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WILLIAM EWART

GLAD STONE
AND
HIS

CONTEMPORAKIES
FIFTY YEAKS

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PEOGKESS.

BY

THOMAS ARCHER,
"

F.R.H.S.,
HISTORV,'
ETC.

AUTHOR OF "PICTURES AND KOTAL PORTRAITS," "DECISIVE EVENTS OF

THE TERRIBLE SIGHTS OP LONDON,"

Vol. IV.
I860 TO 1883.

BLACKIE & SON:

LONDON, EDINBUEGH, GLASGOW, AND DUBLIN.

GLASGOW
W.
G. Br.ACKIE

AND

CO., PfilNTEES,

VILLAFIELD.

PEE F A C E.
But
for the desire to observe the usual courtesies, a preface to the following pages

would perhaps be unnecessary.

The reader
itself,

has, so to speak,

been taken into the

confidence of the writer in the book

and no formal introduction could place

them

on better terms.
first

Before the

portion of the

work appeared, a few introductory words were

written and published, setting forth as plainly as might be the intention of the

book,

its

scope, aim,

and character, and that intention

fulfilled.

has, it is believed,

been

constantly kept in view and reasonably

It

was

proposed to recount earnestly, truthfully,

and without

political bias,

the wonderful story of the last half century: to present a graphic view of a

period which perhaps beyond any other has been

inquiry,

marked by great

events, intense
characteristic
life,

and striking incidents, and to comprise in the narrative such

sketches of some of those

as

who have been

conspicuous in the arena of public

associations

would vividly indicate those personal

which are inseparable from

great social or political advances.

No
fail to

one
see

who

is

acquainted with the great movements of the last

fifty

years can

how

large a space in the history of the period has been filled

by Mr.
of the
it

Gladstone, and

how

important in any picture of our time

is

the

figui'e

leader whose uplifted voice and

to pursue the path of social

hand has often roused the nation and

political progress.

called

and

But though Mr. Gladstone's name stands

the story of our time
trious
life,

at the

head

of the title of the book,

illus-

is

too full

and varied

to be

bounded by oven the most

or to be told in a single biography.

effect

The design has been

to depict with
of history

some colour and

during the
lative

the chief

men

Avho have aided in the

is

making

last fifty years,

history, that

to say, not only in a political or legis-

meaning, but in the wider sense which includes the striking events, occur-

rences, errors, achievements, struggles, failures,

stories of
It

and successes that have been the

our national lives from year to year.

to

was not contemplated

is

make

this

book an exact chronological

record.

A
so

reference calendar

not history, nor can the great drama of a country be even

in

much

as

indicated
dates.

narrative

broken by subservience to an orderly

events, the serious, romantic,

succession of

The major and minor

and

humorous

episodes, overlap

and bear constant reference to each

other, indepen-

iv

PREFACE.
wliicli

dently of the particular time at

tive of " Fifty Years of Social

they occur.

In other words, the narra-

and

Political Progress," consists of a

number

of

concurrent stories in which the plots sometimes intermingle; the situations have
certain points of contact, the characters
to dates, except
attention.
It
A\*ill

meet and

separate, without special regard

when here and

there a turning-point or a crisis

may

arrest

be found, however, that some regard has been shown for chronological
in such a manner, that while the reader
A^dll

order,

and that dates have been recorded

will not

be harassed by a continual sense of broken sequences, the student

not be at a disadvantage for want of information.

It is sincerely

hoped that

to

young men and women seeking

to learn

what has

been the history of the

last half century,

the book will be found none the less

life

useful because some endeavoiu- has been made to give

and colour to the scenes

and people described.

It is believed that the record is accurate, that the char-

acters of the personages

have not been misrepresented, that the reflections and

observations are the results of impartial and sometimes of anxious thought.

The
itself is

preface or the prologue

is

mostly written after the

last

page of the book

completed; and the wi'iter has to wait to see whether his pretensions
It

are accepted, his anticipations realised.

has happily fallen to the lot of the

author of this book to be able to record the endorsement of his promises and the
fulfilment of

many

of his

hopes in regard to

it.

The

publication of the
it

work

in

periodical sections has given

successful; the reception

him the opportunity

to say that
it

has already been

which has been accorded to

so widely

both by the public and

it

by the

critics,

who have

and so favourably reviewed

spirit,

in the news-

paper press, leaves him with a humble

he hopeswith a grateful heart,

he

is sure.

T. A.
London, Julv
4. 1883.

CONTENTS OF VOL.

IV.

Portrait

Marquis of Salisbury

From a photograph, David Livingstone, M.D., LL.D., D.C.L. From a photograph, Sir Stafford Henry NoRTHCOTE From a photograph,

.frontispiece.
to

face

22 122 170

Duke OF Argyle From a photograph, William Edward Forster From a photograph, Marquis OF Hartington From a photograph, Sir Garnet J. Wolseley (Lord Wolseley) From

212 270 304 320

a photograph,

Major-gener.il Sir Frederick

S.

Egberts From a photograph,

CHAPTER

X.

Spiritism

The Arch-medium Home Lettr

.
.

of Professor Faraday,

.18

Loss and Gain The Edges of Great PiEforms.

PAGE

Scientific Progress

Hopeful Condition

of the

Country

Expansion

of Trade,

....
in

1860

Bessemer Steel Sewing and Washing Machines The Steamhammer Mont Cenis Tunnel Increase
in our Shipping

and Trade,

.19
.

Increase of Imports

and Exports between

2

Arctic Exploration

Expedition of the Fox,

. .
.

20

1840 and 1860,

Agricultural Improvements

Australian Explorations,

.20

Cattle

Disease
2 2

African Exploration
Livingstone

The Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act,

Increase in import of Meat and Grain, Railway Extension Thames Embankment Drainage of London Works of Stephenson and Brunei Suez Canal, Metropolitan Underground Railway Drinking Fountains Drainage, Completion of Houses of Parliament Lon. .

don Architecture,

.....
.

... ...
. .

Early Life of David His Missionary Labours Africa His Expedition to and Travels Eastern Africa His Third and Last Journey Honours conferred upon him, The Gorilla Professor Owen's Lecture,
in
. .

20 24 24

4
4
.^>

SpeciesOpposition to his Views His Early Life, Agitation for Repeal of the Paper Duties Opposition of Paper-makers The Lords
Darwin's Theory
of the Origin of

Water Supply
Pugilism

of

London and Glasgow,

Feeling against Capital Punishment,

Tom Sayers and Heenan Public Excitement Cobden's View, ... Degrading Amusements Music Halls Cremorne Burning of Covent Garden Opera
House,
JuUien's Concerts

Bill Lord Palmerston's attitude, 26 Mr. Disraeli willing to support Lord Palmer29 ston's Government, .29 Increased Armaments,
reject the

.....
.
.

Smith
ants,

Surrey Zoological Gardens

Charles H. Spurgeon

....... .......
Surrey Hall,
.

Lord Palmerston's Resolutions on the Rights Dissatisfaction of the two Houses carried

with them,

29

Handel Festival Albert Faraday Polytechnic Restaur8

The Customs and Excise Duty on Paper equalized,

Budget

of

18C1

.......

the

30

Increase in Exports and in

10 10

Low Church and

Ritualism
the Church
quences,
.

The Tabernacle, Dissent High Church and

.

Food The Income-tax and the Duty on Paper Growing ExpenImportation of

diture,

Mr.

Gladstone on

Laymen
its
. .

in

Opposition
Cecil's

Ritualism
.
.

and
.

Conse-

Budget Lord Robert Attack on Mr. Gladstone Mr.

to

.......

31

.11

Gladstone

on

the
.

Constitution
.
.

The

Proposed Abolition
Trelawney's
Ritualism in

of

Church-r.ates^Sir John
.

Bills,

St. George's-in-the-East,
.

Sketch of Cardinal Manning,

.13 .17 .17

Budget passed, Admission of Jews Salomons takes

.34
36
37

to

Parliament

Sir David
.

his seat

The Law altered,

Abolition of the Property (Qualification,

CONTENTS OF VOLUME
Indifference to Parliamentary

IV.

Eeform Lord John Russell introduces a Reform BUI,

which
is

withdrawn,

.37

Douglas Jerrold Hallam Leigh .38 Chevalier Bunsen, Death of Lord Macavday His Writings and place in Politics Mr. Gladstone on his

Death

of

Hunt

The State of Italy Action of the Austrians The Tyranny of King Ferdinand, 66 Movements of Garibaldi His Personal Appearance His Home at Caprera His part in the Austrian War, .67

of

Garibaldi prepares to liberate Sicily

II.,

Francis
in

Career,

.41 King of Prussia, Lord Aberdeen Sir Sidney Her.42 bert and Count Cavour, Death of Dr. Baly Sir George Couper and
Death Death
of the of
.
.

.......

39

King Naples Insurrection SicUy Landing of Garibaldi and taking of Palermo Evacuation Sicily by the
of

Neapolitan

Army Cavour's

skUful

Man.

Prince Ernest of Hohenlohe-Langenburg,

42
.

Frequent Illnesses
of

of Prince Albert,

42

Visit of the Prince of

Wales to Canada and Prince Alfred to the Cape of Good

42
of

agement Position maintained by England and the other European Powers, 69 The Emperor of France and the Papal Territory, 72 Garibaldi's Expedition to Naples His ability as a Tactician and Leader Composition
.

of his

Hope,
Institution

Colonel
Critical

Army English supplies

Peard,
of Naples,

sent to

him

"Garibaldi's English. .

the

"Order

of

the

Star of

man " -Taking

43 43

India,"

State of Italian

Affairs

Foreign

.73

Discontinuance of a Separate
Increase of Volunteer Force,

Army
. .
.

for India,
.

Troops collected for the Defence of the

.'43

Papal States
vour's
tral

Industry of Prince Albert,

First Volunteer

.44

Diplomacy

General Lamoriciere Ca Napoleon remains neu-

Review in Hyde Park, and Meeting at Wimbledon Volunteer Review in Edinburgh, .44 Prince Albert on Training for the Naval

The Sardinian Army take possession

Papal States,

of the

.....
.
.

76

Necessity for preventing Garibaldi from in-

Reserve,

Royal Visit
Albert

to

Illness of the Queen,

tlie

.......
Coburg
.
.

46

vading Venetia Meeting of Victor Emmanuel and Garibaldi Their Entry into

Accident to Prince

Naples
Victor

Sketch of Garibaldi, Garibaldi

retires

.79
Two
.

.46

Emmanuel chosen King

of the

Prince Alfred at the Cape of

Good Hope

Sicilies

to

Caprera
.

Prince of Wales in America

Buchanan's Letter to
Reply,

President Queen Her

47

Despatch by Lord John Russell,

80

Cavour

is

succeeded by Rattazzi,

.83

Garibaldi raises an

Army

for the taking of

Prince of Wales goes to Cambridge

trothal
of

-Beof

Princess

Prince Albert,

......
Alice
Illness
of

Rome Is
48

opposed by the Royal Troops,

and wounded at Aspromonte

England,

He

visits

83

Twenty -first Anniversary

^larriage

the

Queen's

Letters from Prince Albert and the Queen, .49 Illness and Death of the Duchess of Kent, 49 Health of Prince Albert His Visit to Sand. . . .
.

Increase his Illness Public Anxiety His Moments and Death National Mourning Gladstone on his Life Sermon by Dean the Lesson Milman Funeral of the Prince,
hurst
of
last
ISIr.

Government to Florence Venetia joined to Italy Another Fail.85 ure to liberate Rome, The Pope's Irish Brigade Mr. Pope HenDebate in nessey and Italian Affairs .86 House of Commons, Secession of The Ci\il War in America

Removal

of Italian

Southern States
dent,

of

.......
.

Jefferson Davis Presi-

88

51

Wreck

of the

Royal Charter,

.56

The Slavery Question in the States, Establishment of the Negro Colony of Liberia
.

90

The Hartley Colliery Tragedy Scene near the Pit The Queen's expression of SymDifficulties

pathy Subscriptions for the Relatives, in China The Taku Forts Outrages on the English Commission Loot.

Anti-slavery
Cabin,

Societies

Uncle

Tom^a
91

57

Case of John Brown

ing and Burning of the Summer Palace Terms concluded with the Chinese,
.

Affair Death Wm.

Slaves

His Efforts to free the at Harper Ferry He

tried,

is

59

Disturbances in Syria
tian Quarter of
ferin's

Burning of the ChrisDamascus Lord Dufre.

Account of the Scene Order stored by France and England,

.

Feeling throughout the Union, Additions to the Seceded States Taking of

ecution
.

and sentenced to Lloyd Garrison and Rev. Mr. Beecher on John Brown His Correspondence whUe under Sentence His Extaken Prisoner,

92
99

G3

Fort Sumter,

CONTENTS OF VOLUME
Sketches of Jefferson Davis and of
Lincohi,

IV.

Abraham
100

but declined
of

Accepted by Prince William

Denmark,
of

State of Public Feeling in England

Mr.
102

......
Mr. Gladstone's
Scheme
of the

145 146

Prince Christian becomes King of Denmark,

Bright on the United

States

and the

The Budget

1863

pro-

War, The Fugitive Slave Question

Anderson,
tain
.
.

posed " Taxes on Charities " rejected by

the House

Case of
.

John .106

Main

approved,

......

Budget
146

Causes of the Misunderstanding betweeii Bri-

and the United States

on the Situation,

.....
in

The Times
108

Troops are called out by North and South

Britain recognizes the South as a Belliger-

Britain

Ill-feeling the North to Jefferson Davis the South Cassius M. Clay's Appeal to Brient

Power

Improved Trade with France, 148 The Temperance Movement Father Mathew Formation of Temperance Societies United Kingdom Alliance The Permissive Bill The Clergy and Temjjerance The Permissive Bill introduced to the

justifies

tain,

Beginning of the

.......
War

Commons, Cheap Trains

110
115

Russian

The Factory Acts, Atrocities in Poland Indignation

Superiority of Con.

throughout Europe,

federate Soldiers

Bull Kun,

The Trent
and

Affair

Capture of

Messrs.

Mason

by Captain Wilkes Correspondence between the Governments Liberation of the Commissioners, .116 Mr. Gladstone's Budget of 1862 Increase of National Debts Mr. Disraeli attacks the
Slidell
.

French Conquest in Mexico Maximilian proDeparture of tha claimed Emperor French Troops Siege of Mexico by Juarez,

...... .....

.....

149 153

153

Budget,

119
. .

and Surrender of Maximilian His Trial and Execution, 155 Proposes an InternaPolicy of Napoleon Replies of the tional Peace Congress European Powers War Clouds gathering, 159

Sketch

of Sir Stafford Northcote,

.123
123

The

Schleswig-Holstein

Difficulty

The

Exhibition of 1862
bition of 1851,

Comparison

with Exhi-

Duchies invaded by an Austro-Prussian

Army Defeat
Debate
in

President Lincoln's Letter to the Working-

of Schleswig, Holstein,

Distress in Lancashire and the Relief Fund Mr. Cobden on

men
of

Manchester

and Cession and Lauenburg, 160 the French Chambers on National

of the Danes,
.

Disarming,

......

164

the Distress,

.126
.127

Debate

in

Parliament on the Dano-German

George Peabody London,

.

His
.

Gifts to the Poor of

.
.

Mrs. Gladstone's
tress

efforts

to relieve the Dis-

Growth of Cotton in British Depen129

dencies,

Mr. Disraeli's Resolution, and Mr. Gladstone's Reply Mr. Bernal Osborne's Sallies Lord Palmerston defends his Administration His Letter to the King of the Belgians His Lordship at
Question

Co-operative Societies
dale Societies,
.

Success of
.

the Koch. .

eighty years of age,

130

Law

Reforms,

Blockade-running

Sumter and

The Florida The Alabama Difand

Privateering

National Education
into

Commission of Inquiry Public Schools Mr. Lowe's Adminis-

..... ......

165 168

ferences between the

Governments,

Gladstone, Bright, and Cobden on the Prospects of the South,

...... .....
tlic

American and British

134

tration

He

is

charged with mutilating

Reports, and resigns Office,

137

The Dissenters' Burial Bill, The Budget of 1864 Benefits

Proclamation of Freedom to
Their Successes,

Slaves,

139

Legislation,

Increased Efforts of the Northern States

.

.141
of

Re-election of Mr. Lincoln

Capitulation
General Lee

Richmond

Surrender of
War,
of

End

of the

142

Government Annuities and Life Assurance BiU passed, 172 The Budget of 1865, 173 Reform Movements, 173 Mr. Gladstone and the Iri.sh Church He is
defeated at Oxford

...... ...... .....

Health

....
of Free-trade

169
171

171

Assassination of President Lincoln, antl at-

tempted Assassination
Cost of the War,

Mr. Seward,

143
144

He

Hi.s Farewell Address

is

returned for South Lancashire

Result of the Elections,

Betrothal of the Prince of Wales to the

cess

I'riii-

Mr. Cobden's
lucrative

failing

Alexandra Her Arrival in London The Marriage Tennyson's Ode, .144

.

....
He
. . .

175

declines a

The Throne of Greece

offered to Prince Alfred,

Government Post His last Illand Death Tributes to his Memory, 179 Death of Lord Palmerston, .181
ness

VlU
Ministry of Earl Russell,

CONTENTS OF VOLUME
.
. .

IV.

.182
182

Mr. Gladstone's Addresses Edinburgh,

in

Glasgow and

Speeches of Mr. Gladstone at Liverpool and of Mr. Bright at Birmingham, .217

.

The Debate renewed Speeches by Lowe and Disraeli Mr. Gladstone's Reply The

CHAPTER

XI.

"Leaps and Bounds."

Bursting of the Bilbury and Bradfield Reservoirs

and narrow majority for the Government, 218 BiU for Redistribution of Seats -The Government defeated and resign, . 221 Lord Derby's Ministry, 222
Division,
.

...... .....

. .

Popular Demonstrations in favour of Reform

184

Bursting
:

and Wisbeach,
dents

Destructive Fires in London

Staplehurst,

......
of Sluice

between Lynn

Railway Acci-

Abergele

Assaults
.

and Murders in Railway Carriages, Governor Ejtc and the Jamaica Riots
ganization

^Or-

187

Edmond Beales, M.A. The Hj'de Park Riots 223 Lord Derby's Government and Reform Proposal to proceed by way of Resolutions, 226 The "Ten Minutes BUI," .227 Introduction of a new Reform Bill Its Pro.

among

the Negroes

out of Insurrection

William Gordon

Indignation in England,

Breaking Execution George

of

visions

Important
Commons It

Alterations

made on
.

which passes the Lower House, 228 The BiU amended by the Lords and returned
the
Bill,

and Proceedings against Governor Eyre, 190 Death of Thackeray His Work Dickens's
Obituary Notice,

to the

finally

becomes law, 233

235 235

Death of John Leech, Death of Professor Aytoun, Death of Lord Brougham,

African Exploration

Grant

Death of Speke

Livingstone,

..... .... .... ......

Captains

Earl Derby resigns

196 197
198

him Death of Earl Derby, Mr. Gladstone succeeds Earl RusseU

.

Mr.

Disraeli succeeds
. .

in the
. .

Leadership of the Lil^eral Party,

Financial
Disasters

198

Speke Mr. Baker

and
Dr.

Gurney,
198

&

Collapse of Overend, Co. " Black Friday " SusBank Charter

Act,

pension of the

236

The Electric Telegraph and the Post-office London Improvements Increased Inter-

The Austro-Prussian War The Austrians defeated at Sadowa Close of the War 237 Energy of War Correspondents,

course with the Continent

morial,

Movements in the Church Church ExtensionMr. Disraeli at Meeting of the

Oxford Diocesan Society,
Dr. Pusey and Tractarianism

.......

Albert ^le-

Commercial Embarrassment of 1867

199
unions

Tradesof

Wide-spread
the Poor-law,

Loyalty

of the AVorking-classes

200

Mr. Gladstone
202

Trades Outrages at Sheffield Investigations by a Commission Evidence of Witnesses

......
Distress,

and working

238

on the Evangelical Movement, Free Interpretation of the Scriptures

tionalism

Broadhead's vUlainous Proceedings,

The Abyssinian Expedition
Theodore

240

Essays

Dr. Colenso, Prosecutions of the Authors Lord-chanceUor BetheU on Conand Meviews

vocation

....

Ra204

Conduct of King

He imprisons the Europeans

General Sir Robert Napier advances upon

Bill
is

for

Relaxing Subscription
205

to Clerical Oaths,

.....
Earl

Magdala The Prisoners delivered up Magdala stormed, and death of Theodore, 244
Irish Troubles

Sketch of Sir Richard BetheU (Lord Westbury)

He

charged with Laxity of

Practice,

208

EvU Influence of Professional Fenian Organization Threats against England The Habeas Corpus Act suspended in Ireland CapAgitators

The

The Queen opens Parliament of 1866 Reform BUI promised The BiU introduced

but received with apathy

Ministry

Russell's

WUliam
of 1866,
.

Edward

Forster

George Joachim Goschen

The Duke
The Budget
Provisions of the

of Argyle,

....
.

Mr. Stansfeld
211

Fenian Stephens Raid on Canada Arrival of Irish Americans Colonel Burke arrested Attack on Prison Van at Manchester, and Murder of Sergeant Brett Execution of AUen, Larture and Escape of

212

and O'Brien, Fenian Attempt on ClerkenweU Prison

kin,

Reform BiU

Indifference and Opposition

Messrs.

Lowe and

It meets with Speeches by Bright The Cave of

213

Execution

of Barrett,

....
London
.

247 255

Burning

of

Her ISIajesty's

Theatre,

AduUam Sir
BiU,

E. Bulwer Lytton on the

Outrages in Ireland
of the

Explosion of Nitro-glycerine at Newcastle, 256 Procession in ]SIemory

Manchester Murderers,

.257

GLADSTONE
AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.
CHAPTER
LOSS
Signs of Prosperity

X.

AND GAIN THE EDGES OF GREAT REFORMS.

Public Works Amusements Albert Smith Burning' of Covent Garden Theatre Crime Social and Intellectual Progress Church-rates Invention and Discovery Livingstone Tlio Gorilla Darwin The Palmerston Government Signs of the Times Russell's Reform Bill Losses Lord Aberdeen Bunsen Leigh Hunt Macaulay Death of Prince Albert Gladstone's Tribute to his Memory The American War President Lincoln Jeff. Davis The Slavery Question Gladstone's Views The Trent Cotton Famine Lancashire Co-operation The Alabama Exhibition of 18G2 Marriage of the Prince of Wales Princess Alexandra Budget of 1863 Denmark Law Reform

Education Permissive Bill Garibaldi in London Session of 1865 Lord Westbury The Irish Church Defeat of Gladstone at Oxford Death of Cobden Death of Lord Palmerston.

Though

the war in Italy luid caused

mauy

a surprising extent,

and that the expansion conin-

apprehensions, and at one time a panic luid

tinued.

In the ten years from 1848 to 1858

seemed imminent ou the

Steele

Exchange, the

clusive, the total value of exports of British pro-

condition of the country in 1860 was such as

to call forth general satisfaction.

duce had increased from

in the

less

than 53 millions

The year
for

former year to above llGh millions in

2s.

1859 had ended with evidences of increased

j)rosperity,

the latter year; or from XI, IBs. to 4,

bd.

and with reason for good hope

per head of

tlie

population.

In the same
in-

the future.

Exports and imports, employment

period the total value of imports had

creased in even

and

profits,

and the produce of the public

greater proportion.

There
in

revenue had steadily increased notwithstanding political uneasiness, the shijiping interest

were no accurate returns of them

the
real

Board
value

of
is

Trade accounts, so far as their

seemed likely to recover from the depression

which followed the exceptional demand for
vessels

concerned, earlier than 1854, but in

value
of
it

that year the total

imports was

during the Crimean campaign, and the

152i millions, while in 1858

to lG4o millions. It
is

had increased

])rogress

which had been made during the ten

worth noticing, how-

years since 1850 was such as to justify the

general belief that England would be able to

ever, that tlie imports did not

show such an

enormous

proportion

of

food

provisions,
to
instance, the

maintain her position

the world.

among

the nations of

meat, corn, Hour, &c.

as

we may have
For

note in subsequent years.

of

The commercial prosperity

statistical

a nation

may

importations of these articles in 1854 reached

the total value of 27i millions, in 1858 of only
a
little

not be absolutely calculable by the figures of

returns, but those
figures

afford

over 24 millions, but in 18G3

it

had

sufficient proof of it

when they

are complete,
jier-

risen to

above

40?; millions.

The

jiroduce of

and when by comparison they show a

nianent and decided advance.
of the

uur

own

country had long ceased to suffice

Tlie accounts

to feed the ])opulation,

and increased means of

of the food supplies of

Board

of

Trade

sufficed to

show that
to

steam

transit, the

lowering of freights, the

after the

removal of restrictions ou our com-

enormous development

nierce the business of the countr\-

expanded

America, the increased productions of our

64

Vol

IV.

2
colonies,
all

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

and
tlie

free opeuing of our ports to

comers had -wrought this cliauge iu the

condition of English consumers.

For want

of the correct totals of real values

was inaugurated. The first of these meetings took place at Taunton in 1852, when the entries of stock for the show numbered 238 and the impledifferent joarts of the country

iu the accounts of the Board of Trade, the

ments 400; in 1860, at Dorchester the number of cattle shown was 599 and of implements
1453, including 29 machines in motion.

returns for 1840 cannot he given

liave

Ijut

they

been computed as nearly as possible, and

is

Heap-

the total imports (of which there

an account)
than
is

ing and haymaking machines, steam ploughs,

show a value
61^ millions.

of just over 62 millions, while

little less

haxTows, and other machines were soon in

the exports are calculated at a

very general use, and the system of breeding

In twenty

j-ears,

that

to

and feeding

cattle

underwent a remarkable

say in 1860, they had risen respectively to

change, which produced extraordinary results

210^ miRions and 164^ millions.

In 1840 the

not in England

onl}',

where the animals were

fine points

import and export trade together represented

b, and in 1860 they represented 13 per

bred and exhibited for their

and
and

meat-yielding quality, but also in Canada

head

of the population.

and America, where our shorthoni

heifei-s,

bulls

Although we were increasingly dependent

for our food supply

our Cotswold sheep and Berkshire

upon importations from

pigs were used to start a

new

stock, to

be

re-

abroad, agricultural operations had continued

to improve,

turned hither in due time in the shape

of

and mechanical implements were

yield of

American beef and mutton.

At

the same

already superseding the old methods of farming.

time special legislation had to be introduced

in consequence first of the muiTain,

The

wheat per acre was

in-

which

creasing; but the area of the country could

was believed

to

have been brought by foreign

not be increased, and land became of gi-eater

rental value, though the average of prices of

cattle in 1841,

and afterwards because of the

rinderpest of 1856, which, originating

among

grain were diminished as compared with the

earlier years of the century.

the vast herds of the Russian steppes, travelled

Complete systems

westward over Europe, and could only

of draining

and deep ploughing, increased

of

be checked from spreading in England by the

stringent provisions of an act of parliament

the productiveness

the

soil.

Since the

introduction of guano in 1841 various kinds

the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act.

A few more figui'es may not be out of place
to

manure had been adojited for different crops, and many of those experiments which
of

indicate the enoi-mous extension of food

cattle,

we have already noted

Mechi's
operations
successful.

in

relation

to

Mr.

supply by the returns of importations of

meat, and grain to this country.

at Tiptree

had proved

gi-eat

improvement had been

In 1842, when the prohibition

of the im-

manifested in Dorsetshire farms, where the

cultivators
efforts in

portation of cattle and sheep was removed,

had previously exhausted their

there wei'e imported 4264 oxen, bulls, cows,

breaking up heath wastes and sheeji-

and

calves,

and 644 sheep, 6181 cwts.

c-wts. of beef.

of

bacon

downs, but had not adopted the steam-plough

to cultivate them.

and hams, 30,022

cattle

In 1845 the

They had begim

to feed

imported had increased to 16,833, the

their sheep

on oil-cake and corn, and the consequence was not only that the
cattle

and

sheep and lambs to 15,957.

In 1846, the year

were im-

of the repeal of the corn-laws, there

land improved on the cattle and sheep runs,

ported 45,043 cattle and 94,624 sheep, &c., and

the imports of bacon and hams reached 14,203
cwts.,

but that the flocks increased in quantity and

vastly improved in quality, while the herds of

and

of beef 177,172 cwts.

In 1847 the
sheep,

horned stock advanced in an equal or even a greater degree. In 1851 the Bath and West
of

figures

were

75,717

cattle,

142,720

107,732 cwts. of bacon and hams, and 117,695

cwts. of beef.

England Agricultural Society and the

Society amalgamated, and

The

quantities afterwai-ds fluc-

Devon Agricultural

tuated according to

demand and

the

home

a series of annual meetings and exhibitions at

production, but with a general tendency to

FOOD SUPPLIES EXGINEERING AVOEKS Y.'ATER SUPPLY,

great increase, so that iu 18G0 there were

Not only had he been concerned

in

in the con-

104,569 cattle and 320,219 sheep imported, 326,106 cwts. of

struction of about one-third of the railways

hams and bacon, and 262,194

and Lard increasing in and

Great Britain and numbers of lines on the

cwts. of beef, other commodities, such as pork, eggs, butter, clieese,

proportion, to about 108,000,000 eggs, 841,000

cwts. of butter, 173,000 cwts. of pork,

monuHigh Level Bridge at Newcastle, the Britannia and Conway bridges over the Menai Straits, the Victoria
Continent, but he had left enduring
of his genius in the

ments

198,000 cwts. of hird.

Bridge at Berwick, the great bridge over the

St.

With regard
cwts. of

to grain, the importations in

Ijawrence and other works.

His method
to achieve

1845 were 3,777,410 cwts. of wheat, 945,864

of tubular bridging enabled

him

wheat meal and

flour,

1,623,784 cwts.

marvellous results, and iu

all

the works that

of oats, 1,315,550 cwts. of barley, 3,024,883

he undertook he was guided by a slu-ewd

cwts. of maize,

and 542,160 cwts.

of rice.

In

common
scientific

sense whicli looked not only to their

1847 the amounts were 11,511,305 cwts. of

wheat, 6,329,058 cwts. of wheat flour and
meal, 4,690,697 cwts. of oats, 2,759,582 cwts.
of

but

to

their

commercial

succes>;.

Everything with which he was

concerned

must be made

to pay,

and in

this respect he
to

barley,

15,464,196 cwts.

of

maize, and

was a remarkable contrast

porary Isambard

his contem-

1,901,464 cwts. of rice; and the general increase,

Kingdom

Brunei, whose

with fluctuations mai'king the years

of

splendid enterprises were mostly ])ecuniarv

failures,

larger or smaller
totals to larger

home produce, brought

and larger amounts,
of
till

the
in

and against

whom

Stephenson had

upheld the narrow against the broad gauge

for lines of railway,
cost.

1860 they stood at 25,484,151 cwts. of wheat,

5,086,220
6,300,115
cwts.

mainly on the question of

wheat

flour

and meal,
of

The
i)]ace

elder Brunei,

who made

the

Thames

cwts. of oats,

7,545,932 cwts.

Tunnel, had died iu 1840, and his sou's death

took

barley, 7,936,123 cwts. of maize,

and 1,535,575

on the 15th of August, 1859, only

befoi-e

cwts. of rice, the maize rising in the next year

to 13,000,000 cwts., but remaining for several
yeai's
rice,

two months

that of his competitor

Robert Stephenson.
greatly augmented.

In the ten years from

below the estimate

of 1847,

when maize,
rememthis

1849 to 1859 the number of railway's had

and wheat meal were, as we

needed for the

shall

The narrow gauge Lad

losses incurred

ber,

relief of the Irish famine.

been adopted because of the

The exportation

of food supi^lies

from

by

tlie

line

which had been

Avoi'ked

by the
of
se-

country during the jieriod from 1849 to 1860

rival

plan.

On

the same

principle

were about 2 per cent of the quantity of the

imports of wheat and wheat
flour,

curing commercial success

Stephenson had

48 per cent

been strongly opposed to the scheme for cutting a canal across the Isthmus of Suez, whicli

of the imports of rice, 13 per cent of bacon

hams and pork and

beef.

Of

cattle

and sheep

had been proposed

vehemently

in

1857,
in

and was being

1859

only a fraction were re-exported.

discussed

when

the

French government were ])ushing on with

Among
prosperity

the numerous signs of increased

considerable zeal

what the Times

called "the

may

be mentioned the large num-

suspicious project of the impracticable Suez

ber of railways and public works which were

either completed or undertaken.
Tlie

Canal."
ject to

Stephenson did not declare the

j.ro-

Thames

be impractical Je, but he was of opinion

Embankment
gress.

was, as

we have

seen, in \wo-

that the continued silting

up

of

the

.sand

The vast scheme

for the drainage of

in the

would

necessitate

such expenses that

the

London had been agreed upon and was

coui'se of initiation,

undertaking would never be profitable.

and an enormous addiPobert

The

principal lines of railway were mcstly

tion

had been made to our railways.

life's

comi)leted before the death of the great engineer, but

Stephenson had completed his

work on
results.

much remained

to

be done, and

the 12th of October, 1859, at fifty-six years of

age,

in tlie following year the preparations for the

and had accomplished enormous

Metropolitan I^nderground Railway showed

CxLADSTONE
that the country
l)rises.

AND

HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.
in 1847

was

alive for fresh enter-

and the Commons had

first

met for

At the same time the

aspects of our

business in their

new chamber

in 1852.

The

streets were undoubtedly improved and the sanitary arrangements there received more

coloured glass windows were added in 1859,

the old St. Stephen's Crypt, or St. Mary's

attention, the roadways were better swept,

Chapel in the vaults, was renewed, the wall

frescoes, the colours of

and there was more protection against

not only by a reorganization of the
'^:\de

lire,

which did not stand,

fire bri-

were not

all finished,

but the Speaker's House

bells in the

and the appointment

of

more

stations,

was being furnished and "Big Ben" was

but by an

increased supply of water.

It is

swung along with the other

tower.
tlie

Clock

worth noting, too, that in the spring of 1859

the
first of

Sir Charles Barry, the architect of

pile

a series of ornamental drinking

stupendous

at

Westminster,

ojily

fountains (to some, but too few, of which

liorse-

lived long

enough

to see the comi)letion of the

troughs were added) was erected in

in the wall of St.

building.
It

He died

on the 12th
the same

of

May,

1860.

London

Sepulchre's ChurchHill.

may be mentioned

that very considerable

yard at the corner of Snow

This foun-

changes were at

time made

in

tain, as well as others in the Royal Exchange, in Regent Circus, and elsewhere, was the
gift of

various parts of London, where buildings of

Mr. Gurney of Lombard Street, and was very ornamental in design. It was time for some such provision to be made, and it
should liave received greater attention than has since been given to
old springs
it,

a rather mixed architectural character, and some of them of no character at all, but mostly of great size and often of effective
appearance, were superseding meaner structures.

This necessitated

improvements in

for

some

of the

our

thoroughfares,

the widening of

main

and wells disappeared with the

tlie

streets and therefore the demolition of some

deeper drainage of the metropolis, and those

that remained and were

surviving

drawn from pumps were mostly in the

places,

few

crowded neighbourhoods to open up new means of transit, with the result that the city

vicinity

and other trading portions became

still

of the metropolis

of churchyards or other
liad

where they

less

places of residence,
to

and the

become

polluted, so that the sanitary

it

suburbs of London continued

be extended

authorities found

necessary to chain up the

of

by the

indefinite multiplication of houses, too

])ump-handles.
still

But the drainage

London
an out-

often badly built, imperfectly drained,

and

went into the Thames, though, as we

mentioned, the

liave
fall

new system

of

"run up" without due consideration of the jiroper provisions for health and comfort.

further out towai'ds sea, from which the

One

of the

sewage of nearly the whole metropolitan area

metropolitan dwellings was,

most aggravating conditions of and has long

would be discharged, was being carried out Though 1 .y the Metropolitan Board of Works.
the

continued to be, the want of an ample and pure supply of water. Tlie companies which

Thames Embankment was being constructed, the river itself was little better
than an open drain, and during the sultry weather the stench which it emitted peneti-ated to the

had the monopoly of carrying water from the Thames, the Lea, and the New River into tlie houses of Southern, Northern, and Eastern

London not only took

liver
it

too

little

pains to de-

Houses

of

Parliameut and gave

in a proper condition, but though they

to charge for it at a price

legislators

a practical example of the evils

were empowered

under which people dwelling on the banks of the stream had long been suffering.

reckoned on the rated rental of the houses, refused, or omitted, to do more than fill such
cisterns or other receptacles as the landlords
of the houses chose to supply to their tenants.

In recording the progress of public works we cannot properly pass over the completion of the

new Houses

of Parliament,

which was

really

only effected just before the session of 1859,

well be imagined, therefore, that in poorer neighbourhoods there was a great the scarcity, and that the small quantity which
It

may

though the House of Peers had been opened

the inhabitants could collect in tubs, pails, or

CEIMINAL TRIALS PUGILISM BRUTAL EXHIBITIONS.

other utensils was scarcely
lifter it
fit

5
of

for tlriuking

attitude of the population.

transition, or rather

It

was a time

had stood

iu filthy yards or in close

all

we were on

the edge of

confined rooms, subject to

kinds of eman-

further important changes in our political and

social relations,

ations from drains and other sources of infection.

and

As

to daily ablutions, or even of a

at that there were

it was not to be wondered some extravagances which

weekly bath, there was scarcely a poor neigh-

wei'e occasionally difficult to reconcile

with

bourhood where such a provision existed

iu

and

the belief in general moral and intellectual

progress
:

London even the better class of houses not, and many of them are not now, provided with any water supply for bathing
were
jjurposes,
if

but in looking back

it is

more easy
which

to assign to

them

their true character as final

ebullitions of

certain poijular sports

nor with a bath to receive

it

even

were becoming
of the

obsolete, or as peculiar results

they chose to pay the extra rate which the

substitution

of

one kind of public

companies demand for providing the means

of ordinary cleanliness.

amusement for another, or even as the outcome of those transmutations which follow a
sudden endeavour to introduce the customs

Other towns and

cities of the

kingdom have

long been far in advance of London in this

respect.

and recreations

of other countries,

where even

Among

the great public enterprises

amusements are
lated

directly controlled
officials.

and reguwere
it

of the year 1859 had been that of the Glasgow

by government

an abundant supply

Water Works Commissioners, who obtained of fine water from Loch Katrine. To overcome the first great engineering difficulty they had been obliged to

The records of crime during

this period

not remarkable for increased brutality, but

may

be mentioned as having some relation to

of the social aspects of the time,

an account

tunnel a mountain 600 feet below the summit

for 2325 yards in length

that there appeared an increasing reluctance

to convict of crimes involving capital punish-

and 8

feet in dia-

meter, and this was only the

of seventy tunnels

first of

a series
thir-

ment, except on the most indisputable evidence,

measuring altogether

and with an evident desire

to give

any

teen miles in length.

prisoner the benefit of the least doubt rather

The bogs were traversed by nearly four

miles of iron pipes and the rivers and valleys

than

inflict

the extreme penalty of the law.

of this

The consequence

was a considerable
minute examination

by above nine miles

of aqueducts.

Londoners

extension of the time during which every im-

might well have looked with longing eyes

on a scheme which provided Glasgow with
fifty

portant trial lasted

the

of the evidence of

numerous witnesses, and

million gallons of pure soft water daily;

of the works, the total

the gradual adoption of the present cumber-

and the completion

cost of

some and apparently unnecessary proceeding

of trying cases twice over

which had been about 1,500,000, was

once

before the

signalized

by the presence

of the

Queen, with

police magistrate or the coroner,

and again

Prince Albert and two of the princesses, her

before the tribunal to which the accused was

majesty having journeyed from Edinburgh

to the outflow at

committed.

Loch Katrine on her way

Perhaps one of the most remarkable evidences of

southward, for the purpose of inaugurating

the

what many people regarded

what may be

as a

new

enterprise

by putting

in

motion the

declension of public morality, or at least a

reaction in favour of
called gross

apparatus for admitting the waters of the

lake into the
first

tunnel.

aijd brutal exhibition.s,

was the almost universal

"champion of
an antagonist

interest expressed in a great prize-fight be-

Increased political and commercial liberty,

tween the so-called

pugilistic

enormous additions
tension of the

to public works, the exof travelling,

England

"

Tom

Sayers, and

means

and nu-

merous adaptations
tions,

of discoveries

and inventhe moral

named Ileenan, but known as the " Benicia Boy," who came from America for the avowed
purpose of wresting the " belt " from the

were accompanied by certain significant

in

man

chanjjes

the social

if

not

in

who

h;id

been proclaimed the most formidable

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

boxer in Eiiglaud.

For some time

it

was

tacle,

but he also received severe though only

injuries,

found

difficult to

arrauge a match, but the

proposed conflict had caused so

much

excite-

ment, and was

known

to be regarded with so

and might have succumbed was said, caught him at the ropes and nearly strangled him, but that some
temporary
to iHeenan,

who,

it

much

expectant attention

among
were

influential
baflled, or

alleged unfairness in this proceeding caused

jiersons, that, either tlie police

the umpires to put an end to the fight, just as the police,

they made only a show of taking effectual

who had

at last mustered in

suffi.

means

for preventing

what was

clearly an

cient force, broke their

way

into the ring.

illegal usi-:embly.

On

the 17th of April, ISGO,

This termination to the horrible spectacle

caused
of

Loudon Bridge station, and, eluding a number of mounted police who were
a speciid train
left

much

dissatisfaction

and a good deal

rival

crimination
biit

between the

backers,

stationed for a considei-able distance along the

line,

which was
batants.
as a hero,

imperfectly allayed

by the

where

it

was expected the passengers

presentation of a belt to each of the comSayers, however,

Avould alight, turned off from the supposed

i-oute

who was

regarded

and stopped at Farnborough.

in a field

from Aldershott,
side, a ring

Not far on the Hampshire

made a kind

of

triumphal entry into

was formed, and the two men, who had there met for the first time, stood up amidst a great crowd of spectators, largely
composed
of

siderable

London and afterwards into Liverpool, consums being collected for him on the Stock Exchange and at other places. The

event might not have found a record in these

noblemen, gentlemen of rank,

parliament,

pages but for the fact that one of those places

members
clergj'men.

of

members

of

the

was the division lobby

of the iHouse of

ComiMr.

learned and artistic professions, and even of

It is only reasonable to conclude

mons, where "the great prize-fight" became

the subject of part of the proceedings.
Vl. Ewart,

that some kind of sentiment not very easy to

explain had

member

for Dumfries, rose to ask

grown out

of the public excite-

whether steps would be taken to prevent such

brutal exhibitions in future.
Scully, of
iMr.

ment, and i^robably also out of the bellicose

spirit
]ier of

Vincent
dasli

promoted by the lecent aggressive temthe country, which eclipsed the actual

an Irishman with a considerable

humour

in his character, gravely protested

i:)ublic

nature of an exhibition more brutal and sick-

against the " outrage of

morals," which

ening than had ever been witnessed even in

the

he averred would not be tolerated in Ireland.

Sir George Cornewall Lewis, as home secretary, made a half sei'ious half humorous reply whicli meant little or nothing, and in which he remarked that " it had been said that pugilistic

modern

prize-ring.

There

is

no need to

follow the revolting details.

Heenan, the

American, was a youthful giant six feet two

inches in height, of enormous muscular projiortions,

with overwhelming strength, and in

encounters afforded a model of fair fighting,

])erfect training.

Say ere was but

five feet

and afforded an inducement

to practise a

mode
of

eight inches high, and though a powerful man,

of fighting better than the use of the bowie-

and rendered hard and enduring by constant

exercise, not

knife or the stiletto, or that other

fighting not

mode

comparable to his antagonist exskill,

uncommon

in Ireland, namely,

cept for activity, cool

intrepidity

and that

sort of

with the shillelagh."

This was, of course, one

which

is

of the bull-dog sort.

For

way

of getting out of the difficulty, but

Lord

thirty-eight " rounds " these

two men pounded

iHeenan's

Palmerston had declared that he saw nothing

each other with blows, by which they were

frequently dashed to the ground.
face

more demoralizing

in

a boxing-match than in
This declaration
it,

an ascent in a balloon.

may

was battered out

fight

of

human

semblance,

have had some pungent truth in

but the fact

and Avhen the

j)]etely
liits

was over he was comterrific

remained that prize-fighting was an offence

against

blinded by the

and repeated

the

law.

iiMany

of

the

of his advereaiy, one of

whose arms had

dreadful spec-

chuckled or laughed outright at the

secretary's evasion of the difficulty,

been completely disabled at an early period of

the fight.

members home and some

Sayers was a

less

of the sporting representatives of the nation

DEGRADING A]\1USEMENTS MUSIC-HALLS -CREMOENE.

stationed themselves in the lobby

and levied

occasional resorts like the fairs, these places

contributions for

Tom Sayers \vhich amounted

But
ac-

were open nightly, to admit the debased and

the degraded as well as the comparatively innocent.

altogether to about a hundred pounds.

from that time the prize-ring ceased to be

In some instances the music-halls became

knowledged as a national
to revive

institution.

It Tvas,

sinks of immorality,

and

in

most cases they

perhaps, a good thing that the latest attempt

it

possessed dangerous facilities for contracting

vicious habits

had been accompanied with so

" of

and joining evil company. Since

much

that was revolting, and -when the false

pro-

the Great Exhibition of 1851, and subsequent

enthusiasm cooled, "the championshiii

fessional bruisers soon ceased
to

on supposed familiarity with foreign customs

be of any

and amusements, there had been constant

endeavours to assimilate some of our public
recreations to those

imperial or of

much

public concern.
to

"I am not very proud," wrote Cobden

Mr. Hargreaves, "of the
sjjectacle

which were represented

to

presented

be the simple, gay, and sober amusements of the

people

by our merchants,
from the brutal

brokers, and M.P.'s in their

who

resorted to the concert-rooms

ovations to the pugilist Sayei's.

instincts

This comes

gardens of France, Italy, and Germany.

and The

having been so seduin the Crimea, I

most conspicuous result seems to have been

the multiplication of licenses, which included

lously cultivated

by our wars

and

especially in India

and China.

have

amusements neither simple nor sober even

;

if

always dreaded that our national character

they could be called gay and the resuscitation

of certain "gardens," where, of old
if

would undergo deterioration

(as did that of

the "humours"

Greece and Rome) by our contact with Asia.

Ranelagh and VauxhaU were present,

With another war

for bull-fights,
if

or

two

in India

and China,

the gross immoralities of both were probably

the English people would have an appetite

sometimes suqiassed. Of these public gardens,

that called Cremorne, on the banks of the
river near Chelsea,

not for gladiators."

Lord Palmerston's remark that a boxingmatch was no more demoralizing than a balloon ascent had more in it than may appear
at first sight.

was most conspicuous and

It

most largely patronized.

was known that

it

personages of high rank frequently visited

There was a general tendency

and joined with demi-reps and the deini-moiide

in the

to increase exhibitions the chief attractions of

hah masques and other amusements.

it

Avhich were the perils in which the pei-formers

For some time

set

was a

resort of all the "fast"

of the

were placed, and balloon ascents, including

a male or a female acrobat swinging from a
"trapeze" fastened to the car,

in society,

and even some

more
it

prudent went occasionally to see what

like;

was

or mounted or

but a peculiar
its

fatality attended

it.

To

suspended on a kind of platform surrounded

maintain

attractions constant changes of

by

fireworks, were found exceedingly attrac-

tive.

"Women, or youths pretending to be

feats, the least

and "sensational" exhibitions must be provided, and the proprietors could

jjerformance

women, performed gymnastic

not
of of

make
its

it

pay.

Among

the excitements

failure in which, or in the apparatus,

would
These

Cremorne were the

entrepreneurs.

periodical insolvency

be dangerous and might j^rove

fatal.

Fortunately, perhaps,

exhibitions took place in music-halls and other

places.

for our

moral and

social progress, the public

The music-hall
institution.

itself

was becoming a

hal

masque did not take any

class of jjersons

definite hold
it

permanent

The

old fairs like that

on the

whom

was most

formerly held at Greenwich had been abolished.

likely to injure,

and though such entertain-

Bartlemyand Bowand Stepney fairs had

for

ments were frequently attempted, they eventually became, like the

in

been suppressed in the interests of public order

modern

bal dc Vopera

and morality, but large buildings, licensed

of other descriptions,
sale of strong

Paris, very dreary affairs, in

which the

music, for stage-dancing, and for performances

performers were mostly of a low and degivaded

class,

and licensed

also for the

appearing in meaningless costumes, and

drink and tobacco to the audiInstead of being only

adding to their ignorance the extravagant

imbecility produced

ence,

began

to multiply.

by

intoxication.

The

at-

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

tempt
to introduce the Parisian fashion
oiu'

of

bringing up the fire-engines from every quarter of

holding these assemblies at

as
it

theatres failed,
it

London

at a tearing gallop to the scene

deserved to do, but not before

had been
public,
of the

of conflagration.

There was no want of water,

associated with a serious loss

for even as early as

upon the

but neither engines nor water were of any

avail in saving the propei'ty.

March, 1856, one

The theatre

most calamitous

results of

a night's entertain-

blazed within
nace,

its

four hollow walls like a furfive o'clock the roof fell

ment

of this description

was the destruction

in

and at half-past

of the

Eoyal Italian Opera House at Covent

fire,

in with a

tremendous crash.
ofiice

The building
Mr.

Garden by

so

suddenly that

two

was uninsured, no

having been willing

liours the stately fabric

was in

ruins.

During

to grant a policy after the fire of 1808.

the operatic recess Mr. Gye, the lessee of the

theatre,

had sublet
feats,

it

to a performer of sleight-

of-hand

who

called

himself Professor

Gye had effected an insurance on his properties to the amount of .8000, and Mr. Anderson to the amount of 2000. Mr. Braidwood, the
experienced superintendent of the London
fire fire

Anderson, and was known as " The Wizard

of the North." to a close

He

brought his short season

establishment, was of opinion that the

by an entertainment described as

had originated from spontaneous combus-

a " gi-and carnival complimentary benefit and

dramatic gala, to commence on

tion

among

the masses of waste stuff accumu-

Monday mornshow the

if

lated in the

workshops

an opinion sti-engthheap of such

ing and terminate with a hal masque on Tues-

ened by the evidence of Mr. Grieve, the scenepainter,

sion he

day

night."'

On

the last day of the

who
had

stated that on a previous occa-

amusements proceeded with animation, and

with freedom
still

called attention to a

with decoi'um,

until, as the

materials allowed to gather, and which,

when

night advanced, the more respectable or cautious withdrew,

to the

removed by
rebuilt

his authority,

were found to be
theatre

and the disreputable yielded

said to have

too hot for handling.

till

The

was not

temptation of excitement and wine.

is

May,

1858.

After midnight the theatre

But though many extravagances

arose out

presented a scene of undisguised indecency,

of the changes in public customs, there

were

drunkenness, and vice, such as the lowest

places of resort have rarely witnessed.

many

indications of a remarkable improve-

Be-

tween four and

thought
it

five

o'clock

the

professor

ment in our popular amusements. The grand promenade concerts, over which M. Jullien
presided, have already been mentioned, and

time to close the orgies, and com-

manded The gas

little

the baud to play the national anthem.

at the

they had been effectual not only in popularizing

to

same time was turned down a warn the revellers to depart. At

the
gasfitter

much

of the best music, but in in-

troducing some of

the best pei'formers

in

this

moment

discovered

fire

Europe

to large audiences of the middle in

and

issuing from the cracks of the ceiling, and amid the wildest shrieking and confusion the

even the decent lower classes

London.

From

all

parts of
'

England people came to

at

drunken, panic-stricken masquers rushed to

the street.
It

" Jullien's concerts

Covent Garden Theatre,

of oratorios
societies at

was now hardly

five o'clock,

and along with the performances

and yet
the

in the

few minutes which had elapsed

the theatre was sealed.
roof,

by the members

of

two harmonic

doom

of

The
which

Exeter Hall, this " monstre orchestra"

may

had burst through the high up into the air columns

flames

sending

be said to have developed a taste for the execution on a grand scale of good vocal and in-

of

fire,

threw into bright

spire within

reflection every
circuit of

tower and

strumental music.
career.

M.

Jullien had but a short

the

the metropolLs,

He

died in an asylum for the insane

his successors

brilliantly illuminating
St.

the whole fabric of

flood of light across
set out in bold re-

in Pai-is,

and

scarcely

mainhis

Pauls and throwing a

tained the attractions which had

made

Waterloo Bridge, which

lief

concerts so famous, but performances

orchestras

by large

the dark outline of the

Surrey Hills.

and ''monstre" concerts

of various

This glare operated as a speedy messeno-er in

kinds were not dependent on any particular

REFINED AMUSEMENTS COXCERTS-^ALBERT SMITH.

conductor, and
associated
"
clioirs,"'

iiiclud-

given with an easy rapidity which carried the

audience with him from beginning to end.

iug those of Sunday scholars and

societies, rejieatedly

various

appeared at the Crystal

He

was perfectly familiar with the scenes

to the audience.

lit'

Pahice and at Exeter Hall.

place the great "

At

the former
-svhich

described,

and the characters he portrayed

Perhaps
his

Handel centenary,"

were familiar

was celebrated by a performance

It

of the great

was

at one time the in

most popular entertain-

composer's works, was an important event.

lasted

ment
serve,

London

for refined

and educated
to ob-

three days, the

20th,

21st,

and

people,

and as he himself used archly

22d of June, 1859.

long

The

central transept

was
of

converted into a vast concert hall 3G0 feet

numbers of persons would attend it and would secure seats for their families, who
would on no account enter a theatre
a regular dramatic performance.
to witness

by 216 wide, containing an area

77,000 feet, and there were also several tiers

of galleries.
sons, the

The queen

The

choir

numbered 27G5
the
tirst

jjer-

and the royal family were particularly delighted with

band 393.

On

day above

Mr. Albert Smith's performance,

it

17,000 persons were present, on the second

18,000,

and the Prince Consort notices

the entry which

in his jour-

and on the third nearly 27,000.

<I8,000.

The

nal with the words "very amusing" appended

to

receipts of the three days

were above 33,000

Thencefor-

appears
lectures

among much
which had deof of English

and the expenses about

graver matters.
lighted London,

The

ward the Handel Festival became an annual celebration, and was looked forward to by large numbers of persons in London with as

and had made the fortune

Chamounix, by sending thousands

travellers thither,

were continued and repeated

till,

much
in

interest as the annual musical festivals

of our cathedral cities excite in the

with almost undiminished success,

pily,the genial author

unhaji-

some

and

raconteurv;a.5 almost
fell

inhabitants of those districts, and the musical

worn

out,

and though a robust man, he

connoisseurs
It
is

who

attend the jierformances.

into ill-health,

and

to the great grief of a

wide
en-

scarcely possible to refer to the

of public
this

numerous

circle of friends to

whom

he was

much

and varied forms

seem to have made

amusement which period the commence-

deared, died at the age of forty-four, on the 22d

of

May,

1860.

It

ment

of a

new

era in the art of " entertain-

Albert Smith had married Miss

may be mentioned that Mr. Mary Keeley,

ment," without mentioning the charming descriptions

the daughter of the famous comedian, and

herself well

and humorous sketches

of character

by Mr. Albert Smith at the Egyptian Hall in

Piccadilly.

Theatre.

known as an actress at the Adelphi Numerous entertainments of a simiand refined desciiption attracted
Lectures on science
Institution,

Albert Smith, already well

known
had

lar elegant

as a Avitty journalist

and

novelist,

whose con-

considerable audiences.
at

tributions to

Punch and other

periodicals

the

Royal

where Professor
were
instituin

often

made

the world laugh, was also distin-

Faraday showed

brilliant experiments,

guished for genial bonhomie, an attractive

presence,
of

supplemented by others at various

tions,

and

for that rare

and valuable

art

and notably at the "Polytechnic"

Street, a great resort
in

becoming

in a

his audience,

which

moment on good terms with is certain to command

His entertainments

Regent

for juveniles

whose parents or guardians believed

were willing
to

com-

success for a lecturer.

bining instruction with amusement, and therefore

were humorous, but graphic and striking descriptions of the journey to Switzerland

devote a

long even-

and

ing to the diving-bell machinery in motion, the diorama, a lecture on chemistry, a great gas
microscojje reflecting objects on a screen

the Bernese Oberland, especially to Chamounix:

of the ascent of

Mont

Blanc, and,

as a sei)arHong
panoramic
stories,

by

ate lecture,

of

the overland route to

means

of a

magic lantern, and a

series of songs

Kong.

The

course of his "lectures" was di-

in the nature of

an "entertainment"

to accom-

versified,

not only by excellent

pany the beautiful

series of dissolving views.

views painted by Mr. Beverley, but by

sketches of character, and ori^'inal

soncjs, all

The "Polytecluiic" had formerly had a rival in the "Adelaide Gallery," near the Lowther

10

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

traiis-

Arcade, but this liaviug been closed, was

foi'med
cafe

phant house, the

cages.

lions' dens,

and the monkej's'

by an

Italian confectioner into a large

and restaurant.

It

may

be regarded as

The wild animals were removed, and on the space occupied by the orchestra and
the grand-stand a large music-hall was erected,

another sign of the change wliich had become

apparent in our public customs, that a complete

alteration

composed

chiefly of glass

and

iron.

Among
was the
reli-

seemed

to

have taken place in our

the conspicuous features of the time

method
creased

of providing refreshment for the in-

engagement

of

some

of the smaller music-halls

numbers of people who took their meals

and minor theatres for Sunday evening

away from home. French and German restaurants were numerous in several parts of Lon-

gious services, and the Surrey Hall, which

would accommodate a very large

congi-egation,

don, and the hot, stuffy tavern with

its

chops

was hired by the followers

of a preacher

who

and
with

steaks, or the sordid, greasy cook's shop,

its

had gained great notoriety

for his original

dingy boxes and coaree service, were

manner

of address, his marvellously effective

to a great extent superseded

by spacious and
cafes,

delivery,

and the

religious fervour
ajopeals,

which gave

convenient

dining-rooms and

where

remarkable force to his

and attracted
travelled a

agreeable articles of food and either tea, coflee,

or the lighter continental wines could be pi'Ocured.

numbers

of people,

many

of

whom

considerable distance to listen to his discoui'ses.

treaty with France

tion of

The conclusion of the commercial by increasing the consumpthe light clarets and Burgundies gave
to the business of the restaurit

The name

of

Mr.

C.

H. Spurgeon has now

for nearly a quarter of a century been associ-

a fresh impetus

ated with a religious "levival" which was

ant in London, and

light bitter ales

was noticeable that

aLso supersediug

enduring in

its effects,

perhaps because

it

was

were
liglit

the

never associated with the fanatic extravagances which have too often disfigured and
ultimately disorganized some more startling
eflbrts to

heavier beers as

wines had displaced

port and sherry, while the cousumptiou of

tea, coffee,

and chocolate vastly increased.

the most attractive resorts in Lon-

awaken the consciences and

influ-

Among

ence the lives of the working-classes.

Mr.

don, the Surrey Zoological Gardens in Wal-

Spurgeon,
to the

who was a young

still

student belonging

worth had held a conspicuous place as the

resort of middle-class families.

Baptist connection, began his

work

The grounds

while he was

bo}',

and he soon deJissemblies.

were extensive and picturesque, there was a

very good collection of wild animals, birds,

veloped rare powers as an oi)en-air preacher

in addressing large

and casual

In

and
place

reptiles,

and the grand feature

lake,

of the

a short time he was notorious, but he soou

afterwards became famous.
nificent voice,

was a broad

on the further side of

Possessing a mag-

wliich rose a huge canvas structure like the

which could be heard even by a

scene at a theatre, which was painted to re-

large assembly in a field or

space,

any other open

of illustrating

present the latest locality that could be most

effectively associated

and a remarkable power

references,

with a great pyrotechnic

the

his

meaning by

often full of

dry

display.

Mount Vesuvius,

Bombardment
of Sebas-

peculiar

humour,

to the common experiences

and
life,

of Canton,
topol,

and eventually the taking

of his audience, or the ordiuar}'' objects

attracted crowds of eager spectators,

occurrences of everyday

he rapidly at-

who, after listening to a good concert by the band interspersed with more or less patriotic
songs, witnessed the spectacle

tained great popularity, and at the same time

became the mark and a good deal

tion of the

for

much

misjDlaced witticism

which usually

of suspicion.

There had been

began with a balloon ascent and ended with the tremendous discharge of a "set piece" of
great brilliancy.

no such sudden success in arresting the atten-

common

people since the earlier

The time came, however,

to be

days of Wesleyan Methodism, and Mr. Spurgeon, keeping to the regular method of ministration observed

when the gi'ounds were

suburban ring

absorbed into the

of villas
ele-

of buildings,

and rows

by the body

to

which he

took the place formerly devoted to the

belonged, did not profess to be a revivalist,

MR. SrURGEON-^ HIGH

r.ud

AND LOW CHURCH -RITUALISM!.

forty subscribing
reli-

11

used uo

speci;il

menus

for provoking those

strange and grotesque demonstrations of

ing three months.

50 each, within the followThe money was obtained,

gious fervour wliich have frequently injured

and funds

attempts to enlist the enthusiasm of uneducated people.

for the building quickly came in. Mr. Spurgeon then became the pastor of a

In homely,
it,

forcible,

and, as

great but yet a compact congregation, chiefly

some would have

"vulgar" language he

composed of the middle and lower middle

class of the

addressed ever-increasing audiences, and as

community, but containing several

There was apparently

he went on, he appeared to abandon

his cruder

many
he

of

persons of large means.

modes

of expression, until

at-

no intention on his part to become the head of

a revivalist movement, he had as
as he could hope to accomplish,
cerity

tracted people of
to hear him.

all

degrees in the social scale

much

to

do he

But he never altered the homely vigour of his a^Dj^eals, the plain Saxon style of his speech, or the quick ready humour which
seasoned
all

and

his sin-

was

2:)roved

by the
use,

fact that while

refused repeated offers of considerable

of

sums

that he had to say, and enabled

money

for his

own

he was constantly

his hearers to

remember and

to think over

it.

receiving veiy large contributions which he

The charges brought against him were that

he adopted the more objectionable phrases
that had been attributed to Dr.

devoted to the establishment of an or^jhanage,

almshouses, and other benevolent institutions,
associated with his congregation, but the benefits

Rowland Hill

or to

Huntington that he

associated degrad-

of

which were not confined

to

members

ing illustrations with sacred doctrines in a

of the particular sect to

which he belonged.

manner that was profane and could not be

edifying, but
it is

There was at the time of which we are

speaking, a notable assimilation of opinion

certain that

many
by

of these

alleged sayings were invented

as they

his critics,

between the evangelicals or

people

"

Low-Church"

had perhaps been invented

for his

as

they were sometimes called

and
and
were

predecessors;

and though he once or twice

about
on, as

some

of the leading Dissenting preachers,

took an opportunity to deny some of them, he

their ideas of the value

and

eflicacy of religious
it

appeared to trouble himself very

little

revivals

had

in

some instances met as

religious

what people thought

a

of him.

He went

half-way.

The
to

periodicals, chieijy
lai-gely

man who
to

believes he has a great deal of

it it

addressed

Nonconformists, were

work
in.

do and has but a short time to do

read and frequently approved by those

who
antl

Plis earnestness

was undeniable, and

belonged to the communion of the Church of

soon became contagious.

On

one occasion

England.

The work

of

INIr.

Spurgeon

when he was preaching

while the
pi'ess

at the Surrey Hall,

even of the Plymouth Brethren was widely

recognized by mau}^ families
fessedly of the "

of

jDeople

was very great

of
fire,

some one raised an alarm

the elforts to
killed

and in

Low

Cliurch."

who were proOn the other

escape several

persons were

hand there might have been discerned the

beginning of what afterwards became a decided
division

and more were seriously injured.

But

a large chapel, the " Tabernacle," near the

between high- church

obsei'-

Elephant and Castle at Newington Butts, was

soon in course of construction.
signed to hold 6500 persons
stone
;

vances and those of the Ritualists.

tinction

The

dis-

It

was deand at

was

not,

and has not always since

the foundation
Peto,

been, very clear to a large body of Dissenters,

was

laid

by

Sir S.

Morton

but
all

it

has often become obvious enough.

At

a i)ublic meeting held afterwards,

under the

events, in 1859

and

for

two or three

j-ears

]iresidcncy of the Loi'd

Mayor, 5000 persons

tickets.

afterwards, though

the dilference was per-

who were
It

pi'esent

were admitted by

haps not readily marked, the endeavours to

introduce ''ritualistic practices" were not to
lie

was then announced that a gentleman

at

Bristol

had sent a cheque for 3000 towards

confounded with the holding of what had

the building fund, with a promise of 2000

long been

known as "High-Church"

doctrines,

more

if

twenty other gentlemen would provide

such doctrines having been often unaccompanied by any very remarkable cei-emonial

an equal sum by subscribing 100 each, or


GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.
by riot and uproar. But we probably never should have witnessed them, had it not been for the anarchical state into which congregational organization has
settled in Exeter,
.
,

12

and almost entirely independent of external or symbolical modes of expression.

As

long before as 1851, in a letter to Dr.

fol-

Skinner, Bishop of Aberdeen, which in the

lowing year was printed by desire of the Scottish bishops,

there been allowed

to

lapse.

Besides the

Mr. Gladstone, discussing "the

:

things in themselves, nay, besides the prejudices attaching to them, there was, I believe, at the root of all a sentiment in the people

functions of laymen in the church," had said

" I shall venture

two remarks upon

ritual

changes generally, in which I

am

bold enough

that they were over-ridden, which generated,

as
it

to anticipate extensive agreement.

is,

The

hrst

were in self-defence, a strong and unman-

that as ceremonial

is

but the dress of devo-

ageable reaction.

Had

there been in those

tion, it

ought to follow upon rather than preit

cases a regularly constituted congregation, or,

cede spiritual growth, of which

must be-

to

borrow a phrase from our Presbyterian

communicants, and had these
of

come the consequence before

it

can become

friends, a roll of

the cause; and, except as to the removal of

palpable indecency and scandal,
left for its increase to
it

had the means

making known

their senti-

should be

ments, and of acting by their duly chosen

ofiicers,

such spontaneous de-

mand

as

may

arise out of our gradual return

the clergy would have deiived from them the most valuable aid at the outset,
instead of being left to
as
it

to that temper of elevated

and concentrated
that

work out

their way,

devotion, which has unhappily become rare

were, blindfold; a general harmony would

of divine

among

us.

The second

is,

many

of the

have been secured between the forms

service,

points which have given rise to dissension are

in themselves really but secondary,

and the tone

of feeling in the congre-

and have

gation, to which, as

we have

seen, they ought

derived their importance from prepossessions

conventionally rather

to bear a close regaid,

and authority, too weak

than essentially conboth of these

re-

already,

would have been spared some heavy

to

nected with them.

Now

blows."

marks point

to

one and the same conclusion;

ritual,

These words, addressed though they were

namely, that diversities and changes of

so far as they are open questions at

the Scotch episcopacy, might have been profitably studied in

all,

are a

England, and a due regard

matter to which the people ought to have something to say.

so
If ceremonial be in general not

for

them would perhaps have prevented the scandals which have followed the practice of
the adoption of strange ritualistic observances

much a means of awakening as an instrument of edification for those already awakened,

then the expediency of ritual restrictions must,
it
is

by "priests" newly appointed

tices against

to

churches
to pracin:-

where the congregations were averse

mediately effectual protest.

evident, vary gi-eatly with the religions

If,

which they were allowed no

temper of each congi-egation.

tails are, as it

again,

its

de-

The

result

of

were, prejudged

by

preposses-

"Ritualism" has often been that the clergy,

while defying alike the bishop's

sions for or against them, then manifestly there

is

commands

a tender and in-itable state of mind to deal

and the provisions

virtually evicted

of

the civil law, have

with, which will become hopeless under any-

the
to

first

congregation

who

thing like an exasperating treatment.

The

had contributed
which they met

the establishment anil

way

to

conquer men's prejudices

is

to appeal

maintained the structure of the building in

to worship,

freely to their good sense,

and allow some

and have

left

reasonable scope to their free-will and choice.

them

to

wander where they

chose, another,
filling

Such appeal

involves, or at the very least harmonizes with the idea of giving them a

and perhaps non-resident, congregation

their places.
tions of their

Doubtless the arrogant assump-

share of discretion in determining the points

at issue.
disgraceful

Nothing can be more painful or

than to see questions of divine

many of the priests who introduced own ritual, combined with the deep dis-

appointment of the congregations

whom

they

service settled, as they were

some years

af^o

had disregarded, had the

effect of

hastening

BILLS FOR
tlie

THE ABOLITION OF CHURCH-EATES.

.

13

abolition of

churcli-nvtes, siuce

the ex-

busy

too,

and they were powerful.

An

effort

cluded
Avere

members
indifferent

of a church

where the clergy

of

must be made

to reverse the recent divisions

to

their sentiments -were

in favour of the abolition of church-rates.

As

read}' to join the large

ists

body
to

Nonconformcompulsory

in

their opposition

the

support of observances to which they had a

strong antipathy.

John Trelawney's bill had held meetings and signed petitions, the same means were adopted by its opponents, and
the supporters of Sir

The same causes appear

to

clergymen were everywhere exhorted to enlist

their parishioners against the measure.

be operating both for the disendowment and

disestablishment of the English Church altogether, as

Mr.
movelaity

Disraeli took the lead in the opposition

the only means of settling the

ment.

At a meeting

of the clergy

and
in

question between clergy

who

will neither

obey

of the rural

deanery of

Amersham

Buck-

their ecclesiastical superiors nor the civil law,

inghamshire, he declared that the question of

church-rates necessarily involved the existence
of a national chui'ch.

and congregations who have been obliged

either to leave the church
titled to worship, or to

where they are ento jiractices for

"

The

clergy

must make
that
it

submit

members

of

parliament

understand,

which they entertain an unalterable repugnance.

though this was not a party question

a political one, and a
i^olitical

was

question on
to be,

There had, as we have seen, been repeated

attempts to introduce measures into parlia-

which in their minds there ought not

could assure them, from his
that there were

and there could not be any mistake."

He

ment

for the abolition of church-rates, but

own knowledge,
of parliament

they had not been successful.

collecting the tax

The manner of
to

many members

had ceased

be so conspi-

who on
vague

this question

gave careless votes, and

without preparing

cuous as
it

it

formerly was, and in

enforced.

many

cases

thought by so doing they were giving some

liberal satisfaction

was not

general impression

existed that the entire remission of the rates

any future inconvenience for themselves. "Let

their clerical friends, AVhig or Tory, Conser-

Avould soon be accomplished.

There was no

agitation outside parliament sufficiently powerful to carry a bill against the majority

vative or Liberal,

make

these gentlemen un-

who
but

derstand that, in their opinion, on the union

of church

voted against Mr. Walpole's

Sir

bill in 1859,

and

state depend, in a large measure,

John Trelawney's

bill of

January, 1860,

the happiness, the gi-eatness, and the liberty

of England."

passed the second reading by a majority of

263 to 234 votes, and was read a third time,

to

There were, however, eminent persons who

be thrown out by the Lords on a second

This

were in favour

of a

compromise, which would

reading by a majority of 128 to 31.

perhaps have satisfied the main body of the

Dissenters.

roused an active agitation on both sides.

The

Mr. Hubbard, who had become

of finance in the

representatives of the Dissenting denominations

an authority on the subject

convened a great meeting at Freemasons'

House

of

Commons, and was known

bill,

to be
al-

Hall, for the purpose of securing the passing

of the bill

deeply interested in church matters, had

which Sir John was to bring

in

ready endeavoured to bring in a

principle of

the main
dis-

the next session.

Several hundreds of well-

which was that those who

known
of the

leaders of dissent were jiresent, most

sented from the Church of England by a

of the chief

towns and many rural

])arishes

simple decLaration should be exempted from

the

kingdom being represented.

It

was
in a

payment

of church-rates.

The Bishop

of

determined to raise 3000 for carrying on the

agitation,

Exeter, in reply to an appeal for a declaration

of his opinion, issued a very conciliatory letter,

and half that sum was obtained

It

few minutes.

was decided that

direct

and

in

which he intimated that common prudence

interests of peace

persevering action should be adopted to influence parliament, and that no heed should be
t;iken of

and the manifest

demanded

the substitution of temporal for ecclesiastical

courts on occasions of church-rate litigation.

any threat of resistance or offer of com-

promise.

But the opponents

of the bill

wore

He

considered that weight should be given

u
in refusing to

GLADSTONE AND HIS COXTEMPORAPJES.

property of Eichard Cromwell,
it

to the conscientious objections of those who,

who

inherited

pay

chui-ch-rates, refused to

support a system of doctrine and worship)

to

from his father-in-law, Mr. Mayor. Close to the Park a new and extremely beautiful
Gothic church had been
built, and the rector was Mr. Keble, whose Christian Year was

which

tliey

were opposed.

He

did not go

quite so far as to acknowledge

jections

tliat

such ob-

were reasonable, but he thought that

then, as

it

has been since, a volume beloved

It

at

all

events they should be rendered inapplic-

of pious souls.

was

said that the church

able.

Clergymen should, he thought, no longer

all

had been paid

for out of the profits of the

it

contend for
for all that

that w-as desirable, nor even

book; but whether this was so or not,

was

might be reasonable.

They must
so with very

the parish church, and Sir William Heathcote

make
liltb

concessions,

and conld do

was a regular attendant, he and

gatiou.

his family

damage

to their cause.

In conclusion he

occupying a seat amidst the rest of the congi-e-

suggested that church-rates should only be so

far retainetl
as
to

The worthy knight

w;is therefore the

furnish, in

some shape

or other, funds for maintaining the structure

of the churches,

and the proper keeping

all

of

and he was soon followed by Mr. Gladstone, who said that he remained of the opinion that he had
to propose conciliation,

proper

man

churchyards

but that

beyond that should

always held, and should refuse to vote for the

second reading of the
bill.

be provided by voluntary contributions.

The

To

get at the
it

charges for the various accessories of worship

merits of the Church-rate Bill

must be

should be defrayed by the actual worshippers

divided into two questions, as respected two

portions of the country.
it

and not by those who could not enjoy the use

of the service.

In populous parishes

might be

in practice bad,

and he would
but
rate

When
charge,

Sir

John Trelawucy

i-eturned to the

abandon the

pi'inciple of the rate there;

and brought in

his bill in 1861 (the

in rural jiarishes,

where the

was paid
be

second reading came on the 27th of Febi'uai'y),

there was a multitude of petitions and strong
opposition, but little display of genuine interest
in the house.

with as much satisfaction as any other public

charge,

why was
?

this

ancient

law to

abolished

Dissenters were in the

main conand the

An amendment was proposed by

gi-egated in the poj^ulous parishes;

offer

SirW.Heathcote,thecolleagueof Mr.Gladstoue
as representative of the University of Oxford.

was made
if

to

them

to

exempt themselves
fact the cause

from the rate

please.

they pleased, but they did not

He

was

in favour of a policy of tonciliatiou,

If church-rates

were in

and denied that concessions made iu order to get rid of difficulties and animosities could be
held to be a surrender of
it

of providing religious worship for the great

majority of the poor, were they to be abolished

for the sake of a minority

^M'inciple.

He

put

who

declared they

government whether a time had not arrived most favourable to a conciliatory arto the

had a grievance from which they would not

accept exemption?
intrust to

He was

not willing to

rangement of the question, and moved that

the second reading of the
for six montlis.
bill

mere speculative support the vener-

be deferred

able fabric of the parish churches.

He

sug-

Sir

the right sort of

l^osal,

W. man

Heathcote was quite

to

gested that an arrangement might be

accejat the

made to

make

this pro-

power

of the majority of a parish

though he was not distinguished as a speaker. He was a man of social position

to reject or agree to church-rates as a right,

at the
itself

same time allowing a

pari.sh also to

tax

and

of high character, representing the uni-

versity wdiere he

was educated, and where,

in

by the will of the majority. Mr. Bright was utterly opposed

he

to this view.

1821, he

had taken a

first-class in classics, in

It had,

said, all the faults of all the plans

1824 had graduated B.C.L., and in 1830 D.C.L.

Further, he was an eminent magistrate, a de-

of compromise of the question, and in fact it amounted to what was already the law, namely,

vout churchman, a good landlord.

at Hursley

As

a gen-

that where you could not get church-rates you

uine country gentleman, he lived on his estate

were

to let

them

alone,

and where a majority

Park

in

Hampshire, formerly

tlie

was

in

favour of tliem they were to prevail.

MIt.
111

BKKtHT OX THE SCOTTISH CHUllCH.

use.

15

the debate in the previous year on the

In that respect you stand in a far better

if

bill

that

was thrown out by the Lords, Mr.

said, "

position for undertaking what,

church-rates

Bright had
aspired to

There are many who have

are abolished, you

must undertake, than do

have you
less liberality

legislate

upon

this

subject, but
conciliation,

the great body of jouv Dissenting brethren.

have failed in these attempts at

Have you

less zeal,

and
bill

I think

we must

all feel

conscious that

than they have?

Do

not you continually

we must

either remain as
is

we

are or adopt the

I confess that I

boast in this house that you are the owners

of the great

which

now

before us.

bulk
?

of the landed property of

am

altogether against any kind of dodge

this

by

the country

Ai-e

you

Jiot

the depositaries
tell

which
.settled.

matter

may

be even temporarily
if

of political power,

and do you not

us that

think that

this

church be a

national establishment, you

insist that its

cannot by law

when a Dissenter becomes rich he always walks away from the chajJel into your church If
?

support shall be drawn from

I agree

this be so,

am

I appealing in vain to you, or

only a portion of the population.

with

reasoning in vain with you,

when
if

I try to

you altogether in

that.

If I

were a churchto
it,

encourage you to believe that

church-rates the

there were no

man
The

would never consent

which
still,

and, not
it.

members

of

your church and

being a churchman, I wholly repudiate

dissensions to prevail
I

your congregations would be greatly improved,

have referred have

and

that, as has taken place in the parish in

live,

])re vailed,

and cannot terminate

which I

your churches would be better

as long as this impost exists.

natural and inevitable result
create
in the
?

What

is

its

supported by your

own

voluntary and liberal

It nuist be to

contributions than they can ever be by the

and stimulate the pride

dominant church, and
call

of su]:)remacy

penny per pound issuing from the pockets

of

at the

same time
that

men who do

not attend your church, and whc'

produce what I shall

jugation and

the irritation of sub-

are rendered ten times

more

hostile to it

by
its

injustice

on the part

of

the very effort to

support."

make them

contribute to

great portion of the people

who

support their

Then

referring to the successful

own

ministers and places of worship, and

who

efibrts of the

Wesleyan Methodists, Mr. Bright

think that they ought not to be called upon

to support those of

spoke of their doing marvels "in erecting

chapels, paying ministers, establishing schools

any other

sect or church.

Now,

is it

necessary that this should continue?

raising
tians
;

the dead,

if

you

like

for men who

I often have occasion in this house to give

were dead to

religion

have been made Chris-

hope to honourable gentlemen opposite. They

are probably the most despairing political

and they have preached the gospel in

the kingdom."'
also asked

every county, I miglit almost say in every

jiarish, in

party that any country ever had within

borders.

its

They despair

of almost everything.

Mr. Bright
condition of

what would be the

the
religious

They despaired of agiiculture. Agriculture triumphs. They despair of their church, yet
wherever that church has been
resources
left to its

the

population,

establishments, the education throughout Eng-

own
its

land and Wales, but for the liberality of the

sects

and

to the zeal of its

members,

who were not members

of the

Church

of

triumph has been manifest to

to

tlie

country and
of diflerent

England; and having referred to former experiences of the Irish tithe and to the condition of the

the world.

Are you made

material from the five millions of people

who

Welsh

Dissenters, he said

"

But

go to the Dissenting chapels of England and Wales ? You have your churches I speak of

go a

little

further north, to a land where

are not su])posed to misunderstand

interests; I refer to the country

men their own

the old ones, and not of

tho.se recently

erected

on the other
established

by means

of voluntary contributions

you
liave

side of the

Tweed.

You have an
its

have your churches, which you

call national,

church there.

Many
sects.

years ago you had two

jiale

and you have them

for nothing.

You

considerable secessions from

wjiich

your ministers paid out of property anciently

bequeathed or intrusted to the state for their

became powerful

They have

since united

themselves, and their power has proportion-

IG
ately iucveased.
lection of every
is

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

But
lately,

within the recol-

take advantage of that majority

when he
was not

member

of this house

for

it

belonged to

it.

but seventeen years ago

;

there was another

Church
of

Lord

J. Russell said the question

great secession

and from what men fancied

one of abstract right, but of the advantage

of the church.

was the ruin

of the Established

He

did not think that the

Scotland there arose a

will say, to the world,

uew

church, oflering, I

exemption of Dissenters would be a settlement

of this question.

an example of zeal and

By

assenting to that plan

of a national
it

muniticence such as has not been witnessed in

this country

you parted with the principle

during the lifetime of the present

church; while the difficulty of carrying

ojjeration

into

generation.
.

Not long

ago, while in Scotland,

would be insuperable.
to heep

He

argued
fabric

found that the Free Church, which

that

it

would be possible

up the

comprises probably not more than one-third

of the population

of the churches

by voluntary contributions,
into decay.

who pay any

made

attention to

and that

if

you took away 250,000 a year the

fall
to-

religious matters, raised voluntarily, during

churches would not

Those

the year

when

the inquiry, a larger

who were

attached

the Church would do

sum than

the whole annual emoluments of the

It has built,

well to allow this cause of difference between

Established Church of Scotland.

I think, something like

Chui-chmen and Dissenters to be removed. If

that were done, no step against the Church
Avould be taken for years; but
if

seven hundred churches

the kingdom, and as
its

ihroughout that

jjart of

this bill

many manses
])arish.

or dwellings for

ministers.

were rejected the result would be a continued agitation, and that a Dissenting agita-

It has also established schools in almost every

And

I tell the

house with the utmost

tionand he knew how powerful and well

organized that was
till

sincerity that I believe I never questioned

which

would continue

any man in Scotland

Disruption
it

as to the

ell'ect

of the

church-rates were finally abolished.

of the bill

who

did not admit that, painful as

The second reading

l)y liSl to 2G6,

was

carried

was, and utterly as he and

it, still it

many

others
full of

a majority which showed such

of the pi'evious

might have opposed

has been

a falling

oft'

from that

one that

blessings to the people of that country."

the ojiponents of the measure redoubled their

exertions,

These having been the expressions of Mr.

Bright's opinions in 1860,
it

and on the third reading the num-

was not

to

be won-

bers were equal

and the speaker decided

dered at that he should have supported Sir

.John Trelawney's renewed attempt in 1861.

against the bill by his casting-vote, on the

ground that such an

equalit}'

demanded an

"What the Dissenters

said,

felt in this question,

he

opportunity for further discussion.

was that

it

was "a struggle

for supremacy,

In the following year (186^), on the 14th

of

and not a question of twopence in the jDOund

a

May, the question was again brought

was
lost

be-

supremacy on the part of a great

establish-

fore the house, but

ISi),

ment which was as much political as religious." Mr. Disraeli said that if the bill were carried
its first etfect

by 287 votes to an amendment pro]30sed by Mr, Estefi"ect

court being carried, to the

that

it

would

would be

to deprive parishes of

ba unjust and inexpedient

to

abolish the

the power of self-legislation, a step which ought

ancient customary right exercised from time

not to be favoured by the jjrofessors of popular

})rinciples.

immemorial by the ratepayers

in England, to raise selves

of every jiarish

The law

as

it

stood was founded

by

rate

amongst them-

on the

iirinciple of aftbrdiug facility for reli-

the sums required

for the repair of

gious worship to the people of this country;

their church, until

some other provision should

dis-

but

it

Avas declared to lie a grievance to the

have been made by parliament for the

DLssenters.

Now a Dissenter was not an alien,

all his feelings

charge of those obligations to which, by custom

or statute, the churchwardens on the part of

but an Englishman with

rights,

and

and

it

was

his
it

duty to yield to that

of our constihis right to

the parish were liable.

majority to which

was a part
it

tutional system to defer, as

was

"While on the subject of the churcli and

RIOTS AGAINST RITUALISMCARDINAL MANNING.

church-rates

lY
different

we may

refer for a

moment

to an

was again heard

quarter,

of

from quite a

occurrence which afforded a significant illustration of the question of ritualistic practices,

also of the

and

importance of the views expressed

letter

deacon of Chichester, had

as the

Henry Edward Manning, formerly Ai'chnow been nominated

in

Mr. Gladstone's

to

the

Scottish

Roman Catholic provost of Westminster.

bishops.

During the autumn

of the year 1859

Those who had known most of his opinions were probably not surprised at his secession

the church of Saint George in the East, Lon-

don, had become notorious, for the remarkable observances of an elaborate ritual which

from the Church of England

those

who were

acquainted with the power of his personal

influence

were carried on there under the direction of

the rector, the Rev. Bryan King,

and

his intellectual attainments,

may
the

who had
Allen,

reasonably have expected that he would be

gone so fdx as to refuse to allow time for the

afternoon lecture by the Rev.

appointed to

fulfil

an important

office in

Hugh

Church

of

Rome.
of four sons of

an evangelical clergyman well known for his

labours in the poor neighbourhood of Whitechapel.

The youngest

Mr. William
for

Manning, a London merchant, who was

The innovations on

the usual

mode

of conducting the service,

and the introduction

of vestments

and ceremonies which the compart of the congregastill

many years M.P. for Lymington and governor of the Bank of England, Henry Edward Manning had been educated at Han-ow and
at Baliol College, Oxford,

mon
tion,

people pronounced to be " popish," gave

lai'ge

where he obtained

great offence to a

the highest classical honours. Soon afterwards

and were resented by a

larger

num-

he was elected to a fellowship of Merton

College,

ber

who

did not belong to that or any other

which he vacated on

his marriage

congregation, but

who

took this opportunity

with a daughter of the Rev. John Sargent,

rector of Lavington and Gi'affham in Sussex.

to manifest their opinions

by

ci-eating a riot

in the of

church every Sunday.

The Bishop

To

this living Mx'.

Manning succeeded on

the

London

unsuccessfully endeavoui'ed to ar-

death of his father-in-law, and there he published treatises on The

bitrate in the case.

The

scenes which were

Unity of the Church

enacted were
vices

public

scandal

the

ser-

were interrupted by the hooting and

the mob, which fought to gain
:

and The Rule of Faith, both in accordance with the views which he had long professed. For he had been one
tarian
in
of the

yelling of

most active among

possession of the seats

the police, even

when

the leaders of the "Anglo- Catholic" or Trac-

they endeavoured to interfere, were powerless

to prevent the profanity

movement which
and had
all

originated at Oxford
greatly attracted

and violence

of the

1833,

so

the

struggling crowd within the building, and the

regard of

those with

whom

he came in con-

tumult was increased by the barking and howling

of,

tact that, in

some

respects,

he occujiied as

dogs introduced for the purpose of

influential a position as that of

Newman

or

being set on the officiating priests and choristers.

Pusey. In 1840 he was appointed Archdeacon

of Chichester, to the surprise of those

The bishop

at length, assuming

an

who

authority which be did

oi'dered the

liot legally possess,

knew

that the bishop from whose hands he

church to be closed for a time

I'ioting

received the nomination held opinions entirely

at variance with his own.
If the

but on

its

being reopened the

was at

appointment
of

once resumed, even though the vestments and

was intended
of those

to

keep him within the pale

it failed.

ceremonies which were the alleged cause of

the Anglican Church,

Unlike some

them were

discarded,

and

it

continued until

who have

since

brought dissension

the rector was exchanged to another i)arish.

and reproach into

has had.
is

their

communions, he had

" the courage of his convictions," as

Newman
of 1850

Any

mention

of the relation of religion to

The Gorham controversy

His

social progress at this

time should remind us once held a

understood to have been the immediate

last public act

that the

name

of a

man who had

occasion of his secession.

distinguished position in the English Church

Vol. IV.

as a minister of the English

Church was
66

his

18

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

working together for the jDurpose of advancing
temperance, morality, and charitable
effort.

appearance at a large meeting held to protest

against the decision of the privy -council in

that case.

He afterwards,

in conjunction with

Archdeacon Wilberforce

of Yorkshire

and Dr.

Perhaps

in relation to

some of the extravareview,

Mill of Cambridge, drew up and published a

gances of the period

now under

we

formal protest, and at about the same time

relinquished his preferments.

should not pass altogether unnoticed the introduction of what was called "Spiritualism,"

Mr. Manning had long been a widower

without children, and on his secession he
spent the winter of 1850-1851 in i-etirement,
after

but which has since been more correctly designated " Spiritism," an importation from
rica,

Amereally

which had

in it very little that

was

which he was admitted

at

to the

Eoman

new, and probably not much that could be

altogether dissociated from

Catholic
bill

communion by the Rev. Mr. Brown-

what was delusion

other.

Farm
of

Street Chapel near Berkeley

on the one hand and imposture on the

Square.

Soon afterwards he was made a

the priesthood, entered upon

member

The claim of certain persons who called themselves "mediums" to obtain for a company
assembled in a dark room, and sitting with
their

course of studies in the Collegio Pio at

Rome,

and on leaving, received the cap

Divinity from Pope Pius.

of

Doctor of

hands on a
spirits,

table,

communications from
to

departed

had a certain resemblance

He became

noted as a preacher in Rome,

the ancient Greek or

tripod;

Roman divination of
of persons

the

but on his return to England undertook no

public charge beyond occupying a confessional
in the church of the Jesuits in

and a large number

were

to be found

ready not only to become the

Farm

Street

dupes of designing "mediums" of "spiritualistic"

and frequent occasional preaching, until he was appointed to the direction of a new mission
served

manifestations,

but to join in dark

seances and adopt the extraordinary pretensions

by the members

of the congregation

by which they
is

fell

into a condition of

of St. Charles, in the poorest part of

West-

spasmodic or even of chronic delusion.

This
not the place to discuss the possire-

minster, and subsequently to the mission of

the church of St. Helen, afterwards " St.

of the Angels," Bayswater.

Mary

bility of

remarkable physical impressions

little

He

again visited
his return

sulting from

known, nervous, or mental

have
yet
so

Rome

in the winter of 1856,

and on

conditions, or the peculiar influence of animal

in the following year,

was nominated by the

magnetism about which we

pope to the provostship of Westminster, of

much

to learn

but

it

may be

stated that

which he became Roman Catholic Cardinal Archbishop after the death of Dr. Wiseman,
in

self-styled

spiritualistic

placed outside scientific investigation

"phenomena" were by the

eviirre-

February, 1865.

The consecration took

Catholic Chapel,

professors of the "new" manifestation" themselves,

place in the
fields.

Roman

Moorand
his

while repeated

impostures, the

There was

little

external resemblance
thin,

dent weakness of the victims, and the

between the somewhat reserved,

ascetic -looking

verent absurdity of the demonstrations were

sufficiently

Cardinal

Manning and
about

apparent to

men accustomed

to

portly,

rubicund

predecessor,

whom
Man-

deal with evidence, to prevent the claims of

something has been said in a previous page.

the spiritists being generally accepted.

At the
took up

The
still

peculiar social influence which Dr.

same time there were

tinction

so

many

persons of dis-

ning had displayed at Oxford, however, was

there,

and

of social importance

who

and though able to maintain his

the craze that the mental balance of the coi;ntry seemed to be disturbed, and religion itself

hold on the people over

whom he was officially

of social progress

appointed to the spiritual control, he has been

able to

was

likely to suffer because of the degrading

meet the promoters

superstitions

and the obvious deceptions which

of the advocates of Spiritism

and public beneficence on common ground, and to be one of the foremost advocates of
that true Christian unity which consists in

were associated with the thoughts of immortality.

Many
it,

claimed for

that

it

supported a belief

in a

SPIKITISM IMPOSTURES -FARADAY SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS,

fiitiue state,

19

without reflecting that numbers

the less insignificant vagaries exhibited by the

of its

most trusted exponents had been de-

mediums
grave.
C[uently

as communications

from the noble

wei'e

tected in scandalous impostures,

and that the

spirits of the just in the

world beyond the

manifestations attributed to the spirits, even

of

the great and good, were so trivial, and

Some made

exposui'es in a trial

which

subseor

where Mr.
as

Home

often so repulsive, that

had they been true

otherwise

Hume

was the defendant,

weU

as the de-

they could scarcely be regarded

tection of several impositions, served to discredit the spiritist professors,

than as evidences of an immoi'tal imbecility.

but for a long

The arch-medium

of

the

period was one

it

time the craze maintained a sinister influence

Home

or

Hume, who came,

jDortion of the

was

believed,

and was the cause of much domestic calamity

from America, and perhaps the attitude of the

and

social mischief.

more sensible
to Sir

community may

be illustrated by the reply of Professor Faraday

The quotation which we have made from

Faraday's letter indicates the enormous rapidity with which the application of electricity
to industrial operations

to

Emerson Tenuaut when he was take part in one of Home's seances.

already'
sjjiritists,

invited

Fara-

day had
"I to

turued his keen attention to

had

s^^read.

We

have

the claims of the

and now
again.

said:

lost

already glanced at some of the prominent inventions

do not wish

to give otfence to anyone, or

and improvements which marked the ad-

meddle with

tliis

subject

vances of scientific discover}': but any comprehensive

recoi'd,

much time about

developing some

it

formerly in the hope of

force
of

however

brief, of the progress

new

power, but
I

made

in almost every

department of engineer-

found nothing worthy of attention.

only look at
it

can

ing and manufacturing skill would extend

these pages beyond theii' proper limits.

now

as a natural philosoi^her

The
passof

and because

of

the respect due to myself I

invention of Mr.

Henry Bessemer
iron,

in 1S55-G,

will not enter

upon any further attention or

for producing a special kind of steel

by

investigation, unless those

who profess

to

have

ing cold

aij'

through liquid

had been

a hold upon the effects agree to aid to the

uttermost.

great importance in om- engineering works,

To

this

purpose they must conthe

and the adoption and shipyards,

of

iron-plated ships

had

sent (and desire) to be as critical upon

necessitated the production in our arsenals

of engines

matter, and full of test investigation in regard

to the subject, as in respect of the

and

tools of enor-

any natural philosopher

his discoveries.

is

mous power, by which the metal could be

treated as though
drilled,
it

germs of

How

were

wood and

jjlaned,

could electricity, that universal spirit of matter,

and pressed
and

into shape with marvel-

ever have been developed in

its

relation
its

lous rapidity

precision.

In the domestic
in

to chemical action, to

magnetic action, to
of

ranks of

life,

improvements
first

the sewingin

application in

the

explosion

mines,

the

machine, which had

been introduced
in a

weaving of

silk,

the extension of printing, the

America by Howe, soon resulted

tailor

com

electro-telegraph, the

illumination

of

light-

plete revolution of the business of the cheaj

houses,

&c.,

excejjt

by

rigid

investigation

and

tlie

seamstress.

Washing-machines,
of domestic

gi'ounded on the strictest critical reasoning,

and various ingenious appliances

conveniences,
vention,

and the most exact and open experiment?

if

And
pass

many
into

of

these so called occult manifestations are not

worthless, they

came

them of American inuse and no such rapid

;

utterly

must and
It

will

development had taken place in the larger

operations of mechanical industry since
tlie

through a like oideal."

must be rememand
to

bered that Faraday was no sceptic in religion.

invention of the steam-hammer by Nasmytli,

He was

a devout

member

of a very small

and

its

introduction in 1842.

sim])le sect of

Christians

who

professed

In other countries the progress of great enterprises

found their belief on the doctrines of the Testament;

it is

New

was

also remarkable,

and

it

may

be

not surprising, therefore, that

remembered

that, in 1861, the tunnel

through
car-

he could not accept the unexplained but nmie

Mont

Cenis, which

had previously been

20
ried for

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

some distance by manual labour, was
In England the activity of invento be universal
of social
life.

ing

discovery of
cost himself

the

north-west
his

passage,

continued by means of powerful drilling-machines.

which
lives.

and

companions their

At anyrate
in 1851

the north-west passage had

tion

and application appeared

to affect every

been made

by Captain Maclure

in the

and

department

Investigator.

Mr. Bessemer had beside

producing a peculiar kind of

his invention for

steel,

In Australia explorations of the interior

given

much
in

had not had any very important

result since

attention to the construction of river steamers.

the tracing of the rivers Murray, Darling, and

Marine engineering advanced

greatly,

and

Murrumbidgee by Major Mitchell

but the discoveries were, at
cient to prove that there

in

1836;

the depai'tment of river and ocean-going vessels

all events, suffi-

the improvements were of the utmost im-

was no open

tract

portance.

Indeed the great increase of our

where water could be procured, or the needs

of a large exploring party adequately provided
for.

shipping, and consequently the position which

we

held as carriers for the world, was asso-

ciated in its advantages with the augmentation

of our imports

The trade with Japan was opened up by

English enterprise, and the Japanese govern-

and exports already

noticed.

The
tons,

total

tonnage entered and cleared at ports

ment,

after

some

difficulties,
;

subsequently

in the foreign trade in 1850

was 14,000,000
increased
to

became exceedingly friendly

took place.

but

it

was

in

and

in

1860 this

had

Africa that the most important discoveries

24,000,000 tons.

The English tonnage

it

en-

In 1857 Captain Burton and Cap-

gaged in vessels with cargoes in 1850 was

9,000,000 tons, in 1860

tain Speke, starting from Zanzibar,had reached

had increased to
of the

a great lake connected with the Nile, which

14,000,000 tons.

The development
growth
of

was named the Victoria Nyanza, and much

later, in 1864,

steam marine was one of the great causes of

this remai'kable
prise,

another

lai'ge

lake was discov-

commercial enter-

ered by Samuel, afterwards Sir Samuel, Baker,

but this again greatly depended upon

who named

it

the Albert

Nyanza

but long

the development of international commerce

before this the achievements of Livingstone

and the enterprise

eiy,

of exploration

and discovfor trade

had become known

in

England.

This famous

which opened up new channels

missionary, who, as a youth, had followed the

and promoted the national

foot during this time,

interests.

There
set

veteran Moffat to the land of the Bechuanas

in 1840,
at Tette

were several exploring exiDeditions

on

had just completed fresh enterprises

on the east coast of Africa, to be
fol-

and

still

moi^e endea-

vours were
relations.

made

to open

up new commercial

lowed by an expedition to the Zambesi, provided for by the government.

With

this,

accompanied by Dr. Kirk and several scien-

The expedition

of the

Fox

steamer, fitted

tific

observers, he set out in

March, 1858, from

commanded by Captain M'Clintock, had brought home

tidings of the lost Franklin expedition, of the

out by Lady Franklin in 1857 and

after a stay of

two years

in England,

which he had been previously absent for

seventeen years during his long missionary

abandonment
the
ice,

of

the Erebus and

Terror in

wanderings in " the Dark Continent."

the departure of the 105 survivors

of Captain Crozier to-

David Livingstone was one

beings

of those rare

under the command

Sir

a practical enthusiast.
life

Having

quite

wards the Great Fish Eiver, and the death of

early in

made up

his

mind

to a career, he

John Franklin on the 11th of June, 1847. relics of the lost crews had been recovered. On the 28th of May, 1860, the gold

began at once to take the means which lay

nearest to

Many

him

for preparing for the work,

and whatever he did or learned, he had the

end he had proposed
view.
to himself distinctly in
in the linen

medal

of the Geographical Society

sented to

was preLady Franklin and to the commander,

His father was employed

then

Sir Leopold M'Clintock,

and

Lady

factories of

Blantyre, near Glasgow, where

first

Franklin claimed for her husband the crown-

David himself wrought

as a piecer-boy

EXPLORATION AFRICA LIVINGSTONE.

and afterwards
as a spinner; but like

21

many

" not an

uncommon

sight to see a black sitting

another Scotch lad he woi-ked hard at his

calling during the

in the evening, with his fire stick in one

hand

tended the college

summer and in winter atclasses. Young Livingstone

and a

jien in the other,

jjetition to

writing in a beautiful

hand a

a commandant."

Having
undergo

was

as assiduous at Anderson's College, Glas-

been accepted as a candidate for missionary

gow, as he was industrious at the Blantyre

mills.

work he was summoned

of the society,

to

London

to

By

the time he

was sixteen years old

the usual examinations before the directors

he had a good knowledge of Horace and Virgil,

and was then sent with other

and had read with avidity such books as Dr.

Dick's Philosophy of Religion and Philosophy

probationers to a training establishment at

Chipping Ongar, in Essex, where he pursued

his studies in languages, for

of a Future State, besides dij^ping pretty intelligently into scientific works,

which he showed
simjjle life that

and indeed
of except

remarkable aptitude. It was a

any other books he could get hold

novels, with

he led during his probation before being

ordained to the work that lay before him, and
modest, retiring young man,

which he had no concern.

He

had probably even then some idea

of being a

"the

pale, thin,

missionary, for soon afterwards he distinctly

desired to prepare himself for becoming a

with a peculiar Scotch accent," as one of his

companions described him to be

was ready
we find him
for the

pioneer of Christianity in China; with the

not only to learn but to labour, for

hope that by teaching the true religion to the

inhabitants of the far East he might lead to
the material benefit of some portions of that
great empire.

grinding the corn to

make

the brown-bread

for the household, chopping the

fires,

wood

and either alone or in company with one

As one

step towards the

fulfil-

of his fellow probationers taking long walks

ment

of

his

wish he commenced studying

of sixteen or eighteen miles.

When

once his

medicine, in which he ultimately attained some

proficiency and passed the necessary examinations.

natural reserve yielded to friendly advances

he was found to be peculiarly frank, kindly,

At

the same time, taking Patrick's

and

helpful,

and the variety

of

his

early

Plants of Lanarkshire as a manual, he made some progress in botany, and explored both the

studies gave

him many

opportunities of show-

ing practical fitness for the

work of the

pioneer,

botany and the geology of the

district.

At the

while his healthy religious freedom was equally

in favour of his ability to carry the gospel to

age of nineteen he was attending the medical

and the Greek winter

classes in

Glasgow, and
in the
at

those

who had never heard

and peace.
It

its

message of
to

the divinity lectures of Dr.

Wardlaw
at
his

liberty

was no longer
"

China

summer; but he was

factory,

still

work

the

that he directed his attention.

The opium

where he placed
"

book on the
catch

" spinning- jenny

so

that he could

war " and other occurrences had for a time interfered with missionary woik in that couutry,
and
he had

sentence after sentence while he went on with

his labour,

been already looking toward

and keep up constant study undisIn 1838 he

Africa, when, in 1840, just as he

into

had passed
to a

turbed by the roar of machinery.

offered his services to the

manhood, he was apjiointed

South

London Missionary

African station.

For eight or nine years he

Society, on account, he said, of the unsectarian

laboured zealously at Kolobeng in the interior

character of that institution, which ''sends out

neither Episcopacy nor Presbyteranisra, but

beyond the Orange River, while Robert Moffat was pursuing his arduous duty in the

the gospel of

God

to the heathen."

This early

same region

at

Kuruman, then the most

till

dis-

expression was perhaps as illustrative of the

tant outpost of Christianity

Livingstone

broad,simple character of Livingstone's religion

as the remarkable reference

pushed onward two hundred miles further

north.
It

which

lie

long

afterwards made to the deserted and ruined

became

cordially

was no wonder that these two men united in the work which
marriage of

convents at Loanda,

when he spoke

of

them

as

they had so earnestly undertaken, and their

friendship was consolidated by
tlie

"decayed missionary establishments;" and they

hrd

justified the title, for

he mentions

it

was

the young missionary with Moffat's daughter,

22

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

trade and
civilization.

who, with three native teachers, formed his

sole staff

advancing human progress and

from 1845 to 1849, when he united

the woi'k of the explorer to that of the teacher,

But Livingstone was preparing

researches.
practical aid both

for further

and started

in search

of

which, in company of his

Lake Nganii, to wife, he made his

In the ten years

Supported by encouragement and

from our own and from the

from the queen and

"great journey" in 1852.

Portuguese government, with personal expressions of sincere interest

previous to 1855 he had led some indepen-

dent expeditions into the interior of Southern

Africa,

Prince Albert, and after the public recognition of his services at a banquet at the

and had become acquainted with the

religious notions

Lon-

languages, habits, and

of
to

don Tavern, and the subscription

stone testimonial fund
chants, bankers,
set out

of a Living-

several savage tribes at that time

unknown

by

the leading mer-

Englishmen.

He had
little tlie

twice crossed the Afri-

and

citizens of

London, he

can Continent a
Capricorn, from

south of the tropic of

shores of

with the other members of his expedi-

the Indian

tion to the eastern coast of Africa,

where the

Ocean to those

of the Atlantic.

In 1855 the

Zambesi

falls into

the ocean.

gdld medal of the Eoyal Geographical Society

steamers were placed at

Here two small their disposal and they

was awarded
There
is

to

him

for his services to science.

to follow the

ascended the river to the interior. The results

of the explorations

no space in these pages

were the discovery of the

details of his discoveries

nor

is it

necessary,

minor

lakes, Nj^assa

and Shirwa, and

after

since he published a full account of his travels

in

traversing

great extent of

country 300

books which have been widely circulated

still

miles to the north-west of Nyassa, the finding

of the

and are

read with deep interest.

Before

mouths

of the

Zambesi, and exploring

territory.

his return to

England

in 1856

it

was calculated
less

the

immense surrounding

The

that Livingstone

must have passed over no

premature attempt of the mission afterwards

sent out, chiefly
to establish

than 11,000 miles of land, for the most part

by Oxford and Cambridge,

by the death
of

untrodden by any European, and up to that

time believed to be inaccessible.
as his friend

a station on the banks of the Bishop

He returned,
sound know-

river, failed; first,

and admirer, Sir Roderick Mur-

Mackenzie,

who

fell

a victim to the climate,

of the

chison, said, " as the pioneer of

and afterwards by the hopelessness

endeavour and the necessity for
its

ledge who,by hisasti'onomical observations.had

abandon-

determined the
rivers,

sites of various places, hills,

and

lakes, hitherto nearly

unknown,

ment by Mackenzie's successor Bishop Tozer but the discoveries were made, and the country
is

while he had seized upon every opportunity

of describing the physical features, climatology,

no longer a terra incognita. on

The reader

who would
them

learn the particulars of Livingthis expedition

and even geological structure

of the countries

stone's researches

may
soil,

find

which he had explored, and pointed out many

in the explorer's

own

" narrative " of the

new

sources of

commerce

as yet

unknown
of

to

discovery of a large tract of fertile

in cotton, tobacco,

rich

the scope and enterprise of the British merchant."

and timber, though suband

of the estab-

Lord EUesmere too spoke

the

ject to periodical drought;

scientific precision

with which the unarmed

left his

lishment of an excellent port, the capacities

of

and unassisted English missionary had

which had been overlooked by previous

mark upon
letter to the

so

many important

stations in

travellers.

Some

of his conclusions

have been

regions hitherto blank upon our maps.

In a
re-

disputed by other writers, but the enormous

value of his discoveries could not be denied.

Times Livingstone strongly

commended
the

the encouragement of the growth

In

this expedition,

which had been prepared

of cotton in the interior of Africa, as one of

means

of

opening up commercial inter-

by members of the Geographical Society, and in which he was assisted by the advice of
Captain Washington, hydrographer to the admiralty,

course between this country and the tribes of

Central and Southern Africa, and of gi-adiially

Commander

Bedingsfiekl, E.N., Dr.

but certainly and

finally

suppressing the slave-

Kirk

of

Edinburgh, Mr. Baines the African

DAVI D
TllK

LIVINGSTONE.

AFRICAN MlSSlON'AliV A N I^ TRAVELLER. FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BY ANNAN. U-LASOOW

mj,CKIE.

&

SON. I^NECIN. C-LASGQW.

& EDrNBUXOH

A CROWNING TESTIMONIAL.
and Australian
faithful
wife,
of
traveller,

23

and by

his

ever-

Stockport Ragged Industrial, told his pupils

of

friend and comjDanion, his devoted

your journeys and adventui'es, and the

he was enabled, to use, the expression

R.

motives by which you were actuated.

the lads said, "Let's give

Sir

Murchisou, "to reach the high

lie

One of him some money!"

watersheds that

between his own Nyassa

of

and the Tanganyika and

Burton and

Sjieke,

and with one consent they resolved to do so, and immediately commenced a subscription.

to establish the fact that those lakes did

Some gave
If

all

their money,

and

others,

who
it.

not communicate with each other; and that,

if so,

had no penny,

sold their marbles to obtain

lads,

then there was, to say the

least,
if it

a high did not

you could see the

are,

and knew who and

probability that the Tanganyika,

what they
offering

you would be as much aston-

empty

itself to

the west, through the region

find

ished as myself, and you would admit the

is

of Congo,

must
the

an exit for

its

waters

not only spontaneous, but as munifi-

northwai'ds

by way

of the Nile."

cent as the one presented you at the

this

Mansion
am, dear

Many

of

paiticulars

of

slight

House.- -Rejoicing
done
sir,

in

your honours as homage

sketch of Livingstone's explorations appeared

in the Times of

to the cause of the Saviour, I

January 28th, 1874, in a sad

yours very respectfully,

obituary notice.

But

to the

shadowed page

Rev. Dr. Livingstone.

JoHN THORNTON.

recording his death

It
is

we may again have to turn.

Mission House, Bloomfleld Street,

sufficient

here to state that, in 1865,

for the third

he

left

England

and

last of his

London, 23d January,

1857.

journeys to Central Africa; where, viuder the

auspices of the Geogi'aphical Society, he
to seek a solution of

My
boys,

dear

Sir,

beg you will assure the

was

who

so generously expressed their ap-

the old mystery

the

probation of

my

labours in Africa, that no-

real sources of the Nile.

It will not be out

thing has delighted

to

me more
all

since

my

return

of place to recall

two or three simple incidents

his

England than their honest, spontaneous

I give

among
stay in

the honours and congratulations that

deed.

them

my

warmest thanks,
bless

welcomed the missionary explorer during

fi^om a heart overflowing with emotion,

England
city of

in 1857-58. free of its

wishing that God

may abundantly
love.

and them
little

The

Glasgow made him

;

with His favour and

have very

time-honoured guild
ton, his birthplace,

the burghers of Hamilto present to

;

time to write to any one, as I

am

engaged in

were proud

the preparation of a narrative of

plorations,

him the freedom

of their

busy town

and the

and must keep

my late exmy word with one

the country

manager and people

where he wrought
too hapi^y to

of the Blantyre works,

hundred and ten poor native Africans, who

accompanied

as a piecer-boy,

were only
Con-

me from the centre of

meet and entertain him.

to the east coast,

of
to

and now await the fulfilment

I ought to be

giatulatoi-y addresses poured in

all

upon him from

my

promise at Tette.
in April,

back
can

quarters,

and he received invitations out

them

but I

fear, after all I

of

number

to attend public meetings, to be

do, I

must be about two months

and

later

than
not

got up especially to honour

him

but none of

my

appointed time in April.

Were

it

these attentions were so affecting

and

signifi-

for this, I should try

visit the

boys and

cant as the spontaneous offering of the boys

of the Stockport

speak with them

I

but as this can scarcely be,

all to

Ragged

School,

and the man-

would

just

commend them

the care of

ner in which
to.

it

was received and responded

letters

our blessed Lord Jesus, and ask them to try

Here are

tlae

which explain the

Him

as their friend

and guide through

their confidant, for

life.

simple occurrence.
Wycliffe Villa,
Stockport, January, 1857.

They may make

listens to

Him

He

every prayer wafted to Him from " In Him we live, and the lowliest bosom.

My

dear

Sir,

think

it

will

give you

move, and have our being

"

and

He

is

as ten-

pleasure to receive the inclosed thirty postage

der and compassionate to every one of them,

stamps.

Mr. Jackson, the master

of

our

and knows

all tlieir cases

and

cares, as if

they

24

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

And
show
of these reports should
belief,

were the only persons in the world.

then,
if

do injury to religious

they are like Him, they will

all

while others were rather disgusted at

love to every one about them,

and

to every-

being suspected of having had so repulsive an

ancestor.
.

thing beautiful, and good, and true.

' '

He

prayeth best who loveth best,

At
of

the end of the year 1859, however, the

All things, both great

and small
pray,

" missing link "

had become a byword because

For the dear Lord to

whom we

He made and

loveth all."

caused by Dr. Darwin's theory of " the origin of species " by natural
the
agitation
selection,

Thanking you and them again for your

most friendly
feelings,

which very few people had given which there was an almost
very large number of those
of as " the religious
hostility to the

themselves the trouble to examine or to understand, but about

and hoping that they

yours most truly,

may

not again deprive themselves of any

sir,

univei-sal outcry of praise, ridicule, fear, or

comfort, I am, dear

David Livingstone.
ilr.

condemnation.

John Thornton, Stockport.

of Africa

who are sometimes spoken

world" were at once in violent

While on the subject

we may

theory, which, without hesitation, was declared

to be opposed to revealed truth,

glance at a singular controversy which was

and to be deIt

revived in 1859, the associations of which are

structive of the very foundations of faith.

more important than the discussion

early as

itself.

As

did not seem to occur to these reasonei-s that

their
it

1847 several rumours had reached

of the discovery in Central Africa of

own

faith could

have

little

foundation

if

England

could be upset

an enormous

ape, the conformation of

which

tion,

by a mere scientific speculaand the more thoughtful minds were not

prowa.s

was
that

said to approach so nearly to that of

it

man

indisposed to wait for further explanations of

might be regarded as the link between

the brute creation. This

what the eminent naturalist meant, before

nouncing that either revelation or belief

the

human being and

it

creature,

was

said, frequently

walked upit

endangered by his theorizing.

the other hand, people
of the

There were, on
the notion

right

was

of such

enormous strength that

who repelled

was

scarcely afraid of the lion; could climb

development of

species, because it was,

trees,

from which

it

would reach down

its

long

they thought, opposed to the true dignity of

arm, clutch a passing native by the throat,

man

as

an

intelligent,

emotional,

and

re-

and strangle him

had been known

in its powerful grasp.

to

It

flecting being,
like Kingsley,
less calibre,
it.

with a spiritual nature.

Men
of

arm
to

itself
lie

with an enor-

and

of coui-se a great
fii-st

many

mous bludgeon, and

beneath,
elephant. or

upon a branch
attack the

were at

vehemently against

waiting to stun other animals as they passed

While they treated such speculations with

rebuke and sarcasm, the wits and
an endless theme for

even

furtively

to

serious

Its

muscular force was prodigious,

humorists, whether they accepted the theory

or not, found in
it

its fierceness terrible, little intelligence,

and though

it

showed
to pos-

jests

and was called by the negroes

it

and comic

illustrations.

The rash

critics

who,

"the stupid old man,"

sess a
craft.
.

was supposed

like Kingsley,

knew enough

of natui-al history

kind of malicious and

self -protecting

to give the subject

tions,

some subsequent examina-

Only some part

of the skeletons
first

and the

afterwards mitigated and

crania of the animals were

in 1859 a

sent here, but

tacitly
strict

revoked their former conclusions.

many of them On
it

young specimen was captured and

of

examination the theory

forwarded to Europe. Professor Owen lectured

put forward as a theory

and became

was only
less

much

upon the formation

the

"gorilla," as

it

dangerous to sacred beliefs and the truths of

revelation than

was

called,
its

and pointed out the

structure

difi'erences

had been supposed. Those who

scientific

between

and that

of the lowest
full of

had already necessarily accepted the

conclusions from
to reflect

order of negro.
it,

The newspapers were

felt

geological

discoveries

had

and serious orthodox people

some alarm

that an absolutely literal interfirst

lest

the confirmation, or supposed confirmation.

pretation of our version of the

book

of the

SCIENTIFIC SPECULATIOX-'^THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES."

Scriptures ueed not be insisted on as a test of

25

could say in a lecture at the Royal Institution,

that so rapidly had
these conclusions been

orthodoxy, and numbers of

men
if

of

science

known

to be

devout and pious Christians were

not their im-

accepted and established that he began to

ready to give their admiration,

think they would shortly require for their

welfare a
course
little

mediate adhesion, to the extensive generalization

healthful opposition.

This of
of

which had resulted in speculations so

of natural selection, that of the

was a somewhat humorous way

it;

wide and yet so inclusive as those of Darwin.

putting

but

it

is

a very striking fact that

first definitely

The theory

is,

a statement which,
forth in

when

put

preservation of favoured races in the struggle

for existence, represented that during a long

November, 1859, was received with a

ridicule, indignation,

storm of

and even exe-

course of descent, species of plants and animals

are modified

cration, soon

came

to

be regarded with quiet atit

by the

selective preservation of

tention,

and though

continued to be ojjposed

slightly varied forms, adapted

somewhat better
of

on

scientific as well as

on

religious grounds,

than their fellows to the circumstances in

gained considerably by the reaction which suc-

which they are

species

j^laced.

The modification
it

ceeded

its first

reception.

Educated and even

was not an absolutely new doctrine,

out to what

half educated

people

who had been among

and had loaded him
little

and even Darwin, who canned

not confidently assert

those

who

raised the outcry against the pro-

he believed to be legitimate conclusions, did

pounder

of the theory

how far it would

extend.

with epithets, began to be a

ashamed

of

He

did not assert, he merely indicated by ex-

pressing his
foi'th

own

convictions.

He

had put

a suggestion, and though his

own observaby others

as
"I

man who was known to be a devout believer in religion, and who concluded his treatise by saying " From the
having so treated a
:

tions

had led him

to regard it as a conclusive

war

of

nature, from famine and death, the

of

discovery, he left

it

to be verified
it

most exalted object which we are capable

conceiving,

he thought he had verified

to himself.

namely, the production of

the
is

cannot doubt," he said, "that the theory of

descent, with modification, embraces all the

higher animals, directly follows.

There
its

grandeur in

tliis

view of

life,

with

several

membei's of the same

class.

I believe that

powers, having been originally breathed by

the Creator into a few forms or into one
;

animals have descended from at most only

four or five progenitors, and plants from an

and

that whilst this planet has gone cycling on, accox'ding to the fixed

equal or lesser number."

But

speculatively

law of gravity, from so

he went farther.

"

Analogy would lead me

said,

simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful

one step farther," he

belief that all animals

"namely,

to the

and most wonderful have been and are

and plants have de-

being evolved."
Chai'les

scended from some one prototype; but this

inference
it is

Darwin may be

said to have been

is

chiefly

grounded on analogy, and

it

a born scientific investigator.

His father was

immaterial whether or not

is

be accepted.
of each

Dr. R.

W.

Darwin, F.R.S., his grandfather

The case
&c.
all

different with the

members

the famous Dr. Erasmus Darwin, author of the Botanic Garden and Zoonomia.

great class, as the Vertebrata, the Articulata,

;

From

for here

we have
is

distinct evidence that

Shrewsbury grammar-school he went to Edinburgh University

to for

have descended from a single parent."

not the place to discuss the

two

years,

and thence
in

This of course

Cambridge, where he took his degree

probable truth or error of such conclusions

1831,

when he was twenty -two

year,

years old.

In

we have only to concern oui-selves for the moment with their historical relations, and to note that the opinions of the greater number
of Darwin's opponents

the

same

having heard that Captain

to sail

Fitzroy,

who was about

on a vo3-age of

circumnavigation in her majesty's ship Beagle,

were soon afterwards

In
less

had offered
pointment.

to .share his cabin with

ajijilied

any com-

modified or retracted.
Professor

than ten years

of the earliest

petent naturalist, Darwin

for the ap-

Huxley (who was one

His "Journal

of Researches into

and most ardent advocates

of the

same theory)

the Geology and

Natural

History of

the

26

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

to be reticent,

Various Countries visited during the Voyage

of

and presented man as descendand probably a climber

of descent

H.M.S. Beagle round the world"

is

the

ing from a hairy quadruped, furnished with

a tail

delightful record of this journey,

and shows

and pointed

ears,

how

ardently the young naturalist had pur-

of trees,

and traced back the chain

sued his studies in zoology and geology, and

untU he found as the progenitor

of

aU the

how widely
of inquiry,

they had reached in various areas

vertebrate animals, some aquatic creature with

brain, heai't,

though botany was the favourite

and other organs imperfectly

This book gave another shock to

pursuit.
scientific

This voyage vastly increased the

developed.

knowledge

of

the

young

inquirer,

those (a great majority of course)

who had not

but

it

permanently injured his health,

of

and
and

accepted the conclusions of the former one;

sowed the seeds

weakness

of the chest

but

it is to

be noted that

it

was received with

heart, the disease of

which he

died.

But
in-

very different demonstrations as a theoretical

contribution to science,

Darwin, though he was frequently an

valid,

by a man, who had

the higher

performed an amazing amount of work

already imjilied that he would not stop short

in

I'equiring great patience

tion,

and arduous atten-

tracing the

develojiment of

and

he lived to be seventy-three, having

organizations from the

extremest point of
this theory

read two papers before the Linnsean Society

only a year before his death, at about the

animal

life,

and who saw in

nobler concejjtion of Divine creative power

time of the publication of a remarkable work

than in that usually received and adopted.

on earthworms, respecting which his investigations had

of

Whatever opinions may be held on the subject, it

shown the enormous imjDortance the part they play in the world, by graduwith a

cannot be doubted that the minute

investigations

and avowed conclusions Mr. Huxley

of Dr.

ally covering the surface of the earth

Darwin and

of

who may rather

have
done

layer of mould.

be regarded as his independent colleague and

supporter than as his follower

Darwin received the gold medal of the Royal

Society in 1853, and the "WoUaston Palladian

much
tific

to

change the scope and method of scien-

medal

of the Geological Society in 1859.

In

inquiry and experiment, in relation to the

life

Leyden conferred upon him the honorary degree of M.D., and in 1877 the University of Cambridge made him
1875 the University of

remoter forms of animal and vegetable

and organization.

a Doctor of Laws.
the

He
of

maiTied

in

1839

We

must now return

to glance at

what

granddaughter

Josiah

Wedgwood,

was going on
us that

in parliament,

and that reminds and with

that

F.R.S., the well-known manufacturer of artistic

we have

not quite done with the

all

earthenware.

TVe have noted that his

financial statement of 18G0,

work on the Origin of Species had, even at the period which we are now considering,
begun
to find acceptance

was involved by the adoption

of the terms of

the commercial treaty with France.

We have

with many, and was

already seen that some agitation had been

no longer mentioned with such detestation as

it

made

at various periods for the abolition of

had met with on

its first

appearance.
:

Of

the taxes on paper.

On

the 2d of February,

that book he afterwards said

" It seemed to

1859, a demonstration against the retention of

excise or anj' other duties on paper

me
'

sufficient to indicate that

by

this
of

work

had been
of

light

would be thrown on the origin

and
"

his history,'" for this implied that

man man

made

at

Exeter Hall.

Mr. Milner Gibson

presided,

and was suj^ported by a number

must be included with other organic beings

any general conclusion respecting his man-

influential gentlemen.

Mr. William Chamtelling sj^eech,

in

bers of Edinburgh

made a

and

ner of appearance on this earth." These words

occur in a more recent and even more startling book, the Descent of

Man,

in

which Darwell

was followed by Dr. Watts, who represented that the paper-duty was a tax on literature, an obstruction to education, an impediment to
commerce, and a hindrance to production; that
it

win
ject

dealt at length,

and boldly, with that subit

on which he had hitherto deemed

interfered with the process of manufacture,

EEPEAL OF THE PAPER DUTIES OPPOSED BY THE LOEDS.

repressed industry, and

27

injured the public

called

tinct injustice.

The controversy on

this quesit

revenue.

The meeting

upon Mr. Gibof

tion

was long and sometimes violent, and

was

son

still

further to press the

House

Com-

admitted at the time that there was inequality

of interests

mons on the subject

of the abolition of the

from which English paper-makers

but on the other hand
it

duties, so that in the ensuing session arrange-

would

suffer,

was

ments might be made

tax.

to dispense with the

argued that the general benefits to be derived

petition to the

House

of

Commons

from the treaty could not be

less could the

rejected,

much

was then unanimously adopted. The abolition of these taxes came not unnaturally into the scheme of the commercial
treaty,

avowed

principles of free-trade

be disavowed for the sake of maintaining the

balance of advantage for one particular industry.

and the provisions

of the

budget

of

Looking at the question from the point

it

1860 included the remission not only of the

excise

of

view of the consumer

ci;r

was asked why the

be

duty on paper, but of the import duty

benefits of

free-trade policy should

on paper coming from abroad.

restricted because of the

tive " legislation of the

remaining "protec-

That duty had been three-halfpence a pound,

French government,

and some
than

of

the principal paper-makers in

it

and why an import duty should be maintained

on French jDaper for the purjjose of making
paper in England dearer than
it

the country represented that

sufficient to enable

was no more
to hold their

them

otherwise

own

against foreign competition.

The reply
of

would
Bill,

be.

The opponents
as
it

of the

Paper Duties
were active
of influen-

to this

was that the

abolition of the excise

which formed,

were, a sej^arate part

duty not only required, but, by the terms

sion of the import duty on paper

of the general financial measure,

the commercial treaty, demanded, the remis-

and w^ere able to secure the support

tial friends, so

coming from

that although the second read-

France.

vided that

One of the clauses of that treaty prowe should have the right of placing
sufficient

ing was carried in the House of

Commons by

a majority of 53, that majority was reduced

to 9

an import duty on French goods of

on the third reading.

effort to

This result enbill in

amount

to

counterbalance any excise duty

laid

couraged an

oppose the
effort

the

which might be
in England,

on the same

class of

goods
this

House

of Lords,

and the

was

for a time

and

it

was argued that

successful.

Lord Monteagle (formerly Mr.

should

be honourably interpreted to

mean

Spinng Eice and

Whig

chancellor of the ex-

that the abolition of the excise duty on an

article requii'ed the free

chequer) gave notice of a motion to reject the

bill,

admission of the same

and Lord Derby and Lord Chelmsfoi'd

the Lords

kind of

article

from France. This was regarded

agreed to support him.

as rather a strained interpretation of the provision of the treaty, but the paper-makers

A crisis was imminent, because,

financial

if

had

claimed the power to reject this portion of the

another argument in the fact that while

it

was

scheme of the chancellor of the ex-

proposed to remit the import duty on French

paper, the French would maintain such a large

chequer, they thereby

demanded the authority Commons.

though the

to interfere with, or reimpose, the taxation of

export duty on their rags (the raw material of

paper), that tliey could not be obtained in the

the country in opposition to the

There were those, and among them the aged

English market except at a price which placed

Lord Lyndhurst, who argued

that,

our manufacturers under a considerable

advantage.

dis-

Peers had not exerted authority to alter a

Hitherto there had been a prohi-

money

bill,

they had a right to refuse their

bition of the export of rags

from France, and

in-

assent to a repeal of taxation, and that this

though an export duty was to be adopted

stead of absolute prohibition, the
of the

was an instance

in

which the exercise

of that

abandonment

right would be justified.

