-

comprehensive survey of the law of Marriage and Divorce-He is opposed

by Sir William Heathcote, Lord John Manners, Mr. Drummond, Mr.

Wigram, Mr. Bowyer and Mr. Gladstone- Sir George Grey and

Mr. Walpole vindicate the Bill-It is carried by a majority of

111—It is stoutly contested, clause by clause, in Committee-Amend-

ments adverse to the Government are carried by Lord John Manners-

Much debate on the question of the grounds of Divorce, the punishment

of Adulterers, the Abolition of the Action of Crim. Con., the Re-marriage

of Divorced persons, &c.-Major Warburton moves an Amendment to

relieve Clergymen having scruples of conscience from the obligation to

re-marry such parties-Powerful argument of the Attorney-General

against this proposition-Mr. Walpole and other Members press strongly

for exempting the Clergy, and the Government reluctantly concede the

point, but with a condition as to the use of the Parish Church-This

condition is opposed by some Members with much energy, but is carried

by 73 to 33-The Third Reading is delayed by long discussions in Com-

mittee until the 21st of August-Debate on this stage of the Bill-

Remarks of Lord Palmerston on the circumstances under which the Bill

had been carried through Parliament-It is passed, but meets with

further obstruction in the Upper House-Lord Redesdale attempts to

prevent the Amendments being considered, but is obliged to give way—

The Amendments made by the Commons are agreed to, with some un-

important exceptions, but the Bill is at last saved by a very narrow

majority, and becomes law.-FRAUDULENT TRUSTEES' BILL-Occasion of

this measure being proposed-Statement of its object and proposed

enactments by the Attorney-General-It is passed through the Commons

with little opposition-Lord St. Leonards suggests some objections in the

House of Lords, and introduces a Bill with a view of qualifying its

apprehended effects, but ultimately withdraws the Bill, and the measure

of the Government is passed
[153

CHAPTER VIII.

MILITARY EDUCATION-General Sir De Lacy Evans moves resolutions in

favour of an improved system of instruction for Commissioned Officers

in the Queen's Service-His Speech-Remarks of Sir F. Smith, General

Windham, Sir W. F. Williams, Lord Stanley and other Members-Sir

John Ramsden, Under Secretary for War, states the plan which the

Government are preparing to carry into effect-Speech of Mr. Sidney

Herbert-Lord Palmerston expresses the concurrence of the Government

in the resolutions of General Evans, but suggests some modifications,

which are acceded to, and the Motion is carried nem. con.-COMPETITIVE

EXAMINATIONS FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE-Lord Goderich moves a resolu-

tion expressing approval of that system and the expediency of extending

it-He complains that the Government have not fairly carried out the

principle in the Public Departments according to their engagement—

The Chancellor of the Exchequer vindicates the Government, and states

how far the system has been carried out-Several Members support Lord

Goderich's views, and Lord Palmerston, with some qualifications, accedes

to the resolution, which is carried-CIVIL SERVICE SUPERANNUATION

FUND-Circumstances under which this subject was brought forward—

Complaint of the Civil Servants of the Crown against the system-

Report of the Commissioners not carried out by the Government-Lord

Naas takes up the cause of the Civil Servants and brings in a Bill-It is

strongly opposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Wilson, Mr.

Gladstone and Sir Francis Baring, and supported by Mr. G. Clive, Mr.

Weguelin, Mr. Seymour Fitzgerald and Mr. Disraeli-The Second Read-

ing is carried against the Government by 171 to 111, and the Third

Reading, being again opposed, by 91 to 23-It is moved in the House of

Lords by Lord Monteagle-Remarks of Lord Belper on the Bill, and on

the conduct of the Government-The Bill is passed-THE SOUND DUES—

Arrangement with the Danish Government for redeeming them for a

fixed sum-The Chancellor of the Exchequer states the facts of the case,

and the arrangement made with Denmark, and proposes a vote of money

for the purpose-After some debate the Motion is carried nem. con.—

FINANCE The Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 13th of August moves

the continuance of the existing Tea and Sugar Duties till April, 1860—

He makes a statistical statement as to the relative consumption of the

various classes of society, and explains the requirements and ways and

means of the current year-Mr. Gladstone criticises the statement of the

Minister in some particulars, but supports his propositions-Remarks of

Mr. Disraeli-Termination of the Session- Parliament prorogued on the

28th of August by Commission-The Royal Speech - Results of the

Session

[180

CHAPTER IX.

