more favourable footing this session than in the last,
when a bill was passed which extended a similar
franchise to Ireland; and if the principle was sound in that
case, he claimed for this country what had been
conceded to the sister kingdom.—Lord JOHN RUSSELL, in
opposing the motion, admitted that he had on a former
occasion acknowledged that he thought some extension
of the franchise desirable, and he still considered it
desirable that a measure should be introduced for a
further extension of the suffrage. I can see no reason
(said Lord John) why, after this session has passed, and
at the commencement of the next session, there should
not be laid before this house by the government a
proposal in respect to this question of parliamentary reform.
Certainly, if I am a member of the government at that
time, I shall deem it my duty to lay my views on this
subject before the House of Commons. I know
perfectly well that those views would not altogether meet
with the approbation of the hon. member for Montrose
and of other gentlemen who agree with him. But I
have so often stated the difference of opinion which
exists between us, that it ought to create no surprise in
his mind at finding that I have come to a practical
conclusion essentially distinct from that proposal which
he has laid from time to time before the house. I do,
however, think it is desirable, considering that by next
session twenty years will have elapsed since the passing
of the Reform bill—that we should then consider whether
there are not great numbers of our people not possessed by
that act of the franchise, who are not only fully qualified
to exercise the suffrage, but whose exercise of the suffrage
would tend to the improvement of the character of this
house. I am, myself, perfectly satisfied with the
experience we have had of that act. I believe that the
representation since 1832 has been such as to give
confidence to the people at large, which confidence they
would not have had in a house of commons in which were
members for Old Sarum and for Gatton, and in which
were not members for Manchester, and Leeds, and
Birmingham. I am, therefore, perfectly satisfied that the
influence of that Reform bill, loudly as it was denied at
the time that it could be so, has been salutary; and,
therefore, in any changes we may take, we ought to
consult the spirit of that Reform act—we ought to
consult the temper and the genius of the people of these
united kingdoms, and not attempt to construct any
fanciful edifice based upon any new theory of our own, but,
building upon the old foundation, continually endeavour
to improve the symmetry and add to the convenience
of the ancient habitation.—Mr. HUME insisted that the
motion should be acceded to upon the grounds of policy
and justice. Lord John Russell, the advocate of free
trade and liberal measures, should desire to extend the
basis of the representation in order to neutralise the
opposition of the landed interest.—Mr. COBDEN had
heard with pleasure the pledge given by Lord John
Russell that he would bring in a measure for improving
the system of representation, the faults of which had
been exemplified in recent elections; and he hoped the
noble lord would address himself to the task with the
conviction that the people would be disappointed with
a measure not commensurate with the existing evils.
With respect to the motion, he remarked the noble lord
made no objection to the class of persons proposed to be
admitted to the franchise. It did not follow that £10
householders would not be as independent as the £50
tenants-at-will; they would probably be more so, since
they would be less under the control of their landlords.
—The house then divided, when the motion was carried
(against the government), by 100 against 52.

On Friday the 21st, on the opening of the house, it
was crowded with excited members, anxious to learn the
ministerial determinations with regard to the budget:
expectation had been increased by the understood
determination of the Protectionist party to move an amendment.
After some business of minor importance, the
order for going into Committee of Ways and Means on
the Income-tax was read.—Lord JOHN RUSSELL rose
and said: "Sir, I have to request that this order of the
day shall be postponed to Monday. On Monday next I
shall state the reasons to the house why I have made
this request."—After a short pause, Mr. HERRIES said:
"I wish to ask the noble lord, if it is intended positively
to proceed with the Committee of Ways and Means on
Monday next?"—Lord JOHN RUSSELL: "I cannot state
positively; it is intended, at present, to do so on Monday;
but on Monday next I will state the reasons why
I postpone it now, and the course I intend to take." A
noise of conversation instantly pervaded the house;
some unimportant motions were agreed to in dumb
show, and at six o'clock the house broke up.

On Monday the 24th, Lord JOHN RUSSELL made a
statement similar to that made in the Lords by the
Marquis of Lansdowne. His explanation was brief.
Adverting to the results of Mr. Disraeli's and Mr.
Locke King's motions—the first giving the government
a majority of only fourteen upon a vital question, the
second leaving them in a minority—he said he had come
to the conclusion that they were not in a position to
conduct satisfactorily the business of the country in that
house during the session. He had therefore, with the
concurrence of his colleagues, tendered their resignation
to her Majesty, who had accepted it, and informed him
of her intention to send for Lord Stanley, to take the
charge of forming a government. He (Lord John) had
since been informed by her Majesty that Lord Stanley
had stated that he was not then prepared to form a
government, and her Majesty had asked him (Lord
John) to undertake the charge of re-constructing one.
He had thought it his duty to attempt the task, and
had assured her Majesty that he would undertake it.
In the meanwhile he asked the house to adjourn until
Friday.—Mr. DISRAELI expressed his conviction that it
would be found, when Lord Stanley gave his explanation
in his place in parliament, that in saying that Lord
Stanley had informed her Majesty that he was not then
prepared to form an Administration, Lord J. Russell had
made a statement to the house which, on further
consideration, he would acknowledge was not founded upon
what had really occurred.—Lord JOHN RUSSELL felt
assured that Lord Stanley's explanation would bear
out what he said.—Mr. ROEBUCK hoped that Lord J.
Russell, as leader not only of a great party in that
house, but of a great principle, would not forget that
that principle was now in his hands.

PROGRESS OF BUSINESS.

House of Lords.—Feb. 4th. The Session opened by the Queen.
Address agreed to.

7th. Law of Evidence Bill read a second time. Bill to
Transfer the Business of Bankruptcy to the County Courts
introduced by Lord Brougham.

13th. Bill for Simplifying Procedure on Criminal Trials
introduced by Lord Campbell. County Courts Extension Bill
introduced by Lord Brougham.

20th. Bill for Regulating the Court of Chancery announced
by the Lord Chancellor.

21st. Bill for the Appointment of an Additional Vice-
Chancellor brought in and read a first time. Criminal Procedure
Bill read a second time. Bill for the Registration of Assurances
of Titles in England and Wales brought in and read a first time.

24th. Statement by the Marquis of Lansdowne of the
resignation of Ministers; and adjournment of the House to Friday.

House of Commons.—Feb. 4th. Address in answer to the
Queen's speech agreed to.

5th.—Writ for Dungarvon superseded.—Midnight Sittings,
Mr. Brotherton's motion negatived by 108 to 32.

11th.—Ceylon Committee.—Sunday Trading; leave for a Bill
granted to Mr. Williams.

14th.—Irish Prerogative Court; leave for a Bill granted to
Mr. Keogh.

17th.—Passengers' Act Amendment Bill read a second time.—
Municipal Councils in Counties; leave for a Bill given to
Mr. Anstey.—Valuation of Rateable Property in Ireland; leave
for a Bill given to Sir W. Somerville.

19th.—Compound Householders' Bill read a second time.—
Expenses of Prosecutions' Bill read a first time.—Smithfield
Market Removal Bill read a first time and referred to Private
Bills Committee.

20th.—Law of Partnership; Select Committee granted to
Mr. Slaney.—Mr. Locke King's motion for extending the
Franchise carried against ministers by 100 to 52.—Passengers'
Act Amendment Bill, and Mills and Factories (Ireland) Bill,
considered in committee.

21st.—Discussion on the Budget postponed at the desire of
Lord John Russell, who promised explanation on Monday.

24th.—Statement by Lord John Russell that ministers had
resigned, and that he had been requested to form a new
administration. Adjournment to Friday.