Lord Cranworth,
not strictly speak-

duty on foreign paper coming to this

the lord chancellor, on the other hand, urged

that the proposed course,
if

country while the supply of foreign rags to

English paper-makers was saddled with a duty

ing an unconstitutional proceeding, was so

thinly sei:)arated from
it

which greatly enhanced their

cost,

was a

dis-

that

tlie

distinction

2S

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

the claims of the ministry against an attack

would be imperceptible to ordiuaiy miuds. But the House of Lords had been apparently
well canvassed.
in the

upon
the

its

general policy.

Instead of assailing

As was afterwards
Bill,

the case

House

of Lords, the pi'ime minister gave

Church Rate

the majority in favour

notice that he should

move

for a select

com-

of the rejieal of the paper duty

in the

had dwindled

mittee to examine the journals of the

of

House

House of Commons. A considerable number of the members of the Upper House went down to have their fling at the chancellor
of the

Lords for precedents for the course which

paper duties,
of

had been adopted in that house with regard

to the bill for the repeal of the

exchequer and the

free-tradei-s.

When
it

and disclaimed any intention on the part

bring the two houses into
collision.
little

the Paper Duties Bill was brought up

rejected on the second reading
of eighty-nine,
right,

was

the government of taking steps which might

by a majority

The commore than

and the Lords had assumed a

mittee was appointed. It was a formality; but

it

which

it

was afterwai'ds averred they

from claiming
parlia-

served to delay agitation,

had been

distinctly prohibited

and delay
its

to popular agitation usually

means

by repeated decisions entered upon

mentary records,
to the effect that the

prevention.

As a matter

of fact, however,

whole

though there was a good deal of apparent excitement, which was kept

provision for supply and for the taxation, or

up by the

pojDular
felt in

the remission of the taxation of the country,

rested with the
least of
it,

cheap newspapers and by those

its

who

Commons

alone.

To say the

fuU force the antagonism of the Lords,

this action of the

Lords was a very

the public took the matter almost as coolly as

serious challenge to the

direct claim of
plans.

Lower House, and a

annul
its

Lord Palmei-ston

did.

Not because they were

its

power

to

financial

altogether indifferent to the question in

It

was expected that a

surprise,
it

collision be-

relation to free-trade, nor because they did

tween the two houses must follow, and there

not understand the danger of the precedent

was some
ston

if

not actual disappoint-

which the House

of

Lords sought

to establish

ment, when

was found that Lord Palmerto accept the decision

but for the reason that they refused to believe

in the probability of the

was quite unlikely

House

of

Commons

against the paper duties as a reason for a

ministei-ial crisis.

ultimately giving way.

On

this occasion, as

Probably he cared almost

on

many

others,

Palmereton had pretty accu-

as little about the remission of the duties, or

rately noted the

temper

of the country.

He
diffi-

the free importation of foreign paper, as the

thought he saw a possible way out of the

majority of the opponents of the measure

culty by giving time for the antagonists of the

but he cared a great deal about not being

exposed to the necessity for resignation or for
the dissolution of
parliament, or even for

Paper Duties

Bill to reflect.

The committee
was
in

took two months to consider what they should

say.
effect,

What

the majority agreed to say

raising a whirlwind of defiance of the Lords.

that they could hardly decide that the

He was
was

growing old

he was in power, and

privileges of the

House
bill

of

Commons made
House

it

likely to

remain so for some time longer.

to initiate or to

actually unconstitutional for the

of

He

had no desire

champion
tether
of its

Lords to reject a
tax.

imposing a particular

further political reforms, and the free-trade

Mr. Bright, who was on the committee,

in the minority,

movement had gone rather beyond the

which he had regarded as the extent
operations.

was

and drew up a statement

contending, and giving weighty reasons for

the contention, that the power to refuse the
repeal of a tax,

His policy was

possible

to

quiet both

houses,

if

to induce the

Lords to

when

that repeal had been

recede by
for

making the way to back out easy them, and to avoid the break up of the
scheme
of the chancellor of the

voted by the House of Commons, was equivalent to depriving the latter of its absolute

government, which might follow the persistent

rejection of the

control

over the taxation of the country.

little

There can be

doubt that this view was

exchequer, on whose financial nchievements

sound, or the principle of taxation and representation

ffoinof

he afterwards had to rely in order to support

tocrether

would have

to be


PALMERSTON'S EESOLUTIONS.
abaudoned.

29

However, when the discussion

of July),

their party otherwise than embarrassing.

The

came on (on the 5th

petitions
to

numbers

of

Conservative party, Mr. Disraeli said, were in

were presented, praying the house

its

no way inclined to take advantage of this

state of things.

maintain

right of

deaUng

w^ith all

mea-

On

the contrary, they were

;

sures for taxation.

It

prepared to support the government

that there were sjDecial

all

they

may be assumed

required from them in return being that they

reasons for Lord Palmerston's rehictance to

injure the susceptibihty of the Lords, or to

should state explicitly the princijiles of their

policy,

and not enter

into a line of

what he

provoke the opposition by violently resenting

the rejection of the Paper Duties
possible that he
Bill.

termed 'democratic

finance.'

These remarks

It is

were made without reserve, and in communicating their tenor to Lord Palmerston (24th

may have

recognized

among

the leaders of the Conservative party an inclination to give his

sapjjort

January) the prince added

said

'

Mr. Disraeli

government a general That

this in-

on certain conditions.
existed

no minister since Mr. Pitt had been so powerful as you might be. The Conservative
party was ready not only to give general support to a steady and patriotic policy, but even
to help the minister out of scrapes
if

clination

soon afterwards

we

learn

from a passage in The Life of the Prince Consort, which mentions that on the return of
the court to
1861,

he got

Windsor on the 12th

-visitors

of January,

into any.'"

among the

was Lord Palmerston,

to be asked for

with
the

whom

arrangements were then made for

dowry and annuity

from

The increased armaments had, in fact, been by Prince Albert himself after he had noticed the Cherbourg defences and the
suggested

parliament upon the marriage of the Princess

Alice,
ilesse.

augmentation of the French navy

but Lord

who was
of

betrothed to Prince Louis of

Palmerston showed himself willing to take up

the scheme of providing for the "national

"One
prince

the visitors

who

followed Lord

defences"

with

remarkable

celerity.

Mr.

Palmerston was
gathered

Mi-. Disraeli,

from

whom

the the

Gladstone, on the other hand, was opposed to

the expenditure, for such a purpose, of the

the general views of

Conservative opposition as to their policy in

tlie

revenues which had

been secured

by the
to

approaching session.

Their strength was

ojieration of "democratic finance" so far as it

considerable, composed, as they were, of a

had gone, and he was committed not only

portion of

comjDact

body

of three

hundred members but

;

a free-trade budget, but to upholding that

it

they had no wish for the return of their leaders

to office, and, indeed,

which was included

in the

Paper

were anxious to streng-

Duties

Bill

against the interference of the

then the hands of the government in a bold

national policy.
of the

House

of Lords,

which he designated "the

of the

movement

for a reduction

most gigantic and dangerous invasion

rights of the
in

expenses of our armaments, which had

Commons which

has occurred

been initiated by Mr. Cobden and his friends,

modern But

times."

and had taken the shape

of a letter to

Lord

to return to the meeting of parliament

Palmerston, signed by about sixty

members

on the 5th of July, 18G0.

pacific attitude

Lord Palmerston's

of parliament, calling for such a reduction,

towards the House of Lords

had shown the existence of a considerable

division in the ranks of the usual ministerial

was then made manifest.

crowded
:

The house was

Notices
resolu-

the gravity of the situation had

supporters.

Many

of the latter had,

however,

produced considerable excitement.

declined to sanction this appeal, believing, to

use the expression of one of their number,
(teneral de

had been given of strongly expressed

tions

on the question of privilege.

They

Lacy Evans, 'that

it

was neither
government

gave way to Lord Palmei-ston's intimation that

he had resolutions to bring before the house.

safe nor expedient

to disarm the country.'

of the

But the working majority

Those resolutions were

1.

was not so large

as to

make

the defection, on

"That the

right of gi-anting aids and

questions of finance, of so large a section of

supplies to the

Crown

is

in

the

Commons

30
alone, as

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

an essential part of their constitution;
of all such grants, as to
is

Milner Gibson nor Gladstone were

the latter said that they had done

likely to

and the limitation

them.
2.

regard them with complacency; and though

matter, manner, measure, aucj time,

only in

aU that

lan-

guage could do, to defend the honour of the

"

That although the Lords have exercised

house, he was prejaared to go further

serve to himself the right of acting.

and to re-

the power of rejecting bills of several descrijDtions relating to taxation

The

pre-

by negativing the
justly regarded
affect-

cedents quoted, he said, had not touched in the

slightest degree the case

whole, yet the exercise of that power by them

under consideration.

has not been frequent, and

is

There was a great difference between the

by

this house

with peculiar jealousy as

House

of

Lords advising an alteration in a

ing the rights of the

supijlies,

Commons

to grant the

money-bill and rejecting the repeal of a tax.

and to provide the ways and means

for the future against

The House

of

Commons had

declared that

for the service of the year.

3.

they could spare from the revenue of the

"

That to guard
to the

an

country 1,125,000 of the taxation, and having

undue

exercise of that

power by the Lords,

their rightful
this

an option betweeii the tea and the paper

duties as to which they should remit, they

and to secure
has in

Commons

control over taxation

its

and supply,
frame

house

chose that which they believed would prove

own hands

the power so to impose

to
bills of

more

beneficial to the country, though, per-

and remit taxes and

that the right of the
ter,

supply

haps, not the most popular.

The

result hail

Commons

as to the mat-

been that the House of Lords had chosen to

manner, measure, and time may be main-

assume
to the

to themselves the jaower of dictating

tained inviolate."

House

of

Commons, and

of saying that

These resolutions were carried, but

tliey

the country could not spare such a remission

of taxation.

were not received with any great

It

satisfaction.

Mr. Gladstone maintained that

in

was

felt

by the Liberals that they evaded

the house had the undoubted right to select

that vindication of the rights of the

House

of

the

manner

which the people should be

Commons which might have been demanded,

and that the House
of

taxed, and they were

bound

to preserve intact

Lords was treated with

that precious deposit.

He

reserved to himself

a studied forbearance which was too

deference.

much

like

the privilege of

submitting

such practical

Palmerston himself

felt

that this

measures as would give

tions.

effect to the resolu-

was the conclusion which might be drawn from his resolutions, and commended them to
parliamentwith the ratherdubious explanation
that as the

Those practical measures were that

remission of the
i:)aper

the

duties

was brought
five

House

of

Lords had been encour-

forward again in a house where

hundred

aged by the diminished majority in the Lower

members, including the

sj^eaker,

were present,

House on the
bill, it

third reading of the proposed

to

a very unusual number in a house near the end

of the session, but they

would be better

be

satisfied

with a

come

in response to

mere declaration
adroitness in

of constitutional privileges.

urgent appeals.

Mr. Gladstone represented

of

There was something of Palmerston's usual

these
resolutions.

that the question involved gi'eat commercial

principles

His

bio-

and obligations

honour and

jDolicy

grapher * has told us that while he wished to

build a bridge for the retreat of the Lords, he

in relation to a contract with France.

For
it

the sake of the paper-makers themselves

had two colleagues in his cabinet who were committed far too deeply by their expressions
of

would be desirable
tion.

at once to settle the quesofficers of

In the opinion of the law

the

wrath at what they termed an outrageous

crown the oUigation

of the treaty

was un-

invasion of the liberties of the people, to per-

doubted, and the legal authorities of France

mit them passing the matter over in

silence.

concurred in this opinion.

also

The question was

last article

The

resolutions were accepted, but neither

one of policy, and this

which

claimed protection was the touchstone to be

1

The Hon. Evelyn

Ashlej-.

applied to old and to

new friends of

free-trade.

GLADSTONE'S BUDGET OF
His proposition was to remove so much of the
customs duty on foreign pajDer as exceeded the
"
self,

1861.
of Scots is

31

Mary Queen
'

made
I

to say of heralso

have been much hated, but I have

think I

amount of the excise duty on that at home, and it was cai'ried by a majority of thirtythree. The announcement was received with a
burst of cheering from the Liberal benches

been much beloved,' and

may

say

with equal truth that the financial legislation

of last year, while I

do not mean to contend

which lasted for some minutes, even

after the

to many, met, as a whole, with signal support from a great body

it

that

was not unacceptable

chancellor of the exchequer rose to propose

of public opinion in this country."

The

past
sig-

that the remission of the paper duties should

year, he

reminded

his hearers,

had been

be extended to other countries beside France,

nalized

by the commercial

treaty with France,

which was

also agreed to.

The question
was deferred
during the
throughout

of total abolition of the duties

by the removal of great national burdens, and by the abolition of the last protective duty
from our system, but
of peace,
it

till

the following session, and

was a year

of the
in time

interval

was widely discussed

largest expenditure that

had occurred

the

country.
will

What
that

will

the

and

it

was characterized by an unApart from

tlie

Lords

do?

and what

Gladstone

do?

paralleled severity of the seasons.

were the two questions

were

asked

the consideration of two millions voted for

fortifications at the close of the

when

the house

met

in 1861

and everybody

year the

esti-

was anxiously awaiting the statements of the

budget.
If the

mated
while

expenditure
the
actual

had

been 73,664,000,

budget of 1860 had aroused

expenditure

was

only

intense interest in the country, that of 1861

72,842,000, leaving a balance of 822,000.

was

still

more

exciting.

Every avenue

to the

house was crowded by persons hoping for

71,089,000,

But while the revenue in 1859 had been it was only 70,283,000 in 1860,
of 800,000, so that while

a chance to gain admission, whUe within the

walls every seat w\is appropriated.
ter of 1860

making a decrease
in

The winand there

of

1859 there was a favourable balance of

had been
suffering

terribly severe,

1,200,000 there was in 1860 an apparent deficiency of

was much

in

many
in

parts

the

2,559,000,

which, with certain

country, especially in Lancashire.

There had

deductions, would actually stand at 221,000,

been a deficient harvest, and

some respects

the diflference being partly accounted for by

the revenue had been overestimated.

How

the fact that the preceding year was leap-year,

would he provide

for a probable deficiency?

and that Good Friday and the day following

had been reckoned
the other.
in the

Would "the

financial freaks of the chancellor

one year and not in

hail

of the exchequer," as

Lord Derby

at the begin-

The revenue from customs

estimate,
liad fallen rather

ning of the session called the financial policy

of the

somewhat exceeded the

from excise

and that
it,

government, avail to enable him to

below

accord-

maintain his position in remitting the paper

ing to the rule that in a bad year what was

lost

duty?

by
loss

excise

would be gained by customs.

on which duties had been

He was

able to do that and more.

The

The

on
fell

articles

audience which sat almost breathless to listen

to the masterly

reduced
being

below the estimate, that on wine

instead of 830,000.
calculated.

scheme which he propounded

only 493,000

were once more constrained to admire the

clear explanations, the telling emphasis, the

which was the amount

French wines, but

There had

been a considerable increase

of
it

in the importation

complete acquaintance with every

detail, dis-

was

jiecessary for the

played in a speech which added the charm of

public taste to undergo some change before

a clear musical voice of sustained power and

tone to an unhesitating delivery, and was emi-

the full effect of the reduction of duty would

be experienced.

nently suQcessful in enforcing comprehensive statements of facts and figures by the appeals

The

deficiency in the excise arose on tlirce

articles, hops, malt,

and

spirits.

With regard
by the

and the

illustrations that belong to oi'atoiy.

to the question of trade as affected

"In the beautiful tragedy

of Schiller," he said,

French treaty

had there been a want of em-


GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.
of this country, or

32

ployment among the people

inish the revenue below

which would cause a

cial

loss to the current finan-

had other circumstances been such

as to dim-

year of 850,00.0, and to repeal the duty on

first of

an adequate amount,
the previous year's

paper on the

the following October,

the provisions

made by

l^rovident legislation
liave

would have been seen to

effect in pre-

by which the revenue would lose about 665,000. It had been pressed upon the government that there should be a remission
the duties on tea and sugar
;

had a

still

more marked

of

venting what would have been a very unsatisfactory condition of affairs.

but these

it

had
the

been decided to continue in favour

of

He
lii-st

emphatically told the house that look-

greater benefits to be derived from taking the

ing at the whole course of proceedings, fi-om

to last,

penny from the income-tax and abolishing the

paper duties.

no one could conceive a more

loyal,

thorough, intelligent, unflinching deter-

In considering the financial condition of

the country,
to
it

mination than had been exhibited by the

ministers
spirit

had been necessary to advert

In 1858 the
64,000,000, while in

of

France, under

the animating

the growing expenditure.

and guidance
and

of the emperor, to give

sum voted was under

1861
it

full effect alike to

the terms and to the prin-

was nearly 74,000,000

;

an

increase

ciples

spirit of the treaty,

not for the sake

of 10,000,000 in three years

9,000,000 of

of British interests, nor with

of conciliating

any mere wish

to the

taxes being imposed to meet those require-

England, but for the sake of

ments, while of

temporary resources only

the interests of France.

effect of

With regard

2,700,000 had been called in aid for that

puipose.

the measures of

1860, the export

The balances

in the exchequer in

trade of the previous year was 136,000,000

of declared value (as against 130,000,000 in 1859),

March, 1861, were 6,522,000.

bonds had been paid
set to the

As

regarded

the national debt, 1,000,000 of exchequer

off,

and

this

was the

largest ever

known.
gave an

but replaced by a new

There had been an increase in several imported

articles: butter, cheese, eggs,

same amount.

and

rice

debt, exclusive of

The addition to the money for f oi-tifications, was

there had

iucrease of 7,000,000 in 1860, as

compared

460,000.

As compared with 1853

with 4,000,000 in
articles

1859:

and these were

of corn

been

lai-ge

remissions of taxation and unfa-

on which small customs duties had

vourable seasons; but although 1860 was far

been abolished.
risen

The importation
feai-ful

had
to

worse in this latter respect,

that the

it

would be found
effect

from some 17,000,000 in

1859

immediate and palpable

of

38,154,000 in 1860, a

proof of the

remissions of taxation presented a remarkable contrast.

failure of production in this country,

but an

In 1853 there were remitted

equally cogent proof of the value of that

legislation

1,500,000 of customs duties, which loss was

which had removed

all

obstruction

to the importation of that article of necessity.

made up, and more, by The gain on the year

900,000.

the end of that year.

in excise duties

was

Articles of impoi't on

which the duties

still

In 1860 the excise ought to have

it

remained had been about the same.

articles

The

produced a gain of 1,945,000, but produced a gain of 265,000.

had only
ex-

on which there had been a reduction

But the

of

duty in the previous year were in value, in

penditure of 1854 was, of imperial expenditure,

1859, 11,346,000,

and

in 1860 13,323,000,

56,000,000;

and

local

expenditure,

while those on which the duty had been abolished in the previous year were in 1859, in
value, 15,735,000, and in 1860 22,630,000,

16,000,000: total, 72,000,000.

imperial expenditure was

In 1860 the

73,000,000, the

local charge 18,000,000: total, 91,000,000,

an increase of nearly six millions and a

Tlie estimated expenditure for the

half.

or an iucrease of nearly 20,000,000 in seven

yeai^s.

coming

year

revenue 71,823,000.

was 69,900,000, and tlie estimated It was therefore proin 1860,

In lef erence to this enormous augmentation

of expenditure

Mr. Gladstone concluded

his

posed to remit the additional penny which

financial statement
'

by saying

had been imposed on the income-tax

We

have seen this countrv during the

last

TUE INCREASED NATIONAL EXPENDITURE.

few years without European war, but under a burden of taxation such as, out of a European war,
it

that they creeji onwards with a noiseless and

a stealthy step; that they

commonly

i-emain

never was called upon to bear;

unseen and unfelt until they have reached a

we have
living

also seen it last j'ear

under the preson looking

magnitude absolutely overwhelming; and then

at length

sure of a season of blight,

such as hardly any

yet,

man

can
tlie

i-ecoUect;

abroad over
sensible of

face of England,

no one

is

we see them, such and so great as now appear to exist in one, at least, among the great European states I mean the
they

any signs

of decay, least of all can

felt

Empire

of Austria; so fearful

and menacing
dimen-

such an apprehension be

with regard to depends our

in their aspect,
sions, that

and

so large in their

those attributes which are perhaps the highest

of
all,

they seem to threaten the very

I do trust

and on which most

of all

foundations of national existence.

that the day has

national existence

the spirit and courage of

the country.

It

is

needless to say that neither

gun
tion

to be put to
;

come when a check has bethe movement in this direchave been able

the sovereign on the throne, nor the nobles

and

I think, as far as I

and the gentry that fill the place

of the gallant

to trace the sentiments of the house,

and the

chieftains of the middle age, nor the citizens

indications of general opinion during the pres-

who
well,

represent the invincible soldiery of Crom-

ent session, that the tendency to which I have

advei'ted
is,

nor the peasantry

who

are the childi-en

at least partially, on the decline.

of those sturdy archers that

drew the
France

cross;

I trust it will altogether subside

and disappear.

bows

of

England on the

fields of

that

It

is

indeed true
to

at least I should be among

none of these betray either inclination or tendency to depart from the traditions of their
forefathers.
If there

the
tion

first

uphold the soundness of the asser-

that

sweeping and violent changes of

be any danger which

expenditure are to be deprecated almost as

has recently in an especial

confess that, though
peculiarity in
in
it

manner beset
to

us, I

much

may be owing

some

But, at the as excess and prodigality. same time, there are many who share that
sentiment, and yet

my

position, or

some weakness

who

still

feel

that

it is

my

vision, it has

seemed to

me

to be dur-

demanded by high
national duty that

public expediency and

by

ing recent years chiefly, in our proneness to

constant, and apparently almost boundless, aug-

we should

recur

I do not

say to the charges

for

national wants, with

mentations of expenditure, and in the consequences that are associated with them.
I do

the nation's ever-increasing growth, will vary

and

not refer to this or that particular change or

scheme.

will grow but to the spirit, the temper, and the rides with which, no long time ago,

Of course I do not

refer to the esti-

we were

all Avont to

apply ourselves to the

I trust that

mates of the year, which

are, in

our judgment,

subject of public expenditure.

required by the circumstances taken as a

such a wish

may be

realized

and

if

only
if

it

whole in which we stand.

But

I think that

be be

so,

then, for

my
the

part, I say, that

tliere

when, in an extended retrospect, we take

notice of the rate at

difticulties in

work

of government, they

which we have been ad-

are not, so far as regards the department with

vancing for a certain number of years, we

which

have the honour to be connected,

must

see that there has been a tendency to

all

difliculties

which any man

of ordinary cour-

break down
restrain the

barriers

and

all

limits

which

age need for a moment, under Avhatever contingencies, hesitate to face.

amount

of ])ublic charges.

For

The

spirit of the

my own

i)art, I

am

deei^ly convinced that all

people
in the

is

excellent. There never was a nation

excess in the public expenditure beyond the

whole history of the world more willing

legitimate wants of the country

pecuTiiary waste

is

not only a

to bear the

heavy burdens under which

it lies

for

that, although

an ima great

more
attairs.

generously disposed to overlook the

portant,

is

yet a comparatively trifling matter

political,

errors of those

who have

the direction of
if

its

but a great
moral
chiefs
evil.

and above

all,

For

my own

part, I hold that,

this

It is a characteristic of the misarise

country can steadily and constantly remain

as wise in the use of lier treasure as 66
slie is

which

from

financial prodigality

Vol. IV.


GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.
uurivalled iu
its

productiou, aud as moderate

is

withdrawn
of

at the time that

it

was believed

in the exercise of her strength as she

rich

the concession would have increased the trade

in its possession, then

we may

well cherish the

Galway, and improved the condition of the

hope that there

great

is

yet reserved for England a

people iu that part of Ireland.

therefore,

There had,

work

to do

on her own part and on the

been defection among the Irish

part of others, aud that for

many a

generation

Liberals,

who had on more than one

it

occasion

yet to come she will continue to hold a fore-

joined the opponents of the government for

most place among the nations of the world."

the purpose of defeating

before the time

was the scheme, aud these were the sentiments by which it was enforced but
This, then,
;

had gone by
the grant.

for the complete expiration of

jDriest

named

Daly, wdio had

the opposition was strenuous, aud great efforts

been dejDuted to make those representations

were made to frustrate the intentions of the

government.

which had obtained the concession, now came

over armed with credentials from
political

These

efforts

were directed to

men

of all

promote au agitation iu favour of a remission

of the duty on tea
;

parties in

Ireland,

and began an
to unite against

and they might have been

of the late
jDersist in

active canvass for the purpose of engaging

successful

had

it

not been apparent that there

the Irish Liberal

members

was an intention on the part

their opposition to the

the government, and to support the opposition,

for the purjoose of bringing about a dissolution
of parliament.

majority in the House of Lords to

Paper Duties

Bill,

and

so to confirm their claim to cancel the privi-

The debate

in the

House

of

Commons was
]Mr. Bentinck,

lege claimed
this

by the Commons.

To

frustrate

prolonged and acrimonious.

design a counter

agitation

had

been

who was among those who took the opportunity

of personally attacking the chancellor of the

carried on in favour of the repeal of the paper

duties,

and eventually Mr. Gladstone,

in ac-

cordance with his former declaration that he

reserved the right of action, announced, with

exchequer, was one of the first assailants. Lord Eobert Montague was another. Mr.
Gladstone's argument in reply to the contention of Sir Stafford Northcote,

the support of the government, that he in-

who

raised

tended to include aU his chief financial propositions in one measure, instead of dividing

numerous objections

to the

whole scheme, and

urged that this was not a time to propose the

surrender of a large amount of revenue,
was, that the estimates were based upon the
exj^ectation of

them

into several bills.

It

had been decided

and they
whole

that constitutionally the Lords had not the

power

to reject a

"Money

Bill,"

an ordinary season and

ordi-

were thenceforwai'd placed in such a position

that, while they could not reject the

and he never had a stronger conviction than that there was likely
nary
circumstances,
to be

financial scheme, they

were dejorived of the

an excess over the estimated revenue.

power

which

they had i^reviously exercised

As

to the disposal of the surplus, he balanced

of
aud

altering its details.

Such a change was

conflict,

the claims of tea and sugar on the one hand

not to be effected without a serious

all

and paper on the

duties

other.

The reduction

of the

Upper House, together with that of a lai'ge number of members of the Commons who had a direct
the influence of the
interest in the peerage,

upon

articles of iiojralar
first

consumption

was not the

object kept in view

by

Sir

Eobert Peel in 1842, but the liberation and

extension of trade; this principle lay at the
root of our reformed financial jDolicy,

and

of Conservatives

who were ready

upon the
decision.

to

uphold the privileges

aud had

claimed by the Lords, was brought to bear

governed almost every budget.

He demanded
by

Among

those who,

it

was

that the opinion of the house should be taken

believed, were disaffected towards the govern-

by a

division instead of being deferred

ment were some

Derby, when in

of the Irish
office,

members.

Lord

long and useless debates.

Mr. Disraeli an-

had obtained a grant

between Galway and
this gi-ant

nounced that in committee he should take the

sense of the house on the question whether a

for a mail packet service

the United States,

aud

had been

remission of indirect taxation should not be

DEBATE ON THE BUDGET.

made with
respect to the duties on tea.

Mr.

duty and burden of the House

of

Commons,
dis-

Horsfall jDroposed an

amendment

that the tea

and
tinct

to divide this function

between two

duty should he reduced to a shilling a pound,

and independent bodies would lead

to

and

it

was supported by Mr, Disraeli and Sir

utter confusion.

Referring to Mr. Horsman's

Stafford Northcote, but

.sion.

was

lost

on a divi-

objection that the budget gave a mortal slab

to the constitution,

he said, " I want to

it

know
a.s

Lord Robert

Cecil^

made a speech which

what
In

constitution

gives a mortal stab to.

all
;

was listened to with some impatience because

of its personal animosity.

my

opinion

it

gives no stab at

but,

He

denounced the

far as it alters, it alters so as to revive

restore the
its

and

budget as a personal budget

guarantee for
it

they

had no

good old constitution whicli took

but the promises of the chan-

root in

Saxon times, which groaned under

cellor of the exchequer,

and experience had

the

Plantagenets, which endured the hard

taught them that he was not a financier

who
occa-

rule of the Tudors, v/hich resisted the Stuarts,

was always
sion he

to be relied on.

On a former

and which has now come

the House of Brunswick.
stitution will
ation.

to maturity

under

had described the policy

of the govern-

I think that con-

ment
done

as one only

worthy of a country attorney;

to say that he

be

all

the better for the oper-

but he was

now bound

had

As
is

to the constitution laid

down by
and
ofiice

injustice to the attorneys.

The attorneys
of

my

right

honourable

friend,

imder which

Avere very

humble men, but he believed they

there

to be a division of function of

would have scorned such a course as that

guished by
" dodge."

between the House

Commons and the

regard to fixing the

her majesty's ministers, which was one distinall

House

of

Lords

with

the ingenuity of legal chicane.

j^hice
it

income and charge of the country from year

to year, both of

In any other

would

be called a

them being equally responsible

is

for
declai'ed,

it,

which means that neither would be

Americanized finance, he

was

to

responsible

as far as that constitution

it

con-

be a consequence of Americanized institutions.

cerned

I cannot

help saying, that in

my

He

thought the House of

its
it

mark
which

peculiar

Commons ought indignation at the way

to in

humble opinion the sooner

stab the better."
Sir

receives a mortal

had been treated by the chancellor

So long as he held the
seals

James Graham,

sufi'eriug severely
less

from

of the exchequer. of office there

a disease of which he died

afterwards,

than six months

the

was neither regularity in the

confidence in the

went down

to

house and

House

of

Commons nor
was made

delivered a powerful defence of the govern-

country.

ment; and Lord John Eussell, Cobden, and

to these observations.

No

reply

other eminent speakers took an earnest part

in the debate. It

They were not

had been
the

believed to require any.

Some

was

significant that

Sir

days later,however,Mr.Gladstone took up what

called the constitutional question,
to

William Heathcote, Mr. Gladstone's colleague

in the representation of Oxford, and
pole,

Mr. Wal-

and adduced numerous precedents

show that

chairman

of the

committee of precedents
the course

power

to

combine different provisions in

in the preceding

year, declared
Tliis

the same financial measure had been exercised

taken to be constitutional.
for the opposition.

was awkward

by the House
practice

of

Commons
bill,

to a

wider extent

There was no division on

all,

than in the present

and observing that the

justified

the second reading after

of

and the budget

was not only

by precedent,

which Mr. Disraeli had said that ministers

artificial

but by reason and convenience, the several matters in the bill, essentially

had created an
they might

surplus in order that

homogeneous, being
It

perpetrate

a financial caprice,

items of one and the same account.

was the

eventually passed by a majority of la, SDG

it and 281 against it. When it was up to the Lords the Duke of Rutland moved its rejection, but Lord Derby advised

doctrine of the constitution that to originate

voting for

matters of finance was the exclusive right and

sent

Now

the JIurquis of Salisbury.

the withdrawal of the amendment, takincr the

33

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAKIES.

it

opportimity to censure Mr. Gladstone, and

sworn, and took the oaths of allegiance and

was adopted.

supremacy on the Old Testament.

of abjuration followed,

The oath
it

Some real advances had been made towards

further measures of reform in parliament,

and he omitted from

the words " on the true faith of a Christian."

If

though no general scheme

in the shape of a

he had chosen to commit what to him would

Eeform

Bill

was accepted.

We

have already

have been a great impiety, and made use of

noticed that there had beeu persistent en-

words which some notorious unbelievers had

repeated without apparent shame or scruple,

deavours to supersede, or to omit, that part

of the oath of allegiance

which prevented the

he might possibly have taken his seat unchallenged.

admission of a
efforts

Jew

to parliament,

and these

As

it

was he was excluded from

and returned
to his

had now been successful after a quarter

either sitting or voting,

of a century, during

which the question had Mr. Dis-

old place,

where he might listen to, and perhaps

beeu over and over again debated.

raeli

by

his presence

make a

silent protest against

had spoken with eloquence and written

to all the rights of citizenship.

the decision of the house.

with force on the subject of the claims of the

But

several other

Jews had presented themand among them was Sir

Jews

It need

selves for election,

scarcely be pointed out that his novels contain references to the virtues
of the

David Salomons, a baronet and alderman of

the city of London, and a gentleman highly
respected for his attainments and for his con-

and the nobility

still

Jewish race which many people

consider extravagant.

In his Memoir of Lord

to a gi'eat place in the

duct as a magistrate.

In 1851 he was pro-

George Bentinch the whole question of the

claims of the

posed as a candidate for the representation

of Greenwich,

Jews

was

elected,

and on going up

to

history of the world, and as the depositaries

of a religion of

take the oath omitted the words " on the true

faith of a Christian," as

which Christianity

is

the con-

Baron Rothschild had

summation,

is

set forth with serious

and

sig-

done, and with the same result.

nificant dignity.

It

was

therefoi-e

a happy

When

the government was asked whether

coincidence that the removal of Jewish disabilities to sit in

they would sue him according to an act of

parliament
if

parliament should have been

he persisted in taking his

seat,

effected while he

was the leader

of the

House
it

the answer of

Lord John Russell was that they

of

Commons.

The time had passed when

had no such intention.

place

He

therefore took his

of the

was necessary

for a Conservative holding that

amongst the members, one half

position, to resign it in consequence of voting

house shouting to liim to withdraw, and the

other encouraging

for such a measui-e, as Disraeli's former chief

him

to remain.

He

did

Lord

George Beutinck

had

done.

Thei-e

remain, and what was more, took part in the

was complete unanimity

subject between Lord

of opinion

on the

debate on a resolution that he should be or-

John Eussell

who had

dered to withdraw, a,nd himself voted in some

of

espoused the cause of Jewish emancipation

the divisions for an adjournment.

He

and the Conservative leader; but the matter

sjjoke calmly
tion.

and was listened

to

with atten-

was not

settled

till

1858, eleven years after

He was actuated by no desire to presume

belief that

Baron Lionel de Rothschild had been elected

as one of the

on, or to disregard, the dignity of the house

members
sit,

for the city of

London.

but by the
elected he

having been lawfully

A bill was passed in the House of Commons to

admit Jews to but
it

was

justified in asserting his rights

was thrown out by

elected.

and those

of his constituents.

the Lords, and Baron Rothschild resigned his

seat, stood again,

for his withdrawal

was

carried.

The resolution The speaker

and was again

In

requested him to leave, but he remained until

the sergeant-at-arms was ordered to remove

1850 he pi-esented himself and offered to take

the oaths after having for four sessions oc-

him

that functionary then touched

cupied a seat under the gallery of the house,

the shoulder and he quietly retired.

asserted his right,

He

him on had

where strangers
accustomed to
sit.

as

well as

members were
to

had spoken and voted as

He now demanded

be

a member, and he awaited further proceed-

PUBLIC INDIFFERENCE TO EEFORM.

iugs.

37
they could
offices
fulfil

Two

actions were brought against liim

in the legislature, tliough

to recover penalties,

but

neitlier of

them was

other high and important

Sir David
office of

by the government.
legal settlement of

they both had the same object.

One was withdrawn, ;is To obtain a the question the trial came
and the
issue

Salomons himself having served the

Lord -mayor
It

of

London

in 1855 with great

dignity and success.

on as a

special case in 1852,

may

be mentioned that three or four

bill

sought was whether the words which the

days before the

with the compromise

defendant had omitted formed an essential

part of the oath inserted for the purpose of

passed in 1858, another measure introduced by

obtaining a profession of the Christian faith;

or were only a part of the form of an affirmation adopted to secure a solemn declaration

for a property qualification for

Mr.LockeKing for the abolition of the demand members of

parliament received the royal assent.

this time

Up

to

nobody could

sit

in parliament with-

in accordance with the views of the majority of

out giving proof that he possessed landed pro-

those

to

be swoi-n,

but

liable

to

be

perty up to a certain value, and, as was

pointed out by Mr. Locke King, this obsolete

omitted or altered in particular instances?

Three judges out

of four decided that it

was

custom had ceased to have any beneficial

effect, since

a necessary part of the oath, and the only

thing that remained was to alter the form
of

any man with

sufficient influence

to

obtain

a seat could arrange with some

affirmation

but though the House of

friend or supporter to

make

to

him a merely
laud of
suffi-

Commons

jmssed measures for that purpose

formal conveyance of a

j^iece of

they were repeatedly thrown out by the House

of Lords, until in 1858

cient value to cover the legal requirement.

Lord John Russell

foi'm of oath

These were among the amendments of parlia-

prepared a

bill in

which the

was

mentary representation
appeared to be

which

were

made

somewhat

altered,

and a clause was introduced

the words " on the true

during the period from 1855 to 1865, but there

little

providing that where the oath had to be administered to a

popular excitement on

Jew

behalf of a general measure of wide reform.

faith of a Christian "

might be omitted.
bill useless for

The

Within the walls

of the franchise

of the

House

of

Commons,

House
clause,

of

Lords,
so

however, struck out this

the

only a few ai'dent supporters of an extension

and

made
it

the pur-

were eager

to bring in a bill of voters,

pose for which

was

sj^ecially

intended.

The
state-

that would increase the

number

and

Commons
referred
it

refused to accept the alteration, and

to a

though a redistribution of seats

places

in accordance

committee to draw up a
reasons,

with the growing importance of some of the

insufficiently

ment

of

their

Bai'on

Rothschild
that

represented,
little

was more

being actually nominated as a

member of

widely demanded, so

general enthusiasm

committee on the motion of Mr. Duncombe.

Ungracefully ready to yield rather than pro-

was manifested outside parliament that there was no encouragement

ferent government.
for reformers to risk

voke an actual

collision,

the Lords assented to

defeat by a strong opposition and an indif-

a compromise suggested by Lord Lucan, and

inserted

Lord Palmerston himself

indiflerent,

a clause enabling either house to

was among the most

pi'etty w^ell

and

it

was

modify the form of the oath in such a way as

to

understood that he had an actual

admit a

.Jesv,

but at the same time reserving

aversion to the introduction of anything that,

in his opinion,

the power to alter the

pleasure.

mode

of affirmation at

would unnecessarily disturb

tlic

This was such a manifestly weak

that,

ministry or promote political demonstrations

in the country.
in

and uncertain expedient

though

it it

rapidly passed thi'ough both houses,

was was

The country, however, was

political manifestations,

no mood for

and

soon after superseded by another measure

when, on the

1st of

March, 18G0, Lord Jolin

which consolidated the acts referring to oaths,

allegiance, abjuration,

Russell introduced his " Representation of the

and supremacy, and

People

Bill," in

the belief that the time had

fui'thor

enabled Jews to omit the words which had

previously prevented them from taking a seat

come

for

making

advances in the
he was

system of parliauiontai-y

legislation,

38
listened to
^"itii

GLADSTONE AXD HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

an ominous
c;;lm,

which be-

in the royal speech,

no mention was made of

spoke the neglect that afterwards frustrated

his efforts to carry it through either house.

parliamentary reform. The question was subsequently

i-aisad

by

Mi-.

Locke King, who pro-

It

is

true that there was nothing startling

posed to lower the county qualification to 10,

about the proposed changes. There was to be a ^10 occupation franchise for the counties,

and by Mr. Baines, who brought forward a

motion for reducing the borough franchise to
6, but both suggestions were rejected.

and the borough franchise was

to 6.

to be reduced

The payment

of poor-rates

was

to

be a
Reference has been

qualification for a vote.

Twenty-five boroughs
left

made

to the ages of

returning two members each were to be

Lord Palmerston, Lord Lyndhurst, and Lord

with one

twelve counties or county divisions

Brougham, and

to the failing health of Sir

were to have one member; the West Eidiug

two additional

seats

and the southern division and Chelsea

James Graham. These were instances of some of the losses which might naturally be expected to befall the nation at no remote period.
Alread}' several of those

of Lancashire two; Kensington

were to form a borough with two members;

Birkenhead, Stalybridge, and Barnsley were to

who had been the con-

temporaries of Mr. Gladstone during the early

part of his career were seen no more in their

have one each; and Manchester, Liverpool,

Birmingham, and Leeds each an additional

accustomed places, and he had referred

in

member. The University

to be represented

of

Loudon was

also

words

of

solemn pathos to the fact that the

by a member.

In places

time had arrived when, in looking round him,

where three members were returned the third

w\'is

he missed the once familiar forms and

faces,

to rej^resent the minority.

The

bill

apIt

and

felt their loss

by that sense

of solitari-

peared to be unacceptable to both

sides.

ness which even the necessity for

making new

was too much

for those

who

deprecated dis-

associations will not for a time overcome.

turbance, and not enough for the promoters of

iwlitical progress in the direction of

In the ranks of literature as well as in the

a largely

world of politics and statesmanship,well known

increased rejDresentation of the body of the

people.
It

names had

fallen out of the lists of the living.

satirist,

was said that the

o^jpositiou

were

Douglas Jerrold the

whose

brilliant

so sure of Lord Palmerston's hostility to the

wit and caustic subtle humour had sparkled

scheme, that Lord Derby had broadly hinted to

both in the drama and in the pages of Punch

him that if he could remove Gladstone, Paissell,

and Milner Gibson from the ministry the Conservatives would support the government.
this

and other
England.
of the sou

periodicals,

had died in 1857, just as

historian

the tidings of the Indian mutiny had reached

If

Hallam the

long

bereft

had

really

been suggested,

it

betrayed a

whose early death was mourned by

singular
character.

misunderstanding of

Palmerston's

Tennyson and by Gladstone

lived

on and
died

He may

have cordially disliked

Bill,

worked on

until January, 1859,

when he

the proposed

Peform

but

he would

at the age of eighty-one.

Leigh Hunt, the

certainly not betray his colleagues.

However,

charming poet and

essayist,

who had

outlived

he probably knew that there was little occasion

for

the dreary days of his imprisonment for libelling George the Fourth,

him

to be troubled about

Lord

Russell's

was seventy-five years

measures.

Proposals were
till

made
it

for its ad-

old

when

his death took place at

Putney

in

journment

the following year,

when

the

August, 1859.

In November of the same

census was to be taken, and

was

so evident

year intelligence came from

of the Chevalier

Bonn

of the

death

that by the delay of a jirolonged debate the

Bunsen, who, when he was

opponents of the
it,

bill

might be able

to defeat

Prussian ambassador in London, had been the

delightful

that,

with manifest grief and disappointits

companion and warm friend

of dis-

ment, Lord Russell announced

withdrawal.

tinguished

men

of letters in this country, of

and

In the following year he had evidently

was himself the author

many books of deep

and of

abandoned

all

intention of

moving any further

bill,

interest to students of ecclesiastical lore,

in the direction of a similar

and indeed.

one by which he has been better known,

MACAULAY GLADSTONE'S TEIBUTE TO

entitled

HIS MEMOEY.

39

Ejypfs Place in

lli&tory.

He

liad

House

of

Commons, were not forgotten when

been recalled to Prussia or had resigned because of his opinions on the policy of the king
in relation to the Russian war, but

he had retired to the seclusion of the home,

where his presence was ever welcome and

he was

where
fitting

his tender

and

affectionate nature found

sister's

greatly esteemed

by men

of

all

parties in

companionship in his

family.

England.

He had
larger gap than either of these

been eminently

successful,

and

his

But a
land by

was

great ability and indefatigable

energy had

left in the

public and literary ranks in Eng-

enabled him to achieve high distinction in

the sudden death of Lord Macaulay

whatever he attempted. Probably

it

would not which

in-

on the 28th of December, 1859.

This

loss,

have added to his fame

carry his voice to the

if

he had lived to
of Peers,

which

was

felt

throughout

the

country,

House
is

may be

said to have cast a

shadow on the
and
the

would, however, have been graced by his

tellect
;

closing days of the year, for his books,

especially
his History of

and though

it

to be deplored that
it is

England from

his history remained uncompleted,

not a

Accession of James the Second, was

known
when

mere fragment, but a shapely and finished production, a

and read

all

over England, and some of his

listened to with delight

monument of

his genius.

Macaulay
but during

poems had been

was never married, and the wealth which he

had acquired went
his life to his relatives;

they were recited

before

large

audiences.

His prodigious memory and

his philosophical

he was one of the most generous of

mode

of thought

were

allied to a strong

im-

men, and few distressed representatives of the

literary craft applied to
sistance.

agination and to the power of striking poetical

expression.

him

in vain for as-

Few men have

united so

much
The

It is certain, on the contrary, that

of the genius of the poet to the plodding in-

because of the natural goodness of heart which

could spare some pity for their distresses, he
consciously helped some
tent,

dustry and research of the antiquarian.

latter quality enabled

for his

him to seek the material vivid pages in musty parliamentary

closed correspondence

who were incompe-

and should never have taken upon themhave ah-eady seen something of the

records

long

timesince

selves the profession of letters.

worn ballad-sheets, and even stained and

frayed broadsheets relating to events that

We

early correspondence between

Mr. Gladstone
here to a few
iu 1876,

might otherwise have been forgotten,

and the
of the

brilliant reviewer in their early days,

fitly refer

they were never popularly dejiicted until he

and we may therefore

drew them with a vigorous hand. It has been contended that Macaulay only wrote history from the Whig side; and it can scarcely be
denied that while he draws the misdeeds of
the other party in strong dark outlines, he
sublimates some of the faults of his political
l^redecessors

words used by the former when,

in a review of The Life

Macaulay,

by

his

and Letters of Lord nephew George Otto

Trevelyau, M.P., he has to speak of the

man

whose own achievements had by that time

almost
says:
"

become

historical.

Mr. Gladstone
no more than

and somewhat

idealizes their pi-o-

fessed principles.
of illustration

Yet

his

remarkable power
lucidity

Lord Macaulay lived a

life of

and the charming

which

fifty-nine years

and three months.

full life, of

But

it

was

chai-acterizes his style will

always cause his

an extraordinarily

sustained exer-

history to hold a high j^lace

of readers. It

among

all classes

tion; a high table-land, without depressions.

If in its outer aspect there be

was

not, however, as

an author

anything weari-

alone that Macaulay was sorely missed.

place he

The
iu
filled.

some,

it is

only the wearisomeness of reiterated

had occupied in parliament and

itolitics

splendours,

and

of success so

uniform as to be

the arena of

could not easily be

almost monotonous.
iiUc
;

He

speaks of himself as
active,

Failing health had compelled

him

to resign

but his idleness was more

it

and

the representation of Edinburgh and to abantlon public speaking;

carried with

hour by hour a greater expen-

but his superb achieveboth iu and out of the

diture of brain-power, tlian

what most men

ments as a

sjjeaker,

regard as their seriousem2)loyments. lie might

40

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

was not inconsiderable, but
his earlier
it

well have been in his mental career the spoiled

child of fortune
;

was confined

to

for all he tried succeeded, all

manhood.

The general

outline of
offers

he touched turned into gems and gold.

In a

his career has long

been familiar, and

happy childhood he evinced extreme

His academical career gave

precocity.

neither need nor scope for detail.

After four

sufficient,

though

years of high parliamentary distinction, and

his first

not redundant, promise of after celebrity. The

assumption of

office,

he accepted a

new golden
Revieiv,

age he imparted to the Edinburgh

his first

lucrative appointment in India, with a wise

and
the

and most important,

if

view to his own pecuniary independence, and

a generous legard to what might be, as they

not best, parliamentary speeches in the grand

Reform Bill, achieved for him, years before he had reached the middle point of life, what may justly be termed an
crisis of
first

had been, the demands

of his nearest relations

upon

his affectionate bounty.

Another term
back, the least

of four years brought

him

immense
"

distinction.
in

Indian, desjjite of his active labours upon the

legislative code, of all the civilians

For a century and more, perhaps no man

of

who had

this country, with the exceptions of

Mr. Pitt

ever served the Company.

He soon re-entered

and

Lord Byron, had attained at thirty-two

His parliamentaiy
eminence were each

parliament; but his zest for the political arena

the fame of Macaulay.

success
of

seems never to have regained the temperature

of his virgin love at the time of the
Bill.

and

his literary

Reform
office

them enough, as they stood at this date, to intoxicate any brain and heart of a meaner order. But to these was added, in his case, an amount and quality of social attentions
such as invariably partake of adulation and
idolatry,

He

had offered his resignation of

during the debates on the Emancipation Act,

at a time

when

salary

was

of the

utmost im-

portance to him, and for a cause which was

far

more

his father's than his own.

This he

and

as,

perhaps, the high circles of

or since have lavished

did with a promptitude and a manly unconsciousness of effect or merit in the act

London never before

on a

which

man whose
Perhaps

claims lay only in himself,

were truly noble.

attitude

Similar was his dignified

and not
sions.

in his descent, his rank, or his possesit

when

his constituents of
first

Edinburgh

was good

for his mental

committed their

and

last fault in rejecting

and moral health that the enervating action

of this process

was suspended

for four years.

in 1839

him on account of his vote for Maynooth. This was in 1847. At the general election in
1852 they were again at his
feet, as

Although
it

after his return

from India

though

could not but revive, he was of an age to

it

the final cause of the indignity had been only

to enhance

bear

with
all

less peril to liis

manhood.

He

the triumph of his re-election.

seems at

times to have held his head high

Twice at

least in the

House

of

Commons he

above the

stir

and the fascination which His masculine

excite

arrested the successful progress of legislative

and enslave the weak.

gence, and his ardent

intelli-

measures, and slew them at a moment's notice

and single-minded devothat depth and

and by his single arm.

sions

The

first

of these occa-

tion to literature, probably derived in this respect essential aid from

was the Coi^yright

;

Bill of Serjeant Tal-

fourd in 1841

the second, the bill of 1853 for

warmth

of

domestic

affections

which lay
.
.

excluding the Master of the Rolls from the

nearer yet to the centre of his being.

House
call to

of

He

was, indeed, prosperous and brilliant

to speak,
fill

Commons. But, whenever he rose it was a summons like a trum2:)etthe benches.

prodigy, a meteor, almost a portent, in literary

history.

He

retired

from the

But

his course

was

laborious, truthall

House

of

Commons

in 1856.

At length, when

ful, simple,

independent, noble; and

these

in 1857 he

was elevated by Lord Palmerston

in of

an eminent degree.

Of the inward battle

to the peerage, all the world of letters felt

life he seems to have known nothing: his mind was, so to speak, self-contained, coherent, and harmonious. His experience of the outward battle, which had reference to money.

honoured in his person.

The claims

of that,

which he

felt to

be indeed his profession, ac-

quired an increasing

command on him
grew
less

as the
less.

interests of political action

and

DEATH OF THE KING OF PRUSSIA NEAREE

Neither was social
life

LOSSES.

41

allowed greatly to inter-

the cheapest.

No

one can measure the eleva-

fere with literary work, although liere, too, his

tion of Macaulay's character above the mer-

triumphs were almost unrivalled.

Only one
it

cenary level without bearing in mind that for

ten years after 1825 he was a poor and contented man, though ministering to the wants
of a father

other attraction had power over him, and

was a

life-long

power

the love of his sisters

of life

which about the mid-point

came

to

and a family reduced in circumliterary

mean
there

his sister

Lady Trevelyau.
nothing equally touching, so

stances

though in the blaze of

and

"As
is

there

is

political success;

and though he must have

first of

really nothing

more wonderful

in the

been conscious from the

a gift which,

memoirs, than the large the immeasurable

by a

less congenial

and

less

compulsory use,

abundance of

this

gushing stream.

It is not

would have rapidly led him

of the comforts

to opulence.

Yet
social
if

sui-prising that the full reservoir overflowed

and advantages, both

upon her
had a

children.
this
little

Indeed he seems to have

love tliat could not be

and physical, from which he thus forebore,

is

store of

so plain that he at all times

formed no mis-

exhausted, for
simplicity

children generally;
all

his

anthropic or ascetic, but on the contrary a

and tenderness vying

along in

very liberal and genial, estimate.

It is truly

graceful rivalry with the

in

manly qualities, which

After some

touching to find that never, except as a minister, until

no one were more pronounced.

1851,

when he had

already lived
tliis

forewarn ings, a period of palpable decline,

fifty

years of his fifty-nine, did

favourite

which was

brief as well as tranquil,

brought

of fortune, this idol of society, allow himself

him to his end. "To the literary success of Macaulay it would

be
difficult to find a parallel in

the luxury of a carriage.

" It has been observed, that neither in art

the history of
all

nor letters did Macaulay display that faculty

of the higher criticism

recent authorship.

For

this

and probably

which depends u]:on

future centuries

we

are to regard the public

certain refined perceptions

and the power

of

as the patron of literary men,

and as a patron
Setting

subtle analysis.

His analysis was always

2:)ercep-

abler than any that went before to heap both

rough, hasty, and sweeping, and his

tions robust.

fame and fortune on

aside

its

favourites.

By

tliese properties it
(popriKo;,

was that

works of which the primaiy purpose

he was so eminently

not in the vulgar

was entertainment, Tennyson alone among the

writers of our age, in point of public favour,

sense of an appeal to sjiurious sentiment, but

as one bearing his reader along

by

violence,

and of emolument following upon

near to Macaulay.
iously cultivating his gifts for

it,

comes
labor-

as the river

Scamander

tried to bear Achilles.

;

But Tennyson was

Yet he was never pretentious

and he said

many

years

frankly of himself that a criticism like that of

before he acquired a position in the eye of the

nation.

Lessing in his Laocoon, or of Goethe on

let, filled

Ham-

Macaulay, fresh from college in 1825,

Full-orbed he was

him with wonder and

first

despair."'

astonished the world by his brilliant and im-

posing essay on Milton.

seen above the horizon
;

In the

days of January, 18G1,

intelli-

and

full-orbed, after

gence arrived of the death of the King of

Prussia,

thirty-five years of constantly-emitted splen-

whose

illness,

accompanied by mental

dour, he sank beneath

it.

disorder,

had long precluded him from taking

in the

"His
dinary.
all.

gains from literature were extraor-

any part
regent,
of

government

of the countiy.

The cheque
and

for ^20,000

is

known to
his

His brother, who had been appointed prince-

But
;

his accumulation

was reduced by

came

to

the throne with the

I.,

titli;

bounty

his profits would, it is evident,

still

King

"William

and our princess

roy.nl

have been far larger

the products of his

had he dealt with

principles of

thereupon became Crown-princess of Prussia,

mind on the

and afterwards, of Germany.

The
relations

economic science (which, however, he heartily

professed),

between our own royal family

and sold his wares

in the dearest
in

and that

of Prussia naturally increased the

market, as he undoubtedly acquired them

serious feelings with wliith the death of

King

42

GLADSTONE AXD ni3 CONTEMPOEARIES.

have to take note
to
;

Frederick William was regarded by the Queen

but the royal family was

and Prince Albert,

of

especially at a time -when

they were mourning the sickness or the loss

some extent separated, and amidst many domestic claims and an unflagging attention
to public business the health of Prince Albert

some

of those

eminent servants of the state

on whose

lo^'alty

and

ability they

had

so fre-

became

precarious,

and he frequently suffered

quently been able to rely.

Sir

from attacks
of

James Gi'aham was dead. Ou the 14th

which he bore up with patient courage, but which were suffiof illness, against

December the Earl of Aberdeen, who had been

so intimately associated with the royal family,

cient to cause gi-eat uneasiness to the

queen

and

to others

who

anxiously watched his un-

had passed awa}'. Sir Sidney Herbert, who had been raised to the House of Lords with the
title of

remitting labours.

In March, 1860, arrangements were made

for the visit of the Prince of

Lord Herbert
suffering

of Leigh,

had been for

illness of

Wales

to Canada,

some time

from the same

in fulfilment of a promise
tion

made

to a deputa-

which he died in the following August. As the

year went on the other names were absent from
the earthly roll-call of those
respected, or admired.

which came here during the Crimean war

visit

asking the queen to

sessions.

her American pos-

who were

loved,

Her majesty

could not accede to a

On

the 6th of June

request which vrould involve so long a voyage,

Cavour, suffering from typhoid fever, had

and

it

was then proposed that one

of

the

been bled to death by Italian doctors, who

could not depart from their old traditions, and

princes should become governor-general.

They

were both too young for such a proposition to

be entertained; but
as the Prince of
it

news telegraphed from Turin sent a shock through Europe for the affaii's of Italy had
the
;

was agreed that

as soon

Wales was old enough, he

This intention

leached a

crisis,

in

which

it

was believed only

stateavail.

should visit the Dominion.

his strong guiding

craft could be of

hand and inimitable

was about

to be carried out in the

autumn,

immediate

We

shall

when the visit would be signalized by his royal

highness laying the foundation-stone of the

have to return to the events which had pro-

duced that impression, and had caused Prince

Albert, on receiving the intelligence of the

new Canadian parliament-house

the St. Lawrence at Montreal.

at Ottawa,

and opening the great railway bridge across

death of the minister, to write in his diary

the words, "Ein ungeheurer Verlust fur Italien" (an imme;ism'able loss for Italy).

When

it

was known

in

America that the

was about
to visit

heir to the English throne

There were other

losses nearer to the royal

Canada, the president, Mr. Buchanan, addressed a letter to the queen, offering a cordial

domestic circle in England.

Dr. Baly, the

trusted phj-sician to the prince and the royal

family,

welcome at Washington

to the prince

if

he

was

killed in a railway accident be-

should extend his visit to the United States,

tween London and Wimbledon on the 29th

January.
injured.

of

and assuring her majesty that he would be

everywhere greeted by the American
in a
peojsle

He was

the only person seriously

Soon afterwards, died Sir George

during the sorrow ex-

manner which could not

fail to

prove

Couper, physician to the Duchess of Kent.

gratifying to her majesty.

This request was

spirit,

These

losses occurred

answered in the same cordial

and Mr.

perienced by the royal household for the death

in April, 1860, of Prince Ernest of

Hohenlohe
sister,

Langenburg, husband of the queen's

Buchanan was informed by the queen that the prince proposed to return from Canada through the United States, and that it would
give

and president
temberg.

of the

upper chamber of Wir-

him great

pleasure to have an opportunity

of testifying to the president in person that

Not only were

public affairs full of exciting

the feelings which had dictated the president's

letter

interest during the latter half of 1860 in con-

were

fully reciprocated

on

this side of

sequence of the Franco-Italian alliance, the

the Atlantic.
pality of

schemes of Napoleon

III.,

and other foreign

shall

At the same time the municiNew York sent a message through

complications of which

we

presently

the American minister, Mr. Dallas, expressing

THE STAE OF IXDIA"THE AEMY-THE YOLUxVTEERS.

a strong desire that the priuce should
city.

visit that

far

enough west

to be able to do so.

He

This

visit, also,

was included

in the pro-

speaks with knowledge, for his time has been passed chiefly amongst the Mahrattas and
Eajpoots,
in India.

gramme

of the prince's journey,

which was,

liowever, to be only that of a private gentle-

who are the

I asked

best
if

and proudest blood

there was anything
said.

man, and
Avas to be

in

no sense an

affair of state.

The

him

prince was to travel as Lord Eeufrew, and

insulting in the word.

He

Not

quite

accompanied by the Duke of Newthe colonies.

that; but that

it

implied the same sort of

castle, secretary of state for

contemptuous superiority on the part of one

Indian

Prince Alfred also started on a long voyage

to another colony, the

who used
'

it

towards anothei", as would

Cape

of

Good Hope, by
England in the
stone of

be implied by an Englishman

who

should

call

way

of

Eio Janeiro.

He

left

an Ii'ishman a Paddy,' or address a Scotch-

spring of 1860, and was expected to reach

man

as 'Sawney.'"
prince, referring to the obstacles to the

Capetown, and there to lay the

first

The

the breakwater in the harbour at about the

adoption of every
" It

name

proposed, humorously
:

same time that

his brother

was performing

wrote to Sir Charles

is

Wood

similar duty in Canada.

unfortunate that
a]:)pellation of

we

get no further

Among
this time,

the numerous questions in which

with the

the order than from

the prince and the queen were concerned at

one difficulty into another, and I might be

inclined to give
it

was the

institution of a projiosed

the sign and

name

of

new

order or decoration for distinguished ser-

house at Toplitz
of of

the sign

being

gilt figures
title
till

vice in India.
difficult to

Not only was

it

exceedingly

men rowing

against a rock, with the

Impossibility.'"

decide on a design and motto, of

several,

'The Golden

Not

which the prince sketched

but there

was

still

moi'e difficulty in adopting a

name
pi'o-

some time afterwards was the difficulty solved, and on the 23rd of February, 1861, the institution of

for the decoration, though several

were

"The Most Exalted Order

rest.

of the

posed.

It

was agreed that the order should

Star of India," set the question at

It

be a

star,

but the question was what star?

important
critical

To

may be mentioned

in connection with

illustrate the

nature of the

military affairs, that early in

May,

ISGO,

it

discussion,

we may quote

a letter from Lord

title

was decided by a

resolution of the cabinet to

Canning, urging that the

"Eastern Star,"
be adopted.

discontinue supporting a separate European

which was most

'

liked, could not

army
ing

for India,

and that instead

of

two

forces

"The Hindustani
has, as

for the 'Eastern Star,'"

there should be only one imperial army, takits

he wrote, "is Poorbeuh Sittara.'

'Poorbeak'

turn of duty throughout the British

all its

yon probably know, become a sort of

Empire, in

home

provinces and foreign

generic

name given

to our Sepoys, froui

from their

dependencies, including India. This resolution

being mostly

men

Behar and Oudli

as

was afterwards strenuously opposed

in parlia-

Eastern provinces; and during the mutinies

it

ment, but was jiassed in the autumn session.

grew

to be used

somewhat

'

Fand^' was
That
asso-

The winter

of

1859 had been wet, cold,

of spring

used, as a familiar This, however,

ciation
bea/i,'
is is

name

for the mutineers.

and unhealthy, but on the return

the weather was more cheering.
18,000

not the point.

There were

already passing away.

But 'Poormeans East'

men

at Aldershot,

where the queen

and

for the very reason that it

and the priuce

wei"e frequent visitoi-s,

first

ern,'

and that

in India the further

any person
is

held a review in the

or thing comes from the East, the less

respect

the

But

of

more

significance

week still was

of

May.

the ra])id

shown

to either, has been a

term of
be-

growth

of the Volunteer force,

which consisted

disparagement time out of mind.

fore mutinous Sepoys were heard
'

Long

at that time of
drilled,

124,000 men, already well

of

of,

an Indian

and a large number

skill

them possessing
rifle

resented being called a Poorbeak.'

The term
eagerly

such remarkable

with the

that

it

was, and

as Frere assures me

still is

recalled the ancient

fame of the English bow-

repudiated by every one

who comes from

men.


44

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

The
prince was engaged daily in fulfilling
of

one great public demonstration in which both

the queen and the ])rince necessarily took the

a multitude
leisure.

claims on his strength and

Writing from Osborne to the princess

he speaks of the delightful air and

leading part.
first

On

the 23d of that

month

the

royal

great Volunteer review was held in

Hyde
party

rural aspects of the place, to

which one might

Park.

Her majesty and

the

royal

abandon

one's self, but that "one's feelings

arrived on the ground at four o'clock, the

remain under the influence of the treadmill of

never-ending business.

queen entering the park in an open carriage

with the King of the Belgians, the Princess
Alice,

The donkey
is

in Caris-

brook, which you will remember,

counterpart.

my

true

and Prince Arthur, Prince Albert

side of the carriage
corteje.

rid-

He,

too,

would rather munch

ing

by the

and followed

thistles in the castle

moat, than turn round

by a
teers*

brilliant

Her majesty drove

the line of volun-

in the wheel at the castle well;

and small
two

along to the extreme

left of

are the thanks he gets for

liis

labour.

on the Bayswater Koad, and thence

"I

am

tortured, too,

by

the prospect of

along the whole front to the extreme right at

public dinners at which I am, or rather shall

Albert Gate.
centre of

The

royal stand

was about the

The one gives me seven, the other ten toasts and speeches, appropriate to the occasion, and distracting to myself. Then
be, in the chair.

Park Lane, and

in front of this the

whole 21,000 men marched past in companies,

taking two hours to pass.

The various

coi'ps

I have to resign at Oxford the Presidency of

then took up their original positions, and the

the British Association, and later in the sea-

lineadvanced in battalion columns with salvoes

of cheering for her majesty as they

son to open the Statistical Congress of

nations.

all

moved

Between these come the laying the

onward.

Of the vast

force assembled, 15,000

foundation-stone of the Dramatic College, the

distribution of the prizes at Wellington College, &c. &c.;

belonged to London and 6000 to the provinces,

the City of London sending 1800 men, and

and

this,

with the sittings of

Manchester about 2000.

By eight

o'clock the

my

different

commissions, and Ascot races

whole body of volunteers had got entirely

clear of the

the delectable, and the balls and concerts of

park without accident, and after

the season

all

crowded into the month of

admirably executing the few movements which

could alone be effected by so large a

June, over and above the customary business,

number
lie
:

which a distracted

state of affairs in
.
. .

Europe

within the allotted space.

and a stormy Parliament

make

still

more

At

the Trinity

House

dinner, where

pre-

burdensome and disagreeable than usual."

This letter does not exhaust the special en-

sided the same evening, the prince said

"We

have witnessed

this

day a scene which

of those

gagements which awaited the prince on his

return to Windsor Castle.

will never fade

from the memory

who
re-

He

had, as a do-

had the good fortune to be

jiresent

the

mestic as well as a public duty, to settle aU

the details of the visit of the Prince of Wales
to Canada,

presentatives of the independence, education,

and industry of this country, in arms,

their devotion
to

to testify

and

to

draw up memoranda

of the

their country,

and

their

tone to be taken in replying to addresses,

readiness to lay

down

their lives in its defence.

according to the conditions and circumstances

of the different places to be presented.

where they were

likely

The Volunteer force exceeds already 130,00() men; and to what extent this country is capable of exerting itself in real danger
is

Then

there were meetings

of the

shown

and correspondence with the promoters

and there were the duties
including the

by the number

of volunteers,

which in 1804

forthcoming International Exhibition of 1862,

of hospitality to

reached the extraordinary figure of 479,000

We
trast
all

are apt to forget, however, that, in con-

observe amidst a numerous assembly of guests,

with every other country of the world,

King

of the Belgians

and

his

our services are composed exclusively of

second son, and the young Prince Louis of

volunteei's: the navy, coast-guard, coast vol-

Hesse-Darmstadt and

his brother.

unteers, army, militia, yeomanry, constabulary.

Before the end of June, however, there was

May

the noble and

jiatriotic

sjnrit

"

REVIEW OF VOLUNTEERS BY THE QUEEX.

which such a
paired
!

45

fact reveals

remain ever unim-

by Arthur's Seat, and

also

commanded by

the

And may

God's blessing, of which

great breadth of slope westwards which terminates in the picturesque ridge of Salisbury Crags.
"

this nation has seen

such unmistakable evi-

dence, continue to rest

services
!

upon

these voluntary

A nobler arena for

and the enthusiasm

such a display could not

be imagined," says one account of the scene

"
of the multitudes,

Congratulatory references were everywhere

heard, and the Volimteer force was soon after-

which

covered every inch of ground on slope, and peak,

wards almost likely to be impaired by the

manifestations of popularity which
it

and

crag,

from which

it

could be seen,

made
and

enjoyed.
of the

even more exciting a spectacle that abounded in

features peculiarly fitted to satisfy the eye
to quicken the imagination. of

On

the 2d of July the

first

meeting

National Eifle Association was held at AVimbledon.

Of

all

the cities

The weather was

brilliant,

which,

Europe none presents so many points as

for giving efTect to holiday
display.

after such a dreary season, Avas a delightful

Edinburgh

moveon

change, and a brilliant assembly had gathered

to witness the proceedings.

ment and

The

spot, moi'eover,

which the review took place was not merely

The

first
;

shot at the targets

was

tired

by

dear to Scotchmen from the associations of history and romance, but

it

and Mr. Whitworth had so adjusted one of his rifles as to secure a good score
the queen
for her majesty at the 400 yards range.

has in

itself

more

fea-

tures of mingled beauty

and grandeur than any

An

other in the

gray metropolis of the North.'

address was presented to the queen on her

arrival at the

camp by Mr. Sidney Herbert

which

"The gathering was a truly national one. From all parts of the country vast multitudes
flocked to

as president of the association, after

Edinburgh

to testify their loyalty

her majesty, accompanied by the prince, ad-

to the queen,

and the hold which the Volunteer

their hearts.

vanced to a tent, in which the

fixed

rifle

had been

movement had upon

local corps to the

As

the

which was to open the competition.

A
an

English counties had sent the flower of their

touch of the trigger was followed by the flutter

of the red

review in

Hyde Park

in

and white

flag before the tai-get,

June, so

now came

a goodly array of the best

intimation that the "bull's-eye" had been

hit,

blood and bone and sinew from nearly every

and that her majesty,

rules
points.
of

in accordance Avith the

county in Scotland to swell the general muster.

the association,

had scored

three

From
ness,

the Orkneys,

'

placed

far

amid the
Argyle-

melancholy main,' from Caithness, from Inversix successive days the competition for

For

from Aberdeen, from the

from the banks
of

hills of

the prizes for the best shooting continued.

shire,

Loch Tay, from the

of the valley of

The number

of volunteers

who

entered for the

straths

and uphmd pastures

from
Forfarshire,

regulated prizes was 292, while 494 competed

for those open to all comers.

the Tay,

Fifeshire,

and

The

first

queen's
of

Stirlingshire
disti-ict.

came the picked men

of each

prize of

250 with the gold medal

was won by Mr. Ross

the

Nithsdale,

Annandale, Galloway,

association

of the 7th

Roxburghshire, and Selkirkshire sent their

contingents from the south, swelled by troops

York, who, in the determining contest, made

eight points at 800, seven at 900, and nine at

from Tynemouth, Alnwick, Sunderland, and

1000 yards.

About 2000 was taken

for ad-

Whitehaven

while Glasgow and the

West of

mission to the camp.

Scotland furnished about one -third of the

At
moved

the beginning of

August, the court

entire force of at least 22,000

men,

of

whom

to Balmoral, taking

Edinburgh

in the

18,000 or more were Scottish corps,

who came

way

for the purpose of holding a review of

together on that day to salute their sovereign

the Scottish volunteers.

under the windows

Holyrood."

of the ancient palace of

The scene of the review (on the 7th of August) was Holyrood Park, a long level space
stretching eastward from Holyrood Palace at

In the morning the queen and prince had

visited the

Duchess of Kent,who was staying at

small cheerful house look-

the base of the steep ascent which

is

crowned

Cramond House, a

46

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

just previously

ing across the Fiitli of Forth, and her royal

liiglmess

been formed, and for which

was present

at the review.

the prince strongly advised that boys should

" Mama arrived," says her majesty's diary, " about a quarter to three, and waited with
us, looking at the splendid scene

be trained
"

What

have never understood

is,

that

Arthur's
and the

the admiralty does not try to raise and train

for the
service

Seat covered with

human

beings,

more boys, who are most

volunteers with bands marching in from every

direction on to the ground close in front of

easily got,

cheap to keep, and make much

the palace.

"VVe

waited long, watching every-

thing from the window."

l^ast

Soon after

half-

three the queen came upon the ground

better sailors for the royal navy when grown up than men entered in the ports, and wlio have been brought up in the merchant service, and may have contracted every vice of indiscipline.

in

an open carriage and four, in which were

Alice,

We

actually require on

an average

seated with her the Duchess of Kent, the

4000 boys a year, and we have only 1880 in

our school ships (this number including even
the novices
!).

Princess

and Prince Arthur.

The
Tlie

Princess Helena, Princess Louise, and Prince

If

we had a
if

reserve of 5000

Leopold followed in the next carriage.

queen's carriage, and the

boys these would almost supply the navy in

peace time.

Prince Consort rode on the right side of the

And

an equal number of men

Duke

of Buccleuch,

who have

served in the navy were placed in

as lord-lieutenant of the county and captain

of the

the naval reserve,

Eoyal Body-guard of Scottish Archers,

left.

and take their

training,

places,

when these boys grow up we should soon have an

not requiring any further
to the

on the

lines of the volunteers,

As her majesty passed along the who stood at the salute,

efficient reserve force,

and most valuable

merchant

the whole assembled multitudes that crowned

the slojjcs of the great natural amphitheatre
of the adjoining hills broke into acclamations.

service

from the previous training received in

Osborne in Sep-

the royal navy."

The court was back

at

"The

effect,"

wrote a spectator, "of the cheer-

tember, and the queen, the prince, and the

Princess Alice prepared for a long-contemplated journey to Coburg.

ing on the hill-side was not less than sublime.

Peal after peal broke forth in thunder, carried

The voyage from

away by the strong wind,

again renewed."

to be again

and

Gravesend to Antwer]} was made in the royal

yacht.

The marching past lasted an hour and ten minutes, and the men then advanced in line
cheering.

carriage at

They had scarcely entered the railway Antwerp when a telegram from
illness of the

Prince Ernest (Prince Albert's brother) an-

nounced the serious

writes,

dowager
could
tele-

"We
near

came home," the queen

delighted that dear

"at

Duchess of Coburg, who had been joyfully

anticipating their coming.

six, so

Mama

coald

The

visit

be present on this memorable and never-to-beforgotten occasion.

not be put

off,

and at Verviers another

She had not witnessed

in 1854,

gram gave

intelligence of her death.

since,

The

anything of the kind for long (the disti-ibutiou

of the

journey was naturally a sad one,

though

Crimean medals

and

of the

the health of the duchess had been so feeble

Victoria Cross in 1857, excepted), and had not

that she was not expected to live long, her

driven with

me on any
"
!

similar occasion for

death was sudden and unexi)ected. There were,

above twenty-six years

Alas
!

however, so

many

dear associations at Coburg,

of Prince Ernest

The shadow of sorrow followed by its deep reality was soon to fall within the royal circle by the sickness and death of that mother so revered and well beloved. There
was much
to

and the presence there

and of

the princess royal, with her husband Prince

Frederick William and their boy, the queen's

first

grandchild,

now

seen for the

first

time,

do even during the holiday at

made

the recejition deeply affecting.

The

Balmoral, and

we

find the j)rince writing to

of the coast

space in these pages will not suffice for dwell-

Lord Palmerston on the subject

ing upon the incidents of that visit to the

scenes of the prince's eaily days; nor need

volunteers and the naval reserve, which had

we


THE PEIXCE OF AVALES IN AMEEICA,
describe

47

them

at length, for the narrative has

gone out in the Euryalus, and while on board

served strictly as a midshipman, had been
received at Cape
siasm,

been written in simple, touching, but graphic

language by the queen herself in her journal,

Town

with much enthuin comjiany

from which

it

has been partly transcribed into

and had re-embarked

with

the Life of die Prince Consort.

the governor, Sir George

Grej'^,

on his tour

Prince Albert had had a narrow escape at

through the colony, where he everjnvhere exjjerienced the loyalty

Coburg
riage in

in consequence of the horses of a car-

and hearty good-will

of

which he was being driven alone tak-

ing fright and dashing onward to a spot where

a bar had been placed across the road to divide

it

The Prince of Wales, who arrived at Plymouth on the 15th on board H.M.S. Hero, had reached Canada amidst great popthe people.
ular I'ejoicings and an enthusiastic welcome,

from the railway

line.

The prince leaped

out only just in time, and though shaken and

sustaining some grazes and contusions, was

which was in no way diminished when he

left

the British possessions and continued his journey, as

not seriously hurt, and at once endeavoured to

assist the drivei',

Lord Eenfrew,

in the

United States of

by the

collision.

who had been badly injured Two of the four horses broke

America.

Nothing could have exceeded the

enthusiastic hospitality of the

American

jDCople

away and
jjrince's

galloped towards Coburg, where

and

their demonsti'ative pleasure at the pre-

they were seen by Colonel Ponsonby, the

equerry,

sence of the heir to the British crown in

the cities of the great republic from Chicago
to Cincinnati,

who immediately

obtained a

carriage,

and with Dr. Baly and another

Washington,

New

York, and

doctor drove along the road to the scene of

the disaster.

Boston. Everywhere arrangements were

for his reception,

made

but at

first

there was an

During the
the

latter pait of the visit,

and on

observance of the fact that the queen had

represented the visit to be a private one.

homeward

journey, the queen sufiered

In

greatly from illness, brought on

cold,

by a severe
of the time

Chicago and Cincinnati the streets were

filled

and aggravated by the inclement weather

with enormous

ci'owds,

whose demonstrations
;

which prevailed for a great portion

of their stay. to

were quiet and respectful

and the municipal

To mark her sense of gratitude Almighty God for the escape of the prince
peril her

and other authorities exhibited genuine and At Washington the courteous hospitality.
prince accompanied the president to the

from imminent

majesty afterwards

home
by
the

estalilished a trust called the Victoria

Foundaover

and the burial-place

"Vernon,

of

Washington
In

at ISIount

tion

by investing 12,000

florins (a little

and

the prince planted a chestnut

1000) in the names of the burgomaster and

chief clei'gyman of

the side of the tomb.

reception

New York

Coburg

as trustees for the

distribution of the interest of the fund on the

1st of October in each year

general, but at the

national,

had broken out of the bounds of a same time not an officially

city of in-

among a

certain

welcome; and Boston, the

number of young men and women of exemplary

character belonging to the humbler ranks, the

tellectual culture,

was almost as demonstrative.

latter

Mr. Charles Sunnier, writing from the

money being intended

to apprentice or other-

city to Mr. Evelyn Denison, speaker of the

wise to assist the young

men

to pursue

some

House
"

of

Commons,
will

said

industrial occupation, or to assist the

young

You

have heard something of the

women

either

by enabling them

to earn their

uprising of the people to welcome the prince.

livelihood or to furaish a maiTiage dowiy.

But
ness.

I doubt

if

any description can give you

of its extent

an adequate idea

and earnest-

The two

princes had been expected back in

of October,

At every

station

on the railway there

local

England by the end

not

but adverse

was an immense crowd, headed by the

authorities,

winds were blowing, and Prince Alfred did

while

our national flags were

I
if

amve

in

Portsmouth

till

the 9th of No-

blended together.
that
it

remarked

to Dr.

Acland

vember, the birth-day of the Prince of Wales,

'seemed as

a young heir long absent

'

who was

still

absent.

Pi-ince Alfred,

who had

was returning

to take possession.'

It

is

more


48

IIIS

GLADSTONE AND
of Newcastle,

CONTEilPOEARIES.
prince to

tlian that,' said lie, afi'ected

almost to tears.

whom
:

it

relates."

In

rejjly

her

For the Duke

triumpli.

who had

so grave

majesty wrote
"

a responsibility in the whole

visit, it is

a great

Your

letter

has afforded
it

me

the greatest

I took the liberty of

remarking to

pleasure, containing as

does such kind exsou,

him

that he

was carrying home an unwritten and

alliance

pressions with regard to

my

and assuring

treaty of amity
nations."

between two great

me
to

that the character and object of his visit

you and to the United States have been

President Buchanan wrote to the queen on

the
"
6tli of

fully appreciated,

and that

October
I

the feelings evinced by

of

his demeanour and him have secured to of

When

had the honour

last, I

addressing

him your esteem and the general good-will

your countrymen.

your majesty in June

confidently pre-

dicted a coi'dial welcome for the Prince of

"I purposely delayed the answer

letter until I should

to

your
it

Wales throughout
xjs

this country, should

he jDay

be able to couple with

a visit on his return from Canada to Eng-

the announcement of the Prince of Wales's

safe }-eturn to his
stress

land.

come

history.

What was then He has

prophecy has

now

bere-

home.

Contrary winds and

been everywhere
;

of

weather have much retarded his

ceived with enthusiasm

and

this

is

attribut1

arrival,

but we have been fully compensated

able not only to the very high regard enter-

for the anxiety

which

this

long delay has

tained for your majesty, but also to his

own
I j

naturally caused us,

excellent health
I

by

finding

him

in such

noble and manly bearing.

He

has passed

and

spirits,

and so delighted

through a long ordeal for a person of his years,

with

all

he has seen and experienced in his

and his conduct throughout has been such

as

travels.

He

cannot sufficiently praise the

became
and
tive

his age

and

station.

Dignified, frank,

great cordiality with which he has been every-

affable,

he

lias conciliated,

wherever he

where greeted in your country, and the friendly

has been, the kindness and respect of a sensi-

manner

in

which you have received him

and

and discriminating people.

been
;

His

visit

thus
j

whilst as a mother I

am

most grateful for the

far has

all

your majesty would have

it

kindness shown him, I feel impelled to express

at the
j

desired

and

have no doubt

will so con-

same time how deeply

have been
afFec-

tinue until the end.

touched by the

many

demonstrations of

"The prince
ing with the

left

us for Ptichmond this mornof Newcastle

tion towards myself personally,

which his preyour nation

look

Duke

and the other

I should
this

sence has called forth.

" I fully reciprocate towards

members

of his wisely selected suite.

visit

gladly have prolonged his

])0ssible consistently

had
he

been

the feelings thus

made

apparent, and

with previous arrangecircle

upon them
character,
j

as forming an important link to

ments.
hearts.

In our domestic

won

all

connect two nations of kindred origin and

His

free

and ingenuous intercourse

I shall ever cherish the

whose mutual esteem and friendship

so material

with myself evinced both a kind heart and a

must always have

upon
"
perity.

an influence

good undei-standing.

their respective

development and pros-

warmest wishes

for his welfare.

"The

visit of

the prince to the

tomb

of

The

interesting

and touching scene

at the

Washington, and the simple but solemn

cere-

grave of General Washington, to which you

allude,

monies at this consecrated spot, will become

may be

fitly

taken as the type of our

an

historical event,

and cannot

fail to

exert a

present feeling, and I trust of our future relations."

happy
two

influence on the kindred people of the

countries."
satis-

The Prince
for to the queen.

oi

Wales was
to

to

go to Cambridge

This letter was received with great

faction.

a year, Prince Alfred was to start in Jamaica, but the

In returning
it

it

Lord

January on a voyage
Hesse on the

Palmerston wrote of
to the good f^eelings

as doing " equal lionour

betrothal of the Princess Alice to Prince Louis

of
3()th of

and

just appreciations of
it,

November was

the

the person

who wrote

and to the royal

next important event in the royal household.

DEATH OF THE DUCHESS OF KENT.

At
this

49

time Prince Albert was suffering from

illness

another attack of

which caused frequent and returned

to

The temporary jjarting between the queen and her beloved mother was to be followed
by a longer
the
one.

uneasiness, though he rallied

In the beginning of March

his arduous engagements, usually

commencing

the duchess underwent a surgical operation in

work as early as half -past seven, even in winter.

The opening of the new year was, as we have seen, somewhat clouded by the death of
the

arm

to relieve the pain

from an abscess,

which

itself

was a symptom

of serious disorder

of the health.

King

of Prussia,

and the remote

political

On

the 15tli of the

month her majesty

re-

horizon was

dim with rumours

of serious dif-

ceived a favourable report of her mother's condition,

ferences which had arisen between the States

of America; the Italian question

and went with the prince-consort

to

and the pro-

inspect the

new gardens

of the

Royal Horti-

bable action of France were, however, more

cultural Society at

South Kensington, then

immediate troubles.

approaching completion, from which the queen

Sunday the 10th

of February, 1861,

was the

returned alone, leaving the prince to transact

business with the committee of the society.

twenty-first anniversary of the royal marriage.

Prince Albert wrote to the Duchess of Kent

at

While there he was suddenly summoned

to

Frogmore

" I cannot let this day go

by without writto

Buckingham Palace by Sir Jas. Clark, who had come up from Frogmore with the intelligence
that the Duchess of

ing to you, even

if I

had not

thank you for

Kent had been

seized with
as a very
on!}-

your kind wishes and the charming photographs.

while,

a shivering
serious

fit,

which he regarded

Twenty-one years make a good long

of age,

symptom.

The queen, who had

and to-day our marriage 'comes

a short time before received a letter from

Lady

according to law.'

We

have faithfully kept

Augusta Bruce, the

night,

duciiess's lady-in-waiting,

our jjledge for better and for worse, and have

only to thank

reporting that the duchess had passed a good

God

that he has vouchsafed so

us.

and seemed altogether

better, describes

mucli happiness to

May

he have us in
!

herself in her diary as " resting quite haiipy in

his keeping for the days to I trust,

come

You

have,
in us,

her arm-chair," having finished her work for

the day, when, soon after
prince
six
o'clock,

found good and loving children

the

and we have experienced nothing but love

came

in

with the tidings which Sir

and kindness from you.

" In the hope that your pains and aches will

now

leave

you

soon, I remain, as ever, yt)ur

affectionate sou,

Albert."

James Clark had brought, and said they ought Without loss of time the to go to Frogmore. queen, with the prince, and also the Princess " The way Alice, went by train to Windsor.
seemed so long,"
diarj'',

Two

days later the queen, writing to King

:

is

the entry in her majesty's

Leopold, said

"On Sunday we

celebrated with feelings of

by eight we were at Frogmore. Here Lord James INIurray and the ladies re" but

deep gratitude and love the twenty -first anniversary of our blessed marriage, a day which

ceived us, and, alas! said

it

was

just the same,

but
was.

still I

did not then realize

what

it

reallv

has brought to us, and, I

may

say, to the

Albert went up, and when he returned

in

world at

large, such

incalculable blessings
their
is

with tears
me.
. . .

his eyes I

saw what awaited

bed-room, ami

Very few can say with me, that

at the end of twenty-one years
of

husband
full

With
sofa,

a trembling heart I went up

tlie

not only

the staircase and entered

liere,

the

friendship,

kindness,

and
in the

aiTection
it,

on a

supported by cushions, the

sat,

which a truly hap])y marriage brings with

but of the same tender love as
very

room much darkened,

leaning back,

my
in

fii-st

beloved mama, breathing rather heavily,

days of our

marriage

We

missed

dear

her silk dressing-gown, with her cap on, looking quite herself.
. . .

Mama

and three of our children, but had six

us,

dear ones round

and assembled in the

still

" Seeing that our presence did not disturb

evening those of our household

remaining,

her I knelt Ijeforo her, kissed her dear liand,

who were with

Vol. IV.

us then."

and placed

it

next

my cheek

but thougli she

67

'

! !

50

GLADSTONE AND HIS COXTEMPOEAEIES.

not, I think,
off,'

opened her eyes, she did

me. She brushed
ful reality

know
first

ing the beloved hand, which was

still

warm
I

my hand

and the dread-

and
felt

soft,

though heavier, in both

of mine.

was before me that for the

the end was fast approaching, as Clark

call

time she did not

know

the child she had ever

!

went out to
m}' heart

Albert and Alice, I only

left
if

received with such tender smiles

to sob.

went out
if

gazing on that beloved face, and feeling as

...

I asked the doctors

there

would brenk.
and
;

...

It

was a

was no hope.
It

They

said,

they feared, none

left her.
. . .

solemn, sacred, never-to-be-forgotten scene.

" Fainter

whatever, for consciousness had

fainter

grew the breathing.

was

suffusion of water on the chest

on.
. .

which

At

last it ceased

but there was no change of

;

had come

."

countenance, nothing

the eyes closed, as they

, . .

"As

the night wore on into the morning,"

had been for the

last half-hour.

The

a^ain to quote her majesty's diary, " I lay

down
the

clock struck half-past nine at the very

moment.

on the sofa at the foot

I could lie
still.

of

my bed, where at least

hour
strike,

Convulsed with sobs, I

covered
it

fell

upon the hand, and

lifted

I heard each

with

kisses.

Albert

me up

cock crow, the dogs barking at a distance.

and took me into the next room, himself

entirely melted into
teai-s,

Every sound seemed

most
soul.

to strike into one's in-

which

is

unusual

What would
to

dearest

Mama

have
roof,

for him, deep as his feelings are,

and clasped

thought of our passing a night under her

me

in his arms.
'
!

I asked

if all

was over; he
after a

and she not

again.

know

it

At

four I went

down

said,

All

still

nothing to be heard but the

striking, at every

Yes "I went

into the

room again
look.

few

heavy breathing, and the

minutes,

and gave one

My
!

darling
before,

quarter, of the old repeater, a large watch in

mother was

sitting as she
!

had done

a tortoise-shell case, which had belonged to

my

but was already white

O God

How

awful

poor father, the sound of which brought back

all

How
Her
But

mysterious

But what a

blessed end

the recollections of
it

my

childhood, for I

gentle spirit at rest, her sufferings over

I,

always used to hear

at night, but

had not
!

I,

wretched child

who had
from

lost the

heard

it

for

now
it

twenty-three yeara

I re-

mother

I so tenderly loved,

whom

for

mained kneeling and standing by that beloved

parent, wliom
lessly

these forty-one years I had never been parted

seemed too awful

till

to see hope-

except for a few weeks, what was

my
to

case?

leaving me,

half-past four,
I

when,

My

childhood

everything
to

seemed

crowd

feeling faint

and exhausted,

went upstairs

upon me at
through a

once.

I seemed to have lived

again and lay

down

in silent misery, during

life,

have become old

What

which I went tlirough in thought past times,

had dreaded, and fought

years,

off the idea of for

and the

fearful

coming ones, with the awful

had come, and must be borne. and ker peace and

The
rest,

blank which would make such an inroad into

our happy family
life."

blessed future meeting,

must henceforward be
If

my
it

comfort."

About

half-hast seven the queen returned

anything could soothe the feelings of her

to the duchess's room,

where the end was now

There was no return of
eight o'clock, again to

child at such an hour,

see

would have been

to

visibly approaching.

consciousness.

About

quote the queen's diary, "Albert took

of the

me

out

how loved and how mourned the Duchess of Kent was by every member of her houseSome hold, from the highest to the lowest.
of

room
ojien

for a short while,

but I could not

them had been

in her service for

more than
felt

remain.

When

I returned the
doors.

window was
on a foot.

thirty years,

and there was not one but

lost.

wide
stool,

and both

I sat
. .

that in her a dear friend had been

as evening

When,

holding her dear hand.

]\Iean-

drew
so

on, the

hour came for the

and go

time the dear face grew paler (though, in truth, her cheeks had that pretty fresh colour they

queen and prince to leave the house, endeared

to

them by

many

associations,

to

always had, up to within half-an-hour of the

last),

Windsor

Castle, they left it

through a crowd
every one of

the features longer, sharper.

I fell

The breathknees, hold-

of familiar faces

bathed in
special

tears,

ing became easier.

on

my

wliom had some

link of association

THE SHADOW OF DEATH.

with her,

51
in his diary attested that

whom

they were to see no more.

entry

now and then

ill

" It was," as the record already quoted notes,

he

felt

wretched depressed.
liable to

The queen

"a

fearful

moment.

All

lit

up, as

when we had
the aiTiving

was anxious, and those immediately associated

with the royal family feared that his condition

arrived the night before.

I clung to the dear

room, to the house, to

at

all,

and

was such as to render him

illness

more serious

Windsor

Castle

was dreadful."^

should he be exposed to any exciting

The

princess royal set out from Berlin as

soon as the sad intelligence reached her, and

her presence and the faithful affection of the

prince consoi't, helped to comfort the heart
of the queen. It
is

The prince never seemed what one may call a grip on life. People of His physical vitality was low. great physical vitality may work on through
cause of disease.
to have

a merciful condition of

pain and sickness and tem25orary feebleness

our present existence that we cannot foresee

tlie

by sheer
by moral

force of will

and recuperative power;

vitality

trials

which we are

to meet, or the ad-

on the other hand people of low

ness that

may,

vancing shadows of that fatal year would

coui'age, refuse to notice the

is

weak-

have overwhelmed the royal wife and mother.

creeping on them and will work

it.

The Prince Consort had long been

health.

in poor

on in

spite of

In these respects the same

He

suffered

from imperfect digestion,

apparent results
tion

may be attained by self-asserPrince Albert

from weakness, from rheumatic pains, from

sleeplessness.

and by

self-suppression.
of his

He

had never allowed himself

was well aware

dency.
I set

own

constitutional tenlife.

enough

of actual repose.

Even

his recreations

" I do not cling to

it,"

You

do; but

api)ear to

have been taken with a kind of

no store by

he had said to the queen

" If I
for, I

methodical determination to
as another kind of duty.

make

use of

them
har-

in the course of a conversation not very long

He

seems to have
official

before his fatal illness.

I love

knew
I

that those

perpetually saddled himself with

ness.

were well cared

should be quite

In the

latter

days of his

life

the train-

ready to die to-mori'ow.

...
I

am

sure

if

ing of his old tutor Baron Stockmar began to

had a severe

illness I

should give up at once, I

life.

show

its

weak

side.

Stockmar had a notion

and define the i^olitical
of

should not struggle for

city of life."

have no tena-

that he could
])Ositions

settle

and proper methods

government

of all the countries of

tlie

Europe

if

the rulers and

people would but listen to his philosophic

interference.

Prince Albert was too wise to

be a meddler, but he was always anxious to be doing something to help on the government
of the country,

Whether he had already become affected by gastric fever when he went, weak and " out of sorts," to Sandhurst on the 27th of November, 1861, to inspect the buildings for the Staff College and Eoyal Military Academy
low or
then in progress, could not be positively declared.

and

his sagacity

was

really

It

was, however, to that journey,

in a condition to receive

often of so

much importance both

to the qiaeen

made while he was

and

to the ministry, while his tact in avoiding

injury from fatigue or exposure or other deleterious influences, that the subsequent character of the illness

the assumjition of authority was so good, that

he was prone to undertake an amount of public

business which his physical powers were unable to sustain.

was

attributed.

It

was

but three or four hours' drive from Windsor

to Sandhurst

Unhaj^pily he continued to

and back, but the weather was

Still

work
sent

in spite of

him at His was not a physique

want
of sleep

symptoms which should have once to rest and to cai*eful nursing.

to bear pain or to

temjjestuous with incessaiit rain.

there

seemed

to be little to apprehend,

and though
felt tireil

his sleeplessness continued,

and he

recover quickly from the weakness caused by

and uncomfortable, he went out shooting with

Prince Ernest of Leiningen the next day.

and want
free

of digestive power,

but he had

tlie

courage to act as though he

On

the

Sunday

his discomfort

and feeling of
visited

was comparatively
1

from suffering.

An

illness continued,

but on the

Monday he

the Pi-ince of Wales at Cambridge, returning

TJw Queen's Diary; Life of
the Prince Consort.

on the following day.

The weather was

still

52

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

I'ecovery, the fluctuations of the disorder
rise

very stormy, and ou his again arriving at

gave

Windsor he was much

as at that time there

prostrated.

He

would

to

serious ajjprehensions.

Dr.

Watson
All

not treat himself as an invalid, however, and

and Sir Henry Holland were

called in.

was much excitement

that medical skill could accomplish was doubtless

because of the serious dispute with America

secured, but the depressed condition of

about the seizure of Mr. Mason and Mr.

Slidell

the prince, his inability to take food, his pros-

on board

tlie

Trent (a matter to which

to refer)

tation from want of

of vital force

sleep,

and that want

we

shall

presently have

he was

were against him.

indeed every
all to

Lord Palof

almost constantly occupied in conference or

correspondence with members of the govern-

merston, and

member

the

government, nay,

whom

the intelligence
felt

ment.

The

last

thing ever written by the

of the patient's condition

was conveyed,

prince were alterations and

amendments which
to

the greatest grief and anxiety.

It

he proposed should be made in the despatch

sent from
tlie

may

be imagined what days of sorrow

government
by

Lord Lyons as
it

those must have been to the queen herself,

our representative at Washington, and

to the impression caused

was

who, with the Princess Alice, was there to

his reisreseutations

watch and soothe and read

could bear it; and who,

to

him while he
the last sad

that the success of the despatch was largely

attributed.

when

hours came, would only leave his bedside for

the prince increased, and
the adjoining room.

The

illness of

We can

do no more than

though he appeared

amidst the guests at

record the great and solemn grief of the ten-

Windsor
Lord

Castle,

Mrs. Gladstone, the

Cailisle,

among whom were Mr. and Due de Nemours and he suffered much from weak-

der devoted wife, and the sorrow of the loving

daughter.

In

tlie

simple woi'ds of her

own

diary her majesty afterwards wrote of those

ness and depression.

He slept little,

felt chilly

parting hours, and they are the words of a

lieart-stricken

and wretched, and could take very

Still

little

food.

woman, who

3'et,

with the

self-

he observed his usual habits of industry,

after the arrival of the pro-

control that

is

one of her queenly virtues, gave

and the morning

way
and

to outbursts of sorrow only in private,

posed despatches to Lord Lyons at Washington, rose at seven o'clock to write the

sat outwardly calm

and ready for whis-

memor-

pered word or sign, with the beloved head

leaning upon her shoulder, the Jiand clasped
in

andum

containing the

amendments which he

submitted to the queen.

her own.

By
tlie

the time that a letter reached

him from
of

Early on the morning of Saturday the 14th

ministers, speaking in high terms of the

December the

prince's appearance

had

in-

draft containing these amendments, he

was

dicated some rallying of his powers, and physicians

worse.

On

the morning of the 2d of

for,

Decem-

and attendants were striving

to

hope

ber Dr. Jenner was sent

and was followed

that the crisis

might pass favourably, but

by

Sir

James

Clark.

The prince was unable

and Lord Palmerston,

during the day the sj^mptoms became unmistakable.

to appear at dinner,

As

the evening advanced her ma-

who with the Duke of Newcastle and Sir Allan M'Nab fi'om Canada had arrived as guests, was much distressed, and urged that a third
physician should be sent
for.

jesty retired to give

way

to her grief in the

adjoining room.

She had not long been gone and the Princess

when

a rapid change set in,

This was not

Alice was requested by Sir

thought to be necessary, and for two or three

days afterwards there was

ask her majesty to return.

James Clark to The import of the

the queen
left

much hope

that

summons was
was already

too

plain.

When

the disorder might take a favourable turn

entered she took the prince's

cold,

hand, "which

without the development of fever, of which

though the breathing was

Unhappily these hopes were frustrated. Day after day, though there were many symptoms
the prince himself had a peculiar dread.
that appeared to be not unfavourable to his

quite gentle," and knelt

down by

his side.

On

the other side of the bed

was the Princess

Alice, while at its foot knelt the Prince of

Wales (who had been summoned from Cam-

DEATH OF PRINCE ALBERT.

bridge the previous evening) and the Princess

53

asylums, of open spaces and exhibitions, of

better means of learning, and working, and

Helena.

Not

far

from

tlie

foot of the

bed

were Prince Ernest Leiningen, the physicians,

playing in large towns, had

left

the queen a
princesses

and the

prince's valet Lohlein.

General the
!

widow and
fatherless.

the

young princes and

Hon. Robei't Bruce knelt opposite to the queen, and the Dean of Windsor, Sir Charles
Phipps, and General Grey, were also in the

'

Before the words of the ])Oet-laureate gave

the emphasis of noble words to the message
that had already gone out from the hearts of

room.

"In the solemn hush chamber there was such

hallowed any death-bed.

of

that mournful

the people in signs and sounds of grief, the

grief as has rarely

name "Albert
public memory.

the

Good" had been accepted

in the

A great light, which

in its significance

and made enduring

of

had blessed the world, and which the mourners had but yesterday hoped might long bless it,

Realizing

what manner

man

Prince

was waning

fast

away.

husband, a father,

Albert was, and truly estimating the work

of his that should
live after him,

a friend, a master, endeared by every quality

and the

by which man
Silent Land,

in such relations can

win the

memory
better or
to his

of

him

that would be most likely

love of his fellow-man,

was passing into the

to endure, there could scarcely

have been a

and

his loving glance, his wise

more

just

and appropriate tribute

that delivered

counsels, his firm

manly thought should be

more.

memory than

by Mr.

known among them no

clock chimed

The

castle

Gladstone in his address before the Association of Lancashire

the third

quarter after ten.

and Cheshire Mechanics'

after the death
of the

Calm and peaceful grew the beloved form

the features settled into the beauty of a perfectly serene repose;
gentle, breaths wei'e

Institutes at Manchester, on the 23d of April,

1862,

and therefore shortly

two or three

long, but

of the prince

and during the pressure

drawn; and that great

its

cotton famine.

The

occasion, the audience,

soul

had

fled, to

seek a nobler scope for

the circumstances, were such as would well

serve to turn men's thoughts to the bereave-

aspirations in the world within the veil, for

which

it

had often yearned, where there

and where the
'

is

ment which
tained.

the country had so recently susat least see in the

rest for the weary,

spirits of

We may

words
felt

the just are

made

perfect.'"^

themselves some reflection of what was

These words, quoted from the closing chapter of

the record

which the queen herself

eulogistic

directed

and approved, need no

what even now continues to be felt in relation to a loss which was a national calamity. Mr. Gladstone said
and
of
:

addition here.

When

the great bell of St.

tlie

"

In

many

a humble cottage, darkened by

Paul's tolled fur the death of

prince

had outlived
all

false rej^roach

and lived
it

who down
deep
its

the calamity of the past winter, the mourning

inhabitants

may have checked

their

own im-

but the basest suspicion,

struck
it,

its

patience by reflecting that, in the ancient

palace of our kings, a

note to every heart that heard

and

woman's heart lay bleedand

in

solemn echo sounded

through the empire.

alone.

ing; and that to the supreme place in birth,

in station, in splendour,

The queen did not mourn

nation sorrowed with her.

The whole
about

power, was
title of pre-

Men went
felt

now added
eminence

another and sadder

speaking low,

women

wept, and even children

the shadow
that " Prince

in grief.

looked with wistful faces and

of a great grief

when they heard

they

Albert," whose portrait

had seen in

"For perhaps no sharjier stroke ever cut human lives asunder than that which in December last parted, so far as this world of
sense
is

almost every

street,

whose name had been

all

concerned, the lives of the Queen of

of her chosen consort.
all,

associated with nearly

of

that

had been

told

England and

It

had
in

new

parks, and schools, orphanages, and

been obvious to us

though necessarily

different degrees, that they

1

were blest with

Life of the Prince Consort. h\ Sir Tlieodore Martin.

the possession of the secret of i-econciling the

54
discharge of

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

incessant and

wearing puLlic

grasp on practical

life

in all

its

forms, he

duty with the cultivation of the inner and

domestic
life.

united a habit of thought eminently philosophic; ever referring facts to their causes,

The attachment that hinds

to-

and

gether wife and husband was

their case,

known

to be in
first,

pursuing action to

its

consequences.

and

to

have been from the

of

an unusual
years,

force.

Through more than twenty

like one long un-

other worthies of

"Gone though he be from among us, he, like mankind who have preceded
is

which flowed past

him,

not altogether gone

for, in

the words

clouded

summer

day, that attachment

was
all

of the poet

cherished, exercised,

and strengthened by

" Your heads must come

'

the forms of family interest,

by

all

the asso-

To the cold tomb

Only the actions of the
just,

ciated pursuits of highly cultivated minds,

all

by

Smell sweet and blossom in their dust.'

the cares and responsibilities which sur-

round the throne, and which the prince was

called, in his

"So he has

left for all

men,

in all classes,

and
rai'e,

to share.

own On

sphere, both to alleviate

many
it

a useful lesson to be learnt from the

life

the one side, such love

is

record of his

and character.

For example,

even in the annals of the love of woman; hard to know

would, I believe, be
of a life

difficult to find aiiy-

on the other, such service can hardly find a

parallel, for it is

where a model
in Manchester,

more highly organized,

in the world,

how

a husband

more thoroughly and compactly ordered. Here

if

could render

it

to a wife, unless that wife

anywhere

you

were

also queen.

"So, then, she

whom

you have seen in your

know what order is and what a power it holds. Here we see at work the vast systems of
machinery, where ten thousand instruments
are ever labouring, each
place, each

streets a source of joy to

you

all,

and

herself

drinking in with cordial warmth the sights

in its

own proper
but
all

and the sounds

is

of

your

eiithusiastic loyalty,
first of

with

its

own

proj^er duty,
all

now

to be thought of as the

English

obedient to one law, and

co-operating for

widows, lonely in proportion to her elevation

one end.
great

Scarcely in one of these your

own
of

and her

cares

establishments are
its

the

principles

" If the

mourning of the nation

for the Prince

order and

power more vividly exemplified,

life

Consort's death
tain precincts
"
it

was
was

universal, yet within ceralso special

life

than they were in the mind aud

Prince Consort.
is

of the

Now
may

this

way

of excelling

In his well-ordered
for all things

there seemed to be

one that we

all

follow.

There

is

not
not,

room

for every manly exercise,

of art, for the ex-

one among us
if

all,

here gathered,

who may

for the study

and practice

he

will, especially if

he be

still

young, by

acting cares of a splendid court, for minute

attention to every domestic
for advice

the simple specific of giving method to his

life,

and paternal duty,

of

greatly increase

its

power and

efficacy for

and aid towards the discharge

its

good.

public business in

innumerable forms, and

"But he would be a
prince

sorry imitator of the

for meeting the voluntary calls of an active

who

should suppose that this j^rocess

philanthropy:

one day in

considering

the

could be satisfactorily performed as a mechanical process, in

spirit,

best form for the dwellings of the people;

a presumptuous or in a servile
selfish or to
his,

another day in bringing his just and gentle

influence to bear on the relations of master

and with a view to

worldly
to

ends.

A life

that

is

to

be like

ought

and domestic servant; another in suggesting and supplying the means

most uiimerous
of culture for the
classes; anotlier in

find refreshment

even in the midst of labours;

nay, to

draw refreshment from them.

do, unless

But

some good
it

this it cannot

men

can take up

work

of almsgiving or religion.

Nor was

the v'aried employments of the world with

merely external activity which he displayed.

something of a childlike freshness.

they

Few

are

His mind,

it is

evident,

was too deeply earnest

who

carry on with

them that

childlike
life.

to be satisfied in anything, smaller or greater,

freshness of the earliest years into after

It is that especial light of

with resting on the surface.

With

a strong

Heaven, described

'

55

PUBLIC SORROW FOR THE DEATH OF PRINCE CONSORT.

by Wordsworth
iu his

immortal Ode on

the

These words of Mr. Gladstone may be said

to

Recollections of Childhood ; that light

'

have jjermanently recorded feelings which

his colleagues

had been expressed not only by

Wliich
lies

about us in our infancy,'

in the

government and by leading speakers

by ministers
of religion in
of addresses

which attends even the youth upon

but at length
'

his

way;

iu parliament, but

places of worship
of condolence
it

and by means

forwarded to her majesty from

The man perceives

die away,

And

fade into the light of

common

day.

all i^arts of

the kingdom.

this countiy

and

to a large

To the people of number of persons

little

Its radiance still plays

about a favoured few

abroad the death of Prince Albert was

less

they are those few who, like the prince, strive

earnestly to keep tliemselves unspotted from

than a personal bereavement and had an

individual influence.

The

grief

was intimate
national.

the world, and are victors in the

strife.

and

sincere; the

mourning was truly

"In beseeching, especially the young, to study

the application to their daily
ciple of order
life of

that jnin-

The sermon preached by Dean Milnian at St. Paul's Cathedral on the first Sunday after
the news of the Prince Consort's death contained a passage which well expressed the

which engenders both diligence

of will,

and strength

and likewise so greatly

multiplies their power, I

am well

assured that
intellec-

common sentiment

of

the country
it is felt

"

From

they will find this to be not only an

tual but a moral exercise.

the highest to the lowest

that a great

Every

real
is

and

example has been removed from among us

an example of the highest and the humblest
duties equally fulfilled

.searching effort at self-improvemeut

of itself

a lesson of profound humility. not

For we can-

of
as
it

the household and

father,

move

a step without learning and feeling

everyday virtues

of the

husband and

the waywardness, the weakness, the vacillation of our movements, or without desiring to

practised in a quiet and unostentatious way.

without

effort or aid

were by the spongenei-ous

be set up upon the Rock that

ourselves.
self-denial
efforts

is

higher than

taneous workings of
natuie.

a true and

Nor, again,

is

it

likely that the

To be not only blameless but more

is

and

self-discipline

which these
will

than blameless in those relations

not too

undoubtedly involve,

often

be
ele-

common

in such high positions

but his duties

cordially undergone, except

by those who

to the queen's subjects as well as to the queen,

vate and extend their vision beyond the nar-

his duties to the great

English family dis-

row scope

of

the years

be

they what we

persed throughout

all

the world as well as to

admit to be few, or what we think to be

the young family within the chambers of the

palace,

many

that are
An
is its

prescribed for our career on

were discharged with calm thought

earth.

untiring sense of duty, an active

and

silent assiduity.

No

waste of time iu

consciousness of the perpetual

presence of

frivolous

amusement,
its

in vain

pomp and
:

glory,

Him who
most

author and

its

law,

and

a lofty

but usefulness iu
of benevolence

highest sense
;

schemes
educa-

aim beyond the grave

apparatus wherewith

these are the best and

every sense, of that

promoted

jDlans for the

efficient parts, in

tion of the people suggested

and fostered with

we should be armed,
work
of self-improve-

prudent and far-seeing counsel, and with profound personal interest; great movements for
the improvement of
industry,
if

when with
ment.
I

full

purpose of heart we address

ourselves to the life-long

all

branches of national
foot,

And

I believe that the lesson

which

not set on

maintained with
.short,

have thus, perhaps at once too boldly and

a steady and persevering impulse; in

too feebly, presumed to

convey to you in

notwithstanding foreign birth and education,

a
full

words,
for

is

the very lesson which was taught us

to

and perfect
English

identification of

himself

twenty years, and has been bequeathed

with

interests,

English

character,

us for lasting
in the nobler

memory by
form of

the Prince Consort,

English social advancement. All these tilings

action, in the silent witlife."

have sunk gradually,

national mind.

if

not slowly, into the

ours, not merely

ness of an earnest, manful and devoted

He was

by

56
adoption, but, as
ture."

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

it

were, by a secoud na-

during a fearful storm in which she kept near

a lee shore in the hope of meeting with a pilot
for Liverpool.

After the death of the Prince Consort the

The

gale

was so violent
let

that,

Queen,

who had been during

tliat

sorrowful
of

though the two anchors were

go and the

time aided

by the calm devotion

the

engines wei-e worked at full speed to lessen

the strain, the chain cables parted and she

Princess Alice, called her children around her,

and, though borne

down with

grief,

exhorted

was driven on shore and stinck on the rocks

astern.

them
took

to assist her in doing her

duty by them
of the prince

The

passeugei-s,

among whom were

children,

and by the country. The funeral

i)lace at St.

a large number of

women and

had

George's Chapel, Windsor,

been unaware of any serious cause for alarm

wlien the vessel began to beat upon the sharp

on the 23d
b}'

of

December, and, though attended

some

of the highest dignitaries of the realm

pointed rocks.
cut

and the royal household, the ceremony was

almost
jjrivate.

The masts and rigging were away without avail, and she was thrown

The

coffin

was only placed

and not
in

broadside on and perfectly upright on the

shelving stonj' beach, from which a rock projected not

in the entrance of the royal vault

the vault
to

itself,

as her majesty

had determined
in the gar-

have a mausoleum constructed

head.

more than twenty yards from her One of the crew, a Portuguese named

dens at Frogmore, and had already selected

the place which was to be occupied
building.

Joseph Eogei-s, bravely volunteered to caiTy

a rope on shore, and succeeded in stmggling

by the
this

Within a year afterwards

with

it

through the heavy

surf.

A
to

hawser
but

mausoleum was completed, and on the 18th

of

was then hauled out and fastened on shore and a "boatswain's chair" rigged
use being
it,

December, 1862, the remains of the

St.

Pi-ince

Consort were removed thither from

George's

the fury of the wind and sea prevented

much
ter-

Chapel, a temjjorary stone sarcophagus having

made

of

it.

In the saloon the

been provided to receive the

gns afterwards prepared for
of

coffin,

which was

ror-stricken passengers

had assembled and a

not finally placed in the permanent sarcophait

clergyman, Mr. Hodge, attempted to hold a

religious service
;

until the 28th

but the waves were ah-eady

even while Captain

November, 1868.
Although the queen in her deep

pouring through, and

Taylor and another

gi-ief

officer

were endeavourbroke the

to break

had

ing to allay the feare of those around them a

succession of tremendous shocks
vessel amidships

felt

unable to take any public part in

affairs

of state,

and remained

in seclusion for a longer

and she soon began

period

than some of her subjects thought

desirable, she continued to
all

up.

few of the crew contrived to reach

was necessary or
cerned
people.

the shore

by the hawser, some persons

wei-e

manifest her genuine inteiest in

the

that conof

flung bruised and almost senseless on the rocks

happiness

and welfare

the
of
af-

by the

force of

the waves, but of those on

At about
a

the time

when a year

board 459 perished, Captain Taylor having

mourning had expired a great calamity

fecting

been the

last seen alive

on board, where he
but did not
All the
left

number

of

the humbler class of

had lashed himself

were

to a sjiar,

the population called forth her ready sym-

succeed in his attempt to escape.

officer's

pathy and aroused a feeling of pity throughout the country.

Colliery,

lost.

Few

storms have

such

The accident

at the Hartley

strange evidences of their violence.

safe containing the ship's treasure

near Newcastle-on-Tyne, probably

The iron was after-

excited

more consternation than any

tragical

wards discovered

to

have been broken up into

event since the wreck of the Royal Charter in

October, 1859.

shapeless masses, and in the crushed fragments

of smaller iron boxes, sovereigns
of gold

The Royal

Charter, a

home-

and nuggets

ward bound steamer from

a lai'ge
sions, including

Australia, carrying
their jiosses-

were found imbedded as though they

wreck

number of passengers and

a
in

formed part of the substance of the metal.

considerable quantity of

The appalling circumstances

had made
it

of this

gold,

was wrecked

Eed wharf Bay, Anglesea,

historical.

In the records of such

THE HAETLEY COLLIERY TRAGEDY.

calamities
tlie

57

wreck

of

the Royal

Charter

of the unfortunate
spot,

stood forth with terrible distinctness.

The
re-

and carried

far

men were killed on the down among the ruins.

story of the recovery of the bodies, of the

Of the remaining
time,

awfid solemn scene of the funeral in that

six thi-ee survived for some and the others were ultimately rescued.
as soon as the accident

mote Welsh burial-ground at Llanalgo near

Moelfra on the
quirers
coast,

Of course

was known

and

of the anxious in-

help arrived from the neighboui'ing collieries,

who journeyed

thither to look
still

upon

and every
ber of
only

the faces of the dead, was

remembered

when, more than two years afterwards, on the

16th of January, 1862, tidings came of another
dreadful
accident,

ettbrt was made to reach the nummen and boys im]j>risoned below; but two men at a time could work at remov-

ing the obstruction, and they had to be slung

not
life

upon the
and activity

sea,

but

by ropes

in the

narrow

space.

INIeanwhile
in the

amidst
pit,

all

the busy

of a coal-

the scene around the pit's

mouth and

where a hundred and ninety-nine men and

neighbourhood was sad and touching.

police

The

boys were working " underground."

had some

difiiculty in

keeping the space

about the bank top sufficiently clear for the

The main
ley Colliery

features of the calamity at Hart-

work

to be carried

on.

Crowds

of

people

may

be soon indicated.

Closely

came from the adjoining mining

even from distant places.

villages,

and

adjoining the shaft of the mine on the east

side,

Numbers

of

women
chill

was a substantial stone structure contain-

remained
after

all

day in sad foreboding groups,

night.

ing the machinery employed for keeping the

pit clear of water.

having stood near the mine in the

one of the largest

The pumping-engine was to be met with in the coal

400 horses.

air of the

November

The wives and

imprisoned

families of the

men who were

There were

trade, with a jjower equal to

below passed hither and thither with sorrowstricken faces.

j)lenty of experi-

The accident occurred about half-past ten the morning. The greater body of the miners in the pit had gone in at one o'clock
in in the

enced

men, with brave hearts and strong

and though

hands, but the work could only be effected

slowly
;

morning, and were just about being

it

was
for

said that at one

relieved to

come

to

bank by the back

In

shift,

time on the Saturday (the third day of their

inijirisonmeut) the

which went
sets of

in at nine o'clock. of the first shift

shift

fact,

two

men

whom

they were

men

had got to bank,

labouring were heard working and signalling

in the shaft, the obstructions

and the third

was "riding" or coming

and had got hauled

up the shaft

in the cage,

to be

more

solid

and

closely

had been found wedged together as

halfway up when the beam of the pumpingengine overhanging the shaft at the bank

the explorers worked to the lower part of the

shaft.

Signals were

made and not answered,

retired

suddenly and without any warning snapped

in

and the sounds which had been heard ceased.

It

two, the projecting outer half, weighing

of

was supposed that the men had

into the workings.

upwards

twenty tons, falling with a

right

tre-

more

mendous crash
shaft.

down

the centre of the

the \ni felt confident

The managers of that there was not the

It struck tlie top of the brattice

and
ex-

least cause for alarm, unless the

men

should
this

carried the

woodwork and timber, which

the shaft.

suffer

from

tlie

effects of foul air;

and

tended from the top to the bottom of the shaft,

with
it

apprehension, as the event proved, was unhappily too well founded.

ing

down

It encountered the

The work

of clear-

ascending cage, bringing

halfway.
that they

up

eight miners,

away

the obstructions in the shaft was

The survivors
first

of the party stated

continued night and day with unremitting

vigour; but the

observed something shoot past

velocity of a thunderbolt, and

men engaged

in this praisefelt

them with the

worthy, but

difficult

and dangerous, task

I^resently fouuil themselves

overwhelmed by

the effects of the gases which had been gene-

a perfect hail of broken beams and planks.

rated below, and were coni])el]cd to susjiend

operations
till

The

iron cage in

which they were ascending

and two

a ventilating apparatus, comclotli

was shattered

to pieces liy the shock,

posed of cloth, and called a

bratticing.

58
could be arranged.

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

This was completed on
the shaft being
deputies

named Tennant, a
it

fine fellow w'ho

Wednesday afternoon; and

cleared, to

had been

to the Australian gold

mines bat

some

extent, of gas, the terrible

all its

had returned, would,

was

believed, lead the

tragedy was revealed in

horrors.

Three

men

out of the

i^it

and

to a place secure

from

pitmen (volunteers) went down, penetrated

the obstruction, got into the yard seam by the
engine-drift,

the water.

This they succeeded in doing, and,

like true captains of industry,

they died at

and found men lying dead

at the

their post.

Tliey had struggled

up through

They pushed their way through. The air was bad. Within the door they found a large body of men sleeping the sleep of death. They retreated and came to bank
furnace.

the furnace drift after the accident, and had

hacked and hewn at the obstruction in the

shaft until the

of stone took place in the shaft

Sunday afternoon, when a fall which drove

at the

with the appalling intelligence.

them away, and they were found lying

post of danger, but the post of

Those who went aU through the works

found no living man, but a hecatomb of dead
bodies.

duty

the

furnace ^having died in mortal agony, the

The bulk

of the bodies

were lying

in

men and boys "in by" having

slept quietly

subsequently

the gallery near the shaft.

Families were

away.
colliers

lying in groups; children in the arms of their

fathers;

The Hartley

had the character

of

brothers with brothers.

placid as
if

Most

of

being steady and thoughtful men.

There
of

them looked

asleep,
tall

but higher up,

was no public-house within a mile

village;

the

near the furnace, some

to have died hard.
cleared.

stout

men seemed
a
little

many

of the

miners were abstain-

The
of the

corn-bins were all

Some few

men had

corn in their pockets.

pony was lying

ers from intoxicating drinks, and several of them were local preachers and class leaders among the Methodist communities. A num-

dead among the men, but untouched.

ber of the dead were lying in rows on each

side, all quiet

To

the usual danger of foul air was added

and placid as

if

in a

deep sleep

the inroad of water into the workings.

"yard seam," where most

of

The the men had

till

after a

heavy day's work.

In a book taken

from the pocket of the overman was a memor-

taken refuge, was not reached

the 22d,

andum dated

" Friday afternoon (17th), half-

and those lying there bore the appearance

of

past two o'clock.

Edward Armstrong, Thomas

ill.

having been suffocated two or three days

Indications of piety and of courage were

Gledson, John Hardie, Thomas Bell, and others, took extremely

before.

We

had

also a prayer-

meeting at a quarter to two, when Tibbs, H.

Sharp, J. Campbell, H. Gibson, and William

not wanting from the

first.

Two

of the

men

who were knocked

out of the cage were partly

Palmer

(here the sentence

to families
;

was incomplete).
also."

buried in the ruins which choked the shaft.

Tibbs exliorted to us again, and Sharp

The elder Sharp could be heard praying among the rubbish where he was buried. Thomas Watson, who was hanging by the broken cage, heard the moans and prayers of his unfortunate companion, and though the

Messages
on
flasks

were found scratched

and boxes
little

there appeared to have

been no
death.

calm and peace at meeting

much

bruised by

The scene

as the bodies were slowly rescued

wood that had struck him, he dropped himself down the jjump on to the rubbish in which poor Sharp was biuied, and prayed with him until he expired, though every moment Watson himself expected to be engulfed
where he stood.
After Sharp's death Watson

to the bank was very painful. About 5000 people had assembled by that time, and the widows and orphans knew the worst.

and brought

Occasionally a stifled groan or a hysteric cry

would be heard from the crowd as some well-

known

face slowly rose

up out

of the

dark

scrambled back to the cage, where he hung

for

chasm, but for the most part a reverent silence

many

hours,

till

he and his other two

was kept througliout.

present condition
it

With

the shaft in

its

companions were rescued.

was found impossible

to

Amos, the "overman,"' and one

of

his

lower a cage of the usual character, and the

THE CHINESE WAH-EXPEDITION TO PEKTN.

bodies were brouglit up in slings passed under
to the last

59 a consider-

had hoped that at

least

the armpits.

As

each came to earth

in

it

was

able

number

of the poor people

alive.

might have

unslung,

wrajij^ed

a winding-slieet, and

been recovered
since received

The appalling news

nie to say

placed in a coffin which stood by on a truck.

has afflicted the queen veiy

As each was
on the
coffin,

identified his

name was chalked

much.

Her majesty commands

is

and

it

was wheeled away fiom

that her teuderest sympathy

with the poor

the platform and delivered over to the friends

widows and mothers, and that her own misery

only makes her feel the more for them.

who

stood waiting outside the barrier.

The

Her
and

bodies of those

men who

lived in the village

majesty hopes that everything will be done as

far as possible to alleviate their distress,

hard by were carried there at once, and for

others

who came from a

distance there were

Still, this

her majesty will have a sad satisfaction in

assisting in such a measure."

hearses and carts in waiting.

process

was slow, and in leaving the

lines of piled-up coffins,

colliery to get to

the railway station the path lay through long

There were 103 widows and 257 children

left

some

of

which had

destitute,

while the

already received their ghastly burden and

others were standing ready for
it.

parents,

and other

relatives

The
it

coffins

for support on those

number of sisters, who had relied who had perished made

readily sent

were made in a

j^eculiar fashion, the

head part

the total 407.

Her majesty had

their relief,

opening out on a hinge, so that

might be

200 towards
tions

and other subscrip-

readily turned back for the relatives to cast a

last look

quickly followed.

The

large

sum

of

on the features of the dead.

coffin,

Almost
five,

81,000 was ultimately subscribed, a fourth

part of which was contributed to a fund opened

every cottage had a

some two, one

lost a

and one poor woman had

sons,

husband,

five

by the loi-d-mayor
course the large

at the Mansion-house.

Of
the

and a boy

whom
Most
at

they had bi'ought up

of

coal-owners,

many

of

and educated.
place on
of

the funerals took

in a piece

mining engineers, the Earl of Durham, the

Sunday

Earsdon Church,
of

Duke

of

Northumberland, and others conlargely;

ground given by the Duke

Northumber-

tributed

and

the

Loudon Stock-

land.

The scene was

solenni

and deeply touch-

exchange subscribed nearly 1000 in a single

day.

ing as the relations followed the coffins to the

graves, singing the
"

hymn commencing,
help in ages past."

Oh God,

It

is

necessary for a complete survey of the

oiir

position occupied

by England, and by the

Deep sympathy was everywhere manifested

on behalf of the bereaved
sufferers,

government

at the period

and by no

sidering, that

we are now conwe should look back for a moearly part

of

one more than by the bereaved queen at Osborne,

ment
on
in

to

the

the year

1860.

who

directed that intelligence should

first

Public attention at that time was fixed chiefly

Italy,

be constantly conveyed to her, and whose

but we had taken a prominent

\ydyt

message said she was " most anxious to hear

that there are hopes of saving the poor people
in the colliery for

some more distant operations, where the

of the

combined action
forces continued

French and English

an alliance bedifficulties

whom

her heart bleeds."

to support

On

the sad

Sunday

of the funerals a letter,

tween the two nations.

Our

in

addressed to Mr. Carr, the head viewer of the

colliery, by command of her majesty, was read by the incumbent of Earsdon at a large religious

China had not terminated with the

that treaty of Tien-tsin, which, as
seen,

di-aft of

we have

was arranged by Lord Elgin and Baron

meeting held on the

pit-liead.

Gros.

The

treaty itself

was

to be ratified at
its

Pekin, within a year of the date of

"Osborne, Jan.
"
23, 18(52.

signa-

ture, in June, 1858,

to

and Lord Elgin returned

The queen,
grief,

in the

midst of her

own

over-

England, and his brother, Mr. Frederick

whelming
in the

has taken the deepest interest

Bruce, went out in March, 1859, as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, with

mournful accident at Hartley, and up


GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.
by way
It of Peiho to Tien-tsiu

60
orders to proceed

tended

irresjionsibility of the force

which had

and thence

to Pekin.

was

in fact suspected

been stationed there.

coiu'se

Probably any such

that the Chinese,

who had an insurmountable

for delay or

would have been regarded

by the

objection to any foreign envoy entering Pekin,

foolishly crafty

Chinese government as an

would use any excuse

determined on.

for the

evidence of actual fear.

The Chinese

soldiers

actual fulfilment of the treaty in the

manner
of the

were not cowards, they seem to have been

possessed of a kind of constitutional courage,

For

this reason

Mr. Bruce

was authorized

to go to the
force,

mouth

and, considering their inferiority in physique,

in

Peiho with a naval

and on board a man-

weapons and warlike

ability,

they fought

of-war, to Tien-tsin, which itself stands on the

braveh'.

They appeared

to have

an ineradi-

Peiho, near the confluence of several streams

cable impression either that we, like themselves,

which flow into

it,

Pekin being about a hun-

threatened without the intention or the

dred miles inland from the mouth of the

Peiho, but connected with the river by a canal. The expedition was so ordei'ed that Admiral Hope, who was in command of the British naval force, had sent word to Taku, at the
enti-ance to the Peiho, to say that the English

ability of proceeding to extremities, or that

they would be in some occult

way

able to

prevent the incursion of barbarians bej'ond a certain external point of the Celestial
pire.

Em-

In endeavouring to estimate the conit is

duct of the Chinese,

particular account of
strange,
if

necessary to take
to be a

and French envoys were coming.

