchequer, and
raise the supplies

can be carried on without

socialism.

became necessary

to

members of the ministry there was great dissension. M. Ledru Rollin, although not a Socialist, was an extreme Rejjublican, and united with M. Louis Blanc, who represented those doctrines. Tlie majority
the

Even among

by seeking a

loan for a

hundred million of
five

francs, bearing interest at to

per cent.

Retrenchments were

be

made

in oflicial salaries.

Crown

lands and

national property in woods and forests were

to be sold to the .Tmount of a
francs, bank-notes

was composed
the " Reds
capacity,
"

of

moderate Reiiublicans, but

hundred million
legal tender,

frequently, even in their official

instructions

were made a

issued

and published
to injure the

the bank being authorized to stop cash paj^-

directions

which were calculated

ments.

Tlie jiayment of treasury

bonds was

government,
views.

by leaning towards extreme Many of them had to be " explained "

;

deferred, with

an

o]5tion of

postponing pay-

ments for six months after they became due.

Depositors in savings-banks were offered threefourths of the

by Lamartine
tions issued

and among them, the

instruc-

by Ledru

Rollin, as minister of

amount

of their deposits in

the interior, to the " Commissioners of the Re-

paper money, and the direct taxation of the

country was increased by 45 per cent.
republic became less and less pojjular

public" in the various departments.

There were a vast number

of clubs in Paris

The when
and
to

which, under different names, were likely to

these additional burdens were imposed, and

become schools
these, "

of

sedition.

The

oldest of

though there was no

political disturbance,

The Society
to

of the

Rights of Man,"

no other governmental party endeavoured

was supposed
able for

be the central and directing

subvert the ministry, a general tendency to

riot

influence of revolution;

and it was remarkan organization which resembled that of some of the secret societies of an
earlier d.ate.

and

social insurrection

was observed

in

some

of the large towns. of the commissioners sent out to the disaffection,

The conduct
of the people.

It

was a large body, the memall

by M. Ledru Rollin added

bers of which were

armed, numbered, and

At Rouen and Lyons

seriousj

THE INSUEGENTS CHECKMATED.

disturbances took place
;

227

those at the former

"svas

sented especially

by Arago, Garnier Pages,

ending in an insurrection, which

only

Marie, and Marrast.

put down by the troops and the national guard

after considerable loss of
life

in the taking of

large

number

of prisoners.
active, disorder

The insurgents were to meet on the Champs it was expected 100,000 men would be ready to march against the Hotel
de Mars, where

Tlie clubs

were

was general,

de

Ville.

Early on the morning of the 16th

and there were threatening indications of another outbreak in Pai-is

itself,

where meetings,

demonstrations, and processions were the order

of the day.

began to grow. The government was not unprepared. Lamartine had been informed of the proceedings at the
of April the assemblage

There were no troops in the

clubs on the previous

nights,

and of the

capital; the national guards

were

disaffected.

nomination of the jiroposed "Committee of

Public Safety," in which

" We had," says Lamartine, " no

force to protect order

legal public

Ledm EoUin and

and property and

to

Louis Blanc were included without their consent.

preserve peace in the streets, the government

Lamartine himself was to be excluded

being threatened incessantly either collectively

or individually with

from the government along with his colleagues.

armed demonstrations
and
assassi-

A
and

column of about twenty-five or thirty

and

insurrection, with abduction

;

thousand, led by the most furious clubbists

bj'

nation

we were

obliged to employ, in order

some

socialist chiefs,

had just issued by

to defend

our cause, individual, voluntary

the Pont Eoyal and dashed by with a numerous column of national guards
Com-tais had

extra-legal force.

Each

of us

had

his

army

whom

General

of friends or clients, as was the case at

in the time of the civil wars."

Eome

drawn up

in battle array under

the walls of the Louvre.

They had not

pro-

PoHtical oaths of allegiance had been abolished, and, in fact, govei-nments

ceeded to blows, but the meeting had been

had succeeded

a tumultuous one
gestures

hostile looks, cries,

and

each other so strangely that oaths of this

had been exchanged. and

It was, as it

kind could scarcely be considered binding.

" Tliis
is

were, two aiTuies marching upon the same

line in sUence

the thirteenth oath which I tender,

it

for the purpose of

first

mutual

and I hope
cal

may be

the

last,"

was the

satiri-

observation.

Already the

groups of this

speech muttered by Talleyrand on the

column
flags

of the

Champs de Mars, preceded by

caps,

accession of LouLs Philippe.

and men wearing red

began to

Another measure which was

r.ipidly passed

emerge slowly from the quay upon the Place

de Greve.

was the emancipation of slaves

previous

in

all

the

French colonies; an act commenced by the

At

this

moment

a forest of bayonets

glis-

government and

intended

to be

tened on the other side of the Seine at the

foot of the bridge of St. Michel.

gradually accomplished, but which was

now
in-

This was a

completed at once, with an agreement for

mass of thirty or forty thousand national

guards on the
left

demnity to those who would

immediate emancipation.

suffer

by the

bank

of the river

running

Impri.sonment for

at full speed at the call of

Lamartine and

debt was also to be abolished, and the liberation of prisoners for debt
titles of

was ordered.
and were

All
for-

nobility were to cease,

bidden to appear in any public act or document.

The bridge was not wide enough to They rushed in a compact column iuto the square, shouting, "Tive la Eepublique " " Tive le Gouvemement " They blocked up the quay against twenty or thii-ty
Marrast.
pass freely.
!
'.

On

the 23d of April the elections were to

thousand insurgents.

take place.

Determined to oppose the estab-

Not only was

victory impossible to the

lishment of a regular and solid republic, the

insuiTectionists,

conspirators, but for

them even
General

to

have

at-

members

of the revolutionary

tempted an attack would have been

folly.

clubs,

were ready

to instigate

an armed op-

Lamartine

thanked

Changamier,

position for the purpose of overthrowing the

whose services were thenceforth unnecessary.

Tlie insurrection was at

moderate majority in the government repre-

an end;

its

promotei-s

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

:iml theii- 20,000 foUowei-s defiled in

a dejected

government, in which Ledru Eolliu, Barbes,

uiauiier
f'uards

Letweeu and amidst the hootings

tlie

ranks of the uatioual

of tlie jjeople

and Louis Blanc were the principal persons.

But they had not

of the tempoi'ary

calculated the organization

as they retreated to the places from

which

government

the

troops of

they came.
lu the evening 200,000 bayonets passed in review before the Hotel de Ville, with cries
of

the line were called out, the national guards

were immediately in arms and followed them on their retreat from the Chambers
ties to

of

Depu-

"Vive Lamartine!"
!"

"A

bas les Com-

the Hotel de Ville, where they cleared

seized the papers,

munists

the
elections took place

Iiall,

and arrested the

The general

on Easter

chief leaders.

Sunday, the 27th of April, without any appearance of opposition ; and on the 4th of May
the National Assembly, charged with framing

The National Assembly had resolved on the

election of a

single

president and a single

chamber, lioth by universal suffrage;

and

new

constitution for France,

was

installed

Louis Philippe and his family were sentenced

to perpetual

in the Legislative Palace, formerly the Palais

banishment from France.

it

On
by

Bourbon.

the other hand,

had been proposed

to pro-

On
by
late

the 10th the assembly proceeded to elect

secute Louis Blanc, but this

was

rejected

ballot the mendjers of executive

commis-

the assembly.

Louis Najjoleon Bonaparte had

sion, the candidates

being selected from the

been elected as the representative for Lower

Charente,and the executive, led by Lamartine,
])rotested against his

provisional
:

government, of

whom

five

were elected

Arago by 725

votes,

Garnier

being permitted to take

logical, as

Pages by 715, IMarie by 702, Lamartine by

643,

his seat.
it

This was of course only

Ledru Eollin by 458.

They were

in-

might as reasonably have been permitted

to

vested with authority to appoint the ministers

of the different departments,

Joinville or either of the princes of the ban-

and M. Bastide
fur the

ished royal family to return and take part in

public affairs.

was made secretary

of state for foreign affairs,

The assembly, however,

after

M. Duclerc
department

for finance,
of justice,

M. Cremieux

some

discussion,

when

it

was thought that

and M.

C'arnot fur that

the proposition that the law of 1832 should be

of public instruction.

executed against him, would be carried by

But

all

this time the terrorists,

who had

acclamation,

returned, to the interrujited disThe next day

he said, " to supin

been disappointed in their

last effort to pro-

cussion of financial matters.

mote an insurrection, were busily engaged in

organizing another demonstration, and
said that
it

Louis Blanc spoke

" It

favour of his admission.

was

was unfair

to the people,"

two ex-members

of the

government

pose that Charles Louis Bonaparte could be-

The subject of was to come Ijefore the assembly for discussion, and "Aid to Poland" was once more made the excuse
were concerned in the
effort.

come emperor;
tliat

as to his

becoming president
Jules

intervention in favour of Poland

was

easily

prevented by decreeing that

nil.''

there should be no president at

Favre and others were on the same

side,

and

for " manifestations " intended to lead to

riot,

the resolution that the candidate should be

permitteil to take his seat
large

and,

if

possible, to a

new

revolution.

was carried by a
ajjjja-

About 50,000

of the

exti-enie

democrats

majority.

This resolution was

marched from the

Bastille to tlie

Chamber

of

reutly vindicated

Deputies, where they forced the gate and

swai'med into the building.

controllable uproar,

There was un-

by a letter written from Loudon by Louis Napoleon to the president of the National Assembly, saying, "I was
about to set
off in

and amidst the tumult no

order to appear at

my

post,

voice of authority

was heeded.

The

delegates

from the commnnistic clubs spoke fi'om the

tribune and ]iroposed resolutions in favour of

when made

I learned that

my

election

had been

the pretext for disorders and disastrous

I

errors.

repudiate

all

the suspicions of which

Poland and

Italy.

They

declared the cham-

I have been the object, for I seek not for

ber to be dissolved, and appointed a

new

power.

If the people

impose duties on

me

THE ARCHBISHOP SHOT ON A BARRICADE.

I shall
all

2i:9

those

excite
is

kuow liow to fulfil them, but I disavow who have made use of my name to disturbance. The name which I bear
all

Paris

must not be degraded

into lazzaroni in

time of peace to become janissaries in time of

above

a symbol of ordei% of nationality,

of

war for the service of some dictator. Under the monarchy we had the idlers of wealth; shall

of glory,

and rather than be the subject

we now have

the idlers of pauperism?"

it

On

disorder and anarchy I should prefer remain-

the 22d of June

was announced

in the

ing in exile."

Next day he again addressed

There have been few more
letters,

Monitcur that the dispersion of the younger

the president, formally tendering the resignation of his seat.

artfully

workmen would begin on

their trades,

the following day.

Those workmen who could get employment at

but who had not a year's
settle-

composed

and the

offer of re-

signation he probably

knew would

not,

and

ment

in Paris,

were

to It

be sent

to their re-

in the excitable condition of the public

temper

sjDective

communes.

was necessary

for the

could not, be accepted.

conspirators

who sought

anotlier revolution to
l.JOO

On

the 23d of June (1848) the red repulj-

be quick iu their movements, and

men

licau party was again in insurrection, and the

who

declared that they would not obey the

executive committee resigned.

against the assembly assumed
tions that
it

The

rebellion

ordere of the government assembled under

such propor-

the leadership of a

man named

Pujol and two

appeared as though France must

Paris was declared in

others iu front of the Pantheon, where terrorist

leaders dressed in blouses, like

prepare for civil war.

workmen, were
There

a state of siege, and though Lamartiue and

ready to teach them the art of the ban-icade

Ledru

PioUin, at

the head of the national

first

and
is

to incite

them

to acts of violence.

guard, suppressed the

disturbance,
ringleadei-s,

and
were

no need

to dwell

on the horrible

details of

Barbes and Easpail, the

arrested

the events of the three ensuing

barricades were

da3's.

The
Omni-

though

everybody

was shaking
the city

made high and

strong.

hands and Lamartine was carried back in

buses, cartloads of stones,

and heavy furniture

triumph to the assembly

though

served to form them into ramparts commanding the boulevards; and men passing along had a sign and a password given them, by which they could enter certain houses and find arms. The slaughter of the troops was
fearful,

was illuminated and the disorder was for a moment at an end the symptoms of a general

insurrection were so pronounced that General

Cavaignac,

who had

arrived from Algeria in

accordance with an urgent message, was appointed minister of war with almost unlimited power. This was on the 18th of May. On
the 20th the assembly issued a proclamation
to the people of
itself to

and

it

was said that more

of

them
all

had

fallen

during these three days than in

the insurrections since 1789.

But Cavaignac
and one after

and Lamoriciere were

iu eai-nest,

France in which

it

took upon

another the ban-icades were stormed and the

insurgents swept from the streets.
in the

answer for the safety of the country.

Only that
a flag

On

the following day a great festival, "the

Faubourg

St.

Antoine remained, and

it,

Festival of Concord," took place on the

Champs

Lamoriciere threatening to bombard

of truce

de Mars

singularly inopportune feast

an

was sent and

it

capitulated.

Among

ominous

locality in

which to celebrate

it.

Only

the slain was the Archbishop of Paris, Denis

a few hours afterward the insurrection had

broken out afresh.

The excuse
it

for

it

was the

might

Auguste Afre, who, hoping that the insurgents listen to his mediation, went towards
i:i

intention of the assembly to close the national workshops, but

the faubourg clad

his sacred vestments,

for

was only an excuse, everybody knew that they could be no

caiTying a green branch, and attended

grand-vicare.

by two

He

halted at the foot of the

longer maintained, and in fact the keeping of

Column of the Bastille, whereastrong barricade

had been erected and
on, active firing

them open had been previously made a ground

for threats

was going
re-

and disturbances.
true and intelligent

On

the

sul.^-

which ceased as the archbishop was

sequent deb.ite of the question, Victor

said,

"The

Hugo workmen of

cognized.

He mounted

the barricade to ad-

dress the insurgents on the other side

and

his

30
v.-orJs

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

seemed to produce some
effect,

but a

ember the assembly was occupied

in settling

drum-roll sounded, a shot was fired, and the

conflict burst out agaui.

the form that the constitution should take.

A bullet struck the

fell

At

last it

was agreed that the executive power

venerable archbishop in the loins and he

oil

should be intrusted to a president, elected by

univereal suffrage for four years, and with

the barricade.

The insurgents rushed

for-

ward
to

to his assistance

and gently carried him

authority to appoint his

own cabinet ministers.

on the 10th

an adjoining house, where he remained till Five generals and he died on the 27th.
several distinguished officers were also killed,

The

of Decemand the only candidates spoken of as likely to succeed were Prince Louis Napoleon,

election took phice

ber,

was enormous.

and the total number of the killed and wounded Above 3000 prisoners were

General Cavaignac, Ledru Eollin, and Lamartine.

The

result

was that Louis Napoleon

votes, while the

sentenced to a period of transportation for ten

years to form agricidtural colonies in Algeria,

was elected by 5,562,834

next

candidate, Cavaignac, obtained only 1,450,000.

and

their families were allowed to

rest of the lai-ge

accompany

Lamartiue,to whom France owed much, though

them; of the
prisoners

number

of

he was more poet and enthusiast than

states-

255 were tried by court-martial.

man, was an honest man and a pure

patriot.

Communications were re-established in the

cajiital
it

He

only gained a few thousand votes.

pi-esident appointed Odillon

on the 27th of Jime, but for sometime

General

The new

Barrot

remained under martial -law.

prime-minister.

The assembly was divided

were
acri-

Cavaignac resigned to the assembly the extraordinary powers which had been intrusted
to him,

into several factions, the debates

monious, and party feeling ran high where

and was reappointed head

title of

of the

eveiybody was bidding for place or power.

This ended in an attempt to abrogate the
laws for univex-sal suffrage passed
republic,

executive under the

President of the

Council, with the faculty of nominating his

by the

own

ministers.

He

apjjointed

M. Senard

as

and press prosecutions were comof silencing

minister of the interior,

M. Bastide (former
office,

menced apparently for the purpose

adverse comments.

secretary to Lamartine) to the foreign

The

president,

who had
Rome, and

M. Goudchaux

to the finances, General La-

already conciliated the clergy and supported

the papal claims by the

moriciere to the war-ofiice.

From

that time

army

sent to

Lamartine had no longer any

influence.

On

made
lost

tours in the provinces of France

the 4th of July the announcement

was made

no opportunity of referring to his birth

his

of the suppression of the national workshops,

and the traditions that belonged to

name.

and the workmen belonging

wei-e unable to obtain

to Paris

who

He

held frequent reviews, where the soldiers

employment received

were reminded of the glory of the army under

the empire, and were often regaled with extra
rations.

outdoor

relief.

These amounted to between

nine and ten thousand, while in the previous

The sentiments which he expressed

month 115,000 workmen had been supported by the government.

were,

like his letter already referred to and many of his subsequent utterances ambiguby simple

As a proof

that the belief of Louis Napoleon

in the prevailing influence of his

name and

ous, and yet with an appearance of sincerity. They might be regarded either as declarations

family was not unfounded, he was elected to

represent five departments in the constituent

of a personal determination to abide

republican institutions, as warnings to those

assembly while he was stQl in England. Bonapartist agents

who were

acting in opposition to the constitu-

had been

biisy before that time,

tion, or as a half-concealed intimation that it

and

it

was because they were believed

to

be

might be necessary

for

him

to take

some

fresh

fomenting an Smeute that Lamartine had endeavoiired to procure the exclusion of their

political action, the

precise nature of

which

was

at that time not determined.

it

Before the
to

candidate from the assembly.

end of 1849

had been already proposed

On

the 21st of September Louis Napoleon

extend the term of the presidency to ten years.

returned to France, and until the end of Nov-

On

the 26th of August Louis Philippe died.

PRINCE ALBERTTHE GREAT EXHIBITION.

He was
seventy-seven years of age, and had

231

by Douglas

.Jerrold,

and

it

lived tbi-ough

many

vicissitudes.

Probably

for a thousand reasons, but

became memorable it was a very difconcerned.

the peaceful evening of his days at Claremont

ferent thing
so far as the

from the present " Pakoe," except mere building

is

was one
life.

of the

most pleasant periods

of his

He was

wealthy and bad

many

friends,

The idea
and
art,

of a gi-eat exhibition of industry

it was due Mr. Henry Cole

who liked bis shrewd, witty, and perhaps rather worldly talk in a way too he was a philosopher of the easy school, and even immediately
after his abdication,

whether
to

in 1849

and in

England

(aftervvai-ds Sir

Henry

Cole, C.B.) or to Prince Albert himself,

when he landed
to

at

New-

was not new.

borrowed

There was an exhibition of

of art,
&c.,

haven as Mi\ Smith and went

in its

an inu famous

articles

held at the
;

day

for

good cheer, he had apparently

dinner,

almost forgotten his alarms and his troubles

over a pretty
stituents of
little

among

the con-

and there was another and a larger show held in Paris the same year. "While Napoleon was consul,
in 1802, there

Maison d'Orsay

in France in 1798

which

wei'e Sussex native oysters

was a

still lai-ger,

more compre-

and the famous wheateare which are the

ortolans of the county.

hensive,

and more

successful exhibition of art

Paris,

The

friendship of

and manufacture in
came,
stai-ting

and the thing betriennial

our royal family to the exiles had remained in

spite of the

from that time, a

former Spanish marriages and

institution.

There had been, long before 1851,

other disturbing

little treacheries, and on the day following the intelligence of the ex-king's

triennial exhibitions of industrial products in

Dublin, under the auspices of the Royal Dublin Society.

death the Queen and Prince Albert, just before

their journey to Edinburgh,

There were

also the exhibitions

managed

to

pay

of the Cornish Polytechnic Society,

and those

a visit of condolence to the good and lovable

which were held

and Liverpool.
art

at Manchester, It

Birmingham,

Queen Amelie and her

It

children.
for Prince Albert,

was

in 1848 that the first

was then a busy time

all

proposals for a great exhibition of objects of

for

he was engaged in

kinds of places, in

works connected with

art,

with charity, and

and industry on an international basis emanated from the Prince Consort and the
Society of Arte.
Tlie society had, however,
its

with education, and the prepai-ations for the

great exhibition were drawing on
bition

that exhireviv-

held exhibitions in

own rooms
of the

befoi'e this,

which did much

for

England by

and indeed the success

tion of 1844

French exposi-

ing trade and manufactures

much for other countries

for

also

and perhaps in turning, even

had excited great attention in

London, and led to a few appeals to the government.

It

a brief space, men's

tliouglits to peaceful

pursuits

and

to the possibilities of brother-

was doubtless

to the indefatigable in-

hood.

dustry of Prince Albert, his great energy,

and

his thorough appreciation of all that

was

The Crj'stal Palace which means, an immense building of the conservatory order, set in handsome and extensive gardens now

necessary to
of

make

the undertaking worthy

the country, that the enormous success

of the Gi'eat Exhibition of 1851

was largely

standing on the top of

cea.sed to

Sydenham Hill, has long

it.

put forward the educational preten-

sions that

were once made for

Many

of its

chief attractions

have been amusements of a

it

The series of Paris "expositions" had had a marked effect in their influence on art and in the improvemente in manufactures, and even the smaller displays by our
due.

sensational order;
cial success,

has not been a great finanpresence has bad the effect

own

Society of Arts iiad obviously been folIt, therefore,

and

its

lowed by many beneficial results.

of turning

one of the most beautiful country

appeared to the prince that an exhibition

of a ti'uly international character

neighbourhoods in Surrey into a huge suburb.

might be
to pro-

No
Its

one will deny that

it

scarcely reoidls the

attempted which would "afford the means of

Crystal Palace of the Great Exhibition of 1851.

showing what every country was able

name was

(or so it

was

said) suggested

duce in the shape of raw material?, in machin-

232

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

his fur

eiy auil mechanical iuventions, iu mauiifactures,

aticl

worth with the sounds

of

profound grief
untimely

also iu sculpture, iu plastic art,

:iuil

what .appeared

to

them

to be their

generally iu art as applied to manufactures.

loss.

could not

Such au exhibition, if successfully carried out, fail to produce results of permanent

of

But time has not obliterated the record those real and lasting qualities which iu
so conspicuous.

him were

His memory was

benefit in
for
it

many

ways.

To put the argumeut

it

enshrined in the

ver)' hearts of those of

whom

on the lowest grounds,

all

would enable

he became the loyal and earnest countryman

the active spirits of

nations to see where

they stood, what other u:itions had done and were doing, and what new markets might be
opened, what

when he became the husband of their queen. On many occasions before the end of 1850
the prince had to contend with repeated misrepresentation and misunderstanding; but
it is

new

materials turned to account,

how

they might improve their manufacturing

a significant fact that every statesman, every

ai-tist,

processes,

and what standards

railroads, it

of excellence

every diplomatist, and every

it

might almost

they must aim at in the general comj^etitiou

be said
really

man and woman who had

well enough to discover,

which steam and

was now

seen,

known him

would before long establish throughout the

world."'
If ever

under a somewhat diffident and shy manner,

his great ability

and amiability, spoke and often

of

him

any man was competent

precisely the

to preside

in terms of high

of enthusiastic ad-

over such an undertaking it was Prince Albeit,

for his

miration.

was
and

kind of general
to

During the time of the

difficulties

attending

culture

which enabled him

to

suggest,

to

Lord Palmerston's foreign policy the most

monstrous and even contradictory rumours

arrange,

combine the various and

multitudiuous elements which would have to

were

afloat,

and

for a time the reputation of

be assimilated to make the whole scheme successful.

the prince suffered from slanders which arose

either

Added

to this he had great patience,

details,

from mere surmise or from the mis-

a painstaking determination to master

chievous inuuendos of irresponsible and untruthful publications.

see,

and a deliberation which usually resulted

com])Iete adhesion to the conclusions at

iu

which

he had arrived, the more so because he was

always ready and even anxious to listen to the
opinions and to give weight to the experience
of all those

the

There was, as we shall much vexation and even indignation on pai-t of the queen at the manner in which

the foreign minister despatched comments,

opinions,

and instructions without consultation

the usual courtesy of sub-

who were
and

interested in the
if

same

with his government or without what was, to

say the least of
it,

enterprise,
it

especially

they brought to

practical or professional knowledge.

mitting them to the sovereign for her information.

This

is

not the opportunity for writing

tlie

Such a course was doubtless calculated

both her and the ministry in an exceed-

another eulogium on

prince who, by his

eti'ort

to place

admirable self-control, his constant

to

ingly difficult position,

and there was,

to

it

was

show that he
which
it

fully understood the position

contended, a constant danger that the country

was

his

duty to occupj' as the consort

would be committed
to

a course contrary
jiolicy

of tlie sovereign, his quiet, and, at last, successful demonstration that

that which would

have been the

he could

fulfil

the

of the

crown and the government.

Palmer-

demands of a station perhaps the most

iu Europe,

diflicult

ston's attitude,

however, was one which the

had won the

respect, the loyalty,

nation admired,

and the disagreements,

of

and the regard

of the English people.

few princes have better

Though deserved the meed of

which the mere rumour and not the particulars,

reached the outside public, were often

repeated praise, the accents of adulation were

distorted into absurd

meanings and suspicions,

perhaps too loud and persistent while the

such as that Prince Albert had been attempting to override the English policy in favour
of his foreign relations, that

whole nation was mingliug

its recollections of

he had endeav-

Life of the Prince Consort.

oured to interfere with the despatches, or that

ALBERT PRINCE OF SAXE-COBURG AND GOTHA.

IPRINCE CONSORT
AFTER

mz

PORTRAIT EY V/INIERHALIER,

SLASCZ KSOK LONtiaW- QL*

CHANGES MADE BY PRINCE ALBERT AT CAMBRIDGE.

he bad claimed the right of dictating or of writing them. It is very doubtful whether
the great majority of the people really believed or heeded even the least iujurious of
;

;33

demands of all moderate reformera and it was proposed that it should come into operation in the

Michaelmas term
of

of 1850.

"

The

change in the curriculum

Cambridge educataken everybody

these reports,

and

if

they ever did, the belief

tion," said the Times, " has

The debate on the Greek question showed what was the true
was quickly
state

dissipated.

by

sui-prise.

We knew

the event must come,

its

but we did not look for

attainment without
. . .

of the case; and when, at the end

of

a long and arduous struggle.

Many

1851, the miuisti-y

was compelled

to take such

hundreds of young

men taken from

kingdoms

the highest

a coui-se, because of Palmerston's communication on the subject of the coup d'etat in Paris,

families in the three

will every j'ear

have cause

to bless the

change which opens a

that the foreign minister sent in his resignation,

career to their praiseworthy desire for im-

the whole matter

It

was pretty well exunderstood

mediate distinction and

fits

them

for a

plained.

had been

fairly well

important sphere of action in

ever

after-life.

more What-

before

the end of

1850, however,

and the
prince

may

be the profession or calliug they

temporary cloud that had seemed to overhang

the genuine populaiity attained

may

choose for the future, Cambridge

now
But

by the

affords

them a

fitting nm-ture.

was entirely
hail

dispei-sed.

Indeed the nation

the royal consort was
ni.'iny of

for one fortunate event the country might

reason to

know that

have waited long enough for the change which

has opened so
curiosity

really on the popular side in spite of

many

se;ded

books to the

those traditions of his early

German

training

and

industr3' of the

youth of Engof gratitude to

which might have been supposed to deter him.

land.

The nation owes a debt

prince
consort,

He was
tress

ever in favour of increased education,

the

the

chancellor of

the

of national progress, of the alleviation of dis-

university, for having been the first to suggest,

by means

of organized institutions for

and the most determined to carry

out,

assisting and relieving those of

advance in the direction

who needed help, of human happi-

the alteration in the Cambridge system."

In

addition to the classics and mathematics stu-

ness through a recognition of the claims of

dents were to attend at least one term of

lectures in laws, or physics, or moral philoso-

mutual
arts

duties,

and

of the promotion of those

and

sciences

which were immediately and imworking-

phy, or chemistry, or anatomy, or modern

history, or botany, or geology, or natural or

iustruraent;d in elevating the tastes

proving
classes

the social condition of the

of

experimental philosophy, or English law, or

medicine, or mineralogy, or political economy,

the

population.

Again, in the

sphere of direct education of the higher class

and to show a

certificate of

examination

satis-

he held, as Chancellor of the University of

factory to that one of the professors

lectures they chose to attend.

whose

Cambridge, a position whichhe had hesitated to

accept until he could estimate whether he would

The

choice of

the science was left to the student, but he was

be able conscientiously to

fulfil its duties.

He

bound

to

go in for one of them.

in the

new
the

proceeded with patient care and with necessarj'

caution to inquire
senate to

honour tripos
the natural
jilaces for

moral sciences and one in

how he might

induce the

sciences
first

were

established,

add to the curriculum of the univerwithout which, he regarded the

the

to be

determined by the
political

sity, subjects,

examination in moral

philosophy,

course of education as being altogether incomplete in the present day.

economy, modern

history, general jurispru;

After considerable
the

dence, and the laws of England

and for the

com-

correspondence and
leading

many intennews with

first

other

by an examination

in anatomy,

men he

succeeded in making such

parative anatomy, physiology, chemistry, bot-

additions as were at
practicable.

thought to be im-

any, and geology.

By

the 8th of April, 1848, the

in favour of a

syndicate

had agreed to report

scheme

of studies

broad enough to satisfv the

The unstinted congratulations of the Times were the more emphatic inasmuch as the Times was by no means always favourable

234
to the prince,

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

and when the
it

proiiosal

for

who, from the position of a gardener's boy, had

risen to be a successful laudscajse gardener,

a great international exhibition was about

to be practically considered

was violently
re-

was

first

employed in a responsible capacity

opposed to him.
capitulate the

There

is

no need to

by

his

Grace the Duke of Somerset at

Wim-

arguments and contentions by

bledon.

From that

situation he passed, about

whicli not only the

scheme

itself

was op-

1837, into the service of the

Duke

of

Devon-

posed, but the suggestion that the building

shire at Chatsworth ; but that

nobleman was

should be erected on a space in

was condemned.

Hyde Park At one time even the pa-

not slow to perceive that Mr. Paxton possessed

administrative faculties and a knowledge of

tience of the prince himself

was almost exhausted by the constant opposition which he had to encounter before the plan was properly
understood and considered.
lost heart,

and

skill in financial

arrangement of a high

order, by which capacities

tial service in

he had been of essen-

the management of the duke's

He

had nearly

estates

both in England and Ireland.

of scientific

and the great enterprise by which

and commercial improve-

There are indeed few instances

application

the cause of education as well as that of

national, industrial,

which present

so

many

points of

interest as the circumstances

by which Mr.

ment was advanced was near being abandoned. The question of the site of the building had scheme had been accepted, and aU kinds of places were mentioned, from Battersea, which
to be settled even after the general

Paxton earned his fame as the architect of

the Great Exhibition building.

With the
sole con-

name

of

Mr. Paxton had long been associated

;

the glories of Chatsworth

and the

trivance of the vast conservatory, which the

was once seriously thought of, to

wrote

as the prince
satirically
off.

King
built

of

Saxony

gi-aphically

compared

the

Isle of

Dogs, to which himself

tropical scene witli a glass sky."

to "a The house

and the whole commission were

from Mr. Paxton's design

for the flower-

recommended

to

be packed

But the
Courage

ing of the Victoria regia was, however, the

scheme took shape nevertheless.

immediate parent
building.

of

the Great Exhibition

against ungracious and ungrateful opposition,

sneers,

design for the latter structure

failed to

and

depreciations, succeeded

with the

had already been prepared, but had

impress the public with
pose;
its fitness

able co-operation of commissioners of a kin-

for the pur-

dred

spirit

in carrying out the most brilliant,

and
attractive exhibition ever atbasis.

and

Ml'. Paxton, apprehensive that

an
in

successful,

iiTeparable blunder

would be committed
Certain

tempted even on a national

truly international, for visitors
tries of the globe
it

It
all

was
and

the intended building, proposed to the executive

from

coun-

committee another design.

diffi-

came

to see its wonders,

culties lay in the

way, but Mr. Paxton was

;

was a

significantly profitable

undertaking

not to be deterred

in a pecuniary sense.

"and," said the

lic

The
length,

site indicated

after

by Prince Albert was at immense difficulty, conceded;

his mind was made up Duke of Devonshire at a pubmeeting held at Bake well, "I never knew

Mr. Paxton resolve to undertake what he did

not fully accomplish."

and

it

then became necessary to decide on the

nature of the building in which the enormous

very brief but pleasing account of the

number

of exhibits,

some

of

them

likely to

origin of the Palace of Glass appeared in

Mr.

occupy a great space, were to be displayed.

Dickens's Household Words in 1851, and there

it

We

all

know what

sort of structure

was
and

was stated that one day

to

eventually erected and with

what

surprise

fourteenth of June, 1850

was Friday, the Mr. Paxton hapit

delight its marvellous adaptation to the pur-

pened

be in the House of

pose was recognized

but we

may add
but the

a few

ing on this subject with Mr. Ellis, a

it,

Commons conversmember of

words

to recall, not only the

name

of the

man

who accompanied him to the Board of Trade

what could be done, for Mr. Paxton (who of the busiest men in England whose

who designed and planned

nature of the building

it,

peculiai'

to see

itself.

was one

Mr. Joseph, afterwards Sir Joseph, Paxton,

very leisure would

kill a

man

of fashion

with

THE STORY OF THE GREAT PALACE OF GLASS.

its

235

hard work)

w;\s off

immediately to keep

carriage.

Here, to his extreme delight, he

a special appointment at the tubular bridge

found one of the greatest and most influential

eugineei-s of the

over the Menai.

After his journey, the next

his friend the

day

morning the conversation with

of the royal commission

a member, moi-eover, who was going to

ex-

M.P. was clenched by another and more than

usually powerful burst of thunder in that day's
issue

London by the same

'This
is

train.

extraordinarily lucky!" he

from Blackfriare. To have engagements

claimed; "for I want you to look over a few

plans and a specification of mine."

for every

of

day in the week in different parts England and Ireland, together with the
of the estates at Chatswoi-th, did
still

Accordingly the plans were unrolled.

they are," said
*'look

'"

There

management
not

the

impromptu

architect;

much

matter; there was

time to be
details of

them

over,

and

see if they will

do for

found for concocting the plans

and

the great building of eighteen hundred and

fifty-one."

a few square acres of building.

Tuesday

morning, the eighteenth of June, found Mi\

"For what?" asked the

his friend
ci'edulity.

engineer, looking at

Paston
Puiilway

at

Derby seated
try

as chairman of the
of the

with the serio-comic surprise of in-

works and ways committee

to

Midland

an offending

pointsman.

"I
"

am

serious."
late
;

This was the

first leisure

moment he had been

But you are too and decided."

the whole thing is

able to secure since he resolved to plan the

settled

great building.
the culprit, and

At

the end of the table stood

it,

" Well, just see

upon

before the chairman,

am

very hungiy ; and

what you think of them. I if you will run them

was

invitingly spread a virgin sheet of blot-

over while I eat

my

dinner

I'll

not speak a

ting-paper.

As each uncommon

witness delivered his

word."

evidence Mr. Paxton appeared to be taking

notes with
assiduity,

"Neither will I disturb you, for I must

light a cigar;"

and when
to

and in

spite of every regula-

the case closed one of his colleagues turned

specially to him, saying,

tion

iu that case

made and provided the

"As you seem

engineer began to smoke.

have noted down the whole of the evidence

There was a dead taciturnity; the royal

commissioner went over the plans slowly and
carefuUy, their originator naiTowly watching
then- effect on his mind.

we will take the decision from you."

"The truth is," whispered the chairman, "I know all about this affair already, having
accidentally
jiight.

learned

every

particular

last

moment
wa.s not

for the one

little

for

It was an anxious upon the opinion of

This," he continued, holding

up the

the other no

depended.

At

Cret there

paper, "is not a di-aft of the pointsman's case,

much

to

augur from.
httle

The drawings

but a design for the

to

gi-eat industrial

budding
and

were scanned with

like attention.

be erected in

Hyde

Park."
let off

No word

more than businessof commendation

The pointsman was

found
its

with a

fine,

before evening the blotting-paper plan

had

Chatsworth.

way into Mr. Paxton's office at By the help of that gentleman's

specifications

was uttered no sign of pleasure or surprise appeared. The smoke rose in regulai- wreaths; but presently they grew fainter and more intermittent, and by-and-by the cigar went out;
;

ordinary assistants, elevations, sections, working details, and

in ten days.

yet the suction was continued as vigorously

as ever.

were completed

The

projector's

hopes rose

his

friend's attention

When
Derby
arm.

he made his next appearance at the

a vortex, for

was evidently drawn into he went on during twenty

the effete weed,

station, at the

end

of that time,

Mr.
his

minutes puffing away at

quite unconscious that
it

Paxton had

the complete plan imder

There was not a minute to spare, for the train was on the point of starting, and the
royal commissioners

met the next morning;

so,

was extinguished. length, gathering the umolled papei-s up At in a bundle, he threw them into the opposite seat, exclaiming "Wondei-ful! worthy of the
:

taking his dinner in his pocket, he entered a

magnificence

of

Chatsworth!

thousand


2::g

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORArjES.

It

times Ijetter tliaa anything that has been

was now

Satui'day,

and only a few days

brought before us
" Will

Wliat a pity they were

1

more were allowed

for receiving tenders.

Yet

not prepared earlier

''

before an approximate estimate of expense

you lay them before the royal com-

could be formed the great glass manufacturers

mission?"

and iron masters

sulted.

of the north

had

to be con-

"1

will."

This happened to be dies mirabilis

it

The value
doiibtless

of this promise

and of the

fa-

the third, for

was the

identical Saturday

on

vourable expression of opinion which would

which the Sunday postal question had reached

its

accompany

its

performance will be
to the reader
it

crisis,
!

and there was

to

be no delivery

best understood

that the

known gentleman who made

when
it is

next day

But

in a country of electric tele-

was Mr.
of his

graphs and of indomitable energy, time and

difficulties are annihilated,

Robert Stephenson, then in the height

reputation as an engineer.

and

it is

not the

least of the

marvels wrought in connection

edifice that

The Paxton scheme was

building committee, which,
routine of

referred
in

to the

with the great

by the

aid of rail-

the regular
it,

way

parcels
all

and the

electric telegi-aph,

not

business, could not entertain

all

only did

the gentlemen

summoned

out of

having rejected
for competition
its

the designs

it

had invited
])lan of

Warwickshire and Staffordshire appear on

and having devised a

Monday morning at
son's office in

Messrs.

Fox and Hender-

own.
daunted, liowever, Mi-. Paxton

Spring Gardens, London, to con-

Nothing
This

tribute their several estimates to the tender

for the whole, but within a
tractors

determined to appeal to the British public.

lie

week the

con-

did by the aid of the woodcuts and

had prepared every detailed working

wood, and of

pages of the Illustrated London Neus.

Never

drawing, and had calculated the cost of every

was an appeal more promptly or

answered.

satisfactorily

pound

of iron, of every inch of

glass.

every pane of

!Meanwhile the jirojector of the building

waited on the projector of the entire exliibition,

There

is

perhaps no circumstance in the

history of the manufacturing enterpiise of the

Prince Albert, on another memorable

English nation which places in so strong a light

as this, its boundless resources in materials, to

morning
Patrick.

that of the christening day of Prince

What
passed need not be divulged;

say nothing of the aiithmetical skill in com-

but the encouragement vouchsafed, added to

the expression of public opinion daily gather-

puting at what

cost,

and in how short a time,

done in those few days

those materials could be converted to a special

ing strength, induced Mi'. Paxton to decide

purpose.

What was

on procuring a tender to be sent in

building committee for his design.
fore

to the

Two

parties in

London, relying on the accu-

He therecontractors,

racy and good faith of certain iron-masters,

glass-workers in the provinces, and of one

went

straight to Messi-s.

Fox and Henof

derson, a

well-known firm
It

master carpenter
for a certain

in

London, bound themselves

and these gentlemen immediately engaged

to prepare a tender.

sum

of

money, and in the course

to cover eighteen acres

happened that the

for raising their
it

of

some four months,

building

committee in their advertisement

of ground, with a building

of a mile long (1851 feet

upwards

of a third

had invited the candidates

edifice to suggest

the

exact date of

any improvements in

that

the year), and some 450 feet broad.

to

In order

might occur to them. This opened a crevice, into which Messrs. Fox and Hendei-son were
able to thrust their tender for Mr. Paxton's
plan.

do

this the glass-maker

promised to supply

in the required time 900,000 square feet of

glass (weighing
I'ate

more than 400 tons)

sheet glass,

in sepa-

Seeing at once

it

was, of

all

other

panes, and these the largest that ever

plans, the plan

the
it

supreme desideratum
as

vrere

made

of

each being 49

they tendered for

an "improvement" on

inches long.
in like

the committee's design.

The iron-master passed his word manner to cast in due time .3300 iron

Here

new and formidable

difficulty arose.

columns, varying from 14i feet to 20 feet in

DETAILS OF THE CEYSTAL STRUCTURE.

length: 34 miles of guttering tube, to join

237

chosen unanimously, not only by the building

every iudiviJual column together under the

gi'ound
of
;

committee but by the royal commission. Some

modifications were, however, adopted. It

2254 girders (but some of these were

iron);

was

wrought

besides 1128 bearere for

decided that the most revered of the trees were

to be admitted into the industrial building;

supporting galleries.

The carpenter under-

took to get ready within the specified period

and the central transept

curvilinear roof
feet

the apex of whose

by Mr. and the
were
In August the
in
;

205 miles of sash-bar; flooring for an area of

33,000,000 of cubic feet;
quantities
of

was one hundred and twelve

besides enormous

from the ground

was contrived
iron

wooden

railing,

louvre-work,

Paxton
space in

for their iuclosure.

and

partition.
till

Hyde Park was boarded

for

It is not

we

reflect

on the vast sums of

first

castings

the

columns

money involved in transactions of this magnitude that we can form even a slight notion of
the great, almost ruinous, loss a trifling arithmetical error would have occasioned; and of

delivered on the 14th of September.

If for nothing else, this tremendous pile of

transparency was astounding for

It

its

cheapness.

was actually

less costly

than an agricultural

the boundless

confidence the parties

must

bai'u or

an Irish cabin.

division of

its

have had in their resources and in the correctness of their computations.

superficies in cubic feet

by the sums that were

(nine-

Nevertheless

it

paid for

it,

brought out the astonishing quo-

was one gieat merit in Mr. Paxtons

detail of

original

tient of little

more than one halfpenny'

measurement that they were conEverything

sixteenths of a penny) per cubic foot; sup-

trived to facilitate calculation.

in the great building
tiple of

posing

it

was a dividend or mul-

to the contractors
over.

had been taken down and returned when the exhibition was

twenty-four.

The

internal columns

Or

were placed twenty-four

feet apart, while the

of cost

if it had remained a fixture, the rate would have been rather less than a

external ones had no more than eight feet (a

third of twenty-four) of separation, while the

pemiy and one-twelfth

foot.

of a

penny per
of

cubit-

The ordinary expense

Here
If

a barn was
half-

distance between each of the transept columns

more than twice as much, or twopence

pennj' per foot.
are the figures
:

was three times twenty-four or seventy-two

feet.

The

This also was the width of the middle

of

entire edifice contained thirty-three millions of cubic feet.

aisle

the buildirig

the side aisles were

borrowed and taken down,

bought, to

forty-eight feet wide,

corridor twenty-four.

and the

galleries

and
also

the

sum

to

have been paid was seventy-nine

;

Twenty-four feet

thousand eight hundred pounds

if

was the distance between each

vening
gutters,
long.

of the trans-

have become a winter garden, one hundred

verse guttei-s under the roof, hence the interbai-s,

and

fifty

thousand pounds.

which were at once

rafters

and
feet

were

necessarily twenty -four

There was

little

time for consideration or

The smallness of cost was due to the ])rinciple we have previously explained, of each component of the building having been endowed The sixs rows with more than one purpose.
of columns were, as had been already said, not

for setting right a single mistake,

were

it

ever

so disastrous.

On

the prescribed day the ten-

only props but drains.

They were

hollow,

der was presented, with, whatever imjjerfections

it

and

into

them the

glass roof delivered its col-

might have had, duly and irredeemably

lections of water.

In the base of each column

j)ipe to

sealed.

material

But after-checkings had divulged no eiTor. The result was that Messrs.
offer for erecting the

was inserted a horizontal iron

the drainage into
tl.e

conduct

sewers.

These strong

Fox and Hendei'son's

Paxtou
ticable
edifice

tubes served also as foundation, they were links

that connected the whole of the three thou-

proved to be the lowest pracsubmitted

to the

tender that was

sand three hundred uprights together.

top each column was fastened to
its

At

the

building committee.

opposite

The public have long known what followed

associate

by a

girder,

run up by means of

Mr. Paxton's glazed palace was eventually

a pole and pulley in a few minutes, and, once

238

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

finance committee;

fastened, no other scaffolding -was requisite for

and the treasurers were

J.

the roof which

it

supported.

Thus by means

Baron Lionel de Rothschild, Sir Arthur K. Barclay.

It

W. Lub-

of the iron pipes below

and the iron girders

bock, Bart., Mr. William Cotton, and Mr.

above the eighteen acres of structure was held from end to end so compact and fast that it

would be out of the question to attempt

its

became an enormous hollow cube, as immovable as

if it

any elaborate or detailed description either of

the palace or
contents in these pages, and

had been

instead, a solid cube,

dropped down beside Eotten

of Titans.

Eow by
five,

a gang

the Ciystal Palace

the

Great International
in fact a literature

Exhibition of 1851

had

The
each

roofs

of which there were

or
corridor,

one to

of its

own, in the records of which, as in the

aisle

the highest in the

illustrated
is

and other journals of the day,

it

middle

played

many

pai'ts.

They were winwitliin.

easy to study the catalogue of the marvel-

dows, light and heat adjusters, rain conductors

outside,

lous display.

and condensed moisture ducts

Many

objects of art which are

now

familiar

Her

majesty's commissioners for the Great

to the popular eye

and memory were

first

seen

Exhibition were Alderman Thompson, Robert

by the multitude

at the Great Exhibition in

Stephenson, the eminent engineer, son of the

Hyde
(by

Park, for instance the "Amazon," the

famous George Stephenson, William Hopkins,

T. F. Gibson, Richard Cobden, Charles Barry, Sir

"Ariadne," and the "Greek Slave." The latter

Hiram Powers, an American

which
is

disciple of

Charles Lyell,

Sii-

R. Westmeath, the

Swedenborg), suggested a sonnet

Bro-ivning,

to

Mrs.

Right Hon. H. Labouchere, Lord Overstone,

Earl Granville, the Earl of Rosse, Johu Shepherd,
itt,

perhaps too well

known

for quotation.

This figure, a slender young

PhUip Pusey, John Gott, William CubThomas Bazley, Thomas Baring, Sir
Russell,

woman

entirely

without thrapery, was the

stupid jokes, and one or two

subject of

many

Charles Eastlake, the Eight Hon. William

good ones. Meanwhile the sonnet was caught

Ewart Gladstone, Lord John

of Buccleugh.

Lord

up by the anti-slavery party

freedom.

in America,

and

Stanley, the Earl of EUesmere, and the

Duke

undoubtedly did good service in the cause of

The special commissioners were

commission were

The

statue

is slily

referred to in

Dr. Lyon Playfair, and Lieut.-Col. Lloyd.

Thackeray's mock-Irish poem, from which a

The

secretaries to the royal

few verses may well be introduced in

place, because

tliis

Mr. Edgar A. Bowi-ing, Sir Stafford Northcote,

Bart.,

they give so admii-able an idea

and

ISlr.

J. Scott Russell,

a gentleman

of the " rolling miscellany of facts " inside the

to

whom much

of the success of the plan

was
With
conscious proide

due.

Mr. !Matthew Digby Wj-att was

secreI stud insoide,

tary to the executive committee.

The superinAnd
method
of

tendents of works were Mr. C. H. Wild and

look'd the World's Great Fair in,

Mr. Owen Jones

roof in
of

whose

original

Until

me

sight

colouring the iron

work and ornaments of the complementary tints was the occasion

magnificent

Was
And

d.izzled quite,

couldn't see for staring.

much controvem", but whose

liis

There's holy saints,

success in the

cated

Alhambra Court entirely vindiargument in favour of the system he

And window

paints,

By

Maydiaj-val Pugin;

advocated. The building committee consisted

of

Mr.

I.

K. Brunei, Mr. C. Cockerel!, and Pro-

Alhamhorough Jones ^ Did paint the tones Of yellow and gambouge in.
There's fountains there,

fessor Donaldson.

The executive committee

were

^Mr.

George Drew, Mr. Charles Dilke,

And

crosses fair;

Jim., Mr. Francis Fuller, Mr.

Lieut.-Col.

Henry

Cole,

and

There's water-gods with urms;

William Eeid, C.B., of the Royal

Engineers.

Mr. Samuel Morton Peto and

1

This reference

is

to Jlr.

Owen Jones and

the Jtcura-

Sir Alexander Spearman,

Bart.,

were

the

tions of the .\lhambra Court.

THACKERAY'S "CRISTIAL EXHIBITION."

There's organs tliree

239

So
tun-ns.

let

us raise

To " God

play, d'ye see,

Victoria's praise,

save the

Queen" by

And

There's statues bn'ght,

Albert's proud condition. That takes liis ayse

Of

silver,

Of mai'blc white, and of copper; And some in zinc,

As he

.siuT^eys

This Cristial Exhibition.

And
That

some,

I tliink,

There

is

au anecdote couuected with

this

isn't

over proper.

poem which has no

ject,

direct relation to the sub-

There's staym ingynes. That stands in lines. Enormous and amazing, That squeal and snort

but which
it.

may find

a place here without

injui-y to

Thackeray sent the verses to

but his manuscript was
then editor,
it

Punch

at

first,

late.

Like whales in sport.

Shirle}' Brooks, the

who was a
to

Or elephants

a-grazing.

minutely punctual man, sent

eray.
it

back
this,

Thack-

There's carts and gigs,

Thackeray, nettled at

forwarded

And And And

pins for pigs;

post-haste to the Times,

to insert so brilliant

which was glad

really inform-

There's dibblers and there's harrows

enough

and

ploughs hke toys

For httle boys.

ilegant wheel-barrows.

ing an account of

what the great humorist

had seen at a private view.

The
Amazed I pass From glass to glass,
Dcloighted
I survey 'em; Fresh wondthers grows Before me nose In this sublime Musayum.

site

which the building was to occupy

settled to

was finally
the

be that in

Hyde Park on

bank

of the Serpentine

and opposite Gore

House

was the most suitable

which Prince Albert had truly said and the arrangements

went
Subscriptions tocost flowed

as well as the erection of the structure

Look, here's a fan

on with amazing rapidity.

From

far Japan,

wards the fund for defraying the

in

A sabre
And

from Damasco;
far Thibet,

There's shawls ye get

the

Corporation of London contributing

till

From

500, and other sums were received daily

the amount reached upwards of 65,000. the scheme was not without
its

cotton prints from Glasgow.

There's

Yet
it

German Marocky boots.

flutes,

opponents.
in

Colonel Sibthorp violently denounced

the

And Naples

macaronies.

House

Bohaymia Has sent Bohay;

Polonia her polonies.
There's granite
ilints

there

Commons, prophesying that was extreme danger of its being made

of

the occasion of
assassination,

revolution, riot,

and even

and warning members and the

That's quite iraminse.

public to look to their plate and spoons

so

when

There's sacks of coals and fuels; There's swords and guns.

many

foreign incendiaries and evil charto

acters

were likely

be assembled in London.

And And

soap in tuns, ginger-bread and jewels.

Cardinal Axchbishop Nicholas Manning, in a

new

pastoral, pointed out the "

moral dani.s

There's taypots there.

gers which he apprehended.

fair to the eye,

Whatever

And cannons
There's coffins

rare;

filled

with roses;

and alluring

to the appetite,"

There's canvass tints.

he

said,

"will temjitingly

hang on every
Great

Teeth insthi-umints,

bough
as

of the

newly created paradise.

And

shuits of clothes

by Moses.

may be

the spectacle of material grandeur

There's lashins more

whicli will thus be presented to all nations,

Of things

in store.

who
vice

does not fear the increase of sin and

But

tliim I don't

remimber;

Nor could
Did
I

which

this

immense concourse

for such a

disclose,

compose
time to Novimbcr

purpose must inevitably produce?

All our

From May

usual temptations to folly and extravagance,

240
to dissipation

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

and worldliness,
will
Ije

in-

A shoe-black brigade was instituted, lavatories

and dressing-rooms were opened
places,

creased, every snare that awaits youth will

lie nnilti])lied,

in various

every evil principle more vari;

and many shops entered

into quite

ously and ingeuiously advocated

and there and

cor-

new

trades for the purpose of attracting cus-

will be a concentration of cornjpted

tomers from among our foreign guests.

Dur-

iiipting elements

poured into the metropolis

ing the brilliant and delightful weather of the

first

and the nation such as no other occurrence

could unite.

months

of the

opening of the Great Exhito live in semi-con-

All this will endanger faith and

still

bition everybody

seemed
to

morals, and perhaps

more

charity."

To

tinental fashion

and

be much out of doors.

avert these

evils

the Cardinal Archbishop

Our system
cafes

of providing refreshments under;

appended a
toral.

bill of fare for

Lent

to his jias-

went a considerable change

on something

restaurants and

of continental patteiu
all

but
a

The Bishop

of

London

issued a charge to

with English fare were opened on

hands,

the clergy, in which he dwelt on the necessity,

and at Gore House M. Soyer

"

establi-shed

during the great display which would attract

people of
all

symposium

of all nations "

which was very

but was not
Pro-

nations, not to forget to give

illustrative

and

^ery original,

opportunities

for

public

worship and

the

understood to be a significant success.

means

of religious observance

and
tlie

instruction.

bably England never had such a general holi-

In this he anticipated that

British and

day as

it

took during those months of

;

May,

Foreign Bible Society would give useful aid,

June, and July, in ISol

and ou the

shilling

and he was not disappointed.

associations

The

religious

days of the exhibition large companies of

artisans, or

were

active,

and on the whole

for the
tlie

of

agricultural

labourers from

had adopted excellent organizations

distribution

distant towns and villages, schools, inmates

of charitable institutions,

and

sale of

cheap copies of

and even paupere

Sci'iptures in various languages, while other

from various unions, were added in detach-

religious institutions took part in the

work

of

ments
ing.
its

to the crowds that thronged the build-

providing suitable services and in holding

devotional meetings;

many

special

services

The Exhibition thoroughly vindicated title, and was truly international, indusand universal, both
in the

being held in the churches and other places

of worship

trial,
it

wonders that

on Sundays and stated days or

the ominous warnings

displayed and in the people to

whom

its

evenings during each week.

doore were opened.