Unexpected occasion of meeting of Parliament in December. Severe

monetary crisis and panic, originating in bank failures in America—

Several Joint-Stock Banks in London and the Provinces suspend pay-

ment-The rate of discount at the Bank of England is raised to 10 per

cent., the bullion being little above seven millions-The Bank Directors

apply to the Government to relax the restrictions of the Act of 1844—

They accede to the application-Parliament is thereupon summoned to

meet on the 3rd of December, in order to pass an Act of Indemnity-

The Session is opened by the Queen in person-Her Majesty's Speech

from the Throne-The Address in the House of Lords is moved by Lord

Portman, and seconded by Lord Carew-The Earl of Derby enters at

length into a review of the conduct of Government, and descants on the

state of commercial affairs, and on the recent occurrences in India-He

is answered by Earl Granville-Lord Ellenborough complains of the

want of energy of the Government in regard to affairs in India-Observa-

tions of the Duke of Argyll, Earl Grey, Lord Overstone and other Peers

-The Address is carried nem. con.-In the House of Commons the Ad-

dress is moved by Mr. Wykeham Martin, seconded by Mr. Akroyd—

Speeches of Mr. Disraeli and Lord Palmerston-The Motion is agreed to

nem. con.-The Chancellor of the Exchequer moves in a Committee of the

whole House for leave to bring in a Bill of Indemnity in regard to the

recent contravention of the Bank Act-His able and lucid Speech-

Speeches of Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Spooner, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Henley, Lord

John Russell and Mr. Disraeli-The Bill passes a Second Reading after

some debate, and is finally passed without a Division-Some discussion in

the House of Lords on the Third Reading-Speeches of Lord Stanley of

Alderley and Earl Grey-The Bill becomes law-On the 11th of Decem-

ber the Chancellor of the Exchequer moves the re-appointment of the

Select Committee of the former Session to inquire into the operation of

the Banking Laws-Mr. Disraeli moves an amendment to the effect that

no further inquiry is necessary-After a debate, in which Mr. Gladstone,

Mr. Cardwell, Mr. Malins, Mr. Horsfall and Mr. Weguelin take part, the

amendment is negatived on a Division by 295 to 117-JEWISH DIS-

ABILITIES-Lord John Russell moves to bring in a Bill to alter the terms

of the Oath required from Jewish Members of Parliament-Sir F. Thesiger

declines to oppose the introduction of the Bill, but reserves his opposition

to a future stage-After a brief debate, leave is given to bring in the

measure-COMMERCIAL LAW REFORM-Mr. Headlam moves a resolution

in favour of limiting the liability of shareholders in Joint-Stock Banks

-The Motion is opposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Cowan

and Mr. Weguelin, supported by Mr. Collier and Mr. Malins-Mr. Hankey

moves an Amendment-The Resolution and Amendment are both ne-

gatived-MOVEMENT IN FAVOUR OF INCREASED FACILITIES OF RELIGIOUS

WORSHIP FOR THE POOR-Institution of Special Services on Sundays at

Exeter Hall-Conflict of authority between the Incumbent of the Parish

and the Bishop of London-The Earl of Shaftesbury brings in a Bill with

a view to remove the difficulty-It is opposed by the Bishop of Oxford

and some other Peers-Lord Shaftesbury postpones the Second Reading

till after Christmas, at the same time indicating the provisions of the Bill

-Remarks of the Earl of Derby, the Bishops of London, St. Davids and

Ripon, Lord Campbell and Lord Panmure-The further progress of the

Bill is postponed-GENERAL SIR HENRY HAVELOCK-Proceedings in Par-

liament respecting an annuity to be conferred on this distinguished officer

-The Government introduce a Bill for settling 10007. a-year on him for

life-A general opinion is expressed in the House of Commons that the

provision is inadequate-The Ministers consent to extend the annuity to

General Havelock's son, and for this purpose withdraw the Bill-The

General's death is subsequently ascertained to have occurred prior to the

proposing of the Bill

[198

CHAPTER X.

FRANCE. Opening of the Legislative Session-Speech of the Emperor—

Meeting of the Paris Conference-Views of the French Government re-

specting the Danubian Principalities-Rupture between the Legitimists

and Orleanists-Letters of the Duc de Nemours and Comte de Chambord

-Dissolution of the Legislative body-Opening of the new Session-Ad-

dress of the President.

BELGIUM.-History of the struggle between the Liberal Party and the

Roman Catholic Party, or Parti-Prêtre - Bill respecting Charitable

Bequests and Donations-Excitement of the Populace-Report of the

Ministers to the King His Reply - Dissolution of the Belgium

Chambers.

-

NEUCHATEL.-Final settlement of the dispute between the King of

Prussia and the Canton of Neuchâtel-Articles of the Treaty of Me-

diation.