When

they

what appears

reached there with the admiral and a

nineteen vessels,
picious
it

fleet of

only a superficial peculiarity;

was found that the

to

sus-

that of a certain childish, one scarcely likes to

communicated

Mr. Bruce by Lord

say child-like, temjjer in relation to troubles

or calamities, treating even grave misfortunes
as temporary difficulties,

Malmesbury as the reason for his taking effectual means of reaching Pekin were justified. The river was closed by stakes and obstructions, the Taku forts commanding its entrance were defended by a crowd of armed men, who, in reply to the demand to let the
envoys and the naval escort pass, declared
that they belonged to a kind of militia,

and evading them by

recurring to some possible immediate occupation rather than

points of

life.

making them serious turningThe Chinese character would

seem to be alike shallow and simple, with a

kind of contented cunning in place of wisdom,

and

and a singular want

of ability to estimate the

that they
authorities,

had no orders from the imperial

but that they would send any

value of a principle of truthfulness and loyalty

beyond an immediate and personal loyalty

those
it.

to

message fi-om the troops to Tien-tsiu and wait

for the ansv/er.

who by power or
is

affection can

command

Tins

not the place to enter into an exam-

On the whole it was pretty evident that Lord

Malmesbury's opinions were well founded.

ination of the superficial but intricate mental

characteristics of the

Chinaman, which may

The Chinese were repeating

tactics of hostile

their peculiar

perhaps be compared to one of those carved

ivory balls with which

demonstrations and foolish

we

are familiar, as the

prevarication, to be followed
(after

by

bluster and

result of years of practice in minutely follow-

they were defeated) an emphatic denial

ing immediate processes requiring consum-

of intentional provocation.

The defences

of

mate skill of manijiulation, but seldom developing

the river and of the forts at Taku, for the

jiurpose
of

preventing the passage of the

acts of

much variety in its ingenuity. At all events both the envoys and

the ad-

vessels of

war and the envoys, were

to

miral had somewhat iinderrated the courage

or the ability of the force at Taku.

defiance, or
it

were regarded as such, and though have taken

little

When
that the

might have been possible

Admiral Hope sent again

to

demand

another way to Pekin, there seems

to suppose that anything

reason

passage of the river should be cleared, the

reply was that they had sent a messenger to
Tien-tsin,

would have been

gained by "sheering off" fi-om Taku, either

because of these preparations, or of the pre-

and when an

official

came from

Tien-tsin, after the admiral

had found that

OUTRAGES BY THE CHINESE ON THE ENGLISH COMMISSION.

the obstructions aud defences had Leeu increased, the only object of this mission seems

61

their

companions on their return from the

large

town found that a

was necessary
acing.

body

of Chinese

had
it

to have been to obtain further delay.

Mr.
in

taken possession of this ground, and that

to pass

Bruce and the French envoy concurred

but by that time the
forts

through them amidst

asking the admiral to clear a passage for the

vessels,

demonstrations which appeared to be men-

were well

Unfortunately a squabble arose beofficer

manned.

"When the gunboats approached the

were
iired

tween a French

and some

of the Tartars

barriers, they

upon and four

of

in the Chinese ranks,

and an attack was made

them were
fleet

disabled, while the vessels of the

upon the European party.

ried a flag of truce

Though they

car-

got aground.

An
of

attempt to storm the

and

it

was known that

their

forts failed,

and

about 1000 English and

mission was to arrange a conference at the

request of the Chinese themselves, about thirty
of them,

100 French assailants, 450 were wounded including the admiral himself and the com-

French and English, including Mr.

mander
doned.

of the

French

vessel

which had joined

to be aban-

Loch, Mr. Parkes, Mr. Bowlby, Mr. de Nor-

in the attack.

The attempt had

serious,

man, Captain Brabazon, and Lieutenant Anderson, were seized and dragged
off'

as prisoners
to

Afliiirs

had become

and

it

was de-

towards Pekin.

The numbers oj^posed

them
Mr.

termined by the governments of France and

made any attempt

at resistance useless.

England that Baron Gros and Lord Elgin

should return to carry out the treaty which they had concluded, and with a sufficient force
to

Bowlby, Lieutenant Anderson, aud Mr. de

Norman were taken

tents.

to

Pekin and put into

show that they were not

to be trifled with.
of the troops

They were directly afterwards thrown on the ground, bound hand and foot, aud
jalaced in

Sir

Hope Grant was

in

command

an open courtyard, where they

to the

re-

sent from England, and General deMontauban,

mained exposed

sun and the cold for

If they spoke they
dirt

afterwards

known

as

Count Palikao,
at

at the
little

three days without food.

head of the French.

further delay.

There was very

were kicked or beaten, and

into their mouths.
their necks, wrists,

was thrust

The Chinese

Taku fought

Irons were fastened to

with some obstinacy, but were quickly defeated; the forts

pied,

and ankles, and they were

along with

were taken,Tien-tsin was occu-

then thrown into rough country carts and

and the

allied troojjs

marched on towards

taken away in

diff'erent directions

The Chinese government acted as it usually did, and having been beaten sought
Pekin.
for further negotiations for the purpose of

several of their

companions who had also

been captured.

Some

of

them were shut

chains;

in cages or prisons,

and loaded with

keeping the foot of the barbarian out of the

capital.

the wrists of others were tightly

cords
till

bound with
were dread-

As

usual, too,

no sooner had negotia-

the

torture

became unbearable.
suflferiugs

tions been admitted than the Chinese forgot

their recent defeat
all

Lieutenant Anderson's
ful.

and became

insolent.

At

He

became

delirious

and
also

died.

Mr. de
to

events the subordinates did.

Lord Elgin

Norman and Mr. Bowlby

Loch and
]\Ir.

succumbed

had agreed that the Chinese commissioners

should meet him and Baron Gros at Tangchow,

the barbarous treatment they received.

Mr.

Parkes were bound, their arms

a town about ten miles from Pekin, and sent

thither his secretaries, Mr. Parkes and Mr.

behind them, and taken before the Chinese

commander-in-chief and
other
officials,

on

Loch, with some of the

staff"

of

Baron Gros

approaching

whom

they were thrown down

fciken, half

and several English

ments

make arrangeThey were also accompanied by a gentleman named Bowlby,

officers, to

on their knees; they were then

for the interview.

dead with pain, heat,

fore

thirst,

aud

fatigue, be-

a Chinese

secret;iry of state.
letters,

They were
and watches,
into

the correspondent of the Times newspaper.

deprived of their papers,

The commissioners had marked out a

and English
force;

large

and then they were again roughly forced

a
cai't

space of ground to be occupied by the French

and driven

to Pekin, a journej'

which

but the secretaries and

lasted seven hours, during

which only a small

62

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

Arriving
of stern retribution to people

quantity of water was given them.

who had

as-

at nightfall they were taken to a small dimly

sumed that the

place
it

was

in a sense sacred,

lighted

room

in tlie " hall (or board) of punish-

and who knew that

contained the accumu-

ment," a room from the walls of which hung

chains and implements of torture.

lated treasures of the emperors of China.

Again they

The so-called palace was

sure-park surrounded

in fact a series of reof plea-

were forced on their knees before a mandarin.

markable buildings, occupying a kind

Mr. Loch, who did not speak Chinese, was

cuiTed, kicked,

by

beautiful scenery,
side of the in-

and

ill

treated for not answerreply,

ac-

and with mountains on one

closure.
it

ing questions.

Mr. Parkes, who could

An

eye-witness afterwards declared

to convey

was served

in the

same manner on the

to the

would be impossible

any adequate

cusation that he gave lying answers.

Both

idea of the quaint luxury and magnificence of

gentlemen were then removed

jail,

common

the place.

After having traversed the

first

a long barn-like building with grated

palace, occupied chiefly

by the throne-room,
lakes, kiosks,

windows, where the prisoners were half naked,

filthy,

the visitor entered the park, beautifully planted,

savage-looking wretches, the worst class

and containing watercourses,

thirty buildings at

and

of criminals loaded with chains.

were chained by their necks to

their heads in such a
j list

Here they a beam over

pagodas in every variety, while no fewer than

some distance from each

manner that they could

board. Provided

other formed the suite of palaces, of which the

lie

down to rest on a hard

little

one painted a red or "lake" colour was the

actual residence of the emperor, " the brother
of the .sun

with only a

coarse food they were kept in

this condition for several days.

They were

and moon."

The

exterior walls

eventually restored; but of the twenty-four of

their companions

were

of this colour,

but ornamented with gold

who were

seized, thirteen

and rich
collected

fantastic carving.

Here had been

died of the horrible usage they had received.

by the

"celestial" emjieror his trea-

Those who survived continued to

suffer

much

sures of
jars,

ai't,

suites of porcelain, flowered vases,

of jadestone, ivory carv-

from the
it is

effects of torture

and privation, and

to negoif

and ornaments

doubtful whether any would have been

ings, watches, clocks,

gems, gold and silver

released

had not Lord Elgin refused

ingots, necklaces of pearls,

and other jewels.

tiate till the prisoners

were returned, and

allied

Prince Kung, the brother of the emperor,

M'ho

at the

same time the

city.

armies had not

was
to

in

communication with Lord Elgin,

in his

been at the very gate of Pekin and ready to

stonn the

and had shown considerable sagacity

efforts

prevent further outrages on the

Not
did

till

the city was surrendered and the

flags floated

prisoners and to renew reasonable negotiations,

French and English

the
so

on

its

walls

was informed that no representations would

prevent the destruction of this palace as an
act of signal retribution.
It

envoys hear of

the atrocities

by

which

many

of those

who went
killed,

to prepare

was understood
pillage,

pacific negotiaticMs

had been

and when

that

it

would

first

be given over to
to

the truth was discovered, and the sufi'ering survivors brought the evidence of their altered

and the Frencli troops appear

start of our

have had the

men

in this magnificent opportu-

appearance before their countrymen.

hav^e allayed the

nity for " looting."

The

treasures acquired

by

Lord Elgin could scarcely

fury of the troops
if

some

of

them were afterwards

it

referred to as

he had not at once deter-

being almost fabulous.

Watches, jewels, rare

mined
and

as a signal act of

punishment to burn

works

of art were,

was

said, sold for

very

utterly destroy the magnificent

Summer

small sums.

It

may be remembered
at the Crystal

that a

Palace of the emperor.

pressed afterwards

Much regi-et was exby some who regarded the

Captain Negroni, a year or two afterwards,

had an exhibition
ables

Palace of

act as an unnecessary piece of vandalism; but

it

jadestone vases and other ornaments and valu-

was

at anyi-ate better than the vengeance

which he had acquired from the

sol-

would have been, and probably conveyed a more signal lesson

of indiscriminate slaughter

diers after the looting of the

Summer
of a

Palace,

and

stories

were afterwards told

magni-

SYRIA DRUSES AND MARONITES.

ficeut

63

diamond necklace which found

It

tlirough the hands of the

way French commander

its

It

was neither

so large nor so magnificent a

city as

had been believed, and though, by the

to the paL\ce of the Tuileries.

may be men-

terms of the convention which was promptly

concluded, France and England were to have
rejiresentatives residing

tioned that

among

the curiosities collected in

the building were a presentation watch set

there either perma-

with diamonds, several pictures and portraits

of the time of

nently or occasionally as they might choose,

there

Louis XIV., and some pieces

was

little

advantage in that arrangement

of Sevi-es china.

The contents

of the

Pekin

except to show that China would be open

to both countries. to foreign trade

treasury were said to be worth ,6,000,000,

Tien-tsin

was

to

be open In

but this was probably a fancy estimate, and

indeed
tlie articles,

and foreign

residents.

except actual gems and

addition to a large indemnity, the Chinese

gold and silver, could scarcely be valued; but

it
is

agreed to pay compensation to the prisoners

certain that the French soldiers took

possession of considerable treasure, and that

who had been maltreated and to of those who had died from their

the families
injuries.

our

men had some booty though

were concerned
it

they did not

obtain an equal share.

jects of art

So far as the ob-

At

the time that the English and French

was believed

troops were completing the military and diplo-

that those which were destroyed were nearly

e(|ual in value to the

matic victory at Pekin, intelligence arrived at

whole of the property

that had been pillaged, for the day after the

place

was sacked a party

of

soldiers

armed

London and Paris that some serious outbreaks demanded immediate intervention. The Druses, a fierce and fanatical sect inhabitin Syria

with clubs went through the building smashing mirrors, gorgeous screens, painted panels,

ing the chain of the Libanus, had for some

time pi'eviously been harassing the Maronite

Christians whose villages occujsied the adjacent

and everything

of

a fragile kind that re-

mained. This was in revenge for the treatment

experienced by the prisoners.

country, and they had

now made

a series of

The palace
it

attacks ending in the burning of the houses

was then burned down, and any remaining

portions were levelled to the ground, for

and the massacre

of a large

number

of people

accompanied by acts of horrible barbarity.

was said

to

have been within

its

precincts that

Between these people and the Maronites there

had been unceasing disputes,
or at Beyrout and
in

some
cuted,

of

the captives received the grossest

which the
interfered

indignities.

The sentence was sternly exeand a monument was set up with an

was the reward
of

Turkish authorities stationed in the villages

Damascus seldom
It

inscription in Chinese saying that this destruction of the imperial palace

and certainly never gave

to the Chi'istians.

efficient protection

was now declared, and

perfidy

and

cruelty.

was afterwards pretty well proved, that they

encouraged the Druses in their atrocities even
if

Had Lord

Elgin demanded the surrender

in

of those concerned

the outrages on the

some

of the

Turkish

soldiei's

did not take

of course,

French and English captives any number of

victims would doubtless have been handed

part in them.

The Druses were,

;

not Christians

but their religion was not

over to him, consisting of wretches ignorant

of the

accurately known.

They were a

fierce

re-

whole transaction and innocent

it.

of hav-

morseless tribe under the government of an

ing taken any part in

There was no secu-

emir and

various chiefs, and

occupying a

rity that the real culprits

would be punished,
vengeance by mere
This

territory as far south as the source of the

and the

satisfaction

of

Jordan, and to the north part of the Libanus

massacre would have been revolting.

and the latitude

of Tripoli. Tliey spoke Arabic,

was the reason assigned

the

for the destruction of

it

and

their capital

was Deir-el-Kamar

in

a
It

Summer

Palace at Pekin, and

allied troops

was well

valley on the west sloi)e of the Libanus.

founded.
capital

The

had entered the

was supposed that these people were originally

followers
of

through the great gate named " Tian-

Hakem-bianir-Illar, the

sixth

quillity,"

and the place was at their mercy.

Fatemite Caliph of Egyi)t, who,

in the eleventli

G4

GLADSTONE AND HIS COXTEMPORAEIES.

then attacked a
large

ceutury, established a kiud of secret sect at

town under Mount

Cairo as an ofi'shoot of the great schism of the

Ishmaelites,

Hermon.

Instead of doing his duty by re-

and that the "Assassins" were

also

pelling the aggressors, the Turkish

commandThey
Druses

derived from the sect established by Hakem.

Tlie

ant ordered the Maronites to disarm, pro-

Druses were said to believe in transmicalf

mising that he would protect them.

obeyed, and

gration, to worship a
tian Apis) as

(probably the Egypof

when

they had given up their

to their fate, the

some typical expression

weapons he

left

them

mythical idea; they had a

scattered

number

of convents

rushed into the place and massacred the whole

population, the
effort to save

among

the mountains, and also pos-

Tmkish

soldiers

making no
For

sessed a college for the study of Syriac.

All
it

them, but in some cases joining

the

men were

trained to the use of arms, and

the assailants in the

work

of slaughter.

was

said that the emir could muster 40,000

more than a month the

atrocities

were con-

at a very short notice.

They were foimidable

it
is

tinued by the Druses, who, as they detested

enough

in themselves, but as the Maronites

Europeans even more than they hated the

Catholic Maronites, took
criminate.
little

were even more

advantage

numerous

doubtful
all

trouble to dis-

whether the Druses would have gained

in

the

Exulting at being able to carry

an open

conflict.

They had

resoi't

on their ferocious excesses unchecked by the

authorities

to ambuscades,
tribes, the

and were joined by

otiier

wild

who had been

placed there to prein

Kurds, and the Bedouins.

sects

Aided

serve justice and order, they succeeded

by the Mussulman

and unchecked by the

arousing the fanaticism of others, and at the

Turkish authorities they had wrought themselves into a frenzy against the Catholic Christians,

beginning of July a Turkish

attacked and set
of the city.
fire to

mob in Damascus

the Christian quarter

and the

result
little

was that 151

villages

In one day nearly 2000 Christians

were in ruins in

more than a month and

of the

were massacred, and the French, Russian,

Austrian, Belgian, Dutch, and Greek consulates

above 70,000 inhabitants

Libanus were

reduced to beggary, while about 7000 perished

in the massacres, besides those

were destroyed.

A number of the more

in

who were killed The attempting an organized defence.

little less fierce

important Mussulman residents in Damascus

made strenuous
and gave them

efforts to save the Christians,

Maronites were doubtless

and

shelter

and protection but the

;

quarrelsome than the Druses, and hostilities

Turkish governor,

who had a
made no

military force
in-

between them had been frequent.

The

Chris-

under his command, remained apparently

diff"e]'ent,

tian villages were numerous, and the Marouite

or at least

earnest effort to
its insti-

population amounted to above 200, 000, amongst

interfere, so that the brutal

mob and

whom

were many Europeans, beside those

gators murdered their victims with a comjilacenc}' derived

connected with the Catholic and Presbyterian

missions, while

from the assumption that they

approval.

many

of the native families

attri-

acted under

official

had European names, a circumstance

Although the affair might have been stopped

buted to the probability of some of the Franks

in the first crusade liaving established them-

by the troops before

after that

dai-k

on the Monday,

hour the

mob

increased in

numbers

selves in the territory of the followers of the

every minute.
soldiers

Late in the evening about 300

stoji

Latin Church settled in the Lebanon.

It

is

were sent to put a

of

to the outrage,

not necessary to investigate the origin of the outrage which resulted

slaught of the Druses.
It

but

many

them very

shortly joined in the

in

the savage onsaid that

plundering; while others used their arms to

was

some

massacre the Christians.

quarter,

The whole Christian

of

time in the mouth of

May

a Maronite

monk
of re-

which included some

the finest

was found murdered, and that by waj'

taliation the

palaces to be found in the empire,

was soon

Maronites killed several Druses

opportunity.

one mass of flames; and as the inmates tried

to escape they

on the

first

At

all

events at

were thrust back on the burn-

the end of the

in force

month the Druses came down

villages near Beyrout,

ing piles by the bayonets of the Turkish regular troops.

upon the

and

One

of the militar}' chiefs

who

EUROPEAN INTERVENTION FUAD PACHA.

commanded
miscreant
in

65

Damascus was Osman Beg, the

three weeks ^jreviousl}' had

of the

open country before the war was over,

to

who but

delivered up at Hasbeyia upwards of 1500

Christians to be massacred by the Druses.

Deir-el-Kamar a few days after the Almost every house was burned, and the street crowded with dead bodies, most
massacre.
of

and came

No

fewer than six times did Mr. Brant, the

them

strij^ped

and mutilated

in every pos-

English consul, and the Rev. Mr. Robson,

Irish Presbyterian missionary, at the utmost
risk of their lives, go together to the

sible

way.
:

My

road led througli some of the

streets

my

horse could not even pass, for the

Pacha

bodies were literally piled up.

I

Most

of those

Achmet, and urge him

he could, and showed

to

do something to

save the lives of the Christians.

that

No; he said
he would, do

examined had many wounds, and in each case was the right hand either entirely or
nearly cut
off;

the poor wretch, in default of

nothing, but remained "consulting" in the

castle.

weapons, having instinctively raised his arm

to paii-y the

When

the last despatches left

Damas-

blow aimed at him.

saw

little

cus, at 2 p.m.

on the 12th of July, the burning,

children of not more than three or four years

old stretched on the ground,

slaughter, murder, pillage,

co)itiuued,

and other

atrocities

and old men with

and became worse

of Bedouins,

tlian ever; for

gray beards.

Beyrout

itself

was

thi-eatened

the fanatics of the place had been just then

joined

by the

infuriated

and victorious Druses, and

by a host

Kurds, Druses,
too

the presence of an English j^leasure-yacht in

and other

scoundrels,

who were only

j^illage.

the harbour, with a single gun, was sujiposed

to

pleased at the chance of

have had more

all

effect in

averting danger

The hero
generous

of

the time was the brave and

than

the troops of the Turkish pacha,

who
the
it

chief

Abd-el-Kader,

who

rejiaid

rather connived at the massacre."

If

with interest the good-will with which he had

been treated by the French after his defeat.

any necessity
of
to

for

intervention

in

affjiirs

Turkey had never before existed

the

In his house and

not only the

its

court-yards in

Damascus
and
he,

seemed

be justified at this time, and a conall

European consuls but m;iny

found
shelter,

vention of

great

jDowers

intrusted
of inter-

hundreds

of Christians

France and England with the duty

2:)0siug

with his Algerines, held out against

of wretches
Tjie

tlie

horde

and restoring

order.

The admirals

of

who sought to destroy the refugees. English consulate in the Moslem quarter
town had been
castle.

the allied force had orders to disembark at

Beyrout the soldiers furnished from France,

of the

respected,

and there

and the

distui'bances

were quickly aiTested.

of the French, saying:

several hundreds were sheltered, while 3000

On

the 16th of July the sultan addressed a

were in the

It

was

said that 2000

had

letter to the

Emperor

been massacred and the Christian quarter of

the city was entirely destroyed, the loss of property being ^1,200,000 sterling.
ists,

" I

have at heart that your majesty should

grief I

know with what

events in
Syi'ia.

have learned of the

The Lazar-

Let your majesty be conall

the Sisters of Charity, and other

women

vinced that I shall employ

my

powers for

of

Damascus were

at length enabled to leave

j^rotection of

establishing security and order in Syria, and

for

Beyrout under the

an escort

that I shall severely punish the guilty parties,

of the brave followers of Abd-el-Kader,

who

whoever they may

all.

be,

and render

justice to

had at the beginning

forth with
his

of the massacre sallied

In order to leave no doubt whatever of

men and

saved the lives of

the intentions of

my

government

have

in-

numbers, who were at once taken iinder his

protection and their needs provided for.
first

trusted that imjiortant mission to

for foreign affairs, with

my minister

From

whose principles your

sent by the sultan,

to last the outrages wei^e so horrible that

majesty

is

acquainted."

much exaggerated. way to Deir-elKamar at the time of the massacre when the number of slain was put down at from 1100
the reports could scarcely be

Fuad Pacha, the minister

was an honest and
retribution
cai:)able

Lord DuflVrin was on

his

man.

He

carried

among

the wretches

who

liad

been

foremost in the atrocities, and caused more

"I travelled," to 1200. Vol. IV.

he writes, "over most

than one of the treacherous Turkish

officials

68

06
to

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

be executed and others of them to be degreater part of the valley of the

Po and

of

graded.
agi-eed

AVheu order was

at

restoi'ed

it

was
a

Central Italy, making the Adriatic an Austrian

lake, converting
fortress

by the representatives

of

the great

Piacenza into a
to

first-class

powers meeting

Constantinople that

in

contradiction

the Treaty of
^^re-

Christian governor of the Lebanon should be

Vienna, holding a garrison at Parma, and

paring to deploy her forces
dinian frontier.
all

appointed in subordination to the sultan.

It

along the Sar-

was nearly a year before the French troops

left Syria;

This appeal

by Sardinia

and Lord Palmerstou wrote on the

against the occupation of Italy by Austrian

26th of June, 1861, to Sir saying

:

" I

am

heartily glad

Henry Bulwer, we have got the

it

troops was seriously received

by France and

England

the former, however, reserving any

French out of Syria, and a hard job

do
so.

was

to

outspoken expression of principle which would

be made to include
States
in

The arrangement made

of the

for the future

Rome and

the Pontifical

government

Libauus

will, I

dare say,

the remonstrance against foi-eign

work

sufficiently well to

prevent the French

occupation,

Rome

being then protected against

troops.

from having any pretext for returning thither."

insurrection

by French

A
to

message
Naples,

By

that time occurrences of nearer and ap-

from the governments was sent

cised over the people there

parently

much

greater importance than the

however, advising against the tyranny exer;

intervention in Syria were occupying earnest

attention;

but the remon-

and the eyes

of

Europe had, during

strance
result

the whole of the jDrevious year, been fixed on

the progress of events in Italy, to which

was haughtily disregarded, and the of communications was that both Engcourt.

we

land and France recalled their plenipotentiaries

must now

briefly return.

from the Neajiolitan

The
It should be

Treat}' of Villafranca,

by which Austria

remembered

as

some key

to the
to the

relinquished Lombardy, and Savoy and Nice

operation of the Franco-Italian

war and

were ceded to France, had neither completed

the unity of the Italian

events which innnediately followed in Italy,

that in Api-il, 1856, a note was addressed

kingdom nor stayed

set themselves

by

the progress of those

who had

Count de Cavour and the Marquis de

Villa-

to achieve Italian freedom.

The infamous Fer-

marina, the Sardinian plenipotentiaries at the

Paris conference, to the English and French

dinand of Naples was dead

men
in

had nick-

governments, in which, after stating that they

named him Bomba because struggle for liberty, when the

the earlier

peojjle of Sicily

had hoped that the Congress of Paris would not

separate without taking into serious consideration the state of Italy,

rose against his tyrannies, he gave his com-

mand
citadel,

in

the one word "

Bombadare

"

and

and deliberating on the

the town of Messina was bombarded from the

means

to be adopted for the re-establishment

with so much success in the destruc-

of its political equilibrium, disturbed

by the

tion of the people

and the suppression

of their
it

occupation of a great part of the country by

foreign troops.

complaints that he afterwards repeated

other places.

in

They

said that this

hope had

We
but

have already seen with

indignant emphasis Mr.

been disappointed, in consequence of the persistence of Austria in obliging the conference

what

precise

Gladstone had arraigned the govei-nment of

Naples, and had dragged before the world the
story of
its ti'eacheries

to be kept within the

bounds

of the questions

marked out
attention
to

for discussion.

They next

called

and the

secrets of its

the

system of repression and

in force since 1848, to the

prison-houses;^ but neither remonstrances nor

violent reaction

warnings changed the brutal indifference of

the king to the wrongs inflicted on his subjects.

number number

of political prisoners in the jails, the

of exiles,

and the excited and revolu-

He

continued to believe in the policy of bom-

tionary condition of the people.

They then

bardment, and should the tortured inhabitants

of Naples writhe into rebellion, the

denounced the action of Austria in repressing

the discontent of the subjects of the small
Italian states,

guns

of

and

to that

end occupying the

Vol.

ii.

p. 259.

THE SWORD OF GAEIBALDI GARIBALDI HIMSELF.

the fortress of St.
fity

67

Elmo commanded
left to his

the whole
it

fought on the side of national liberty.

general received

The

and would

in a

few hours reduce

to a

him with

friendly hosiiitality,

heap of ruins.

He was
it

own

devices

supplied

him with funds

to enable

him

to reach

and

to the gathering hatred of the people, a

Tunis, and used some influence to suj^port a

proposition

tyrant imprisoned as

were amidst the corrupt guns which he

that he should receive a small

and

cruel instruments of his oppression, unable

pension from the government at Turin.

For

to go

beyond the reach

of the

a time Garibaldi retired to a lonely rocky island

called Caprera, off the north-east coast of Sardinia, the place

was ready

to turn against the subjects

who

detested him,

abandoned by the rej^resentapowers

of Eui'ope,

which afterwards became his

tives of the western

who

home. Soon afterwai'ds he returned to America,

not again to take up arms, but to earn a living.

refused to recognize his right to govern by the

rules of barbarism,

and

left

a miserable ex-

His young children were consigned

of faithful friends of

to the care

ample

of the 2)erverted authority

by which a

his owji childhood at

sovereign can undermine a throne for his successor.

Nice.

In 1850 he

w^as

heard of as having

settled in

New

York, where he made and sold

The public regard had been somewhat

diverted
of the

candles in a small shop next door to that of

from Italy during the

first

jmrt

another

exile,

his

old

friend

and comrade
into
life

Crimean war; but Piedmont became

allies in

General JosejA Avezzava,

trade -as a tobacconist;

who had gone

one of the

that vast campaign, and

but a seafaring

Sardinia had a voice in the Treaty of Paris in

1856.

was more
for Peru,

in accordance with Garibaldi's adleft

Three years afterwards France was in

venturous temper, and he soon

New York
as

the field with Victor

tria,

Emmanuel
not

against Aus-

where he obtained employment

and

after

Magenta and

Solferino, Victor

master of a vessel trading to China.

In 1854

Emmanuel meant,
Italy.

Sardinia only, but

he was once more in the United States, and

took command of the Commonwealth, s.n American trader, in which he made a voyage to
Shields,
of a

Again, in the front, where danger was to be

found and a sword was needed, sounded the

and while there received the

to

])resent

name

of Garibaldi.

abandoned by those
for support,

When Rome had been on whom he had relied

sword forged in Birmingham. This sword,

which was presented

guest
of

him while he was

had a gold
hilt
it

the

he had marched out with the

Mr. Joseph Cowen, the

for Newcastle,

jiresent

devoted band

determined to

fight his

who answered to his appeal way to Venetia, and to

member

on

which was an inscription stating that

was

make no compromise with the Austrians or with the troops of Bomba; but the enemy was
in

from the people of Tyneside, friends

pean freedom.
in

of

Europlace

But events were taking

overwhelming force
Italy,

in

the provinces of

Europe which drew him homeward, and

felt

Northern

and

in

the

hardships and

though he might have to wait, he

till

that

suff'erings of that retreat

from

Rome

his de-

the

moment came when he

should again

voted wife Anita died, and he was desolate.

strike for Italy,

he must be near at hand.

Nothing could be done

for

for Italy,

and the cause

There are many who well remember Capfciiu

Giuseppe Garibaldi, the quiet cajxible com-

which he was willing

to sacrifice his life

appeared to him to have been betrayed and

lost.

mander
of

of a steamer

which

for several years

He

therefore surrendered to the cara-

traded between Nice and Marseilles, and some

in

who took him to La Marmora, then command at Rome. Victor Emmanuel had made peace with Austria after the battle of
bineers,

tliosewhohad transactions with

to

hiui

which

brought him

London, scarcely understood,

or wei-e completely ignorant of the fact, that

this unpretentious self-contained

Novara.

Venice, after a noble struggle, had

man was
into

the

succumbed.

There was nothing

left for

Gari-

same who had fought

for the independence of

baldi but a prison or voluntary exile.

prison neither

La Marmora nor

the

Sardinia

would send the patriot

To a King of who had

Monte Video, and had marched

Rome

at

the head of his old Italian comrades of Rio

Janeu'o, the nucleus of the victorious legion,

68

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

of

which was followed by a crowd

volunteers.

about 2500
it

daughter Teresita and

guardian slept
;

Madame
At

Deideri her

This was in April, 1849, and

on the right was the chamber

the back a stair;

may

be interesting to note what was said of

occupied by the general.

case led

the personal apj^earance of Garibaldi and his

followers
'

up

to the roof

and terrace

the short

by one who was present

at the time:

dark passage led to a small bed-room and to the

kitchen.
cellar
;

He

is

man

of

middle height, his counten-

Here, on the right, was the wineleft,

ance scorched by the sun, but marked with

lines of antique j^urity.

on the

a jjantry, from which the

He
it

sat his horse as

of

visitor passed into the secretary's

room, which
"

calmly and firmly as

him.

if

had been a part

was

also a bed-room,

and the

arsenal.

In

Beneath his hat

broad-brimmed, with
;

August, when I

first visited

the house," said

a narrow loop, and ornamented with a black

ostrich feather

Colonel Vecchi, "there was only one chair,

spread a forest of hair

all

a red

and that had no back.

Now

there are some

beard covered

the lower part of his face.

new maple-wood
officers

chairs,

presented

by the
with the

Over
His

his red shirt

was thrown an American

shirt.

and crew

of the ^yashington,

poncho, white, lined with red, like his

staff'

donors'

names inscribed on the back, and some

chairs

wore the red blouse; and afterwards,

walnut-wood

belonging
is

to

Deideri.

the whole Italian legion adopted that colour.

The

hero's room, also,

more comfortably
hanging from a cane

Behind him galloped

his

groom Aguyar, a
All

furnished.

It contains a small plain iron bed-

stalwart negro, dressed in a black cloak, and

stead, with muslin curtains

tester,

carrying a lance with a black pennant.

a walnut- wood writing-table, and a

who had come with him from America wore

]nstols

chest of drawers, with a dressing glass on the

top, blocking

and poniards

of fine

workmanship

in

up a window that looks towards

Close to the bed stands a deal
letters.

their belts,

and carried whips

of buffalo skin

the north.
stool,

in their hands."

covered with books and

On

In 1855 Garibaldi had made his home in

Piedmont, or rather in the island to which he

cord stretched from the walls across the room

are

hung

to dry the general's red shirts

and

had been allowed

rera had

to retire years before.

Capsaid,

various other garments, for he changes his

clothes every time he changes his occupation.

become

his

own, purchased,

it is

for ^520, a

sum which he was

able to jiay out

of his
re-

The

fireplace is in the

middle of the wall at

of about

1600 inherited on the death

It

the end of the room; some logs are always

mother.

would have been no enviable

kept blazing in

it

on account of the damp, for

is

treat to any

man unaccustomed
:

to a simple

beneath the stone floor

the cistern which

mode
a

of living

one might even say that only

to hardship could

receives the water from the gutters

rains,

when

it

man accustomed

have long

and this causes the

flags to

be always

occupied the quarters which the general appropriated to himself.

slimy and wet.

On

each side of the fireplace

Some improvements were

in the small square white

are bookcases containing works on shipping,

history,

made afterwards
house and
its

and military

tactics;
tell

but books and

all

surroundings, but Colonel Vecchi,

bundles of papers, to

the truth, are

after visiting Garibaldi there in 1861, described

it

around, lying on every available piece of furniture.

and

its

belongings graphically enough.

level spot, shut in

It

Over the mantelpiece hangs a

portrait,

was situated on a
side

on one

in water-colours, of his infant daughter Eosita

by great

rocks,

and on the other by walls,

rail,

who

died at

Monte Video.
brave

At

the head of

the gate in which was a movable

zontal pole such as
is

a hori-

the bed in an ebony frame hangs a lock of hair

of his M'ife Anita, the

used to

let

horses in and

woman who

is

no

out of a meadow.
all

There was a path running

ground to

more. There never was a more simjile Spartan

retreat chosen

round

it.

In front, on the other side of the

in the

by a hero."

path,

some poles were stuck

a
trellis for

simple retreat certainly, but not one

make
on the

entering, there
left into

the vines in summer. On was a vestibule which opened

little

judiciously chosen

by a hero who
;

suffered

frequently from acute rheumatism

Garibaldi

the room where Garibaldi's

was never judicious

in his

own

interests nor


PEEPAEATIONS FOR THE LIBERATION OF
even ordinarily careful of his own convenience. Caprera, however,
birth.

SICILY.

69

was far away from the

probable

calls of

curious "interviewers"

who

would have annoyed him

far from the crowds

There was

who would have

put him out of

followed and shouted and

countenance.

But the central portion of Italy was The duchies of Tuscany, Modena, Lucca, and Parma declared for Victor Emmanuel, and demanded to be annexed to the Piedmontese kingdom; the I'ulers of those places had
free.

fled in

alarm when they found that they no

nothing that Garibaldi disliked more than the

jiopularity
seers

longer had the support of the Austrian bayonets.

which was manifested by

to have feared

sight-

One

of the articles in the

Convention

he may be said

demon-

of Villafranca stipulated for the restoration of

strations in his honour, at all events he ran

the dukes, but

by the end

of the year 18.59

away from them, and some years later made a hurried escape from London lest he should
continue to encounter them.
It

nothing was more certain than that, not the

duchies merely, but Tuscany and the
also

Romagna
European
use of

were no longer at the disposal

of

was from

his plain

and somewhat cheerless

diplomacy.

By

the admirable prudence with

house in the

islet

from which he could look out

which, up to that time, they had

the freedom
states

made

ever towards the sea that Garibaldi had been

called to aid in the war.

which they had gained, these

their right to determine

Cavour was astute

had vindicated

enough

to

know

that the prestige of the

man

to

whom

their future allegiance should be

who was

a born leader of men, whose voice

of

given.

seemed to have the power

assembling brave

Garibaldi, suffering severely from rheumatic

pains,

and daring followers

freedom

for

any enterprise, would

" Italian

went

to

Genoa, where he stayed with

be valuable to a cause where the cry of

"

his old friend

and attached comrade, Augusto

city.

was

scarcely in

harmony with the

liked to see Italy

Vecchi, at his house outside the

He

re-

murmur of

" French intervention." Garibaldi

mained during the autumn and winter, but he

found work enough to do in organizing an
expedition which would only have been at-

himself, little as he

may have

seek an ally in Napoleon the Third, did not hesitate to offer his

sword

to Victor
loyal,

Emmanuel,

to

tempted by the man who had called for

followers to

whom

he vowed to be

and in

whom

he

march out

of

Rome

on the des-

thenceforth recognized the head of that United

Italy, to secure the liberties of which,

perate ventvire of reaching Venetia, and had

he was

found
to

five

thousand
thirst,

men ready

to go with

him

ready to subordinate those mystical dreams and

abstract theories of a republic which had nar-

"hunger,

the bare earth for a bed,

the heat of the sun as a solace for fatigues, no

pay, no barracks, no rations, nothing but continual

rowed the influence and paralysed the arm

Mazzini whenever the time had come to

of

strike.

alarm, forced

marches, and bayonet

As

major-general he had taken

command

of

charges."

To
thej'

those "

who loved
to

glory and

who

the Chasseurs des Alpes, and following in

tlie

did not despair of Italy" he had

peal,

made

this ap-

upper region a

line parallel to that

which led

and

had responded

it.

He now be-

the main forces to the victories of Palestro,

gan a new campaign hj embarking a thousand

Magenta and

Solferino, beat the Austrians at

men " The Thousand "

at

as they were called

Varese and San Fermo, kept them in constant

uncertainty of
liis

Genoa

for Marsala.
fled

The
left

jn-oie^/es of

the

daring movements in the

Austrians had

and

the duchies in

mountains above Como, and then advanced

Central Italy free, the north was rejoicing in

political liberation.

upon Bergamo and

tlie

Brescia,

and pushed on

to

It

might not be
Venice or at

]iossi1)le

Valtellina

up
It

to the very

summit

of the

to achieve a trium])h at

Rome

in

Stelvio Pass.
to learn that

was a

bitter disapj)ointment

face of the treaty

and of the French occupation,

to rescue

when

the national triumph was

it

but

it

might yet be a glorious deed

from
its

not far from accomplishment

was stopped
he

Sicily

tyrant,

and

to

make of the

north

short by the treaty which exchanged territories,

and the south one kingdom.

It

and made him himself a French subject

if

must not be supposed, however, that

continued to belong to Nice, the place of his

Garibaldi carried revolution to Southern Italy.

70

GLADSTONE AND HIS UONTEMPOEAEIES.

at

His rapid prejiarations

renewal of a
wliich they

Geuoa were made

tyranny from

that he might help the people of Sicily in their

conflict against the

"Italy and Victor Enmianuel " he added. " That was our battle-cry when we crossed the
!

Ticino

it

will resound into the very depths of

had

so long suffered.

Ferdinand

Etna."

few days

later

he effected a landing
of " Dictator

was dead, but

Francis
II.,

weak and cowardly son, had succeeded him. It was no

his

at Marsala, in full
frigates,

view of two Neapolitan

title

assumed the

in

longer the dreaded

Bomba but

the despised

Sicily in the

name

of Victor

Emmanuel," and,

Bombalino.

The same
;

cruelties

were con-

bore

down with

his handful of

men

against

tinued however

the party which formed the

the Neapolitan troops, of

whom

25,000 were

government by

false witness, torture,

and im-

posted in and about Palermo.

prisonment continued in power.

Ferdinand

By

those

who

did not undei'stand the in-

had been
plice,

their fellow conspirator

and accombetween the

If

fluence of Garibaldi, the expedition

had been
at-

Francis was their follower and dupe.

to choose

regarded as a wild and almost hopeless

tempt, but the people

"

The king has now

ruin of his evil counsellors or his own.

he

landing at
teers

him on his Marsala and the numbers of volunjoined

who

supports and upholds them, and places himself

who

followed from various parts of Italy,

under their guidance,

it

requires not

nmch

soon gave him an army which, with a few

field pieces,

foresight to predict that the

w^ill

Bourbon dynasty

enabled him to invest Palermo.

cease to reign at Naples,

by whatever
it

He

had already beaten the royal troops at

fled in

combination, regal or republican,

replaced," wrote Loi-d
Elliot, the British

may
to

be

Monreale and Catalafimi, and they

dismay to the
city,

John Eussell

Mr.

only to hold

it

during a
in-

minister at Naples, in July,

brief resistance, in

which they had the

1859.

surgent city
this Sicilian

itself

against them.

Francis for

"I never advised

I

movement,

a time resorted to the only remedy he knew,

but since these brethren of ours are fighting,

and ordered the bombardment

from the
citadel,

of the place

deem

it

my

duty to go to their rescue,"

(to Bertaui)

but he could neither comhis officers,

wrote Garibaldi
sailed

on the day he

mand nor reassure

and the garrison

from Genoa.
insurrection had broken out at Palermo

surrendei'ed, left the city,

and were beaten

The

along with their companions at Milazzo.

The

in the first

week

of April,

and the people had

Garibaldians were then masters of the whole

island with the exception of the citadel of

held their

own

against the royal troops.

At
who
by

Turin a revolutionary committee, including

several exiles from Naples

Messina, where the king, with such of his

forces as

and

Sicily,

were mustered there, shut himself

had been the victims

the

of outrages inflicted

up, began to promise to grant a constitution

to his subjects,
of

Neapolitan government, supported and

and appealed
for help.

to

the great

encouraged the insurgents in the avowed determination to unite the kingdom of Sicily to
the free provinces then being incorporated

powers
first

Europe

England was the

to reply with a direct refusal; France

could not mediate (said the emperor) unless

with Sardinia.
It "was not
till

the revolutionary government were

the 5th of
"

first ac-

May

that Gari-

knowledged.
balino,

There was no help

for

Bom-

baldi sailed from Genoa.

The Thousand "

and he deserved none.

before the Garibaldians, descend-

had grown

to

two thousand before they deSicily.

The day

scended upon the coast of

ing from the heights of Miselmeri, seized the

frontier,

From Talamona, on
the
the

the

Roman

lower town and

of

bui'st

open the southern gates

Garibaldi issued a proclamation, calling upon

inhabitants
of

Palermo

to take the city after a desperate

bulletin

the

Marches,

Umbria,

conflict

had been issued by the

Roman Campagna, and

the Neapolitan

Neapolitan authorities to say that Garibaldi

territory to rise, so as to divide the forces of

had

fled

and the insurgents were returning

the conquerors entered the city

King
the

Francis, while he carried assistance to

home.

When

Sicilians

against

the

common enemy.

the people received the " Dictator" with fran-


THE ITALIAN QUESTION.
tic

71

shouts of joy, aud

when he afterwards
shirt, a loose

concerting measures with the Papal govern-

made a
on
foot,

tour of inspection through the streets

ment

for the organization of an

army

to re-

wearing his red flannel

cover possession of the revolted Papal States

coloured handkerchief round his neck, and a

a purpose favourably regarded by Austria,

battered felt-hat, he was surrounded Ly thou-

which had not yet become

Northern and Central
Italy.

I'ecouciled to the

sands of people laughing, crying, cheering, while

ing,

retention by Sardinia of her acquisitions in

many women

knelt asking for his blesstheir children, several of

But, with the in-

and holding up

surrection in Sicily on his hands, the

King

of

whom

he stopped to kiss as he listened to the

Naples could not move a step in this direction.

account of the losses and sufferings which the

people had sustained. quarters of the

The aspect

of the lower

As regards intervention by France, Cavour knew well enough that the cession of Savoy
and Nice had placed any interruption by Napoleon to the achievement of Italian unity

city, to

which the bombard-

ment had been

in the extreme.

chiefly directed,

was horrible

The houses had been ci'owded

by those who sought shelter
the

beyond probability,
latter

excejjt as

regarded the

from

attic to cellar

seizure of Venice or of

from the
ing the

shells;
city,

and at length, before evacuatfire to

Rome, and that the reservation would not apply to the''

the soldiers had set

Papal temporal possessions in the Eomagna

buildings in several places.

Numbers

of

dead

had already been made plain by the Freucli

emperor himself.

bodies were lying festering and half burned

amidst the ruins.

On
to

the 6th of April Sir

The whole Neapolitan army was

the revolutionary forces
of the armistice

embark

written to Lord

James Hudson had John Russell " The deputies

:

for Naples, leaving Sicily in the possession of

;

from ^-Emilia and Tuscany accept the cession

of

such were the terms

Savoy and Nice

as the price they

;

pay

to

and Garibaldi,

made between General Lanza who, when he had taken comaffairs,

France for their liberation

their pact,

but

thei-e

ends

and

after that they will

look to

plete possession of Palermo, organized a wox-k-

nothing and hear of nothing save Italy for the

Italians."

iug cabinet for the administration of

When

Cavour signed the treaty

of

and appropriated the small sum

service

of

money
])ublic

cession he said to the French minister, "

Et

found in the treasui-y for carrying on the

inaintenant vous voild nos complices!"

(And

aud

providing

for

the

campaign.
intricate
to hold

now, look you, you are our accomplices!)

Cavour was playing a

difficult
skill.

and

The

position maintained
Italian

by England gave
for

game with marvellous

baldi's

He

had

strength to the

cause;

nothing
to enter

a position of assumed irresponsibility for Gariexpedition, althougli the "Dictator"

in the

would have induced our government

into

any plan

for

upholding or restoring the

had acted

name

of tlie king,

and could

Neajjolitan

rule.

We

had

long ceased to

scarcely have organized the liberation of Sicily

hold diplomatic intercourse with Naples, and

without his knowledge.

steps to prevent "

Cavour had taken no

probably no ministry would have survived

the attempt to intervene for the purpose of

The Thousand " leaving the port of Genoa, but was generally believed to have instructed Admiral Persano, who had
the

preventing or delaying the achievement of the

liberty of Italy.

The other

states of

Europe
aft'airs,

command

of a Sardinian squadron, to join

were too much occupied with internal

in enabling the expedition to rei)lenish their

or were unwilling for politic reasons to uj^hold

stock of provisions in the Straits of Messina,

the

demands

of Austria against the emphatic

and

to cover the jmssage of fresh volunteers,

declarations of

England and the evident conRetribution had again

it

iinderCosenz and Medici, to follow thestandard

of Garibaldi.

nivance of France.

There wei'e reasons

why Cavour,

taken the form of revolution, and

for Austria to

was

futile

without lending active encouragement to the

enterprise, should

denounce Garibaldi's

enteri)rise

welcome

it

as freeing Sar-

as a fresh proof of the aggressive ambition of Sardinia, and to call

dinia from the pressure of a serious difficulty.

upon the other powers

to reason this

The court

of

Naples had for some time been

to join with her in reducing

72

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

But a
coali-

disturber of the Europeau peace.

But before October,

had happened.

tion of the nortlierii powers to curb Pied-

as we have said, mucb The Emperor of the French,

montese ambition was actually talked

Berlin,

of at
St.

and the Sardinian ambassador at

who had distinctly refused to fire a shot against the insurgents who sought to overthrow the
Neapolitan gov^ernment, a government which

Petersburg was roundly told by Piince Gortscliakofl' that, if

Russia's geogi-aphical position

had

forfeited its claims

by its conduct, was yet

In

permitted, the emjDeror would undoubtedly

desirous or ^Jrofessed to be desirous of prevent-

put his forces in motion to defend the Bour-

ing any invasion of the Papal territories.

bons of Naples, and would not be withheld

July he had written to M. de Persigny to

assure

by the principle of non-intervention which had been proclaimed by the western powers. It was time that the British government
should speak out plainly, and on the 27th of
October, 1860, a despatch was sent from Lord

Lord Palmerston that

his innermost

thought was a desire that Italy should obtain

peace, no matter how, but without foreign in-

tervention,
to quit

and that

his troops should be able

Rome

without compromising the secu-

John Russell

to Sir

James Hudson, our

repre-

rity of the pope.

dinia, appears to

He,

like the

King

of Sar-

sentative at Turin, which stated in unmistakable language not only our opinions but our
intentions.

have kept up an assumption

he saw

of

wishing to appease the suspicions of the

till

By

this time,

however,

it

must
had

other powers of Eurojie

how

events
as

be remembered that the enthusiasm aroused

would turn
other

out.

Lord Palmerston as well

of

by the successes

of Garibaldi

in Sicily
to

members

our government mistrusted

fired the peoj^le of

Northern Italy

accom-

him

the pope mistrusted both

of Sardinia,

plish the unification of the

kingdom.

Mean-

King

and

in

him and the March had issued

while the policy of the government at Turin

letters apostolic

pronouncing the major ex-

seemed

to be to let Garibaldi bear the respon-

communication against invaders and usurpers

(not

sibility of

an insurrection the results of which

to

named)

of certain provinces in the

Ponfirst

might be
Italy,

make Victor Emmanuel King

of

tifical States.

These

letters said,

"The

but with which Sardinia must for a time

all

evident signs of the hostile attacks were seen

at tlie Paris Congi-ess of the year 1856,

disavow

complicity.

It is diflicult to avoid

when
of the
;

the conclusion that the statecraft displayed on the occasion

that power,
jDroposed to

among

other hostile declarations,

came

perilously near

to

lying

weaken the temporal jjower

and

to treachery.

On

the 18th of

May

an

pope and the authority of the Holy See

last yeai",

but

ofiicial

gazette declared that the Sardinian

government disapproved Garibaldi's expedition,

and attempted
"Europe,"

to prevent its departure

when war broke out between the Emperor of Austria and the Emperor of the French and the King of Sardinia, no fraud, no
was avoided which could excite the inhabiChurch
to sedition."

by such means
permit.

as prudence
it

and the laws would

to say,

sin

went on

"knows
country,
re-

tants of the States of the

that the government of the king does not

conceal
its

These

letters

were issued

a week after a

solicitude for the

common

correspondence between the jjope and Victor

but, at the

same time,

it

understands and

Emmanuel, who had made overtures

gotiations, declaring that his

for newa?.

spects the principles of international law,

and

government

believes its duty to be to

make

that principle

ready to

off'er

homage

to

the high sover-

respected in the state, for the safety of which

it

eignty of the Apostolic See, and would be disposed to bear in a just proportion a diminution of the revenues,

was

responsible."

These words were pro-

bably forgotten when, in the following October,

Victor Emmanuel, addressing the people of

and

to concur in provid-

ing for the security and independence of the

Southern Italy from Ancona, spoke of Garibaldi, (" a

to me,") as

Holy
cline

See.
to

The

pontiff did not, however, insuff'rage

brave warrior, devoted to Italy and

admit that the universal

having sprung

to assist the Sicilians

which gave the revolted

])rovincee to Sardinia

in their revolt, I could not, I

and

said,

"they were

Italians;

was spontaneous, and intimated that the king

ought not t restrain them."

knew

perfectly well

how

it

was that the papal

GAEIBALDI'S EXPEDITION TO NAPLES.

troops were hindered from re-establishing the
legitimate government.
to

73

annex Tuscany contrary to

is

my

interests,

and which
NajJes.
past

urging them forward

now

to

The fact ajjpears to have been that Victor Emmanuel, foreseeing that the freedom of
Italy

To save the king single-handed is my power I must be aided by my allies."

;

was now becoming

inevitable, desired to

Sardinia alone, he at the same time told them,

could arrest the course of revolution, and to

give the pope an opportunity of negotiating

terms whereby he might maintain his high

spiritual authority

Sardinia he

ecommended them

to apply.

and receive compensation

of the temporal states of
if

All, however,

which the Neapolitan envoys

for

any diminution
This,

could obtain from Sardinia was a letter from

the king to Garibaldi (22d July), urging

the Church.

it

had been acceded

to,

him

would probably have been well received

Europe, but there was not
parley.

in for

not to invade the Neapolitan continent.

But
do

much time

to this appeal Garibaldi (27th July) courteously

The
it

poj^e stood out,

and while he was

Garibaldi

responded, that
so,

much

as he should like to

excommunicating
had, as
to carry of

his

opponents.

he could not obey his majesty's injunctions.

the people of Naples,

were, one foot on the shi]) that was him and his followers to the conquest Palermo and of Sicily, to be followed by the

He was called for by whom he had tried in

endanger the cause

vain to restrain.

" If

he should now hesitate," he added, " he should

of Italy.

insurrection in Naples and the demolition of

When

his task

the evil Neajiolitan government.

At

the same

was accomplished

of emancipating the

Nea-

time the Emperor of the French, notwithstanding his views as to the occupation of the

politan people fiom tyranny, he

would lay
and
obejlife-

down
his

his

sword at his majesty's

feet,

Eomagna and
attitude

the antagonism with which his

majesty for the remainder of his

was regarded by the pope, was un-

time."

willing to take the French bayonets from Eorae

until forced

On

the 6th of August Garibaldi had issued

by events

to

abandon the protecfrom

his

a proclamation that he intended to accompli-sh

for the Neapolitan states that liberty

tion of the

head of the Church, whose refusal

which

practically to divide his temporal

spiritual authority

had been achieved for

Sicily.

This announce-

made

the position of a fordifficult.

ment

increased the terror of the Neapolitan

it

eign intervening force increasingly

government, for

was everj^where received

But Garibaldi and

land.

his friends

were prepar-

with pleasure. The people were ready to wel-

ing to transfer active operations to the main-

come the

liberator, the

army had become

dis-

The
in a

conviction had become general that

affected, the officers

were timid, the navy could

Francis II. himself was

there the only hope for constitutional freedom

not be depended on.

incapable,

was

change of dynasty, and annexation

and had

lost the bully in the

coward.

to the state that

had been the representative

and nationality
In vain the King of Naples

The young queen,

his wife,

seemed

to be the

and champion

of the liberty

only person possessing a dauntless temper,

of the peninsula.

and she afterwai'ds went out

to encourage

appealed to the other powers of Europe to

help him in confronting the danger which he

the troops in the fortress, and to induce the

gunners in the citadel of Gaeta to hold out to

the
last.

had provoked.

It

was well known that the

and the enrolment
sui)])ort

Of course such advice was

her

useless,

Emperor

of the

French had protested against

in
it.

and
those

though

determination

contrasted

Garibaldi's enterprise,

favourably with

tlie

poltroonery of
it

many

of

Northern Italy of volunteers to

by

whom

she was surrounded,

was the

Bat when appealed

interfere.

to

by envoys from the

he said, "thorouglily

eflbit of a

stubborn desire to keep a nation in

court of Nai)les for assistance he declined to

"

subjection,

and that nation had already risen

off its shackles.

The

Italians,"

and was casting

of

On

the 19th

understand that, having given the blood of

my

August Garibaldi disembarked on the main]\Ielito

soldiers for the independence of their country,

I will

land at
force

with about 4000 men, and his

of his

never
It
is

fire

a shot against this indepen-

was augmented by a small body

dence.

this conviction

which has

led

them

volunteers

who had

crossed

the

Straits of


GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.
Messiua some days before, and had been joined by about 1500 Calabrians. With his usual astounding audacity he was
read}' to attack the Neapolitan troops

ing the enterprise, the apparent prosperity,

and the splendour

the empire
still

of imperial

government

meant degradation and bond-

with a

age to France.

mere handful

of followers,

and

liis

assaults

In England the cause of " free and united

Italy" had never ceased to
siastic supportere,

were mostly so rapid and unexpected that he

number enthu-

was able

to drive

them before him.

He struck

quickly and he struck hard.

tively little of the military

He

had compara-

and now that Garibaldi was moving down upon the stronghold of the
hated government of Naples, Englishmen, and

knowledge which
but

enables generals to take the field and to pre-

Englishwomen
practical
aid.

also,

made ready

to give

him

pare for and sustain a prolonged

conflict,

There was soon an English

he was an able tactician in his own way.

He

brigade ready to fight in the ranks of the

insurgents,

would stand on some eminence,

for a long time,

and several

ladies

prepared to

attentively examining through his glass the

act as nurses or almoners of the

money which

evolutions or the position of the enemy, then

they themselves devoted to the relief of the

insurgents.

suddenly decide,

give a few rapid

orders

No

very large or regular English

till

for the disposition of his regiments

and the

contingent joined the Garibaldians

period,

a later

plan of an attack, and without fear or hesitation

when they

could do

little

more than

swoop down upon the weak point

of his

assist in the

triumphal entry into Naples, for

antagonist's forces with irresistible vigour

scatter the foe like chaff.
it

and

success followed success with startling raj^idity;

" Guerilla warfai'e "

but a number of Englishmen were aiding the

fii-st, and Colonel Dunne was command of their brigade. Not only money but supplies of arms were sent from

may have

been, but

it

was

successful,

and

struggle from the

in

its

success depended mainly on the

amazing

faculty of Garibaldi as a leader"

fearlessness, his self-possession,

his absolute
and the wonsmite the

England, and the subscribers of Garibaldi's

derful influence of his voice, his smile, his lionface, that in battle

fund at Liverpool and elsewhere, after sending out some consignments, bought a vessel of
their own, the Queen of England,

seemed

itself to

enemy with

fear

and

to encourage his

own

which on

men

to deeds of valour

and endurance as con-

the 17th of August arrived at Messina with

spicuous as his own.

The whole

of the in-

24,000

rifles,

12,000 Colt's revolvers, a Whit-

surgent force under his commantl just before

his descent

worth 84-pounder, a Whitworth 6-inch bore,

and twelve 12-j)0unders.

upon Calabria was said

to

have

been 27,000; of
7000
Sicilians,

whom

13,000 were Italians,

Among
those

the

earliest

of

the volunteers

and the remainder English,

of oppressed nationalities

who

followed Garibaldi from

Genoa

to

French, Poles, Hungarians, and Russians. Tlie

republican

Palermo on board the Washington

tain,

was Capa
long
in

members

afterwards Colonel Peard,

in the

who had been

for

naturally turned to the

movement being made

and many

engaged
freedom.

former campaigns for Italian

for the complete liberation of Italy,

Colonel

Peard

was

hands were ready to chaw a sword against the

representative tyranny of Naples.

time a very prominent character both

That there

English and foreign newspapers, and strange

were Fi'enchmen among them was not very

surprising, for just as Victor
to

were the

stories told of

him.

He

had been

Hugo had retired

represented as a gloomy misanthrope, who,

possessing extraordinary skill as a marksman,

Guernsey and remained

in voluntary exile

rather than receive any favour at the hands of

attended the marches of Garibaldi for the

pleasure of "stalking" the officers of the enemy,
or rather of bringing

"Napoleon the
there were

Little," the

"man of December,"
haters of the

many

other ardent republicans,

them down from a

dis-

or, at all events, irreconcilable

tance with a kind of grim pleasure, such as

Napoleonic dynasty and the Napoleonic tradition

may be

felt

men

of education, ability,

and courage

himself on his long-i-ange shooting.

who

persisted in declaring that, notwithstand-

even said

by the sjDortsman who prides It was that Peard made a notch in the

THE TAKING OF NAPLES-EOME IN DANGER.

stock of his
rifle

75

for every victim

who

fell

were

hemmed

in.

So certain was he that

before his unerring aim.

This was during the

they would surrender that he forbade his

to ojjen fire
flag of
lines,

men

cam]iaign in Northern Italy, and he wrote to

sentations.

England indignantly repudiating such repreTliat he was an unusually good

it is

upon them; and sure enough a truce was seen coming from the royal
cry, not for the king,

and a

but for

shot was certain, and

followers of Garibaldi
eff'ectually

likely that those

Garibaldi,

for

Italy {Viva Garibaldi! Viva

who

could use a
of

rifle

Italia!), arose

from the ranks.

few min-

were frequently

service either

utes

and Garibaldi himself was among them,

chief.

in preventing a reconnaissance or in neutraliz-

and they wanted no other and were and glad

They were

ing the danger from artillery placed in position.

Italians probably pressed into military service,

all,

The most remarkable thing

Peard was

in relation to

two thousand of
down
their

them,

ready

his general likeness to Garibaldi.

to lay

arms and return

His long

hair,

beard tinged with white, and

gave him a certain
re-

to their homes.

Similar defections followed

the contour of his face

as the invaders

marched onward.

Regiment

semblance to his

chief, so that

he was often

after regiment either revolted

in favour of Garibaldi

and surrendered

mistaken for him, and Garibaldi himself would

join in the cheers

and Victor Emmanuel,

which on two or three occawere intended for

Englishman," but

or openly joined in the insurrection which

sions greeted Peard, but

himself.

they had been sent to quell.

The tyrannical
the memoi'ies of

Several stories were told not only

government was doomed

cruelties

of the skill of " Garibaldi's

and

oj^pressions against

which Mr.

of his cool

and determined courage.

Gladstone had protested in words that burned,

Garibaldi was well supported in his rapid

seizure of

now rang
ators

in the voices of the victorious liberto smite.

Palermo and

his subsequent operhis

and gave their arms new power

ations in Calabria

by

comrades General

Medici,

who had

entered and held Messina

Yet the king would not abdicate. His army was melting away, his ministry resigned.

with his division, and General Cosenz,

crossed the straits with his

who men and landed

These

He

lingered
of

helplessly in Naples while the

army

the dictator and

the avenger was

capital.

at Reggio, in spite of the not very effective

fire of

advancing unresisted on the

He

had

some Neapolitan war steamers.

the tenacity as well as the perfidy of the

two generals and Generals Bixio and Sartori

were j^romiuent figures in the campaign.

Bourbons.

He might yet reach his last strongand there

rally a
till

hold, the fortress of Gaeta,

force that

No

sooner had Garibaldi landed his small

would be

sufficient to hold out

force at Melito than he

was ready

to

push

he could get help to save his kingdom.

For
of

onward.

The next day

of

the}''

were on the way

Gaeta he embarked with his regular army

about 50,000

along the coast to Reggio, which Avas occupied

men on

the 6th of September,

by a large body
safety at

Neapolitan troops,

who

retreated almost without resistance, seeking

and two days afterwards Garibaldi, with a number of his followers, entered Naples by
railway from Salerno, and was received by the
people with almost frantic demonstrations of

San Giovanni.

The town

of

Reggio

was abandoned, the

long.

fort only

remaining in
could not hold

the hands of a few soldiers,

it

who

welcome.

Cosenz had now come up and joined

Ids chief.

decisive.

The attack was short, sharp, autl The officer in command was mortally
firing,

But now came the

sword

crisis.

Garibaldi was the

startled

of Italian liberty,

and he had

wounded during the rapid

invaders 500 stands of arms,

and the
guns, and

and dazzled Euro])e by

his swift achievements.

place surrendered, leaving in the hands of the

While he could be used by Cavour and the

government
of

many

Sardinia for the purpose of

much ammunition and

supplies. Garibaldi im-

adding the insurgent states to the new Italian

mediately began an advance towards the troops

kingdom he might be
politically denied,

secretly

encouraged,

who had

retreated to San Giovanni, and came

so quickly

even though participation in his attempts was

upon them

and

skilfully that

they

and

his authority

was

dio-

76
avowed.

GLADSTONE AXD HIS COXTEMPOEAEIES.

But these attempts had
resulted in

by

international law, to

lenew a war, by
seize

a series of successes more brilliant and more

com])lete than could have been expected

which they might hope again to

upon

by

the provinces that had been added to the

any but simple and determined enthusiasts

like himself,

kingdom
capital

of Victor

Emmanuel.
chief

On

the other

and the disavowals had grown

hand, any attempt to take possession of the

fainter

the king had already become a parti-

by an insurgent

who had been

cipator.

Probably any other minister than

at once disowned

Cavour would have been dazed, and even that

resolute

and acknowledged by the Sardinian government would end in a collision

with France.

and crafty

politician

needed

all his

In either event the very object

at

coolness to organize the daring combination

which both Cavour and Garibaldi had

heart, widely as they differed as to the
to

by which swift statesmanship was

ship
to

to avert

means

the dangers that would follow swift generalif

be employed to obtain

it,

would be im-

the triumph of Naples were permitted

re-

perilled.

Instead of being united into a free

place in Europe,

be only the prelude to a rush for the

kingdom and taking a great

Italy

covery of Yenetia and a march upon Home.

Garibaldi himself had
little

would

find the established

governments

doubt that he

against her and the

work already accomplished

would be able
that
all Italy,

to effect both these objects,

and

would be undone. Such were Cavour's views,

and that he was sincere was proved by the
risk

or

all

true Italians, would aid

him.

The danger which Cavour had reason

but that he should succeed.
It does not

which he was ready to incur that he

to dread was, not that the "dictator" should

fail,

might prevent what he believed would be a

fatal disaster.

appear that Garibaldi contemplated carrying

his victorious bands to A^euice, but he
fired

To keep Garibaldi from Eome

sary to occupy the

it

was neces-

was

Eoman

States with the

with the glorious ambition of realizing

Sardinian troops in such a manner that while

the hostility of France would not be aroused, the
in

the intention (which on the 10th of Septem-

ber he communicated to the English ambassador,

insurrection

which had already begun

Mr. Henry EUiot) to push on

to proclaim a

to

Rome

and thence
crown
of

United

Italy, the

which he would

offer to

King Victor

Emmanuel, upon whom would then devolve

the task of the liberation of Venetia.

Umbria and the Marches would receive such apparent support from Victor Emmanuel as to satisfy Garibaldi and prevent him from interfering unless he should be summoned to
assist the royal forces.

It

was a bold and

Had the people of Naples, when they were rid

of their

subtle scheme, but circumstances were favour-

bombarding king, turned

and

to Sardinia
different

able to

its

successful adoption.

The Papal
j)layed

for help, affairs

aspect,
it

would have had a

government had unconsciously

Cavour's
force of paid troops

into

secret

was known that Cavour had agents at work to promote this result;
scai'cely delivered

hands by gathering an iiregular

(among

whom was
lost

an

but Garibaldi had

before he

Palermo

Irish contingent) for the purpose of recovering

was

at Eeggio,

and

his progress

was

the territories which

it

had already

and

already a quick march, during which, after

holding in check the insurgent elements in

the provinces already on the brink of revolt.

each decisive

conflict,

the populations and no

small part of the opposing

ranks of his adherents.

army swelled the What was to prevent

The commander

of the Papal troops

was the

exiled French general Lamoricifere, the former

his attempting to carry out his expressed in-

captor of Abd-el-Kader.

In the revolution

tention of driving the foreigners out of Italy,

of 1848 Lamoricifere, riding amidst the insur-

the French from Eome, the Austrians from

gents in the uniform of a national guard, had

Venetia?
of

The consequences would have been

in

proclaimed the abdication of Louis Philippe

tremendous importance

any

ca.se,

but

and the regency

of the

Duchess

of Orleans

an attack by Garibaldi upon the Quadrilateral

but his horse was shot under him and he himself

with a view to seize Venice would have

given Austria the excuse, and even the right

killed

was wounded and narrowly escaped being by the mob. The provisional govern-

CAVOUE'S SUBTLE POLICY.

nieiit offered

him

the post of minister of war,

pur])ose of repressing the manifestations of

wliich he refused.

He

afterwards acted under

national feeling.

C'avaiguac in the insurrection of June,

lie

when
and

fought against the

mob

at the Bastille

The demand could scarcely be regarded as more than a merely formal observance before
the

elsewhere.

He had

offered no opposition to

commencement
lioui'S

of

hostilities,

for

only

the election of Louis Napoleon to the presi-

twenty-four

were allowed for an answer,

dency of the French Eepublic; but afterwards,

and, as might

have been anticipated, the

on returning from a mission

resuming his seat in the

to Russia

and

answer was a direct refusal to comply with

his

legislative assembly,

demands.

Any

other result would have

became a violent opponent

of

the president

disappointed the astute minister.

as
it

He

had, as

and

his supporters.

On

the night of the coup

were, compelled the Papal government

d'etat

he was among those

carried to

and was

who were arrested, Ham, whence he was soon

police.

to a hostile attitude;

he had then to justify

his

own attitude to the governments of Europe,

for this purpose addressed a circular to

conducted to Cologne by the

Until

and

1860 he had lived in Brussels, when Monsignor Merode, one of the pope's household, who had been a soldier, invited him to become com-

the dii^lomatic representatives of Sai'dinia at the various courts, arguing the subject with

almost incomparable subtlety and ability.

He

mander of the Papal

troops.

There can be
his legions

little

did not shrink from declaring that, so long as

the question of Venetia remained unsolved,

<loubt that Garibaldi

and

would
and
of

have made short work of these

that he

forces,

Europe could enjoy no

tion of

solid

and sincere peace

it

would have raised the enthusiasm

It

but he emphatically stated

the

to be the intento

the people on his progress.

was therefore

Sardinian

government not

necessaiy to take immediate measures without

meddle with that question

but to
its

for the present,

waiting for the consent of France or the opinion

of the rest of

let

time and circumstance bring about

Europe.

Cavour was equal

to

solution.

He

refeiTed

to

the misdeeds

the occasion.

With one hand he

Umbria and
of the

directed ac-

which had brought the Neapolitan dynasty to

ruin
filled

tion with the other he conducted diplomacy.

by a "prodigious
Europe
with

revolution that had

The people
of

of

the Marches were

astonishment,

by the
it

I'eady for insurrection for the

avowed purpose
of Victor

almost providential manner in which

had
ad-

becoming a part

kingdom

been accomplished, and had excited

its

Emmanuel. By promoting
to the purpose of those

their desire

Cavour

miration for the illustrious warrior whose

glorious exploits recall all that jDoetry

could not be suspected of acting in opposition

and

his-

who sought
of Italy.
his

the unifi-

tory can relate."

He

pointed out the advan-

cation

and the freedom

Garibaldi
to

tage to Europe and to the interests of order

by

had himself avowed

loyalty

Victor

the establishment of an Italian kingdom, which

Emmanuel, and would be bound

to recognize

would rob "revolutionary

chances,

])assions of a theatre,

the claims of the sovereign to take the initiative in supporting the disaffected

where previously most insane enterprises had

if

provinces

not of success, at least of exciting

all

against a mercenary army, the formation of

the sympathies of

generously minded men."

which had been disapproved by the Emperor

of the

The only

barrier to this result, he said,

was

French himself.
the 7th of September Cavour sent to

the separation of the north and south of the

On
the

peninsula by provinces which were in a deplorable state.

in the

Cardinal Antonelli an ultimatum, calling for

To

repress all iDarticijiation

immediate disarmament of the troops

great national movement, the Pai)al

unjustifi-

levied
istence
Italy,

by the pope. He stated that their exwas a continual menace to the peace of and told the Papal government that,

government had not only made an

able use of the spiritual power, but had formed

for the purjiose an army, "consisting almost

unless its forces were at once disbanded, Sar-

exclusively of strangers, not only to the

States,

Roman

dinia would feel herself justified in prevent-

but to the whole of Italy." Sympathiz-

ing any

movement they might make

for the

ing with their opi)ressed

countrymen, the

78

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

upon putting
Eurojse (though with the exception of England
to this state of things " If the

Italians of other states were bent

an end

by

force

and

they expressed disapproval) did not move.

It has

violent measures.

government

of Sar-

been truly said by a chronicler of the

dinia remained passive

amid

this universal in opposition to

event ^ that the other European powers could

not but regard with disfavour the arguments
of

emotion

it

would

2:)lace itself

the nation.

The generous outburst which the events of Naples and of Sicily had produced in the masses would degenerate at once into
this,

Count Cavour's circular, based as they were

on the right of the people to depose their

hereditary sovereign, and to choose for themselves

anarchy and disorder. Were he to suffer

the king would be wanting in his duties to-

But

in

by whom they should be governed. what direction could thej' move to stay

wards the Italians and towards Europe.

fulfilment of
his obligation
to

In

the course of events in Italy?

results

One

of

two

prevent the

was by
of the

this

time inevitable

the

national

had addressed

movement from so degeneratiug he his summons to the court of

on this

triumph

extreme revolutionary party,

with the consequent dangers to Italy and to

Home

to disband its mercenaries, and,

Europe, or the establishment of orderly govern-

being refused, had ordered his troops to enter

ment under a monarch whose

be identical with their

interests

would

Umbria and
there,

the Marches, to re-establish order

own

in arresting the

and

to leave the populations a free field

spread of revolutionary doctrines.

If success

j I

for the manifestation of their sentiments."

attended the
it

movement of

the Sardinian army,

In conclusion he declared that

Rome and
his

could scarcely be doubtful which of these

the surrounding territory should be scrupulously respected,

alternatives

would be most acceptable

to the

and adroitly professed

courts of St. Petersburg and Berlin.

confidence "that the spectacle of the unanimity

of the patriotic sentiments

At

anyrate remonstrance was of

of Victor

little avail.

which had burst

The army

Emmanuel emulated

the

forth throughout the whole of Italy,

would

followers of Garibaldi himself

by the rapidity

remind the Sovereign Pontiff that he had

and decision with w^hich they took possession

of the

some years before been the sublime

this great national

inspirer of

Papal States.

General Fanti, the com-

movement."
lose
;

mander-in-chief, had concentrated his forces

There was not an hour to

but

it

was

on the frontiers by the 10th of September;

General
Cialdini

necessary at least to communicate with the

commanded

the

division

French emperor before taking an extreme step, and Farini, the Sardinian minister, had
already given some hint of Cavour's intentions.

which was

to operate

in the Marches,

and

General Delia Rocca that destined for Umbria.

Two days afterwards Cialdini

of

took the fortress

The emperor was

at

Chambery on

his

way
con-

Pesaro and 1200

men

of the garrison.

Fano
and

through his newly acquired territory, and

General Cialdini sought him there.
versation

and Urbino were next taken by

Perugia, which

assault,

The

meanwhile General Delia Eocca had invested

its

was grave

the emperor could not

it

garrison of 1700

men
with

sur-

countenance the course which

to pursue, but he left
it

was proposed

rendered without

much

resistance.

So the
an

to Sardinia to under-

campaign went on.

Lamoricifere,

take, at her

own

risk,

a proceeding which
necessary for her

army
men,

of
fell

between eight and nine thousand

back on Loretto, intending
to find

she might consider was

security and for the safety of Italy.

This was

safety in the citadel of Ancona.

The

Italian

enough for Cavour. Napoleon

to

III.

was knowm

commanders joined
in
till

their forces,

hemmed him

have entertained the

ojjinion that the real of the

he was obliged to give them battle, and

and legitimate authority

not be diminished
b}'

pope would

defeated
after

him

in

an obstinate engagement,
followed by a few
fortress.
all

the loss of the territory

itself

which he

left the field

now

in revolt.

Let

Eome

be inviolably

horsemen and entered the

This was

preserved as a residence for the Sovereign

Pontiff and France would not interpose.
It

on the 18th, and next day

that were left

was

w^ell

that the other governments of

Sir

Theodore Martin.

MEETING OF YICTOE EMMANUEL AND GARIBALDI.

of his aiuiY laid

79
liei'oic

down

their arms,

and not a

more

of a patriot

and more truly

than
sus-

soldier of the Papal forces

remained in Umbria

either Italy or the rest of

Europe had

and the Marches beyond the few who were shut up in Ancona. That place was immediately invested,

pected.

Apart from the abstract theories

of

republican freedom

which he had learned

and bombarded both by sea

from Mazzini

apart

from the poetical but

of

and
war.

land.

On

the 2&th of the

month

it

sur-

vague, confused

ideas

the

relations

of

rendered, the garrison becoming pi'isoners of

national and social

life to

which he appeared

In this brief campaign the Papal govlost nearly all its

to give occasional expression

somewhat

after

ernment

war

material, while

the

manner of Victor Hugo

one might almost

was a man who
no dreamer, and

from 17,000

to 18,000 of their troops,

with

all

say, notwithstanding

remarkable episodes in

their generals, were

made

prisoners of war.
It

his

own

social life. Garibaldi

Garibaldi had taken Naples.

sary to prevent
alone

was neces-

loved righteousness and thought of himself

last or

him from completing the work

of Gaeta,

not at

all.

He was
had

by the capture
left

which would

his practical faculty for his case circumstances

to

hard work, which in

so often translated
of the region

have

him

free to

make an attempt on
of

Venetia.

For a short time the troops

mean

fighting, carried

him out
into the

Francis II. had

made

a stand on the Volturno,

brilliant vic-

of plots

and conspiracies

open

field of

where the Garibaldiaus won a

tory.

bold and determined enterprise against the

foes of Italy,

Before any attempt could be made Capua and Gaeta the Piedmontese troops had taken possession of the Marches, had beaten Lamorieifere, and were now ready

who

alone wei'e foes to himself.

it

upon

His crowning glory was at Naples, for

an
lie

was

act,

not only of splendid lo^'alty in which

to his sovereign,

handed another kingdom

by another rapid movement

to

march with
and
to

but an act

of self-renunciation.

King Victor Emmanuel

to Naples,

endorse the campaign of Garibaldi by reducing Capua and Gaeta, and so completing the

the Neapolitan frontier

The Piedmontese troops had quickly crossed when the troops of

II.,

Francis

which had just been severely

union of Northei-n and Southern Italy in one

defeated by Garibaldi on the Volturno,

made
if

kingdom.

It

was a master stroke

of policy,

a sudden rally, and with a courage which,

it

and though some of the means adopted by

Cavoui',

had been developed

attacked

earlier,

might

at least

such as the employment of secret

have deferred the solution of the Italian question,

agents both in Italy and in Hungary, and the

the leading columns of the

manner

in

which he had played

fast

and

loose

advancing forces of Victor

heights of Macerone.

Emmanuel on

the

with the heroic leader who had saved Italy

for the king,
sition

must be deplored, the

interpo-

The Piedmontese drove them back with considerable loss, and they
were compelled to
retreat, leaving

between Garibaldi and Rome, and the

a large

prevention of a march upon Venetia, were

absolutely necessary for the preservation of

body

of

troops to occupy Capua.

The

en-

gagement was on the 21st

the 26th Victor

of October,

and on

the countr}' and the fulfilment of

for liberty

its

struggles

and a place among

one imjiortant,
if

nations.

But

head

of his troops,

Emmanuel, advancing at the was met on the line of

there was
est,

still

not the great-

the Volturno by Garibaldi.

An

account in

element in the ultimate success of this

the Journal des Debats, written by an eye-

policy

which Cavour had not counted on.

Italy,

witness says, "Tlie

officei-s

of the king and

Not only

but

all

Europe, had been as-

those of Garibaldi shouted, 'Viva Victor

Em-

tonished by the rapid and brilliant successes

of the leader
his victorious

manuel

!'

Garibaldi
caji,

made a

step in advance,

who

carried all before

to liberty,

him on

raised his

and added
emotion,
raised

in a voice of

which
Italy!'

march

and whose
insurgents

trembled
Victor

with

fervour and simplicity of purpose had roused

the country, and served to

Emmanuel

'King hie hand

rei>liod,

to his cap,

make

and then stretched out his hand to Garibaldi,

and with equal emotion
you.'"
'I

into soldiers aiid soldiers into veterans during

thank

a few months' campaign; but Garibaldi was

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

80

This grasp of the hands was the signal of

vast crowd, in defiance of decorum, burst into

cries of "

an unexpressed compact by which the

of the achievements in Southern Italy

result

Yiva

il

Re Galantuomo
made
jDitch

"

and so
to reach

were
of the

crowded around

tlieir elected

sovereign that

confirmed to the king.

Another account

way

could scarcely be

for

him

meeting says
"Garibaldi and the king,
still

the royal seat.

Garibaldi followed, and the

holding each

enthusiasm reached a

which almost en-

other's hand, followed the troops for about a

dangered the safety of the popular hero, the

people pressing about him, seeking to embrace

quarter of an hour.

Their suites had mingled

together, and followed at a short distance be-

him, to touch him, to kiss his hands.

ence has already been
striking appearance.
of

Refer-

hind them.

Passing a group of

officers,

Gari-

baldi saluted them.

Among them were Fariui,

General Fanti.

made to Garibaldi's Here is another picture

:

minister of war, and

The
His

htm
an

as he appeared at that time

king and Garibaldi were conversing.

" Garibaldi
of

was a middle-sized man and not

though gifted with un-

majesty was at the head of 30,000 men, and

before reaching Teano he halted, and ordered

athletic build,

common

strength and surprising agility.

He

a portion

of his

army

to

file ofi"

in presence of

looked to the greatest advantage on horseback,

as he sat on the saddle with such perfect ease

Garibaldi, that every one might observe the

good feeling which existed between him and

the chieftain.

and yet with such calm serenity as

if

he were

He

then reviewed Bixio's brilittle

grown
sailor,

to

it,

having had, though originally a

a long experience in
of

gade, which was posted a

beyond

Calvi.

the

benefit of

He

was received with the enthusiastic and

of "

taming the wild mustangs

the Pampas.

unanimous shout
Italy!"

Long

live the

King

of

But

his chief beauty

was the head and the

it

Garibaldi had

7000 men, divided

unique dignity with which

shoulders.
classic

rose on

the

between different
to give orders.

jjositions.

The king

re-

The
;

features were cast in the old

mained at Teano; Garibaldi returned

to Calvi

mould

the forehead

was high and

of

At Teano

the people began

!

broad, a perpendicular line from the roots of

the hair to the eyebrows.
hair
its

shouting, " Evviva Garibaldi

"
'

The

latter
il

His mass

tawny

stopped them, and said, " Cry

d'ltalia, Yittorio

Evviva

Re

and

full

red beard gave the countenance

Emanuele!'" pointing to the

raised,
!

peculiar lion-like character.

genial,

The brow

king. " "

The cry was Evviva Garibaldi

and

after

it

again
said,

was open,
nose,

sunny

the eyes dark gray,

"

on which the king

he

deep, shining with a steady reddish light; the

You

are right

it is

who

is

king here."

mouth, and chin exquisitely

countenance habitually at

chiselled,

Into Naples the general and the sovereign

the

rest,

but at

went together

in triumph,

and on that occasion

sight of those dear to

him beaming with a

all

another English legion of Garibaldians, a force

chiefly recruited in

caressing

smile,

revealing

the

innate

London, was conspicuous.

strength and grace of his loving nature."

They had but

late to take

recently arrived and were too

fighting,

plebiscite

gave Yictor

Emmanuel

the

any active part in the

sovereignty of the

Two

Sicilies,

and Garibaldi
an address to round him, in

but their wUl was good, and some of their

resigned the dictatorship, bade an affectionate

farewell to his comrades,

countrymen had helped to bear the brunt

the campaign.
streets

of

and

in

The procession through the

;

the brave

men who had

rallied

was a singular spectacle

many

of the

which he
General

specially referred to the

EngUsh and
Italy,

houses were decorated with

evergi'eeus,

flags,

drapery, and
of the

the Hungarian contingents (the latter under

Tiirr), sj^oke

and the equestrian statues

with enthusiasm of

Bourbons had been covered up with

It

sheets.

and referred in no obscure manner

bability of the country being
free,

to the pro-

There was a touch of Italian humour there.

made

altogether

was a wet day, but the reception

of

the

and

of his

meeting a host of his compan-

king was enthusiastic, especially at the cathedral,

ions in

arms

in the following year.

He

then

where he and Garibaldi with their

to hear the

suites

quietly retired to Caprera after being received

wont

Te Deum, and where the

with honour by the royal

staff

and having

THE ENGLISH DESPATCH TO THE ITALIAN GOVEENMENT.

his title of general confirmed,

81

which

in his case

Sardinia to France,

it

was a proposal which

meant a

special

and

distinctive military rank.

no Italian dared to entertain.

All pecuniary grants or other emoluments he

declined to
accejjt,

Then
saying

(on the 27th of October) a despatch was

and

it

was said that on

to his primi-

sent to Sir J.

Hudson by Lord John

Eussell

resigning his dictatorship he was possessed of

just o30, with

which he retired

" Sir,
of the

It appears that the late proceedings

of Sardinia

tive island to live

on the produce of his farm.

the

King

have been strongly

The opinions

of

French, Eussian, and

disapjjroved of
courts of

Prussian governments had, of course, not supjjorted the action of Victor

by several of the principal Europe. The Em^aeror of the French,

of General Cialdini,

Emmanuel and

of

on hearing of the invasion of the Papal States

Count Cavour, and (perhaps to save appearances) Napoleon III. had recalled his representative

by the army

withdrew his

minister from Turin, expressing at the same

from the court

but

of Turin.

There could
if

time the opinion of the imperial government

in

be

little

doubt what England would say,

all
;

she

condemnation of the invasion of the

"

Eoman

spoke at

some

at

many statesmen abroad and home were much ojsposed to any word

territory.

The Emperor

of Russia has,

we

are told,

being said that would seem to favour the

intervention of Sardinia in what they Avere
pleased to assume were foreign states, or to

declared in strong terms his indignation at the

entrance of the

army

of the

King of Sardinia
and has with-

into the Neapolitan territory,

her accepting the allegiance of those states

after they

drawn

his entire mission

from Turin.
of

had abandoned

their previous rulers.

"The Prince Eegent

thought
it

Prussia has also

Doubtless the case of Italy was peculiar, and

necessary to convey to Sardinia a

perhaps the Times was right in saying that

the only actual justification for upholding the
action of Victor

sense of his disi^leasure, but he has not thought

it

necessary to remove the Prussian minister

Emmanuel would be
the
to

that
of

from Turin.
" After

which

had
of

su])])orted

assumptions

these

diplomatic

acts

it

would

William

Orange in regard

England.

The

scarcely be just to Italy, or respectful to the

English government referred to this examjjle

as a precedent

other great powers of Europe, were the govern-

when

the events in Italy had,

ment

of her majesty

any longer

to withhold

so to speak, been justified

by

results.

We
and

the expression of their opinions.

" In so doing, however, her majesty's govern-

might have issued a despatch

earlier,

but that

Lord Palmerston was jealous

of France

ment have no

intention to raise a dispute

upon

had just succeeded in obtaining a vote for

nine millions for British defences, whereof two
millions only, could be at once asked for

the reasons which have been given, in the

name
of the

of the

King of

Sardinia, for the invasion

states.

by
to

Roman and

Neapolitan

Whether

Mr. Gladstone, who reluctantly consented

abide by the vote.
that Victor
itself

or

no the pope was

justified in

defending his

Thei-e

was a suspicion
allow Sardinia

authority by means of foreign levies; whether

the

Emmanuel might

King

of the

Two

Sicilies,

while

still

main-

to follow

Savoy and Nice to buy the

taining his flag at

said to have

Capua and Gaeta, can be

support of France, or that he might join

Garibaldi in invading Venetia.

abdicated are not the arguments

Cavour has-

upon which her majesty's government propose

to dilate.

tened to give, through Sir James Hudson,

the strongest assurances that Garibaldi would

"

The

large questions

which appear to them

:

not be suffered to attack Venetia, and that,

that attack were ever made,
it

if

to be at issue are these

Were

the peo])le of

would be by
he added,

Italy justified in

asking the assistance of the

an Italian army, and when events were ripe

for the

King of

Sardinia to relieve them from govern-

movement. Never,

moreoA^ei",

ments with which they are discontented, and

would he be accessory to bringing the French

again into Italy, and so to
the slave of France,
Vol. IV.

was the King

the

of Sardinia justified in furnish-

making

his country

ing the assistance of his arms to the peojile of

As

for the surrender of

Eoman and

Neapolitan states

69

82

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

" There appear to have been

two motives
of the

not feel justified in declaring that the people

of

which have induced the people

Roman
The
of the

Southern Italy had not good reasons for

off their allegiance to their
;

and Neapolitan

states to

have joined willingly

throwing

former

in the subversion of their governments.

fii'st

governments

her majesty's government can-

of these was, that the

governments

not, therefore, pretend to

blame the Kiug

It

of

Pope and the King

vided so
ill

of the

Two

Sicilies pro-

Sardinia for assisting them.

There remains,
is

for the administration of justice,

however, a question of

fact.

asserted

by

the protection of personal liberty, and the

general welfare of their jieople, that their subjects looked

the partisans of the fallen governments that the people of the

to the pope,

Roman

States were attached

of the

forward to the overthrow of their

and the people

Kingdom of
II.,

rulers as a necessary jDreliminary to all im-

Naples to the dynasty of Francis

but that

provements in their condition.

"

Sardinian agents and foreign adventurers have

The second motive was, that a conviction

since the year 1849 that the only

by

force

and intrigue subverted the thrones

It
is difficult,

had spread

of those sovereigns.

however,

manner

in

which Italians could secure their

to believe, after the astounding events that

indejjendence of foreign control was by form-

have been seen, that the Pope and the King

the

of

ing one strong government for the whole of

Italy.

Two

Sicilies

possessed the love of their

it,

l^eople.

How
it

was

one must ask, that the

"The

struggle of Charles Albert in 1848,

pope found

impossible to levy a

Roman
did

and the sympathy which the present King of Sardinia has shown for the Italian cause, have
naturally caused the association of the
of Victor

army, and that he was forced to rely almost

entirely
it

upon foreign mercenaries?

How

name

happen again that Garibaldi conquered

all Sicily

Emmanuel with

the single authority

live.

nearly

with 2000 men, and marched

under which the Italians aspire to

majesty's government

from Reggio to Naples with 5000?

How

but

" Looking at the question in this view, her

from the universal

the

disafi"ection of the

people of

must admit that the

Two

Sicilies?
it

Italians themselves are the best judges of their

" Neither can

be said that this testimony

own
"

interests.

of the popular will

jurist

was capricious or

causeless.

That eminent

Vattel,

when

dis-

Forty years ago the Neapolitan people made

cussing the lawfulness of the assistance given

an attempt regularly and temperately to

dynasty.

re-

by the United Provinces

turned the throne of James

to the

Prince of

form their government under the reigning

Orange when he invaded England and overII.,

The powers

of

Europe assembled

at

says

Laybach
Orange

resolved, with the exception of

EngIt
of

"'The authority

of the Prince of

land, to put

down

this

attempt by

force.

had doubtless an influence on the deliberation

of the States-general,

was put down, and a large

occupation was
left

foi-eign

army

but

it

did not lead them

of injustice; for

in the

Two

Sicilies to

to the commission of

an act

maintain social order. In 1848 the Neapolitan

people again attempted to secure liberty under
the Bourbon dynastj', but their best patriots
atoned, by an imprisonment of ten years, for

when a people, from good reasons, take up arms

against an oppressor,
it is

but an act of justice

and generosity to

assist

brave

men

in the de-

fence of their liberties.'

" Therefore, according to Vattel, the question resolves itself into this
of
:

the

offence

of

endeavouring

to

free

their

country.

What

wonder, then, that in 1860

Did the people

States take
for

the Neapolitan mistrust and resentment should

Naples and of the

their

Roman

up

throw

off the

Bourbons, as in 1688 England

the Stuarts?

arms against
reasons ?
"

governments

good

bad thrown

ofi"

"It must be admitted, undoubtedly, that

this
gi'ave

Upon

matter her majesty's

the severance of the ties which bind together

government hold that the people in question are themselves the best judges of their

a sovereign and his subjects

fortune.

is

in itself a mis-

Notions of allegiance become conis

own

affairs.

Her

majesty's government do

fused, the succession to the tlu'one

disputed,

EATTAZZI DELUDES GARIBALDI.

adverse parties threaten the jjeace of society,
rights and pretensions are opposed
to each

83

an

illness

which

folloM^ed his retirement to

Caprera he appeared in the assembly and

after

other and
it

mar

the

harmony

of the state.

Yet

some passages

of words, in

which he was

must be acknowledged, on the other hand,

no match for his opjDonents, retired from the

contest,

that the Italian revolution has been conducted

and allowed a reconciliation, or rather

to

with singular temper and forbearance.

The

an expedient truce,
crafty, designing,

be

effected.

Rattazzi,

subversion of existing power has not been

followed, as

but not highly capable, nor

burst of popular vengeance.

views of

by an outThe extreme democrats have nowhere prevailed.

is

too often the case,

possessing the confidence of either j^arty, seems

to have imagined he could follow the policy ot

Cavour, and to gain the support of the revolutionary party, or "the pai'ty of action," allowed
it

Public opinion has checked the excesses of the

public triumph.
stitutional

The venerated forms of conmonarchy have been associated

to

be understood that he would supply a

million francs for an expedition to take Venice

with the name of a prince

who

represents an

from the Austrians.

It

ancient and glorious dynasty.

Such have been

govern-

need scarcely be said that

seized

this j^roposal

the causes and concomitant circumstances of the revolution of Italy.

was

upon with

alacrity

by Garibaldi,

Her majesty's

who

not unnaturally assumed that he might

ment can
Prussia,

see

no

sufficient

ground for the

again raise volunteers for an enterpiise in

severe censure with which Austria, France,

which he could count on the connivance,

if

and Russia have

visited the acts of

not on the direct assistance of the government.

King of Sardinia. Her majesty's government will turn their eyes rather to the gratifying prospect of a people building up the edifice of their liberties, and consolidating the work
the
of their independence,

But the attempt

tinctly declared

to

make
It

history repeat itself

dis-

was too hazardous.

had been already

by Victor Emmanuel

that no

attempt should be made against the Austrians

at Venetia except

amid the sympathies

by regular

Italian troops,

and good wishes of Europe."

It

and in order
a purpose,

to avert the suspicion of proof volunteers for such

need scarcely be said that this desjiatch

gratitude both of Cavour and of

moting the enrolment

it

moved the

was necessary
him.
It

to take decided

Garibaldi, " who," as Earl Russell said in his

measures to prevent Garibaldi from calling

subsequent account of

it,

"with the magna-

upon men
well
if

to follow

would have been

;

nimity of great men, instead of attributing to

themselves the whole merit of rescuing Italy

the general had submitted

but

it

was

highly improbable that he would be satisfied to

from her centuries

of servitude

and depression,

obey without bitterly complaining of having been deceived and betrayed.

and securing to her the blessings of independence and freedom, were ever willing to ac-

He

abandoned

the attack on Venetia, but at the same time

knowledge, with gratitude, the

efforts

made

proclaimed his disappointment, and at the instigation of the " party of action " landed in
Sicily,
foi'ce.

by British statesmen to help on the good work." It may be mentioned that several
gentlemen in Milan combined to send to
Eai'l

and there raised a small undisciplined

He

had attended a

rifle

meeting at

Russell a token of their appi'eciation in the

Palermo, where Prince Humbert, the eldest son

of Victor

shape of a beautiful marble statue, the work

of

Emmanuel, was

present,

and where
officer

Carl Romano, representing

Young

Italy

Pallavicini,

who had

for years

been an

holding in her hands a diadem embossed with

the arms of the various Italian states thence-

of the Piedraontese,

was

in

command

of the

Papal troops. There he openly announced his

intention of organizing a force for the jnirpose
of taking
it.

forward to be united in one kingdom.

The death

of Cavour,

and a change

of minis-

Rome from
this

the French

who

occupied

try which brought the cunning Rattazzi into

Of course

avowal should at once have

illegal.

power, proved disastrous to Garibaldi.

He

been denounced as

It

would have
acquired

had been elected

to the Italian parliament as

been monstrous for the king,

who had

deputy for Naples, and on his recovery from

dominion over a whole

territory,

and whose


84

GLADSTONE ASD HIS COXTEMPORAEIES.

Hungarian
patriot,

authority had been recognized and establislied,

to sanction the attempt of a subject to levy

wrote a

letter to the Italian

journals strongly disapproving the attitude

troops or to

commence a war, but

it

was

assumed by his brother

patriot,

and exhorting

almost as monstrous to permit any initiatory

steps to be taken.

the Hungarians not to lend their aid to a

No

positive

command was
it

movement which, by bringing

sion with France,

Italy into collito livet afresh

sent to Garibaldi to cease at once from any

would tend

preparation for hostilities; and

was not

till

the manacles from which the jDeople had been

freed.

Eattazzi saw to what a fatal termination his

But the

miscliief

had been done so

far

former indirect encouragement was likely to

lead, that the

as injury to Garibaldi himself

C'ialdini

was concerned.
to

government found

itself

com-

had stipulated that he should be

pelled to resort to foi'ce to prevent a calamity

allowed to choose the troops

who were

be

which would never have threatened but

for

sent against his former friend and comrade,

the weakness and duplicity of the minister.

and he intrusted the capture

to PaUavicini
shooters.

of the general

At any

sacriiice of feeling,

and even

at the
it

and

liis

Bersaglieri or sharp-

expense of appearing dishonourable,

was

It

was believed that Garibaldi

of the

" essential that the f ollowei-s of the " liberator

would lead his men to the mountains

Tyrol rather than submit.
troops advanced
it

should not be suffered to come into conflict

As

the regular

with the French troops. Garibaldi had crossed

to

became evident that they

tliat

Calabria,

where he expected
enough
to

to

raise a

were in
but

force,

and

they had been so dis-

force large

march on Eome and

Only a few

posed as to endeavour to prevent his retreat,

it

expel

the

French garrison.
Victor

was equally certain that he had no

in-

weeks

earlier,

Emmanuel had been

expressing his gratitude to Napoleon III. for

them battle. From the first moment while he was looking at them through
tention of giving
his glass

"a
for

careful

act

of

kindness" in sending a

he repeatedly gave orders

to his

men
his

French

fleet to

Naples for his protection and

Prince

not to
oflicers

fire,

and the order was repeated by

of

"sympathy
too,

for the cause of Italy."

and by sound

trumpet

all

down

Napoleon,

had %asited the king at Naples

Sicily,

the

line.

The
firing,

Bersaglieri,

however, com-

and had afterwards been to

troops at Messina

wheie the
his hotel
of

menced

and Garibaldi himself was

had marched past

wounded
more

in the thigh

by a spent

ball,

and

and shouts were raised by the people

live the defender of Italy
!

"Long
!"

seriously in the ankle

by a bullet which
.stood erect for a

Long Live France

struck with full force.

He

Shortly before that day 35,000 Italians had

sent a memorial to the English government

moment, shouted " Long

called out "

live

Italy

"

again

Do

not

fire,"

and then was carried

asking for

its

influence in inducing the French

to a short distance,
trees

to relinquish the occupation of

not tiU

Eome. It was he reached Aspromonte that Garibaldi

Several
ofiicers of

and began

to

where he lay beneath some smoke a cigar vigorously till

his foot could be attended to

found himself opposed by the royal troops

a battalion of Bei-saglieri.

His

son, Menotti, in his

by the surgeon. was brought in also with a

and several
fire of

wound
injured.

leg,

othei-s

were

the

army had thrown

ujj their

commissions

In one part of the line the Garibalthe troops and

rather than obey orders to fight against the

chief

dians had returned the

who had done

so

much

for Italy.

It

a skirmish took place, which was, however,

was necessary to take immediate measures, for

the people were becoming excited and were

quickly ended.
tives

Friends, old comrades, rela-

met

as the

two

forces approached.
of

It

clamouring against France.

At

the same time

was a scene of regiet and

ful reproaches.

mutual and soitow-

the true friends of Italian liberty saw

how

PaUavicini came bareheaded

of respect to the place
lay.

deplorable had

been the error into which

Opinions were every-

and with every token

short time people

Garibaldi had fallen.

where the wounded chief

done with Garibaldi.
with him
?

For a very

where

conflicting,
offer of

but while Eussia came in

wondered what would be

with an

"moral support"

to Victor

What

could be done

Emmanuel

in the cause of order, Kossuth, the

He was

carried to Spezzia to the

FAILURE OF ATTEMPT TO LIBERATE ROME.

fort of Varigliauo, only to be released after a

85
error,

on

Rome had
if

been a grievous

which was

nominal imprisonment.
possible to

In a few days
to Caprera,

it

was

obscured
pity that

not obliterated in the pain and the

remove him

where the

sympathies of his countrymen and of thousands

of others in

were felt not only in Italy but throughout Europe at the event at Aspromonte.
It has

England, France, and Europe,

been truly said that had Gari-

reached him.
shape, and

Our concern took a

him and

practical

baldi been wrecked on the voyage after his

Mr. Partridge, an English surgeon,

to extract
diffi-

crowning glory at Naples, or had he reached

Caprera with an unshaken determination never
to re visit the mainland, his

was sent
cult

to Italy to attend

the ball from his foot, a task which was

achievements would

and

tedious.

He

eventually recovered,
still

have gone down to posterity as a myth hardly

second to the deeds of the ancient demigods;

however, and though he

suffered

from

rheumatism and from the

results of his

wound,

but he was elected a deputy, met opponents

in parliament, quarrelled

was able
ber of

to visit

London

in 1864 at the invi-

and even squabbled

tation of the

Duke friends who

of Sutherland

and a numI

with those for

is

whom

he was no match in what

desired to give

him
is

fresh

sometimes called debate, and persisted in

repeat the triumphs that had only

assurances of the symj^athy and admii'ation of

the opinion that he could somewhere and

the English peoj)le.

The

people, that

to say

somehow

the largest proportion of the poiJulation, were

been possible and could only be possible once

in a lifetime.

eager to show him honour.

in the streets

His api^earance

The very
man,

simplicity
qualities

and un-

became a public triumph, the

of the leaders of society kept

selfishness of the

enthusiasm was tremendous, and though for

a time a

wrought wonders,
advisers and led
in humiliation

made

which had
tool of
ill

him the

number

him

to attempts that

ended

critically aloof, they

were in a minority, and

and

defeat.

either from a dislike to appearing singular,

In 1864 the seat of the Italian government

or because they were unable to withstand the

influence of the

was removed
taining

to Florence,

and as the idea of obIn

common

excitement, became

Rome seemed to have been abandoned,

even more exuberant in their praises and more

exacting in their hospitalities than those

France agreed to withdraw the garrison.

who

1866 the war between Prussia and Austria, of

had

first

received the " hero " whose picture

which we

sliall

have a

little to

say presently,

was

in

every shop window.

Garibaldi was so

gave Garibaldi an opjiortunity of manifesting

his

overwhelmed by a popularity, the violent demonstrations of which he had neither courted

undying hostility

to the tyrants of Italy, and

as the soldier of the king he

headed a force

of

nor desired, that his health began to

suffer,

several thousand volunteers

and

ineffectually

and

it

was found necessaiy

killed

to enable

him

to

endeavoured to force his way into the Southern

Tyrol.
rifles,

escape from his titled and aristocratic admirers

He was
and

kept at bay by the Austrian

who would have

dinners,
therefore, he

him with

receptions,

after defeat at Custozza

was comto

and deputations.

After a short stay,

pelled to fall back, sick

and wounded, and

jo}'

re-embarked in the Duke of

return once more to Caprera. His

when

the

Sutherland's yacht and went back to the farm

in his
solitary
of

war ended, and one of

tion of Venetia

its

results

was the

libera-

island, grateful

for

all

the

and

its

reunion with Italy, was

sympathy

which he had been the

object,
re-

probably

little affected

by the

fact that he
in the

but glad to be once more in a position to

had been unable to take a leading part

achievement.

member

it

at a safe distance.

He was

too high-minded and

for

Garibaldi's

day was done, so

far as actively

therefore
that,

had too

little self-conscioiisness

effective service of his country

was concerned.
the "

but he was too easily ensnared

in the

It

might have been better

if

Sword

of

toils laid

by Rattazzi, who. returning

to

power

Italy" had not been again unsheathed.

Deeds

in 1867, again

attempted to imitate Cavour's

heroic in themselves lose their force and value

if

subtle sagacity
tected cunning.

by an

exercise of easily deat great risk,

they are the consequence of perverse or

Cavour had,
difliculty of at

mistaken enthusiasm.

The attempt

to

march

surmounted the

once promoting

86

GLADSTONE AXD HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

to

and appearing

restrain

an insurrection.
of Garibaldi,

found himself opposed not only to the much

larger forces of the Papal army, but to French
battalions sent for the rescue

He

had made an edge-tool

and

but for his

own energy and

adroitness his

own
first

and protection
Failly.

of

hand would have been

Italy

seriously

wounded and

the pope and

commanded by De
alike in
tlie

AH
in

maimed.

As

it

was, Garibaldi,

was
soul

over.

Wounded

body and

secretly encouraged

and then ostentatiously

the kingdom for Victor
stopjied short at Venetia

and sick at heart,

hero went once

checked, had added Southern to Nortliern

Italy

more

to his solitary island like

a broken eagle

and united

to its eyrie,

and again

after three years

saw

Emmanuel.
and
at

Cavour

Eome,
his

Eome.

Eattazzi,

now

that Venetia had

Italy,

life,

to restore which he would have given taken after a brief struggle, by the
army and made
Italy, while

fallen again into the lap of

began

to

Italian

the true capital of

repeat the tactics which had before brought

United

he had no hand in the

himself as well as Garibaldi to grief, and the

victim of Aspromonte was again fired with

achievement, and the French emperor

who
his

had

so long prevented

it

was rushing on

J ^

ready enthusiasm at the cry of

Italy,"

"Eome

for

fate at Sedan.

was again caught in the net which cunhad spread

for liim.

Eefereuce has already been

Irish brigade

made

to

an

ning

foll\'

Eome had

been

formed for the protection of the

will occur to

relieved of the French garrison

and was supIf the

Papal territory, and in this association the

posed to be comparatively defenceless.

name
some

of

Mr. Pope Hennessey

minister could only excite an attempt to seize

readers.

Mr. Pope Hennessey, who,

upon the

capital,

and could at the same time

it,

with Sir George Bowyer, was an ardent supporter of the Papal authority in Italy, had

appear to be strenuously opposing

he might

achieve the desire of the extreme party, and

either deceive

occupied the
cil
office,

office of

civil clerk in

the counfor

Napoleon

III. or so

awaken

and was afterwards returned

his sympathies for the Italian cause as to pre-

King's County.
of the

As an
way

Ii-ish

Eoman

Catholic

vent his effectual

interference.

This was

extreme school
of his

the

Ultramontanists,

Eattazzi's absurd attempt to imitate Cavour.

as

men

of thinking

were then
for-

There was no

difficulty in raising volunteers,

called

he

had been conspicuous in the

Pope's

"

and arms were ready

to

be distributed. Menotti

mation of the Irish Brigade, which irreverent

jesters

Garibaldi was on the borders of the diminished

had nicknamed "the

Brass

Papal States enlisting men.

self

Garibaldi him-

Band," and he was of course opposed to the

course taken
Italian

Genoa almost as soon as he heard was to be forgotten in a repetition of the original drama of 1860. He went from Genoa to Florence, his addresses to
was
at

by the government

in relation to

that the farce of 1862

independence, since he sympathized

with the King of Naples and regarded Garibaldi as a bandit and Victor

Emmanuel

as a

the people were ardent and so imprudent as to

robber.

At

all

events he had the courage of

be almost inexcusable

if

he remembered with

his convictions, for in a well-arranged

and

whom
liis

he had to deal.
still

The government,

dis-

well-delivered speech, which lasted two hours

sembling

in the eye of France,

condemned

and a
were

half,

he denounced the conduct of the

language, and affecting to be shocked at

government, and delivered opinions which

dii'ectly

his attitude ordered his arrest

and his removal

cruisers lay off

opposed to those of the

gi-eat

to Caprera,

where government

majority of the house.

As he was then

only

shore to watch
tiU the time

him and prevent

for the

his escape

twenty-seven years old this was an achieve-

came

blow to be actually

ment, and though he had very few supporters

struck against

Eome.

Tlien he

was allowed

he was listened to with something like

terest, or at all

in-

to get off quite easily, to land at

Leghorn, and to

events without interruption

to reply, the house

join the force mustered on the Papal frontier.

It

but when
rapidly

jSIr.

Layard rose
and
it

was

too late

the drama ended

tragedy
his

in a pitiful

filled,

was evident from the

Mr. Edwin James and

fiasco

in a wretched

rathei'.

When
he

cheering which accompanied his retorts, as

well as the remarks of

Garibaldi advanced with

followers


ME. POPE HENNESSEY
Sir Robert Peel, that neither

AND

SIR

GEORGE BOWYER.

87

Mr. Hennessey

Mr. Hennessey was not without supporters

nor Sir George Bowyer could bring censure

who condemned both

Emmanuel, but

Garibaldi and Victor

upon the foreign policy

Italian affairs.

of the

government in

in the

House

of

Commons

In such a debate Mr. Gladsit silent,

they were few, and a tempest of applause

greeted Mr. Gladstone's reply.

stone naturally felt that he could not

Referring to

and indeed he was entitled

to

some

reply, if

the assertions put forward, he said Sir George

only for the reason that Lord Derby in the

Bowyer and Mr. Hennessey had

the house the
to

called

upon

House of Lords had condemned the policy of the government towards France and Italy, which he said placed on the people an amount
of taxation "absolutely unjjrecedented in time of peace,

lament the foreign policy of

they
alleged

government, which

was

founded on injustice and could not prosper;

and

they also said

in Italy

that the cause which

and only made more intolerable by

we favoured
righteous

was the persecution

of

the financial freaks of the chancellor of the

governments.

The member

for

exchequer." In a speech, fervid, eloquent, and almost passionate, Mr. Gladstone replied
to

Dundalk had

asserted that a revolution which

the people of England looked upon with won-

Mr. Hennessey's accusations; and having

der was the result of a wicked conspiracy

carried on

commented upon the breach of faith committed

by the
old

by an unprincipled king and a

and that the people
of

King

of

Naples towards the people

cunning minister;

in reference to the promised constitution of

Naples, governed by benignant laws wisely

administered, were devoted to their sovereign.

May, 1848, characterized the reign of that monarch as built up by, and founded upon, a denial of justice and a violation of all law. That king's son, who had succeeded him, had
thrown away a splendid opportunity
pressing a glorious
tory.

As

to the courage " that miserable

II.,

monarch,"

Francis

was

said to have manifested dur-

ing the siege of Gaeta, Mr. Gladstone said,

" It is all very well to claim consideration for

for im-

name ujoon

the pages of his-

No one had marred a brilliant fortune more completely than the miserable and unhappy Francis
II.

But sad

as

were the records

of Neapolitan rule, the ecclesiastical authorities

him on account of his courage, but I confess I feel much more admiration for the courage of the hon. member for Dundalk (Sir G. Bowyer) and the hon. member for King's County (Mr. Pope Hennessey) for I think I would
;

of the States of the

fruitful of oppression

Church were
and
injustice.

still

more

rather live in a stout and well-built casemate

listening to the whizzing of bullets

The man-

and the

ner in which the inhabitants of these States

bursting of shells, than come before a free

had been handed over once to the military

assembly to vindicate such a cause as that

government
people borne

of Austria
it
fit

was

such, that

had the

which these honourable gentlemen have

poused."

es-

they would have been no better

to

than worms

be trodden under

foot.

By

Both these gentlemen returned

a year
later,

to the charge

documentai-y evidence Mr. Gladstone proved

the atrocities which had been committed in

however

(in April, 1862),

when
the

Sir Geoi'ge

Bowyer

violently attacked

the States of the Church and in the territory

of the

policy of the government,

set

which he said had

French viceroy

Duke

of

Modena; and he concluded by

up Victor Emmanuel

as a

declaring that the consolidation of Italy would

made France the dominant

and broken the power
secui'ed

power

in Italy,

be a boon not only to the Italians themselves,

of Austria,

but had not

but also to every power in Europe.

To the not
necessary,

altogether

new imputation

of

what was called the unity of Italy. The kingdom of the Two Sicilies still existed,
while that of Italy had only been organizeil

Lord Derby, only a

practical

answer was
in

and the reply was fortlicoming

by France and England.

He

declared that

the successive budgets, which, even in a time

of difficulty

we had not made Rome

Italy.

the capital of Italy

capital of

and

trial,

were directed as much

and that Rome never would be the

as possible to diminish pressure of taxation

on articles of necessary consumption.

This was such an extraordinary statement,


88
in face of

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

what was then
actually occurring,

sake of humanity and the peace of Europe,

it

that Mr. Layai'd was able to say in reply that

there were

might soon be done away.

"With respect to

no Piedmontese troops in the

the temporal government of the Papacy

one

Marches, Umbria, or the Legations

that

if

of tlie questions involved in the discussion

the i^eople wished to return to their former

allegiance there

Mr. Gladstone, in a powerful argument, urged

the impolicy as well as the injustice of pro-

was nothing

to prevent

them

and with regard to Eome, the question was

not whether
it,

longing

it.

King Victor Emmanuel wanted but whether the Romans wanted him.

Lord Palmerston closed the debate by declaring that the

sistently

government had acted con-

Mr. Gladstone, pointing out the extraordinary credulity and the equally extraordinary

with their avowed desire to see Italy

liberated from tyrannical oppressors,

this policy
counti'y.

and that
of the

power

of

jmradox displayed by Sir George

:

had represented the feeling

Bowyer, said
tliere is

" To take a particular instance,

He

complimented Sir George Bow-

the downfall of the late

Sicilies.

kingdom

of

yer on his loyalty to the church of which he

the

Two

My hon.

and learned friend

was a member, but affirmed that the govern-

was

so kind as to ascribe to

me some

infinite-

ment would be
of the nation.

willing to abide

by the verdict

simal share in removing from the world the

sorrow and iniquity which once oppressed

that unha]3p3' country.
I should take
it

as a

The
for the
conflict

first

year of the decade, the events of

is

favour

if

the charge were

made
office.

truly,

but I
is

which we are now considering,

memorable

claim or assume no such

Here

commencement
which
it

of

that tremendous

country which
says
is,

my
a

hon. and learned friend

was thought woidd separate

with

few miserable
classes,

exceptions

the United States of America into two inde-

amongst the middle

to the expelled

fondly attached
liappens

pendent republics
the

and the

social as well as

dynasty

and what

politiciil effects

produced in this country

wex-e attended with

there

An

adventurer, Garibaldi, clothed in

by the war
able danger.

in

America

a red shirt, and some volunteei-s also clothed

in red shirts, land at a point in the peninsula,

great anxiety and fraught with no inconsider-

The anxiety was

of

two kinds,

march through Calabria,

a well-disciplined
fleet

face a sovereign with

of 80,000

the painful impression jiroduced by the prospect of a long and sangidnary struggle be-

army

men, and a

probably the best in

Itiily,

and that
a mock-

tween people who had formed one great nation

sovereign disappears before

them

like

speaking
same
fear (which

the same language, possessing the

ery king of snow

of

paradox that

And yet such is the power my hon. and learned friend

!

civilization,

and in the main derived

proved to be well

from the same stock as ourselves; and the

for a time

still

argues for the affectionate loyalty of the

if

Neapolitans, as

such results could have been

grounded) that our commercial and international relations to either or to both belligerents

achieved anywhere save where the people

were alienated from the throne."

Sir George

would be injured and

imperilled.

The

Bowyer had declared

Italians
for their capital.

or predicted that the

city of

danger lay in the ignorance of the great majority of people here as to the real

would never have the

Rome

grounds of

He

(Mr. Gladstone) did not

strife

which apjjeared to be so sudden and

believe in that prediction. Sir George required

overwhelming; and in the erroneous impression which

the house to believe that the people of

Rome

many

of the

most enlightened and

were perfectly

satisfied

but there were some

sagacious of our public

men had formed

of its

20,000 French troops kept there for some

probable

issue.

In a word, England, because

purpose which Sir G. Bowyer had not explained.

of her true

and natural sympathy with the

Speaking as an individual, he could

people of the LTnited States, was divided into

partisans of the

not but regret the continuance of that occulaation

:

North or

of the South, ac-

and he most earnestly hoped,

for the

cording to the sentiments or the misapprehensions by which o])inions were guided, at

sake of the

name and fame

of France, for the

COMMENCEMENT OF
the very time
relation

CIVIL

WAE

IN AMERICA.

89

that

when the near and jDeculiar we bore to the combatants

of a j^ractically

dence as a sovereign state, had been followed by Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and

most demanded the exercise

Texas; and Mr. Jefferson Davis, w^ho had

formerly been secretary of war in the United
States government,
at Charleston,

disinterested neutrality, which as a nation

we

earnestly and successfully strove to preserve.

was

elected, in a
first

meeting

There was and continued

to

be a great deal

and proclaimed

president

of confusion in the representations current in

of these "Confederated States."

Then, after

England with regard

of the

to the original causes

having adopted a constitution similar to that

of the

war and the reasons

it

for its continuance;

tlie

United States government, the Conall

nor would

be easy within

limits of these
its

federates or "Seceders" took possession of

pages to trace the real history of

beginning,

the property of the Federal government within

their I'each, including all the military posts

and the varied conditions and vicissitudes under which it was pursued. That the first
hostilities

except two or three

forts.

In Texas a force

by the South and

tlie

secession of
to

of 2000 regular troops

under General Twiggs

South Carolina were in immediate relation

surrendered to the state militia; and Major

the apparently inevitable oi^position of the

Anderson, commanding the Federal garrison

of

Northern States to the maintenance of slavery

Fort Moultrie, in the port of Charleston,

tlie

was obvious enough but several endeavours were made by the United States government
;

blew up
hold,
ter.

post which he could no longer

and removed the garrison to Fort Sum-

to induce the slave-holding states to

remain

loyal to the Union,

and among the propositions

to

All this had taken j^lace during the presi-

were suggestions

adopt a boundary line

inter-

dency of Mr. Buchanan, who preceded Mr.

Lincoln, and

beyond which slavery should never be

fered with.

who was

said to be closely allied

When

the "Eepublican" party,

to the interests of the slaveowners.

At auy-

which was regarded as the anti-slavery party,

carried their candidate for the presidency,
it

rate

some

of his ministers

were in favour of

the Confederacy, and he was obliged to dis-

was

still

admitted that force would not or

miss them.

One

of them,

Mr. Floyd,

after-

should not be employed to restore the Union.

wards become a violent partisan and another went

of the South,

Mr. Seward, who became secretary

had declared that
if

of state,

and commanded a brigade in "Western Virginia,

by

force

it

Union were restored would not be worth having. Mr.

the

to preside over the

Confederate senate.

Abraham

Lincoln, however, in his inaugural

These Avere convincing signs that the question of slaveholding

address, stated his intention of recovering

and

and slave
;

traffic

were the

keeping the property of the United States,

25rimary reasons for secession

but for a proper

and as he did not mention that he would do

so

understanding of the attitude of the Federal

by the

force of arms,

taken by several
office to

much trouble was eminent men in and out of

government,

it

will

be necessary to remember

that at the time of the actual

of hostilities

commencement

represent that the message was truly

It

and afterwards, Mr. Abraham

pacific.

would appear that a considerable

Lincoln declared that he did not go to war to

number of those who read the message in this way and among them Mr. Seward pro-

put an end to slavery, nor even to decide

whether in certain

states slavery should or

fessed not
secession,

to

believe

in

the reality of the

should not exist, or whether a certain number

of slaves should be permitted; but tliat he
called

but thought that the temporary

demonstrations of revolt would cease when

the whole question came to be argued and a

upon the Northern States to arm

Union, which
it

solely

to preserve the

was

their duty

compromise was
difficult to see

effected.

Otherwise

it

is

to maintain.

how

the property of the

Union

So far then we may see a

little
;

of

what

could be either recovered or preserved without

recoxirse to force.

was the
ever

position of affairs in 1861

but what-

South Carolina having an-

may have been

the assumed causes or

nounced her resumption of separate indepen-

the expressed objects of the combatants, the


90
slave questiou

"

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

was that which had
States,
really to

came one
victions.

of those significant phrases

which

be settled. The advances in

civil liberty

made

are conveniently used to express settled con-

by the Northern

where the

" peculiar

But

it is

necessary to note that Mr.

institution" of holding negi'oes in perpetual

bondage had been long abandoned, made the

perpetuation of slavery in neighbouring territories

Seward apparently held the opinion that a compromise might be made by which slavery
should be
sufl'ered

gradually to die out, or

la-

under the same government impossible,

should by degrees be superseded by free

and the negro who could escape over the border was concealed or protected by the " abolitionists."

bour, and should not be perpetuated in future

generations by what were called the slave-

After the commencement of the

fugitives were enfranchised

breeding

states.

Even

before the date of the

war such
of,

by the

speech just quoted he had said, in addressing

the senate at "Washington, "
this country that

law which was passed against the recapture

or claim of property in,

AU

parties in

any one dwelling

states.

have tolerated the extension

have perished for that
last

within the boundaries of the free

of slavery, except one,

The cry

for abolition of negro slavery

was

error already,
cratic party

and that
is
!

one

the

Demo-

in the air of the

Northern States; and there

hurrying on irretrievably to

were not wanting either true narratives, passionate appeals, fictional representations, or
clear,

the same fate

There was nothing in the attitude

state of

of the

indisputable

evidence to show what

South Carolina inconsistent with preIn 1848, when the

were the actual as well as the possible cruelties

vious demonstrations.
senate at Washington
tion

and degradations was

liable

to

which the human

had approved
of

of a peti-

chattel

under the irresponsible

Slavery could not

from the people

New

Mexico

to ex-

authority of an owner, or the ii-regulated

clude domestic slavery from that country, the

tyranny of an overseer.

assembly of South Carolina passed resolutions

have existed in any form likely to have been

acceptable to either party, and, indeed, the

denying the power of Congress to

pi-ohibit the

introduction of slavery into any territory ac-

most vigorous
ders of

l^arty

those who had retained

eai'ly

quired by treaty or by the arms of

states.

all

the

the "grit" and persistency of the

foun-

The question was not

was

likely to

become

America

would not have rested with

f orefathei-s, like ours,

the cause of a national conflict while the

cratic party

Demo-

any compromise. Their

permissible
one,

in power, for the

Democrats

had regarded the institution as at

even

least

of

America may be

said to have represented

when they did not

but these people had

the Conservative party, and the Republicans the

rely on a convenient interpretation of Scrip-

Whigs

or Liberals.

Near the end

to agree

of the

ture for

its

support;

year 1853 a meeting of English ladies was

held at Stafford

abandoned the
children of
as
it

belief that negroes

were the
slavery

House

upon a me-

Ham, or that the system of

practised, or

morial to the ladies of the United States,

was was

might

easily be prac-

which
faith,

said,

"

common

origin, a

common
to ad-

tised,

of divine institution.
evil

To them

it

and we sincerely believe a common

was a thing
republic.

and odious

a system which

cause, urge us at the present

moment

had become dangerous

to the existence of the

dress you on the subject of that negro slavery

Whatever may have been Mr. Se-

which

still

prevails so extensively, and even

disjjosed

ward's opinion of the means to be taken to

abolish
it

under kindly

masters,

with such

and

though in 1861 he

may have

frightful results, in
of the

many

of the vast regions

regarded the secession of the slave-owning

states as only

Western World." The address was read

of Sutherland,

a temporary demonstration

by the Duchess

and was sent

It

he had, as early as 185S, declared in a speech

in

but the answer received from Mrs. Tyler, the

wife of the ex-president, was resentful.

New York

state that the

antagonism be"

tween freedom and slavery was

sible conflict

an irrepres-

roundly told the duchess that she might find

fitting objects for

between opposing and enduring

" irrepressible conflict " be-

her sympathy in London, in

estates;

forces "

and the

Ireland, or

on her own Highland

and


THE SLAVE POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES.
said, "

91
aftairs

Leave

it

to the

women

of the

South to

justice.

This had been the condition of

alleviate the sufferings of their dependants,

iu those states
bill

which did not repudiate the

state laws, until the secession
first losses of

while you take care of your own.

of the

The negro

by their own

South

lives

sumptuously in comparison

of the

Southern States, and the

with 100,000 of your white population in London."

the Federals after the

commencement
Lincoln,

of the

This reply, of course, did not touch the

fact,
all.

war

when Abraham
all

who was then

entering the

other side of the negro question, and, in

president, issued a proclamation declaring the

did not touch the question of slavery at

freedom of

fugitive slaves

It indicated, perhaps, that a large proportion of the people of the

Federal States.

Northern States did not

The demands for complete emancipation had

not been altogether silenced since the days

much for the negroes, as they vei'y plainly showed when they came in contact with them;
care

when England bad

jaaid so

heavily for the freeposses-

and

it

seemed

to

imply that at that time

dom of
sions.

the negroes in her

West Indian

emancipation was not regarded as a desirable

question to bring into prominence. Evidences
wei'e not

In France and

in

America anti-slavery
all

societies

were earnestly at work, but

that

wanting that

it

might soon become

have taken up

could be done was to insist on the active suppression of the traffic in Africa. Unhappily the
slave-dealers

difficult, if

not a dangerous one.

to

The Republicans appear

and their ageuts,the man-stealers,

sufficiently profitable to
risks,

the slave question as one which would have

to be fought out with determination,

found the trade

tempt

and

wei-e

them
eries

to

run great

and horrible discovsuflferings of

ready to demand that the whole force of the

were sometimes made of the

government should be exerted to prevent the

extension or the perpetuation of slavery in

the wretched creatures,

who were battened

run

down

in fast-sailing craft, that a quick

any

of the states of the Union.

The Demoresult

might be made

to escape the British, French, or

crats,

on the other hand, were equally read}^

American

cruisers.

In 1840 the

societies held

to defend "the institution,"

and the

was

a conference, the result of which was that the

that while the United States government, in

American government endeavoui'ed

lish a

to estab-

conjunction with Great Britain, was ex^jendiug a large

negro colony, which they called Liberia,

of Africa, to

men

in the

amount of money and losing many work of suppressing the African

on the West Coast

which slaves

who had obtained

sent.

their

freedom might be

slave-trade
civilized

and

the only portions of the

traffic

We

cannot here follow the obvious

woiid where that

was tolerated

causes of the failure of this attemjDt to form a

self-sustaining colony of freed slaves.

were the islands of Cuba and Porto Rico

England

runaway

slaves, in their

endeavour to escape
boixlers,

had a station
of
ships.

at Sierra

Leone

for the reception

from the Southern States to the

Charleston
to

were
at

negroes rescued
It

from intercepted slave

of

recaptured and severely punished.

the
abolitionists

Even

was believed that many

Afi'ica

the

were wrought

slaves
to

bought in

were not only taken

Southern States of

a pitch of excitement by the arrest of

Cuba and Porto

Pico, but were smuggled

fugitives,

and

their relinquishment to those

as their propertj'.

through Texas to

the

who claimed them

was
Bill passed

This

America; but apart from that, those states

retained in bondage the negroes at

in accordance with

the Fugitive Slave

in 1850, permitting

work on

by Congress

the plantations or otherwise emj)loyed, and

owners
states,

to follow

runaway

slaves

into free

comparatively few of them or their ofisjiring

obtained their freedom.

and making any

assistance given to
to their

The number

of the

them

iu their flight, or

any opposition

negro slave population in the South in 1840

arrest, illegal

and punishable.
soil "

At

the same

was reckoned
figures

at about

two millions; but these

time the " free

party

(who, like the

were uncertain, or perhaps did not

slaveholders, were fond of

the

word

" freeto

include the quadroons or

mixed race of negroes

dom"
reject

in relation to themselves)

agreed

and whites, numbers

of

whom

were

kej)t iu

the testimony of slaves in courts of

slavery even though, iu luany instances, the

92

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

had been ahnost
was not
depicted
fact in the sense of its

signs of their negro descent

obliterated, or at least

having hapwere there

it

were not conspicuous.

pened in relation
;

to persons such as

The

anti-slavery societies had done much,

but there was nothing in

that

and the Quaker community had been forward

in the effort to abolish

might not have happened without interference

from the laud what

they believed to be an accursed thing; but,

as

we have

seen, other powerful agencies con-

tributed to give a quick incentive to the move-

by law. The system of slavery in the South made such incidents possible, many of them jjrobable it was known that they had happened and were happening. The character
:

ment, which in 1859 had aroused not only

the interests but the passions of either side.

of

Uncle

Tom was
It lias
it

not the biography of any

first

one man.

been explained that the

The question had become,

political

at the

same time, a

suggestion of

reached Mrs. Stowe while she

Hills, Ohio.

and a

religious one.

