DOI issue:
April 16, 1859
DOI Page / Citation link: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.16623#0161
153
Palmerston would not try to hinder dissolution, but had a strong
idea that a General Election would walk the Derbyites out of Downing
Street. Bright thought that Ministers had done quite right; and
though he disclaimed being a Revolutionist, he announced that the
masses would carry the day, and compel the passing a large measure.
John Russell, having brought on the crisis, of course abused the
Ministers for what they had done, especially while Europe was in a
disturbed state. He also prudently made his bid for office, promising
a £10 franchise for counties, a £6 one for boroughs, and the taking
thirty seats for redistribution. If the Derbyites proposed the Ballot,
he should oppose it. Drtjmmond, Horsman, Newdegate, and some
others, were more or less smart, and Bernal Osborne let off a few
squibs with effect. The discussion ended by the Chancellor of the
Exchequer utterly denying that Ministers had ever entertained a
thought of taking course Number Two.
The House knew its fate, and after some particularly unsatisfactory
revelations in regard to Indian finance, the Indian Loan Bill was
passed, and honourable Members went home revolving the openini?
paragraphs of their election addresses, and how they should soothe or
scold their wives and daughters into doing without the money intended
to be expended on the joys of the season, but which would now be
wanted for bri-pooh! for bringing out the expression of the political
views of the People of England.
Prince Rupert was pre- j Tuesday. The Lords conversed for half an hour, the principal topic
pared to state to the world j being bewailment that the Divorce Court had so very much to do, and
what he ^intended ^ to ^do. j that new judges were wanted for it. The Commons pushed on the
Superannuation Bill, rejecting a clause compelling our civil servants to
retire at sixty-five; and then came an Irish row. It seems that, some-
where in Ireland, there is a place called Gal way, which is thought to be
in the direct route to America; and as it is extremely desirable to
encourage the Irish to go away to the latter country, the Government
have been subsidising a line of packets between this Galway and
America. As doing any kindness to any given Irishman is sure to be
mortally offensive to some other (a fact rather plainly pointed out by
Mr. Roebuck to-night), a good deal of abuse passed, not in the least
interesting to the philanthropic public.
Wednesday. Naturally, there occurred some bursts of ill-feeling in
connection with Monday's debate, and the determination of the Con-
PUNCH'S ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
he Poet Punch having de-
scribed the Battle of the
Bays in verse that will be
read when Homer, Virgil,
Pope, and Coventry Pat-
more are forgotten, pro-
ceeds of his own siveet will
to resume his prose, which,
however (as cannot fail to
be remarked) is far more
beautifully musical than
the most ambitious efforts
of any poets of the day.
Monday, April 4, 1859.
Lord Derby's Reform Bill
was squashed on the pre-
ceding Thursday, but it was
not until this evening that
Prince Rupert was pre-
pared to state to the world
what he intended to do.
The situation delighted Mr.
Gladstone, for it left Three
Courses open to Ministers.
They could
Pirstly, Stick in their places as if nothing had happened, or
Secondly, Resign their offices, or
Thirdly, Dissolve Parliament.
To-night Lord Derby, in a remarkably slashing speech, in which
the Termagant Tongue dreaded in old times by foes—and friends—had
full play, announced which alternative he had selected. He passed^
proprio motu—which means, Cox, entirely off his own bat—a Vote of servatives to destroy the House; and these, pleasantly mixing up with
Want of Confidence in the Liberal Opposition, and therefore quite con-
sistently called upon it to resign. Into Lord John Russell he walked
much as Mr. Tom Sayers, next day, walked into Mr. Bill Ben-
jamin, scoffing at Lord John's pretensions to be a Reformer, and
declaring that his fidgety attentions and abominable jealousy made his
relations to Reform rather those of a suspicious lover than of an affec-
tionate parent. Decidedly Lord Derby himself made no pretensions
to any particular fondness for the article, for he described the question
of Reform, bequeathed to him by his predecessors, as a Bamnosa
BZeereditas—for the meaning of which words, Cox, you are at liberty to
consult a Latin Dictionary. My Lord next let fly a tremendous
volley at Lord Palmerston for suggesting course Namber One , and
in special rage at being told by that lord that the Cabinet ought to
remain in office and " do Our bidding" (that of the House), Lord
Derby, like the real Prince Rupert, stormed woundily, and declared
that he would do nobody's bidding but that of his Sovereign. He
alleged that his Bill was a beautiful Bill, but added that if the Com-
mons had treated it respectfully, no false pride should have prevented
his altering it in any expedient way. After a good puff of Lord
Malmesbury, to whom he attributed the preservation of peace in
Europe (it was lucky that the Austrian news did not come till Friday),
the Prince indulged in some extremely smart scoffing at the Liberals for
their disagreements, announced his determination to inflict the last
penalty of the law upon the Parliament for the crime it had committed
by killing his Bill, and stated that he had obtained the Queen's leave
to Dissolve. He should go valiantly to the hustings, not only on the
ground that his truly elegant Bill had been smashed by a quarrelsome
and discordant conspiracy, but because his Government had not
received fair play.