Nor were any

none

of

proved to have had foundation.

of the evils that

Happily

in progress

The money for paying for the works while was advanced by the Bank of
of the royal

had been foretold were

as

England on the credit

sion,

commisfinancial
;

fidfilled.

Arrangements had been made

and the management

of the

far

;is

possible to jjrevent disorder, but the

department was a great responsibility

the plan was decided on no time was

but

intense interest taken

selves in

by the people themthe Exhibition was sufficient to preand

the
excellent

everybody had to work hard, and when once

lost.

vent

riot,

organization

Not only

in

London but

in the

provinces

sufficed to preserve visitors

from any serious

Prince Albert and those associated with him

attended meetings, banquets,
balls, receptions,

disorder or even from great inconvenience.

Of
tered

coui-se

the

number

of jiei-sons

who

en-

and

all

kinds of assemblies held for the pur-

Loudon during the time that the

had
to

display

pose of promoting local or general interest iu

the scheme, and the success of the enterprise

continued Wi\s enormous, and the means of

street conveyance

be increased, while

was already assured when

that the ceremony
of

it

was determined
should

the resources of some of the lines of railway

inauguration

were tried to their utmost extent.

of the necessity for providing the

London
means
of

take place on the 1st of May.

It

underwent many remarkable changes, because

eating and drinking for so large a multitude.

was remembered

after the date

had been

fixed that this

of Wellington,

was the birth-day

of the

Duke

who had

attained his eighty-

OPENING OF THE GEEAT EXHIBITION.

second year.

241

The

infant prince (the present

reason to fear

if

the whole population went

Duke
of the

of Connaught),

born on the same day

out to meet her, nor was there

much

to

dread

month

(the 1st of

May)

in the previous

from foreign

visitors.

year,

had been named

after the duke,

Pati-ick.

and was

There was an atmosphere of loyalty everywhere.

It

called

Arthur William

had been suggested that the queen

all

Her Majesty and Prince Albert were delighted to be able thus to show the esteem in
which they held the great general, their
ful loyal friend,
faith-

should be accompanied by

her children or

such of them as could stand on the royal dais.

and the queen

says,

amidst

her account of the events of the opening of the Exhibition, " I must not omit to mention

The little fellow who was that day a year old was the seventh, and the young mother as she sat with the two eldest (the Prince of Wales
and the Princess Royal) near her on the
throne of state in that vast building, was
dearer than ever to the nation, in the maternal

an interesting episode
visit of the

of

this day, viz. the

this his eighty-

good old Duke on

little

second birth-day to his

little

godson, our dear

bloom

of

her

still

young

life.

On
that

boy.

He came

to us both at five,

and

that day, beside the

25,000 people within

gave him a golden cup and some toys, which he had himself chosen, and Arthur gave him a nosegay."

the building

itself,

it

was

calculated

nearly 700,000 people were assembled on the

route between
Sir George
it

and Buckingham Palace, yet

to report next

The

alarmists had succeeded in creating

Grey was able

considerable uneasiness in some minds, and

to her majesty that there

accident, one police case,
blage.

day had not been one

this assem-

even the Duke of Cambridge, the queen's

cousin, appeared to display

due to

some anxiety about

the occasion of the opening

when an enormous
sui-e

concourse of people would be

tred towards the one spot.

to be cen-

vnrote

"Cestunpeu pie Strange le peuple anglais!" M. Jules Janin in the Journal des
;

Dehats. " II est calme toujours

in,
il

il
;

se hate,
il

mais

This anxiety the queen could not share

could not understand.
fidence in the people,

se h^te dans certaines limites

est patient
il

She had perfect conand was ever ready

of attacks to

mSme, dans son enthousiasme!

veut pas Stre gouverne,
il

Comme
gouverne

ne

se
h,

lui-

appear amongst them, even though she had

meme,

et

quiconque desobeit

I'ordre indiqu6,

been more than once the object

fools or

by

soudain

le

premier-venu prete main-forte au

.

madmen.

The

last of these

had been

policeman.

Dans

le

mgme

ordre oh
!

by a crazy lieutenant of hussai-s named Pate, who was brute enough to strike her majesty
over the face with a cane as she was returning with the royal children to

cette foule etait

n'eflt

venu

elle est

evanouie

On

jamais dit, k trois heures,

c[ue trente mille

dmes, avides de tout voir, et de tout entendi'e,

etaient contenues dans cette enceinte."

Buckingham

Palace from a visit to Piccadilly, where she

For the opening ceremony on

cious

this auspi-

had been to inquire after the health of the old

morning the queen

little

left

Duke

of

Cambridge,

who

died shortly after-

Palace a

before twelve.

Buckingham Nine carriages

wards.

This was on the 27th of May, 1850,

slighth'

and pairs conveyed her majesty. Prince Albert,

and her majesty, though the blow

and two elder children, several royal

marked her cheek and crushed her bonnet

guests, and those who attended, up Constitution

down over her

Buckingham

forehead,

went on quietly

to

Hill and along Eotten-row, to the northern

Palace.

In the evening she ap-

entrance of the Crystal Palace.

The way was

peared with Prince Albert in the royal box

at the Italian Opera, partly to allay the public

kept by a small party of Life Guards and a

large

body

of police.

As

the cortege drove up

anxiety and excitement, which had been exceedingly pronounced.

to the Palace the reception of her majesty

She wa-s received with more than enthusiastic acclamations and tokens
of loyalty
:

was

enthusiastic,

and she entered the building

amid a burst of genuine good feeling from the

people assembled.

many

of the people

wept as they

The queen seemed

37

full of

stood

up
II.

to greet her.

The queen had no

emotion at the greatness of the occasion and

Vol.

242

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAKIES.

was soou
lost

at the welcome, but she

within

Chinese mandarin, arrayed in the quaint and

magniticeut costume of his country, approached,

the walls of the Palace, from whence, after

the lapse of a few minutes, loud
forth
;

clieei-s bui-st

caught the duke's eye, made him a profound

salaam, and held out his hand for an English
salute.

and when the

"

strains of "

God

save

the Queen

were heard, many of the people

took up the anthem, amidst the roar of the

ently uncertain
celestial

The duke gave his hand apparto whom. The unknown

cannon and the busy

for the opening of

hum

of the

crowds that

then repeated his obeisance to the proved that he was the

thronged the wide arena.

The ai-rangements the building, and the re-

Marquis of Anglesea, and received a courteous

acknowledgment.
It

ception of her majestj' and the public, had

mandarin Hesing, of the royal Chinese junk

then anchored in the Thames for the inspection of the English.

been caiTied on through the whole of the

preceding night, and were completed by eight
o'clock in the morning.

Hesing attracted the

At

nine the doors

attention of the queen,

and

at her request

were opened

to the holders of season-tickets.

was subsequently placed

in a distinguished It

The crowd kept flowing

barriers, placed

in for

more than an

position in the royal procession.

had been

hour in such dense columns that temporary

originally contemplated that the centre of the

by the executive committee

round the throne, were in

nave should remain entirely unoccupied, but

this

to protect the space

arrangement was found impracticable;

state procession

part swept away, and the entire space of the

and thus her majesty and the

were
left

nave seemed to be permanently in possession

of the spectators.

to

make

their progress

between

Gentlemen might be seen

to their excitement

living walls of loyal subjects

and admiring
from one
It

distracted about places for their wives and

foreigners, extending in long lines

daughters ;

who added

by
en-

end of the building to the

other.

was near

asking explanations of

police-passes

which

twelve when the faint liuzzas of crowds outside

could not be explained, and

treaties to take

by urgent

announced that the queen had arrived

up

positions

which were clearly

Spectators

the royal salute from across the Serpentine

not tenable.

About

ten o'clock the police

was scarcely heard within the building, but

in its stead a loud flourish of trumpets told

succeeded in establishing order.

gradually took up their places, and every

that her majesty had entered the building.

proper and reasonable facility was afforded

for the royal progress

She was conducted at once

to the robiug-

round the nave

of the

room, and thence, after a short pause, attended

building.

At about

half-past ten the appear-

by her
and
gates,

court, proceeded
.

between flower-stands
Colebrookdale

ance of notabilities in the crowd began to

excite attention.
!is

tropical

plants past the

The Duke

of Wellington,

and the fountains and statuary with

edifice

usual, arrived early.

He

was looking exgrouped around

which that part of the

was adorned,

to

tremely well, and was conversing gaily with

the throne in the centre.

On

her appearance

a numerous
him.

circle of ladies

the vast assemblage rose to welcome her, a

As

soon as he was noticed the custom-

burst of enthusiastic cheering broke forth from

ary tribute of applause was rendered; and

every side

ladies waved their handkerchiefs,

The

then immediately a further and more hearty

demonstration was made as
it

gentlemen their hats, and the whole scene

presented was one of unusual sjjlendour.
sun, too,

was remem-

bered that on that very day

the 1st of

May

emerged from the clouds that for

his lustre,

the

old wai-rior

had completed

his eighty-

some time previously had dimmed

and a

second year.

In a short time he descended

flood of light pouring in through the

to the area below,

and was seen chatting

glittering

dome

of the transept illuminated

with the Marquis of Anglesea and with Mr.

Paxton.

the imposing scene.

When

her majesty as-

Mr. Cobden was introduced

to

him

by Mr. Fox Maule.

While field-marshal the

cended the throne, attended by the royal family and the distinguished visitoi-s of her
court, the

commander-in-chief and the president of the

organ pealed forth the notes of the

Peace Congress were convei-sing, a buttoned

national anthem, and the

immense choir

col-

THACKERAY'S "MAY DAY

lecteJ for the occasion accompauied the straiu.

ODE.'
It

243

perfoimers, both foreign and English.

was

His royal liighuess Prince Albert, when the

music had ceased, joined the royal commissioners,

at this part of the proceedings that Hesing,

the Chinese mandarin, unable any longer to

control his feelings,

who drew near

tlie

to the throne

and

made

his

way through
and
which court

read to her majestj' the report of the proceedings of

foreign diplomatists, ministers of state,

commission.

After giving an

the distinguished
etiquette

ch-cle

with

account of the origin of the Exhibition, the

efforts

had surrounded the throne, and,

made
results,

to accomplish its objects,

and

their

with some reference to those

advancing close to the queen, saluted her by a grand salaam her majesty acknowledged the
;

whose assistance had been most valuable, the

report concludeil with a fervent expression
of trust that

obeisance and saluted the mandarin in return,

under the Divine blessing

it

and at her request he was placed between the Archbishop of Canterbury and the comptroller
of the

might be

beneiicial to this

and other nations

for

household.

procession was then

by achieving the objects

been intended.

which

it

had
" I

formed, headed by Mr. Paxton, Mr. Henderson,

and Mr. Fox then followed the executive

;

The queen read the following

<Iress

reply

committee of the royal commission, the foreign

acting commissioners, the royal commissioners

receive with the greatest satisfaction the ad-

which you have presented to

I

me

on the

themselves, and officers of the queen's household.

opening of this Exhibition.

with a

have observed

Her Majesty

led the Pi-ince of Wales,

;

warm and

increasing interest the pro-

gress of your proceedings in the execution of

and Prince Albert the Princess Royal both parents and children looking extremely well.

the duties intrusted to you

mission,

by the royal comsincere gratifica-

The queen bore

herself with courteous

if

but

and

it

affords

me

dignified restraint, as

feeling

more

excite-

tion to witness the successful result of your

ment than she would

appeared
less

display.
;

Prince Albert

judicious

and unremitting exertions

in the

composed

his emotion at the

splendid spectacle

by which

am

this

day
in

successful realization of his

visible.

surrounded.

I cordially concur with

you

The

procession

the prayer, that

by God's blessing

this under-

the interior of
cheei's
till

own idea was very moved slowly round the building, amid vehement
of hats

taking
jieople

may conduce to the welfare and to the common interests

race,

of

my

and waving

and handkerchiefs,
it

of the

it

returned to the point from whence

human

by

encour.'<ging the arts of peace

started.

When

the queen returned to her

of Breadalbane, in a loud

and industry, strengthening the bonds of union

place the

Marquis

among the nations

of the esirth,

and promoting

a friendly and honourable rivalry in the useful exercise of those faculties

tone of voice, announced that the queen deflourish of clared " the Exhibition open."

which have been

trumpets proclaimed the fact to the assembled

multitudes.
Tlie royal family, attended

conferred by a beneficent Providence for the

by

good and the happiness of mankind."

the tlirone, and with great fervency of
offered

The

the court, withdrew from the building, the

choir once
national

Archbishop of Canterbury then approached

more took up the

;

strain of the

manner

anthem

the barriers, which

had

up a prayer, invoking God's blessing

hitherto resti-ained the spectators within certain

limits

on the undertaking.

At

the close of this

were withdrawn, and the long

prayer the choir joined in singing the Hallelujah Chorus, and the effect of this performance

pent-up masses poured over every part of the

building, unrestrained

by policemen, and eager

may be

estimated from the fact that the

St.

to gratify their curiosity.

Chapel Royal,

Paul's Cathedral, WestSt.

Perhaps no more truly impressive description, or rather indication, of the

minster Abbey, and

sor,

George's Chapel, Wind-

event apof

contributed their entire vocal strength,

peared than the "

May Day Ode "

tlie

Mr.

while there were also present pujjils of the

Thackeray, published in

Times.

Royal Academy of Music, part of the band of

the Sacred

Harmonic Society, and many other

But yesterday a naked sod, The dandies sneered from Rotten Row,

! ;

! !

: ;

;;

244

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

And
cantered o'er
it

to

And
As though
'twero

see, 'tis

and fro; done

Soft

by a wizard's rod

is the voice, and fair the face She breathes Amen to prayer and hymn No wonder that her eyes are dim.
;

blazing arch of lucid glass

like

And
This

pale her cheek.

Luaps

a fountain from the grass To meet the sun

!

moment round her

thousands
lie

empire's shores

The winds

of austral winter sweep. in

A quiet
With

green but few days since,

cattle
!

And
!

midnight sleep
of yours,

And

lo

browsing in the shade, long lines of bright arcade In order raised

At
awful
is

rest to-day.

that

Crown

Queen

of innumerable realms,

A palace as for fairy prince, A rare pavilion such as man

Saw
never, since

Sitting beneath the

budding elms Of English May

And

built
it

mankind began, and glazed

!

peaceful place

was but now.

shining streets
:

And

lo

within

its

A multitude of nations meets A countless throng

I see

beneath the crystal bow,

Turk,
his native

Our brethren cross the Atlantic tides, Loading the gallant decks which once Roared a defiance to our grins With peaceful store Symbol of peace, their vessel rides 1^ O'er English waves float star and stripe,

And Gaul and German, Euss and

Each with
handiwork
tongue.

And

firm their friendly anchors gripe

The father shore

And busy
I felt a thrill of love

and awe To mark the different garb of each, The changing tongue, the various speech
Together blent.
thrill,
*'

From Rhine and Danube, Rhone and As rivers from their soiorces gush
The swelhng
floods of nations rush,

Seine,

And seaward pour

From coast to coast in friendly chain, With countless ships we bridge the straits

methinks, like His who saw All people dwelling iipon earth

And angry ocean

separates

Praising our

God with solemn

consent."

mirtli

Europe no more.

And one
High Sovereign

in your royal state

From Mississippi and from Nile From Baltic, Ganges, Bosphoi-us,

In England's ark assembled thus

Captains and Chiefs and Councillors,

Before the lofty palace doors
Ai"e
!

open

set.
;

Hush ere you pass the shining gate Hush ere the heaving curtain draws,
!

Are friend and guest. Look down the mighty sunlit aisle, And see the sumptuous banquet set, The brotherhood of nations met
Ai'ound the feast!

And

let

the royal pageant pause

A moment
Bow

yet.

People and Prince a silence keep

coronet and kingly crown,

Along the dazzling colonnade. Far as the straining eye can gaze, Gleam cross and fountain, bell and
In vistas bright.

vase.

Helmet and plume bow lowly down The while the priest
Before the splendid portal step,

And statues fair of nymph and maid. And steeds and pards and Amazons,
Writhing and grappling in the bronze,
In endless fight.

(While

still

the wondrous banquet stays).

From Heaven supreme a blessing prays Upon the feast

Then onwards let the triumph march Then let the loud artillery roll, And trumpets ring and joy-bells toll,
;

To deck the glorious roof and dome, To make the queen a canopy, The peaceful hosts of industry
Their standards bear.

And

pass the gate.

Pass underneath the shining arch,

Yon are the works of Brahmin loom On such a web of Persian thi-cad
The
desert

'Neath which the leafy elms are green Ascend unto your throne, Queen! And take your state.

Arab bows

his head,

And

cries his prayer.

Behold her in her royal place

Look yonder where the engines toil These England's arms of conquest

are.

A gentle

and the hand That sways the sceptre of this land, How frail and weak
lady;
!

1 The St. Laivrcnce frigate, which brought a cargo of 'exhibits" from the United States.

THE QUEEN'S ACCOUNT OF THE OPENING CEREMONY.

The
trophies of her bloodless

245

war

In a few seconds
holding mine.
tills.

we

proceeded, Albert lead-

Brave weapons these. Victorious over wave and soil,

ing me, having Vicky at his hand, and Bertie

With these she

sails,

she weaves, she

hills.

The

sight, as

we came

to the

Pierces the everlasting

middle, where the steps and chair (which I

And

spans the seas.

did not
ciystal

sit

on) were placed, with the beautiful

just
in

The engine roars upon its race. The shuttle whirrs along the woof. The people hum from floor to roof. With Babel tongue. The fountain in the basin plays, The chanting organ echoes clear.

fountain

front of

it,

was

magical,

so

vast, so

glorious, so

touching.

One

felt

as so many did

whom

I have since

spoken to

filled

with devotion,

more

so

than by any service I have ever heard.

face, the

Tlie

An

awful chorus

'tis

to hear,
I

A wondrous song

tremendous cheera, the joy expressed in every

immensity

of the bvulding, the

mix-

Swell organ, swell your trumpet blast,

ture of pahns, flowers, trees, statues, fountains,

March, queen and royal pageant, march By splendid aisle and springing arch

the organ

(with 200 instruments and

like nothing);

And

Of this fair hall above the fabric vast, God's boundless Heaven is bending blue, God's peaceful sunlight's beaming through,
see
!

COO

voices,

which sounded

and
all

my beloved
Festival,'

husband the author

of this 'Peace

which united the industry of

And

shines o'er

nations of the earth,

all.

all is

this

was moving

indeed,

and

it

was and

a day to live for

The account
characterized
city:

in the Journal of the

Queen

is

ever.

God

bless

my
!

dearest Albert,

God

" The park presented a wonderful speccrowds stx-eaming through

it,

by a very

pictui-esque simpli-

bless

my

dearest country, which has

shown
all

itself so

great to-day

One

felt so grateful

tacle,

cari-iages

to the great

God, who seemed to pervade

!

and troops passing, quite

day, and for

like the coronation-

and

to bless all

The only event

it

in the

me

the same anxiety

no, much
beloved
bustle

slightest

degree reminded

me

of

was the
unique,

greater anxiety on account of Albert.

my

coronation, but this day's festival

was a thoupecu-

The day was bright and aU

sand times superior.

In

fact, it is

and excitement. ... At

motion.

half-past eleven the

and can bear no comparison, from

liarity,

its

whole procession in state carriages was in

. .
.

beauty, and combination of such dif-

The Green Paik and Hyde Park

good humour, and most

ferent

and striking

objects.

mean the

were one densely crowded mass of human

beings, in the highest
enthusiastic.

slight resemblance only as to its solemnity

the enthusiasm and cheering, too, were

much

I never

saw Hyde Paik look

more touching,
is silent.

for in a church natmally all

as

it

did,

as far as
fell

the eye could reach.

little

rain

just as

we

started

but before

" Albert

left

my

side after

'

God

save the

we came near
upon which the
floating.

the Crystal Palace the sun

edifice,

Queen' had been sung, and at the head of

the commissioners
political

shone and gleamed upon the gigantic

flags of all

curious assemblage of

the nations were

We drove up PiOtten Eow

and got

report,

and distinguished men read me the which is a long one, and to which I
After which the Arch-

out at the entrance on that side. " The glimpse of the transept through the
iron gates, the

read a short answer.

bishop of Canterbury oS'ered up a short and

appropriate prayer, followed
lujah
Chorus,'

waving palms,
filling

flowers, statues,

by the 'Halle-

myriads of people
seats around,

the galleries and

during which the Chinese

with the flouiish of ti-umpets as

mandarin came forward and made his obeisance.

we

entei'ed,

gave us a sensation which I can

felt

This concluded, the procession began.

beautifully

never forget, and I

much moved.
little

We

It

was

arranged and of great

went for a moment to a

where we
left

side -room,

length,

the
to.

prescribed order being exactly

our shawls, and where we found

adhered

The nave was

full,

which had

mamma and Mary(uow Princess of Teck),

outside

and

not been intended; but

difficulty,

stiLL

there was no

which were standing the other princes.

and the whole long walk from

246
one end to the
of continued

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

othei-

was made

in the

midst

words

last year,
'

when he said

that the feeling

and deafening cheers and waving

would be

that of deep thankfulness to the

for

of handkerchiefs.

Every

one's face

was bright
la reine
!'

Almighty
day

the blessings which

he has

and

smiling,

many with

tears in their eyes.

bestowed upon us already here below,' this

realized.
. . .

Many Frenchmen
was near
courts.

called out,

'Vive

We

dined en/au'We, and

One could, of course, see nothing but what

in the nave,

then went to the Covent Garden Opera, where

and nothing
little

in the

we saw the two

tired

finest acts of the

last year.

'Huguenots'
I

The organs were but

heard, but

given as beautifully as
;

was rather

the military band, at one end, had a very fine

effect as

we
'

passed along.
Athalie.'

They played the

beautiful

we were both so happy, so full of thankfulness God is indeed our kind and
but
!

march from
in bronze,

The

Amazon

merciful Father!"

by Kiss, looked very magnificent. which was a touching

sight.

Among
of the

the

first

to offer their congiatulabrilliant success

The arm
sent.

old

Duke and Lord Anglesea walked

I

tions to the

queen upon the

in arm,

day's

proceedings were Lord John

saw many acquaintances amongst those

"
told

pre-

Russell and

Lord Palmei-ston.

"It was a
official

day," the latter wrote at the close of an

to our

We returned

own

place,

and Albert
that the

letter,

" the result of which must be no less

Lord Breadalbane

to declare

gi-atifying to
to the nation

your majesty than honourable

Exhibition was open, which he did in a loud

voice,

whose good fortune

for its sovereign.'

it is

to

have

which

was followed by a

flourish of

your majesty
Russell, fresh

Lord John

trumpets and immense cheering.

All the

from the

scene, could not refrain

tri-

commissioners, the executive committee, &c.,

from congratulating "the queen on the

who worked
mense praise

so
is

hard and to

whom

such im-

umphant
day.

success of the proceedings of this

off so well,"

due, seemed truly happy,

and

Everything went
it is

he con-

no one more so than Paxton, who

justly proud; he rose

from being a

may be common
se-

tinued, " that

ticulare;

needless to mention par-

but the general conduct of the mul-

gardener's boy.

Everybody was astonished

George Grey (home

titudes assembled, the loyalty

and the content

and dehghted,
"

Sir

which so generally appeared, were perhaps

the most gratifying to a politician, while the

cretary) in tears.

The return was equally

satisfactory

the

wonders of art and industry

celebrated

will be the

most
of

crowd most

enthusiastic, the order perfect.

among

philosophers and

men

We

reached the palace at twenty minutes

science, as well as

among manufacturers and

as Prince

past one,

and went out on the balcony and

the great mass of the working people."

were loudly cheered.

(of

The prince and

felt

princess

Of course the Queen as well had paid

tion during
tion for the

Albert

Prussia) were quite delighted and im-

i-epeated visits to the Great Exhibiits

pressed.

That we

happy
all

thankful
I

progress before

its

comple-

need not say; proud of

of

that had passed,

ceremony

of inauguration,

and

my

darling husband's success, and of the

behaviour of

my

good people.

was more
it

many other well known faces were seen there. The Duke of Wellington was from the first
an interested spectator of the works, and

impressed than I can say by the scene;

was one that can never be

one who witnessed
mortalized,

eflaced

from
of
is

my
any
im-

went

to see

many

of the

consignments almost

memory, and never wOl be from that

it.

as soon as they

were unpacked.

He was

Albert's

name

mostly accompanied by his daughter-in-law,

the Marchioness of Douro, and the form and
face of the great general

and the wicked and absurd reports

which a
set of people,

of danger of every kind,

viz.

became almost as
respect

the soi-disant fashionables

and the most

It

familiar to the foreign as to the British work-

violent Protectionists, spread are silenced.

is,

men, nor was he greeted with

less

by

therefore, doubly satisfactory that all should

off so well,

the French, Swiss, and Italian artificers than

have gone

and without the

. .

slight-

by our own countrymen.

est accident or mishap.

Albert's emphatic

On

one occasion the duke and his fair com-

FOREIGN VISITORS AND EXHIBITORS.

panioD, after walking through the high-arched
transept, proceeded eastward to the foreign
this occasion the

247
for a

duke paused

moment,

apparently interested by the unusual although

silent

department, wliere they paused

of the exhibitors removing

to

observe one

demonstration before him, and he slowly

from an oaken and

silver

raised a forefinger to his forehead in answering

salute.

case various costly articles of gold

plate.

In a few seconds he had entered his

At

the

moment

of the duke's of
silver

approach

cab unassisted, and was driven away.

The

was uncovered a pair

formidable

equestrian
his once

party present seemed to think a cheer might

statuettes of Wellington himself

rival.

and

be an impertinence; but immediately the duke

Napoleon.

The
and
to

great cap-

had gone the

forth.

feeling of the spectators broke

tain smiled at the incident;

an inquir-

'There,' said

one of the Americans

ing look of the exhibitor, quietly nodded

assent.

to

an English gentleman who had been chat-

The news
;"

instantly spread that the

ting with

them and informing them

as to the

Duke

of Wellington

was within

" the

French

men and
see the

things around, 'there

we have seen
still

territory

and

in a

few moments, probably

life,

the Exhibition, but

we wanted

more
all

to

for the first time in his

the noble and

Duke.

It

was worth coming

the

gallant

duke was surprised and surrounded

of

way.'"

by a body

Frenchmen.

Their national

The mention

of

the silver plate at the

character for politeness prevailed over other

feelings; the hats

Exhibition reminds us that the show of gold

and caps

of the

bearded

and silversmith's work and

central attraction

of jewelry

was

foreigners were at once raised to the British

very magnificent, but for a long time the great

hero; and the

duke having returned a

of Wellington

mili-

was the famous Koh-i-noor

tary salute, passed on to the next department.

(Mountain of Light) diamond, which had

belonged to the Maharajah Eunjeet Singh,
the chief of Lahore,

To

see the

Duke

was always

a great addition to the pleasure of the visitors

to " the World's Fail-,"

who

at his death in

and

this feeling

was by

1839

left it

as a legacy to be
It

worn by the
pre-

no means confined

to parties of English people colonists

chief idol of Juggernaut.

had been

from the country or of

on a toui\ One

sented to the queen

by the chairman and

This stupendous

day a party of American gentlemen had assembled in the lobby of the House of Lords waiting for

deputy-chairman of the East India Company

on the 3d of July, 1850.

him

to appear, as they

had

heai'd that

gem was valued

world.
It

at

2,000,000, and

was
dia-

he was within the house. "Not

had passed," says the narrator,'

seen advancing

many minutes " when he was

believed to be the largest diamond in the

was exhibited with two other

down the narrow passage to the

to side;

monds

of the first

water under a strong cage

crys-

outer porch.

He tottered as he walked, almost

and as he reached and pressed

of gilt iron in the

tal fountain,

main avenue near the

for visitors.

swaying from side

number, took

which was

of course conspicuous

the porch the Americans, some half-dozen in

oflf

and the usual trysting-place

spoil

The

their hats

for-

" mountain of light," which formed part of the

ward

to within

two or three yards.

The

taken in the Sikh war on the defeat of

cut, as

duke's coming and going were not usually

noticed

Runjeet Singh, was badly

many Indian

by any one with

formality, nor did

gems
mit
it

are, the people there preferring to pre-

he, as a rule,

seem to remark things near him,

on something

serve the size of the stone rather than subto such manipulation as

his eye being apparently intent

far

woiUd increase

away, reminding an observer of

how

it

its fire

and

brilliancy.

This led to some dis-

might have looked, for instance, when detecting the

appointment, and another large and superb

weak point in Marmot's evolutions at Salamanca. But that distant sight nevertheless

diamond, " the sea of

light,"

which was among

the Indian collection, suffered from the same

took in eveiything passing around, and on

want
to

of art in cutting,
it off

though

it

was

set so as

show

to advantage.

'

G.

H. Jennings.

Anecdotal History of the British

But few

of the

foreign princes attended

if

Parlia7tunt.

the Exhibition, and indeed even

they had

248

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

dreds of thousands of persons
the streets and waited there
till

been so disposed the condition of their own King affairs would have prevented them.
Leopold would doubtless have been present,

who crowded
the royal pair

returned to Buckingham Palace was one of

but the recent

loss of

his beloved consort,

unbounded enthusiasm.
of

The French

fetes to

which had
keener,

given

to

our

queen

pang
of

which the leading members of the corporation

perhaps, than

even the death

Loudon

as well as the commission

were

in-

Dowager Queen Adelaide, had been the second great sorrow of his life, and he rethe

vited, were exceedingly brilliant, and the presi-

dent received the more distinguished guests

mained
still

in comparative seclusion; but writing

and entertained them with marked

entertainments.

hospitality,

to

her Majesty and to Prince Albert

let-

the municipality of Paris also giving several

ters full of affection,

good counsel, and hearty

There were

of course

numer-

congratulations.

The Princes and the Prin-

ous festive celebrations in London and in various parts of the country, where the foreign
commissioners, the executive, and the other

cess of Prussia, Prince

Henry

of the Nether-

lands,

and Prince Edward

of

Saxe-Weimar

were present at the opening ceremony, and no

other foreign royal personage took any public
p.art in

members
guests.

of the commission

were honoured

the Exhibition; but the people of

all

On
tion

the 11th of October the Great Exhibito be closed.

nations represented themselves, and the con-

was

The

receipts

up

to the

course had, during the whole time that

it

was

19th of September amounted to 457,986,

open, attested
est

its

genuine success and the inter-

which

it

had aroused throughout the world.

disorder

The influx of visitors during the 13s. lOd. mouth had continued undiminished, frequently
exceeding 60,000 in a day.
less

On some

days above 70,000 persons passed the

On

the 18th no

turnstiles,

and yet there was

of

little

than

fifteen schools

were in the building,

1429
chikken, for
Agricul-

and few accidents

the
first

any importance.

From
the

amounting

together

to
9s.

the French president and the French

whose admission 71,

was

paid.

peojDle took close

and

jiractical interest in

tural labourers with their families

had formed
In one day

undertaking.

It

gave the president himself

a large portion of the visitors.

an opportunity

of

showing that his policy was

sjjirit

3000 persons of this description arrived in

to cultivate a truly friendly

with this
facilistill

town from Devonshire.

Of course a very large number
of articles

country, and the welcome and practical

ties

given to French exhibitors tended

had been

lost

by

visitors at the Exhibition,

all of

farther to produce a cordial feeling of goodwill which, during the time of " the show,"

but they were nearly

comparatively

little

value, such as shawls, parasols, walking-sticks,

was cemented into a real international regard. The friendly feeling between France and England was manifest everywhere, and the results

and purses containing only small sums of money, and they were mostly found and
returned

when their owners appeared

all

to claim

have been very happy and

nations.

beneficial to both

them. Of

the stray property found during

When

the time for closing the Exlii-

the Exhibition and handed over to the police

for the discovery of ownership, the

bitiou approached, invitations

were sent to the

iinder-

most

re-

council

and those associated with the

markable and the most perplexing items came

under the head of children; some eighty or
ninety boys and girls having lost their parents
or friends in the building.

taking to be jiresent at a series of fetes in Paris,

and the president hoped

no other
rest to

to

have Prince
if

Albert for his guest at the Elysee; but

reasons, the prince

for
to

Happily the

sta-

was obliged

tion-house at Prince's Gate provided a

of escape,

mode
ones

decline to join his colleagues because he found

and thither
:

all

the stray

little

be absolutely necessary after his really

were regularly sent

all

one boy was kept there

intense exertions to

a genuine

success.

make the gi-eat enterprise With the queen he had

ball,

night,

him with
forwarded

and a bed having been made for gi'eat-coats he was next morning
to
his

attended a grand reception,

Guildhall,

and supper at

relatives at Winchester.

and

tha real reception

by the hun-

Another

little

fellow

was taken

to lodgings in

CLOSING CEREMONYAWAEDS TO EXHIBITOES.

Erompton Eow, and was claimed there next day by Lis friends from Epsom. From eighteen to twenty children were forwarded to
various pai-ts of town
off duty,

249
cere-

of October,

was not marked by any

monial.

At

five o'clock all the organs in the

by

the constables going

up the national antliem, after which the ringing of a bell warned the assembuilding struck

and no fewer than sixty were claimed

blage to depart.
quietly;

They dispersed slowly and

sis every person

at the station

by

their parents.

and by half -past

week there was an enormous and unexpected increase in the number of visitoiB. The previous maximum on any But on one day had amounted to 74,000.
During the
last

not connected with the building had retired.

On Monday and

Tuesday, the 13th and 14th,

the privilege of a separate inspection

was

granted to each of the

friends.

exhibitor-s,

with two

the last

Monday
;

the

number

of persons adit

The queen,

herself

an exhibitor, was

mitted was 107,815; on the Tuesday

109,915

was

present on both of these days, early in the

and on Wednesday 109,760.

These

morning, before the general company were

admitted.
It
sales
is

vast multitudes conducted themselves with

perfect order,
of

said

that

on these days

and without a

single casualty

enormous
the
15th,

any consequence.

The

receipts

dming

the

Wednesday, was the day appointed to re-

were

made.

last

the entire
the

week amounted to ^29,795, 4s. 6c?.; and sum received, from the opening to closing of the Exhibition, amounted to
5.

ceive the reports of the juries appointed to

adjudicate the prizes to exhibitoi-s.

About

20,000

pei-sons

were assembled by twelve

505,107,

7d.

which

sum

included the

o'clock, at

which hour Prince Albert entered

money taken
small items.

at the doors, season tickets, sub-

the building, preceded

by the members

of the

scriptions, catalogues, refreshments,

and some
to

royal commission, the executive committee,

The

liabilities

amounted

the architect, contractors,

sioners,
jui'oi-s,

foreign commis-

about 220,000, leaving a sui-plus of about a

quarter of a million.
at the

&c.

As

soon as the procession

doore,

275,000 was in

Of the money received silver and

of the silver

arrived within the gates the organ and orches-"

tra struck

up the national anthem

and the

81,000 in gold.

The weight
and

vast assemblage bui-st into enthusiastic cheers.

coin so taken (at the rate of 28 lbs. per 100)

His royal highness took his seat on the magnificent throne presented to the

would be

thirty-five tons,
feet
!

its

bulk nine

queen by the

hundred cubic
vented

The rapid

flood of the

Rajah

of

Travancore

and Viscount Canning,

read a long report
in

coin into the hands of the money-takers preall

on behalf of the
detailing the

juries,

examination of each piece as

of

it

was

manner

which they had

dis-

received,

and 90

bad

silver

but only one piece of bad gold,

a half-sovereign.

was taken, and that was

The cash was received by

eighteen money-takers, on the very heavy

days six extra ones being employed during

the busiest hours.

From them

it

was gathered

by three or four money-porters, who carried

it

The medals awarded were of two kinds, prize medals and council medals. The prize medal was conferred "whenever a certain standard of excellence in production or workmanship had been attained;" the council medal (the larger) was awarded in cases of "some important novelty
charged their duties.
of invention or appUcation, either in material

to four collectors, charged

it.

with the task of

it

counting
tellers,

From them

went

to

two
it

or processes of manufacture, or originality

who
final

verified the sum,

and handed

to the
officer,

custody of the chief financial

Mr. Carpenter, who locked each day's

in
till

amount
building

his peculiar

iron

chests in the

combined with great beauty of design." The number of prize medals awarded was 2918 the number of council medals was 170. The number of exliibitoi-s was about 17,000, and
the task of the juries involved the consideration

next morning, when, in boxes,

it

each holding 600,

was borne

off in

a hack-

and judgment

of at least a million of

ney cab in

cliai-ge of

Bank

of

England clerk
on the 11th

articles.

and a bank porter.

finished,

The reading of the report being and the voluminous reports of the

The

closing of the Exhibition,

juries

having been laid before Prince Albert,

250
Ilia

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

royal highness
satisfaction
of

made a
offered

reply expressive of

" It

made

us

all

veiy melancholy.

The

old

his

with the proceedings.

The

Cornish woman (Mary Kylernack) who walked

Bishop

London

up a solemn prayer;

up
old

several

hundred miles

to see the Exhibi-

the orchesti-a of the Sacred Harmonic Society

tion,

was at the door

to see

me: a most hale

at

performed the Hallelujah Chorus; the prince

retired,and the assemblage gradually broke up.

woman, who was near crying

influential persons,

my

look-

ing at her."

One
tics

of the

most suggestive pieces

of railway travelling

of statis-

Many

and among them

connected with the Exhibition

is

the imit

Sir Joseph Paxton, were exceedingly desirous

mense amount
produced.
ing the

which

that the building

the Crystal Palace in Hyde

and
instruction,

A statement was published showof passengers

Park

should
it

be preserved as a permanent

number

and

receipts of

place of recreation

and Sir

eight railway companies having their termini

in

Joseph drew out plans and estimates showing

London, for the twenty-four weeks ending

for corresponding tweuty-four

how

might be converted into a delightful

the 11th instant, the period of the Exhibition,

winter-garden and sanatorium, but the scheme

and

weeks

of

was opposed, and Mr. Heywood's motion

a select committee of the House of
to take the subject into consideration

for

1850.

These railways were the Great NorthGreat Western, Black-

Commons

ern, Eastern Counties,

wall, Brighton,
ern,

North-Western, South- West-

by 221

votes against 103.

was lost The building was

and

South

Easteiu.

The

aggi'egate

afterwards bought by a
chiefly represented

amount received for passengers in the twentyfour weeks of 1850 was J2,201,647; in the
twenty-four weeks of 1851, 2,952,802; increase,

number of gentlemen by Mr. Laing, the chairman of the Brighton Railway, that it might be re-erected at Sydenham in another and still
larger Crystal Palace, the first pillar of

751,155.

The

increase on the re-

which

ceipts for carriage of goods in the

same period

was

fixed on the 5th of August, 1852,

and

was 98,460.
tLe

In recording the

final visit to

which was completed in June, 1854, when

it

Great Exhibition the queen says, "It

it

was opened

by the

Queen,

looked so beautiful I could not believe

the last time I

was

accompanied by
of Portugal

Prince Albert, the

who was King

visitors,

was

to see
fine

it.

An

organ,

and other distinguished

being
the
present.
close
it

accompanied by a
being played and

and powerful wind-

40,000

spectators

Almost
the Great

instrument called the Sommerophone,' was

it

immediately after

of

nearly upset me.

International Exhibition

was proposed by

The canvas
are faded,
soiled.
Still

is

very dirty, the red curtains

the civic authorities that a memorial should

and many things are very much

the effect
is

be erected in honour of Prince Albert, but the

foi-m

fresh
.

and new as
.

which

it

should take afterwards became

ever and most beautiful

the glass

the subject of such long and troubled discussion

fountain was already removed in order to

that nothing worthy of

on,

the

occasion
it

make room

for the platform for the closing

was decided

and

it

was not

until

had
its

ceremony of to-morrow, and the sappers and

miners were rolling about the
as they did at the beginning.
little

become a memorial indeed, not only

Exhibition but of

of the

boxes just

him who had been

its

prime mover and

indefatigable director

and supporter, that the present monument

So called from its inventor, Sommer, a native of Silesia, who played on it. Mr. Theodore Martin, in his account of the Exhibition, asked, "Has any one been found with sufficient strength of lungs to do so since?"
1

was erected
cupied.

to

mark the

site in

Hyde Park
oc-

which the Great Palace of Industry had

CHAPTEE

VII.

THE YEARS OF OLD ENEMIES AND NEW ALLIES.

France
Napoleon's Coup d'etat Palmerston's Opinion and Dismissal Tyranny in Naples Gladfamous Letters Official Reply of Neapolitan Government Gladstone's Retort Parliament Proposed Reform and Militia Bills Palmerston's Revenge Government of Earl of Derby Disraeli

Louis

stone's

Exchequer Defeated by Gladstone Aberdeen Ministry Death of WellingtonLouis Napoleon Emperor GLadstone's Great Budget Russia and the Holy Places Claims on Turkey "The Sick Man" France and England Sir Stratford Canning Conference of Vienna Crimean War State of the Country Legislative and Political Situation.
Chancellor of the

The

story of the coup d'etat

by which the

had
the

latterly

remarked that from time to time which teemed with

president, Charles Louis

Napoleon Bonaj^arte,

there appeared a state paper, understood to be

paved the way to his " election " as Emperor

of the French, under the title of Napoleon III.,
is

work

of the president,

thought, and which showed that the writer,

regarded by

many readers
It has

of

modern

history

standing solitary and apart from the gregarious

nation of which he was the chief, was able to

as

an

oft-told tale.

had many narrators

from Granier de Cassagnao to Kinglake, and

contemplate
self.
. .

it
.

as something external to him-

from Kinglake
Uistoire d'un

to Victor

Hugo, who,

in his

His doubting and undecided

Crime, sought to revive the

nature was a help to concealment, for

so wearied

men

got

public interest in an event which at the time

it

by following the

oscillations of his

was accomplished aroused equal

fact

surjjrise

mind
rest;

and condemnation. The

seems to be that

neither his friends nor his opponents had quite

that their suspicions in time went to and then, perhaps, when he saw that they were quite tired of predicting that he

estimated the ability of Louis Napoleon.

the whole Kinglake's

On
from

would do a thing, he gently

it."

stole

out and did

summary

of him,

which we can take only a short extract, appears to have been closest, but this
after events

Not
French

altogether different, but taken from a

jjoint of

was written
of the of

view, and

by one who had

abil-

had unfolded the character

celebrated

had few opportunities of estimating the

ities of
first

man.

" People in

Loudon who were fond

the president,

is

the opening of the

having gatherings of

characters

chapter in Victor
will translate a

Hugo's book, from

never used to present him to their friends as

a serious pretender to

which we

few sentences.
his pistols.

"On
It

a throne, but rather man, who had

the 1st December, 1851, Charras shrugged

his shoulders

as though he were a balloon

and discharged

twice had a
in

fall

from the
alive.
.

skies,
. .

and was

still

was humiliating was

possible.

to suppose that a cotip d'etat

illegal

some measure

The opinion
altered

Such an hypothesis as an
of

which men had formed

period of exile

of his ability in the

violence

on the part

M. Louis Bonaparte
it

was not much

by

his

disappeared directly
seriously.

return to France; for, in the assembly, his

we came to examine Where was the man capable

of

apparent want of mental power caused the

such a dream as an attempt against the republic and against the people?

world to regai-d him as harmless, and in the

cliaii-

tragedy

of the president he

commonly seemed

to

requires an actor, and certainly the actor

was

be

torjiid.

But there were always a few who

;

wanting here.

To

violate popular rights, to

believed in his capacity

and observant men

suppress the assembly, to abolish the constitu-

"

252
tion,

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

to strangle the republic, to overtlirow
flag,

those who,

by personal ambition, compromised by the

that the invariable rule of his
be,

the natiou, to sully the

to dishonour the

the small degree of stability secured

constitution
political life
;

army, to prostitute the clergy and the magistracy, to reorganize, to triumph, to govern, to

would

under all circumstances,

whatever
it

administer, to banish, to transport, to ruin, to

assassinate, to reign

to perform his simple duty; that

what,all these enormities

by whom?
!

the futm-e solution of affairs might be,

essential to

was

to be achieved

and

By

a colos-

make such

provisions as should

sus?
at
it.

No by
!

a dwarf

One could only laugh

'

forbid jjassion, surprise, and violence from

One no longer said, What a crime !' For one remembered but 'What a farce!' that some crimes were too great for some hands. To make an ISth of Brumaire there
must have been
this son of

deciding the fate of a great nation.

not

till

the beginning of the following

was month
It

that the meaning of his ambiguous declarations

became apparent.

There was already a

in his past Aj-cola,

It

and

in his
is

suspicion in the country that the republic of

future Austerlitz.

was asked,

"Who

1848 could only be maintained by the assembly

Hortense?

He He

has behind

him

with great

diflaculty.

The

di-ead of a repeti-

Strasbourg instead of Areola, an'd Boulogne in

the place of Austerlitz.
is

tion of insurrections

which had already been

distress, inclined

a Frenchman,

the cause of

so

much bloodshed and such

a

born in Holland, and naturalized in Switzerland.

commercial and industrial

He

is

only celebrated by the naivete of

large portion of the natiou to view with favour

his imperial attitude,

and he who borrowed a

Doubtless he has his
accuse

feather from his eagle would risk having in

his

any plan that might be presented more settled form of gfjvernment.

to
re-election of

to

it

for a

It seems

hand a

goose-quill.
;

have been a very general opinion that the

Louis Napoleon as president

bad

qualities

but

why

him

of being
at-

an absolute scoundrel?
tempts are beyond him.

Such extreme

He

is

materially in-

would avert threatened disturbances and save the countrj' from great diingers. A majority
of representatives in the assembly

we suppose him to be morally capable of them? Has he not linked himself to honoiu"? Has he not said, 'No one in Eui'ope doubts my word; fear nothing.' From 184S to 1851 three
capable; why, then, should
.

had derule that

termined among themselves to vote for such a

decision
;

but

it

was a fundamental

no

constitutional change could be

made with-

out the sanction of three-foui'ths of the

ber's.

mem-

years had elasped. Louis Bonaparte had been

for a long time suspected
;

There had been a general tendency

intrusted with power

but prolonged sus-

towards repression of popular demonstrations.

picion disconcerts intelhgence,

and weara itself

The president had been

out by

its useless

duration.

Louis Bonaparte

to place under martial-law

had had
like

deceitful ministers like

Magne and

Eouher, but

lie had also had honest ministers Leon Faucher and OdUlon Barrot. These

any district in which disturbances seemed likely to occur. The army was not cordiallj' disposed towards
the people, but there was no obvious disposition

latter afiirmed that

he was upright and sincere.

on the part either of

officei-s

or

men

to

They had seen him smite his breast before the gate of Ham. His foster-sister, Madame
Hortense Cornu, wrote to Mieroslawsky, 'I

act against the populace without the authority

of the minister of war.

Though these symptoms of reaction appeared

it

am
.

a good republican, and I answer for him.'

.

would have been impossible for the president

which he con-

Louis Bonaparte himseK pronounced

'

to effect the ultimate change

these famous words,

I shall see an

enemy

of

templated had he relied on eminent states-

my country
force that

in

whoever desires to maintain by

is

men and summon

generals.

which

established

by

law.'

and mistrusted

his professions

They doubted his ability and he had to

;

The communication addressed to the NationAssembly by the President of the Eepublio on the 13th of November, 1851, began by
al

to his aid the

men who

were, so to

speak, fellow adventui-ers.

Statesmen looked

with suspicion on the

man who had

been ex-

declaring that he regarded as great criminals

posed to ridicule for his previous failures at

THE COUP D'ETATAEEESTS.

Strasbourg and Boulogne, and generijs met
forces in Paris

253

and apprised twenty other genmight be

called

by demanding an order from the minister of war for any change iu which the army was expected to co-operate. Thus he
his advances

erals tliat they

upon

to take

part iu a

movement

against the assembly and

even against the

assemblies held

was

left to

seek the assistance of

i>ei-sous

on

citizens. One of the usual by the president at the Elys6e

whom

he could rely to support his iJans.

took place late on the night of Monday, the

1st

The most prominent of those were Persigny, Morny, and Fleury, all intimate friends who had a pei-sonal interest iu his success. Pereigny, whose name was Fialin tiU he
took that of his maternal grandfather
practice not
life

December.

Ministers

who were

unac-

quainted with what was about to happen were

there with those

who were about

to suppress

them.

The

chief of the staff,

whose appoint-

uncommon

in France

had begun
under the

ment had caused the

resignation of Perrot,

undertook to prevent the national guard from

beating to arms that night.
this

as a non-commissioned officer

To make

sure of

Legitimists.

Morny had been

a raember of

he

left

the party early, and

by eleven

the chamber of deputies in the time of the

o'clock the

meeting began to break up. Mau-

monarchy and was a speculator

market

in the

money-

pas, St.

Arnaud, and Morny remained, but was probably engaged

in j^lacing

a man of

great ability and personal

not Persigny, Mocquard, nor General Fleury.

address.

Fleury was the spendtlu-ift son of a

The

latter

wealthy tradesman of Paris, and having enlisted

battalion of gendai-merie round the building of

as a

common

soldier, rose

from the

the state printing-office as the

firet

step to

what

ranks by his impetuous courage, his invincible

gaiety,

was very soon afterwards accomplished.

all

At

and the good-will

of those officers

who

events the

office

was surrounded, and when

effect

had known him as a

man

of fashion. of finding a

a message to that
Elys6e,

was taken
of

to the

To him was consigned the task

suitable minister of war,
officers of

where the tliree friends

of the president

and from among the

General
St.

were with him, a packet

given to an orderly

manuscripts was
the president,

the

army

of Algeria

officer of
it

Arnaud was chosen and appointed on the The prefect of the depart27th of October. ment of the Upper Garonne was M. de Maupas.
It is said that

and he at once earned where he stayed

to the printing-office,

till its

contents were set up in

type and printed, the place being so closely

he had been denounced by the

guarded by the gendarmes that not a single

legal authorities for a proposal to imprison

workman

could leave. These papers were the

thirty-two persons on a false charge of conspiring

proclamations which were to be issued on the

following morning.
clared that
It

against

the

government, and was

It

was afterwards de-

ordered to Paris in consequence.

was

re-

some

of the

men employed

to set

ported that he had been disgraced, upon which

them
tion

in tj'pe objected, but that their opposi-

he sought an interview with the president

was overcome.

Each compositor,

it

was

and

laid his case before him.

On

the 27th
police.

declared,

worked between two policemen, and

not one of the

of October

he_was appointed prefect of

the manuscript was divided into so

slips that

General Perrot, chief of the national guard,

could not be dismissed, but
it

workmen

could

was

possible to

sense of the portion assigned to him.

many make By a
it

appoint a chief of the staff whose nomination

masterly and artful yet decisive stroke

had

would be offensive

to him.

This was done

been determined by the president and his

confederates to arrest all those
likely

and he resigned, and a more tractable com-

who would be

mander took
soldiers
j

his place.

The troops
so

in the

either to lead

an insurrection or to

garrisons round Pai-is were changed for those

oppose obstacles to the sudden seizure of the

reins of

who had shown

much enthusiasm
through the

power

iu the

name

of

law and order.

for the president iu his journey

According to the account of Granier de Cassagnac,

provinces,
I

and generals were placed in comhis

who was one

of the editors of the

mand who would be ready to support pretensions. General Magnan controlled

ConstitiUionnel,

and whose family have always

coxip d'etat

the

been strong Bonapartists, the

had

254

GLADSTONE iVND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

of
tlie

become necessary because

plots

and

six.

All was accomplished with surprising

treasons which were hatching against the

jjunctuality,

and no

arrest

took more than

government, and the intention of iucendiiu-ies

to iling

twenty minutes."

France into another revolution.

of

"

The persons

whom

the police were to

At all events the thing was done in such a way that no opposition to the will of the
president was
left,

render themselves mastere," he said, " wei'e of

and not only insurgents

evei-y

two kinds

the

representatives

more or

less

and demagogues, but

effectually

man who might

of

mixed up with the absolute conspiracy, the chiefs of secret societies, and the commanders
of barricades,

have held up his hand against the

disposal of the

government

France by a

always ready to execute the

president

who

sought empire, was suddenly

orders of the factious.

Both had been

for a

put out of sight and hearing.

The

streets

fortnight under the surveillance of invisible

were invested with

troops.

Cavaignac, Chan-

agents of the police, and not one of those agents suspected the real object of his mission,

garnier, Bedeau, Lamoriciere,

and Leflo were

made

to rise

from their beds and taken to

Miot, Baze, Colonel Chenias,

having
poses.

all

received orders for imaginary pur-

prison.

Thiei-s,

The whole number of persons to be arrested was seventy-eight, of whom eighteen

were representatives, and sixty chiefs
societies

and Roger du Nord were arrested along with

a large number of the chiefs of secret societies

of secret

and those accused

barricades,

of

being leaders of the

and of barricades.

de

villc

and the brigades of

The 800 sere/ens surety had been

1st of

many

of

whose companions had

been in custody for some days previously.

kept at the prefecture of police on the

Morny had
made

possession of the

home

ofiice,

December

until eleven o'clock at night,

under

through which alone communications could be

to the oflScials of the

a pretext of the presence in Paris of the

refugees of London.

departments of

At

half-past three in

the morning of the 2nd the officers of peace

The newspapers were seized. When morning dawned the proclamations were on
France.
the walls, the gates of the assembly were
closed

and the forty commissaries

of police

were con-

voked at their houses.

in small groups in different

At

half-past four

and guarded, and though a number of

their

every one had arrived, and they were placed

members had found

residences, they

way thither and had

official

apartments for the

gained admission through one of the

])urpose of not exciting suspicion.

o'clock all the

At five commissaries went down separand received and

were prevented from meeting

soldiers,

by the infantry
prisoners.

who

biu'st in

and

ately into the office of the prefect,

dispersed them, taking twelve of their

number

from him a communication of the simple and

entire truth with the necessajy indications
orders.