Slaves

who

suc-

was in the Walnut

cook,

The coloured
in

ceeded in escaping from the plantations found

protectors in the free states,

whose husband was a slave

Kentucky,

who

aided and

used to go to Mrs. Stowe to ask her to write

to him.

comforted them even at the risk of incurring

The poor woman

told her mistress

punishment by the law, or the lawless revenge

of those

that this man's master trusted

him to go alone
market
his

who looked upon them much

The

as horse in

and unwatched
farm produce.
Ohio, gave the

to Cincinnati to

or cattle stealers

would have been regarded

This, according to the laws of

some other communities.

had dreadful
practised

fugitives often

man

his freedom, since

if

any

stories to tell of the cruelties

master brought or sent his slave into Ohio he

by

overseers; the evidences of the

became

free de facto.
his

But she

said her hus-

truth of what they said, were to be seen upon

their scarred

band had given

the law

word

as a Christian to his

and seared

bodies,

and were often

master that he would not take advantage of

corroborated by witnesses

who had themselves

his master
It

promising him his freeit

is

visited Southern plantations, or possessed in-

dom.
corded.

Whether he ever got

was some four or
the fugitive slave law

not re-

dubitable testimony of the treatment of which

the slaves were frequently the victims.
It

five years after,

when

made Mrs. Stowe

slavery was, that

may
been

be conceded that comparatively few in-

desirous of showing

what

stances of cruelty and atrocity

sufficient, in

would have
system but

she conceived the plan of writing the history

of a faithful Christian slave.

the excited state of feeling,

After she had

at the Anti-

to raise a passionate outcry against the

begun the story she obtained,

slavery

of slavery

and a demand

for its abolition,

Rooms

in Boston, the

autobiography
its

the examples were too numerous to be re-

of Josiah

Henson, and introduced some of

garded as exceedingly rare or as altogether

exceptional.
It

most striking incidents into the

story. Josiah

was known that men, women,

sold at auction like beasts,

Henson, an old negro, was in England

of Mrs. Stowe's story.

in 1879

and children were

or 1880, and was introduced as the Uncle

Tom

that they were often treated like brutes, that

Doubtless Uncle Tom's

effect in increasing the
it

men and even women were

flogged and pun-

Cahin had an immense

ished in a revolting manner, that

women who
of

public feeling against slavery; but

was not

were not negroes, but who were partly

negro blood, might be flogged or worse.
only in
cries,

alone books or stories or public meetings which

Not
these

were working upon the popular imagination

orthegeneralsenseofrightand
justice.

speeches,

songs

were

In 1859

things denounced, but anti-slavery tracts, essays, stories,

"abolition" had taken a startling and practical

were circulated

in great

numbers.
Cncle

form

the form of an enthusiasm which,

Mre. Harriet Beecher Stowe's story,

Tom's Cabi7i, sent a
thrill of

pain and of inthe

dignation not only through

States,

Northern

by some, was not unnaturally regarded as fanaticism, as di.splayed by John Brown and his sons and followers at Harper Ferry.

but through England, through other

nations of Europe.

Of course we know now

John Brown, or as he was usually called, "Old John Brown," had been a prominent
character before the
struo:ffle

that

it

was a "

story," that all that

was

in

it

between the

"OLD JOHN BEOWN " HAEPER FEEEY.

abolitiouists
l)r()ke

93

and

the supporters of slavery

antagonists were the people

force slavery

who

strove to

out iuto systematic reprisals.

He had

upon the

been the victim of one of the raids made by

the

raising a civil war.

to

An

Kansas by agreement was come

state of
of hos-

border ruffians of Missouri during the

which for a time caused a cessation

time that the country was disturbed by bands

of robbers

tilities,

and Brown

settled

down again

to

liis

and scoundrels, who made

kinds of
atrocities.

political

farm, until a l^arty of Missourians in pursuit

of a

excitement and jjarty opposition the jaretext

for

runaway negro, under

a pretence of look-

committing

all

He was
made

ing for "their property," forced their

way

into

the son of an Ohio farmer, and himself

the houses of some of the people of Kansas

a considerable competence by farming and by

trading in wool.
his homestead

without legal authority, and committed several outrage*.

While on
and

his land in

Kansas two

They had not long returned

his sous,

to

and farm buildings were burned,

it

their

homes when Old Brown,

and

his property stolen,

was

said that
it

followers

were among them, retaliating by

of his children

were

killed.

Probably

was

carrying off negroes and horses and making

known

at that time that he held strong opinit

other reprisals upon their property.

bold

ions on slavery, though

pi-eviously taken
affairs;

appears that he had

and

skilful rider, a

man

of iron constitution

no prominent part in public

and iron determination. Brown became a determined assailant, and eventually devoted
himself
entirely
to

but afterwards, and when he was about

sixty years of age, he

abolitionist,

became a determined
his

the rescue of

negroes.

and with

six sons devoted

His sons

lost their lives

during the repeated

himself to efforts to liberate the slaves.

He

became what
as

his opponents called a fanatic or

a monomaniac, but his friends i^egarded him

The name of the leader of the Kansas band was known all over America, and his foes had
struggles in which they were engaged.
offered a

an enthusiast.

He

with his sous organized

reward for his head.

He

and

his

a band of about five -and -twenty, most of

followers, however, contrived to inflict rei)eated

whom,
all

it

was

said,

were

New

Englanders, and

defeats on their opponents, who, of course,

often

well armed.

Several times these men,

outnumbered them, but were beaten by

under "Old Brown's" guidance, had penetrated

far into the interior of Missouri

the skilful strategy of the

said he

man who

afterwards

and liberated

was always ready and fervour

It

to give his life for

from

jail,

men who had been

apjirehended on

the cause which he had adopted with the intensity

viction.

a charge of assisting slaves to escape, or on

of a strong religious conof five

some other

allegation connected with attempt-

was said that a committee

ing to free the negroes, which would probably

called on

him on one occasion and informed

leave the territory in three

have cost the accused persons their lives after a

him that he must

days or die

by " Judge Lynch." For a very small amount of practical sympathy with an escaped
trial

that they would come to his house

still

with a sufficient force at the end of that time,

slave, either in speech

or action,

men had

and

if

they found him

there they would

for the

been seized and roughly used, and afterwards

tarred and feathered, or sat astride upon a

hang him. The old man thanked them

notice, saying vei'y coolly, "

You

will find

me

sharp

rail

beneath which their feet wei'e tied

here then, gentlemen."

rose the five

Before the next sun

of that

together; and for active participation in the

members
is

committee were

escape of a fugitive, or opposition to his recapture,

in the other world.

they were liable to be tried by lynch-

them

or not

Whether Brown killed unknown; but it is certain, had

he.

law and hanged or severely maltreated.

When
set-

they lived, that they would have killed him,

John Brown and

visit to

his followers paid a return

and no man knew that better than

On

Missouri they made reprisals by

one occasion a certain Henry Clay Pate started

out from Westjiort, Missouri, with a party of
thirty-three men, full of boastings antl
j)ro-

ting free

numbers

of slaves,

and occasionally
opponents
It

had a

fight, in

which some

of their

were killed or their property damaged.

mises to catch "Old

Brown" and take him

should be remembered, however, that their

prisoner to Missouri, his only fear being that

94

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

mer.
It
is

he would not be able to find him. Brown was

just within the Virginian frontier,

is

very easily found, however, for with sixteen

and precisely where Maryland

few hours.

narrowest,

men he went

out to meet Pate, and after a

so that Pennsylvania could be reached in a

short fight at Black Jack, near the Santa

Fe

Thither "Old Brown" went in

Road, in which a few were killed and wounded.

Pate

1857 or 1858, after having buried his sons and

defeated his enemies in Kansas, and seen the
soil

and

his

party

surrendered

to

" Old

Brown," with the excejition of a Wyandot

Indian by the name of Long, and a notorious

there safe from the intrusion of slavery,

in getting rid It

and helped the Missouri people

of

murderer named Coleman.

These two men,

what remained

of

it

in their territory.
it

being well mounted, made their escape.

appears that he believed

his life to go

to

be the duty of
effectu-

Upon another occasion a body of some 220 men were raised and equipped in Jackson
county, and started into Kansas, under the

wherever he could most

kind of
eff'ort.

ally repeat this

So he went

to

Harper Ferry, whence, being close

to Pennsyl-

command

of General Whitfield, to attack

and
of
'

vania, where the free blacks were in consider-

capture Brown, who, being always vigilant

able numbers, he could operate at once

upon

and wary, was possessed

intelligence,

of secret
full

means

Maryland and Virginia.

raise a servile

Had

he wished to

and had made

preparation to

war he would have gone down

to kindle such hor-

meet the Missourians.

160

He was encamped

with

into the cotton states ; but, as he afterwards

men
had

at a chosen point near the Santa

Fe

declared, he
rors.

had no desire

Road, which he knew his enemies would pass.

He

wished to free the slaves without

He

fifty

men

with Sharpe's

rifles,

which

bloodshed

that

is,

by running them

off".

For

would
pidity.

kill at half

a mile, and which could be

a year he lived, with two or three coadjutors,

at a farm near

loaded at the breech and fired with great ra-

Harper Ferry, maturing

his

His men he had concealed in a ravine,

schemes, and collecting arms and other resources for holding the ground while the ne-

where they lay on the ground, and commanded

the prairie for a mile before them.
of the party he

The residue

groes ran.
It
his

had concealed

in the timber,

was

in the

autumn

of 1858 that he

and

ready at the proper

the flank of those
alive.

moment who might

for an attack on

two surviving sons made their appearance

under the name of Smith. Brown's

reach the ravine

at the place

Colonel Sumner, with a squad of dra-

farm was on the Maryland side of the Potomac, and, the better to conceal his real objects,

goons,

came down from Fort Leavenworth

fight,

and prevented the

ties,

disbanding both par-

he pretended to make investigations for the

discovery of
lieutenant a
minerals.

after

which the colonel was heard to

his interposition

He
Cook,

chose

for

his

remark that

was a fortunate

man named

who belonged

event for the Missourians, as the arrangements

to the neighbourhood,
their confederates,

and they selected for

like themselves,

and preparation made by Brown would have

ensured their destruction.
It

men who,

had taken a prominent part in defending the

soil of

was

at Harjjer Ferry, a singularly beau-

Kansas against slaveholding aggression.

the free negroes they originally formed

tiful spot at

the entrance of the AUeghanies,

With

where the great

rivers the Potomac and the Shenandoah form a junction, that the event

a band of not more than twenty-two persons;

but their numbers were ultimately increased

occurred which terminated Brown's career,

by volunteers, and by slaves whom they seized

on neighbouring plantations, but
tarily joined

and may be

said

to

have precipitated the

who

volun-

struggle which only ended with the close of

them.

On

the night of Sunday

the American war.

the farmers of Western Virginia

To Harper Ferry went when they

the 16th of October, 1859, the

Harper Ferry Bridge were

of insurgents,

had
also

to enter the lower world, and thither went the Maryland and Lower Virginian

and Cook.

watchmen at by a body who were headed by Brown party under Cook then entered
seized

slaveholders

when they wanted

to pass westin

Maryland, and arrested at their own houses

Colonel Washington and Mr. AHstadt, two

wards or to seek a cool temperature

sum-

TEIAL OF BEOWN.
iufluential slaveholders,

95

and these gentlemen

Cook, at the

they afterwards confined as prisoners in the

terms, and required that he should be permitted to march out with his " men and arms,

Armoiuy

at

Hari^er Ferry.

taking the prisoners with them

that they
toll-

head of the captured negroes, and accompanied

should proceed unpursued to the second

gate,

by two white men, marched

in the early

morn-

when they would

free their prisoners;

ing up the mountain road in the direction of

the soldiers would then be permitted to pur-

Pennsylvania, probably intending to incite the

slaves of

sue them, and they would fight

if

they could

Maryland

to rebellion.

Old Brown,

not escape."
rejected,

This proposition was, of course,

on the other hand, returned to the town, took

possessionof the Armoury, and stationed bodies
of

armed men

at various points, so that

when

and Colonel Lee at once gave the making the attack. The door was battered down, an entrance was forced, and
signal for
after a brief but sanguinary struggle all the

the inhabitants arose the next morning they

found, greatly to their surprise, that their

town was in a trains had been

wires broken,

state of siege,

and that the

warfare

surviving insurgents were made prisoners. John Brown was found to be severely wounded,

stojjped

and the telegraphic

but was expected to recover; one of his sons

received a mortal wound.

sjjecies of guerilla

The
jail,

prisoners were
to

then commenced between the insurgents and

the townspeople, and in this

removed
trial

to

Charleston

await their

way several

lives

on

tlie

double charge of murder and high

were

sacrificed.

In the course of the day

treason.
It

troops arrived from the neighbouring towns

of Charleston, Shepherdstown,

was

said that, in an interview with

Gov-

and Martins-

ernor "Wise,

Brown made
as far

a full confession,

burgh; but before the arrival of these troops

the insurgents had entrenched themselves in

stating that the whole plot

was well contrived

from 3000

and arranged
had reason
to

back as 1856, and that he

he looked for aid from
of his

the

Armoury grounds, which they prepared

to

to expect assistance of

defend.

In the meanwhile the news of these

5000

men

that

events had reached "Washington and Balti-

every

state.

The search

house led to
of
rifles,

more, and had created some consternation

in those cities,

the discovery of a large

pistols,

number

and in

fact

throughout the

United

States.

Colonel Lee was immediately

of

and swords, and a great quantity ammunition, together with various docu-

despatched by the war department at Washington to take

ments, one of which appointed

Brown com-

command

of the troops,

and

mander-in-chief and specified the rank of his

followers, while another purported to be a

to suppress the insurrection.

He, together

with a party of soldiers and marines from

Baltimore, reached Harper Feiry in the course

provisional constitution for the LTnited States

abolishing
were

slavery,

among

other changes.

Monday night; and at once caused a number of the troops to suri'ound the engineof the

In the fight six citizens and fifteen insurgents

killed, and several

on both sides wounded.

his trial at Charles-

house, in

which the insurgents had deter-

Brown was put upon

jirisoner,

mined

to

make

their final stand.

Owing

to

ton on the 27th, ten days after he was taken

the absence of windows from the building,

and notwithstanding that

ajipeals

and the impossibility

of taking accurate

aim

were made on account of his physical condition,

through the holes which had been pierced

a postponement w-as refused.

He was
to sit

through the walls and doors, the besieged

could do but
ers,
little

taken into court on a bed, as he was severely

mischief, while the besieg-

wounded
ment.

in four jilaces,

and was unable

on their

side,

were afraid to use cannon

up without

assistance, to listen to his arraign-

lest

they should injure the prisoners

who were

A "Virginian counsel had been appointed

for

kept in conlhieraent.
stances Colonel Lee at

Under
first

these circum-

by the court
in this

his defence,

but though

refrained from an

he declared that he could have no confidence

attack, but sent an officer with a flag of trace

arrangement, considering the excited

enemy an unconditional surrender; but John Brown refused these

to deman|> of

the

state of the public

mind

in Charleston

and

the hostility exhibited towards him, he was


98

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

again to be excused from the mockery of a
trial.

not granted two days' delay to enable him to

procuie legal aid from the Free States.

The

do not even know what the special

is.

consequence was that the membei-s of the

design of this examination

I do not to the

Massachusetts and Ohio bar

ployed did not

whom

he em-

what

is

to I

be the benefit of

it

know common-

make

their appearance in court

wealth.

have now

little

further to ask,

until all the evidence for the prosecution

in;

was

other than that I

aud they were compelled

to enter

upon
of

only as
fall

may not be foolishly insulted cowardly barbarians insult those who

efforts

their duties

without consultation with the

into their power."

to

prisoner, without

any accurate knowledge

The Democrats made strenuous

the facts, and

criminal code.

little

or none of the Virginian

show that Mr. Seward and the Republican

party were imialicated in Brown's attempt,

On

the Saturday night they

for

had been without sleep

two nights

spent in travelling, partly in

study

and

partly

but such a charge could not be sustained.

At

the same time

men

of influence

and

of

pressed for an adjournment until

Monday

pronounced opinions did not hesitate

clare

to de-

morning

to enable

them

to recover

from comthe

sympathy with the

to

prisoner,

whose name
William

plete physical exhaustion.

fiercely

The prosecution
all

was already becoming a watchword.

opposed

it,

on the ground that

"As

the plot
it

itself,"
is

wi'ote

women

in Virginia " were harassed

by alarm
and
to their

Lloyd Garrison, "

none were privy
directly
to

evident that few or

little

and anxiety as loug

wives.

as the trial lasted,"

it,

except the
;

band
in

that the jurymen wanted to get

home

engaged in

it

for

though Captain
with him

The summing up was accordingly commenced after nightfall, and the prisouei-'s
counsel only escaped having to address the

Brown had many

to sympathize

different parts of the country, in A-iew of his

ten-ible bereavements, perils,

and sufferings

jury through the extreme lateness of the hour.

in Kansas, in defence of the freedom of that

territory against border ruffian invasion,

When, at the commencement of the trial, Brown was asked whether he had counsel, he
addressed the court, saying
:

and

were disposed to contribute not only to relieve

his necessities,

but also to

facilitate the escape

"Virginians, I did not ask for any quarter

at the time I

of slaves through his insti'umentality to Canada,

still

was taken.
spared.

I did not ask to of the

an enterprise

so wild

and

futile as this

have

my

life

The Governor

could not have received any countenance in

that direction. "

State of Virginia tendered

me

his assurance

that I should have a fair trial; but under no

As

to Captain

Brown,

all

who know him

circumstances whatever will I be able to have

pei-sonally are united in the conviction that

a fair

trial.

If

you seek

my

blood you can

this

a more honest, conscientious, truthful, brave,

disinterested

have

it at

any moment without

I have

mockery
I

man (however misguided

;

or un-

of a trial.

had no counsel

I have not
know
fellow-pri-

fortunate) does not exist

that he possesses a

been able to advise with any one.

nothing about the feelings of
soners,

deeply religious nature, powerfully wrought

my

upon by the

trials

through which he has

and

am utterly unable to

attend in any

passed; and he sincerely believes himself to

way
serve

to

my own defence. My memory don't me my health is insufficient, although

if

have been raised up by God to deliver the

oppressed in this country in the
chosen, as did

way he had

improving. Thereare mitigating cii'cum stances

that I would urge in our favour,
is

Moses

in relation to the deliver-

a fair trial

ance of the captive Israelites; that

says he aims to be guided
it is

when he
rule,

to

be allowed us; but

if

we

are to be forced

by the golden
but a

to put

up with a mere form

of trial

a trial for

no cant from his

it

lips,

vital api^lica-

execution
trouble.

trial.

I do not ask I beg for no mockery of a no inI

you
am

might spare yourselves that

tion of

to his

own

soul,

'remembering those
; '

ready for my fate

trial

sult

nothing but that which conscience gives,

bound with them that when he affirms that he had no other motive for his conduct at Harper Fen-y except to
that are in bonds as

or cowardice would drive you to practise. I ask

break the chains of the oppressed, by the

97

BEOWN'S DEFENCE HIS EXECUTION ITS EFFECTS.

shedding of
tlie least

possible
'

amount

of hu-

as he

is

in the depressing, the

most trying
discover in

man

blood, he speaks

the truth, the whole

truth;'

circumstances, no one can

this

fail to

truth,

and nothing but the

and that if he

same old man a manly, straightforward,

soul,

shall (as he will speedily,

beyond a peradvensuffer-

independent
those

which

rises

high above

all

ture) be put to death he will not die ignobly,

but as a martyr to his sympathy for a

among whom he is at present, however insane he may be. I shrink from the folly of
the bloody fray in which he was engaged
;

ing race, and in defence of the sacred and inalienable rights of

man, and

w^ill,

therefore,

shrink further from the bloody fray which

will follow it
:

deserve to be held in grateful and honourable

but while

I do, I feel that

by

remembrance
those

to the latest posterity

by

all

and by, when people

will read the record of

who
day

glory in the deeds of a Wallace, a

It will

the whole tragic scene, tliey will wonder at

Tell, or

a Washington.
for all

be a

terrible,

and admire the bearing

through
ing,
all his

of the old

man who,

losing

slavedom when John Brown

misfortunes, woes, and suffer-

and

his associates are bi'ought to the gallows.

maintained a dignity and independence,

in full

It will

be sowing seed broadcast for a harvest

Their blood will cry trumpet-

and a sentiment which only shines

brilliancy

of retribution.

when

contrasted with the conduct

tongued from the ground, and that cry will

be responded to

of his accusers,

who

possess their reason."

by

tens of thousands in a

Brown was

sentenced to death, and several

manner that

shall

cause the knees of the

of the others concerned in the insurrection

Southern slavemongers to smite together as

did those of Belshazzar of old."

were sentenced

at the

same time.

When
said
:

the verdict was pronounced

Brown
court,

The Ee V. Mr. Beecher, brother of Mrs. Harriet

Beech er Stowe, said
:

sat u]) in his

bed and addressing the

"An
went
His
lot

old, honest, industrious

man

peacefully

"I
words

have,

may

it

please the court, a few

first place,

to settle with his family in the west.

to say.

In the

deny every-

was

cast in Kansas.

great slave

thing but what I have

all

along admitted

of

state adjoining the territory marches her

armed

a design on

my

part to free slaves.

I intend-

men
tliem

in

among

the peaceful settlers to di\agoon

ed certainly to have made a clean thing of

that matter, as I did last winter wdien I went
into Missouri, and there took slaves without

to

uphold slavery by force of arms.

the boundary and subvert the
civil

They
laws,
lute

cross

and commence a
the
ballot-box

war.

They

pol-

the snapping of a gun on either side, moving

and

carry destruction
deatli

them through the country, and

finally leaving

among

the harvests and

among

the

quiet cultivators of the

soil.

There were no
oppose

them in Canada. I designed to have done the same thing again on a larger scale. That
was
all I

marines, no militia, sent

to

them.

intended to do.

I never did intend

There were forces there, but they acted on

their side

murder
or to

or treason, or the destruction of pro-

on the side of the wrong-doers, the

It

perty, or to excite or incite slaves to rebellion

invaders.
liis

was here that Brown learned

make

insurrection.
is

1
it

have anotlier obis

first

lesson on the slavery system

here
in

jection,

and that

that

unjust that I

that old

man

endureel his

first suflferings

should suffer such a penalty.

fered in the

Had

I inter-

the death of his first-born,

who was dragged

and
after-

manacled across the country by the slavery-

men

in tlie heat of a broiling sun,

officers.

manner which I admit, and whicli I admit has been fairly proved for I admire the truthfulness and candour of the greater
portion of the witnesses
this case

wards beaten by inhuman

son was shut
indignation
that

Another

who have

testified in

down by tliem. Eevolving the in his mind against the system

tolerate

had

I so intei'fered

in behalf of

the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the socalled great, or in behalf of

would

and countenance such

is

any of

tlieir friends,

cruelty

and bloodshed, he

goaded by his

either father, mother, brother, sister, wife, or

children, or
sacrificed

own

feelings to a
it

mad but

fixed determination
life.

any

of that class,
I

and suffered and

70

to oppose

to the end of his

And now,

what

have

in this interference, it

Vol. IV.

98

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

all riglit,

would have been

this court
of

and every
it

man

in

indictment and in the verdict, but without

elfect.

would have deemed

an act worthy
This

The laws

of the

state of

Viiginia

rewai'd

rather than punishment.

I

would not allow the governor to .pardon a

person convicted of treason to the common-

court acknowledges, too, as

validity of the
kissed,

suppose, the
I
see a

law of God.

book

wealth except with the consent of the General

which

I suppose to be the Bible, or at

Assembly declared by
that even
to

resolution.

The

legis-

least the

New

Testament, which teaches

me

lature did not interpose,

if

and

it is

was believed

that

all

things whatsoever that I would that

the governor had been disposed

spare Brown's

men

should do to
It

them.

me I should do even so to teaches me further to remember

in

commute the punishment and

to

life,

public feeling in Virginia would have

them that are

endeavour
say I

bonds as bound with me.

I I

been too strong to allow him

do

so.

to act

up

to that

instruction.

Brown maintained
in prison a

the same unyielding and

last.

am
is

yet too

young

to understand that I believe

courageous bearing to the

God

any respecter

of persons.

Quaker lady wrote

to

While he was him a letter

that to have interfered as I have done, as I

of sym^xathy

telling

him that though those

have always freely admitted I have done, on

behalf of his despised poor
right.
is

who were
of

non-resistants could not approve

no wrong, but
I

bloodshed, yet they

knew

that he was

Now,

if it is

deemed necessary that

animated by the most generous and philanthropic motives; that thousands prayed for

should forfeit

my

life

for the furtherance of

the ends of justice, and mingle ther with the blood of

my

blood fur-

him every day; that

justice.
lie

posterity

would do him

my

children and with

He

wrote a calm reply, declaring that

the blood of millions in this slave country,

had acted under a conviction that a swoixl

whose rights are disregarded by wicked,

cruel,

was put into his hand for the work he had to

do,

and unjust enactments, I say

Let

let it

be done.

and God continued

it

so long as he
it

saw

me

say one word further.

I feel entirely

best,

and then kindly took

from him.

He

satisfied

with the treatment I have received

Considering all the circumstances,

on
it

my trial.
I feel

has been more generous than I expected.

"I always loved my Quaker friends, and I commend to their kind regard my poor bereaved, widowed wife, and
concluded by saying:

But

no consciousness of
first

guilt.

have

my

daughter and daughters-in-law, whose

fell

what was my intention and what was not. I never had any design against the liberty of any person, nor any disstated

from the

husbands

at

my side. One
become

is

a mother,

and the other

as well as

likely to

so soon. They,

my own

sorrow-stricken daughter,

position to
rebel, or

commit treason or

excite slaves to
I

are left very poor,

of

and have much greater need

I,

make any

general insurrection.

sympathy than

who, through

infinite

never encouraged any

man

to

do so, but always

grace and the kindness of strangers,

ful in all

am

'joy-

discouraged any idea of that kind.

Let

me

my tribulations.' Dear
Co.,

sister,

write

say something also in regard to the statements

them
fort

at

North Elba, Essex

hearts.
of

N.Y., to com-

made by some
with me.
of

of those
it

who were
them

connected

their sad

Direct to

Mary A.
is also

I fear

has been stated by some

to join

Brown, wife
with

John Brown.

There

them that

I have induced
is

me;

another a widow, wife of Thompson, who

fell

but the contrary

true.

do not say this to

my

poor boys in the affair at Harper's

I do not feel con-

injure them, but as regietting their weakness.

Ferry, at the same place.

scious of guilt in taking

No

one but joined

me

of his

the greater part at their

own accord, and own expense. A

been in behalf of

up arms; and had it the rich and powerful, the

number of them I never saw and never had a word of conversation with till tlie day they came to me, and that was for the purpose I
have
stated.

intelligent, the great

as men count greatness of those who form enactments to suit themand corrupt
others, or

selves

some

of their

Now

have done."

friends, that I interfered, suffered, sacrificed,

Mr. Chilton, one

stay

of his counsel, proposed to

and

fell, it

would have been doing very

of this.

well.

judgment on the ground

of en-ox's in the

But enough

These light

afflictions.


SECEDING STATES CONFEDERATION.
for

99
in the Louse of re-

which eudure for a iromeut, shall work out me a far more exceeding and eternal weight
I

made

in the senate

and

presentatives,

and though the proposal was

of glory.

would be very grateful

for anheal-

not carried, strong language was used.

What

other letter from you.

ing.

My wounds are
way and

Mr. Garrison had said became

cance afterwards.

of great signifitrivial or con-

Farewell.

God

will surely attend to his

Though some

own

cause in the best possible

will not forget the

time,

temptuous verses about the execution of John

and he
hand."

work

of his

own

Brown were sung by numbers erners, the time came, when the
had turned, that the Federal
to a kind of chant, poor

of the Southtide of success

On

the 2d of December, 1859,

Brown was

troojjs

marched

executed at Charleston.

He

maintained the

enough in composition,

same confident and cheerful

spirit to the end.

but with a refrain to which the name of the

chief insurgent of Harj^er Ferry gave an in-

Even
vious

his interview

with his wife on the pre-

day did not shake him. They were both

at the

tensity of

meaning

as

it

spoke of his death and

composed even
children

moment of
of his

parting, after

immortality.

By

that time, howevei", the war,

of the

they had spoken of the education of their

which on the part

to

North was declared

immediate and
all

and the death

two

sous,

whose

have been for the prevention of disunion,

distinctly directed to the

bodies the wife had endeavoured to recover.

was

He was

conveyed to the

scaffold in

a wagon
sat.

complete extinction of slavery in

the states.

containing a pine box, on which he

the box was an oak
rescue
coffin.

In

The Harper Ferry

pied

insurrection has occu;

An

attempt at a

much

of our attention

but

it

will serve

by armed bauds of men from the free The town was states had been suspected. The filled with strangers and with soldiers.
execution was the occasion of a military
jjlay in front of
dis-.

better than detailed reference to subsequent

events, to indicate the conditions underlying

the merely superficial aspects of the two parties,

and the violent antagonism which so

the

jail

and afterwards

at

quickly led to the attempted disintegration of

the republic.

the

scaft'old,

where the men were marched

and countermarched for ten minutes, during

^t

hicli

the cap
his

man had to stand with drawn over his face and the rope round neck. Nothing shook his fortitude or
the condemned
tlie

The
states

states of

Arkansas and Mississippi soon

joined the Confederation, but the border slave

were uncertain.

Mi\ Buchanan, the

Lincoln, was,

broke

calm of his demeanour.

Among

his

president
as

who preceded Mr.

seen,

last utterances

were kindly words to the

jailer

we have

divided in his opinions,

and the

sheriff.

inclining, it

was believed, towards Southern

to

Brown was hanged, and whatever may be

thought of
the deed
it

demands, and though he stopped short of

otherwise,

it

was a mistake
of
it.

any actual encouragement

secession,

he

itself

and the manner

It
tlie

was
exe-

gladly supported the proposal of Virginia to

reported that the rope to be used at

cution,
iff's

come

to

some

sort of compromise.

The terms

was publicly exhibited

and was made
fact

at the slier-

presented for acceptance were ineffectual, and

office,

of

South Carolina

indeed no compromise was probable.

The

cotton

which was mentioned with

free states could not without dishonour stoop to the alternatives

exultation,

with the words "

No Northern
This

by which an agreement

hemp
story

shall help to

punish our felons."

could have been arrived at; for the South had

may have been an

invention, but there

apparently determined in any case to use every

efibrt to establish

can be no doubt of the defiant and threatening

attitude assumed on the occasion.

an independent government.

In some of

By the end of ISIay, 1801, Mississippi, Alabama,

Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Vii-ginia,

the Northern States there were significant

counter demonstrations:
fired, flags

minute guns were

high, and

Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina had

followed South Carolina.

hung half-mast

sympathy

meetings were held.

In the legislative assem-

federation of seceded states

The complete conwas then formed,

bly at Boston motions for adjournment were

and though

at the beginning of the year

many

100

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

once took a prominent part in
especially
its discussions,

cautious Nortberu politicians would have con-

sented to

let all

the slave states go

if

they

on military

affairs.

On
1st

the break-

could have secured the j^ermanent cohesion of

ing out of war with Mexico in 1846 Mr. Davis

the Federation, which would

still

have num-

was elected colonel

of the

Regiment

of

bered twenty millions on the right bank of

the Ohio,

Mississippi Volunteers, which he led to the

and the secessionist leaders would

to press the border

Rio Grand to reinforce General Taylor.

at once

He

then have been ready to adopt the proposition,

became one

of the foremost officers

and had even endeavoured

states to decide

engaged in the campaign, and not only bore a

part in the fighting which caused the com-

one

way

or the other,
of

there
arbi-

was no longer much expectation

tration but that of the sword.

any

mander

to speak in

complimentary terms of
of the
uji

Mr. Jefferson
that no

his coolness

and gallantry, but, as one

of

Davis and his colleagues had in fact deter-

commissioners employed in drawing

the
dis-

mined

to

commence a war, expecting

terms for the capitulation

Montery,

slave-owning state would side with the North.

played judgment and ability.

Mr. Davis was

The Confederate General Beauregard, com-

consistent in his political views.

On

the ex-

manding
effect

at Chaiieston,

was ordered

to attack

piration of his term of service after the INIexi-

Fort Sumter; the garrison capitulated, and the

can war, President Palk offered him a commission as brigadier -general of volunteers,

was that

thei-e

went through the North

seces-

an immediate resolve to put down

sion as rebellion.

which he declined on the ground that the

constitution reserved the appointment of the
officers of militia to

Mr. Lincoln,
men.

in pursuance

of this distinct declaration, called

upon the

the respective states them-

states to provide 75,000

It

was then

selves,

and that consequently such an appointfederal executive

that Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee

ment by the

was a

violation

had seceded from the Union, and Kentucky and

Missouri refused to comply with the requisition for providing troops. neutral, but in

of the rights of the states.

In 1847 he was

again returned to the senate as one of the

representatives of Mississippi, and was chosen

Delaware remained

Maryland, and particularly in

chairman of the committee on

militar}' affairs.

Baltimore, an insurrection was only prevented

He

was a zealous supporter

of state rights, of

by the military force which had been

collected to defend the seat of

rajjidly

the institution of slavery, and of the

of the slave states
;

demands

government at

but he was defeated as a

^Vashington.

candidate for the governorship of Mississippi.

When
Jefferson Davis,

General Pierce became jjresident in

who had been

elected Pre-

1853 Mr. Davis was appointed secretary of

war, a post which he held
till

sident of the

''

Confederate" States, was a

man

the election of

of considerable distinction

the son of a Kenthe United States

Point, where he

Mr. Buchanan During

and

to

the presidency in 1857.

tucky planter who had removed to the state

of Mississippi.

this time

he had introduced remark-

Young
went

Davis, after finishing

able improvements in the

in the discipline

war

dejjartment,

his

education,

to

and organization of the

office,

Military College at

West

army.

In 1857 he retired from

and

graduated in 1828, when he was twenty years

of age,

was again
election of

elected to Congress, in
till

which he

and was appointed brevet second

lieu-

would have continued

1863 but for the

se-

tenant.

For seven years he continued

tlie

his

Mr. Lincoln in 1860, and the

in the country

military duties,

active service being mostly

cession of the slave states.

There was pro-

against the Indians

who

fought under the re-

bably no

man

who

could have

nowned

chief

Black Hawk. In 1835 he resigned

been chosen for the President of the Confederacy with a better reputation for energy and

his commission,
Mississippi.

and became a cotton planter

to take

in

In 1843 he began

an

ac-

tive interest in political affairs,

influential

and became an and at

was shown by the promptitude with which he took

ability than Colonel Jefferson Davis. This

member of

the Democratic party.

the reins of the government, together with the

activity he displayed in successfully carrying

He was

elected to Congress in 1845,

ABRAHAM
ou the conflict during

LINCOLN.
weighty epigrammatic
dinary
effect,

101

many mouths

in such a

pertinent questioners, his brief retorts and his

hints,

manner

that, to the eye of

Europe, the disunion

had an extraor-

of the States

seemed almost inevitable

a dismany

sometimes greater, perhaps, than

union the probability of which had been foreseen by the President Jefferson more than half a century before Mr. Davis (who, like

the simple earnest statements by which he

declared his policy or defended his conclusions.

Mr. Lincoln was about a year younger than Mr. Jefferson Davis, and was
also

Americans, was named after him) undertook

the arduous and dangerous task of guiding the
Confederation, and directing the revolt against
the Union.

born in

Kentucky
having

(in 1809),

where

his father's family,

thii'ty

left

Virginia some

years before,

had

settled to frontier

life.

His grandfather

had been

killed in a

sudden attack made upon

On

the other side, the

man who had been

and

the settlers by the Indians, and his father,

elected President of the United States,

who was

the youngest of the family, was early

who, after the declaration of the Confederates,

initiated into the hardships of border enterprise. But a man who was poor and who owned no slaves, farming land held on an un-

had announced decisively that he would treat

the attemjits of the secessionists as rebellion,

was equally able

to hold his

own, though he

certain tenure,

had

little

chance against the

had passed through an

ing and experience.

entirely different train-

wealthy planters with their negro labourers,

Abraham

Lincoln, or

and when Abraham was about seven years

old the family

"honest old Abe," as many of his rather

familiarly admiring countrj'men called him,

removed

to Spencer

County

in

Indiana, where the boy,

yeai-'s

who had about

afforded a very striking examj^le not only of

schooling,

began to work.

In 1818,

the mental and physical characteristics of the

active
tive

when he was nine

years old, his mother died,

and able American, but of the comjmrawith which, in America, such

chandirect their ambition into
political influence

but her place was in a great measure supplied

facility

men may
nels
official

by a good and kind stej^mother. The boy had a rough life but he grew to it grew to
;

which lead to
honours.

and

to

be six feet four inches in height before he

The biography
it

of

Mr. Lin-

was nineteen years

hai'dened

old,

and with a powei'ful

coln

is

simple enough, but

exhibits a very
i^ersever-

frame inured to exertion, and with muscles

remarkable instance of the untiring

by rail-si^litting, timber-hewing, and

flat-boats.

ance and tenacity which usually lead to great

results,

working the canal

father again

In 1830 his

and these united to singular sagacity

wei'e precisely the qualities
it

migrated and went to Cole's

and penetration

County,

Illinois,

where he died

in the follow-

which he needed at a time when

was

ing year.

Just before they removed, a

man

necessary not only to persist in opposition to

who was about

to start a flat-boat expedition

what appeared
indiscretion
of

to

many
own

to

be a successful

engaged young Lincoln with a companion and

his half brother

revolution, but to control the impatience

his

and
Per-

among

the hands, but

it

supporters.

haps the designation "honest" expressed the

happened that when the time arrived no boat made its appearance, so Lincoln and his comrades set about building one for themselves,

most important qualification

a
crisis.

of the

man in such
essential

It

was above everything

and succeeded so well that they made a journey

to

that the president should be one

who

could

New

Orleans and back.

of

This led to the

be trusted not to be led either by mei'e party

considerations or

engagement Salem and

to his

Abraham

as a clerk at

New

by personal
a

interests,

and

at a salary of fifteen dollars a week,

Abraham Lincoln was

integrity, of

man

of

undoubted

having to make his way among

calm strength of character, and

the " regulators " of the

town by

wrestling,

with that peculiar dry but genial humour

wliich has in itself a powerful influence.

running, and even offering to engage in a

"Abe"
and
his

boxing match with their best man.

cal 2)owers,

His physi-

Lincoln's sayings

became

ajihorisms,

no

less

than his eviilent coolness

pithy quaint replies to importunate or im-

and

ability,

induced these rough companions

102
to elect

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

him
as their captain on the breaking

nose

is

long and slightly aquiline, and his

out of the Black

Hawk

war, and this

was the

nostrils are cut

on that peculiar model which

his favourite generals.

beginning of his public career, since he afterwards,

Napoleon praised in

when he was twenty- three

years old,

His complexion

is

that of an Octoroon, his

became a candidate
of Illinois.

for representing the state

first successful,

face is cut into innumerable angles,

and

in

He was not at

but

each there seems to lurk the genius of humour.

was returned two years afterwards, and was

then earning his living as a surveyor, and studying law in the intervals of his daily

His frame

is

gaunt, his arms long, and his

lower limbs proportioned to his gigantic height.

As a
ness,

si^eaker he exhibits readiness, precise-

work.
ly,

He must

have used his time assiduous-

and fluency

of

ideas rather than of

is

for in 1836 he received a licence to practise,

in the following year his business so in-

language, for his enunciation

for the most

and

part slow and emphatic, and he impresses his

hearers with seriousness or convulses

creased that he took up his residence at Springfield, for

them

which he was four times elected as

In 1844 Mr. Lincoln
re-

with merriment, according to the requirements

of the occasion."

the representative.

entered the political arena after two years'

retirement from public business
;

but he did
till

The

state of public feeling in

England with

not take a seat in the legislature

1846,

regard to the American war, was of a very

diversified

when he was elected for Illinois by an enormous majority. He took a prominent part in the discussions on the Mexican war and
against the extension of slavery, and on the

and changeable character.

of
i')eo23le

The

large

body

in this country really

knew very
United

little

about the constitution of the

^iri-

States,

and though there was a

termination of Congress and the dissolution of

eial expression of

abhorrence against slaveiy,

could never have our sup-

Whig party joined who afterwards came

the
cans,

the Anti-Nebraskians,
to

and a sense that

it

be called Eejiubli-

port or countenance, there

was a general

hesi-

and were opposed

to

any repeal

of the

tation to accept the conclusion that the

war

Missouri compromise by which slavery had

would

in its

main

result

put an end to

it.

been limited to the country south of 36

30',

"We have already noted that at the com-

an area which Mr. Lincoln endeavoured to

contract
limit
still

by advocating the adoption of a further south. For three years Mr.

he a])peared as the supporter of

mencement of the conflict, the president, Mr. Lincoln, had distinctly declared that he would
prosecute
hostilities,

not

for

the

question

Lincoln took no prominent part in public

atfairs, till

either of the existence or

the limitation of

negro slavery, but for the purpose of maintaining the

General Scott in 1852; but in 1854 he was

called
it

Union against what he regarded

This represensuperficially,

upon

to opjDose a territorial bill which,

to

as unwarrantable rebellion.
tation,

was believed, was intended

promote the

when

or

perhaps even
in England,

extension of slavery, and then a definite Ee-

when more
was not at
tion with
it.

earnestly

regarded

publican party was formed in Illinois and he

first likely to

carry complete convic-

became one

of

its

leaders.

Mr. Lincoln's

Other states of Europe might

personal appearance was remarkable, and was well described by a writer of his biography

entirely agree with the president's conclusions,

but

it

was argued that

rebellion against conof the

soon after he had been elected president

"

stituted authority

had actually made

He

stands six feet four,

it

is

said, in his

United States an independent nation,

that
ac-

stockings.

His head

is

well set upon his

England could
knowledgment,

scarcely determine to exclude

shoulders and would be a pleasing study for a

phrenologist.
is

so-called rebellion
if

from any subsequent

it

His black

hair, thin

and wiry,
His

had been

justly

com-

sprinkled here and there with gray.

is

menced and
tyranny or

carried to successful issues against

ojapression.

forehead
lighted

good, his eyes dark gray, and

when
His

On

the other hand

up with emotion, small

as they are,

there was a peculiar kind of sympathy with the

flash forth the fire that lives in the soul.

Southern States for some fanciful reason, not

MK. BRIGHT ON THE UNITED STATES

easy to determine apart from the fact of their

AND THE WAR.

colonies,

103

North American continent,

mainly of

Laving protested against the control of the

North, but apparently associated with a notion
that the South rej^resented the aristocracy of
the country.

Englishmen, containing about three millions of

souls.

These colonies we have seen a year ago

constituting the United States of

ica,

North Amerno less than

There was a curious vague

sometimes half

and comprising a population

of

romantic notion floating in the brains of a

thirty millions of souls.

We know that in agrino country in the world

be placed in advance
to inven-

good many people, such as

is

culture and manufactures, with the excej^tion of

this

expressed in favour of Charles the First's

Cavaliers in comparison with the

kingdom, there
in these arts

is

"Roundsides, or

which
of the

may

heads," without any apixireut notion that the

aristocracy

United

States.

With regard

was

to be
it

found on both

tions, I believe,

within the

last thirty years,

we

that whether

was or

not, the justice

or

have received more useful inventions from the

necessity of the case

tical

must determine our pracof the results of success

United States than from

of the earth.

all

the other countries

jiro-

acknowledgments
side.

In that country there are

on either
It
is

bably ten times as

many miles
many

of telegraph as

not necessary to insist that fanciful

the

there are in this country, and there are at least

five or six

notions had any ultimate influence on

times as

miles of railway.

opinion of the English people, for that opinion

The tonnage
to ours if
it

of its shipping is at least equal

was afterwards almost

entirely in strong ac-

does not exceed ours.

Thei:)risons

cord with the Northern cause, but for a time

the grounds of the conflict were not understood
to be such as to enlist great sympathies

of that country, for even in countries the

most

favoured, prisons are needful, have been models

for other nations of the earth;
l^ean

on

and many Eurodif-

either side,

and during a large part of the

events

governments have sent missions at

time that the war lasted, the Federal government, or at

all
its ofiicials,

ferent times to inquire into the admirable sys-

showed a

tem of education
free schools

so universally adopted in their

threatening and antagonistic temper towards

throughout the Northern States.

re-

England, which arose, in aU probability, from

the fact that

If I

were to speak of that country in a

people in America no moi'e

or

ligious aspect I should say that, considering

understood

us

believed

that

we were
faith,

the short space of time to which their historygoes back, there

is

anxious to act in sympathy and good

nothing on the face of the

than

we

believed they were in reality desirous

earth besides, and never has been, to equal the

raagniticent
ministers,
1

of doing the

same by

us.

As

it

often happens

arrangement

of

churches

and

among members

of the

same family, there was

and

of all the appliances Avhich are

a petty exhibition of pride and temper on

thought necessary for a nation to teach Christianity

both sides, which gave much offence and might

j

and morality

to its people.

Besides

have led to

ver}''

serious consequences,

which

all this,

when

I state that for

many

yeai's past

were, however, happily averted

by the comj^arties.

the annual public expenditure of the govern-

mon

sense which belonged to both

ment
are
j

of that country has been

somewhere beI

Perhajis at the pei'iod of which

we

tween 10,000,000 and i'15,000,000,

existed amongst all the jiopulatiou an
of

need

speaking (1861), few jjeople in this country

not perhaps say further, that there has always

were better acquainted with the actual

ation in
lie

situ-

amount

America than Mr. Bright, and though

comfort and

prosperity and

abounding

has been (not altogether unreasonably) ac-

plenty such as I believe no other country in

the woi'ld, in any age, has enjoj'ed.

cused of "cracking up" American institutions,

it

will

be worth while to turn for a moment to

This
yet
it

is

a very

fine,

but a very true picture;

his representations

when he addressed some

of

has another side to which I must advert.

in

his

townsmen

at Rochdale.

There has been one great feature

that

"Eighty-five years ago," said Mr. Bright, "at

the time

country, one great contrast, which has been

l)oiiited to

when some
little

of our oldest

townsmen

by all who have commented on the

were very

children, there were, on the

United States as a feature of danger, as a con-


104

GLADSTONE AiND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

There has beeu
I read this merely to

trast calculated to give paiu.

in that country the

utmost liberty to the white

to the

before the declaration of independence

signed,

show that two years was

man, and bondage and degradation

black man.

Mr.

Jeffei-son,

acting on behalf of

Now rely
and
it,

upon

it,

that- wherever

those he represented in Virginia, wi'ote that

protest against the course of the English gov-

Christianitj' lives

flourishes there

must

grow
and

uj)

from

necessarily,

a conscience

ernment, which prevented the colonists from

abolishing the slave trade preparatory to the
abolition of slavery
itself.

hostile to

any oppression and

to

any wrong;

therefore,

from the hour when the United

Well, the United

States' constitution
left

was formed, so long has

it

States' constitution left the slave question for

there this gi-eat evil

then comparatively
it left

every state to manage for itself. It was a question too difficult to settle then,

small,

but now so great

there seeds of

and apparently
extinct.

that which an American statesman has so

every

man had

the hope and belief that in a

itself

happily described, of that 'ii-repressible conflict'

few years slavery

would become

of

which now the whole world

It has been a

is

the

witness.

common

thing for

men

Then there happened a great event in the annals of manufactures and commerce. It was
discovered that in those states the
ai'ticle

disijosed to carp at the

to this blot
it

United States to

jjoint

which

on their

fair fame,

and

to

compare

we

in this country

now

so

much

dej^end on,

with the boasted declaration of freedom in

could be produced of the best quality necessary

for manufacture,

their

deed and Declaration of ludeiJendence.

recollect

and at a moderate

jDrice.

But we must
trouble,

who sowed

this seed of
it

From

that day to this the growth of cotton

its

and how and by

whom

has beeu

has increased there, and

increased here,

consumption has

cherished.
jiaragrajih

I should like to read to

you a

and a value which no man

from the instructions understood to

dreamed of when Jeff'erson wrote that paper has

been given to the slave and to slave industry.

have been given to the Virginian delegates to

Congress, in the

mouth

of August, 1774,

by

Thus
tion

it

has giown

vip to

that gigantic instituits

Mr. Jefferson, who was perhaps the ablest

which now threatens either

own

overis

man
in

the United States had produced up to

throw or the overthrow of that which

million times
of America.

that time, and

its

affairs,
filled

who was then actively engaged and who afterwards for two
the oflace of
president.

more

valuable, the United States

periods

He

The

ci'isis

which has now arrived was

in-

represented one of these very slave states, the

State of Virginia, and he says
:

evitable.

I say that the conscience of the

North, never satisfied with the institution of

'For the most

trifling reasons,

and someall,

slavery,

times for no conceivable reason at

his

ward

to take a
;

was constantly urging some men formore extreme view of the

and there grew up naturally a
sec-

majesty has rejected laws of the most salutary tendency.

slavery
is

question
tion, it

The

abolition

of

domestic

may

not have been a very numerous

the great object of desire in those

one, iu favour of the abolition of slavery.

colonies whei'e it
iu their

was unhappily introduced infant state. But preWous to the en-

great and powerful party resolved at least

upon a
that
it

restraint

and a control

of slavery, so

franchisement of the slaves

we

have,

it

is

should not extend beyond the states

it

necessary to avoid all further importations

and the area which

now

occupies.

But

if

from Africa.
effect this

Yet our repeated attempts

prohibition,

to

we

look at the government of the United

by

and by imposing
to prohibition,

States almost ever since the formation of the

duties which might

amount

union,

we

shall find the southern

power has

have hitherto been defeated by his majesty's

negative, thus preferring the immediate ad-

been mostly dominant

thirty-six

there.

If

we

take

years after the formation of the

vantage of a few British coreairs to the lasting

interests of the

present constitution, I think about 1787,

we
if

American

States,

and

to the

shall find that for thirty-two of these yeare

rights of
this

human

nature, deeply

wounded by

every j^resident was a southern

man

and

infamous

practice.'

we take

the period from 1828 until 1860

we

THE SLAVE QUESTION SECOND AEY ANDERSON.

shall fiml that in every election for president

105

upon three millions

had
left their

of English subjects,

who

the South voted in the majority.

native shores and established

"We know what an election

is

in the

United
There
is

themselves in North America.

question
is

But now the

is

States for President of the Eepublic.

is

not the want of representation,

is

a most extensive suffrage, and there

the
of

because, as

perfectly notorious, the South

is

ballot-box.

The members

of the

House

not only represented, but

represented in

Eepresentatives are elected by the same

rage,

suff-

excess, for, in distributing the

number

of re-

and generally they are elected at the

It is thus, therefore, almost inis

presentatives,

which

is

done every ten years,

same time.

three out of every five slaves are counted as

evitable that the House of Representatives

freemen, and the

number

of i-epresentatives

in accord in public policy with the president

from the slave

greater than
only,

states is consequently so

for the time being.

Every four years there

I

if

the freemen, the white

much men

springs from the vote created by the whole

were counted.

From

this

cause the

people a president over that great nation.

southern states have twenty members more in

the

think the world offers no finer spectacle than

this, it offers

House
if

of Eepresentatives

than they would

the

no higher dignity, and

there

is

have

the

members were apportioned on

is

no greater object of ambition on the

stage on which

jDolitical

same principle as

in the northern free states.

men

are permitted to move.

Therefore you will see at once that there

no

You may
rulers, to

point

if

you

wall to hereditary

comparison between the state of things when

the colonies revolted and the state of things

crowns coming down through suc-

cessive

generations of the same family, to

now, when
out."

this

wicked insurrection has broken

thrones based on prescription or on conquest,

to sceptres wielded over veteran legions

and
is

Probably few thoughtful

peojsle

would now

subject realms;

but to

my mind

there

refuse their assent to these serious representations, or

nothing so worthy of reverence and obedience,

would deny their importance; but

and nothing more sacred, than the authority

of the freely chosen

at the time they were uttered, or just before

it,

by the majority
if

of a great

Mr. Bright, Mr. Cobden, and others who

in

and

free jseople;

and

there be on earth and

thought w'ith them, appeared to be

ority,

a min-

amongst men any right divine to govern,

surely
it

and were not believed

to represent the

rests

with a ruler so chosen and ap-

popular feeling in England.

The

attitude of

pointed.

the Federal government towards this country

Last year the ceremony of this great election

was that
lish

was gone through, and the South, which had

been so long successful, found
itself defeated.

perating.

and soon became exasThe supposed hostility of the Engpeople had been met by olVensive demonof suspicion,

That defeat was followed instantly by secession,

strations in the

Northern

States,

and though

and

insurrection,

and war.

In the multitude
in the

the governments on both sides carefully abstained from endorsing

international

of ai'ticles

which have been before us

last
it

any such breach

of

newspapers within the

few months I have

stated, as I

courtesy as would produce a

the

no doubt you have seen

seen
it,

have
like

decided

quarrel,

correspondence which
irritation

that this question

was very much

went on between them showed great

that upon which the colonies originally revolted against the crown of England.
It
is

under the reserve of diplomatic phraseology.

A very large

proi)ortion of the peojile of

Eng-

amazing how know, or how

little
little

some newspaper writers

they think you know.

land held firmly to the conviction that the

Northern States had right and

side
ill

justice

on their South
of

When

the

war

of Independence

was begun
were no

refusing those

demands

of the

in America, ninety years ago, there

which had for their object the perpetuation

negro slavery.
It

representatives

The question then was, whether a ministry in Downing

there at
all.

was perhaps a misfortune

government should have

that the Federal

Street,

and a corrupt and borough- mongering

adopted the determination to preserve the

constitution,

parliament, should continue to impose taxes

by destroying the source from

106

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

liad

which the constant danger of disruption

emanated, only when
it

phasized by the fact that escaped negroes

a war was inevitable in

was discovered that which each side must

were assisted by the abolitionists to find a

refuge in Canada, where they were safe from

put out

its

strength.

lirst effort

to suppress rebellion

The assurance that the was indepenall

demands
ity of

for their restoration

on the authoras an

" state

laws."

In 1861 the case of

dent of the question which had

along been

John Anderson became very prominent

example
of the liberty to

the cause of antagonistic legislation between

individual states, and of the violent hostility
of the

be attained by seek-

ing an asylum in Canada, and at the same

two

political parties,

missed the true

time illustrated with remarkable

evil of slavery.

e9"ect

the

issue of the conflict,

and gave the subsequent

Anderson, a negro slave, but

proclamations of freedom to the negroes the

not without some admixture of white blood,

appearance of a desire to raise a servile insurrection in the South for the purpose of retaliation, or as

had been brought up

in the state of Missouri,

girl,

where he eventually married a slave

from

a desperate expedient for retrievfirst

whom and

from his child he was separated by

ing the failures which at

seemed to attend
forces.

being sold into a distant part of the country

as though he

almost every attempt of the Federal

had been a mere beast of burden,

less care for his wellbeing.

By

that time, however, the hopes which some

but with even

In

Northern statesmen had entertained, that the

Confederate revolt could be suppressed before
it

the year 1853, however, he escaped from the

plantation to which he was sent and reajj-

had grown beyond a domestic insurrection,

frustrated.

peared in the neighbourhood where his wife

still lived,

had been
nically
of

The

struggle

had

tech-

only to be discovered by Seneca P.

assumed proportions even beyond those

war.

Digges, a planter,

who had

not the slightest

civil

By

blockading

Charleston

claim on the fugitive, but who, in order to

ujjhold the great institution of slavery, at once

with sunken stone-ships, and afterwards an-

nouncing a blockade of Southern ports, the

Federals had acknowledged the Confederates
as belligerents.

volunteered a
cause,

man hunt

for the

good of the

and went on Anderson's track with four

he became desperate, they at
evil

They may not have kept

this

slaves to help him. After having hunted their

consequence in view under the stress of circumstances

game

till

last

which demanded prompt and extreme

came up with him, and in an

defence of
onist

moment

measures, but they could scarcely expect that

the observances of international law would be

Digges closed with the runaway, who, in the

life

and

liberty,

stabbed his antag-

dispensed with in their case

and though the

and mortally wounded him, afterwards

life

proclamation of the British government that

thenceforth the Southern States of America

escaping to Canada, where he lived the

of

a quiet and industrious man, although

must be regarded
strict neutrality

as a belligerent power,

and

his wife

and

child

were not redeemed from

must be

exercised, increased

the bondage which he had long been anxious

to terminate,

the angry feeling to a pitch that led to ex-

by saving

asufiicient

sum to

pur-

travagant menace, deliberate

^politicians

on

chase their freedom.

Anderson was claimed

both

sides,

and a considerable majority

in this

country, felt that no other course could reason-

ably be adopted.

by the United States government on a charge of murdering Digges, and on his trial in December, 1859, it was urged on behalf of the prisoner that he was entitled to the
writ on which he was brought before the
court, and, vipon

We may

look for a

moment

at

some

of the

conditions which had exercised an influence

the return of the writ, to

on public feeling in England, and they will in

have the matter charged against him inquired

into
;

some degree serve

of opinion

to explain the diflferences

first

that the evidence

trial for

was not

sufficient to

which prevailed during the

put him upon

the crime of murder,

year of the struggle between the disunited

states.

assuming that he was entitled to the protection

of British law; that

a charge under the treaty

the States, while there

The

fugitive slave question

had been em-

should be

first laid in


CANADA THE EXTRADITION
was no evidence that any charge had been
laid against the prisoner;

QUESTION.
That

107

der or committal for any homicide not expressed to be murder.

2d,
it w^as

that

if

even the

not

court were bound

to administer the law of

expressed to be for the jjurpose of surrender,

Missouri, the evidence did not

souri

show that Misinasmuch

but only until the prisoner should be

dis-

had power

to jiass such a law,

charged by due course of law, whereas the

statute requires both.

as she

was but a mimioipality in relation to other governments, and the law was against natural justice; and that the word "murder"
mentioned in the treaty meant murder according to the laws of both countries; and if not,
that,

No judgment was given

tlie

upon the merits

justice

of

case

itself.

Chief-

Draper declared that he did not see

to

any way

the conclusion

that the court

ti'eaty,

could hold the case not to be within the

both by treaty and statute, the crime

its

and the act

so clearly not to be

murder, that

and

criminality were to be determined

by
of

there w'ould be nothing for a jury to try, but

that the court could dispose of
it

the laws of Canada.

as a true

Andei'son was brought before the Court

question of law; for

of fact to

if

there was a question

Common

Pleas at Toronto on a writ of habeas

be

tried,

he api^rehended the ac-

corpus, issued

by

Chief-justice

Draper on the

cused must be surrendered, as such question

could only be tried in the country where the
fact arose.

9th of April, 1861, though his extradition to

the Missouri authorities had been ordered.

These and other similar questions

The English

court, however, granted a writ of

were of too serious a character to be decided

habeas corpus on an affidavit that Anderson

upon impulse or

in haste,

and he did not

was illegally detained at Toronto, and the

only question which
it

scruple to say that so long as the prisoner

it

considered was whether

sustained prejudice by the delay, he desired

to defer joronouncing

had

jurisdiction to issue such a wi'it into

an

023inion

on them.

He

the province of Canada.

of this authority

The further question

however, and

was
clare

reluctant,

on the one hand, where the

was

2:>reveuted,

accuser did not

that each

make

it

indisjieusable, to de-

the whole case was happily concluded without

a prolonged discussion of the interjsretation of

individual of the

assumed

number

of four millions of slaves in the South-

the extradition treaty, by the issue of the writ

ern States might

of his escape on

commit
any part

assassination in aid
of his route to that

by the Canadian Court

of

Common

Pleas on

the very day that the writ of the English

court arrived at Toronto, and by the discharge
of the prisoner

province,

and

find

impunity and shelter on

his arrival there.

He was

reluctant,

on the

by Chief -justice Draper

for

other hand, to admit that Great Britain had

technical informality in the warrant of com-

entered into treaty obligations to surrender a

fugitive slave, who, as his sole

mitment.
Chief- justice

means
in

of ob-

Draper,
it

after

hearing

the

taining his liberty, had shed the blood of the

merciless taskmaster

evidence, said that

was doubtful whether

if

who

held

him

bondage.
diffi-

the case could be decided in that term

judg-

This was, in
cult position.

fact,

a back way out of a

the case had
first

ment were to be given upon all the points; but that he would give the prisoner the benefit of a speedy discharge if they came to an opinion in his favour on the technical point as to

When

come
in

before the Canadian courts, the chief-justice

had construed the extradition treaty

the insufficiency of the commitment.

An order

manner more vigorous than English lawyers believed was justifiable, by representing that
as
to lawful authority

was given

for the prisoner to be

brought up

on the following Saturday, and when the

by the law homicide committed in resistance was murder, and that as

day arrived Anderson was discharged, on the

grounds that the warrant of commitment was
not issued in conformity with the statute
1st,

the authority by which Digges attemj^ted to

capture Anderson was unquestionably lawful

by

tlie

laws of Missouri, where the struggle

Because

it

did not contain a charge of

felonious liomicide, where-

took place, Andei-son, though morally justified

in the eye of the English law,
less guilty of the

murder but only of

as treaty

and statute do not authorize surren-

crime of murder.

was nevertheHappily

108
this legally

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

fine-drawn distiuctiou was not
final

slavery in the United States where

it exists.

brought forward for

argument, or the

I believe I have no lawful right to do so,

extradition treaty might or should have suffered.

and

have no inclination

to

do

so."

Where

By

an adroit use of a technical objec-

was there any sign

in this

of the abolition of slavery

tion the case

was put

to

au end by the release

declaration.

Even

better informed

and everybody, except perhaps the extreme pro-slavery party, breathed more
of the prisoner,
freely.

people seemed to think that the best thing,

the North could do was to let the Southern
States
go,

and to take their peculiar

them.
It

in-

Comparatively few people in England understood that the demand for the relinquishmentof

stitution

with

was a not un-

common
tinct

opinion that the

Union would be
under
dis-

Anderson as an escaped
Scarcely

slave

was made by a
influence.

broken up into various

Europe.

territories,

government controlled by Southern

working
of the separate state

and independent governments,

of

like the

anybody here knew mucb about the

laws in America,

countries

Another impression

was that the Mississippi pretty accurately

divided the free from the slaveholding states.

or the changes that

would probably follow the

jiarty.

accession to power of a strong Northern

In addition to these

erroi-s,

which a reasonable would have

that the

For some
irritated

yeai's

our governments had been

amount

of reflection or inquiry
thei-e

by the overbearing tone frequently assumed by the ministers at Washington in

their representations regarding England, their

corrected,

existed a notion

people of the Northern States were rather a

crafty huckstering set, wdth a turn for double-

denunciation of

English claims in Central

correspon-

dealing or talent for taking advantage.

The

America, and other subjects of

dence.

movements

of the

government were therefore

if

These things were remembered as

viewed with caution,

not with suspicion,

against the government of the United States,

when
was

it

came to be understood that the NorthCertainly there

without

much

distinction being

made between

ern cause was represented.

little

the parties of which that government might be

attempt on the part of the American

formed

and consequently when the represen-

cabinet to projiitiate opinion in England.

tatives of the North, the antagonists of slavery,

When

it

was seen that very

little

sympathy
as-

came into power, and not unreasonably looked

for the

could be counted on from this country, the

sympathy and moral support

of Great

United States government showed much

perity,

Britain, they

had some excuse

for being dis-

although their accusations and the

fell far

appointed at finding that, on the whole. Great

Britain seemed inclined to turn to
cold shoulder.

temper which they displayed

short of

them a very
Eng-

the animosity towards England openly avowed

The truth was

that half the people in

by the people in New York and elsewhere. Very little pains were taken on either side to
restrain or to suppress expressions of feeling

land did not regard the war as one directed

against slavery, but as an
efi'ort

to prevent
tlie

the Southern States from breaking

union.

The South was the

driven

aggressor,

no doubt, but
it

which were as bitter as they were ill founded, and unfortunately the policy adopted by the American government tended still more to
excite the expressions of dissatisfaction with

there were strong surmises that

into hostilities

had been

by the same overbear-

which the prosecution

here.

of the

war was regarded

serious misfor-

ing temper which had so often been displayed

Of course

it

was a

towards this country.

reflect that these

Nobody seemed

to

tune that the supply of cotton should have

arrogant messages were sent

been entirely suspended, and that the mills

Lancashire and Clieshire should be
idle,

of

to this country
to as

by a government favourable Southern and not to Northern views and to the suppression of slavery, had not Pre;

the

manufacturing jjopulation reduced to want,

and the whole

lysed
;

of a great staple trade para-

sident Lincoln, in entering

his office, said
:

upon the duties

of

but in addition to this the American

"I

have no purpose, direct or

with the institution- of

legislature

had adopted a system

of rigid pro-

indirect, to interfere

tection

which by the

so-called "Morrill" Tarifif

PEOHIBITORY AMERICAN TARIFF.

Bill

109
of international

almost

prohibited

the

importation of

all this ill-will

aud disruption

foreign goods into America.

ties

and sympathies, which were becoming

Our trade with the Southern

felt,

States, it

was

closer every day,

and which America never

is

would have been comparatively

if

iinre-

needed more than now,

to be effected for

stricted

those states had been able to legis-

no better object than that of protracting the

sickly existence of

late for themselves.

In 1860 England had sent

America, and this

an

artificial

manufacturing

twenty

millions of exports to
of

system raised and nurtured at the expense of

the shipping and trade of the country, and

amount

merchandise was now to be pracbe taxed with duties

by
not

tically excluded, or to

levying an odious tiibute from

all classes

which would be prohibitory.

Birmingham
in dismay.

concerned in manufactures,

we cannot but
its

expected to lose i'3,800,000 of her cutlery

trade;

wonder

at the

madness of democracy and

South Staffordshire was

utter inabilit}^ to apprehend

and retain the

cause of the

Early in Marcli, 1S61, the Timea said:

most obvious

princi])les of

economical science.

"The period between

is

the election of the

office

new
old

Protection was quite as

disruption of the
respect
it

much a

president and the surrender of

by the
it

Union
its

as slavery.
it

In that
is

a sort of interregnum, in which

may

be

has done

worst; but

des-

said all legislative

and executive

activity is

tined, if

we mistake

not, to be the fruitful

paralysed.

But, though unable to do any-

mother of other disruptions.

for instance, in being

What

interest

thing for the cause of the Union, the senate

have the great agricultural Western States,

and the congress have employed the interreg-

made
They

tributaries to the

num

to strike a second

blow

at the

commerce,

ironmasters of Pennsylvania or the cottonspinners of Lowell

?

the finance, and the general prosperity of the

will desire, as the

country infinitely more fatal than any abstraction of territory or diminution of poi)uIation.

South have desired, a direct trade with England

;

and the peculiar position

its facilities

of Canada,
lake,

They employed
bably the

the last

weeks
in

of

what

is

pro-

with
river,

of

communication by

last session of the last congress of the

and railway,

will

show them the

readi-

United States

of

America

undoing

all

the

est

means

of obtaining a direct trade

by a

progress that has been

of free-trade,

made

in the direction

fi-esh

separation, possibly

by an amalgamation
for-

and in manacling
of

their country

with our

own

colonies.

once more

in the fetters
to prohibition.
of congress

protection

These topics are so obvious that we

bear to insist upon them, but

amounting
has

we beg

to point

The conduct

on the

Tariff" Bill

out, for the comfort of our

own counti-ymen and

much

changed the tone of public feeling

the warning of the government of the United

States, that in attempting to exclude at one

with reference to the Secessionists, and none

hei'e,

even those whose sympathies are with

blow twenty millions

teriitory they

of exports

from their
de-

the Northern States, attempt to justify the course which the Protectionists in congress

have undertitken a task quite

beyond

their jiower.

They may, indeed,

have pursued.
increase
of

In Manchester the proposed on cotton goods in the

In

stroy their

own customs revenue; they may

duties
is

ruin the shipping, and cripple the commerce

of the

United States
Newcastle
it is

causing great attention.

it

towns on the Atlantic seaboard, but

considered that

will

be im-

they cannot prevent English manufacturers

possible to do business with the

United States
while the
described

from permeating the United States from one

end
to the other.

on the terms set out in the

tariff,
is

A glance at

the

map is

suf-

business with the Southern States

as
satisfactory.

ficient to

show

this.

The Southern Confederno better than to

In

Sheffield

considerable

acy

will, of course, desire

apprehension
tariff

is felt

as to the effect of the

new

make

Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, and

New

on the

steel trade.

In "VVolverharaiitou

Orleans d6p6ts of English manufactures, to

the anticipation that the tariff has become

be smuggled across the long and impercejitible

frontier
States.

law darkens the already gloomy prospects of

the iron trade.

which separates them from the United

Nay,
it
is

When

it

is

remembered that

quite possible

that, the

no
great city of
itself

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

New York may jirefer
illicit traffic,

to declare

The Federal government, however, was

and the temper with which
it

as

a free port, and to become the depot of rather than see

its its

captious as the people were extravagantly testy,

persisted in re-

an enormous

wharves

rotting, its streets deserted,

and

garding every expression of opinion in England

harbour empty, because a suicidal policy has

driven commerce to the inferior harbours of
the South.

was

strikingly manifested

by the complaints
South

and remonstrances that were made when our

government determined
as a belligerent power,
neutrality.
to recognize the

The indented what

is still

coasts of the

North-

ern States give ample opportunity for smuggling, and,

and

to proclaim a strict

more important, the

is

The Confederates had taken Fort

vessel which, in

frontier

between Canada and the Union

Sumter.

view of the pos-

virtually traced

by the stream
It
is

of the St.

Law-

sibility of the revolt, the

Federal government
fired

rence and the centre of the great Lakes Ontario, Erie,

had sent with reinforcements, had been

at

and Huron.

a region which

from an island

in the harbour,

and then
fort

might have been created for the express purpose of

the Confederates
batteries

bombarded the

from

punishing the presumptuous

folly of

which they had erected on the main-

seeking to erect the barrier of prohibition

land for the purpose.

The garrison

left

it

between nations which have long enjoyed the

because they had no means of resistance, and

the Confederates took possession of
it.

mutual benefits

of

commercial intercourse.

Pre-

The smuggler

will redress the errors of the

sident Lincoln immediately called for 75,000

statesman, as he has so often done before."

men

as volunteers to join the Federal forces

These representations were not calculated

to allay public excitement or to increase ])opular feeling in favour of the

for the purpose of re-establishing the Union.

Jefferson Davis then declared his intention

to issue lettersof

North, but there

marque, and called for 1 50,000

ports were

were numbers of thoughtful and influential

volunteers.

The Southern

imme-

men who never wavered

pathy of this country.

in their conviction

diately placed under blockade.

that theNorthern cause was worthy of the sym-

The

president's call for troops

was enthusi-

This was the view held

astically

responded to by the legislatures of

by Mr. Bright, Mr. Cobden, Mr. John Stuart Mill, Mr. Milner Gibson, Mr. Villiers, and
Mr.

the free states,

New York

tendering 30,000

men, instead of the 13,000 demanded, and

3,000,000 dollars.

W.

E. Eorster,

who

represented a con-

siderable

phalanx of opinion; and on the

der slave states

Kentucky,

The governors of the borNorth Carolina,

to respond to the preso

whole the government maintained a quiet but

friendly disposition, while, as

and Missouri
sident's
call.

refused

we have

noted,

North Carolina going

far

the

people of

the manufacturing districts,

as to seize all the Federal forts within her

where the
felt,

loss of trade

was most severely

borders.

Virginia declared for the secession,

were

still

stanch in their belief that the

Federal States,
tilities till

war was a righteous one on the part of the who had not commenced hostheir opponents

and closed Norfolk harbour by sinking vessels at its mouth, so as to prevent the Federal ships of

war coming
if

out;

and the captain

had struck the

first

of one of the ships had threatened to lay the

blow

for the dissolution of the Union.

Most

town

in ruins

the obstructions were not

of the unfavourable opinions expressed here,

removed.

and the
some

indiscreet

manifestations

made by

The Federal commissioners at Harper Ferry, being pressed by 1000 Virginians,

destroyed the armoury, arsenal, manufactory
building,

of those opposed to the action of the

Federals, were repeated with exaggerations

in America,

and 15,000 stands

of arms.

They

and produced corresponding exas-

then retired into Pennsylvania, with the loss

of three

peration, not unaccompanied

by

threats.

The
eflfect

men. Troops were arriving at "Washall points;

governments of both countries had in

to

ington from

a Massachusetts regi-

disavow and repudiate the

insufferable

ment,

when

passing through Baltimore, had

demonstrations of ignorant partisans assuming

to represent the sentiments of the majority.

been attacked by the mob, and many persons were wounded and some
killed.

The Federal

THE SOUTH A BELLIGERENT POWER-NEUTEALITY.

goverument had proclaimed that Southern
privateers would be treated as pirates, and no
of the several penalties

Ill
(fine

imposed

and im-

prisonment and the confiscation of the vessels

more arms or

jDrovisions

were

to be sent south.

and warlike

stores)

and

of

her majesty's " high

The

feeling throughout the

North appeared

displeasure."

The
if,

j^roclamation

warned

Brit-

to be

most enthusiastically and unanimously

measures against the

ish subjects that

in violation of their duty,

in favour of energetic seceders.

they entered into the service of either of the

contending parties on board a ship of war or

transport,or served on board

All these events occurred in April, and in

any privateer bear-

May Lord John

ment
officers

Russell announced to Parlia-

ing letters of marque, or broke or endeavoured

to break

that, after taking the opinion of the

law

any blockade " lawfully or actually would do

in so at their

of

the crown, the government had

established," they
I^eril,

own

determined to recognize the American Confederacy as a belligerent power.

and would

no wise obtain any pro-

The proclama-

tection for or against

any

liabilities or jienal

tion of the blockade of all ports in the seceded

states

consequences, but would, on the contrary, in-

meant not only war, but a war of recog-

cur her majesty's high

dis2:>leasui'e

by such

nized belligerent powers.

The Confederates
of regular antagon-

misconduct.

There was also the usual warning

were then on the footing

ists,

against carrying officers, soldiers, despatches,

for

it

could not be maintained that a nation

its

arms, military stores or materials, or any article

would blockade

own

jjorts.

Accordingly

or articles considered to be contraband

to the

a proclamation was issued which, after noticing the fact that hostilities had unhappily com-

of

war according

law or modern usage

of nations.

These words were (perhaps pur-

menced between the government of the United

States of

posely) ambiguous, because important articles

America and certain

states " styling

which, in former contests, were of innocent

use,

themselves the Confederated States of the

South," strictly charged and

had by the

ajiplicatiou of science

become
of

commanded

"all

formidable implements of modern warfare;

for instance, coal

the loving subjects of her majesty to observe

and the component parts

to be

a strict neutrality in and during the aforesaid

hostilities,

steam-engines, which never had been declared

and

to abstain

from violating or
in

by any competent tribunal

of war.

contraband

contravening the laws and statutes of the

realm in that behalf, or the law of nations

relation thereto, as they will

This proclamation was definite and em])hatic

answer to the

enough, but the North immediately resented

contrary at their

jjeril."

The proclamation
j^ro-

our haviiig recognized the position of the

next set forth in extenso the provisions of the

Foreign Enlistment Act of 1819, which
hibits British subjects

South as a belligerent power.

pi'eted

It

was

inter-

into a hasty determination to assist

rebels.

from engaging in the

and encourage

Yet the law

government

of

the

naval or military service of any foreign piince,

potentate, colony, &c., without the leave
license of her majesty
;

matter was clear; the friends of the Northern

States

and

and

of the Federal

in this

from equipping or fitting

country were anxious that the proclamation

should be issued,
until the South
if

out vessels for the service of any such foreign

prince, potentate, colony, &c.,

only for the reason that

and from adding

was treated as a belligerent

in

to or increasing the warlike force of

any ship
vessel

power no nation
ton,

Europe could properly

or vessel of war, cruiser, or other

armed

recognize the blockade of the ports of Charles-

belonging to a foreign power which

the ports of this country.
of her majesty's subjects

may

enter

Savamiah, and

New

Orleans.
]iorts

Had

it

In order that none

been a mere closure of the

any offender

might render themimposed by the

could only have been dealt with in American

waters, but the proclamation of a blockade

selves liable to the penalties

statute, the proclamation strictly

commanded

gave power to pursue an offender into the

that no person or persons whatsoever should

open

sea.

In

efifect

the announcement of a

commit any

act,

matter, or thing contrary to

blockade meant war instead of suppression of

revolt,

the provisions of the said statute upon jiain

and our recognition of

it

and conse-


112

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOKAEIES.

proclamation of Mr. Lincoln calling for 70,000
volunteers,
recruits to

queut neutrality was the only proper course, and the best course for the interests of the
Federal goverument.
tliis

and excused his own appeal

for

But our declaration

of

form a Confederate army by saying

:

neutrality

was by implication treated as

to his ministry

an oflence throughout the long correspondence that ensued.

It required

"Deprived
ing

of the aid of congress at the

moment, I was under the necessity

to prevent the con-

of confin-

some care

my

action to a call on the States for vol-

troversy being distorted into an actual quarrel, for

unteers for the

it

common

defence.

deemed

the I'ederals appeared to regard Eng-

proper further to issue a proclamation in-

land as a watchful enemy, waiting to do the

viting application from persons disposed to

aid our defence in private

Union an
of the

ill-turn, or to aid in

preventing

its

armed

vessels on

restoration.

As a matter of fact the Emperor French, who had in his mind the ill-

the high seas, to the end that preparations

might be made
letters of

for the

immediate issue of

fated scheme for intervention in Mexico, all

but openly recognized and sided with the

South, and would have had us join him in
terfering to secure the
tion
in-

alone,

marque and reprisal, which you under the constitution, have power to
I entertain no

grant.

doubt you will concur

will be eminently

demands

for a separa-

with

me

in the opinion that, in the absence

it

from the Union.

Neither Lord PalmerRussell would listen to

of a fleet of public vessels,

ston nor Lord

John

expedient to sup2)ly their place by private

such a proposal for a moment.

visers"

Many

'ad-

armed
cists of
sea,'

vessels, so

happily styled by the publi-

were strongly in favour

of our inter-

the United States 'the militia of the

justly relied

posing to secure the independence of the Confederacy',

and so often and

efficient

on by them
of

but the government utterly refused

as

an

and admirable instrument

I

to entertain such a notion.

They knew very

of the Federals,

defensive warfare.

earnestly

recommend

well

what were the motives

the immediate passage of a law authorizing

and they respected them, though the sudden and complete successes which followed the

me

to accept the

numerous proposals already

received."

prompt action of the Confederates caused them to think, as the majority of people
first

He

then went on to denounce the proclama-

tion of a blockade,

and concluded by saying:

is

thought, that

the

South would ultimately

nation.

" "We feel that our cause

just

and holy

become a separate

we

protest solemnly

iii

the face of
sacrifice
;

mankind
save that

The second
lar

call for

23,000

men

for the regu-

that
of

we

desire peace at

any

army, and 18,000 seamen, was made by

honour and independence

we

seek no con-

President Lincoln immediately after the block-

quest,

no aggrandisement, no concession of
all we ask is to be let who never held power over
:

ade; but the Confederates were equally deter-

any kind from the States with which we were

lately confederated

mined, and seemed for a time to be masters

of

the situation.

Their repeated successes

alone

that those

had the

effect of increasing the

number

of

us shall not

their admirers here,

feeling of distrust

and

of emphasizing the

arms.

This

and indifference towards

the direst
pretension

now attempt our subjugation by we will, this we must, resist to extremity. The moment that this
is

the North, which had already been

augmented

abandoned the sword

will droj:)

by the invectives which were uttered against

from our grasp, and we

into treaties of

shall be ready to enter

England by the

pojjulace in

New York

and
Fed-

amity and commerce that can-

many

of the ill-regulated recruits of the

not but be mutually beneficial."

eral army.

At about
said

the same time Mr. C.

M.

Clay, the

Much was

on the part both

to

of

the

minister of the United States in St. Peters-

North and the South

here in a ferment.

keep public opinion

to act in
Jeffer-

burg, addressed a long letter to the Times, in

Both claimed

which he endeavoured to correct some

prevalent in this country.

of the

accordance with right and justice.

Mr.

erroneous impressions which he believed to be

son Davis stigmatized as unconstitutional the


CASSIUS M. CLAY'S APPEAL TO ENGLISH INTERESTS.
"What
and
are

113

we

fighting for?" he inquired,

"secede" from the Union than Scotland or

Ireland could secede from England.

rejilying to the question declared,

"We,

the people of the United States of America

(to use the

The Confederates, he
thrown the constitutions

declared,
of the

had over-

language of our Constitution), are

"Confederate

fighting to maintain our nationality,

principles of
libertj'^

and the

States" themselves, refusing, in every case, to

refer their

upon which it was founded

new

usurpations to the votes of the

trait-

that

nationality which Great Britain has

people, thus

making themselves doubly

and the nation.
of

pledged herself, both by past comity and the

sacred obligations of treaty, to respect

ors to both the states

The

those
is

despotic rulers over 4,000,000

enslaved

great principles of liberty, that all power

Africans, they presumed to extend over the

derived from the consent of the governed;

trial

North, the white races of

all

nations, the

same
upon

by

jury, freedom of speech,

is

and the

press;

despotism by ignoring the political rights of

all

that 'without law there

no

liberty'

which
and

but their own

class,

by

restrictions

we

inherited from Great Britain herself,

lie

the popular franchise, "by the sujipression of

the freedom of speech and of the jwess, by the

which, having been found to

of all progress

at the base

and

civilization,

we

desire to
all

terrorism of " lynch-law," or tyrannical enact-

perpetuate for ourselves and the future of

the nations.
of

ments, backed by standing armies; to crush

The so-called Confederate

'

States

out the independence of thought, the ineradicable instincts of world-wide

America'

]-ebel

against us
all

against

our

humanity

with
was

nationality,

and against

the principles of

the atrocious

dogma

that negro slavery

its structure.

Citizens of the United States

of the Confeder-

the only basis of real conservatism and progressive civilization, and that the true solution
of the contest of all time

of the one

government (not

ated States, as they would have the world believe,

between labour and

but of 'us the people'), they propose,

capital

was that

capital should

own

the

la-

not by

common

legal consent,

but by arms, to

bourer, whether white or black.

sever our nation into separate independencies.

Mr. Clay confidently asserted that the Federals could

Claiming to 'be
us;
seize

let

alone,'

they conforts,

subdue the revolted

states.

The

spire against
stores,

by force our

whole seven revolted states (2,173,000) had

not as
state of

and arms; appropriate

to themselves

our mints, moneys, and vessels at sea; capture our armies, and threaten even the Capitol
at Washington."

much white New York

population as the single

(3,851,-563)

by 1,500,000
were to make

people.

If all the slave states

common
to cover

cause they had only 8,907,894 whites,

slaves,

Mr. Clay contended that the word "secession"

with 4,000,000

while the Union had

was used

up treason and

to

about 20,000,000 of homogeneous people, as

powerful in peace and war as the world had
seen.

delude the nations, and that the idea of "state

sovereignty" was utterly delusive.
rican nation

The Amehad

Intelligent, hardy,
late

and "many-sided,"

had given up the

states

old " confeder-

their

apparent lethargy and weakness

ation" to avoid just such comj^lications as

was the

self-possession of conscious strength.

occurred.

The
all

were by the constitution

When
force

they had made up their minds that

deprived of
reigns,

the rights of independent sove-

was necessary they moved upon Wash-

and the national government acted not

ington with such speed, numbers, and steadi-

thi'ough state organizations, but directly

upon
that

nessas had not been surpassed in history. They

the citizens of the states themselves

highest of power, the right of
life

to

had the money

(at a

lower rate of

intei'est

than
of

and death.
necessity

ever before), the men, and the

the sea and the internal waters.

command

The

states could not

keep an army or navy,

or even repel invasion, except

when

did not allow time for national action; could

The North could blockade the Confederates by sea and invade them by land, and close up the rebela single year
if

make no
any of the
reignty."

treaty, nor coin

first

money, nor exercise

lion in

" let alone."

to "subjugate" the

great essential jiowers of "sove-

They did not propose

In a word, they could no more

revolted states, but to put

down

simjily the
71

Vol.

IV.

114
rebel citizens,

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

all

Unionists of
peace,

to go to the rescue of the loyal the states, to carry safety,

to the union-loving people
of themselves (the

merce.

The

free white labourer

will,

and

capitalist

does now, and always

the white master

consume more than

slave.

and liberty

and the

of the South,

who would

"Can England," he
'

continued, "afford to
still

tyranny overthrown) send back their representatives to congress, and the

offend the great nation which will

be

Union would
let-

the United States of America,' even should

lose part of the

be " reconstructed" without a change of a

ter in the constitution of the

we

South ?

Twenty

millions

United

States.

of people to-day, with or without the slave

states, in

Did England subjugate Ireland and Scotland? Were the united kingdoms less homogeneous
than of
old, before the

twenty years we will be forty milwill

lions!

In another half -century we

!

be

wars against rebellion

one hundred millions

We

will rest

upon the

So would the United States rise from the smoke of battle with renewed stability and
power.

Potomac, and on the west banks of the Mississippi river,

upon the Gulf

of Mexico.

Our rail-

roads will run 4000 miles upon a single parallel,

public,

Then followed some questions to the British followed by appeals which, though doubtless meant in all sincerity, were not in
the best form for impressing the national sen-

binding our empire, which must master the

Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans.
so secure in the future against Is

England

foreign ambition as to

home revolt or venture, now in our

all

They began well enough by saying, timent. "We overthrow that political element in
America which has aU through our history been the studied denouncer and I'eal hater of
the British nation, while

need, to plant the seeds of revenge in

our

future?
shall

If Ireland, or Scotland, or

Wales

attempt to secede from that beneficent

of the

government

United Kingdom which

we have been always

now

lightens their taxation

and gives them

from

the beginning the friends of England.

security

Because, though under different forms of gov-

ernment, we had

common sympathies and a

in-

and respect at home and abroad, shall we enter into a piratical war with our race and ally, and capture and sell in our ports the
property and endanger the lives of peaceable
citizens of the British

common
terest.

cause,

and therefore a common

in

England was the conservator of Europe the Old World; we are

liberty

Empire

all

over the

in the

world?
details.

I enter not into the discussion of

New.
then
is

If 'the Confederate States' are right,

England, then,

is

our natural

ally.

England wrong.
in the

If slavery

must be
re-

extended in America, then must England

store
it

Will she ignore our aspirations? If she is just, she ought not. If she is honourable and

West

Indies, blot out the

most

magnanimous, she cannot.

will not."

If she is wise, she

glorious page of her history,

and

call

back her

freed

men

into chains

Let her say to the

This conclusion was by no means happy.

It struck a

martyrs of freedom from the nations who

wrong note

in relation to the

have sought refuge and a magnanimous

de-

general impression then prevalent, partly because of the repeated defeats of the Federals

fence on her shores, Eeturn to your scaffold

and your prison-house; England

is

no more
mate-

England

!"

which almost immediately followed the confident declaration that the South would be
easily subdued.

Arguing on the ground

rial interests,

of England's
:

Mr. Clay

said

"

We

are her

An

opinion prevailed in the North that

best consumer; no

tariff will materially affect

privateers

would be able

to sell their prizes

that fact.

We

are the best consumer of Eng-

in British ports.

Letters were issued from

interdicting the
of the

land, not because

we

are cotton-growers or

our foreign

office

armed

ships

cotton -spinners, agriculturists or

turers,

manufac-

and privateers either

United States or

but because we are producers and

the "so-styled Confederated States of North

manufacturers, and have

is

money

to spend.

It

America" from carrying

of the

pi'izes

made by them
of

not the South, as

is

urged, but the North,

into the ports, harbours, roadsteads, or waters

who

are the best consumers of English com-

United Kingdom or

of

any

our

colo-

NORTH VERSUS SOUTH ON BOTH

nies or possessions abroad. to her laws,

SIDES.

115

France

also held

tirely

broken and scattered, their defeat endflight.

which only allowed privateers

or

with prizes to remain in her ports for twentyfour hours, and did not permit them to
dispose of prizes or cargoes.
sell

They returned to Washington and 462 men killed, and 64 officers and 947 men wounded, while
ing in

with a

loss of 19 officers

the Confederate loss was comparatively

ling.

trif-

On

the 17th or 18th of June (1861), both

The appearance

of the fugitive regi-

armies were in motion, and the Federals were

repulsed by the Confederates, whose station

ments

in the streets of the capital ci'eated init

tense excitement, and

was feared that the

they had attacked

a.t

Fort Bethel.

Confederates,

following
thither.

up the advantage,
This, however, they
It

We

need not follow the various episodes of

would march
were not able

that terrible fratricidal war, nor the dread

details of

to accomi)lish.

may

be said

slaughter, the accounts of which

that this defeat had the effect of intensifying

the determination of the Federal government.

sickened the hearts of those

who

read them,

and

left

more than

half the families in

Amer-

From

that time

for three

years President

ica to moui'u their dead.

During the early

Lincoln and his colleagues repeatedly called

out fresh levies, and announced their deter-

part of the conflict the Federals suffered re-

peated defeats, which seemed at

first to justify

mination to devote

all

the resources of the

the opinion held here that the Northern levies

country to the maintenance of

the

Union

were no match, as
force.
filled

soldiers, for the

Southern

and the reclamation

of the rebellious states.

The Confederate ranks were largely by men accustomed to out-door sports

leisure for learning the use of

The

victory of the Confederates

if

was received

in England,

not with general satisfaction,

and who had

arms,
and,
militia of the

with something too

in

much

like noisj' applause,

moreover,

they

composed

the
drill

wliich

was mingled admiration

for

for

the

Southern States, to

whom

victors

and a certain disdain

the van-

and military
tion.

exercises

were a frequent recrea-

quished.

The brave

little

army

of the

South

The

Federals, on the other hand, were

had beaten the larger

forces that

had been

to a great extent
office,

men taken from

store or
life.

called together to force

them

to obedience.

men
and
it

engaged in trade and town

at first estimate

The

side wliich

it

was supposed had been

and had used threatThis

They did not

to do,

what they had

and
dis-

most ready

to " bounce,"

was not

till

the misfortunes they

ening language and offensive innuendo towards

had sustained
determination

called out the pertinacity

England had shown the white-feather.

which

they afterwards

was the view which was most

it

loudly, and, as

played, that they began to reverse the disasters of the first campaigns,

appeared, most generally exj^ressed, and

it

and

to follow

up

such comnitnts took a tone that had in

the subsequent successes until the

restored

Union was
In July,

something of exultation.
ral

Happily the Fedeand plain

and slavery abolished.

in Virginia,

government

in

America had in Mr. Lin-

1861, the Federals attempted to advance

upon

coln a chief of penetrating sagacity

Richmond

which had become the

capital,

common

sense,

and our own ministers were

Southern or Confederate
place called Bull

and at a

equally able to distinguish between a tempo-

Run, or Manassas Junction,

rary ebullition of popidar opinion and the

duties that belonged to the administration of
tlie affiiirs

they suffered a severe defeat, almost at the very

beginning of
18,000

hostilities.

On

their side about

of the country.

men were

engaged, the gi-eater part of

recruits under the

ston and Lord

Both Lord PalmerJohn Russell firmly resisted

to our in-

them being raw

of

command

any suggestion that would have led

dence.

General M'Dowall.
of

Two

of the regiments

terposition on behalf of Confederate indepen-

whose term

service

had expired a few

hours before insisted on being discharged, and

fell

At

the same time there was great exaspera-

to the rear at the

commencement
of

of the

tion of feeling

on each

side, for in

America

action.

The conduct

the Federal troops

en-

the abuse of England was both loud and deep.

was not very admirable, and they were

In the early part of November (1861), an

116

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

first

event occurred which at

lead to

seemed likely to

tolling his exploit.

At

all

events he

fell

in

more serious consequences than the

of invective

with the Trent on the afternoon of the 8th of

mere interchange

during a time

of ignorant excitement.

hove to ahead.
sign,

November, and without showing any colours The Trent hoisted her enbut
it

The Confederate
less,

leaders, encouraged, doubt-

was not responded

to,

and

as

by

their recognition as the

government

she went nearer, the stranger fired a round shot across her bows and showed American
colours.

of

a belligerent power, had appointed two

commissioners to represent them,

one at the

The engines

of

the

Trent were

English and the other at the French court.

slowed, and she was

still

approaching when

Mr. Mason was accredited to England, and Mr.

Slidell to France,

the other vessel fired a shell close across her

and they were accom-

bows.

She then stopped, and an

officer

with

panied by their secretaries, Mr. M'Farland and

an armed guard of marines boarded her and

Mr. Eustis. Mr. W. L. Yancey had already been

in

demanded a

list

of the passengers,

which de-

Europe

as the advocate of the doctrine of

mand being

refused, the officer said he

had
he

state

sovereignty, and

Mr. Thurlow Weed

in

orders to arrest Mr. Mason, Mr. Slidell, Mr.

was then, or soon afterwards,

North before public opinion
had already endeavoured to
Ml". Slidell, the pi'oposed

London

for

the purpose of representing the case of the

here, as
do.

M'Farland, and Mr. had sure information

gers in the Trent.

Eustis,

and

that

of their being passenof

Mr. Clay

The commander

the

Trent declining to satisfy him whether such

passengers were on board or not, Mr. Slidell

envoy to Paris,

was a Southern lawyer, and Mr. Mason was

said to be the author of the fugitive slave

stepped forward and announced that the four

persons

named were then standing

before
if

him
they

law, which had been so effectual in arousing

under British protection, and that

the opposition of the Abolitionists

in

the
to

were taken on board the San Jacinto they

border

states.

They were

sent to

Europe

must be taken
of the Trent

vi et armis.

The commander

endeavour to obtain the

official

recognition of

and Commander Williams, who

the French and English courts, and had run the blockade from Charleston to Cardenas in

was on board, protested against the demands

of the captain of the

San Jacinto

as

an act

of

Cuba

in the Confederate steamer Nashville,

piracy which they had no means of resisting,

as the

escaping the Federal vessels which were on

the look-out to prevent

American
oft',

vessel

was on their port beam,

Eemonstrance
their

them from

reach-

200 yards

her ship's company at quarters,

ing a neutral port.

The Federals knew well

to

ports open, and tampions out.

enough

of the intention to send these gentle-

was unavailing.
secretaries

The commissioners and

forcibly

men and
but,

their

secretaries

Europe, and
hithei",

were

carried

ofi",

such

understood their purpose in coming

notwithstanding

necessary luggage as they required being sent

the vigilance of

the
to

watch kept on Charleston they contrived

reach the

Havana and

to take their passage

and it was then demanded that the commander of the Trent should go on board the San Jacinto. This he positively refused
to them,

on board the English mail-steamer Trent.

sloop of war, the

It

to do unless he should be forcibly comj^elled,

happened, however, that the United States

and the demand was not

ships then parted company,

insisted on.

The

San

Jacinto,

was returning

and the Trent proThomas.

it

from the African

coast,

and her commander.

to

ceeded on her voyage to

St.

Captain Wilkes, heard that the Confederate

When

the intelligence reached England

envoys were endeavouring

Europe.
indisci'eet

embark

for

produced immense excitement.

Captain Wilkes was clearly

The
and

act of
it

Wilkes was one

of those hot-headed

illegal,

was
and

men who
it

are not to be depended

is

regarded as an outi'age, a deliberate insult to

the country.

on when judgment
bably thought

required,

and he profine

A cabinet council was held

was
to

would

be a

stroke

despatches were prepared, the

conciliatory

of patriotism to " beard the British lion," as

his admirers afterwards

form

of M'hicli

some extent determined

phrased

it

when

ex-

by the advice

of Prince Albert,

whose draft

THE TRENT CAFTAIN WILKES.

of the representations to be
eral

117

made

to the Fed-

senting to liberate the prisoners.

He

asked,

government was one

of the latest duties

Were

the persons

named and

their supposed

with wliich he was occupied shortly before his

death.

desjiatches contraband of

war? Might Cap'tain

The despatch

said that the seizure on

Wilkes lawfully stop and search the Trent for

these contraband persons and despatches]

board the Trent was an act of violence, a

breach of international law, and an insult to
the British flag; but
jesty's
it

Did

went on:

" Her mamind the

States,

he exercise the right in a lawful and proper

manner?

Having found

the contraband per-

government,

bearing

in

sons on board, and in presumed possession of

the contraband despatches, had he a right to

friendly relations which have long subsisted

between Great Britain and the United

naval

capture their persons?

right of capture in a

are willing to believe that the United States

officer

Did he exercise that manner observed and

of nations?

who committed
in compliance

this aggression

recognized

by the law

This was
all

was not acting

rity

with any authothat,

if

grave

trifling;

but Mr. Seward answered

from his government, or

he congreatly

the questions in the affirmative, admitting,

ceived himself to be so authorized,

lie

however, two special

case,

difficulties against

his

misunderstood the instructions which he had

received.

namely, the want of

specific instructions

For the government

fully

of the

United

to the

commander

of the &'an Jacinto

by

his

States

must be

aware that the British

government, and his permitting the Trent to

jiroceed

government could not allow such an affront

to the national

on her voyage after he had

satisfied

honour to pass without

full

himself that she was carrying contraband of

reparation;

and her majesty's government are

it

war.

On these grounds Mr. Seward was ready

This
it

unwilling to believe that

liberate intention of the

could be the deof tlie

dis-

to agree to the release of the prisoners.

government

kind of concession was

still

irritating,

and

was
his

United States unnecessarily to force into

cussion between the
tion of so grave a chai-acter,
to

believed that Captain Wilkes had acted

two governments a quesand with regard

under the direct or implied sanction of

government.
It
Scott,

which the whole British nation would be

"

sure to entertain such unanimity of feeling.

was afterwards reported that General who was in Paris, had declared that had been given
not,

that,

Her majesty's government therefore trust when this matter shall have been brought
its

instructions

to Capt.

Wilkes

by

his government,
it

and whether
is

this report

imder the consideration of the United States,

that government will of
to the

was true or
at

quite certain that the

own

accord offer

captain of the

British government such redress as

two or

San Jacinto was made a hero three mass meetings; and what was
and he had received a vote

alone could satisfy the British nation, namely,

the liberation of the four gentlemen and their

worse, the secretary of the navy had com-

mended
at

his action,

delivery to your lordship, in order that they

of thanks

from the House of Eepresentatives

may again be

placed under British protection,

for the aggression

Washington.

and a suitable apology

has been committed."

which
of

Our

legal authorities declared that a breach

international

law had been committed.

The proceeding

of Captain

Wilkes was

re-

Another despatch had been sent to Lord Lyons

that
if

garded here as a deliberate affront to Great

Britain, sanctioned
if

at the end of seven days no

answer was

not directed by the

given to the rej^rosentations of our govern-

Federal government in America, and the temper displayed on the other side gave some
justification of this opinion

ment, or

if

any other answer

w'as given than

that of comi)liance with their demands, he

and of the bitter

it.

was

to leave

Washington with

all

the

mem-

resentment which accompanied

bers of his legation, bringing with

archives of the legation, and to
diately to London.

him the

Mr. Seward, the secretary

of state of the

come imme-

Federal government, was fond of discussing

There was a very painful

and

orating,

and

in his reply to the despatch

impression here, even

in

among many who were

insisted on arguing the question before con-

sympatliy with the Northern States, that

118

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

was taking
a course

the Federal government

23d of December Lord Lyons wrote to Earl

Russell:
to

calculated to provoke hostilities on the part

of

"M. Mercier went, own

of his

own

accord,

England, and

that

the demonsti-ations

Mr. Seward the day before yesterday, and

conviction that the

against this country toade

by a strong and

exjjressed strongly his

turbulent party in America might carry the

ministry there to acts of aggression or defiance

choice lay only between a compliance with the

demands

of

England and war.

all

He

begged

which must lead

thoughtful
Britain and the

to farther complications.

To
be

Mr. Sewax'd to dismiss

idea of assistance

men on both

sides

war between

from France, and not to be led away by the

vulgar notion that the emperor would gladly
see

Federal States would

scarcely less horrible or less fratricidal than

England embroiled with the United States

the conflict already going on between North

in order to pursue his

own

plans in Eui'ope

and South; and, though with perhaps too

suggestive promptitude,
2)atch troops to the
it

without opposition."
This was a curiously worded communication

was decided
of

to des-

number

8000 to Canada,

when it

is

read side by side with an intimation

to the

and
to

it

was argued that

this step

was necessary

by Lord Palmei-ston
while in Paris, had

queen that he had

show that we were

in earnest in our repre-

been credibly informed that General Scott,

let it

sentations,
to

gi'eat load of

anxiety was

felt

be understood that

have been removed when Mr. Seward's

he was commissioned to propose to France to

join the

reply

was

received, in a long

and rather

cir-

Northern States against England, in

of

cumlocutory despatch, containing the

satis-

which event the French province

Canada

factory declaration that Captain "Wilkes had

would be restored
Scott,"

to the empire.

" General
will pro-

acted without authority, and that the four

pei'sons

added the jaunty premier, "

taken from the Trent should " be

bably find himself

much mistaken

as to the

cheerfully liberated."

success of his overtures; for the French govone,

The conclusion was an equitable

it

and

ernment

is

more disposed towards the South

is

should not be forgotten that the concession

to

than the North, and

probably thinking more

had

be made at a most
the Federal reverses

critical juncture,

about cotton than about Canada."

truth or falsehood there

Whatever
in the

when

had made the

difficult,

may have been

position of the

government extremely

rumour about General

was right

Scott,

Lord Palmerston
General Scott

and the popular ferment against England

Confederates was almost uncontrollable.

for

in his conclusion.

her supposed sympathy and support of the

may have been

a political Captain Wilkes,

assuming an authority for which he had no

warrant, and this seems probable from the
attitude preserved towards

Whatever may have been the mistaken

estimate of English feeling on the part of

England by Presi-

American

agitator's,

it

could not be denied

dent

Abraham

Lincoln.

He, as well as other

that the prompt declaration of neutrality

by

sagacious leaders in the Northern States, must

our government had secured the Northern

States against a probable French intervention

have seen that the British government was

acting loyally in declaring the South to be a
belligerent
ity.

on behalf of the South, whUe other states of

and announcing complete neutral-

Europe had followed our example.

eign

The

for-

envoys

at "Wasliington

were now, in

did.

We needed cotton as much as France A whole manufacturing industry in Eng-

obedience to their governments, earnest in

their representations to

land was paralysed

whole population in
it,

Mr. Seward that he

deep distress for the want of

and, in addi-

could not consistently with international law

refuse to comply with the

tion to this, the Southern States

would have
of

demands made by

maintained free-trade with England, and the

Great Britain.

North had imposed duties many

were almost prohibitive in relation
commerce.

which and
to

Even before the prompt declaration sent by the Emperor of the French to Washington,
!M.

to English
this,

Mr. Lincoln recognized

Mercier, the French minister, had spoken

with his clear good sense also saw

persist
in

tliat

to

Mr. Seward

in the

same

sense.

On

the

supporting the action of Captain

SIR STAFFOED
Wilkes would be inconsistent.
right of search in free ports

NORTHCOTE BUDGET OF
of
liel

1862.

119

The claim

of finance.

Mr.

Disraeli said that the

had been aban-

chief credit of the debate on the opposition

doned in

all civilized states,

and the United

side belonged to Sir Stafford Northcote,

and

States governments had been specially active

in abolishing
it.

doubtless the attack on the budget was sharp

" This

is

the very thing the

and the arguments against

arranged, but
passed,

it

were carefully
the measure

British captains used to do," said "

Mr. Lincoln.

we have

seen

how

They claimed the

right of searching

Ameri-

and the paper duties were abandoned

can ships and carrying

men

out of them. That

in spite of the forebodings of those

ploi^ed the

who

de-

was the cause

of the

war

of 1812.

Now we

tendency to remove

all

taxes on

cannot abandon our

own

principles.

We shall

cheap newspapers, and who, not having altered

their views as
still

have to give these men up, and apologize for

Mr. Gladstone had altered

his,

what we have done."

Happily the terms of the despatches from

regarded such imposts as necessary, or at

least desirable, for

"preventing the circularesult,

England were,
acing,

as

Mr. Seward

said, courte-

tion of

bad matter;" a
had never
to the

by the by,
be shown

ous and friendly, not dictatorial nor men-

which the old oppressive taxes on cheap publications

effected, as could

and the task

of reconciling his govern-

ment
easier.

to a pacific course

was therefore the

the secretaries
to this country

by turning
scandalous

files (if

any

exist) of man}''

The commissioners and

and were sent
It

periodicals

issued

between the
the budget for

were

liberated,

years 1830 and 1850.

When

in a British man-of-wai-.

was no long time had been exand

1862 was brought forward both Mr. Disraeli

since international courtesies

and Sir Stafford Northcote were ready to

changed

the eldest son of the queen had been

in the States,
grateful.

renew the
some

attack.

That budget, though not

remarkable exposi-

welcomed with enthusiasm

England was
approach of
tries

so elaborate as the preceding one, was, like

of its jDredecessors, a

In the desjmtch
felt

itself

the real horror which would be

hostilities

at the

tion of the resources of the countiy

and

of a

between the two coun-

scheme for providing an adequate revenue

notwithstanding adverse circumstances and an
expenditure, some items of which, like the

was suggested.
general, there

But though
still

this feeling

was

was

a strong party on

each side which maintained a hostile attitude

sum spent
The
to of
civil

for

fortifications,

had not been

by respectively abusing England and speaking

with
dislike,
if

approved by the chancellor of the exchequer.

not with contempt, of the

of

war

in

America had already begun

In the
fii'st

Northern States

America, while certain

in-

make

its effects felt.

quarter

newspapers on both sides accentuated the

the year our exports to the States had

vective and helped to maintain the ill-feeling.

diminished from 21,667,000 to i'9,058,000,

being a difference of no
less

than 12,609,000.

Sir Stafford Northcote

had been one of the

There had been great

ness,

distress, enforced idleloss of jiro-

longest

if

not one of the most effective speakers

and a consequent enormous

against the budget of 1861, and though he

duction.

The harvest

of 1881 liad

been de-

had apparently not forgotten that he was once

private secretary to Mr. Gladstone, and always

ficient in quantity,

and the winter of 1860 had

towns strained the pro-

been one of such severity that the distress in

spoke of the chancellor of the exchequer as

"

London and our

limits,

large

my

right honoui-able friend," he persisted in

visions of the poor-law

beyond their ordinary

contending that the calculations for the financial

and at

last,

so far as

London was con-

year would be fallacious.

sion Sir Stafford

On this occaNorthcote may be said to

to the front

cerned, almost caused a break-down in the

system, which had to be largely supplemented

have
to

first

come prominently

and

by
All

i)rivate

charity and public subscrijjtion.

have achieved decided success as a paran authority in

he had

these

causes operated

to diminish

the

liamentary speaker, though he was already

revenue, and yet so successful had been the

financial ojiei-ations of the previous year

known

as

figures, for

and

sat, as it

were, at the feet of the great

Gama-

the working of the commercial treaty with

120

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

was no prospect
of the remission of taxes,

France, that the 3'evenue showed an increase

of

but

^2,000,000.

While our trade with the

in a single year

rather of heavy expenditure

w^hich

would

United States had seriously diminished, that

with France had increased

make

additional

taxation necessary.

The

total result of the treaty of

commerce, includ-

from J2,190,000 to i'6,910,000. Unfortunately there had been a nearly corresponding increase of expenditure.
of

ing the increase in foreign and colonial ex-

The
that

chancellor

showed an amount of 10,000,000. The government had determined to do withports,

the exchequer announced

the real
greater

out a surplus, and to impose no

new

taxes,

expenditure of the past year was

much

reserving to themselves the privilege of taking

the necessary steps to meet any contingency

than the estimate by means of supplementary

grants in 1861 and 1862, principally in refer-

which might

arise.

There could be no remis-

ence to the despatch of troops to Canada and

sion of taxes, but the burden of the country

a small amount to China ; so that the actual

expenditure of the past year was ^70,878,000.

would be

lighter

Demands had been made on

by various
interests, to
it

by 600,000 or 700,000. the government

which Mr. Gladstone

The

total expenditure

of the year

1860-61
jjast

was 72,504,000. The revenue of the

year

referred, but

was 69,670,000. This was a

financial

decrease, taking

into account circumstances connected with the

year, of 809,000.

This must be
it

considered satisfactorj',

when

was rememthe in-

bered that in 1861-62 they had parted with

three items of revenue

to make some The increased sobriety of the people and a diminished power of consumpjtion had caused some falling off in the estimated amount derived from the spirit duties, and it was not proposed to touch them.

was proposed

changes in other mattere.

by reducing

The sugar
of

duties being classified duties were

;

come-tax Id. in the pound, making 850,000;

the paper duty, involving a loss on the last
six

unequal in their pressure

but the

difficulties

removing

this classification

were so great

months

of the financial year of

665,000

that no change could be effected without a

while no malt credit had been taken up, as

complete inquiry into the subject, and he

was the

case

in

1860-61

to the extent of

would consequently be prepared

a committee for the purpose.
to the malt credits,

to assent to

1,122,000.

It was not a fact that the revenue

With regard

was declining.

In the customs, on the

first

no case for a change had

three quarter of last year there

was an

in-

been made out, and an alteration would deprive the revenue of 1,300,000 a year.

crease of 468,000, but in the last quarter there

The

had been a decrease

of 100,000.

Yet

al-

minor duties on expoiis and imports, while

entailing an

though the gross revenue had

fallen off

by

609,000, the customs had exceeded the

esti-

which

gave
to

mate by 464,000, the stamps by 130,000,

amounted

amount of labour in collection them a claim to repeal, yet 182,000; and with a suqilus
it

by 10,000, the income-tax by 15,000, and the miscellaneous by 81,000. In the excise there had been a falling-otf amounting
taxes
to 456,000; there

of 150,000

was not

possible to deal with

them, besides which they afforded a means to

the Board of Trade of obtaining valuable
statistical

had been a

loss

on

spirits,

information.

But he was willing

hops,

and paper.

With regard

to the esti-

to grant

an inquiry into the subject.

With

mates, that of the China indemnity, which

regard to the wine duties, there was a favourable increase in the trade
it
;

had been placed

quarters due in

at

750,000 had only realized

but on the whole

478,000 up to September, but when the two

was determined

to retain

what was

called

March were paid

there

would

the alcoholic test, but altering and modifying

it

be a gross receipt of 658,000.

other deductions which would

There were
the whole

by reducing the four

all

scales to two, admit-

make

ting
at a

wines from 18 to 26 degrees of alcohol

Is.,

sum

actually

received this year from this

duty of

while from 26 to 42 the scale

2s.

source only 266,000.

exjoenditure
total

The

total estimate of

would be raised from

5d. to 2s. 6d.,

3c?.

and

was 70,040,000, the estimated

There

above 45 an additional duty of

additional rise of strength.

on every

revenue would be 70,190,000.

This would yield

RETRENCHMENT DEBATE ON FINANCE.

a net gain of 15,000 a-year to the revenue.

121

Coming

to the

hop duties the chancellor

that
it

of

governments

have fully comprehended what a race the of the world are running, and at

the exchequer announced

possible to

was not

what a
lation."

fearful pace outside of

England naaccumu-

surrender duties which yielded

tional obligations are

now

in course of

J300,000 a-year on the average.

He proposed,

Nearly

all

countries were in the

onl}' flourishing

same

however, to do something in the way of commutation by readjusting the system of brewers'

licenses

predicament, and the

budget

he had seen was that of the Ottoman Empire.

and including

in

them a charge

for

During the

last

twent}"^ years

France had

the hop duty; while, at the same time, relief

added 250 millions

to her debt, of

which 180

would be given
of this plan

to smaller brewers in respect

millions wa.s not attributable to

tui'e.

war expendi-

of the charge for their licenses.

The
it

result

Austria and Russia had added to their

would be

to secure to the

revenue

debts,

and the

financial year of 1861 alone

state debts of all the great

nearly as

much duty

as

now, while

would

had added to the

cause a complete free trade in

foreign hops.

home and
excise duty

countries 200 millions of money.

England
extra-

The customs and

it

had not added

to her debt, but

among

on hops would be repealed from next Sep-

ordinaiy expenses there was the cost of the

tember

and

was

also proposed, as regarded

war with China, which had been 7,054,000.

In the
last three years,

private brewers, to

exempt from

license all
classes.

what might be

called

brewing carried on by the labouring

By

this financial operation there

would be a

loss to

the revenue of 45,000.

war expenditure, including China, New Zealand, and the despatch of troops to North America, was 8,600,000. To meet this extraordinary expenditure the income-tax had
risen since 1859

These being the proposals of the government, Mr. Gladstone reviewed the financial
results of the past three years.
ovit

by three

millions, and, includ-

He

pointed

ing the spirit duties and other imposts, there

that

it

was an error

to suppose that the

public expenditure was

of 1861

still

growing, for that

The

had been taxes imposed exceeding five millions. taxes reduced or abolished amounted to
over four millions.
sources were

was

less

than that of 1860, while in

Their extraordinary
at

re-

the year ensuing there was a decrease in the

estimates of over 700,000. Putting aside

now
was

an end

and
for

if

they

new

looked into the future, and asked themselves

items of expenditure which had never been

included in the estimates before, the actual

how

provision

to be

made

it,

they

diminution was 1,700,000.

our expenditure
it

still

But the level of demanded attention, for

must make their reckoning without these reAbout eleven millions had been desources.
voted in the last three years lo extraordinary
expenditure, of which six millions had been

was a higher

level

than could be borne with

comfort and satisfaction by the people, or than

was compatible with a sound condition of

finance.

The growth

of expenditure

was partly

met by extraordinary resources, and five milby taxes drawn from the people. As regarded the revenue it had increased since
lions

owing to the growing wants

of the country;

1858-59
1861-62.

by upwards

of

four

millions

in

then to a sense of insecurity which had prevailed in the country; next to the influence of

We

had passed through exceptional

other extraordi-

vears without going into the market for loans,

but, as he

the establishments and expenditure of other

nations;

had remarked,

all

and

lastly, to special

demands which
and
in

nary lesources were

now

exhausted, and to
it

had arisen out

of exigencies

which had sprung

meet

casualties

which might occur

was only
to look,

up demands which were

"

in substance,

to ordinaiy sources of revenue

we had

everything except the name, war demands.

and any

diiliculty whicli

might be anticipated
of the

With

respect to the state of establishments

was only

to be

and expenditure abroad," said Mr. Gladstone,

" I

])rinciples of true

met by the ai)plication and strict economy.

do not know whether honourable members,

The budget was attacked by Mr.

with his wonted vigour.

Disraeli

in their perusal of the journals

and

in their

He

accused Mr.

observation of the condition of other countries.

Gladstone of profusion; of having by the re-


122

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

as one detrimental to the character of public

peal of the paper duty sacrificed a surplus of

a million and a half for the sake of a barren

triurajih over the

men, and most injurious

realm."

to the fortunes of the

upper house.

He
when

had
it

cal-

culated his loss at 655,000,

was

This was a telling example of what was

regarded as a "damaging speech" from the
leader of the opposition, but
it

850,000. " The right honourable gentleman,"

he
to

said, "

never pro^soses a vote

and

it falls

had no very

him

to propose the

most profuse votes that

of peace ever

damaging
fication

effect,

for the house

knew

pretty

any minister in time

forward

brought an
inti-

well that Gladstone

he never does this without

. . .

mation that he does not sanction in his heart

the expenditure he recommends.
it

certain

had objected to the fortischeme, and had spoken with no unand no insincere voice against the
to

How

is

growing tendency
It

increased expenditure.

that the party which ijreaches retrenchment

was for

this reason that the party of re-

and reduction
are

who believe

all

our estimates,
estimates,

trenchment trusted him, for they knew that

if

especially the naval

and military

the time should come

when retrenchment

much

too extravagant

who

are opposed
like

could be practised, he would be able to use his

to fortifications,

and who do not much

is
it

extraordinary financial skill to secure the results to

iron ships

how

that this party always

is

which he had declared he looked

for-

support a minister

who

bringing forward
for
is

ward with anxiety. No very lengthy reply was

needed.

these excessive estimates

this

and who provides

Well, that

After having answered some of these

opponent, Mr. Glad-

enormous expenditure?
This at least
is

representations of his

great question.

we know,

that

stone reminded his hearers that the repeal of

while the spendthrift

weeping over pence

is

the paper duty was said to be an imj^rovident

proposal; yet the opponents of that measure

while this jjenurious prodigal

proposing this

enormous expenditure
to repeal

he

always contrives

proposed to part with 950,000 of tea duty,

some tax

to gratify the interests or

which would have been

the alleged deficiency.
to be called

so

much

addition to

prejudices of the party of retrenchment.

No
we

He

was well content

wonder, then, we hear no longer the same

character of the income-tax; no wonder
are no longer reminded of that compact en-

by Mr. Disraeli the most profuse

chancellor of the exchequer on record.

He

was

satisfied to

bear any epithets of vituper-

tered into

by
its

tlie

house and accepted by the

ation he had already produced or might produce

country for
tion.

gradual and permanent aboli-

on a future occasion. It was not difficult to bear

the abuse of the right honourable gentleman

Unless the house expresses, on a fitting

occasion, its opinion, there is very little hope

of our obtaining
. .

when he remembered
himself had had to

that far better

men than

any redress

in this respect.

sufi'er it.
if

But he should

Who will deny that this position of affairs

and
perilous?
I

be

still

more content

the effect of his oppoas to bring the house

is

peculiar

remember some

nent's speech

was such

years ago,

when
at the

the right liouourable gentle-

and the country

to a due sense of the gravity

man was

head of a small party, not

of the financial situation, and tlie necessity for a

then absorbed in the gulf of Liberalism, that

reduction of expenditure.

With regard
it

to the

we heard much prattle about political morality.

income-tax, he did not desire that

should be

What

then most distinguished the right hon-

permanent; and

if

the country could be govit

ourable gentleman and his friends was their

erned bysomething about 60,000,000

could

monopoly

of that

admirable quality.

They

be done without

but

it

could not be abolished

were perpetually thanking God that they were

not as other men, and always pointing their
fiugers at those unfortunate wights

with an expenditure of 70,000,000.

He

did

not yet despair of reduction and retrenchment,

who
end

sat
of

though he did not look forward

reductions.

to

sweeping

opposite to them.
'political morality.'

Now we

see the

We

see the position to

fin-

To

Sir Stafford Northcote,

who had

risen

which

political

morality has brought the

early to oppose his financial j^roposals, he

had

ance of a great nation. I denounce this system

already

made

a reply, in which he had said

SIR
}

STAFFORD HENRY NORTHCOTE

PCM A FHOTriG-RAPH EY
.t.,hX

WATKH."

BIiiCBIE

A 30N,L0KD0N.OI.iSS00WS

i-

lKT-.T^a

DISTEESSOUTEAGES EXHIBITION OF
he did not deny his responsibility as chancellor
of the exchequer,

1862.

123

that time he seemed to have but a small horizon, his views were not extensive

but

it

was not quite so extenhad represented

If

enough
to

for

sive as the honourable baronet

it.

a chancellor of the exchequer

who had
bad a

com-

He was not responsible

tlie

for the estimates in

pete with Gladstone, but he

certain
fin-

every department of the government.

were,

he

determination of manner, and was a clear

ancial critic, in fact

heads of those departments might be

was much more

skilled in

abolished altogether.

His duty was

in his

to see

minute anatomy scheme

of

an ojDponent's statements

that there was no lavish expenditure of the

than in constructing any broad and effective

of

public

money when he had

it.

it

power

to

his

own.

In 1861 Sir Stafford

prevent

He had

never denied the respon-

Northcote was returned for North Devon,

sibility of the

house or the government.

it.

On
The

and by that time he had completely gained

the resj^ect of the house no less for his honourable integrity than for the practical ability

the contrary, he had always asserted

complaints out of doors about taxation were

so great that the question required the serious

which he afterwards had an opportunity

of

attention of Parliament.

To

this

Mr. Glad-

displaying as secretary for the Board of Trade.

stone added that he had to provide o70,000,000

in a time of peace,

and he believed that when

Notwithstanding the distress which had

the right honourable gentleman (Sir Stafford

been

felt in

London

in the previous year,

and

Northcote), or the right honourable gentleman

which was

still

prevailing in the cotton

by his side (Mr. Disraeli), took would be able to do it.

Sir Stafford Northcote,

his jilace they

facturing districts, and in spite of

those signs
of

manusome of

want and discontent which

who was acknowto the future

took the ultimate form of outrages by those

ledged by competent judges to be the rising

men who
struction

sought to carry out the decisions

man, steadily climbing upward

chancellorshiji of the exchequer,

of trades- unions
of

by physical

force, the de-

had been, as

machinery, and

dangerous or

we have seen, private secretary to Mr; Gladstone when that gentleman was president of the
Board
of

even murderous assaults upon fellow-labourers

who

chose to

work without the

control of

Trade under Sir Eobert Peel

certain notes on the

in

their society; the general prosjierity of the

1843-45. His ancestor was Sir

who wrote
ment.

John Northcote, Long Parlia-

country was promising.

Prince Consort had, as

The death of the we have seen, cast a

Sir Stafford entered the house as

mem-

gloom upon the project for repeating in 1862

the experiment of a great international exhibition similar to that of 1851
;

ber for Dudley in 1855, but in 1857 did not

venture to oppose the numbers
dently determined to vote for

who had eviMr. Henry Brinsand so va-

but the scheme

was not suffered

to fall through,

and

his valuits in-

ley Sheridan the Eadical candidate,

able aid had at least been secured for

cated his seat, to be returned in the following

ception and the settlement of

many

of

the the

year for Stamford.

He came

to Pai'liament

primary arrangements.
site of the

Early in

1861
It

with a reputation already established, and in

1859 he was appointed financial secretary to
the treasury.

building had been chosen.

was

a large space of ground in front of and inclosing the grounds of the Horticultural Society,

Associated with several philan-

thropic and educational

movements and

justly
])os-

and upon the Kensington Gore

estate,

which

regarded as eminently trustworthy, he

sessed both taste
his friends

was purchased out

first

of the

funds arising from the

and aptitude

for figures,
to

and

were not slow in assigning

him

the chancellorship of the future.

It was said by others that he was more fitted for an actuary or manager of a great bank. These

The ground was bounded by Eoad forming itssouthei'U limit, Exhibition Eoad its eastern, Kensington Eoad its northern, and Prince Alfred Eoad its western. The area was much larger
exhibition.

four roads: Cromwell

underrated

his

abilities,

probably because

than that of the former building

Park.

in

Hyde

he was a monotonous and prosaic speaker,

The

lengtli

orf

the space under glass

its

though he was ready and even

fluent.

At

there was 1848 feet and

breadth 408, with

124

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

or,

48 feet additional for machinery,

galleries,

with the

fect

arrangement

about 1,000,000 feet of ilooring space.

of 1862

that the j^lace

it was currently declared was only a gigantic bazaar for

The building
again,

was about

half as large

the display of the goods of enterprising, or

and

this increase

was rendered neces-

rather advei'tising. tradesmen.

sary, not only because of the expectation of

increased exhibits from various parts of

Eng-

land, but in view of the applications likely to

The commissioners might well have been but the money was forthcoming, the building was completed by the stipulated
daunted
;

be made by Fx-ance and our colonies.

time,

and though the unpromising prospects

seemed
likely to be confirmed

The design of the building as furnished by Captain Fowke, E.E., differed essentially from those of the former "Crystal Palace." The
though

of its success

because of the mourning into which the queen

was plunged by the death

of the prince,

whose

main walls were ii'on and

was by means and compact
case in the fine

of brick
glass

up

to 60

feet,

and

name and
it

prestige

it

was believed would carry

formed a considerable

into public favour,

and the opening

the

cerecele-

poi'tion of the structure,

much

of the lighting

mony was unattended by

bi'ation of
last

pomp and

of clerestories through a solid

a royal inauguration, the truth at

as a

roof.
ai-t

This was necessarily the

dawned upon the public mind that

department, as

it

had been

real international exhibition it

was superior

found that the iron and glass roofs did not

give complete security against damp, and as loan collections of valuable paintings, includ-

to its predecessor not only in the variety of

the display, but in the evidences which

it

contained of the progress

factures,

made

in arts,

manu-

ing some of the art treasures from the

Man-

and inventions during the eleven

chester exhibition of the previous year, and a

years that had elapsed.

number

of jsriceless

examples of the works of

all

Unfortunately there were small quarrels

the great painters of the century, from

countries,

and

jealousies

among

the jjroposed directors

were to be included,

it

was

neces-

of the musical performance at the opening

sary to adopt adequate

tection.

means

for their pro-

ceremony, and
to conduct
called,

Mr. Costa having objected

it

Five noblemen and gentlemen were

the cantata, or whatever

was

appointed under the original patent of incorporation to take the direction; namely. Earl
Granville,

composed by Professor Bennett

laureate,

to the

words of the poet

went

off in

a sulk,

quis of

Mr. Wentworth Dilke, the Mai-Chandos, Mr. Thomas Baring, M.P.,

and Mr. Sainton was invited

to take his place.

:

The following were the words

Uplift a thousand voices, full

and Mr. Thomas Fairbairn, and they were

left to

and sweet,

seek efficient advice and assistance in

carrying out the work.

In this wide hall with earth's inventions stored, And praise th' invisible universal Lord,

During the

latter part of the time that the

building was api^roaching

completion, and
little

once more in peace the nations meet, Science, Art, and Labour have outpour'd Their myriad horns of plenty at our feet
lets

Who

Where

even at the opening ceremony and for a

0, sDent father of our Kings to he,

while after the exhibition was inaugurated,

the scheme met with considerable disparage-

Moum'd
For

in this golden

hour of

jubilee,

this, for all,

we weep our thanks

to thee

ment.
site,

There were constant objections to the

The world-compelling plan was thine, And, lo the long laborious mDes
!

to tlie style of the building,

its

and

to the

supposed inferiority of
of the
first

contents to those
1851.

great "world's fair" of

Of Palace lo the giant aisles, Eich in model and design Harvest-tool and husbandi-y, Loom, and wheel, and engin'iy;
;
!

People shook their heads sagaciously to emphasize the opinion that one can never repeat

Secrets of the sullen mine,

Steel

and gold, and

com and wine

;

a great success.

Others said the structure

Fabric rough or faiiy fine, Sunny tokens of the Line

resembled a factory or a gigantic warehouse,

and prophesied that

seeing.

its

contents could not be

if

Polar marvels, and a feast Of wonder, out of West and East,

properly exhibited even

they were worth

And

shapes and hues of part divine

all

All of beauty,

of use.