Lord Granville protested against everything that the Premier had
said, and had the profanity to advance the proposition that there were
in the world other persons as able as Lord Malmesbury. This state-
ment so shocked the House of Lords, that it adiourned to a half-past
seven o'clock dinner.
But if proclamation of the fate of Parliament was made by the
angry roar of the lion in one House, in the other it was emitted in the
gentle coo of the dove. Mr. Disraeli showered compliments on
everybody. It was so kind of some of his friends to support him ; it
was so noble of some of his friends to desert him ; it was so courteous
of his antagonists to tolerate him;—in fact, he was full of gratitude
and recognition. Only he was desolated at having to tell the House
that the advocates of Revolutionary Reform had made it necessary for
a miscellaneous discussion on sundry estimates, gave rather a piquant
character to the Wednesday morning sitting, and prevented Honourable
Members from feeling utterly bored.
Thursday. The Lords treated themselves to an Indian debate on the
Loan Bill, and Lord Derby promised both theological and parlia-
mentary thanksgiving for our Indian triumphs. There seemed no sort
of doubt that Indian finance was at present in a particularly bad way,
and Lord Albemarle stated that we were making the Indians pay
eighteen shillings in the pound. No wonder they are burying in the
earth as much of the remaining two bob as they can save. The
Commons sat a little time, and got rid of a good deal of money.
Friday. The remarkably unpleasant news, above alluded to as from
Vienna, had got into the City, and doubtless elsewhere; and Lord
Malmesbury deemed it necessary to promise that he would show, before
the dissolution, that it was not his fault if Austria was moving 50,000 men
into Italy, and bringing 130,000 more to back them,—that the Croats
were entering Milan,—and that the railways were ordered to be ready
to transport armies. The Lords were also moved to reject the Bill for
getting rid of Grand Juries in the Metropolis, which is to be regretted,
as the police magistrate is the best Grand Jury.
Lord Palmerston had threatened to get up a Foreign debate, but
the Viennese news doubtless incited Mr. Disraeli to ask, and
Lord P. to concede, postponement. There was some squabble over
the conviction of one of the Phoenix conspirators, in Ireland, a malig-
nant traitor, called Sullivan, who has been very properly sentenced to
fourteen years' transportation. He was convicted by a Protestant
jury, whereat some Cathobc members complained—Mr. Ptcnch hopes,
only because they would have liked Catholics to share in the credit of
disposing of a scoundrel. Mr. Salisbury made st ricture on some
remarks by Baron Bramwell, wherein that excellent judge, scan-
dalised at the conduct of a Welsh jury, in returning a verdict palpably
against evidence, had commented severely on Welsh disregard for
truth. But there could not be much in the case against the judge,
when so acute a gentleman as the Member for Chester could do no
more for it than defend the Welsh jury on the ground that they knew
rascality was the rule in regard to matters whereof the offender was
charged, and so they could not think of punishing any one person.
Mr. Sotheron Estcourt spoke sensibly of the great value which
occasional rebukes from the Judges have upon the minds of the people.
What is termed a Nanimated Conversation took place about the dis-
solution, which everybody professed a desire to have as soon as
Conservatism to appeal to the Country; and, as soon as some money j possible. Mr. Disraeli was rather inclined to indulge in some
votes were taken, he should have the distinguished happiness of kick- \ decorous taunts at Parliament, for its somewhat cowardly desire to
ing out of doors all whom he had the signal debght of addressing. i die in a hurry, and have it, over.