In the course

of the

morning the

president with his uncle, Jerome Bonaparte,

The men had been

all

selected

with

and Count Flahault, attended by several general officers

special care for the

duty to be confided to
full of zeal

and a

brilliant

staff',

I'ode

through

them, and

went away

and

ar-

the streets of Paris, but there were no demonstrations of enthusiasm.

sui-prised,

dour, resolved to accomplish their duty at any

Everybody looked
to

None failed in his promise. number of caiTiages, prepared in

price.

A great
advance,

and wondered what was

come
dis-

next.

If

he expected to be haded with acclaParis was not quite prepared to

d'etat.

were stationed in groups on the quays in the

neighbourhood of the prefecture of police so
as not to excite suspicion.

mation he must have been grievously

appointed.

The

arrests

had

eudoree the coup

been

so arranged

between the prefect

of police

and the minister of war that they should precede,

The deputies who were driven from the chamber adjourned to the mayoralty of the
tenth arrondissement,

by a quarter

of

an hour, the arrival of the

where the eminent

troops on the places indicated.

The
six,

arrests

Berryer moved a resolution that the act of

Louis Bonaparte was a forfeiture of the presidency,

were to be made at a quarter past

agents were ordered to be at
tlie

and the

doors of the

and that the judges of the supreme

persons to be arrested at five minutes past

court should meet and proceed to the trial and

PROMOTION AND SUPPRESSION OF INSURRECTION.

judgment of
liim

255
"

and

liis

accomplices.

The

tomed

to raise popular tumults.

classes

The

rich

resolutious were carried, but a battalion of

cliasseurs

and the middle

poor had

were indignant, but

was already

iu the courtyard

aud on

they had a horror of insurrection; aud the

less

the stairs.

The assembly refused

to disperse

dread of insurrection, but then

Paris has gener-

except under stress of actual force.

An aide-de-

they were not indignant.

ally

camp from General Maguan brought a written

order " in consequence of the order of the
minister of war," directing that the hall should

abounded in warlike and daring men

love fighting for fightiug's sake; but for

who

the time, this portion of the French

commu-

be cleared.
refused

Still

the 220 deputies present

nity had been crushed

by the

result of the

to yield.

M. Benoist

d'Azy,

who

great street battle of June, 1848, and the

seizures

was

presiding,

and one of the

out, followed

Fice-presidents,

and banishments which followed the

were dragged

by the members
of soldiers,

defeat of the insurgents.

The men

of the

of the assembly,

who were marched through

files

barricades had been stripped of their arms,

the streets in the midst of

deprived of their leaders, and so thinned in

General Forey riding by the side of the troops.

numbera
flict,

as to be unequal to
their helplessness

any serious con-

They were taken

nobody in the

to the d'Orsay

ban-acks,

and

was completed by

where they were shut up

demonstration.

in the courtyard,

the sudden disappearance of the street captains

streets attempting to

make any

and the
of

chiefs of secret societies, in the night

who
1st

Later in the afternoon three

had been seized

between the
situation
it all,

other deputies presented themselves and de-

and 2d

December."

The

was
the

manded

to share the fate of their colleagues.

an extraordinary one, and amidst

promise a popular government.
not wanting some
at resistance,

In the evening the twelve already arrested at

the hall of the assembly were brought to join

proclamation of universal suffrage seemed to

Thei-e

were

them, so that there were 232 prisoners at the

barracks.

men

to

make an attempt
barricades were

At

night a

number

of prison vans

and

several

were taken thither, and in these the deputies

erected

but the insui-gents were too few to

houses

were conveyed to Fort Valerien, Vincennes,

or the prison of Mazas.
lierryer, Odillou Barrot,
aire,

occupy the

the
could

city

was invested
through the

Among them
Barthtlemy

were

with troops,
streets

who

pass

St. Hil-

aud demolish the obstructions.

From

Gustave de Beaumont, Benoist d'Azy,

the
less.

first

an insurrection appeared to be hope-

the

Due de Broglie, Admiral Cecile, ChamboUe,

de Courcelles, Dufaure, Duvergier de Hauranne, de Falloux, General Lamiston, Oscar

Lafayette, Languiuais, Lasteyrie, the

It has

been repeatedly asserted that Louis

distinct attempt at

Napoleon desired some

insurrection
to

Due de

he made in order that he

justified in the sud-

Luines, the

Due de

Montebello, General Ba-

might show that he was

den and otherwise
taken.
It

doult Lafosse, General Oudinot, de Bemusat,

illegal steps

that he had

and de TocqueviUe. Twelve

cabinet ministers, nine of

of these

had been
been

was declared that a

conflict in the

whom had

streets of Paris

was necessary

to him, that

he

chosen by the president himself.

might gain the confidence

of the citizens as

There can be no doubt that the people of

Paris, especially the middle class, desired a
settled

the prompt and sagacious preserver of order,

aud protector

of property

and industry.
that

It

government, and had learned to dread

must be remembered,

however,

his
cir-

any repetition of the insurrection to which

the capital had

enemies were not likely to overlook the

long been subject.

of revolutionists

There

cumstance that for some unexplained reason

the
efi"orts

were

still

number

aud

of

of the troops

were relaxed during

nlti-a-Republicaus

who would have

joined

any

the 3d of December, and that

of the 4th the streets

by the afternoon

determined attempt to oppose the acts of the

president
;

between the Boulevard

but their leaders had mostly been

and the Hotel de Ville were barricaded and

held by parties of insurgents.

imprisoned, and so

had

the

generals

and

The

soldiers

statesmen against

whom

they had been accus-

were preparing for an

assault.

They were

"

25G

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

pose,

above 45,000 strong, and included cavalry, Large infantry, artillery, and engineers.
bodies of the infantry
-svere

and with these horrible any

results in view.

We

are not justified (without indisputable

ruler,

so disposed that
dis-

proofs) in imputing to

however

they could converge upon the barricaded

trict,

ambitious or unscrupulous, so monstrous a

crime,

and

they were
all

instructed to attack

and

it

may be

inferred that preparfor the suppres-

without

hesitation

who were

in

arms

ations having
sion of

been made

against them, or

who were

taking part with

an expected insurrection, troops and

proportion to the

the insurgents.

notice,

somewhat vague
to

people were mutually mistaken, and a carnage

and
main

general,

was given
it

to the people to re-

ensued which was out of

occasion.

all

in their houses

and not

appear in the

Probably the numbers of victims

to thousands.

streets,

but

surely could not have been

amounted

Most

of the bodies
re-

understood to apply to ordinary peaceable

spectators

were buried at night, and no reports or

published.
said to be

or

persons

passing

along

the

turns of the numbers slain were allowed to be

thoroughfares.

At

all

events the footways

The
was

loss

among the

troops was

of several of the streets

people,

were crowded with

to see the troops

no more than thirty men.

at

The

who had assembled

insurrection

an end before the morn-

great

march toward the insurgent quarter. The Boulevard, from the Madeleine to a considerable distance, was thronged, and

ing of the 5th of December.

A " provisional

government had been formed, and the energy

and decision
vinces,

of

the president had already

windows and balconies were also filled with people. The troops had apparently been exasperated against the people, and once more
iu the

established his position, especially in the pro-

where the reports of the proceedings

were now made known.

in Paris

When

the

history of
fired,

insurrections in Paris

people were called upon to vote they would

single shot

no one knew how or by

be tolerably sure to regard Louis Napoleon

as the

whom, caused
fired

a kind of panic

which resulted
of the soldiers
re-

head of the
little

state,

and to grant him

seemed to

in fearful bloodshed.

Some
at the of

power

short of dictatorship.
it it

immediately at the shrieking and

Immediately after the event

peaceable people in France, as
the

treating crowd
several persons,
to Paris,

and
some

houses,

where

seemed to

them

foreign visitors

majority

of

people

in

England,

and

were wounded, while numbers of

among them

to as astute

an observer as Lord

those on the

pavement were

killed;

the
as

Palmerston, that

the

choice

was between
of

agitated troops continuing to load

and

fire

anarchy or socialism, and a strong hand at

the helm of government.

the people fled and endeavoured to reach some

place of shelter.

The evidence

Then an

ofiicer of lancers.

the strength required appeared to have been

Colonel Rochefort, charged with his troop, and

given by the rapid defeat of an insurrection

in the capital,

unarmed men,
were
slain.

as well as

women and

children,

and by the ability and courage

Meantime four brigades converged

which could defy and supersede an assembly

that

towards the barricades, which were quickly

demolished by artillery and taken after a short

had

witliin itself the elements of disso-

lution.

and not very severe struggle

but the carnage

The proclamations which had been placed

on the walls were addressed to the people and
to the army.

was

dreadful.

People

movements

of the

hemmed in by the troops were, many of them,

Nurabere were placed
to-

One

of

them

said,

"Persuaded

shot down, and no quarter was given to the

actual insurgents.

that the instability of the government and the

preponder.ance of a single assembly are per-

gether and shot as they stood, others ferreted

manent causes

of

trouble

and

disorder,

out of their hiding-places by the police, and,

submit to your suffrages the following fundamental basis of a constitution, which assemblies
will

endeavouring to escape, were

they
r.an.

fired

upon

aa

It

is

almost impossible to realize

afterwards develop:

(1)

a responsible
minister de(3)

that an emeute had really been either encour-

head,

named

for ten years; (2)

aged or tacitly permitted for a

political pur-

pendent on the executive power alone;

PALMEESTON APPEOVES THE COUP

council of stata formed of the most emineut

D'ETAT.
Cayenne or Algiers, while

transported

to

men, preparing the laws and supporting the

suspected jjersons

who

escaped from France

It

them before the legislative body; (4) a legislative body discussing and voting laws, named by universal suffrage without
discussion of
scrutin de
(5)
liste,

were

liable to expatriation.

was

stated

on

the authority of
26,.500

De Cassagnac

himself that

persons had been seized and trans-

which

falsifies

the election;
all

ported.

The

influence of the clergy

was in

a second assembly formed of

the

illus-

favour of the president, for he had ah-eady

trious of the country, a preponderating power,

given evidences that he intended to support

the pope, and the French occupation of

guardian of the fundamental compact and of

public liberties."

Eome

the

first

consul at

The "system created by the commencement of the

had not been forgotten indeed a little too much was predicted in consequence of it.

century" was that which the people were

Thus the
influence

priests

were ready to use their

society
(necessarily

urged to restore and to support by their suffrages.

on behalf of the president, and

of

Another proclamation decreed the

suffrage

those

members
influential)

the

abolition of the national assembly"; restoration

most

who dreaded

socialism

saw

of

universal

convocation of

the

in the

new government

safety from the ter-

people in their elective colleges from the 14th

to the 21st of

rors of revolution.

Multitudes of supporters

December

a state of siege in
;

were ready on
of the country

this gi-ound alone to return

the

first

military di\-ision
of state,

dissolution of the
of the

"yes" to the question which was to be asked

council

and the execution

said, "

Whether

Louis Napoleou

by the minister the army a proclamation

decree
citizens,

of the interior.

To

Bonaparte slioidd be chosen president of the

republic for an extended term of ten years

Vote freely as

but do not forget that passive obedi-

with power to frame a constitution?

There

ence to the orders of the chief of the govern-

was

little

probability of an adverse vote.

ment

is

the rigorous duty of the

army from

Commissaries were sent into the provinces

the general

down

to the soldier.

It is for me,

with powers that were practically coercive

public meetings and, in some instances, even

who am

responsible for

my

actions before the

people and posterity, to adopt the measures

meetings of committees, were prohibited

most conducive

to the public weKare."

no other candidate
mitted,

for the presidency

was ad-

Louis Napoleon afterwards issued au address ending in au expression of his conviction

and the army voted openly and with-

out ballot some days before the plebiscite or

general suffrage

new era woiUd be opened to the republic, but it may be doubted whether he had not
that a

significant event, since to

vote against the president would be to vote

against the
of France
clai-ed

alreadysuperseded the republic in imagination.

aimy
of

at a time

when

a large part
Tlie de'7,439,219

The rapid and summary measures for disposing

of opponents

was under martial law.

the voting was

were continued. It seems pretty

result

certain that there

must have been a very

effectually

general feeling throughout France in favour

of dealing

and only 640,737 nons. On the 20th of December the president took the oath and
ouis

promptly and

with any

made

the

declaration
oflice

that

confirmed

his

attempts at continued insurrection.

There

tenure of an

which two years afterwards

In-

were

men

in several departments

who would

he exchanged for the imperial power.

president was

have revolted against founding a government

deed the constitution which he framed as

itself impeiial,
it

by miUtary force and arrest, and also men who would have proclaimed insurrection in
the

and

little

change

had

to

be made on

to suit the subsequent

name

of democracy, but the departments

alteration of the title

by which he

ruled the

were already placed under martial law, and

the generals in

country.

It

may be mentioned

that one of

command were

so completely

the

first acts of

Louis Napoleon during his

ready to carry out their instructions that

arrests

tour in the French provinces in 1851

liberate the

was

to

military commission,
Vol.
II.

went on and prisoners were tried by and many of them were

famous Arab

chieftain, the

Emir

Abd-el-Kader,

who had been taken

prisoner
38

258

GLABSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

he
said, "if the president

during the war in Algeria, and to order for

had not struck when

him a
his
ally,

suitable allowance on his retirement to

he did he would himself have been knocked

over."

own

country, no longer an

enemy but an

There can be little doubt that Lord NorParis,

or at least a passive dependant of France.

mauby, the English ambassador at and we

find

was

himself inclined to be hostile to the president,

The

particulars of the

manner

of effecting

Palmerston writing
reports

to

him

calling

the coup detat were of course soon

known

in

attention

to

from several quarters

England, but

it

is

easy to understand that

that his social

intimacy witli the adverse

men who

held opinions like those of Lord

it

party in the assembly had ltd the president

to infer that

Palmerston would naturally conclude that

was an unconstitutional remedy an altogether exceptional danger

ence of
constitutional procedure

for averting
to the exist-

his political sympathies were more directed towards them than towards

him.

" As to x'espect for the law and consti-

any government whatever, and that

tution which

you say
he
goes

...
on
to

is

habitual to

may

necessarily cease

Englislimen,"

write,

"that

in face of thi'eatened anarchy.

That was the

respect belongs

to just

and equitable laws

antiquity and

view that was taken by the English foreign

minister,

framed under a constitution founded upon

reason,

and with

his accustomed plainness

of reticence

and consecrated by

its

and almost reckless want

his opinion pretty freely.

he gave

by the memory

of the long years of hapinness

it;

Lord Palmerston
crisis in

which the nation has enjoyed under

is

but

it

was convinced that there hud come a

the French government,
sident

scarcely a proper application of these feel-

when

either the pre-

ings to require

them

to

be directed to the
the

must succumb

to the machinations of

day-before-yesterday tomfoolery which

a party in the assembly, and the cause not

only of law and order but of a liberal govern-

scatter-brained heads of Mai'rast and Tocqueville

invented for the torment and perplexity

ment would be
den and

lost in

the intrigues of the

of the

French nation; and I must say that

princes of the Orleans family; or

effectual

some sud-

the constitution was

more honoured
It

in the

measures would have to

breach than the observance. time to get rid of such childish

as the assembly

be taken to assert his position and to vindicate the popular election.

was high nonsense; and

These opinions

seemed

to be resolved that it

he had intimated to his friends months before

the coup d'etat took place, and he had sus-

should not be got rid of quietly and by deliberate alteration

pected the
of

Duo d'Aumale and Prince

Jouiville

having left Claremont for the purpose of pro-

and amendment, I do not wonder that the president determined to get rid of them as obstacles to all rational arrangement." In a word,
it

moting an attack on the president among the

soldiera

was Palmerston's opinion

of the garrison stationed

at

Ldle.

that though the motives of the president were

This suspicion arose from a communication

doubtless mixed, and that, though he

))elled

was imhe was

made

to

him by the

editor of the

Morning Post

by ambition and a

belief that

(Mr. Borthwick),

who

stated that General de

destined to govern France, he might also have

felt

Rumigny, attached

to the

French court,

l)ad

that, in the deplorable state of society

given him the information, offering him daily

accounts of the intended military operations
in return for the
civilities

which then
of

existed,

he was

much more

capable

promoting the interests of the country than

It

which he (Mr.

his antagonists were.

was the expression

of

Borthwick) had shown to the royal family of

France.
It

these opinions in a brief

to the

and emphatic form

of

was afterwards declared on high

French ambassador in London, Count

authority that there was no foundation what-

Walewski, which led to the remonstrances

the queen, of Lord

ever for the report that the Orleans princes

John

Russell,

and

of the

were engaged in any such plot; but though

Palmerston had probably been too ready to accept the suspicion of their intention, he doubtless

government, and compelled the removal of the

foreign minister; but
it

is

necessary in

esti-

mating the degree

Palmerston

of impropriety with

which

had

sufficient reason to

be sure that, as

was charged

that

we should

HENRY JOHN TEMPLE

3*^

VISCOUNT PALMERSTON

Premier 1355_1858 and 1859_1865., TROM A PHOTO&RAFK BY VOVTKINS. LOITDON.

31ACSJS.

SOJLyCtaOH.Gi,iBCXiV a^TBmBURO^.

ME. GLADSTOKE AT NAPLES.

remember
lish

259
col-

the sujiposed attitude of the

tlie

Eng-

bound, deferred to the opinions of his

leagues,

ambassador towards

new government
by

and the interview did not take

left

place.

of the president,

and the declai-atiou of Palmer-

When

Kossuth

England, however, the

ston that he did not regard words spoken

Eadicals of Finsbury and Islington

met once

a minister in social conversation, and therefore uuoffici:dh',

a.s

more, and as a part of

their proceedings

having any relation to his

adopted the addresses to the foreign secretary

duty in

his official capacity

a doctrine from
understand the

which have already been referred

foreign

to,

and

which the Duke

niinistei-s

of

Wellington and other

appointed a deputation to carry them to the

office. The deputation was received by Lord Palmerston, who, in reply to their

strongly dissented.

But

in order properly to
it is

situation

necessary to return for a

moment

congratulations on the aid he had rendered

to the Sultan of Turkey, expressed himself

to the subject of the popular demonstrations

which had been made

in

London

in favour of

much gratified by

their good opinion,

of the

and said

Kossuth, and the public appreciation of the

decided part Lord Palmerstou had taken in
securing the safety and subsequent freedom of

he was fully aware

sympathies of the

British nation in favour of the cause of

Hunher

gary; but of
majesty's

course

as the

organ of

the Hungarian and Polish refugees

fled to

who had

government, in

friendly alliance

Turkey, where the Emperors of Austria

with the great foreign powers which had been

referred to,
it

and Russia desired that they should be kept

in

could not be expected that he

durance since the sultan i-efused to deny

right of asylum.

should concur in some of the expressions used

in the addresses.

them the
speeches,

Of course while
where

The moral power

but
it

of the

Kossuth was here he made a good many

British

government was immense, more than

;

and

at

many

of the meetings

people generally imagined

could only

the patriot was welcomed the Emperoi-s of

be effective so long as the people and the

Eussia and Austria were spoken of in anything but flattering terms. " Odious and detestiible assassins"

government wrought together.

these were words capable of a

Of course

more

signifi-

and

" merciless tyrants

and

cant interpretation than the speaker intended

despots" were afterwards quoted from some

addresses that were out of gratitude sent to

them
ness.

to beai-,

and they may well have caused

in his

the queen and the government some uneasiIt

Lord Palmerston by sympathizers with oppressed nationalities, or by excited advocates of

was

answer to the address

of the Islington deputation,

and when

refer-

freedom.

As a matter

of fact,

when Kossuth
behalf of

ring to the negotiations that had procured

desired to present his thanks to the English

the liberation of the refugees, that Palmerston

said

government

for the efforts

made on

"much

generalship and judgment had

himself and others, he would have had an

been required, and that during the struggle a good deal of judicious bottle -holding was
obliged to be brought into play." This simile,

opportunity of being personally received by

the foreign secretary with the accordance of

the ministry, had he not begun as soon as he

borrowed from one

of the

now

almost for-

arrived here, to convene and attend political

demonstrations where he and others denounced

the sovereigns whose governments had already

gotten accessories of the prize-ring, was caught uj), and Palmerstou, as " the judicious bottleholder,"

was for a long time the subject

of cari-

been denounced in

England, and by more

catures in

Punch and other humorous

papers.

than one statesman beside Lord Palmerston

himself.

But as these sovereigns were on

In the winter of 1850-51 Mr. Gladstone,

in consequence of the illness of

terms of amity with our

own government,

it

one of his

was

felt

to be out of the question that

any

children,
his

was staying

at Naples,

and during

oiRcial reception sliould

be given to Kossuth

for the purpose of receiving expressions of his

gi-atitude,

visit, was so impressed by the cruelty and tyranny of the Neapolitan government

and a cabinet council having been

that he

made

careful inquiries, visited the

held on the subject, Palmerston, as in duty

prisons, and on his return addressed

two letters

"

260

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

of

on the subject to the Eail

Aberdeen

letters

object, so that the

government

is

in bitter

and

which mnde Europe ring with their grave and emphatic denunciations. These letters, as Mr.
Gladstone himself has said, through the countenance given to them by Lord Palmerston
as foreign minister of

cruel, as well as utterly

illegal, hostility to

whatever in the nation really

lives

and moves,

and forms the main spring of practical progress

and improvement

it

is

the awful proits

England and through

fanation of public religion,

alliance in the

by

notorious

the notoriety they acquired, became a kind of

historical

governing powers with the

document, and they have therefore

violation of every moral rule

lants of fear

under the stimu;

since been reprinted.

They contained

specific

and vengeance

it is

the perfect

and deliberate charges against the Neapolitan

prostitution of the judicial office

which has

government which proved to be

though a reply was attempted
to refute (except in
it

accui\ate,

and

made
vilest

it,

under

veils only too

threadbare and

was impossible
which

transparent,

the degraded recipient of the

forgeries, got

two or three comparatively

ar-

and clumsiest

up

wilfully
of

unimportant
raigned the

details) the accusations

and deliberately, by the immediate advisers

peace, the freedom, aye,

King

of Naples before the judg-

the crown for the purpose of destroying the

ment

of the civilized world.

Without entering
of the

and even,

if

not by
tlie

into the inquiry

whether the government

one of force

capital sentences, the life of

men amongst

Two
title,

Sicilies

was

and without a

most virtuous, upright,

guished,
it is

intelligent,

distin-

or was a legal one,

Mr. Gladstone brought

and

refined of the

whole community

his indictment at once

by

saying, " There is

the savage and cowardly system of mor'al

a general impression that the organization of

the governments of Southern Italy
is

as well as in a lower degree of physical torture,

defective
is

through which the sentences obtained

of justice ai-e careied

that the administration of justice

with cor-ruption
cruelty

tainted

from the debased courts

into effect.

that

instances of abuse or

aries are not

among subordinate public functionuncommon, and that political

and with
I

"
all

The

effect of all this is

a total inversion of

the moi-al and soci;d ideas.

is

Law, instead
Force, and not

offences are punished with severity

of being respected,
affection,
is

odious.

no

gi-eat

regard to the forms of justice.

the foundation of government.

association,

advert to this vague supposition of a given

state of things for the purpose of stating that

There

is

no

but a violent antago-

nism, between the idea of freedom and that

of oi-der.

had

it

been accurate I should have spared

myself this labour.

The

difTerence

between

of itself that it is the

The governing power, which teaches image of God upon

clothed in the view of the overmajorit}' of

the faintest outline that a moment's handling

of the pencil sketches,

earth, is

and the deepest

colour-

whelming
with
all

the thinking public

I have

ing of the most elaborately finished portrait,

the vices for

its attributes.

but feebly

illustrates

the relation of these

seen and heard the strong and too true expression used, 'This
is

vague suppositions to the actual truth of the

Neapolitan
case.

the negation of

God
were

It

is

not mere imperfection,

erected into a system of government.'

It

not corruption in low quarters, not occasional

severity that I

was the general

fifteen or

belief that there

am

about to describe;

it is

between

twenty and thirty thousand

incessant, systematic, deliberate violation of

prisonei-s for political offences in the

kingdom

the law by the power appointed to watch over

of the

Two

Sicilies,

but the government with-

and maintain
" It
is

it.

held

all

accurate information on the subject.

such violation of
this,

human and

written

It appeared, however, that a

good deal was

law as

carried on for the purpose of

known

because

of the enormous crowds of

violating
eternal,

every other

law, unwritten
;

and

pereons confined in certain prisons and in con-

human and

divine

it is

the wholesale
in-

sequence of the numbers of individuals

who
In
in-

persecution of virtue,
telligence, operating

when united with

truth be said to be

had been missed from various

localities.

upon such a

scale that
its

Naples alone some hundreds were xmder

entire classes

may with

dictment capitally, and when Mr. Gladstone

NEAPOLITAN PEISONS.
quitted the place a trial was expected to come

aei

and

in the grossest

manner, under pretence of

officers of police.

on immediately

ia

wbich the number charged

five

examination, by the

This

was between four and

all
ill

hundred.

Nearly
'

was

essential

to the system, of

which the
For

those

who had formed

the "opposition

essential

aim was

to create a charge.

the chamber of deputies were in pi'ison and

months, or for a year, or for two years or

three as the case might be, these prisoners

in' exile.

After the regular formation of a

its

popular representative chamber, and

sup-

were detained before their

the case of

trials,

but very

pression in the teeth of the law, the govern-

generally for the longer terms, and this in

ment of Naples had consummated its audacity by putting into prison, or driving into banishment for the sake of escaping prison, an
actual majority of the representatives of the
people.

men who had been

in defiance of law,

arrested not

by law but

and against

whom

were employed not only

false charges

fabricated

by the examiners, but even purif

chased perjurers as witnesses, and

of Naples anterior to

necessary

The law

and indethat

forged

-ni-itings.

Suppose nine-tenths of the

pendent of the constitution rec[uired

jjersonal liberty should

charges were too absurd to stand even before

the Neapolitan courts, there remained one-

be inviolable except
of
justice

under a wan-ant from a court

authorized for the purpose
fiance of that
;

tenth not absolutely self-contradictory, and

the prisoner was not allowed to bring any

but

in utter deof

law the government,

which

rebutting or counter evidence.

in

the prefect of police was an important

ber,

mem-

The manner which the detenuti were treated during the

illegal seizure

through the agents of that department,

very commonly at night, raneffects

long and awfid period of apprehension and

watched and dogged the people, paid domiciliary visits,

dismay between their

illegal trial

and their

was horrible. The prisons of Naples

sacked houses, seizing papers and

tearing

and

were, as was well known, another

the extreme of
filth

name

for

up

floors at pleasm-e

under pretence of

and horror. Mr. Gladstone

official doctors,

men by the by the hundred, by the thousand, without any waiTant whatever, sometimes even
seeking for arms, and imprisoned
score,

had

really seen

something of them, but not the

seen " the

worst.

He had
men

not

going to the sick

prisoners,

prisoners,

but the sick

without any written authority at

all,

or any;

almost with death on their

thing beyond the word of a policeman

con-

faces, toiling up-staii-s to

them at that

charnel-

stantly without any statement whatever of

house of the Vicaria, because the lower regions

of such a palace of darkness are too foul

the nature of the oflence.

Men were
any

arrested

and

not because they had committed or were believed to have committed

offence,
it

loathsome to allow
fessional

it

to

be expected that pro-

but

men should

because

they

were

persons

whom
of,

was

entering them."
coarse to

thought convenient to get rid

and against

consent to earn bread by Though the black-bread was the last degree it was sound, but the

whom
was to

therefore

some charge must be found

soup which alone formed the rest of the diet

or fabricated.
seize

The

first

process

commonly
to seize
else

was
of

so nauseous that nothing

but the extreme

the prisons was

and imprison them; and

hunger could overcome the repugnance of

it.

and carry

off books, papers, or

whatever

nature to
beastly.

The
at

filth of

the degi-aded hirelings chose.

The correspondit

The

officers

hardly ever entered

ence of the prisoner

was then examined, and

in secret

them except
were

night.

The

prisoners

who

he himself was examined upon

in fact did not then exist.

politically accxised

were placed

indis-

without au)' intimation of the charges, which

criminately with murderers, thieves, and or-

In that examina-

dinary criminals, some condemned and others

tion he

was allowed no

assistance whatever,

uucondemned
them, not an

not a chain upon a

man

of

nor had he at that stage any power of communication with a legal adviser
;

officer

nearer than at the end of

he was not

many

apartments, with

many

locked doors
prisonei's
tliere

examined only, but (and

this

Mr. Gladstone

and gratings between tliem and the

and the
visitor;

said he l-tiew to be the case) insulted at will

but Mr. Gladstone says

262

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

to

was not only nothing

dread but that

tliere

was even a good deal of politeness to him as a The prisoners were a self-governed stranger. community, tlie main authority being that of the gamcyrristi, the men of most celebrity

who was condemned to death (though at the last moment a rejjrieve was obtained for him)
on the charge
of

an intention
terrible

to destroy,

by

means

of

some

explosive agents,

several of the ministers

and other persons.

among them
ment
tliey

for audacious crime.

Employof

The foundation
had

for the charge

was that he
gre.at public

had none.

That swami

human

in his breast-pocket

on some

beings

all slept

in a long low vaulted room,

occasion a single bottle, which ex]iloded there

having no light except from a single and very

without injuring him in

chief

life

or limb.

The

moderate sized

gi-ating at

one end.

There

example of the monstrous tyranny and

was a crowd
prisoners

of

between three and four hun-

coiTuption which Mr. Gladstone exposed w.is

that of Baron Carlo Poerio, formerly one of the
ministers of the crown under the constitution,

dred prisoners at this place.

The

political

had by payment the

privilege of a

separate chamber for sleeping, but there was

and holding one

of the

most prominent

no division among them.

From
still

the 7th of

positions in the Neapolitan parliament.

December

to the

3d of February Pironte, who

a gentleman,

The

histoiy of his arrest (we are mainly

had been a judge and was

quoting Mr. Gladstone's

own words

in these

and who was found guilty on or about the

last-named day, spent his whole days and
nights, excejit

extracts from his lettere to the E.arl of Aberdeen), the history of

liis

arrest as detailed

by

when on

his trial, with

two

himself in his address of Feb.

judges,deserves attention.
it

8, 1850, to his

other

men

in a cell at the Yicaria,

about eight

The evening before

left at his

feet square,

below the level of the ground,

(July 18, 184!)) a letter was

house

with no light except a grating at the top of

the wall out of which they could not see.

by a pereon unknown conceived in these terms: "Fly; and fly with speed. You are betrayed.

Within the space

and
his

of these eight feet Pironte

The government
etti.

is

already in possession of

comjKinions were confined during

your corresjjondence with the Marquis Dragon-

these two mouths. Neithei' for mass nor for

any

From one who

it

loves

you much."

Had

other purpose whatsoever were they allowed

to quit
it.

he

fled

would have been

of

pi'oof of guilt,

This was in Najiles, where, by

ample

for those of

whom we are now speaking.

this,

universal consent, matters were better than

in the provinces, and

But he was aware

and did not

fly.

was the

case of a gentle-

Moreover, no such correspondence existed.

man, a lawyer, a judge, accused but uncondemned.

There was another case
of

On

the 19th, about four in the afternoon, two

his

which

persons, presenting themselves at

door

Mr. Gladstone heard on indubitable evidence,

that of the Baron Porcari, accused of having

under a

false title,

obtained entry, and anarrested in virtue

nounced

to

him that he was

had a share in the Calabrian insurrection, and

awaiting his
trial in the

of a verbal order of Peccheneda, the prefect of

police.

Maschio

of Istria,

He

protested in vain

the house was

dungeon without
depth below the

light

and at a considerable

ransacked; he was carried into solitary confinement.

to

level of the sea.

it

He

was
his

He demanded

to

be examined and

never allowed to quit

day or night, and no

visit

know

the cause of his arrest within twenty-

one was permitted to

wife

him except

four hours, according to law, but in vain.

early,

So

once
a

a fortnight.

There were other

however, as on the sixth day he was

strikingly illustrative cases, as that of Settembrini,

brought before the Commissary Maddaloni,

man

of high

and pure character, who

and a

letter,

with the
It
it

seal

unbroken, was put

to him,

was convicted, and though the capital sentence was not executed, was reserved for captivity
on a
sea-girt rock

into his hands.

was addressed

and
to a

he was told that

friend of the

had come under cover

where there was

sufficient

reason to suspect that he would be subjected to

torture

the cover had been opened

oflicer of

Marquis Dragonetti, but that by mistake by an

by the thrusting
nails.

of sharp instruments

the police,

under the linger

There was Faucitano,

the same

who happened to have name though a different surname,

THE SHAIMEFUL CASE OF

and who, on perceiving what was within,
handed both
presence of
to the authorities.
it,

POEEIO.

263

to

murder the king.

Poerio was
it,

fronted with his accuser.

He demanded to be conHe had long before

his friends as

desired to open
tlie

and did open

in the

known, aud named Jervolino to

having
falsely

commissary. Tlius far nothing

denounced him to the govern-

could be more elaborate and careful than the

ment; but the authorities refused to confront

arrangement of the proceeding.

the sequel.

But mark
in-

them

The matter
;

of the letter of course

it

the n.ame was not even told him he went from one prison to another; he was con;

was highly treasonable

vasion

announced an

fined, as

he

alleges, in places

fit

for filthy

by

Garibaldi, fixed a conference with

brutes rather than

men he was
;

cut off from

Mazzini, and refen-ed to a correspondence

the sight of friends; even his mother, his sole

with Lord Palmerston (whose name was

ably mangled),

misei'-

remaining near relation in the country, was

not permitted to see him for two months together.

who promised

to aid

a proxi-

mate revolution.

"I perceived at once," said

Thus he passed some seven

total ignorance of

or eight

Poerio, "that the handwriting of Dragonetti

months in
against

any evidence
it.

was

vilely imitated,

and I said

so,

remarking

him

or of those

who gave

During

that the internal evidence of sheer forgery

that interval Signor Antonio de' Duchi di

was higher than any amount

whatever."

of material proof

Santo Vito came to him and told him the

Dragonetti was one of the most

government knew
confess
liis life

all;

but that

if

he woiUd

accomplished of Italians ; whereas this letter

would be spared.
on his

He demanded
Santo Vito

was

full of blunders,

both of grammar and

of his judges

trial that

spelling.

There were, Mr. Gladstone showed,

should be examined as to this statement; of

course
it

other absurdities; such as the signature of

was not done.

But more than

of

this.

name, surname, and

title in full,

and the

trans-

Signor Peccheneda himself, the director of the

police

mission of such a letter by the ordinaiy post

of Naples.

and holding the station

a cabinet

Poerio had

among

his papers cer-

minister of the king, went repeatedly to the

prison,

tain genuine letters of Dragonetti's; they were

summoned
illegality

divers prisoners,

and with
himself,

produced and compared with

forgery stood confessed.

this,

and the

flagrant

examined

them

Upon

the detection
steps were

without witnesses and without record.

of these

Oue

of this monstrous iniquity

what

was Carafa.

taken
Poerio

b)'

the government to avenge

not

this Carafa,

who was

By one man of

deposition of

noble family,

but public justice?

;

None whatever;
" I have

itwasdeclaredthatPecchenedahimself assured

the papei's were simply laid aside.'

him
if

his matter should be very easily arranged

testify to Poerio's acquain-

taken this detail from Poerio himself in his

defence

he would only

but

all

Naples knows the

story,

and

tance with certain revolutionary handbills.

It could not be
;

knows

it

with disgust.

Poerio's papers fur-

and the cabinet minister took

nished no matter of accusation.

necessary to forge again
to act
;

It

was thus

leave of Carafa with the words

sir;

'Very well,

or rather, perhaps,

you wish to destroy

fate.
.
.

yourself; I leave

you

upon forgeries which had been prepared,

first

to

your

.'

Besides the denunzia or

but which were at

Dragonetti
letter.

deemed

inferior to the

accusation of Jervolino, on which the trial

A person named

Jervolino,
otfice,

ultimately turned, there

the evidence given

was against Poerio

had heard

a disappointed applicant for some low

by Romeo, a printer and

had been selected for the work both

of espion-

co-accused, to the effect that he

age and of perjurj-; and Poerio was

now

ac-

another person mention Poerio as one of the

cused, under information from him, of being

heads of the

sect.

The value

of this evidence
it in-

among

the chiefs of a republican

set,

denomi-

maj' be estimated from the fact that

nated the Uniti Italiana, and of an intention

when writing Iiis first was kept over for future untried, was kept in

cluded along with Poerio two of the persons

then ministers.
It
it

was a

fact

abandoned as

Not, as Mr. Gladstone supposed

that
it

worthless, for

spoke of Poerio as chief in

letter,

consideration,
prison.

was abandoned. It and Dragonetti,

the sect; but this was in contradiction with

Jervolino, and the charge of

membership only

264

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

lested
I be

was prosecuted against him. The prisoner iu no way took benefit from the explosion or
failure of

by the government? No answer. Could

a sectarian when, as a minister, I was

any charge;

all

proceedings went on

decried and reviled

by the exalted party

in all

the principle that the duty of government was

to prove guilt,

their journals for holding fast

by the

consti-

by means true or
had no

false,

and

tutional

monarchy?

No

answer.

Nay, such

that public justice

interest in the acalso the

was the impudent stupidity of the informer,

that in detailing the confidences which Poerio,
as he said,
of

quittal of the innocent.

There was

testimony of Margherita, another of the coaccused.

of
this

had made

to him,

he fixed the

last

He

declared also that as a

member
sect

them on

republican

and revolutionary

showed

May 29, 1849, upon which Poerio that on May 22, or seven days before,
by Jervolino, as the appointed
continued to

Poerio was one of those

who contended
!

for

he was in possession of a written report and

accusation, made

maintaining the monarcliical constitution; and

that he

was accordingly expelled

On

this

spy upon him, to the police; and yet with this

in his

gi-ound, not to

mention others, the evidence of

It is too easy

hand he

still
!

make him

a
of

Margherita was unavailable.

to understand

political confidant

Such was a specimen

why these

efforts

were made by

the tissue of Jervolino's evidence; such

contradictions and absurdities.
shortly before been a beggar; he

its

the co-accused at incidpatiug Poerio and other

Jervolino had

men

of consideration.

But they did not

issue

now appeared
I

in relief to the parties

who made them,

ill

per-

well dressed and in good condition.

have

haps because their work was so

executed,

stated that the multitude of witnesses called

or even their treacherj' not thought genuine.

by the accused
have learned

in exculpation
to

were

in

no case
I

Margherita was confined at Nisida, in February, in the

but one allowed

it,

be

called.
:

That one, as

same room with those

whom

he

was this

Poerio alleged that

had denounced.
of Jervolino
trial

Nay

he had actually been

a certain arch-priest declared Jervolino had

told

chained to one of them.

The accusation then

sole real basis of the

him he received a jjension of twelve ducats

was making against Poerio; and the
on the
prisoner's

formed the

a month from the government for the accusations he

and condemnation
an

of Poerio.

The matter

of the accusation failed to obtain

was that Jervolino having

office

arch-priest

demand was

ex-

through Poerio, he

amined.

The

arch-priest confirmed the state-

asked him to enrol him in the sect of the

ment, and mentioned two more of his relatives

Unit^ Italiana; that Poerio put him in charge

of a person

who

could do the same.

In another case

named

Attanasio,

who was then

named

have heard that

six persons to

whom a prisoner

to take

him
to

to another of the prisoners

appealed as witnesses in exculpation were

Nisco, that he might be admitted; that Nisco

thereupon themselves arrested."

sent

him

a third person named Ambrosio,

Not only was

and
iipheld,

false evidence
official

thus procured

who

initiated him.

He

could not recollect

of the sect
!

but the

and formal pro-

any of the forms nor the oath

-ivhich the rules of

Of

cedure of a properly oi'ganized court of law

the certificate or diploma, or of the meetings the sect

was disregai'ded.

It

was objected with obvious was a minister and a

of Deputies at the

when published
to

force that as Poerio

(as the

government professed

have found
all its

member
v/hich he

of the

Chamber

them) proved to be indispensable for

membei-s, he

time of his alleged offences, the court before

knew nothing whatever

he know, said Poerio, that
to admit
I

was brought was incompetent

to try

"How did
of the sect

was
?

him, as by an article of the constitutional

statute all such charges

when he asked me
also

him

were to be tried by

No
sect,

answer.

If I, being a minister of the

the

Chamber

of Peers.

The exception was

upon

crown at the time, was

could
it

a member of the

rejected,

and the

rejection confirmed

be necessary for

me

to have

him

appeal.
in

But another objection and the manner

it

thus referred to one pereon, and another, and

which

was met showed the depravity

It

of

a third for admission?

not Ambrosio,

No

answer.

Why has

the whole proceeding.

had been alleged

who admitted him, been mo-

that the prisoners had conspired against the

FALSE IMPEISONMENT OF POEEIO.

lives of

265

some

of the ministers,

among whom

court had a question to ask him, and then in-

Tvas the

judge Navarro, the president of the

he, corrupt

formed the counsel that he could go on with

his examination.

court,
iis

and even

and unscrupulous
of the legality of

"A

laugh of bitter mockery

he was, had such a doubt

ran through the court."

his sitting to try prisoners for an alleged crime of -which

Three of the forty-one prisoners in the case

he was himself to have been the

vic-

were condemned
sti,

to
;

death

Settembrini, Agreit

tim, that he said he

rest of the court
not.

would be guided by the

retire or

and Faucitano

Poerio was condemned to

whether he should

twenty-four years of irons, but

would ap-

The
sit

court immediately decided that he

pear that the sentence to double irons for

life

should

and judge these men upon a charge

their

was commuted.

A strange error is stated

It

including the allegation of their intent to

to have occurred.

seems that the Nea-

murder him; and fined the prisoners and

politan

law humanely provided that when

counsel 100 ducats for taking the objection

three pei-sons were found guilty capitally the

This decision also was confirmed upon appeal,

sentence could be pronounced only on one;

though under the law

even within
not have
five yeai's

of Naples,

if

he had

but that this was forgotten by the judges,

been engaged in any

and only found out by the procurator-general

or

criminal suit as a party against them, he could

sat.

some other party

finished.

after they thought they

Navarro afterwards voted for

It

had

It

was stated that Settembrini

entitled as of right,

condemnation and for the severest forms of

punishment.
that
all

and Agresti received as of mercy a reprieve to which they were

was

his expressed

opinion

and that

persons charged by the king's govern-

Faucitano had his punishment commuted because of a threat of the withdrawal of certain
useful support to the

ment ought to be found guilty, and Mr. Gladstone was told and fully believed that Poerio, whose case was a pretty strong one even for
the Neapolitan judges, would have been acquitted

government

if

he were

made

to

suffer

the

extreme penalty.

The
Those

actual punishments inflicted on the prisoners,

by a division

of four to four (such

is

however, were

full of horrible cruelties.

the

humane

provision of the law in cases of

distinct use

who were

consigned to the Bagno of Nisida

to see theii- friends outside the

equality)

had not Navarro, by the

is

were allowed

of intimidation, that
to

of threats of dismissal,

prison but one half -hour a week, and that was

the only time that they were not confined
exclusively within the walls, sixteen of them,

a judge whose name has been mentioned,

procured the numbers necessary for a sentence.

"But I need not," continues Mr. Gladstone, "go

into these foul recesses.
fact that Navarro, whose

night and day, in a single room fourteen feet by

ten and eight feet high
exercise.
;

I stand
life,

upon the

and a small yard for

according to the

When

the beds were let

down

at

evidence for the charge, was aimed at by the

prisoners, sat as president of the court that

night there was no space whatever between

tried

them

for theii- lives;

and I ask whether

language can exaggerate the state of things in

them they could only get out at the foot, and being chained two and two, only in paii-s. In this room they had to cook or prepare what
;

a country where such enormities are perpetrated under the direct sanction of the govern-

food was sent

friends.

them by the kindness

of their

On

one side the level of the ground

ment 1"

Even

so ordinary a test of evidence

was over the top of the room, it therefore reeked

with damp, and from
this, tried

as for a witness to be required to point out

with long con-

among a number
against

of the accused the person

finement, they suffered greatly. There was one

whom

he brought a particular charge

court,

unylazed window, and that in a climate where

it is

was refused by the

point out the

and in one

instance,

always considered essential to health to

where the counsel challenged a witness to

have the means of excluding the open air

before sunrise or after sunset,

man

of

whose proceedings he
affecting

when

there are

was speaking, the judge Navarro,

often great vicissitudes of temperature.

Each

not to hear the question, called out to that

particular prisoner by name, to stand up, as the

man wore a
hips.

strong leathern girth round his

To

this

were secured the upper ends of

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

two
cliaius.

One chain

of four long

and lieavy

is sufficient.

" His father was a distinguished

himself
is

links descendeil to a kind of double ring fixed

lawyer.

He

a refined and accom-

round the ankle

the second chain consisted

plished gentleman, a copious

and eloquent

of eight links, each of the

same

-weight

and

speaker, a respected and bhimeless character.

.

length witli the four, and this united the

prisoners together so that they could stand

He

is strictly

a constitutionalist, and
the

while I refrain

from examining into

about
idos

six feet apart.

Neither of these chains

shameful chapter of Neapolitan history which

undone day or

night.

The

political pris-

oner was dressed like the

common

felon in

rough and coarse red jacket and dark trousers,

word might open, I must beg you to remember that the strict meaning of that word is just the same there as here; tliat it
that
signifies

and

-svith

a small cap on his head.

all

The

a pei-son opposed in heart to

all

trousers buttoned

the

way

up, that they

violent measures

from whatever quarter, and

maintenance

might be removed at night without disturbing the chains, the shorter of which was said
to

having for his

of the

political creed the

its legal

weigh

sixteen

and

seventeen

English
of educa-

by legal means and with all the civilizing improvements

basis

monarchy on

pounds.

The

condition of a

man

of laws

and establishments which may tend

I

to

tion, of integrity,

acled to

and refinement, thus mana fellow-prisoner of whom he knew

miylit be really a criminal,
It

the welfare and happiness of the community.

. . .

must say that the condemnation

for treason
is

of

nothing,

and who

such a

man

a proceeding just as

must be imagined.
the action of brutal

may be imagined
inflicted

too

much conformable

to the laws of truth, justice,

what additional barbarities were

officials

by

decency, and fair-play, and to the

common
would be

in

one case a
of pro-

sense of the community, in fact just as gi-eat

governor was living with a

fligate character,

woman

and gross an outrage on them

our best
sell,

all,

as

who

interposed to prevent

a like condemnation in this country of any of

the friends of prisoners visiting them in their

captivity,

known

public men. Lord

John Rus-

and caused a guard to be dismissed

or

Lord Lansdowne, or Sir James Graham,

I will not say
it is

for not taking the infant

from the arms

of the

or yourself.

precisely the

wife of a prisoner before allowing her to enter.

same

as respects his

rank and position, but

The health of the captives suB'ered greatly, and in a few weeks the young often grew
prematurely
old.

they have scarcely any public

higher, nor
is

man who

stands
I

there any one of the

names

Mr. Gladstone had seen

trial,

have mentioned dearer to the English nation

Poerio in December during his

and he
would

perhaps none so dear as

is

that of Poerio

would not have known him in prison at

Nisida, so greatly

to his Neapolitan fellow-countrymen."

In his

was he

altered.

He

second letter Mr. Gladstone went more deeply

into the subject of the iniquitous system of

not implore the king for pardon for crimes

that he had never committed, nor would he

government at Naples, the perjury

catechism prepared by an

of the

permit his mother to do so though

suggested to
ter.

it

was

king, and the abominable teaching of a political

official

him from an

authoritative quar-

who

That mother was losing her mental

was

at the

head of " public instruction," and

powers under the weight of her soitow when

was able

to ordain that the

book should be

Mr. Gladstone saw her afterwards at Naples, and at a still later period, Poerio was taken from
Nisida to Ischia, and
object
it

used in the schools of the church, where, in

the words of
its preface, it

would " invariably

to

was believed that the

follow close upon the catechism of the Christian."

remove him from any probable communication with his friends, and by wearwas
to

Of course means could be taken

its

secure

adoption by bishops and priests iu

ing his

life

away

to get rid of a

man who was

the seminaries.

Those who neglected

it

need

one of those whose mental power was to be

feared, but to send
raise

scarcely look for preferment, nor

would any

whom to the scaff'old would

Mr. Gladstone's estimate

one be likely to be admitted to holy orders

till

an

outcrj'

dangerous to the government.

he had imbibed these doctrines along with This work, which Sir.

Of

Poerio's character

those of the church.

FEKDINAND THE PEEJUEEK.

Gladstone
singular

207

declared Tvas one

lie

of

the
seen,

most

moving

cause.

I say then, that here

we have

and detestable
It

had ever

was

a complete systematized philosophy of perjury

for monarclis, exactly adapted to the actual
facts of

entitled the Catecliismo Filsofico, per uso dclle

Scuole Inferiori.

was intended

to counter-

Neapolitan history during the

last

act the false philosophy of the Liberals,

who

three and a half yeare, published under the

sanction and inculcated by the authority of a government which has indeed the best possible
title to

are declared to be wicked,

and whose disap-

proval of the rigorous acts of the legitimate

authorities

evil characteristics.

was represented as one of their The contents of the book

jNIr.

proclaim the precept since

])ractice."

it

has shown

itself

a master of the

consisted of questions supposed to be asked liy a scholai' of a master, and as

Mr. Gladstone had already reminded

readers that in the
constitution
of

his

Gladstone
obligation

month

of

January, 1848, a

pointed out, the author denied

all

had been granted to the kingdom

It

to obey the laws in a democracv, for he says

it

Naples.

had been proclaimed and

would be

essentially absurd that the govern-

ing power should reside in the governed, and

therefore
people,
it

sworn to by the monarch amidst every circumstance of solemnity and the universal joy
of the people. of Naples, in a
of April, 1848,

God would never

give

it

them.

Liberatore, one of the Jesuits

declared, " cannot establish a consti-

sermon delivered on the 15th

tution

or fundamental

laws,

because such

bad

said,

"The sovereign has

laws are of necessity a limitation of sovei'eignty,

shown himself neither

nay
the
repelled, until it

obstinately tenacious

and

this can

never receive any measure or

its

nor precipitately pliable.

He

procrastinated,

boundary except by

own

act,

otherwise

it

was demonstrated that

the

would no longer constitute that highest and

paramount power ordained
well-being of
societj'."
it is

demand proceeded from

;

universal

of

God

for the

desire of a party

he deigned to accede with

in his

When

the pupil asks

joy

when
it

it

was

still

power

to resist

whose business
stitution

to decide

when

the con-

thus

plainly appeared that he took the step

impairs the right of sovereignty,

not through violence or from apprehension,

and

is

adverse to the welfare of the people, the

is
:

but of his own free and sagacious

will."

answer

" It

is

the business of the sovereign,

On

the 15th of

May came
is

the struggle, of
in

because in him resides the high and paramount

which the origin

ments.

described

the most

power, established by

God

in the state, with a

felicity."

opposite colours by persons of opposite sentiIt ended, however, in the unquestion-

view to

its

good order and

"

The next

question

is,

May

there not be some danger

able and complete victory of the king

troops;

and the

that the sovereign

may violate

the constitution

and the triumphant monarch reiterated

without just cause under the illusion of error

or the impulse of piussion ?"
is
:

his assurances in regard to the constitution in

To

this the

answer
of

the following words

" Errors

and passions are the maladies

race
;

"Neapolitans!

the

human

but the blessings of health

tlii'ough the fear of

"Profoundly

afflicted

by the

horrible cala-

ought not to be refused

sickness."

mity of the 15th of May, our most lively

desire is to mitigate, as far as possible, its

The

right of a sovereign to dis-

regai'd his oath if

he thinks

it

necessary

is

consequences.

It is

our most fixed and

irre-

plainly taught.
stone,

" I will not," said

all

Mr. Glad-

vocable will to maintain the constitution of

"go through

the false, base, and

the 10th of February pure and free from the

stain of all excess.

demoralizing doctrines, sometimes ludicrous,

As

it

is

the only one

but oftener horrible, that I find studiously

veiled under the phrases of religion in this

compatible with

the

true

and immediate
it

wants of

this portion of Italy, so

will

be the

abominable book

because I do not desire to

stir

sacrosanct altar
destinies of our

upon which must

rest the

produce merely a general

and indignation
be, a disiiasis
its

most beloved people and of

.

in the mind, but with the indignation a clear

our crown.

and

distinct,

and

so far as

may

"Eesume, then,
tions; confide

all

your customary occupa-

sionate,

view of that subject which

with the utmost fulness of your


268

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

reli''

hearts iu our good faith, in our sense of

"

In regard

to Aj't. iv.," said Mi". Gladstone,

sion, and in our sacred and spontaneous oath." JMr. Gladstone then gave extracts from this

there existed no chamber of peei's or cham-

ber of deputies.

In regard to Art. xxiv.,

constitution, requesting particular attention

persons were arrested by the hundred without

to its

preamble:

"With

reference to our

any

legal

warrant whatever, and without the

pretext
of

sovereign act of the 29th of January, 1848,

slightest

flagrancy

or

quasito the

by

-which, concun-ing

with the unanimous de-

flagrancy; they were not

handed over

sire of

our most beloved subjects, we have pro-

competent authority within twenty-four hours,

or even at
all,

mised of
n'ill

our own

full, free,

and spontaneous

and were detained

iu the

most

to establish in this

kingdom a constitution

rigorous confinement

by the

police without

coufoi-mable to the civilization of the times,

any reference whatever to the courts and without any communication to

the grounds of their arrest.

whereof we then indicated, by a few rapid

strokes, the

them whatever

of

fundamental bases, and reserved

it
till

our ratification of

it

should be set out

according to

Such was the

state of facts in respect to the

its

and arranged in

its principles,

origin of the Neapolitan constitution, to

the draft which our present ministry of state

terms, and to the actual conduct of the govern-

was

to submit to us within ten days' time."

ment

of the country, in contradiction

its

and

in

After a very solemn and awful oath the

royal proclamation says
"
:

defiance at every point of

indisputable

fundamental law.
It will

Having

heai-d

with mature deliberation

our council of

state,

we have

decided upon

tion
acts

be too clearly seen how such a relabetween the law of the country and the

proclaiming, and we do proclaim, as irrevocably

ratified

not the occasional, but the constant and

essential acts

by

us,

the following constitution."

most
light

of

its

government thiow

Then
of

follow the particular provisions, four

cited, viz.:

upon the

distressing,

and

at first sight
letter.

which are
"Art.
I.

scarcely credible, allegations of

of the

my first

The kingdom

Two

Sicilies

shall

be from henceforward subject to a limit-

But which
ing,

I have yet another source of evidence I

am bound

to

open ; one which

illus-

ed, hereditary, constitution;J

monarchy, under

trates, in

a form the most painful and revoltcompleteness, the

continuity,

representative forms.

the

the

"Art. IV.