Again during the

first

days of imper-

That one

fair

planet can produce,


LANCASHIRE DISTEESS ME. LINCOLN'S MESSAGE.
Broug-ht from under every star,

125

several

new

gold-fields,

with a proportionate
;

Blown from over every main, And mixt, as life is mixt with pain. The works of peace with works of war.

development of the colonies

the opening of

China and Jaj^an

the example of the

Manto

who think, the wise who reign. From growing commerce loose her latest chain.
ye, the wise

chester exhibition, leading to our

gallery; the addition of

new

picture-

And
To
Till

the fair white-winged peacemaker happy havens under aU the sky,

let

Eome and

Naples

fly

the

list

of

exhibitoi's;

a greatly increased

And mix
each
all

the seasons and the golden hours,

rivalry in glass, in porcelain, in iron, in paper,

in furniture,
things.
in

And

man finds his own in all men's good, men work in noble brotherhood,

jewelry,

and many other

to

Breaking their mailed fleets and armed towers, And ruling by obeying nature's powers. And gathering all the fi-uits of peace and crown'd with all her flowers.
Oil

Onyx marble

has been discovered.

Machinery has been applied

many

pur-

poses hitherto left to unassisted hand labour.

Medieval architecture has

the
1st

fairly

taken root

of

May

the

exhibition

was

in the national mind.

Our

ships of

war are
and

opened, aud though her majesty was not present an imposing pageant passed in procession

doubling their tonnage, fining their

thickening their iron coats.
electric telegraph,

lines,

Photograjahy, the
for

through the building, consisting of

nitaries, foreign

civic dig-

and instruments

mea-

ambassadors, iu eluding the

suring and recording meteorological changes

Japanese envoys, and her majesty's ministers,

have made a great

start.

All the nations of

who met
bridge.

to receive the commissioners,

who
Cam-

the earth are interchanging their productions

presented an address to the

Duke

of

much more
wine, aud

freely than eleven years ago.

oil

Corn,

His royal highness represented the

are

more abundant, aud come

queen on the occasion, and after the formal

procession declared the exhibition open in her

here in greater varieties.

The wealth

of the

world has increased, and the exhibitors have

better hope of turning their j^ains to good

majesty's name.
It

may be mentioned
1st of

here that

it

i-emained
it

account than they had eleven years ago.

these differences iu the comparison of the

All

open until the

November, when
total

was

two

computed that the

number

of visitors

periods have told on the exhibition, and

it

made

had been 6,117,450, or about 50,000 fewer

than the gross number of
hibition of 1851
;

in

all

respects

vastly

larger

and more

visitors to the ex-

beautiful than that of 1851.

It has suffered

but

it

must be remembered

that the condition of the people in some of

some sad blows, but they are from without rather than within. The loss of its great
patron and promoter seemed at
possible to get over.
first

our large centres of industry accounted for

hardly

some
fewer

falling

off,

and probably there were

though the foreign
in

still

deeper

wound
distress

foreign

visitors,

has been struck at

of the

its

success

by the

exhibitors
1851.

numbered 16,456 against 6566

contents, touching

manufacturing
it,

districts.

A contemporary account of
its

the buildevi-

can

visit

even at a cost of

But whoever time and money

ing and

upon the

somewhat beyond
teaches

his wont, will find that he

dences of progress witnessed in the various

has no reason to regret an expenditure which

departments, remarked
"
'

him more than books and companions,

it

It is only eleven years since the last ex-

and places him, as

civilization."

were, in the front rank

hibition,'
yeai-s

some people may say

still

'

and eleven
to see.'
is

of the world's material progress

and outward

hence there will be

more

When

there will be anotlier exhibition

The
trial

distress in Lancashire

had indeed becontinued

question which depends ui)on persons and

things far beyond our ken or control; but
if

come very serious long before the Great IndusExhibition was closed, and
it

time be measured

by improvement
last

or

by

for a long time afterwai'ds;

but the attitude

mere change, then these

have been twenty-two.
bition there

eleven years

of the suffering cotton operatives

was one

of

Since the last exhi-

courageous endurance, such as elicited the

adniiration not only of their countrymen, but
of all

have come up the Armstrong

rifle,

gun, the Enfield

and iron-plated ships;

Europe aud

of the

Americans themselves.

126

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

the 19th of January, 1863, Mr. President

On
ing

Commons
April,

the contributions to the fund in

Lincoln, in rejaly to an address from the work-

1863, had

shown the

results of

the

men

of

Manchester,

who had

sent to

him

munificent liberality of the nation. There had

a declaration of their hatred of slavery, said

been collected by the Central Relief Committee 959,000, in clothing

"I know and deeply deplore

which the working men
all

the sufferings

and provisions to the

private

at

Manchester and in
crisis.

value of 108,000; subscriptions from different

localities,

Europe are

called to

endure in this

306,000

charity,

It has

been often and studiously represented

200,000; Mansion-house committee,482,000;

that the attempts to overthrow this govern-

poor-law board, 680,000

in

all

a total of

ment, which was built upon the foundation of

2,735,000, of which 1,480,000 had been contributed by the county of Lancaster, so deter-

human
human

rights,

and

to substitute

for it one

which should
of Europe.
citizens the

rest exclusively

on the basis of

mined was the courage and independence

the people there.
that though this
It

of

slavery,

wag

likely to obtain the favour

of our disloyal

Through the action

working men
of

may well be understood large sum had been received,

in

Europe have been

and that the balance then

was extreme.

hand

for con-

subjected to a severe trial for the purjjose of

forcing their sanction to that attempt.

tinued distribution was 845,000, the distress

Under
as

There was no margin for more

were mostly

these circumstances I cannot but regard your

decisive utterances

than the provision of necessaries in extreme

cases, and, indeed, the operatives

upon the question

an

instance of sublime Cliristian heroism which

reduced to extremity before they would consent to receive assistance.

has not been surpassed in any age or in any

country."

Before the end of that year the

In November, 1862, Mr. Cobden, in writing

to

price of middling

New Orleans cotton in Liverlb.

Lady Hatherton, had

said

"Imagine that
gives you but
its

pool

was 29^d. per

In 1854 the rate of

the iron, stone, and coal were suddenly withheld from Staffordshire, and
it

the same quality of cotton had been 5d. per

lb.

During 1861 the quotations had conlb.,

an imperfect idea of what Lancashire, with

tinued to average ll^d. per

it

and

in 1862

much
want

larger population,
of cotton
;

is

suffering

from the

had been 24|d

Of course the high price

it

reverses the condition of

in 1863

meant no

supplies,

and though

efforts

the richest county in the kingdom, and

it

makes
in-

had been made

and the crops
to

to bring cargoes

from Egypt,

the poorest.

A capitalist with 20,000

in India

were looked forward

vested in buildings and machinery

may be

with such anxiety that a consignment of

almost on a par with his operatives in destitution

if

Surat was received with joyful manifestations,

there

he be deprived of the raw material

his capital

was never enough to give good hope

of

which alone makes

productive.

resuming work except on very short time

limited

in a

Bad

as

is

the state of things, I fear

we

are

number

of mills. for the relief of the

only at

its
is

commencement, and unhappily the

to aggravate the sufferings

The provisions made

families of the

winter
of the

upon us

Lancashire operatives were

continued.
sident of the

In July, 1862, Mr. Villiers, pre-

Board

of Trade,

brought in a

bill

enabling every parish overburdened with local

distress to claim a contribution

The evil is spreading The fii-st effects wiU be felt on the small shopkeepers; the weak millowners will come next. I met a magistrate
working people.
all classes.

through

from the com-

yesterday from Oldham, and he told

at the last meeting of the

me

that

mon fund
money by
3s.

of the union,

and in committee an
raise

bench four thousand

addition was

made enabling the unions to

of a

assessments were exempted from payment of

poor-rates on the plea of inabilit}^ of the parties to

loan, or to resort to a rate in aid

whenever the expenditure

in the pound.

union exceeded

pay!

How
!

rapidly this must aggravate

Lancashire relief fund

the pressure on the remainder of the property

of the

was

also started, with

an executive committee

union

There will be another meeting

properly appointed.

According to a statement
in the

of the at

Manchester Committee next Monday,

it

made by Mr. Wilson Patten

House

of

which

will be proposed to extend it to a

GEORGE PEABODY.
National Committee, and the queen will be
solicited as
will,

127
of

which took the shape of consignments

act
of

Duchess of Lancaster to allow her

its

provisions and other additions to the fund.

name

to

appear as

patron.

An

energetic

This

generosity
anxieties,

amidst

their their

effort will

then be made to cover the whole

local committees,

troubles

and
for

and when

own own

kingdom with
this

and then

in-

fields lay

fallow and their

own manufactures
hands that were
deserved
little

stitute a general canvas for subscriptions.

By
is

were

still

want

of the

means we may keep matters

till

in tolerable

engaged

in the deadly struggle, was afterwards

as,

order

Parliament meets, but there

shall

warmly remembered,
to be;

indeed,
it

it

growing opinion that we

distance,

have to apply
People at a
in

and though
eflfect

for a time

had

ap-

to parliament for imperial aid.

preciable

in mitigating

the rancorous

who

learn that the poor-rates

declamations of a section of the public on both

sides, it doubtless

Lancashire are even

now

less

than they are

had a very decided influence and

to

in ordinary times in the agricultural districts,

in the ultimate restoration of reasonable

cannot understand this heljDlessness and destitution.

friendly feelings,

and contributed greatly

affair of

They do not perceive how excepis.

the mutual good understanding that ensued,

tional this state of things

its

Lancashire, with

notwithstanding the

the

Alabama and

machinery stopped,

is like

man

in a faint-

the " claims" that were so long a bone of con-

fit. It would be as rational to attempt to draw money from the one as blood from the other. Or it may be compared to a strong

ing

tention between the two countries.

It
is

not out of place to note also, that, in

the midst of the conflict of opinion and the

increasing distress in the early days of 1862,

man suddenly struck with

him,
it is

paralysis; until the

use of his limbs and muscles be restored to

useless to tell

Mr. George Peabody, a wealthy American

merchant in London, announced that
his intention to give of the poor of this metropolis.
it

We

have seen

him to help himself." what had then been done to

In September, 1862,

was

100,000 for the benefit

increase poor-law relief.

Mr. Peabody

twenty-four poor-law unions in the distressed

districts

was a native
sachusetts.

of Danvers, in the State of

Mas18,

afforded out-door relief to 140,165

He was

born on February

persons, at a weekly cost of ^7922, which re-

1795; his parents were in humble circumstances,

presented aid to 100,000 persons in excess of

the relief of the corresponding period of the
previous year.

and

his early education

was acquired

at the ciistrict "

of eleven he

common

school."

At

the age

week ending 27th of December the want was far more excessive,
the
lists

On

was placed

in a grocer's store in

Danvers, in which situation he spent four

years.

the relief

showing the alarming

total of

After a year's rural

life

with his grand-

496,816 i^ersons dependent on charitable or

parochial funds, while the loss of wages was

father in

Vermont he went

to

Newburyport,

Massachusetts, as clerk to his elder brother,

estimated at about 168,000 per week.

who had opened

Georgetown,
yeai's.

a dry -goods shop there.

He

Happily the fund for the

ferers

relief of the suf-

afterwards was in business with his uncle at

district

was well supported, not only by noble

of

Columbia, for two

this concern

and wealthy donors

queen,

among

whom

were the

In 1814 he withdrew from

who gave 2000, and the Viceroy of Egypt, who gave 1000 during his visit to London but by the people themselves shop-

and became a partner with Mr. Elisha Riggs

in the dry-goods trade,

Mr. Piggs furnishing

the capital and

talent.

Mr. Peabody the business

keepers, employes,

and even agricultural

la-

In 1815 the house was removed to

bourers,

who

contributed

pence from their

Baltimore, and in 1822 branch houses were

established in Philadelphia and

own

small and hardly-earned wages. It should

New

York.

not be forgotten either that substantial aid

In 1827 Mr. Peabody crossed the Atlantic for

the
first

and expressions
shire

of

sympathy came
of

to

Lanca-

time to purchase goods.

In 1829 he

from various parts

Europe, and that

the Northern States of America were not be-

became senior partner by the retirement of Mr. Riggs. On several occasions of his visits
to

hindhand

in significant expressions of good-

England he was intrusted with important

128

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

by the State
of

fiuaucial negotiations

Mary-

of Earl Eus.sell.i

On

the occasion which has

land.

Early in 1837 he took up his residence

In 1843 he withdrew from the

attracted your majesty's attention, of setting

in England.

apart a portion of
the condition and

my

property to ameliorate
of the

concern of Peabody, Eiggs,

& Co., and founded

In the
crisis of

augment the comforts

a banking-house in London.

poor in London, I have been actuated by a deep

sense of gratitude to

1837 he rendered valuable assistance towards

the maintenance of American credit in Eng-

God who has

blessed

me

with prosperity, and of attachment to this great

country, where, under your majesty's benign
rule, I

The banking-house he established became the headquarters of his countrymen resident in or passing through London and
land.

have received so much personal kind-

ness and enjoyed so

many

years of happiness,
conscience I

the centre of

American news.

His Fourth

of

Xext
shall

to the approval of

my own
me of

July dinners at the "Star and Garter," Eich-

always prize the assurance which your

the appioba-

mond, soon became public

to bring

events,

and served
In 1852,

majesty's letter conveys to

tion of the
life

English and American gentlemen

Queen

of England,

whose whole

together in agreeable intercourse.

has attested that her exalted station has

at the bicentenary annivei-sary of his native

in

no degree diminished her sympathy with

town, he sent a cheque for 20,000

dols. to

be

the humblest of her subjects.

The

portrait

expended

in the

founding of a lyceum and

which your majesty

bestow on

is

graciously pleased to

library for the town.

tions this

By

subsequent dona-

me

I shall value as the most pre-

sum was

raised to C0,000 dols.,

and

cious heirloom that I can leave in the land

of

the institution was opened in or about 1857

w^ith great eclat.

my

birth, where, together

with the
to

letter

In the latter year he gave

which your majesty has addressed

will ever be regarded as

me,

it

to certain citizens of Baltimore the

sum

of

an evidence

of the

500,000 dols. to found an institute in that city

for the promotion of science, literature,

kindly feeling of the Queen of the United

and

the fine arts, the opening of which was re-

Kingdom to a citizen of the United States." The American war had concluded when this
letter

tarded by the

civil

war

in America.
free-

was written, and above two yeare

after-

Mr. Peabody was presented with the

wards, Lu December, 1868, Mr. Peabody,

who

dom
his

of the city of

London

in recognition of

had returned from America, once more gave

100,000, bringing the total

munificent

gift.
it,

He

afterwards added
letter of

sum

to the

superb

another ,50,000 to

and received a

amount

of 250,000.

Shortly afterwards he

thanks from the queen for his "more than

princely munificence."

gave another million of dollars to his American

Her majesty would

Southern education fund.

In October of the

have conferred upon him either a baronetcy

or the

following year this liberal benefactor died at

Grand Cross

of the order of the Bath;

felt himself de-

the residence of his friend. Sir Curtis Lampson.

but that she understood he

He was

seventy-five years of age,

and under

barred from accepting such distinctions.

It

his will he

had

left

an additional amount for

poor,

only remained, therefore, for the queen to give

the benefit of the

London

making

alto-

Mr. Peabod}' the assurance

feelings,

of her personal
to

gether a total of half a million sterling.

His

which she further wished

mark by

remains were placed in Westminster Abbey

previous to being conveyed on board one of

asking him to accept a miniature-portrait of

herself,

which she desired to have painted,

finished,

her majesty's ships to his birth-place in

rica.

Ame-

and which, when

sent to

was

either to be

The

large

sum

of

money, which was

him

to America, or to

be given to him

placed in the hands of trustees for providing

suitable dwellings for the

on his return to the country which owed him

so

London

poor, apit

much. Mr. Peabody replied: "Madam,Ifeel

pears to have been chiefly devoted,

is

true.

seriously

my

inability to express in adequate

tei'ms the gratification

with which I have read

This was in 1866

Lord John Russell took his seat in

the letter which your majesty has done

me

the House of Lords in July, 1S61, as Earl Russell of Kingston-Russell in Dorset and Viscount Amberley of Ardsalla
in ileath.

the high honour of transmitting by the hands

MEANS FOE ALLEVIATING DISTEESS COTTON SUPPLY.

to
tlie

129

purpose of building substantial houses

after benefit to the whole population of the

districts

on a model plan, and on a plan which will

yield a certain dividend for the maintenance
of the scheme; but
it

where

its

lesson

had been patiently

of

can scarcely be con-

tended that the actually poor inhabitants of

One of the most striking features the time was the remarkable diminution the number of deaths and the improvement
learnt.

in
in

London, or those who need benevolent

are those

aid,

the health of the majority of the people, even

in those districts

who have been

chiefly benefited,

where the

distress

was most
also

since the trust has rather been devoted to the

pi'ovision of convenient

severely

felt.

This has been attributed to

it

and well-constructed

enforced temperance;

may have been

tenements for those decent tenants

afford to pay a fair
less

who

can

partially attributable to a period of

rest.

temporary

amount

of rental.
effected

Doubt-

some good may have been

by thus

It should be noted, however, that means were taken for providing interesting occupation.

enabling respectable mechanics and working

people to obtain sound sanitaiy and reason-

Schools were established for the in-

struction not only of children but of adults,

ably rated dwellings; but whether this kind

of speculative provision quite represents the
intentions of the philanthropic donor
is

numbers of whom unemployed time

been
able
to

willingly devoted their

now

to acquire the instruction

per-

which in their younger days they had never

attain.

haps a question which the trustees and their

representatives can best answer.

Sewing -schools
also

for

women and
had
of

girls

were

opened

in all parts

Mr. Peabody's splendid

nothing to do with the

gift of course

the

manufacturing

districts.

relief of distress in

were there taught how

to

make and

Numbers to mend

Lancashire, to which he was also no doubt a

liberal contributor,

various garments, and carried the practical

but

it

had much

signifi-

knowledge gained
homes.

in these schools into their

cance in representing the good feeling which

continued

to

exist

between

numbers

of

The organization for relieving want went hand in hand with efforts for providing
occupations which would keep the people from

thoughtful Americans and unbiassed

lislimen.

Eng-

The

efforts

made

for the special

brooding over their trouble, and be useful to

object of diminishing the sufferings of the

them

in their daily lives.

of

people during the cotton famine were

numecon-

During the whole time that the dearth

cotton continued the government and

rous and well sustained.

fined to

Nor were they

many

mere contributions or

subscriptions.

wealthy and enterprising individuals were

using efforts to promote the growth of the
plant in India and other British dependencies, so

They included many personal endeavours,

among
months

the most directly useful of which were

those of Mrs. Gladstone,

who during

the

first

that

we might

not hereafter be wholly

of the calamity visited the districts

greatest,

dependent on one source of supply.

Some

where the need was

and while pracwants of those

advances were also made in the introduction

of

tically assisting to alleviate the

improved machineiy for preparing and

;

who were on men conveyed

employed
the park.
in

the spot had a

to

number

of the

cleaning the fibre

of transit

and railways and means

districts to

Hawarden, where they were

in

from the manufacturing

still

making new roads and paths

also established at

the seaports were the East and

further developed.
Indies,

To

She

Ilawarden

West

New

Zealand,

an industrial home
girls.

for distressed Lancashire

Queensland

and

outside the British empire.

Numerous endeavours kind were made in the suffering

is

of

a similar

Brazil consumei'S of cotton were looking not

without hope that in the future,
diately, large supplies
if

districts,

and

not imme-

it

to be remai^ked that

though the painful

might be brouglit from

supply increased

effects of the

cotton famine were felt long

those

i^laces.

Of

cour.se the

after the mills

American war was over and the

trial

but slowly, or rather absolute cessation of

supply was only prevented by these means,
especially as nothing

were at work again, that time of

in
it

bad not been barren

good

results, so that

came from the African

had considerably
72

we may

well believe

proved of incalculable

cotton -fields

when

prices

Vol. IV.


130
increased.

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

The native growers
there

had no
re-

of

which they live.

of

Such a notion was

in the

notion of working except

when compelled;
the produce of

minds

many men even

after the accelera-

and the increased amount which they

ceived

tion of political

progress and the folly and

when they conveyed down

to

ignorance of self-elected leaders had put an

their plantations to the shore enabled

settle
it

them to enjoyment or what passed for

end to Chartism.

Among

the people
of

who
com-

had looked at the indefinite promises

in their estimation

and

to leave the fields

munistic or socialistic leaders there were

many
That

The staple at mills which resumed work was the Swat; and though this was of inferior quality, dirty, and
uutilled

and unsown.

who saw much

possible reality in them.

some such experiments had

failed long before,

when they were

associated with political agi-

difficult to

manufacture,
all

it

was so much better

tation or with certain suspected philosophies

than none at

that the people

who

could

or social vagaries,

was no proof that the

co-

obtain employment were delighted at beingable

to maintain their independence,

operative principle might not be commercially

and to leave

sound.

As

a matter of fact

it

already neces-

the relief funds for the

necessarily suj^ported

lai-ge

number who were

efforts.

sarily existed, whei^e a

by charitable

engaged in different

number of people were work and held difi"erent

degrees of importance to promote the same

Among

the institutions which were already

enterprise.

In 1873 Carlyle had given ex-

in existence

and served both at the time and

pression to the thought, or one might rather

afterwards to mitigate the effects of such a

say the question which was being discussed else-

sudden and protracted arrest of a great industry occupying a large district, should be noticed

where among a few serious men. "Whether," as he puts it, " in some ulterior, perhaps some
not
far
'

those societies in which the principles of co-

distant

stage

of

the

'

chivalry of

operation had been adopted and had proved

successful.

labour

your master worker

may

not find

it

The co-operative
it is

societies

of

possible,

and needful,

to grant his workers

Eochdale had not,

tors,

true,

had many imitalikely to find

permanent

interest in his enterprise

and

theirs?

nor did

it

then seem as though the scheme

So that
essential

it

become
fact

in practical result,
justice
it

what

in

which they had adopted was

and

ever

is,

a joint

much

extension in other parts of England

;

enterprise;

all

men,, from the chief master

and amidst other industries

stances of
tlie distress

but the circum-

down
it?

to the lowest overseer

and operative,

in Lancashire

and the
so long

economically as well as loyally concerned for

survival during the cotton famine of the original associations

"Which question I do not answer.

else far, is

The

whose members had

answer near, or

perhaps: yes;

benefited by the provisions of the system, attracted public attention to the question. Since

and
is

3'et

we know

the difliculties.
:

Despotism
I

essential in

most enterprises

am

told

that time co-operative societies in one form or

they do not tolerate 'freedom of debate' on

other have been regarded as valuable means

for securing the

board a seventy-four
plebiscite
mills.

Eepublican senate and

in

mutual advantages of their

societies

would not answer well

cotton

members, and in London,

been organized in

embracing

And

yet observe there too, freedom,

one branch of the original institutions have

a

not nomad's or ape freedom, but man's free-

manner which has more

dom,

this is indispensable.

We

must have

it

than once threatened to change the entire

and
with

will

have
is

it

To
the

reconcile

despotism

method

of

business j^reviously adopted by

well,

that such a mystery?

Do you
to

retail traders in the metropolis.

not already

know

way?
its

It

is

make
of

It scarcely needs to

be said that the actual

your despotism

just.

Rigorous as destiny; but

laws.

or representative co-operative association in-

just too as destiny

and

The laws
is

cludes not only a

common

interest in the sale

God

all

men obey

these,

and have no freedom

and

profits of necessary

commodities required

at all but in obeying them.

The way

al-

by the members, but in the industry in which the members are employed and by the success

ready known, part of the way; and courage and

some

qualities are

needed for walking in

it."

; :

CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.
This
is

131
loss of

Carlylese, but

it

needs

little transla-

on which, in case of always

fall

work, they might

tion in reference to a

movement, some

of the

back.

The

failure of the

Rochdale
its

permanent
afterwards.

effects of

which were apparent at

savings-bank, recently plundered by

actu-

the time of the cotton famine twenty years

ary to the extent of ^70,000, had desti'oyed

all faith in

That movement began in the

1843 in an association which
results than

that hitherto popular institution.

latter part of

It

was under these circumstances that twentyRochdale flannel-weavers managed to

had theoretically in view wider

those that were to be effected

eight

mercial or industrial

by merely comThe first co-operation.

scrape together a sovereign each for the pur-

pose of establishing a shop in which they

programme

of the founders of the co-operative

might purchase genuine groceries and other

necessaries at a moderate price, dividing

system at Rochdale included a provision "that

as soon as practicable this society shall proceed
to arrange the powei's of production, distribution, education,

among

themselves whatever profits might remain at

the end of the year.

The views by which

and government
interests to

or in other

they were actuated are very clearly exhibited

in

words to establish a self-supporting homecolony of

an account which they afterwards pubof

united

assist

other

lished

the lofty aims with which they

societies in establishing

such colonies."

Some
was

of tins

may seem
of

visionary, but there

solid fact

made this very humble experiment. " The objects of this society are the
and
intellectual

social

enough

sound and

remaining after

advancement

of its

members.

and when
tions

what was merely visionary had disappeared, this and other co-operative associawhich had been established on
its

It provides

them with

groceries, butcher's-

meat, drapery goods, clothes, shoes, clogs, &c.

ex-

There are competent workmen on the premises to do the work of the members and
execute
all

periences were consolidated and working, but

not too freely, under the " Friendly Societies

repairs.

The

capital

is

raised in
alloweil

Act"

of 1852.

one pound shares, each

member being
liy

Various abortive attempts had been made

to take not less than five

and not more than

instalments
quai-ter.

from time

to

time to realize the ideas on

societies

a hundred, payable at once or

of three shillings
\

which the co-operative

but they had

were founded,

and threepence per

failed, chiefly

through the moral

The
first,

profits are divided quarterly as follows

and industrial
were
tried.

defects of those

by

whom

they

interest at five per cent per

;

annum on

At

length an attempt was

made

all

paid-up shares

second, two and a half per

at Rochdale

by men who, though extremely

cent off net profits for educational purposes

the remainder to be divided

poor and almost destitute of book-learning,

were endowed with the qualifications necessary for carrying the enterprise they under-

bers in proportion to

the intellectual
there
is

among the memmoney expended. For improvement of the members

took to a successful

issue.

a libi'ary consisting of more than 3000

The example thus

But we
shall best

set

was followed

in all

the large towns of the manufacturing districts.

comprehend the nature

of

The librarian is in attendance every Wednesday and Saturday evening from seven The news-room is to half-past eight o'clock.
volumes.
well supplied with newspapers
fitted

this great

movement by

fixing our attention

and

periodicals,

on the origin and progress of the Rochdale

society,

up

in a neat

and careful manner, and

library are

which served as a
its

pattei'n to the rest,

furnished with maps, globes, microscope, telescope, &c.

by whom

rules

and methods were almost

The news-room and

exactly copied.

It was, as

we have

noted, at

free to all membei-s.

branch reading-room

the close of the year 1843 that the Rochdale

has been opened at Oldham Road, the readers

of

Equitable Pioneer's Co-operative Store was

first

which meet every second Monday in Janthe papers."

of

established.

The new poor-law had

pre-

uary, April, July, and October, to choose and

sell

vented the working

men

of that

town from

looking, as they had previously been accus-

Whatever may have been the opinions

those

tomed

to do, to parochial relief as a resource

who

strongly objected to the system of


132
co-operatiou,

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

and who prophesied
its

ultimate

4.

Let majorities rule in

all

matters of gov-

failure, there could

be no doubt that the en-

ernment.
5.

deavour to provide the means of education

and

of intellectual culture

formed a promising

fraud,

Look well after money matters. Punish when duly established, by the immegoods as
;

feature in the
It has

work that was then undertaken.

diate expulsion of the defrauder.

6.

been claimed for the Rochdale pioneers

Buy your
first

much

as possible in

that one of the chief i-easous

why

they became

the
of

markets

or

if

you have the produce

contrive,
if

the advanced guard of a great and astonishing progress was that they neither desired to
pull

your industry to

sell

possible,

to sell it in the best.

7.

down

other classes nor to raise themselves

Never depart from

Beware

the principle of buy-

out of their

own

class,

but to raise themselves

ing and selling for ready money.

8.

by elevating the class to which they belonged. " They were men of courage and men of business.

of long reckonings.

Quarterly

accounts are the best, and should be adopted

Their aim and ambition was that the

classes should

when
9.

practicable.
of security alwa3's
'

working
"well

be well fed, well

clad,

For the sake

have the

housed, well washed, well educated; in

accounted value of the

one-fourth less than
10.
its

fixed stock' at least

a word, that in the highest and best sense of

the term, they should be respectable.
taintof the socialistic
in to

marketable value.

If

any

Let the members take care that the

and communistic theories which the society originated still adhered

it

accounts are properly audited by

men

of their

own

choosing.

them

tical

realities

was rapidly removed by the pracwith which they had to deal.

of the estab-

11.

Let committees of management always

have the authority of the members before

taking any important or expensive step.
12.

The prodigious and rapid growth

lishment at the head of which they were

placed required considerable administrative
ability,

Do not court opposition

when
it

or publicity, nor

fear

it

comes.

and
it

it

was forthcoming.

To

their

13.

Choose those only for

your

leaders

honour

should be mentioned that, far from

whom
As

you can

trust,

and then give them your

being actuated by any desire to monopolize the

confidence."

advantages they enjoyed, they were animated

a proof of the rapid success which at-

by a genei'ous

spirit of proselytism,

which

led

tended the institution we

statistics

may

refer to the

them
from

to

put themselves to considerable trouble

in

compiled on the tables published in

and expense
all

communicating to inquirers

parts of the

kingdom the

results of
in the for-

their experience,

and aiding them

the almanacs of the Rochdale societies. The number of members in 1844 was 28, and the amount of the funds ^28. In the following

mation of new
tract

societies."

The following

ex-

year there were 74 members, the funds had

inci'eased to

from a paper they printed at an early

all

181; and out

of

710 which

period of their history in order to send to

those

represented the amount of business done there

who

applied to

them

for information
societies,

with a view to the formation of new

illustrates the spu'it of generosity

was 32 on the side of "profits." In 1850 the members had increased to 600, the funds
to 2299, the business to 13,179, the profits

and wisdom

by which they were animated

"
1.

to 889.

In 1855 there were 1400 members,

the business done was

Procure the authority and protection

11,032 of funds;

of the
2.

law by enrolment.
integrity, intelligence,

44,902, and the profits 3106; and in 1860

Let

and

ability be

there were 3450 members, 37,710 in funds,

the indispensable qualifications in the choice

of officers
distinction.
3.

business to the
fits

amount

of 152,083,

and pro-

and managers, and not wealth or

reaching 15,906.
it

After
it

had been carried on

for seven years

ofi'ered for

Let each member have only one vote,

as regards the

was found that more money was

and make no distinction

of wealth

amount

investment than could be profitably emj^loyed

in the store.

any member may contribute.

The

directors, therefore,

were

SUCCESS OF THE CO-OPERATIVE INSTITUTIONS.

forced to considei-

133
It

what was

to be

done with
con-

balance always in the bank.

sally

was univerborough

their surplus capital.

They could not

it,

admitted to be one of the largest, best-

tinue to pay five per cent on

obliged to do

as they

were

constructed,

and

best-fitted

in the

by their rules, when it was not yielding them anything like that amount.

town which was by no means behind its neighbours in the size and excellence
of Rochdale, a of its factories.

They must
employment

therefore
for
it

either find

profitable
it.

or refuse to receive

finished

They determined on adopting the former

great complaints were
flour that

of

This great work was scarcely when its owners found themselves in position to commence another factory alongfirst.

these two alternatives, and as at the time

side of the

These two establishments

was

sold

made of the quality of the in the shops, much of which

it

together cost nearly 100,000, besides the

amount

of capital required for their working.

filled

was

said to be adulterated,

was determined
be called

Before they were completed and

with

in 1850 to establish a

new

society, to

machinery the American

civil

war broke out

fair trial

the Eochdale Co-operative Corn-mill Society,

for

and prevented the exjieriment of a co-operative

manufactory from having the same
that had been given to the other co-operative

which a substantial mill was erected in

the
co-operators
fact that

Weir Street, Rochdale. The spirit by which

were animated
is

first

experiments,

and

which they

had

passed

illustrated

by the

through so triumphantly.

The

cotton famine

they determined not to erect the building by

contract, thus incurring an additional expense
of about ^1000, but they cheerfully paid this
difference, in the assurance that every

rendered the newly erected factories almost

useless

and entirely

profitless.

It compelled

a great

number

of the shareholders to part

man

with their shares to persons

fully

who were

not so

who had
mill

laboured in the construction of their

fair day's

imbued

as themselves with the original

had received a

wage

for a fair

spirit of co-operation,

and who purchased them

day's work,

and they added that they believed

well spent, because the

simply as a speculation.
of this

One

of the results

the

money had been

change of proprietorship was, that a

building was better and more substantial than

it

rule of the society

which gave the operatives

would have been

if it

had been erected by

a shai'e in the profits of the concern was abrogated,

contract.

and was not afterwards

these

restored.

The progress made by this second co-opei'ative scheme was shown by the fact that in 1860 the funds amounted to ^26,618, the
business done to .133,125, and the profits to
;10,164.

But

works were

far

from absorbing

the whole of the capital, which co-operation

multiplied to an extent that seemed almost

magical.
factory
sick

In the year 1860, while the

fii-st

The

success of these

two

societies

was

still

incomplete, a co-operative

produced great confidence in the co-operative

principle,

and burial

society,

founded on thoroughly
its

and a general desire among the

of the co-operative

sound principles, and carrying on

ations

oper-

working-classes to invest their savings in them,

upon the extended

scale necessary to

which compelled the leaders

ensure the successful working of such institutions; a co-operative

movement to consider what farther employment could be found for the funds thus forced upon them. Accordingly, in the year 1854
a manufacturing society was formed on the

Turkish bath; and

lasth',

in the year 1861, a land

and building society

were established.

The
ative

capital of tliese various institutions in

same general
mill
society,

princijsles as the store

and corn-

the year 1861

store,

was thus estimated

39,335;
society,

Co-oper29,962;
land and
3.'>0;

which seemed

likely to prove

corn-mill,

equally successful.
their operations in
pose,

At

first

they carried on

manufacturing

71,695;

rooms hired for the purof April, in the year

building society, 1000; Turkish bath,

total,

and on the 22nd

the

142,342.

Deducting loans from the

1859, they laid

first

stone of a cotton

store to other societies, 16,613, there

was

left

factory of their own, whicli they completed

a net

cai)ital of

125,729.

This capital con-

without borrowing a penny, and with a

larc:e

sisted of

money

or stock purchased

by money,

134

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

its

and worth considerably more than

price.

cost

Societies

Act, which prevented them from

dealing with any persons except their

own

In the year 1844 the whole co-operative

capital

members.

In that year they obtained an act

was 28.

In the year 1850, which

entitled the " Industi'ial

ties

and Provident Socie-

was the date

corn-mill,
it

of the

commencement

of the

Act," giving power to such societies to

sell

was 2299;

in the year 1854, in

carry on trade as general dealers, and to

to

which the manufacturing society was' founded,

it

non-members, but

still

maintaining certain

had increased
it

to 11,144;

and

in the year

disabilities,

one of which prohibited them from

1861

had risen to 125,729.

occupying more than a single acre of land.

At

the time

when

the American
so

war comall

In 1855

this act
it

was amended by another,

menced the example

successfully set in

which, while

relieved

them from some

re-

Rochdale had been followed in almost

great manufacturing towns.

the
pro-

strictions, still

prevented their holding more

This was in force
till

They had

than an acre of land.

1862,

vided the working-classes

who

inhabited them

when

the prohibition as to land was reit

with a safe investment for their savings, from

moved; and

was not till

after 1867,

when the
Act " was

which they received

five

per cent regularly

" Industrial and Provident Societies

passed, chiefly to explain

paid to them besides profits; they had also

some

of the clauses

taught them habits of frugality, temperance,

patience, sobriety,
this
it

of the preceding act relating to the

payment

and

self-reliance,

and to

of income-tax
disabilities

was

in

no small degree due that when found

by members, that remaining were removed, and the societies

the cotton famine did come upon the workingclasses of the

were placed on the same footing as individuals

with regard to land, building, and mortgages,
as well as to trade undertakings.^

manufacturing

districts it

them prepared

to bear it with a firmness

and

resolution which extorted the admiration of

the civilized world.

During that famine the

heavy

Of course several attempts were made

ports

to

original society flourished in spite of the

bring cargoes of cotton from the Southern

drain caused by the withdrawal of their deposits

by
of

ships breaking the blockade, and

;

by many

of the

members, who were

fall

compelled by want of work to

these resources.

back on

They, of course, underwent

them were successful but the difiiculty experienced and the expense incurred in such .enterprises made them of little service,
some

some temporary inconvenience, and during

these trying years there

and

of course so increased the price of the

was a diminution

in

comparatively small quantity of cotton they

brought, that
it

the

But

amount of their business and their profits. this was merely a temporary reverse, and
and indeed even
it

produced

little

or no

eff"ect

on

the market, and only slightly increased the

supply.
sels

as soon as the famine ceased,

On

the other hand, numbers of ves-

before
their

had

ceased, the societies

course,

resumed

were

fitted

out in European ports as block-

onward

doing more business,

ade runners, and several were equij^ped in our

ship-yards for the purpose of breaking through
the obstructions or evading the vigilance of

obtaining greater profits, and paying larger

dividends than ever.

distress,

During the severest

when

there

was a kind

of

run on
slightest

the Federal war vessels, which prevented the

ingress of goods, arms, and medicines to the

them
to

for

money, there was never the

hesitation or delay in paying those

who wished
was the

South.

Several of these succeeded, and the

withdraw

their

money

in accordance with

trade their owners were able to do, was so

profitable

the rules of the societies.

case,

And

this

that blockade -running became a

not in Rochdale only, but in almost every

kind of excitement among some of the merchant captains and adventurers,

part of the manufacturing districts in which

co-operative societies had been founded on the

who

shared

Rochdale model.

We

have seen that in 1852 co-operative

whom every student of the

William Nassau Molesworth (History of England), to features of this phase of social

societies

were enrolled under the Friendly

progress should be indebted.

PRIVATEERING THE ALABAMA.

their risk.

135

This

it

was next
it

to imjjossible to

this

kind appeared afterwards, and were fur-

prevent, for of course

the voyage

was pretended that

some foreign port or

nished by shipbuilders in England to the order

of as

was

to be to

any person who could pay

for them; for,

to the North; but worse than this system of

private adventuring was the construction,

some

of our large shipbuilders, of ships of

by war

was afterwards argued, the United States government had not abolished privateering,
and there was certainly no law
shipbuilders,
nations,
to jjrevent our of foreign
vessels.

for the South,

under the pretext that they

of course

any more than those

were for foreign governments. This

from taking orders for such

was in direct contravention of the proclamation

of neutrality,

One

of these,

which was built

at

Birkenhead

and our government was bound

bitterly

professedly for the Italian government,

and

to use every eifort to prevent

rals

had already

The Fedecomplained that we

it.

was named the

Oreto,

was suspected by the

intended for the

American minister

to be

did not use ordinary vigilance, and that any-

Confederates; but though our government was

apprised of her probable destination there was

thing like a careful inquiry would prove that

vessels to

be armed

for the Confederates, and

no law

to detain her,

and soon
i\iQ

after she left

almost undisguised as vessels of war were

our shores she became

privateer.

Florida, Confederate

being built here under the shallowest pretences, of agents,

In three months she had destroyed

vessels.

who scarcely

took the trouble

for a foreign

thirteen

and captured two

it

Other

pri-

to say

more than that they were what

service

vateers followed, and

was pretty well

sus-

order; while the contractors

knew

perfectly

pected that certain formidable rams and ironclad vessels of

weU

for

they were intended, and

war which were beiug

laid

connived at, or even invented,

cealing their destination.

means

for con-

down

were, in spite of prohibition and pro-

clamations of neutrality, to be completed for

Perhaps a more

close investigation

would

the Southern

States,

ou the probably safe

have taken place but for the irritating demands

speculation that they would be suffered to

slip

made by the Federal

minister.

For

instance, a

out of English jurisdiction with

little in-

strongly worded and angry remonstrance had

quiry and no
purjjose.

demand

for proofs of their real

represented that British subjects were being

enlisted

in

the

Southern ranks; and Earl

it

It will be seen, of course, that the distinction

Russell not unnaturally replied that

was

not with the knowledge and was against the

injunctions of the government, at the

between a privateer which might be supplied by a British firm of shipbuilders, and an ac-

same

knowledged vessel of war which might

not,

time asking whether the Federal authorities

was

disajjpearing,

and at

last

a case occurred

had taken care

to exclude sailors

and other

which almost obliterated that distinction entirely,

subjects of Great Britain from joining their

forces.

and made

it

necessary to enter into

arbiti'ations

prolonged and

difficult

as

an

All this was provoking, but such misunderstandings did not

alternative to actual hostilities.

make

it less

the duty of our

In the latter part of 1862 a vessel was being

completed in one of the dockyards of the

government

to inquire keenly i)ito the desti-

nation of every vessel above a certain tonnage

Mersey, and there could be no doubt that

it

and

of a certain build

to say nothing of ships

which went out
and
there,

obviously intended for hostile purposes, which

was intended for the Confederate service. The builders were the Messrs. Laird, a firm,
the foi'mer head of which, rejiresented Birken-

were in course
yards.

of construction in private dock-

The

privateers

of

head in the House of Commons, and was

urgent to induce the government to recognize
the Southern States of America as an inde-

Charleston scoured the seas and did some

damage

to Federal ships here

and

one of them, the Sumter, under the

of Captain Semnies,

command

pendent nationality.

There was

little if

any

was destroyed by a Nor-

attempt at concealment.

thern war steamer after a short career of devastation; but the really formidable vessels of

The progress of the vessel, which was known by the somewhat mys-

terious

name

of the " 290,"

was duly recorded

136
iu

GLADSTONE AXD HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

hesi-

newspaper paragraphs, and nobody

There was perhaps no actual technical

frequently burned.

For nearly two years

this

tated to speak of her as a Confederate cruiser.

evi-

dence, no absolute proof of

it,

and when Mr.

Adams, the United

this

States minister, called the

attention of our government to the fact that

ship

was obviously

ijitended

for

the

Alabama did not mean fightand kept well away from the Federal ing ships of war. The system of Confederate privateering, aided by this last formidable example of British shipbuilding, went fai- to detain the American mercantile marine in its
went
on, for the

Confederate government, Earl Eussell asked

for proofs.

own

ports,

and to put an end

for a time to

Evidence was forwarded which

ISIr.

American commerce.

At

length the Federal

was

sufficient in the opinion of

Adams

to
it

warrant the detention of the vessel, and

was accompanied by the opinion

Collier,

of Sir

Eobert

war steamer Kearsarge caught sight of her and The Alabama went into started in pursuit. Cherbourg harbour, whence she had to come
out to fight her antagonist, which was waiting

an English lawyer

of such

eminence

that his decision would have been regarded

as having great weight in

with steam up and guns ready.

The two

any court

of national

ships were not very unequal in size and arma-

or international law.

He

declared that the

ments, and a naval duel ensued which lasted

vessel should be detained by the collector of

about an hour, with the result that the Ala-

customs at Liverpool, and said that it appeared

difficult to

make out

a stronger case of in-

bama went down, her last gun being almost as its mouth touched the water's
and that the captain and those
of the

fired

edge,

fringement of the Foreign Enlistment Act,

which,
if

crew

not enforced on this occasion, would Earl Rus-

who survived then jumped overboard and

were rescued by the crew of an English yacht
in conjunction

be

little

better than a dead letter.

still

sell,

however,

waited to ask the opinion

the crown.

with the

men of

the Kearsarge.

of the

law

officers of

The

queen's

The circumstances attending the building

of the

advocate was unwell and more delay ensued,

the end of which was that the vessel

Alabama, while they seemed to give

the
Confederates, were too
of neuti'ality

"290"
was

impunity to English firms to construct other

privateers
flagrant
for

had shipped
obtained.

off'

to sea before that opinion

Earl Eussell long afterwards acto

an evasion of the laws

knowledged that he ought

fied

have been

satis-

to be repeated.

with the opinion of Sir Eobert CoUier,

could not quite

At the same time Earl Eussell make up his mind to prompt

In fact the law was not

and there can be no doubt that our neutrality

and decided

action.

was nearly as much in question by the building of this vessel as

it

altogether certain, and a

more determined

would have been by

statesman would have acted without reference

to the niceties of possible legal decisions,

the construction of avowed ships of war for the

and

Confederate service.
said she

Mr. Forster afterwards

She drew prizes
flag,

was

built

by British shipbuilders, and

and was

would have had the law altered as soon as Lord Palmerston probably would possible.
have done
so,

manned by a
to destruction

British crew.

but Lord Palmerston, like most

under a British

of his colleagues, probably

had a notion that

paid for by
capitalists.

money At all events

borrowed from British

she went on her

the South would soon achieve independence

and the tone which had been assumed by the

Federal government in their despatches had, to
use a
up."

destructive career.

She went from Liverpool

to Terceira, hoisted the Confederate flag, re-

common

figure of speech,

"put

his

back

ceived on board Captain Semmes, the former

He had

even declared in the House of

commander
It

of the Sumter, as her

commander,
priva-

and had her name changed

to the Alabama.

Commons that it was not for this country to make any change in her laws for the convenience
or at the requisition of another state.

was declared that

this heavily

armed

Eather

teer used the British flag to decoy unfortunate

a strange declaration from the minister

who

merchantmen
proach
colours
her,

of the

Northern States to apthe

prize,

had actually been defeated over the "Conspiracy to

then ran up

Confederate

Murder

Bill,"

which he had once

if

and captured the

which was

been ready to adopt at the instigation,

not


GLADSTONE, COBDEN, AND BEIGHT ON THE AVAE.
the dictation, of the French
advisers.

137

Emperor aud

his

another statesman, though he might have been

a cabinet minister, could have said
paratively
little notice,
it

In 1863, however, two Confederate

to be launched

with com-

iron

rams were almost ready

of our

but every opinion of

from one

dockyards for the purpose of

the chancellor of the exchequer was regarded

as being of gi-ave import.

forcing an entrance to the Southern ports.

tion of the

Again Mr. Adams urgently called the attengovernment to the matter. Again
there

The notion
was
general.

that the South would succeed

in separating itself into an independent state

was

delay, until at length, on the 5th of

slip off

Almost everybody shared

with him.
for

it

September, just as they were ready to

as the
ister

except Mr. Bright and a very small knot of

Alabama had

done, the
letter,

American minwhich he said

to

men who thought

Even Mr. Cob-

wrote another

in

den held that opinion

some time, aud Mr.

plainly, " It

would be superfluous in me
is

Bright had a good deal of trouble to convince

point out to your lordship that this

war."

him

to the contrary,

and almost quarrelled

first

Undcrubtedly to connive by negligence and

indifference to the issue of

with him because he was unable at

yield to 1862,

to

armed

vessels of

repeated arguments.

In January,

war
after

to

be used against a friendly state or

Cobden wrote

to a correspondent,

Mr.

neutrality

had

been declared would

Paulton, who, with some others of his friends,

surely be as near to
of

war

as anything short
still

did not sympathize with the Union

" I can't see
business.

actual hostilities;

but the law was

still

my way

through the American

uncertain,

and Lord Eussell was

balanced

I don't believe the

lie

North and South

on the edge of a technical

razoi*.

But the
have

can ever
I

in the

same bed again.

Nor do

two ironclads were detained.

" I should

see

how

the military ojaerations can be

ordered the prosecution of the owners of the

vessel,"

carried into the South, so as to inflict a crush-

wrote Earl Eussell in his Recollections,

ing defeat.

Unless something of the kind

eleven years afterwards, "had not the principal

takes place, I predict that Europe will recognize the independence of the South.
I tell

law

officer of
it

the crown given

me

reason to

think that
of justice.

would

fail

in an English court

Sumner
if

tliis,

and

tell

him that
it

his only chance,

is

I therefore obtained the sanction

he wants time to fight

out,

to raise the

of the cabinet to purchase the

two

'rams,' as

blockade of the Mississippi voluntarily, and

they were

called,

which were intended for

of being prose-

then Europe might look on.

"

hostile purposes against the United States."

But our

friend Bright will not hear of

I

So

it

would seem that instead

anything against the claims of the North.

cuted the builders of these ships,

who had comillegal

admire his pluck, for when he goes with a

side
it is

mitted a national though a questionably

offence,

always to win.

I tell

him

that

it is

made a good thing

of

it

after

all,

aud

possible to wish well to a cause without being

instead of being punished

by the

confiscation

sure that

it

will

be successful.

However, he

or the destruction of the vessels, profited hand-

will soon find in the

house that we shall be

somely by the speculation.

It

happened not long after the completion

on this question, as we were on China, Crimean, and Greek Pacifico wars, quite in a minority! There is no harm in that if you are right, but
it is

of the

Alabama that Mr. Gladstone,

in speak-

useless to deceive ourselves about the

ing after a political banquet at Newcastle, expressed an opinion that Jefferson Davis had
really succeeded in

issue.

Three-fourths of

the

house will be

glad to find an excuse for voting for the dis-

making the South an

inde-

memberment

of the great Eepublic."

pendent nation.

It

shows how much import-

ance must have been attached to his utterances,

that even at a time

Cobden had already been in communication with Mr. Sumner, and his letters probably did

when armed Confederate

much

to mitigate

any apparent tendency of

ships were being built in English dockyards

this

the Federal government to reflect the suspicion

remark should have caused considerable

little

comment and no

excitement.

Perhajjs

and animosity displayed by the violent opponents of England in America. His letters


138

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

them upon the
especially don't

are very interesting; in one of

affair of the

forget that the millions in

Trent he says
I said in

Europe are more interested even than their

princes in preserving the future

"

Though

my
it

other letter that I

commerce

shall

never care to utter a word about the

has begun, I do not

with the vast region of the Confederate States."

merits of a war after

the less feel
hostilities
it

In January, 1862, he wrote

if

"

Be assured
to

my

duty to try to prevent

you had offered to refer the question

occurring.

Let

that I

cannot understand
it

me here remark, how you should

the
it

arbitration, there could not

have been a meet-

ing called in England that would not have

have thought

worth your while at Washingthis question of

endorsed

it.

The only question was whether

ton to have reopened

right of search,

by claiming

to exercise

in

a doubtful case and a doubtful manner, under

we ought to be the first to offer arbitration. I mean this was the only doubt in the popular mind. As regards our government, they are,
of course, feeling the
ion.

circumstances which could be of so

little

ad-

tendency of public opinin London, a little

vantage, and to have incurred the risk of

gi-eater disadvantages.

friend of

mine

The capture

of

Mason

behind the scenes, wrote to me:

'They are
against

and

Slidell

can have

little effect in

discouraging

busy at the Foreign

Office

hunting up pre-

the South, compared with the iudii'ect encour-

cedents for arbitration, very

their will.'

much

agement and hope

it

may

hold out to them of

I write all this because I wish

embroiling your government with England.

. .

you

to

know

that

we

are not quite so

bad as

into

Your newspapers will not drive us war. But when grave men (or men that
.

appeared at

first

on the surface."

In the following July, a month before Mr.

Gladstone had made the remark about the
probable independence of the South, which caused so
of,

should be grave), holding the highest posts in

your cultivated State of Massachusetts, compliment Captain Wilkes for having given an
affront to the British lion, it

much perturbation among the friends

believers

makes

it

very

and

in

the

North,
:

Cobden,

hard for Bright and

me

to contend against

writing again to Mr. Sumner, said

" There
is

the 'British lion party' in this country.

I

All

an

all

but unanimous belief that

can say

is

that I hope you have taken

Bright's

advice,

and

offered

unconditional

you cannot subject the South to the Union. Even they who are your partisans and advocates cannot see their
It
is

arbitration.

With

that offer publicly made,

fire-

way

to

any such

issue.

the friends of peace could prevent our

eaters

necessary that you should understand

is

from assaulting you, always providing

it

that this opinion

so widely
it is

and honestly

that your public speakers do not put

out of
to

entertained, because

the key to the ex-

our power to keep the peace.

see a report of

was sorry

piession of views which might otherwise not

an anti-English speech hy your

York.
Honestly speaking,
to mislead

be quite
governing

intelligible.

Among some
is it is is

of

the

colleague at

New

class in

Europe the wish

father

and with no blind patriotism

I don't think the nation here

me,

to this thought.

But

not so with the

it

behaved badly

mass

of the peojjle.

Nor

so with our

under the terrible

evil of loss of trade

and Of

own government
he could
the
fii-st

entii-ely.

I Jcnoiv that Glad-

danger of starving under your blockade.

course
all

stone would restore your

;

Union to-morrow

if

privileged classes and aristocracies

is

yet he has steadily maintained from

hate your institutions that

natural enough;

that unless there was a strong

it is

Union

but the mass of the people never went with

the South.
I

sentiment,

impossible that the South can

the belief
is all

am

not pleased with your pro-

be subdued.

Now
is

but uni-

ject of sinking stones to block

is

up

poi-ts.

That

vers;d that there

no L'nion feeling in the

barbarism.

It is quite natural that, smart-

South

and

this is

founded latterly upon the

ing as you do under an unprovoked aggression

fact that

no cotton comes from

if

New

Orleans.

from the slave-owners, you should even be

willing to smother
nest.

It

is

said that

the instinct of gain, with

usual price, do not induce

them

like hornets in their

cotton at double
the people to

its

But don't

forget the outside world,

and

sell, it is

a proof beyond dispute

PEOCLAMATION OF NEGRO FREEDOM.

that the political resentment
is

139

overwhelming

ward

in putting in looms

and preparation.

and unconquerable." It was not very remarkable that Mr. Gladstone should in August, 1862, have spoken of
the Southern States as though they were
al-

Profits

were known to be so great that both

twelve months, knowing

landlords and machinists could wait without

anxiety for the

that

first

much

of their debts

would be paid out

of

ready independent. Injudicious

been, but
it

it

might have

profits in that sjjace of time.

Having hired a

was an indiscretion shared with

shed and received credit for his looms, any

penniless

the gi-eat majority of the most prominent

men

man

could then go with assurance

;

of the country, and, as he explained five years

afterwards, though he confessed that he was

upon the Manchester exchange and in the days when " long terms" were accorded to all

wrong and took

bad.

too

much upon

himself in ex-

who asked
for
it

for them, could

buy

his yarns, take

pressing such an opinion, the motive was not

orders for cloth, make, deliver and get paid

in time to

His sympathies were with the whole

people.

meet

his accounts,

and

this

American

He

probably, like

many

without

much

difficulty.

In a couple of years

Europeans, did not understand the nature

a manufacturer commencing thus would often

and working had imbibed

of

the Amei'ican Union.

if

He

be clear of
to

all liabilities,

and on the highway

to the decade

conscientiously,

erroneously,

making a

fortune.

an opinion that twenty or twenty-five millions

w^ould be happier and would be stronger (of

These remarks refer

from
it

1850 to 1860, and that state of things was,

is

course assuming that they would hold

gether) without the South than with
also that the negroes
it,

to-

said,

almost entirely changed, and

the

and

small manufacturers swept

away by

the cotton

would be much nearer

famine.

Without
it

entirely endorsing such resafely be said that not

suflFer

to emancipation

under a Southern government

presentations

may

than under the old system of the Union,

only did the large mill-owners

deeply,

which had not at that time been abandoned,

but that the business of many of them was

crippled for years afterwards, while the strug-

and which always appeared

to

him

to place

the whole power of the North at the

command
South.

gling

men were

ruined and the whole pojjula-

of the slaveholding interests of the

tion of operatives might have perished but

for the energetic action of those

As

far as regarded the special or separate in-

who adminschemes
other

terest of

England, he had always contended

for our interest

istered the relief funds, or organized for jDroviding

that

it

was best

that the

sewing for the

women and
It

Union should be kept entire. Mr. Cobden's letters to Mr. Sumner may
be taken fairly to represent the prevailing
feeling in England,

occupations for large numbers of the men.

Meanwhile the war continued.

bitter end, for the issues of

was

evi-

dent that the battle would be fought out to the

it

and

to indicate the

grow-

had changed;
to

ing disposition to recognize the true position

of

and though the Confederates continued

of the

the Federal government, though, as he

defeat the Federal troops, the determination

pointed out, there were considerable interests

in favour of sujiporting the

North was aroused, and

jjeople

began

demands

of the

to discern that the result of the conflict

was

South in the early period

of the struggle.

only a matter of endurance and of superior

resources.
to acquire,

writer in a trade journal has recently stated

that traditions yet linger in our manufactur-

The Northern
by
exi:)erience,

troops soon began

the knowledge and

ing towns of the days

builder would run

when any

speculative
for

the firmness which was necessary to enable

up a weaving -shed

them

to cojDe

with antagonists, considerable

entered on the
first

Dick,

Tom,

or Harry,

who

had, or said he

bodies of

whom had

cam-

had, the slightest knowledge of manufacturing, or for

paign already well drilled and accustomed to

act together at the

any

grocer, draper, currier, shoe-

word

of

command.

maker, or publican
of

who had

saved up a couple
the

On

the 22d of January, 1862, President

hundred pounds.

Having become

Lincoln had issued a ])roclamation that at the

tenant of a shed, machinists were never back-

next meeting of congress he would recommend

140
a
bill

GLADSTONE AXD HIS CONTEMPOEAKIES.

enacting that on and after the 1st of
1863,
all

ciple

adverse to slavery, and Earl Eussell

it

January,

persons

held as slaves

therefore said he did not think

could or

within any state the people whereof should be

in rebellion against the United States, should

should satisfy the friends of abolition,

who

looked for total and impartial freedom for the

slave,

be thenceforward and for ever

free,

and the

and not for vengeance on the slavefear with

proclamation added that the executive would,

in

owner.

due time, recommend that

all citizens of

The

many was

that such a pro-

the United States

who

should have remained

clamation would cause a slave insurrection

loyal thereto throughout the rebellion should,

and the

hoiToi-s that

might accompany

it if

upon the

restoration of peace, be compensated

the negroes sought revenge and plunder as

well as liberty, or
if

for all losses

by

acts of the

United

States, in-

attempts were made to

cluding the loss of slaves.

suppress any efforts to escape.

it

The proclamaacts of violence,

On

the 1st of January, 1863,

all

was pro-

tion expressly deprecated

any

claimed that

persons held as slaves within

but what was the value of such deprecation

the Confederate States should thenceforward

where

it

could not be followed

by

legal rereal-

be

free,

and that the executive government

of

straint?
ized,

These anticipations were not

it

the United States, including the military and

and probably
reprisals

was known on both

sides

naval authorities thereof, would recognize and

that no general insurrection or attempts to

maintain the freedom of such

pei'sous.

The

make

on the owners of slaves would

it

people so declared to be free were enjoined to

abstain

be made.

In numerous instances,

was

said,

from violence, unless in necessary

the negroes remained to

work on the

estates,

self-defence,

and were recommended in aU

to labour

sometimes because
treated,

they had

been kindly
till

cases

where they were allowed,

and were not indisposed to wait

faithfully for reasonable wages.

At

the same
of

terms of wages could be adjusted in case of

the termination of the war, and in some cases

time

it

was declared that such persons,

service of the

suitable condition,

would be received into the

United States, to garri-

because they were ignorant what steps to take

to

armed
son

make

use of their freedom, and preferred

toler-

forts, positions, stations,

and other

places,
this,

remaining where they were for a time,

and

to

man

vessels of all sorts.

Upon

ably certain of food and clothes and shelter,

to

which he declared was sincerely believed to

to be

running to unknown troubles and

vicissi-

an act

of justice

warranted by the connecessity, the

tudes in the border states, or joining the

stitution

upon military

preof

Federal army to fight against their old masters.

sident invoked the considerate

judgment

At aU

events there was

little

disposition to

mankind and the

God.

gracious favour of

Almighty

armed and violent

course, a large

revolt,

and though, of

number of able-bodied negroes

Results showed that this M-as in effect an

abolition of slavery throughout the States,

entered the Federal service, and a multitude

of

men, women, and children eventually found

but only the Confederate States were mentioned,

their

way

north, the fact that there

was

so

and the declaration was received with

Earl RusseU pointed out to Lord
representative
at Washington,

frequently a strong desire to remain was after-

dismay.

wards
cited,

Lyons, our

cited, and in some respects was fairly by the Southern planters as a proof

that the proclamation professed to emancipate

that the atrocities with which the slave-owners

aU

where the United States could not exercise any jurisdiction or make
slaves in places

were charged were not even general, much

universal.

less

emancipation a

reality,

but did not decree

That they had existed

in too

many

instances

emancipation of slaves in any states or parts

of states occupied
ject to

was, however, capable of proof, and that they

United States
to be

by Federal troops and subjurisdiction, and where,

might be carried
out.

might exist without any real redress for the

victim was argument enough against the perpetuation or the continued existence of the
system.

therefore, emancipation

There seemed

no declaration of a prin-

EFFORTS OF THE NORTHERN STATES GRANT.

The proclamation
as
it

141

of emancipation, defective

the enormous resources and the numerical

superiority of the North.

was

in its expression of intention,

was a
on

A few months after-

serious

blow to the South.

It
of

changed the
an
effort

wards they

also

became aware that the Federal and had appointed

aspect of the

war from that

government was discovering the weak points

of its military organization,

the part of the North to maintain the Union

to that of a struggle

by the South
it

to

maintain

more

efficient generals to

take

command

of its

negro slavery, and

can scarcely be denied

forces.

Early in 1862 the large army which

M'CIellan

that this was the true origin of the conflict.

General

had

been

occupied

in

new element of enthusiasm seemed to have been roused among the Federals, at the same
time that they were profiting by the reverses
that had been inflicted on them by the superior military skill of their

organizing and disciplining was making ready

to advance,

the Federals

and some successes had attended one of them being the important

operations of
Mississippi,

Commodore Farragut on
led to the surrender of
fiist

the

opponents

while

which

New

the South was already prejjaring for efforts

Orleans, but in the

considerable battle

which would
their wealth,

necessitate the

abandonment

of

General Sidney Johnston succeeded in surprising and defeating the Federal General Grant
at Pittsburg Landing.

the plantations from which they had derived

and the slave labourers on which,

Grant had, with

taken some
forts,

his

were now invited by the Federal government

to migrate into free states, or to refuse to

army and

river

fleet,

and

though he was beaten and a pait

of his

camp

work except under

entirely'

new

conditions.

was captured, he was able

to hold his

own by

On

the 10th of April (1863) Jefferson Davis

the assistance of some gun-boats which forced

the Confederates to retire to their lines after
losing their general.

issued a manifesto warning the people of the

Confederate States against too sedulously cultivating their usually valuable cotton crops; to
lay aside thoughts of gain selves to

For some time

after this

a series of disasters occurred, apparently the

result of the timidity
of the Federal

and

to devote

them-

and incomjsetenoy of some

securing

their

liberties,

without

commanders, and though some

which those gains would be

valueless.

The
in

advantages were gained and the Confederates

evidently could not hold the line of the Ohio,

wheat harvest, which would be gathered

yield;
filled,

the following month, promised an abundant

and on the Mississippi retained only the strong

position of Vicksburg,

but even

if tliat

promise should be

ful-

the

balance of

the

the difficulty of tran.sportation, enhanced

actual

war appeared
their

to

be against the North, been

by the previous rainy winter, would embarrass

military operations and cause suffering

even

naval

superiority having

among

rendered doubtful by the exploits of the Confederate Merrimac, a vessel which had been

the people should the crops in the middle and

northern portions of the Confederacy jn-ove

deficient.

coated

with iron

rails

and

re

named

the

No

uneasiness might be felt in

It

Virginia.

This vessel destroyed two or three

regard to a mere supply of bread for men.

was
used

to the supply of the large for live stock,

amount

of corn

fleet of

and forage

and

for the animals

wooden men-of-war, scattered terror into a transport and store-ships, and threw into the lines of the Federal army in the shells
neighbourhood of Norfolk. Being met by the

in military operations that eflforts

should

be directed.

The

fields

should be devoted

iron-clad Monitor,
of action

which arrived on the scene

exclusively to the production of food for

man
rail-

from

New York, a naval duel ensued,

and

beast,

and corn should be sown broadand

both vessels had to retire to repair damages,

cast in proximity to canals, rivers,

roads, while every endeavour should be directed

to the

and the Virginia was so much injured that she was abandoned and blown up by her
crew.

prompt supply

of distiicts

where the

armies were operating.

The
to

efll'orts

of the Federals

were directed to

The Confederates were already beginning

feel that all their

the

capture of Richmond, the Confederate

determination and courage

would be needed

to sustain the struEcgle against

but the delays of General M'CIellan and the inefliciency of General Pope enabled
capital,

142

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

advancing with his army.

the Confederate Generals Lee and Stonewall

Grant

still

threat-

Jackson to frustrate their movements, and

the latter took Harper Ferry, where the garrison of 12,000

ened Eichmond.
1865, Wilmington

On

the 14th of January,

was taken, and the last comvessels could

men

surrendered, giving
of artillery

up

munication of the Confederates with the sea

an enormous quantity

and

stores.

was cut
torious

off.

No more

run the
his vic-

M'Clellan was removed from the

command

blockade, and

Sherman had turned

means
near.

and was succeeded by General Buruside,

march northward, wasting the country

as one of the
of forcing the
it

who
burg.

sustained a severe defeat at Fredericks-

as he

went

General Hooker then took his place

called the

South to submission by depriving

sources.

of re-

army of as commander of what was the Potomac, and he also was defeated. The
Confederates gained some minor advantages
until General Grant,

The end was

On

the 1st of
capi-

April, Petersburg

and Eichmond both Lee was defeated

tulated to Grant.
last

in his

who had

displayed far

battle,
officers

and was allowed

to surrender.

greater military talent than his colleagues,

laid siege to

The

were placed on parole, and the

Vicksburg on the land

side, and,

troops were permitted to return to their

homes

with the assistance of the

flotilla of

Admiral

on condition of submitting to the Federal

authority.

Farragut, reduced the garrison to such extremities

General Johnstone entered into

that

it

capitulated,

and Genei'al

similar conditions with

carried the

Sherman, who had

Meade, who had succeeded General Hooker, took up a position at Gettysburg, from which
the Confederates vainly endeavoured to dis-

war

successfully through Georgia

and North and South Carolina.

States, and the

There were

no longer any Confederate forces in the Atlantic

Southern commanders on either
side of the Mississippi gave in their submission.

lodge him.
It is unnecessary to follow the

changing

fortunes of the combatants, " the vulgar and

unscientific

Jeff'erson Davis,
it

who had

left

Eichmond

and senseless butchery" as Cobden

when

capitulated,

was arrested and placed

Monroe, from which

had

called

it.

The

skill

and daring

of

General

in confinement in Fortress

Sherman, the calm pertinacity and determination of General Grant, began to tell on the
side of the North.

he was allowed to depart

at

an end.

when the war was The commanders of the Confede-

The Federal
their

forces

were

rate armies were pei-mitted to remain at liberty,

concentrated

against

opponents,

and
ap-

and a few

civilians

who were

for a short time

Grant

was made lieutenant - general with

imprisoned were soon released.

Mr. Lincoln
end for the

the entire

command

of the forces.

He

had prosecuted the war

United
cost;

to the

pointed Sherman to the

tern array,

command

of the wes-

purpose of restoring the constitution of the

States,

and himself kept the direction

at

of

and had

effected

it

at

enormous

the Virginian campaign with a determination

to take

but he had more than once endeavoured

Richmond

any odds.

It

became a

to negotiate a peace,

and

it

was well known

fol-

struggle to the death, in which

to

numbers added
of

that the conclusion of hostilities would be

improved generalship ultimately gave the

lowed by an amnesty
that the
play''

if

he had his

will.

Now
dis-

North after another year movements and counter-movements, and

victory to the
battles, in

war was

really over there

was no

of

of animosity.

Not a

single execution took

which the number

of the slain

was

place for political offences; not one victim

was

appalling.

claimed for the purpose of satisfying vengeance

against those whose crime had been that of
secession, though secession

In 1864 Mr. Lincoln was re-elected as

president by an overwhelming majority, and
this

had been designated

meant the

pi-osecution of

the war.

It

treason to the state.

rosity of the
itself,

The humanity and gene-

was computed that at the end of that year the North had nearly a million men in arms,
while the Southern forces probably amounted
to not

American nation again asserted

and was displayed even after the per-

petration of a horrible crime might have been

more than 200,000.

Sherman had

re-

ceived the capitulation of Savannah, and was

made an excuse for measures of retaliation. For the man who throufrhout that loncf national

ASSASSINATION OF
crisis

ABRAHAM
regularly

LINCOLN.

143

bad kept

in

view what he believed

to

be

and afterwards interruptedly, he

his

duty without animosity and without pre-

died at about twenty minutes past seven the

sumption; the
rebellion,
it;

man who had

grieved over the

next morning.

even while he set himself to suppress

abstained from invective

the

man who had

against England, and had understood better

than his colleagues

how

little

the noisy de-

The assassin had been recognized as one John Wilkes Booth (the son of an actor once well known in England as a rival of Edmund Kean), a man whose dramatic vanity, added
to political fanaticism, led

clamations of a violent and ignorant multitude

really represent genuine national convictions,

him
it

to perpetrate

the

crime

in

this

manner.

He had two
was
discov-

was not spared

of the

to see the complete restoration

accomplices,

one of

whom

Union.

On

the 14th of April, 1865,

of

ered had, at the time that Mr. Lincoln was

assassinated in the theatre,

Abraham

Lincoln feU by the hand

an

assassin while he

was witnessing a dramatic

in

the residence of Mr. Seward,

iU in bed.

performance at Lord's theatre

ton.

"Washing-

made his way to who was lying Having obtained admission by

to

representing that he brought some medicine

at

The president

about nine o'clock had

from Mr. Seward's physician, which he was

accompanied Mrs. Lincoln to the theatre, and

occupied a box in which another lady and

see administered, he hurried to the sleej^ing-

gentleman were present.

About

half-past ten,

room on the third victim was lying.

floor

where

his intended

Meeting Mr. Frederick

during a pause in the performance, a

man

Seward there he attacked him, striking him

over the head with such force as to fracture
his skull.

entered the box, the door of which was un-

guarded, and, hastily approaching the president from behind, discharged a pistol at his

He

then rushed into the room

of the patient

where the daughter

attendant were

and a male
stabbing

head.

The

bullet entered the back of the

sitting,

and

after

head and passed nearly through.

The

assassin

the latter struck at Mr. Seward with a knife

or dagger twice in the throat and twice in the
face, inflicting terrible

then leaped from the box to the stage, brandishing a large knife or dagger,
" Sic semper tyrannis ! "

and exclaiming
of

wounds.

By

this

time

and escaped at the

Mrs.

back of the theatre.

Lincoln
first

The screams

Major Seward, the eldest son of the secretary, and another attendant, entered the room, but
the desperado

disclosed the fact to the audience

that the president had been shot.

of the pistol,

The report
but
the

make

his escape.

wounded both and contrived to The victims of the assault

and
it

though

it

rang through the house,

afterwards recovered, but were for a long time

in gi'eat danger; of conspirators

had not seemed

to excite

much

attention

was found that

a knot

when they knew what had happened

stage where the murderer

were associated with Booth and

Booth,

people rose, and numbers rushed towards the

premeditated the assassination of several pro-

was

seen,
!

and exThere
the per-

minent members of the government.

with an accomplice named Harrold,
probably kept the

claimed,

''

Hang him
of

hang him

"

who had
to escape

was a scene

wild excitement

way open

for

him

formance came to an end, and the "leading

lady" of the piece. Miss Laura Keene, who
stood at the side of the stage

from the theatre, had

hoi'ses waiting,

and

fled

from the

capital,

but they were afterwards

when

the fatal

tracked to a barn near Port Eoyal in Maryland,

shot had been fired, endeavoured in vain to

restore the dying president to consciousness.

where Booth was seen moving with

of

the aid

crutches, as he

had broken

his

He was

removed

to a private house opposite

ankle in his leap from the president's box to

the stage, his spur,
in tlie folds of the
it

the theatre, and the surgeon-general of the

was

said,

having caught
After some

army and other medical attendants were

called,

Union
so,

flag.

but death was inevitable.

He

had

parley Harrold surrendered, but Bootli, being

been

shot through the head above and below the temporal bone, and though for
several hours he continued to breathe, at
first

armed, refused to do

and

tlie

barn was

fired

by the

troops, one of

whom

shot

him dead

as

he was endeavourinjr to extincfuish the flames.

144

GLADSTONE AND HIS COXTEMPORARIES.

of the other conspirators

Some

were

after-

As
ment

early as October, 1862, an announceof the betrothal of the Prince of

wards arrested and executed.

Wales

to the Princess

Alexandra

of

Denmark had

The great

conflict

was

at

an end, and the

cost.

aroused the poj^ular interest, and on the 7th

of

now

reunited States had to count the

March, 1863, the public reception given to

of a display of national en-

The expenditure,

accoi'ding to the report pre-

the princess on her arrival in this country

sented to congress in the early part of 1864,

was the occasion

thusiasm which
equalled, since
it

had been raised from about 16,000,000 in 1860

to

had

probably never been

above 17,360,000 in 1861, 117,216,000

was associated with a genuine

in 1862,

and

to nearly 184,000,000 in 1863,

and tender

interest that quickly developed

when

2,480,846

men had been

called

into

into a lasting regard for her to

whom

the

military service on the Federal side.

In the

magnificent welcome was accorded.

ensuing year (1864) an enormous addition was

A vague

but prevailing sentiment had de-

made
the

to this already vast expenditure. Before

termined the public mind that an alliance of

the heir to the English throne with the daughter of the royal

fall of

Eichmond

it

was computed that

252 battles had been fought, of which 17

house of Denmark was natural

were naval engagements.

The whole country

not only of the

and appropriate, and every one was already

prepared to give the princess a light royal
reception.

was

suffei'iug

from the

effects

drain upon

its

resources, but of the terrible

Such preparations

as

could

be

slaughter which had

desolate,

made
fall of

so

many homes

made

to give to the streets of the metropolis

and the devastation which had yet

a festal aspect were adopted, with the usual

rather incongruous result.

to be repaired.

The

Eichmond, after
took

Banners,

flags,

siege

which

lasted for 1452 days, during

wreaths, triumphal arches, festoons, mottoes,

which several desperate engagements

place,

and more or

less significant devices

adorned

was

itself

less

a triumjDh than an ex-

the whole route through miles of tortuous

thoroughfares; and as

ample

of the relentless arbitration of the sword.

much

as could be done

When

the Federal

troops,
it

under

General

by various unconnected
display in the

local authorities

was

Grant, entered the city

was a scene of utter

achieved for the purpose of making an extra

wreck and wasteful destruction.

wei-e deserted

The houses

furniture,

merchandise, and

of the metropolis.

main roads and open spaces But the real spectacle was
Every avenue
of the procession could be

the contents of shops and warehouses lay in

the vast multitude of people.

in

promiscuous heaps in the

streets,

which were

which a glimpse
filled

deep with mud; and at several points both

the property that had thus been destroyed and

obtained was
siastic

with an orderly but enthu-

assembly.

Every house and shop-front

tiers of pri-

the houses themselves had been set on

so that the flames
s]

fire,

on the route was converted into

read,

and but

for promj^t
place, or at

vate boxes, from which smiling faces shone

and strenuous exertions the whole

with hospitable greeting.

From

the ridges of

any rate the larger portion

perished.

of

it,

would have

the roofs to the very basements, people clustered.

Perhaps no other nation in the

Even on
seemed

steeples

and the cornices and

hours during that

world could have sustained such a prolonged

parapets of great buildings determined sightseers

to cling for

and destructive internal war; and added that while none but a nation
territory,

it

may

be

of

immea-

keen March morning; and at every available

point platforms w^ere erected, where school
children sat

surable activity, vast extent of undeveloped

and superb

resei'ves

of

material

and sometimes sang, or where

added colour and brightneeded only the
pi'esence

wealth, could so rapidly have recovered from

ladies' gala dresses

exhausting calamities, history has presented

ness to the scene.

It

no other example

of the

ready conciliation and

of the princess for

whom

the vast jwpulation

generous forbearance which, within a brief

period, reunited the hostile states

waited, to

under one

from the

first

make the occasion historical and moment of her appearance the

acknowledged constitution.

hearts of the people seemed to go out to her.

! !

!! ! !

ELECTION OF KING OF GREECE SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN,

The Prince
to of

145

Wales had been

to

Gravesend

Sea-kings' daughter as

happy

as fair,

meet

his affianced bride,

and the train that

Blissful bride of a blissful heir,

Bride of the heir of the kings of the sea,

brought them and

their suite to Bricklayers'

joy to the people and joy to the Throne,

to us, love us, and make us your own For Saxon or Dane or Norman we, Teuton or Celt, or whatever we be, We are each all Dane in our welcome of thee,

Arms Station travelled slowly, that the people who assembled at every point of the line
where a glimpse
tained
of the princess could be ob-

Come

might not

be utterly disappointed.
over London Bridge,

Alexandra

From the Old Kent Eoad,

through the
city,

along the Strand, Pali Mall,

The Princess Alexandra Caroline Mary

Charlotte
Christian,

Piccadilly, to

Hyde

Park, and to the railway

Louisa Julia, eldest daughter of

station at Paddington,
train to

where they took the

Duke

of Glucksburg,

and Louise,

Windsor, one great triumphant shout

the daughter of the Landgrave William of

of ha^ipy

and appreciative greeting to the

Hesse-Cassel, was only nineteen years of age,

royal pair outrang the bells that pealed in

and was declared to be one

of the

most charm-

every steeple.

ing princesses in Europe, an opinion which

On

the 10th the marriage was solemnized

at St. George's Chapel, Windsor, and the cere-

was completely endorsed by public opinion in England. Her elder brother, Frederick, was
a general in the Danish army, her younger
brother, Prince William,

mony, with
interest

its brilliant

surroundings, was ex-

ceedingly imposing, apart from the intense

who came next

sisters,

in

which was everywhere manifested on

age to herself, was a midshipman in the Danish

the occasion.

Not

in

London

only, but in

navy

and then followed her

the

every important town throughout the country

the day

Princesses Maria and Thyra, and her younger

was observed

as a holiday.

Official

brother Prince Waldemar.

and

social

banquets were held, and the streets

were illuminated.
tions

In London the illumina-

At

the time of the royal marriage the

diffi-

were magnificent, and

of pedestrians

an enormous

culties in

Greece had nearly terminated. After

crowd

and persons in vehicles

the settlement of the cession of the Ionian

Islands the Hellenic people became dissatisfied

filled all

the great highways, the bridges, and

the public squares, until the morning broke

with a form of government which seemed

destined to perpetuate confusion instead of securing a national constitution, and deter-

and the

last

lamps flickered in the dawn.

fully carried
wi-itten

The injunction of the poet-laureate had been out by the nation. He had
an ode
of

mined

to elect a sovereign,

and to follow the

Several

welcome

example of Great Britain and Belgium in

establishing a limited

monarchy.

Soa-kings' daughter from over the sea,

Alexandra Saxon and Norman and Dane are wc, But all of us Danes in our welcome of thee, Alexandra Welcome her, thunders of fort and of fleet

European princes were mentioned for the honour of acceding to the throne, but some

hung back, and others were them

all

ineligible.

Among

the national choice seemed most

firmly fixed on

our

own

Prince Alfred, a

Welcome Welcome

her,

thundering cheer of the street

nomination w^hich her majesty and our government, while thanking the Greeks for the
high compliment,
it

her, all things youthful

and sweet,

Scatter the blossom under her feet

Break, happy land, into earlier flowers

felt

compelled to decline, as

Make music, bird, in the new-budded bowers Welcome her, welcome her, all that is ours
and trumpet blare Flags, flutter out upon turrets and towers Flames, on the windy headland, flare Utter your jubilee, steeple and spire Clash, yo bells, in the merry March air
Warble,
bugle,
!

was contrary

to the British constitution for to

an English

jirince

become sovereign

of

another independent nation. The election then

!

ensued, and Pi'ince William of Denmark, then

about eighteen years of age, was unmistakably

elected,

and on the 31st

of Greece

of

March, 1SG3, was

George

Flash, yo cities, in rivers of fire

Welcome
Vol. IV.

her,

welcome the

land's desire,

made King

by the Hellenic national

title of
I.

Alexandra

assembly, imder the

73

146

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

and the endowments
It of charitable institutions in the assessments for income-tax.

In the following November Christian, Duke

of Glucksburg, himself succeeded to the throne of

Denmark on

the death of
of

King Frederwhose dynasty

Christian

may be

easily understood that in a house

of the

ick VII.,

on the extinction

where the majority

members probably
little

(the house of

Oldenburg) Prince

belonged to more than one club,

regard

took the sovereignty, in accordance with a

treaty

was shown
that

to the

argument that the publicfor refresh-

made

in

1852,

by

w^hich the great

house was the club of the working-man, and

if

powers provided for the integrity of the Danish

places

where people met

monarchy by
Christian

settling the succession of

on

ment and

for society

were to be taxed, no ex-

Prince

" Schleswig-Holstein-

ceptions should be made.

The "club tax"

charities," as it
it

Glucksburg," whose wife, by virtue of certain

family renunciations, became heiress of the
royal crown of

was negatived.
In reference to the " tax on

Denmark.
suggest

was

called,

Mr. Gladstone contended that

no tax upon

These particulars will presently

would
all.

practically be

charities at

that " Schleswig-Holstein" difficulty, to which

An influential deputation waited on

which the Duke
of

him,

a brief reference will be made in another

page.

in

Cambridge, represent-

ing the governors of Christ's Hospital, declared that the proposed

scheme would mulct

Events in the parliamentary history of the

year 1863 were neither very interesting nor

that institution of 2000 a year.

The Arch-

bishop of Canterbury urged objections against

remarkably important.

The

financial state-

applying the tax to the Corporation of the

ment made by Mr. Gladstone excited considerable attention, but there was little scope for The originality in the scheme of the budget.
American war and
little
its effects

Sons of the Clergy and the Clergy Orphan

Corporation; the Earl of Shaftesbury, several

clergymen, and others interested in some of

the larger charities, also strongly deprecated the intended application of the tax to the

upon English

trade and manufacturing industry had left

room

for the fm-ther remission of taxa-

funds of those institutions.

tion on articles of general consumption, though

Mr. Gladstone

listened, received memorials,

the distress that

districts

still

prevailed in the cotton,

and heard what the deputation had

tion

to say,

made such

reductions desirable.
it

but would give them no reply, as the proposi-

At

the same time,

was now well under-

was coming before the House of Commons

It

stood that the budget for the year would be

skilfully

the same evening.

was then that he enthough he made

designed to afford relief in some

tered into a long and closely argued defence

of the scheme, which,
it

directions.

The time had

ari'ived

when

the

no

chancellor of

the exchequer had not only

essential part of the budget,

and was willing

measure.

reached to the height of a great financial

reputation, but

to leave

it

to the house to determine, he de-

had achieved a position where

clared to be a just

and

politic

The

even his opponents acknowledged his consum-

question was not understood, and he desired

to call attention to the nature of the exemptions
it

mate
his

ability,

and for a time forbore to

It

assail

main

proposals.

may be

said that at
of

was proposed

to remove.

As

to the charac-

this period

Mr. Gladstone was the support

ter of the charities sought to

be dealt with,

the government of which he was a member,

nineteen-twentieths of

them were death-bed

bequest which the law

and that had he failed

it

would have crumbled,

in the

bequests

a species of
from

not in slow decay, but in immediate ruin.

did not favour, and which were essentially

different
charities,

Yet

there were

two proposals

budget

properly so called,

of 1863

which the house

rejected.

One was

which were subject to taxation.

to immunities

He objected
The
loss

that of charging clubs wdth a license duty for

which encouraged men to imexemptions in question was

the wines and spirits sold to membere, the

mortalize themselves as founders.

to the state of the

same as that imposed on taverns; the other

was
to include the property of corporate trusts

216,000 a year, while there was a large and

THE BUDGET SCHEME OF

growing charge upon the public funds connected with the administration of charities,
of the

1863.

147

asperity of the re]presentation that the scope

endowed

charities

would be

seriously

amounting

to

about ^45,000 a year; and with

reduced by the imposition of income-tax; but

the majority of his hearers evidently thought
that to place a tax upon the income derived

other items, the whole loss to the state was nearly half a million per annum.

He

then

analysed the charities in three groi;ps

middle, and large

small,
itself,

from charitable endowments would be in

to tax the

effect

affirming that amongst the

amount

of

relief that

should be

small there was hardly one which, in

derived from such charities by the recipients

of

was deserving

of the toleration of the house,

their

bounty.

Again, the inquisitorial

and which had not been condemned by three

separate commissions of inquiry, as tending to

character of the income-tax had

made

it,

and

must always make

of its assessment

it,

hateful,

and the manner

it,

pauperize people

who sought

it,

and

to com-

and

collection rendered
it,

promise their independence and

self-respect.

and continue

to render

obnoxious.

The

The middle charities, which were distributed in money only, were in the main not charities
in the strict sense of the term;

great charities which, whatever

or

may have been

may

still

be their corruptions and short-

while as refull of

comings, the public recognize as representing the larger proportion of beneficent work

garded the larger

abuses,

charities,

they were

and often mere vehicles for patronage,

among

the sick and the afflicted, had a pretty

and were not fit subjects for exemptions, which,

sure ground of appeal against their funds

amounted to gi'ants of public money. was not his intention to make any remarks on the management of endowed hospitals,
in fact,
It

being subject to an impost which was for the

most part regarded with detestation by their

contributors and subscribers.

The income-tax,
being imposed as
yet here was an

which the house must regard with

favour and respect; but
the threat was

so

much

people were always being told, could only be

when

at every turn
if

excused on the ground of a temporary necessity

its

dung

in his face that

the mea-

and
its

sure were cari'ied out the

number

of patients to give it

attempt to fasten
lic

it

upon the permanent pub:

must be diminished, he was obliged

particular consideration.

institutions of the country

while the re-

He

did not believe

presentation that, should

ish

exaction dimin-

that the

number

of beds for patients

would

the

number

of

cases relieved

by any

be reduced.

Those who, in the case of the

if

charity, the loss

would soon be repaired by

protected trades, declared that

protection

public subscriptions
it

was

only saying that

were to be withdrawn they must dismiss so

would be repaired by subscriptions from

many
told

of their

workmen, were not men who

really believed

people whose incomes, from which these subscriptions

lies.

They

what they

said,

would be taken, had already been

but were not awai'e thai more economical ar-

subjected to the same execrable impost.

The

rangements would enable them to keep those

clauses of the financial project which related

to the " taxing of charities"

workmen, pursue
profits

their trade,

and make larger

while public

were rejected by
to

than before.

the existing

One system was

of the great evils of

that,

the house, nor

was there anything

show that

they would have been favourably regarded

outside Parliament, though the mismanage-

money was bestowed on

all

these establishments

public control over

them was dispensed

motives foreconomy

ment and
charities

official

extortions of

some of the large

budget

with, and thus

all effective

were known and resented.

of the
it

were annulled. Endowed institutions laughed

at public opinion.
thcii-

But the main scheme

re-

expenditure:
It

of

it.

was too

knew nothing of Parliament knew nothing much to say that hospitals

]ircss

The

mained untouched, and though

very striking financial features,

offered no

it

was accom-

panied by a lucid and interesting exposition

of the condition of the country

were managed by angels and archangels, and

did not, like the rest of humanity, stand in

and the operhad been

ations of
years.

its

financial

measures during some

need of supervision, criticism, and rebuke.

From 1858

to 1860-61 there

Mr. Gladstone seemed

to

speak with soiuc

an

increase of

over 8,000,000 in the ex-

148
penditure.

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOKARIES.

The average annual expenditure
chai'ge for
cerin-

leaving a surplus of 3,741,000.

The

chief

from 1859 to 1863, including the

fortifications,

points of the proposed financial scheme were

was j71, 195,000. Excluding

the reduction of the duty on tea to a shilling

tain items

which in their nature did not

crease

namely,
charge

the interest for the national

a pound, which would take 1,300,000 from the revenue, and a change in the incidence of
the income-tax which wcfuld include a reduction.

debt and the charge for collecting the revenue

the
years.
tlie

for

the

year
it

1858-59 was
had
risen to

It

was proposed

to

make 100

the

^31,621,000; but in 1860-61

<42,125,000, or ten millions

lowest income which would be assessed for income-tax, and to allow persons whose incomes were below 200 to deduct 60 from the amount, the balance only to be liable to
the tax.

and a

half in

two

Since 1853, or the time previous to

Russian war, the charge had increased by

something like 18,000,000, and the increase

This involved the removal of the

re-

had been

called for

by

tlie

public desire to

former rating on incomes of 150, and a

duction on incomes under 200.
tion of the tea duty
since
it

strengthen the defences of the country.

estimates which
hopeful, but

The

The reduc-

now had to be made were must be considered with regard

"

had been called for, ever was promised in a former budget of and the incidence of the incomehardly as
did,

to special circumstances, such as the condition

of Lancashire.

Mr.

Disraeli,

Towards that Lancashire,"

ujj to this
if

tax was the cause of widely-spread dissatisfaction, pressing

it

said

Mr. Gladstone, " to which

time

and

as

it still

every Englishman has referred,

pride, yet as

not with

does (and joerhaps must), upon small professional

with satisfaction and thankfulness,

the most remarkable, or perhaps the
all

or

precarious earnings, as compared

among

with settled incomes derived

classes of property.

from certain

most remarkable of

the symbols that could

be presented of the power, the progress, and

the prosperity of England
cashire

The review

of the financial

and commercial

towards that Lan-

position of the country

which Mr. Gladstone

we

feel

now more warmly and more

The lessons which twelve months have been conhave been painful

brought before the house enlisted profoimd

attention.

thankfully than ever in regard to every moral

aspect of its condition.

The value of British goods exported

had
fallen to 14,398,000,

to the

United States in 1859 was 22,553,000;

within the last

veyed,
if

in 1862 it

and thus
to the

in one asjiect they

exhibited a decrease of 8,154,000.

of foreign

The value

and even
those, too,

bitter, yet in other aspects,

and in

and colonial goods exported from

this country

which more intimately and perma-

LTnited States

had during
it

nently relate to the condition and prospects of

the country, have been lessons such as I will

the same period increased.

In 1859
it

had
as

been only 1,864,000; in 1862

to

had increased

venture to say none of us could have hoped to

learn.

4,052,000.

The augmentation was

For however sanguine may have been

much
it

as 2,188,000; but nearly the whole of

the anticipations entertained as to the en-

during power and pluck of the English people,

I

cotton-wool, which
less

was represented by the single article of amounted in value to no

than 1,712,000.

do not think that any one could have

esti-

However, deducting

mated that power

point as high as
ally reached."

of endurance, that patience,

the increase on our foreign and colonial goods

that true magnanimity in

humble

life,

at a

from the decrease upon our own export of

British goods, there remained

we now

see that it has actu-

an aggregate

diminution in our export trade to the United

States of about 6,000,000.

We have already seen what was the attitude

of Lancashire during the period of the cotton

Taking next the case

France,
it

of

our trade with

famine, but there was also dreadful distress

in Ireland.

became Mr. Gladstone's pleasant

last full natural

duty to point to a very diSerent state of things.

to

The estimated expenditure amounted

i.'67,749,000

The year 1859 was the

year

without the cost of

fortifications.

before the treaty of commerce.

In that year

The revenue was estimated

at 71^490,000,

the value of British commodities exported to

THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.

France was 4,754,000. In the year 1860 the
treaty
total

149

amount

of exports to France,

which
while

in

was concluded, and

it

took

eflfect

almost

1859 was 9,561,000, had, in 1862, gone up to

wholly as regarded our imports, but on a very

no

less

than 21,824,000.

In

fact,

we

few

articles as

regarded our exports.

The

had a decrease in the

deal

total trade to the United

value of British goods exported to France in

States of 0,618,000, that decrease

was a good

1860 was 5,250,00ft; and thus showed an

increase of about i'500,000.

more than made up by the increase in

In 1861 the treaty

provisions relating
it

the trade to France, for the augmentation in the French trade was 12,268,000.

took

effect: as

regarded

its

to the duties

on imports into France

came
In a former page the name of Father Mathew

into operation late in the year, namely, on the

1st of October.

very large augmentation

and some particulars

of the

work that he

ac-

appeared in our exports; but a part of this

complished in the cause of tempei'ance, or

rather of total abstinence, have been recorded.'-

was due

to the concurrence of a very

bad har-

vest in France, with a large su])ply of corn in

At
gun

the date at which

we have now

arrived

the markets of this country.

In consequence

(1864-5) his successors in that cause had beto

we

sent a great quantity of corn to France

make a determined

effort to obtain

but in order to a more just calculation, this

article

distinct legislation for the purpose of forward-

was not taken

into account.
of 1,750,000

After
for ex-

ing their views and diminishing the vice of

striking off the

cess

sum

drunkenness by piu'liamentary interposition

restricting the sale of intoxicating drinks, or

in

the export

of

corn,

the

value of

British goods sent to France in 1851 rose to

rather giving the power of restriction to a

7,145,000.

It thus

showed an increase
it

of

majority of the inhabitiints of any particulai

district.

2,391,000 over what

had been the

last

year anterior to the treaty.

Then came the

Of course there were advocates

of temper-

year 1862 with the treaty in operation from

its

ance and of total abstinence before Father

beginning to

exports during the year

9,210,000. 4,456,000.

The value of British now amounted to It thus showed an increase of In other words the amount of
its close.

Mathew gave
to

to the

movement an enormous

impetus, the immediate effects of which seem

have diminished for a time after his death.

himself "signed the pledge" at a temperpx-e-

He

British goods sent to France

had about doubled

ance tea-meeting at Cork, and nine years

under the operation of the treaty of commerce.

viously anti-spirituous and tempei-ance societies

had been formed

in Belfast

and Dublin

But the

figures thus

named by no means
advantage

on the plan of the "American Temperance

set forth the wliole extent of the

which the trade of England and France has

derived from the treaty; for an augmentation
of exports
still

which was instituted at Boston in the United States in 1826. In 1831 the Dublin
Society,"
Society, which

had then become the "National

its

more remarkable took place

in

Hibernian," reported 15,000 members, and

secretary
for

foreign and colonial produce; and the com-

mittee were reminded that the foreign and

colonial produce

was Mr. Crampton, solicitor-general Ireland, and afterwards Judge Crampton.

first

which we sent to Fi-ance was

In Scotland the

society pledging its

something that we had ourselves obtained

elsewhere in exchange for British produce. It
therefore followed that every increase in the

members

to abstain fi-om drinking spirits

was

formed at Greenock by John Dunlop, whose book on Compulsory Drinking Usages, published about tliat time,
is

export of foreign and colonial produce from

tliis

itself suflicient to

country constituted or represented

effec-

prove what enormous advances have been

tively a corresponding increase in the export

of British manufactures.

made during

recent years with respect to tem-

The value
in 1862 it

of foreign

perance in the observance of social customs.

In 1830 a society was formed at Glasgow, and

and

colonial produce sent to

France in 1859

was 4,800,000; whereas

amounted
I

to no loss than 12,614,000.

Accordingly the

Vol.

i.

11.

2oo.

150

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

more importaut
in old days
capital,

this soon developed iuto the

would have been equivalent

t (ttotal).

to a

associatiou
Society.
first

known as the Scottish Temperance From the Scottish organization the

namely, a double

Probably

the sjjeaker did not

his expression,

know

the derivation of

English societies are said to have been de-

but the name stuck, and the

rived through a merchant of Bradford, Mr.

Preston total abstainers thereafter called themselves teetotallers, a titll that has lasted for

Henry Forbes, who established an association in

that

town in 1830, and societies were soon afterBristol,

the whole body ever since.

wards started in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool,

The organization increased

societies

and

Birmingham,

and Warrington, one

branch societies flourished, and beside issuing

publications advocating their cause, started

The movement then extended in a rather uncertain manner to London, where a temperance advocate, who was known as Boatswain Smith, carried on the work by speaking at meetings
being formed at Preston in 1832.
at the east

various provisions for mutual benefit,

many of

which have reached to very remarkable proportions, as such associations will

if

prudently

conducted, whether they be founded by total

abstainers, or others

end

of

London, and publishing

against
spirit
-

who

think that they

may

temperance

tracts

drinking,

be moderate partakers of wine or beer without

intemperance.
in 1864-65

most

of which had first been issued in America. In 1830, however, a " British and Foreign Tem-

Many of these societies had shown what could be achieved by

perance Society" was organized in Loudon,

establishing benefit societies for the relief of

sick or disabled membei's, or friendly societies for

and soon began to make considerable

It should be
ties

progress.
socie-

remembered that these

mutual help; while the

priuciijle of life

were

really, as their

names implied, "Tembut

assurance was adopted, and a society of that

perance," and not total abstinence societies.

kind started for the remarkable reason that a

They
ation.

wei'e opposed to the use of spirits,

prominent abstainer, wishing to take out a

policy of life assurance in one of the already

permitted wine or beer to be taken in moder-

People had not then learned to declare

is

existing

otfices,

was informed that he would

So the movement went on

that there

no such thing as moderation

be charged an extra premium because of his

total abstinence.
till

in the use of alcoholic beverages, as

some

of
it.

the advocates of total abstinence

It scarcely

now put

in 1856 the

number

of societies in the

needs to be said that in various

United Kingdom represented a great and important interest, and by no means a poor one.

ages there have been people or small associations of people

the

occasionally whole tribes like Eechabites who abstained from aU

in-

At

that date the two great organizations, the

National Temjaerance Society and the London

toxicating drinks,

and in Ireland and a

so early as
little later

Temperance

League, were united in "the

1817, in Scotland in 1830,

in

National Temperance League," of which Mr.

some other

places, total abstinence societies

Samuel Bowly
dent.

of Gloucester
coui'se,

was made

presi-

existed, such as the "Paisley

Youths" and the

this

There were, of

other leagues and

" Tradeston
ciety."

Glasgow Total Abstinence So-

associations in the provinces,

cieties in

and branch
and

so-

It

was at Preston, however, that

shajie,

various districts.

The movement
it

exclusive phase of the temperance question

first

had become widely

rej^resentative,

was

took prominent public

first

and beer

thought that something more decided should

be done to influence legislation and to compel
people to abstain,

was prohibited
afterwards by
society.

all

the

Here, too,

by a small section, and members of the original the name by which the
have since been

by

acts of parliament for

supjDressing the sale of intoxicating liquors.

vyhole

body

of total abstainers

For
Sir
set

this pui'pose the "

United Kingdom

Alli-

known was

adoj^ted.

One

of the converts,

ance" was formed at Manchester in 1853, with

using an old-fashioned homely expression, said

that he was for "tee-total abstinence," mean-

Walter C. Trevelyan

for its president.

It

about a i-egular and continuous agitation

ing to emphasize the word

it

total,

or to

make
what

of the question

by means

of local auxiliary

more expressive by a

capital "tee," or

branches, agents, district superintendents, and


THE UNITED KINGDOM ALLIANCE.
a eouipletc Hood of temperauce literature, and
at the present time its

151

" 6.

That the

legislative suppression of the

income

is

said to have

liquor traffic

would be highly conducive to the

civilization.
class, sectarian,

reached ^20,000 a year for the support of the

effort to carry

development of a progressive
"
7.

through parliament measures

in

That, rising above

all

or

which

it

had

view nearly a quarter of a

result of their contemplated

party considerations,

good

citizens should

century ago.

One

combine to procure an enactment prohibiting

the sale of intoxicating beverages, as affording the most efficient aid in removing the appalling evils of intemperance."

work has
restricted;

partly

been achieved, since the

sale of liquor

on Sundays has been greatly

but we

may have

to touch

on

this

subject later on.

When

Sir Wilfrid Lawson,

the

member

for Carlisle, succeeded the late

as
jaresident

Sir Walter Trevelyan

of the

The methods adopted by this body to proits princi|Dles and promote its objects were: 1. Lectures and public meetings. 2.
mulgate

Alliance, preparations were

made

for

what

is

Essays, tracts, placards, hand-bills, and periodical publications, including a weekly organ,

sometimes called a parliamentary campaign;

and the
of

was that in 1864 the so-called "Permissive Bill" was introduced to the House
result

the Alliance Ne2vs (price

Id.).

3.

Petitions and

memorials to parliament, to government, to

local authorities,

Commons,

its

original provisions having to

and

to religious bodies. to

4.

some extent been founded on the liquor law

which Neal Dow, Mayor of Portland, the
capital of

House-to-house canvasses
members.

ascertain

the

opinions of heads of families and other adult

5.

Maine, in the United States, had

Conference of electors, ministers

introduced there in 1851.

As

early as 1853,

of religion, Sunday-school teachers, the medical -profession,

at a great meeting of the Alliance, the follow-

and other important

bodies.

ing propositions were adopted, and they be-

At
the

a meeting convened at Manchester by

came the
the "
bill
1.

basis of the representations

:

by which

400 clergymen and other ministers of religion

circular convening the conference hav-

was afterwards supported

it is

That

neither right nor politic for

ing received the written sanction of 11,000

the state to afford legal protection and sanction

to

such ministers
saying:

-a

declaration

was adopted

any

traffic

or system that tends to increase

"We,

the undersigned ministers of

crime, to waste the national resources, to cor-

the gosjiel, are convinced by pei-sonal observation, within our

rupt the social habits, and to destroy the

health and lives of the people.
" 2.
as

own

sphere,
it,

and authentic

testimony from beyond

that the traffic in

That the

traffic in
is

intoxicating liquors
inimical to the true
to the

intoxicating liquors as drink for

man

is

the

common

beverages

immediate cause of most of the crime and

paupeiism, and

interests of individuals,

and destructive

much

of the diseiise

and

in-

order and welfare of society, and ouglit therefore to be prohibited.

sanity, that afflict the land; that everywhere,

and in proportion
results of all past

to its prevalence, it deterioris

"

3.

That the history and

ates the

moral character of the people, and

legislation in regard to the liquor traffic

abun-

the chief outward obstruction to the progress

of the gospel; that these are not its accidental

dantly prove that

it is

impossible satisfactorily

to limit or regulate a system so essentially

attendants, but
benefit,
if

its
is

natural fruits; that the

mischievous in
" 4.

its

tendencies.
of private gain

any,

very small in comparison

all

That no considerations

with the bane; that

schemes of regulation
far as they

or public revenue can justify the upholding

of a system so utterly
suicidal in policy,

aud

restriction,

however good so
that, therefore,

wrong

in

principle,

go, fall short of the

nation's need

aud the

and disastrous

in results as

nation's duty;

and

on the ob-

the traffic in intoxicating liquora.

"
5.

vious principle of destroying the evil which

That the
is

legislative i)rohibition of the

canuot be controlled, the wisest course for

those

liquor traffic

perfectly

compatible with
all

who

fear

God and regard man

by the power

is

to

rational liberty,
justice

and with

the claims of

encourage legitimate efforts for the entire suprression of the trade,

of
tJie

and legitimate commerce.

152

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

uatioual will, and through the force of a legislative euactment."

large

number

of people,

who were

not

This declaration received

prej^ared to go the full length of the Permissive Bill, felt that something needed to

the adhesion in writing of upwards of 3000

ministers of religion.

be

During the
of

yeai's

1858 and 1859 a system

immense amount of pauperism and crime which were distinctly tracedone

to reduce the

house-to-house

canvass

was adopted

in

able to drinking habits acquired

by frequent-

numerous
land,

localities in

England, Ireland, Scotresult of

:

ing public-houses. Others were of opinion that

the principle of local control which the Permissive Bill embodied was the only one calculated to contend with the gigantic evils

and Wales, the

which was deto the

clared to be as follows

Favourable

permissive prohibitory liquor law, 147,821

neutral, 32,140; opposed, 11,894.

which

the liquor traffic was producing, and were

willing that the bill should be read a second time, in the liope that

At

the annual council meeting of the Alli-

ance in October, 1857, a draft of suggestions

for a permissive prohibitory liquor

amendments would be

law was

introduced in committee which would modify

its

adopted, and put into extensive circulation.

too extreme features.

The only

distinct

At

the council meeting in 1863

it

was con-

counter-plan suggested, however, was that of

firmed,

and

in the session that followed a bill

it

Mr. Bright, who, while approving the

stated
of dealing

bill,

founded on

was submitted

to the

House

of

what he thought would be a wiser way

with the great distemper which
said, "
it

Commons.
that,
is

The preamble

of the bill set forth

"Whereas the

sale of intoxicating liquors

sought to remedy.
"

a fruitful source of crime, immorality, pau-

You

can make no change," he

are, unless

from

perism, disease, insanity, and premature death,

where you

you intrust

to the of the

whereby not only the individuals who give way

to drinking habits are

nicipal council or

some committee

mumu-

plunged into misery,

nicipal council in the various

boroughs the
of licenses

but gi-ievous wrong

is

done to the persons and

power

of determining the

number

property of her majesty's subjects at large,

for the sale of wine, spirits, or beer.

...

and the public

rates

and taxes are greatly

it is

should not have brought such a question as

this before the house,

augmented; and whereas

right

and excities,

and I

am not so sanguine
what
I

pedient to confer upon the ratepayers of

of the result of these changes as

call

may
I

boroughs, parishes, and townships the power

to prohibit such
it

the temperance party in the house.

common

sale as aforesaid, let

have not that faith in any act of the

legis-

be therefore enacted," &c.

lature. I believe in the effect of the instruction

The

bill

went on

to provide that,

on appli-

of the people,

and

of the

improvement that
tlie increase,

is

cation of

any

district,

the votes of the rate-

gradually taking place

that drunkenness
is

among them.

I think

payers shall be taken as to the propriety of

not on

but

adopting the provisions of the act; but that a

majority of at least two-thirds of the votes
shall

rather

is

declining;

and I hope, whether the

law be altered or
ing-classes

not,

we

shall find our

work-

be necessary in order to decide that ques-

becoming more and more sober

tion in the affirmative.

The

act itself would,

than in past times.

But

as I have

on many

when

once adopted in any district, prohibit

tliat district

occasions been before the public favouring the

efforts of the
felt

within

aU

traffic in

intoxicating

advocates of temperance, I have

liquor for

common

purposes.

bound

to state the reasons

why

I cannot
to sug-

The first reading of the bill, though, strongly opposed, was carried by a large majority. The second reading was defeated by a large majority, but forty members voted and paired ofi" in favour of it, a much larger number than
had been expected by its promoters. Petitions in favour of the bill were sent in, bearing
upwards
of 482,000 signatures.

give
gest

my vote

in favour of this

bill,

and

what the house might do by way of giving

to the people, through their municipal council,

control over this question.

By

doing this you

might promote temperance among the people, and at the same time avoid a great and manifest injustice to

thousands of jiersons

now

en-

gaged

in the trade,

whose property would be

SYMPATHY FOR POLAND.

rendered uucertaiii, if not altogether destroyed,
if

153

was

to be extinguished, its people either ex-

the bill should receive the sanction of the

terminated by slaughter or denationalized by

the slower processes of torture, imprisonment,
or exile.

house."

Two
1864.

measures very advantageous to the

order a conscription

The plan adopted by Russia was, to among the Poles for the
said, " to

working-classes were adopted in the coui-se of

l^urpose of recruiting the Russian army, or, as

The first, proposed by Lord Derby,

pro-

Lord Napier

make

a clean sweep of

vided that in every railway leading into the

metropolis provision should be

the revolutionary youth of Poland; to shut up the most energetic and dangerous spirits in

made

for the

accommodation
trains.

of the working-classes

by cheap
ajjplied

the restraints of the Russian

the opposition and carry the Caucasus."
it

army

to

kidnap

This proposal was made mainly on the

it

oif to Siberia or

gi'ound that the railways to which

But the Russian attempt was

had destroyed a

large

number

of the habita-

not confined to suppression or to the deportation of those i^ersons

tions of the labouring classes, compelling

to reside at greater distances than before

them
from

who were known

or even

suspected to be revolutionary.

"Warsaw was
jjolice

the places at which they worked. Lord Derby

placed under the control of soldiers and

agents.

contended that

it

was only

just that these

The

houses, of which they

had made
in

railways should compensate the peoj^le thus

list,

were surrounded, the

men

them
For

disturbed by affording them increased

ties for

facili-

seized

and carried oif

for military service.

going to and returning from their

those

who were

absent the jjarents were taken

work.

The measure was accepted by the

first

go-

as guarantees for their return.

vernment, and was the

step in a system

night of this inquisition 2500

On the first men were taken

in-

which has been very useful

benefit
it

to those for

whose

away, and insults and wanton cruelties were

flicted.

was adopted, and a source

of profit

It

was evident

to the

unhappy Poles
flight

to the railway

companies themselves, who have

to their interest greatly to ex-

that a reign of terror was approaching, and

since found

it

next day thousands of persons took to

tend the principle on which this important

and prepared for

i-esistance.

In the previous

enactment was based. The other boon granted

to the working-classes

year the Russian soldiers had fired on the

people atWarsaw,and had committed ferocious
cruelties.

was an act

for ajDplying

to several other trades the regulations

which

The Polish women, even

ladies of

already protected
ing in factories.

women and

children work-

high rank, had long worn mourning, had entirely

given up dancing, and attended few

public amusements,

much

to the mortification

Though

at the close of 1863

England was

of the Russian military officers

and

civilians,
city,

not implicated in the disturbances which were

who had

ever found

Warsaw

a gay

and

brewing abroad, there was a feeling of uncertainty on the part of the government, with
respect to the attitude

Polish society brilliant and accomjjlished.

The

Russians resented the silent demonstration,

that might be asin relation

many
of
it,

of

them may have deplored the causes

sumed by other powers

to the
to re-

but there was no longer any hesitation

struggle which the Poles were

making

on the part of the government of the Grand-

gain their national liberty, and the hostilities

duke Constantine.
which was said
of

The barbarous

ferocity

which were threatened by Prussia against

to underlie

the grand air

Denmark on
stein question.

account of the Schleswig-Hol-

Nicholas and his progenitors seemed to

remain.
of

In a short time out of 184,000 persons

left to

"The wrongs

Poland" was no new phrase.

only 683 were

carry on the tratle of the

Ijeen

Subscriptions for the distressed Poles

balls,

country;

14,000

men and women had

at

concerts, conversaziones, for the purpose of

crowded into one dungeon

in the

Warsaw, Count

relieving the sutferings of Polish exiles,

had

Zamoyski, for presenting a petition coached

been familiar announcements years before;

most respectful language, had been

Barracks and fortresses had been

but

it

now appeared

as lliough

Poland

itself

banished.

154

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

converted iuto political prisons

to be

there seemed
words liberty

and hunted insurgents vanquished and reduced

isolated

uo limit to Russian fury against those

to whisj^er the

bodies of their foes, only wore out the " liberatoi's"

who dared even

and
justice.

their numbers, without

It

was

Lli-.

Pope Hennessey
to say he opened

leading to any jjermanent achievement on the

side of freedom.

who brought
House
of

the affairs of Poland before the

that
is

Commons,

Earl Russell, however, wrote with com-

the debate on the subject in a speech which

mendable firmness

to

our minister at

St.

found an echo throughout England.

Public

Petersbm'g, saying, that as a party to the

treaty of 1815, Great Britain

indignation was aroused, not here alone, but in

was

entitled to

France, and even in Austria, by the atrocities of

the Russians.

express
place.

its

opinions on the events then taking

Only Prusoia ajspeared

to follow

He went

on to ask "why the emperor,

put an end to the

the policy of sticking to her former allegiance to the Russian autocracy, and expressed approval

whose benevolence was generally and cheerfully acknowledged, did not

by beginning

to persecute the people of her

bloody

conflict,

by proclaiming mercifully an

own

Polish joroviuces in a methodical manuei*.

immediate and unconditional amnesty to his

revolted Polish subjects, and at the same time

In our own parliament there were no uncertain

denunciations of the course pursued at "Warsaw.

announce his intention to replace without

delay his kingdom of Poland in possession of
the political and
civil privileges wdiich

Prominent speakers on both

sides of the house

joined in the condemnation; but, except for

the moral effect these declarations might have

were
I.

granted to

it

by the Emperor Alexander

upon Russia, no step could be taken by the

house
to see
itself,

in execution of the stipulation of that treaty? If this

and

it

was

left for

the government

were done, a national diet and a nawould in

all

what could be done in the way of remonstrance. This was not considered satisfactory

tional administration

probability

content
opinion."

the

Poles,

and
care

satisfy

Eurojjean

by those people outside who were naturally

bm-uing with anger at the intelligence that
continued to come from Poland, where
the provinces were roused to what, after
all
all,

What
ojiiniou,

did Russia

about European

while Prussia supjiorted her by the

It is true

stimulating flattery of imitation?

must be a hopeless

insurrection, in

which the

that the Polish peasantry were relieved from

nation miglit be extermiuated, but could never

some of the
proprietors
relief,

oi^jiressions

which the lauded

exercised, but this
of the policy of

hope to secure ultimate victory against the

had formerly

overwhelming

forces

of

Russia.

great

which had made part

to identify

meeting was called at the Guildhall in the

city of

the emperor on his coming to the throne, only

London, where much earnest enthu-

seemed
time

Poland with Russia, at a

siasm was exliibited, but the question of en-

when

ruthless tyranny

was being exer-

upon a war with Russia, even if we again had France for an ally, could not be
tering

cised for the

same

object.
efiect,

France had remonstrated with as little

reasonably entertained even by the enthusiasts.

and in

May

(1863) so obvious

was the

inten-

In such an event Russia would have

to crush

tion to force an

amalgamation of the Poles

had time

and utterly annihilate the

with Russia, that the Polish central committee

conducting the insurrection rejected the amnesty that was offered them, on conditions
evidently intended to promote this object.

people on whose behalf

we

interfered, before

we

could reach the scene of

strife.

Already the

Poles were fighting desperately, and though an organized resistance had been nlade in
various parts of Russian Poland, dii'ected by

In Prussia Count Bismarck had begun a new

career,

and had made haste

to assert that the

a central committee sitting at Wai'saw, Langiewicz, the genei-al

Prussian government differed from that of

who had been

fighting at

England, inasmuch as the ministry was not

that of the parliament but of the king.
corollary of this w^as

the head of the national forces as " Dictator,"

The

was unable

to maintain the unequal contest.

soon apparent, for a

The

skirmishes, in which regiments of starving

month

or so afterwards the king, replying to

THE EXPEDITION TO MEXICO.

an address from the Chamber of Deputies, stated that as the ministry had his entire coutidence, he intended to carry on the govern-

155

The Emperor
to

of the

French was no more

inclined than the English

government

to go

war with Russia

for the problematic relief

ment without a parliament.

which,
it

The assembly

of

of Poland.

At

that

moment Napoleon
full of

III.

deputies was then dissolved, a

proceeding

had
prise

his

hands pietty well

an enter-

was

said, called

forth the remon-

upon which he had entered with an

strances of the

crown

prince.

almost reckless determination to achieve some

stai-tling effects

The note

sent to Lord Napier, our repre-

and show how

far the

arms

sentative at St. Petersburg,

naming

the points

and influence

of

France might reach under

which should be observed towards Poland,

in accordance with the treaty of

imperial guidance.

1815, tvas

drawn up by our government, concurrently To this Prince with France and Austria.
Gortschakoff replied, in the usual Eussiau

In 1861, after a long series of revolutions and disturbances, some sort of government had been temporarily established in Mexico by the
election of Juarez as president of the IMexicau

manner
was

first,

that

if

Earl liussell

knew what
the pea-

Republic.

But Juarez was regarded

still

as an

really taking j^lace,

he would know that

usurper, the country was

in disorder, the

the insurrection was crushed

that

struggles of the various factions contiimed,

santry and the trades' - people were opposed

to it;

and the new government,

decessors,

like

most of

its

pre-

that the insurgents were only endea-

was uncertain, while the

took to establish
its

action

vouring to raise a diplomatic intervention

in the hope of
ally,

which

it

authority con-

armed interference; and finthat nothing would be accepted by the

sisted rather of threats against personal safety

and property than

efforts to protect either.

emperor, but for the insurgents to lay

their

down

At

all

events so

little

were the rights

it

of

Euro-

arms unconditionally and submit to his They had had a long majesty's clemency.

peans respected that

for a convention to

was judged advisable be entered into between

experience of what might be exj^ected from

Russian clemency, and the insurrection went

Great Britain, Fi'ance, and Spain, to demand from the authorities in Mexico more efficient
protection as well as a fulfilment of the obli-

on

till it

became

hopeless,

and then once more

Poland fainted, and the Russian clemency

gations that had been contracted.

The

con;>

came
to

in

by

foi'bidding the
for

wear mourning

women of Warsaw those who had fallen in

vention signed in London provided that

sufficient force

should be sent to seize upon

the struggle.

the Mexican fortresses on the coast and to

The attitude of Austria in supporting remonstrances to the Russian

uphold the demands made, but that neither

government against

power should make use

the ])eople of

of the expedition for

the oppression of the Poles was, perhaps,

suggestive of the shadows that precede coming
events.
It should be

acquiring territory or other advantage, that

remembered that at the

an agreement with
of the subservi-

with in their right to

Mexico should not be interfered elect what government

time of the Crimean war Austria showed the

they pleased, that each of the powers concerned should be represented by a commissioner,

same

desire

to secure

England and France in view

and that though any delay might pre-

ency of Prussia to the Czar Nicholas and the

probable results of an alliance between the
cousins.

vent the accomplishment of the purpose of

the convention
States of

the
to

claims of

the United

Assuredly Austria assumed a very

America

be also represented on

different policy in relation to the Polish ques-

the convention should be regarded, and an

tion to that

which she adopted towards

Italy.

"identic" of the agreement should be desjiatched

tance. to that

The Poles

in Galicia probably

had to thank

government

for its accep-

the Austrian jealousy of Russia and distrust of

The

L^nited States government,

how-

Prussia for the comijaratively impartial con-

ever, wisely refused to join the convention.

duct of the power which had previously had

so dark a ro])atation

The expedition

consisted of 6000

men

sent by

among

o])])ressed nations.

France and Spain, while our contribution was

156

GLADSTONE AXD HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

process of self-deception Napoleon III. could

a line-of-battle ship, two frigates, and 700

superuumerary marines.

have come to the conclusion that he would be

able to impose a

The probability
tilities

of the necessity for hosfor

Emopean archduke on
or

the

in

Mexico had,

some time

past,

Mexican

peojile

been the cause of uneasiness both in France

ultimately gain for

what advantage he could France or for himself by

It
is

and England.
barity displayed

Strong representations had

such an attempt.

equally astonishing

been made of the injustice and even the barto

it

that Maximilian should have been permitted

that country,

and

European residents in was therefore important

force,

by

his friends

and counsellors

to undertake

such a responsibility, even though he relied

that the commissioners should seek redress

on the promise of a
in

sufficient force

being

left

with an expeditionai-y
demands.

which was con-

Mexico

to support

and protect him. What-

sidered sufficient to add authority to their

ever

may have been the foundation for the suswas

certainly

picion of Almonte's mission, it

These demands were accompanied by an

invitation to the

confirmed by

M.

Billault's

remarks in reply to

Mexicans

to put

an end

to

the subsequent discussion on the subject in the

their long anai'chy

and confusion, from which

Corps Legislatif.
assert that

He then said it was "false to

only to arrive in the
ballot

they had suffered through the factions of rival

preteudei-s to government,

France had sent Almonte to excite

by

electing their

a civil war.
city of

He was

own

ruler,

with the support of the allied repre-

Mexico when the

had been

sentatives.

opened, to consult the national

will.

He

ar-

On

the 10th of January the commissioners

rived in Mexico under the protection of the

of the allied

powers issued at Vera Cruz a

French

flag,

and committed no
that

hostile act

proclamation, in which they adverted to the

before the

rupture of negotiations."

This

frequent breach of treaties and agreements,

seems to admit

the archduke, being

claimed the right of their citizens to reside in

the country without being molested, and ex-

known
ests

to

France as a candidate whose interIII. desii-ed

Napoleon

to promote, Al-

horted the people to establish a government

monte, as his agent, was permitted to be present,

and put an end to

wars.

theii-

devastating civil

with the danger of being suspected to

designed to seek an empii-e by a ple-

To

this proclamation

was attached a

influence the elections in favour of a foreign

ruler,

despatch from the plenipotentiaries of each of

the allied powers, stating the nature of theurespective demands.

biscite.

Among

those

who accompanied

the French

At all events the Mexican government demanded that Almonte should be sent back to
France.

expeditionary force was a Mexican emigre

conference with commissioners

named General Almonte, whose

intensely objectionable to the

presence was

appointed

by the Juarez government had

ernment, since
reason of his

Mexican govwas believed that the true presence was to excite a civil
it

been appointed to take place at Orizaba on the

15th of April, but the French commissioner,

M. Dubois de

Saligny, refused to join

it,

war

for

some

ulterior object,

which was

after-

alleging that the real

and principal object

of

wards suspected to be the promotion

of the

the convention was to obtain satisfaction for

outrages heaped upon foreigners

Archduke Maximilian
of the country,

of Austria to the throne

by the Mexiits

with the connivance of France.

can government, and to enforce

observ-

Maximilian was brother to the Emperor of

Austria and had married the Princess Charlotte,

ance of treaties; that the temporizing and

conciliatory system hitherto pursued

was con-

the youngest daughter of the

of

King

of

Belgium by Louise, daughter Both Maximilian and

Louis Philippe.

his archduchess

were

demned by what was daily occui'ring, iniismuch as the reign of extortion, tyranny, and violence had been made doubly oppressive,
and rendered the situation of foreigners
tolerable; that proofs of this
inaf-

good amiable people, and much beloved by our

queen and by Prince Albert.
It
is difficult

were daily

even

now to see by what strange

forded by the complaints sent to him; that

FRENCH DOMINATION IN MEXICO.

the attitude of the allied forces appeared to
stimulate the government to redoubled audacity
;

157

In 1863 the treaty of conmierce with England had,

it

was

said,

tended

still

further to

that, for his part, he formally declared

develop the resources of France.

The exports

he would not treat with that government,

and that
it

his well-matured opinion

to

was that

was necessary For

this the commissioners of

march upon Mexico. England and

and General Prim, were

by amount of 233,000,000 francs, while during the same period 175,000 tons of shipping had
increased from those of the previous year

the

been added to the mercantile marine, of which

136,000 tons were

Sixain, Sir C.

Wyke

under the French

flag.

They thought that the conference should take place, and at length,
in no

way

prepared.

The harvest was abundant, public works were

carried on with great enterprise,

and consider-

as they could not induce

alter

M. de
the

Saligny to

able prosperity

was manifest, notwithstanding

his

determination,

English

and
co-

the expenses required for carrying on the war.

Spanish governments relinquished their

operation,

General Forey had taken Puebla. The garrison defending

it suflfered

and

their troops were withdi-awn

severely from hunger,

from Mexico.

and General Ortega, who commanded the

place, proposed to capitulate,

The consequence was that the French army,

under General Lorencez, was
the enterprise alone.
left to

but asked to be

prosecute

allowed to leave with the honours of war, and

On

the 16th of April the

with arms, baggage, and artillery to withdraw

to Mexico.

French commissioners issued a proclamation

saying, "

This was refused. General Forey

his

We are not here

but to
settle

to take part in
. . .

your

demanding that

discussions,

them.

Let

men

the French army, lay

army should march past down their arms, and

These proposals

who have been

us.

too long divided rally round

remain prisoners of war.

In their hands are the destinies of Mexico.

flag

were not accepted, and on the night of the

16th of

The French
soil;

has been planted on Mexican

retii'e:
;

May

General Ortega disbanded his

that flag will not

it

let

wise

men
will

army, destroyed the weapons, spiked his guns,

hail

as a friendly flag
it."

only

madmen

blew up the powder magazines, and sent an

envoy to the French general
to say that the

dare to fight

The Mexican
zoga,

troojDS,

under General Zara-

garrison had completed

its

defence,

and

sur-

had retired from Orizaba, which was

Puebla had been repi-eseuted as the
hostile to Juarez,

rendered at discretion.

By

daylight 12,000

occupied by the French about the middle of

Ajiril.

men, mostly without arms or ammunition, surrendered as prisoners, and about 1000
of different
officers

town most
to take the

and

yet, after

grades

awaited the orders of

a desperate attempt, the French general failed

General Forey at the palace of the government.

two forts by which

of

it

was protected.
the trooiDS
it

On
its

the 10th of June the French

army made

The news
was then too
retire

the repulse of

triumphal entry into the city of Mexico.

at the disposal of the
jn-ocla-

caused great dissatisfaction in France, but

late to accept the disaster

The throne was then

conquerors.

and

General Forey issued a

:

from any further attempt.

The gov-

mation, in which he said

port of
lay
all

" I invoke the supof all pai'ties to

ernment had been deceived as

public feeling in Mexico, but
it

to the state of

all classes;

demand
and
to

was necessary
on every

down

their arms,

employ henceforth

to support their flag energetically

their strength, not in destroying, but in

I proclaim oblivion of the ])ast,

point where

it

was engaged.
passed the

constructing.

This was the expressed determination of the

committee,

who

bill

granting sup-

and a complete amnesty for all those who will rally in good faith roimd the govermucnt which the nation, by
impose upon
itself."
its

plementary

credits, to enable

General Forey

own

free-will, shall

to go out at the

head of the reinforcements,

of the

These were excellent

left

which reached Vera Cruz at the end

year.

words, but there was nobody

who

w.ns

strong enough to oppose the method of obtainin

The French army

Mexico then amountod

ing the plebiscite.

to not less than 30,000 men.

Juarez and

tlie

members of

his

government

158

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

city

had already evacuated the

and retired to
to

istics

of a continued

intestine

war, joined

San Luis Potosi, and no attempt was made

disturb the French occupation. "

to insurrectionary troubles, kept his throne

An

assembly

insecure

and gave him

olily

the shadow of

of notables," 215 in number, was constituted,

empire.

Juarez was again in arms, and his

the

members

of which,

it

was

carefully repre-

followers were active, numerous,

in a

and fighting
and yet gave

presented, were taken from all classes.

They

kind of guerilla warfare, which perpetuof the advantages of such victories

gain.

were to determine what form of government should be established in Mexico; their vote on
this question

ally harassed the regular forces,

them none
as they

was to unite two-thirds

of their

were able to

suffrages.

At

the beginning of February, 1867, the

left

On

the 10th of July they resolved that

Emjaeror Maximilian

the city of Mexico

Mexico should be an empire, and that the

throne should be offered to the Archduke

at the head of his army,

and marched north-

wards, where the adherents of Juarez were in

force.

Maximilian of Austria.

In the event of his

He

occupied the town of Queretaro

refusal to accept the crown, the

Emperor

of

with about 10,000 troops, and then had to

sustain the attacks of General Escobedo, which

the French was to be requested

to select a

candidate for the imperial dignity.