Palmerston would not try to hinder dissolution, but had a strong
idea that a General Election would walk the Derbyites out of Downing
Street. Bright thought that Ministers had done quite right; and
though he disclaimed being a Revolutionist, he announced that the
masses would carry the day, and compel the passing a large measure.
John Russell, having brought on the crisis, of course abused the
Ministers for what they had done, especially while Europe was in a
disturbed state. He also prudently made his bid for office, promising
a £10 franchise for counties, a £6 one for boroughs, and the taking
thirty seats for redistribution. If the Derbyites proposed the Ballot,
he should oppose it. Drtjmmond, Horsman, Newdegate, and some
others, were more or less smart, and Bernal Osborne let off a few
squibs with effect. The discussion ended by the Chancellor of the
Exchequer utterly denying that Ministers had ever entertained a
thought of taking course Number Two.
The House knew its fate, and after some particularly unsatisfactory
revelations in regard to Indian finance, the Indian Loan Bill was
passed, and honourable Members went home revolving the openini?
paragraphs of their election addresses, and how they should soothe or
scold their wives and daughters into doing without the money intended
to be expended on the joys of the season, but which would now be
wanted for bri-pooh! for bringing out the expression of the political
views of the People of England.
Prince Rupert was pre- j Tuesday. The Lords conversed for half an hour, the principal topic
pared to state to the world j being bewailment that the Divorce Court had so very much to do, and
what he ^intended ^ to ^do. j that new judges were wanted for it. The Commons pushed on the
Superannuation Bill, rejecting a clause compelling our civil servants to
retire at sixty-five; and then came an Irish row. It seems that, some-
where in Ireland, there is a place called Gal way, which is thought to be
in the direct route to America; and as it is extremely desirable to
encourage the Irish to go away to the latter country, the Government
have been subsidising a line of packets between this Galway and
America. As doing any kindness to any given Irishman is sure to be
mortally offensive to some other (a fact rather plainly pointed out by
Mr. Roebuck to-night), a good deal of abuse passed, not in the least
interesting to the philanthropic public.
Wednesday. Naturally, there occurred some bursts of ill-feeling in
connection with Monday's debate, and the determination of the Con-
PUNCH'S ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
he Poet Punch having de-
scribed the Battle of the
Bays in verse that will be
read when Homer, Virgil,
Pope, and Coventry Pat-
more are forgotten, pro-
ceeds of his own siveet will
to resume his prose, which,
however (as cannot fail to
be remarked) is far more
beautifully musical than
the most ambitious efforts
of any poets of the day.
Monday, April 4, 1859.
Lord Derby's Reform Bill
was squashed on the pre-
ceding Thursday, but it was
not until this evening that
Prince Rupert was pre-
pared to state to the world
what he intended to do.
The situation delighted Mr.
Gladstone, for it left Three
Courses open to Ministers.
They could
Pirstly, Stick in their places as if nothing had happened, or
Secondly, Resign their offices, or
Thirdly, Dissolve Parliament.
To-night Lord Derby, in a remarkably slashing speech, in which
the Termagant Tongue dreaded in old times by foes—and friends—had
full play, announced which alternative he had selected. He passed^
proprio motu—which means, Cox, entirely off his own bat—a Vote of servatives to destroy the House; and these, pleasantly mixing up with
Want of Confidence in the Liberal Opposition, and therefore quite con-
sistently called upon it to resign. Into Lord John Russell he walked
much as Mr. Tom Sayers, next day, walked into Mr. Bill Ben-
jamin, scoffing at Lord John's pretensions to be a Reformer, and
declaring that his fidgety attentions and abominable jealousy made his
relations to Reform rather those of a suspicious lover than of an affec-
tionate parent. Decidedly Lord Derby himself made no pretensions
to any particular fondness for the article, for he described the question
of Reform, bequeathed to him by his predecessors, as a Bamnosa
BZeereditas—for the meaning of which words, Cox, you are at liberty to
consult a Latin Dictionary. My Lord next let fly a tremendous
volley at Lord Palmerston for suggesting course Namber One , and
in special rage at being told by that lord that the Cabinet ought to
remain in office and " do Our bidding" (that of the House), Lord
Derby, like the real Prince Rupert, stormed woundily, and declared
that he would do nobody's bidding but that of his Sovereign. He
alleged that his Bill was a beautiful Bill, but added that if the Com-
mons had treated it respectfully, no false pride should have prevented
his altering it in any expedient way. After a good puff of Lord
Malmesbury, to whom he attributed the preservation of peace in
Europe (it was lucky that the Austrian news did not come till Friday),
the Prince indulged in some extremely smart scoffing at the Liberals for
their disagreements, announced his determination to inflict the last
penalty of the law upon the Parliament for the crime it had committed
by killing his Bill, and stated that he had obtained the Queen's leave
to Dissolve. He should go valiantly to the hustings, not only on the
ground that his truly elegant Bill had been smashed by a quarrelsome
and discordant conspiracy, but because his Government had not
received fair play.