The

legislative

power

resides

perfect organization of the system,

which I

jointly in the king

and a national parliament,

of peers,

have thought
ing to

it

my duty to endeavour, accordand to

in

consisting of

two chambers, the one

of deputies.

my

limited ability, to expose

I need

and the other

" Art.

denounce.
the

hardly observe that

press

XIV.

No

description of impost can

;

Kingdom of Naples both the

government and
;

and the

be decreed except in virtue of a law

com-

education of the people are imder the conti-ol

of the

munal imposts
"Art.
teed.

included.

that, setting aside the

XXIV. Personal hberty is guaranNo one can be arrested except in virtue

question

how

far points of conflicting interest

with the church

is

may be an

exception, nothing
its

of

an instrument proceeding in due form of

taught or printed there unless with

law from the proper authority, the case of

flagrancy or quasi-flagrancy excepte<l.
case of arrest

sanction

and according

to its

mind.

In the

"What will be said in England when I mention,

by way of prevention the accused must be handed over to the proper authority
within the terms at fai'thest of twenty-four
hours, within which also the grounds of his
arrest

upon authority which ought to be decisive,

the action of the pohce too was

that during four mouths of the constitution,

when
of the

much
any

paralyzed, there was not a single case of

must be declared

to him."

more

serious crimes in Naples

among

In comparison with these solemn declarations

400,000 people?"

Mr. Gladstone described the actual state of things the monarchy of Naples was perfectly
;

But Mr. Gladstone was room

to
for conclusions

careful not to give

which might be turned

said,

absolute and unlimited.

wrong account.

"I write," he

"at a

THE EXAMPLE OF HAKOVEK.

moment when
is

26!)

public feeling in this eountiy

have a kind
chiss

of armistice

with

it,

and

it is

the

highly excited on the subject of the

Eoman

beneath them that bears the brunt of the

Catholic Church,
leave

and I must not wilfully

extreme inferences to the

struggle."

room

for

"The

history of one country," continues

Mr.

prejudice of her clergy in the

Xaples, which I

Kingdom

of

Gladstone iu a subsequent page,

"may

afi"ord

know

or think to be unwar-

useful lessons to the authorities of another;

ranted

by the

facts.

That
is

clergj',

no doubt,

and I heartily wish that the annals

reign of Charles
I.

of the

regular and
character,

secular, I
it

a body of mixed

of

England were read and

which

am

not about to attempt

studied in the council chamber of Naples.

We

describing; but

would, in

my

opinion, be

have there an instance of an ancient throne

occupied

unjust to hold them, as a body, to be implicated in the proceedings of the government.

ments.

He

by a monarch of rare personal endowwas devout, chaste, afiectionate,

refined,

A
so.

portion of them, beyond

I

all question,

are

humane, generous,

a patron of

letters

am

convinced, from

what has reached

and of
cruelty,

art,

without the slightest tinge of

his ideas

me, that a portion of the priests make disclosures

though

were those

of 'pure

from the confessional for the purposes

monarchy;' frank and sincere,

too, in his per-

of the government,

and I have known of

is

cases

sonal character, but unhappilj' believing that,

of aiTest immediately following interviews for

under the pressure of

he might judge
it,

state necessity, such as

confession in such a
sible not to

manner that it connect them together.

impos-

his pledges to his people

need not be kept.

refined figure

That king, upon whose

But on the other hand there are many of the clergy and even of the monks who are

and lineaments, more happily

day few

immortalized for us by Vandyke than those

of

among

the objects of persecution I have en-

any other

of our sovereigns, to this

deavoured to describe. The most distinguished

Englishmen can look without emotion, saw

his cause ruined, in despite of

members

of the celebrated Benedictine con-

a loyalty and

vent of Monte Cassino have for some time

past been driven from the retreat to which

enthusiasm sustaining him, such as

pure vision of the past.
It

now

is

was not

i-uined

by

they had anew given the character of com-

the strength of the anti-monarchical or puritanical factions, nor

bined peace, piety, and learning.

Several of

even by his predilections

them were
othei-s

in prison

when

was at Naples

for absolutism;

but by that one sad and miser-

not in actual confinement, but tremb-

able feature of insincerity, which prevented

ling as a hare trembles at every whisper of

the general rally of his well-disposed and

the wind.

One was imprisoned

for liberal

sober-minded subjects roimd him

till

the time

opinions, another for being the brother of a

had passed, the commonwealth had

launched

been

man

of liberal opinions.

There was no charge

down

the slide of revolution, and

reckless fanatics
left

against these men, but the two brothers were

those violent

and

had gained

confined because
the
first of

it

was thought that through

possibly be learned

the upper hand

who

the foul stain of his

of

them might

blood on the good

name

England.

something against some other suspected person or persons.

And why
lesson to our

should I not advert to another

last

Among

the arrests in

Decem-

which the

ber last there were, I believe, between twenty

hand?

King Ernest
assume

few weeks have ripened of Hanover is

and thirty
be,

of the clerical order.

is

It

may indeed

gathered to his fathers.

When
his

he went from

and perhaps

true that the greater part

England

in 1837 to

German crown

of the whole

body stand by and look on with-

he was the butt and byword of Liberalism in

all its

out any sympathy, or at least any eifective

grades; and

among

the professors of the

sympathy, for those on

sharp
less

whom

the edge of this

is

Conservative opinions, which he maintained

in

aflliction falls;

but this

perhaps not

their sharpest forms, few, indeed,

were

true of the nobles, whose general tone I

those hardy enough to

litically their
it

own

that prince as po-

believe to be that of disapproval towards the

px'oceedings of the government, while they

kin

while Hanover, misled as

afterwards appeared by the freedoms of

270

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

liiiu

English criticism, received

with more
elapse.

on behalf of the falsely accused and barbarously persecuted prisoners in Naples, they

dread tlian affection.

Fourteen years

He

passes unshaken through the tempest of a

dragged into the light the misdoings of the

infamous Ferdinand and the advisers and
par.osites of

revolution that rocks orshattere loftier thrones

than

his.

He

dies amidst the universal respect

whom

he was alternately the tool

and the general confidence and attachment of

his subjects.

and

the

commander.

Thenceforward

the

He

leaves to his son a well-

eyes of Europe were upon Naples, and other

tvi-annical

established

government and an honoured name

itself

rulers

began to calculate what

such disclosures
if

and

in

England

the very organs of de-

might be the

effect of

the

mocratic feeling and opinion are seen strewing

the flowers of their honest panegyric on his

time should come when, with a

fierce

and

sudden outburst
moral

of resentment, the leadera of

The answer is brief but tomb. emphatic; because he said what he meant,

And why?

a revolution should leap to the front with the

if

not the matei-ial support of England

free political of

and did what he

said.

Doubtless his political

and the countries which held a

creed.

education had been better than

.and liad left deeper traces

men
;

thought,

The

result

was that the sympathies

upon him

but his
it

the English people, and the English rulers

too,

unostentatious sincerity was his treasure;

were with Garibaldi and

prove

the Italian
of

was

'the barrel of
oil

meal that wasted not, the

fail.'"

patriots,

and that there were no lack

to
it,

demonfor

cruse of

that did not

all,

strations
said that the

while the funds

To sum up
and agents

Mr. Gladstone

carrying out the revolution which subsequently

execrable practices carried on

of the Neapolitan

by members
if

overthrew the Neapolitan government, banished Ferdinand, set the surviving victims of
cruelty free, and ultimately gave constitutional
liberty to Italy,

government,

they were before

unknown

to its heads,

were

now brought

to their knowledge,

and they
re-

were largely augmented by

themselves must have some idea with what

feelings the statement of

the private subscriptions

and the personal

them has been

eSbrts of English
It is easy to

men and women.

understand that the letters

ceived in Europe.

The

case

had come to

this point; that either

written by Gladstone delighted Palmerstou,

the Neapolitan government should separate

who was

then, of course, foreign

in office in

minister,

from these hideous

tion

iniquities, or else the quesit

and had he remained

ensued

1852 more

would

arise.

Was

just or wise to give

direct results of their revelations

;

might have

countenance and wai-rant to the doctrine of

those

but at

all

events Palmerston took a

who taught that

kings and their governof

very decided course, and on the 17th of July

(1851)
done.
all

ments were the natural enemies

man, the
not, then

the world learned what he had

tyrants over his body and the coutaminators

of his soul?

It

was

just before the prorogation of

And

if

we thought

the house that Sir de Lacy Evans said,

"From

every state in Europe, every public man, no

a publication entitled to the highest consideration

it

matter what his party or his colour, every

appears that there are at present

member

of the great family of

its

Christendom

above 20,000 persons confined in the prisons

of Naples for alleged political offences
;

whose heart beat for

sion, separate himself

welfare, should,

by

that

declaring his sentiments on every fitting occa-

these prisoners have, with extremely few exceptions,

from such a government,

the huge

been thus immured in violation

of the

and decline to recognize the smaDest moral

partnei-ship or kin with
it,

existing laws of the country,

slightest
legal
trial

and without the

until

or public inquiry into

that they include a
late

mountain of crime, which

it

had reared, should

their respective cases;

late

have been levelled with the dust.

prime minister and a majority of the

We

have dwelt

at

some length on these

though they had
inducing either
of

Neapolitan parliament as well as a large proportion of

classes of
tlie

remarkable

letters because,
eflfect

most respectable and

intelligent

not the immediate

society;

that these prisonei-s are

that these

our own or any other government to interpose

chained two and two together;

PALMERSTONS ANSWEK TO THE NEAPOLITAN ENVOY.

chains are never undone, day or night, for

271 has re-

remedy

for

the evils to which he

any purpose whatever, and that aad

barbai-ity

the

pri-

ferred." This declaration

was warmly accepted

soners are suffering refinements of cruelty

by the

house.

unknown
is

in

any other

civilized
if

Several so-called replies were put forward

country.

It

consequently asked

the

pretending to refute Mr. Gladstone's statements,

British minister at the court of Naples has

been instructed to employ his good

offices in

editor of the

among them one by M. Gondon, the Cnivers, another by Alphonse

up Ferdinand and
his

the cause of humanity for the diminution of

these lamentable severities,
result?"

Balleydier; but they were so obviously written

to bolster

and with what

in reply

government

Lord Palmei-ston stated

out of opposition to England, that they excited

little

that her majesty's government

had received

attention,

though they were

full of in-

with pain a confirmation of the impressions

vective against the author of the

lettei-s.

There

which had been created by various accounts

they had received from other quarters of the very unfortunate calamitous condition of the

was another reply by a Mi\ Charles Macfarlane,

who was employed by some

statements he

one in the confi;

dence of the Neapolitan government

but the

Kingdom

of Naples.

The

British government,
it

made were many of them no more

'Mr. Gladstone's

however, had not deemed

a part of their

than mere contradictious of

charges,

duty to make any formal representations to

the government of Naples on a matter that
related entirely to the internal
affaii-s

most
been

of

which weie sustained by unThis pamphlet, written to

deniable evidence, and were afterwards proved

to have
order,
true.

of that

country.

"At

the same time," continued the

was sent by the NeapoUtan envoy in

to

foreign minister, "Mi-. Gladstone,

whom

London
it

Lord Palmerston, with a

letter re-

may
of

freely

name, though not in his capacity

questing that the foreign minister would send

a member of parliament, has done himself,

lound

also to the

European courts; but

to the cir-

I think, very great

honour by the course he

Palmerston was not so easily to be cajoled,

pursued at Naples and by the course he has

followed since
;

and cooUy declined being accessory

for I think that

when you

see

culation of a composition which he bluntly

an English gentleman, who goes to pass a

winter at Naples, instead of confining himself

characterized as "only a tissue of bare assertion

and

reckless denial,

mixed up with coarse

to those

amusements that abound in that

cities

city,

ribaldiy and commonplace abuse of public

instead of diving into volcanoes

and exploring

men and
telcicala
felt

political parties."

As

Prince Cassubject,

excavated

when we

see

him going

to

had addressed him on the

he

courts of justice, visiting prisons, descending

into dungeons,

and examining gieat numbers

to

bound to say that Mr. Gladstone's letters Lord Aberdeen presented an afflicting pica system of
illegality, injustice,

of the cases of unfortunate victims of illegality

tui-e of

and

and

injustice

with a view afterwards to enlist

cruelt}', practised

by the

officers

and agents of
of Naples,

public opinion in the endeavour to

remedy

the government of the

Kingdom

those abuses

think that

is

coiu-se that

such as might have been hoped would not

does honour to the peraon

and, concurring in feeUng with

influence of public opinion in

who pmsues it; him that the

Europe might
such matters

have existed in any European country at the

present day; and the information which had

been received upon these matters from

many

have some useful

right, I

effect in setting
it

other sources led, unfortunately, to the conclusion that

thought

my

duty

to send copies of

Mr. Gladstone by no means overwhich he described.

his

pamphlet to our

ministeis in the various

stated the various evils

courts of Europe, directing

them

to give to

each government copies of the pamphlet, in

the hope that

But Mr. Gladstone's letters were evidently written and published not as the pamphlet

by

affording

them an

oppoi-tu-

which had been sent insinuated

hostility to the

in a spirit of
and mon-

nity of reading

it

they might be led to use

King

of Naples, or with feel-

their influence in
ject of

promoting what

is

the ob-

ings adverse to the parliamentary

archical constitution

my

honoui-able

and gallant friend

which bis Sicilian majesty

272

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAKIES.

to his subjects
oath.

had granted

by

his royal

and had confirmed Mr. Gladstone's object

other day, as a proof of the goodness of heart

of the

King

of Naples, that at his, Walewsld's,

seemed, on the contrary, to have been the

friendly purpose of drawing public attention
to,

request the king had at one time promised to

set free three

hundred prisonere against

Milnes,
these
to

whom

and

of directing the force of public opinion

if

no charge or no proof had been

'

established.

upon, abuses which,

allowed to continue,

How grateful,' said

'

men must
thank you

must necessarily sap the foundations of the Neapolitan monarchy, and prepare the way for those violent revulsions which the resentments produced by a deep sense of long-continued and wide-spread injustice are sure,
sooner or later, to produce.
It might have

have been; did they not come

for their release?'
'

'Why,' said Walewski,

you

see, after

the king had

the chief of the police came to

that
if

made the promise him and said

he could not
so,

the

men were
free.'

set free
;

answer for the king's

life

and

you

see,

the

been hoped that the Neapolitan government

men were

not set

I sent you a copy of

would have received those

in

letters in the spirit

my

answer to Castelcicala to be given to the

which they manifestly were written, and would have set to work earnestly and effectually to correct those manifold

Neapolitan government, because I thought

that

my friend

the prince would probably not

and grave abuses

send them exactly a correct copy, but would

probably leave out the words about the king's
oath."

to
It

which their attention had thus been drawn.

was obvious that by such a course the Neawould do more to frustrate

politan government

Already several writers had taken up the

subject in defence of Mr. Gladstone's state-

the designs of revolutionists, and to strengthen

the monarchical institutions of their country,

ments as against the pretended

replies

and

than could be effected by the most vigorous

proceedings of the most vigilant minister of
]3olice.

one very able pamphlet by an anonymous

author was acknowledged by Mr. Gladstone
himself in his
pui-ported

own subsequent

reply to

what

This was indeed taking things with rather

the high

to be

the government

defence.

hand

of

the schoolmaster, but in

This reply, a publication which belonged more

to politics than to literature in

this instance there

seems to have been no

any ordinary

particular complaint of Palmerston's lecturing.

sense of the word,

was

entitled "

An Exam-

The government
find

of

Naples was too bad to

apologists.

ination of the Official Eeply of the Neapolitan

any but paid or interested

the 7th of

Government."

It

On

September (1851) we

find

part of 1852 by Mr.

was issued in the early John Murray, and has

collec-

Palmerston writing to his brother, "Your

account of the effect produced by Gladstone's

been republished in the most recent

tions of

Mr. Gladstone's works.

it

Speaking of
rejoinder,

pamphlet

is

highly interesting and curious.

will

the apology, to which

was a

Mr.

The Neapolitan government

been much pleased and
nor would they be
edified

not have

Gladstone wrote, " I have termed the production before

by

my

answer

me a reply which is no confutation,

to Castelcicala about Macfarlane's pamphlet,

nor even an attempt at one; and I must

freely confess that
title.

much

gi'atified
all

if

they

my

first

quarrel

is

with

its

were to receive a collection of

the articles

It is called a

'Review

of the Errors so

which have appeared on

many.

this subject in the

and Misrepresentations Published,' and

forth
;

various newspapers in England and in GerI stiU hope that the discussion

but

if

the object of a
it

title

be to give

may

a correct description

ought to have been

do some good and excite some shame in their

denominated,

'

A
-

Tacit Admission of the Ac-

minds

one might almost hope

in their conduct.

it

some change

would work The French,

curacy of Nine

tenth Parts of the State-

ments contained in
of Aberdeen.'

Two

Lettei's to the Earl

as you say, defend as well as they can the

For those who do not enter

it

Neapolitan government, but they every

now

into the case

sounds very well when they

and then

let

out things which undermine

are told that the errors and misrepresentations,

or,

their defence.

Walewski

told

Milnes the

as they have in

some quarters been

called.

THE NAPOLEONIC PRESTIGE.

falsehoods and calumuies, of

273

my

letters

have

to

take pains to avoid the larger political

been answered; but I

now

assert,

without

issues into
to

which the discussion seemed bound

from obscure,
of a time

fear even of challenge, that nine-tenths of

run

but that his writing contained pro-

my

most startling assertions are passed by in

'

phecies, far

total silence in the

Apology of the Neapolitan

I suppose it is
if

would

find himself forced into

when he much wider

Government.'

And

no ex-

and deeper discussions had

of political principle

travagant assumption
in

I treat that silence,

its

than, as a disciple of the cautious Peel, he

;i3

an answer that made

foiu-

apjiearance three

yet openly approached.

or

months

after the parties

were made

acquainted with the. charge, as simply equivalent to

The year 1851 may almost be

said to have

an admission
In the

of the facts."

bequeathed a legacy of uneasiness to England

in the coup d'etat of Louis Napoleon.

Mr. Gladstone divided

parts.
firet

his reply into four

The

he qualified or withdrew

most extraordinary part of the whole story

is

certain comparatively unimportant statements

the startling illustration which

it

gives of

in

which he was apparently in

error.

He

next

the power of a name, and, incidentally, of the

dealt with the points in which, though the

depths of popular ignorance.

just, wise, or

France had no
probably one of
;

Neapolitan government contradicted him, he

fovind himself

kind i-eason for honouring the

bound

to maintain his position.

in

name

of Napoleon.

He was

In the third part he exposed the passages

letters to the Earl of

the very woret

men

that ever lived

in all
\-iilgar

which, without denying the charges in his

things but one or two a quack and ver3'

Aberdeen, the Neapolitan

ignoramus; and cynically reckless of

life

human
nothing

government endeavoured to throw dust in the

reader's eyes,
ja-ession that

and welfare.

In

all

the records of the

is

and leave him with a vague imthey were

false.

bad things said by bad men there

to excel in vileuess

In the fourth

Napoleon's unquotable
battlefield.

part Mr. Gladstone handled the "unofficial"

conti-adictions of

remark as he surveyed a
de Paris

Uii unit
it.

Mr. ^lacfarlane and other

of Naples
effect
to.

but we

dai-e

not go on with

It

apologists,

which the government

has been maintai:ied latterly by historical

critics

had nothing to say

The general
little

was

that there

is

evidence that he contem-

crushing; but the original letters had been

effectual,

j>lated

a universal western empire, of which

and the reply had

weight.

The
only

he was to be himself, of course, the head.

There
is

"examination" therefore commanded

small interest.

some reason

to think so,

from his

Mr. Gladstone's
offence to a

self -restrained

dwelling so
there
ai'e

much on

his o'wn dictum, that

manner gave
moderate
cessive
side,

few even
it

of the

at bottom only

two

races, the Occi-

because they held

place.

to be ex-

dentals and the Orientals, and from his Russian enterjirise.

and out of

Upon

this question,

But when

w-e consider the

however, the right honourable gentleman was

himself the best judge, and

awful drafts which he made upon France in

blood and treasure, his break-down at
last,

we now

all of
is

us

know how
result of

often his external calmness

effort in behalf of

the

the evident fact that his ambition was a selfish

iiLsanity,

an

what he con-

and that though he was not designfor

siders Christian propriety, while the fire of

edly cruel there was no treachery or cruelty

that he
his path

indignation

is

throbbing white-hot within.

this subject

was not ready

;

His resolute treatment of

in

when, in

fine,

when either lay in we consider that his

which he had no

interest but that of

com-

career has

been visited with the univereal

mon humanity
been

was

an interesting suggeshis
career.

execration of good

men

out of France

it is

tion of the future

of

He

has

much

ridiculed

by

cynics for his "flesh-

an awful lesson that the mere name of Napoleon was what gave Louis Napoleon, the reputed nephew of the departed emperor, his
prestige.

and-blood" treatment of popuhu- questions;

but there was and

it
It

is

nothing ridiculous about

It

is

said indeed,

and has not been

was noticed
II.

at the time this rejoinder

denied, that scores of thousands of the pea-

was published that Mr. Gladstone appeared

Vol.

santry of France

the Jacques Bonhommes of

39


i274

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAKIES.

Land

the Fair

believed

it

was the emperor

Count "Walewski, Palmerston, and Kossuth

were mixed
uji in

they were voting for when they made Louis Napoleon president over the head of Cavaignac.

a manner which formed the

staple of some of the best political jeiu:-d'csiirit.i

There
lie

is

nothing inofedible in
it

this.

which ever appeared in England. much,

if

We

are not

But

that as

may, the year 1853 opens

at

all,

better informed

now than we
But

with " the days of December" very fresh in the memory of Europe, and the second French
empire
close at

were then as

to the real state of aflairs in tin-

disputes of the cabinet of those days.

hand.

On

the

first

day

of the

we may
certain

certainly congratulate ouraelves on

new

year Louis Napoleon went througli the

of a religious installation as presi-

great improvements.

It
it

would no

ceremony

longer be easy
possible

not to say that

would be im-

dent for ten years at the cathedral of Notre Dame, a ceremony which carefully imitated
that which

to construct such cabinets as seemed

John Russell (whatever
is

at that time a matter of course; family parties,

was adopted by Napoleon the

Nicholas of Russia

they might be called; high-handed action, like

that of Lord
its

Great as First Consul.

moand

had conferred upon the president the order of St. Andrew, which was usually given to
monarchs.

tive or princijile)

scarcely practicable;

the truth leaks out

it

nowmuchmore rapidlythan

Everywhere on the Continent out

did then.

Indeed, the whole "platform" in

of France there

was

visible satisfaction to this

public affairs has changed.

like

A foreign minister
French
presi-

extent, that the new-comer, the parvetm, as

Palmerston

is

no longer conceivable.
felt in this

he was called,

is

manifestly

:i.

friend of " the

The extreme
led to

distrust of the

party of order."

Among minor

matters in

dent which was generally

country

which Louis Napoleon parodied his reputed uncle, may be mentioned the restoration of the eagle to the national flag. But it must
not
.be sujiposed

many

discussions as to our prepared-

ness for wnr.

The

poet-laureate,

who

has

always advocated the training of the whol;i

that he was on the whole

;

male population to arms, was one of

thost-

liked

or trusted

certainly he

was viewed

who
a

eagerly raised the cry of danger.

in the

His

with general, though not universal, suspicion

in our

poems published
little

Examiner newspaper,
npme, struck the keynot altogether

own

countiy.
in con-

rough and "popular-" in workmanshi]',

his

Here there was much excitement

and printed without

note of a

nection with the r^ent withdrawal of Lord

movement which never slackened

owing
largely, if

Palmerstoii from the post of foreign minister,

much

till,

and the substitution

latter was,
till

of

Lord Granville.

The

originally, to the exertions of Caj^tain Alfreil

now, unknown to

genera.1 jjoli-

Bate Richai-ds, the volunteer force of

country was an accomplished
fact.

thir;

tics;
to

was known, however, to be no stranger the court and was sup])osed liy malcon;

Most readers
February,

of

Tennyson

tents to be capable of entering into alliances,

the striking verses headed

1852,"

will remember "The Third vl

with Prince Albert to help him,

sinister bearing

that

had a His

a powerful

remonstrance
of

on liberty in England.

against the deprecation in the

House

Lords

private history

was severely

criticised.

Was

of the extreme opposition to the president of

not his wife a French or Austrian lady, and

a

the French republic and the coup d'Uat expressed

Roman

Catholic?

It

must be remembered

by many

influential

newspapers and

that the prince consort

was

still

an object
of

of

by

violent speeches at public meetings.

Some
.should

great suspicion with a large

number

Eng-

of the lines

were not soon forgotten, nor

lishmen;

that

Kossuth and

Mazzini were

they cease to be remembei-ed though they

will, it

much on

the alert, especially the former; and

may be
all,

hoped, never need to be re-

that the wildest rumours were afloat in regard

to the secession of

peated

in relation to the

country with which

friendly

Lord Palmerston.
or,

was there
done.

greater,

in

Never one sense, more

through

we maintained

and even

cordial relations.

amusing confusion

as to

The names

of

what "ministers" had Lord John Russell,

" As long as we remain we must speak free Tho' all the stoi-m of Europe on us bre.ak

FKEE SCHOOLS AND NATIONAL EDUCATION.

No
little

German

state are

we
:

was

so soon to decay,

But the one voice in Europe we mvM speak That if to-night our greatness were struck dead There might be left some record of the things wo
said.
I

ideas springing out of

results after
all.

it

and the growth of the which led to practical

'

If

you be

fearful then

must we be

topic

which

lies

nearer

home

is

that of

bold.

Our Britain cannot

salve a tyrant o'er.

,

National Education, and this also w;is much,

Better the waste Atlantic roll'd

On her and us and ours for evermore. What have we fought for Freedom from our prime,
!

and not unprofitably, agitated at the commencement of the year 1852. A deputation
from the National Public School Association,
headed by Mr. Milner Gibson and Mr.

At

last to

dodge and palter with a public crime V*

at

W.

Meanwhile we were
firs,

war with

the Kaf-

trouble than

who were giving us a gi-eat deal more we expected, and rapidly learnfrom am-

Fox (then member of Parlianjent for Oldr ham) waited upon Lord John EusseU with the
J.
|

draft of a bill
schools in

for establishing free public

ing to fight British soldiers, while the natiu-e

|

England and Wales.

Mr. Bazley,

of the country, theii' skill in firing

bush, and their ingenious daring in

raids,

making

gave our troops a great deal of trouble.

Thomas Bazley, spoke in the warmest manner of the good which had been done by the education, poor as it was, which
afterwards Sir

The slaughter was dreadf uL

Kossuth was now in the heyday of
his

had been pi-ovided for under the Factories

Acts.

He

said

the

little

girls

had been

taught not only reading, writing, and accounts,

American

tour,

and the idea of a " league of

,

but knitting and sewing; and the acquisition

of these little

freedom" in which America should unite with

accomplishments of female
effects

life

England for purposes of intervention on behalf of

had been productive pf the best

the poor.

among
into

Hungary,

Italy,

and even Poland, was

In addressing

The boys

also,

who had gone

popular in the L'nited States.

the
fiirst

the factories in a state of ignorance, had bjthe instruction they had received been ren-

di\"isiou of the militia of

New York
"

Kossuth powerfidly advocated the foi-matiou

of citizen armies in all free countries.

dered capable of discharging the duties of mitch higher positions than they could have

As

to

myself,"

.said

this

great but over-excitable

undertaken without such instruction.

Under

orator, " I

have here a sirord on

my side given
gift
it

the .scheme at this time proposed, certain

me by an American citizen.
from a
in that

This being a

hours were to be set apart for the religious

instruction, wh.ich

citizen of the L^nited States, I take

was to be given separately

under a conscience clause
fact that

as a token of encouragement for

me

to

go on

from the

secular,

way

which, with

tlie

blessing of Al-

and

it is

an interesting

Jewish and

mighty God,

will perhaps lead us to see again

Quaker gentlemen were among the membei's

of the deputation, earnestly supporting the
bill.
.as

our fatherland independent and free; and I

swear here before yon, gentlemen, that

this

At

this date " the religious difficulty,"

American sword

in ray

hand

will

be always
it

faithful to the cause of freedonj, that

will
it

was called, existed in gieat force, and Lord John Eussell, the prime minister, made
it

be foremost fn the battle for

it,

and that

a reply, that w.as almost a manifesto, and which,

never will be polluted either by ambition

or cowardice.
First Division of

though not very encouraging, well deserves

to

New York

be remembered.

"

My own opinion," said

know
it

State Militia, I engage you to become the

controlling

his lordship, " is that the question is advanc-

power

of this mj' solemn o-ith 1"

ing to a solution, but I

of

it is
is

the opinion

Here

tlie

contemporai-y accounts state that

Lord Lansdowne

and
is

my

opinion

the " whole division rose and cheered the ex-

also

that the question

it,

not at present in such

governor of Hungary with a perfect furor."

This
is

a state as to be ripe for the government to

undertake

a small matter

but

it is

not unimpor-

and that by undertaking

it

pre-

tant to notice the strength of the revolutionary

maturely they would be more likely to mar

the object than promote
it.

excitement in Europe and America which

I believe that a

276

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

who
iu

great majority of those

Manchester

the iron-mastei-s and the

gineers

pay the

rates are -willing to concur iu paying

for the promotion of educacir-

was

iu this as iu other

Amalgamated Enways luilucky.

an additional rate
tion,

The attention
was
called

of tens of thousauds of intelli-

and

think that a very encouraging

gent working-men was diverted, by what

cumstance.

Men

do not generally say they

"the masters'

strike,"

from public

woidd rather pay more rates than they now

pay, and their being willing to pay a rate for

affaii-s

in general.

Much

time, thought, and

feeling were

education proves the estimation in which education

is

of rifle -clubs

however expended on the subject and the national defences.

to begin

held,

and the
I

gi'eat

benefits to be

The
and
with,
sleep,

abolition of all taxes on knowledge,

derived from

it.

wish only further to say

of the

penny newspaper stamp

-svas

that I hope j^u will go on with your scheme,

was a subject that

because
it

not allowed to

without of course pledging myself to take any

course with respect to
it.

may be

said to have

come
of all

I hope,

however,

home to
agitators

" Uie business

and bosoms "

Lord

you will go on with your scheme, because I think that even failure iu schemes of this
kind produces very great good.
to the

and

propagandists.

John

Russell had declared, for himself

leagues, that there to retain the
of revenue,

and

his col-

With regard

measure to which we have often alluded

was on their part no desire penny stamp except as a matter

that of Sir J. Graham though he failed in

his

and strange devices were proposed

most laudable

object,

and produced

for

for evading the law.

The time

for complete

the

moment a
to

great deal of clamour and dis-

reform was not yet, but the tax on light (the

sension, yet the I'esult

was that

gi-eat efforts gi-eat

window-tax) was gone

posed under the
tax "

or at least

it

was im-

were made

promote education, and

do not

less irritating

name of "house-

advantages followed from those endeavours.

I

and
may

the

taxes

on knowledge were

must

certainly

say I

.share
is

the

doomed.
It
safel}'

opinions of those
tility

who

think there

any hos-

be averred that things hap-

between secular and religious instrucI

pened at or about

tion.

am

convinced that secular instruction,

hostile to religion,

happen now.

this time which could not The Amazon had been hurried

so

fai-

from being

wUl

pre-

out to sea without a proper trial trip being

pare the minds of those so instructed for the

I'Bception of religious instruction."

made beforehand
forgotten,

but the lesson was not

w-iU be.

and never

Again, thou-

It will be seen
"

from these sentences that

shadows before " in

sands of tins of preserved meat bad been

seiwed out in the navy without proper examination, and the story was of a kind -to impress the dullest Englishman,

coming events
well

cast their

the matter of national education in England

as
as

in others.

What Lord
was not

.John

and provoke

RusseU lacked

at this time

sagacity,

much
sians.

laughter from Frenchmen and Prus-

but courage and energy. It was reserved for Mr. Gladstone and his colleagues to show the world what could be done by men who woidd
put their shouldei-s to the wheel.
tating answer of

Perhaps the examination of these pre-

cious preserved meats interested the

mass

of

the public
matter.

more than any other domestic

tins,

The hesiLord John aroused some

par-t

Thousands of

which had been lumps

of rotten

warranted, were found to contain nothing but

putrid
filth,

very strong criticism, especially on the

of

clots of blood,

Mr. Roebuck, but nothing more was done.

liver, clots of hair,

ligaments of the throat, and

The National Refoi-m Association was

this

at

indescribable garbage.

The

ofiicere

conduct-

time actively engaged iu driving the

Scotland

ing the examination were repeatedly compelled to desist

spur into the sides of the Whigs.

took her
wei'e
full

from their

task,

though Sir

share in the attempts which

public meetings and otherwise
his col-

William Burnett's disiufecting

fusely employed.

fluid

was pro-

made by
from

to stimidate

Loid John Russell and

Memorable

for generations yet to

come

will

leagues,

whom

too

much was

expected.

be some of the events of this eventful year.

Of

But the

state of affau-s in the dispute

between

these the buruiug of the steamship Amazon, a

THE KITCHEN COMMITTEE.

fine

277

new

vessel to

which we have

ali-eady retlie

at us

when

iu our diplomatic

communications

ferred,

one of the new squadron of

West

we

rode the high horse.

India Mail Steam Packet Company.

.sail

She "set

"

from Southampton on the evening of Friof January.

On

the 3d of Febniary the queen opened

day the 2d

By midnight on Satur-

parliament iu pereon.

Before passing to the

of tlie session

day she had got well

I

clear of the SciUy Islands,

more important work

sode.

we may

and had made 110 miles W.S.W. by midnight on Saturday. It was at twenty minutes to
one on the Sunday morning,
night, in a
pi-actically

enliven these pages with a commissariat epi-

midfire

being

The "Committee on the Kitchen" moved for in the usual way, a most
Mr. French
wine supplied to

heavy

sea, that

the alarm of

amusing discussion occurred.

bitterly 'complained of the

was given.

There was a strong gale blowing

flames,

from the south-west, and the

which

the members, insinuated that the table-cloths

appeared to begin from the engiue-room, had

in

ought to be changed when there was a great

change of guests, and suggested that good

an awfully short space of time the entire

vessel.

mastery of the
said

It

might almost be
the
flames.

wine and clean table-cloths were

preventives for a "count-out."

infallible

that the whole of the 161 jjassengers

Mi-.

Austey

were

now plunging about

in

objected that there was no Catholic on the

There was only one lifeboat available, and the

committee.

The house laughed

was rather a

at him, but

end
is

of one of the

most startling of

sea-stories

he said

it

serious matter, con-

that only about forty lives were saved.

sidering that a Protestant dinner on a Friday

Mr. Eliot Warburtou, a distinguished writer

was not very acceptable

to a

Roman

Catholic.

who had
the
lost.

besides a political mission, was among

Lord Marcus

Hill,

who had

precipitately left

The powder magazine exploded,

itself,

the house during the address of Mi\ French,

and the ship

other

valued at 100,000, with

now

returned with equal empressement, carrybill of fare, of

property to the amount of

another

ing in each hand a

enormous

100,000, was sunk.

is

more important point

dimensions, glazed and framed in the

usual in clubs and coffee-houses.
lord

that this event, which caused the gi'eatest

all

excitement

over the civilized- world, was

placed this

manner The noble culinary programme with

on the speaker's
say,
table,

not unaccompanied by those lights of heroism,

1,'nergy,

affectionate solicitude

and

skill

which are happily almost

treatment of Marshal

and having thus, as Soyer would

"un-

certain to beautify scenes of danger.

furled the banner of gastronomy," proceeded

In referring

to the

amid loud laughter to vindicate the committee

from the imputation
of exorbitant charges.
it

Haynau by
manner
in

the London draymen, and the

which Lord Palmerston evaded

He

said he

had often heard

objected

tliat

the demands of the Austrian government for

satisfaction,

the prices charged for refreshments in the

we hinted

that Austria

remem-

kitchen were too high, but he did not think

that there

bered well an evasion which did not please

her.

was the

slightest foundation for

Mr. Mather, an English gentleman,

the assertion. the bills of

up.

having, with no excuse or small excuse

certainly, that

none,

Two years ago he had caused fare now on the table to be drawn
member
iu

an Englishman woidd for a

cut

He

invited attention to them, and chalto prove that the charges

moment admit been

treated
all

down by an Aus-

lenged .any

trian soldier in a street in Florence, Austria

were exorbitant.
able gentleman,

He

put

it

to the honoursincerity,

remonstrances in a spirit which

she had not forgotten the draj'-

candour and

showed

tliat

whether there was anything so ruinously exorbitant in these charges

:

men, and the subject was one that kept quidnuncs angiy for a long while.

Any

peg was
fresli

big enough and strong enough to bear a

argument about our unfitness

war, and
it

to enter ujjon in these dis-

was always presumed

A portion of soup, A mutton-chop A fish, boiled or fried, A fried sole, A whiting,

Salmon and lobster sauce,
. .

Is. Is.
Is. Is.

Is.
.
.

cussions that foreignei-s

knew

it,

and laughed

2s.

278-

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

cod's

Turbot or

head and shoulders on terms

confused by

it."

2fr.

Roxburgh: "It would

equally moderate.

With regard

to cutlets,

if

appear from the various accounts to the House

of

three vrere taken they could be had at the

Commons

that you have received 16,000

low charge

of 6d. each;

and as for wine, there

head

on account

of the

company

since 1848?"

Mr.

was no such cause

as the honourable

of complaint on that

O'Connor: "Yes, more than that, I daresay."

member

for

Roscommon

Mr. Ro.vhurgh: "Well, what have you done

seemed

to think, for

though the honourable

with

it?"

Mr. O'Connor: "All the accounts

Mr. Roxburgh.' "But

member might j'ay 6s. a bottle for sherry, he ought to know that there was sherry in the
kitchen which he could have at
J//-.

have been published in the Daily Xeus and

Sorthcrn Utar."

we

4s.

a bottle.

cannot find any materials in them to test the

coi-rectness of the statements

French:

"Much obliged, but

J/.

Lad rather
establish-

they contain."

not."

Lord

Bin.- " There

is

no

Mr. O'Connor: "It

in the Daily Seics.

is

published word for word

ment in London where tea and coffee can be had so cheap." The tradesmanlike manner in which Lord Marcus Hill, the member in charge, went through these details, and the defiance to all the other " establishments " in London to produce tea and coffee " so cheap," produced the
loudest laughter that had perhaps ever been

I got the paiticulars

from
I

the pass-book of the Glor.cestershire Bank.

have, I

may

state,

in this

movement spent
for
it,

150,000 to improve and elevate the condition

of the people,
if

and am abused

whereas
it it

a middleman or a nobleman had done

different. If

would have been veiy

Prince

Albert had built these cottages and located

these lands, there would have been offices to

heard in the House of Commons.

But Mr. Feargus O'Connor was

this time the occasion of

also at

promote them in every street in London for the

benefit of these poor people,

House of and him also it will be as well to dispose of before taking up the serious business of the
in the
session,

much excitement Commons and elsewhere,

under the patron;

age of the philanthropic prince

but

now

if

my

Lord or Lady Nincompoop happens

estates,

to

be driving through these

and

'the

especially
first

as his procedure

in the

daughter in the carriage happens to say, 'Lor,

house the very

week

of that session led to

mamma,
ing,
'

look at those beautiful cottages,' the

his being definitely regarded as a

madman,
to place

anxious parent puUs

down

the blind exclaimruflaan

whom

it

was immediately necessary

My

dear,

it

was that

Feargus

under confinement.

Mr. O'Connor's career as

O'Connor buUt them.'"

The Master: "Will

ledgers,

a demagogue had suggested to sensible observers that there was a vein of insanity in him,

you be good enough to look at these

Mr. O'Connor, to

refresh your

memory?" Mr.

and upon the

faUui-e of his land scheme,

with

O'Connor (balancing a ledger in his arms):

regard to which he incun-ed

much

obloquy,

"But
ai'e !"

just look

what thundering books they

he allowed himself
tistic iiTitation,

fits

of the

wildest ego-

The Master: "Thundering or not you

it.".

and after for some time playthe winding

must do
get
it

Mr. O'Connor:

"Oh

you can
Stars.

ing mad tricks on the borderlands of sanity, he

from the Daily Kev-s and in the The Master:

went mad.

Upon
it

up

of his land

All I received and paid."

"We

would be tiresome to exjjlain) he was examined before Mr. Humphrey, the Master in Cliancery, and some of the scenes
that took place during the examination were
as wild as the wildest
fai-ce.

scheme (which

must put you

these books."

to the trouble of looking at

Mr. O'Connor:

"Oh

dear! I
:

could not look at them." Mr. Ro.vhurgh

shall requii'e

"We

you to-morrow." Mr. O'Connor:

here, I

Mr. Roxburgh,

"I cannot be
Oh,

must be

at the house.

one of the counsel employed in the case, requested Mr. O'Connor to be-carejul in giving
his evidence, adding,
''

my God!

oh dear! oh dear!
snuff."

Will you

have a pinch of

The Master: "Allow

.

This

is

such a gigantic

scheme that

v.e shall get coiifused if

we do

" Yes," said O'Connor, ' it is a gigantic scheme, and I have been greatly

not take care."

me to look at that book." Mr. O'Connor: "Oh dear, oh lor! Now have you anything more to ask me? He's been at me for five
houi-s.
I'll

take a hatchet and cut your, head

THE END OF CHARTISM,

(

279

a"."

lli\

Roxburgh: "Have you any books

O'Connor; "None." The Master:

" You can retire into

my room."

Mr. O'Connor:

utalli"

J/r.

"Let me go
henlth."

entirely.

I've got the spasms."

is

Did you ever have any?" Mr. O'Connor: "I

Mr. Chinery: "I

know Mr. O'Connor

in

bad

never Lad

an}-.

I c.mnot

come here to-morThe Master:

Mr. O'Connor: "I have not eaten a a wink these

last thirteen days,

row

must be
any

at the house."

bit nor slept

"The speaker
if

will

be ready to excuse you

and unfortunately now

7'he

I've got the spasms."

there

is

necessity."

Mr. O'Connor:

Master:

Really,

your honour, I must go out for a

3Ir.

Mr. O'Connor:

"You state that upon your oath." "Upon my oath. Let me go."
O'Connor: "I
will.

few minutes."

O'Connor here retired

left his seat

The Master: "Will you be here to-morrow at

twelve?"
2fr.

from the court, and the Master

..ud

Let
!"

me

go,

went into the robing-room.

"

In about
?

I'm very Lad.

If this

Oh
of

dear
it

oh dear

three

minutes Mr. O'Connor returned and

'NAliere
is

txclaimed,

that juggler

"

and

at least madness of a kind which

shaking his
the
official

fist

in a

mock, menacing style at

manager, "I say, Mr. GoodcUap,

called Badchap.

you ought to be

You know

very well you are employed by the government, and the government are opposed to me."

it was made it verj' difficult to get at the facts. On the Wednesday after this exhibition the honourable member distinguished himself still more in the House While Mr. Osborne was disof Commons.

was all

genuine madness,

cussing

the ventUation of

the house, Mr.

The Master: "Will you explain how'?"

Mr.

O'Connor made himself so very disagreeable

to

O'Connor: "I will explain to your honour

numerous other membera that loud

Order
!

cries

how

I have been destroyed, i-uined.

Men that

of "

" issued

from a dozen

quai'ters.

have been located on four acres of land each

for five years,

Mr. O'Connor, driven from

pillar to post,

now

and who got 50 head-money,

fill

crossed to the treasury bench,

and

sitting

and as much manure as would

twice,

this court

down by Lord John

him
up,
in a loud voice,

Russell began to talk to

and

lived on
jjaid

and cultivated

it five

years,

with nudges, and jokes,

have not

a fraction of rent; while the

and laughter. Mr. Cornewall Lewis now came and seeing the uncomfoi-table
position of

men
G0
t^oap,

located at Great Dodford,

in the world,

where there
originally

was the best land

to .100

and paid from

the premier, endeavoured to squeeze himself

in

bonus

there,

where

between Loi-d John and his

assailant,

who
Mr.

they could plough the sod for 400 yards like

the land
all
is

had assumed an
the noble lord,
to escape,

air of great importance.

now

like land in a flower-pot,

O'Connor did not like this, and got closer to

v>'ho

and

the rent paid.

The

ruffians

on the

immediately endeavoured

four acres have not paid a farthing of rent,

but was prevented by the former,

liis

and one day

'/clock in the
I

last

summer when

was down
six

who, pulling

coat

tails,

forcibly dragged

at O'Connorville, at

Eickmansworth, from

morning

to six in the evening,

had

to roast a beefsteak with one of the

bricklayei-s on the tongs for ruy dinner that

him back to the treasury bench. This scene was followed by others of a similar kind, in which the member for Nottingham smacked other members on the back, punched them in
the ribs, howled, laughed, and bolted in and out.

very day.

The

ruffians cultivated the land,

and

collected heaps of

manure, but paid no

The end
There

of

it

was that he was

in

finally ejected,

rent."

Mr. O'Connor here sat down apparently

agitated and
aff'ected.

and eventually confined

is

a lunatic asylum.
in this

much

The

J/aster:
all

more than amusement

not very

'Mr. O'Connor,

we

can enter iuto

that

humiliating story.
\Yas

Mr. Feargus O'Connor

class

another time." Mr. O'Connor:

it

"Your

liouour,

a demagogue of a

common

makes

my

blood boil

when

I think of the

in this country

fortunately for
his land

the country.

amount

of

money

I have expended,

and the

With him and

most
of

scheme (whoever was

time I have given to locate these poor men."

to blJlme for the failiu'e) a certain phase

Here Mr. O'Connor

precation.
let

interjected a terrible im-

"I've got the spasms.

I've got the spasms."

Will you

and
any

demagogue agitation and effort disappears, it is not worth while to trace the narrative
further.

me go

The Master:

2S0

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMrOEAEIES.

this time a general expectation

There was at
that the session

from

all sides of

the house.

Mr. O'Connoi-

would see the introduction

of

was not done with, even

for that evening, for

new Eeform

Bill

by Lord John

Eussell,

and

when

Sir E.

W.

Bulkeley spoke to the address

this

was hinted

at

in a paragraph of the

he went out of his

(jaeen's speech.
is
it

" It appears to

me

that this

way to congratulate the country on the overthrow of the " miserable

fraction of the Chartists,"

a fitting time for calmly considering whether

and did not

fail

to

may

not be advisable to

make such amendin Parlia-

give a
for

by-blow

to the unfortunate

member
when a

ments in the act

ment, as
into

of the late reign relating to

Nottingham. "Could honourable members

the representation of the

Commons

ever forget," said the orator, "that

may be deemed
is

calculated to carry

wretched faction threatened to

roll

a petition

more complete

eifect the principles

upon
first

upon the

floor of that house, so large that

it,

which that law

founded."

But

tlie

eight horses were i-equired to drag

every

subject that gave rise to

much debate was the

man

wlio had a shilling in his pocket and a

question of the hour, so soon to be half-forgotten,

character to sustain enrolled himself under

the relations of Lord Palmerston and

matter of the cowp-rTetat.

the banners of order!

And when

the awful

his colleagues in the

day arrived, when- London was to have been

sacked, this miserable, deluded,
of creatures, with a
their head,

To that we must now turn. The really important topics in every one's mind at the meeting of parliament were the Eeform Bill and the Militia Bill; both of
them,
it

humbug

set

member of

that house at

vanished at the

fii-st

policeman,

and shrank into the holes and corners where

their miserable
ated,

may

be said, the results of agitation,

and obscure abodes were

situ-

and the
about

latter in large part the result of the

the derision rather than the dread of

uneasiness felt

by

large

immbers

of tlie people

their fellow-countrymen."

The

reference to
witli shouts

the attitude which

Louis Napoleon
questions

Mr. Feargus O'Connor was hailed

of laughter.

would or might take.

On both

popular expectation was doomed to disappoint-

ment. But in the meanwhile there was some amusement and much excitement on other

Chartism being dead, buried, and dismissed

witli this exceedingly coarse funeral oration,
fell
it

we have seen, the dismissal of Lord Palmerston by the premier, Loi-d John Eussell. But the new House of Commons the building itself, as well as its "kitchen" arrangements was made
topics, the

foremost of which was, as

upon
Sir

Sir

Benjamin Hall, member

for

Marylebone, to open the great game of the

day.

Benjamin Hall, afterwards Lord

Llanover, was a great gun with the mass of

the Eadical party, but he was not universally
believed
in.

to yield

some mirth, Mr.

Hume

complaining
figures

One

of the

most powerful

poli-

of the ventilation, in the painted

and denouncing the

tical writers of

the day openly denounced

him

windows
But

as "like the red lion

as

an impostor

man who
them

never had any

at Brentford."
like touch

tliis

somewhat Cobbett-

motive but popularity and place, and was ever

ready to
sacrifice

was not

all.

Lord Palmerston, who

the

to the pride of the

was eagerly watched, entered the house early and

sat

"bloated aristocrat."
critics,

He was

a man, said his

in the most

down by Mr. Eoebuck below

who would shake hands

gangway on the
curiosity,

ministerial side of the house.

gi-eat

Lord John, who was watched with

manner with the dirtiest pot-boy or dustman whOe an election. w:is pending; but
loving
if

bowed to

his disgraced

and dismissed

a rich tradesman in his borough were afterto cross his path in

hini,

colleague as he passed him, though not very

cordially,

wards

Parliament Street

and everybody made ready to "see

and accost
good man."
to

would wave him aside with,

you,

sport."

appeai-ance

The moment Lord John made his Mr. Feargus O'Connor darted
seat,

"Ahur ur I liaveu't a copper for

That
his

my

programme was simply

till

from his

and rushing up to liim shook

worry the government

he got a peerage

him by

hand with the most cheerful and patronizing warmth, amidst loud laughter
the

was common

talk, true or not;

and

it

was em-

bodied by the late Eobert Brough in a political

THE DISMISSAL OF LORD PALMEESTOX.

song entitled "Sir Menenius Agrippa" (Coriofamis, act I. scene
i.).

281
eyes, at once rose

enormous hat down over his

to reply,

and began by admitting the reasonAfter stating the

"Sir Menenius Agrippa's a Radical stout, With a rental of sixty-five thousand about, Of opinions the lowest though lofty in grade, A Sir Walter Fitz-Tyler, a Lord John de Cade.

ableness of the question.

usual tenns of the relation between the crown,

the premier, and other ministers. Lord

John
office

You may call him a leveller do, 'tis his pride Nay a stark staring Democrat true of the tide He's a wave. You may stem him, my lord, if you
;
I

continued by stating that in the case of Lord

Palmerston the terms on which he held

had been

can
Sir

Menenius Agrippa's a popular man

down b}' her majesty in August, 1850, in a memorandum, the relevant portion of which ran thus: "The
definitely laid

"He

sits for a borough remote from his home, (Where he reigns Uke a slave-girt Patrician

queen requires,
of

first,

that Lord Palmerston

will distinctly state

what he proposes
is

in a

Rome)

given case, in order that the queen

may know

He

goes on the hustings in very old coats

(He's a change at the club)

when

as distinctly to
sanction.

what she

giving her royal

soliciting votes.

His beard he neglects, and his nails he begrimes,

(His jokes on clean collars are kilUng at times)

Secoudl}',

having once given her

it

sanction to a measure, that

altered or modified
act she

be not arbitrarily

Hang your wine

or can
Sir

give

him beer from the pewter

by the

minister.

Such an

Menenius Agrippa's a popular man

hates
all

must consider as

failing in sincerity

towards the crown, and justly to be visited

"He

routine

But the

drivers
!

Kft the cart from the mud! are failing new blood, sir new
I

by the

exercise of her constitutional right of

dismissing that minister.

blood

She expects to be
Ijefore

Though the Lords have such power mind

principle quite

in

kept informed of what passes between him

and the foreign ministers

decisions are taken based

important
inter-

most undoubtedly right But the men an exclusive and arrogant class All behind in ideas not a throb with the mass If we coithl to their ranks Well, we'll do what we can Sir Menenius Agrippa's a popular man
Constitutional
!

oh,

upon that

course

to receive the foreign despatches in

good time, and to have the draughts for her

approval sent to her in sufficient time to

make
it

I
"Refoi-m
!

herself acquainted with their contents before

Vote by Ballot Short Parliaments

!

Down down,
:

cry

they must be sent

best that
letter

ofl^

The queen thinks

with each bishop, church, pulpit,

!

Lord John Eussell should show Lord Palmerston."

this

and steeple The peerage Vm

by!
Sir

to

This memor-

Ha

Well, we'll see by and

andum Lord John

Eussell said he at once

Menenius Agrippa's the friend

of tlie people.

communicated to Lord Palmerston, who immediately replied, "I have taken a copy of
the

Sir

Menenius Agrippa, otherwise Sir Ben-

memorandum

of the queen,

and

will not
it

jamin Hall, was the

man who was

"looked

fail to

attend to the directions which

con-

to " as the ferret in the Palmereton business,

tains."

The premier then proceeded

p.\rt of

to state

and there was dead

silence,

except for slight

the duty, or

the duty of his

office,

and

interruptions from Mr. O'Connor, while he

not in his

own

words, but in those of Sir

case of the prime

questioned ministers upon the dismissal of

the most popular of foreign ministers.