The

arch-

were generally defeated, but without such a

decided victory as to crush the revolt.

duke was therefore solemnly proclaimed emperor, and a deputation of "notables" proceeded
to

The whole
Mexico
to carry

of

the French troops quitted

him the throne. He received them at his residence near

Europe
to offer

in the early part of 1867, leaving

him

on the

conflict.

In the beginning of

Trieste, and, in

answer to their offer, accepted

April his reverses began.

tured by the Juarists,

Puebla was capat once prepared

the trust, on the condition that there should

who

be a spontaneous expression of the wishes of

the whole nation; that he should obtain guar-

to lay siege to the city of Mexico,

and

sur-

rounded Queretaro, then held by the emperor,

antees securing Mexico against the dangers

that threatened her integrity and independence.

and the garrison

desjDerate straits.

of

which was reduced

to

The

place becoming at last

He

also declared that it

was

his intenconsti-

untenable, Maximilian determined to

make
lines,

tion to open the path of progress

tution, as

by a

an attempt to cut through the enemy's

but
it

was done by Napoleon

III., and,

was too

late.

On

the 14th of

May

the

" after the complete pacification of the country,

to seal the

Juarists,

under Escobedo, forced their way

fundamental law with an oath."

till

into the town,

and

after a short resistance the

It

was not

May,

1864, that he

assumed

emperor surrendered, and was taken prisoner

with
all

the empire, after the expression of that "spon-

his staff.

In the following mouth

taneous desire of the majority" which he had

Maximilian,

who

bore his reverses with great

demanded.
of Mexico,

He

then issued an imperial pro-

dignity and resignation, was brought before a

clamation at Vera Cruz, and became the ruler

under the

partial

]irotection

of

France.

war at Queretaro, and with his genMiramon and Mejia, was condemned to death. On the morning of the 19th they were
council of
erals,

The unhappy result of the French intervention in Mexico is one of the saddest records
of history

led out to the place of execution

and

shot.

during that period.

After his

ac-

The following official notice was published "Ferdinand Maxito the Mexican people:

Emperor Maximilian discovered that the French government had been encession the
tirely

milian von Hapsburg, a grandduke of Austria

and an
to

ally of

Napoleon

III. of France,

came

mistaken

in their estimate of the

Mexi-

Mexico

to rob the country of its independ-

can character, and that he had been grossly

ence and

its institutions,

and although a mere

This usurper having

deceived in the assurances he had received

of the stability of the population,

usurper of the national sovereignty, assumed

the title of emperor.

and their

desire for
(if

European intervention. which partook

series

been captured by the republican forces at

Queretaro, on the 15th of

conflicts,

of the character-

May,

18G7, he

was


NAPOLEON
with the concurrence
III,

PROPOSES A PEACE CONGEESS.

ruler; for nearly all the world

159

sentenced to death by a military court-martial,

of the nation,

seems to have

and was

agreed to give Napoleon III. credit for subtle

statecraft, while

shot for his crimes against the independence

of the nation at Queretaro, on the 9th of June,

he himself assumed to be the

least

least secret

and the

combinative of Euro-

1867, in

company with Generals Miramon and

Peace be to his ashes
!"

pean sovereigns.
ness,

He

claimed credit for frankto pursue a candid

Mejia.

and professed

and
it

few days afterwards the

city of

Mexico

easily estimated policy.

At

the same time,

surrendered, and Juarez became once more

absolute master of the kingdom, or rather of a
republic, which, in the space of less than years,
fifty

cannot be denietl that the j^romjititude of

action,

combined with the

liberal sentiments

which characterized the whole policy

rank of nations with reference
tions affecting peace

of the

had been the scene

of

upwards of thirty
the close of the

emperor, had placed the country high in the

to all ques-

changes of government.

At

year he was elected j^resident.

and mutual underetanding

states.

The Archduchess
and returned
to

Charlotte, ex-Empress of

between European

It

was with

this

Mexico, contrived to escape from the country,

assurance that, on the 4th of November, 1863,

the emperor proposed to the other powers to
regulate the condition of Europe, and to secure
its

Europe in a condition

of

mind
all

which aroused the respectful sympathy of

who knew
ment
place,

her sad history.

in a state of

future by a congress of nations or an inter-

She continued
for

mental derange-

national council. This proiwsitiou

was accomof

two or three

years,

and by the adfrom place

to

panied by an invitation, which said:

"

vice of her jahysicians travelled

In case the princes,

allies

and friends

but with

little

hope of complete restor-

France, should think proper to heighten by

their presence the authority of the deliberations, I shall

ation of her jjhysical health, or cure for the

mental malady which had ensued from the

grief

be proud to offer them

my

cor-

she had undergone and

the terrible

dial hospitality.

Europe would
in the capital

see,

perhaps,

scenes she had witnessed.

some advantage
seems to have
in-

from which the

signal for subversion has so often been given,

The
ternal

policy of

Napoleon
resources

III.

becoming the seat

of the conferences destined

been to combine the develojiment of the

material
of

to lay the basis of a general pacification."

France

with

After some diplomatic correspondence, in

such a degree of foreign influence as would

which

it

was stated that the emperor had

make
tries.

his opinion, supported in

by the nation, a
in distant coun-

already indicated the questions of Poland,

power not only

Europe but

In Syria, where French arms vindicated

in

Denmark, and Germany, the Danubian Principalities, Austria and Italy, and the occupation of

the rights of the Christian population;

Rome,
;

to

be those which would demand

Montenegro, where the national desire to be-

discussion

Earl Russell, on the part of the

come part
all

of a single

government, including

English government, declined participation in

the congress, on the ground that those questions could not be decided

the princiiaalities, was upheld by French

influence; in

Cochin China, where an expedifor

by the mere

utter-

tion

had been organized

promoting French
1823

ance of opinions, while

of wishes

if

the mere expression

colonial interests; in Spain, whei-e the ques-

and opinions would accomplish no

it

tions of the frontier line

and the debt

of

positive results,

appeared certain that the

were
ing;

settled without further misunderstand-

deliberations of a congress would consist of

and

in Switzerland,

where the

differences

arising from disputes about the valley of the

demands and pretensions ]iut forward by some and resisted by others. That there being no
supreme authority
in such

Dappes were explained and remedied,

this

an assembly to en-

prompt and aggressively

vention was exercised.
ful

conciliatoiy inter-

force the decisions of the majority, the congress

France was powerand respected even where suspicion still

would probably separate leaving many

of its

existed as to the probable intentions of lier

members on worse terms with each other than they had been when they mot; while if tliis

160

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

result, it followed that

would be the probable

no decrease
of

Austria and Prussia;

the liberty of Italy

set free

armaments would be
of

likely to

might have penetrated Eome,

from

be effected by the proposed congress.

the threatenings of French bayonets.

But the

The Emperor

Eussia gave his entire ad-

very statement of these subjects of discussion

is

hesion to the principle of settling the peace of

almost sufficient to show that no decision

likely to be

Europe by such a representative meeting

the sovereigns, but thought
it

of

was

come

to,

involving the satisaffairs

essential that

factory arrangement

of

which

had

Napoleon

III.,

who

initiated

the proposal,

already been
states

made

of vital importance

by the

should define clearly the questions which, in

his opinion, should be the subject of

which included them in their most un-

an underthis un-

yielding demands.

standing, and the bases

upon which

Small war clouds gathering and bursting

in other places challenged comparatively little

derstanding would have to be established.

The Queen
ation.

of Spain gave her ready adhesion

attention while the roar of the great tempest

of strife continued in America.

to the proposal,

and promised

cordial co-oper-

The

suffer-

ings of Poland excited

of Austria considered
it

much

emotion, the ex-

The Emperor
tial

essen-

pedition to Mexico ai'oused curiosity not un-

to have a clear understanding upon the

mixed with apprehension

ai'chduke consented
to

of the result.

The
from

point of departure, to define the object and

take his cue

means of action held

followed.

in view,

and

to detei-mine

an actor who had written only his own part

in the

beforehand the line of conduct

tliat

would be
mea-

drama which ended

in

a tragedy, not

for Maximilian only, but as

of Prussia considered the

some thoughtful

The King

statesmen believed, for the French emperor

also.

sures to be discussed should first be submitted

to the responsible ministers of the respective
states.

There were forewarnings that the pres-

tige of

Napoleon
fiasco,

III.

would never survive the

Mexican
the jjroposition with the
its

and

that,

from the moment

of

The pope accepted

utmost

becoming known, it would lead to the downpower. If this opinion was founded

gratification, only reserving,

with

satir-

fall of his

ical caution, the power to

sustain with the great-

on the belief that he had already given evi-

est rigour the rights of the

The Swiss Confederation, the

Greece, and the

Eomish Church. new King of

accepted

dence of a weak reliance on

tent advisers,
it

false or

incompeit is

was

signally verified; but

King

of

Denmark

characteristic of
fulfilled in

many

prophecies that they are

the ]5roposal without reserve; and the replies

of the

a manner or under conditions not

Hanover and the King of Bavaria were equally favourable. It was evi-

King

of

clearly

perceived

by the prophet

himself.
of

Meantime, while the wretched denouement

the Mexican story was scarcely guessed
at,

dent, however, that the English minister had stated the true difficulty; the objections of Prussia, Eussia,
this dilficulty

and

while fresh

difficulties in

China and the neces-

and Austria were proofs that

sufficient to

sity for insisting -yi reparation for attacks

on

was

prevent any

British traders in

Japan were engaging some

which

lasting advantage

from a deliberative assem-

notice here, the arrogant assumptions

bly to which each

member would go with

the

Prussia had for some time been exhibiting,

view rather

of confirming

than relinquishing

threatened the peace of Europe.

the demands of his policy.

It

would have been

well, indeed, if

some

of

The Schleswig-Holstein
jocularly mentioned
])ressing

question, though

by

the questions then arising in Europe could

no means a laughing matter, was, at the time,

as another

have been settled by

pacific discussion.

The
of

way

of exrival

effusion of blood during the Polish insurrection

an

insoluble

problem.
of

The

would then have been stayed; the question

the claims of

claims of the

kingdom

Denmark and

the

Denmark and

Schleswig-Holstein

duchies of Schleswig and Holstein as represented

might have been so

settled as to avert the

by the hereditary prince

of Schleswig-

events that led to the dreadful war between

Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg were not

THE SCHLESWTG-HOLSTEIN DIFFICULTY.

clear to people
first

161

who heard
it

of

them

for the

the federal engagements which were due in

Holstein,

by any means to be concluded that the King of Prussia had any just
time, nor

was

and

to maintain various privileges

and immunities which were claimed by the

claim to

make such an

easy display of the

German

inhabitants of Schleswig.
it

In 1852

growing jjower of his authority, by commencing hostilities against a small state in defiance
of Eui'opean opinion.

the great powers thought

expedient, in

anticipation of the extinction of the dynasty,

to provide for the integrity of

He

had become strong

the Danish

enough

to refuse the urgent invitation of the

monarchy, including the ancient dependencies

of

Emperor of Austria to attend a congress of the German sovereigns at Frankfort for the
purpose of forming a
of all their states..

the crown.

By

the Treaty of London,

executed by the five powers and by Den-

Bund

or confederation
of "

mark and Sweden,

the succession was settled

The dream
realized, if it

United

on Prince Christian of Schleswig -HolsteinGliicksburg, whose wife became,

Germany" must be
realized at
all,

were to be
of Prussia

by aid

of

by the domination

certain family renunciations, the heiress of

and

thus
till

it

was realized years afterward;

the royal crown of

Denmark.

The Duke

of

but not

Austria had been temporarily

Augustenburg,

who was
of

heir of

Holstein

crushed by a war which, for a time, crippled

and claimant
Prussia,

Schleswig, was induced to

her resources and

left

her

German

scarcely

relinquish his pretensions; and the

King

of

even in name.

who was head

of the ducal house of to

There

is

no need to go into the remote

his-

Holstein -Gottorp, agreed

postpone any

tory of the relations between the

states,

German

hereditary claim which he might have asserted.

the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein,

of

All the principal

varia

German

states,

except Bato the

and the kingdom

Denmark.
jjeace of

and Baden, afterwards adhered

The dispute which menaced the

Europe was, as the Times
ments
said,

treaty;

and on the death of Frederick VII.

In the interval, however, ex-

not calculated

Prince Christian possessed an undisputed diplomatic

title.

to inspire implicit confidence in the arrangeof

governments assembled in congresses

treme

irritation

had existed between Germany

or in conferences.

The chronic
to

difficulty of

and Denmark,

especially

when Frederick VII.

the duchies attached

the Danish crown

was said

to

have encroached on federal rights

establishing a constitution in Hol-

had been unexpectedly rendered urgent by

the death of Frederick VII., the last king of
the house of Oldenbui-g.

by a patent

stein, issued in the

spring of the year 1863.

were absolute in

As Denmark

long as the kings

their ducal sove-

Federal execution in the duchy was imminent,

reignty in Schleswig and Holstein involved

when the Denmark

accession of

King

Christian IX. in

aftbrded an excuse for opening the

no subordination of their German subjects to

the

question of his right to the duchies.

Frederick, son of the

Prince

Danes

of the

kingdom.

It

was only when

Duke

of

Augustenburg,

a representative constitution was granted in

1846 that the conflict of races seriously com-

disputed the validity of his father's renunciation,

and nearly every

legislative

assembly

menced, and in 1848

it

produced

civil

war.

in the

German

states

urged their respective

title.

With
stein

the aid of Prussia the

Germans

of Hol-

governments to recognize his

and Schleswig expelled the Danish forces

of

But the
diet

points actually in dispute, the con-

from both duchies, but on the withdrawal

greater part of Schleswig;

cessions in regard to

which Prussia and the

of the negotiations vir-

the Prussian troops the Danes recovered the

had at one stage

and

finally,

the

tually agreed to accept,

may be

all

sunmied

authority of Frederick VII. was re-established

in

up

in a single question

that of

the budget.

both duchies by various conventions in 1850

Austria and Prussia, on behalf of
to the dissolution of the

The duchy and the

])lan for
ly

diet

had rejected any

and 1851.

a constitution of the whole monarchy

German}^ assented

Freilerick VII.,

and any reasonalilo plan

of the

ancient unicni between Holstein and Schleswig,

for a provisional
alone.

government

duchy
74

and, in return, Denmar-k undertook to ]iorform

Vol. IV.

As

the government had to be carried

162

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

way
that remained was

on, howev^er, the only

bably averse to take a position in hostilities

against a small state
so

through the King of Denmark as absokite

when they

could only do

Duke

of Holstein It

and the

old assembly of
also, that

by acting in conjunction with those other

states, the congress of

estates.

was quite obvious,

while

German

which, under

any connection remained between the govern-

Austrian influence, they had refused to attend.

Austria had perhaps no relish for measuring
her military efficiency with that of Prussia at

ment of Denmark and Holstein, the latter must contribute to the expenses of that government. It was on the budget, therefore,
that the dispute between the king and the
ai'ose. The Holstein estates made demand that they themselves should decide the amount of their contribution to the

such a time.

direction of the

But the minor states, under the Saxon minister. Baron Beust,

duchy
the

outvoted Austria and Prussia in the diet, and

insisted

on immediate war.
the 2d of December, 1863, did the

Not
63,

till

revenue, and that the budget of the duchy

Prussian chambers, by a majority of 231 to

pass a resolution "that the honour and

should be submitted to their consideration.

This the Danish government had refused, but

as the diet had actually urged the extravagant

interests of

Germany demand

that

all

the

German

states should preserve the rights of

demand

that

tlie

budget for the whole mon-

the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, that

archy should be submitted to the deliberate

vote of the Holstein estates, the three great

they should recognize the hereditary prince of

Schleswig - Holstein
-

Sonderburg - Angusten-

powers

Russia,

France, and England

to

had

burg as Duke of

Schleswig -Holstein, and

recommended Denmark
enabling
the estates

make

concessions

should lend him assistance in vindication of

his rights."

to deliberate

on the

Probably this was a timely

budget for the duchy.

constitution for the

In a new provisional

diversion of the attention of the Prussian as-

duchy these concessions

semblies from the autocratic contempt which

were granted on the advice of the great powers

Count Bismarck and the king had constantly

who were

parties to the original treaty, in

shown for jDopular demands and parliamentary

representations.

order to preserve the peace of Europe; but

the estates, supported

The King
resist

of

Denmark

de-

by Prussia and the diet,

clared that he

would

aU revolutionary
foreign

continued to reject the proposals though they

included the demands which had formerly

movements
of

in Holstein.

The Danish

minister afterwards addressed the ministei-s

Prussia, Austria, Saxony,

been made.
concluded

It

was therefore not unnaturally

that the great powere
firm, united,

and Hanover,

by Denmark

pronouncing the decree of the federal diet for

giving efiect to procedure of execution in the
duchies to be devoid of binding force because
of the

would address a

and urgent

re-

monstrance to the diet and Prussia, and would support Denmark by protesting against any
federal execution being attempted.

exclusion of the plenipotentiary of

But the

Denmark from
proffered accepted.

the assembly.

He

also an-

very proposal of the constitution, in which the

concessions were included,

nounced that the mediation which had been

was resented as an

unauthorized assumption of power.

accession of

On

the

by the British government had been His representations were made on

King

Christian IX. Austria and

the 19th of December.

On

the 23d a detachtrooj^s entered

Prussia were for demanding the repeal of the

constitution of the kingdom, which included

ment

of

Saxon and Hanoverian

Holstein.

Schleswig, and proposed to the diet that the

Of course neither Prussia nor Austria could

hold back on an occasion
sary for

duchy should be occupied till the concession was made. They did not desire to proceed to
actual war, and the Prussian minister did not

when

it

was

neces-

them
in

to assert their importance as

chief states

the

German

Confederation.

recognize the claims of the

burg, while Austria

Duke

of

Augustento be not

Circumstances had imposed on them the condition that they should only be able to assert

was believed

unwilling to yield to "moral" intervention.

their rivalry
of

by becoming

allies.

On

the 16th

Bismarck and the Prussian sovereign were pro-

January, 1864, the

federal

commission

FEANCE, RUSSIA, AND ENGLAND DECLINE TO INTEEFERE.

having supressed the adniinistration of Holstein and established a ducal government at

163

Meza, the Danish commander, said he had

orders to defend.

Kiel, Austria

and Prussia demanded

of

Den-

The very day

before the opening of the

mark

that the constitution of November, 1863,

British parliament the Prussians

had bom-

should be suj^pressed within forty-eight hours.

barded and begun to burn Missunde; three

days afterward the Danes had retreated from
the Dannewerke, leaving behind
artillery
all

This was refused, and an Austro-Prussian

army under Marshal Wrangel,

stein

entered Hol-

the heavy

on the 21st. England had remonstrated.

which defended the

forts; in less

than

Earl Eussell
plainness.

week

the Austro-Prussian

had spoken with considerable

On

cupied North Schleswig.

quitted the
jilace,

army had ocThen the Danes

the 31st of December, 1863, he had addressed

declaring both duchies in a

a note to the federal diet demanding in the

interests of peace that a conference of the

state of blockade,

and before the end of the month (February, 1864) Denmark had first
opposed the proposal of Earl Eussell to leave
the settlement of the question of succession to

powers that signed the Treaty of London

should, in conjunction with a representative

from the German Confederation, meet in Paris

a conference of the powers concerned in the

London to settle the differences between Germany and Denmark, and that the status
or

former treaty.

It

was not unnatural that

from
to-

Denmark should
gether

hojie for material aid

quo should be maintained had concluded

as
its

till

the conference

England, or from England and France

;

work.

The "status quo,"

Austria and Prussia

but the English government declined

we have

seen,

had been changed before any-

to enter into a conflict alone, with the pro-

thing was done.

Even

if

bability of finding that their action

had prodis-

had been inclined to hold their hands after

the serioiTS representations of England, they

duced a war which would alter the relative

position of all the powers of Europe.

France,

were urged on by the smaller confederated

Eussia, and

by which Prussia had previously been accused of a want of a national spirit for
states,

joining to force the

feat the
tion.

Sweden show-ed no alacrity in hand of Prussia and deof the

demands

German Confedera-

hesitating to break the treaties which secured

Denmark was

obstinately deaf to the

the Danish monarchy.

It

was a juncture

advice that by yielding to certain claims wliich

when

the state that must take the lead in a

had been interpreted into engagements

to Ger-

possibly united

Germany
some

of the future

would
i^sk

many, ber own undoubted claims might be

have to
tlie

sacrifice

sci-uples,

and even

more

eff"ectually

supported.

Earl Eussell ar-

disfavour of the other powers of Europe.

gued that England was not bound to act alone

while there were other parties to the treaty, and
therefore the honour of

"Was the risk so very great?

speech at the opening of the

The queen's

l<]nglish jjarlia-

England was nut

in-

ment
late

in

1864 set forth that the death of the

into

volved because the Danes had formed expectations of our assistance while refusing toaccejit

King of Denmark brought

it

immediate

application the stipulation of the treaty of

advice.

At

all

events the

Emperor

of tiie

1852 which declared that

tlie

was conducive

to

French did not seem disposed to propose any

joint action with this country.

preservation of the balance of power and

He had

been

to the peace of Eurojie that the integrity of

]iiqued at the refusals to join in a general con-

the Danish monarchy should be maintained

gress of nations,

and he had himself received

but this speech was delivered four days after

Austria and Prussia had told
the Diet of
Frjinkfort that they should take the occupation of Sclileswig into their
ties to

no overtures from us when he was supposed

to

be willing to intervene on behalf of I'oland.

the other hand, Eussia

On

was shy

of

both

the treaty of

own hands as par1852 and had summoned

;

France and England. The Polish insurrection

had been put down

in fire, in carnage,

and

in

Denmark

to annul the constitution

by which

banishment; and the element of

persecution

religious
it
till

Schleswig was incoi'porated with the kingdom,

had been imjiorted into

and to surrender the ducliy whicli General de

the cruelties against the Eonian Catliolics of

164

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

opposed to war, and that the whole country
regarded the Mexican expedition as a disaster

Poland had actually aroused the remonstrances

of the pope,
in
it

whose voice had not been heard

cruelties of

denouncing the

tyranny while

from which France had scarcely escaped with

honour.

had the name

of

being merely secular.

its

In the course of a debate on supplecredits,

Russia, too, probably recognized

to Prussia in this matter,
to

obligations

mental

on the opening of the cham-

and though willing

to the representaof

ber in 1864,

add grave remonstrances

spoke of

M. Berryer and M. Emile Ollivier the necessity of disarming; M. Berry-

tions of other

powers against the breach

er denouncing the idea of France, oppressed

treaty obligations and the duty of abstaining

with financial difficulties, embarking needlessly

in

from demands which woiild imperil the peace

of Europe,

any European war.

was not by

at all likely to repay aid

M.

Ollivier,

a distinguished leader of the

:

against Poland

hostilities to preserve

Den-

opposition, said

" There are

two modes

of

mark.
It

always endangering influence with other na-

may have seemed good

to,

for

Denmark
at length

tions.
is

The one

is

to be too weak, the other

that the conference in

London was
to be

agreed

but

it is scai'cely

wondered at

that Prussia and Austria, flushed with success

The nation that is too weak is despised, and its opinion has no weight. The nation that is too strong is feared, and
to be too strong.

and perceiving
hostilities

little

probability of pi'ovoking

then those

who would

naturally be disunited,

by

refusal, obstinately declined to

by a
of

feeling of prudence apjjroach each other

fear.

accept the boundary line which

was suggested
from

and unite against those they from her being too strong.
is

The danger

as the reasonable division of the duchies

France in Europe at this moment comes

of Schleswig

Denmark, and demanded the cession, not only and Holstein, but of Lauenburg,

The consequence

that every time she treats, every time she

which had been an acknowledged part of the Danish monarchy. In fact no agreement was

acts,

whatever proposal she makes, people sup-

pose that she has personal objects in view,

come

to.

Denmark had

in effect accepted the

and they do not believe in her disinterestedness.

concessions proposed, but Prussia

and Austria,

Try to convince them

all

of the disinterdifficulties will

unwilling

now to recede, and supported in their

estedness of France, and

demands by the persistent and convenient agitation of Baron Beust, the envoy of the
diet

vanish; our influence will no

opposition, and, while
in the world,
real

more encounter

you increase our prestige

have found the only
finances.

(who had no claim

to be at the congress, in the treaty of

position.

you

will

since the diet

had no hand

remedy for our embarrassed

will

But
last

1852), refused to

abandon their

The

warn you, you

be coiademned to a

conference broke up on the 22d of June;

hostilities

sacrifice, for

neither economy, nor grace, nor"

suffice
if

were resumed next day, and Dento end a brave resistiince

disarming will
libe-*^^ to

you do not grant

mark, finding that no support could be obtained,

France."

was obliged
of

These words were vaguely suggestive of the

conditions that were soon to be experienced.

against

vastly superior

forces

by

retiring

from the island

further resistance.

Alsen and abandoning

Overtures for peace were

The war between Prussia and Austria, which

afterwards
arose

out of

the dispute with

made and

preliminaries signed.

On
;

the

first

Denmark and
Prussia,
representations.
it

the seizure of Schleswig by

of August a treaty was concluded and the two powers, triumphant with military successes, enforced the cession of Schleswig,
stein,

remained uninfluenced by French

In that tremendous
conflict

Holof a

was seen that Prussia, intent on internal

and Lauenburg, and the payment

development, and silently organizing resources

large proportion of the expenses of the war.

and consolidating her national strength, had

attained to a position previously unsuspected,

There can be no doubt that during the

period from 1864 to 1868 the opposition
bers of the

with a great and perfectly appointed army

mem-

and material of war, that gave her at once

the rank of a first-rate power in Europe.

chamber

in

France were utterly

GLADSTONE AND DISRAELI A SHARP ENCOUNTER.

There were iudicatious in France by that
time that the national expenditure was excessive,

165
not threaten

what
our
to

is

not our policy.

act,

We wUl

and then refuse to

allies

while the condition of the public finances

unsatisfactory.

we wiU not lead on with expectations we do not intend

And,
sir, if

was most

Added

to this there

fulfil.

it

ever be the lot of

were symptoms of

disatfection,

which, while

myself, and of those with

whom

act,

to

they did not reach to jiublic disturbances, kept

society in a state of

carry

on

important

negotiations

of

this

subdued excitement, and an extension

of political

country, as the noble lord and his colleagues

made the demand

freedom deep,
if

for

have done, I trust we shall not, at

least,
it

carry

not loud.
call

them on
that

in such a

manner

as that

will be

In England, parliament intervened to

our duty to come to parliament and announce

ministers to account for their conduct in the

we have no

ally,

and then to declare that

Sir, these are

Danish question.
session there

During the whole

this

of

the

England can never

lips of

act alone.

had been frequent interpellations

words that ought never to have escaped the

and fragmentary debates upon

Dano-

any British minister.

to

They

are senti-

Germau

struggle;

but in the beginning of

ments which ought never

heart.
I

have entered his

July a simultaneous attack was made in both

houses upon the policy of the government.

I repudiate them and reject them. remember that there was a time when
tithe of

In the House of Lords, a resolution against

the government,

England had not a

when, inspired

our resources,
cause,

moved by Lord Malmesbury,

by a

patriotic

she

was carried by a majority of nine; and in the House of Commons Mr. Disraeli proposed a
similar resolution
for
:

triumphantly encountered a world in arms.

" To

And,

sir,

I believe, now,

if

the occasion were

thank her majesty

fitting,

and our independence and our honour

assailed,
if

having directed the cori'esjiondence on

the protocol of

were attacked and were endangered, I

our empire

Denmark and Germany, and

be
laid

believe

that

England
might
But,

the Conference recently held in London, to

before

would
for
sir,

arise in the magnificence of her

parliament;

to assure

her
con-

and struggle triumphantly for those objects

which

majesty that

we have heard with deep

close

men live and

nations flourish.

cern that the sittings of the conference have

I for one will never consent to go to

war
it
is

been brought to a
ing
the

without accomplishfor

to extricate British ministers

from the conse-

important

jjurjaose

which

it

quences of their

own
I

indiscretion,

and

was convened; and

to express to her

ma-

in this spirit that I

have drawn up
have drawn

this adit

jesty our gi'eat regret that, while the course

dress to the crown.

up in

pursued by her majesty's government has

failed

the

spirit

in

which the royal speech was

to

maintain

tlieir

avowed

jjolicy

of

delivered at the
I

commencement of

this session.

upholding the integrity and independence of

am

ready to vindicate the honour of this

Denmark,

it

has lowered the just influence

of this country in the capitals of Europe,

and

thereby diminished the securities for peace."

As an amendment
resolution

to the last sentence of the substi-

when it is necessary, but I have drawn it up in the interests of peace." Mr. Gladstone at once replied: "This is the very first occasion that the Bi'itish House
country
of

Mr. Kinglake proposed to

tute the words:

"To express the satisfaction

learned that at this con-

Commons

has been called upon, for the

sake of displacing a government, to record the

with which

we have

degradation of

its

country.

Why

cannot

juncture her majesty has been advised to

abstain from armed interference in the war

the right honourable gentleman speak plainly

in his motion?

Why
with

does he not adopt the

now going on between Denmark and German powers." "It is not for us," Mr. Disraeli, "it is not for any man in
house, to
indicate
to

the
said
tliis

language of our forefathers, who, wheii they

were

dissatisfied

;,iio

government, adtliat
I

tlressed the

crown, anil prayed

the govsaid

the

ministers

wluit

ernment might be dismissed

was

They

should be the foreign policy of the country.

boldly that the conduct of the government

o]ien to

The most we can

elo is

to tell the

noble lord

such and such charges, and they

166

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

men might be put
iu their

prayed that other

places.

by family (Mr. Gibson).

in amber,

He
is

is

like

some

fly

But the

right honourable gentleman

wiis afraid to raise that issue.

He has, indeed,
the proper conof

plucked up courage to propose this motion;

how the devil he got there. The honourable member for Rochdale (Mr. Cobden) and the honourable member
and the wonder
for

but

why has he

not done

it in

Birmingham must have been

'young

disappointed,

stitutional

form iu which votes of want

I think, in this

confidence have hitherto been

before, as far as I

drawn

Never

man from the counti-y.' When he married into the family we expecthonourable gentleman has become in-

know, has party

spirit led

ed some liberal measui'es from him; but the

right
solent

gentlemen in

tliis

country to frame a motion

which places on record that which must be

regarded as dishonourable to the nation.
I

and almost quai'relsome under the

"Well,

guidance of the noble lord.

what are

go back to the time of Sir R. Walpole, of

we

to expect?

"We know by the traditions of

not like shipwrecked

Lord North and Mr. Fox, but nowhere do we

find such a sterile resolution.
legible

the great "Whig party that they will cling to

and jejune

afiair as this

the vessel,

if

sailors, at
fish

Those charges were written in

least like those testaceous

marine

which
Should

and plain terms; but the right honour-

adhere to the bottom, thereby clogging the

engines and impeding the progress.
this parliament decide

able gentleman substitutes language which

might, indeed, be sufiicient for the purpose of

on terminating

its

own

rendering

it

impossible for the government to

office,
it.s

and

their existence, they will find consolation

continue in

but which cannot transfix

sting first passing thi-ough

that the funeral oration will be jDronounced

them without

by the honourable member

friendly

for

North "War-

the honom' of England.

For the reasons I

wickshire (Mr. Newdegate), and that some

have stated, I look forward with cheerfulness

to the issue
to

hand

will inscribe

on the mausoleum

which has been raised with regard Nay, more, I

feel the

'Rest and be thankful.'"

our conduct.

most

The ministry an-anged

to accept a division

confident anticipation that both the house

on Mr. Kinglake's amendment. After a discussion lasting overthree nights, the

and the country

taken in this

will approve of the coui-se

numberswere

difficult

negotiation

by her

found to be:
for the

For Mr. Disraeli's motion, 295;

313.

majesty's government,
reject

and

that

they will

amendment,

The debate aroused

equal,

a motion which both prudence and

much

public interest, because the strength of

patriotism must alike emphatically condemn."

parties

was pretty nearly

and on the

In the course of a subsequent debate great

result of the vote

depended the continuance or

amusement was caused by Mr. Bernal Osborne's peculiar sallies against the govern-

retirement of Lord Palmerston's administration.

Each afternoon,

as

Lord Pahnei'ston

ment.
of

The cabinet he described " There ai-e some curiosities.

alive
is

as a

museum
stuffed.

Avent

down to the house, he was cheered by the

birds of rare

crowd assembled in Palace Yard.

on the
last night.

He

spoke

and noble plumage, both

But,
sir,

and

As

the successful winding-

unfortunately there

a difficulty in
it

up

of a great party debate, involving the fall

keeping up the breed, and

necessary to cross
I will
it

was found

of a ministry, his speech

on

this occasion

was

with the famous Peehtes.

justice to say that they

his last ti'iumph,

and showed that though he

do them the
gi'eat

spoke at tbe end of a night of long and weary

sitting his old vigour

have a very

and able minister amongst

and

and cimning

of fence

them
it is

in the chancellor of the exchequer,

to his measures alone that they

had not deserted him.

difficult tjisk.

He

had, in truth, a

owe the

There had been a conspicuous

could be no doubt.

little

popularity and the

little

support they
it

failure;

of that there

get from this Liberal party.

said

But

cannot be

Allies, colleagues, and

ciicumstanceshad proved

by

their enemies or friends that they

prolific in

adverse; yet the excuses for failure could not

have been
been in
friend

measures since they have

there
is

be laid on any of them.

So, with the excep-

office.

Then

my right

hon.

tion of a dexterous aUusion to the

words of

who

is

not connected with the "Whigs

the resolution as " a gi-atuitous iibel upon the

PALMEESTON AT EIGHTY YEARS

country by a great ])arty
it,"

OLD.
into

167
his

who hoped

to rule

were to take
in England
raised, nor
resist

it

head to deprive
nor a voice

he did not detain the house for long on the points immediately at issue, but, dropping
the Danish matter altogether, went straight
into a history of the financial triumj^hs of his

Prussia of her Ehenish provinces, not a finger

would be
a

stirred,

man

nor a shilling voted to

the Prussian
shall

such retribution upon

government.

What

has this to do with the

monarch; and when France and Italy

be prepared
to

question? asked impatiently the Tories.

it

But
it

deliver Venetia

from the

had

all to

do with the party question, for

Austrian yoke, the joy with which the success of

decided the votes of doubting

little

men who, caring

Anyhow,
it

such an undertaking will be hailed

about Schleswig-Holstein, cared a great

throughout England will be doubled by the

recollection of Holstein,

deal about English finance.

com-

Lauenburg, Sleswig,

manded

success, for

the government got a

and Jutland."
That autumn
eighty years old.

majority of eighteen, and this renewed their

lease of power.

Lord Palmerston became

He was

endowed, as one

of

To the King
1864) : " I have

of the Belgians

Lord Palmer-

his biographers tells us,^

stitution,

with an excellent conin

ston shortly afterwards wrote (August 28,

and had been very temperate both

di'inking;

eating and

but he maintained his

to a great

many

apologies to

make

to your

freshness, both of

mind and body,

will.

majesty for not having sooner thanked you

for

degree by the exercise of his

He

never

your

letter of the 15th June.

We were

gave anything

vip

on the score of
to that as

age.

At

at that time in the midst of an engrossing

session of parliament,

anyrate, he never

owned

a reason.

and the unequal contest

still

He

used to go out partridge-shooting long

eyesight was too

between Denmark and Germany was

decided, thougb with
little

un-

after his

dim

to

take a

hope that right

correct aim,

and he

pex'severed

in his other
this

The Danish government, both under the late and under the
could prevail over might. present king, undoubtedly committed

outdoor pursuits.

Twice during

year,

starting at nine o'clock

till

and not getting back

many
affairs,

two, he rode over from Broadlands to the

mistakes, both of commission and omission,

training stables at Littleton, to see his horses

and they showed throughout these

from beginning
to end, that

take a gallop on Winchester race-course. rode

He
and

inaptitude to

down

in

June

to

Harrow

speeches,

deal with great concerns which might, perhaps, have been expected from a nation shut

timed himself to trot the distance from Piccadilly to

the

head -master's
hour-,

door,

nearly

up

in a remote corner of Europe,

and not
poli-

twelve miles, within the

plished
it.

and accom-

mixed up or practised with the general

tics of

On

his

eightieth

birth-day, in

the world.
of

It was, however,

an un-

October, he started at half-past eight from

worthy abuse
sia

power by Austria and Prustheir superior en-

Broadlands, taking his horses by train to

to take advantage of

Fareham, was met by engineer

his

officers,

and

lightenment and strength to crush an antagonist utterly incapable of successful resistance; and the events of this Danish

rode along the Portsdown and Hilsea lines of

forts,

getting olf

horse and inspecting

war do
which
wish

some

of them, crossing over to Anglesey forts

not form a page in

German

history

any honourable or generous German hereafter

will look

and Gosport, and not reaching home till six an instance of such combined in the evening

back upon without a blush.

energy both of mind and body as cannot in

the nature of things be very
score.

that France and Eussia had consented to join

common

at four-

with us in giving a ditfereut direction to

those affairs; and I

am

convinced that words

from three such powers would have been

sufficient

The government was not likely to be condemned by the nation for having refused to
embroil
itself

without a recourse to blows.

is

One

in

a foreign war.

English

consequence
if

clear

and

certain, namely, that

'

our good friend and neiglibour at Paris

Tlic

Hon. Evelyn Ashley.

168

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

land would have been as competent to undertake the work as Lord Westbury,
scai'cely less

sympathy with the Danes was genuine, and

took the form of contributions to a fund for
the wounded, and of meetings at which

who was
power
of

much
smaU

famous

for his

keen judgment
for the
invective, of ten

indignation was expressed against the bullies

of

and wide attainments than

incisive sai'casm

Europe who joined

in oppressing a
its

and stinging

nation unable to maintain

rights in the

delivered in tones so smooth that they for a

unequal

conflict.

moment

covered the barb which afterwards

rankled aU the more for the momentary con-

affected

Though the war in America had seriously more than one branch of industry, and
still

cealment.

Another proposition, to commence

a similar consoUdatiou of the

common law by

there was

great distress in various parts

examining and briefing the enormous mass of

judicial

of the country, the comparative repose

from

decisions

contained in the records

II.,

any great military or naval operations had

left

from the time of Edward

something
like

extending to
volumes,

a good national balance-sheet to be pre-

twelve

hundred

sented to parliament.

ojiened an almost appalling prospect, and, of

The
true,

sessions of 1863

and 1864 had

not, it is

course, could only

be dealt with by consider-

been marked by striking examples of

but there were some attempts and

ing aiTangements for emjaloying a large

num-

legislation,

ber of sjaeciaUy qualified persons to compare,

revise,

also

some achievements which indicated a

and poUtical
progi'ess.

and

finally

reduce the tedious and

distiuct line of social

often contradictory reports to a series of consistent

A troublesome conflict had for some time been

cai'ried

accounts.

The plan had been

con-

on against the rebellious and

chiefs in

hostile

sidered,

and doubtless, unless the lawyers in

an attempt at simplification, the
it

Maori
finally

New

Zealand, but this was

parliament had succeeded in their opposition

to such
lord-

concluded in 1864, and the course of

legislation

was only interrupted by rumoui-s

of jjrobable

chanceUor would have urged

until he cai-ried the

in later sessions
eff"ect;

and anticipations
question.

entanglements

scheme into

but

with the Polish or the DanLsh or some other

before that time arrived he had given occasion

to his political

and

official

enemies

(of

whom

he had many, and perhaps a few personal

It
is

well at this stage of our inquiries to

ones
ofiice

also),

and had retired

fx'om the high

note that

among the

proposals brought before

which he had

so ably sustained

and yet

parliament, but failing to achieve any im-

in

which he had done nothing that became

better than his leaving of
it.

mediate legislative

result,

were some chat

him

But

this

had a very

definite relation to the rajjid ad-

subject
aspect.

we

shall presently glance at in another

vances which were shortly to foUow, and to

the position which
to occujjy at the
ISIr.

Among

other topics of agitation in

Gladstone was soon

relation to changes in the law, that of the

head

of the Liberal party.

aboUtion of capital punishment had for some

The measure brought forward by Lord Westbury, the lord-chanceUor, to consolidate the
statute

time been made prominent by

its

advocates,

and though the government was not prepared

to bring in a

law

of the
all

kingdom was one imporand entailed a vast

measure that would put an end

tant alike to

parties

to sentences of death, the necessity for

some

amount of labour, so that it had to be divided and made the subject of sepai'ate proposals
for succeeding sessions in

inquiry into the subject was obvious enough.

A commission was appointed in 1864 composed

of

which the laws

of

men who had

devoted attention to the

all

successive historical periods were to be dealt with.

question,

and though they did not

hold the

The laws

as they stood were contained

same opinions on other

points, they mostly

in forty-four thick folio

volumes of acts of
to be care-

agreed that some change was required in providing for greater distinctions between the

parliament,
fully

aJl of

which required

and

critically

examined, digested, and

crime of manslaughter and that of murder in

order to prevent juries from acquitting per-

summarized.

Probably not six

men

in

Eng-

EDUCATION MiJ. LOWE LOED KOBERT

sons accused of the capital offence rather than

CECIL.

169

1862 introduced into the House of Lords by

Earl Granville and into the Conunous by Mr.

that they should be sentenced to death

when
too

there were circumstances which, pleaded in

Lowe.

The

original code gave aid

to

by way
efi'orts

of

extenuation,
severe.

made such

a punishment

government grants
the population.

voluntary

to

Some alterations designed to meet the

of justice

educate the children of the labouring part of

demands

were introduced, and in

The grants were

capitation

reference to that part of the inquiry dealing

grants, grants to certificated teachers

pupil- teachers.

and

to

with the method of inflicting capital punish-

Many

schools

were supported

ment,

it

was

dfecided that executions of crim-

by the united aid

of chai'itable subscriptions,

inals should take place within thy walls of the

the school-pence paid by the children, and the

prison,

and

in the presence of a small

number
and deThis

government grants; but

it

was found that the

of witnesses, so that the

hoirible

schools which received the largest

amount

in

moralizing scenes which were presented at

public executions might be avoided.
latter

grants were by no means the most

efficient,

and
aid

it

was proposed

to

make

the government

recommendation was adopted and bein 1868.

by

capitation grants only,

some

of

them

to

came law

depend on examinations, and others on the

reports of inspectors.

There were of course

The claims

of education

were not altogether

neglected amidst other

session of 1864.

demands during the

There had been a commission

of inquiry into the condition of public schools,

way of those who had the administration of the code, and, as Mr. Lowe was vice-president of the council of education, it fell to him to place the various
considerable difficulties in the
religious bodies of the country

and

in 1864 the report

was presented.

Eton,

under equal

Winchester, Westminster, St. Paul's, Merchant

Taylors',

advantages as regarded the distribution of

grants.

Shrewsbury, Harrow, and Kugby

In 1864 this

difficulty

was increased

schools

had been under examination, and the

conclusion

come

to

by the commissioners was,

by the hostility of the opposition in parliament, and by the continued jealousies of those
outside

that while the course of study pursued in these

institutions

who were

advocates of the voluntary

was sound and valuable in its main

system, or the support of schools without any

element,
bility

it

was wanting
impaired

in breadth

and

flexi-

government grant whatever, as the only way

of avoiding the support of the authority of

defects which in many cases destroyed,

all cases
its

and in
a

value as an edu-

the state to teach religion in schools.

Mr.

cation of the mind.

difl'erent degree,

These

schools,

though

in

Lowe was

not likely to be charged with want

were too indulgent

to idle-

of vigour in administering his office, nor could

ness, or at least struggled ineftectually against

it,

he justly be charged with want of

efficiency.

and consequently they sent out a

large

Some

of those

who were

associated with

him

proportion of

men

of idle habits

and empty

thought him rather too vigorous, nor was he

uncultivated minds.

The commission, howand moral

remarkable for tliat am-iability of temper which

could brook contradiction.

ever, highly praised the discipline

His speeches were

training afforded in these establishments.

The

often exhaustive, displayed thorough

know-

report called direct attention to the alleged

defects in education,

ledge of the subject under discussion, and wei-e

and

this led to

many imwere
being

not unfx-equently rather cantankerous.

He

provements being made both in those which,

like

was the very man

code under
its

to cai'ry out, witli effect, the

Merchant Taylors' and

St. Paul's,

provisions of such a measure as the revised

under the direction of a corporate body, and

to the institutions

which were capable

of

of the Conservative party

new aspect, and those membei-s who were opposed

him accordingly.
Cecil, mIiosc
ita

directly controlled

by the government through

to those provisions disliked

the action of the revised code of education,

Among them was Lord

Robert

which, however, was long in passing through

parliament, in consequence of the nlterntinns

abusive style of criticism too often found

readiest expression in accusations, preferred

in tlie

made

in the orisjiual

measure which was

in

most acrid terms with which constitu-

170
tional ill-humour

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOKAEIES.

and some reading supplied
Cecil was, so to speak,
insulting,

was not the

result of

knowledge or

him.

Lord Robert

an

of reasonable inquiry.

There were compara-

anachronism.

With

the temper (which,

it

had

tively

few members in the house, for many

more than once been

from his
ancestoi-,

declared, he inherited

on the ministerial side had gone out thinking

there would be a couple of hours' debate before

the famous treasurer of

Queen
it it

Elizabeth),
if

and a manner of exhibiting

a division ; but the opposition pushed for an

early decision,

which,

he had lived in the times to which

and the motion was carried by

result which, as

was more appropriate, would have rendered

liable to a

lUl to 93

Mr. Disraeli

him

"countercheck quarrelsome"

afterwards said, showed that Mr.

Lowe had
in-

not in vogue in the present age, he had entered

political life

not been supported by his government as he

should have been.
It

with qualifications that the exijiterest

was with natural

treme Conservatives regarded with

dignation that, a few days afterwards, he an-

and with some expectations.

covered, however, that he

It

was soon

dis-

nounced that he regarded the vote as a direct

charge against him of want of veracity, and
that he had resigned his
office.

was

of too intract-

able a disposition to submit to the discipline

He

had by

which

is

essential to one

who

aspires to lead.

that time learned that the so-called "muti-

Afterwards,
tige

when he had by a

certain pres-

lated" reports

shown

to

members were some

and by his personal

abilities attained dis-

reports, attached to

which were certain marks

tinction, it

was painfully obvious that his reckand angry but deliberately

made by a

clerk entirely without his (Mr.

less declarations

Lowe's) knowledge.

Lord Robert

Cecil there-

offensive expressions

were more likely to be

upon observed, that

"if this explanation

had

mischievous to his avowed comrades than to

those

been given on the night when the vote was

taken the result would have been different." It
is

whom

he intended to injure.

It

may

have been that

his peculiarly uncontrollable his friends,

fiery

not pleasant to dwell upon the tone of mind

to say this

temper was the more alarming to

because
one.
it

and temper which could lead a man

was a smouldering and not a

is

without any expression of regret that an accusation so injurious, and preferred ajjparently

"

Lord Robert's acrid temper

not ex-

plosive,"

wrote an observer on the occasion

referring to; "there are no erup-

with such inveterate animosity, should have

rested only at most on a surmise

we

are

now

which a few
anyrate Mr.

tions;

it is, if

we may

so say, a sort of chronic

words would have refuted.

At

low fever."
It

Lowe abandoned
to say that this

his office,

which was worth

of inquiry,

would only be charitable

2000 a

year,

and a committee

fever

was

rose to

when Lord Robert Cecil bring against Mr. Lowe a charge so

at a height
it

the ajipointment of which he demanded, so

entirely exonerated

him that the

resolution
It

serious that

could only have been justified

voted by

tlie

house was rescinded.

was

by

investigations which could not fail to estab-

not quite unnatural that the

man who had

lish

some foundation

for

it.

It

was " That

:

in

been thus

left

unsupported by his colleagues

the opinion of this house the mutilation (mutilation

should retire with some bitter feelings, nor

that he should afterwards, on some important
occasions,

was the acrid word)

of the reports of

her majesty's inspectors of schools, and the

exclusion from them of statements and opinions

be found independently opposing

the government which had neglected him.

adverse to the educational views entertained by

the committee of council, while matters faIt

may be seen

that the events, and the dis-

vourable to them are admitted, are violations

of the understanding

position of forces, so to speak,

place during the period
distinctly indicated that

which took
view,

under which the appointoriginally sanctioned

now under our

ment
the

of inspectors

was

some striking changes

exi^ected. It

by parliament, and tend

which was made

entirely to destroy

and rapid advances must be soon

is

value of their reports."

in a tone

This charge,

for this reason that

to

more space than might

and manner that

seem properly

belong to them has been de-

gave sinister emphasis to words in themselves

voted to a narrative of occurrences which at this

-teNS

GEORGE DOUGLAS GLASSELL- CAM PBELL

EIGHTH DUliE OFARGYLE
FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BY THE LONDON PH
:

BLACKIE. & SOU. TONDOIt G1J4SG0W.

& EDIHBrRGH

COMING EVENTS G LADSTONE ADVANCES.

time were immediately suggestive,
if

171
is

not of

the present state of the law, and

in the na-

those "leai^s and bounds" by which in some

respects progress

ture of a grievance."

was afterward achieved,

at
If a season of ju'osperity

least of extensions in

what many cautious poli-

and comparative

ticians regarded as doubtful and dangerous

tranquillity

is

favourable to the promotion of

directions.

those measures which are mostly associated

hinted, there were pro-

As we have already
the

with

social

and

political progress, the years

bably no more significant manifestations of

1864 and 1865 were remarkable as otfering

peculiar opportunities for the introduction of

"new

departure," as

it

would now be

called,

than the attitude of Mr. Gladstone in

reforms, which, however, were not realized for

relation to three measui'es

which had been

some time afterwards when the conditions

were
tical

proposed, but had not been adopted by parlia-

less assuring.

It

would seem that

poli-

ment.

advances, at anyrate, are not to be decided

is

One

of these

Morton Peto
Dissenters'

was the introduction by Sir what was known as "The Burial Bill," which was intended
of

without the impetus which

public agitation, and

derived from
agitation
is

popular

scarcely to be incited except

is

by the goad that

to enable Nonconformists to observe their

own
in

furnished by sufFei'ing or by indignation.

ceremonies and
nerals of

religious services at the fuof their

In 1864 and the following year attemjjts to

introduce measures of reform in the representation of the country in parliament
successful.

members

own communion
it.

the "consecrated" graveyards of the Church

of England.

were not

Mr. Disraeli was against

Lord
it,

It

was known that there must was

thouglit

Eobert Cecil was in the front to oppose

so

and

soon be a dissolution of parliament, and neither

inside nor outside the house
it

was Mr. Gathorue Hardy, who was

to

after-

wards
ford

be the chosen representative of Ox-

probable that

the Palmerston

government

when Mr. Gladstone had gone beyond

Did Mr. Gladstone, when he
rose to

the political ring-fence of the venerable university.

would be defeated before that event. The Palmerston ministry would in all likelihood
carry on the

work

till

1865 was provided

i)eople

foi-,

supjjort that bill, foresee the probability of his

and then

well,

perhaps some
of

said

being deserted by the constituency to represent

"then the deluge,"

1866, was to be
rage,

course without fore-

whom

had been

his

high ambition and

little

seeing that in some sort the following }car,

his just pride?

There can be

doubt that

marked by

turmoil,

loss,

out-

he did.

He

could not, however, oppose the

and such general disturbance

of the

com-

second reading of the 23roposed measure.

jjarts of it

Some

mercial and social fabric, as

may

stand for
is

were open to objection, " but," said

is sufficient

deluge
ployed.

when
But

the language of metaphor

in the

em-

he, " I

do not see that there

reason,

opening of the sessions of

or indeed

any reason at

all,

why,

after

having

1864 and 1865 the most interesting subjects

for

granted, and most properly granted, to the

entire

consideration

were

still

the

financial

community the power

what form

of professing

and

schemes and statements of the chancellor of

the exchequer.
ferred to

practising

of religion they please

Palmerston himself had

at the critical

re-

during

life,

you should say to themselves or

them
its

moment when

their relatives

when dead, 'We

will at the last

he sought to shelter the ministry from hostile

attacks on
foreign policy, and the country

lay our hands

upon you, and not permit you

to enjoy the privilege of being buried in the

looked forward to them with genuine interest

as expositions of its commercial stability
indications of future prosperity.

churchyard, where, perhaps, the ashes of your

ancestors repose, or at any rate in the place oi

and

And

tliere

which you are parishioners, unless you appear

there as

and as
to

members of the Church of England, members of that church have her seryour remains.'

vice read over

That appears

was reason for taking this view of the statements made by a financier who, even under adverse circumstances, had on former occasions brought assurance to the public mind, and
had now to point
to increasing benefits derived

me

an inconsistency and an anomaly in

172

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

j^olicy of

from a

which he had been one

of the

exports had been 195,000,000

the

exports

strongest supporters.

The budget
inaugm-ated

of

1864

and imports together represented a gross sum

of

showed that
free-trade

" the effect of

twenty years of

444,905,000,

and

it

was shown that

legislation,

by

Sir
his

the increase in various years corresponded

Robert Peel in 1842, and carried on by

successors in
office,

with the adoption of measures for the promotion of free-trade.

had been such

that, con-

Our

total imports

from

currently with the repeal of a long catalogue

of duties

France had more than doubled since 1859,

while our exports thither had risen from about
9,000,000 to about 22,000,000. It was well
to hear that this

and imposts which had previously

manufacturei's,

fettered

and excluded most

valuable foreign products, the finances of the

was the

financial condition

country presented an aspect of abundance and

stability almost

of the country during the

time that one of our

without precedent in our

his-

great industries was feeling the pinch of the

tory,
offer

which no foreign country could a comparison. In point of wealth and

and
to

American war, and the estimates were

69,460,000,

all re-

assuring; the total calculated revenue was

national credit, indeed, England stood almost

and

the

total

expenditure
of 2,570,000.

alone at this time amongst the nations of the

66,890,000 yielding a surplus

for various

world."

A sum of 10,000, however, would be required

minor changes and modifications;
would be

In the two previous years we had been

suffering

from a

deficient harvest,

and much
in

and the

surjilus left to dispose of

distress prevailed both in Ireland

cashire.

and

Lan-

2,560,000.

With
oft'

this

Mr. Gladstone pro-

Thei-e

had been considerable imthe figures

posed to take

a penny a pound from the

provement, but not enough to make the outlook

entirely
to

income-tax, the existence of which as a per-

favourable.

Still

manent duty he believed was

economy.

inconsistent

which had

be submitted were encouraging.

of

with the achievement of a judicious public

The revenue
from
this

the year was ^'70,003,561,

neai-ly ^3,000,000;

With the remaining

surplus the

showing a surplus of

but

duty on

fire

insurance would be reduced from

was

to be taken the expenditure

on

thx'ee shillings to

one and sixpence so far as

It

fortifications, viz.

^800,000.
it

Deducting

this

stock in trade

was concerned.
to remit so

was

after-

from the surplus,

figure.

still

stood at a large

wards agreed on malt as

much

of the duty

The

real diminution of taxes in the

liad hitherto
cattle.

been levied ujjon malt

three last yeare had been i'6,638,000.

The

used as food for

revenue had deci-eased by only Jl,760,000, so

that, taking reduction of taxation into con-

In the same year Mr. Gladstone succeeded

in introducing a measure

which was well

and has since

sideration, it

had actually increased,

in

round

worthy
prudent

of his financial ability,

numbers, by 5,000,000.

The revenue had

still

been of immense benefit to that thrifty and

class

grown

since the year

1859 at the rate of

over the rate
to the

among

the population, which

to

1,200,000, and since 1853

of a million per

quickly leai-ns
facilities

annum.

With regard

liquidation of debt, a million of exchequer

vision

profit by any real them for making some profor the future. The scheme for enabling

how

afforded

bonds had been paid

off,

and other liquidations

persons to purchase small annuities through

the post-office savings-banks, and also to take

of the capital of the debt

had been

effected,

which amounted

to

upwards

of three millions.

out poUcies of

life

assurance with the govern-

Eor terminable annuities in liquidation

debt 1,400,000 had been paid.

of

ment, aroused remarkable opposition,especially

The

decrease

among

the friendly societies and those

who

in the national debt since 1855

had been

supported their claims.

it ofi'ered

As

a matter of fact

69,000,000.

Imports and exports had so

to the poor the

advantage of a safe
life

enormously increased that they were about

three times the amount which they had reached
in 1842,

investment, though the rates for

insurance
of

were not such as to compete with those

when the

great financial reform of

many

of the insurance companies.

Sir Robert Peel

had commenced.

The

total

passed amidst the apj^roval of

The bill a large number

FINANCIAL AFFAIES.
of those for

173

whom

its

benefits were intended,

of the

not only for some minor changes, but for the

and the continued success

scheme was

two important reductions

the income-tax.

afterwards shown by the steadily increasing

applications for life-policies
of small deferred annuities for

of the tea duty and The former was reduced to six-

the assurance

of

and the purchase by people who, but government security,

effort to obtain

pence in the pound, which would reduce the

price to the

consumer by 20 per

cent, a loss to

the revenue of about 2,375,000, so

much

of
in-

might never have made an

these advantages.

which would be recouped by the probable

crease of consumption that the falling off of

of the country

The commercial prosperity

cellor of the
still

revenue from that source would be computed

at 1,808,000.

continued to be so satisfactory that the chan-

exchequer was able to make a

The income-tax was already

point
it

at the lowest
it

more

satisfactory statement

when
of

intro-

had ever reached, but

it

was pro-

ducing the budget in 18G5, the

jDarliament,

last

year of that
general

posed to reduce
in the

from sixpence

to fourpence

and therefore a time

pound.

This would reduce the tax to

its final

excitement in view of the coming elections.

5,200,000, and

adjustment, Mr. Glad-

When

that parliament

first

met

(as

Mr. Glad-

stone observed, might be dealt with by the

stone said in his introductory remarks upon the

financial condition of the country)

new
the

jmrliament, but

if it

was thought
which

desir-

engaged in a costly

we had been and difficult war with

able to retain the income-tax, fourpence in

pound was the

rate at

it

might well

China

the harvest of the succeeding year was

known
for half a

be kept in time of peace.

tea

The reductions on

the worst that had been

and income-tax represented 3,518,000,

left

century

the recent exjoerience of war had led

and somewhat uncertain
of the
;

which

a margin for the reduction of the

insurance to one and sixpence,

to costly, extensive,

duty on

fire

reconstructions tinent and the

and the condition

Con-

while the shilling duty on policies would be

re^Dlaced

manner in which the Italian war had terminated had occasioned vague
but serious alarms in the public mind, which

for the receipt.

by a penny stamp, and a penny stamp The total reduction of taxa-

tion

would be 5,420,000.

was now

tranquil and reassured.

The

finan-

These statements were regarded with general

satisfaction throughout the country, especially

cial history of

the parliament had been a re-

markable one. It had raised a larger revenue

than at any period, whether of peace or war,

as the expenditure

on the army and navy had

;

been sensibly diminished

passed with very

nor was any serious

was ever

raised

by taxation.

After taking

opposition off"ered by the house, so that the

bill
little

into account the changes in the value of

money

delay.

It

was a

within an equal time, the expenditure of the

fitting conclusion to a series of brilliant financial

parliament had been upon a scale that had

measures by a minister

who was

soon to

never before been reached in time of peace.

occupy a more pi'omincnt

to the views with

jiosition in

regard

The amount and

variety of the changes intro-

which "advanced Liberals"

Bill proposed

duced into our financial legislation had been

greater than within a like

had become

identified.

number of years

at

The County Franchise

Locke King

by l\Tr.

any former time. The assembly also enjoyed the

distinction that, although no parliament ever

in April, 1864,

was thrown out on

the second reading, having been opposed by

completed the

full

term

of its legal existence,

yet this was the seventh time on which that

Lord Palmerston, who lesisted what he called organic changes, for which he declared there
did not exist the same anxiety that had been

house had been called upon to

make

provision

for the financial exigencies of the country.

observable some time before. Organic changes,

The expenditure
ably
less

for the financial year

was

he

said,

were introdiiced more as a means

whole of our commercial
legisla-

estimated at (!(>, 139,000, which was consider-

than as an end, the end being great improve-

than that of the previous year; while

ments
tion.

in the

the estimated revenue was 70,170,000, thus

All such changes as were desirable had

re-

leaving a surplus of 4,03 1 ,000.

This provided

been eflected as the result of our organic

174
forms, and
there

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

was therefore much
less

daily labour on

which he
it is

is

strictly

dependent
turned

desire for further innovations.

The events

for his daily bread,

only because then, in

is

which were taking place

stitutional sj'stems,

in other countries,

railway language, the danger signal

on,

being to a great extent the result of their con-

and because he

feels

a strong necessity for

had made the people

anxious for change.

of

action,

and a distrust

of the rulers
.

this country

much

less

driven

him

to that necessity.

who have The present

that,

the stage

Lord Palmerston had undoubtedly reached when " rest and be thankful," though
the motto most

state of things, I rejoice to say, does not indi-

cate that distrust; but

if

we admit

we
on

not quite in the sense that Mr. Bernal Os-

must not

allege the absence of agitation

borne afterwards used

likely to be adopted;

it,

is

the part of the working -classes as a reason

but his opinions on the

why the parKament of England and the

mind
of

public
to en-

subject of further measures of reform were

England should be indisposed

not shared by some of his colleagues

certainly
afterbill

tertain the discussion of this question."

Mr.

not by Mr. Gladstone.

About a month

Gladstone denied that there was any essential

reason for drawing a

wards

this

was made conspicuously evident

for

marked
and a

distinction beselect portion of

during the debate on Mr. Baines's

lowering the fi-anchise in boroughs.
like the proposal of

tween the middle

class

This,
freit

the working-classes, so far as related to the

exercise of the franchise.

Mr. Locke King, had

He

advocated the

quently been before the house, and though

extension of the franchise on the gi^ound that

it

had not been accepted, there was a general

feeling that
to
it

would tend

to

advance that unity of

classes

indicated reform in a direction

which was now in progress throughout the

country.

which attention must soon be turned. That

but few members of

Mr. Gladstone should already be looking that

This speech caused a flutter among halfhearted Liberals, and

it

way was not

surj^rising,

was

felt

that such a
ajD-

the house had expected that he would give so

decided expression of opinion denoted

decided a support to the proposed measure, or

that he would so unmistakably express his
dissent

proaching changes, in spite of Lord Palmerston's declarations.

The

efi'ect

on the country
electors at

from the propositions

laid

down by

was considerable, while among the

Lord Palmerston.

He was

of opinion that

Oxford a large number began to regard such

utterances with a degree of distrust, which

there should be a considerable addition to the

numbers
"

of the working-classes

who were

in

was deepened when

their representative,

in

the following year

of

possession of the franchise.

instead

denouncing

We are told,"

he

said, " that the

working-

classes don't agitate;

but

is it

desirable that
?

any interference with the Established Episcopal Church in Ireland, seemed to admit that
the time would arrive
of the

we should wait
any
to
jjolitical

until they do agitate

In

my

when some

interposition

opinion agitation by the working-classes upon

subject whatever
for,
is

government would be necessary.

a thing not
a condition

Tlie country at large did not, perhaps, attach

be waited

not to be

made

previous to any paiiiamentary movement, but,

much immediate importance to the remarks made by the chancellor of the exchequer in
the debate which arose at the end of March,
1865, on

on the contrary,
possible,

is

to be deprecated, and,

if

prevented by wise and provident

Mr. Dillwyn's motion; but the

elec-

by the workingclasses is not like an agitation by the classes above them having leism-e. The agitation of
measures.
agitation

An

tors of the university regarded these utter-

ances with gi'ave suspicion.

Mr. Dillwj-n had proposed "that the present

position of the Irish
unsatisfactory,

the

cla-sses

having leisure

is

easily conducted.

Church establishment

is

Every hour

of their time has not a

money

and

calls for

the early attention

value; their wives

and children are not de-

of her majesty's government."

The motion

pendent on the application of those hours of

labour.

was opposed by Sir George Grey, who declared

that the government was not prepared to bring

When

a working

man

finds himself

in such a condition that he

must abandon that

forward a measure calculated to pi'oduce the

THE IRISH CHUECH.

result that

175

Mr. Dillwyn

desired, namely, the

cline to follow the honoui'able

gentleman into
is

entire abolition of

the Irish
also

establishment.

the lobby, and declare that

it

the duty of

Mr. Gathorne

Hardy

spoke

strongly

the government to give their early attention

to the subject; because
if we gave a vote we should be committing one

against the proposition.

When

Mr. Gladstone
of the

to
of

rose he at once entered frankly into the question,

that

efi"ect

and admitted that the position

the gravest offences of which a government could be guilty

church in Ireland was unsatisfactory.

"

namely, giving
of our

a deliberate

There
if

is

not the slightest doubt," he said,

is

and solemn promise

mise
it

to the country,

which proto fulfil."

" that

the Church of England

if

a national

would be out

power

church, and that

the ecclesiastical

the conditions upon which

Mr. Whiteside, who had been the Conservative attorney-general for Ireland, violently

endowments are held were

was
the view that these endowto a

altered at the Eeformation, that alteration

opposed Mr. Gladstone's opinions, and the

debate was adjourned not to be renewed in
that parliament.

made mainly with

ments should be intrusted

body minister-

Mr. Gladstone, some time

ing to the wants of a great majority of the

people.

afterwards, in writing to Dr.

of Trinity College,

Hannah, warden

am bound

to

add

my

belief that

Glenalmond, reviewed the

it,

those

who

directed .the government of this

position as he regarded

and exjjlained his

country in the reign of Queen Elizabeth acted

in the firm conviction that that

own
it:

action or

want

of action in relation to

which had
in Irelittle

happened in England would happen

land;

"Because the question

parently out of
all

is

remote, and ap-

and they would probably be not a

if

bearing on the practical

think
it

surprised
time,

they could look

down

the vista of

politics of the day, I

would be

for

me
it.

and

see that in the year 1865 the result

worse than superfluous to determine upon any

of all their labours

had been

that, after

300

scheme or basis

of a scheme, with respect to

it is difiicult;

years, the church

which they had endowed

religious
of

Secondly, because

even

if

I anti-

and established ministered to the

the community."

cipated any likelihood of being called upon to

wants of only one-eighth or one-ninth part

deal with

it,

I should think

it

right to ta-ke no
of dealing

Thus, although the governto agree to the resolution,

decision beforehand on the

mode
I

ment were unable

with the

difficulties.

...

think I have

they were not prepared to deny the abstract

truth of the former part of
it.

stated strongly

my

sense of the responsibility

They could

attaching to the opening of such a question,

not assert that the present position of the

establishment

except in a state of things which gave promise

of satisfactorily closing
is
it.

was

satisfactory.

The

Irish

For

this reason it

Church, as she then stood, was in a false position.

that I have been so silent about the matter,

;

It

was much more

difiicult,

however, to

and may probably be so again

not, as a minister

but I could
for

decide upon the practical aspect of the question,

and
it

as

member

Oxford

and no one had ventured

for

to propose the
state

University, allow
finite

to be debated an inde-

remedy required
things.
political

the existing

of

number
it

of times

and remain

silent.

This question raised a whole nest of

problems; for while the vast majority

One
think

thing, however, I

may

add, because I

a clear landmark.

In any measure

of the Irish people

were opposed to the main-

dealing with the Irish Church, I think (thougli

I scarcely expect ever to

tenance of large and liberal endowments for a

be called on to share

fragment

of the population, they repudiated

in .such a measure) the act of

Union must be

any desire

to appropriate these
all

endowments,
could the

recognized, and

must have important consepo.'^i-

and firmly I'ejected

idea of receiving a state

quences, especially with reference to the

tion of the hierarchy."

provision for themselves.

How

govei'nment, in view of these facts, substitute

a satisfactory for an admittedly unsatisfactory
state of things'?

He

evidently had

little

idea that he would

so soon be called

upon

to deal with the dis-

Consequently " we

They were unable to do so. feel that we ought to de-

establishment of the Irish Church as a "burn-

ing" question, nor did

many

other people

176

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

But some
of his con-

think so at that time.

stituents at

Librarian,
S.

Sii-

F. T. Palgi'ave, the Right

St.

Hon.

Oxford took alarm; others, who

of aban-

Lushington, the Dean of

Paul's, the

had

for

some time been watching him with

announced their intention
election.

Rev. John Keble, the Principal of Brasenose,

the

suspicion,

Dean

of Peterborough, Professor Coniug-

doning him at the general

A large
who

ton, the Rev. J. B. Mozley,

Mr. E. A. Free-

number who were

supported

firm and faithful, and

man, Chief Justice Erie, Dr. Pusey, Professor

Jowett, Mr. Cardwell, the Marquis of Kildare,

admired his determined freedom of opinion,

him with

marked enthusiasm.

and the Rector

of Lincoln.

They were not numerous enough to carry his He was opposed by Mr. election, however.
Gathorne Hardy, a pronounced Conservative,
who, as we have seen, was a strong advocate
for maintaining

"After an arduous connection of eighteen

years I bid you respectfully farewell," wrote

Mr. Gladstone
"

to the

members

of convocation.

My

eax'nest

purpose to serve you,

my many
of the

the Established Church in

faults

and shortcomings, the incidents

Ireland.

Mr. Gladstone's former colleague,

political relations

between the university and

finally dissolved, I

William Heathcote, was unopposed, and was arranged that the supported of both the other candidates should give him their
Sir
it

myself, established in 1847, so often questioned

in vain,

and now at length

leave to the

judgment

of the future.

It is

second vote.

By an

act passed in the pre-

one imperative duty, and one alone, which induces

vious parliament, elections for the universities

me

to trouble

you with these few part-

might be conducted by voting-papers sent to

the vice-chancellors, and the poll was kept open
for five days;

ing words

the

duty of expressing

my

pro-

found and lasting gratitude for indulgence as

generous and support as
tic in itself,

but many distinguished men

to accord their vote for

warm and

enthusias-

went up personally

and as honourable from the charof those

the chancellor of the exchequer.

There was

acter
it,

and distinctions

who have given

a general feeling that to discard

him would

as has, in

my

belief,

ever been accorded by

be a disgrace
sity,

if

not a calamity to the univerof fact it

any constituency

and as a matter

was not by the

to the opposiresi-

lack of real university votes that he lost the

election.

to any representative." Whatever may have been the regi'etsof those thoughtful churchmen who regarded Mr.

His defeat was due

Gladstone as the representative of opinions

tion of the non-residents.

Of the 250

which must prevail

to be at once free

if

the church

itself

were

dents 155 voted or paired in his favour; those

and truly authoritative, the

Oxford and
all

who
had
with

voted against him were the

left

men who

Liberals

outside
felt

over the

the university, and had no symjjathy

country

no

little satisfaction

when they
of a repre-

its

advances or

its

changed mode of

heard that the chancellor of the exchequer

tliought since they had ceased to be connected

was cut

loose

from the trammels

with

it.

sentation which necessarily often restrained

in the important colleges,

With a majority
1904; and Sir

him

fi'om fully expressing his convictions

on

Mr. Gladstone received 1724 votes, Mr. Hardy,

points of Liberal policy.

There was nothing

W.

Heathcote,

3236 a

large

unworthy

in this reticence, for his association

number
stone,

of electors

plumping for Mr. Glad-

with Oxford had been a sentimental as well

as a practical one;

and the

total

number

of votes being
at

and the deep regard he

be to represent
careful
to
it

larger than
election.

had been registered

any previous

entertained for the university, as well as the

Among

the distinguished

men who

honour which he
in

felt it to

voted for the chancellor of the exchequer

parliament,

made him
ofi'ence

avoid

were the Bishojis of Durham, Oxford, and

Chester, Earl Cowper, the
ster,

giving needless

to

those

who were
like

Dean

of

Westmin-

already watching
suspicion.

him with something

the

Dean

of

Christchurch, Professors

Farrar, RoUeston, and

Max

Miiller, the

of Lichfield, Sir J. T. Coleridge, Sir

Dean Henry

shades of opinion

The regrets of many eminent men of various may be well exemplified by

by

Thompson, the Rev. Dr.

Jelf, the

Bodleian

the few words of remonstrance addressed


GLADSTONE'S DEFEAT AT OXEORD.
Dr. Pusey to the editor of a periodical professing to represent the views of churchmen,
ciation with Oxford.

177

He

issued his address

It

from Manchester on the 18th of July.

short
"

was
so

and delighting

in

Mr. Gladstone's defeat and

"

and

effective.

the return of his ojjponent.

You

are natu-

You

are conversant

few

so
last

much

rally rejoicing," said the letter, " over the re-

with the legislation of the

years.
results.

thirty-five
its

jection

of

Mr. Gladstone, which I mourn.

Some of those who concurred in that election, or who stood aloof, will, I fear, mourn hereafter

You have seen you have felt You cannot fail to have observed
which
the

the
has,

verdict

country generally

with a double sorrow because they were

that rejection.
I,

within the last eight days, pronounced upon

the relative claims and positions of the two
great political parties with respect to that
legislation in the past

the cause of

of

course,

speak only for myself, with whatever degree

of anticipation

may be

the privilege of years.

and

to the prospective
I

Yet, on the very ground that I

may very

pro-

administration of public

affairs.

humbly,

bably not live to see the issue of the momentous future

but confidently

without the

least disjjarage-

now hanging

over the church,

let

ment
you

to

many

excellent persons

from

whom

me, through you, express to those friends

through wliom I have been separated,
love the church in
of
itself,

have the misfortune frequently to

to give

differ

ask

who
we

your powerful voice in confirma-

and not the accident

conviction

tion of that verdict,

and

to pronounce with

establishment,
ill

my

that

significance as to the direction in

which you
Before

should do

to identify the interests of the

political party; tliat
us,

desire the wheels of the state to move.

church with any

questions before

we have
it is

these words can be read I hope to be

among
in

compared with which

you in the hives

of

your teeming

enterjirise."

that of the establishment (important as

in

Mr.

Gladstone

made

his

appearance

respect to the
is

possession of our j^arish

Manchester in the afternoon of the same day,

churches)

as nothing.

The grounds

alleged

and addressed a crowded meeting in the Freetrade Hall.

"I

against Mr. Gladstone bore at the utmost

upon the establishment.

might
pei'ish,

The establishment and the church but come forth

were corrupted, the

"At last, my friends," he said, am come among you and I am come, to

expression which has become very
is

use an

the purer.

If the church

famous, and

not likely to be forgotten, I

am

establishment would become a curse in proportion to

its influence.

As

that conflict will

come amongyou' unmuzzled.' After an anxious struggle of eighteen years, during which the

thicken, Oxford, I tliink, will leai u to regret

unbounded devotion and indulgence

friends maintained

of

my

her rude severance from one so loyal to the

church, to the faith, and to God."

me

in the arduous position

of representative of the University of Oxford,

it

These were weighty words

alone

and

was not
in

have been driven from

my

seat.

I have no
re-

men who

held views similar to those of

complaint to
fused to

make

of the party

which has
but

the regius professor of

Hebrew who saw

tlie

me

the resumption of that place.

Mr. Gladstone a
church, as

faitliful

representative of the

cannot say that I

am
it,

glad of

it

tlicy are

we have

seen by

names already

the majority, and they have used their ]K)wer.

i\s

mentioned of those who were among his determined supporters.

they have used

I apjieal to you, the

of
of re-

my

native county, to

Mr. Gladstone's own feeling was one

lief.

which has disqualified

men know whether that me from representing

But, gentlemen,
false

He had

a sense of freedom.
felt

Tlie time

had

the University of Oxford has also disabled

come when he

impelled to sj^eak out

it

the
pro-

me from
do not

rejiresenting you.

time had come, and witli

In South Lancashire his

the opi)ortunity.

let

me come among you under

I

name had been

it

colours or with false pretences.

have loved

posed to the Liberal electors directly

was

the University of Oxford with a deep

and

seen that the election in Oxford might go

against

passionate love, and as long as I breathe that

him

and

to

South Lancashire he

attachment will continue;

(if

if

my

affection is
gi'cat,

hastened after having closed his political asso-

the smallest advantage to that

that

75


17S

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

In Manchester, Liverpool, and
in the total polling he
all tlie large
it is,

ancient, that noble institution, that advantage,

such as

and

it is

most

insignificant,
live.

Ox-

towns he was returned at the head of the

poll;

ford will possess as long as I

But

don't

came

third,

two Con-

mistake the issue which has been raised.

servative

candidates, Messrs.

Egerton and

The university has

at length, after eighteen

Turnex'. preceding him, the fourth candidate,

years of self-denial, been

drawn by what
mere

who would have been

Gladstone's election,

might, perhaps, call an overweening exercise

of power, into the vortex of
politics.

returned but for Mr. was Mr. Leigh, also a Conservative, the fifth and sixth on the poll,

Well, you will readily understand why, as

long as I had a hope that the zeal and kindness of
it

who were
The
party.

also defeated,

were Mr. Thompson

Liberals.

and Mr. Heywood, both

my friends might
for

keep
to

me in my place,
abandon them.

result of the elections throughout the

was impossible

me

country was a considerable gain to the Liberal

Could they have returned

of one, painful as it is to a
life,

me by a majority man of my time of

of public cares, to
seat,

The

city of

London returned Messrs.

Goschen, Crawford, Lawrence, and Rothschild,

all

and feeling the weight

Liberals;

in

Westminster John Stuart

poll,

be incessantly struggling for his

could have induced
to

nothing

Mill was at the head of the

and he had

me

to quit that university

not failed to pronounce pretty clearly what

which

had so long ago devoted

my

best

were his views on electoral reform.

"

He said

care
I

and attachment.
free to
free, I

But by no

act of

mine

With regard

to reform bills, I should vote

am
is

come among you.

need hardly

And
tell

having

at once both for

Mr. Baines's
for

bill

and for Mr.

been thus set

it

you that

Locke King's, and

measures going far beI

with

joy,

with thankfulness, and en-

yond either
frage to
all

of

them.

would open the

suf-

thusiasm that I now, at this eleventh hour, a

candidate without an address,
to the heart

grown

persons, both

men and
not,

make my appeal

women, who can

read, write, and perform a

and the mind

to

of

South Lancashire,
no cause for the

sum

in the rule of three,

and who have

time,

and ask you

pronounce upon that appeal.

within some small number of years, received

parish relief.

As

have

said, I

am aware of

At

the same

utterly

votes which have given a majority against

me

abominating

all class

ascendency, I would not

in the University of Oxford, except the fact that

vote for giving the suffrage in such a

that any class, even though
it

manner

the strongest conviction that the

human mind

be the most

can receive, that an overpowering sense of the

public interests, that the practical teachings of
experience, to which from
herself taught

numerous, could
together.

swamp all

other classes taken

In the

first place, I

think that

all

my

youth Oxford

considerable minorities in the country or in a

locality should

me

to lay open

my mind all

be represented in proportion
I should be prepared to

these had

shown me the

folly and, I will say,

to their numbers.

the madness of refusing to join in the generous

support a measure which would give to the

labouring classes a clear half of the national
representation."

sympathies of

my

countrymen by adopting
policy."

what

must

call

an obstructive

The

sense of fi-eedom spoke in these words

to with exuberant en-

Altogether

it

became evident that a new

at least

and they were responded

thusiasm by those

Reform
ities

Bill

was

among

the probabil-

who heard them.

A mighty
densely

of

the next

parliament.

Of the 657
elections

shout that rang through the vast

hall,

members returned during the

vatives.
It

367

crowded with thousands of

the

listeners, greeted

were recorded as Liberals and 290 as Conser-

phrase

that

he had

come there un-

muzzled, and showed that he was understood

was an exciting

contest,

and the speeches

well-known

and appreciated.
have
felt

At

that

moment he must
a step that

of candidates, especially those of

that he was

now taking

statesmen and

orators,

were eagerly read.

would place him

in the front of the party to to

which he had hitherto seemed sometimes

give only an incomplete support.

But the sound of one earnest and well-known Early in the spx'ing of the voice was still.
year Richard Cobden had gone to his
rest.


DEATH OF KICHARD COBDEN.
In the winter of the previous year the state
of his health, never very strong,
to cause

179

Cobden

felt that

he could no more readily

some apprehension.

was such as In November

Eochdale,

accept this office than he could the former

one which was

offei'ed
till

him.

He

did not

he had been on his annual

to address his constituents,

visit to

reply to the letter

the 13th, though pro-

and depressed condition.

large one,

and was in a weak The meeting was a and

bably he had decided immediately what course

lie

would
which

take.
it

The

offer

was kind, the terms

gratifying,

and he spoke

at unusual length

in

was made were most

with much

earnestness, dwelling especially on

as in his reply to

Mr. Gladstone he acknowwhich

the condition of the peasantiy of England in

relation to the

ledged, but the state of his health, he said,

land,

and advocating what

precluded him from taking any

office

may

be called free-trade in land.

On

several

involved the performance of stated duties at

other subjects he touched with his usual emphasis and

effect, so

aU seasons

of the year, or left a sense of re-

that the exertion was

sponsibility for the fulfilment of those duties

considerable.
to retire

Instead of being able at once

repose, he

and to enjoy complete and

to

was

by others. These he considered were good and sufficient reasons for his exemption from
the cares of salaried
Avere not
all,

obliged to attend an evening reception of the

principal Liberals
of

official life;

but these

undergo some hours

he could not conceal the real

latter half of his reply to

talking and hand-shaking.

his journey

He

suffered

reason,

and the
is

Mr.
the

much, on

home, from w^hat was

Gladstone

remarkably

illustrative of

called nervous asthma,

and the debility which

single nature of the

man

accompanied the disorder, added to the exhaustion caused by his exertions. Being afraid
to rest in

"Were my
sible of the

case different,

still,

while sen-

kind intentions which prompted

Loudon

lest

he should be detained

the

offer, it

would assuredly not be consulting

there

by an

increase of illness, he continued

his journey, reaching

home almost

helpless.

my welfare to place me in the post in question, with my known views respecting the natui'c
of our finance.

An

attack of bronchitis followed, and he was

Believing, as I do, that while

is

obliged to be treated as an invalid during the

the income of the government

derived in a

inclement winter.

By

the end of January he

lost his

greater proportion than in any other country

had

rallied,

and he never

keen interest
re-

from the taxation of the humblest

expenditure
indefensible,
is it

classes, its

in or hold ui^on public affairs,

though he

to the last degree w'asteful

and

garded with doubt the prospect of obtaining a

would be almost a penal ap-

wide measure of reform in the face of the opposition of " the privileged classes."

pointment to consign

me

for the remainder of

On

the

my

life

to the task of passively auditing our

Idth of February (1865) he received a letter

finance accounts.

fear

my

health

would

from Mr. Gladstone, written on behalf

of the

sicken and

my

days be shortened by the

It will

government and at the desiie

of Audit, about to be vacated

of

Lord Palmer-

nauseous ordeal.
tain

be better that I

re-

ston,offeringhimthechairmanshiiJof the Board

my

seat in parliament as long as I

am
its

by Mr. Romilly,

able in any tolerable degree to perform

duties,

an

office

which was to be reconstituted and

where

have at

least the opportunity

united to the comptrollership of the exchequer.

of protesting,

however unavailingly, against

The
said,
tlieir

salaiy

was

to

be

<2()00 a year,
office^

and

al-

the government expenditure."

though the duties of the

Mr. Gladstone
qualities for

By the
to

early ]iart of
little

March Cobden was

to

able

would require very high

walk out a

on bright, genial days, and

proper discharge, they would not be very

Mr. Bright wont down

Midhurst

to see him.

laborious.

The tender

of such

an

office

was

He seemed to feel that liis work here was nearly

done.

not to be taken as an adequate acknowledg-

Once when they were out together he

ment

of his distinguished
it

and long-continued

looked towards the chui'ch and said quietly,

"

public services, but

was the highest civil office

it

My boy is buried there, and it will not be long

am there with
him."
It

which the government had

give.

in their

power

to

before I

was not

long.

In the following raoutli

tliey lay side

by side

180

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

of fortitications in

The subject
to

Canada was Mr.

if

Cathedral, though he had passed

of his life for fifteen years.

it

every day

be brought

before the house, and

They strolled about

fell

Bright was anxious that Cobden should,

possible,

among the monuments

for a couple of hours,

be present during the discussion.

It

and the natural remark

from his comthe heroes,

seemed scarcely probable that the

health would allow

state of his

panion that perhaps one day the name of

him to make the journey to

desii-e

Cobden
spirit

too

would

figure

among

London
to

but on the 21st of March his

" I hope not," said Cobden, " I hope not.

My
men

be present when the Canadian

fortification

could not rest in peace

among

these

scheme had
undertake
it,

to be opposed, induced

him

to

of war.

No, no, cathedrals are not meant to

though the weather was bleak

accompanied by Mrs.
daughter, and they
Street, that

contain the remains of such

men

as Bright

and

cold.

He was

and me."

Cobden and

his eldest

At
year.

the time of his death Cobden was within

of his sixty-first

had taken lodgings in Suttolk

he

two mouths of the completion

might be near to the Atheu;^um Club, and

not far from the House of Commons.

He

had

On
the
ister

the

day after the sad

of

event,

when

only just arrived, and was writing letters to

House

Commons

met, the prime min-

some of his friends, when he was prostrated by an attack of asthma. An east wind continued to blow, and he lay watching the smoke
as
it

spoke kindly, but without

much

tact, of

the loss which the country and every

it

man

in

houses opposite.
to be so

was carried from the chimneys of the In a few days he appeared

The best sentence in the speech was that which said: "That same dishad sustained.
interested spirit which regulated all his pri-

much
two

better that he

was allowed

to

vate and public conduct led

those

him

to decline

see one or

of his friends; but the recovery

honours which might most properly

was only apparent, and a relapse occurred, which on the 1st of April became worse, and
another attack of bronchitis

have recognized and acknowledged his public

services."
'Mr. Disraeli,

speaking for the op"

made his recovery

Bi'ight

position, struck

a deeper note.

There

is

this

almost impossible.
allowed to see

Even Mr.

was not

consolation," he said, "remaining to us

when

him on

that evening; but early

the following morning (Sunday, the 2d of April) he

losses, that these

we remember our unequalled and iiTeparable great men are not altogether
lost to us, that their

was admitted.

Alas! aU hope of

words will be often quoted

examples will often be
to,

Cobden's recovery was then over,

Mr. Bright
sin-

in this house, that their

remained beside him, and another old and

cere friend,

referred to

and appealed

and that even

Mr. George Moffatt, was

also there.

their expressions
cussions.

may form

a part of our dis-

The end was very near. As the bells of St. Martin's Church were ringing for the morning
service, that simple, earnest, faithful brother

There

are, indeed, I

may

say,

some

members

of parliament
still

who, though they

may

not be jjresent, are

members

of this house,

and comrade was no longer with them.

The

are independent of dissolutions, of the caprices

of constituencies,

funeral was at Lavington Churchyard, where,

and even

of the course of
of

on the slope of the hiU among the pine woods,

the body of Richard Cobden, and that of the

time. these

I think that

Mr. Cobden was one

men; and I believe that when the verupon

his
will be said of

son whose early death he had so long mourned,

are buried.

dict of posterity shall be recorded

life

His biographer^

relates that one

and conduct,

it

him that he

afternoon in the
a friend took
it

summer of

1856,

Cobden and was

was without doubt the

greatest jDolitician that

into their heads, as there

the upper middle class of this country has as

yet produced, and that he was not only an

nothing of importance going on in the house,

to stroll into

Westminster Abbey.

His friend
St.

ornament

to the

House

of

Commons, but an

had never been

inside before, as he confessed

honour to England."

that he had never been

inside

Paul's

The house was hushed and silent, but there was such an evident expectation that Mr.
Bright should
say

ilr.

John

iloiley.

something

that,

deeply

DEATH OF PALMEESTON.
atfucted as he evidently was, he rose

181

and en-

her brothei'. Lord Melbourne

in

selecting

this

deavoured to say how every exjiression of

preference to Broadlands as being

more

sympathy that he had

grateful to
his

heartl

had been most

the time," he

within reach of medical advice.

The gout

heart.

"But

had

aflFected

an internal part owing to his

although

went on
since in

in

broken accents, " which has elapsed

having ridden on horseback before he was

sutiiciently recovered, and,
all

my presence the manliest

its flight is

and gentlest

his

spirit that ever quitted or

tenanted a

human

bodily organs were sound, and there was no

form took

so short that I dare not

reason why, with proper care, he should not

even attemirt to give utterance to the feelings

have lived for several around hiui could not

j'ears
fail

longer,

those

by which

am

oppressed.

I shall leave to
I ma}^

to feel anxiety

some calmer moment, when

have an op-

about his evident state of weakness, not only

for the

portunity of speaking before some portion of

moment, but at the prospect

felt

of his

my

countrymen, the lesson which

life

think

may

again meeting parliament as prime minister.

be learned from the

friend.

and character

of

my

That he himself
future was clear.

the same anxiety for the

I have only to say that after twenty

" One morning about a fort-

years of most intimate and almost brotherly

friendship, I little

night before he died," says the Hon. Evelyn

knew how much

I loved

Ashley, " I witnessed an incident which was

him until I had lost him." About a twelfth of the members of the House of Commons attended the funeral at Lavington. Mr. Gladstone was there, and a large number of the old free-traders of the Anti-Corn-law League. The French govern-

both evidence of this and also very characteristic of the

man.

There were some high

railings

immediately opposite the front door,

and Lord Palmerston, coming out of the house without his hat, went straight up to

them

after casting a look all

round

to see that
deli-

ment and the French

press ottered their re-

no one was looking. on the other

again,

He

then climbed

spectful tributes to the

memory
to

of the

man

berately over the top rail

side,

down

to the gi'ound

who had done

tional good-will.

so

much

promote interna-

turned round, climbed back

It

and then went indoors.

was

clear

that he- had

come out

to test his strength

and

The year was only just ueariug its close when the death of the prime minister caused
a change in the immediate political aspect.

to find out for himself in a practical

far

he was gaining or losing

way how ground. Not

that he had any excessive diead of death, for,

as

People had said that he would never

sit in

he put

it

one day, in homely fashion, to

pressing for a frank opinion

another parliament, but the remark pointed

rather to his probable retirement.
Others,

his doctor,

when

as to his state,

'When a man's

time

is

up

though they saw the signs of age and cominginfirmity, declared that

there

is

no use in repining.'

The most

touch-

he would never give

to the house.

ing and characteristic feature of his bearing

at this time
to

in while he could get

down

was

his solicitude to avoid adding

In July, 1865, parliament being dissolved,

there

Lady Palmerston's

anxiety, and the cheerin her pi-esence.

in life

was a contest
latter

at Tiverton,

and Lord

fulness

which he assumed

Palmerston went there and was le-elected.

Indeed consideration for others was, as

so in death, one of his finest qualities.

During the
session

part of the preceding

I re-

he had suflered continuously from

sleep.

member
betoken
could be

that, only a

few days before his end,

gout and disturbed

He

never aban-

when, so far as the aspect of his face could

illness,

doned

his duties as leader of the house; but

he appeared as

ill

as a

man
Pal-

without doubt they were, under the circumstances,

culty,

when about and

at woi'k,

Lady

performed with much physical

diffi-

merston, at breakfast, alhuled to the cattle

plague,

and greatly aggravated

to

his disorder.

which was then making great havoc

Immediately after the Tiverton election he

retired

in England.

He

at once

remaiked that

all

Brocket,

in

Hertfordshire

the

the symptoms

of the disorder to

were described

place

Lady Palmerston had

inherited from

by

Virgil,

and repeated

me some

eight

182
lines out of
disease.

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

the Georgics descriptive of the

not only able, but impelled, to abandon their

traditional
policy,
if

He

then told us a story of a scrape

and
it

to

adopt measures
not alarm Lord

he got into at Harrow for throwing stones;

which disturbed,

did

and the excess

incident,

of laughter,

which he was un-

Derby, who described the action he was obliged

to endorse as " a leap in the dark,"

able to restrain, with which he recalled the

and

inti-

was the only token that could have

mated that he yielded

in oiEce. of

for the purpose of sup-

betrayed to Lady Palmerston

how weak he was.

porting the Conservative party and continuing

Islx. Disraeli, on the other hand, spoke having " educated" his paity to the point

...

A chill caught while

out driving brought

on internal inflammation, and on the 18th of

October, 1865, within
his
eighty-first

two days

of completing
his

where they seemed

to

have so far given up

year, he closed

earthly

their previous convictions as to frame a

mea-

career,
table,

the half-opened cabinet-box on his

letter

sure of paiiiameutary reform in which

what

and the unfinished

on his desk,

they had just before called "radical" measures

testified that he was at his post to the last."

were included, and even household suffrage

was approached without much

hesitation.

The death
left

of

Lord Palmerston

practically

no alternative but for the queen again to

But we must now close this long chaj^ter, and after a brief review of some of the lights
and shadows
of 1866, of the time preceding the session

recognize the position and long public services

by calling on him to form a ministry, which was in effect a reconstruction

of Earl Russell, of the

lights and shadows which had

pre-

saged

important changes and

striking ex-

former one, with Mr. Gladstone as

amples of progress,

will
called

pass on to a period

leader in the
wei'e

House

of

Commons.
in

There
with

which may well be

bounds."

one of " leaps and

very serious doubts

many minds

whether the chancellor

of the exchequer,

Public regret for the loss of Lord Palmerston

his grave, serious ways, his

and the absence in

so

was

sincere

and general.

Parliament
official

temperament

of anything like the jaunty,

was not

sitting

and therefore the

and

bantering

humour which had been

marked

a characteristic of the late premier, would be

able to sustain the position of leader with

memory were not uttered tiU the following year, when the chancellor of the exchequer moved for an addiess
ministerial tributes to his
to the queen, praying that

Earl Russell in the upper house.

was,
it

Gladstone

an order might be

was

said, too

much

in earnest.
it

Every
were of

given to erect a

question was treated as though

Abbey
with

to the

monument in Westminster memory of the late premier.

upon the
loss

grave and momentous interest.

How

would

Both Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Disraeli spoke

effect

such a leader deal with a house which contained

in theii' remai'ks

men
of

of

aU dispositions, and a good

to treat pohtical

which the country had sustained.

Mr. Glad-

many
cept

wliom were inclined

stone had ah-eady publicly referred to other

questions with levity or with indifference, ex-

recent losses which the country had sustained.

when they

could be turned to party pur-

On

the 1st of November, 1865, he had been

poses?
It so

in Glasgow,

where he was presented with

it

happened that the session then apof those qualities

the freedom of the city, and

was in
:

proaching turned out to be one, the aspect of

reply on that occasion that he said

" It has

his

which demanded the exercise

been

my

lot to follow to the

grave several of
called

which the chancellor

sessed;

of the exchequer posRussell's

those distinguished

men who have been

of

and though Earl

government

away from the scene

labours

their

honourable

was defeated before the close of the year, the measures and even the views of the ministry,
or at all events of
his colleagues
ISIr.

not, indeed, before they had acquired

when
the minds and expecta-

the esteem and confidence of the country, but

still

Gladstone and those of

in front of the de-

at a period

who were

tions of their fellow-countrymen fixed

were fondly

mands

of the public, so impressed the nation

upon the thought

of

what they might

that the succeeding ministry found themselves

yet achieve for the public good.

Two of your

GLADSTONE AT GLASGOW AND EDINBURGH.

owu countrymen
housie

183

Lord Elgin and

Lord Dal-

they are also mournful in that I seem to see

the long procession of the figures of the dead,

Lord

Canning, Lord Herbert, Sir

George Cornewall Lewis, and the Duke of

Newcastle, by some singular dispensation of
Providence, have been swept

and

I feel th;it those

who

are left behind are,

of public

in one sense, soUtary

life."

upon the stage

at Edinburgh,

away
of

in the full

Two days after

having visited Glasgow,

maturity of their faculties and in the early

stages of middle
life

Mr. Gladstone was

where he

body

men
and

strong

delivered to the students his valedictory address as rector of the university, the subject
selected for illustration being, "

enough

of themselves in all the gifts of

wisdom
of elo-

and

of knowledge, of experience

The Place

of

quence, to have equipped a cabinet for the

service of the country.
lord,

Ancient Greece in the Providential Order of

the World," an oration which
his printed works,
of
is

And

therefore,

my

to be read in

when

I look back

upon the years that

have

and may be said to be one

attractive ad-

have passed, though they have been joyful

years in

the most remarkable and

many

respects, because they

dresses he ever delivered, interesting aUke

for its subject
its

been years in which the parliament

of this
titles

and because

of the lucidity of

country has earned fresh and numerous

to the

statements and the admirable construction

augmented confidence

of

its

citizens,

of its balanced sentences.

CHAPTER

XI.

LEAPS AND BOUNDS."

Shadows of Past Events Accidents Disaster Crime The Jamaica Riots Losses Thackeray John Leech Ay toun Improvements Brougham Speke Discoveries Progressive Legislation The Church Colenso Jowett Disraeli on the Side of the Angels "Essays and Reviews " Lord Westburj^ The New Reform Bill Lowe, Horsman, Bright, and Gladstone "The Cave of Adullam" Defeat of Earl Russell's Ministry Mr. Beales Reform Demonstrations- -Reform Bill of 1867 Irish Assassins The Fenians Trades Union Murders and Outrages Disraeli Premier Rituahsm The Irish Chm'ch Election of 1868 Gladstone Premier Irish Church Bill Education Act of 1870 Alabama Claims Treaty of Washington Judicature Bill General Election, 1873 Conservative Reaction Church Dissensions Gladstone on Rituahsm and the Church Resignation of the Leadership of the Liberal Party 1875.

Any historical narrative of

cal progress, if it is to
intelligible,

social

and

politi-

and the fearful inundation which followed.

This terrible calamity occurred on the 11th of

be both interesting and

to

must frequently go

and

fro

March, 1864, and the memory of those who

witnessed
it,

must carry on the stoiy

that to which the

of one or other im-

or heard the particulars, at once

to a

portant event or episode to a point beyond

went back

date twelve years before,

main current
it, if

of the record

when
the

(early in February, 1852) the Bilbury

would have brought

the journey

had been

reservoir above the village of Holmfirth, in

broken by a subordination

uf continuity to

West Riding
jjass

of

Yorkshire, burst upon

mere

dates.

No
him

one can make a profitable

if

narrow

in

which the town

stood.

journey on the stream of history

that carries
is

the raft

On

that occasion the whole enormous volume

only chronological.
is

In

of water

from a reservoir 150 yards long and

other words:

history

not an almanac.
least take

90 feet high, rushed down the narrow gorges

leading to the valley in the direction of the
plain

We

may, therefore, go back, or at

a backward glance at some occurrences which

crashing
it

into ruin mills, dye-houses,

have not been chronicled in these pages, but

reference to which
sary, for the

barns, stables, and cottages, and sweeping before

trees

may be useful, or even necesof the social

which

it

tore

up by the

roots, as

due appreciation

and

well as the

cai'ts, waggons,

and wreckage, which,

political conditions of the

country at the comcalled

being stopjaed on their course by the bridges

over a stream in the valley, formed obstacles

mencement
period,
ence.
It to
if

of

what may be

new

not a

new

era, in national experi-

behind which the mass of water accumulated

till

it

burst onward with irresistible force

village, destroying

would be beyond the

limits of these pages

to ordinary acci-

sweeping thi'ough the

whole

refer,

however

briefly,

streets of cottages, shops,

and

factories,

and
in-

dents and calamities which had

moved

the

overwhelming many of the inhabitants. Nearly

a hundred lives were
stances
it

public interest duriug the years with which

we

lost,

and

in

some
was

have just been concerned; but one or two exceptional occurrences

for they
terests

was found that whole families were

demand a word
feeling.

of notice,
in-

drowned.

The damage

to projjert}'

esti-

were associated with important

mated

at 600,000,

and nearly 5000 adidts and

left

and with deep public

One

of

above 2000 children were

lai'ge

destitute.

A
it

these

was the bursting

of the Bradfield reserSheffield,

amount was subscribed

in

England and

voir, eight miles

above the town of

the colonies for the relief of the sufferers, and

BURSTING OF THE BEADFIELD EESERVOIE.

wiis

185

found by the coroner's jury that the

calamity had been occasioned by the gross

negligence of those

The engineers in charge had just left, but he overtook them and they returned, though they
thought the crack of
little

who had
it

the care of the

importance.

Pre-

construction of the reservoir, and whose duty

it

sently other signs of danger were noticed,

and

had been to prevent

from

falling into

an attemjjt was made

crossed the
escape.
It

to

blow up a weir that

to allow the

unusual

decay or becoming ineffectual in case of an strain. The commissioners, who were

dam, and so

water to

was

too late.

Even

as the engin-

the persons originally responsible, however,

eer and his assistant crossed the slight fissure

were a corporate body and therefore could

neither be found guilty of nor punished for

while the

men were

laying the charge, the

crack became a chasm, an enormous crevasse,

manslaughter.

a portion of the embankment, 110 feet long

In 1862 another inundation had taken place

through the bursting or blowing up of a great

and 70

feet deep,

gave way at once, and the

of

tremendous volume

water rushed with an poured with a sound

made for the drainage of the middle level between Lynn and Wisbeach. About 700,000
sluice

awful roar into the valley below.

Down
ing

the hill-side

it

acres of the most productive land in the king-

like thunder, deluging the cottages

and

sweejD-

dom lay below the high-water level of the Wash depending for their existence as land,
upongreat embankments and self-acting sluicegates.

away

substantial buildings, bridges, work-

shops, rows of houses, as though they were

mere heaps
the dread

of rubble.

Messengers carrying
of the cottiei's to

Four miles south

of King's

Lynn was

news enabled some

a sluice-gate through which the waters of one

of the

escape for their lives; but the water nearly over-

huge drains emptied themselves at low

with the receding
tide, the gates closing

took the messengers themselves, and they had

to

water into the River Ouse, thus passing out

to sea

run before they could reach the head

of the

valley.
literally

Rushing on towards
swept from
off

Sheffield the flood

of their

own

accord to the pressure of the

the face of the earth

rising tide.

These works were, unfortunately,

fall

several entire villages, including Little Matlock

The natural The German Ocean, with a high spring tide, came u|) the river and toppled down the defences. The waters
allowed to
into disi'epair.

and Malinbridge. Whole families were carried

consequence followed.

away wath their dwellings, and not a trace remained of the thriving and industrious artisans

who had sought

their beds unconscious

continued pouring through that gap.

tide necessarily increased

Every

of the dreadful fate that so

tiiem.

suddenly befell

the breach.

Day
farm

Between Hillsborough Bridge and

sevei'al

by day the
after

floods crept on, covering

Malinbridge there stood

cottage-houses, inhabited

long rows of
of

farm and homestead

after homestead;

by the workmen

swallowing up flocks and herds, and driving

the mills and forges on the adjacent streams,

back yeoman families, who retreated as paupers.

with their families.

With a few
all

exceptions,

The water spread over 10,000

it

acres;

and

the flood wholly demolished

dwellings.

those rows of

for long afterwards

requii-ed all the en-

In many instances even their foun-

gineering skill of experts to remedy some part

of the

dations were obliterated.

the

At

the junction of

damage.
disaster at Sheffield in 18G4

Loxky and

the Rivelin only a few scat-

The
more

was even

tered houses, the walls and

windows burst

in

terrible
it.

than either of those that had

by the

flood, stood to
village.

preceded

The Bradfield

reservoir

was
hills,

populous

mark the site of the once The enormous volume of

itself

about seven miles from Sheffield in the

water debouching from the gorge at the foot

of

and would contain millions of cubic

water.
of the

feet of

Loxley valley seemed to have divided

Suspicions existed as to the strength

into

two streams, which swept with

the hamlets of

resistless

catastrophe, about nine o'clock, a

embankment, and on the night of the farm labourer

in
it

force over

JMalinbiidgo and
that

Hillsborough.

The bridges
and the

formerly
to their

had noticed a crack

as he

went over

it,

as

crossed the stream were swept

foiiTif1nfimi-'?tone.<5,

away

a short cut on his way home across the

valley.

district'^

Mliich the

186

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

beside their mothers almost before either could

streams divided were separated by a rushing

torreut of water.
It reached Sheffield at a quarter past twelve.

have been awakened.

had got
in

From

six to eight feet of water soou flooded

In other places families and were lost amidst the darkness the advancing and surrounding flood. In
out,

some of the most populous thoroughfares. The rushing of the torrent was like the noise of an
express train in a railway cutting.

the lower part of the town of Shefiield

lives

many

were

lost.

Around the Malin's Bridge

valley neither a living person

Against

fai'ther

up the

the piers of Lady Bridge an enormous mass

of timber, rafters, flooring,

nor the vestige of a house was to be seen.

broken furniture,

When
itself

the great basin had nearly emptied

It

straw,

and other

articles

had been flung in

its

the whole structure was laid bare.

inextricable

confusion by the force of the

was almost a natural tank.

so

Nature had done

have
art to accomplish.

stream which had borne them onward in

much

in

some

of its convulsions as to
little for

overpowering course.
road-side, families

In the

fields

and by the
people

left

comparatively
valley

had been drowned in their

The deep

had been seized upon by the

and there required but little beyond the construction
sides, leaving

cottages

before

they could escape;

practical engineer,

had been overtaken and swept away

from their houses, some of them.
water having stripped
they had on.
oif

swept

to be done artificially
of

Many bodies

an embankment at the end of the vaUey to on three open

were found quite naked, the force of the

such clothing as

inclose the basin

the rear for the free ingress of the water, which

The timber dashed against the Lady Bridge and threatened to batter it down; The
streets

poured down there in a hundred

tributary streams.

gi'eater or less

the arches were choked with rubbish, and the

water overflowed the parapet.

The capacity of the reservoir was seventy-eight acres, and it was said to have held at the time when the embank-

were rivers in which drowned animals, timber,

trees,

ment burst 691,000,000

tion

gallons.

The

inten-

and the debris

of

machinery, furniture,

was

to

have given from

this reservoir"

and buildings
said to be like

floated hither

and

thither.

At

supply to the millowners of ten cubic feet per

second eveiy day Sundays excepted.

the height of the inundation the Wicker was

The

an immense

river.

When it had
;

embankment was composed

of 400,000 cubic

somewhat subsided the causeways and carriageways resembled the furrowed sea-shore
of the viaduct

yards of stone, earth, &c., and was 500 feet

gas-

wide at its base, tapering to a very narrow apex.

lamps lay on the pavements; one of the arches

On

the south side a waste weir, a foot below

was nearly stopped by a large

the water line, was supposed to provide for

safety under all ordinary cii'cumstances.

ash-tree that

had been ujjrooted and earned

thither
station

by the stream.

was flooded
in

The IVIidland Railway shop-windows and doors

;

After a long inquiry

it

was understood that

projjerly
it

the original construction had been defective,

had been forced

cellai-s

and broken the shops and

and that the reservoir had not been

'

were

filled

with the sand and

mud

left

inspected and attended

to.

Altogether

was had

by the flood, and their contents were destroyed. At Hillfoot, Neepsend, Kelham, Philadelphia,
Bacon Island, and the other adjacent suburbs,
the ruin

believed that 270 lives had been lost by the

flood.

The

coroner's jury found that there

not been such engineering skill and attention

in the construction of the

was complete, and the

spectacle

works as their mag-

when
and

the water had subsided, was strange

nitude and importance demanded, and that

the legislature ought to provide for a frequent
regular and sufficient government inspection
of all

sad.

number

of

dead bodies were

of

found at Eotherham, and along the valleys

the Loxley and Eivelin.
palling,

The scene was apand showed how awful had been the
theii' efforts

works

of that chaiacter.

Public subscriptions were raised for the

sufferers, the

calamity to those who, overtaken in

to escape, or before they could

queen heading the

list,

and a

make

that effort,

special act of parliament

was passed appoint-

were overwhelmed in the

or in their houses.

streets or the fields,

ing commissioners to ascertain what were the

claims asraiust the
Sheffield

Children had been drowned

Water Works

EAILWAY
Compauy by
persons whose property had been
injured ur destroyed.

ACCIDEISTS.
blaze.

187

Several persons lost their lives in the

attempt to go out in boats to recover the

floating

taUow and other material, while Mr.

from which
to

Of
so

loss

aud danger by

fire

there had been

Braidwood, the famous chief of the London

fire-brigade, perished in the ruins,

many

instances that public attention in

London was drawn to the improvement of the fire-brigades and the adoption of increased means for promjjtly extinguishing fires occurring in the metropolis, and especially for se-

his

body was afterwards recovered

be

in-

terred in

great
his

Abney Park Cemetery, amidst a concourse of people who had admired

calm courage and experience.

curing a better and more immediate supply of

water-.

The question

of water supply

was

Of railway accidents there had been some

ajipalling examples, one of which, that took

being discussed in more ways than one, for

the

opolies in a

London companies exercised their monmanner which called forth frein

place on the 9th of June, 1865, on the Shrews-

bury and Chester

line,

caused a great sensa-

quent complaints, not only because of the

tion in the counti'y, both because of the horrible circumstances attending it

manner

which their

I'ates

were charged

and because

without any reference to the quantity of water

Mr. Charles Dickens was one

ger's

of the passento those

consumed by the inmates

plied,

of the houses sup-

who

escaped,

and gave aid

had

who

but because that method of rating was

to-

were more or

less seriously injured.

left

supplemented by extra charges, which,

fast tidal train

Folkestone in

gether with the manner of supplying poor

the afternoon with 110 passengers, and pro-

neighbourhoods, operated to prevent the practice of cleanliness

ceeded in safety as far as Staplehurst, where

the I'ailway bridge crosses a narrow stream in

and decency.
fire in

There had been no

curred

London

of

any

a kind of ravine.

The

line

on the bridge was

lifted,

very startling magnitude since that which ocat

under

repair, the rails

had been

and a
train,

the

wharves adjoining

London

wide opening made in the earth.

going at
full speed, ruslied

The

Bridge, in Tooley Street, on the 22d of June,

1861.

on to the gap, and

And

on that occasion the large steam

eight out of fourteen carriages were thrown

into the ravine beneath,

fire-engines

and the

floating engines did re-

and there dashed

to

markable

service,

though the inflammable

Eus-

fragments, the passengers sustaining horrible

injuries.

nature of the materials stored in the vast

warehouses, which chiefly contained
siau
tallow, tar,
saltpetre,
oils,

Ten persons

wei'e either killed

by
in

their

wounds and bruises

or were

drowned

hemp,

rice,

and

the stream, from which they were dragged, and

sugar, prevented the extinction of the flames,

twenty others were so terribly maimed that

there

the petroleum actually floating alight on the

surface of the water.

was much

difficulty in

removing

tliem.

The

spectacle of this

Mr. Dickens rendered such prompt and

efficient

great range of lofty warehouses, extending

for a great distance along the river,

service as he could give to persons so seriously

and

all

hurt,

and afterwards wrote some account

of

burning
lighted

with

tremendous

glare,

which

the accident, the effects of which upon his

own

up the whole
and glowing

of that part of

London
to

highly-strung nervous organization

may have

from what seemed to be a vast

of red
fire,

pile or furnace

been more serious than appeared at the time.

was one never

it

There was an inquest, of course, aud a verdict of manslaughter

district inspector

be forgotten.

For some time

oil,

was feared

that, as the barrels of

tar,

and saltpetre

was returned against the and the foreman platelayer

it is

exploded and poui^ed their contents into the

river,

of the line.

These verdicts arc uiatLcrs of

now,

where they

floated in islands of flame,

to

course,

but attention was then, as

railway

the

flre

would be carried

the shipping

strongly called to the neglect of proper precautions by

selves,

lower

down

the Thames, or that the sparks,

the

authorities

them-

flying landward,
set

would be blown afar and

of the metropolis in
n

and

to the difference constantly dis-

some other part

covered between the severity with which en-

188

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAKIES.

and the
indif-

deavoLus are made to enforce the provisions

of bye-laws against passengers,

ference of the companies to the regulations,

by

strictly

observing which, accidents might

The public excitement was \ery great, the was given, the usual remonstrance that i^recautious had been neglected. An inquiry was ordered by the Board of
usual censure

be prevented.

Trade, and Colonel Eich

this subject

The discussion on

was painfully

the 16th of AjDril, saying,

made his "I fear

report on

that

it ic

emphasized at a later date in what was known

as the Abergele accident, terror of a collision

only too true that

issued

the rules

printed

and

where

to the ordinary

by railway companies

to their servants,

was added the dreadful

most appalling form.
did not occur until the

and which are generally very good, are made

principally with the object of being produced

element of

fire

in its
it

The

event, though

when
allow

accidents happen from the breach of

19th of August, 1868,

as illustrating the

may be mentioned here topic which we are now

to the Irish limited

them, and that the companies systematically

many

of

them

to be broken daily, with-

considering.

It

happened

out taking the slightest notice of the disobedience."

mail train on the journey from Chester to

He

also

spoke strongly against the

North Wales.
Abergele,

The
came

train

was running at
it

its

practice of locking railway-carriages,

and

also

usual high speed, when, just as

it

was nearing
some

against the treating or bribing of railway

officials

into collision with

by the

public.

The "accident"

at

trucks which had broken off a goods train at the station and had run down, over the points,

Abergele was one among numerous examples

of the

danger that must always attend the

goods trains and jDassenger trains on
rails,

on to the
ing.

line

on which the mail was approach-

traffic of

The

result

was a ti'emendous

collision,

the same lines of

and since that time

which shattered the engine and fiung several

of the foremost carriages across the line, kilhng

other accidents have pointed to this defect in

our railway system, especially on short or

or injuring several of the passengers

who

suburban

lines

where the passenger trains are

is

occupied them.

A- few extricated themselves

frequent and the so-called " block" system

from the carriages and were endeavouring to

assist those

but a name.

who were most

it

hurt,

when

to the

By

this

terrible

accident a

new danger
but

horror of everyone

was discovered that

fu-e

seemed to be added

to railway travelling;

the front carriages were on

fiercely.

and burning
collision
recej)-

a year later the public imagination

startled

was again
per-

The trucks which had struck them

by the horiible story

of a

murder

were loaded with petroleum, and the

petrated in a railway-carriage during a short

having broken up the casks or other

tacles in

journey from Fenchurch Street to Hackney,

near London.

which

it

was

inclosed,

it

had been
liquid

The victim

of this outrage

dashed on to the engine and the front of the

train,

gentleman well known to some of the

of the line,

officials

which was now enveloped in the

was

chief clerk to Messrs. Eobarts,

Street, aiid

llame.

Death

to

many must have been

cry

almost

the bankers of

Lombard

was in the
the night

instantaneous.

Not even a
was
left,

was heard

habit of travelling on the line from the city

to

from them, not even the semblance of humanity still less identity

Hackney, where he resided.

On
at

nothing but a

of the 9th of July, 1864, the 9-54 train

from

few heaps
to

of charred remains

were conveyed

Fenchurch Street had arrived

station

Hackney
first-class

Abergele Church.
killed,

Thirty-three persons

when

a gentleman called the attention

among them Lord and Lady Earnham and an attendant who accomjaanied them. The Duchess of Abercoru and her
were
family were in the train, but occupied an end
carriage

of the

guard to the condition of a

compartment, the door of which he had just

opened for the purpose of entering the

riage.

cai--

He

had placed
it

his

hand on one

of the

and escaped unhurt.

the mere aslies of

In one grave
the dead

cushions and found

to

in the churchyard to

which they had been

were

On

further examination

b covered with blood. it was seen that the

carried

floor,

the window, and the side of the carriage

also

buried.

were

smeared and spattered with blood.

ASSAULTS AND MURDEES IN RAILWAY CARRIAGES.

189

small leather bag, a stick, and a hat were

was obtained which seemed

likely to lead to

found in the compartment.

a discovery of the perpetrator of the crime.

At about

the time that this discovery was

Then

link

by link

of evidence fixed the guilt

Miiller.

made, the driver and stoker of an engine which

upon a German named Franz

The

had been working the trains of the HackneyWick and Stratford line, found a man lying on
the space between the two lines of rail at a
spot close to Hackney-Wick, the station before

watch-chain taken from the murdered man,

had been taken to a jeweller in Cheapside

Hackney.
living,

The person

so discovered

was

still

named Death, who had exchanged other, and the person who had left appeai'ance of a foreigner. Then
came forward
to

it it

for an-

had the

cabman

but was covered with blood, and had

examine the hat found in the

evidently received severe blows on the head

railway-carriage,

and declared

it

to be one

with some blunt instrument; his watch and

chain were gone, the latter having been broken
off close to

which he had bought for an acquaintance of

his,

a native of Cologne,

who once lodged in his

given to the
like-

the link which attached

;

it to

the

house, and was, or had been, courting his sister.

button-hole of the waistcoat

but money and

A photogi'aph which MUller had

sister

a silver snuff-box were found in his pockets.

was

identified

by Mr. Death as a

He

only survived a few minutes after being

to a neighbouring tavern,

ness of the person

who had exchanged

the

removed

and had

chain

and

to complete this part of the evi-

not regained consciousness before his death.

dence, Miiller had given to one of the cab-

The body was soon identified by friends and relatives, and it was found that a pair of gold eye-glasses which the deceased had worn were
missing; but his
finger.

man's children a card-board

jewellers use, with the

box, such
of

as

name

Mr. Death
the murder,

upon

it.

Before

this, shortly after

diamond ring was

leather bag

still

on

his

Miiller

was

at the cabman's house wearing a

The

little

had apparently

gold chain such as he had

possessed,

not ])reviously
it re-

been opened by some one after the assault,

and

it

was remembered that

which probably took place between the stations

of

sembled that said to have belonged to the

Bow

and Hackney- Wick

it

appeared that

murdered man. On the police going to Miiller's

lodgings at Old Ford, Bow,
it

the body had been dragged to the door of the

railway-carriage and thrown out; and that the

was found that

he had been there about eleven o'clock on the

night of the murder, and was in a very confused or agitated state.

murderer had escaped while the train was in

motion.
It

was

at first supposed that there

When at the cabman's

it

must have been some other motive than robbery for the attack, which might, it was
thought, have been

he had seemed to walk lame, and explained

by saying he had sprained

a letter posted at Worthing,
that he had sailed for

his ankle.

He

made suddenly, while

the

could not be found at his lodgings, and, from

it

deceased was dozing, and therefore only half

conscious.
Still tlie

was discovered
in a ship

short time occupied in the

New York

journey between the stations might have ac-

named

the Victoria.

Two

detective officeis,

counted for the trivial nature of the robbery

achieved by such horrible means, and there

accompanied by Mr. Death and the cabman,

started in pursuit, in a steamer, which,
calculated,
it

was

was no suspicion

of

any one who was

likely to

would reach

New Yoik

four days

make such an

attack for revenge.

No

clue

before the arrival of the Victoria.

I

This turned
,

was to be obtained, and the government,

Messrs. Robarts, and the gentleman's family,
offered respectively U)0,

lut to

be the

case, and Miiller was arrested

The
mur-

circumstantial evidence

was complete, and was

and had
tried,

making altogether

confirmed by

tlie

fact that the hat of the

J300 reward for the discovery of the murden r. Only one starting-point was afforded to the police. No hat was found near the body of tlu! murdered man, and tlie hat which was
found in the railway-carriage was known not
to belons; to him.

dered

man was

in Miiller's possession,

been cut down or reduced in height and altered,

so that he could

wear

it.

Miiller

was

sentenced to death, and executed.

Two results

followed the crime, and the apjiroliension and

For a week no informaf ion

execution of the ci'iminal.

First, tlie detective-

190
police,

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

who had
for a long time been falling

same time there were

of a

far too

many

evidences

into disrepute because of several crimes, and

want

of

commei'cial morality.

Several

two or three murders, the perpetrators of which

had not been discovered, obtained some
newal of credit
for
re-

fraudulent

schemes
loss

were

discovered

only

through the

or

ruin which they had

having helped to put

wrought, and more than one large financial

concern was already trembling on the verge
of insolvency,

together the very easy and obvious items of

secondly, a great outcry was heard, demanding that some improvement should be

evidence

tions

and was yet carrying on operawhich those who were directing them

made

in railway compartments, that

means

of

should have

known

could end only in widely

communication with the guard and with other

passengers should be provided to every com-

spread calamity.

Many large undertakings had

had become desperate

been earned on by risky speculation, and those

partment, so that an alarm might readily be given in case of assault or danger.

who were

responsible

Some imsome

gamesters, wildly fancying that fortune might

provements were tried in the way of experi-

yet be retrieved by some lucky throw of the die.

ments on means
instances
it

of communication, and in

was made

possible to convey an

The conduct
tion of

of

Governor Eyre, the execu-

alarm to passengers in another compartment

George William Gordon, and the whole

through small openings or glass partitions in

the upper part of the carriage above the seats.

story of the riots in

Jamaica formed an ex-

citing episode in the history of the years 1865

What

did not happen was that really effectual

and 1866.

Public opinion had scarcely been

measures were taken either to communicate with the guard or to give an immediate alarm,
or to ensure the stopping of the train under

so completely divided, public feeling

had pro-

bably not run so high, since the outbreak of

the

war

in America, as it did

on the question
and the sum-

pressure of any great emergency.

riages of

The

car-

of the treatment of the negroes

most of the

railwa3's

having been

mary execution

of the alleged ringleaders of

built on a regular plan

which enables passen-

the disturbances in Jamaica in 1865.

origin of these riots,

The

gers to secure a certain degi-ee of privacy, the

which were said to have

companies were not inclined to incur the expense of a change of construction.

serious

been intended as the beginning of a complete

insurrection,

Several

was by no means easy

to discover.

and savage

assaults,

and certainly one

or no im-

The

first

serious disturbance took place in

brutal

murder like that perpetrated by MuUer,

since,

the parish of St. Thomas-in-the-East,

Morant

have occurred

and yet

little

Bay, and nearly

presenting that
atrocities

all
it

the accounts agree in re-

portant change has been effected for the security of passengers against
in the cari-iages of

was attended with horrible

robbery and violence

committed by the negroes.

serious one: the negroes,

many of our lines of railway.

There can be no doubt that the outbreak

was a very
It will be seen that the instances here given
of crimes

who were

suffering greatly from

want

of remunerative

which called

for public attention are

employment, had been aroused by seditious

speeches and printed notices calling on them
to

such as point to the necessity for progressive

legislation.

Unhappily there were

also

many
tlie

band together against the whites.

were attributed
to the

Their

offences

committed during the period now

progress had

necessities

heavy taxa-

under review which served to contradict

assumption that
social

tion

imposed on them, and to the increase of

raised

been

import duties, which

food and clothing.
in the island for
tricts

the

prices of

very marked, or had extended very far; but

There had been a drought

making allowance
licity

for the vastly greater pubclasses of offences against

two

seasons,

and some

dis-

given to
it

all

were

in so

impoverished a state that

for the labourers

the law,

must be admitted that there had

there

was no employment

on

been a considerable diminution in crimes of

brutal violence, taking into account the re-

plantations which yielded a bare maintenance

for their owners.

Meanwhile the

horses, don-

turns from

all

parts of the country.

At

the

keys, and carts of the small proprietors were

THE JAMAICA RIOTS GOVEENOE EYEE.

taxed,

191

and the import duties were

increased,

there

existed a latent unreasoning passion

to ferocity

or at

all

events maintained at a high rate, on

necessary articles of consumption.
to live

which might be roused

whenever he

nearly

all

fancied he had some cause for revenge or reprisal.

The negroes who had

their

by cultivating

Such are the opinions held to-day by

of persons in the South,

own

small patches of land were

many

of
la-

numbers

even in the

them

half starved

and half

clad,

and the

towns where free negroes have been among

the lower class of labourers and domestics

bourers were in great distress.

years before
it

Two

or three

had been represented that there

labour on the island to cul-

ever since the close of the American war.

is it

Nor
not

was not

sufficient

by any means

certain that the condition

is

tivate the plantations,

and a system

of

immi-

of "coloured

persons" in the North

gration had been commenced. Labourers were

regulated by the survival of a similar impression

brought from India and from China, and in

this

among

those

who

were, and are

still,

the

scheme 400,000 had been expended out

unflinching advocates of equal personal and

political liberty for

of the taxes. of discontent

Here

wei'e smouldering elements

black and white alike.

which might soon be fanned into

;

The negroes

in Jamaica, and especially about

a flame of insurrection

and though

it

had
idle-

Morant Bay

district,

had evidently an organi-

been declared, on the other hand, that the

zation which enabled

them

ness of the emancipated negroes was the chief

cause of their

able display of force.

to make a formidThey had for some time

own poverty and

of the unsatis-

held meetings under leaders

events capable of arousing

who were

at all

factory condition of affairs in general, such an

them

to rebellion.
re-

explanation required a good deal of proof

before
it

Their grievances were such as demanded

dress,

was

likely to

meet with general

ac-

and the conditions which caused them

set forth in a letter addressed to

ceptance in this country. In fact the old battle

of opinions about the character

had been
derbill, a

Mr.

and claims

of

Cardwell, the colonial secretary,

by Dr. Unwhich was

the negro, and the necessity for keeping

in subjection,

him

gentleman who was associated with

This
letter,

began over again and with ad-

the Baptist mission.

ditional emphasis derived

from the struggle

It

on the whole a temperate statement, plainly

referred to the

which had led to the emancijoation of the

slaves in the Southern States of America.

want

of just

government

in

Jamaica; to the unjust taxation of the coloured

population; to the refusal of just tribunals;
to the denial of political rights to the emanci-

can scarcely be denied that most of those

who

had had personal acquaintance with the negro

himself, either in the plantations or in those

pated negroes; to the want of remunerative

places where he

had found employment among

rule,

employment, which would in time remedy the

evils

other labourers in large towns, declared that he

complained of by increasing the strength

It

would never, as a
of

be a profitable

member

and intelligence of the people. who,

was

for-

any community unless he worked under the

That among the surviv-

warded by Mr. Cardwell to Governor Eyre,

it

control of a master.

was afterwards
local

asserted, published it
it

ing characteristics of his race was indisposition

to

in the

newspapers, where

appeared

work

excei)t

under the pressure of inmie-

with an invitation to the residents of Jamaica

to furnish information on

diate necessity.
to himself,

That he would never,

if

left

which

to

found an

do more work than would

suffice

answer to
It
in

it.

to earn his daily ration of

common

food and

was

this letter,
it,

nnd

tlie

meetings called

such scanty attire as might be necessary to

enable him to appear

consequence of

that Mr. Eyre regarded

among

civilized beings.

as
it

among the
was
to

cliief

causes of the rebellion; but

At

was a clumsy, laughing, careless, grotesque, grown-up child, over whom it was
best he

George William Gordon, a man of

colour, a Baptist preacher,

and a member
to

of

sometimes necessary

to exercise severe control.

the assembly at Kingston, and

a negro

At

worst, along with the incurable idleness,

named Paul

Bogle,

who was

a leader at some
lie

or the very fitful industry, which

was a

heri-

of the seditious meetings, that

attributed

tage of the savagery from which he sprang,

active mischief.

192

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

to liave beeu preparatious for

There seemed

your house

take your guns.