Lord Granville protested against everything that the Premier had
said, and had the profanity to advance the proposition that there were
in the world other persons as able as Lord Malmesbury. This state-
ment so shocked the House of Lords, that it adiourned to a half-past
seven o'clock dinner.
But if proclamation of the fate of Parliament was made by the
angry roar of the lion in one House, in the other it was emitted in the
gentle coo of the dove. Mr. Disraeli showered compliments on
everybody. It was so kind of some of his friends to support him ; it
was so noble of some of his friends to desert him ; it was so courteous
of his antagonists to tolerate him;—in fact, he was full of gratitude
and recognition. Only he was desolated at having to tell the House
that the advocates of Revolutionary Reform had made it necessary for
a miscellaneous discussion on sundry estimates, gave rather a piquant
character to the Wednesday morning sitting, and prevented Honourable
Members from feeling utterly bored.
Thursday. The Lords treated themselves to an Indian debate on the
Loan Bill, and Lord Derby promised both theological and parlia-
mentary thanksgiving for our Indian triumphs. There seemed no sort
of doubt that Indian finance was at present in a particularly bad way,
and Lord Albemarle stated that we were making the Indians pay
eighteen shillings in the pound. No wonder they are burying in the
earth as much of the remaining two bob as they can save. The
Commons sat a little time, and got rid of a good deal of money.
Friday. The remarkably unpleasant news, above alluded to as from
Vienna, had got into the City, and doubtless elsewhere; and Lord
Malmesbury deemed it necessary to promise that he would show, before
the dissolution, that it was not his fault if Austria was moving 50,000 men
into Italy, and bringing 130,000 more to back them,—that the Croats
were entering Milan,—and that the railways were ordered to be ready
to transport armies. The Lords were also moved to reject the Bill for
getting rid of Grand Juries in the Metropolis, which is to be regretted,
as the police magistrate is the best Grand Jury.
Lord Palmerston had threatened to get up a Foreign debate, but
the Viennese news doubtless incited Mr. Disraeli to ask, and
Lord P. to concede, postponement. There was some squabble over
the conviction of one of the Phoenix conspirators, in Ireland, a malig-
nant traitor, called Sullivan, who has been very properly sentenced to
fourteen years' transportation. He was convicted by a Protestant
jury, whereat some Cathobc members complained—Mr. Ptcnch hopes,
only because they would have liked Catholics to share in the credit of
disposing of a scoundrel. Mr. Salisbury made st ricture on some
remarks by Baron Bramwell, wherein that excellent judge, scan-
dalised at the conduct of a Welsh jury, in returning a verdict palpably
against evidence, had commented severely on Welsh disregard for
truth. But there could not be much in the case against the judge,
when so acute a gentleman as the Member for Chester could do no
more for it than defend the Welsh jury on the ground that they knew
rascality was the rule in regard to matters whereof the offender was
charged, and so they could not think of punishing any one person.
Mr. Sotheron Estcourt spoke sensibly of the great value which
occasional rebukes from the Judges have upon the minds of the people.
What is termed a Nanimated Conversation took place about the dis-
solution, which everybody professed a desire to have as soon as
Conservatism to appeal to the Country; and, as soon as some money j possible. Mr. Disraeli was rather inclined to indulge in some
votes were taken, he should have the distinguished happiness of kick- \ decorous taunts at Parliament, for its somewhat cowardly desire to
ing out of doors all whom he had the signal debght of addressing. i die in a hurry, and have it, over.