Eobert Peel.
minister.

"Take the

How
had
so

You must presume

that he reads

was

it

that, while

Lord John

Eu.ssell

every important despatch from every foreign

court.

often spoken w-ith admiration of his late colleague,

He

cannot consult with the secietary

and while our foreign

in 1850

relations re-

of state for foreign affairs,

and

exercise the

mained as they were

and 1851, how

influence
to the

which he ought

to

have with respect

unless he be

was

it

that a

man

of such distinguished ability,

conduct of foreign

affairs,

and so much trusted by the people, had been

thus suddenly dismissed
?

master of everything of
ing in that department."

i-eal

importance pass-

The premier who had

hitherto sat in his

What
decessor

followed this quotation from his pre-

usual attitude with his arms crossed, and his

was rather amusing.

His lordship

282

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

unpleasant language.

gave the House of C'ommous to underetand that he had found Lord Palmerston not
steady in harness.

These deputations Lord

Palmerston. had received in a manner which

the premier thought indiscreet, but that he

Earl Grey had particular

"age and experience."

Viscount Melbourne

liad had "a long intimacy and connection

had overlooked, and he had accepted, to u his own "dominie" style, all the responsibility.

with the foreign secretary," but Lord John had neither of those advantages, and sometimes
felt

But when the coup

d'etdt

had taken
at Paris,

place,

Lord Normanby, our minister

himself in a position of "gi'eat

wrote home on the 3d of December for instructions,

responsibility."

On

the 3d of November,

and on

tlie

5th of that

month Lord

was a cabinet meeting at which, says the premier, "I expressed myself in jilain
1851, there

Pidmerston, in accordance with the decision

of a cabinet council, wrote to

Lord Normanby
of

trms as to the state of our foreign relations,

in the

name

of

the queen to do nothing

and said that I

Europe

thought the situation of

critical;

"which could wear the appearance

interference of
affairs of

an

was

exceedingly

that

any kind (on our part)

in the

thought we were on the verge of seeing in

1852 (and there I was mistaken)
either

France."

But a few days

afterwai-ds,

of

seeing

in looking over the foreign office despatches,

Loi'd Loi'd

what

is

called social

democracy trium-

phant in other countries, or of seeing absolute

power, on the other hand, prevail.
I Sidd

John Russell came upon ,a letter from Normanby to Lord Palmerston, dated
of

the Cth

December.

Pai-t of

this

letter

that in either ease the situation of England

must be given
ambassador.
"Paris,
this

in the exact

words of our
Lord,

would be one
in France

of

some

peril

that

we

could

not exjoect that a social democratic rejiublic

December

6,

1851.

~Sly

would observe the

faith of treaties
allies.

morning received your

lordship's

des-

or refrain from attacking our

I said,

patch. No. GOO, of yesterday's date,

and

on the other hand, that

try being

if

absolute

power
its

afterwards called on

M.

Turgot, and informed

should prevail there was a danger, this coun-

an exception in the form of

him that I had received her majesty's commands to say that I need make no change in

government, from other countries of Europe,

that there might be combinations on the subject of refugees

my

relations with the

French government

in

consequence of what had passed.

that
if

I added
delay in

in this

country, and that

this country

there had been some

this

little
it

demands might be made which

in consistency with its
cede.

making
certain

communication
not

arose

from
with
said

honour could not con-

cucumstauces

connected

I stated that, in
critical

my own

opinion, in
it

any doubt on the had two days

subject.

M. Turgot

this

situation of affairs

was the

that delay had been of less importance, as he

since heard

interest of
trality.

England

to observe a strict neu-

from M. Walewsld

I said that

we ought

to

guard most

that your lordship had expressed to

him your

especially against
offence to France

giving any just cause of

entire approbation of the act of the president,

that we ought to exert the

utmost vigilance in order to prevent any such

cause of ofience."

and your conviction that he could not have acted otherwise than he had done. I said I had no knowledge
tion,

of

any such commuuica-

The whole cabinet. Lord John continued, had concurred in that view of the case. But then came a fresh complication, and though
the matter looks exceedingly small at this
distance of time, the premier treated
it

and no instructions but our invariable

do nothing which should have the

rule to

appearance of interfering in any

internal
aiiaii-s

way

in the

of France; but that I

had often

all

an opportunity of showing, under very varied

circumstances, that whatever might, be the

with a solemnity which must have appeared

puritanically absurd to the
minister.
Tliere

jaunty foreign

government here, I attached the utmost importance to maintaining the most amicable
relations

were some deputations from

Finsbury, in which the French president was

between the two

sure,

countries.

added

spoken of by the deputies in very strong and

that I

was

had the government known

LORD NOEMANBY'S DESPATCHES.

of the suppressiou of the iusurrectiou of the
Ilouges
I
[i.e.

283
if

permitted to observe that

your lordship, as

the

Eed

Republicans]' at the time

foreign minister, holds one language on such

had heard from

tliem, I should

have been

a delicate point in
giving

Downing

Street, without

commissioned to add their congi-atulations to

mine.
tion

me any

intimation you had done so

I have thought

it

necessary to men-

prescribing afterwards a different course to

what was

stated about

M. Walewski's
colleagues here

me, namely, the avoidance of any appeai'ance

of interference of
affairs of

despatch, because two of

my

any kind in the internal

mentioned to

me

that

the despatch con-

France

am

placed thereby in a

taining expressions to that effect had been

very
in

read to them in order to show the decided

awkward position. If the language held Downing Street is more favourable to the
which
I
it

opinion England had pronounced.

the honour to be, &e. &c.
Tliis certainly

have

existing order of things in France than the

Normaxby."
for

instruction on

am

directed to guide

looked rather serious;

myself upon the spot,

must be obvious that

become subsvtspicion

Lord Palmerstou was (supposing Lord Nor-

by that
ject

act of your lordship's I

manby

accurate) going out- of his

way

to

to misrepresentation

and

in

inform M. Walewski, the French minister in

merely doing
official

my

duty

according

to

the

Loudon, that England approved of the

d'etat.
lie Still,

coiq)

orders received through your lordship

Lord John informed the house,

;

from her majesty.

several of

All this

is

of

more im-

was not alarmed

he thotight the matter

portance to me, becattse, as I stated before,

susceptible of explanation,

and he wrote

to

my

diplomatic colleagues had had

Lord Palmerston about

it,

remarking, what
to

the despatch read to them, and had derived

was obvious, that

for

England

express

from

it

the conviction that,

if

accui'ately

approval of the act of the president on the 2d

reported,

your expressions had been those

I am, &c. &c.,

December, 1851, was certainly to interfere in

the affairs of Prance.

of xmqualified satisfaction.

Lord Palmerston took

NoRMAKBr."
This
looked

no notice

of his chief's letter.

On

the 13th

even

more

serious.

The

December, 1851, while Lord John wa^ at

premier, continuing his explanations in reply

to Sir

Woburn Abbey, a messenger

the premier of what Lord

arrived from

Benjamin Hall, went on

to say that

the queen requesting an explanation from

though he had himself received no answer

Normanby had

from Lord Palmerston, and was

to satisfy the

still

"unable

stated in his despatch of the 6th of the month.

inquiries of the

queen," he

LTpon the 14th Lord John \\T0te urgently to

found that Lord Palmerston had, on the 16th

of

Lord Palmerston, but received no answer.

December, written without the sanction of

On

the 16th he wrote again, pleading that

her majesty another despatch to Lord Nor-

this "disdainful silence"

was not

respectful to

manby.
snubbed

In

this despatch

Palmerston rather

her majesty

and, indeed, how can "disdain"

I

Lord Normanby.

He

began by

be respectful to anybody

stating that he

had said nothing in London

On

the morning of the

17th two more

despatches came under the eye of Lord John

Russell.

which was inconsistent with the instructions sent to the ambassador (Normanby), and the
question was, not
to say in Paris, but iu

One

of

December,

18.j1,

and

them was dated the loth of is quite conclusive upon

what our ambassador was what way he was to

went on
to

one point, namely, that Lord

a real difficulty in the case.
decisive.

Normanby

felt
is

continue his relations with the Fi-ench govern-

His language

ment.
say:

"I

am

perfectly aware," said his

"As

Our

foreign minister then

to approving or

condemning the
in dissolving the
for the

lordship in this despatch (which

abbreviate), " that it
is

we

here
of

step taken

by the president
it

beyond the sphere

assembly, I conceive

is

French

my

present duties to

make any remark upon

position.

nation and not for the British seci-etary of

state or for the British

the acts of your lordship, except in;ismuch as

ambassador to probut
if

they reflect

my own

But within

nounce judgment upon that event;

these limits I must, with due deference, be

your excellency wishes to

know my own

284
opinion on
tlie
is

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAKIES.

change
wliieli

has taken place

ment without

also referring in

some

degi'ee to

in France, it

that such a state of antagonism

the state of affairs which

now

exists
it

on the

had arisen between the president and the assembly that it was becoming every day
more
clear that their co-existence could not
it

continent of Europe.

I think

necessai'y to

make
that

this statement, because

I of

have been

necessarily led into an

avowal

my

opinions

be of long duration, and

seemed

to

me

we

could not properly or fairly express an

better for the interests of France,

and through

opinion here favourable to the conduct of the

president on the 2d of December.
it

them
vail,

for the interests of the rest of Europe,

I thought

that the power of the president should pre-

was not our part

to

do what we heard the

inasmuch as

the

continuance of
a
prospect of

his

Eussian and Austrian ministei-s had done

to
to
all

authority might afford

the

go at once and cougi'atulate the president on

maintenance of

social order in France,

whereiu the
vic-

what he
s.ay

h.ad done;

but then I

am bound

as the divisions of opinions

and parties

that the president of France, having

assembly appeared to betoken that their

tor}-

the means of information he has had, no

over the president would be the starting-

doubt has taken that course from a consideration of the state of France,

23oint for disastrous civil strife.

Whether
it

my

and that the course

Let

opinion was right or wrong,

seems to be

he has taken
fare of the

is

best fitted to ensure the wel-

shared by pereons interested in property in

France, as far at least as the great and sudden
i-ise

coiuitrj"-

over which he rules.

vie state that oi-er

wjain

that

while I do not
friend,

in the funds

and other investments

may

concur in the approbation of

I

my noble

be indications of increasing confidence

in the

have no reason to doubt, and everything I

improved prospects of
France.
I

intei-nal tranquillity in

have heard confirms that view, that in the

opinion of the president the putting an end to
the constitution, the anticipating the election
of 1852,

am,

&c.,

Palmerston."
Europe, in-

This last clause goes far to explain the view

of the " party of order" all over

and the

abolition of the pai-liamentary

all

cluding Lord John Eussell and Lord Palmerston.

constitution,

were

tending to the happiness

However, the premier went on

that though his colleague at

to re-

and welfare

of France.

But

I confess I have

mark

last,

after

seen with great regret the language which has

all this,

wrote to him, his explanation did

been used by a portion of the press of this

country with respect to the president.

not touch the point, which was not whether

the cabinet were pretty unanimous in their

He
is

has this advantage over his imcle, that he

perfectly

view of the policy of the prince-president, but

that the foreign minister had disregarded the
instructions of the queen

aware how much liberty we enjoy,

license of discussion prevails,

how much

and

and the wishes

of

that the most unmeasured invective of the

press does not implj"
either

the premier by acting on his

own

unfortified

any

feeling of hostility

or unguaranteed authority in a matter of the

on the part of the government or on the

very utmost national importance.

reluctance,

With much

part of the nation." This was not very favour-

and not without obtaining the

her Tnajesty to
dismiss

ably received by

many

honourable members,

concurrence of his colleagues, Lord John had

then
advised

and the premier concluded with an assurance

that England would continue to be the asylum
of political refugees,

her

foreign minister.

and a hope that what-

The matter was too grave to be wound up without some general statement, on the premier's part, of the feeling of the cabinet with

ever suffered, liberty would live and triumph.

This was, of course, followed by loud cheers,

in the midst of to give his

which Lord Palmerston rose

regard to the act of the prince-president, and

the face which the nation should show to

own account of the matter, and he opened by calling Sir Benjamin Hall his
"honourable friend," while he spoke of the

France.

The

conclusion

of

the

premiei-'s

speech was not in his happiest manner, and

premier simply as "the noble lord."

the word

In the

he carefully repeated one sentence.

impossible for

"It

is

course of his speech he did, however, apply

'"

me

to

make the

present state-

friend " to the latter, though he

PALMEESTON AND
withdrew it and substituted the words " noble lord." The speech of Lord
after a pause

SIR

BENJAMIN HALL.
Mr.
Disraeli

285

made

the speech of the sitting

taking
was too

his address simply as

a speech;
;

it

Palmei-ston added nothing to the facts which

significant to be omitted here

and we

the premier had already laid before the house.

shall see that

on the subject of reform as well

He

denied having used the exact words

attri-

as that of the constitutional place of the sove-

buted to him by M. Walewski ; stated that the

premier, with other

reign

he

maintained

his

usual

language.

members

of the cabinet,

had on the instant expressed the same opinion iif the event of the 2d of December as he had himself done; urged that an Englishman was not " the mute of a pasha " just because
he was a cabinet minister; and that in any
case the
jiosed to

Condemning the foreign policy of the government under Lord John Russell, he said that
the dismission of Lord Palmerston removed
the only

man who was competent

"I

to continue

that policy.

must make one observation,"

contined Mr. Disraeli, " on the speech of the

first

French minister could not be supgo begging for English confirmation

minister.

The noble
his

lord,

eminent in

many respects, is eminent for his constitutional

knowledge

or sanction of his master's acts.

Lord Palmer-

for

acquaintance with the

wound up his speech by maintaining that he had in no way disregarded the instructions
ston
of the sovereign, or
tional,

spirit of the constitution,

but I cannot

recol-

lect

any analogous occasion on which the name

done anything unconstituleft

of the sovereign

and that he had

our foreign

aflairs

duced.
of

in a It
in

most satisfactory condition.

had been so frequently introWhatever was done at the command the sovereign was at least done on the reI

may be remarked

in passing that although

sponsibility of the noble lord.

theory the government of France could not

"As
creased,

am
was

one who never voted for the

in-

be supposed to wait for nod or beck from England, yet

in

motion that the power of the crown had

increasing,

fact

Louis Napoleon was

and ought

to

be

greedily anxious for the least sign of ap-

diminished ; as I should be willing to maintain

the converse of that proposition
;

proval from us.

His

I'eputation

was not
his im-

as I think

that of an honest or a moral

man;

one of the

gi-eat

misfortunes of our time, one

mediate "creatures" and friends were much

disliked
;

of the circumstances
liberty, is that

most injurious

to public

and

it

was plain

to every one that

the power of the crown is

the act of the 2d of December was a step

diminished

mn

not one to look \oith un-

towards his assuming the purple. LTnder these

circumstances Lord Palmerston certainly did

necessary jealousy on the assertion of the prerogative of the crown.

But the noble

lord

is

a most unwise thing, however

much
;

of the

an eminent representative of a
character.

political

party

and the set wind was now abundantly shown by the somewhat eager manner in which he apoloof the

blame his colleagues must share

which has adopted opinions of a very

different

The noble

lord

is

a member of that

party which introduced, to our disgrace, that

resolution on the jom'nals of this house
certainly I
;

gized for his reception of the Radical deputations

and
on

from Finsbuiy.

am

astonished at the noble

loi'd

In the debate that followed, Lord Dudley

Stuart, the

an occasion
to

like the present,

when he seems

now half -forgotten friend

of Polish

me I

suppose unintentionally

to

have

and other insurrectionists, made a condemnatoiy speech, and Mr. Eoebuck one stronger
still.

shifted

from himself the responsibility which

firet

he should be the

to adopt for himself."

He

said the

government was a mere

" of the cabi-

There

is

not the slightest difference between

family party, fond of meddling and peddling,

this language, the language of

Mr.

Disraeli's

and that though " the right arm

net was
cluded,

books, and the course he pursued

self

when he himto the

now

gone, they were

all,

premier

in-

was premier, with regard

crown as an element

power

dealing

unguardedly with

France,

of the

of constitutional

from

whom

almost eveiy danger was to be

balance.

apprehended,

now that it was ruled by "a man

The Palmerston question having been

settled, to the great disgust of

so far

whom no

sanction could laold to his bond."

many quidnuncs.


i;S6

GliADSTONE

AND

HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.
people, old

who

expected wonderful disclosures, the house

and young,

for
;

whose enjoyment the

passed to other matters.

Bat there never was

parks are maintained

and your iron hurdles

any strong expectation abroad in the country as to the new Reform and Militia Bills, and it was on the
revenge.
latter that

would turn the

people

pai-ks into so

many

Sniithfields

and entirely prevent that enjoyment.

As

to

Palmerston had his

making paths
hay-fields
it

across the gras,

what

does that signify?

pa.ssiug

If the parks

were to be

Before

onwards to other topics

it

deemed
the hay

might be

necessai-y to

belonging to the session

to

will be convenient

prevent people from stopping the growth of

make a

slight attempt to

show Palmerston
to

by walking over the

grass; but as

tlie

in his true light.

His conduct in the matter

parks must be deemed places for public enjoyment, the purpose for which the pai-ks are kept

of the co^tp d'etat

was displeasing not only

the queen and the premier, but also to the

majority of the English people. But

we could
to

up is marred and defeated when the use of them is confined to a number of straight gi-avel
walks.
fic,

hardly expect a

man

like

Lord Palmerston

When I see the grass worn by foot trafit

do anything but
tantly on
of

rejoice (even

though reluc-

I look on
its

as a proof that the

park has anits

some

gi-ounds) at the suppression

swered

purpose, and has done

duty by

an

ill-soldered

republic such as that of

the health, amusement, and enjoyment of the

people.

France in those days.

What

he wanted was

In the college courts

fined half-a-crowu
is

of

Cambridge a
over the

peace and a revival of trade for us and for

othei-3,

man

is

who walks

and he knew that

for such purposes a

first

grass plots, but that

followed.
Sir

not a precedent to be

strong government

was the
all

necessity.

Yours

sincerely,

Palmerstox."
recalcitrant, his

Without approving
did
tlien,

that Louis Napoleon

Benjamin Hall proving

he might very well be glad

when

it

superior took

him up again
:

was made
and
rule.

clear that he could gi-asp the reins

was

still

stronger

" My dear Hall, I

in a letter

which
have

Nor did

he, except in a matter of

been much surprised this morning at seeing

a party of labourere employed in trenching a
l;u"ge piece of

form, go farther than his colleagues.

Palmerston was a
sympathies,
one.
tion,

man

of genuine popuLar

the Green Park.

As head

of

who

did not like to offend any

the government, I have a right to expect that

essential alterations should not

He was
and

fond of science, studied sanita-

be made in the

it is

known on

the highest author-

spaces allotted for the enjoyment and recreation of the public without tion

ity

took

a real interest in the condition of

my

previous sanc-

the poor.

But he was au

aristocrat,

and he

and concurrence, and I entirely disapprove

had no enthusiasm, or
has gone before
to

faith in principles.
to

of the i-estrictions

which you are imposing

of the

most amusing and instructive pendent

is

what

upon the

free

enjoyment

Green Park

be found in a passage at

and Hyde Park by the

tnist that j-ou

public.

Your

iron

arms between
Hall,

his lordship

and Sir Benjamin

hurdles are an intolerable nuisance, and I

.

when

the latter had been

made

chief

commissioner of works by the former,

who

To

cut

mean shoi-tly to remove them. up the Green Park into inclosed shrubto

was premier.
the Gi-eeu

Sir

Benjamin Hall took upon

beries

and plantations would be materially

himself to inclose the grass in

Park.

Hyde Park and Lord Palmerston, who

:

interfere with the

enjoyment and free recrea-

tion of the public;

and

must

positively for-

always had his eyes and wits about him, took

his

bid the prosecution of any such scheme.

As

subordinate

up pretty sharply

" My
You

head of the government

I should

be held by

dear Hall," wrote his lordship, " I cannot

agree with you as to the principle on which
the grass in the park should be treated.

the j5ublic to have authorized these arrange-

ments, and I do not choose to be responsible

for things
cerely,

which I disapprove.
three
points

Yours
out

sin-

seem to think
people walks.

it

a thing to be looked at by

Palmerston."
or
here.

who
freely

are to be confined to the gi-avel

it

Two
clearly

come
"Sir
sort

very

I regard

as a thing to be

walked

First,

that

Menenius
of

upon

and without restraint by the

Agrippa" was a curious

people's

ALLEGED REASONS FOE PALMEESTON'S DISMISSAL.

man;
secondly, tliat Palmerston, though an

237

whomamtained not
by Russian roubles

only that Palmereton was

aristocrat of blue blood

and

in sj-iupathy with

favourable to Eussia, but that he w;xs bribed

to favour her policy while
it.

emperors and kings so long as they ruled

and kept the peace, liked to

plain that

see the people

pretending to counteract

This state of

happy, and took pains in their behalf; thirdly,

it is

things did not escape the eye of the greatest

philosophical humourist of the century.
his

Lord Palmerston was a premier

of being

In

who was as fond

or the Duke.

minded
is

as

Lord John

Snob Pa/jcrs Thackeray introduces the

iwlitical."

The episode

so interesting as
it

"snob

Whether

it

was a

portrait-

giving a side-view of his character that

well be introduced in this place.

may

cax-icature does not

now

matter, and the type

was not uncommon

is

in those days.

At

this distance of time,

it

difficult to
is

"He
.stant
is

it is,"

wrote Thackeray,

"who

expects

imagine the excitement produced in what

called "society"

a French

fleet in

the Thames, and has a con-

and the public generally by

eye upon the American president.

sa3's

Jt

the dismissal of a foreign minister in

there was so

whom

he who

that Lord Aberdeen ought to

much

confidence.

AVhen Lady

be impeached and Lord Palmerston hanged,

or vice versa.

Palmerston said that Lord John had now

Lord Palmerston's being

sold

"got rid of

all

the brains in his cabinet" she

to Eussia, the exact

number

of roubles paid,

only repeated what most people thought, and over and above the question of intelligence,
it

seems clear that Palmerston had a great horror of cruelty.

by what house in the City, is a favourite theme with this kind of snob. I once overheard him it was Captain Spitfire, E.N.

As we have

seen,

some expresdecisive.

(who had been refused a ship by the Whigs,

sions in his letters

and despatches are

"The Austrians name

are really the gi-eatest brutes

by the way ), indulging in the following convereation with Mr. Minns after dinner.
"
'

that ever called themselves

of civilized

by the undeserved
the
in

Why wasn't
shoit;.

the Princess Scragamoffsky at

party,

men."

He condemned
Perkins's

Lady Palmerston's
she can't

Minns 1

Because

conduct of Barclay and

men

And
tell

w-liy can't

she show?

beating Haynau, but added that they "ought

to

Shall I

tell

yon, Minns,

why
it's

she can't show?

is

have tossed him in a blanket, rolled him

The Princess Scragamoffsy's back

alive,

flayed

in the kennel, to his hotel."

and then paid

his fare in a cab

Minns.
last,

you

raw, sir!

On

And we must

bear in mind

Tuesday

at twelve o'clock, three di'um-

that at the very hour of which

we

ai-e

now

mers of the Preobajiuski regiment arrived at

writing Austria was showing no signs of an

impi'oved tone in her ideas of political discipline.

Ashburnham House, and

in the yellow

at half-past twelve,

drawing-room at the Eussian

In a

list

of sentences just passed

upon

embassy, before the ambassadress and four

ladies'-maids, the

political

offenders

the

Vienna Gazette con-

tained this horrible paragraph:

"Eva Demand
suffer

Greek papa and the

secre-

tary of embassy,

Madame

de Scragamoffsky

melhart, for using inflammatory language, to

receive twenty blows with a rod

received thirteen dozen.

sir,

She was knouted,

knouted

in

the midst of England

in

eight days'

imprisonment, sharpened

with

Berkeley Square, for having said that the

two

fasts

upon bread and water."

publication contained sentences

Grand Duchess
now,
sir,

Olga's hair

was

red.

And

The same

you

will tell

me Lord

Palmerston

upon four-and-twenty journeymen tobaccomakere, punished for agreeing

selves not to

ought to continue minister?'"

work

to strike,

among themin fact. They

At

all

events, Palmerston's

own account
led to
it,

of

his dismissal, or rather of

what
letter

was

were to be imprisoned in irons for various

periods pf from fourteen to twenty-five days,

plainly

enough stated in a

which

is

now

pubhc property.
dismissal," said

and

fast twice

a week.
all this,

"The real gi-ound of my he, "was a weak truckling to

In the midst of
a party of
of

however, there was

the hostile intrigues of the Orleans family

Austria, Eussia, Saxony, and Bavaria, and in

politicians,

headed by writers (one

them a Eussian and one an Englishman),

some degree

also

of

the present

Prussian

238
government.
respective

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

All these parties
foui^fl
tlieir

events of about this date was the dispute be-

views

and

systems

of

policy

tween the operative

engineei-s

and the masters

tlnvarted

by

the

coui-se

piu-siied

by the

already mentioned: the

men demanding, among

them notice

British government, and they thought that

if they could remove the minister they would change the policy. They had for a long time

other things, the abolition of jnece-work and

o verhoui-s, the mastere, after giving

that their

demands would be

resisted to the

past effectually poisoned

the
;

mind

of

the

utmost, closed their factories.

queen and prince against

Russell's giving

me and Lord John

Contemporaneously with the opening of the

parliamentary session the Poor-law Association got to work,
for,

way

rather encouraged than

discountenanced the desire of the queen to

and what

it

had been formed

remove me from the foreign

office."

and what

it

was at that time supposed

be 'gathered much
letter of

likely to accomplish, will

One

of the

most shocking events

of the

more pleasantly from a striking

Mr.

early part of this year

was the

bui-stiug of

Carlyle to the 'secretary (Mr. Archibald G.

the Bilbury Reservoir,

by which the neigh-

Stark) than from any prospectus-like details.

bourhood

of

Holmfirth, near Huddersfield,

The working
that

of tiie poor-laws

was a subject

was inundated. In the valley of the Holme numbers of mills were swept away. "Whole ranks of cottages went down like cardboard before the rush of the water. A hundred
pei'sons

came

just

now

into great prominence in

connection with the strikes or lock-outs in

the iron trade.
chester school
its trial "
;

The whole

creed of the "

Man-

seemed about to be put upon

were drowned, and many more hun-

afresh

and certainly Mr. Carlyle was

it

dreds thrown out of employment.

voir

The

reser-

of opinion that

had been constructed in 1S38,

for the

ought to be. " It gives me he WTote, " to undei'stand much pleasure,"

purpose of providing a continuous and steady

supply of water to the mills in the valley; but
in the year

that the Poor-law Association has actuaUy got

in motion,

and determines
t/ie

to proceed strenu-

1846 the commission intrusted

ously towards
the

ijrand object of having all

set to

with the care of the reservoir became bank-

paupers of Great Britain

employment.
of

and though the engineei-s and managers had declared that it was impossible the reserrupt,

Till

some veritably wise and human mode

paupers
attained, or, at least,

dealing with that frightful, ever-increasing

class called
is is

voir should be
lining, the

made safe without a puddle puddling was never done. It was

zealously endeavoured after

by the govern-

given in evidence on the corouei-'s inquest

ment and community,

can only consider

upon the dead bodies that the catastiophe might have been prevented if the waste-pit
had been
in

English society as in,a state of low continual

smoke; every day bringing

oi flame

it

nearer the state

into

proper order and had been lowered

level of

and utter conflagration

all

which we

below the

the embankment, which

!

have seen

other Eru'opean societies already

!

could have been done for 12, lOs.

go in a very tragic manner

of in of

One thing may

closest

The catastrophe took place on the 4th February. At an inquiry which was held the locality evidence was given that one
for six years,

be asserted without
the market, and fair
battle

risk,

and has the

reference to this matter.

If free bargain in

up and down wi-estle and

the commissionei'S had Lived near the reservoir

between employer and employed be the

knowing

all

the while that leak-

rule of labour (which I

it

am

far

from believing

ages were taking place, and that the danger

capable of being, except for a very limited

was extreme.
relief

Subscriptions poured in for the

at such a rate as to

time
still

and
more,

in
if

very peculiar circumstances);

of the sufferei-s

new and

infinitely

more huma.i

reach scores of thousands of pounds in a few

days.

arrangements
ployed are
as

between employers and em-

The Queen and Priuce Albert headed

the fund with a contribution of 150.

as all men begin to surmise, and many men have long foreseenan indis-

pensable necessity for labour, in England as

One

of the

most irritating of the domestic

elsewhere, then, clearly, I say, in either case.

LORD JOHN EUSSELL'S PROPOSED REFORM

the first

BILL.

289

condition of fair-play

is

that

all

united, and others

augmented by the annexaAll citizens

jumpers he quite eliminated from the controversi/,

tion of neighbouring districts.

and

carried clear axcay

from

it,

out of
its

paying 2 annually in assessed taxes to have

votes,

the labour market,

and

its

wrestles and

but in this provision payments for

struggles."

licenses

were not to be taken into account.

qualification for

The property
The iutroductiou
^Monday the
9tli of
liy

membera was
was
invidi-

Lord John Russell on

Bill

to

be abolished

most desirable improveit

February, 1S52, of the

ment, because the law as

ous on the face of
aggressive
tists,
it,

stood

mueli-talked-of

new Reform
of

was preceded

a perpetual topic of
"

by an unpleasantly had
that
just received

droll incident.

The speak er
that he

comment among Radicals and Charto the "

announced to the House

magistrate at

Commons

and a temptation
"

manufacture

from Mr. Henry, the chief

Street, a
letter stating

of qualifications

by processes not honest.

of

The

Bow

words
to

on the true faith

a Christian " were

Mr. Feargus O'Connor, member

for Not-

be omitted in the case of Jews presenting

tingliam,

had been committed

to the house of

themselves for the purpose of taking their

seats.

correction for ten days for assaulting a gen-

The anti-papal adjuration was

this
bill

also to

tleman at the Lyceum Theatre.

Lord John,

in his speech, laid

down

the

the Ecclesiastical Titles withstanding! a feature in

be omitted gave
rise to

Bill not-

which

obvious principle that the object of this

Ijill,

new

much merriment
Albans

at the noble

like that of the old

one of 1831, was good

lord's expense. St.

to be disfranchised.

government.

He

remarked that he thought

too high

Parliamentary commissions to inquire into

the facts before boroughs were disfranchised for " corruption." Fictitious votes to be abolished as in Scotland,

the franchise of

10 had been placed

in 1831, but that this wa-s not a badly devised

prudential measure.

Now, however,

that

it

by requiring the tene-

had been proved that the constitution was

safe,

ment
voter.

to

be in the actual possession of the

and that the education and

intelligence
it

There was to be a separate reform

of the people

had greatly increased,

was

bill for L-eland.

time to propose an extension of the right of

voting.

This scheme was received in the quiet way

He

urged that

it

was a happy

cir-

which

befitted such a milk-and-water

all

afllair.

cumstance that this new measure of reform

in the representation of the people
liecu forced

Mr. Hume, Mr. Bright, and

the advanced

had not
;

guard took the ground that as half a loaf was

better than no bread the Radicals should helj)
to pass the measure,

on by clamour or agitation

and

he Avent on, amid general applause,

to express

but they

all

demanded

an earnest hope that

cation.

it

would be followed
of popular edu-

vote

by

ballot (Mr. Bright speaking for the

by a comprehensive scheme

artisan class in towns)

and short parliaments.

for Inverness-shire, atin

Mr.
propositions of the bill

Baillie,

member

The leading

introduced by the premier in this quiet

now way
it is

tacked

the measure

the true spirit of

Scottish thoroughness, not only complaining

of the retention of septennial parliaments,

may

be stated in small compass.

But

but

Avorth noting that

Lord John Russell avowed

of the disregard of Scotland in the proposed

his intention to preserve " the existing balance

redistribution of voting power.

Mr. Roche

of interests" in the country,

and that one

of

spoke for Ireland

in

the same

spirit.
bill,

Nobody
which Sir

the reasons he gave was the fear of a violent

opposition in the
of Lords to any more The borough franchise of be reduced to o. The 50 tenant-

seemed to care much about the

House

John

Tyrrell

bluntly declared ought to be

radical proposals.

intituled a bill for the continuance of her

10
to

w;us to

majesty's present ministers in

office.

at-will franchise in the counties to

be reduced

The premier having announced

day but one
of the

his intention

20 down to
sions.

this

bringing the Chandos clause

of getting the second reading fixed for the last

two-fifths of its then existing dimenCei-tain small

month, Mr. Disraeli com40

boroughs were to be

plained that this gave far too brief an interval

Vol. IL

290

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

" First
to con-

for the consideration of the measure.

of all," said that gentleman, "
sider

gentlemen dared not

peel's

stir

out uuanned. Several

we have

attributed the agrarian murders to the

It

whether such a scheme is wanted at all. would be a bad thing if it were understood

that any minister could bid for continu.ince

in

The Lansdowne declined to pledge the government to any special measures of reefforts of

the Tenant-right Leaguers.

Marquis

of

power by simply
''

iiulling

a new reform

bill

pi-essiou.

out of his pocket."

Disraeli,

" It is nonsense," said ;Mr.

to talk of pledging one's self to the

;

The Manchester and

Salford

Education

principle of a bill like this

detail,

the scheme

is all

and by
was,

its details it
lie

must be judged."

Scheme Bill had been brought in as a private bill. Mr. Brotherton a gentleman who was

Finally he declared that

and now
chise;

had cdioays been, in favour of an industrial franif

known

as

"the night-cap of the House

of

Commons," because he was always endeavouring to close the debates

eai-ly

but he doubted

the r> clause would

repi'esentatiou of

moved

the

act in that sense

upon the

second reading.

Upon
it

this

Mr. Gladstone
to

the country.

maintained that
all

was not only contrary

bill

precedent, but contrary' to justice and public

Ireland and her difficulties came before the

policy, to pass as

a private

a measure of

parliament early in the session. Mr. Sharman

that kind, which really affecte.d the whole

Crawford moved for leave to bring in a

for the better regulating

bill

kingdom.

" It is," said

Mr. Gladstone, "

bill."

as

and securing

of the

great an anomaly to propose a local education

bill as to

Ulster tenant right; to limit the power of

eviction in certain cases
;

propose a local reform

'Mr.

and to secure com-

Bright, Mr.

MUner

Gibson, Mr. Fox, and Jlr.

pensation to improving tenants

who might not

Hume
delay,

concurred in a.sking, at aU events, for

claim under the custom.

Mr. Henry Grattan

and delay was granted.

of committees

The appoint-

maintained that

all

the evils under which

ment

on the income-tax and on

Ireland suffered were due to absenteeism, and

the unsavoury preserved meats question, and

a discussion about the outrage committed

he proposed
the

to sell liy auction the estates of of

by

Marquis

Lansdowne, the Duke of

of Devonshire,
!

an Austrian

officer

on Mr. Mather at Florence

Buckingham, the Duke

Fitzwilliam,

Lord

the latter discussion in the House of

Lords

and

Lord Palmerston

Mr.

occupied

time to small

pui-pose.

Lord

Osborne and Mr.

Hume

both of them de-

Granville was only able to state that no explanation had been oflFered

nounced " communistic " changes, but allowed

that some alteration in the law

by the Austrian

Lord John Eussell stated

sent
ject,

was desirable. that Mr. Bright had

on this sub-

government.

MeanwhUe

the French journals

were maintaining that the dismissal of Palmerston,

him a

series of propositions

whatever the pretext, was really due

to

but that the Irish privy-council did not

the influence of a collective note addressed to

think tliem available. It seemed to the premier

that almost any measure of the kind would
at this time be in
Ireland.

the British government by the cabinets of

Austria, Prussia, and Eussia, complaining that

made the
Mr.

pretext for agitation

the security which foreign refugees enjoyed

in this country

Mr. Bright declared that he

Crawford's
bill,

and the absence of any check

should

support

and

from English authorities was practically an

offence to foreign nations, against

charged the government with "backing out

of the difficulty."

whom

they

"The

real question was," cats

plotted in jjeace;

Palmerston
now

was taunted
political

said

Mr. Bright, " Should

mice?"

The disturbed

state of Ireland
of Lords.

make laws for was

Lord

with certain expressions of his in 1848, in

which he had taken, on a question of

asylum, a view which he

also a topic in the

House

practically dis-

Eoden

said that no conviction could be ob-

avowed.
Wliile the French journalists were attempting to enlighten ns on our
ugl}'

tained even against murderers

who murdered
by
a

in open day, for they were "shielded

own

affairs,

.-ui

confederacy of the whole population," while

event had taken place in Spain.

THE WHIG MILITIA

renegade priest named Merino attempted to
size,

BILL.

291
prayers for the dying and
priests,

repeating

murder Queen

Isabella.

As

she was piissing

accompanied by the
children are on

flambeaux are

along a corridor which led from a chapel attached to the palace in Madrid to her

burning in the balconies, and men, women, and

theii-

room, Merino, in
before her as
if

priest's gai-b,

knelt

to present a petition.

own down The

knees in the streets praythe place of execution

ing for his soul.

there
is
is

At

no indecent mirth; when the prisoner

queen,

who had

her newly-born baby in one

on the platform, and the instrument ad-

arm,

jnit

out the other to receive the petition,

little .above

justed, every liead is uncovered,

of all

and the

lips

when

the ruffian stabbed her a

the

move

in prayer.

groin with such violence that the dagger passed

through her robes of velvet, stays, and other

underclothing to a depth of three inches. She
cried out, but
still

On Monday,
premier. Lord

the

16th of Febni.ary, the

Eussell,

John

moved

that the

kept the child, and Merino

attend.ants just as he

house should resolve

itself into

a committee

was seized by the

fainted,

was

on the Local Militia Acts.

couree, agreed to,

This being, of

aiming a second blow.

The queen

at last

he went on to state what

in re-

and was

ill

for a

few days, but soon

were the proposals of the government

lation to this subject.

recovered both from the

wound and the shock.

Not many good things are on record concerning Queen Isabella but the people admired
;

with
for

Lord John went back to the year 1848 its alarms, and referred to many reasons

her courage and her brave caie for the child,

some uneasiness about our national de-

whoever was

its

father.

They were

pretty

fences.
felt,

He

referred also to the objections

well enlightened upon that point; but the

utter brutality of this attack

upon a woman

by Whig and Tory alike, to large military establishments, and then proceeded to
expound
his

who had

just undergone the great trial of her

sex aroused universal indignation.

The man

respect to the ofiicers,

own scheme at length. "With we propose that twoby the

lord-lieu-

escaped being torn in pieces by the people,

thirds should be appointed

but died under the garota in due time.

He

tenant; and one field-ofiicer and one-third of

behaved with extreme insolence and perfect

composure to the
.stantly
last.

the captains

by the crown,

so that the regi-

attended him.

Two clergymen conHe said to one of them

some
for
.sent

ments may have the benefit of the experience

of h.alf-pay
ofiicei's

available for this purpose,

assisting the

who

offered to confess him, " I thought

and who must be of great use in

officers

honest friar would have been

that purpose.
to

to

me

appointed by the lord-lieutenant.

We

As

to you, I

know you

too well

propose that the lord-Heutenant .should not

have confidence in

youi- ministry.

You

are

be bound by the restriction of qualification, but that he should name any person he
think
fit,

as great a reprobate as I

am

myself.

Your

may

conduct

is

well

known

to

me.

Begone!"

of course

with the approbation of

Merino

at first quietly listened to the second

the crovm as formerly, but without the re-

ecclesiastic,

but when the

latter spoke to

him

quirement
certain

tliat

they should be possessed of a

of

of hell .and his crime he suddenly stopped him,

s,aying, "

amount

landed property.
the gentlemen of

It

is

Let us not talk of such nonsense.

very

desii\able

that

the

You no more believe in hell than I do. Leave me quiet, I can dispense with your sermons."
The mode
of execution

county should take the

militia,

command

of the local

but we believe that that would be

was instantaneous

the case without this qualification being im-

death, the sudden compression of the garota

posed in the

act.

WTien the
and

original mUitia
gi-eat

squeezing the neck quite

flat.

The moment
considered as

Laws were framed there was a very

jealousy of the crown

man

is

doomed

in

Spain he

is

of encroachments
if

already belonging to another world, and reg.arded almost with awe.

all

upon
there
it

liberty,

and

it

was supposed that

He

is

attended

by

was a

limitation to persons of property

secui-ity against
;

the consolations of his religion, and as he

woidd form a

any attempt

passes through the streets

on a mule of low

of the

crown in that respect

but our liber-

292
ties are

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

now
so firmly secured
is

that of

all

dangers there

none

less

than that of an

attempt by the crown, by means of a standing

Then the Irish membei-s wanted Ireland was excluded from the measure. Mr. Hume cut up the whole scheme
dead
silence.

to

know why

army, to suppress our

to the

liberty.

With regard
all

men, we propose some alteration from

and branch. " I have lived long enough and seen enough of these matters to know
root
(said he) "that the best

'

the former plan, according to which

men

way

of increasing our

between 18 and 30 years of age were subThat was a considerable jected to the ballot.

military forces

is

to increase our standing army.

It is unjust to take people

away from

their

number

of years

and the process

of sending

regular employments
fact a conscription,

round to each householder and requiring a

by a process which is in and which would prove a

number of persons in his house between those ages was a long and complireturn of the
cated process.

serious

burden on the working-classes.

Why

should

we waut

to increase
is

our military re-

"We propose, for the

first

year,

soui-ces just

now? France
it is

weaker than she

to enter
?

that the ages at which persons should be

subject to ballot for the local militia should

ever was, and

peace.

her interest to keep the

Are the government about

the Channel
fleet,

be from 20 to 23, and in subsequent years

that they should be only persons of the ages
of 20 to 21.

upon some new unholy holy-alliance

Call

home
But

which

is

now roaming
safe.

It is supposed that the former

over the face of the earth, and we_ shall be

if

provision (from 20 to 23), taking one-fifth as

this bill passes, I shall

move

that every

the

number

to

be balloted

for,

would give a

man
vote."

drafted into the militia shall have a

force of about 80,000

men, and that in subseIn pro-

quent years the number woidd (from 20 to

21)

This was the substance of Mr.

amount

to

an average

of 30,000.
it

speech, which laid, besides, great stress

Hume's upon

curing these

men

I think

would not be

the violation of "the principle of division of

labour."

necessary to adopt the means taken formerly.

I believe that, with the assistance of the census of last year,
of persons in

He
now

had

clearly not entertained the yet.

idea of a citizen

army

Colonel Sibthorp,

we should know

the

number

who

is

forgotten, but

each county and union

who
it

the very familiar " Mr.

who was then Merryman " of the

absurdities were

would be would be
however,

liable to take the ballot,

sufficient to require all

and that

house and a standing figure in caricatures,

a

such persons
;

man

on

whom

all sorts of

to present themselves
is

on a certain day

that,

fathered, got

up and
Mr.

said right out that he

bill,

part of the machinery of the bill

should not tolerate the

ministei-s
!

and he despised
the

which requires great consideration."

Hume

having called

The county

authorities were to be present

when

the

men were
:

balloted for

there was to
if

army "a hotbed of immorality," Sir H.Vei-ney made an angiy speech in defence of it, maintaining that in
collect
all

be a reserve force
a sufiicient

there would be no ballot

of

the world you could not

moi'e

number
;

men between

18 and

together

honourable,

well-

30 volunteered

volunteers would have the

less

behaved, and scrupulously moral set of

men

advantage of serving for one year

tlie

thau
is

than a regiment of British soldiers

men who were

taken by

lot,

that
;

to

say, for three years instead of four

the drill

school speech.
(said he)
''

Mr. Cobden made a strong ManchesterIn thirty -seven years we have

scandalously voted
"

was The

to be for twenty-eight days in the year.

local raiUtia

250,000,000
last

when

called out

were

to

have

for the

navy alone; during the

ten years

the same pay and allowances as the general

militia,

i'24,000,000.

and

be, like

them, under the Mutiny

asked.

And where are "Why, in the Tagus,

the ships? he
in the

Medi-

Act.

The expense

of all this the noble lord

terranean, on the coast of Africa, in the East

estimated at 200,000.

and West Indies, among the South Sea

ands."
If there

Isl-

In spite of the inspiriting nature of the

topic of our national defences, not a single

was any fear

of invasion,

why

were not our ships ordered home?

I

"Now

cheer greeted this speech.

It

was

closed in

must

say," continued

Mr. Cobden, striking

THE MILITIA BILL HUME COBDENPALMERSTON.

liome,

293

"the noble

lord,

iu

the

speech he

delivered this night, and iu the arguments he

used, has put himself very

any attack from the French people." Mr. Cobden then proceeded to deal with a suggestion in the United Service Gazette:

much

in

antagonism

"What

with -what he told us the other day at the

we have
is

to dread, said a military authority,

opening of j^arliament.

The noble

lord on

not an invasion, but a hostile descent,

that occasion informed us that the newspaper

press of this country

throwing on some part of our coast a force of

10,000 or 12,000

had taken

gi-eat liberties

men, who, although not

with the president of France; but that that

strong enough to occupy the country, might

gentleman had lived in England, that he knew

the habits of this counti'v, that he
press

do irreparable mischief before they were subdued.

knew

the

A buccaneering expedition might even

its

was

free,
it

and that though

it

might be

make

licentious

was not

to be taken for gi-auted

way into the Thames and demand a Canton ransom from the metropolis of the
world."

that

what the

press said of the president of

" Now this," continued Mr. Cobden,

France was the opinion of the English people.

"

is

a very grave and serious matter.

first

But
on

in

Xow, without offering a word of objection to what the noble lord said with regard to the
press of this country, I

the

place I take exception to

it is

it

this

ground

a libel on the French army.

must say I think he

don't believe

you could

find a

French

officer

has contrived to take up a position which,

while
it is

to undertake a buccaneering expedition of this

ten times more menacing to France

kind without a declaration of war and

;

if

you

than anything the newspapers can say, has

not the excuse that he
is

did, then the expedition

would be an

act of

not speaking in the

piracy.

If

it

be too high an appeal to make to

to supis

name

of the English people; for if

you agree

French morality and French honour

to this proposal to organize a militia of 80,000

pose they would not act in this way, there

stiU this appeal

men to
1:20,000

up this force with an elastic organization which may become 110,000 or

set

that they will be pirates.

am

told one of the objects of such

an invasion

men

say then the noble lord will

press of this country,
lecture, to

do

far

more than the

would be to avenge Waterloo, but how could it avenge that defeat if they only came over
here to be hanged
will
?

which he took on himself to

put us

Again, I

am

told they

iu a state of antagonism with

people.

the French
called on

bum

om- ships iu Liverpool and Bristol.

But the noble

this, failed to

lord,

when he

If they did, they

would not burn English would burn American,

flag in the

us to do

give one proof that

what

ships only, but they

he

.said at

the opening of parliament, and that

declai-ed,

Dutchmen
act,

vessels

under every

which the speech from the throne

world, and the nation that warranted such an

was not

true,

and that

his assertions as to the

and the government that permitted

last

it,

pacific intentions of the

French government

would be hunted at
ocean by
all

from the face of the

These are the most

were unfounded,
the noble lord

he failed to show that what

leads the opposition iu

the ships of every maritime

who

nation of the earth.

serious arguments I

the other house stated

was unfounded on the

have met with for the

same point; he had not done a single thing to show that what the noble loi'd the memlier

increase of our defensive armaments.

Now,

I have no belief in anything of the kind."

for Tiverton said

was wrong, when he

Neither the premier, nor Mr.

Hume, nor

ileclared

he had

left
all

us in relations of amity
the nations of the world.
in fact not

Mr. Cobden had

cussion.
ston.

hit the bull's-eye of the disfor

;ind security

with

That was reserved

Lord Palmer-

The noble lord had

shown the

He

claimed credit for having himself

statements were unfounded which

funds go up, as I fear they will go

to-mon-ow.
statement
1S48,

made the down

put forward proposals for strengthening our

national defences before 1848,

and insisted that

our

But, comparing the noble lord's

France was by no means the only country that

could attack us.
"

now with that which he made in we may find arguments to show why
is less

Om-

insular position

is

weakness as well as our strength, the Chanuel

is

there

danger at present than then of

narrow, and, as Lord

Howe

said,

'

the sea

294
is

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAKIES.

Contineutal nations are only

a wide place.'

no country in the world so

ill

defended.

The

approachable by
fortified,

known

roads,

which can be
;

regidar militia, too, raised in Great Britain

watched, and defended

is is

our great

extent of coast
the navy, that

open on every
as efficient as

side.
it

As

to

and Scotland, Ls liable to serve in the whole of the United Kingdom; and I am astonished
that in a plan for the defence of the realm

had been.

But

it

navy.

would be madness to rely only on our Sir, it is perfectly impossible for any

Ireland should be left without the in-otection

said to be essential for the defence of this

navy, however active, vigorous, and numerous,

to prevent altogether the landing of a hostile
force, when we consider the short interval between our own shores and those froln which an enemy might come, and whence an expe-

country.

The

local militia

can only be called

upon
land
ceive.

to serve in Great Britain,

is

and why

Ire-

not provided for I

am at
sir,

a loss to con-

Do

the government doubt the loyalty

?

of the Irish people

Why,
is

woidd idedge

dition

might

sail to

some spot

of our wide-

my

existence that there

not a

man

in Ire-

extending shores, and land in Ireland or any

less

land

who would be

called out,

and who had

not

guarded portion of the country.

it
is,

If it

be

taken the oath of allegiance,

lose his life rather

who would

necessary, as I think

that

we

should

than not defend his country

I have the

have a land

force, that

we

should have armed

against foreign invasion.

most

men

to resist ai-med men, for, as to fortifica-

complete confidence in the loyalty of the millions in Ireland.

tion, it is useless for us to

think of fortifying

am

persuaded they would

;

more than our arsenals and dockyards, and

such places of vital importance
fortification like

be true to the queen and to their oath

as to their courage, that
is

and

there

is

no

sufficiently well

brave

men
to

armed, organized,

known

to

need no mention from me.'

reliance shoidd be

disciplined,

and ready

meet an enemy.
find in the hearts
if

Having urged that our

on a regular and not a
to

That

is

the best fortification, and such a

local
all,

mUitia

if

we were

fortification

you will always

have any militia at

the late foreign

and arms
that

of Englishmen;

it

is

nece.ssaiy

secretary sat

down amidst
JIi-.

loud cheers, which

we should have armed men

to

meet the

could not have been reassui-iug to Lord

John

unfortunate possibility of an invasion

not the probability; and mind,
less
it.

I hope

and

his colleagues.

Sidney Herbert took

it

will be the

the same side.

to reply to

Sir George

Grey being put up

probable the more you are prepai-ed for

both speakei-s, and to Mr. Fox

Nothing

so

incapacity to resist,

much tempts as weakness and when to that is added

If
it

Maule (who had concurred), insisted that a local militia was an army of defence only,
while the general militia had always been on
the footing of the

enormous wealth and a great temptation for

political objects.

be necessary that this

army

in general.

Mr.
his

country should have a force capable of defending our homes against an invading army, and
of protecting us

Osborne

who

was now rapidly making

way

as a dashing debater

took Mr.

Cobden
said

from the incalculable

arise

cala-

to task.

"The honourable member had

mity which would

of

from the occupation

that he had great confidence in the morality of

any portion

of

our country, even for a

force,

the French army.

mouth, by an invading
.something like the

why

then, I say,
to of

army!
the

me

the best
so."

if

not the only possible

mode proposed seems mode

on,

The morahty of the French The morality of any army! Did honourable member derive his confidence
lately enacted ?

from the scenes

Was

it

from

doing

the successful fusillade on the Boulevards? or

Lord Palmei-ston went

cheei-s, to

amid ringing

from the execution done by the

artillery in

maintain that

it

was no hardship
Prussia,

other streets where the cannon was fired

by

for citizens to defend then- country, and referred

Frenchmen on Frenchmen
able

Did the honour-

to the examples set

by America,

and

member suppose
St.

that Generals Espinasse

Austria, while even in France the disbanded national guard

had been

partially reorganized.
is

Arnand would hesitate to attack this country when they had not hesitated to break
and
all

"Considering our enormous wealth, there

laws,

human and

divine,

and place

their

PALMEESTONS REVENGE.
owu
was
legislature

295

under airest!"

As

a matter

of tlie people has

been much disputed.

to

It

of course, however, the preparation of the bill

was strongly objected

sophers of
all legislative

agi-eed

to,

and the report ordered

for

by political johilothe school which maintains that

attempts to

Friday, Lord Palmerstou giving notice that

make

people moral,

he should

move, among other things^ the

which go beyond bare protection of personal rights, only

it

omission of the word "local."

make matters

woi-se;

and

The government was smartly attacked on

several points w.-ud
:

has been alleged against the working of this

fact that it simply led

for not having brought for-

measure as a matter of
to
tliis

some measure dealing

with savings-

result, that the

jiist

banks, for instance, and this brought out a

fond of drink

working-man who was took his wages straight to

promise of a

bill.

Mr. Slaney obtained from

the public-house and spent

them

off-hand, or

the govermuent a jiledge to appoint a com-

a good

])art of

them, in

lieu of can-ying his

mission to inquire into the law of partuei-ship,

money home

to his wife.

with an

ej'e specially to

the industiy and in-

vestments of the working-man.

tiu-ued

The debate
diffi-

We
It

now approach a
plain

small political

crisis.

mainly on the hindrances and

co-operative associations
liability.
.a

was

enough that the Whig hold

feeble,

of

culties of

and the

office

was very

but there was someall

need of a law of limited

citor-general introduced

The

soli-

thing ludicrous about the fact that while

bill for

the relief

the weekly newspapers of Saturday, the 21st

of February, 1852,

of suitoi-s in Chancery, proposing to abolish

were discussing the new

Bill,

50,000 a year in fees and 10.000 in

salaries.

Eeform
were
in print,

Bill

and the Militia

discussions,
to

ministers
all

In the House of Lords the Earl of Clancarty

out,

and the

which were

having
by a

previously aimounced his inletter to the lord-chancellor

had

appear side by side with the

tention

jiostscript

announcing the resignation.