Who

don't have

a general insurrectiou which was to extend to

guns, take your cutlasses

Kingston and other places beside Morant Bay;

but the
arrest,

over to Stony
to

Gut

that

down at once. Come we might march over

house to

for some trifling offence, of a

which the court-house was
riot

meet the Maroons at once without delay.

shells
!

negro who, perhaps, was one of the more active

agents in the latter place, led to an attempt
to rescue him, in

Blow your
to

EoU your drums

house take out every man. March them down

Stony Gut.

Any

that you find, take

them hand
too

attacked,

and a serious
It
official

was the
stated

conse-

in the

way

take them

down with
!

their arms.

quence.

was on the 7th

report of

of October, 1865,
it

"War

is

at us,

my

black skins

War is

at

and
that

the

that

from to-day

till

to-morrow.

Every black man

is

sticks, went Morant Bay with the avowed purpose of rescuing a person who was to be tried there for some trifling oflence. The

about

150 men, armed with

to

must turn
great.

at once, for the oppression

day (Saturday)

The white people

too.

are

now

cleaning

up
to

their guns for us,

which we must prepare

meet them

Chear, men, chear, in heart

apprehension of one of their number for

dis-

we

looking for you a part of the night or

orderly conduct in the court-house led to great

fighting

before daybreak."

and confusion, and compelled the

In considering the course pursued by Governor Eyre

it

custos of the district. Baron

to issue

von Ketelholdt,

must be remembered that there

in Hayti, in the

warrants for the apprehension of

was already an insurrection

been engaged

twenty-eight of the more prominent of the

rioters.

suppression of which an English vessel had

;

On

endeavouring to take one Paul

that Governor Eyre had only

Bogle into custody he was surrounded and

protected

a smaU force at his disposal and only one vessel of

by a

large

company

of

armed

blacks,

any importance, the Wolverine; and that

to

who

seized the policemen

and compelled them

act against

he was necessarily obliged

leave mucli
ofticers.

to take

an oath that they would

power

in the

hands of the military

the government.

On

the 11th an encounter

A number of Maroons, who had before served

in a military capacity,

took place in the square of the court-house,

the rioters overpowering the few volunteers
present,

came down from INIoore-

town, and were

now

ai-med and placed under

and setting

fire

to the building.

They

their former captain, the

Hon. A. G. Fyfe,

then commenced a wild murderous onslaught on the white people, killing and mutilating in
the most shocking

with

whom

they acted loyally iu helping to

suppress the rebellion,

but probably with

manner

all

whom

they
of

about as much cruelty as the rebels had shown

to the whites.

came

across,

and even extending the area

their excesses to the plantations bordering

on

When the news of the rebellion reached Governor Eyre at Spanish

of troops to be sent

Morant Bay.
This seemed to have precipitated the pro-

Town
to

he caused a body

by sea

Morant Bay, and

posed insurrection.
quell the rioters

Some

steps

were taken to

issued a proclamation declaring that martial

and punish the ringleaders,

law prevailed throughout the entire county oi

Surrey, except in the city of Kingston.

and

it

is

very

likely, fi-om

what afterwards
had
little

He pro-

transpired, that the negi'oes

consideration.

hope of
" the

ceeded to Morant Bay himself in the Conuvall.

and saw the commanding

;

officers

mete out
most

" Skin for skin," wrote Paul Bogle

iron bars
is

summary justice

to the persons concerned

now broken
send

in this parish; the

prominently in the revolt.

Short

trials, fol-

white people

proclamation to the
us,

lowed in most instances by shooting or hanging,

governor to make war against

all

which we

went on

for

many days

in succession.

must put our shoulders

to the wheels

and

Five tried on board the Wolvemie were hanged

pull together.

The Maroons

sent the procla-

on the stone archway of the burnt court-house,

mation to meet them at Hayfield at once

without delay thnt they will put us in a way

where the worst of the massacres had taken

I^lace.

Concerning his journey the governor

how

to act.

Every one

of

you must leave

wrote: " I found evervwhere the most un-


EXCESSES OF PUNISHMENT EXECUTION OF GORDON.
niistakable evidence that George William Gor-

193

jectsof her majesty the queen,

fore a right to the

and had thereas

House of Assembly, had not only been mixed up in the matter, but was himself, through his own misrepresentation and seditious language addon, a coloiuuil
of the

member

same treatment

would

have been accorded to insurgents in the United

Kingdom,
ists" bent

to rebel Fenians, or riotous " union-

on murder.

dressed to the ignorant black j^eople, the chief

cause and origin of the whole rebellion.

Writing from Morant Bay Lieutenant Adcock reported to Brigadier-general Nelson the
result of his pursuit of the insurgents:
" I

Mr.

Gordon was now

in Kingston,

and

it

became

necessary to decide wliat action should be

have the honour to inform you that on

taken with regard to him.

Having obtained

the morning of the 23d instant I started with

thirty

a deposition on oath that certain seditious

printed notices had been sent through the
post-office directed in his

men for
and

Duckinlield, and visited several

I

estates
all,

villages.

burned seven houses

in

handwriting to the

but did not even see a rebel.

On

retui'n-

parties

who had been

leaders in the rebellion,

to issue a
little

ing to Golden Grove in the evening sixty-

I at once called

upon the custos

seven prisoners had been sent in by the

roons.
I disposed of as

Mathe

warrant and capture him. For some

time

many

as possible, but

he managed to evade capture; but finding that

sooner or later
it

was too
morning
rebels.

tired to continue after dark.

of the

On
hung

was

inevitable, he proceeded

24th I started for Morant

flogged four and
six

to .the house of General

O'Connor and there

Bay, having
I

first

gave himself up.

I at once

had him placed

beg to

state that I did not

meet a

on board the Wolverine for safe custody and

conveyance to Morant Bay." Gordon was tried

single

man upon

the road up to Keith Hall;

all of

there were a few prisoners here,

I flogged,

whom

by court-martial there, and hanged on the morning of the 23d. " I have seen," wrote Governor
Eyre," the jjroceeding of the court, and concur

and then proceeded

to

John's-town

and Beckford.

At

the latter place I burned

;

seven houses and one meeting-house

in the

both in the justice of the sentence and the

policy of carrying
it

former four houses.

We

came

so suddenly

out."

The governor wrote

upon these two

no time to
retire

villages that the rebels

had

that besides Gordon, the persons prominently

with their plunder; nearly

concerned in the outbreak were black people

of the Baptist persuasion connected with him,
political

300 rushed down into a gully, but I could not

get a single shot, the bushes being so thick.

demagogues nnd agitators; a few

and a
j)ortion of

We could all
wood
all

distinctly hear their voices in the

;

Baptist missionaries,
pres.s.

the

round

but after the

first

rush not a

Humanly speaking, he

said he believed

that the promptitude and vigour of action

which had at once grapj)led with and punished

the rebellion had been the saving of Jamaica.

them with any advantage was impossible." Captain Ford writes on the same subject: "We made a raid
to be seen,

man was

and

to follow

with thirty men, flogging nine

ing their negro-houses.

men and

burn-

Although the steps taken by Governor Eyre

We

held a courtto

met with the

tive Council

entire apj^roval of the Legisla-

martial on the prisoners,

who amounted

and House

of

Assembly,

it

was

about

fifty

or sixty.

Several were flogged

thought by

many

pei'sons in this country that

without court-marti.al, from a simple examination.

.
.

he had shown unnecessary haste and severity

in his

This

is

a picture of martial law.

treatment of the rebels.

This opinion

The

soldiers enjoy it;

it.

the inhabitants here

can scarcely be wondered at

the accounts that

when we read
it

dread

If they

run on their approach they

came here

of the wholesale

are sliot dead for running away."

TJie execution of (tordon

punishment and slaughter. For

were none the

should have

was regarded with

been remembered that the persons punished

less entitled to

extreme disappi-oval by a large number of

jjeople, jirobably

proper

trial

and

the great majority of peojile

regular sentences properly executed because

in

England.

He

had denied

all

complicity

they were black.

VOL. IV.

They were emanci]>ated

i)eoi)lo,

or

with Bogle's iusurrectionai-y plans; he declared

that at the trial the evidence he could have
76

free-born negroes or coloured

the sub-

194

GLADSTONE AND HIS COXTEMPORAEIES.

almost say such gleesome alacrity

brought was not heard, either through the

on

the
fire

want

of time or the determination of the

part of some of the officers in carrying

judges.

He

bade farewell to his wife, his

mother, and his friends in a cheerful letter

full of fervid declarations

and slaughter and the hangman's rope among the wretched blacks that public feeling

that he should die

was

revolted.

The

friends of emancipation
ojipression

in the cause of religion,

and expressing
here,

his
St.

and the haters of

tary rvde
narratives,

and

of

mili-

hopes and sentiments in the language of

Paul.
right

looked

with hon-or

The question was asked

By what

and

their

upon these disgust was increased

had the governor ordered a man who

when an

officer

w^ho had sat in one of the

was a British subject and entitled to the protection of the law, to be arrested, conveyed
to a place

courts-martial addressed an abusive letter to

Mr. Charles Buxton, M.P., who had written

calling

where martial law had been pro-

attention to the proceedings.

ofi'ensive,

The
it

claimed, tried
iately executed
ings,

by
?

court-martial,

and immedmeet-

tone of this letter was so

and

con-

If speaking at public

tained such an undisguised threat of a chal-

even

if

the language held were seditious

lenge to fight or of a resort to physical argu-

or calcidated to lead to riotous proceedings

ments, that the government of Lord Derby

(this

and

rebellion, should

be an excuse for such a

was

in 1866, after the defeat of Earl

course of proceeding, there were people here,

Russell's administration) suspended the officer,

and even members

Of
coui-se

of the British parliament, to the

and

recalled

him from

his duties in Jamaica.

who might be Kable

an answer

same treatment.
and among

He

afterwards apologized very fuUy, and in

a sort of answer to this

whom
the governor

gentlemanly terms.
not diminished that

But the impression was

was that
had
to

in a place like Jamaica,

men

like

him should

people such as those with

to deal,

never have been placed in authority to try for

theu' lives, persons
"niggers,'"

rebellion

prompt and stem repression of was necessary; and violence had

whom

they regarded as

which meant individuals scarcely

be met with violence, sedition with im-

within the pale of ordinary humanity.

mediate and unrelenting pimishment.

this did not

But

In Gordon's case, too, there was not even

the excuse that an attemjrt might have been

meet the particular case of Gorcould be urged as some excuse

don, even

if it

for proclaiming military law.

There were

who Avere ready to say, we had to put down rebeUiou that would soon have issued in niassaci'e. We have lieaixl before now of the
people
gentle, the child-like

made to rescue him but for decisive measures. was a prisoner on board a government ship, which carried him to the district where

He

martial

law had
easily

been hastily proclaimed.

He

might

have been detained long

Hindoo, and yet there

enough to give him time to prepare a proper

defence,
to call
trial.

was a Sepoy

rebellion,

an Indian mutiny, a
In the
atroci-

witnesses,

and

to secure a

weU

of

Cawnpore, a massacre of Delhi.

regular
of

It

was not that the opponents

in-

same way there might have been equal

ties iu

Governor Eyre sympathized with the

sucli,

Jamaica, and there was evidence at the

surgents as " miserable,

or

had any excuses for

very beginning to show that unless the rebellion

mad
to

seditions, especially of this

were stamped out sternly and

negro, as

fiercely,

inhuman and
described
it

half-brutish type," as Carlyle

without hesitation, the indolent, good-natured,

faithful

be;

but

it

was

felt

that

some

of

you think him,

to the pitch of

numbers
any
just

of

innocent pei-sons had been in-

would have been wrought up

frenzy, in which he
atrocities that

cluded iu an indiscriminate execution without

would have committed

form

of trial or

any proper underterriJule

would have almost meant exter-

standing of the reasons for the

pun-

mination, either of the blacks or the whites, in

ishment
not

inflicted

on them.

]\Ir.

Carlyle

was

a great part of the island.

After

among

those

who demanded

inquiry or

making

full

allowance

for

these

denounced the proceedings which had been

taken in Jamaica.

representations,

however, the reports from

He was

ready to give his

Jamaica showed such recklessness

we might

name

to a

committee which was formed for

PEOCEEDTNGS AGAINST GOVERNOE EYEE.

Mr. Eyre's defence, and wrote
teristic

195
the
floggings

a very characre-

was
were

unnecessarily
reckless,

frequent;

letter to say so.

Nobody who

and at Bath
It appeared

positively barba-

membered
cratic

Carlyle's

former utterances on the

rous; the burning of 1000 houses was wantonly cruel.

to

negro question, or his leaning towards autoauthority,

many

people

could be

much

surjarised.

that the governor had been prompt and decisive,

He probably thought little more of " Quashee "

than

but that he bad at the same time been

re-

West Indian officers did, and he expressed his hope that " by wise effort
of the
disgi'aceful act of

many

so

alarmed as to give rein to barbarous,

pressive measures,

and to allow his subordi-

and persistence a blind and

piiblic injustice

nates almost irresponsible authority so that

may

be prevented, and an
:

they succeeded in putting down the rebellion.

egregious folly as well

not to say, for none

A new constitution was promulgated for the

government
of

can say or comjDute, what a vital detriment

Jamaica under Sir

Lieutenant

J. P.

Grant,
against

throughout the British Empire

is

such an ex-

who

superseded

Eyre,

ample
British

set to all colonies

and governors the

whom

prosecutions were

commenced by the
befoi'e the

Empire

has."

committees.

The

case

was brought

At

the end of 1865 Governor Eyre had

office,

Court of Queen's Bench.

burn,

Mr. Justice Black-

been suspended from his

and

recalled

who was on

the bench, had apparently

illegality

during the appointment of a commission of

inquiry,

changed his opinion as to the utter

of the trial of

and Sir Henry Storks was sent out

In October, 1866, Eyre was in

Gordon,

or, at all

events, in his

to Jamaica.

charge to the jury he spoke as though, i;nder

certain circumstances,
justifiable.
it

England, with
port him.

many

influential

men

to sup-

might be held to be

At a banquet

in

his

honour in

Southampton Kingsley spoke

in praise of his

The grand-jury threw out the bill against the accused, and Lord Chief-justice
Cockburu afterwards stated
sented, he should have felt
in court that,

energy, humanity, and wise discretion. Earls

had

Cardigan and Hardwicke also speaking to the

he known the law would have been so repreit

same

effect.

Meetings, however, had been

his

duty to have

held early in the year at Exeter Hall and

been in court and have stated his views to the

jury.

elsewhere denouncing the proceedings of the

militaiy authorities in Jamaica, and accusing

Mr. Justice Blackburn had almost up

to the last

moment appeared to hold

the opinion

Governor Eyre of having acted with gross

illegality

that the removal of Gordon was unjustifiable.

and tyranny.

defence fund with

To Lord Cockburn's remarks he

bility of the charge as

assented,

and

a large committee was foi-med on his aiTival,

expressed his willingness to take the responsi-

but a prosecution fund also with a large committee was actively at work.

he had delivered

it.

There then was practically an end of the matter.

The
seemed

report of the Commission of Inquiry

to exonerate the governor,

Some

furtlier efforts

were made to renew

condemnation of the

but to cast

legal proceedings to secure

much blame on
praised for the

the

manner

in

which military
out.

acts of

ex-Governor Eyre, but he had been ex-

government had been carried

skill,

He was

onerated, and the government of Lord

Derby

promptitude, and vigour

deemed

it

only just that he should be reim-

which he manifested during the early stages

of the insurrection, to the exercise of
qualities its speedy termination

bursed from the public funds for the great

expenses he had incurred in defending himself

which
and

was

in a gi'cat

against a charge arising out of his disofficial duties.

degree to be attriljuted.

Tlie military

charge of

This resolution was

paid.
It

naval operations were prompt and judicious.

carried out,

and the expenses were

added that the

But martial law was continued

period, during

for too long a

may

also be

loss of his gover-

which the people were deprived

norship, and the trouble

as the partial

and anxiety as well

suffered,

of the great constitutional privileges

by which
provided

odium which he had

which

the security of life

for.

and property
inflicted

is

were actual punishments not only for serious

errors but for offences, of
lie

The punishments
;

were found to

had after all

have been excessive

the i)unishnient of death

not boon found guilty.

There can be no doubt


GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOE ARIES.
had done
his duty,

196
that he believed he

and
and

be determined.

His reputation, when

it

did the

therefore he continued to regard himself,

to be regarded

come, was ample and well-deserved.

At

by many

others, as a deeply-

time of his death almost anybody, had he

injured man.

been asked the names of the chief writers of

fiction in

England, would have begun with

In previous pages, while speaking of the

characteristics of the contemporaries of

Dickens, Thackeray, and Bulwer-Lytton.

Mr.
of a

This

is

no place to discuss the merits of

Gladstone,

we have had

to record the losses

either, or to

compare the writings of one with

comparison.

the country had sustained

by the death
and

those of another, for there are few points in

either

number

of the leadere of social

political

which admit
if

of

It

is

progress at about the period which

now considering. To
of light

the

names

of

we are these "men

doubtful

there was

much

friendship besat-

tween Bulwer and Thackeray, who had

irized

and leading" others should be added,

it

and burlesqued him

but Dickens was

though

be only in a passing reference. The

the friend of both.

sudden death of William Makepeace Thackeray

In the Comhill Magazine, of which Thackeray had been the

first editor,

on the 24th
Eve), and the

of

December, 1863 (Christmas

Dickens wrote

shadow which that event cast upon many a household where his writings were admired, was yet remembered, nor had

(by request) an obituary notice, which was

very gentle and characteristic, in which he

said
:

many
left in

of those

who knew him and

his

works

ceased to believe that the vacant space then

the world of letters would not be

living writer.

filled

"I saw him first nearly twenty-eight yeai-s when he proposed to become the illustrator of my earliest book. I saw him last shortly
ago,

by any

It can jjerhaps scarcely

before Christmas, at the Athenoeum Club,

be said that Thackeray was a popular author

in the generally accepted sense, for his

when he

told

me

that he had been in bed

after these attacks

most

three days

that
in his

he was

appreciative readei-s were rather

with a certain peculiar turn of

taste for satire not

among people humour and a

troubled with cold shiverings, 'which quite

took the power of work out of him' he had

it

and

tliat

always ungentle, but in a

it

mind

to try a

new remedy

sense unsparing, inasmuch as

included everyside, and,

which he laughingly described.

cheerful,
of that

He was

very

body who had a weak or a wicked

ness,

and looked very bright. In the night

between those two periods

being silent only before innocence and good-

day week he died.

interval
in

made comparatively few exceptions. The "Diary of Jearaes Yellowplush," and the
in Punch,

is

The long marked

my

remembrance

of

him by

Snob Papers
stories,

and numbers

of essays,

many
orous,

occasions

when he was supremely hum-

and poems, beside the novels which

his pen.

have taken a high place in the literature of our

age,

when he was irresistibly extravagant, when he was softened and serious, when he
was charming with
children.

came from

large

number

of

But by none

his readers,

and even some

of his acquaint-

do I recall him moi'e tenderly than by two or

three that start out of the crowd, when he un-

ances, regarded
cynic;

Thackeray as somewhat of a
their suspicion sup-

and not only was

expectedly presented himself in

my

room, an-

ported by the keenness with which he seemed

to enjoy lashing the foibles
follies

nouncing

how

that some passage in a certain

and the small

but there now

book had made him cry yesterday, and how

that he had

and conceits

of the time,

come to dinner, 'because he couldn't

talk such passage over.

and then appeared in his conversation and

help

it,'

and must

No

manner a kind

of satire that

was near to the

of this
lii-st

one can ever have seen him more genial, natural, cordial, fresh,

bitterness of sarcasm.

How much

was
part
as

and honestly impulsive

to be attributed to his having, in the of his career, missed

than I have seen him at those times.

can
lie

No

one

making a reputation

surer than I of the greatness and the

lieart that

an

artist,

and

failed to obtain the inmiediate

goodness of the
self.

then disclosed

it-

recognition of publishera as an author, cannot

DEATH OF THACKERAY AND OF JOHN LEECH.

We had oui' diiferences of opinion.
tluit

197

I thought

throb,
rest

when he passed away

was found

to his

Redeemer's

he too

much
art,

feigned a

want

of earnestundei'-

ness,

and that he made a pretence of

He

jjeacef ully lying as

above deto all ap-

valuiug his
art that
lie

which was not good

for the
fell

scribed, composed, undisturbed,

and

held in trust.
topics
lively
it

But when we

pearance asleep, on the 24th of December, 18G3.

upon these
antl I

was never very gravely,

He was

only in his fifty-third year ; so young

have a

image of him in

my mind,
of the

a man, that the mother

his tirst sleep blessed

who

blessed

twisting both his hands in his hair, and stamp-

him

in his last.

him in Twenty

ing about, laughing, to

discussion.

make an end

years before, he had written, after being in a

white squall

When we
of the late

were associated in I'emembrauce

Mr. Douglas Jerrold, he delivered

in the course of

And when,

its

force expended,

a public lecture in London,

The harmless storm was ended, And, as the sunrise splendid

which he read his very best contribution to

Fundi, describing the grown-up cares of a
poor family of young children.
ing
I

Came

blushing o'er the sea:

thought, as day was breaking,

little girls

No

one hear-

My A
Those
little

were waking.

And

smiling,

and making

him could have doubted

his natural gentle-

prayer at

home

for me.

ness or his thoroughly unaffected

manly sym-

pathy with the weak and lowly.

He

read the

girls

had grown

to be

women

paper most pathetically, and with a simplicity

of tenderness that certainly

when

the mournful day broke that saw their

moved one

of his

father lying dead.

In those twenty years of

audience to

tears.

This was presently after

companionship with him they had learned

his standing for Oxford,

from which place he

me, with a droll

much from him; and one of them has a literary

coui'se before

had dispatched
jjostscript

his agent to

her worthy of her famous name.

note (to which he afterwards added a verbal

),

On

the bright wintry day, the last but one

urging

me
tell

to

'come down and

for

of the old year, he

was

laid in his

grave at

make a
electors

speech,

and

them who he was,

Kensal Green, there to mingle the dust to

which the mortal part
with that of a third
yeai's ago.

he doubted whether more than two of the

of

him had returned,

her infancy,

had ever heard

of him,

and he thought

child, lost in

there might be as

many

as six or eight

who

The heads

of

a great concourse of

had heard of me.'

He

introduced the lecture

his fellow-workers iu the arts

were bowed

just mentioned, with a reference to his late

around his tomb."

In the following year (on the 29th October,
1864) another

electioneering failure,
sense,

which was

full of

good

good

spirits,

and good-humour.
last

The
which

last line

he wrote, and the

proof he

those
larly

corrected, are
I

among

these i:iapers through

name was added to the roll of who had departed a name, too, as popuknown as that of the authors whose
had so often
illustrated.

have so sorrowfully made

my

way.

l)ages he

John Leech,

The condition of the little pages of manuscript where Death stop2:)ed his hand, shows that he had carried them about, and often taken them out of his pocket here and there, for jjatient revision and interlineation. The last words lie corrected in print were, 'And my heart
throbbed with an exquisite
tJiat
bliss.'

the famous artist whose humorous drawings

were justly regarded as pictorial representations of the

manners and customs

of

of the time,

died almost before reaching middle age.

He

was a school-fellow
ter-house,
ciated the peculiar

Thackeray at the Charhav-e keenly ajspreof the other.

and each must

God

grant

humour

To
and
a

on that Christmas

FiVo,

when he
to

laid his

look through the volumes of

Punch
life.

is

to see

head back on his pillow, and tliiew up his

some

of the best of Leech's genial satire

arms as he

hatl

been wont

do when very

truthful pictures of English

He was

weary, some consciousness of duty done and

Christian hope throughout
ished,
life

man

of refined taste,

and tliough

a]i])arently

humbly

cher-

robust and fond of horse exercise, suffered

may have caused

his

own

heart so to

from a nervous disorder, increased,

if

not

198

GLADSTONE AND HIS CON TEMPORAEIES.

action.

caused, by the uoise of the street organs which

He had

remained, as

it

were, linking

were

jerpetually being played

in

or near

the

new with
if

the older school, though he was

Brunswick Square, where he resided.

He

re-

himself not old.

moved

to

Kensington, and had not long taken

But

Aytoun and

his

companions could so
of Scottish

possession of his

new abode when he found

unite, as it were,
litterateurs, poets,

two generations
the

himself constiintly irritated by the unceasing

and philosophers,

to

what
of

tap tap of the

hammer used by a neighbouring

vast

range

would
!

recollections

mechanic.

His condition became so serious

that he was advised to seek change and rest

Brougham extend Brougham still lived, and survived Aytoun nearly three years. He lived
to see another reform bill, but he took
it.

abroad, and was forbidden to take the exercise

no part in

on horseback to which he had been accustomed.

That vast energy had not sunk into ajjathy

still

He
but,

remained on the Continent for some time;

having returned to England, the disorder

the widely-reaching intellect was

there;

but he was eighty-nine years of age, nearly

ninety, Avhen, on the 7th of

from which he had suffered increased.

irritability

His
of a

May,

1868, he

was

was perhaps only a symptom

a

found dead in bed, after having taken a day's

quiet exercise in his garden at Cannes.

deeply-seated disease of which he died; but the same

effect, though in

There

less painful degree,

he had chiefly lived for some years previously,

has been produced, on other distinguished professional

and there he was buried.

His public

life

may

men who were

unable to escape from

be said to have ended some hve years before.

the hai'assing noises by which the dwellers in

some London neighboui'hoods are perpetually

distui'bed.

Of the discoveries made by exploreis and

travellei's

during this period, the more im-

Another

loss to

the higher literature of the

portant were those relating to the supposed

sources of the Nile.

country was occasioned by the death of William Edmondstoune Aytoun at his shooting-lodge
at Blackhills, near Elgin, in August, 1865.

Captains Speke and Grant had gone with

an expedition to the Lake Victoria N'Yanza,

The University of Edinburgh, where he was had reason to mourn, for he was only in the prime of life. The son of an Edinprofessor,

which Speke had foretold would be found

to

be the great source of the sacred river; the

most remote waters or top-head of the Nile

being the southern end of the lake, situated
close

burgh lawyer belonging

in Taifs Magazine,
of

to the old school of

literary career

Whigs, Aytoun had begun his

advanced

on the

thii'd

degree of south latitude,

which was then the organ

but his views changed,

which, he said, gave to the Nile the surprising

length in direct measurement,
I'olling

politics;

over

and

in 1839 he

became associated with Black-

thirty -four degrees of latitude, of above 2300

miles, or

wood's Magazitie, and

allied to the

was

still

more

closely

more than one-eleventh

Speke,

of the cirto

Conservative

cu'cle in

the Scot-

cumference of our globe.

who came

tish literary

world by his marriage with the

this distinct conclusion in July, 1862, chris-

daughter of John Wilson (Christopher North),

the editor
oi. Blackwood.

tened the "stones," Eipon Falls, after the

His numerous

contri-

nobleman who presided over the Eoyal Geographical Society

butions to " Old

ballads,

Ebony"

as well as his poems,

when
the

the expedition was

of the water fi'om

and humorous sketches, kept his name

got up.

He named

arm

constantly before the reading public, while his

which the Nile issued Napoleon Channel, in

token of respect to the French Geographical
Society,

academical distinctions gave him a high position at the university,

of rhetoric

where he was professor

which had presented him with their

Following the com-se of the White

and

belles-lettres.

Aytoun may be

gold medal for the discovery of the Victoria

said to have been one of the last of a distin-

N'Yanza.

guished band of Scottish litterateurs of a period

Nile Speke and Grant reached Gondokoro,

when they formed,

as

it

were, a select and

died,

where they were received by Mr. (afterwards

Sir)

somewhat exclusive company. Some had

Samuel Baker, another famous

at later date

traveller,

others had been attracted to a wider held of

who Lad

something further to say

SPEKE GRANT BAKER PUBLIC. IMPROVEMENTS.

ou African discovery. By him
land,
tiiey

199

were hospi-

in abeyance,
it.

if

they did not tiuaUy determine

tably entertained, and soon letui-ned to Eng-

where they were enthusiastically received

by the corporation of Poitsmouth, who in an

address expressed the pleasure they
felt in wel-

The march of improvement waschieMy manifested during the years

now under review

in

coming

travellers "

whose recent discoveries

all

increased facilities for travelling and inter-

have solved the perplexing problem of

ages

commimication.

We
of

have already in former

by

ascertaining the true source of one of the

earth."

pages noted the advance of electric telegraphy

most wonderful rivers on the face of the

and the laying

system of
electric

the Atlantic cable.

The

By

the Geograi^hical Society they were also

communication was now sup-

received with

many friendly expressions. The

was
still

plementing correspondence by letter throughout the United Kingdom, and was soon taken

true source of the Nile

cussion, however.

under

dis-

Mr, Samuel Baker and

the

over by the government and

made a

part of

Captain

Burton, both experienced African

the organization of the post-office.

The railway
traffic,

travellers,

were not inclined to

accei:)t all

system, too, had to a great extent superseded

conclusions supposed to have been arrived at

the ordinary omnibus and coach

not

without further investigation.

To Speke un-

only in the provinces, but in the suburbs of

doubtedly belonged the honour of the great

discovery of the lake, and on the 17th of Sep-

London. The Metropolitan Underground Railway, opened on the 9th of January, 1863, provided for

tember, 1864, the British Association, then

many thousands

of daily travellers

holding

its

meetings at Bath, anticijiated an

from one part of London

to another.

Railway

interesting discussion between

him and Burton

bridges across the Thames, intended to unite the southern lines witli the northern, and
ulti-

on the subject
Alas
!

of

the sources of the river.

on the 16th, only the day before, Speke

mately to make a comjilete chain of intercommunication, were already a part of the growing

met

his death while out shooting at

Neston

Park, Wiltshire.

He
if

should have been well

scheme
Y>ose of

and though demolitions

cases

for the pui-

acquainted with the use and the method of

carrying firearms,
lia|)s

constructing railways were serious, and

any man was, but perhe was getting

off,

in

some

were jiermitted unnecessarily to

he was so accustomed as to have grown

It appeared that

sacrifice and destroy

much that was picturesque,

in the streets of

careless.

historical,

and beautiful, some very considerable

our
Vari-

over a low stone wall when the gun went

improvements were made

ous movements were

while the muzzle was pointed to his chest.

large towns, and especially in London.

That was
was
only

all

that could be surmised.

When

made

for the provision of

one of the party came to the spot S])ekc

just
sensible,

dwellings for the poorer classes, who were necessarily deprived of their

and

murmured,

homes when neighconstruction of the

of the

" Don't

move me."

In a few minutes he was

bourhoods
for

in

which they lived were destroyed

dead.

public works.

The

On

the 28th of June, 1865, letters were re-

Holborn Viaduct and the progress

em-

ceived by Earl Russell and communicated to

bankment

of the

the Geographical Society, saying that Mr.

to Blackfriars

Thames from Westminster were among the most striking

traffic;

Baker (who with

had been living at Khartoum and Gondokoro) had discovered

his wife

impi'ovemeuts in relation to street

but the formation of bi'oad well-paved thoroughfares,

another lake, which was as importiiut as

tlie

new bridges and

some

docks> the erec-

former one, and was equally regarded as the

tion of large blocks of wai-ehouses

tial piles of offices in

and palastreets

"main" source
latitude 2

of the Nile.

It

was

in

north

of the

main

17',

and had been named Lake

It will be

of the city,

and the adoption

of a

more orna-

Albert N'Yauza.

remembered that

mental style of architecture for banks and

shops in the chief avenues of commercial and
fashionable
life,

Dr. Livingstone had then gone out on another

African expedition, and his subsequent discoveries kept the qucsiion of the actual source

gress which found expression

marked an amount of jnowhen some of the

200
piiuci2);il

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOKAIilES.

public works were afterwards comthe least siguificaut of those which

Lancashire distress,

many

of

the cleigy were

pleted.

Not

indefatigable in their exertions to obtain subscriptions, while at

were already huished, was the new bridge

across the

the same time the in-

Thames

at Westmiuster,

which

w'as

terest of benevolent persons in

many

congi-e-

opened on the 24th of May, 1862.

gations was directed

of transit

to

the relief

of

the

The

reference to improved

modes

poverty of the inhabitants of some of the worst

districts in

may remind
tidal trains
facilities for

us that communication between

London.
bill for

On the day that Sir John

the abolition of churchof 10 in

and steam packets alt'orded greater

reaching the continent of Europe,

Trelawny's
rates

was thiown out by a majority

and as

since January, 1861,

no passports were
Great

a house of 560 members, a meeting

had been

demanded from any

of the joeople of

summoned by
perty,

the Bishop of London, consist-

Britain, subjects of the queen,

on entering

ing of clergymen, gentlemen, owners of pro-

France, and the same relief for British visitors

to Italy

and emjjloyers

of labour for the puri^ro-

had been declared by the

Italian
of

pose of consulting on the best means of

government in June, 1862, the number

increased.

vidiug for the spiritual needs of the poorer

districts of the metropolis.

English travellers abroad was considerably

After some

dis-

cussion a resolution

was adopted

to raise

An

enormous advance had been made in

^100,000 each year for the ensuing ten years

to carry out the four objects of the Diocesan Society, namely, the building of churches, the

technical

and

art education since the first insti-

tution of govex'nment schools of design in 1842.

Among
lic

the numerous additions to our pub-

endowment
curates,

of pai'sonages, the

employment

of

buildings must be mentioned the range of

and the promotion

of church exten-

galleries for tine art, industrial

and other exhi-

sion in the metropolis.

bitions erected at South Kensington, the ex-

At
1865,

the

first

annual meeting of the Bishop of

penses of which were jsartly defrayed from the

London's church extension fund in January,

it

funds remaining from the International Exhibition of 1862.

was reported that the

and a further sum
of

receipts to the

On

the 10th of June, 1863,

31st of December, 1864, had been 100,456,

135. 6d.,

the Albert Memorial was inaugurated by the

above 72,000

Prince and Princess of Wales.

The memorial

had been promised.

was

originally intended to

commemoi'ate the

An active and
made
Church

decided movement was being

International Exhibition of 1851, but

now

to support the claims of the EjDiscopal

dedicated also to the

memory

of the " author

to wdiose
its

as the established religious authority,

of that undertaking, the

good prince,

and that movement was made with judgment,

inasmuch as
it

far-seeing
first

and comprehensive philanthropy

was

in the direction of beneto those

conception was due, and to whose clear

in directing
its

ficent endeavours,

and ap2Dealed

who

judgment and untiring exertions

its

professed to belong to the

communion

of the of in-

execution the world

is

indebted for

un-

Church

of

England without the display

sevex'al reasons for this

precedented success."

This explanation, and

tolerance or uncharitable exclusion.

the announcement that the

erected by public subscription,

memorial was
is

There wei'e

demon-

contained in
beai-s

stration, not the least being those disputes

one of the
scription.

tablets,

each of which

an

in-

and dissensions which seemed

the church
itself

likely to divide

into separate bodies, or rather

to separate still further the sections into

which

Among
made

the numerous

eflforts

which were

the body calling

itself

the

Church

of

England

for the amelioration of the condition of

had already been divided.

It

the poor, several were organized by the clergy

of various parishes,
of the

was in reference
and
to

to

these difficulties
difficulties

and the charitable work

within,

other

supposed

church was to be recognized in

many

without the church, that Mr. Disraeli made a

remai'kable speech at a meeting of the Oxford

directions, as occupying
tion.

new

lines of opera-

In April, 1863, during the time of the

Diocesan Society for the endowment of small

ME. DISRAELI ON THE SIDE OF THE ANGELS.

benefices.

201

It

would not be easy

to decide

at the

Europe
of a

of the present

day and the

It is not the

what

soiue of those

who were

present

made
it

Europe

hundred years
its

ago.
is

of his peculiar declarations,

and though

has

same Europe;

very form

changed.

Whole
a-

been represented that they were intended to denote the policy and convictions of the Conservative party, it

nations and great nations which then nourished are no longer found.
litical

There

is

not

po-

would perhaps have been

difficult

constitution in

Europe existing at the

for

any member of that party, wlio had himself

present time which then existed.

The

lead-

deeply considered the position of the establishment, and the

ing community of the continent of Eui-0]ie

manner

in

which

it

might
it

has changed

all

its

landmarks, altered

its

have to meet the dangers by which

was

boundaries, erased

its local

names; the w'hole

supposed to be assailed, to gather from the

speech any practical suggestion for preventing
or repulsing them, except
alike for the theories of

jurisprudence of Europe has been s.ubverted;

even the tenure of land, which of

tions

all institu-

by excommunication, Darwin and the specu-

most

affects

the character of man, has

feudal system has been

been altered

the

lations of the authors of Essays

and

Reviews.

abolished; not merely laws have been changed,

" Instead of believing," said Mr. Disraeli,

" that the age of faith has passed,

but customs have been changed.

And what

when

obtak-

happened?

When

the turbulence was over;

serve

what

is

passing around me, what

is

when

the shout of triumph and the wail of

stilled
;

ing place in this country, and not only in this

agony were alike

when, as

it

were,

country but on the Continent, in other countries

the waters had disappeared, the sacred heights

of

and in other hemispheres, instead

of be-

Sinai and Calvary were again revealed;

lieving that the age of faith has passed I hold

and, amid the wreck of thrones and ti-ibunals

of extinct nations

that the characteristic of the present age

is

a
a

and abolished laws, man-

craving credulity.

Why, my
if

lord,

man

is

kind bowed again before the divine truths

that had been by Omnipotent power in His
ineffable

being born to believe; and

you do not come

its

forward

if

no church comes forward with and by the conviction

wisdom intrusted

to the custody

and
I

title-deeds of truth, sustained

of sacred ages
less

by the tradition
of count-

the jiromulgation of a chosen people.

...
is

hold

tliat

the highest function of science

tlie

the

generations to guide him, he will found

interpretation of nature, and

tion of the highest nature
is

interpreta-

altars

and

idols in his

own

heart and in his

the highest science.

own
the

imagination.

But observe what must be

W hat
.the

is

the highest nature ?

Man is the highest

I

relations of a powerful church without

nature.

But

must say that when

compare

distinctive creeds with a being of that nature,

llest assured that the great principle of political
is

the interpretations of the highest nature with

most advanced, the most fashionable and

school of

economy

will be observed.

Where
new

there

modern

modern

science;

when

a great

demand

there will be a proportionate

school

compare that with older teachings with which

supply; and commencing, as the

we

are familiar, I

am
is

not prepared to say that

may, by rejecting the principle

it

of inspiration,

the lecture-room

more

scientific

than the
is

will

end by every

priest being a prophet;

church.

What
me
is

is

the (question which

now

and beginning as they do by repudiating the

practice of miracles, before long

placed before society with the glib assurance

we

shall

be

which
tion
is

to

most astounding

That ques?

living in a flitting scene of spiritual phantas-

this. Is

man an ape

or an angel

]\Iy

magoria.
vagant,

There are no tenets however extrano practices however objectionable

lord, I

am

on

tlie

side of the angels.

repu-

diate with indignation

and abhorrence those

I

which

will not in time develop \inder such a

new-fangled theories.

believe

they are
;

skite of affairs; opinions the

most absurd, and

foi-eign to the conscience of

humanity

and

ceremonies the most revolting are perhaps to

say more that, even in the strictest intellectual point of view, I believe the severest

be followed by the incantations of Canidia and

the Corybantian howl. But consider the country in which all this

me-

taphysical nnnlysis
sions.

is

opposed to such conclu-

may

take place.

Look

But, on the other hand, what does the

202
church teach us
?

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

What
is

the iuterpretaitiou

mentioned, and some references have appeared

to "Tracts for the of those

of this highest nature?

It teaches us that

Times" and the opinions

as the

man

is

made

iu the

image of his Creator

of
'

who formed what was known

source of iuspiratiou, of solace

a source from
I say, there-

Tractarian party, which diflered from the old

which cau How ouly every right principle

morals and every diviue truth.
fore, that

orthodox or High-church party, and still more from the Evangelicals, who, holding with
Chilliugworth that the Bible and the Bible
alone
is

when we

are told that the teachings

of the church are not consistent with the dis-

the religion of Protestants, strenuously

coveries of science,

and that
is

in that sense the

opposed the contention of the Tiactariaus.

inferiority of the church

shown, I totally
scientific
j I

The
itself

latter

urged that the

New
its

Testament

deny the proposition. I say that the

tant of all subjects
to

was derived from, and

authority was

teaching of the church upon the most imporis,

subject to the endorsement of the church,

in fact, infinitely superior

anything that has been brought forward by

and doctrines therein contained must have existed in the jarimitive churcli
since the faith

these discoveries.

In

fact, it is

between these

during the interval which elapsed between

the teaching uf Chi'ist and the appearance of
the written gosjjels or epistles.

two principles that

which the church

society will have to decide.

Ujjou our acceptance of that divine truth, of

is

They
the

also

the guardian,

all

sound

argued that

when

the canon

of

New
oi-

and coherent and sensible

it is

legislation dejjends:
it is

Testament Scriptures was formed, each book

of

the ouly security for civilization,

the

which

it

was composed was endorsed

iu

only guarantee of real progress."

Brilliant

accepted in conformity with the existing botly

this was,

and

effective

enough

no

of

doctrine

the church.
to

The

question,

doubt, but without

much

actual substance on
this

therefore,

seemed

be between the supremacy

which the hearers might lay hold; for at

very time some of the

of the doctrines of the church to be found in

men who

had,

it

was

the Scriptures of the

New

Testament, and

thought, gone beyond what were regarded as

the supremacy of those Scriptures as deter-

orthodox limits were already occujiyiug positions of distinction not only as clergy of the

mining the doctrine of the church.

tions

The

rela-

between Evangelicalism and Tractarian-

Church
So

of

England but

as professois in the

ism involve considerations of the conditions

universities.

which
of indejDendent or

affect the course of

human thought and

it;

far

had the assertion

the causes which modify

and

as

Mr. Glad-

even heterodox opinions reached, that some

of those

stone has pointed out, the evangelical move-

whose conclusions had a few years

only tolerated but accepted.

ment, partly founded on reverence for the

formers of the church, was
itself

re-

before been regarded with apprehension were

a I'evival of

now not
seen,

long afterwards Maurice, who, as

Not we have
of

a living influence and example which gave

intensity

to religious

belief

and

teaching.

was once the leader

of

an "advanced"

" The nature of the evangelical

movement was
fit its

school of theology,

was appointed professor

of history,

not probably well calculated to

agents
It

moral i)hilosophy at Cambridge, while Kingsley

for exercising social influence at large.

had

had become professor

and at

a code with respect to amusements which was

at once rigid

Oxford the opinions

causing

of Professor

Jowett were
sides there

and

superficial.

This code

in-

much perturbation. On aU

flexibly proscribed

certain of the forms in

was

to be discerned

an impression of the truth

which the worldly

it left

spirit loves to

work

while

of the declaration that the church as well us

ample room

for others not less charged

the world would have to accept the results of

with poison, and perhaps more insidious.

lay life generally
literature, art,
it

In
with

a development of modern religious belief. Allusions have already been

did not ally

itself
;

made

iu these

and general cultivation

but

it

pages to the changes and developments which

harmonized very well with the money-getting

pursuits.

during thirty
clwirch.

year's

had taken place within the

of Dr.

The name

Pusey has been

was almost

While the evangelical clergyman of necessity a spiritual and de-

GLADSTONE ON EVANGELICALISM AND TRACTARIANISM.

voted man, the evaugelical layman might be,

203

practical instruction in the Anglican Church.

and sometimes was the same

in his case far

but there was

But the

evangelical preachers of the English

more room

for a composition
left

Church, ascending from the theme of the doctrine of " justification," set forth the jaersou,
life,

between the two worlds, which

on him the
to a sever-

work

of exclusiveness,

and tended

and work

of the Justifier as the source

and
life.

ance from society, without securing an interior

substance, not less than the model of our

standard of corresponding elevation.

But

it

This was the perpetual

office of

the church,
re-

seems probable,

if

not almost certain, that the

and

in this they

were not innovators but

interfusion of a class of

men like the evangelical

body
at large

clergy with the clerical

must

The founders of the "Oxford School," a few men, among whom at the outset was
storers.

have powerfully rebuked the gross inconsistencies

of
jDrofessional

only one professor, and

who partook

of

no au-

character,

and have

thority or advantage belonging to an ancient

university, followed,

oijerated with the force of a widely-diffused

and with the aim

of

com-

example in raising what was the prevailing,

pleting the restoring

gelicals

work which the Evan-

and threatened
standard."

to
is

become the

traditional

had begun, though they did not an-

This

Mr. Gladstone's conclusion

in evidence of the im-

nounce, and perhaps did not know, that they

when speaking
days
;

of evangelicalism in its early

had derived
sors.

so

much from
of

their

predeces-

and he mentions

Their distinctive speech was of church

sacraments and services.

provement among the clergy a remark made

to him by Sydney Smith, whom he met at Mr. Hallam's house about the year 1835, "He spoke, not of any general changes in

and priesthood,

Through the sacraments and observances of the church the saving truths and doctiiues
were to be taught in a way
suitable for, transmission
ca]3able of, collective

and

the prevailing tone of doctrine, but of the

by a

body

improvement which had then begun to be

remarkable iu the conduct and character of
the clergy.

from generation

to generation.

Theie was
jjarties,

strong antagonism between the two

,

He

went back upon what they

in his vivid
'

but yet the Tractarian party was powerfully

reinforced from the ranks of the Evangelicals.

had been, and said

and pointed
sure

way
he
is

of illustration,

Whenever you meet a

Of the three great authors

of the tracts

Mr.

clergyman of

my

age you
!

may

be

(juite

Keble was the only one belonging

of traditional Anglican theology.

to the school

a bad clergyman

'

He must

then have In

Mr.

(after-

been over sixty but under

sixty-tive.

wards Cardinal)

Newman had
life.

been closely
in

describing the character of his era he could

afford this

allied to evangelical doctrine

and feeling

good-humoured condemnation;

for,

his eai-ly religious

His brother English

strictest sense to

in truth, as the pastor of a parish, to

he appears

cardinal

had belonged in the

have shown a manly earnestness for pracwhich,

if it ilid

the ranks of the party.

tical purposes,

not rise alarm-

and i860 a very large

entitled

But between 1840 number a jxunphlet

ingly high, yet

was greatly

in

advance uf the

Bom^s Recruits enumerates about 3000

Mr. Gladstone
;

time."

of recruits went over to the Church of Xlome.

it

Mr. Gladstone regards

able fact that
it

as

an unquestion-

Of

these,

tells us,

several huntitle also

was

after the appearance of

dreds were clergymen and persons of

" Tracts for the Times," and not before, that the
juice

were numerous.

Some

of the seceders
first

were
reli-

and

sap, that is to say, the positive part

persons brought for the

gious influences.

time under

of the evangelical teaching, coursed

through
" of

Some

cases

may have been

;

" the actual gates and alleys of the body

the English Church.

simply due to personal idiosyncrasies, some

to a strong reaction

The

evangelical teach-

from pure unbelief

some

ing with I'espect to the church and the sacra-

came from Presbyterianism, a mere handful

from Nonconfoi'mity,
or,

ments,
book,

fell
oi-

below the standard

of the Prayer-

on the other

side,

the Articles, or both.

This was a

negative part of the evangelical scheme, and

it

from the old-fashioned Anglican ja-ecinct, represented by men like Archbishop Howley,
Bishop
Blomtield,

could not

i)ass

into the general strain of

and

Dr.

Ilook.

Very

204

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAKIES.

es2jecia.lly

mauy, aud

yoimg women, made the

sion carried on by Mr.

Newman aud

other

change through what

may

be called pious
care-

writers of the "Tracts for the Times" gave

appetite, without extended

ful inquiry.

knowledge or

greater latitude for questioning the absolute

But

tliere

was a

large, and, stiU

authority of Scripture or not, a disposition

more, an important class not included within

towards free

criticism

and

free

interpre-

any

of tliese descriptions, principally clerical,

ujj of

tation of the Scripture narratives

trines afterwards became apparent
of the

and docand the

but not without a lay fraction, made

among some

men

comjDetent in every

way by

talent, at-

more eminent

of the clergy

tainment, position, character, to exercise a

professoi-s at the universities.

Mr. Stanley,

judgment, which judgment they did exercise

in general to their
judice.

afterwards the

Dean

of Westminster,

was one
and

own heavy temporal preThe secession of this body of men is

of the earliest of the so-called heterodox;

Professor Jowett, Professor Baden Powell, and

others,

a conspicuous event of the first order in the

men

of blameless character

and high

Anglican religious history of a very remarkaljle

attainments, published books, ailicles, or pamjihlets

time.

Tractarians.
outlines

The bulk of them were reputed The secession sharpened the

of
less

which caused great uneasiness among

those faithful churchmen or nonconformists

and heightened the pretensions

decidedly than
it

who dreaded

the so-called

German

theology

Romanism not
and for a time
not destroy,

thinned

aud philosophy, and who saw, as many good and wise men saw, that the tendency towards
reliance

the regimental forces of the Anglican system,

utterly disjjaraged,
It
is

if it

did

on the dogmas of an absolute church

its credit.

matter of import-

on the one hand was again simultaneous, not

only with the abandonment of the former ac-

ance to inquire what persons are I'esponsible

and what system

hai-dly

is

responsible for this result,

cepted grounds of belief in Scripture truths,

which from more than one point of view could

be regai'ded as other than a serious

but with the resumption of those

scepticism

fallacies of

and deadening- forms

of unbelief

disaster.

Avhich perverted
is

and debased the national aud

This, then,

the sketch of the principal

position of the church;
to consider
it

social life.

movements and the and it is important

to

No such effects were to be apprehended from

the criticisms coujjled with the teaching of

in relation

subsequent events and situations and also

part

men

like Stanley, Jowett, or others associated

to the
stone.

borne in them by Mr. Glad-

with them in that kind of criticism which,

Without necessarily maintaining the

is

whatever may have been

its

errors or its dan-

opinions he expresses, the foregoing account

gers, recognized the revelation of the divine

life;

mainly a slight condensation

of his

own

state-

but there was, as there might be now, a

ments

in a portion of

an

article entitled "

its

The

kind of undiscriminating terror among ortho-

Evangelical
gi'ess,

Movement:
Issue,"

Parentage, Pro-

dox people.

and

which appeared in the

and
to

As

a general term for the books and pam-

British Quarterly Revieiv for July, 1879,

phlets which appeared on the critical or speculative side, the

has been reprinted in his collected

papei-s.

word

Rationalistic

came

to be

To

this essay the reader

would do well

somewhat
artless

loosely applied.

That Dr. Colenso,

refer not only for the purpose of

becoming

Bishoj) of Natal, should in consequence of the

acquainted with the subject of the movements

in religious thought

questions of

a Zulu have signified

literal

and observance, but in

his

doubt of the dry

accuracy of the

order to be able to correct misrejDresentations

authorized translation of some portion of the

which have frequently been made with

Mr. Gladstone's opinions on
ecclesi-

Pentateuch, was not to be borne without an

outburst of indignation and a

regai'd to

demand

for

astical questions

and

religious doctrine

and

summary
teuch

investigation

but when Dr. Coentitled

observance.

lenso published his

book

The Penta-

But before turning from these topics it must be mentioned that whether the discus-

and

the

Book of Joshua CriticaUy Exawas great consternation, though

rained, there

DR.
a critical
exaiuiiuiLioii

COLENSO-" ESSAYS AND REVIEWS."

any
nial Bishoprics of the bishop's salary of

205

scarcely started

Fund had withheld payment

362.
Dr. Colenso,

had not been discussed, and, one -way or another, settled long before. The impression made on a great many iDeojjle was
c[uestion that

therefore, filed a bill against

Mr. Gladstone,

Vice-chancellor

Wood,

the Archbishop of Cantrustees, calling

that

if

the bishop had devoted more attention

terbury, and others

who were

to previous discussions,

now

almost dismissed

upon them to

set aside ;10,000 out of the

into the limbo ot Darren topics of inquiry, he

fund for securing the income of the Bishop of

Natal, and also to pay his salary.

might never have written the book at

it

all.
it,

As
and

The

de-

was, the people

who
it,

did not read

fendants contended that by the judgment of

the committee of privy -council Dr. Colenso

those

who

did read

and were as unconscious

of its consisting

as the bishop seemed to be

had never been a bishop

at all in the sense

chiefly of thrice-thrashed straw,

were alarmed,

contemplated by the founders of the fund.

not so

much

at the result, as at the source of

Against this Lord Romilly,

defined

who

tried the case,

the heterodox conclusions.

of Convocation

The Lower House

what he conceived

to

be the dutiesand

found the book to contain

functions of a bishop, and pointed out

how

errors of the gravest

acter,

and most dangerous charthis declaration to the

the letters patent of the crown had failed in

and presented

enabling the bishop to perform those duties,

Upper House, who declined to interfere because the work was about to be submitted to the judgment of an ecclesiastical court, but affectionately warned those who might not be
able to read the convincing answers which had

what were the

objects for

which the funds

of the con-

were contributed, and the nature

tract entered into

by the

trustees with both

the crown and the plaintiff.

The judgment
trustees

was

for Dr. Colenso,

costs.

and the

had

to

been published, of the dangerous character of

the book.

pay the

The
tried

result of a reference to the

ecclesiastical court

was that though Dr. Cohis metro-

Essays

and

Rerierrs, the

name

of that liook
is

lenso

was

and condemned by

which once raised such a ferment,

seldom mentioned, or
very definite sense of
its
is

now

])olitan the

Bishop of Caj^e Town, and two of

spoken of with no

his sutiragans sitting with

him

as assessors,

doing serious mischief.

volstill

their sentence of deprivation of his see

was

reversed by the committee

cil,

of the privy-coun-

inasmuch as

it

held that the crown had no

Some of the authors of that unassuming ume of speculative or critical essays are famous, and will be remembered when
book
itself

the

power by law
possessing an

to constitute a bishopric or to

has been almost forgotten.

of seven essays

The
any

confer coercive jurisdiction within any colony

volume was made up

having

independent legislature

and

no

special or necessary connection, nor

that the letters patent which purported to

create the sees of

very obvious agreement, and each was signed

Cape Town and Natal were

with the name of the author.

It

may be

.said

issued after these colonies

legislation, so that neither

had acquired such

bishop was, in the
sec,

without much doubt that this collection of papers was not primarily intended to convey
the settled

eye of the law, liishop of his

of

and neither

opinions or convictions of

the

them had any

jurisdiction whatever.

writers; but that the essays were exanq)los of

critical

Nobody
I)iety,

called in question the character, the

and
a.s

.speculative thought,

and the

re-

or the honesty of Dr. Colenso, and his

views,

their

name

implied,

the

written

supporters in

London soon started a fund whereto about ^3300 was subscribed before
ho returned to his charge, a bishop without a
legal see or jurisdiction,
P.ishop of Natal.
to overcome,
scril lod

results of

an examination

of certain books in

the views of which the writers were intellectually interested,

and with which jnobably

In

but

all

the same the

difficulty

they to a considerable degree accorded.

the
first of

There was another

to

the essays the

human
whose

race

was

and

meet

this the funds sub-

personified a.san individual

inlcllectnal

wore

roquii-ed.

Acting on the judgment

and

religious education or

development had

of the privy-council the trustees of the Colo-

been proceeding through the beliefs and ex-

206

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

and was proceedDr. Pusey, and his co-prosecutors of Professor
still.

pei'iences of successive ages

ing

The idea was not altogether new,

called imjDious, except
it

Jowett in the chancellor's court at Oxford,

and could scarcely be

from the point
of

could not carry on the case because of the

protests entered

view that unless

were
it

by the defendant's
spiritual matters,

pi-octor,

subjected to strictly metaphorical limits

which contained objections that the court had

no jurisdiction in

would be opposed to certain orthodox doctrines.

was

unfit

The next paper was a review

criticisms

of

some

biblical

to do justice in the case,

and had no jjower

and

rationalistic conclusions of

Baron

over a regius professor.

Bunsen, a

man who had

scholars,

been the admired and

There were of course other ways of pro-

esteemed friend of most of our eminent states-

nouncing sentence against the

essayist,

and

men and
ions,

but whose heterodox opinin society

though tolerated

where

his

learning and his character had

made him

wel-

come, could not be regarded with complacency

when a proposal was made to increase the endowment of the Greek chair which remained at its original amount of 40, although that sum was admitted on all hands to be

when they were

issued with the apparent en-

utterly inadequate
to the

considerable

opposition

dorsement of a reverend principal or professor

at either of our colleges or universities, or

scheme was evinced.

This opposition

was overcome, however, so

resident
cerned,

far at least as the

were upheld by professed members of the Established Church.

members

of the University

were con-

The

others papers which

and a

j^lan for increasing

the endow-

made up
tlie

the volume included an application to

Old Testament history, of the principles

liis

adopted by Niebuhr in
history of

inquiry into the

to the

ment was agreed upon, with the understanding that no approval was there1)y given to the opinions of the existing jirofessor. The scheme
had
to be sul^mitted to the vote of the

Rome,

objections

Mosaic

whole

account of the creation, and contentions that

the same rules of interpretation and criticism

body

of graduates of the university, resident

and non-resident, and was rejected by a considerable majority,

should be applied to the Bible as to any other

made up

principally

of

The authors were the Rev. Dr. Temple, head-master of Rugby School, and afterwards
book.

non-residents.

The

lord-chancellor then pro-

posed to accomplish the object in view in another way, and brought a

of
bill into

Bishop of Exeter; the Rev. Dr. Williams, Viceprincipal of St. David's College, Lampeter;

the

House
one

Lords enacting that in future a

stall in

Baden Powell, Savilian professor of astronomy at Oxford; Mr. Goodwin, a disthe Rev.

of the cathedrals should be assigned to the

occupant of the Greek chair, and providing

that the
first stall

tinguished scholar and Biblical commentator;

the Rev.

which became vacant should

Mark

Pattison, tutor

and afterwards

be thus appropriated.
at
first

The

proposal, though

principal of Lincoln College, Oxford; the Rev.

received with considerable aj^proval,

their lordships,

Mr. Wilson, and the Rev.

professor of

J. B. Jowett, regius

was ultimately rejected by

mainly on the ground
the university properly to

Greek

at Oxford.

tjiat it is

the duty o{
chair, ia

Against Professor Jowett there was much

opposition in the university, fi'om conscientious motives.

endow the

consideration of certain privileges and advantages

Dr. Pusey,

who twenty

years before

some of

which are of great value in a

had been suspended by the vice-chancellor

from preaching from the university pulpit

pecuniary point of view

crown.

granted to

it

by the

what were

alleged

to be

Romish

doctrines,
in-

The lower House

of Convocation at their

had afterwards with his followers been

tion

meeting, and the Archbishop of Canterbury in

reply to a deputation of 800 clergymen, de-

debted to Mr. Jowett for friendly interven-

between them and the

authorities,

who

cided to take no action against the authors of

would have dismissed them.

with Dr. Ogilvie, one of those
his

He now

joined

the heretical book, but to wait for the refutation of the opinions
replies

who had been

which

it

contained by

own

personal opponents, in the prosecution

professor.

which would be sure

to

be published.

of the

Greek

The Bishop of Salisbury then commenced a suit.

LORD WESTBUEY'S BLISTERING WORDS.

This case which was brought by the Bishop
of Salisbury against the Rev.

20V
he tried to produce

which the archbishojj

said,

Rowland Wil-

pain by words that should blister those upon

liams was tried in the Arches Court, where

the judge rejected
all

whom

they

fell.

There were, he

said, three

the charges but those

modes of dealing with Convocation when it was

permitted to come into action and transact real
business.

contained in two articles.

On

the charge upon

these two, the defendant appealed to the judicial

The

first

was, while they were harm-

committee

of the privy-council,

and the

lessly busy, to take

no notice of their proceed-

Lord-chancellor Bethell (Lord Westbury) was

strongly in favour of a reversal of the sentence
of

ings; the second was,

when they seemed

likely

to get into mischief, to prorogue

and put an

suspension pronounced by the Court of

articles,

end

to their proceedings; the third,

when they
their

Arches on account of the two

lordship

which his

had

done something

clearly

beyond

moved should be rejected as the rest had been. The charges in an action against
said should be withdrawn.
cellor

powers, was to bring them before a court of

justice

and punish them.

This was biting and

another of the essayists (Mr. Wilson) he also

contemptuous enough as pronounced by an

The lord-chanside of

eminent lawyer holding such high

office to-

was evidently on the and

freedom

wards a body wliich regarded

ecclesiastical tribunal.

itself

as

an

of opinion,

distinctly declared that

Mr.

He went

on, however,

Williams's expressions were not to be inter])reted in the

to represent, that as Convocation derived its

way put

forth

by the promoter
repi-esen-

authority from the crown, and could pronounce

of the action,

and that Mr. Wilson's

no valid sentence without the sanction of the

crown, any attempt to put such a sentence in
force without that sanction

tations could not be said to be plainly contra-

dictory

to,

or inconsistent with, the articles or

would make the

furmularies of the church to which the charge

referred.

offending parties liable to a praemunire.

He

The Archbishops of Canterbury and

in this judgment,

then pictured the archbishop and the bishops

at the bar, not in solemn state, but as penitents in sackcloth

York did not concur

and

issued pastoral letters on the subject.

A few

and ashes

he supposed that the

days afterwards an address said to have been

signed by 137,000 members of the Church of

sentence would be similar to that passed by a

bishop on one of the authors of Essays

and

England, thanking them and supporting

decision they
at

tlie

Reviews

year's deprivation of his benefice,

had taken, was presented to them

con-

and

then' represented that as the archbishop

votes, for

Lambeth Palace. Essays and Reviews was afterwards

had given two

two years the most

reverend prelate would be condemned to have

all

di^mned in Convocation; but, upon the rejiorts

of the

the revenue of his high jjosition seques-

committee of the Upj)er and Lower

trated.

What

an o]i)iortunity for his right

the
chancellor
of

TTousf,
to the

when

that decision was brought

down

honourable

friend,

the

Lower, amendments were moved which,

carried,

exchequer, to spread his net, and in one haul

take in ^^30,000 from the highest dignitary,

though they were not

showed that was yet

of

opinion was not unanimous.

Tliore

not to speak of the hoi polloi, the bishops,

deacons,
canons,
vicars,
all

to follow a sharp discussion in the

Tjords,

House

included

in

where Lord Houghton asked the govto the

one coran^on crime

all

subject to one com-

ernment questions as

powers of the

mon

]ienalty.

Assuming that the report

to tell their lurd-

convocation of the province of Canterbury to

])a.ss

of the

judgment which he had read was a

lie

a synodical judgment on books written

;

correct one,
sliijis

was happy

l)y

clergymen or laymen

as to the

immunity
at

that

what

Avas called a synodical jiulgseries of well-lubric;\tcd

of

members

of that

body from proceedings

ment was simply a

terms

common law consequent on such judgment;

and ns
to the

a sentence so oily and saponaceous that

it.

form in which judicial power

if it

no one could grasp

Like an
it

eel it slipped

must be exercised
'I'ho

belonged to that body.

for the lonl1

tlirough the fingers;

was simply nothing,

If the

ojiportunity

was too good

and
it

lie

was glad

to tell his noble friend tliat

all.

chancellor to lose, and he rojilicd in terms, of

was no sentence at

volume had

208
lieen the

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

work
of

one hand the sentence might

effect; but, seeing that the

the authority, and practically tried to defy the

have had some

power

of a legal tribunal,

and have refused to

volume was only two covers holding together

separate essays, and seeing that the sentence

acknowledge the duty

astical superiors.

of obedience to ecclesi-

did not attribute any offence to anything but

the volume containing these separate writings,

It

may be remarked

here that in the matter

of subscription to the articles of the chm'ch

not one of the authors was condemned, and

each one of them might say, "This thing that
is

Dr. Pusey had in the early part of his career,

and while he was

liable to suspension

from the

condemned
tliis

is

not mine;

it

belongs to you."

university for alleged

Romish

tendencies, re-

In

way

the volume and the sentence

it

fused to accept the articles except with the

liberty of interpreting

which condemned from one

might be handed round

them according

to his

to another,

and the application

of

views of their meaning in the ancient church.

the sentence be repudiated by all the authors. The bishops might meet together as a debating club and express their opinion whether
this or that

The subscription
is

to the clerical oaths had,

it

almost needless to say, become liable to as

elastic

an application, and at length a royal

re-

law was a good or a bad one; but

commission was appointed to inquire and

even that was not a very small nor a proper

thing, for they might thereby involve themselves in great peril.

port on the subject, with the result that in

July, 1865,

Lord Granville brought a biU

He brought

before

them

before parliament for relaxing the subscription to certain clerical oaths.

this

the predicament in which any individual

memThe

The

effect of

ber of the episcopal bench might stand.

was that

in place of the old

form pledging
Prayer, the

upper house might come to a particular determination; but, supposing the author of one of
these essays were presented to a living or

his "assent

and consent"

to everything con-

tained in the

Book

of

Common
by the

any

declaration as jiroposed

bill to

be made

other piece of ecclesiastical preferment, and

before ordination was: "I assent to the Thirty-

supposing that one of. the bishops who had been

a party to those proceedings were called on to
institute.

nine Articles of religion and the

Book

of

Common Prayer and of

priests,

the ordering of bishops,

I believe the doctrine

The

bishoj^

would naturally

say,
I

and deacons.

"

How

can I institute a

man whose work

of the united

Church

of

England and Ireland

have joined in condemning?" but, in declining

to institute, the bishop

as therein set forth to be agreeable to the

might possibly become

be involved in the

word

of

God; and in public prayer and ad-

liable to a prsemunire, or

ministration of the sacraments I will use the

consequences of another hard word, duplex

querela.

form in the said books prescribed, and none

other except as far as shall be ordered by lawful authority."

This was the strain in which the reply

This measure passed through

was made, and mover

stejis

it

concluded by assuring the

it

both houses of parliament.

of the question that

was not the

in-

tention of the government to take any further

in the matter.

few words must be said

of Sir

Richard

rejilied

with dignity,

The Bishop of Oxford and not without effective

loi'd-chancellor, say-

Bethell (Lord Westbury), the profound and

accomplished lawyer, of the bitter tongue, who

took so prominent a part as a law reformer

rebuke of the tone of the

ing that
if

he had no respect for himself, he

and in these
resignation.

ecclesiastical trials.

The

close of

ought to have had respect for the aiidience

before wliich he spoke.

1865 saw his sudden and almost unexpected

He was

just 65 years old, for

he

Probably few persons could have defended

the manner of the reply

was born

in 1800.

His father was a physician

to

made by Lord Westit

at Bradford,

and was said

have descended

bury; but the matter of

found out

was subject

for

from an old Welsh family named Ap-Ithell

(whence Bethell). His education began at the
Bristol

very serious consideration, as people have

sincfe,

and

especially

now

that an-

Grammar

School.

At

the age of

tliir-

other party in the church have alike denied

teen he left that seminary and studied with

THE PROPOSED NEW EEFOKM

his father for

BILL.
it

209

one year, and then proceeded to

tray his relative, but

was

distinctly stated

Wadham College, Oxford, where he found some

difficulty in matriculating

that his silence was from no improper or un-

on account of his exovercome, he was

becoming motive.

treme youth. This

difficulty

against him, however, in the

The charge was brought House of Comof for

elected scholar in the following year;

and

in

mons
and
it

instead of before a judicial tribunal,

1818 (before he was eighteen years of age) he took his degree, witli the honours of a
in classics
firet class

was made use

an attack against

the government, so that a vigorous

"whip"
more

and a second

in mathematics.

He

brought up a large attendance, in which the

Disponents of the lord-chancellor were

was was

called to the bar at the

Middle Temple in

1823, and
first

made

a queen's counsel in 1840.

He

numerous than
practice

his supporters.

"Laxity of

returned for Aylesbury in 1851 as a

and want

of caution, w^hereby great

Liberal Conservative, and sat for that place

till

encouragement has been given to corrupt

practices,

1859,

when he was returned

for Wolver-

and which, even in the absence

of

hampton.

He had

held the

office of

vice-chan-

improper motives,

are, in the opinion of the

cellor of the

county palatine of Lancaster, and

solicitor-general in 1852 in

house, highly reprehensible

and calculated

to

was appointed

Lord

throw discredit on the administration

high
offices of state,"

of the

Aberdeen's ministry, and attorney-general in

1856, and, with the exception of the brief in-

was the resolution which

terval of

Lord Derby's second ministry, had

office till in

Lord was accepted by a small majority. Westbury resigned his office with dignity, and
not without some calm and almost pathetic words, accepting the decision of the house

been in that

July, 1861, he became

custodian of the Great Seal of England.

His
seen,

wit was acute, his language, as

so caustic that
it

we have

without saying a syllable against

it

except that

has been called

vitriolic;

he hoped after an interval calmer thoughts

though he mostly spoke in a lisping drawling

would

prevail.

He

pointed out the work

manner which was far from being oratorical, and made the words he used all the more startling when the listeners came to think of them.
It will easily be understood that he

which had been accomplished

the

plans of

reform and improvement which had been

carefully arranged under his direction

men-

was

tioned that on his retirement there would only

beloved neither by those members of his

profession
tions

own
by

be a single appellate judgment in arrear, and

that the same could be said of the Court of
" It is

who were opposed

to his innova-

and

simplifications of the law, nor

Chancery.

very possible that by some

persons on

whom

he had turned his unsparing

of refutation.

word inadvertently used

some abruptness of

powers of derision or

Perhaps

manner
])osed

may have

given pain, or have ex-

many

of his

enemies were waiting for an

to

myself to your unfavoui'able opinion,"

opportunity

pay

off

old

grudges,

and

though they may not have had much hand in

he said to the House of Lords in conclusion. " If that be so, I beg you to accept the sincere
expression of

came in a manner which must have pained even those among his opponents who admired his abilisettling the score, the opportunity
ties

my

regret, while I indulge the

hope that the circumstance

from your memory."
It

may be
like

erased
oflicial

was

an

and

l)elieved in his honour.

It

appeared
life

dying speech.

But Lord Westbury

in

lived to
aj)-

that his real disposition in private

indulgent, and to

was
in

do useful work as a "law lord" in deciding

peals
ficult

some extent

unsusjiicious,

and as arbitrator

some delicate and

dif-

and he had used his influence or patronage

placing two of his relatives in
tions,
official

commercial questions
till

duties

in

which

posiac-

he was employed

his death in .Tuly, 1873.

where one of them was afterwards

cused of holding or using the jiublic

for hi^

money

The
the

ses.sion of

1866 commenced with

little

much
Eor

own

purposes, and another of some

interest
first

and with no

expectation.

other proceeding which could not be passed

time since the death of the prince])arli;miejit.

over with projiriety.

lax, VoL. IV.

He

had been foolisldy

than be-

consort the queen opened

The

and had remained

silent rather

appearance of

lior

majesty

in ]iulilic wa.s the

77


GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.
Whigs, or the determined op])onents of wide
measures of enfranchisement, except as concessions to popular agitation.

210

occasiou of a loyal and hearty welcome, which

would perhaps have been more vociferous if Only by her it had been less sympathetic.
presence in the house did her majesty resume

The knowledge
Gladstone a

that this

was

tlie

existing

her royal state.

beside

The robes
stood,

lay on the throne

impression must have

difficult

which she

with downcast eyes,

made the task of Mr. one, when lie had to

by that time he had,
it

as the speech was read by the lord -chancellor.

concur in framing a measure, and to introduce

it

One

ijassage

in the speech pointed

to parliament; for

directly to parliamentary reform:

"I

have

may

be supposed, gone far beyond the tradi-

diiected that information should be procui'ed

in reference to the rights of voting in the

tions of the

RusseU Liberal policy so

far as

regarded an extension of the popular privileges in elections of

election of

members
is

to serve in parliament for

members

to parliament.
charactei-

counties, cities,

and boroughs.

Wlien that

There was a certain wholeness in his

information

complete the attention of par-

which forbade him from resting

in partial de-

liament will be called to the result thus obtained, with a

in the laws

velopments, and hence, in departing from one

stand-point to another which he saw before

view to such an improvement

of voting

which regulate the rights

him, he had soon to change his boundaries on

iiU sides in

in the election of the

House

of

Commons

as

accordance with what was to him

tlieir relations.

may

tend to strengthen our free institutions

the evident consistency of

is

It

and conduce to the public welfare."

no

depreciation of

him

to say that

he evi-

Not very

exciting, this placid reference to

dently did not, himself, realize the position

that he would rapidly assume in lelation to
questions on which he might very well have
thouglit he

an inquiry which ardent reformers thought

should lead to a veiy considerable extension
of the franchise

and a careful redistribution

had already undergone a quite

of seats in accordance with equal representa-

complete change of opinion.

And though

the
not,
it

tion;

and yet not only the opposition, but a

to be untimely,
if

reform

bill

which he had to propose did

large section of the supposed supportei'S of the

in the estimation of

many, go far enough,

government, assumed

it

not

had in

it

those elements of thoroughness which

unnecessary, unless for the purpose of securing

were

sufficient to gain for it the

support of
it

a few concessions, chiefly in the direction of

the borough franchise.

Mr. Bright

support which,

when

was

Nor could

it

be main-

discovered that the opportunity of passing a

tained that any very significant demonstrations

measm'e of the kind was

likely to be delayed,

had been made outside paiiiament to ob-

and perhaps
friends

lost

by the continued apathy

or

tain a definite scheme of reform. Thex'e was a widely-felt impression that the question would

indifference of those

who

professed to be the
jjolitical

and advocates of

fieedom,

soon have to be considered, and there were

several associations

rose into

warm and enthusiastic remonstrance.

;

and not a few leaders

measure wliich would
;

wUling to organize and carry on a regular

movement
satisfy a

for securing a

The introduction of the bill was somewha,t but before it had been cliill and con.strained long debated, Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Bright
liad sustained its claims

genuine demand

but the demand

both in and out of

had not been made

others, that

in the shape of distinct

parliament by oiatory which they have pro-

propositions, perhaps, for one reason

among

bably seldom surpassed.

peals, thougli

Their energetic ap-

advanced reformei-s

felt little con-

they did not arouse sufficient

fidence in proposals likely to

emanate from a

deteiTnination to support and save the govern-

government

of

which Earl Russell was the

iufluential element.

ment, stirred the country into action which

compelled those
reconstruct
of
it

head and the Whigs a very

who

defeated

tlie

measure to

The truth seemed to be that Earl RusseU's government was not likely to go anything
like far

enough

for the Liberals or Radicals, far for

if some them were less satisfactory, were in some respects more inclusive. There must have

with provisions which,

and a good deal too

the

cautious

been many people at that time wlio reiuem-

THE NEW CABINET W.

bei'tnl

E.

FORSTER G.

J.

GOSCTIEN.

211

Disraeli's saying of

the Peelites that

bathing, aud
bill

parliament Mr. Forster was widely

known

" they liad caught the

Whigs
Iii

as an active intelligent magistrate, a zealous

had stulen their

clothes."

the reform

and earnest philanthropist, and a

of

politician

of 1867 the Conservative

that,

government showed

widely Liberal
it

principles

and enlarged

aided by something like an accident,

views, and

has recently been

Ii'ish

they had tripped up Whigs and Liberals together,

that during the

famine,

made known when he was a

and had afterwards been obliged

to

young man, he was engaged alone and with

indefatigable activity in visiting the remote
distressed districts,
access,

disguise themselves in their clothes.

But

to return to the opening of the session.

many

of

them not easy

of

The

miiiistry

was not regarded

as one favour-

and taking measures

to afiord relief to

able to the advance of Liberalism.

The ad-

the starving peo])le.

In 1859 he contested

vanced party were asking,

left

Why

was Bright

Leeds, but was defeated by Mr. Beecroft; but

in 1861,

out of

it

It

had been rumoured that Mr. John Stuart aud

when Mr.

Titus Salt, of Saltaire, dis-

he was to be secretary for India, or president

of the
JNIill

gusted with parliamentary

For'ster

Board

of Trade, while

life, retired, Mr. was returned without opposition for

was

to support the family tradition

aflfairs.

Bi'adford,

where he had a large business as a

Mr. Forster, very soon
house, began to take part
re-

conduct Indian

No such appointments
office,

worsted manufacturer.
after he entered
tlie

were made.

Lord Clarendon succeeded Earl

and the governexcept
little alteration,

Russell in the foreign

in the discussions,

and speedily gained a

ment remained with

nies

putation not only as a debater, but as an earnest, vigorous,

in the offices of under-secretary for the colo-

and convincing speaker.

rising

and vice-president
having

of the

Board

of Trade,

Mr. Forster had long been deemed a

man.

Mr. Chichester Fortescue, the former undersecretai'y,

Mr. Cobden had from the

first

a high

become

Irish

secretary.

opinion of him, and thought that he would be

certain to attain
in the house.

These two changes were not at the time of

and keep a prominent position

much apparent importance

which gave no seat

but they became

really significant as the introduction to offices,

in the cabinet, to
to do,

The Right Honouiable George Joachim

Goschen, one of the members for the city of

two men
and

who have
tin;i,ncial,

since

had much

one with the

social

London,

liad risen

rapidly in

official

life,

for

and the other with the

he was only

in his tliiity-fiftli

year

but he

political administration of the country.

These

had a special talent

for finance,

which had

two men were Mr. Forster and

Mi'.

Goschen.
for

been cultivated by commercial experience as a

Mr. William Edward

F'orster,

member

member
Goschen,
ciei-s,

of the

well-known firm of Friihling,

merchants and finan-

Bradford, did not profess to be himself " one

of the people falsely called Quakers,"

&

Co., foreign

though

his connection with whom he relinquished

office in

he was the only son of William Forster,

who

on taking

the government.
at

was more than

fifty

years a minister of the

Mr. Goschen was educated

Rugby, and

Society of Friends, and died in Tennessee,

at Oriel College, Oxford, where he took his degree.

whither he had gone on an anti-slavery mission.

He was first returned for London in

)>oll,

1863, 1865.

William Forster married the

l'>uxt<in,

sister of

and again, at the head of the

in

Sir

Thomas Fowell

the

first

baronet.

Some

years before, he hail

])iibh'sli(d

a b(V)k

The

merulier for Bradford was born in 1818,

on the theory of foreign exchanges, and almost

immediately on enteiing the House of Com-

and was therefore forty-eight years old when

he took
office

in

the ministry of 1866.

He

mons he made a position

for himself as an able

married Jane Martha, eldest daughter of the

late

speaker on finance and commercial legislation.

Shortly after Earl Russell succeeded to the
premiershi|) Mr. (loschen
])resident of the
olliee
lie

Dr.

Arnold, the celebrated master of

Kugby

School, and adopted all the children

was a])pointed
but

vice-

of one of Dr. Arnold's sons,

who

died in the

lioard of Tra<le;
siiorl

this

prime of
provided

life,

leaving his family but scantily

he

hatl

only luld for a

time when

for.

Long before he came

into

was

Iransferreil to the

Duchy

of Lancaster,

212

GLADSTONE AXD HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

It
is

with a seat in the cabinet.

generally

crisis

was impending
assuring.

in a particular direction,

undei-stood that the rapid promotion of Mr.

the statement which accompanied the budget

Goschen was made at the instance

who,
it is said,

of the

was highly

The

chancellor of the ex-

chancellor of the exchequer (Mr. Gladstone),

chequer had not to announce a surplus of rev-

was desirous him

of

having at his

enue on the scale of the

last three years, which

back a

man

thoroughly conversant with finanin the discharge of the

had reached an average

half;

of three millions

and a

cial atfairs to help

but he would

still

be able to

make

reducex-

onerous duties of his

office,

added the leadership

of the

to which had been House of Commous.

sujj-

tions not without interest.

I

The estimated

penditure for the past year had been upwards

of 66,000,000,

The government

also

reckoned on the

but the actual expenditure was

port of Mr. Stansfeld, a rising politician, on

the side of Eadicalism,
in

only 65,9 1 4,000. The revenue was 67,81 2,000,

leaving a surplus of 1,898,000.

who had
Lord

held

office
I I

The revenue
calculated.

the admiralty under

Palmerston,

had been 1,424,000 more than was

but had resigned in consequence of having

been charged with complicity in the plots of

for

Mazzini an accusation the only foundation which was that he was a friend of the Italian patriot, to whom he had given permisdirected to Mr. Fiori, in order to avoid a possible repetition of post-office scrutiny.

The average increase in revenues since 1864 was about a million and a quarter per year. The loss caused by the reductions of last year had slightly exceeded the estimate. The exchequer balances had been reduced by unusual
liquidations of debt.

sion to have letters addressed to his house,

On

the 31st of March,

1865, they were 7,691,000;

and on the same

Mr.
to be
j

date in 1866 they had fallen to 5,851,000.

Stansfeld was, however, too able a

left

man

The
I

total estimated

expenditure of the coming

out of party considerations.

of

year was 66,225,000, which, as compared

The Duke

Argyle in the Lords was at

with the expenditure of the previous year,

that time scarcely of sufficient weight to count

showed an increase

of 78,000.

The

total

But his ability was recognized, even though it was occasionally manifested in a manner which led men to
against some Toiy advantages.
resent his self-sufficiency rather than to yield
to the

estimate of the revenue for the year would

'

be 67,575,000, thus leaving a surplus of

1,350,000,

which, but for the charges of

the previous year, would have been quite

2,700,000.

arguments by which he upheld his

re-

presentations.

He was usually regarded rather

of

The

effect of the

commercial treaty with

as a clever, persistent debater, with a philo-

France had been to raise the export trade

that country from 58,500,000 francs to

sophical turn, than as a profound politician or

He was one of the rising men of the day. And on the other side, in the House of Commons, was Sir Hugh Cairns,
an able statesman.

141,000,000 francs.
treaties

We

had now concluded

with Austria and Belgium, Italy and

the Zollverein on the same standard as that

of France,

who had

already

made

a considerable mark,

no duty

to exceed 25 per cent

ad

and Mr. Gathorue Hardy, afterwards Lord

Cranbrook.

valorem on British goods.

This nectssit<ated

changes in our
alto-

own

tariff,

by which the duty

equalized.

Earl Eussell's ministry, then, was not

gether such as would lead
large

on timber was repealed and the duty on wine

in bottle or in

men

to expect

any

wood was

These

and inclusive measure

of paiiiamentary

remissions, together with the abolition of the

reform, nor, as

we have
felt

noted, had there beeu

duty on

pej^per,

which would be a

loss of

any definite and startling outcry for such a

measure. It was
that
if

112,000 for the year, a reduction of the

mileage duties on public conveyances from a

there must be re-

fonn at aU,
tious

it

should go beyond the very caulines of the intimation in the

penny
were
of

to a fai'thing a mile,

and a reduction

of

and sober

the scale of the license duty on post-horses,

all

royal speech.
still

The

counti-y was,

on the whole,

that could be proposed

and disjjosed
and the

so prosperous, that, tliough pressure

felt,

was

560,000 out of a surplus of 1,350,000.

tea duties were to be renewed,

beginning to be

and a sharp,

i-oiimiercial

The

JBBSL^

WILLIAM

EDWARD F0R5TER
&
f

rKU M A fHOTOOKAPH BY KLLlUl-l

KV

PLACKIE & EON liONPON &L4SO0W & KDDCBBROB

THE PEOPOSED REFORM BILL OF

income-tax to
leiiiaiu

1866.

213

at
of

fourpence in the

pound.

The statement

Mr. Gladstone couit

chided with a careful rejireseutation that

and that Mr. Gladstone, and perhaps Earl Russell also, had submitted to a compromise which went no further than a 14 franchise
for the counties

was time

to prepare for a serious reduction of

and a 7 franchise

for the

the national debt, the

amount and

fluctuations

towns.

on which he said was exercising an injurious

social influence.

The House
ment.

of

Commons was crowded

in

every part to hear the proposals of the govern-

A good
annuities.

plan of operating on the debt was

of perpetual into terminable

There was, perhaps, as much curiosity

by the conversion

as there

There was then a sum of twenty-

four millions standing on a dejDOsit account of

the trustees of savings'-banks, the whole of

had been when the Reform Bill of was brought forward by Lord John Russell but there was far less excitement,
1831
;

even when

it

was declared that the measure

eflect of

which the
it

state

was now bound

to take that

to

pay; and

would have the

adding 400,000 perof voters.

was proposed

sum, which now

it

sons of aU classes to the

these 171,000 would
franchise,

number

Of

cost

720,000 a year, and convert

into anraise

come under the county

nuities terminating in 1885,

which would

which would be reduced from 50

the annual charge to one million.

If this

was

to 14, with the proviso that the occupation

of property of the value of less than

done in 1866-67 there would be a charge something above 1,200,000.

50 should

The following year

include a house the annual value of which was

there would be a further charge on this conversion of 502,000

;

not

less

than 7.

Copyholders and lease-

but of this 293,000 would

holders in boroughs were to have the same

privileges as freeholders.
chise

be relieved by the falling in of other annuities.

The
It

total additional charges,

making
so
it

all

allow-

was

to be reduced

The borough franfrom 10 to 7.

ances,

would be about 409,000 per annum.

Much

attention was then and afterwards di-

was further proposed that

were found
;

much

of the

rected to

"the compound householder"

all

dividends of the fund which

to create as
to

was intended
in

term which was constantly heai'd in

sions about reform.

discus-

be to spare should be

reinvested

and the

result

would be that

holder was the tenant of one of a

The compound housenumber

1885 the charge would be 1,440,000, while

there would have been cancelled no less than
fifty millions of

of small houses or tenements, for the rates of

which the landlord "compounded" with the parochial authorities

stock

and from year

to year

paying for tliem

much

all in

one

the state would be buyers of stock.

surplus dealt with in

The

sum.

This of course came to

the same

making the reductions

thing as the rates being paid by the tenant,

since the landlord

which he had stated would be 1,064,000,

leaving an unappropriated balance of 280,000.

would naturally take care

to the in

that his disbursements were added

rental.

These are the indications

of the plan

which
it

Compound householders
less

boroughs
lodgei"s

Mr. Gladstone was considering, nor did

with serious opposition.

meet

were to have the franchise, so were

paying not

The

projjosal to con-

than 10 a year exclusive of

vert a portion of the debt into terminable annuities

the value of furniture, and so were separate

was embodied
its

in a separate bill,

which

tenants of the same liouse.

householdei's,
it

The compound
voters.

had passed
reform

second reading

when
tlie

the gov-

was estimated, would add

of

ernment was overthrown by

its
bill,

rejection of

25,000 to the

number

Another

to

which we must now give a

reform

clause gave votes to all adult males

who had
yeais,
for tintlie

passing notice.

deposited
bill

50

in a savings-bank for

two

When the proposed

before the

was bi'ought
of

which entitled them to be registered

place in which they resided.
principal points of
tlie
tlie bill.

House
it

of

Oomnions on the 13th

These were

March (1866)
restrictions to

soon became evident that the

it

The question
to

of

which

had been subjected by

it

redistribution of seats

was

be dealt with

the cabinet had kept

within limits wliich

anient reformers,

in

a separate
it

bill,

Imt Mr. Gladstone consilie

were

little likely to satisfy

dered

to be of so nnicli importance that


214

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

it

would uot undertake to introduce

in the

that as

some changes were inevitable

their point of view

it

would

same
the

session or even in the following one.

little

have been more consistent to have accepted

in

Not only was there comparatively

bill to

what from

might have

evoke an outburst of national en-

been regarded as a comparatively harmless

extension of the franchise, than to arouse the

thusiasm, but there were special difficulties in

pai'liament
itself.

It

was introduced
just

to a

country to

still

further expectations.

In addi-

House
elected,

of

Commons which had but

been

tion to these objectors, it has

been declared that

and had not been

of supporting such a

elected

on the

there were others

who

honestly believed that

ground

measure as was

any measure

of further enfiauchisement should

proposed, or indeed any inclusive scheme of

be such as to secure a settlement of the question

leform at

all.

Men

like

Mr. Bright aud Mr.

measure as a
it,

which would leave no probability

agitation for several years to come.

of

John Stuart

Mill, regarding the

f uither

stage of political progress, supported

aud

To

these vaiied opponents of the bill Mr.

many

other " advanced " Liberals were willing

Gladstone had to address himself, and he

closed his great oration

to appi'ove it

on that understanding.
first

Mr.
ear-

by appealing

to those

Forster was one of the

nestly
of

who spoke

who

professed to see in the proposed measure

it is difficult

m its favoui', and among other adherents

Yet
it

dangers which
"

to understand
it.

how

Mr. Gladstone there was presently no lack

soon became evident that
the Liberal party were
their
of

they could have associated with

of fervour.

We

cannot," he said, " consent to look

many members
slipping

upon
it

tins large addition, considerable althougii

be, to the political

away from
the
it

allegiance

not
but

may

power
if it

of the

work-

because

biU

promised

too

little,

ing-classes of this country, as

were an ad-

because

did not promise quite what they

dition fraught with mischief

and with danger.

will

expected, or because, having just obtained

their seats, they

We
look,

cannot look, and

we hope no man

were not inclined to imperil

upon

it

as

them by upholding a measure the success of which they thought was doubtful. Among
these so-called Liberals were unpronounced

ing

tlie

walls of

some Trojan horse apjjroachthe sacred cit}', aud tilled with

ruin, plunder,

armed men, bent upon

flagration.

and conit

We

caxmot join in comparing

Whigs, who did not care about any plan of

re-

with that moastruni infelix

"

we cannot say

form unless

it

should be unmistakably foiced

It cer-

Scandit fatalis machina muros,

:

on them by pressure from without.

tainly
less

Fceta armis

mediseque minans illabitur urbi."

was a mild, not

to say a rather colourit

measure, and though

was afterwards

I believe that those persons

whom we ask you

your army,
ask you to
just

supported by some of the most fervid and

brilliant

to enfranchise

ought rather to be welcomed

recruits to

appeals ever uttered

by

its

chief

as

you would welcome

promoters, Mr. Gladstone himself introducing

it

or children to your family.

give within
limits of

We

to

a vast assembly in a speech which lasted

for nearly thi-ee hours,

and was throughout

attention,

what you consider to be the prudence and circumspection;

but,

listened to with eager

and admiring
it

having once determined those

limits, to give

nobody could claim for

that

it

gave any vast

with an ungrudging hand. Consider what you

can safely and justly attbrd to do in admitting

concessions to popular demands.

The most

re-

markal)le point of the situation was that

mauy
ten-

new

subjects and citizens within the pale of

of the Conservatives professed to regard the

the pai-liamentary constitution; aud, having

so considered
it,

measure as dangerously democratic in

dencies,

its

do not, I beseech you, perform

and
it

rejjresented that unless it

were

the act as

if

you were compounding with dan-

opposed

would bring ruin ujion the country.

of this opinion could
little political foresight,

ger aud misfortune.

ferring a

Do it

as

if

you were conand reciproGive to these

Those who were really

have had

boon that will be

felt

and

othei-s
I

cated in grateful attachment.

who on

principle resisted all attempts to rereflected

persons

new

interests in the constitution,

new

form the sutfrage could scarcely have

interests which,

by the benehcent processea

ME. LOAVE RISES TO THE OCCASION.

of the law of uatiue

215

aud of Providence,

sliall

facts, gave

value to his utterances; but his mantall

beget in them

uew attachment;

for the attach-

ner was not attractive, his

and somewhat

ment
tions,

of the people to the throne, the institu-

ungainly figure, his rather clumsy gestures;

his

aud the laws under which they

all,

live

is,

extreme short-sightedness, which forbade

after

moi'e than gold

aud

silver, or

more

his lefeiriug to notes or papers except in

an

tlian fleets

and armies, at once the strength,

note of opposition from deserting

apparently confused and

all

the glory, and the safety of the land."

were against his

awkward manner; making a veiy favour-

The
the

first

able impression on his audience, to say no-

Liberals was sounded by ]Mr.

Horsman

but

thing of that intractability of tongue which

man who came

bill
it

to the front in

denouncing
wild was

now became
ing speaker

of value

and importance.

He

the

was Mr. Lowe.

So

bitter, so

had never achieved any great success as a leadtill this opportunity arose and bore him to heights that he had not touched before, and would never reach again. For a time he mounted on the crest of a great sui-ging wave

his language that

could scarcely be surpassed

even by Lord Robert Cecil (who had succeeded

to the title of
sailed

Lord Cranborne) when he

measure, or
against

as-

the

proposed

when he
tlie

afterwards

let loose his invective

composed
but when

of

two combining, though previously

It bore

leader of his

own

party, aud

warned the Tories

conflicting currents.
it

him

to the front

against the treachery of Mr. Disraeli.

Mr.
nor

receded he was

left in scarcely

Lowe was a power

suspected that
liis

in the house

but nobody
:

a moie distinguished position than that he

power lay

in oratory

had occupied before, though he had achieved

a gieater leputation in debate.

did

it.

By

a singular combination of incen-

Some

of the

tives he appears at this juncture to

have risen

language that he used was remembered with

to a height of declamation, to
force of lauguage,

an intensity and

no

little

anger by the

S2:)eakers at

subsequent

and

to a masterly

vehemence
befoi-e
it.

meetings for the sui^port of the pojjular cause:

for instance, of

which seived

to carry

everybody

"You have had

if

the opportunity

One

is

not obliged to lay undue stress on the

knowing some

of the constituencies of this

consideration that he had some reason to think

country, and I ask

you want venality, ignoof intimi-

he had been neglected and deserted by the

rance, drunkenness,

and the means

will

government

of

which he had been a member,

glowing with a sense of un-

dation;

if

you want impulsive,

unreflecting, to look
It is

and was

still

and violent people, where

you go
?

deserved injury.

More

to the purpose, per-

for them, to the top or the

bottom

haps, Avas the fact, that while his attacks ui)on

ridiculous to blink the fact that since the re-

the

bill

were received by the Tories with de;

form

act,

gieat competition

has prevailed

light

and acclamation

they were also ap-

among
rental;

the votei-s of between

the
. . .

plauded by those Liberals

who were

only too

glad to lind an ex-minister of the late Palmerston government violently denouncing a Liberal

keepers.

live in these

measure which they were not prepared to

support, and thus affording
of that

experience of
men,' and
it

20 and lu JlO lodging and beer- house We know what sort of pereons small houses; we have all had them imder the name of free'

them an example

would be a good thing

on Mr. Gladstone's

if

they

kind of independence which cheers and

Before the rushing

were disfranchised altogether." Having com-

encourages the opposition.

mented
that

satirically

torrent of Mr. Lowe's eloquence, Mr. Disraeli

quotation he concluded by saying:

l)e

"It may

classical

himself seemed to retire to a comparatively

we

are destined to avoid this

enormous

obscure position in the debate.

Everybody

danger with which we are confronteil, and

not

was astonished, and

mulated the orator

their astonishment leadsti-

to use the lauguage of my right honour to

comjjound with danger ami
it

ing to outbursts of enthusiastic applause,

to

able friend

renewed

eflorts.

It

must

misfoitune; but
that I can say
is,

may
if

be otherwise, and

all

be remembered, however, that Mr.

Lowe was a
mastery of

that

my

right honourable

speaker always well worth listening to. Scholarship, occasional piquancy, a certain

friend does succeed in carrying this measure

through parliament, when the

j)assious

and


216

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

goue by I do not envy
encircle his brow.

interests of the clay are

present to the liouse, I think

to the occasion,
sufficient.

it is

not adequate

him
of
I

his reti'os])ect.

I covet uot a siugle leaf

and that
I

its

concessions are uot

the laurels that

may

But

know

the difficulties under

I

do uot euvy him

his triumph.

His be the

which ministers labour, and

iuclination of parliament to

know

the dis-

glory of carrying

it;

mine

of

having to the
it."

do much in the
it

utmost of
It

my

poor ability resisted

direction of this question.

I shall give goes,

it is

my
if

was

in rejily to the pseudo-liberal

of

Mr.

support because, as far as

it

a simple

Horsmau, who had spoken

Mr. Gladstone's

and honest measure, and because I

it

believe,

address as " another bid for power, another

becomes law,

it

will give

some
is

solidity

and

promise made to be broken, another

political

duration to everything that

stitution,

good

in the conis

fraud and parliamentary juggle," that Mr.

and
of

to everything that

noble in

Bright made the famous retort, one passage

of

the character of the people of these realms."

which added a lasting phrase to

parlia-

The Cave

Adullam was one

of those

happy

mentary language, and became

historical.

It

references which always seize the attention of

was a double-edged
effect against

reply,

and

told with equal

an assembly.
including a
cians
called

Mr. Horsman and Mr. Lowe,

seemed to be influenced by a

sented by Mr.

From that time the paity I'epieLowe and Mr, Horsman, and
of "discontented" politi-

both of

whom

number

grudge against the members of the government.

who had

professed to be Liberals, was

its

Mr. Horsmau, he
of the

said,

was the

first

"the Cave," and

jihrase, which

members, "Adul-

member

new parliament who had

:

ex-

lamites."

pressed his grief

"

he retired into what

be called his political Cave of

may AduUam, to
dis-

Another

afterwards furnished

several allusions from the opj^osition, occuri'ed

which he invited every one who was in

tress,

when Mr.
to bring

Gladstone, having distinctly refused

and every one who was discontented.

and there
scarcely a
is

forward the whole scheme for redis-

He
this

has long been anxious to found a party in

is

tribution of seats, turned to Lord

Robert
Villiers

this house,

member

at

Montague, who had spoken of Mr.

end of the house who

effect,

able to address
part,

as "the pretended friend" of the workingclasses,

us with

or to take

much

whom

he

and rebuked him by saying that

if

the

has not tried to bring over to his party and

his cabal.
.

working men,
seemed

whom

the noble lord and otheis

At

last

he has succeeded in hook-

to dread as

an invading and destroying

ing the right honourable the

member

for

army
flesh

instead of regarding

them

as their
into

own
the

know it was the opinion many years ago of a member of the cabinet, that two men could make a party; and a party formed of two men so amiable, so genial, as both of those right honourable gentlemen, we may hope to see for the first time in parliaCalne
(]\Ir.

Lowe).

and blood, were introduced

house they would set him an example both of

courtesy and good breeding.

The phrase
forgotten,

"

own
in a

flesh

and blood " was not

to jjurpose

and

subsequent debate Sir E.

it

Bulwer Lytton adioitly turned

in a telling speech.

ment, a party perfectly harmonious and

dis-

Referring to the modified

tinguished by a mutual and unbroken trust.

nature of the concessions

made by

the biU, he

But there
It is very

is

one great difficulty in the way.

like the case of the Scotch

expressed his amazement that the chancellor

of the
cies of

much

exchequer could descend to a spe-

terrier that

was so covered with hair that you could not teU which was the head, and which was the tail." Mr. Bright continued
.

argument so hollow in

itself

and so
has

perilous in its logical deductions.

"What
'

the right honourable gentleman to say to

"Now
rise to

I said at the beginning that I did not

the millions

defend the
it.

bill.

I rose for the purpose

of explaining
I

It

is

not the
I

bill

which,

if

who will ask him one day, Are we an invading army? Are we not feUowChristians? Are we not your own flesh and
blood?'

had been consulted,

If I
bill

should have recomit is

Does he think
to give that

it

will

be answer

mended.
the

had been a minister

I

not

enough

kind of modified opinion

last night,

which

should have consented to

which he put forth

and

to say,

"

REFOEM DEMONSTRATIONS.
'

217
tell

Well,

tliat is

very true.

For

my own

^jart,

from us that we should

you what we mean,

it is

ill

my

individual capacity I cauuot see that

is

and that the trumpet which

to

our business

there
still,

auy dauger of admitting you; but

it is

blow should give forth no uncertain sound.

sound has not been, and
I trust will

you know,

wise to proceed graduis

Its

not

ally.

voter

real Hesli
flesh

and

blood.

be, uncertain.

We
us.

have passed the Rubicon

But you
learn that

are only gradual

and blood.
and
in

we have broken the bridge, and burned the

boats behind

Read Darwin on the

jjerf ect state of

origin of species,

We

have advisedly cut

yet permitted,

oft"

you are fellow-Christians

development.'

an im-

the means of retreat, and having done this

hope

that, as far as

time

is

we we

The fact that Earl Grosvenor had moved an amendment that it would be inexi^edient to
consider the
bill for

have done our duty to the cruwu and to the

nation."

the reduction of the fran-

The

])assiug of the

Rubicon, the breaking

of

chise until the house

had before

it

the whole

of the biidge

and the burning

the boats,
refer-

scheme of the government, though Mr. Gladstone had stated that he would not enter into

was another phrase about which much

ence played in after debates; but
in'essed the
it

at least ex-

the scheme for distribution

till

after the second

determined attitude of the govern-

reading of the franchise

bill,

showed that the

ment.

Whigs were indifferent to the success of the measure. The eldest son of the Marquis of
Westminster was usually regarded as a steady
supporter of the government.

Mr. Bright took another standpoint

At a

reform meeting at Birmingham a letter from

him was read

is

in

which he said

"Parliament

He

had now

never hearty for reform, or for any good

joined with others in showing that he did not

measure. It hated the Reform Bill of 1831 and

1832.
It does not like the franchise bill
its table.

regard

it

with confidence.
to take place
in-

now

The second reading was not

till

upon

It is to a large extent the ofl-

after the Easter recess,

and during the

spring of landed power in the counties and

of

terval considerable excitement

prevailed in

tumult and corruption

it

in

the boroughs,

those parts of the country wliere the reform

and

would be strange

if

such a parliament

party was strongest.

were in favour of freedom and of an honest

representation of the people.

At Liverpool
monstrations.

there were enthusiastic de-

But, notwithbill will jiass

Mr. Gladstone addressed one

which the Duke
of Argyll, of his colleagues

standing such a parliament, this

if

great meeting at

Mr.Goschen, and others

present.

were

Birmingham and other towns do duty." The opjiosition was referred to

dirty conspiiacy."

their

as

"a

In resjjonse to his declaration that

bill

"What," he asked, "should

the government would abide by the

which
it

be done, and

what must be done, under

\

they had introduced and stand or

fall

with

these circumstances

You know what your

and you
in

the audience lose to their feet and greeted

fathers did

thirty-four years ago,

him with long-continued

"Having," he
founded
support
said, " in a spirit of
it

cheering,

know
we
hojje to

the result.

The men who,

every

produced this measure,

speech they utter, insult the working men,

describing

moderation,
It
is

them

as a multitude given
first

up

to

with decision.

not in our

ignorance and vice, will be the

to yield

power

to secure the passing of the measure:

when

the popular will

If

is

loudly and resolutely

more with you, and more with those wliom you rejoresent, and of whom you are a sample, than it does with us. Still, we have a great responsibility and are conscious of it, and we do not intend to flinch from it. We
that rests
stake ourselves

expressed.

Parliament Street froui Charing

Cross to the venerable

Abbey were
bill,

filled

with

men

seeking a reform

as

it

was two years

to

ago with

men come
learn to

to

do honour

an

illus-

trious Italian,thescslanderersof their country-

government

we stake our existence and we also stake our

You have
a
riglit to

as a

men would

l)e civil

if

they did not

also

])olitical

learn to love freedom."

At Manchester

character on the adoption of the

bill in its

Mr. Bright urged an immediate organization

for meetings

main

provisions.

expect

and petitions

"as men living ina

218
free country,

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

with representative institutions,

and

their indefeasible claim to

fit

it

as soon as

determined to parUike in sQme measure of that

representation, and to be free."

they were

and

not any conviction that

the objects of good government would be materially

Mr. Lowe

had received some strong remontlie

aided by their admission.

He pointed

strances from his constituents on

subject

out that every one of Mr. Gladstone's plans

went, not towards enfranchising 200,000 men,

of his charges against the classes to

f 1 anchise Avas

which the
;

proposed to be extended and as

to

but towards enfranchising

" flesh

all,

since all were

Mr. Gladstone at Liverpool had referred

and blood

fellow-citizens
families."

and ChrisFor
his

his language in terms of rebuke, he complained

tians

and

fathers of

that he had been misunderstood and misrepresented, as he only intended to refer to the
vices

pait he thought they had more reason every

day they lived

merston. "
it

to legret the loss of

Lord Pal-

which existed

in

some constituencies as
of the house.

shown by the records

not,

He

did

By way of a mortuary contribution, seems to me that the remaining membei's

aU
their
all

however, succeed in exjilaining away the

of his cabinet laid in his grave

mo-

apparent meaning of what he had said at the

time.

deration, all their prudence,

statesmaushi]^.

and

their

in

The fact was that Mr. Lowe, who was some other matters an extreme reformer,
so utterly opposed to the extension of the

formed an immense
lied the great

The government have perexploit. They have car-

was

mass of their party

men

of

franchise that he had let his vigorous representations of its dangers lun into language

modeiate opinion and views

ried

they

have car-

them over from

which either expressed what he meant, or very

far exceeded his intention
;

them

at the feet of the

but the words had

like arrows.

ham. They are

own views and laid member for Birmingbrought into contact now with
tlieir

been shot

forth,

and they stuck

this,

men and

princijjles

from which six months

Perhaps the knowledge of

and the

re-

ago they would have recoiled.

has happened to part of them.

That

is

what

proof which ^Lv. Gladstone had at the time ad-

The

rest of us

ministered to him, gave force and

fire

to his

are left like sheep in the wilderness.

after the success of this extraordinary

And

speech when, the house having reassemljled,

the debate on the
bill

combin-

again came forward. It

in

ation

for
we

I can give it

no other name

we,
told

was the seventh evening

proposed, and

which the measure

to oppose it

who lemain where we

being conspii'ators and
that

were, are charged with

traitors.

had been discussed; the second reading was

it

We are
tie to

was necessaiy

are

bound by every
I dispute that. I

support

with

all

the vigoiu- that could be

summoned
It

Lord
a

Eussell.

I never served

to the task.

Mr. Lowe

rose to that task.

under him.
little less

have served, unfortunately, for

yeai-s

was the
ments.
lasting

gi'eatest of his pai-liamentary achieve-

than ten

imder two prime

He
two

never surpassed

it.

In a speech

ministers

one being Lord Aberdeen, and the

Both these govern;

houi-s

and a

half he essayed to

show

other Lord Palmei-ston.

the false principles

upon which the measure

ments Lord Eussell joined both these governments he abandoned; and both these governments he assisted to destroy.
allegiance.
I

was founded, the avowed coercion which was

being brought to bear on the House of Com-

owe him no

mons, the extensive and powerful tyranny

am

not afraid of the people of

which would be exercised through the

trades-unions,

bill

by

this country;

they have shown remarkable

indeed, in contrast

and the

fatal

injuries

which

good sense
to them.

remarkable,

democracy would
constitution.

inflict

upon the English

with the harangues that have been addressed

Amid

a tempest of cheering

Nor am

I afraid of those

who

lead

from the

opjjosition

and from many on the

he contended

them.

ministerial

side of the house

that the principle of Mr. Gladstone's measure,

Demagogues are the commonplaces of history; they are found everywhere where there is ]iopnlar commotion. They have
all

and the idea

tluit,

however covertly,

family likeness.

Their names

float

lay at the root of all his reasoning,

was the

lightly

on the stream of time; they

finally

fitness of the poorer classes for the fianchise,

contrive to be

handed down somehow,

for

THE DEBATE ON THE REFORM

they
ui-e

BILL.

219
lecord other catasdisastrous, but

as little to be regarded for themselves of tlie

it

oui-

laws.

History

may

as the

foam which rides ou the top

trojDhes as signal

aud as

none

stormy wave, aud bespatters the lock

not shake; but what I do fear

can-

what
is

lills

me

with the gloomiest misgivings,

a

when

1 see

more wanton and more disgraceful." Even Mr. Disi-aeli could scarcely have made a speech that would have elicited such tumultuous applause as that with which the opjDO-

intelligence, carried

number of gentlemen of rank, property, aud away without even being

in their hearts

nents of the

bill

greeted these utterances.

convinced, or even over-persuaded, to support

Mr.

Disraeli, in fact, left the

honours of the

a policy which many of them

detest

evening with the

member

for Calne, but

he

and abhor.

Monarchies exist by

loy-

had

his

own

contributions to

make

to the

alty, aiistocracies

by honour, popular assem-

debate, in which he denounced the proposed

bill,

blies

by

political virtue.

When

these things

as one calculated to reconstruct the con-

begin to
eclipses,

fail it is in their loss,

and not in comets,

to look

stitution

upon American

princijtles.

He

de-

and earthquakes, that we are

fended the Conservatives from the chaige of

unfairness,
to proceed

for the portents that herald the fall of slates."

and declared that the house ought

on the principle that they were the
not the House of the

Though he could not agree with

the chancellor

of the exchequer, there was, happily, one com-

House
People
tical

of
:

Commons and

mon ground

left

them

the

Second ^Eneid.

that

they represented a great poli-

" My light honourable friend returned again

to the poor old Trojan horse.

order of the state, aud not an indismultitude.

I will

add one

criminate

In

estimating what

more to the excerpt from the story of that noble

animal, after which 1 will promise to turn

shaie the woiking-classes should possess in the

power

of the state

him out to grass for the remainder of his life. The passage which I wish to call attention to
presents a sketch of the army, and not only of

at all begrudge

them

a share which he did not they ought to act and

tiie spirit

to form that estimate accoiding to of the English constitution.

the
'

army but

of the general also.

In his speech he had referred

opinions expressed

to the early

The fatal horse pours forth the human tide. Insulting Sinon flings his firebrands wide:
'I'he

by Mr. Gladstone on
ell'ective

the

subject of reform, and a reference to this point

gates are burnt, the ancient rampart

its

falls;

formed one of the most

close of the debate.

parts of

Mr.
a

And swarming myriads climb

I

crumbling
I could

walls.'

Cladstone's reply to his opponents before the

have now traced as well as

what

That reply was

itself

I believe

would be the natural

lesult of a

masteiiy

ell'ort,

for as

we have

noted, in these

measure which seems to

my

poor imagination

debates there occurred some of the most conspicuous examples of the style of the tiuest
speakei-s in parliament.

destined to absorb and destroy, one after the

other,

those institutions which

have made

It wius one o'clock in rose to rejjly

bill.

England what she has hitherto been, and what

I believe

the morning

when Mr. Gladstone

no other country ever was or ever

Surely the heioic work of so

to the charges

brought against the

Mr.

will be.

many

Lowe had

alluded to words which had been

centuries, the matchless achievements of so

used at the meeting at Liverpool, as intended

to attack or disparage

many

wise heads and stiong hands, deserve a

members

of the house;

nobler consummation than to be sacrificed to

revolutionaiy passion, or to the maudlin en-

but he denied

tliat tiiey

had that application,

and reminded

his right lionourable friend of

thusiasm of humanity.
shall fall deservedly.

But

if

we do

fall

we

a passage in a play of Aristophanes (the senti-

Unconstrained by any

ments and circumstances associated with

wliicli

external force, not beaten

down by any

intes-

he had forgotten), where one of the characlei-s

addressing the audience said, " But now,

tine calamity: in the plethora of wealth

and

my
not

the surfeit of our too exuberant piosperity

good

Athenians, pray recollect,

am

we

are about, with our

strained hands, to pluck

own rash and uncondown on our own

speaking of the
public, I

city, I am not speaking of the am only speaking of certain dejiraved

little

heads the venerable temple uf our liberty and

aud crooked

men."

Rejilying to Mr.


220
Disraeli he said, "

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

At
last

we have

obtained a

man
fear

is

now

impressed.

had conceived that

declaration from an authoritative source that

and alarm

of the first

Reform

Bill in the

bill,

which, in a country with five millions

days of

my

undergraduate career at Oxford

of adult males, proposes to

add to a limited
the judgbill

which the right honourable gentleman now

feels.

constituency 200,000 of the middle class and

...

I envy

him not one

particle

200,000 of the working

class, is in

of

the polemical advantage which he

has

ment

of the leader of the

Tory party a

gained by his discreet reference to the proceedings of the Oxford

to reconstruct the constitution on

principles."
]\Ii-.

American

Union Debating So-

Disraeli's reference to tlie

ciety in the year of grace 1831.

sir,

My

position,
is
.

opinions held by the chancellor of the ex-

in regard to the Liberal party

in all
. .

chequer in 1832 was not a fortunate one, for

it

points the opposite of Earl Russell's.

gave Mr. Gladstone an opportunity, of which

I have none of the claims he possesses.

he

made
to

active use, especially as his opponent

said, in

came among you an outcast from those with

had in a previous part of the debate

reply

whom I associated, driven from them, I admit,

by no arbitrary
you, to
act,

a powerful

speech by Mr.

John

but by the slow and

I

Stuart Mill, that he would not refer to state-

resistless forces of conviction.

came among
to

ments made in that gentleman's writings

twenty-five years before.

make

use of the legal phraseology, in

I

forma
in the recollection of

pauperis.

had nothing

ofl'er

you

"The
his

right

honourable gentleman," said

but faithful and honourable

received
osity,

service.

You

Mr. Gladstone, "secure

me
I

with kindness, indulgence, gener-

own

consistency, has taunted

me

with the

errors of

my

boyhood.

When

he addressed

of

may even say with some measure confidence. And the relation between us
and
debtors, but that I

the honourable

member

for Westminster, he

has assumed such a form that you can never

showed

his

magnanimity by declaring that he

be

my
The

must

for ever

be in

would not take the philosoplier to task for

your debt."
rejily

what he wrote twenty-five yeai-s ago; but when he caught one who, thirty-six years ago,
just

concluded with words that were

not soon forgotten:

bill is in

"We are
and
it.

assailed; this

emerged from boyhood, and

still

an under-

a state of

crisis

of peril,

and the
fall

graduate at Oxford, had expressed an opinion

adverse to the Reform Bill of 1S32, of which

government along with

with
it.
. . .

We

stand or
it

We

stand with

now; we
If

he had so long and bitterly repented, then the

right honourable

may
lise

fall

with

it

a short time hence.

we

gentleman could not

resist

do so

fall,

we, or others in our places, shall

I shall

the temptation.

...
It
is

As

the right honour-

with

it hereaftei'.

not attempt to

able gentleman has exhibited me, let

hibit myself.

me

exit,

measure with precision the forces that are to

be arrayed against us in the coming
Perhajjs the great division of to-night
issue.
is

true, I deeply regret

but

was bred under the shadow

of the gi'eat

not

name

of Canning, every influence connected

politics of

the last that must take place in the struggle.

with that name governed the

childhood and of

my

At some
succeed.

point of the contest you

may possibly

my

youth

with Canning I

You may

drive us from our seats.

rejoiced in the removal of religious disabilities,

and

in the character
;

which he gave to our

duced, but
for

You may buiy the bill that we have introwe will write ujion its gravestone
an epitaph
its

policy abroad

with Canning I rejoiced in the

this line,

with certain

confi-

opening which he made towards the establishment of free commercial interchanges be-

dence in

fulfilment
aliquis nostris

" Exoriare

ex ossibus ultor."^

tween nations; with Canning, and under the shadow of that great name, and under the

You
is

cannot fight against the future.

side.

Time
which

shadow

of that yet

more venerable name

of

on our

The great
in

social forces

Burke, I grant,

my

youthful mind and ima-

move onwards

their

might and majesty,

gination were impres^^ed just the .^ame as the

mature mind of the right honourable gentle-

'

From our bones an avenger

will arise.

TEIUMPH OF THE ADULLAMITES.

and which the tumult
of our debates does not

221

his white hair glistening like silver over his

face, purple

for a moment impede or disturb those great they are marsocial forces are against you
:

with delight, almost danced as he

stood up waving his hat in wide and triumphant

circles

shalled on our side; and the banner which

we

over the very heads of the

his antagonists.

men who

now

carry in this tight, thougli perhaps at

it

had been

Such was the scene

some moment
heads, yet
of heaven,
it

may droop
will

over our sinking

float in

on that memorable morning, as repeated outbursts of cheering

soon again will

it

the eye

and

be borne by the firm

the government.

marked the near defeat of Not till the voices of the

fail

hands

of the united people of the three king-

shouters began to

could the chancellor of

doms, perhaps not to an easy, but to a certain

the exchequer gain a hearing, but at last he

rose,

and
It

to a not far distant victory."

is

and amidst a sudden profound

Sir, I

silence

not to be wondered at that the division

tre-

calmly said, "

mittee for

propose to

fix

the com-

on the second reading was taken amidst

Monday, and
It

I will then state the

mendous excitement, still less surprising is it that, when it became known how small a
majority was likely to be secured by the gov-

order of business."'
night.

had been a memorable

After one of the greatest orations ever

delivered within the house, after a scene of

ernment, that excitement was intensified.

It

unparalleled excitement, silence

fell

upon the
as

was at three

o'clock in the

morning (Saturday

assembly.

The dawn was breaking

still

mem-

moi-ning the 28th of April), that the house

divided, and a large crowd waited in West-

bers went forth into Palace Yard, where a

crowd was

waiting to cheer the sup-

minster Hall to hear the

liad

result.

Members
face,

porters of the

bill,

which those who knew the

struggled back to their seats after the

parliamentary portents already feared

was

division, eager exjjectation

was on every

the air seemed to be charged with electricity,

there was a hum, a

doomed to defeat. The government had now

to bring forward

murmur, a hush, a
crowd

half

the bill for the redistribution of seats and the

franchise bills for Scotland and Ireland.

audible whisper before the tellers appeared,

The

and then a surging

galleries, a

of the

at the bar of

plan for redisti'ibution did not disfranchise

the house, a rising of the strangers in the

any

of the boroughs, nor did

it

alter the total

craning of necks and a strained and

almost painful attention.

the noes 313.
left

The ayes were 318, The announcement had scarcely

number of members to be returned to the House of Commons, but some small boroughs
were to return only one representative instead
of two,

the speakei"'s Kps when, like the bui-sting

and other boroughs were gi'ouped

to-

of a pent-up storm, one great shout, or rather

gether.

By

these

means forty-nine
and
it

seats

were

shriek and roar arose in the house.

Never

left for disposal,

was proposed to give

had such
of 1832;

a scene

been witnessed.

It surpassed

twenty-six of these seats to counties or to the

divisions

even that at the passing of the Reform Bill but this time
it

and subdivisions

of counties,

and an

was on the

side of

additional
chester,

member
of the

each to Liverpool,
Leeds,

Manto be

the opponents of the measure.

largest,
if

In one of the

Birmingham,

and

Salford.

not the very largest division that

The borough

Tower Hamlets was

had ever taken place within the walls of parliament,and aftersuch a struggle,

divided with two members for each division.

Chelsea and Kensington were

forthe govof five,

ernment to have only a majority

of exultation to rise alike

was

returning two members, and a

made a borough new member

Staleybridge,

near enough to their defeat to cause a shout

each was

given

to

Burnley,

from the opposition

Gi'avesend,Hartlepool,Middlesborough,I>owsbury, and the University of London.

benches and from those where sat the malcontents,

The
tlie

whose desertion had dwindled down

one.

remaining seven seats were allotted to Scotland and Ireland.

redistribution bill

a large majority to this small

Conservatives were even
the Adullamites,
less

The

On

the 14th of

May

uproarious than
the ministerial

who from

benches roared their ti'iumph, while Mr. Lowe,

was read a second time, a fortnight afterwards the two bills were combined and went into committee with some


GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.
to

222

amendments which were required

them
into one measure.

form

of conciliating opinion to

combine the franbut the op-

chise
b}'

and the

redistriljution bills,

Amendments were
Sir E. Knightley that

again proposed. One

it

posing amendments, supported as they had

should be an instruc-

been against the government, and

finally

Lord

tion to the committee

to

on the franchise biU

Dunkellin's amendment, which was carried by a majority of eleven,

carry on the
bill,

make

provision for the prevention of cor-

ruption and bribery at elections, was carried

against the government, but Mr. Gladstone
said they

and

left

made it impossible to them no alternative

itself to

but resignation and a persistence in resignation.

would wait

for the production of Sir

The government had pledged

fall
bj'

E. Knightley's scheme.

resolution

moved

stand or

the

bill.

Such a pledge, he

by Captain Hayter against the proposed system

of

admitted, was one which a government should

rarely give.

grouping boroughs, issued in a long debate,

"It

is

the last weapon in the

;

in

which Mr. John Stuart Mill took

assailed the

part,

and

armoury
taken

of the

government

it

should not be

Mr. Lowe again

which would

measure As one
Earl

lightly taken dowTi

is

from the

walls,

and

if it

ruin the constitution.

down
till

it
it

should not be lightly rehas served the purposes

it

Grosvenor eventually persuaded Captain Hayter to

placed, nor

withdraw

his resolution rather than

tlie goveininieiit,

run

was meant

to fulfil."

The pledge had been

effect of

the risk of bi'eakiug up

and

given, however, under the deepe.st conviction

of public duty,

so during the critical position of

politics losing the services of

European

and had the

making
to avoid

Lord Clarendon.

them use every

effort in their

power

Mr. Disraeli thereupon severely attacked Lord

Clarendon's policy.

oft'ence, to conciliate,

support, and unite in-

So the discussion went Lord Dunkellin, usually

fatal to the

stead of distracting.

jangling on, resolution after resolution being

Once more Lord Derby was

chancellor of the
foreign
secretarj',

called

upon

to

proposed,

till

at length

form a ministry, of which Mi\ Disraeli was

exchequer.

a supporter of the government, brought for-

Lord Stanley

ward an amendment which was

bill

and Mr. Walpole home

and

led to the resignation of the minis-

secretary.

Viscount Cranborne,

who

had, of

try.

He

proposed that the borough fran-

coui-se, let loose

much

invective against the

chise should be based on rating instead of

rental.

reform

bill

and Mr. Gladstone, was made

In vain Mr. Gladstone represented

Indian secretary.
tures to

Lord Derby made overbut after having held

that this would involve a limitation of the

franchise,

some

of the Liberal party to include

;

and showed that there would be

of

them

in the miui-stry

serious practical difficulties in the

operation

such a principle.

way of the The house

it

a meeting they deputed Lord Grosvenor to

reply that they could not accept the
off'er,

divided on the question, and the numbers for

tlie

though they might be able to give the ministry

their independent support.

amendment were

315, against

304.

On

the announcement that tliere was a majority

of eleven against the

government, the house

It

"Exoriare aliquis ex nostris ossibus ultor!"

ajijieai-ed

was again a scene

of extraordinary u])roar

that the declaration would be

Tlie

the triurapli of the Adullamites was conii>lete.

speedily fulfdled.

Eight days afterwards

that ministers
to the queen,

it

was made known

been formed
there

till

the

first

new ministry had not week in July, and

had tendered their resignation

was

little

time for anything except to

who was

in Scotland,

and that
office till

make

the usual ministerial statements before

after

some remonstrances her majesty had

tliat

the pi-orogation of parliament.

tliough he

Lord Derby,

agreed

they should only hold

seemed not

to

be able completel}'

successors could be a]ijiointed.

to estimate the extent of public feeling, and

Mr. Glad.stone pointed out that the adoption

of the proposed rating franchise

while representing that he and his colleagues

would have
for the sake

were free and unpledged on the question of

reform, and that he should carefully adhere to

been opposed to the principle of the govern-

ment scheme.

They had agreed

an axiom once laid

down by

Earl Russell that

ME. BEALES THE

no government sliould undertake a measure
of reform without seeing a fair possibility of

HYDE PARK
chise

BIOTS.

223

as

the membei's of the Conservative

canying
between

it,

declared that that possibility de-

government had previously opposed and denounced. At one meeting at Brookfields,

near Birmingham,
there

pended on an understanding and joint action

tlie

were said to be
addressed
in the

two great

parties in tlie state.

if

250,000 persons present,

who were

He

added that he should be glad

an oppora number

from platforms erected in various places

open
fields.

tunity occurred for passing a safe and satisfactory measure.

of the class
cliise,

At

night another meeting was

l)y

He would

like to

."jee

held in the Town-hall, and was addressed

now excluded admitted

to the fran-

Mr. Bright, Mr.

Scholefield,

and Mr. Beales.

but he feared that the portion of tlie comfor a reform bill

Mr. Edmond
position,

Beales, a barrister of reputable

of the

munity most clamorous

was

was the recognized leader

not that which would be satisfied with any

association

measure that could be approved of by either

of the great parties in the countrj-.

and either

Reform League, presided or spoke at numbers of

as

known

the

These

large meetings, especially those which were

utterances were the result of

what had hap-

held in London.

Mr. Beales was, on the

a.sso-

pened

but

it

soon became evident that the

whole, an excellent president of such an

ciation,

country was not altogether dependent on the

and seldom or never

lost self-control

two great
cei'tain

parties

in

pai-liament,

and that

or failed to sustain a certain "respectability"

in the proceedings so far as the platform

extra-parliamentary forces had been

was
tliat

called into an active operation,

all

which continued

concerned.
this

It

was sometimes thought

through the subsequent discussions until a

bill

was aided by the persistence with which

reform

was passed.

he displayed his degree of Master of Arts; the

letters

Immediately after the defeat of Earl Russell's

M.A. appearing
all

after his

name
It

in the

ministry demonstrations were

made which

big "posters" and

the announcements of the

showed that no other government could neglect

the introduction of such a measure.

meetings at which he presided.

the harmless

was one of

A meeting
late

humours

of the time never to

jiar-

was held

in Trafalgar Square,

where it was said

mention the name of Mr. Beales without

enthetically,

10,000 pereons assembled,

and there the

Tliis

but with much emphasis, adding

the

premier was censured for not having decided

"M.! A.'"
this

When

Reform

Bill

had passed,
county court

on a dissolution of parliament.
nificant.

was

sig-

gentleman very easily subsided and retired

It appeared as

though there was

to the distinguished obscurity of a

aheady a growing conviction that a general election would have given a majority in favour
of a

judgeship; but he carried on the work he had

luidertaken during the agitation with considerable tact, and with a gravity and earnestness which had a very remarkable effect. Per-

measure of reform as inclusive as that

which had been rejected mainly through the

opposition of those

who had

lieen

avowed

haps the most consjiicuous instance of his

fluence,
"

in-

Ruppoi'ters of Liberal jn'inciples.

recess,

During the

and

of the

action of the council of

after the prorogation of parliament,

these demonstrations continued both in Lon-

theLeagne," occurred during the time of what were called the " Hyde Park Plots," a term
rather in excess of anything that really haji]iiMU'il,

don and

in

the large jn-ovincial towns.

In

many
size,

places the meetings were of imposing

of a very

though the combined blundering and

and the proceedings were

em-

uncertainty displayed in the conduct of snnic

of the authorities

phatic character.

At some

of

them language

might

easily

have produced

was used which afterwards gave occasion for

accusing the sjieakers of preaching democracy, rep\il)iicnnism, terrorism, revolution,

nuich more serious consequences than theover-

(urningof the park railings and tlicsudden

vasion of

in-

and

what was

after all a ])ublic place

by a

even anarchy; but there could at anyrate be

rather noisy but not particularly niischievons

or revolutionary mob.
porters of the

no longer a doubt that the large bndy

people were becoming very
iu

of

A number

of the sup-

much

in earnest

government had taken alarm,

itself

demanding such an extension

of the fran-

and

tlie

government

preferred to regard

224

GLADSTONE AXD HIS COXTEMPOEAEIES.

violence or the destruction of jDroperty.
it

the meetings which had been held, as assemblies called togethei- for the purpose of political disturbances.

As

was, steps were taken to deal, not with an

At

the same time Mr.

