Punch or The London charivari (1.1841)

Intrjj hit lion.

VOLUME L--JULY TO DECEMBER, 1841.

POLITICAL

'AGE

T?AK.LY in the month of July, 1841, a small handbill was
freely distributed by the newsmen of London, and created
considerable amusement and inquiry. That handbill now
stands as the Introduction to this, the first Volume of Punch,
and was employed to announce the advent of a publication
which has sustained for nearly twenty years a popularity un-
surpassed in the history of periodical literature. Punch and
the Elections were the only matters which occupied the public
mind on July 17, 1842. The Whigs had been defeated in
many places where hitherto they had been the popular party,
and it was quite evident that the Meeting of Parliament would
6 terminate their lease of Office. [Street Politics.] The
House met on the 19th of August, and unanimously elected
Mr. Shaw Lefevre to be Speaker. The address on the
Queen's Speech was moved by Me. Maek Phillips, and
seconded by Me. Dundas. Me. J. S. Wortley moved an
amendment, negativing the confidence of the House in the
Ministry, and the debate continued to occupy Parliament for
four nights, when the Opposition obtained a majority of 91
against the Ministers. Amongst those who spoke against the
Government, and directly in favour of Sir Robeet Peel, was
Me. Diseaeli. In his speech he accused the Whigs of seek-
ing to retain power in opposition to the wishes of the country,
and of profaning the name of the Queen at their elections, as
it she had been a second candidate at some petty poll, and
considered that they should blush for the position in which
they had placed their Sovereign. Me. Beenal, Juu., retorted
upon Me. Diseaeli for inveighing against the Whigs, with
whom he had formerly been associated. Sib Robeet Peel, in
a speech of great eloquence, condemned the inactivity and
feebleness of the existing Government, and promised that,
should he displace it, and take office, it should be by walking in
the open light, and in the direct paths of the constitution.
He would only accept power upon his conception of public
duty, and would resign the moment he was satisfied he was
unsupported by the confidence of the people, and not continue
to hold place when the voice of the country was against him.
19 [Hercules tearing' Theseus from the Rock to which he j

SUMMARY.

I AG

had grown.] Lord John defended the acts of the Ministry,
and denied that they had been guilty of harshness to the poor
by the JSTew Poor Law, or enemies of the Church by reducing
" the Archbishop oe Canterbury to the miserable pittance
of £15,000 a year, cutting down the Bishop of London to no
more than £10,000 a year, and the BiSHor of Durham to the
wretched stipend of £8,000 a year ! " He twitted Peel for
his reticence upon the Corn Laws, and denounced the possi-
bility of a sliding scale of duties upon corn. He concluded
by saying, " I am convinced that, if this country be
governed by enlarged and liberal counsels, its power and
might will spread and increase, and its influence become greater
and greater ; liberal principles will prevail, civilisation will be
spread to all parts of the globe, and you will bless millions by
your acts and mankind by your union." Loud and continued
cheering followed this speech, but on division the majority was
against the Ministers. When the House met to recommend
the report on the amended Address, Mr. Sharkan Crawford
moved another amendment, to the effect that the distress of
the people referred to in the Queen's Speech was mainly attri-
butable to the non-representation of the working classes in
Parliament. He did not advocate universal suffrage, but one
which would give a fair representation of the people. From
the want of this arose unjust wars, unjust legislation, unjust
monopoly, of which the existing Corn Laws were the most
grievous instance. There was no danger in confiding the
suffrage to the working classes, who had a vital interest in the
public prosperity, and had evinced the truest zeal for freedom.

The amendment was negatived by 2S3 to 39.

At the next meeting of the House Lord Maecus Hill read
the Answer to the Address, in which the Queen declared that
" ever anxious to listen to the advice of Parliament, she would
take immediate measures for the formation of a new Adminis-
tration." [Punch and Peel.] Lord Melbourne, in the House 30
of Lords, announced on the 30th of August that he and his
colleagues only held office until their successors were appointed.
[Last Pinch.] The House received the announcement in perfect 55
silence, and adjourned immediately afterwards. On the same