On

presented himself at the table to be sworn,

bringing up the report on the Local Militia

but chiimed leave to omit the anti-Catholic

portion of the oath.
a discussion.
of muixiei's

Acts the premier announced the withdrawal

of

This led to nothing but

two

of the pi'ovisions of the

new

measure.

Lord Eoden moved for a return

Lord Palmerston at once pointed out that

these changes
sistent,

and muiderous attempts

in Ire-

made

the whole scheme incon-

land since 1849, and the Marquis of Lans-

and followed

lowne "had no objection"

uble

to lay this agi-ee-

his best vein of

document "on the

table."

Eeferring to

this up by a speech in what is called "British pluck." some of the objections, he said,

After an amusing squabble between Lord

"To

listen to these objections

one might sup-

Campbell and Loixl Brougham,

which

is

only

pose that Englishmen are cheats, that Scotch-

worth mentioning because

formed

such squabbles
debate,

men

are cowards, and

that

Irishmen are

frequent ei)isades of

the

traitors.

All the objections I ever heard are

County Courts Extension or Further Facilities

Bill passed

founded upon

practical

distrust

of

the

through committee.

people of these countries.

trary,

Sir, I,

on the con-

Mr. Headlam moved (in the House of Commons, of course) that the existing stamps "U receipts should be abolished, and that a unifoi-m pennj- stamp on checks and receipts
should be substituted.

am

disposed rather to confide in them.

trust your population to

But
If

if

you cannot

defend themselves j'ou must give them up.

you cannot trust Englishmen

to

come up
an

This w;is opposed by

to the defence of their country will not tnke

if

Scotchmen

the chancellor of the exchequer, and the motion

up arms and

fight against

negatived.

But the fact is worth recording. somewhat important act was printed at

invading army
to their queen
for
.a

if

Irishmen will not be true

and country

why,

let

us send

this date

the Sale of Beer Act, uudci- which

The
effect

Russian force at once.

Let us have an Let us hide

debts incun-ed for beer ''drunk on the pie-

Austrian garrison in London.

mises" ceased to be recoverable.

of this piece of legislation

our heads in shame and confusion, and confess

that England
is

upon the habits

no longer England, and that

296

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

For
all this

her people have no longer spirit to defeud

themselves, their homes, their families, and
their country.
I
Sir, that is

the country was to

sufi'er

by a

very serious waste of time.

In another week

not

my

opinion.

am

of opinion that

Englishmen are proud

to defend, that they

Lord Derby was prime minister, with Mr. Disraeli for chancellor of the exclierpier. Lord

of their country, tliat they are sensible of the

Malmesbury
at the

for foreign minister,

Mr. Henley
at the

value of

what they have

Board of Trade, Lord John Manners

are fidly determined to maintain their libertics, tliat

at the

Woods and
office,

Forests,

Mr. Walpole

they will not give

way

to an unrea-

home

sonable panic, or imagine dangers that do not

exist,

but that they

-will

be prepared deliber-

ately to

guard themselves against any daugei-s

that are sufficiently probable.

sir,

And

I say,

John Pakington at the colonial office. Sir Edward Sugden on the woolsack as Lord St. Leonards, and the Duke The of Northumberland at the admiralty. results of this change were some of them very
Sir

that

if

the government
if

to the people,

make the appeal they show them the dangers

arise, if

amusing.
cellor of

That Mr. Disraeli should be chanthe exchequer took

first,

away

people's

that

may

probably

they point out to

breath at
ing

but some literary men, claim-

them the value

of the stake they

have to de-

fend, I for one believe you will not find the

to be politicians, formed expectations which were ludicrous enough. To one of

English substitutes running away from their

colours, that

these cases
attention.

we

will for a

moment turn our

on knowledge"

Scotchmen wiU maintain their

character for courage, and that Irishmen will

The "repeal

of the taxes

not be found unworthy of the country to

which they belong."

was an object which had an association all to itself, and (part of a general scheme or tendency to put the screw on a ministry which

Lord John Russell followed

sarcastically suggesting that

this

by making

a determined attack upon his late colleague,

was bound
long) the
efi'orts

to

be squeezable

if it

meant

to live

he should bring

association just

now made
to interest.

great
Tlie

in a bill himself, ministers leaving

him

to do

to put its

power out

what he

pleased.

"If,"

said

the premier,

annual public meeting of this February was an immense success.

" the house should agree to the noble lord's

Mr. Milner Gibson

free-trader,

an
and

motion to omit the word

'local,' I shall

leave

unwavering and unflinching

one

him

to bring in a

bill,

and

shall feel at liberty

in."

who

took a special interest in this subject

to oppose it

when brought

The only

was

other noticeable feature in the debate, which

had been short and sharp, was a brief speech from Mr. Disraeli, in which he condemned

in the chair, and Mi-. Hume and Mr. Cobden both make powerful speeches, attacking the duty on advertisements, the stamp

duty on newspapers, and the excise duty on

paper. 1819,

Lord John Russell for being

resign.

so

much

in the

The preamble

to the

stamp act of

habit of threatening the house that he would

which plainly disclosed the gagging pur-

This

was

received

with

cheers.

pose of the promoters, was quoted, as well as

Lord Palmerston had been applauded to the echo. Sir Benjamin Hall advised ministers
to resign.

the opinions of continental "friends of order,"

who had openly

had not been
these taxes on

said

and written that

if

it

Mr.

Hume

rushed to the defence,

for the repressive influence of

but in vain.

The

late foreign secretary ob-

the circulation of

political
ill

tained a majority of 11 in a house of 261, and

knowledge England would have fared

the struggles of the last thirty years.

amid

Lord John immediately rose and declared

that he looked upon this as equivalent to a vote of want of confidence.

Among

the letters from distinguished

Lord Palmerston which he

Leigh

men one from Hunt and one from Douglas Jerrold

"Taxes on knowledge,"

made a mock-friendly

speech, in

were especially good.

expressed; his surprise that "ministers should

said the author of Rimini, "appear to

me very

think of resigning upon a mere temporary

like taxes for the prevention of finger-posts,

and incidental fadure

had had
his revenge.

of principle;" but

he

or for the better encouragement of 'erring

and straying

like lost sheep.'

Misdirections

EDWARD GEOFFREY STANLEY.

14" EARL OF

DERB^

Piemier 16?? .r.d 1858.1859 BOWEV "r FROM 5 FHOI05EAFH SV u I>

LAL- J-OWft.IJl:*BUKGK

LOSS OF THE "BIRKENHEAD."

may
it

297

be set up here and there ; but

how

could

ledge he will, I feel confident, cause at once

be anybody's interest in the long run to

the weird sisterhood to melt into thin

air,

and

give

wrong

iufoi-nuitiou

when everybody was

Partial knowledge,
so,

thas

let

the meeting take heart with the

cx)ncemed in going right !

indeed,
is

assui-ance

thus

will fade

and be dissolved
errand-boy's and

foolish

enough to do

but that

is

the penny news-tax

the

the very reason

why partial knowledge

shoidd

maid-of-all-work's tax,

and the tax on that

be displaced by knowledge all-completing and

univci-saJ."

innocent white thing, paper."

These sanguine hopes, founded on the mere

Doughis Jerrold
closely

engaged in

man who was more political life than Hunt

:

fact that

Mr.

Disraeli,

who had written novels,

of the

was now chanceOor

neai'ly ridiculous.

exchequer, are

may
lar

well be taken as representing the popu-

view of the question

is

"The tax on advertisements

upon the industry

a tax even

In

spite of all the usual talk

about constiit

of the very hardest workers.

tutional procedure in these cases

will be

Why should the exchequer waylay the errandboy and oppress the maid-of -all- work
fore should
I

admitted that the situation was curious.

The

Where-

Whig government,
tion,

presided over by Lord

Mary-Anne be made

to disburse

her eighteenpence at the stamp-office ere she can show her face in print wanting a pLice,

John Kussell, was beaten on a secondary quesand he resigned. He then, as it ai)peai-s,

advised the queen to send for the Earl of

although
created
spidei-s.

to

the discomfiture of the

the

fii-st-

Derby (Lord Stanley had succeeded

title

to the

chancellors of

exchequer

the
chan-

In conclusion, I must cougi"atulate

the meeting on the advent of the

lellor of the exchequer, the

new

by the death of his father in 1851), though it was not the earl's party who had beaten him, and it would have been
in

Eight Honourable

some

respects the regular course for

Lord Lord

Benjamin
letters.

Disraeli,

who

is

a successful

man

of

Palmei-ston to be sent for.

The

result of

He has

ink in his veins.

silvei'sticks

The

goose-

Derby's being placed in the position of pre-

quill

let

gold and

twinkle as

mier in

this fashion

they

mayleads

the House of

Commons.

take to govern

was that he had to underby a minority in the House of

actually appeal to the

Thus
give

I feel confident

that the literary in-

Commons, and he did

raeli, as

stincts of the right

honourable gentleman will

to the coldness of states-

" indulgence " of the house, though Mi-. Dis-

new animation

leader of

it,

denied that his chief in

manship, apt to be
1

numbed by

the tightness

the

other house had

made any appeal ad

if

red-tape.

We
is

are, I learn, early

taught to

misericordiam.
It will shortly be seen that the

tlespair of

the right honourable gentleman

new
all

gov-

because he
things

'a

allowed to be that smallest of

Is arithmetic for ever to be

ernment showed
teiistics.

all

the usual Tory charac-

wit.'

But the point upon which

eyes

the monopoly of substantial respectable duliiess?

were at once fixed was that of

Will the Earl of
attempt to restore protection?

free-trade.

Must

it

be that a chancellor of the

is

exchequer, like Portia's portrait,

only to be

Derby and Mr. Disraeli Mr. Chrishad to go

to his

found in lead
that

No;

I have a cheerful faith

topher, who, accepting the chancelloi-ship of

our new

fiscal

minister will, to the con-

the

Duchy

of Lancaster,

fusion of obese dulness,

show

his potency over

constituents
assiu-ed

in the usual

course, distinctly

pounds, shillings, and pence.

The exchequer

them that

his party xcouhl attempt to

s.

d.

that have hitherto been as the thi-ee

restore protection, for

which no doubt he got

witche.=i

the weird sistere stopping us wherturaed, the right honourable gentleat the least transform into the three
in all their salutations

a severe scolding from his chiefs.

The Anti-

ever

we

Corn-law League was immediately revived,

man will
graces,

and

in full force too.

A meeting was held at

to 27,500.

making them

Manchester, and in twenty-five minutes the

subscriptions had

at

But with respect

home and abroad welcome and agi'eeable. to the s. d. ujjou know-

amounted

Having brought the

direct political stoiy of

298

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES

board from the time the ship struck
totally disappeared,"
till

the spring of 1852 to this anomalous situation,

she

we may

well be glad to turn aside for a short

wrote a military sur-

space to other matters which left a deep

mark
of the

vivor, " far exceeded anything that I thought

on the heart of the nation,

civilized world.

and indeed

could

be

effected

by the best

discipline;
at,

It

is

the proper place at which

and

it is

the more to be wondered

seeing

to suspend the

parliamentary narrative in

that most of the soldiers had been but a

short time in the service.

order to introduce an event at sea which has

Every one did

as

been the theme

of poets

and

will never be

he was directed, and there was not a

or a cry

murmur
made
indi-

allowed to escape the pen of the historian.

among them
plunge.

until the vessel

That event

is

the wreck of the Birhealtead.

her

final

I could not

name any

The Birkciihcad was a queen's steamer, and

was on her way
to

vidual

officer

who

did

more than another.

instead of
this

AJgoa Bay and Buffalo

All received their orders and had them can-ied

out as
if

Mouth with
Kaffirland.

troops to reinforce our

army

in

the

men were embarking

The wreck took

two
o'clock

place on the 27th

going to the bottom.

difference, that I never

There was only

of February, and about 4C0

men were drowned.

saw any embarkation

noise or confusion.

It

was

at

in the morning, the

conducted with so
All the

little

sea being smooth and the vessel steaming at

women and
when

children were put safely

the rate of eight and a half knots an hour.

on board a schooner that was about seven

miles off

She struck on a rock near Point Danger, and

it

the steamer was wrecked.

went through her bottom

just aft of the

in at such a rate

This vessel returned to the wreck at about

3 p.m. and took off
-10

foremast.

The water rushed

or 50

men

that were

that most of the

men

in the lower troop deck

clinging to the rigging."

were drowned in their liammocks.

of the soldiers, ver'y

The

rest

few of them old hands,

officers,

came on deck with the

to see that discipline

who were

charged by Major Seaton and Captain Wright

was preserved among the

When the vessel was just going down the commander called out, "All those that can swim jump overboard and make for the boats." The military officers in charge of the soldiers saw that this was certain to swamp the boat
which contained the women and
children,

men, and that

ship

silence

was maintained.

The

and

was

rolling heavily.

About 120

of the

those gentlemen bade the soldiers stand

still.

men were put to the pumps, and the remainder

were gathered together on the poop, so as to
ease the fore part of the ship.

Not more than

over.

three

made an attempt

to

jump

Of the whole 683 persons who were on

The horses
children.

board only about 190 were saved.

not

We will
made
The
recall

were pitched out

of the port

gangway, and the

now

revive any of the criticisms

caiJtain,

cutter got ready for the

women and
broke
fell

either

on the

the furniture of the

of the boats.

As soon
foremast,

as ever these

were

safe in the boat

off at

ship, or the

management

the entire

bow

of the ship

the

obedience of the soldiers in the face of death

is

and the funnel

on the

side,

the legacy of wonder for which

It

we

carrying
boat.

away the starboard

paddle-box. and

the story.

was noticed that when the Duke

it

This boat capsized, and the large boat

at.

of Wellington referred to

at a dinner he

in the middle of the ship could not be got

did not say a word of the bravery of these

soldiers, it

About 60 men were crushed by the falling of the funnel and about 60 more drowned below at the jramps. The vessel then broke in two
crosswise,

being taken for granted by him

that a soldier should be brave, but dwelt on

their obedience

and

discipline with all the

of a. great cajJtain

and the stern part

filled

and went

national pride

and pleasure

down.

A large

number

of

men

clung to the

who knew
was that

their value.
of this year

rigging of the mainmast and others to the

Another deeply moving story

of

driftwood, which the

ocean

swell

carried

the

Patagoniau
circles the

missionaries.
of the

towards Point Danger. About 70

shore in this way.
"

men

got on

Except in certain

murder

Eev. John Williams, missionary to the South

regularity that prevailed on
Seas,

The order and

by the savages

of

Erromanga, had been

SUFFERINGS OF THE PATAGONIAN MISSION.

almost forgotten, and

299

much

of the missiouaiy

they

kill (for

fervour of his Jays had subsided.

To

the

the remainder.

world in general the Patagonia tragedy

tragedy
is

if

but

theii-

and salt They caught fish and ducks, powder was soon reduced to a flask
stealing their pork),

a word that

may be allowed

in such

and a
sick

half.

On

the 12th of

May all

but the

a case
folly,

was

merely the collapse of a piece of

were put on short allowance, and the 22d

and the nieu who perished were "de-

of the

month was

set apart for prayer.

The

luded men."

But

for all that,

when, just in

story is heartrending.
disastei-s

It is one record of

the midst of pohtical squabbUng in which

there too often seemed neither heai-t nor hope,

from sea and scurvy, and in the

it all

midst of
of

we seem

to see the

wan

figures

the death-diary, as

we may
in

call it (there

was

Gardiner and Maidment kneeling on the

ofi'er

no bed) of the missionary Allan Gaidiner

rocks to
received.

up thanksgiving
t;ike

for mercies

was made known

wonder,
grief,

England, a

thrill

of

Let us

a few entries from the

all

and hope went round wherhearts to beat and even

journal of the heroic Gaidiuei-. In

of fifty yeai-3 there
is

our story

ever there were

nothing more deeply

embers of faith and trust to kindle.

society

The

moving.

who started

the mission were subjected

"July

4.

Having
and

been seven weeks on

even
this

to severe criticism;

but

it is

not for us to

short allowance,

latterly

having

express any opinion upon their schemes or

their

been cm-tailed, the party aie utterly

Everything found
cooked and eaten

helpless.
is

management.

It

was said that the stores

expected by Gardiner and

left at

Maidment were
insur-

m the shape of food a penguin, a shag, a halfshore,

the Falkland Islands upon the chances

devoured

fish

washed upon the

and
for

of a ship calling there

and risking her

even the salted fox washed out of the cavern,

is

ance by taking them on to the forlorn missionaries.

thrown up again on the beach and used

Captain Gardiner writes,

It

was the admiralty

itself,

not

food."

"We
of

have

the society, that sent out the Dido, Captain

now remaining
tea,

half a duck, about one

Morshead, to

ascei-tain the fate of

Captain

of salt pork, the

same quantity

pound damaged
of

Gardiner, E.N.,
mission.
It

who was

the chief of the

a very

little rice (a pint),

two cakes

chocolate, four pints of peas, to

which I may

was as

far back as September, 1S50, that

left

add

six mice.

The mention
it

of this last item

startle

the missionaries
of

England, and on the 5th

in our list of provisions

may we

some
eai-s,

of

December

of that year they pitched their

our friends should

circumstanced as

ever reach their

are,

but

tents in Picton Island.

Here they found the

murder them

we

partake of them

natives looking more likely to

with a

relish,

and have aheady eaten several

are very tender and taste like

offhand than to learn catechisms.

They then
of

of them.
i-ibbit."

They
22.

went off
the

to then- ship again,

and on the 20th

month they
still

started for the opposite shore

July
mussels,

They

are reduced to living on

on the south-west of Tierra del Fuego, the

natives
attitude.

and

feel the

want

of food,
is

and some-

keeping up a very uncliristian

times the craving of himger

distressing to

Their two boats, the Pioneer and the

them. Captain Gardiner wTites, " After living

Speedwell, both ran on rocks, but though one

on mussels for a fortnight I was comiieUed to

give

was destroyed they hauled the other up on the

beach and made a tented donnitory of her,
taking refuge in a cavern.
Ijehaved in a

them

up, and

my

food

is

nov>'

mussel

broth and the soft part of hmpets."

The natives still manner discouraging to apostolic

and bethe

July 28.

Captain

Gai'diner writes of the

party in the other boats:

"They
;

are all ex-

men.

In

February, 1851, Mr. Williams,

ill,

tremely weak and helpless

seeds used for broth are

even theu- garden

all out."

surgeon and cateehist, was taken

fore long the scurvy broke out
jiarty.

now

among

August
boil

14.

Captain Gardiner takes to his

is

Late in April their provisions run very

afford to eat pork

bed, but a rock-weed

discovered which they

low,

and as they can only

down

to

jelly

and

find nourishment

thrice a week, they dine off part of a fox

which

from.

300

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

23.

August August

26.

John Eiwiu J. Bryant

dies.

that he left the boat, as I could not have

dies,

and Mr. Maid-

removed the body.

been a great comfort
other to drink
tiiirst, I
;

He
to

left

little

pepperit

ment buries John Pearce, the remaining boatman,

cast

tbem both

iu one grave.

mint-water wliich he had mixed, and

is

has

me, but there was no

down

at the loss of his comrades,

in his
better.

and
is

fearing I might suffer from

wandering

mind

but Mr. AVilliams

jjrayed that the

Lord would strengthen

graciously answered
to

somewhat
Sept. 3.

me
Maidmeut has never
re-

to procure some.
petition,

He

Mr.

my

and yesterday I was enabled

cruited from that day of bodily and mental

exertion.
Vi'e

get out and scoop up a sufficient supply from

some that trickled down at the stem of the boat

give a portion of a literal transcrijjt of

last entries.
if

by means
hands of

of one of

my india-rubber overshoes.
am
I receiving at the his

Captain Gardiner's
Sept.
3.

What combined

mercies

Wishing

possible to spare Air.

my

Heavenly Father, blessed be

Maidment
for the

the trouble of attending on me, and

of all, I

holy name
Friday,
Sejst. 5.

mutual comfort

purposed

if

Great and marvellous are

my
gracious

jjracticable to

go to the river and take up

my

the loving -kindnesses of

God

quarters in the boat.

This was attempted on

that without crutches I
it.

unto me.

He

has preserved

me

hitherto,

Saturday

hist, feeling

and

for four days, although without bodily

could not possibly eflect

Mr. Maidment

food, without

any

feelings of

hunger or

thii-st.

most kindly cut

but
it

me

a pair (two forked sticks),

slight exertion

These

last

remarks are not written so plainly

was with no

and fatigue
but

as the previous day's

and

it

was concluded

in his

weak

state.

We

set out together,

that they were the

last,

but another paper

6th, addi'essed to

soon found that I had not strength to proceed,

was found dated September

Mr. Williams, and written
obliterated.

and was obliged

to return before

reaching the

in pencil, the whole

brook on our own beach.

'Mr.

Maidment was

being very indistinct, and some parts quite

"

so exhausted yesterday that he did not rise

from his bed until noon and I have not seen

My
fit

dear Mr. Williams,

to call

him

since,

consequently I

tasted

nothing

seen

The Lord has home another of our little com-

yesterday.

I cannot leave the place

is

where

pany.

Qui' dear departed brother left the

am, and know not whether he

in the

body
I

boat on Tuesday afternoon, and has not since

returned.
his

or enjoying the px-esence of the gi-aoious God,

Doubtless he

is

in the presence of
faithfully.
.
. .

whom

he

h;is

served so faithfully.

am

Eedeemer

whom

he served

writing this at ten o'clock in the forenoon.

Blessed be

my

heavenly Father for the

many

Yet a little while, and though Almighty to sing the pi-aises

.

the

throne.
.
. .

mercies I enjoy

a comfortable
tm-n in

bed, no pain,

I neither

hunger nor
.
.

thiret,
.

though

or even craving of hunger, though excessively

days without food

ness to

weak,
it is

scarcelj' able to

my

bed, at
I

lea.st

me

Maidmenf s kindheaven, Your affection'

.

a very gi'eat exertion;

but

am by

ate brother iu

Allan F. Gardiner,

his

abounding grace kept in perfect peace,

September

6,

1851.'"

refreshed with a sense of

my

Savioui-'s love,

and an assurance that

fully appointed,

all is

wisely and merciI

and pray that

it is

may

receive

the full blessing which

to bestow.

doubtless designed

Our readei-s are in teais and we pause. At the time the news of these deaths in 1851 reached England a few cynics made a mock at the " faith " of such men. Those of us who would rather die theii- death than mock at
them,

Thui-sday, Sept.
to doubt that

4.

There

is

now no room

may

at least say
'

it

was an awful
in the

tiling

my

fellow-labourer has ceased

that their

faith,"

shown

most desolate

from

his earthly toils,

and joined the company

of the

regions of the whole world,

was not better

of the

redeemed in the presence

Lord

supported by the " works

" of those

who

sent

whom

he served so faithfully; under these

it

them out and stayed at

home

at ease in the

circumstances

was a merciful providence

most comfortable land under heaven.

ROEBUCK FORGETS AND THROWS STONES.

To about
One
the same date as that ujiou whicli

301

The publication
of the year.

of Thackeray's

Esmond was
which which

%vepause,beloDg a few other uon-political topics.

of the incidents of the eaily spring of
is

another notable event in the literary record

This novel
is

classic,

this year

the death of

Thomas Moore, who

mental decay,

cannot be said of Uncle Tom.

fact in literature

A vei-y striking
in

died at Slopertou Cottage aged seventy-two,

after a

was the manner

weary time

of illness,

lady-novelists were

now coming more and

and enforced seclusion from the world. Moore

lias

more
,kell,

to the front,

Mre. Oliphant, Mrs. Gasnew Theism,

it,

been much depreciated of

life

late years,

and

Charlotte Bronte.
literature of the

his

was open

to the grave criticism of

In 1852 the

more

cultivated,

more

earnest,

and

more
feeling

or Spiritualism as
full of life,

some
like

called

was very

coui-ageous men.

But there
" Lalla

is i-eal

and the propagaudism of the school

with real music in his songs, -which will preserve his

represented

by men

Professor Francis

name when

Rookh " and

its

Newman (brother of Dr. J. H. Newman), Theodore Parker, Mr. F. J. Foston, and

othei-s,

compeers are forgotten.

But the

literary event of the year 1852

was
all

was more
Professor

active than

it

has ever been since.

the publication in England, or rather in

Newman's

writings (one of which

Europe, of

Mrs. Harriet Beecher

Stowe's

was

entitled Phases of Faith)

were vigorously

story called Uncle Tom's Cabin, a

book which
in

attacked by Professor
in the
ally to

Henry Rogers, a writer

ofiici-

may be
tliat it

called historical.

As everybody knows
America,
it

Edinburgh Review and attached

was a stoiy of negro slavery

circulated

an Independent

college

in

a book

that

it

by

millions,

that

was had

entitled

The Eclipse of Faith, which went

translated into

every language (in some of

it

through numerous editions. change was jDassing

But a marked

which

it

cut a queer figure), and that

over the language of

much

influence

on the side of

the aboliit

popular theology, and that change has ever

since proceeded in

tion of slavery in the United States,

is

an accelerating

ratio.

That

not necessary to say

much about

it.

Mrs.

of politics, {popular or not, has

undergone no

Stowe was the wife

of

an orthodox minister,
all

such alteration.

and came of a remarkable family,

Beechei-s being clever

the

and

energetic.

Uncle

Mr. Roebuck, once the Radical

always the unsparing

purist,

and

Tom was

written in a desultory manner, in

toil

critic of others,

has

now

the midst of family

pai-t of it

on a cookfirst

gone to a land where there are no

politics in

ing-stove, said the author

and was

pub-

any human sense

of the word.

But we may Mr.

lished

en fcuilleton

in

a newspaper.

The
In-

return to the main political current of 1852

striking feature of the

critics

book

in the eyes of

by a

brief reference to his dispute with

was

its free

spontaneous humour.
said

Coppock, the celebrated

we

will

not say

deed

it

was

at first

that a

man must

notorious electioneering agent.

In the de-

have helped the lady;

but her subsequent

bate in which he charged certain

members
elections

writings have abundantly proved that she

with sitting by purchase, and which led to

the

was equal

to the whole of

it.

The book
Great

pro-

appointment of

the

corrupt

duced much excitement

ladies
land's,

in

Britain.

committee, Mr. Roebuck, the invulnerably

pure,

There was, among other things, a meeting of

convened at the Duchess of Suther-

had said some

bitter things.
It

Naturally

they came home to him.

was soon noised

their

and these ladies addressed an appeal to American sisters, to use their influence
This indiscreet measure was
address, in which the

abroad that Mr. Roebuck had himself had

dealings with the despised Mr. Coppock.

Mr.
it:

towards getting "the peculiar institution"

dispensed with.

Roebuck, foaming at the mouth, denied

met by a recriminatory
their

English were bidden to take the

beam out

of

own
their

eyes and leave

other nations to

mind

own

affairs.

"Mr. Coppock would never have dared to come where I was a candidate. I never had anything to do with him in any of my elecIn rejily Mr. Coppock published in tions." tlie Thnen a letter in Mr. Roebuck's hand-

302
writing, asking

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

him
to

come down

to Batli co-

answer should prove unsatisfactory

then be open to any
of

it

would
a vote

at the election of 1841

and manage the

member

to

move

operation of the
cially

Whigs and
artful

Radicals, as espe-

want

of confidence or to limit the supplies,

to

'-six

vain fools" (named),

or to do anything else that would compel a

dissolution. It

whom
self.

^Ir.

Roebuck could not manage him-

Mr. Roebuck particularly asked Mr. Coppock to go down " incog, mind!" and Mr.

cannot be said that there was

much

information (as to what the government would

do) in Mr. Disraeli's address to the Bucking-

Copjiock went.

In 1852, when the point was,

the disfranchisement of St. Albans, Mr. Roe-

hamshire

electoi-s,

which was short enough to

author.

buck declared that he had totally forgotten

the circumstance of having used Mr. Coppock
in 1841.

be quoted here, and vague enough to puzzle even an elector as ingenious as

"
its

Nobody doubted Mr. Roebuck's

;

The

late administration,"

wrote Mr. Dis-

word except a few base fellow?

but the case

raeli to his constituents, " fell to pieces

from

was a great
deniers.

lesson to hot-headed assertoi's

and

internal dissension
of their opponents
;

and not from the assault

and notwithstanding the

One

of the firet things that befell after the

obvious difficulties of our position

felt that

we have

accession to

power

a meeting of

Derby ministry was the supporters of Lord John

of the

to shrink

from encountering them

Russell at his house in

meeting took place at

tation,

Chesham Place. This Lord John's own invito

would be to leave the country without a government and her majesty without servants.

Our

first

duty will be to provide for the ordibut at no distant period we hope,

conformity with the principles
felt it oiir

and was very numerously attended.

nary and current exigencies of the public

service
;

The

object

was

to

come

an understanding
be pursued by the

upon the

line of tactics to

with the concurrence of the country, to establish a policy in

Whig
in

Liberals.

Lord John

always

ready

to quote precedents

recalled the

crisis of 1846,

which in opposition we have

to maintain.

duty

which Sir Robert Peel had called upon him

We shall endeavour to terminate

an influence over the

(Lord John) in the House of

Commons to state
upon the
would therefore
view he had
it

that strife of classes which of late yeai-s has

exei'cised so pernicious

what course he intended

question of the corn-laws.

to take
It

welfare of this kingdom, to accomplish those

be in order now to demand of the Tories what

their intentions were.

remedial
interests,

measures which great productive

suffering
to

With

this

from unequal taxation.

just govern-

written to Mr. Disraeli to ask whether

the intention of
their policy.
tlie

was

have a right

demand from a

government to

disclose

ment
to

to cultivate friendly relations

with

all

Mr.

Disraeli

had replied that

foreign powers and secure honourable peace

they had no such intention.

Lord John had

uphold in their

spirit, as

well as in their
;

then consulted Sir James

Graham and Mr.

to

form, our political institutions

and

to in-

Cobden, both of
that
it wa.s

whom

concurred in the view

wease the

efficiency as well as

maintain the

incumbent on the Liberal party

rights of our national

and Protestant church.

to progressive improveis

force the Conservatives to

show

their hand.

An

administration

formed with these obone

Mr.

Tilliei-s

agreed.

Mr.

Hume

and Mr.

jects,

and favourable

Duncombe thought that Lord John ought now himself to state what his own policy
would
be.

ment

in eveiy department of the state,

Mr. Bright supported Lord John,

his reform measui-e, but
if

which we hope may obtain the support and command the confidence of the community, whose sympathies are the best foundation for
a strong administration, while they are the
best security for a mild government."

who withdrew
out hints that

threw

the Liberals would only trust

him and work heartily with him, he would propose a new and broad basis of action for the party. The general outcome of the meeting
was that Mr.
Villiers

Outside of parliament the subject of parlia-

was to ask

for a stateIf the

mentary reform was just now taken up with great vigour, but only to be soon thrown into
the shade by another, namely that of protec-

ment

of the ministerial intentions.

REVIVAL OF "THE LEAGUE."

tion.

303
if

There

is

something melancholy in glanctlie

always

made

a point of by the reporters

"a

ing at the activities of

National Association

few ladies

wei-e

accommodated with

seats

upon

and the names of the speakers at a " mass

meeting" which followed
close

the platform."

upon the defeat

more

directly practical matter

was the
its

of the 'Wliigs at the opening of the session.

resuscitation of tlie

Anti-Corn-law League,
back,
life

The very

place at which the meeting

was held

which, with immense subscriptions at

St.

Martin's Hall

has

since
failing,

become the
the building

raised in a day or two, sprang into full

at

Queen's Theatre, and, that

Manchester in the

firet

week

of this

March.

has been applied to other purposes, while the

leading speakers are not only (with few exceptions) dead,

The heroes
the
first

of the old fight

:

were present at

great meeting

Mr. Cobden, Mr.

do.

but some of them were of a

disappeai-ed
like

t3-pe

Bright, Mr. Milner Gibson; and Mr. George

which has entirely

the

Wilson took the chair as he used to

Mr.

mastodon during the years which have since

elapsed.

Cobden made a very

said he, " be

spirited
"

and humorous

The

great point insisted

upon

at this

speech in his best manner.

You must

not,"

meeting was that by the secession of the

hoodwinked by those who counsel

Whigs "opportunity was

of progress;"
interpreted, that
it

restored to the party

you to
months.

wait.

You must

act on the instaut,

which of course meant, being would be

natui-al

for enthusiasm cannot easily be kept alive for

and easy

Turn out Lord Derby,

ISIr.

Disraeli,

for Radicals of evei-y school to oppose the

Tories tooth and nail, while that was hai-dly

feasible while

and the whole company, bag and baggage, at once. They will tell you that noxo is not the
proper time to dissolve parliament.
seen," I

Lord John was in power with

bill

have
of

new reform

in his hand.

Then the

said

Mr. Cobden, "a good deal

life,

by the moderates to take half a loaf because it was better than no bread, whereas it was not only
Radicals

were naturally

expected

parliamentary

and I never yet knew the

government which thought 'now' was the

proper time to dissolve.

feasible

but a duty to drive Lord Derby and

over the precipice, and wait the
Sir

Take

care they do not have

sorts of

it.

They want time. They will get

issues

Mr.

Disi-aeli

up

all

irrelevant

to divert
issue.

event.

!Mr.

Hume,

Joshua Walmsley, and

of the

popular feeling from the one great

old times they
for a pretence
'

In

other accredited politicians lent their presence

to the meeting
association,

and to the movements

set
itself

who devoured widows' houses made long prayers,' and you

be one of the
rights
is

which

to stir

up the

will see that religion will

topics
all.

public mind,

and goad the consciences of

with which they will try to bewilder us

members of parliament upon such questions as manhood sufiFrage, the ballot, annual parliaments,

Perhaps the monarchy

the

of the

crowu

about
their

which Mr. Disraeli

so

much
not

and no property

qualification;

but

concerned.

Lord Derby and

his colleagues

too

many working-men, from

weakened the

the ends of the

know

mind

or they do not.

Do

earth,

force of the whole thing

grant them a few months in which to decide

by destroying the unity of the meeting and its plans. It was nonsense, for example, to
disturb a general meeting of an association for

whether they will turn then- coats or

not.

They must take one

of 'three

courses'

resign, dissolve parliament, or recant."

Mr.

promoting parliamentary reform by abusing

bishops and clergymen, or by yelping at abuses

Bright :ind Mr. Gibson made speeches, and

Mr. Bazley related an anecdote

of Sir

Robert
Just

which only a very strong Liberal goveniraeut

could think of touching.
incident of political

Peel which produced a tremendous

effect.

This was a

common

before he died Mr. Bazley had been telling

agitation a generation

him how
worked.

back, and

it

is

interesting to note

how much
It
is

less there Ls of it

than there used to be.

had "I am very glad to hear it," said the statesman, "but take care to keep what
well the repeal of the corn-laws
got."

also

amusing to see that the presence

In those days

of ladies

you have

petition to the

queen to

at political meetings

was stiU considered someit

dissolve parliament

was adopted with enbefore seen, in

thing phenomenal.

was

thusiasm, and, as

we have

304

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

list of

Iwuuty-five minutes the subscription

the evening reached ^'27,500.

general policy.
stood
it,

That policy was, as

to

I under-

first

change the administration,

The ministerial statement made by Lord Derby was temporizing. He pleaded for time. He had been ta,ken by surprise when the late
ministry i-csigned, and had only had four days
in

next to dissolve parliament, then to impose

duties on imports,
Tliat

and among them upon

solution.

corn.

was then

my

clue having

thus been given elsewhere as to the objects

of

which

to

form his cabinet, and he was

of

what was then the party them

to

in opposition, I

opinion that no great political change should

adhere to that view of their objects now, and

I call on

be introduced without a pi-evious appeal to

tlie

deny

it

if

they can.

They

intelligent portion of the community.

in the

As
of

have succeeded in their

first

move

they have

he was in a decided minority

House

displaced the last ministry

and are in power

belief that they

Commons he must
friends
his lordship

trust to the indulgence of

of enemies.

themselves

and

it is

now my

and the forbearance

Then

wish to dissolve parliament for the purpose of

imposing,
if

began

to

show

his real colours.

they can, iu the

new

house, duties

'Let us," said he, "stick for the present to

on imports, and among those duties on corn.

measures
Loi'd

of

legal

and

social reform."

John

Eussell's reform bill

But was " fraught

only to the

Do
is

I represent the

matter rightly

Well,

it

entirely a question of evidence,

and we have
striking
of

with incalculable danger, not

a difficulty here in ascertaining

it."

monarchy but

to the liberties of the people."

But

Sir

James had
still,

to

make a more

Educational meiisures which were not ba.sed

disclosure

which introduced the name

on the Scriptures he would

resist to the last,

Mr. Gladstone.

"When

the noble lord (Lord

and any attempt

privileges of the

to diminish the

power or

John
istry,

Piussell) resigned,

and the present

first

Established Church.

He

loi'd of

the treasury attempted to form a min-

then went on to attack the free-trade policy

of Sir
t.arifF

Robert Peel and defend the

jirotection this sub-

the w-hole arrangement Wijis kept open pending the return of the right honourable

of the

United

States.

Upon

gentleman (Mr. Gladstone), who was then

ject

he gradually became cloudy, but after

viciously attacked

down was Grey, who acted

sitting

by Lord

as ferret with pertinacious

upon the Continent. Earl Derby made to him a proposal to join his government. But what was the jH-eliminary point? My right
honourable friend asked the noble earl what

vigour.
It

was

of course

around the question

of proin the

we have asked
Earl of

in vain here

What are your

The
pro-

tection that the great battle

was fought
Peelites

intentions on the subject of protection?

House armed

of

Commons, and the

came up

Derby
;

said,

'My

opinion

is

to the teeth

and eager

for the fray.

nounced

am

quite decided in favour of

The great speech in the first great debate was made by no less a warrior than Sir James Graham, whose towering form, impressive
manner,
clear,

duties on imports,

and I

am

not jirepared

to say that corn should

be excepted.'

My

right

honourable friend therefore, true to

steady eloquence, wary

effect

logic,

those principles which he

had constantly adto our

and great experience produced an

which

vocated in reference to this question, said,

made even Mr. Disi\aeli obviously uncomfortable. Sir James Graham had real disclosures
to

'That preliminai-y step then

union.

is fatal

I cannot consent to join your ad-

make.

" I stated last year, having then

ministration.'

So earnest was Lord Derby in

listeneil to

him (Mr.

Disraeli)

when

his pro-

adhering to the faith of his pledges, and so

sincere in his opinion in favour of a revereal
of a free-trade polic}', that

posed measures on the subject of agricultural

relief

seemed somewhat mystified

stated

though he had

that I

was forced

to

go to another house for

made the whole

of his

arrangements as to

the information which I wished, and I said

that there were peei-s

the formation of an administration to dejiend

who

acted in combina-

upon the adhesion

friend,

of

my

right honourable

tion with the party of the right hon. gentle-

when he got

that answer he abandoned

man who had been

quite explicit as to their

the project, conceiving that success was not

OPPONENTS OF THE
possible.

"

l^IANCHESTEE SCHOOL.'
nation, and, like him, there
is

305 no
effort I will
sacrifice I

I regret that the noble lord, the

for Tiverton (Lord Palmerston), is

member
imless I
stated
it

not be prepared to make, and no

not in his place to add his testimony;

but

will not be prepared to undergo, to uphold

am

greatly deceived

I should have

that policy which, in

I believe to

my heart and conscience,

in his presence,

and he could have

misinformed

be necessary for the peace, the

contradicted
told,

me

if

am

I am
memto

happiness, and the well-being of

my

fellow-

and I confidently

believe, that the Earl

countiymen.'

of

Derby had an interview, by the permission

It

of her majesty, with the noble lord the

was not every benevolent man or every

working -classes who

ber for Tiverton

tration

when

the present adminis-

sincere friend of the

was formed; that be did propose

looked with a partial eye at the opposition,

that noble viscount that he should take part

in the

whether inside or outside the House

mons, which the advent

of

Compower
in-

new

administration, and that the same

of the Tories to
is

question as was put last year by

my

right

had evoked.

Nothing

more curiously

honourable friend the

member

for

Oxford

structive than to

watch the unexpected diver-

was put
tion,

this year,

and within the

last fort-

gences of feeling and opinion which often

arise within boundary-lines which, it

night, to the noble lord

that

the same ques-

might

I say,

was put and the same answer

it

be expected, would include nothing but what

given

that

was as possible

for the

Exe

to

was simple and unanimous.

For

instance,

flow backward from the ocean as for the corn-

the Cliristian socialist party, as represented

laws to be restored, and that

for

it

was impossible
Well

him

to join the administration.

but now I think by this time I have gone

very far to prove
Sir

my case."'
his speech to a

by men like Maurice and Kingsley, were by no means pleased with the dead set, so to speak, which was made at the new government Mr. Maurice on the point of protection.
spoke of "the base attempts of the Anti-

James Graham brought

effective close

most

by referring to

his last con-

Com-law League
seemed reason

to

goad

ministei-s to

comthere

versation with Sir Eobert Peel.

"I remember

mitting themselves to protection,"

when

the last conversation which I ever had with Sir

to " trust " that they

had aban-

Eobert PeeL It was upon the eve of that great

discussion

doned

it.

There seemed some grounds for

liability

upon our foreign policy in which

it

hope that a measure legalizing limited

he and I found

our painful duty to vote

(with an eye to workmen's industrial associations)

against a government which

counts,

upon other

ac-

and more especially upon the account

enough

was on the cards, and this alone was to make some of the more serious not

of their support of a free-trade policy,

we had
to

to say the

more conservative

of the workingThe one

usually assisted.

It

was impossible not

man's friends a good deal averse to anything

like

look to the consequences of that vote, and I

jx)inted out to Sir

badgering the party in power.

Eobert Peel the

possibility

thing which could be played off against the

that the government would be overthrown,

dread of any revival of protection was the

hatred which multitudes of cidtivated Euglish-

and asked him what would then ensue?

said, 'I

He
I

know

that in this country, without

men

felt

towards that Manchester School of

party connections, no

man

can govern.

know

that

my

party ties are dissolved, and I

which we have already heard. A hatred which was represented by men like Mr. Tennyson,
ill-.

am

not prepared to renew them, and do not

Maurice, and Mr. Kingsley could not be

of

desire to

renew them.
no

But come what may,

not

a wholly uninfluential eddy in the current

affairs.

there

is

effort that I will

make

to

These

maintain that free-trade policy which I believe to

anxious, in

men and their friends were their own phrase, to reconcile the
real aristocracy of the

be indispensable for the maintenance

working-man with the

old English traditions.

of the pe.ice
Sir, I

and happiness

of this country.'

country, the clergy, the monarchy, and all the

do not possess the

abilities of

my

right

honourable friend, but I possess his determiVOL. IL

cherislied this desire could justifiablj'

Whether a man who come

41

306

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAIUES.

ing

forward, as Kiugsley did, before au assembly

down

the price of bread,

is

working-men and declare himself " a Chartist " is a question which each must decide for
of
himself.

want thereby
increase profits,

to keep
in the

when all they down wages and

to

and

meantime

widen

The exact

practical

meaning

of a

the gulf between the working-man and all

that
is

word

is

a nice matter, a matter of feeling and

time-honoured, refined, and chivalrous

honour.

The word Chartist

of those

carried with

it

in English society, that they

may make
is

the

sub-meanings which were abhorrent enough

to
it,

men

their divided

slaves:

that

perhaps
men
one

many

who
Mr.

did not seem afraid of

Disraeli.

half unconsciously, for there are excellent

for example,

But then
is

in

amongst them
schooL

the

game

of the

Manchester

times of great excitement

what

now

the

I have never swerved

from

my

fashion to call the "connotations" of words are

idea of the last seven years, that the real battle

of the time

apt to be let slide.

if

England

is

to be saved

from

The view

of

a large and powerful party, as

small

anarchy, and unbelief, and utter exhaustion

summed up by Kiugsley, may be put in

as dead,

caused
m.asses

by the competitive enslavement

of the

compass. They looked uixju the old Whiggery

is

not Radical or

Whig against

Peelite

and " true-blue Toryism of the Sir

too.

or Tory, but the church, the gentleman,

and

Robert Inglis school " as dead

What were
The Peel-

the

workman

against the shopkeepers and the

the two working parties of the day ?

ites first,

Manchester

school.

The

battle could not

have

and then the Manchester party. The

of the situation

been fought forty

side the church

yeai-s ago,

because on one

view thus taken

we
it

are not

was an
ignorant,

idle

phantasm, the

now

adopting;

we merely present
But
it

as part of

gentleman too
merely animal
;

the

workman

too

a complete view.

was held by the

ulti-

while on the other the ilan-

Liberal-Conservative party of the poetic old

chester cotton-spinners were all Tories,

and

English school, that the Peelites would

the shopkeepers were a distinct class interest

mately absorb into themselves

of

all

the remains

from

theirs.

But now

these two latter have

of shop-

Whiggery and a

large propoi-tion of the

united,

and the sublime incarnation

Conservative party.
said Ml'. Kingsley,

The thing

to

be hoped,

keeping and labour-buying in the cheapest

was that the

Peelites

would

market shines forth in the person

and shopkeepers
join in one

of

Nebu!

serve as
parties
;

baOast and cooling-pump to both

but"in the meanwhile
it

chadnezzar and son, and both cotton-spinners

say, This is the man and common press to defend his system. Be it so: now we know our true enemies, and soon the working-man will know them
'
'

seemed as

if

their very moderation,

and that capacity

of

trimming which they inherited from their

great master, would

make them

likely to obtain

power.

also.

But

if

the present ministry will not see

As

to the Manchester pai'ty, the feelings

of the poetic-English school

the possibility of a coalition between

them

and opinions

were

and the workmen, I

just to

see

no alternative but

so admirably expressed

by

ill-.

Maurice and

what we have been straining every nerve

olf

Mr. Kingsley that we cannot do better than

put a few of their woi-ds side by
great thing, said
side.

keep

comjietitive L^nited States, a

of ages will

The

democracy before which the work

go

Mr. Maurice, was

for the

down

in a

few

years.

A true democracy,
see, is

government to
measures,

" thi-ow themselves into social

. . .

such as )'ou and I should wish to

possible without a church

im-

and

avert that horrible

and a queen, and, as

catastrophe of a Manchester ascendency, which

I believe in
morality,
to

I believe, without a gentry.

of statesmen it will

On

the conduct

my soul would be fatal to intellect,

will be

depend whether we aie

and freedom, and

rebellion

more likely

gi-adually

and harmoniously to develop Eng-

move a
is

among

the working-men

land on her ancient foundations, or whether

than any Tory rule which can be conceived."

This
followed

we
the

are to have fresh paralytic governments

guage

still

pretend to

up by Mr. Kingsley in lanstronger and more definite. ''To be the workman's friend by keep-

succeeding each other in doing nothing, while

workmen and

the Manchester School fight

out the real questions of the day in ignorance

DISRAELI'S TACTICS.
and
fury,
till

307

culbute generate comes,

ami

unless in the wa}' of extension or develop-

gentlemen of ancient family, like your humble

servant, betake themselves to

ment.

Canada to escape,
tlieir

Mr.

Disraeli's defence of the

'government

not the Amalgamated Engineers, but

'

position seized in the

most dexterous manner

masters ' and the slop- working savages

whom
by

their masters' system has created,

and

will

npon every point which had been raised by Lord John Russell (in a not very wise and
guarded, but very lively speech), and taunted

that time have multiplied tenfold."

Of course

this

view

of the subject

was

far

too remote and too calculated to be present-

him with some matters on which he had been silent. The question whether free-trade was
to

able to the multitude, but

it

had considerable
and lay behind

be taken as a panacea for really "all the

weight in thoughtful

circles,

evils of states"

was addressed

to the feeling

much of

the reserve and hesitation which were

in the house

and the country which has been

Liberals.

noticed in the Houses of Lords and

at this time.

Commons
however,

already indicated as belonging to the quasisocialistic

In the

latter house,

church-and-throne
sit

"I

there was a fierce resolve to force the

of

hand
not

should

now

down," said the chancellor of

Lord Derby's government.

It

is

the exchequer, with latent malice in everj'

necessaiy to charge Lord John Russell or the

Peelites with party spirit
Peelites.

word he

uttered, "did I not feel that I have

certainly

not the

a duty to perform to her majesty's opposition.

Their tradition was a sacred thing

with them, and they honestly believed that

the welfare of

The opposition has vei'y frankly inquired what are the principles upon which the administration
is

England turned upon the

and method

formed.

There

is

a subject

preservation, untouched, of the whole scheme

of free- trade; nay, that the policy

scarcely second to that in importance in this

country, and that

is

the principle on which

is

required enlarging indefinitely from time to

time.

her majesty's opposition

therefore, I

formed.

I hope,

Mr. Cardwell a very able

Peelite,

may be

permittetl to take this

Is
it

who was said to have inherited his mastei-'s

mantle, and

opportunity of making that inquiry.

who

has not received the credit

the principle of Papal supremacy or Protestant

due

to his great abilities

made at Liverpool
Mr. Cobdeu's or

ascendency?

Is it the principle of national

what was perhaps a greater, more exhaustive

free-trade speech than even

defences or of perpetual peace?

Is

it

the

principle of household suffrage or of the electoral groups? Is

it

Sir

James Graham's.
list

Mr. Disraeli had run

the opinion of the

over a

of

minor reforms, including Chanin postponing

opposition, along with the honourable

new member
is

cery law, which he thought would justify the

for the

West Riding,
all

that free-trade

government
country.

an appeal to the

panacea for

the evils of states?

Or
for

is it

But Lord

Palmerston and

Mr.

the opinion of the

new
is

opposition, in defer-

Gladstone, the latter with

much

gravity and

ence to the noble lord the

don, that free-trade

member

Lonbe
as

precision, rejected the pleas

put forward by
Glad-

a great exaggeration ?
to

the chancellor of the exchequer as utterly

hopeless in constitutional logic.
stone
ISIr.

He

thought

those

questions ought

frankly answered.

For

himself,

great

did

not
office,

blame the government for

but he earnestly maintained
clearly

were their

difficulties,

he did not despair.

the good sense and
'

accepting

He

had confidence

iu
;

that the issue as to protection must be

stated

temper of parliament

and

if

these failed

him
it

and openly dealt with, and that they

dLssolve parliament.

he was sure of the country, convinced that

must almost immediately

Mr. Gladstone declined
trade; that he took

would support the government

tempt
to

iu their at-

to

enter into any

do their duty to the sovereign and

discussion of the merits of the policy of freeit

in their resolution to baffle the manosuvres of

faction."

as a settled question,

which

the

country

would

very

speedily

Among
that in

other matters,

it

will

be noticed
Disraeli

answer by declaring, as he did himself, that

it

making
off

this "inquiry"

Mr.

should neither be reversed nor modified

played

the Manchester or "peace" party


308

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

America, aud Eurojie, the heart
is

agaiust the national defence or militia party.

London.

The occasion was certainly tempting, -when

Mr.

Paralyze that heart, and the arteries cease to

beat.

Roebuck and Lord Palmerston, the

Let one incident

of palsy come,

and

all

former a regular

"Dog

Tear-'em"
affairs,

(so

he Wiis

the varied trembling lines of commerce that

exist,

nicknamed) on foreign
shall again

were at hand,

from one end of the country

to the

ready and likely to make mischief.

will

come upon the be indebted to Mr. Roebuck

As we militia question we
for a

other,

would be snapped asunder.

million.s,

Terror,

dismay, ruin, would seize

and against

few of

that direful calamity the statesmen of Eng-

his vigorous sentences

on the subject of our

land have to be forewarned.

I hate war.

I love

peace

relations with France,

which were becoming

Aggressive war I think a direful

Defensive war Every Englishman,
lift

every hour more uneasy, in spite of the steadiness of the funds, to which the Tory party

crime, as well as a calamity.

I think

a great duty.

appealed so much.
'em," "if
it

"If," said

be made plain to

"Dog Tearme that we do

every honest man, will be ready to

up

his

hand

in defence of his country

and

his voice

want
any

forces to defend oureelves against these

against aggressive war."

projected attacks, I
force

am

prepared to vote for

There

wa.s

nothing new iu the principles laid

to
if

call

out every

man

in

the

down

liere,

but the majority of the nation

kingdom
whether
I will
I
tell

required.
call

Egad, I don't know

out the

applauded them to the echo, shrinking as

they did from the shadow of the empire in
France.

would not

women

also.

you what
is

I believe is the cause of

We

have,

however,

now brought
year,

danger.

There

at the present

moment

in

out in some degree the more

the politico-social

critical points iu

France
for

it is

I was going to say upon the throne, pretty nearly that a man who up to
Oaths have no power
all

map

of

this critical

and may pass

on.

the present time has shown himself totally

incapable of being bound by any ordinary
principle of virtue.

The scene
caster

at the re-election of ilr. Christo-

pher, the Tory chancellor of the

Duchy of Lan.Seele}',

over him.

He

has broken

oaths.

He

has
the

and member for North Lincolnshire, was

trampled

down law; he

has put

down

noteworthy for one incident only: Mr.

constitution.

He

has put an end to anything

candidate for Lincoln at the next election,

like constitutional

government

the result of
has done this

proposed in opposition to Mr. Christopher no

less

something

like sixty yeai-s of labour to the

a person than Mr.

Macaulay

Three

French people

and

has brought them to a

cheers were given for free-trade, the same for

state of total despotism.

He

Mr. Cobden, and three groans

Sir

for protection.

by means of the army. I speak of that army well knowing the leaders of it well knowing

the history of most of

its

great deeds
is

and I
we
are

know

the feeling of that

army

that
lias

John Pakington, the new colonial secretary, was scarcely in office before liis troubles began. Lord Grey had promised before the Tories came into power that transportation to Australia should be abandoned.

the only people in Europe that

not suc-

cumbed
capital of

to the

arms of France.

We

were

In spite of this promise some shiploads

victs

of con-

never beaten.

Our

capital is still the only

Europe that has not been entered by

had been despatched or were about to be despatched to Hobart Town, and Sir William JMolesworth
Sir

a French army.

The very expectation and

now headed a

deputation to
subject.

longing of their lives

the very talk of their

Why,
all
if

John Pakington upon the

said that he

Sir

bivouacs

is

the getting to London.