WAR WITH PERSIA.-Reinforcements sent to Bushire under General Sir

James Outram-Victory over the Persians at Khooshab-Expedition

against Mohammerah and capture of the place-Expedition up the

Karoon River and Capture of Ahwaz-Peace concluded between Great

Britain and Persia-Articles of the Treaty

222

CHAPTER XI.

INDIA-HISTORY OF THE MUTINY.-Causes which led to disaffection in

India-Proceedings connected with the greased cartridges-Excite-

ment amongst the native troops at Barrackpore-Disorderly conduct

of the 19th N.I. at Berhampore-The regiment disbanded—Attempt to

murder an European officer at Barrackpore-Disbandment of the 34th

N.I.-Incident of the Chupatties-Bazaar reports-Proclamation of the

Governor-General in Council-Distribution of European regiments in

the Bengal Presidency-Outbreak of mutiny at Meerut-Entry of the

3rd Light Cavalry into Delhi-Mutiny and massacre at Delhi-Blowing up

of the powder-magazine there-Death of General Anson, the Commander-

in-Chief-Victory over the rebels by General Sir Henry Barnard at

Badulee Ke-Serai-The British forces take up their position before Delhi

-Mutiny at Futteghur--Fate of the European fugitives-Outbreak at

Allahabad, and murder of European Officers-Arrival of Colonel Neill,

and retribution upon the insurgents-Mutiny and murders at Jhansi-

Proclamation of Martial Law in the North-West Provinces-Mutiny at

Azimghur, and at Benares-Mutiny at Bareilly, Shajehanpoor, and

Mooradabad-List of revolted regiments
[238

CHAPTER XII.

INDIA. HISTORY OF THE MUTINY CONTINUED.-State of the Punjab-Dis-

arming of Native regiments at Meean Meer-Proclamation by Sir John

Lawrence Assistance rendered by the Rajahs of Putteeala and Jheend

-Active measures of precaution taken in the Peshawur valley-Rallying

of the Sikhs to our aid-Mutiny at Jhelum-Events at Rawal Pindee,

Jullundur and Sealkote-Defeat and destruction of the Sealkote muti-

neers-Mutiuy at Nusseerabad and Neemuch-Revolt of the Contingents

-Events at Gwalior, Saugor, Indore and Mhow-Outbreak of the mutiny

at Agra-Victory over the rebels at Agra-Mutiny at Dinapore-Gallant

conduct of Europeans at Arrah-Unfortunate result of Expedition to

relieve the Garrison at Arrah-Defeat of the insurgents by Major Eyre-

Outbreak of Insurrection in Oude-Events at Seetapore and Fyzabad-

Commencement of the Mutiny at Lucknow-Precautions taken by Sir

Henry Lawrence-Disaster of Chinnahut-Commencement of the Siege

of Lucknow

[263

CHAPTER XIII.

INDIA. HISTORY OF THE MUTINY CONTINUED.-Events at Cawnpore-Nana

Sahib-Siege of the Garrison, and heroic resistance by Sir Hugh Wheeler

-Evacuation of the intrenchments, and massacre of the men of the

garrison-Proclamation by Nana Sahib-Advance of General Havelock-

Defeat of the rebels at Futtehpore, Aeng, and the Bridge of Pandoo

Nuddee-Massacre of the women and children at Cawnpore-Defeat of

the rebels by General Havelock at Ahirwa-Capture of Bithoor-General

Neill at Cawnpore-General Havelock crosses the Ganges into Oude-

Defeat of the enemy at Unao, and three times at Busherut Gunge-

General Havelock falls back on Cawnpore-Bithoor taken a second time—

Letter from Colonel Inglis at Lucknow to General Havelock.-Narrative

of the SIEGE OF DELHI-Various engagements with the rebels-General

Wilson assumes the command of the British Army before Delhi-Defeat of

the enemy at Nujuffghur-Assault upon Delhi-Blowing up of the Cashmere

Gate-Fighting within the city, and final occupation of the place-Procla-

mation by the Governor-General in Council-Capture of the King of

Delhi and two of his sons-The sons put to death-Colonel Greathed's

column of pursuit
[282

CHAPTER XIV.

INDIA. HISTORY OF THE MUTINY CONTINUED.-Arrival of General Outram

at Cawnpore with reinforcements-Advance of General Havelock upon

Lucknow-Relief of the Garrison at the Residency-Account of the Siege

of Lucknow-March of Colonel Greathed's column-Defeat of the rebels

at Agra-Arrival of reinforcements from England-The Naval Brigade

under Captain Peel-Sir Colin Campbell, the Commander-in-Chief, ad-

vances on Lucknow-The Residency relieved by him a second time-

Removal of the women and children of the garrison-Death of General

Havelock-Successful attack by the rebels on General Windham's position

at Cawnpore-Sir Colin Campbell comes to the rescue-Complete defeat