LONGMAN AND CO.; J. M. RICHARDSON; HAMILTON AND CO.; SIMPKIN AND
CO.; SHERWOOD AND CO.; J. RODWELL; HOULSTON AND STONEMAN;
G. LAWFORD; J. DOWDING; J. BUMPUS; COWIE AND CO.; CAPES AND
SON; SMITH, ELDER AND CO.; H. WASHBOURNE; H. G. BOHN; WALLER
AND SON; J. GREEN; J. THOMAS; L. BOOTH; W. J. CLEAVER; AND G.
ROUTLEDGE.

18-4-5

LONDON:

GEORGE WOODFALL AND SON,
ANGEL COURT, SKINNER STREET.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

State of Public Affairs at the commencement of the Year-General Prospe-

rity of the Country and improvement of the Revenue-Great increase of

Railway Undertakings-Stability of Sir R. Peel's Government-Prospects

of the Corn Law Question-Opening of Parliament by the Queen in per-

son, on the 4th of February-Speech from the Throne-The Address in

the House of Lords is moved by the Marquis Camden, and seconded by

Lord Glenlyon-Speeches of the Marquis of Normanby, the Earl of Hard-

wick, Lord Brougham, the Marquis of Lansdowne, and Lord Aberdeen-

The Address is agreed to nem. con.-In the House of Commons it is

moved by Mr. Charteris, and seconded by Mr. Thomas Baring, who refers

in decided terms to the improved Prosperity of the Commercial Classes-

Lord John Russell declares his intention to vote for the Address, but ani-

madverts with some censure upon several points referred to by the pre-

eeding Speakers, especially the Affair of Tahiti, and the Condition of

Ireland-Mr. Gladstone enters into an Explanation of the Causes which

had led to his withdrawal from the Cabinet Sir R. Peel vindicates the

Proceedings of Government in answer to the animadversions of Lord John

Russell-Speeches of Sir C. Napier, Mr. Plumptre, Mr. Wyse, Mr. Bellew,

Mr. Villiers, Mr. Sheil, Sir James Graham, Mr. Shaw, Lord Palmerston,

Sir R. Inglis, Lord Howick, and other Members-The Address is carried

unanimously

CHAPTER II.

[1

Finance and Commercial Policy-Sir Robert Peel brings forward his Budget

on the 15th of February-His luminous and comprehensive speech on

that occasion-Details of the Plan-Retention of the Income Tax and

Reduction of Import Duties-Reception of the Scheme by the House of

Commons-Observations of Lord John Russell, and other Members-

Debate in the House of Commons on Financial Policy on the 17th, com-

menced by Lord J. Russell-Speeches of Mr. Roebuck, Sir George Grey,

the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. C. Wood, Colonel Conolly, Mr. G.

Bankes, Mr. Warburton, Mr. R. Palmer, Mr. Gibson, Mr. P. Miles, Mr.

Vernon Smith, Sir Robert Peel, Viscount Howick, Sir John Tyrell, the

Marquis of Granby, and other Members-The Amendment moved by Mr.

Roebuck for modifying the Income Tax is rejected by 263 to 55-Further

Debates in Committee on the Income Tax-On the 5th of March Mr. B.

a 2