John

had arrested the

sailing of

there was a danger of invasion for three hours,

two shiploads of criminals, and that the subject

should have the attention of the government.
Sir

fancy what would be the efiect on

world.
Paris.

the

Remember

that

Loudon

is

not like
affects

William Molesworth urged that the Aus-

Paris affects France

Loudon

tralian colonies

were on the point

of

becoming

the world.

Of the whole mercantile world,

to the other of Asia, Ai-ica,

" potent states,"

and that nothing would en-

from one end

danger their loyalty more than continuing this

ASPECT OF THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL POSITION.

practice of burdening

309
of the

our population.
one,

them with the refuse of The subject is an important

to the ser-

had been anticipated from the success

partially realized in a revival of trade

Great International Exhibition had been only

and we have before referred

and a

vices rendered

by Sir William Molesworth to

sense of general activity,

which was perverted

and men against
kingdom.

our colonies.

by combinations

of mastera

Among
home

other matters, lying beyond the

it

each other and the temporary paralysis of

horizon,

may be

briefly

mentioned

some

of the largest industries in the "

that the Kaffir

war was now beginning to wear a much more favourable aspect. But
upon
rifle-clubs at

The

Peace Congress," as the

called,

Hyde Park

show had been

was followed by a

the government could not be induced to look

widely-spread feeling of insecurity, and that

patronizing eye.

home with a friendly or They postponed the question

kind of pi-eparatiou for possible resistance

which

itself

too often develops into aggression.

very coldly, even

when

pressed upon

them by

All over Europe the political atmosphere was

disturbed,

the Marquis of Salisbury.

and wars and rumours

of

wars con-

Both
of

in the

House

of Lords

and the House

were obtained
dis-

tinued to excite public attention.

The whole

Commons

explicit pledges

session of parliament produced little or no-

from ministers that parliament should be

thing of importance, and

out of parliament a
posals

yet both in and

of tentative pro-

solved well within the year, and that there

number

would be no attempt to restore either the corn duty or the navigation laws. In the House
of Lords

had been brought forward which were

suggestive of future legislation, and were to be

realized at a comparatively early date.

Lord Brougham introduced a

fifty

bill to

The

reduce the interval of

days to thirty-five

only policy of which the

new government was

it

days between the dissolution and the reassembling of parliaments.

suspected was one which would never be

accepted by the country, and
stood that the ministry of

was under-

Mr.

Hume

bringing forward his annual

Lord Derby could

though not an
the

motion for parliamentary reform, including

extended sutfrage, the
ballot,

not continue in power against an opposition

and the

rest of

which consisted

of a practical

the usual Radical programme, a debate ensued

in

organized coalition of the

Peelites.
still

Whigs and
in the house,

which Mr.

Disraeli, alluding "delicately to a

The proceedings
had the salutary
for

and

certain

abandoned proposition" of Lord John

more a great deal that was going on

effect of clearing

Russell's (the last reform bill),strongly opposed

outside,

Mr. Hume's motion.

He

quoted
it wa.s

stories of

the

way

more
to

definite
little,

action.

The

American

elections in

which

said there

ministry had promised

set

and at the outits

had been stabbings

spite of the ballot,

in the polling-booths in

was obliged
it

disavow

intention of

and maintained, mounting

horse

putting forward jirinciples which at the same

the high " moral

"

thing not usual

time

professed to entertain as a part of

its

with him

that

the law could not prevent

theoretical

programme.

It

came

into

power
pre-

corruption at elections, and that only education

could.

under conditions which made extensive pledges

impossible.

Lord John made a speech

in

The

financial

measures of

its

which, though he declared himself in favour

of an extension of the sufirage, he denounced

decessors were for a time necessarily continued;

and when at the end

of the year

Mr. Disraeli

Mr. Hume's propositions as fraught with danger to the crown and the House of Lords. Mr.

as chancellor of the exchequer brought for-

ward
force

his budget, it soon

became evident that

Gladstone voted against Mr. Hume's motion.

he would only be able

to carry it

by a

tour de

which would require more energy than

financial sfcitement of

Few
social

periods have been more suggestive of

political progress

his colleagues could bring to his support.

and

than the year to

so

The

Mr. Disraeli was

which we have necessarily devoted

pages,

many
of

ingenious,

and

and yet

it

was comparatively barren

results.

the merit of

would certainly have had being a complete change from

it it

immediate practical

The

eflects

which

previous an-angements, but

had the

inevit-

310
able defect of
all

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOKAEIES.

measures designed to induce
to believe that

complicated questions of pilotage and ballasting to a committee of the house, with a view
to their reform;

a particular

class of people

they are specially considered. It was intended

to please the agricultural interest, this instance

and -with

regai'd to various

which in
the far-

grievances, which he chissified as admiralty grievances,

Ijrivilege of

was supposed

to

mean

and

in

which he included the

mers; but the more intelligent farmers could

not see what real advantage they were to
gain from
it,

enlistment in the navy by mer-

chant seamen, salvage, and anchorage

it

was

while townspeople, mechanics,

to

proposed by the government, with the cooperation of the admiralty, to modify or abolish

and manufacturers were entirely opposed

its

professed adjustments of taxation.

it

Macfor

them

to

an extent which would give the

privileges.

aulays declaration that

taking

was "a plan

merchant service additional

"With

money out

of the pockets of people in

it

regard to the claims of the sugar interest, the

towns and putting

into the

pockets of

government did not see any ground for entertaining them, with the exception of the re-

growers of malt " was not bad, but of course

the
that.

budget was a gieat deal more than

quest to admit sugar to be refined in bond for

home consumption
exchequer,

which

the government

It should not be forgotten that the chancellor of the

proposed to concede, subject to certain conditions.

when he

first took, office,

The next

subject related to the general

admitted that he required time to examine the

financial condition of the country before bring-

taxation of the country.

There was a body of

taxation composed of three rates

the

high-

ing forward a scheme

lution,
it

and when after

disso-

way-rate, the county-rate, and the poor-rate.

parliament again met in November, and

With

regai'd to the first the

bill

government
of the house

in-

was found that the result of an appeal to the

still

tended to propose a

which he believed

country had been

to leave the govern-

would receive the confidence

the couutry.

and

ment

in a hopeless minority
little

the

plan pro-

With regard

to the county-i'ate

posed would have had

ance even had
sagacity.
it

chance of accept-

he might say that there was not the slightest

objection on the part of the government to the

been one of far-reaching

introduction of the representative principle

Mr.

Disraeli

had,

in

fact,

claimed

the

into its

adjustment

but, nevertheless, the

indulgence of the house on account of the

government was not at present prepared to

unusual circumstances of difficulty in which

recommend any change.

poor-i'ate

He next came to the

of its

he was placed, and because the present financial

and described the progress

year was only two parts concluded.

Unhis

diminution since 1S4S, amounting to nearly

twenty-five per cent.

limited competition being established as the

Considering this

fact,

commercial system of the country,

it

was

and the various circumstances bearing on the

question, he did not feel
it

object to adapt the financial system to this

necessaiy to

make

new

state of things.

And

this led to the con-

any change in
generally.

this law, or in local taxation

sideration of the claims of those

who

believed

He

then came to the subject of the

themselves to have received particular injury

general taxation of the country under a system

of unlimited competition. It

from recent
ests

legislation.

Those difierent

inter-

was the boast of

side of the

were

the

shipping interest, the sugar-

honoui'able

members on the other

producing
est.

interest,

and the agricultural

inter-

house that they had given cheap bread to the

country.

The shipping interest believed themselves

But to carry out

their principles they

article of

to

be labouring under injuries caused by the

must cheapen every other

tion:

consump-

repeal of the navigation laws, and, after attentive investigation, their claims

and in carrying out those principles they

fail to

seemed to be
relief

could not

benefit every class

and give
suf-

founded upon truth.

For thoir

the

particular relief to those classes

who had

government proposed

to abolish all light dues,

fered from the system which they had intro-

except those actually for the maintenance of

the lighthouses themselves; to intrust the

duced.

therefore,

The house would not be surprised, when he stated that he proposed to

DISRAELI'S BUDGET.
reduce the malt-tax by one-half, and to abolish
altogether the
principal sources of the revenue

311

would soon

drawback on malt

in Scotland

terminate
'

he

alluded to the property and

to the house

the system to
10th of October.
article
tea.

come

into operation

on

tlie

income tax.

He recommended
;

He

then arrived at another

the extension of that tax to funded property

on which he proposed a reduction

and
its

salaries in Ireland

and, with respect to

Since the period

when Mr. Pepys

drink," tea

first

general operation, he wished to introduce

principle,

enjoyed the "

new China

had every

new

which was to acknowledge a

all in-

year been imported into this country in larger

quantities,

difference

between permanent and precarious

exemption should com-

and at a reduced price

than 71,466,000
last

until 1851,

incomes; and to recommend that on

dustrial incomes the

when no
ported
;

less

lbs.

were im-

and the

reduction of duties had

mence

at

^100 a

year,

and on incomes arising

After explain-

tended to give a great impetus to this increase.

from property at 50 a year.

The extent of reduction which he proposed was Is. 4j(/. per pound, which would leave only Is. per pound remaining the reduction

ing the details of the proposed plan by which the tax on property would remain at 7d. in
the pound, whilst that on income was to
to
fall

to

be effected gradually during a period

of six

5^d.

in the pound, he

added that the

years.

In cheapening another important be-

general result would be that the tax on the

verage of the people they had to consider

new basis would

had now
be met.

yield about the

same amount

another duty

He
on

was the duty on hops. was not going to remove the entire duty

that

as the average of the last three years. to propose the

He

this article

something
What

must be

left for

ways and means by which the diminution in the revenue would

futiure statesmen.

he proposed was to
Reflecting upon

He should

be obligpd to make a con-

take off the tax of Id. per pound, which had

siderable increase in the estimates, especially

in those necessary for the defence of the country, for

been

laid

on during the war.

the policy of these measures, the right honoui-able gentleman combated the notion which was

which the government had a great and

to propose.

comprehensive scheme

He should

entertained in some quarters that the con-

be obliged to ask that the expenditure of the

present year should be supplied through the

suming power of the people was on the

decline.

The supposition was induced by amount of emigration and it was

;

the large
true that

ways and means; and

should

for the next year

he

there were more persons going out of the

make an estimate which would exceed He conthe usual estimate by 600,000.

sidered himself justified in proposing this ex-

country than were counterbalanced by the

excess of births over deaths in England and

penditure,

when he

stated that the surplus,

of April

Wales.

But

it

should be taken into considera-

which he expected on the 5th

would

tion that the calculations of births and deaths

amount

to about a million

and a

half.

He

were confined to England and Wales, while

the emigration calculation had reference to the
extent of about two-thirds of Ireland.

proposed the abolition of the loan fund commission as a useless and expensive body, and

Under

from their repayments he expected a large

these circumstances he could not but consider

sum

to accrue to the country.

He

showed by

emigration as a most

beneficial

symptom.
of the

various calculations th;it the increased ex-

Another great cause of the prosperity

penditure joined to the large reductions would

leave a considerable deficit,

country was the discovery of the gold regions,

and

this

he pro-

which might have the

effect of raising

it

to a

posed to meet by doubling and extending the

house-tax, so that instead of
able only on houses rated at
it

height which had never before been attained.

its

being charge-

Under

all

these circumstances

he could not
loss to the

consider that the consuming power of the

20 and upwards should commence with houses of 10 rating,

people was on the decline.

The

while the tax on px'ivate houses should be increased from ninepence to eighteenpence in the

revenue by the reductions would amount to

between three and

four

millions sterling.
tli.it

pound, and shops instead of paying sixpence

should be rated at a shilling in the pound; the

Then tbev would remember

one of the

312

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

interest,
local

taxwould thenamouiitto:ibouti:i50,()00 aycar less than the wiudow-duty, and would yield
l,7f23,000.

and had been very useful

if it

in aiding

works, and

were
could

to be discontinued
;

By these meaus he
hand
to

calculated that

the debt ought to be extinguished

but

who

for the financial year 1853-54 there

;2,50U,()00 in

would be

ever heard that

it

be considered as
Di-sraeli jiroposed fictitious surplus.

meet an extra expense

for the financial year
all losses in

annual revenue
to use
It
it

of 2,100,000.

That

in

Yet Mr. making up a

i

1854-55, allowing for

respect of

was malappropriation.
Mr. Cobden protested against the ingreand the revival of

diminution of
]ireviou3 year,

<luties,

the surplus from the

and the house-tax which would

he would have on
to the con-

dients of compensation

then be in

full operation,

antagonism between town and country, de-

hand 3,510,000.

Thus he came

nouncing the increase of the house-tax as

unjust and partial, since
it

clusion that the surplus the first year

would

increased the ex-

be 400,000, and that of the second year something under 500,000, which he considered a

isting disproi)ortiun of taxation

upon houses
upon owners

and upon
.as

land,

and moreover

fell

healthy state of the finances, promising happiness and prosperity to the country.

well as occupiers.

This was

In an

this debate

Mr. Lowe came forward

scheme

in

the scheme which, in a speech lasting over

four hours, Mr. Disraeli proposed, and tained
it

elaboi-ate speech against the

of the

obhis

chancellorof the exchequer, and directed his attacks particularly against the malt-tax, saying
it

warm

support

from several of

colleagues as a masterly

and statesman-like
long, but

was by no means

clear that a diminution in

measure.

pi-ime cost

would be followed by a reduction

of the

The debate upon the budget was

by no means uncertain, and
it

in the price of beer in the face of a close

soon became

monopoly
licans

brewers

while

as the pub-

evident that the attempted adjustments in

were

in the brewers'

hands they had to

favour of the agriculturists, of which

.alleged that
fit

it

was

make up
either

for the small profits allowed

them

though they would scarcely bene-

by adulterating the liquor or reducing

till

by them, other classes of the community would be unduly burdened, were unacceptable
even
if

the measure
likely soon to

the quart bottle ajipeared

become a pint and the pint a

There were representatives
in the

there had been any disposition on

medicine bottle.
of the

the part of the opposition to accejit a financial

brewing interest

house

who

scheme from a government which must

It has

knew
of

better

what were the

relations

between

evidently resign.

been said that Mr.

effectually than

brewers and publicans (especially in the case

publicans

Disraeli never fought

more

who had

free

licenses),

and

when he was
to

fighting against

what

appeai'ed

who

could have told something of publicans'

be inevitable defeat, and

it

may be

ima-

profits.

Mr. Bass,

of course, supported the

gined that he did not spare his opponents

either taunt or sarcasm.

i-epeal of the malt-tax,

and there was a general

Sir Charles

Wood

tendency on the ministerial side to uphold

that as the most important feature of the

was one

of the first to analyse

and

to oppose

the measure

the remission of the malt-duty

He made much
in of

budget, of which, however, the chief point

he said would be intercepted by the maltster

was the

increase

and extension

of house-duty. of

and the brewer.

income-tax

the

The

opposition, however,

would not hear

unpopular character of the extension of the

to

persons

humble circumbe

stances and the extension of the house-duty

to farmers' houses, one of the "benefits" to

members like Mr. Lowe and Mr. B. Osborne condemned it the latter making a vigorous onslaught, in which he declared that the budget was based
the readjustment, and nuattached

confeiTed on

the farmer.

Practically the

on tyranny and
to the house-tax

injustice,

and maintained

house-duty would lead to extensive disfranchisement of

electors.

that the plan of the government with respect

The public works loan

was nothing more than a

fund consisted of money originally borrowed

to be lent out again with accumulations of

contrivance to compensate the agricultural

interest

by throwing an additional burden on

GEORGE HAMILTON GORDON,

4'-"

EARL OF ABERDEEN

Fr-eiraer 1852_1&55.

TP.OM AN. AUTHENTIC PORTRAIT.

SLACKIE a EON. MWDCK. G1A3G0W. A SDISBTOGB

.

LOWE OSBORNE HUME DISRAELI'S

the middle classes, while he denied that the

REPLY.

313

tinguishing between realized and precarious

reduction of the malt-tax would be a consumer's question since

tlie

incomes would work unequally in both countries.

price of beer
still less

would would

He

held that the admixture of direct

policy,

not be materially affected, and

and indirect taxation was sound

but

the agricultural interest generally be benefited,

as

that the admixture required great caution and

he well knew, being himself a barley

the proportions must be carefully regulated.

grower.

As we have

said, it

was quite evident from

Mr.
to

Hume

declared

that

with

regard
pro-

the attitude of the house and also from opinions out of doors that the budget

the

agricultural

interest,

neither

would not
subject of

ducers nor consumers would be benefited by

dealing with the malt-tax
unless
it

be passed, when Mr. Disraeli rose to reply.

were

He

fii-st

addressed himself to

tlie

abolished altogether.

There were 233

articles

the exchequer loan fund, of which he had

remaining on the
tinties

tariff

on which protective
yielding

taken ^400,000 as ways and means of the

year.

were

still

collected

only

He

explained the origin of this estab-

i"434,000, the

removal of any one of which

lishment (which he proposed to abolish), and

would benefit somebody.

which would attach

He

advocated the

observed that when his attention was drawn

to this fund he found in this department a

substitution of a system of direct taxation

to all property, for taxes

balance of upwards of 380,000 lying

idle,

by

excise

and customs, and denounced the

law being in existence, peremptorily requiring

that this unproductive balance should be increased every quarter; and he stated cases in

house-duty as one of the worst of taxes

its

tax upon domestic comforts most unjust in

nature and unequal in

Sir

its

operation.
critical

which, he said, the minister of the day had

availed himself of this public fund, virtually

James Graham followed with a

and exhaustive examination

character

of the proposed

without the cognisance of parliament, and

budget, which he said was of an ordinary

sums had been squandered which had escaped

the vigilance of even Mr.

when

stripped of the repeal of half

the malt-tax and the increase of the house-tax.

had been lent

to the

Hume. 250,000 Thames Tunnel, of which

Battersea

"With respect to the former, he had invariably

not a shilling had been repaid.

opposed a remission of any part of that tax,

Park, one of the most woful of speculations,

and he assigned various reasons why such remission would be of little or no advantage
to consumers or producers.
insisted

had had an advance

of 150,000.

He had

catalogue of parallel instances, from 1824 to

1850,
in

Sir

James next

which a sum very

little

short of

upon the inexpediency

of great local

of interfering

700,000 had been advanced, every shilling

of

with the operation of the exchequer loan fund,

which had been

lost to the country.

He
this

which was
asked

importance, and

had been asked why he had touched

fund.

why

the chancellor of the exchequer

of this useful

He

replied, to relieve the consolidated

aiin\ial charge,

laid his

hands upon a part

fund
I

fund from this

and

to

put a

to supply a deficiency he

would himself

create,

stop to a machinery which wasted the public

by timpering with the taxation of the country. The views of Mr. Disraeli upon the subject of direct

money.

He

then noticed the second arraignstatement by Sir C.

ment

of his financial

taxation, he remarked,

were

"Wood, namely, the mistake he had been sup-

incongruous.

He had
;

laid

it

down

at cue

posed to

make

in the estimate of deficiency in

time that direct taxation with large exemptions

1854-55, through the semi-repeal of the maltduty, which he contended he had properly

was

confiscation

and at another, that

it

without large exemptions

Sir

was

impossible.
in

assumed

at 1,700,000.

Approaching the sub-

James exemplified the manner

it

which
into

ject of the house-tax,

he touched rapidly upon

the income-tax, as
Ireland,

would be introduced
in

those parts of our colossal system of taxation

and the increased house-tax

the

Eng-

which had

to

be accommodated to the policy

land, conflicted with these

maxims, and conscheme of

dis-

of unrestricted competition, observing that the

tended that

proposed

government had

to fix

upon some

direct tax

314
to enable

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEABIES.

them
to carry out financial reform,

up our
It

principles with our benches,

and I

and he retorted with great keenness the

charge of endeavouring recklessly to increase
the direct taxation of the country, upon Sir
C. \Vood,

believe they will be quite as unsuccessful."

was

of course highly improbable that such

an antagonist as Disraeli would forget that

in 1S48, wlien Sir Charles

who had proposed one day

sufficient

to double

Wood was

chancel-

the income and property tax, and next day

told

lor of the exchequer, not only

had the gov-

the house he had

it.

ways and

ernment

resisted the extension of the income-

means without

In providing an amount

tax to Ireland, on the ground of the distress

existing in that countrj', but that, in view
of

of direct taxation for their purpose the gov-

ernment were guided by two principles

first,

an expected deficiency in the revenue,

it

as regarded the income-tax, to establish a dis-

had been proposed

to increase the income-tax

tinction

between realized and precarious

in-

an

intention which they were obliged to

of the strong expression of

comes

and secondly,

to enlarge the basis of

abandon because
public opinion.

direct taxation.

A select committee had then

in the estimates;

This necessarily brief indication of the points

of his reply, of course offers

been appointed to consider what reduction

could be

no

illustration of

made

and

after

the pungency and energy of the language in

prolonged secret consultations, during which

the chancellor of the exchequer refused to
reveal the intentions of the government
till

which he

retoi'ted

on his ojjponents, nor of

the " loud and prolonged cheering"

roars of laughter with

and the

which

it

was accom-

the select committee sent in

its

report,

an

panied.

Speaking of the declaration that the

brewer only would be benefited by the repeal

of the malt-tax,

amended financial statement was brought forward announcing that reductions had been

he reminded the house

of

made

in the army, navy,

and miscellaneous
been realized

similar observations
discuss

made when they used

of taxation

to

estimates

that an increase had

calculations
last

"the

efi'ects

on another

in various items of the ordinary revenue be-

" I don't care," he said, " now to rearticle." member from what quarter they emanated, but

yond the former

fore,

and that, thereof the "

with the

remnant

China

the effect and object of those observations were

exactly the same.
lains the bakers!'

money" the

deficiency

had been so reduced

it

Then

it

was, 'Oh, those

vil-

that at the end of the financial year

would

You may reduce

the price of
interest,

probably disappear.

At

the same time the

corn,

you may injure the agricultural

expenses of the Kaffir war and other matters

you mayruin thefarmers and the county gentlemen, but you could not reduce the price
loaf to the consumer.
all

had raised the deficiency

to 2,500,000,

to

be provided for

of the
it

and therefore

it

would be necesIt

No
all.

the baker took

millers.

sary to borrow .2,000,000.

was

this that

oh, yes

and there were the

The

Disraeli referred to when, in reply to Sir C.

millers were worst of

They

carried off all

the reduction.

Well, those arguments

Wood's strictures, he said "Talk of recklessness; why, in the whole history of finance
:

liad a considerable eflfect;

and there was such

there

is

nothing like this recklessness of the

a prejudice raised against the bakers throughout the country that I should not have been
surprised
if

right honourable gentleman.

And what was

the ground on which he withdrew the monstrous

they had been

all

hanged in one

and enormous proposition which he

day, as the bakers once were in Constantinople.

vainly sought to justify?

feated, baffled,

When

he was de-

Well, here are those

who wanted
we

to

and humiliated he came down

sufficient

buy
least

in the cheapest
all

and

sell in

the dearest
at

to the house

and found that he had

market, using

the fallacies which

revenue without doubling the property and

have had the courage honourably

Tell

to give

income tax.

Why,

history will not credit

it.

up.
is

me

Protection

is

dead

tell
'tis

me there
rampant,
to

The future
tells

historian will not be believed

who

no Protectionist party! Why,

'tis

that a minister proposed to double the

and

there."

Here the speaker pointed

property and income tax, and

that he came

when

refused,
sufTi-

the op;)0=:itlou benches.

"They

liave taken

down

to say that

he had

THE TWO POLITICAL OPPONENTS FACE TO FACE.

cieut

315

ways and means without

it.

And

then

This I know, that England does not love

coalitions;

he

tells

me, in not very polished and scarcely

and I appeal from the

coalition to

parliamentary language that I do not

know
j

that public opinion which governs the country

my

business.

He may
of

liave learned his busi-

that public
tible influence

opinion whose wise and irresis-

ness.

The House

Commons

is

the best

can control even the decrees of

judge of that.

I care not to be his critic;

still

parliament, and without whose support, even

but

if

he has learned his business he has

is

the most august and ancient institutions are

to learn that petulance

not sarcasm, and

but as the baseless fabric of a vision."

It

that insolence
Sir

is

not invective."
turn.

Then came
had
last

seemed to be generally expected that

this

James Graham's

"We

slashing defence
scarcely

would

close the

debate ; but

night from the

member

for Carlisle a

most

had Disraeli done speaking when

feet.

piteous appeal to the house

of taxing poor clerks of

upon the hardship between 100 and

Gladstone sprung to his

On

the night

when
sat,

the budget was

fii-st

proposed he had

i'150 a year.

He

stated that

150

is

exactly

bending for-ard, listening attentively to

the point where skilled labour ends.

You

every word, and occasionally making a note,

can recall the effective manner in which the

right honourable gentleman said that:

and he was now ready

to take
;

up point by

an
tells

point the scheme of finance

but he was also

"

unrivalled artist in

my opinion, when

he

eager to repel what he deemed were unwar-

us that this

is

the point where the fustian

ranted strictures on his friends.

The

right

jacket ceases to be

worn and broad-cloth beattire.

honourable gentleman must permit

me

to tell

comes the ordinary

Such, ah; was the

him that he
insolence

is

not entitled to charge with

representation of that eminent personage, for

men
him

of as high position

and of as
I

whom

have a great

regai-d

I don't so much
was

high character in this house as himself.

respect him, but I greatly regard him."

It is almost impossible to avoid the con-

must
to

tell

that he

is

not entitled to say

my
must

right honourable friend, the

member
him; and

clusion that the greater part of this reply

for Carlisle, that he does not respect

I
tell

a kind of bitter jesting

it

seemed

to display

him

that whatever else he

may

the abandon with which a satirist

might

have learned he has not learned to keep within

those limits, in discussion, of moderation and
of forbearance that ought to restrain the con-

turn upon those by

that

whom
his

he already knew

he would be defeated.

Though the
it

house laughed and

colleagues cheered,

duct and language of every

member
us, is

of this
it is

everybody must have thought that

was

house

the disregard of which, while

an

going beyond the ordinary sobriety of such an

occasion to refer to the national "reserve of

oflence in the meanest

amongst

an oS'ence

of tenfold weight

producing power"
ber of unmarried

in

the sense of the

of

num-

women

from twenty to

forty-five years of age

which the census of the

This rather

when committed by the House of Commons." After condemning the course of proceeding adopted by the government with reference to
leader of the

population had shown were dwelling in one

of the south-eastern counties.

the resolutions, Mr. Gladstone objected to the

resolution before the committee,whether it

was

extraordinary turn given to an expression

a vote for a house-tax or a vote for the budget.

which was used in referring to a remark

'Mr.

of

He enumerated .specific objections to the housetax, for

Lowe was taken

little

further than this, and

surprised.

which he would not

had been

legislate until all

members were a
end
self up.

Towards the
face.

these questions

fully considered.

He

of his reply, however,

he gathered himI

showed how severely the additional

direct

"I know what I have to

;

taxes would affect persons with small incomes,

have to face a coalition

the combination

some come

of

whom,

including the clergy, would

may be
they
that

successful.

A
;

combination has been

for the first time within the

sweep

of

before this successful

but

coalitions,

although

the income-tax.

He objected to the additional

it

may be

successful,

have always found

house-tax because

their triumphs have been but brief.

repeal of half the malt-tax

was connectad with the a measure which

316

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

for the

was professedly

immediate benefit of
it

than

the

passive

aspect

with

which

he

the consumer, whereas

was a

sacrifice of

listened to denunciations of himself or his

2,500,000 for a reduction in the

jirice of

beer

policy until the opportunity

came

for a retort,

that would be scarcely appreciable,

principle of reproduction

and the
kind

and he could wait

for that opportunity with

would conseqviently
of one

remarkable patience.

Nor was he without

aftei'

be dormant.

The imposing a tax

the kind of tact which could win back the

to repeal a tax of another

kind w-as a most

at-

good feeling of the house even

he had

delicate operation,
tract the

and one which would

made one
signation, of
it

of his direct onslaughts.

" I hope,"
its re-

most jealous scrutiny. The question,

he said, after the ministry had given in

however, which lay at the root of the whole

discussion

and the queen had sent

for the Earl

was that

of the income-tax

and

its

Aberdeen; "I hope the house

will not think

modifications.

Nothing would

satisfy

the

presumptuous on

my part

if

I venture to

country njion this head but a plan, not an

abstraction not

offer

my

gi-ateful
.say

thanks for the indulgent

something seductive, which

it

may e\'en

the generous

manner in which

they

who

proposed

knew

could not be car-

on both sides of the house I have been supported in the attempt to conduct the business
of this house.
If, sir,

ried into effect.

There was, however, no plan,

of

and the House

duties
if it

Commons would

forfeit its

in maintaining a too

consented to deal in the abstract

unequal struggle, any word has escaped

lips (I

my

with a matter respecting which the theories

hope never except

in the

way of

retort)

were endless.

Passing to the budget generally

which has hurt the

feelings of

any gentleman
it,

he asserted that the chancellor of the exchequer had introduced a new principle, subversive of all rules of prudence,

in this house, I deeply regret

and I hope

that the impression on their part will be as

transient as the sense of provocation

by presenting a
^f 400,000,

budget without a surplus, for the

insisted, in opposition to

he

my

own.

The kind opinion

whatever

of

was on members of

Mr.

Disraeli,

was bor-

this house,

rowed money and no

real surplus.

That right

opinions,

and wherever

may be their political I may sit, will always

honourable gentleman, he said, complained of

being opposed by a coalition.
stone)

be to

me

a most precious possession, and one

shall

He (Mr. Glad-

which I

always covet and most highly

know whether a minister of the crown was entitled to make a chargeagaiust an independent member of parliament, and
wanted
to

appreciate."

These sentiments were received

with hearty applause on both sides of the

house, and were endorsed
sell,

without any evidence.

He

voted against the

Sir Charles

by Lord John RusWood, and Sir James Graham,

and
for the ability with

budget, not only because he disapproved on

who
of

expressed his admiration for the talents

Disraeli,

general grounds of
phatically because
it

its

principles,

but em-

Mr.

which

was

his firm conviction

in its

that this

was the most perverted budget

effects that

months he had conducted the cause of the government. This was gratifying,
for the psist ten

tendency and ultimate

seen,

he had ever
its

especially as during a

week or two

just before

and

if

the house should sanction

deit

the debate on the budget, the ex-chanceUor of

lusive

scheme the day would come when

bitter

the exchequer had been under a disagreeable

would look back with

ineffectual repentance.

and

late,

though

imputation to which
to refer.

we

shall presently

have

On

a division there was a majority of 19

Though

there had been no coalition leagued

against the government, and the house ad-

together for the destruction of the late gov-

journed.
ing.

It

was a cold and wet

w'inter

morn-

ernment by any settled plan

the task
intrusted
to

of combination, of

"It will be an uni^easant day for going

the Earl

Aber-

to Osborne," said Disraeli to a friend as they

deen necessitated the formation of a coalition

ministry, in which
cellor of

went out together from Westminster Hall. Nothing seemed to affect his extraordinary imjierturbability

Mr. Gladstone was chanLord Cranworth,

lord of

the

exchequer;

under

defeat.

His

activity

and

lord-chancellor; Earl Granville, lord-president

of the council; Sir

intensitv in attack

was no more remarkable

James Graham, first

DEATH OF THE DUKE OF

the admiralty; the
seal
;

WELLINGTOiSr.

317

Duke

of Argyll, lord privy

of the
first

Before the close of the year 1852 two events

Sir C.
Sir

Wood, president

board of

had happened which, though they had no

actual relation to each other,

control;

W.

Molesworth,

commis-

came

so close

sioner of public

works

Mr.

Cai-dweil, presi-

together that the coincidence was remarked.

dent of the board of trade; Sir A. C'ockburu,

attorney -general
general
; ;

The Duke
Castle,

of

Wellington died at AValmer

the

and Mr. Bethell,

solicitor-

and

empire

was restored was

at

in

Lord Liinsdowne had a

office.

seat in the
of

France.

cabinet without
state

The

secretaiies

The Duke
Castle

of Wellington

Walmer
with

were the Duke

of Newcastle, wlio took

when he was suddenly

seized

the colonial office;

Lord John
;

Eussell,

who

what appeared

to be only a slight ailment

became foreign secretary

ston,

and Lord Palmer-

a temporary attack of indigestion.

nearly eighty-four
years
old,

He was
had

who

accepted the home-office.

He had

but he

been asked to become chancellor of the exchequer in the Derby administration, but had
declined.

preserved his active habits, and on the 13th

of

September,

the

day before

his

death,

Lord Derby had intimated that

his

appeared to be in his usual health.

He
for a

adherence to or abandonment of a duty on the

importation of corn woidd depend on the result
of the next general election
,

had taken

his

customary walk, bad visited

the stables and

made arrangements

and Palmerstou was

journey to Dover, where he was to meet his

daughter.

too decided a free-trader to listen to such a

proposal.

Lady Westmoreland.
Welleslej',

There were

Another objection would have been

no other

visitors at the castle

than Lord and

that the

Derby government was uot based on

of
parties,
it.
;

Lady Charles

and the duke had

any union

although Palmei-ston

dined heai-tUy from a dish of venison, and

was invited
have yielded
coalition,

to join

His position would and though he might

was apparently

in

good

spirits.

He
till

retired

have been anomalous

if

to rest at about his regular hour,

and no one
his valet

the government had been a

office

knew
went
to

that anything was amiss

to call

he could not accept

by going
nor

him

in the morning,

when

instead

in singly as chancellor of the exchequer,

is

of rising he ordered

Mr. Hulke, his apothecary,

little

it

likely the result

if

would have been very

be sent

for.

So

did that gentleman

different

he had.

expect any serious result that he prescribed

In the new Aberdeen ministry, which was

a coalition, Sidney Herbert was secretaiy at

no medicine, but advised the duke to remain

in bed,
toast
;

and to take only a

he then
left

little

tea

and dry

war; and he was soon to find

position.

it

an onerous

the castle, and on his

local

way

This government, with a premier

painfully anxious to preserve peace,

home
cal

called

on Dr. M'Arthur, the

medi-

who was
to

attendant of the duke,

who approved what

and a foreign minister by no means disposed

be belligerent, was soon to be engaged in
preparations for one of the most tremendous
conflicts that the

he had done, as his grace had before been

subject to similar att^acks which they had treated without any great difficulty.

During

world has ever seen.

It has

the morning, however, the duke had a second

attack, partly lost consciousness,

been believed that the war might have been

averted
little
if

and was un-

the British government had been a

little less
if

able to speak articulately.

Both the medical

more decided and a

of Russia

reticent

attendants were again

their arrival

summoned, and on

in the interests of peace

that

at the outset
told unmis-

administered remedies which

the

Emperor

had been

had been

efiectual

on previous occasions, but

takably that England would not stand by or

join in

the breathing of the patient became imperfect,

any implied understanding while he was the acknowledged protector

of

and though on
more

his being

removed from the

disposed of Turkey, under the representation

that he

bed and placed in a chair he seemed to respii-e

easily,

the pulse
fast.

fell,

and he was

the Greek Christians,

who made

so large a

seen to be sinking

Lord and Lady

Dr.

proportion of the subjects of the sultan

hostilities

Charles Wellesley, the valet, and the two

might not have commenced.

medical attendants alone were present.

31S

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

and Dr. Ferguson
yrere telegraphed

Hume
for,

what Napoleon
more than he

called the "magnificent

game"

but were both out of town, and Dr. Wil-

whom Talavera

had made baron

earl, Sala;

liamson only arrived late at night in reply to

the summons.

and

viscount,

Ciudad Eodrigo an

The Marquis

of

Douro

(after-

wards Duke of Wellington) and the MarThe rechioness, were on the Continent.
medies which were used had
little

manca a marquis, and Vittoria a duke who was a field-marshal in the British, Austrian. Russian, and Pnissian armies who had been
;

or no effect,

generalissimo of the allied forces in 1815; on

and the duke suffered from two more attacks of the disorder, after which he became insensible,

whom
as

a host of rewai'ds and honours had

been conferred by foreign potentates as well

and passed so quietly away that

it

was

by the four

British sovereigns
;

whom

he

only by holding a mirror to his lips that those

had served

so well

for

whom

a great estate

around him could

ceased to breathe.

be'

convinced that he had

The Earl and Countess of Westmoreland, who were on their way to Calais
to

had been purchased as a gift from the nation; and who could not be justly accused of coveting either honours or wealth, nor of abusing
either,

and thence

Vienna, and to meet

to

whom
over,

the

but

who

gi-ew gentler
till

and simpler the

so express

duke had intended

go to Dover, arrived

longer he lived,

the mild steady light of

if

in the evening, but all

was then

and
in-

his later years eclipsed,

it,

we may

they w-ere obliged to continue their journey.

the lustre of his earlier fame.

Old as the Duke

of

WeUington was, the

was deeply
felt

There were numberless characteristic and

pleasant stories afloat about "the Duke," and
it

telligence of his death

by the

The common people had long learned He stood to look upon him with respect. before them at last in his tnie and best character the brave soldier who loved not war
nation.

was pretty well known that he gave away a

great deal of

money

in charity, frequently of letters in

sending

off

numbers

which he

had placed bank-notes

had so numerous a

to persons in distress.

the honest, earnest fi-iend of the country and

Perhaps nobody except Mr. Gladstone ever

circle of

who had never swerved from what he believed to be his duty; the man who
the queen,

correspondents

who wTote

idly or for the purpose of obtainis it

remained unchanged by honours such as never

before were conferred on any subject; the
blunt, abrupt, simple, bent old warrior,

ing a signature, nor

likely that

many

distinguished jiersonages have been so scnipulous in replying as the great general

gx-eat

whose

and the
con-

plain speech

and undemonstrative presence

steps, or rode

commoner.
impertinent

At

last

the subject of the

had

become familiar as he walked with

neck, but

these

demands, and

swaying and somewhat feeble

stooping forward over his

stant stereotyped rejily beginning, "F.-M. the

hoi-se's

Duke

of Wellington begs to acknowledge,"

joke,

yet kept a firm seat and held the rein with a

became a public

and the duke had

Of

to

steady hand.

He

was the foremost man

in

announce that he could not undertake to

Europe

if

multiplied honoui-s could give fame,

answer frivolous communications.

there were

coui'se
little

and yet people forgot his honours.

self

He

him-

many

stories

which had very

only remembered them with a certain

truth in them, but there were others which

humility;

and "the Duke," as he was

al-

had been well authenticated, and with these

the people were pretty familiar, especially

ways

called,

had outlived

political hate

and

popular misapprehension, and even his

prejudices born of

own

such as related to the simple personal habits

of the

hard and cruel times.

he had taken no per-

grand old

soldier.

Tlie small, bare,

For nearly forty

sonal

yeai-s

poorl)' fm-nished

room

at

Apsley House in

part

in

war, and
of

he continued to
those
traditions
victories, all the

which he

slept

on a small bedstead provided

be

the

representative

only with mattress and bolster, and scantOy

curtained with green sUk, was, so to speak,

which recalled our greatest

time that he spoke of war

itself as

a horrible

pubhc

jiroperty,

and a good many among

"Perhaps you are

necessity to be avoided always except

where

"the masses" sympathized with his actual

objection to be waited on.

honour was

.it

stake.

Few men

detested

THE QUEEN'S SOEEOW FOE THE LOSS OF WELLINGTON.

not aware that I shave myself aud brush

319

my

Pradt was
one man."

there,

aud

iu the eouree of conver-

own
ford,

clothes,"

he said once to Lord Straugstaying with

sation said,

"Europe owes her salvation

to to

who was
boots;

him

at

Walmer

"But before he gave me time

Castle.

"I regret that I cannot clean

for servants bore

my

look foolish," continued the duke,

"Du
and

Pradt
said,

own

me, and the

This was not

put his hand on his

'C'est moi.'"

own

breast,

presence of a crowd of idle fellows annoys

He was

remarkably fond of
of

me more

than I can

tell

you."

children,

and was proud of the reputation

intended for the purpose of denying proper

attendance to others, but to explain an an-

being liked by them iu return.

He would

nouncement made by the duke one day at breakfast that he was obliged to go up to

romp with them, play with them, and let them do much as they liked while they were in his company, as might be shown by more
than one extract from the

London immediately because

to dinner;

all

his

razors

many reminiscences

required setting, but that he would be back

that were published by others after his death.

razors for

The man who had sharpened the many years, lived in Jermyn Street,
to

We
fill

cannot dwell on these, or

several pages.

we might
which
re-

There was a Wellington

and they could be intrusted

to Dover.

no one

else

literature

"

WeUingtoniana,"

though Lord Strangford offered to take them

corded

much

that he

had
after

said

and done aud a

"So you

see, Strangford," said the

good deal that had been

falsely attributed to
it

duke, "every

man

has his weak point, and

him and reappeared

dicted
of
;

had been contrafor his

my weak point is the sliarpeniug of my razors."

People were constantly, as
it

but the respect and even the affection

colleagues,

were, lying in

queen,

and people

wait to obtain some notice from the "hero of

a hundred

fights," as

he was sometimes rather

of presents

memory was true and real enough. Her majesty was at Balmoral, where
had heard only a few days before
of

she

vulgarly called.

Numbers

were

of the death
left

sent him, even to patties, cakes, aud other

delicacies such as

a Mr. NeUd, a gentleman who had

her

he seldom touched, aud, as

the whole of his fortune, of which the personal

estate was sworn under a quarter of a million and the landed property was estimated at about an equal sum. Mr. Neild was a barrister,

we have
was he

said,

questions innumerable

nor

With anyone who was modest and who treated him with
difficult to

approach.

reasonable respect he was himself simple and

man

of considerable learning

and

of

even familiar, after an abrupt fashion, but he

very penurious habits, and a large fortune

would not permit any want of proper

courtesy.

which he had inherited from

his father accuall

"The reason why

liave a liberty

I have a right never to

mulated while he denied himself

but the

taken with me," he said, "is

common
any
left

necessaries of

life.

He

had no near

because I never take a liberty with any man."

relations,

nor was

it

believed that there were

This was apropos of some weak attempt by

of

whom

he had any knowledge, and he

to his executors, the residue of

two of the royal dukes

a
little,

either to "chaff"

or to criticise his

him appearance when he

William the
to hold his own.

100 each

his large property going to her majesty.

He

went to court
Fourth.

after the death of

But he was able

"Were you
tance asked

ever surprised?" some acquain-

had not even made a bequest to a housekeeper who had grown old in his service, nor to one or two other dependants but these the queen
;

him

in a

somewhat

coarse

and

provided for before accepting

the fortune

familiar tone.

"No," he retorted; "but I

am
but

which had been duly assigned to her "for her

now."

This was quite in his blunt manner,

it;

own
It

use and benefit."

which had something boyish about

at his

was

in the midst of their correspondence

he was simple enough to enjoy a joke, even

about this peculiar event with King Leopold

own

expense,

when he

pleased to

tell it

aud

Bai-on-

Stockmar that the intelligence of

himself, as

when he

related

how, in 1814,

the death of the

Duke

of

Wellington reached

Madame

de Stael gave a gi-and pai-ty in his

the Queen and Prince Albert.

On

the 16th of
little

honour while he was in Paris.

The Abbe du

September the queen, writing at their

320

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

"We
were
left to

shiel of Alt-na-Giuthasacli, says,

us Melbourne,
a,]l

Peel, Liverpool,

now

startled this
letter

morning

at seven o'clock

by a
tele-

the Duke,

gone!"
his
letter

from Coh^nel Phipps inclosing a

Prince Albert, in

to

Colonel

graphic despatch with the report from the

sixth edition of the
lington's

Phipps, had already said, "That the old duke

Sun

of the

Duke

of

Wel-

should be no more

is

one of those truths

death

the day

before

yesterday,
at all be-

which

it will requii-e

a long time before one

which
lieve.'

report, however,
.
. .

we did not
otf

can believe.
him, what

What

the country has lost in

lost, it is
if

We got

our ponies (at the

we personally have

almost

Dhu
was

Loch), and I had just sat

down

to sketch

impossible to estimate.

It is as
is

in a tissue

when Mackenzie returned saying my watch

safe at

a particular thread which

worked

into

home, and

bringing

letters;

every pattern was suddenly withdrawn.

The

amongst them there was one from Loi-d Derby,

which
I tore open,

duke was the

and

alas

it

contained the

which kept us in connection with a century which has passed before us."
link
I

confirmation of the fatal news

land's,

that

Eng-

Lord Derby was at Balmoral, and therefore

there was no delay in intimating her majesty's
desire that there should
funeral,

or rather Britain's pride, her glory,

her hero, the greatest

man
!

she ever produced,

be a public state
of the great genei-al

was no more
few
lines

Sad day
!

Great and irreparinclosed a

and that the body

laiil

able national loss

Lord Derby

should be

in St. Paul's Cathedral beside

from Lord

C'harles Wellesley saying

that of the great admiral, the

son.

that his dear, great father had died on Tues-

renowned NelFor some days there were all kinds of

day at three

o'clock, after a

few hours'
I

illness

speculations as to the probability of Prince

and no
three.

suffering.

God's will be done

The

Albert succeeding Wellington as commanderin-chief,

day must have come.

It
is

well for

The duke was eightyhim that he has been

illness

but in fact the matter was settled on

the

17th of

September, the day after the

of

taken when

still

in the possession of his great

;

queen heard

the duke's death, and her

mind, and without a long

loss
!

but what a
In him

majesty agreed with Lord Derby that the

One cannot think

of this country with-

out 'the Duke'

au immortal
Above

hero!

command should be intrusted to Lord Haidinge, who was raised to the peerage; and whom
Lord
Fitzroy

centred almost every earthly honour a subject

Somerset

(afterwards

Lord

could possess.

His position was the highest

party, looked

Eaglan) succeeded as master-general of the

ordnance.

a subject ever had.

to

up

by

all,

revered by the whole nation, the

;

There

is

no need fully to describe the funeral

friend of the sovereign

carried these honours!
of purpose,

and how simply he AVith what singleness

ceremonies which at the time occupied publie

^

attention almost to the exclusion of

all

what straightforwardness, what courage were all his actions guided The
!

other business, or to recount the details of the

I

crown never found, and

devotedj
loyal,

I fear never will, so

solemn but magnificent procession, to witness which the streets were filled with a vast multitude, amidst

and

faithful

subject

or

whom, unhappily,

several serious

staunch a supporter."

accidents occurred during the passage of the

of

Writing afterwards to the King

Belgians the queen says:

the

cortege and afterwards as the enormous throng-

"He was

to us a
.
.

surged back.
jiuies

still

larger

number

of in-

true friend and mcst valuable adviser.

had been sustained by persons in the

We shall

soon stand sadly alone.

Aberdeen

is

crowd assembled to witness the lying in

state at Chelsea Hospital, whither the remains

almost the only personal friend of that kind

'Prince Albert, writing to Colonel Phipps, s.iid, "Aljoii said the intelligence it transmitted had every appearance of being true, I confess we did not

Duke of Wellington had been brought from Walmer C;istle on the 10th of November.
of the

though

The

bier occupied a raised dais at the top of

the gi-eat hall, which- was

hung with

black,

believe

it,

as the

Sun

is

not a very credit.able authority,

to sell

and a sixth edition looked more like a last attempt the stock on hand of an old paper in the streets."

the walls bearing the family escutcheons.

carpet of the dais

The

was

of cloth of gold, the

THE FUNERAL OF THE GEEAT DUKE.

coffiu

321

of

crimson velvet richly ornameuted,

and on the end of the bier were hung the

in gi-eat drops from their faces; and fathers and brothers strove in vain to recover their
relatives torn

numerous

stars

and orders vrhich had be-

from them

in the crowd.

The
indi-

longed to the duke.

The whole

bier

was sur-

multitude actually smoked like a heated haystack,

rounded with a

silver balustrade

adorned with
pedestals,

from the pressure and

It

strain

upon

heraldic devices

and ten projecting

i'iduals.

was necessary

(the precautious to

on eight of which were black velvet cushions

bearing the mai'shal's batons and orders of

secure order having been neglected at the outset) that steps

should be taken to restore

it,

Great Britain, Hanover, Austria, the Netherlands, Portugal, Prussia, Bussia,

that the carriage-way in front of the Hospital

and Spain.
all wei-e

should be cleared, the peojjle confined to

tlie

The ninth and tenth pedestals bore the duke's

standard and guidon, and attached to
lion supporters in gold,

causeway, and a sufficient force obtained to

form barriers.
tendent Pearce,
police

Most

fortunately.

Superin-

more than two

and banners

feet

who had

the charge of the

high, beai'ing the shields

of the

arrangements at the Exhibition, came

nations mentioned.

At

the back of the bier

visitors entered

on duty in the morning, and by his exertions a far greater sacrifice of life than

was the royal escutcheon. The

what

through a dai-kened corridor into the vestibule,

actually took place was, in all probability,

which with the chapel was lighted only by a

prevented.

He

sent at once for

of the military

more men,

few tapers. The

rows

hall

was lighted by four long

and with the aid

had barriers

of silver candelabra.

long low plat-

constructed at the points where they were

required.
of

form ran along the

soldiers of the

side-walls,

and upon

this,

So urgent, however, was the need

caljs

Grenadier Guards stood like

them, that
It

had

to be used for the

o'clock in the

statues resting on their

arms reversed.

The

purpose.

was nearly three

order was

yeomen

of the

guard were stationed round the

seated.
of

afternoon

before

re-established

catafalque,

and nine mourners were

and the safety

vided
for.

of the public adequately pro-

The Queen and Prince Albert with some

After that time the circulation of

the royal children visited the hall in the after-

the streets wa.s restored, and matters went

noon, and then the pensioners from the Hospital

smoothly

enough."

Nearly

47,000

passed

were admitted, many of them veterans

great general
;

through between nine and

five o'clock.

On
and

who had fought under the

were succeeded by parties

they

Monday, the
amounted
to

15th, 80,000 visited the hall,

of the Life-guards

on Tuesday and

and the Grenadiers, a few private persons, a

girls'

100,000 persons.

Wednesday the numbers The public

school,

and the Duke of York's boys'

funeral was on the 18th, and before daybreak

school.
:ind

On

the 12th admission was by ticket;

the troops, cavalry and infantry,

who were

to

on Saturday, the 13th, the public were

take part in the procession mustered in the

admitted, and a terrible crush took place, to

Mall and the parade-ground beside the Horse

Guards.

guard against which

liad

sufficient

arrangements
said
:

The

coffin liad

been removed to the

"The
dation,
entire

not been made.

The Times report

force of

Horse Guards the night before, and at about

seven o'clock was lifted by machinery to the
top of a lofty funeral
car.

tide of people set in like

an inun-

and before the small

men

at

At

eight o'clock
it

the Hospital

knew what they were

about, the

the hangings of the tent which concealed

approaches were blocked up.

Then

from view were suddenly furled, the

first

ensued scenes of confusion and struggles for

bare
of
life,

minute-gun was
notes of the "

fired,

the troops presented

first

frightful shrieks

and exclamations
present.

arms, the muffled drums rolled, and the

agony, such as will uot readily be for-

Dead March

in Saul"

sounded

gotten by those

who were

Women
;

as the vast procession started to arrive at the

were knocked down or fainted away; children

were held aloft to escape sufiocation
strong

entrance of the cathedi-al by twelve o'clock. It

was a magnificent
tists

spectacle of civic

and

state

men were
Vol.
II.

seen with the perspiration, notwith-

dignitaries, military officers, foreign diploma-

standing the coldness of the weather, falling

and representatives,

troops, pensioners,

42

322

GLADSTONE AKD HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

of

and the bearers

nei-s,

superb iusiguia aud ban-

he had every reason to be grateful for the

friendly terms in which the late

now clouded with the signs of mourniug.

duke had
Doubtless

Prince Albert was there in a state carriage drawn by six horses, aud the carriages of the

spoken of him, and that he wished to continue

on the best terms with England."

lie

queen aud the great nobility followed; Imt the most touching sight of all to many a sj^ectator present

meant

this at tlie time,

it.

and he had good

shall see that as

reason for meaning

We

was the
first

dirke's

charger led by a
It

events occurred the declaration continued to be

ti-ue;

gi-oom, the saddle empty.

was half au

but

if,

while he was pondering what

for securing

hour after the

part of the procession had

policy

would be best adapted

started that the List part of it

so

began to move,
this

France, another series of events had occurred,

it

numerous were the attendants in

and a half of people, thousands of

may be

doubtful whether he v.ould have

solemn show, which was witnessed by a million

been ready to encourage manifestations on

behalf of an English alliance.

whom

In

this he

was

had come up from the country, and who stood

in the

neither worse nor better than other rulers,

gloom and mist of a November day in

and as
tlie

it

turned out an English alliance was

a space not more than three miles in length,

consisting of streets not at

one thing whicli gave him true stability

auy point mon-

at

tlie

commencement

of his imperial cai-eer;

than 200 yai-ds wide, occupied in the centre

but the nations themselves very soon be-

by a broad
mere
slip of

procession,

and narrowing to a
side, as

came
vived

allies,

and the good understanding was

empire perished at

footway on each

the

independent of the government, aud surit

cortege approached Saint Paul's.

It

is

worth

even after

tlie

recording that this enormous multitude took

Sedan.

order;

up the ground with comparative!}' little disand though, as we have said, there were

"Honour, my lords, to the people who so well

knew how
said

to reverence the illustrious dead!'' in a fine oration

several serious accidents, there

was scarcely any

peaceful!}'

Lord Derby

pronounced

disturbance.

The whole assembly

in the house of peers

funeral.

on the

niglit after the

dispereed within fifteen hours

only two thoucar,

"Honour

to the friendly visit ore,

sand policemen having beeu employed to preserve order in a mighty crowd which stood in

especially to France, the great

and friendly

nation that testified by the presence of their

representative their respect and veneration
for his

solemn silence as the funeral

bearing the

body

of tlie duke,

went slowly

by.

memory.
glory,

At Madrid,
of tlie

at Berlin, at Yieuna, the death

worthy
fame nor

of their steel.

They regarded him as a foe His object was not

duke was followed by military funeral

nominal rank he

but a lasting peace.

We have
us
It

services befitting the higli

buried in our greatest hero the

man among

held in the armies of these and other countries

who had

the greatest horror of war."

if

who bad

conferred honours upon him.

would have been well

leader of the

the utterances of the

Representatives from every first-class state in

premier had found an echo in those of the

Europe were present

except one.
this

at the funeral in

No one appeared
as

for

London Austria, and

House

of

Commons; but

for

some

inexplicable reason
serious error,

Mr. Disraeli

fell

into a

was regarded
to

an intentional slight in

and one which would have been

less

consequence of the treatment given to General

calamitous to a

distinguished man.

He

Haynau, and

mark the Austrian

ofiicially

sense of

delivered a speech in which there appeared to

the freedom with which that government had

be a good deal of empty rhetoric, though some

of it

been spoken of
England.
trary,

and imofBcially in
to

was eloquent and

to the point.

Many of

Prince Louis Napoleon, on the confii'st

the statements were, however, injudicious as

was among the

announce his

in-

coming from a minister on an occasion when

foreign nations had

tention to have France represented.

When
"Cer-

come hither

to

show honlost.

Count Walewski asked him whether he was

to attend the duke's funeral, lie replied, tainly; that

our to us and to the hero

whom we had

"He

had," said Disraeli, "to encounter at the

factious

he wislied to forget the past; that

same time a feeble government, a

GLADSTONE'S TRIBUTE TO WELLINGTON.

oppositiou,
aUies,

and a distrustful

people, scandalous

it,

remarkable in

its

contrast to

much

of the

and the most powerful euemy in the

There were other ill-judged expreswoi-st of all, the

florid

and not always

sincere eulogy
orations.

which

world."
sions;

had adorned some other

"It

may

but

most

rhetorical,

and

never be given to another subject of the

British crown to perform services so brilliant
as he performed
;

apparently the neatest and most eloquent part

of the speech

had been borrowed, not to say

it

may

never be given to
to

stolen altogether, in sense

and expression, and

another

man

to hold tlie

sword which was

mostly word for word, from an eulogy pro-

gain the independence of Europe, to rally the

nations around
herself
it,

nounced by M. Thiers on Marshal Gouvion

St. Cyr. in 1829.

and while England saved

to save Euroije

In the Globe this was pointed

out with the following remarks:

of

"The Duke

by her constancy,
it

by

her examj^le;

may never be given to

another

Wellington has experienced the vicissitudes

of either fortune,

and

his calamities were oc-

after such

man, after having attained such eminence, an unexampled series of victories,

casionally scarcely less conspicuous than the

liomage which he uUimateh' secured.

l^elted

He was

to show equal moderation in pe.ice as he has shown gi-eatness in war, and to devote the

Cantillon.

by a mob. He braved the dagger of The wretched Capefigue even acof peculation.

remainder of his

life

to the cause of internal

and external peace

has so served;
it

for that country v.hich he

cused

him

But surely

it

was
the

may never be given to another

the last refinement of insult that his funeral

oration,

man

to

have equal authority both with the

pronounced by the

official chief of

sovereign he served and with the senate of

English parliament, should be stolen word for

which he was to the end a venerated member;

it

word from a trashy panegyric on

French marshal."
oration
It

a second-rate

may

never be given to another

man

after

may be added
article in the

that the

such a career to preserve even to the last the

full possession of those

which Mr. Disraeli had adopted had Morning and

it is

been quoted in an
Chronicle

great faculties with which he was endowed, and to carry on the

services of one of the

on the

1st of July, 1848,

most imijortaut depart-

not a

little

remarkable that the author of the

ments of the

state with unexampled regularity

article in the Chronicle afterwai-ds sent

a letter

and success even

to the latest

day of

his life.

to the Times, saying that his attention

called to Thiers' striking eulogy

was first
It

These are circumstances, these are

qualities,

on the mili-

which may never occur again

of this country.

in the history

tary character by Mr. Disraeli himself.

But there

are qualities which

may have been possible that

so

Disraeli
it

had been

the

much impressed with

his

it

that
in

became fixed
for his

Duke of Wellington displayed of which we may all act in liumble imitation: that
and unceasing devotion
to our country; to act

on

memory, and that

a weak moment
it

sincere

he yielded to the temptation of using

speech; but whatever
son, the

that honest

and upright determination

may have been the reamarvel remains that a man who

any member
of the

for the benefit of the country on every occa-

sion; that devoted loyalty, which, while

it

next to Mr. Gladstone needed such adventitious aid perhaps less than

made him ever anxious to serve the crown, never induced him to conceal from the sovereign that which he believed to be the truth;
that devotedness in the constant performance
of

house, should have laid himself open to the

probability of discovery and consequent disgi-ace.

duty; that temperance of his

all

life,

which

There were, of course, other speeches on the

subject of the character and achievements
of the great duke,
I

enabled him at
his

times to give his

faculties to

the services

mind and which he was

distin-

and the

loss

the country

called

on

to perform; that regular, consistent,

had sustained.

Mr. Gladstone added a few

re-

and unceasing piety by vNhich he was

guished at
all

weighty words to the general tribute of

verence and regret
;

times in his

life;

these are quali-

but his language gained

ties that are attainable

by

others,

and these
lost as

emphasis from haring been pitched in a lower

key.

are qualities
exam]5le."

which should not be

an

We

cannot forbear quoting a portion of


324

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

of

The "progress"

Louis Napoleou through

sand cannon.

Then Aix was

visited,

and the

the southern departments of France during September and October (1852) had been more
imperial than presidential, and indeed there

account in one of the London journals of his

reception there tells us "

He

aiTived at

Aix
of

about fom- o'clock in the afternoon, escorted

was no concealment
throne.

of the fact that

he awaited

by

soldiers, generals, prefects,

and an ai-my

the " voice of the nation " to call

him

to the

official

persons.

Aix was formerly the

of the

capital

Nor can

it

be denied that the na-

of

King Rene,
Kent',

father of Margaret of Anjou,

was in his favour, so far as the great majority was concerned. Even after the
tional voice

and the head-quarters

troubadours.

King
Fete

whose mind ran on such things,

" la

largest deductions

were made for

officially-

invented and established a fte called

Dieu,"

promoted demonstrations in the provincial towns, and well-acted entliusiasm by which

Ills

representing

the

triumph of
This famous

Cliristianity

over Paganism.

adherents excited the populace to join in

celebration

was suppressed by the convention

Associated witli

welcoming him by the name of emperor;

people in England were obliged to come to
the conclusion that he had been called to

revived in 1803 and in 1807.

the history of the empire, the authorities of

Provence thought

fit

to i-evive it

on the occa-

by the voice of the country. Of coiu-se those who were opposed to him here and they
rule

sion of the visit of the inchoate emperor.

Ac-

were

to be

found not only in the ranks of de-

mocracy and of constitutional Liberalism, but

in the party

which boasted

of being
tlie

tndy

mummeries were got up afi'esh and when M. Bonaparte entered Aix an histrionic procession, comprising King Herod and Jupiter, the Queen of Sheba and
cordingly the old
;

Conservative
of

jealously watched

accounts

Venus, the three Magi and the three Zephyrs,

besides hosts of forgotten personages, angels,

these manifestation-^, and

exposed them

when they appeared

by means
on his
of

to be fictitious.
tlie

The

dis-

demons, bishops, and others, danced round

tlie

covery of a plot to assassinate

pi-esident

imperial carriage to the music of flutes and

an infernal machine while he was

tambourines.

This strange performance was

way

to

Avignon had,

it

was

said,

been
of

followed by au address from the mayor, and

carefully allowed to develop

police until the

by the ministry

a gracious but insignificant reply from M.

Bonaparte."

moment when the conspirator

took a house on the route that their intended

victim was to travel, and then the assassins

That some of the demonstrations were

feeble

and

fictitious there

can be

little

doubt,

and

their deadly invention were seized.

The

and

it is

certain that

some

of the addresses

story

was scornfully denounced

as a device

were not only fulsome but impious.

these,

One

of

intended to arouse popular enthusiasm.

"An

from a commune

of tlie Herault,

was a and

eye-witness," writing to the Times, denied

.shocking parody of the Lord's Prayer,

the truth of the

official

account of the " mag-

far worse even than the address published

by

nificent" reception of the president at

seilles,

Mar-

the

Mayor

of Sevi-es, inviting the people to

and declared that there was no

liis

real ex-

sign a proclamation of the empire,

and begin-

pression of feeling in

favour; and that with

ning, "Paris, the heart of France, acclaimed

the exception of a few, very few and feeble,

cries of

on the 10th

of

May
is

for its

emperor him whose

"Vive Napoleon

!''

a sullen and signi-

divine mission

every day revealed in such

ficant

silence sat

upon the multitude.

The
pi-esi-

a striking and dazzling manner.

At

this

troops did not utter a single cry.

The

moment
by
this

it

is

the whole of France electrified

elect of

dent looked most wretched, haggard, and careworn.

which salutes her saviour, the

God,

new

title,
'

which clothes him with

From

Marseilles the

president

went

to

sovereign power.

God wiUs

it,'

is

repeated
is

Toulon, accompanied by a strong

fleet of

war
re-

with one voice

vo:x:

populi vox Dei. It

the

steamers and men-of-war. The crews shouted

marriage of France with the envoy of

God

Vive I'Empereur, and the whole town

sponded, the squadi'on saluting with
its

which
verse,

is

contracted in the face of the uniof

thou-

under the auspices

aU the constituted

LOUIS NAPOLEON'S SPEECH AT BORDEAUX.

bodies and of
sanctified
all

325

the

peojile.

That uuion

is

its

dissolution

because each party consoled

by

all

the ministers of leligiou and

itself

with the belief that amid the general

it

by

all

the piiuces of the Church.

These adspeeches,

wreck

might, still plant

its

standard on the

dresses, these petitions,

and these

floating fragments.

which are at

this

moment being exchanged

"Now

that

its

eyes are opened to absurd

between the chief of the state and France, are

the documents connected with that holy union

theories, the peojile has acquired the convic-

tion that those pretended reformers

visionaries,

every one wishes to sign them, as at the church

he would sign the marriage-deed at which he
is

were mere inasmuch as there has always been a disproportion and a want of consequence

present."

These and

many more monstrous

it

between their expedients and the promised

result.

examples were necessarily made the subject of

indignant

At

present the nation surrounds

me

comment

but

may be

said that

with

its

sympathies because I do not belong

even a ruler seeking absolute power cannot be held peraonally responsible for everything
that

to the family of the ideologists.

To promote
not necessary

the welfare of the country

to apply

it is

may be said

or done

by his adherents, and

new
is

systems, but the chief point,

to produce confidence in the

Louis Napoleon did not seek absolute power.

above

all,

The remarks already made in these pages

cannot be held to be favourable to him, nor

present and security for the future.

these reasons
to
it

For

seems France desires a return

were thoughtful people desirous of true

tical

poli-

the empire.

There

is

one objection to

and

social progi-ess

through a pure and

w^hich I

must

reply. of

Certain minds seem to

free constitutional

government, ever likely to

entertain

a dread
is

war; certain persons

endoi-se his acts;

tliat

but

it

must be conceded
were reassured.

say the empire

only war.

But I
is

say, the
it,

when he

himself spoke fully, everybody

peojjle

empire

is

peace, for France desires

is

and

listened,

and most

when France

satisfied the

world

tranquil.

This was when he had reached Bordeaux,

["These words," according to the published

report, "uttered in a

and was invited to a banquet by the Chamber

of

firm voice and with

Commerce.

"I

accept,"

he

said,

"with
the

strong emphasis," produced a magical effect;

enthusiastic bravos

eagerness the opportunity afforded

me by

were heard from

all sides.]

Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce

your great
its

for thanking

Glory descends by inheritance, but not war.

city for its cordial reception

and

Did the princes who

recommence
his wai-s?

justly felt pride that

magnificent hospitality; and I

tlie

am happy
object of
to

they were the grandchildren of Louis

at

end of

my

journey to communicate the

War

is

not

XIV. made for

this

impressions I have received.

The

pleasure, but through necessity;

and at

my

tour, as

you are well aware, was

make

epoch of transition, where by the side of so

myself acquainted, by pereonal observation, with the beautiful provinces of the south,
ind to ascertain their real wants.

many

elements of prosperity spring so

many
be to

causes of death,

we may
first

truly say.

Woe

It has,
result.

him who
lable.

gives the

signal to a collision,

however, led to a far more important

I

the consequences of which would be incalcuI

confess,

may

say, indeed, with a

candour as far
false

re-

however, that, like

conquests to make.

the
I

moved from pride

taneously,

as

from

modesty, that

emperor, I have

many

never did a people more directly, more spon-

wish, like him, to conquer

hostile parties,

by

conciliation all

more unanimously
itself

testify

a deter-

and

to bring into the grand

mination to free

from

all

uneasiness rein the

popular current those hostile streams which

s[)ecting the future,

by placing

same

now
one.

lose themselves

without profit to any

hands as heretofore a power which sympa'liizes

it

I wish to restore to religion, morality,

still

with

its feelings.

The people has now

and opulence, that

most

numerous part

of the

last

learned to value at their price the false

it

population whicli, though in the bosom of the

fertile

hopes with which

has been cajoled, and the

it

countiy in the world, can scarcely

dangere with which

was threatened.

It

obtain the

common

necessaries of

life.

We

seems, then, that in 1852 society approached

have immense waste

territories to cultivate.

32G

GLADSTONE AXD HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

costumes,

roads to open, ports to dig, rivers to render

navigable, a system of railroads to complete;

moved along the

principal thoroughla

fares towai-ds the Place

de

Concorde.

It

we have opposite to Mai'seilles a vast kingdom which we must assimilate to France; we have
to bring
all

might have seemed that the coup-d'elai and

all

the horroi-s of the

month

of

our great western ports into con-

the previous year had been forgotten.

o'clock

December in At two

nection with the American continent

rapidity
of

by a
still

a gun from the Barrifere du Trone

communication which we

announced that the president had arrived at

the railway terminus.
tional guards struck

want;

lastly,

we have
This
if

ruins to restore, false

gods to overthrow, and truths to be made

triumphant.
is

The bands of the naup the old imperial tunes,

the sense which I attach

is

the battery at the Barriere fired a continuous

salute,

to the empire,

the empire

to

be restored.

the veterans of the

army mai-ched

Such

iu'e

the conquests which I contemplate

like

towards the Place de

la Concorde.

At

the

and

all

you who sun-ound me, and who,

terminus the president was received by a

brilliant
state,

me, desire your country's welfare

soldiers."

you are my

assembly of the grand dignitaries of

the judges, the Archbishop of Paris and

This speech was printed and extensively

circulated

his clergy,

and a host

of functionaries in uni-

by the government. Fifty thousand

form.

The

president of the municipal coimcil

copies

were ordered to be distributed among

president's retui'n to Paris

of Paris addressed him.

The

prefect of the

the miners of the b:isiu of the Loire.

Seine entreated
of

him

to "j'ield to the wishes

The

was a trium-

an

entire people,

and to conclude the misre-

phal entry.

Preparations had been

made

for

sion intrusted to

him by providence by
of the

an imperial reception. Great triumphal

to the Tuileries.
laurels,
othei-s

ai-ches

suming the crown

his dynasty, as
it

immortal founder of
title of

with imperial devices were raised on the route

was only under the

Some were covered with

crimson cloth

emperor that he could accomplish the promises

of the magnificent programme he had addressed to attentive

draped with

studded with gold bees. Ornamental canopies

Europe

at Bordeaux."

The

isresi-

were decked with

shields.
pereiu-," "

eagles, escutcheons,

and

deut then mounted his horse and proceeded to

the Tuileries amidst his attendants.

Inscriptions to "Louis Napoleon

Em-

Three or
the

Napoleon

III.,"
III.,

and

"A

son altesse

four evenings afterwards he attended

Imperiale Napoleon
5ais,"

Empereur des Fran-

Theatre Frangais in

state,

and was greeted

were

explicit

enough; and, "L'Empii-e

with general acclamation as he appeared.

play,

The

c'est la paix,"

figured as the

new watchword.

which was one

of CorneiUe's, contained

At

the entrance of the garden of the TuQeries

more than one

tus),

allusion to the

emperor (Augus-

a magnificent arch bore this inscription:

and these were hailed with suggestive

"A Napoleon III., Empereur. Sauveur de la

civilisation

acclamation.

At

the end of the performance,

modeme. Protecteur des

sciences,

Rachel, the gi-eat actress, appeared draped in

des arts, de I'agricultm'e, de I'industrie, et du

white and laurel-crowned as the muse of

tory;

his-

commerce.

Les ouvriers reconnaissans.

Fan
8.

Con1853.

behind her stood

all

the dramatic com-

stitution de

Constitution de

pany.

Conversion des Rentes.

Credit foncier.

Trafer.

At the end of the stage was a flag on which was an imperial crown and " Napoleon
III."

vaux

d'utilite

publique.

Chemins de

The

actress

Continuation du Louvre.

Rue

de Eivoli."

dent's

box and

recited

bowed low before the piesisome not very remarkby Arsene Houssaye
for
c'est la

All Paris was en fete awaiting his arrival,

the balconies and
tors, soldiers

able stanzas written

windows

fiUed with specta-

the occasion, and entitled, " L'Empire

Paix." That phrase

tional

guard

cavalry, infantry, and the na lining the streets, companies of

ti-ades'

was a happy one and hud

legislatif
:

caught the

eai-

of the world.

market women,
devices,

deputations caiTying

On

the 1st of

December the corps

bannei's decorated with golden bees

and other

announced the

result of the plebiscite

ayes,

and a vast assembly

of

aU kinds of

7,864,189; noes, 263,145; null, 63,326.

On

people,

many of them in bright and picturesque

Sunday the

5th, the anniversary of the coup

"L'EMPIRE C'EST LA PAIX."

d'etat,

327

the empire was proclaimed throughout

over in silence the glorious reign of the chief

of

France.

lu

all

the churches of the diocese of

my

family,

and the
hLs son,

title

regular
title of

though

Paris the ''Domiiie salvum fac Imjieratorem

nosti-um
to the

ephemeral

of

which the chambers

conquered

Napoleonem" was chanted, according

see in

proclaimed with the

patriotism.

last burst of

form prescribed by the papal

Thus, then, the

Napoleon

The new emperor attended mass in the chapel of the Tuileries. The senate met on the 6th to receive two projects of a SeuatAs1804.

III. is not one of those dynastic

151-etences

and obsolete

consultum; one modifying the constitution,

the other relating to the civil
dress to the senate
list.

which seem an insult alike to truth and common sense it is the homage paid to a government which was legitimate, and to
;

In his ad-

wliicli

we

are indebted for the noblest pages

history.

and the

legislative

body

of our

modern

My
to

reign does not

the emperor said

date from
this

1815, it dates

from the instant

"The new regime which you

augurate has not
its

day

in-

when you communicated

of the nation. to establish in
.
. .

me

the suffrages

origin,

like

so

many

Assist me, all of you,

others which lustory records, in violence, conc[uest,

thi.-5

laud, harassed

by

so

many
on
of the

or intrigue.

It

is,

as you have just

revolutions, a stable government, based

religion, justice, probity,

declared, the legal result of the will of

eutii'e peojjle, consolidating,

au

and the love

while in a state

humble

classes.

And

here receive the oath

of repose,

what
I

it

had founded in the midst

deeply giatefid to the

tliat I will

use every exertion to assure the

of agitation.

am

prosperity of the country, and that, whilst

nation, which, three times in four years, has

maintaining peace, I will yield nothing which

afi'ects

sui^ported

me by its suffrages, and which

its

each

the honour and the dignity of France."

time has only augmented

to increase

majority in order

Wliatever

may have been

the differences of

my power. But the more this power

and in
vital foice the

opinion as to the justification of the cottp

d'etat

gains in extent

more

and the means by which Louis Napo-

need

it

has of enlightened men, like those

of independent

leon Bonaparte rose to power, the general

loosely expressed verdict in

who sunound me,

those

men, hke
theii-

England

wa.s that

whom
and
if

I address, to guide
to reduce

me by

he understood the French people and was

just the sort of ruler they wanted.
It could

counsels,

my

authority within

just limits,

ever

it

should transgi-ess them.

not be denied that he at once applied himself

successfully to promote the material advan-

From
of
peojjle

this

day I take, with the oath, the name

III.,

Napoleon

because the opinion of the

it

tages of the country

by the encouragement

of

has aheady bestowed

upon

me

in

various industries, the construction of rail-

their acclamations,
legally proposed
it,

because the senate has

ways and large public works, and some improvement and extension of the scheme of
public education.

and because the whole

it.

nation has ratified

Does

this,

however,
into the

signify that in taking this title I

fall

France began to
prosperity,
;ind

settle

Under the new regime down in a course of

to

error

imputed

to the prince

who, returning

another era seemed

be

from

exile, declared all

that had been done in

opened for the country.

There appeared to
in

his absence null

and void?

So erroneous a
I recog-

be a calm and deliberate determination

the
his

notion

is

far

from me.

Not only do

manner

in

which the piesident had placed

nize the governments

which have preceded

hands upon the guiding-rods of the national

Increased confidence gave to the
life

me, but I inherit in some sort what they

jiave

machinery.

accomplished of good and evil

for suc-

character and the efibrts of public

cision

the pre-

cessive

governments, notwithstanding their

which they had long needed. There soon

feeling that it

different origins, are severally

acts of their predecessoi-s.

bound by the But the more I

giew up a
deliberate

would be well

if

this

and judicious action could be made

Commercial and industrial prosit

accept that which for the last fifty years

history hands

permanent.
perity could,

down

to us with its inflexible

is it

was

believed, only continue

if

authority, the less

allowed

me

to pass

the dangers that had always attended a change

32S
of
pei-soual

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

rule in

Frauce were averted.

it

any point on which he could appeal

jiride

to

popular

There was

but oue plan,

seemed, for averting

and love

of domination. of the country

them and
progi-ess

of escaping the effects of another

The whole commercial aspect

Wiis encouraging.

revolution which would arrest the national

New

chai'tered

banks and

and keep France from resuming

its

other enterprises were being set on foot to

forward place in the counsels of Europe.

It

provide for the

in of
financial

demand

for increased facilities

came

to be believed that the restoration of

transactions,

and

speculations

the empire under modern and "constitutional" conditions was the best, if not the only, way
to avoid the constant recurrence of internal
strife

various

kinds were of coui-se promoted

social

Meantime the

of the lower classes of the population

and sanitary condition was and revolting

in

and to develop the resources of the

receiving earnest attention, and some public

revelations of
state

country.

That

this object

was achieved and was

the degraded

that the rule of Napoleon III. continued for

in

which people herded together

some time

to realize the expected results

some of the
feeling,

London
called

slums, aroused public

attested in France

and was admitted

It

in the

and

for the

intervention of

other countries of Europe.

was many

the law.
time, but
bui-y)

Nothing was

effectually

done at the

years before he showed to the world that he

Lord Asliley

(the Earl of Shaftes-

belonged to the dynasty of disaster.

was

stUl actively

engaged in this as

well as other directions to effect improve-

The year

closes

upon measures
sea

of prepara-

ments by beneficent
It

effort until

legislation

tion for wai', or at least for strengthening our

could be more fully directed to the subject.

defences both

by

and

land, including the

fleet.

addition of small screw-steamers to our

disgraced

must be remembered that London was still by " fever dens " and " rookeries
teeming with a debased popuof

'

Mr. Tennyson's "Ode on the Death

of the

of old houses,
lation.

Duke

of

Wellington" gives, in small com-

The corporation
for

London

after

pass, the state of national feeling at the time.

obstinately endeavouring to hold out against

government, holding
little

office

by

sufferance,

the

demand

removing the cattle-market

could do but

in so short a term.

The

from Smithfield, and foul slaughter-house.s

real political life of the year lay in the fer-

mentations of the popular mind upon the

question of free-trade, and peace or war? The whole Manchester party were fallen into

from the crowded centre of the city had but just consented to undertake ihe management
of a

new market at

Islington,

though they had

been allowed six months to make up theii' minds

manifest discredit, and those germs of thought

whether they or the metropolitan commission

should do the work.

and

feeling

were sown which sprang up into

life

The continued use

of a

prompt and open

quai-rel

at the

first

hint of the

great space in the city, devoted to cattle-pens

which led

to the

Crimean war.
brought more and

and

pig-sties, the

dangers incurred, and the

Meanwhile two public men were, by the

force

horrors that were perpetrated in driving sheeji

of

circumstances,

and oxen through the

ficult

streets to a

market

dif-

more

to the front of
ill-.

affaii-s

Lord

Palmer-

of

approach
filth,

and

the

indescribable

ston and

Gladstone.

The

latter was, it

scenes of

brutality,

and cruelty exhibited

traffic of

was reported, "cut"

certain

in the rudest

manner by
ought

both at ihe market and the shambles, amidst

the enormous and gi-owing the streets.

members

of the Carlton Club, one of

whom went
tion of the
sell's

so far as to suggest that he

cannot be easily imagined except by those

are old enough to

who
yet

to be pitched out of the

window
!

in the direc-

remember having witnessed

is

Reform Club

Lord John Rus-

them.
settled,

The market question

and never
will
itself is dealt

not

unlucky dismission of Palmerston had

latter, in

be settled until the

given the

the eyes of the public, a

corporation

with in accordance

standing grievance, besides bringing his policy

with the i-easonable demands of social progi-ess

;

and

his "principles" out into the

very broadto carry

nor have the people of London yet to

of the

est daylight.

He was

just the

man

depend alone on the printed records

GLADSTONE'S GREAT FINA^'CIAL SCHEME OP

past for their ideas of the

1853.

329
his
it

Jon slum, and a

foul

meaniug of a Louand overcrowded neighimprovements

and he has never

lost the

charm nor can

frequent hearei-s lose the surprise though

bourliood. StiU the value of the

has so often been repeated.

He

possesses the

which were inaugui-ated in the period at which

this narrative has

extraordinary abOity to invest a statistical

repoi-t

now

airived, the

work

of

with the graces of poetic narration and

;

the sanitary commission, the acts for regulat-

appeal

his lucid

and vigorous descriptions

of

ing water supply, for the provision of a sys-

the pecuniary condition of the country become

tem

of metropolitan drainage, for the police

examples of vivid and veracious "word painting " which translate them,
if

regulation of

common

lodging-houses, and

we may

use the

afterwards for the formation of the

Thames

expression, into " landsaipes with figures."

Embankment and

other public structural im-

This

his

first

budget was a scheme

sufli-

provements, can scarcely be overestimated,

even though the sewage question and other

topics

may again need to be gi-avely considered

more years
of experience.

after thirty

make the life-long reputation of a statesman. As a writer weU said at a later date, " The secret of the financier's magic lay in that sound principle which he may be said
cient to
to have inaugurated iu British finance,

Of couree when the new parliament met

ou the 10th of February, 1853, the tiuancial
statement was looked foi-ward to with keen
interest,

and under the extended application of which trade and commerce have advanced with leaps and
bounds.

He
of

reckoned upon that property in

is

and

it is

but a poor record of the

national finance which

'elasticity
safely,

now known

as the

fact to say that all the anticipations

which

revenue,'

and which

is

now

had been foi-med

cellor of the

of the ability of the chan-

and

as a matter of calculation, counted to

exchequer were fully realized

upon presently
tion.

make good

deficiencies im-

when he

rose to speak on the 18th of AjMil.

five

mediately accruing upon reduction of taxaThei'e

is

For more than

houre the house sat

listen-

nothing remarkable in the

ing, not only in silence,

but with profound

adoption of this principle now, any moi-e than

there
to
is

attention and unmistakable pleasure, to Mr.

in the application of a lighted

match

Gladstone's lucid expositions, happy illustrations,

a gas-burner when

we want

light in a

and convincing arguments,

it

as he laid

darkened room.

But
its

in 1853 the experiment

results as surprising, as

before

the

first of

the series of those financial

was

as novel,

and

measures which have never failed to arouse

admiration and to
elicit

would have been the introduction of a blazing

gas chandelier in the House of Commons

applause.
of

He

was
and
re-

when

an

acknowledged

master

finance,

William Pitt was explaining his budget of

1783."
It should be of April, ten

everybody expected from him a scheme

markable for
.

its

far-reaching

computation

mentioned that on the 8th

'{

the resources of the country, and a minute

days before the night for the

.pplication of details for the purpose of adapt-

financial statement, Mr. Gladstone

had brought

ing

it

to the

wants

of the

community.

But

forward his plan for the reduction of the national debt.

to these characteristics of the plan

which he

This plan he submitted to the

It

jjroposed were

added a marvellous power of

house in the form of fifteen resolutions.

interesting his audience in statements which,

iu

consisted of three portions, which he fully

most instances, would be

difficult of

imme-

and

cleai'ly

explained.

By

the

first

he pro-

diate appi'ehension

and excessively fatiguing.

susceptible of almost every

posed to liquidate certain minor stocks

the

By

the aid of a voice of which the clear and

is

South Sea stock, the old and new South Sea

annuities,

unstrained tone

bank annuities

of 1726,

and three

degree of inflection, he gave a nearly romantic interest to

per cent annuities of 1751

of

the

total

amount

what from other speakera would

of facts

which stocks was about .9,500,000, made

of stocks

have been a bare dry recapitulation

up

which

differed only in

denomina-

and

calculations.

This was the surprising

first

tion,

and thus perpetuated a needless com-

peculiarity of

Mr. Gladstone's

budget,

plication in the debt.

He

proposed that these

330

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOBABIES.

new
this

stocks should either be converted into

debt would have been avoided

resorted to at

if

it

had been
Speaking,

securities or paid off at the option of the

an

earlier period.

holders;

and he calculated that

if

by

with a suggestive reference to possible events

operation the interest on these svims was re-

which was soon to be

atlbrds
tilities

verified,

he

said,

''

It

duced by a quarter per

per annum, and that
off the

cent, the ]iermaueut

you the means, should unhappily hosagain break out, of at once raising
300,000

annual saving to the country would be 25,000

if

the stocks were paid

still

your army to
portion; and

and

your

fleet

to

saving would be

greater.

His

100,000, with all youi- establishments in pro-

next proposal was to operate on exchequer

much
navy

n.s

may

be said of the

bonds in such a way

one per cent.

as

would

secure,

if

his

importance

in

which I concur
rfeserve,

of
if it

an army
fiscal

anticipations should be fulfilled, a saving of

leserve and a

I say this

The

third part of his plan

reserve
aright
resort,

is it

no
is

less

important; for

be used

was

to effect the voluntary

commutation of

an engine to which you may need be, defy the world."

ap-

the three per cent consols, and the three

and with which, judiciously employed,

if

per cent reduced, amounting altogether to

500,000,000, into one or other of two
stocks which he proposed to create,

you may again,

plause.

new

This declaration elicited a burst of

and which
would

After thus dealing generally with

would be as

like each other as possible in their

the question, Mr. Gladstone entered upon a

conditions, so that the fund -holders

very

full

and detailed examination

of the
distinc-

probably be induced to take portions of both.

proposal so often urged, to

tion

draw a
fi-om

The
But

intention

was ultimately

to

create an

between precarious and realized incomes,

trades

irredeemable permanent 2i per cent stock.

of

and between incomes derived

more immediate importance were the

and professions
ing

and he dwelt

explicitly

on

particulars of the budget dealing with the

the almost absolute impossibility of drawin practice

for,

current national revenue.

the distinction which

was

The levenue
:\Ir.

of the financial year,

which

contended
incomes.

between these two

classes of

Disraeli

had estimated

at .51,625,000,
;

The government proposed

to

renew

really

amounted

to 53,089,000

the expendi-

the tax for two years, from April, 1853, at

ture, estimated at 51,163,000, had, in fact,

the present rate of Td. in the pound, and for two

years more, from April, 1855, at Qd. in the

only reached the

sum

of 50,782,000, thus

leaving a surplus of 2,460,000.

But before
it

pound, and from April, 1857, for three years

considering

how much
to

of this

amount would

more at

5(^.

in the

pound; so that

it

would

be available for the remission of taxation,

expire altogether on the 5th of April, 1860.

was necessary

announce the calculated ex-

But

in order to enable ministers to

accompany

penditure for the year just commenced, which

the present renewal of the tax with a farther

relief fi-om taxation, it
it

amounted to 52,183,000; so that three-fifths of the surplus was already disposed of. Mr.
Gladstone estimated the amovint of the revenue
for the

was proposed

to

make
to
it.

more productive by extending it down a class of persons who were exempt from

year 1853-4 at 52,990,000, giving an

Hitherto the taxes had only been paid by

persons whose incomes amounted to 150;

apixarent surplus of 807,000; but he urged

that,

on account of the uncertainty of some

henceforth an income-tax of

5c/.

in the

pound

of the items, it

would be better

to take

it

at

was

to be

imposed on persons whose incomes

700,000, and of this

consisted of

sum about 220,000 money which did not proceed

sources.

were between 100 and 150, for the whole

time that the tax was to be continued.
Ire-

from permanent or recurring

retention of the income-tax.

Mr.

land had profited largely by the remission of

taxation,

Gladstone next considered the question of the

which the income-tax had enabled

it

He

pointed out

the government to take;

distinctly

was therefore very

it w:is

what great things it had enabled the government and the legislature to effect, and how

proposed that Ireland should at

length be

made

subject to the tax, aud

much

loss

aud how heavy an accumulation

of

expected that this would yield an additional

THE "TEMPORAEY" IXCOME-TAXLUCID EXPLANATIONS.

annual

331

sum

of ^460,000.

By

alterations

he

proposed to

make

iu tbe legaey-Juties

Mr.

Gladstone expected to realize 500,000 for

the year 1853-54, and no less then two millions
for the year 1856-57,

was to i-ange, and to had devoted his powers of explanation and defence. The attempt to strike
the greatest discussion
this he

averages for the purpose of obtaining unequal

incidence
futile

and

this

would probably

of

the tax

he contended In

become a part of the j)e:-manent revenue of the kingdom. He brought forward cei-tain
specified

would be

and even mischievous.

times of national emergency and peiil the tax on incomes had done great things for the
country,

changes in the duties on Scotch and

Irish spiiits,

and proposed

to relieve Ireland

and he asked the house

might do again
'"

to consider

from the consolidated annuities, amounting to

4,500,000.

what

it

if

those perils should

After this enumeration of the

return.

It

was in the
were

crisis of

revolutionary

taxes he intended to impose, Mr. Gladstone

war that when Mr.

of taxation
fell

Pitt found the resources

entered on the more agreeable task of an-

failing

under him, his mind

of the income-

nouncing those he hoped to remit.

first place,

In the

back upon the conception

he stated that he contemplated the on soap, which

revenue amounting

tax,

and when he proposed

it

to parliament,

entire remission of the duties

that gi-eat man, possessed with his great idea,

raised his eloquence to

would involve a net

to 1,111,000,

loss of

an unusual height and

to

and

for the current year of

life

power."

From 1806

1815

the average

771,000.

He

would reduce the tax on

2s.

annual expenses of war and government,

together with the charge upon the debt contracted

assurances from

6d. to Gd.

He intended
receipt

to

substitute a uniform

penny

stamp iu

before 1793, was 65,794,000;

and

the pLace of the stamps, varying according to

the income-tax had raised the revenue of the

country, which in 1798

the

sum

received,

which had hitherto been

6d.

was only 20,626,000,

two
millions.

used.

The duty on apprenticeship was lowered

20*. to 2s.

to 63,790,000, thus reducing the deficiency

from

Reductions were also

solicitoi's' certificates,

from about

fifteen millions to

made

in the taxes

on

When Mr. Gladstone dealt with the subject

of the composition of the tax

and the

articles of apprenticeship of solicitor,

and

its

alleged

on hackney and other

post-horses, tea;

carriages, horses, dogs,

gross inequality, he regarded it as only a tem-

in a word,

133 different
the
total

porary burden which was, according to his

calculations, to terminate in seven years,

taxes were

to

be reduced, and

and

amount of the remissions of taxation which it was proposed to make was estimated at 5,384,000. Four days before Mr. Gladstone made his statement a motion made by Mr.
Milner Gibson, one of the representatives of
Manchester, for the abolition of the advertise-

without dwelling on the

iuquiry

whether
its in-

there ought to be any difference in

cidence on the owners of land and houses and

persons engaged in trade, he showed

careful estimate that land paid at that

by a mo-

ment duty, had been

stone announced that

carried
31.

against

the

government by a majority of

Mr. Glad-

before Mr. Gibson's

ment ninepence and trade sevenpence in the pound and he asked whether any moderate man, if he was about to establish a difierent rate of payment between the two classes,
;

motion was brought forward the government

liad

would make the difference greater than that

determined to reduce the advertisement

Is.

which then

existed.

He

protested against

duty from
:,'ether

6d. to 6d.,

and to repeal

alto-

the averaging of classes

when some

trades

the duty on newspaper supplements;

and
Mr.

were worth twenty- five, and others were

only worth
;

10 this

determination they adhered, in spite of

five,

foui-,

or three years' pui--

the majority on Mr. Gibson's resolution.

Gladstone entered into an elaborate statement

of calculations, leading to the conclusion that

chase and as regarded the difl'erence between laud and trade, there was no sufiicient reason
for attempting the reconstruction of the in-

there

was a reasonable prospect

of

really

getting rid of the income-tax in 1S60, for

the breaking

the

income-tax was the topic over which

The government was opposed to up of the tax; such a policy would inevitably lead them into a quagmire.
come-tax.

333

GLADSTONE AND HIS CUNTliMPORARIES.

gency, and that
it

To
it

relinquish it was altogether safe, because was altogether honourable but to break it up was to encourage the House of Commons to venture upon schemes which might look
;

will be impossible to

do

if

you break up the basis of your income-tax." It was the desire of the government not
only to put an end to the uncertainty which

well on paper,

the purpose of

and were calculated to serve the moment, but which would

prevaQed respecting the income-tax, but to

]n-ovide for the teimination of the tax itself,

end

in

the destruction of the tax

by the

ab-

and

to treat

it

only as a temporary one. Alas!

surdities

and

iniquities

which they involved.

of gigantic

their good intentions

were

fi'ustrated as the
its

The government, while recognizing the fact

that the infiome-tax

country knows too well, and

necessarily
in-

was an engine

unequal application to different classes of

power

for great national purposes,

were of

come

is

still

one of
It

its

most exasperating

opinion, from the circumstances attending its

characteristics.

only needs to read the

operation, that

it

was, perhaps, impossible,

conclusion of Mr. Gladstone's magnificent exposition to discover that his opinions

and

certainly not desirable, to maintain it as

on

tlie

a portion of

the permanent and ordinary

Its inequality

subject of the tax itself were almost precisely

tliose

finances of the country.

was
it

which he aftenvards maintained.

a fact important in
entailed

itself;

the inquisition

" If the committee have followed me, they

will uudei-stand that

and the frauds

which
it

was a most serious disadvantage to which it led wei'e evils

that the income-tax ought to be

we stand on the principle marked as a

was not

possible to characterize in.

temporary measure; that the public feeling

that relief should be given to intelligence and
skill as

terms too strong.

"Depend upDn

it,"

con-

tinued the right honourable gentleman,

"when
re-

compared with property ought to be

you come

to close quarters

with this subject,

met, and

may

be met

that the income-tax

when you come

to

measure and see the

in its operation ought to

be mitigated by
its iu-

spective relations of intelligence

and labour
to repre-

every

i-ational

means compatible ^dth

all,

and property, and when you come

tegi'ity,

and, above

that

it

should be assoit

sent these relations in arithmetical results,

ciated in the last terra of its existence, as

you are undertaking an operation which I

should say
to
it

was

in the

i5rst,

with those remissions

of inre-

was beyond the power

of

man

direct

taxation which have so greatly

to the pi-ofit of this country,

conduct with satisfaction, but which, at any

dounded

and
ex-

rate, is

an

opei-atiou to
;

which you ought not

if,

constantly to recur

for

as

my

honourable

have set so admirable an example ample that has already in some

an

quai-tei-s

friend once said ver'y properly, this country

proved contagious to other nations of the

earth."

could not bear a revolution once a

will venture to say that
it

yeai-,

could not bear a

" These," continued the speaker in conclusion, " are the principles

reconstruction of the income-tax once a yeai\

on which we stand,
if

Whatever you do
you must be

in regard to the income-tax

and the

figui-es.

have shown you that

you

bold,

you must be

intelligible,

gi'ant us the taxes

which we ask, the moderate

you must be
with
it.

decisive.

Tou must

not palter

amount
less

of 2,500,000 in the whole,

and much

If

you

do, I

have striven at least to

than that sum for the present year, you,

point out as well as

my

feeble powers will

or the parliament which

may be

in existence
if

pennit, the almost desecration, I would say,

certainly the gross breach of

in 1860, will be in the condition,

you so

duty to your
guilty,

think

fit,

to part with the income-tax.

country, of which you

wiU be found

" These are the proposals of the government.

in thus jeopardizing one of the

most valuable
I believe
it

They may be approved or they may be condemned, but

it

among
to

all its

material resources.

have

this full confidence, that

be

of vital importance,

whether you keep

it,

wUl be admitted that we have not sought

not concealed those difficulties either

this tax or

whether you part with

it

that you

to evade the difficulties of the position; that

should either keep

or leave

it

in a state in

we have

wtuch

it

would be

fit

for service in

an emer-

from ourselves or from others; that we have

DISRAELI'S SATIRICAL COMMENTS.

not attempted to counteract them by narrow
or flimsy expedients; that
plans which,
if

333

twice endeavoured to impress upon the house.

we have prepared
iiuancial

But he opposed the provisions

scheme in
detail,

of the financial

you

will adopt them, will go

especially with regard to

injustice to land.

some way

to close
if

up many vexed
not

what he alleged was

tions, to

questions, which,

now

settled,

may be

Introducing an illustration, with ailcula-

attended with public inconvenience, and even

show the

injustice of the system the

with public danger, in future years and under

less

committee was now asked to support, he said

he had made the difference of assessment in
his schedules not as a complete arrangement,

favourable circumstances; that

endeavoured, in the plans

mitted
to you,
to

we have we have now subthe

make

path of

our

but as a principle of
with the seven
times,

conciliation.

He did

not

successora in future years, not

more arduous
permitted to
to

think the incidence of the tax would terminate

yeai-s,

but more easy; and I

may be

because the spirit of the

of duties,

add

that, while

we have sought
community

do

justice

which demanded remissions

to the great labour

of

England by
to put

was

hostile to its abolition,

and because the

furthering their relief from indirect taxation,

character of Mr. Gladstone induced

him
it

to

we have not been guided by any desire

one class against another.
should best maintain our

believe that, though so conscientious that ho

We
own

have

felt

we

would
tax,

certainly resign office

if

he held

iu

honour, that

1860, sooner than propose a renewal of the

we should

best meet the views of j)arliament,

interests of the country,

however necessary; yet that then, as

its

iu

and best promote the

other cases, he would rise below the gangway,

by declining
between
oui-selves as

to

draw any invidious

and
class,

distinction
it

and recommend

renewal, sacrificing himself

class

by adopting

to

to save his country.

His own opinion was,

a sacred aim to diffuse and

dis-

that the tax should be renewed for a very

limited time, with such a mitigatory character
as could be contrived;

tribute the burdens with equal

;

and impartial
of believing

hand and we have the consolation

that

and that we should

it

by proposals such
lies,

as these

we

contribute,

apply our surplus and accruing income as

as far as in us

not only to develop the

was received

to the reduction of

an impost
"

material resources of the country, but to knit

no minister could manage, and no people

could long endure.
pact
"

the various parts of this great nation yet

Denying that any

comIrish

more

closely than ever to that throne

it is

and

to

existed between himself

and any

those institutions under wdiieh

our happi-

membei-s, he said that the late government had

ness to live."

come
secret of
gi-eat financial success

to the conclusion that the tax should not

That was, and has ever been, the Mr. Gladstone's

burden so that

be extended to the land of Ireland, and that he

the

had been prepared with a measure on the

annuities

unequalled art with which he distributes the

it

not

that of the chancellor of the

shall

nowhere press beyond

this, his

exchequer

but one which would

have given

endurance; and though the debates on

firet

satisfaction.

He then remarked that the whole

budget, were various and continued, the

financial policy of the chancellor of the exche-

provisions which effected this object could not

quer was conceived in a spirit of injustice to the

land.

be denied.

Cobden, Hume, and

many who

He argued that a quarter of the revenue

kingdom was derived from a single now more than

thought with them, advocated the reduction

of estimates
service,

of the

by greater economy in the public which would reuder the income-tax

crop of the British farmer, but

100 per cent was to be taken off tea, which

unnecessary

but

it

was obvious that

this ex-

was
with

to be brought into increased competition

articles

pedient could only be adopted at a time

when

of

his

production which paid

no increased national expenditure was looming

in the future.

230 per cent.

Jokes might be made about

the reduction in the price of beer going into the brewei-'s pocket, and maudlin philanthropists

Mr.

Disraeli expressed approbation of the

general principles of the budget, which he said

might denounce dram -drinking; but

were the same

;is

those which he had himself

jokes and philautliropisls would be baffled

by

334

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

Twelve
this rankled,

the principles of political economy.

but Napoleon III. was not the

to resent

millions could not be raised from a producer

n-itliout restricting his trade

kind of

man

madly or even

to dwell

and commerce.

upon unduly, a merely personal

this as well as in

His competition ought to be really unrestricted.

In some other respects there

affront.

lay another half million

policy
tion.

But the government proposed to upon him. The same

as regarded direct taxa-

was a considerable resemblance between him and Disraeli. His efforts to bring about
thoroughly amicable relations with England

was pursued

He

believed the whole principle of

were natural, apart from any events which were about to happen.

succession

taxes unsound,

especially

as

to
all

For many yeare he and had gained

its

land, because they led to a partition.

events, here

At

had resided in

this country,

was a new burden on

budget was

land,

and
the

an intimate knowledge of

mode

of governof its

another proof of the spirit of injustice thereto

in

ment and
people.
to

of the habits

and character

which

this

concei'f'ed.
it

Yet

It

was

also of the

utmost importance

minister
minister

who had devised who had spoken

which

had been the first

This

him

to maintain a

good understanding

of the load of taxa-

with a strong and independent state which

tion under

real property lay.

would acknowledge him and give him moral

support.

was to be acknowledged but not relieved, nay, the very tax was to be added, the absence of
which used
to be cited as the

The

influence of

England was per-

haps of moi-e importance to him than to any

other ruler in Europe.

compensation to

the landowner for his burdens.

He reminded

The opportunity
liance

of cementing such
oS".

an

al-

Lord

J. Russell of his

having denounced Sir

was not

far

"The Eastern

ques-

R. Peel's income-tax, and having advised him

to raise his revenue

Now

by a legacy duty on land. he had given them that duty and an

too.

tion" was agitating the minds of statesmen. The dispute as to the predominance of the

Latin or the Greek churches in their claim to

bold jiossessiou of the "holy places" had long

income-tax

After a similar allusion to

lie

Ireland and the spirit duties,

" Strange
talents, the

exclaimed,

been a subject
of

of contention,

and the Emperor

that from a ministry of all the

Russia, as head of

the Greek Church,

to force

two countries should receive such

I"

had been involved in an attempt

on former
principal
treaties

accumulated blessings

from the sultan concessions professedly based

giving that church the

The debates both on the income-tax and on

the proposed change in the succession duty

authority,

and so interpreted by
state in respect to the

were prolonged, and many leading members

took a prominent
pai-t

Russia that they would practically reduce Tur-

in tliem, Sir

Edward

key to a subordinate Napoleon

Bulwer Lytton being among those who advocated a reconsideration of the effects of the
incidence of the income-tax on the farmer;

ten millions of Greek subjects of the Porte.

III.,

on the other hand, had no

sooner mounted the imperial throne of France

but the applause which had greeted the ter-

than he regarded himself Asihe i-epresentative

of the Latin Church, which, though in the

mination of Mr. Gladstone's masterly scheme

was vindicated by the result, and on the 27th of June the budget passed in its integrity.

East only numerically small, amounting but

to a

few hundred thousand, insisted on equal

privileges to those enjoyed

Jlr. Kinglake,

by the Greeks.

who was

utterly inimical to

That Napoleon
close alliance

III. should desire to

form a

the French emperor, said, that stated in bare

terms, the question was whetlier for the ])ur-

with England was not to be

wondered
pressed
it,

at.

He

was, as he himself ex-

pose of p.assing through the buOding into

their grotto

a parvenu

a new-comer
rulers

among
fully

the Latin

monks should have

European sovereigns. All the

recognized

had

the Icey of the chief door of the church of

him except the Emperor

of Russia,

Bethlehem, and also one of the keys of each

of the

who would give him no nearer title than "cousin" instead of calling him "brother." Perhaps

two doors

of the sacred

manger

and
plr.ce

whether they should be at liberty to

THE EASTERN QUESTION " THE HOLY PLACES."

in the sanctuary of the nativity a silver star

335

began seriously to prepare.

of the claims of Austria

adorned with the arms of France.

In pur-

The admission by the Turkish govendeavoured to

suance of urgent instructions from the French

ernment, removed his excuse for proceeding

to extremities, but

emperor,

M. de

Lavalette pressed his case with

he

still

such success at Constantinople that on the

provide for what he chose to consider would

22d of December, 1852, the Latin patriarch,

be the

inevitable

collapse

of to

the

sultan's

amid great ceremony, was pei-mitted to replace

the glittering star in the Sanctuary of Beth-

authority,
alliance

and

insinuated

England

an

by which,

in that event, a pai-tition

lehem, and had handed over to

him

at the

of territory in the

East might be

effected.

same time the key

of the great door of the

These overtures were not listened to by our

government, which afterwards expressed
its

church and the keys of the sacred manger.

Indignant at this outrage on the " Orthodo.x "

Church, Count Nesselrode wrote to Baron Brunnow, " It may happen that France, perceiving any hesitation on the part of the
Porte,

intention to use every effort to preserve the

integi-ity of

Turkey.

Sir Stratford

Canning

was sent

to support the sultan

by

his presence

against the threats and undisguised attempts

of Prince Menschikoff, the

may

again have recourse to menace,

it

Russian envoy,

and press upon

so as to prevent

it

from

who had

already

made

prei:iarations in Bess-

listening to our just demands.

therefore, has considered
at the outset
it

The emperor,

ai-abia for the

passage of

120,000 men, in

necessary to adopt

addition to previous operations at Sebastopol,

some precautionary measures in

and orders were given

sian battalions
south.

for the

march

of

Rus-

order to support our negotiations, to neutralize

the efforts of

from all directions towards the

of the

M.

Lavalette's threats,

and

to

guard himself in any contingency which

may

During the stages

demands made by

occur against a government accustomed to

act

Russia on the Porte the government of England had observed strict neutrality, forbidding
the removal of the British fleet from Malta to

by

surprises."
it,

This was the Eussiau

way

of putting

but the "just demands" of

Nicholas, the Kussian emperor, were obviousl}'

Vourla

at the request of the sultan,

and

dis-

such as would give him authority over the

teiTitory of the sultan,

tinctly discouraging the

fleet,

advance of the French

into the

and English

states-

men

well

knew that he contemplated

little less

which had been sent and was ordered to Salamis.

decided as those
of

Levant

than the subjection of Turkey

scribed as " the sick

which he

de-

The Prussian and Austrian envoys were

France and
against the designs of the

as

man "

or " the dying

England

man"
It

and

its ultimate

absorption or partition.

Emperor Nicholas,

seemed probable, therefore, that the sultan, while for some time taking care to act with
impartiality between these Christian churches,

and a conference was opened at Vienna, concluding with an offensive and defensive alliance between Prussia and Austria, who, with-

whose claims were to be made the excuse

for

out taking part in the war, declared against

the position that Russia had assumed, and
especially

a devastating war, was somewhat reassured

by the probability
of France.

of obtaining the support

against the seizure of

Moldavia

and Wallachia, in order to add a threatening strength

to

One of the " precautionary measures " taken by the Emperor of Russia was to send a
corps-d'armee to the frontiers of the Dauu-

the demands
all

made on
by
am-

Turkey.

Throughout

these discussions

the ministry of the sultan was sustained

the support and advice of the British

bian provinces.

He had

always desired a pre-

text for extending his territorial interests in

bassador, whose influence with the Turkish

Turkey, and he began by enforcing the claims

of his church.

government had long been as displeasing

to

He

then

made

use of the de-

the
his

czar

as

it

was potent
Sir

in

check-

mand

of Austria for the removal of the sul-

ing

ambitious designs.

Stratford

tan's troops

from Montenegro as an oppm--

Canning, afterwards Lord Stratford de Redcliffe,

tunity for threatening hostilities for which he

may be

said

to

have restrained the

336

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

I

sultau from premature action, and to have

Odessa, the fortifications of which were destroyed

of
;

I'emoved from

the disj:ate such misuuder-

thirteen shijis laden with munitions

staudings or misrepresentations as might have

given to the Emperor of Eussia colourable

war were captured and two magazines of powder exploded. This, however, was only
the beginning of the tremendous

ground

for the violence to

which

lie

afterwards

war which by

reverted.

neither remonstrances addressed to Eussia

latter

During the

period of the confer-

other nations, nor a conference of the great

powei-s at

ence held at Vienna the agreement between

Vienna

in 1855, to agree

upon a new
to the

France and England had taken the form of

a definite alliance iu arms.
fused
to
gi'aut,

basis of negotiations,

were successful in prewere carried out

of the

The

sultan re-

venting.
bitter

Hostilities

because of the threatening

end until after the death

occupation of the Danubian provinces, that which he had refused to the negotiations of
the Eussian envoy and

NichoLas.

Emperor These few sentences contain a mere

which we
to follow,

indication of the current of events

shall

Omar

Pacha.

On

the

now have

without entering into

contrary, the Turkish general at once pro-

any detailed account of the various stages of the

Crimean war so far
concerned.
as military operations are
salient points of the

ceeded to action, and gained victories over the

invaders which caused
the territory

them

to relinquish
seized.

A few

cam-

upon which they had

paign must briefly engage our attention, but

the stories of Balaklava, of Inkerman,
of

France and England

ties.

now prepared
fleets

for hostili-

and

On

the 22d of March, 1854,

war was

Sebastopol are twice-told tales, and the

declared,

and the combined

under the

military records of this great

and portentous

French Admiral Hameliu and the English

struggle form no part of a history of social

Admiral

Duudas

bombarded the port

of

and

political progress.

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