Lowe

unruly

mob

should occasion arise, but to use

and some

of the Adullamites

were complain-

force for the purpose of preventing a j^olitical

ing of the manner in which they had been de-

demonstration by members of the League.

Notices had been posted throughout Lon-

nounced and misrepresented by a few of the

speakers.
foie, that

It

was

scarcely surjjrising, there-

don stating that the park gates would be

closed

when

the council of the League pro-

to the

public at five o'clock on the

posed to hold a monster meeting in

Hyde

evening appointed for the meeting.

At

that

Park on the 23d

of

July (1866) for the pur-

hour thousands

of persons

were standing at
posted inside the
in

pose of showing the

number and proving the

the entrances to the park, which were kept

determination of the reformers, a great deal

of alarm

by the
gates.

police

who were

was

excited.

Tlie

couucU of the League had met

In opposition to the proposal of the council

of the

the afternoon and determined to abide by

their arrangements.
association,

Reform League the government came

The members
into
of
sections,

of

the

to

weak determination to prevent the meeting in the park. The council had taken
the
legal opinion

divided

were to
in regular

march from various parts

ing.

London

on the subject, and were not

order, with their bannere, to the place of meet-

witliout precedent, so that they did not with-

For these processions the crowd was

di'aw their avowed intention though Sir Richard

waiting, a crowd largely composed of idle and

Mayne, the chief commissioner of the meti'opolitan police force, issued a notice f oi'bidduig the

mischievous lads and rough feUows ready to

take advantage of any chance of horse-jilay

assembly, and was supported by Mr. Walpole

at the

and willing to show impatience

of ai;thority.

Home Office. No argument could prove

who might
at-

few stones and two or three sticks were

that the holding of such a meeting was contrary to law, or that those

thrown, and the police were then marched

outside the gates, before which they stood in a
semicircle, the

tend

it

were not within

theii'

right in assem-

mounted constables

in front of
first

bling at a public place; and supported bj' this

them.

Presently the bannere of the

pro-

assurance the Leaguei's were prepared to put

their claim to the test.

cession wereseenapproaching the

Marble Ai-ch,
cheering,

But they did

so in a

and the mob

gi-eeted

them with

and

way

that was perfectly legal and eminently

made way
gates.

for the leaders to pass

towards the

orderly.

Mr. Beales, who had held the

office

Mr. Edmond Beales, Colonel Dickson,

of the League,

of revising barrister for Middlesex, a position

and other active memljers

first in

came

from which

it

was

afterwaixls stated he

had

a carriage, fi-om which they alighted.

to the nearest

been removed because of his

political associa-

Mr. Beales, speaking

jDolice officer,

mounted

tions with the League, acted with considerable

requested admission to the park,

prudence, and

both he and

his

colleagues

but was told that he could not enter.

asking for a reason the
authority to prevent you."

On

his

proved that they weie capable of organizing

a hu-ge association in a manner which would

officer said, " I

have

To the

inquiry,

prevent a breach of the law

alone.

if

they were

let

What

authority? he replied,

"Our commis-

It mostly happens, however, that

any

sioner."

The

leaders of the party then re-

public

movement maintained by monster meetings and demonstrations attracts numbers of disorderly and lawless persons who care little or nothing for its objects, and only make use
of its assemblies for the purpose of robbei-y or
riot.

turned to their carriage amidst the cheere and

remonstrances of the dense crowd, which had

been estimated to consist of at

thousand persons.

least a

hundred

The
it

procession then re-

formed as well as
following
its

could,

and turned back,

at

The prospect of a vast crowd assembled Hyde Park would therefore have justified
any attempt to resort to

leaders through Oxford Street to

Trafalgar Square, where in a few words two resolutions were passed

such precautions as might have enabled the

police to deal with

one urging

the ]irose-

cution of lawful and constitutional

means

for

MR.

WALPOLE THE NEW MEASURE.

the life-guards reappeared.
Hostilities

225

extendiug the franchise, and the other thanking Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Bright, and others for

wore

themselves out, and eventually the park was

cleared.

remaining faithful to the cause of parliamentary reform while so

it.

many had

basely deserted

in the panic,

That night half London had shared which seemed to have originated
all

with the government; but the next day

That was an end

as the

of the proceedings so far

members

of the Refoi'm

League were

officially

concerned, but the crowd about

dispersed.

Hyde

and another, comparatively lawabiding and orderly, crowd was in Park Lane and about Piccadilly, curious to see the ruined
([uiet,

was

Park had not

about the

railings,

They still hung by which they were preitself.

railings
flict.

and

to

walk over the scene

of the con-

That

conflict

was

over.

It had, strictly

vented fi'om entering the park

were, no doubt,

There

speaking,

little

or nothing to do with the

it

many

I'eformers

among them,

question of the franchise, but

was

asserted

but they were certainly a small minority.

on

all

hands that

it

hastened a measure of

The business
exciting
to

of the

day was over, and nothing

it.

reform such as the government of Lord Derby

had come

of

A dense mass began

move towards Park Lane, where there was ah-eady considerable pressure. Nobody could
afterwai'ds prove

would not have proposed except under the pressure of what they supposed to be a
threatening demonstration.
likely,

It seems far

more

whether the railings

thei'e,

however, that the attitude immediately

being already shaky, began to sway inward

afterwards assumed by the leaders of the

by the weight

of those

who

stood leaning on
loose,

League had that

elapsed

effect.

Only two

daj's

had

them, or whether, finding them already

one person or twenty persons gave them a

when Mr. Beales, Colonel Dickson, and others who had sought to lead the procession into the park,

sudden push.

Whatever may have been the

few minutes the whole
line of

and on being refused

right,

immediate cause, they went down at one

point,

what they believed

peacefully
retired,

to

be their legal

had

and

in a

waited

upon the home

half a mile of iron rails followed,

and the park

tri-

secretary on his invitation to consult in refer-

was invaded by the shouting, screaming,

ence to the disturbances in

Hyde Park.

Then

umphant mob, who,

of course, resisted

the

was

their opportunity.

Mr. Walpole was a

attempts of the police to drive them back, and

kindly,

humane gentleman, and was already

went scampering and leaping over the grass

and trampling over the fiower-beds.
were numerous free
fights,

deeply concerned that the prohibition he had

ordered should liave had such a painful result.
It soon

There

truncheons were

became evident that he was not quite

used with considerable vigoui-, stones flew,

sure of the ground he had taken, and Mr.

and several persons were badly injured.

the cheers of the
tlie

Beales very solemnly and very truly represented to him that

it

detachment of foot-guards arrived and amidst

was impossible
;

to over-

mob

took up a position by

rate the gravity of the crisis

that to restore
mili-

gate,

a body of life-guards were greeted in

order,

it

was necessary

to

withdraw the

the same enthusiastic

off to

manner

as they galloped
It

tary and the police from the park.

If this

another part of the park.

was against
itself,

were done, he, Mr. Beales, and his friends

the police that the mol) exerted doubtless

and

would use their best

public.
to see
]\Ir.

eflforts

to

pacify the
for going

many in

tliat

surging ci'owd regarded

Walpole thanked them

the police as their natural enemies,

to

and

ti'ied

him and

for the conciliatory tone they

them were seriously hurt, and it was not to be wondered at that they defended themselves and repeatdo them mischief.
of

Many

had used
ceedings."

in reference to the "

unhappy

proin-

He was much
it

affected

by the

terview, and
tears.

was

said that he shed

some
cer-

edly charged their assailants.

of foot-guards arrived

second body
in readi-

Perhaps he did, and they were

and were held

tainly no disgrace to him,

though they may

ness to fire

on the

rioters if things

became

have been an evidence that he was not made

of stuff stern

more

serious; they aided the police iu driving

enough

for the oitico

lie

lield

back and sei^aratiug their op[)onents.

Vol. IV.

Then

and soon afterwards resigned.

When
78

the

226

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

left

Reform Leaguers

him

it

was with an un-

and persuade

his colleagues that they

might

derstanding that liad the government

known

agree to present a bUl wide enough to have

they meant to try their right to enter the

a chance of being committed to discussion.

park in a legal way, they would have had

every facility for doing
so,

The reference made

win again be
trust that
spirit of

and that
insist

if

they

in the royal speech to parliamentary reform was, " Your attention

called to the state of the repre;

would

not, in the light,

meantime,

on their pre-

sumed

and on condition that there were

projierty,

sentation of the people in parliament

and I

no disturbance and no attack on

in the park.

your deliberations, conducted in a

there should be no display of militaiy or police

moderation and mutual forbearance,

The end

of it

was that notice

may

lead to the aflojjtion of measures which,

was given by the League that there would be

no further meetings in the
pai'k except only
''

without unduly disturbing the balance of

political

power, shall freely extend the elective

on the following Monday afternoon,

by

ar-

franchise."

The

latter part of this intimation

rangement with the government."

Amidst these disquieting events Mr. Gladstone preserved a certain reticence.

was interpreted by many Liberals to mean, "There will be some changes, but no such
alterations as will

He

took

make any

considerable dif-

no part in the demonstrations that were made, but waited to see whether any measure, or

ference in the result of elections, no distm*-

bance of the
landed
part of

what kind of measure, would be brought ward by his opponents.

for-

aristoci'acy."

power enjoyed by the The meaning of the first the reference was soon apparent, for
political

There were membei-s of the new cabinet

the ministry acted with remarkable promptitude.

who would have

duction of any

held out against the introbill

The

session

commenced on Tuesday the

House
his

dealing with the ques-

5th of February, 1867, and on the following

tion of reform; but both

Lord Derby and Mr.

Monday

the leader in the

of

Com-

Disraeli

knew

that the ministry would not

oflSce for many days if make prompt advances to meet

mons was prepared with

the government scheme.

statement of

be able to retain
they refused to

In a house crowded

with anxious and cmious listeners Mr. Disraeli rose to speak,

what had now gi'own

demand.

to a loud

and general
on Mr.
of

and

his

fii-st

communicato the effect

The

difficulty chiefly fell

tion

was received with an

outbui'st of laughter

Disraeli, as leader in the

House

Commons.

from the opposition,

for it

was

He had
by
tensions

opposed the whole scheme proposed

that in the opinion of the government, parlia-

his predecessors,
it

had denounced the ex-

mentaiy reform should no longer be a question which ought to decide the fate of ministers.

projiosed,

and had declared that

it

was

calculated to change the character of the

It

was soon

to

become evident that the

English constitution to that of America.

victory by

The

Conservative government would neither destroy their bridges nor

which he had again come into office had been won by the division of the opposition,
and the party which had aided him
the Liberal government were
little

burn their
of retreat

boats,

but

would keep the means

repair.

open and in
dis-

to defeat

So far from Mr. Disraeli being

likely to ac-

cept any proposals for reform, without exercising the

power

of destructive criticism.

It

required

all his

adroitness to meet these com-

by laughter, he had probably calculated on exciting it, and he went on to justify the opinion he had expressed by reference to the fact that all parties in the state had at
concerted

bined
his

difficulties,

and a man

less confident in

one time or other failed in endeavouring to

deal with the question; that successive gov-

own
to

dexterity would have shrunk from

the task that lay before him.

Two

questions

ernments had brought in

bills

and had not

all

seem

have presented themselves to him. The fii-st was how to bring in a reform bill

been able to carry them.

well,

This was

very

but when as a consequence of his declar-

which should be so
try to retain office

plastic as to take its shape

ation he announced that it

from the opposition, and so enable the minis:

proceed with the

it

bill

was intended to by way of resolutions,

the second,

how

to pacify

soon became evident that the house would

THE "TEN MINUTES

have none of them.
" ready cut

BILL."

227

These resohitions (there

the house were discussed.

Lord Derby then

were thirteen of them) were, so to speak,

declared that this would be the last time he

and

dried,"

and were of a cleverly

of

would attempt

to deal

with the subject of

mixed
to

character.

Some

them may be

said

reform, and that nothing would induce

him

have been obvious

political axioms, or ac-

again to accept the onerous post he then

occupied.

cepted statements on the subject of the franchise

and

electoral qualifications;
it

but others

But the measure which was brought before

the house four days later was not the measure
that had been decided on.
bill,

presented such changes as

was thought the

all

house might be induced to endorse, or at

It

was another

events to accept with certain modifications.

said to have been got

up

in a hurry after

One

of

them proposed
of
rating.

to base the occupation

a meeting of the cabinet at which some of the

franchise in counties
principle

and boroughs on the

Another declared in
another

members had unexpectedly

to lend their support to the
sive

refused, after

all,

more comprehen-

favour of a plurality of votes, to facilitate the

settlement of the borough franchise
;

measure that had been submitted to the

previous meeting.

Three of the ministers

that
chise

it

was not expedient wholly

to disfran-

threatened resignation

the

Earl of Carnar-

any existing borough, and another proit

von, colonial secretary;

secretary;

General Peel, war

posed to leave

at the option of an elector to

and

of course Viscount Cranborne.

record his votes by

means

of polling papers.

Then,

it

was

stated, another

measure had

to

The
I'oyal

thii'teentli

resolution

was

to ask for a

be prepared, and as the meeting of the cabinet

commission to consider and submit a

was held only

visions of

just before the

hour at which

scheme for altering or determining the boundaries of parliamentary boroughs.

parliament was to assemble to hear the prothe

bill,

there

The opposition

to these resolutions
of

was

as

frame another measure.

was no time to The abortive pro-

prompt as the action

the

government.

posal introduced to the house on the 25th of

While they were being read

to the

House

of

February was therefore

" ten

satirically

named

the

Commons
Islington,

a meeting of working-men's trades-

minutes

bill."

unions was asseml:)led at the Agricultural Hall,

The
in the

facts ajjpear to

have been (according to

where 20,000 persons were present.

and
after

a statement afterwards

made by Lord Derby

To

this

meeting Mr. P. A. Taylor read the

Lords) that a part of the adroit pro-

resolutions projiosed to the house,

ceedings of the ministry consisted in the prejiaratiou of

some discussion counter resolutions were passed

to the effect that

two

bills,

the most comprehensive

no improvement of the

re-

of

which was
if

to

have been submitted to the

presentation of the people in parliament would

house

the house had consented to proceed on

be satisfactory which was not based on the

jn-inciple of the peojale

resolutions.

This was the

bill

which was

to

themselves being perdirect

have been presented even after the resolutions were abandoned, one objecting member of the
cabinet (Lord Carnarvon) waiving his dissent;

sonally rejoresented,

and that such

and

real representation could only

be effected by

means

of residential

and registered manhood

but at the

last

moment two

other members,
re-

suffrage, protected in its exercise

by the

ballot.

General Peel and Viscount Cranborne,

There was no mistaking the decisive character

of this opposition,

fused their assent, and the government then

and among the numerous

determined to bring before the house a

less

demonstrations which were being held those

of

comprehensive measure which they seemed

to

the trades -unions were undoubtedly not

have in reserve in case of opportunity or

the least important, either in the

numbers

of

emergency

measm-e wliich they did not

people which they represented or in the completeness of their organization.

themselves consider satisfactory, but which

they hoped miglit for a time settle the
tion.
(lues-

On

the 21st of February a meeting of the

supportei's of the nnnistry

details of the

was

lu'ld,

and the

We
bill,

need not detail the jnoposals of

tin's

measure to be

l)rou!'lit l)efore

wliicli,

when

it

was presented

to

(lie

228
house,

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

met with such an unmistakable rejecit was withdrawn in almost as
it

a Guildhall speech
cold exactitude,

is

never to be criticised with

bill itself,

tion that

and the

as

it

was

great a hurry as that in which

was

said to

presented on the 18th of March, 1867, was

listened to with anxious interest

have been prejjared.

the " real original"
bill

On

the 18th of Mai'cli

by a densely
proj^ositions

was introduced by the

raised

crowded house, though

so

many

chancellor of the exchequer in a long address.

had previously been submitted

and
to the country.

to

members
in connec-

The expected measure had akeady

ment and the
opposition.

It cannot be denied that

anticipatory dissatisfaction both in the govern-

the plan

now proposed, when taken

it

As we have
till

seen

it

tion with the difficulties

and prejudices with

had had to contend,

had caused a split in the ministry, and had been

discussed and opposed and altered

which the authors of

every-

was wide and

inclusive in its character.

body was wondering what would be

its simili-

The
ject to

franchise in boroughs

was

to

be con-

tude either to the original proposition of

its

ferred on every

man

of full age,

and not sub-

framers or to the measure which the Liberals

any legal

incapacity,

had been obliged to abandon because of a provoking resolution by which they

jority
lost

of the preceding

who for the whole two years had been the in-

a maoffice

habitant occupier, whether as owner or tenant,

of

and had in consequence to resign

of their proposals

any dwelling-house within the borough, and

of his occupation of it
(if

and to see most

and inten-

had during the time

been rated to
relief of the
all

tions appropriated.

The question now was,

rates

any) made for the

how

far

would those proposals be altered or

poor in

re.spect of these premises,

modified in accordance with professed Conservative opinions ?

and had before the 20th

due up

of

July paid

all rates

to the preceding 5th

day

of January. to

Mr. Disraeli afterwards said at the

banquet at Guildhall
party
. :

civic

The
ject to

franchise in counties

was

be con-

"

What

is

the Toiy

ferred on every

man

of full age,

and not subthe last

if it

does not represent national feeling.

is

any

legal incapacity,

who on

The Tory party

nothing unless

it re-

day

of

July in any year, and during the preof premises of

present and uphold the institutions of the

country.

ceding twelve months, had been the occupier

as

For what are the

?

institutions of the

owner or tenant

any tenure

country

They

are entirely, in theory, and I

within the county, of the ratable value of

fifteen

am

glad to see they are likely to be in practhe embodiment of the national necessi-

pounds or upwards, and had during the

all rates

tice,
ties,

time of his occupation been rated to

and the only security

for national privi-

made

for the relief of the poor,

all

and had paid due by him

leges.

Well, then, I cannot help believing that

before the 20th of July

rates

because

Lord Derby and his colleagues have taken a happy opportunity to enlarge
the privileges of the people of England

my

on that property since the preceding 5th of

January.

we
in-

In addition

to the franchises thus

made

to

have not done anything but strengthen the

stitutions of this country, the essence of

depend on the ownership or occujjation

perty,
it

of pro-

whose and

was

also proposed that there should

force is that they represent the interests

be an educational franchise, to be conferred

guard the rights of the people."

after-dinner speech, and
to the echo. It

This was an

on

all

graduates or associates in arts of any

was

of course cheered

university of the United

Kingdom; on any

was

in effect a very bold

and

male pereon who has passed at any senior

middle-class examination of any univereity of

happy way

of avoiding the recollection that

Lord Derby and the Tories had remonstrated

against parliamentary reform
;

the United

Kingdom; on any ordained

Chui^h
of

priest

that the prereluc-

or deacon of the
ister of

England, or min;

mier had only yielded with the utmost

any other denomination on

barristers,
certifi-

tance and professed foreboding; that there

pleaders, attorneys, medical

men, and

had been divisions and resignations

Conservative councils, and that the
was, after
all,

in the

cated schoolmasters.

bill itself

A pecuniary franchise was also to belong to

every

very

much

a compromise.

Still

man who

on the 1st of July in any year,

THE CONSERVATIVE REFORM

aud
(luriug the

BILL,

1867.

229

two years immediately preless

ceding,
fifty

had had a balance of not

of England, or in

than

jjouuds deposited in a savings-bank or in

1 line to cut off what had been called the residuum, that is to say the class whose extreme poverty rendered
stead of drawing a b, 6, or

the

Bank

any parliamentary

them most
influenced,

liable to

be bribed or improj^erly

stocks or funds, or had

during the twelve

the government boldly adopted

months immediately preceding the 5th of Ajjril in any year been charged with and paid
twenty
tax.

household suflrage, with the qualification of

the payment of rates; thus excluding from the franchise

shillings for assessed taxes

and incomewhich was

compound householders, who did

acts,

Another clause
its

of the bill,

not joay their rates personally, and those whose

rates,

perhaps

most novel feature, provided that

having been charged with

under various

were compounded
all lodgers.

a person registered as a voter for a borough

for

by

their landlords,

and

Mr.

by reason

of his

Disraeli calculated that his bill

would admit

and paid the

requisite

amount

of assessed

237,000 additional voters, but would leave

taxes and income-tax, or either of such taxes,

486,000
chise,

still

excluded from the borough franresult of his

should not by reason of being so registered lose

and that the

whole plan

any right to which he might be entitled

(if

would be that one quarter

of the voting

power

otherwise duly qualified) to be registered as a

voter for the same borough in respect of any
franchise

would belong

to the aristocracy, another quar-

ter to the working-classes,

and the remaining

Such was
his pro-

involving

occupation of premises

half to the middle classes.

and payment

of rates,

and when registered

in

posed "balance of political power."

respect of such double qualification he should

When

the question of the second reading

be entitled to give two votes for the

(or, if

there

member were more than one, for each mem-

was brought forward Mr. Gladstone, who had

conferred with a meeting of his parliamentary
followers at his
his

ber) to be returned to serve in parliament for

own

house, consented against

the borough.

own

opinion, but in deference to the views

of a large portion of

The provisions for the redistribution

and Lancaster should cease
to return

of seats

and wishes

them, and to

were that Totness, Reigate, Great Yarmouth,

avoid disunion in the Liberal camp, to allow

that stage of the
sion.
bill to

any mem-

pass without a diviobjec-

ber; that Honiton, Thetford, Wells,

Evesham,

But he expressed the strongest

to
it,

Marlborough, Norwich, Richmond, Lymington,

tions

and enumerated the following

it
:

Knaresborough, Audover, Leominsfer,

Ripon,

features in

which he regarded as highly

Tewkesbury, Ludlow,

Huntingdon,

objectionable

The

omission of the lodger

Maldon, Cirencester, Bodmin, Great Marlow,

Devizes, Hertford, Dorchester, and Lichfield,

franchise; the omission of provisions against

traffic iu

votes of householders of the lowest

should henceforward only return one; that

the

class

by corrupt jjayment of the rates; dis-

Tower Hamlets should be divided

into

two

qualifications of

compound householders under

the proposed

boroughs, each returning two members; that the following counties, or divisions of counties,

the existing law; additional disqualifications

of

compound householders under

should be divided into two parts, each returning two

law; a franchise founded on direct taxation;

the dual vote
;

members to parliament: South Devon, West Kent, North Lancashire, South LancaLincoln (parts of Liiidsay), Middlesex,
Statfordshii-e,

the inadequate redistribution

of seats,- the inadequate reduction of the fran-

shire,

chise in counties; the proposal to adopt voting-

South

and East SuiTey; that

papers; and the colUiteral or special franchises.

Torquay, Darlington, Hartlepool, Gravesend,

St.

The dual

vote, almost universally condemned,

Helens, Burnley, Staleybridge, Wednes-

was withdrawn.
committee
the
title

After

much

discussion

and
into

buiy, Croydon, Middlesborougli,

Dewsbury,
of

witli considerable difficulty the bill

;

went

and

Bui'sley,

and the University

London,

and the formal

clauses, containing
its

should each return one

member to

parliament.

and excluding from

operation

The

bill

was baaed on the principle em-

Ireland, St'otland,

and the two

universities^

bodied iu Lord Dunkelliu's motion. Tluis, in-

were passed.

230

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

the
5tli of

Ou
the

April about 140 members of

the

members who composed

still

the meeting at

Liberal party
to

met

at

Mr. Gladstone's
course

the tea-room

held togethei-, and were

house

determine ou

the

which,

known

as "the tea-room party," a majority of

first of

under the circumstances in which they were

placed, should be adopted

twenty-one defeated the

resolutions.

Mr. Gladstone's

with regard to the

this meet-

After this he could not hope to

government

bill.

It

was decided at

carry his remaining resolutions; he therefore

ing that Mr. Coleridge should propose the

following resolution before the house went
into committee

announced

his intentions in a letter to

Mr.
city,

ou the reform

bill

" That
;

Crawford, one of the members for the

persevere in moving the

it

who had asked him whether he intended

amendments
In
of

to

be an instruction to the committee that they

which
ques-

have power to alter the law

of rating

and

to

he had given notice.

tion

provide that in every parliamentary borough

the occujiiers of tenements below a given ratable value be relieved from liability to per-

Mr. Gladstone wrote:

" The country can

rej^ly to this

hardly

now fail

to be

aware that those gentle-

men
allow

of the Liberal party

whose convictions
on the question

sonal rating, with a view to fix a line for the

them

to act unitedly

borough franchise, at which

equal

all

occupiers shall

are not a majority, but a minority, in the

be entered on the rate-book, and shaU have

facilities for

existing

House

of

Commons; and they have

the enjoyment of such fran-

not the power they were supposed to possess

of limiting or directing the action of the ad-

chise as a residential franchise."

Much

dis-

cussion took place with regard to this proposal,

ministration, or shaping the provisions of the

and some
but
it

difference of opinion

was expressed;

reform

bill.

Still,

having regard to the sup-

was understood

to be decided that the

port which

my

proposal with respect to per-

motion should be brought forward ou the 8th

of April, the

sonal rating secured from so large a

of Liberal

number
than

day on which the house was

bill.

to

members, I am not

less willing

go into committee ou the

However, on
the Liberal

heretofore to remain at the service of the \yMty

to

that very evening a meeting, consisting of

which they belong; and when any suitable

if it

between forty and

party,
of

fifty members of

occasion shall arise,

shall be their wish,

was held

in the tea-room of the

House

I shall be prepared again to attempt concerted action

Commons.

At

this

meeting
it

it

was agreed

upon

this or

any other subject

for the

that the pei'sons composing

should unite for

public good.

But

until then, desirous to avoid

the purpose of limiting the instructions to be

misleading the country and our friends, I feel

that prudence requires

proposed by Mr. Coleridge to the

of his resolution,

first

clause

me

to

withdraw from

which applied to the law of

my attemjits to assume the initiative in amending a measure which cannot, perhaps, be effectually

rating.

They then appointed a deputation to to convey to him the feeling of the meeting, and to assure him that the members composing it would continue to give him
Mr. Gladstone

amended except by a

revei-sal,

formal

or virtual, of the vote of Friday the 11th; for

such attempts^ if

made by me, would, I

believe,

a loyal support in committee.

finding that

Mr. Gladstone,

at the present critical

likely

moment, not be the most

his supporters

by the defection of so many of he was almost certain to incur

Mr. Dis-

means

of

advancing their own purpose.

Accordingly I shall not proceed with the

a defeat, yielded to then- demands, and the

resolution

was altered accordingly.

amendments now on the paper in my name, nor give notice of other amendments such as
I

raeli accepted

the altered resolution, and the

bill.

had contemplated; but

I shall gladly accom-

liouse

then went into committee on the

pany others
the scanty

in voting against

any attempt,

Thei'eui:)on

Mr. Gladstone gave notice of several

from whatever quarter, to limit yet farther

important amendments, which Mr. Disraeli

declared to be the relinquished instructions in

modicum

of enfranchisement pro-

posed by the government, or in improving,

another form, and distinctly announced that

if

wheie
the

it

may be

practicable, the provisions of

they should be carried, the government

bill."

Avould not proceed with the biU.

As most

of

The

discussion of

Mr. Gladstone's

first re-

CONCESSIONS OF THE CONSEEVATIVE PAliTY.

solution

231

showed that a veiy great coufusion

and
of

bill

without consultation with his colleagues;

crisis

of opinion existed in the ranks both of the

miuiriterialists

and another ministerial

seemed

to

be

their opponents;

for

impending; but on the following night he

while Sir William Heathcote,

borne,

Lord Cranall

announced that the government had decided

to

and Mr. Beresford Hope,

stanch

bow

to the decision of the house

and

pei*-

Conservatives, strongly assailed

the govern-

severe with their measure.

ment, the measure was supported by Mr. Eoe-

Meanwhile the

bill

went steadily forward,

to

buck and several

reason, that they
it

advanced

Eadicals,

who

the Liberal leaders

now hoping

make

it all

hoped, and as the result showed, not without

that they had desired, and the government,

would be able

to transform

conceding a teu-jDound lodger franchise, aban-

into such a

measure as they

desired.

The

doning the fancy franchises, reducing the

county qualification from .15 to 10, raising
the standai'd of semi-disfranchisement from

tea-room party were, in fact, able to take ad-

vantage of the discussions, and the evidently

yielding tendency of the government, to obtain

7000 to 10,000, and consequently the number

of boroughs

concessions

practically

identical

with

condemned

to lose one of their

household suifrage in boroughs.

representatives to forty-six.

They proposed
two
to

On the 17th of May Mr. Hodgkinson, member for Newark, proposed to add to the
third clause of the bill the following words,
wliich

to distribute the seats thus placed at their

disposal in

the following manner:

Hackney, two

to Chelsea with Kensington;

would have the

effect of abolishing the

one each to twelve boroughs which up to this

time had not been reijresented.
Additional

system of compounding for rates in parlia-

mentary boroughs

"

That no

j^erson other

members were
counties or

to sit for each of the following

than the occupier shall be rated to parochial

rates in respect of premises occupied

county divisions

West

Kent,

by him

North Lancashire, and East Surrey;

Derbyshire, Devonshire,

to divide

within the limits of a parliamentary borough,

all acts to

South Lancashire into two, and Lincolnshire,

Somersetshire, the

the contrary notwithstanding."

The

system which this motion was designed to destroy

West Eidiug
Staffordshiie,
districts,

of Yorkshire, Cheshire, Norfolk,

had

all

along been regarded and repre-

and Essex, into three

It

electoral

sented as one of the great Conservative safe-

each of them to be represented by

guards of the bill. The government, as was well

two members.
Universities of

was

also proposed that the

known, had secured a majority. Mr. Gladstone,

aware
of this,

London and Durham should

came
Mr.

into the house expecting,

be combined for the purpose of returning a

joint representative, instead of the

as a matter of course, that the motion

woidd

member

be rejected

Disraeli's

own
of

colleagues

being given to Loudon University alone, as

entertained the same expectation; when, to the

had

originally been intended.

Disraeli,

astonishment

probably

every

one

Mr.

however, did not succeed in the

l)resent,

Mr.

Disraeli, acting entirely

on his

attempt to amalgamate the High Church University of

own
the

responsibility, accepted the

amendment
the franchise

Durham with the somewhat

Liberal

which had
number

the effect of nearly quadrupling

of electors

on

whom

and freethinking University of Loudon. After two divisions, in one of which the word
"university" was substituted for "universities," and in the other the motion to add the word "Durham" was rejected, the proposal

vvoidd be conferred

and afterwards persuadof the

ed his colleagues that the adoption of this

l)ro])osition

was an improvement

mea-

sure.

When

the committee again met, Mr. a resolution reducing the period

made

for extending to the counties the system

Ayrton moved two years

of voting

by

paper.-;,

wliich had already been

of residence required for tlie franchise

from

adopted for the universities, was also rejected.

The motion was resisted to one. by the government, but on a division was Mr. Disraeli at once carried by 270 to 197.
announced that he could not proceed with the

It

spite of the ])revious declarations,

was evident that the new ministry, in was pre-

pared, or had been persundorl, to recede from

232

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

after

almost any propositious founded ou those declarations, should their persistence threaten to

what we have gone through,

after the

sacrifices

we have made,

after having sur-

prevent the measure from passing. Mr. HorsfalFs proj^osal for giving a third

rendered our political connections with

men

member

each

whom we more

than respected, I can assure

principle that

to Manchester, Liverpool,

and Birmingham

them that we have no other

was

at first strongly opposed

ment, but was at

Disraeli,

by the governlength conceded by Mr.

to the list of
le-

animates us but a conviction that

we ought

not to desert our posts until this question has

who

also

added Leeds

been

settled.

We

are prepared, as I
all sincerity

towns which were thus to have increased

presentation.

think I have shown, to act in

this matter.

in

Act with

us, cordially

and can-

So often had the chancellor

quer,

of the exche-

didly,

and

assist us to carry

out

as

we

are

representing

the ministry,

protested,

prepared to do, as far as

we can

act in accord-

hinted at a possible resignation, taken time to

consider the position of the government, and
yielded, that these proceedings

ance with the principles which

concealed from you

this

measure, which

we have not we

had almost be-

hojje will lead to a settlement of the question

come formal observances when amendments

were persisted in by the opposition.
beginning of the session, when
disclosed in

consistent with the maintenance of the repre-

At
bill

the

sentative character of this house.

us, I say, cordially

Act with
will find
feeling.
if

the

was

and candidly; you

of

which

it

was proposed

to proceed

on our side complete reciprocity

Pass the
bill,

by resolutions, Mr. Lowe had said a simple

bill

and then change the ministry

was wanted which would bring the quesan

issue.

you

like."
little

tion to

He was ashamed

to hear,

There could have been very

doubt of

addressed to him as a 658th part of the house,

such language as this: "If the house will deign
to take us into its council,
if it

the difiiculties which had been experienced, or

of the surrenders that

had been made by the

will co-operate

time that the biU had passed.

cellor of the

The chan-

with us in this matter,

cordiality,

we shaU
it

receive with

exchequer was believed to have

with deference, nay, even with gralikes to offer.

controlled the ministry.

Mr. Gladstone had

titude,

any suggestion
!"

Say

not long before been charged with coercion

what you
It

like to us, only for God's sake leave

towards his colleagues, and

that he
ruled his party.

it

was insinuated was now Mr.

us our places

It

seemed

as

though Mr. Disraeli had

re-

Disraeli's

turn to be assailed on the same

tained the princijDle on which he had pro-

ground.
" I say
bill,"
if

posed proceeding by resolutions,

that he was
which should

we wish

to

make

progi'ess
let

with this
us have

determined to pass a reform

bill

said

Mr. Bernal Osborne, "

I say this without I

be composed of resolutions from both sides of

the house, and to

no law.

Let us rely ou the chancellor of the

make

those compromises
to

exchequer.

any innuendo

which would enable the ministry

its footing.

maintain

respecting his sincerity.

always thought the

chancellor of the exchequer the greatest liadical

Nor had he

concealed this intention; for in

in this house.

He has achieved what

no other

the discussion on the second reading of the bill he had said: " All I can say on the part of

man

in the couuti-y could

have done.

As

have said before, he has lugged up that great

my

colleagues

and myself

other wish at the present

that we have no moment than, with

is,

omnibus

full of stupid,
'

heavy country gentle'

men

I only say
It
is

stupid in the parliamentary

the co-operation of the house, to bring the

question of parliamentary reform to a settle-

sense.

a perfectly parliamentary word.

He

has converted these Conservatives into

know the parliamentary incredulity with which many may receive avowals on our part that we are only influenced in the course we are taking by a sense of duty; but I do
ment.
I

Radical reformers.
the exchequer
it is

In fact the chancellor of

the ministry

by

himself, for
all

could not exist a day without him, and

the rest

who

sit

near him are most respectable

their opinion being not

assure the house,

if

they need such assurances

pawns on the board,

THE BILL PASSESWARNING WOEDS OF MR. LOWE.

worth a piu; when
I

2dZ

hear the chaucellor of the

I

When
fully,

the

bill

was taken

to the

House

of
it

exchequer say a thiug

be
so."

know

it

shall

and

will

Lords there was some disposition to discuss

and

to

amend

it

pretty freely.

Lord

The

invectives of Mr.

Lowe and
The
latter,

of

Lord

Derby was

suffering severely

from

illness,

and

Cranborne were repeated with interest at the

third reading of the
bill.

though he compelled himself to attend as much

as possible to public business, he could not be

who had

resigned his position as secretary for India, in

present in the house at the time of the

discussions,

fiist

which he had displayed both assiduity and

ability,

and was obliged

to leave the direc-

was rendered more antagonistic

last concessions

still

tion of the matter to

Lord Malmesbury.

Two

by the
" If

made by Mr.

Disraeli.

important amendments were carried by Lord

Cairns,
five

you borrow your

political ethios

from the
he
said,

who had been

;

laised to the peerage

ethics of the

political adventurer,"
it,

months before

one of these was to raise

"

you may depend upon

the whole of your

b'^-

the quiilification for the lodger franchise from

i;iO to 15,

representative institutions will crumble

and the other

in

to declare, that in

ueath your

feet.

...

I entreat honourable

any contested election

which three mem-

gentlemen opposite not to believe that

feelings

my

bers were to be chosen, no elector should vote

for

on

this subject are dictated simply

more than two.

the

This method of

lesti'ict-

by

my

hostility to this
it if

measure, though I
is

ing

vote

had

been already well su im-

object to

most strongly, as the house

I took a contrary view,
if

aware.

ported in the House of Commons, and went as

near as was deemed practicable to secure the
" representation of minorities" which had been

But even
it

deemed
should

to be most advantageous, I

still

deeply regret to find that the House of

Commost
using,

much
being

talked about.

But Lord Derby could

of

mons had applauded a

policy of legerdemain."

not leave the measure to the danger, either of

still

He

desired,

he

said, to jsrotest in the

more extended, or

being saddled

earnest language he

was capable

of

with amendments that would provoke a serious

conflict

against the political morality on which the

with the lower house.

in

Ill

and worn

manoeuvres of that year had been based. Above

all

with pain, his arm

sling, his face pale,

and

he regretted that this great

if

gift

to the

bearing the marks of

sufi'ering,

he went

down

people,

gift it

was thought

to be, should
of a political

to his place in the house, and ett'ected a reversal of the

have been purchased at the cost

betrayal which had no parallel in parliamentary annals, which struck at the root of
all

He

also

amendment on the lodger franchise. with much diificulty defeated some

Before the
bill

proposals from the other side.

that mutual confidence which was the very

soul of party government,

passed Earl Russell severely censured some of

and on which only Mr. Disraeli

both to Mr.
])rog-

Lord Derby's former intimations that

Consei'vative ministry.
It

it

had
tlic

the strength and freedom of our representative

institutions could be maintained.
rei)lied at length,

been introduced for the sake of preserving

was not very

likely

and with no small exercise

retort,

that Earl Russell could I'egard with perfect

of his

remarkable |)Ower of
to

equanimity the

s]iectacle of the a])proin-iation

bill

Lowe and

Lord Cranborne, whose

by

his

opponents of the credit of a reform

iiostications of evil

he said he could treat with

founded mostly on principles which they had

respect because they were sincere.

At another

denounced when he had himself endeavoured

to introduce

opportunity, however, he took occasion to administer a stinging reply to Loi'd Cranborne

for his persoutU attacks.

them

but he displayed
score.

little

or

no temper on that
in its

measure which

One

is

led to sup-

main points

w^as really that for

which

pose that
lieved

it

could only have been because he besincerity of

he should have had credit, had been taken

more in the
Mr.

Lord Cranborne's

from him, and exploited by those who had been foremost in preventing him from cairying out those schemes of reform witli
wliirli

political convictions than in that of his declar-

ations that

Disraeli,

when he had become

office to

Earl of Beacon afield, gave

borne,
vvlio

Lord Cran-

he

mny be
lie

said to

have begun

his ]iolitical
in his

had become Marquis

of Salisbury.

career,

was neither violent

denuu

234

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

howsettle

ciatious nor vindictive iu his criticisms,

ever.

what can be done

opjjosed
to

in that direction.
I

was

He

thought the
so, for

bill

ought to be passed,
it

centralization.

am

ready to
to

aud he said

he believed

would

accept centralization.

was opposed
ready to

an
it.

the question for a considerable time, aud in

this

education rate.

I
is

am now

accej^t

he was right.
the

He was of
franchise

opinion that the

This question
tion
:

no longer a

leligious ques-

extension of

would increase
and
till

it is

a political one.

From

the

moment
aud
one

bribery, corruption,

aud

treating,

the

that you intrust the masses with power their

mode

of voting

came

to be altei'ed he

was

education becomes an absolute necessity

I believe that the

perhaps not far wrong, especially as he qualilied that opinion

existing system

is

by saying that he did not

of the

which

is

much
:

superior to the much- vaunted

believe

much

mischief would ensue, because

Continental system.
destroy
it
it is

But we

shall

have to

vital points

depended on the temper

not quality but quantity that

people.

He

did not think the scheme, of dis-

we

shall require. in the

You have

placed the gov-

tribution went far enough.

it

In

fact

we have

ernment

hands

of the masses,

and you

on Earl Russell's own authority that though

must therefore give them education. must take education up, the very
tion,
first

You
ques-

he assented to the necessity for passing the

bill,

he, like

Lord Derby, regarded

it

as a leap

and you must press

significant,

it

on without delay
These words

in the dark; for he held that the right of voting

for the peace of the country."

for a representative

body can ouly be founded

were

and are

still significant,

now

on one

of

two

principles: one being the Eadical

that a public education act has been for some

principle that every adult male

who

is

sub-

years in operation.

We

need not, however,

ISIx.

ject to the laws of a country should

have a

conclude, in the words of

Lowe, " Oh

share in electing

its

representatives; the other

that a

man would

rise in

order that he might

being the

Whig

principle that the persons en-

set forth in

words that could not die the

dowed with the right of voting for the members of the House of Commons, by whom the
whole state
directed,
])erty

shame, the rage, the scorn, the indignatiou,

and the despair with which the measuie

viewed by every Englishman who
slave to the trammels of party, or
is

is

of

the country

is

guided and

not a
is

ought to be pei-sous qualified by proof so

bill,

who

not

and education for the discharge

trust.

dazzled by the glare of a temporary and ignoble

success
!"

important a
lie

Lord Derby's reform

believed, answered neither of these descripIt did not

The

fact

was that there were a great many

tions.

comply with the Radical

thousands of Englishmen

who were

exceedbill

requirement, as hundreds of thousands of adult

ingly glad that this reformed reform

passed.
it

had

males were not admitted to the franchise.

did not comply with the

It

When

it

went back from the Lords

Whig

test, as

many

was

to

a House of

Commons

again crowded

thousands of rated householders were in a state

of ignorance

and dependence.
latter consideration

It

was the

which was

made prominent by Mr. Lowe

House
of

in his final
bill in

onslaught upon the passing of the

the

The Lords' amendments were quickly dealt with, and only on four of them was there much debating. The clause giving votes to copyholders of 6 annual value, struck out by the Lords, was restored. The
in every part.

Commons, where comparing Mr. Bright to Don Giovanni when he invited the commandatore to supper because he thought
he could not come,
household suffrage,

proposal that in constituencies sending three

he
it

said,

"he
:

invited

and

has come

you can
rolling.

never stop when once you set the ball

,
. .

members to parliament electors should have only two votes was endorsed by the House of Commons, and so was that restricting the number of votes of each elector in the city of London to three. Lord Cranbome's revival
of the proposal for the adoption of voting-

I believe it will

be absolutely neces-

saiy to compel our future masters to leai-n

their letters.
It will not be

papers was rejected.

unworthy

of a

Thus confirmed
law.
It

or

amended the

bill

became

Conservative government, at any rate, to do

had been the chief work

of the session

THE FINANCIAL PANIC "BLACK FEIDAY."

and on the whole the country had reason
satistied

235

to

be

the payments of previous

liabilities.

Not only
joint-

with

it,

for it

went

as far as any

mea-

the regular "discount" or financial houses,

sure could, which would have been likely to

but many of the private and some of the

nd acceptance with both thalarger

parliament.

parties in

stock banks, had for some time before, been

launching into this business of " accommodation,"

With the passing of the Reform Bill both Earl Derby and Earl Russell may be said to
have
disajJiDeared

and when the commercial

jDrosperity of

the country

met with a temporary check, and

from the working

woi'ld of

certain industries began to be seriously afi"ected

politics in parliament.

Earl Derby resigned

his position as

head of the Conservative party

to Mr. Disraeli, who in February, 1868, achieved

by strikes and the operations of trades-unions, which drove some branches of trade to foreign manufactories, there came a crash which showed on what a rotten foundation
enterprises

the height of that ambition which he had so

many

large

many

years before dared to express to Lord

had been
of

erected,

and included

Melbourne, and became prime minister.

October, 1869, the earl

In

in the scene

ruin and disaster several

who had

so often led

genuine and reputable undertakings.

It

the great Conservative party, the

"Rupert

of

was on Friday, the 11th

of

May, long
still

Debate,"

who had

so charged

and scattered the

afterwards known in the c-ity,

bered,

and

remem-

forces of the opjiosition, died iu his seventytirst

as "Black Friday,' that the collapse of

taken
jalace

year, leaving an unsullied name, a great

the great discount company of Overend, Gur-

reputation,
of

and no successor in that

line

ney

& Co. (Limited), which had

on
its

parliamentary chieftainship, which

may

the previous day, carried consternation to

furthest pitch.
It

be said to have ceased

when he no

longer

wielded the weapons of debate.

was not

till

about half-past three o'clock

Earl Russell, in retiring from the leadership,

left
so,

on the Thursday afternoon that the secretaiy

of the

Mr. Gladstone

to take his place,

felt

and did

company announced that they were

not only because he

that he would him-

obliged to suspend payment.

The
of

liabilities

self

soon be physically unequal to a

much

were stated to amount to the enormous sum

of 11,000,000,

longer continuance of the labour imposed on

and at the time

of

the sus-

him, but because he foresaw that a question

pension

the
to

engagements

was

likely soon to arise

which required not

amounted

company 19,000,000, and traders and

the
its

only unusual strength but a remarkable combination of powers to enable any statesman
to grapple with
it

speculators depended on

resources for a

corresponding suj^ply of

" accommodation."

the question of the Estabfor a

Overend, Gurney

&

Co. had been a private

lished

Church

in Ireland.

firm until the previous year, and was regarded

to the early

We

must return

moment

with the utmost confidence, since

lieved,

it

was beit

])art of

1866, for the purpose of noting the

on pretty good authority, that

was
tliis

effects of the financial

disturbance in com-

supported by some of the wealthiest and safest

of the

mercial circles with which the year had com-

Quaker

cajjitalists.

But

in 1865

menced.

For some time there had been a

"house" had been converted into a joint-stock

limited liability company, of which the capital

growing tendency among large speculative

firms to continue their operations l)y
of

means

was

set

down

at .5,000,000 in

100,000

what may be described as

is

fictitious capital

shares of

50

each, the paid-up capital being

capital, that
made by
ceptances.

to say, derived

from advances

,1,500,000.

As

the profits of the concern,

firm,
it

the great " discount-houses" on ac-

when

it

was a private

were said

to

have

To meet

these the profits on future

been 250,000 a year,

safe speculation,

was supposed

to be a

transactions were forestalled, the security fre-

and at one time the shares

cent,

quently being goods which were in bond in

the dock warehouses, or which were yet to
arrive,

had reached 10 per

premium. Tlie bank-

ruptcy of one large firm of contractors ami

th^'

and

to be sold before they could be paid

failure

and frauds of another, shook the

tlie

fur;

tlie

profits

on the

sale

going to make up

position of

company, and as

it

wa.s re-

236
ported that
it

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

was doiug business beyond
went down
its

Discount Company followed, and towards the

nominal
4j,

capital, the shares

finally 9^ discount

to 3,
it

end of the day the Agra and Mastermans'

and

on the day that

Bank was

rejiorted to be shaky, the shares

closed

its

doors.

On

that afternoon there

in the city.

which had been at 33 premium

having fallen to
1

in

January

was tremendous excitement

bard Street and
its

Lomby a

discount.

Eventually the
as-

a^jproaches were filled

Agra Bank, with which Mastermans' was

sociated, stojDped

crowd, through which appUcauts broke their

payment, although during

it

way

to find the

house shut up.

Cabs drove

the crisis of these few days

paid 3,000,000

up in haste
that the
to

for theii- occupants to discover of ruin

over the counter.

This was one of the cruel

rumour
of

was only too

first

likely

results of that scandalous misrepresentation

be

fulfilled.

It

was at

thought that

which so often accompanies a

financial panic.

the

Bank

England would come to the rescue

securities;

The

failure

had been caused by a run on the

by advancing money on remaining

large

branches of the bank in India, in consequence

of false telegrams having been sent to say that

but, after conferring with the heads of other

banking establishments, and examining

it

the

London bank had

of pereous

stoj^iJed

payment.

the books,

was found that no such assistance

Of course these

terrible calamities affected

as could be given

would be

efi"ectual to

remedy

numbers

and whole families who and the successive failures

the disaster.

were reduced from a position of comj^arative

affluence to poverty,

On
to
less

the Friday the panic was general and

unreasonable.
speculate,

A few people who could

and kept
in
cool

afford

heads,

doubt-

how dangerously speculative was the manner in which many large and important
disclosed

made remarkable

bargains, for in some

enterprises were conducted.

Undertakings so

instances shares

banks and finance comHolders of

reckless that they could scarcely be dissociated

panies were oflered for nothing.

securities

from fraud,
ried to

fell like

houses of cards, and car-

and

brokei'S

who

acted for investors

ruin to hundreds
or

who had
To

neglected
of

in such speculations hastened to get rid of

inquire into,

had no opportunity

them
lative

at almost

any price, or

to close all si^eculoss.

examining their pretensions.

sad indeed
is

individuals

engagements eveu at a considerable

rate

the disasters of these few days in 1866 were

;

The bank
and for
on
bills of

was raised from 8 to 9 per

cent.,

but happily the community, that

special advances to 10 per cent.

Only

to say the

whole nation, was moderately

the financial condition of the

the most undoubted security could

prosperous;

accommodation be obtained, and even at the

high rate of discount the applications were so

country was sound, nor was the entire balance

of

trade

long or seriously disturbed.

At

numerous that

it

was

difficult to

do business.

midnight on that " black Friday " Mr. Gladstone, after long

The banking-houses were crammed with flushed and eager crowds.

filled

and serious interviews with

of great
to the

concourse of people

bank
of

directors

and representatives

Lombard

Street for hours, and at the

commercial projects, announced

House

closed doors of

some

of the large financial

Commons

that the government had deter-

houses, stood men,

as

moody or uncertain, waiting

It

mined
relief

to authorize the suspension of the

Bank
its

though in the forlorn hope that some better

Charter Act.
the

For the purpose

of

of affording

intelligence

might be forthcoming.

was a
to folfailed

Bank

England had extended

dreadful day.

As though a

financial earth-

loan and discounts to above 4,000,000, leaving

quake devastated London ruin seemed

low ruin. The English Joint Stock Bank
for

a reserve of only about 3,000,000.

800,0U0, and then the message came

We

have already touched upon the war be-

straight from the Stock

Exchange that the

tween Prussia and Austria, which followed

the disputes raised in consequence of the oc-

great contractors Peto and Betts had gone for

^4,000,000, and Shrimptons the railway contractors for 200,000.
cantile Credit Association

cupation of Schleswig-Holstein,and a complete

The Imperial Merand the Consolidated

account of

it

would not necessarily belong

to

these pages, though the result has been of the

THE AUSTEO-PRUSSIAN
utmost importance in
old rivalry
EiiropL'.iu politics.

WAR
disarmament were
nullified

237

The

posals for

by the
im-

came

to a definite struggle, brought

preparations against Italy.

War became

about, as
of

it

appeared at the time, by the policy

minent, and
fact.

it

was soon

useless to disguise the

Count Bismarck, who was bent on the ag-

grandizement of Prussia.

The

seizure of the

duchies was effected by the two powers, because neither could afford to yield to the other
the forward place as the representative of

The armies were placed upon a war footSaxony made preparations which were denounced by Prussia, and supported by the
ing.

Frankfort Diet,

who detei-mined

to ask specific

assurances from

the Prussian government.

Germany.

When

they entered on possession

Austria could not

Invitations for a conference sent by England,

disputes became inevitable.

France, and Russia to Austria, Prussia, Italy,

annex any portion and

it

of the conquered territory, to prevent the

and the Diet were unavailing, Austria de-

became a question how

manding

as a previous

stipulation that

no
of

Prussian minister from taking advant.'jge of

the situation.

territorial addition

should be

made

to

any

The dispute had been temporarily suspended in 1865, when King William met the Emperor Francis Josei)h at Gastein. William was not then ready to commit himself to a high-handed policy against
Austria, and an arrangement

the contending states; and informing the Diet that no amicable arrangement could be come
to with Prussia with respect to the Duchies.

On the

12th of June,

186(),

diplomatic relations

ceased; Prussia declared war,

and on the 15th

was made

for

Prussian armies were in Saxony and Hanover.

It

Prussia to take the jirovincial administration

of Holstein, It

was

at first believed that the Prussian

and Austria that

of Schleswig.

troops would be disaffected, or that the people

was almost

imi^ossible that the policy of

would be half-hearted because

and the suppression
It

of the dictator-

the

two governments would

Prussia had
little

agree,

and Austria

ship which had been exercised

by Bismarck,
which had
and

proposed a settlement by
the Diet.
or
its

the arbitration of

of popular I'epresentation.
levies

regard for the Diet

was

also

assumed that the

decisions,

and Bismarck had perhaps

for

been taken into the Prussian army were no

foreseen

the

opportunity

rupture.

match
of the

for the trained soldiers of Austria,

Whether he did

so or not, it

was expedited

that their generals were far inferior to those

by the rather ostentatious preparations made by Austria for increasing armaments. When fighting is looked upon as a near and a not
very detestable probability, pretexts will not
long be wanting.
Prussia

Southern forces under Benedek. Never

in.

were greater mistakes indulged

sians

The Prus-

were apparently willing to condone past

tyranny for immediate militaiy sucof Prussia to the

political
cess,

made

the prepara-

and the elevation

domi-

tions on the part of Austria a reason for de-

nant position

in (icrniany.

TheNorth German

manding

of the

minor German
Austi'ia,

states that they

troops had been drilled, trained, and carefully exercised

;

should determine on which side they would

range themselves.

it

was

alleged,
it

excellent in physique, but

and not only was that lai-ge army it was admirably

at that time been regularly
in Eurojie.

had broken the treaty of Gastein, and

urgent for Prussia to

was

equipped and armed with the breech-loading

rifle,

know on whom

to rely

which had not

for assistance in case of being attacked or

adopted by any other troops

to gcnei'als,

As
aral-

war by unmistakable menaces. An alliance was entered into between Prussia and Italy, both to declare war on Austria at
forced
into

Bismarck had made prompt

rangements, and General

Von MoUkt- had

ready settled the order of the campaign, as

accomplished chess-])layer might solve a
blematic

an

the same time should Prussia determine to do

so,

]iio-

and

to continue it

till

Venetia should be

game

against an
is

antagonist with

restored to Italy, and the Prussians be in legal possession of the Elbe Duchies.

whose method he

well acquainted.

Prince

Frederick Charles and the Prince of Prussia

Austria called upon Prussia to disarm, and

tlie

were ready to lead their troops.

portant to obtain
tlie fii-st

It

was im-

reply

was that she would do

so

when Aus-

move.

Wiien the

tria set the

example, and that Austria's pro-

Diet, on the motion of Austria, voted the

mo-

238
bilization of the

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

army, with a view to Federal government
large battles that

had been fought

in

for-

execution in Holstein,the Prussian

mer

years.

At Wagram

the proportion was

;

announced that the German confederation

was dissolved, and immediately declared war. But its troops had already entered Hanover,
Hesse-Cassel, and Hesse-Darmstadt, and three

one-eighth, at Leipsic one-fifth

liance one -third, the

at Belle Al-

same

as at Borodino;

while at the battle of Pittsburgh in the

rican

Ame-

war the

loss

was represented as a fourth.

columns were advancing by different routes into Saxony. The Hanoverians, after a short
defence, surrendered;

The

victory of Prussia at Sadowa, gave her

predominance in Germany. She annexed Hanover, Hesse-Cassel, Nassau,

stadt,

Dresden was occupied,

all

and Hesse-Darmwere trans-

Schleswig, Holstein, and

"Western Ger-

and the army and foreign representamanagement, while the southern

many
little

north of the Main, were taken with but

opposition.

tion in the other northern states

fore

The Saxon forces retired bethe larger invading army to join the Aus-

ferred to her

governments were quickly obliged by pressure

trians in Bohemia, towards which Prince Frederick Charles advanced through Saxony,

from their subjects to apply for consideration

and

for admission to the

new confederacy.

We

and by the Bohemian

passes; the Prince of

have already seen that by the cession of Venetia Italian

Prussia moving in a parallel line through

Silesia.

freedom from Austrian rule was also

that in the Austro-

The arrangements

for the

two armies

completed.
It

acting in concert were complete.

They combest of the

may be mentioned
of

municated by telegraph.

The

Prussian war the ability and energy of the

Austrian troops, the German

it

soldiers, were,

war correspondents
became conspicuous.

English newspapers

was

said, in

Venetia

the Italian and the

Hungarian regiments
nifected.

in

Bohemia were

dis-

In successive engagements the Prus-

The news of the campaign, together with maps and plans, as supplied by the representatives of the London
pi'ess,

sians were victorious.

Not only did they

out-

kept the English public almost as well

number

their opponents, but the rapidity

and

informed of the progress of the war as though

they had received
intelligence

precision of their fire from the " needle-guns,"

direct from

and the training and regularity of the troops

gave them a manifest advantage.

Von Moltke

himself.

At Nachod
but they
re-

the Prussians of Steinmitz's corps were near

meeting with a serious reverse

The gloom and foreboding which overshadowed the commercial outlook of 1866
continued to the end of the following year.

covered in time to defeat the Austrian General

Ramming, who brought

talions,

into action 29 bat-

Some

of the great railway companies

difficulties,

became
and the

16 squadrons, and 100 guns, against

embarrassed by serious

22 battalions of Prussians, and lost 6000

men

conditions which then affected the Brighton,

dead and wounded, beside 2500 prisoners,

three standards, and six guns; the Prussian loss

the North British, the Great Eastern, the

Great Western, and

still

more obviously the

lines, for

being 59

officers

and 1132 privates

killed

and

London, Chatham, and Dover

ous companies.

a time

wounded.

affected the credit even of the

more prosper-

The
gi-atz

final great battle of

Sadowa

or Konigthis car-

But even the companies most

took place on the 3d of

July, and at

deeply involved were able gradually to retrieve their position

Moltke and the king were present.

dead and wounded, or missing, 359

The

by an

increase of traffic
legiti-

nage was dreadful, the Prussians losing in

officers

and

which represented the growth of their mate business, and by abandoning some
have
diminished
their

of the

8794 men, or one twenty-third of their

Austrians 1147
officers

force;

projected branchesand extensions which would

and 30,224 men, or one-

already

insufficient

seventh of their force engaged; or taking both

sides,

resources.
cial

With banks and

the

joint-stock finan-

one -eleventh of the total force were

This was a

enterprises

results

were

different,

killed or disabled.
]iortion,

much

less pro-

however, than that of most of the

some of the former especially, having ruinously speculated in accommodation bills. The most


TRADES-UNIONS OUTRAGES DISTRESS.
threatening of the conditions affecting national
prosperity, however,
oration, in

239
of

which he spoke

Mr. Beales
these

as one

was the action

of

some

of

of the martyrs of the contest,

and said the

little-

the

trades -unions, not

only in organizing
to refuse to

question was.

Would they

suflTer

strikes

and inducing workmen

houi's,

minded, deceitful,
scoundrels
to rob
rights;

hump -backed,

one-eyed

work except during

and

at a rate of

wages, arbitrarily settled for them

alleged representatives,

by

their
in-

who sat in the House of Commons, and defraud them any longer of their
and were those who had squandered

and thus

in

many

stances compelling large firms to close their

woi-ks, or to reduce
tli-eir

the people's earnings like water, to continue

to

pi-oduction, because

do sol

of their inability to
rivals;

compete with foreign

Mr. Leicester seems to have travestied Mr.

Gladstone's quotation about certain crooked

but also in fostering a system of terror-

ism, for the puri^ose of preventing

workmen

from acting independently or accepting employment without the permission of "delegates" and "executives,"

men. He went on to ask, What had Lord Derby done? and replied by saying, he had translated Homer, but he could not make one
little

who were ready

life

to

of the beautiful specimens of glass-work

which and

commit outrages upon the

of

and property

had been carried

that there
cester, or

in procession that day;

any one refusing

It

to

acknowledge the author-

was not a stocking-weaver

in Lei-

ity of the society.

a clodhopper in the kingdom, ren-

was

of course asserted that such outrages, to

dering service to the state,

as useful as

who was

not quite

of

which deliberate attemjits

part,

maim

or to

Lord Derby.
of rather

murder formed a
Ijy
ff^ir

were not countenanced

There was, of course, a great deal

frothy,

the majority of the trades having unions

and not very

significant oratory at that

the regulation of wages and labour; but

period, but the

loyal to the

working-men were
Of their

in the

main
the

such particulars as had been

made known
little

crown and to the useful

institu-

caused widely spread uneasiness and no

indignation both
general,

tions of the countiy.

loj^alty to

among
have

the community in
of tirades

queen a good instance occurred at another

meeting at
St.

and the reasonable members

James's Hall, where Mr. Ayr-

associations.
Ini-ge

We

already

seen

how

ton used some words censuring her majesty

for not personally recognizing the people

a part these societies took in the reit is

when

form demonstrations, though

that

to be noted of

they assembled in such numbers in front of one of her

jialaces.

the

political

ardour of

many
of

the

Mi-.

Ayrton was a man

If there

members composing them was

fickle

a rather
the occa-

with a cantankerous twist.

was an

and unenduring kind.

attending which were

On
to

opportunity of saying anything disagreeable

sion of a gi'eat

London trades demonstration,

parade at

he s-eldom missed

it,

and he could scarcely ever

those

pay a comj^liment except in terms wliich

changed
it

Whitehall and march to (Jhiswick, the numbers of workmen, which everybody had been

into an imputation.

He

seems to
tem-

have been moved more by

irritability of

assured
30,000.
rcquii-es

would be 200,000, did not exceed

per and impatience with stupid people

of course often

which

The weather was inclement, and

it

meant
to

peojile wlio did not think

a robust political enthusiasm to march

as he did

than

have displayed calculated

along with a pi'ocession, or to take a tramp of

five or six miles

denunciation, and he practised the art of tak-

through the rain and

damp

ing things by

theii-

wrong

handles,

till

his

own

for tlie purpose of demonstrating.

fort

At Beauby
notices

constituents of the

Tower Hamlets could no

House, which was the destination of the

called together

longer bear with him, and meetings and d(]iutations

at the

men who had been

shunned him.

On

this

occasion,

sent some days before, only a portion of the

meeting at St. James's Hall,

Mr. Briglit
liave liurnod

assembly remained to hear the speeches of

gave him a reproof whicli must

Mr. Beales and

till

others.

Some

did not arrive

deep

if

Iio

li.'ul

mucli feeling, and in spite of

the meeting had begun.

It Avas tlicio that

his tvncnlont disregard to the feelings of other

Leicester the glass-blower

made

his

famous

people he was not wholly in.sensible to rebuke.

240
" I

GLADSTONE AND HIS COXTEMPORAEIES.

am
not accustomed to stand up in defence
tion

among the poorer class. The anomaly

rectified

of those

who

are possessors of crowns," said

sit

anomaly not yet

an was, that the shopthem

to
of their

Mr. Bright, "but I could not and

pain.
I think there has

and hear

keepers in these neighbourhoods, though the

universal distress had deprived

that observation without a sense of

wonder

been by many

customers, and they were themselves sinking

into destitution, were called

persons a great injustice done to the queen,

in reference
position.

upon

pay enor-

to

her desolate and widowed

I venture to say this, that a

mous

rates for the relief of the poor, while in

And

the parishes of

London inhabited by wealthy

woman, be she the queen

of a great realm or

householders the rate was comparatively inconsiderable.

be she the wife of one of your labouring men,

Some expedients were

to

after-

who

can keep alive in her heart a great sorrow

wards adojjted
to complete

approximate to an equaliza-

for the lost object of her life

and

affection, is

tion of the rates, but they were never carried

not at

all

wanting in a great and generous

and

effectual legislation.

Still

sympathy with you." These were good words,

and the loud and ringing
cheei-s

charitable efforts were not wanting: subscriptions poured in: the local clei^y

which greeted
the

and active money,

them were
trades

as good a demonstration as could

permanent committees of
ments

relief

made arrange-

have been gained, that the

men of

London
loyalty.

for distributing food, clothing,

who had met

in the

name

of parlia-

and

all

kinds of comforts to the starving and

This went on for some time

mentary reform, did not lack genuine

the unemployed.
tin a strange

The general prosperity

have
said, not inconsistent

of the country to

and serious result was observed.

districts

which reference has been made was, as we

with serious commei'cial

The poor from other

temporary,
if

began to seek

not permanent, dwellings at the

disturbance and ruinous monetary

;

east end of London. House-rent

for lodgings rose considerably.

and the charge

convulsion

nor could

it

neutralize the temStill

Even
idle

single

poraiy
less

effects of that financial j^anic.

it

rooms were at a premium.

careless

The

and the

could

avert the consequences of strikes

began

to take

advantage of the reports

and sudden interruptions in the labour market.

that Poplar and Limehouse

of plenty.

had become a land

The

effects of

the operation of trades-unions

distress of the

Trades-unionists, whose unions had

was seen in the widely-sjDread

followers of unskilled labour.

not supplied them with funds for keeping their

families fi'om semi-starvation,

In the east

end of London,

Bethnal

Green, Limehouse,

tain a little fui'ther relief.

saw how to obThe dock companies

raise

and Poplar,

there was great suffering among

there were attempts to com-

found that there was no absolute need to

the poor during the severe winter of 1866-67.

the wretched wages of their labourers, since in

At Deptford
mence a

times of moderate prosperity the parish would

give outdoor
insufficient
relief,

bread-riot,

and large numbers

of

of the

and

so supplement the

dockyard labourei-s wei'e out

employment.

wages out
the

of the rates,

and

in times

The operations
tricts

of the poor-law in these dis-

of scarcity benevolent people to

would subscribe

were

insufficient to relieve the daily

and

make up

increasing wants of the people during the bitter

meat,

coals, soup,

want of wages by gifts of and clothing. So the dock

weather, and various organizations were formed

for the purpose of providing food, clothing,

shareholders, as well as other employers of

underpaid labour, kept up their dividends, so

far as they were kept up,

and shelter for famished and houseless families.

Public indignation was excited by the heartless

by retaining a low
of

rate of payment.
this is inevitable,

It will of course be said that

conduct of some of the woi-khouse

officials

and that the commodity

its

and poor-law ("relieving") officers at that time;

and the vast number
shelter
of applicants for the

labour will necessarily find

price

and be
certain
in this

quoted according to the laws of supply and

and food which the law ordered should

demand.

Quite

so.

be provided at the casual night-wards of the

side issues as well as of

scientific

But the effects of main issues

London workhouses, afforded appalling evidence of the reality of the want and destitu-

way

of treating the question were, at

that period, very deeply impressed on people's

THE SHEFFIELD OUTEAGES MR. THOMAS HUGHES.

minds bj what was taking
j^lace daily

241

before

adapted to the appreciation of the audience.

the relief committees; and the questions were

Mr. Thomas Hughes, however, took the opportunity of sjaeaking some plain and whole-

once more asked, with some emphasis,

are paupers

How

made and,
?

How
for

are the suffering

some

truths,

and with no

little

daring ven-

poor to be effectually relieved by having a share

in the world's

tured to say in reference to advocacy of the

claims of the working men, that the difficulty

work found
of

them

All this
diffi-

time the question was rendered far more

cult

which had stood

in his

way was

that this had

:

by the action

some

of those trades-

been constantly tlirown in his teeth have you heard of the

Sheffield
?

" Oli,

unions, which, being associated with benefitclubs, jjunished

last trade

outrage in

any

of their

members who

Have you heard

that a house has

consented to work overtime or agreed to take

been blown up with gunjjowder, and that another man's wife and child have been attacked

reduced wages, by refusing to give them the

advantages to whicli as subscribers to the clubs

they were justly entitled. There were employers
of unskilled labour

because he did not

Did not what

Be-

cause he did not obey the laws of a union of

who

did not (perhaps could

suffice to

which he was not even a member?

If trades-

not) afford to pay

more than would

unions are to fight the battle of the working

support the individual,

who Vas

therefore

men

they must set their faces against practices

this."

obliged to seek charitable aid for his family;

such as

Addressing an audience of York-

and there were employers

of skilled labour

shiremen, he asked them to hear him patiently,

who were ready

to

pay wages that could have

and hear what were the reports

in this

of the doings

"enabled the workers to maintain themselves

town

and then,

if

they could contra-

and wives and children, but whose gates were

closed because the unions foi'bade

dict those statements, let

them do

so.

Let

any

of its
to

them
them.
in

say,

"These outrages are things

of the
of

members to accept a lower work for a greater number

same time
all

rate of

wages or

past; in the future

you

shall hear

no more

of hours

than had

We

will fight our battles henceforth

been decided on at their meetings.

hostile

At

the

an honourable, straightforward, and ChrisWell, now, he had heard a few

measures were taken against

tian manner."

workmen who refused to join the unions. They were followed, insulted, and in many instances assaulted. At the gates of
those
builders' yards, of factories,

things of Sheffield.

The men

of this

town

lived in the very heart, in the midst of the

intelligence of England, and, as

working men,
;

and of large workwei-e stationed for

they received the highest rate of wages

and

shops pickets of union

men

yet he was told they were opposed to the introduction of machinery, whereby they were

the express purpose of dissuading the hands to

continue their engagements, or of preventing

driving awayfi'om the town a large branch of

industry for which they had been celebrated
for

them from doing

so

by physical

violence.

At

Sheffield

the outrages committed by

of the unions

hundreds
in

of years.

Well, he was brought

avowed members

had long been

up

an agricultural
to

district,

and was just

old

notorious for their diabolical malice.

When
men

enough

remember the machine -breaking

in that part of the country.

the Social Science Congress was held in Sheffield in

which took place

1865 a great meeting of working

to

Those acts
destitution

of folly

produced a sad amount of

;

was summoned
at the

meet Lord Brougham and

Tlie veteran

and misery

but by-and-by the

other members, and about 3000 assembled

men found out

chines working

their mistake,

and now there

Alexandra Music Hall.

were reaping-machines and thrashing-maall

addressed

them
of

in

an introductory speech
importance of making
to

through the district; and

?

chiefly concerning the

what was the

chinery.
if

result

That wages had

the

risen

the

homes

working men comfortable

50 per cent since the introduction of ma-

themselves and their families, as a measure

lying at the root of
all social

He would warn

men

of Sheffield,

imjMovement.
in

they were opjHised to machinery, that there

Several other sjieakers followed, mostly

could be only oneresult

that they would drive

79

tone

of

conciliation

and

with remarks

the industry of the town into towns where the

Vol. IV.

242

GLADSTONE AXD HIS COXTEMPOEAEIES.

not so
sliort-siglited.

men were

Then he heard

many

instances

had been planned or sug-

that there were rests used, the use of which

gested by officers of trades-unions.

ployers
their

Some em-

was enforced by the

which was
to double

trade, but the effect of

who had

hired non-union

men

to

do

up the man's arm and

few
years, while they
results,

make
had a

it

useless after a

rest

which produced no such

if

and which,

used,

would enable a man

twenty
yeai^s longer.

to
If

work
his

ten, fifteen, or

work were threatened and assaulted. Others actually gave up business in the dread of being maimed or murdered. One brickmaker had his shed burned down with naphtha and some valuable machinery destroyed.
Brick-makers who were non-unionists found
the clay which they went to handle,
filled

that were not true, let

them

contradict

it.

To
in

mind
it

it

was necessary that he should,

all their

this gi'eat centre of trades-unions,

where they

with needles.

Watchmen emiJoyed
at,

to protect

had

nearly

own way,
if

tell

them the

property were shot

killed; in

wounded, and even

owner.
full of

plain truth;

and

in so

doing he repeated, with

one case a valuable horse was slowly

its

regard to machinery, that

what he had heard

roasted to death in revenge against

was

true, they

had adopted a course by which

These dark places of the earth were

cruelty.

they would gradually lose the confidence of

the best part of their fellow-countrymen, and

The numbef
was
appalling,

of the

atrocities at Shefiield

by which they would not hold

It required

their

own

in

and the

woi-st of

them were

the great industrial race of the country.

traced to the instigation of one

this,

man named

some courage
of the

to

speak like

Broadhead, the secretaiT of the saw-grinders'

union.

and though a few

tradict

men

present were

In many other instances the methods

pushed forward by their companions to con-

pursued by the unions were infamous and

tyrannical; but even the worst of
scarcely suspected of the crimes

some

of these statements,

no

efi'ectual

them were

answer was given to them.

practices

Nor were
intensified,

the
dis-

which were

which Mr. Hughes denounced,

discovered during an inquiry instituted

by

continued.

They became

and

Mr. Overeud,

Q.C.,

who had been

working
of

appointed

while the trades-unions denied that they were

to investigate the
societies.

the Shefiield

encouraged by their body, and asserted that

the outrages were committed
lawless

As he had

authority given him to

by

violent

and

grant a free pardon to any persons

fully disclose

who would

men whose

actions they were unable to

to

what they knew of the iniquitous

so horrible that the ac-

control, they

seemed never

have put forth

transactions, a searching examination elicited

details
covuit

the strong influence which they possessed for

the purpose of denouncing and preventing

which were
of

such infamous

oflFences.

At

length, after a

them affected even the witnesses themselves, and sent a thrill of indignation
through the country.
tors of these crimes

nmnber
nation,

of crimes

had aroused public indigin

The

actual perpetrato confess

the

miscreants concerned

them

came forward

proceeded to what appeared to be deliberate

them

in

evidence, as they thereby escaped

murder, and the

ofiicers of

the unions becom-

the penalty that tliey had long feared; and the miscreant Broadhead himself took this

ing alarmed, utterly i-epudiated any connection

with the

ofi^ences said to

have been committed

way

of escaping,

and during his presence in

at their instigation,

and demanded that the

the court adjured one of his companions to

"tell the truth"

charges

made

against

them should be

investi-

and "

tell all."

gated by the trades-unions commission which

A witness named
outrages,

Hallam

disclosed several
to

had been appointed by Lord Derby's government, and was then sitting to inquire into the
operations and effects of these associations.

and at length confessed

Linley,

having

been concerned with another

a

workman named
to join

man in who had

shooting
incurred

The investigations of this commission proved

that not in Sheffield only, but in Manchester

the displeasure of the

by refusing
working.

members of the union them and to desist from

in srivinsr his

and other manufacturing towns, a number atrocious offences had been committed, and

of
in

Hallam became much agitated

THE SAW-GRINDEES' UNION BROADHEAD.

evidence, and twice fainted in the court.
said,

243
it

He

Hallam declared that he would do

and he had
also

himself,

"Crookes joined with

me

in shooting

found a way by which they

of the yard.

Liuley.

I compelled Crookes to shoot him.

might escape out

raised the air-gun

Crookes then
just as he

He
do

shot
if

him with an
reply

air-gun."
set

On

being
to

and shot the man

asked

any other person had

him on

was leaning forward

It

in earnest conversation.
ball should strike

this, his

showed with what

fiendish

was intended that the

cunning Broadhead had made these

tools.

men

his

him under the shoulder, but it glanced upward and wounded the back of the head,
inflicting

" I asked

Broadhead one day what he

w^as

an injury of which he afterwards

doing with Linley, and he said he would have

a conversation with

me

the next day.

saw

The assassins fled, and the money which had been promised was paid.
died.

him the next

I did.

day, and he asked

me

if

I recolI said

Crookes, the

man who committed

the crime,

lected the previous day's conversation.

came up
and
it

to

add

his evidence to that of

Hallam,

He

asked

me what
I
.

would do with

was

to him, as he passed into the court

him.

I told

him

would make him as he

. .

before the commission, that Broadhead called

out, " Tell the truth,

would work no more.

He
;

asked

me
No,

Sam,

tell all."

Broadto

what

I should

want

for doing it

and

I asked

head himself had already come forward

save himself
for

him

if

20 would be
if

too much.
I said I

He

said,

he should think not.

would do

it."

which

it

by confessing to a list of outi'ages would almost appear he had no

all

Being asked

he had told

Broadhead

very deep remorse, or at

events no over-

how
had

it

was to be done, he answered that he

" I

whelming shame, though he expressed abhorrence of his crimes and wept during his confession.

not.

saw Crookes on the following

day, and told

Linley.

him

I had got the job to do

He

asked

me whom

had

seen,

and

I told him I had seen Broadhead, and that we were to have 20. He said he thought we should not get 20. I saw him again the

The reason alleged for shooting Linley was that he had hired a number of boys to Another woi'k, and was injuring the trade.

man was
pected
if

"

blown up "

for

having been brought

into the ti-ade contrary to rule.

They

ex-

week following. We went to Broadhead's to Crookes saw him see what we were to have.
alone.

he was admitted a

member they

would "have him on the box," by which they

When
went
I

he returned to
;

me he

said

we

were to have 15
I then
told

that

was

all

he would give.

upstairs to Broadhead, and he

meant receiving money from the support fund, and it was to drive him from the trade Crookes had been that he was blown up.
hired to lame Helliwell by shooting him, but

me

he would not give more than 15 for

agreed to do
it.

the job.

I got

3 from

did not get an opportunity.

Another man

w-as

him, and bought a revolver.

air-gun."
It

Crookes got an

hired to find somebody to shoot a person

named

was with that gun that the un-

Parker, the price for which was 20 to 30.

a sum, to pay which, Broadhead embezzled

fortunate victim

was

shot.

The two wretches

followed

him about from

place to place nearly

from the funds.

for

Somebody was

to

have 5

every night for five or six weeks before they

could get the opportunity they sought. Tliey

blowing up the boilers of a manufacturing

" If I but

firm at Sheffield, to
letter, saying,

did not intend to kill

him

but Crookes, who

whom Broadhead wrote a move my finger you

was " a pretty good

l>y ])is

shot,"

and had been seen

are sent into eternity as sure as fate."

accomplice to shoot rabbits in Ecclesto

hall

Wood, was

aim at the man's shoulder,

A man named Baxter, who had " held aloof from the trade" when Broadhead thought he ought to
was punished by having a canister gunpowder thrown down his chimney. Another man's house was to be blown up; the
contribute,
of

and so to disable him from working.

At

last,

one night at dusk, having followed him to the

Crown
yard.

public-house, where

lie

was

sitting in a

room with other

persons, they remained in the

blowing up of the houses of those who employed non-society men; the flinging of canis!

Linley was sitting near the window.

At

first

Crookes refused to shoot him, but

ters of

powder down chimneys, hamstringing

244
Loi-ses,

GLADSTONE AXD HIS CONTEMPORAPJES.

cutting the bands or destroying otber
all

injustice will too often

in accordance

abandon
of

eflforts

to act

portions of machinery, were

devices em-

with the claims of order, and will

ployed by these conspirators.

disclosed a systematic resort to criminal

The inquiry means

disregard the

demands

common humanity

beyond the

jiale of

which they conceive that

for establishing the authority of the so-called

they have themselves been removed.

unions, which for a time naturally aroused

much

public feeling against them.

It

was

While these disturbances were exciting

with something like reluctance that the promise to

let these witnesses

much
osity

attention and some dismay, public curi-

go free in return
kept.

was aroused by reports

of

of the

remark-

for their confessions

was

Broadhead

able ability for organization manifested

hj the

disappeared for a short time, and afterwards

commanders
sisting

an expedition which had been

was
jects

lieard of in various parts of the country

ordered to Ab^'ssinia for the purpose of in-

as a lecturer on trades-unions or similar sub;

on the liberation of a number of Euro-

but he sank out of notice.

The

socie-

peans, several of

them German

missionaries,

ties the reputation of

which he had injured

;

who, along with Captain Cameron, the British

representative,

could not acknowledge him

those which had

had been treacherously made

endorsed, or
atrocities

all

events had permitted, his

dared not, and even had they dared

especially as he

by the half-savage tyrant "King" Theodore, whose successes against the chiefs
captive
of other tribes

would not openly receive him,

had exposed
did

had given him control

of the

their complicity with his oifences.

country.

The revelations made to the commission much good they enabled honest and rea;

People here
except that
try
it

knew but

little

of Abyssinia

was an almost unexplored counSea, Nubia,

sonable associations for the purpose of ad-

bounded by the Red

tracts inhabited,
all,

and

vancing the interests of the

men by regulating
disavow
all

Senaar, and sjireading on the north-west to

wages and hours

of labour, to

sym-

unknown

where they were

Mis-

pathy with violence, and to claim some support in their legitimate endeavours, and they
directed attention to the illegal and injurious
practices of those societies, which, even though

inhabited at

by the

Gallas, the Shoans,

the Wanikas, and other wild tribes.

sionaries

and a few enterprising

tiavellers,

who had penetrated

the arid plains and dense

they

may

not have countenanced deliberate

life

thickets of that vast territory, informed us

violence or actual destruction of

and pro-

that the whole country formed a great irregular table-land, projecting from the high regions south of the line into the comparatively
level tracts

perty, too often continued illegally to perse-

workmen who declined to join their union, or employers who admitted to theii* factories, men who refused to jjart with the right to make their own contract for their own labour.
cute, to threaten,

and

to

punish

bounding the basin

of the Nile,

and forming a succession

of undulating plains

of vai'ious altitudes deeply cut into

by numer-

ous valleys and water channels, which often

It should be

remembered, however, that the

the result of earlier

descended 3000 or 4000 feet clear down below

the level plains that reached the great height
of 8000 or 9000 feet.

lawlessness and violence of some of the associations

may have been

The population

con-

declarations of the legislature, which denied to

sisted cliiefly of three races

one

resembling

labourers the right of peacefully combining

for the purpose of
terests.

the Bedouin Arabs; another, the Ethiopians;

promoting their own

of

in-

and a third representing wild

held as slaves.

tribes distinct

Where any union

workers for the

from each. There were also numbers of negroes

purpose of influencing the operations of a

particular trade, and of combining for the

The majority of the Abyssinians

professed a religion which was a peculiarly cor-

common purpose
the law,

of obtaining better condi-

rupted form of Christianity, or rather appeared

to

tions of employment, is

made an

offence against

be a strange mingling of Islamism with

of the observances of the
of

men who

are brooding over their

some

Romish Church.

supposed wrongs and smarting with a sense of

The people were

debased character; the two

KING THEODORE THE ABYSSINIAN WAR.

principal
tribes

245

were the Shoaus aud the

representative character in the country.

The

people of Tigre, both of wlioin were hardy aud

warlike; but the chieftains of
all

English government distinctly refrained from

interfering in the disjDutes of the tribes on the
frontier of
ject of

the tribes

were jealous and distrustful

of each other,

and

Egypt and Abyssinia, but the obto secure such

though Ras Ali, a powerful leader, held the

title of

Theodore was

an

inter-

Emperor of Abyssinia in 1848 and

consul,

1849,

position as

would enable him

to claim support

when Our
treaty of

Mr. Plowden, contracted a

against the Turks.

At

the end of October,

commerce with him, a great change

1861, he addressed a letter to the queen, de-

took place two years afterwards,

when De-

claring that

it

was

his mission to overthi'ow

jajmotch Kasai, a brave and able chief of

another tribe, gained decisive victories over
the Gallas, the Shoans, and the

the Gallas and the Turks, to restore the country with himself as emj^ei-or.

He

acknow-

men

of Tigre,
title

ledged the arrival of Captain Cameron with

letters

and assumed the sovereignty under the

of

and

presents,

and requested that the

"Theodoras, king of the kings of Ethiopia

of Abyssinia."
called here,

queen would give orders for the safe passage

of his

and Emperor
doi-e,

This man, Theo-

ambassadors everywhere on the road,

This was a crafty

as he

was

had the cruelty

and an over-

that they might not be molested by the Turks,

and tyranny

of the semi-savage,

who were
tempt
to

his enemies.

at-

weening ambition which, combined with arrogance and personal vanity, rendered him almost
insane.

endeavour to secure what would

in effect,

have been,

an alliance with England

He

claimed to be the descendant of

tlie

against the Islams.

The

letter

was forwarded
fur

King Solomon and

Queen

of Sheba,

and

by Captain Cameron, and Theodoi-e waited

a
I'eply.

imagined that he could demand an alliance

with France and England on equal terms.

Meantime, however, the consul paid

But
of

a visit to the frontier province of Bogos, an

injudicious step for which he

what he most coveted was the recognition

from Queen Victoria and an amicable

was afterwards

equality from England in the form of a letter

ti'eaty.

rebuked; but his excuse was that the Christian

inhabitants there were under the protection
of the British consul,

He
liis

had refused to identify himself with the

and that he had been

office to

Church
tion,

Rome or with its priests, to whom own Abuna or bishop had a great objecof

commissioned by the foreign

report

on the suitability of Sonakin and Massowah

as a consulate station,
of the latter place.

and he professed

to I'ely

on an ancient

and

also

on the trade

prophecy which declared that a king named

Theodoras wouhl reform Abyssinia, restore

the Christian faith, and become master of the world.
called

But

this visit roused the jealous suspicion

of Theodore,

who was

already furious at not

letter to the

He made

his capital at a rocky fortress

having received any reply to his

Magdala, a lofty aud almost inaccessible

queen, which, by some sti-ange oversight, had

height,

and he displayed great anxiety

to his service.

to at-

been mislaid or
office.

left

unnoticed in the foreign

tach

Englishmen

Earl Russell (then minister of foreign wrote to Consul Cameron, but did not

In 18G0 Mr. Plowden, the British consul,

while on a journey, was attacked by a band of

affairs)

mention the "emperor's" communication, and

this slight, together

one of

tlie

rebellious tribes,

and received a

with the journey of the

wound of which he afterwards died. Theodore, who had a great regard for him, signally
avenged his death
;

consul, who, he said, "

went

to the Turks,

who
pri-

do not love me," so incensed the savage conqueror that he took revenge by making
soners of Mr.
attendants, and

but this and

all his as-

sumed

liking for the English appears to have

Cameron, his secretary and

all

been a part of his ardent ambition to conclude

a treaty with this country.

the Europeans he could lay

In 1861 Captain

hands upon, including missionaries, and several

artisans
to

Cameron went
it

to Abyssinia as consul; but, as

and workmen, wlio had been induced

in the country.

was understood, only

for the protection of

remain

Several of these

British trade, and, as he

was afterwards

re-

captives were placed in irons

and shut up

in

minded by Lord John

Russellj holding no

squalid comfortless huts or stone buildings

246
carefully guarded,

GLADSTONE AXD HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

and most
half-insane
to of

them were
of

language with Tlieodore against his treachery

treated with alternate severity and" kindness

and

cruelty.

according to the
tyrant,

whim
of

the

In vain the Armenian patriarch at Constantinople endeavoured to interpose

who caused them

be removed from

by

ask-

place to place, retaining

some

them

in dur-

ing for clemency towards the prisoners.

In

ance in his camp that he might

summon them
Occasion-

vain did he send an archbishop

to

named Sahak

to his presence either to threaten them, or to

endeavour to obtain by a personal interview

reassure
ally he

them of his good

would
visit

intentions.
in a free

the favour which had been denied to a letter.

them

and easy
to be re-

This was early in 1867, and by the time the

manner, taking with him wine or some kind of

feast,

and

after having caused

them
sit

of that of Earl Eussell in England,

Derby administration had taken the place armed inbecome

inevitable.

leased from their fetters, would

and drink,
boding

terference seemed to have

and be familiarly merry.

face

At

other times he
M'ith

At

length Lord Stanley sent a

letter,

saying

would have them before him, and

seem

that unless the captives were released within

three months,

to gloat over the sufferings

which he

war would be

declared.

Either

had
the

in reserve for them. It appeared as

first

though

this letter never reached Theodore, or, like

attemjit to enforce the release of the

other semi-savages, he thought that he could

terrify the

prisoners

by sending an invading army would

to

English government by threats

lives

be the signal for their torture and execution,

and outrages, holding the

and safety

of

and the government therefore determined

their liberation.

innocent people as hostages against retribution.

authorise a messenger to open negotiations for

He had become famous as a successful warrior,

and
still

The envoy chosen was Mr.

British resident

believed in the coui-age and deterleft

Eassam, who was partly of African descent,

mination of the troops which were

him,

had held the

at

office of assistant

though his tyranny and the cruelties he had

perj^etrated
to fall

Aden, and was known

to

have aided Mr.

had caused numbers

of the tribes

Layard

in his explorations of the remains of

away from him, and

his

army was

Nineveh and Babylon.

physician,

Dr. Blanc, a French

dwindling.

When
was

he became convinced that

and Lieutenant Prideaux accomin January, 1866,

the British forces were advancing to invade

his territory he for a short time boastful,

panied the embass}', which arrived in Theodore's

camp

and was

re-

but soon

i-elapsed into a condition of

gloomy

ceived with some pi^etence of consideration;

foreboding, watching for auguries of his fate

in the clouds.

but Mr. Eassam and his companions were then

added to the number

of the prisoners; Theo-

Preparations for the expedition were rapid

dore was almost entii-ely given up to the idea

that the English government and the queen

and

effective.

The sum

of

two millions was

cost.

voted by parliament to pay the

It ac-

were intentionally neglecting him, and

jealous suspicion

full of

tually cost above four millions, with contin-

and

sullen fury he

remained

gencies which brought the

to nine millions
;

amount eventually
was on

with his army and the captives in the fortress

city of

but though there was some

Magdala.

Among

the prisoners were

grumbling at

this expenditure, there

the wives of two of the missionaries and of

the whole a sense of satisfaction, for there had

a few of the workmen, and several children.

seldom or never been a more prompt, decisive,

The

sufferings of

some

of the

men were

ex-

and complete organization than that which

tinguished the

dis-

treme, for the climate was exhausting, they

were kept in
ters
;

close captivity in

wretched quar-

army that landed in Abyssinia. Advantage was taken of new appliances and inventions.

the fetters became almost imbedded in

Elephants were brought from India;

their

swollen limbs.

Mr. Stern and Mr.

mules for transport were bought in Egypt and

in Spain; hospital ships

Eosenthal, two of the

German

missionaries,

were

fitted out;

appain

were treated with great severity, presumably

because they were not disposed to display
abject terror, and remonstrated in emphatic

ratus for distilling sea-water

was provided

case the supply of fresh water should run

short.

Forage, food, saddlery stores, and ma-

THE FENIAN CONSPIEACV lEISH-AMEEICANS.

cliiuery, as well as

247

arms

antl amiiuiuition,

were

loss

on our army, for

it

stood on a precipice

ready in an iucredibly short space of time.

General Sir Eobert Napier, commandei'-incliief of

inaccessible except

but the assault

by two narrow pathways; was sudden and powerful, the

the

army

of

Bombay, was appointed

natives were driven out and fled, the place wjts

to of

command

the expedition, which consisted

11,770 soldiers, mostly Indian native in-

taken the bodies of some of the chiefs, were found lying in the gateway, and on the hill
;

fantry,

and about 14,000 followers attached

above lay the corpse of Theodore with a grim

smile on the face.

to the land-transport train, commissariat de-

He

had shot himself with

of defeat.

partment, and regiments.

this contingent

The magnitude

of

a pistol in the

moment

The

strong-

may be

explained by the fact

hold was destroyed, and the British expedition returned to the ships and
Its object
left

that the troops might have to depend entirely

the country.

on a supply of provisions from their own camp from the time they
rock of
left the sterile

sun-scorched
oi'der to

territory

was accomplished, and not a rood of had been taken, nor a word of interfor supremacy, except to re-

Aden

for

Massowah.

In

keep

ference uttered in relation to the struggles of

up communication with the depot of the camp and a naval contingent at Annesley Bay on
the coast, railways were constructed for several
miles,

native chiefs

commend
people.

for the sake of peace that one of

them should receive the obedience

and

of the

and telegraphic

stations for a

hundred
natives,

This chief was afterwards defeated

miles further into the country.

The

his o[)ponent chosen king, so that the relittle effect.

who were
grain
;

already waiting for the overthrow

commendation had and family

care of
of

The widow
in the

of Theodore,

were willing to

sell

bread and
in the

Theodore were consigned to the

but they took no further jwrt

Mr. Eassam.

The widow died

The advance upon Magdala was fatiguing and difficult; but the place was reached early in April, 18GS. The Abyssinians made a desperate attack; but their wild courage
matter.

English camp before our troops had

country.

left

the

Theodore's son Alamayou, a child

seven years old, was taken to India, where, the

queen having ordered that he should be taken

especial care of. he

was

ineffectual against the discipline

of their opponents.

and the

was educated
to

for a short

weapons

Again and again

loss

time,

and was then brought

of living,

England.

Not-

they were swept back, and their

five

was about

withstanding the attention given to his health

hundred

killed

and three or four times

while our loss was only

and mode
afterwards.

he died not very long

as

many wounded,
wounded.

nineteen

The rock

fortress

was

The

successful general of the Abyssinian

title of

difficult of access,

and on two

sides appeai'ed

expedition received the

of ]\Lagdala.

Baron Napier
were voted to

to be impregnable;

but roads, or rather paths,

of the ascent, light

Mr. Disraeli, speaking as premier

of parliament
his

were cut in the steep slope

artillery

when the thanks

the

was brought

uji

by mules, elephants,

commander and

army, said:

"He

leil

and gangs of men.

Before any parley was

the elephants of Asia bearing the artillery ot

permitted Sir Eobert Napier called for the

Europe over broken passes which might have

startled the trapjjcr of

surrender of the prisoners.

After refusals and

Canada and appalled

.

delays Theodore found his condition becom-

the hunter of the Alps.

difficulties

Thus

all

these

ing desperate, and delivered

them

all

up.

and

all

these obstacles were over-

British troops,

They were taken under the protection of the and then nothing remained but
This he
neces-

come, and that was accomplished which not

one of us ten years ago could have fancied

for the tyrant himself to surrender.

even in his dreams, and which

jieculiarly interesting to

it

must be
all

obstinately refused to do, and

sai-y to

it

became

Englishmen under

attack the stronghold.

The guns which

were use-

circumstances to

call to

mind; and we find the

Theodore had relied on

less,

to protect it
first fire.
it

standard of

St.

George hoisted upon the mouu-

some had burst at the

Had

the

tains of Kasselas."

defenders of the place held

with any

intelli-

gent courage they might have inflicted nnich

During the period now under review,

Irish

248
troubles urgeutlj

GLADSTONE AND HIS COXTEMPORAEIES.

demanded the
serious atten-

nouncing crime as an instrument for obtaining

political redress,

tion of the government.

for

Remedial measures
of the peojjle

and on more than one

occa-

improving the condition

political

and

sion, as

we have

seen, he exerted all his enor-

promoting

liberty

were being ear-

mous
as

influence to repress such demonstrations

of violence.

nestly considered by just and patriotic

men;

would have led to deeds

his errors,

With
Irish-

but the enemies of Ireland and of England

aU

and

in spite of almost inexcus-

were busy. There has seldom been any genuine

able faults, O'Connell

was a man and an

and

jiractical

attempt made to redress Irish

to give liberty

man.

Some

of those

who

profess to succeed
especial enemies

grievances,

and

and security

to

him

are foes to

humanity and

the country, which has not been frustrated

professional agitators

by

of Irishmen,

whom

they represent by deeds

who

persistently thrust

opposed to those moral considerations which

influence all but the basest of mankind.
It should be understood that these I'emarks
ai-e

themselves to the front, and by fomenting violence

and inciting

to crime,

maintain a system

of terrorism which can only be

met by a forcible
leadei-s,

not intended as a denial that some of the

vindication of the law.

It is the business of

political associations

and even the

political

these

men who assume

the position of

conspiracies

in

Ireland
of high

were directed

by

to arouse the

unreasoning fanaticism of the

honourable
feeling.

men

moral and patriotic

turbulent and unscrupulous part of the Irish

population.

Such men, however, would never

in the

Conspiracy

is

their

profession.

have encouraged or condoned the crimes that

their

They owe their means of

distinction,

and sometimes
attempts to

were perpeti'ated
Their

name of

Irish freedom.

living, to their

efforts, like

those of English and Irish

organize sedition, the

cunning with which they

statesmen or legislators, were frustrated by the

blatant demagogues or the slinking hangers-

can suggest assassination and outrage, or the

craft

by which they can induce their followers

while they themselves

on of

to perpetrate ati'ocities,

movement

keep in comparative safety frorn the serious

penalties of the law.

Their assumed protests

is

who made use of every own purposes, and often contrived to keep the lead when more scrupulous and abler men had retired in despair,
political societies,

for their

are menaces

their policy

the secret injury

or had forfeited

life

or liberty for the results

of property, the

maiming

of cattle, the bodily

of a confederacy over
control.

which they bad

lost

injury or

murder

of innocent people, some-

times of
for the

women and
ills

children; their remedies

At

the period of which

we

are speaking

it

which they are themselves most

was not
fledged,

chiefly in Ireland that conspiracy

was

potent to perpetuate, are assassination and indiscriminate destruction.

though

it

had been hatched

there.

The name

^'Feniaiis" had been taken

by an

Some

of

cessors of O'Connell,

them have affected to be the sucand have endeavoured to

by stealing from the

association in Ireland as early as 1858; but

the chief representatives of

tliat

body now
theii-

vindicate their pretence

hurled their anathemas at England from the

other side of the Atlantic, and concocted
plans in the security of

addresses of the "great agitator" sonorous

phrases and caustic wit to give eloquence and

New

York.

Many

of

epigrammatic flavour to their speeches.

should

They

them were Irish-Americans, who, though they

had never seen the country of their
still

know well enough that O'Connell would

and would have
satirized

fathers,

have repudiated them in language more emphatic,

had

for the

Green

Isle a sentimental re-

them

in

gard, which

had grown up

in their

minds

words more scornful, than any which they have

dared to misapply without acknowledgment.

among

tlie

most cherished

traditions,

and was

powerful in proportion to the influences to

He was

no advocate for murder, no apologist

which they were subject.

men, some
of

for assassination, or for grotesque attempts to

A number of these them quite young fellows, had

of previous ini-

alarm a government by insane destruction of

public property and the slaughter of innocent
people.

been soldiers on one side or the other in the

American war, as numbers

migrants had
also.

He had

no terms too strong for de-

While the conditions be-

THE FOES OF IRELAND.

tweeii

249

England and America were

civil

so strained

ians" of the dagger and the mask, to be concessions

during the

war, and the disputes about

wrung from
terror.

the British government

Southern ships of war issuing from English

dockyards led to hostile words, these Irish-

through

This was the kind of declara-

tion which enabled the professional seditionists

American "Fenians" anticipated with unconcealed delight the probability of the Northern
States declaring

and the hired

scriptions

ruffians to obtain additional sub-

war against
fostered

this

country.

from their dupes both in Ireland and America.

" Is
it

The notion was

by the importance
to Irish votes
elec-

fair to forget that there are nearly

which was necessarily given

two millions
as

of i^ersons

who were born

in Ire-

during the states elections, for the Irish

tors

land living in the United States, and perhaps

were numerous, and the devices to secure

many

more, the ofFspiing of Irish parents,

with the most intense

their support were frequent

and

flattering.

all of

whom are animated

From
of

the point of view of violent Irish pa-

hatred towards England.

at the last census

New York city alone

Irish, actually

triotism in favour of rebellion, the expectation

had 260,000
of

war between America and England would be welcomed, since it would possibly aff"ord an opportunity for a "Fenian" army to hold Ii'elaud during an insurrection, and to aid in an
invasion of Canada.

more than the population

thus making

Dublin in 1851,

New York

the greatest Irish city

in the world." in a

These are the words of Cobdeu

letter written to

Mr. T. B. Potter

in

This was in fact the

February, 1865, on the subject of English

protests in relation to

scheme which was formed at the time, and

though the attempts afterwards made
it

America during the

M'ar,

to carry

when
land.

in the

United States Irish voices were

resentment was not
be denied that the

into eifect were altogether abortive, the plan,

loudest and most threatening against Eng-

as seen

from the Fenian stand-point, may have

justifiable.

The
of

feeling of
It cannot

seemed

But among those who came

were

groundless.
existence

to direct

and

to control the conspiracy

it

such

a persistent antagonism
least

several whose plan

had ever been

to declare

showed that there must at

on both
sides.

be faults
of

war by
order.

secret machinations against

law and

Tliis

was the contention

The Fenian association, like other confederacies, showed too plainly that there
were
in Ireland

Mr. Bright and Mr. Cobden, and they did not

fail to

say so with considerable emphasis in

deep grievances to redress and

the debates for the suspension of the Habeas

monstrous abuses to abolish, before the people

could be expected to become contented or to
refrain
lish
ists,

Corpus Acts,ameasurewhic]i became necessary

in 1866.

Mr. John Stuart Mill

also took part

if

from signs of exasperation

Irish

but Eng-

in the discussion,

and his argument was that

and

statesmen

and philantlu'op-

the captain of a ship or the master of a school

and Irishmen who were patriots without

had continually

to

have recourse to violent

being conspirators, were already earnestly considering

measures we should assume without asking

for further evidence that there

by what measures past

injustice

and

was something
Of

neglect might best be retrieved,

when

the dis-

wrong

in

his

system of management.

orders that arose in the couutiy and the injuries inflicted

course there was another word to be said in

on private individuals made

it

answer to

tliis.

If the captain or the school-

necessary once more to take the long back-

master fountl he had constantly to deal with

ward step
Act
in

of

suspending the Habeas Corpus

murderous mutineers and secret violators of

all

Ireland.

Many
;

beneficial

changes

law,

who
to

incited

otliere

to crime, ste])s
e.xpel

were delayed, though they were not permanently prevented

rible crimes

might have
tliese

be taken to suppress, or to
of the

several irrational and hor-

membere

crew or the school, before

were perpetrated; public indigna-

conciliatory or gentle measures covdd be so applied as to

is tliat

tion

was aroused; and then when comparative

the reefl'ected,

work an

influence.

The

woi-st of

it

order was afterwards restored, and

the disease and the supposed remetly

Sup]iression in Ire-

tarded measures of conciliation were

appear to be reproductive.

they were i-epresented by the so-called " Fen-

land has always meant fresh attemi)ts to form

250
secret consjairacies.

GLADSTONE AND HIS COXTEMPOEAEIES.

But
political conspiracies

jutors of a chieftain

named Finn, or to be taken

to the old Irish militia,

aud even

seditious meetings, treason,

all different

and

at-

from the name given

tempted rebellion are

assassination,

things from
to institute

and

to the ancient singers or reciters of the

from the endeavour

Celtic legends.

Whatever may have been the

name,
it

a reign of terror by the force of mere fiendish

destruction, or

origin of the

sounded warlike and

at first a political, or

by murder, and the malignant

purpose of showing

implacable.

infliction of injury for the

The

association

was

capabilities of violence.

rather an insurrectionary one, for the pur-

We
always

have already noted that there were

pose of efi"ecting a revolution in Ireland.

It

men ready
and

to take

advantage of any

was commenced
large dimensions.

in the year 1858,

and duremigrated

sincere,
triotic

though mistaken, or any genuinely pajustifiable agitation.

ing the American civil war increased to very

Most

secret of

Men who had

associations are liable to be

made use

by

from Ireland under conditions of poverty

those
theii'

who have no "cause"

that will prevent

and

distress,

which they believed had been

being traitors to their companions, or by

caused by English misrule, were not likely

to correct their impressions about the causes
of their expatriation,

fanatics

who would urge their fellows down the

Probably few organizations

road of insanity.

even though they

may

could be more liable to abuse than that which

have been more prosperous in the new country.

was adopted by the "Fenians."

oi'iginal,

It

was not
was con-

On

the contrary they had

so accustomed to send

and

it

was not
it

effectual for the pur-

them been

many of home money

they were

pose for which

structed on

was designed.

It

for the relief of their relations in Leinster,

what has been

individual

called a cellular

Muuster, and

Connaught, that

system.

Ko

member knew what

pretty sure to subscribe without reluctance

to

were the limits or the functions of any other

a society for the deliverance of

evils of

all

Ireland

member, and the further a member was from

the centre of direction, either because of his
insignificance or his ineligibility, the less in-

from the

an oppressive, or a mistaken
been taught

government, which they had

was the reason

for the poverty

and the misery

their parents

formation he was entrusted with.

the larger
to

AU
to do

that

that they so well remembered, or the accounts

of

number

of

members had

was

which had come

to

them from
association

obey any orders without question. The im-

in

New

York.

The

was formed
Its

plied or supposed penalty for disobedience, or

for such independent variation of an order as

into a regularly organized institution at a con-

vention or congress

lield in

Philadelphia.

might produce discovery, would be "removal,"

or, in

headquarters were near Union Square,

New
de-

other words, secret assassination.

It

York, and

it

assumed the position

of a re-

will easily

be seen that there was no prothe machinations of

gular administration, supported

rived

by funds

tection

against

mere
en-

from contributions and subscriptions.

dealers in sedition, nor

was there the

larger

Its leading officers,

who were supposed

to be

couragement that attends an intelligent exchange of confidence.

constantly employed in the work, appear to

The

number

of

have taken their pay out

there was
of those

of the funds,

and

members
trust

of

such an association

instruments of a

may be mere few arch- conspirators, who may be

the tools of mur-

money forthcoming for the support who were deputed to carry out their
All
authority

them with nothing, and yet expose them

and sedition-mongers who may some

orders.

converged

towards

to destruction, or tliey
derei's

one centre, "the head -centre," as he was

called,

and

in Ireland this head-centre

was

day

.sacrifice

them by turning

traitors to the

man named James

spirit

Stephens,

who began

cause.

with some

and boldness, and then

had laid down the sysall its intricate

The "Fenian" organization was apparently formed among the Irish in Americii. The

most inexplicably and unexpectedly collapsed.

Stephens,
it

wiis said,

name Fenian has been variously represented to mean Finn i an, from the descendants or coad-

tem, and to him alone

fications

ramicivil

were known.

He

had been a

THE HEAD-CENTEE MISREPEESENTATIONS OF lEELAND.

engineer,

251

and had belonged

to the

Young
After
en-

territory in

an attack on Canada, the other

Ireland party of O'Brien and Mitchel.

the arrest of O'Brien, Stephens,

adhered to the Irish programme, and vehe-

who had

mently proclaimed that Ireland was ripe for

successful rebellion.

deavoured to
the famine

stir

up an insurrection during

Both were

utterly mis-

of 1847-48, sought safety in France,

taken, though there were those who, professing

to

whither another of the young Irishmen named

know

their counsels, afterwards declared

O'Mahoney had preceded him. Stejihens spent his time in going backward and forward to Ireland; but Mahoney went to the United States, where, having been instructed by
Stephens in the "Fenian" organization, he

that the mistake arose from a conviction that

the Northern States of America would join

in hostilities towards England.
states did nothing of the kind.

Hapjiily these

On

the con-

trary their government acted with international honesty

of

became the American head-centre.

land,

Stephens

and

loyalty,

and when a body

continued to promote the association in Ire-

Fenians made an attempt by crossing

and thither a number

of

of strange visitors

the Niagara and occupying Fort Erie, after

soon came; they were Irish -Amei'icaus, and

driving back the small party of Canadian

volunteers

them had old fiiends still in the old They had undertaken the duty of country. trying to raise rebellion, and they brought
some news that there were thousands
in the
of

who opposed them,

some

the

American
and preThis

authorities insisted on rigidly preserving the

frontier, arrested

of the leaders,

Irishmen

vented any further crossing of the

river.

United States who were members of

in to

was probably the best thing which could have

happened, for by that time reinforcements had
arrived on the Canadian side, some of the assailants

the Fenian brotherhood, that the subscriptions

from Irish labouring men and women

America were helping

to

to

pay for an army

were taken prisoners, and the

rest fell

come and help the people

throw
off the rule of

of the old country

back, recrossed the river, and gave up any further idea of invasion.

England, and to have

a government of their own.

At

the same time

of the

Perhaps,

if

Stephens had not suddenly made

American journals contained accounts

preparations that were being

his ajipearance in

New York

as the chief of

Fenians in the States for

made by the sending an army to

the convention and the original head-centre, the Feniiin leaders would not have pursued
the intention of

help the Irish insurrection.

making an attempt
there,

in Ireland;

Of course the English government was prepared to take prompt action.

but he announced that he was prepared to

strike a

The Habeas

blow
It

and he once more

dis-

Corpus Act was suspended

a number of per-

appeared.

was supposed that he was

all

in

sons were arrested, some of

them while they

In Novemto Dublin,

Dublin,

or,

at

events,

making

his

way

were holding seditious meetings.

ber, 1865, Stephens,

through the rebellious

people,

districts to rouse the

coming

was

and numbers

of the Irish -Americans

to join

apprehended and lodged in Eichmond prison.

embarked during the winter months

in the insurrection.

From
in

this

he contrived to escape, as

it

was

When
among
till

they reached Ire-

believed through the help of a night-warder,

land they discovered that there was no deter-

whose room was found a copy

of the

Fenian
fas-

mined

disposition

the jieople to comall

oath,

and a padlock similar

cell.

to that

which

bine in a general rebellion, and

that could
it

tened the door of the

Whatever may

be done was

to wait

the spring, when,

have been the means used, he regained his

liberty;

but nobody seemed to know what had

of him.

was surmised, Stephens would reappear with some plan and with an armed force, wlien they
would be able to commence active
hostilities.

become
It

Then the usual

fate of such

associations overtook the Fenian brotherhootl.

was divided into two

factions, each of

which
;

claimed to represent the real constitution but

They could not at first realize that they liad been deceived, and that not only were the peasantry mostly unarmed and uni)repared,
but
tlie

while one party was for doing something near

at hand,

majority of

tlie

Irish people

were op-

and urged an invasion

of English

posed to any such attempt as an insurrection

252
led

GLADSTONE AXD HIS COXTEMPOEARIES.

head, where tliey might seize some steamvessels in
coast.

bj a number of strangers, and supported by a confederacy of which, after all, they knew
little

which they could reach the Irish

this plan

or nothing.

There was an audacity about

its

Several of the Irish- Americans

who

came,

which almost neutralized

all

absurdity, and, at
it

as they supposed, to aid in the acliievement of

events,

it

was

of such a nature that

pre-

a separate nationality were honest and disinterested.

sented a marked contrast to other attempts

They had

either retained the bitter

which were made for the purpose, or with the

result,

hostility to

England caused by former condiwhich Englishmen as well

to estimate the real state
of those

of

inflicting

serious

injury on indi-

tions, the effects of

as Irishmen

were anxious to remove, or they

by destroying life or property. The government had received timely intimation

viduals
of

had only been able

of aiTairs

the attempt

that

was

to be

made, and

by the representations

who

Chester was so

weU watched and guarded

was obliged
to It

dealt largely in metaphor.

The grievances

that the Fenian contingent

under which the Irish people were suffering

were
real;

abandon the

enterprise.

was then made

the injustice to which they were

known

to the confederacy that a general rising

subjected was obvious enough to find indignant

expression from the mouths of

should be attempted in Ireland in the following month.

many

earnest

The

failure

was

consjjicuous,

and

men; but the "wrongs

of Ireland"

were not

though several attacks were made on the police

barracks in various places, where several persons were shot or otherwise killed, there was

exactly of the kind or the degree which they

were sometimes represented

rate there

to be.

At any-

were few signs that the majority of

nothing like an insurrection.

More mischief
hills or

the i^eople of Ireland were ready to seek redress

might have ensued

the lonely passes;

if

the armed bands of des-

by

violence or insurrection,

and

it

was

perados had been able to take to the

evident that the government had been

made

but a continuous snowattempt was a failure

acquainted with

all

that

the Fenian con-

storm prevented them from seeking these as a

refuge.

vention had pi'oposed, and had taken measures to prevent

it.

The

first

it

had never for a moment looked

like success.

Among those who came to act as leaders were

some who had acquired
distinction in the

Numerous

arrests

were made, and among

believed in

AmeThey

the prisoners were

men who had

to die

rican civil war, and several

had occupied a posithey had been

the cause which tliey came to support, and

tion of social influence in the States.

ari'ived in Ireland to find that

having

failed,

were ready

if

their lives

were to be forfeited for the crime of having

sought to promote a revolution which they

deceived.

There would be no general uprising

no combined attempt of any im-

of the jDeople;

had heard was already imminent.

Among

the

portance unless they could succeed in provok-

more prominent
Colonel Burke,
in the

leadei's

who were arrested was

served as an officer

ing

it,

and unfortunately

this

was what a num-

who had

ber of them endeavoured to do.

startling demonstration

But

first

some

Southern "Confederate" army during

must be made; a blow

the American war.

He, a companion named

must be struck which would show that they were in earnest. It was perhaps a proof of the
utter misappreliension which existed

Doran, and some others were sentenced to

death, chiefly on the evidence of informers,

among
secretly

who were
of the

necessarily the jirincipal witnesses

in

these men, that tliey formed a wild scheme by

wliich the Fenians in

government

many

such cases.

England were

A very strong feeling was manifested against

the execution of this sentence.

to
to

make
meet

their

way

to Chester,

where they were

That men

at a certain date in February, 1867,

coming from another country had committed

treason in consequence of misrepresentations,

and

to take forcible possession of the castle

for the purpose of obtaining the

arms that
to

was

of course

no

legal defence;

but the

men

might be found

there.

They were then

wei'e brave

men, they had been deceived, and

cut the telegraph wires to prevent any alarm

their crime

was not that

of dastardly conspi-

being sent after them, and to proceed to Holy-

rators or of assassins.

The English people

ATTEMPT TO KESCUE FENIAN PRISONERS.

knew how
to discriminate,

253

and even

to

symgreat

(1867),

pathize with prisoners like Burke.

inquiry,

and they were remanded for further and taken to the prison van which
jail,

meeting was held

chiefly of English

in St.

James' Hall, consisting

was

to

convey them to the

city.

a short distance

working men, and Mr. John

out of the

Some

suspicions of an at-

Stuart Mill addressed them with great earnestness.

tempted rescue had been excited by the manner of two men who were seen hanging about the

A petition was presented

the punishment might be

to parliament

by

Mr. Bright against the "excessive and

irritat-

ing severity" of the sentence, and stating that

more applicable

to

men
free

" whose crime

and wh-ose offence are

alike

them was apprehended after by endeavouring to stab him with a dagger. It was therefore thought necessary to put the two prisoners in irons before taking them to the van, which was
court,
of

and one

resisting the officer

from dishonour, however misled they may

guarded by eleven policemen.

the

be as to the special end in view, or the means

they have adojoted to attain that end."

The van had been driven some distance on the journey to

jail,

There

and had reached a point where the

of clay-pits,

was some discussion on the language employed

in this petition, to receive
it
;

road was crossed by a railway bridge, near a

and a proposal was made not

number

when

a tall fair

man who

but there was no disrespect exit

pressed to the house, and

was therefore
table.

ac-

had been looking out for the van from the top of a mound of clay came into the road followed

cepted and ordered to

lie

on the

The

by between

thirty

and forty companions,

all

extreme sentence was not carried out, and

armed, and most of them with revolvers.

This man, whose name was William O'Meara
Allen, fired at the driver of the van, next at

though
places,

disturbances

continued

in

various

and other

arrests
little of

were made, there

that bitterness of

was comparatively

the officer

who

sat beside the driver,

and then
police,

feeling against the Fenians

which was

after-

shot one of the horses.

three of

The unarmed
fell

wards manifested when they committed crimes

against society which were the
able, because they appeared to be

whom

were wounded,

back before
three

more

detest-

a volley from their assailants,

to one

who were

mere wanton
without

against them; but they bravely re-

attempts designed to

inflict injuries

turned and repeatedly endeavoured to rescue

the van, which was full of male and female
prisoners,

regard to any appreciable political result, and

altogether revolting to the
of

common

sentiments

and was now brought

to a stand

humanity.
Six months after the remission of the sen-

with one of the horses dying, and the other

struggling on the ground.
stables
killed.

Three police-con-

were wounded, one by-stander was

tence on

Burke and

his

companions a desperate

The Fenians surrounded the van,

attack was

made

in

Manchester for the pur-

threatened to shoot any one

who attempted

to

pose of i-escuing two Fenian prisoners, a policeconstable

prevent the release of the two prisoners, and

was

shot,

and though the apologists

and

shouted to the sergeant,

who was

sitting in

for the perpetrators of the deed represented

charge inside, to hand out the keys which would

that this also

was only a

political off"ence

open the door of the van and the separate

the prisoners were confined.

cells

not deliberate murder, the lawlessness of the

act

or closets on each side of the veliick\ in which

and the evidence which

it

afibrded of an
])ro-

The

sergeant,

intention to set all authority at defiance

whose name was

give up
his
tlie

Brett, positively refused to

duced some reaction

in public symj)atliy.

keys.

Allen called a

number

of

Two men had

By

been arrested on suspicion in

gang

to

attempt to break

in the roof of the

Manchester, and charged with being vagrants.

the evidence given in their examination

van, and,

armed with

lieavy stones

and other

implements, they clambered to the top and

tried to

before a magistrate they were proved to be

smash the wood, which, however,

Shots continued
in the van,

two Fenian conspirators known as "Colonel'' Kelly and "Captain" Deasy. The examination

offered too great resistance.

to be fired

the

women who were

took

jilace

on the 18th of September

fearing for their lives, uttered piercing screams.


254
Brett,

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

who remained
firm iu
liis

refusal,

had

He was

afterwards not only respited but

been looking through a small louvre ventilator iu the top of the door

restored to his position.

Against Shore,

who

when one

of the

pleaded his American citizenship, the evidence

connecting

women, two or three

locked in the
cell,

of

whom had

not been

him with

the actual

murder was
people attri-

but stood in the gangway

to

not altogether complete, and he was respited

which lau from end

pulled

end of the

vehicle,
if

from the capital charge.

Some

him away.

Allen threatened that

buted this clemency to a desire on the part of

the ministry to propitiate the American gov-

he did not deliver the keyshe would shoot him.

A pistol was exploded against

door, but failed to burst
it

the lock of the

ernment.
the two

Allen, with Larkin and O'Brien

released the prisoners
all

open.

Allen again

men who had

guilty.

demanded the

keys,

and almost immediately

be shut, and
it,

were found

They

denied that they

afterwards thrust a stone into the trap or

ventilator, so that it could not

had

fired the shot that killed Brett,

and

it

was contended that

ally caused
lock,

his death

was

accident-

afterwards fired his revolver at

Brett through the head.

shooting

by the attempt to burst open the

this assertion.

One

of the

women,

but the evidence of the prisoners in the

Efforts were

in teri'or for their lives, then took the

keys from

van contradicted
pathy for

Brett's pocket

and threw them

out.

The van

again made, by those

tlie

who

still

retained sym-

was entered by two men, who opened the

doors of the
cells in

political

or national protests

which Kelly and Deasy

which were associated with Fenian demonstrations, to obtain a remission of the capital

were confined, and enabled them to escape

across the fields.

Allen was heard to say,

sentence for the prisoners, but the public feel-

" Kelly,

I'll

die for you;"

and

this

was

after-

ing had undergone a revulsion.

Even

the

wards spoken of as though he contemjDlated

a kind of
all

proclamation of the American Fenian "senate"

or "convention," that theactsof the conspirators

martyrdom

but of course he made

the efforts he could to get away, and would

were not directed against the English people

but against a government which oppressed
both the English and the
Irish,

have done so but for the prowess of a young

man named Hunter, who was

not only a swift

did not assure

runner, but a bold and powerful fellow.

He

the inhabitants of our large towns.

shot, stabbed,

To be
of

pursued Allen and ran him down, wresting

blown up, or seriously injured

from his hand the

pistol

with which he threaof the conspi-

in person or estate

by an appointed agent
of ruffians, or

tened to shoot him.

rators

Another

outrage, or

by a gang

even by a

was run down by a second

some
others.

athlete in

patriot with a craze for

murder

as a ready

the same manner, and the police having rallied,

arrested

means

of manifesting political purpose, is not

effects of

Several were in cus-

an experience the
dissipated

which are to be

tody before the next day.

The escaped
tured.

prisoners were never recap-

One

of

some

distance,

them had entered a cottage at whei-e his companions knocked

Five

by an expression of regret for an alleged mistake or by an appeal to a common love of freedom. The Fenians here were taking precisely the wrong way to maintain
the sympathy which a just cause
till

off his irons

with a hatchet, using the stone

may evoke
it

edge of the kitchen sink for an anvil.

those

who

pi'ofess to

uphold

set

not

men

number who had been arrested were found guilty of the murder of Brett. Their names were Allen, the leader, The Larkin, O'Brien, Shore, and Maguire. arrest of Maguire was afterwards proved to have been made in error. He was moving
out of the

only justice but civilization and humanitj^ at

defiance.

In England

thei-e

is

happily a

tolerably firm belief that protection against

political

and

social

wrongs cannot be secured

Certain Fenian

except by observing the laws which protect

the individual and society.

about in the crowd, but

that he had any

it

was not proved

and he
for

sympathizers took a very false step

when

hand

in the fray;

number

of

them went

in a threatening

manner

was able

to

show that he had served

as a dejiutation to the

Home

Office to

demand

several years as a marine in the royal navy.

an interview with the home secretary (Mr.

THE FENIAN ATTEMPT AT CLERKENWELL.

Gathorne Hardy), that they might
iuto advocating a
terrify

255

him

seems to have been taken to keep watch and

commutation

of the sen-

guard outside that part

the attack

of the prison

where

tence of the Manchester prisoners.

A letter

was

to

be made.
it

Perhaps the

was handed

to their leader (a

man named
home
secre-

authorities thought

probable that the letter

Fiiden) saying that no noisy demonstrations

was a ruse

but they should have remem-

wonld be permitted, and

tliat

the

bered the consequences of leaving the prison

tary declined to receive them.

violent language addressed the

Finlen then in

mob

of his fol-

lowers
until

who crowded

the stairs and the passage,

van at Manchester to be guarded by only a few constables unarmed, against a strong party of Fenians carrying revolvers.

some
three

police officers

came and turned

them out

into the street.

The

men

convicted of the murder of

On the afternoon of the 13th of December, two days after the warning was given, all London was startled by a terrific explosion.
The Fenian
conspirators

Brett were executed at Manchester in presence of a smaller

had proved them-

number

of persons than

selves to be not only capable of atrocities, but

of such litter recklessness of the lives of other

might have been expected, who preserved a quiet and even a solemn demeanour. Eaids

people, including innocent

women and

chil-

upon gunsmiths' shops and seizure of gunpowder were repeatedly made by the conspirators in Ireland.

dren of the poorer

classes,

that their blunder-

ing eagerness to injure and destroy would

Their offences were

fre-

have included among the victims the very

prisoners

quently of a kind to provoke indignation, and

indignation was daily increasing,

whom

they desired to release, had

when

the

not the governor kept them confined to their

cells in

attempt to blow down the wall of Clerkenwell

prison for
tlie

another part of the

jail.

Some men
narrow
lane,

purpose of rescuing Burke and

still

and a woman had been seen

in a

Casey,

who were

confined

there,

was
dan-

one side of which was formed by the prison

wall, the other side consisting of a

attended with consequences which aroused

the public temper to a pitch that

row

of

made

it

four-storied houses, from the roofs of which

a

gerous for any one in London to profess to belong to the Fenian body or to act in such

view could be obtained of the prison yard.

Several suspicious-looking persons had been

seen going in and out of one of these houses

a way as to be suspected of any connection

with
It

it.

during the afternoon, but nobody had been ex^

that

may perhaps be assumed were members of the Fenian

there

amined or
from

arrested.

Two men and

lane,

the

woman

conspiracy

wheeled a truck along the

it

and took

whose hearts and consciences revolted from the atrocities which were contemjilated by
their fellows.
in

a 36-gallon beer cask, partly covered

with a piece of tarpaulin.

placed against
tlie

This

ca.sk

was

At

all

events, on an early

day

prison wall, and while one

land

December the police authorities in Yard received an anonymous

Scotletter

man

rapidly went

away with

tlie

truck the

other thrust a fuse, which looked like a squib,

into the bung-hole of the cask, lighted
it,

informing them that an attempt was about

to

and

be made to rescue Burke from Clerkenwell

detention,

ran awaj', the

rapid pace.

woman

also

making

off at a

house of

that

the

plan

to
of

be
the

All this was done so quickly that

adopted
exercise

was
five

to

blow up the wall

before any one could intei'fcre a tremendous

explosion had blown

yard with gunpowder at between

o'clock in the afternoon, the

down

a large portion of

four and

the wall, leaving a gap from 30 to 40 feet in

hour at which this prisoner was supposed to

be in the yard for exercise, that the signal to

width.

So tremendous was the force of

tlu-

charge contained in the cask that a volley

of bricks

him would be a white

outside of the wall.

ball

thrown up on the

was driven
efTect
;

across

tlie

exercise yard

In consequence of this

and made deep indentations

prison.

in the wall of the

information the prisoners Avere kept in their

cells

The

upon the adjacent houses

five or six

at the time of the

day when the

little

at-

was appalling

two were destroyed,

tempt was expected, but singularly

cnre

were shattered, windows were broken at the

256

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

uiile.

distance of a quarter of a

Amidst the roofs was fall of timber and the crashing of and children, tlie heard the screams of women groans and exclamations of wounded men.
Fifty-two persons, some of them too aged to

were offered for the apprehension

of the

man

who

actually fired the match.

On the

15th of

Januai-y, 1868,

two men were arrested at

Glasgow
Green.
.

for unlawfully using firearms on the

On

being taken before a magistrate

be able to

make much

effort to escape,

and

they were discovered to be prominent

mem-

others mere infants, were seriously injured,

and had
eluding a

to

be conveyed to

hospitals.

One
j

bers of the Fenian conspiracy, and were sent On arriving there to London in custody.

was killed on the spot, and four others, inlittle girl,

who was

fearfully burnt
\

they were identified for being concerned in the Clerkenwell outrage, and one of them

and lacerated, died during the night. It was said that forty poor women, who were about
to

Barrett was

distinctly

sworn

to as the

man
was

who

fired the barrel

The

capital charge

become mothers, gave premature birth

to

children, twenty of

whom

died immediately.
horror, but
it

proved against him, and he was executed, the others being sentenced to terms of imprisonment.

The crime produced universal

was regarded
tation.
less

There was,
all

of course,

much

public

with fear than with detes-

excitement, and

kinds of rumoui-is kept

The

fact is

military officers opinion that the explosion was caused not by gunpowder, but by some more powerful substance, such as nitro-glycerine.

worth noting that some who visited the ruins were of

men's minds in a state of suspicion and alarm. Only a week before the Clerkenwell explosion

Her

Majesty's Theatre was almost entirely

fire,

destroyed by

and the houses

in the

Opera

One

of the

was found on the roof of distant from the spot a house where the explosion took place. Two men and a woman were arrested by police constables,
staves of the barrel
sixty yards

Arcade, and those in Pall Mall, were seriously injured. The flames were seen at a great distance,

and though the firemen used every eflbrt thebuilding was burned out, and property to the
value of 12,000, including scenery painted

by some by-stauders, immediately One of the men named after the explosion. Allen had been loitering about the prison, and
assisted

by Telbin, Grieve, and

Callcott,

was consumed,
singer, lost

along with the grand organ, which cost 800.

Madame

Tietjens,

the

famous

had been seen by of one of the neighbouring houses.

the chief warder on the top

The
the

jewelry to the value of 1000, and some very valuable pictures were consumed in the
galleries of

woman had been

accustomed to

visit

Mr. Graves, the

This
fire

print-seller, in

prisoner Casey while he was under remand,

Pall Mall.

originated with

the

and had taken him his dinner that very day. When Burke and Casey were afterwards brought up to the police court on remand.
Dr. Kenealy, a barrister whose

overheating of some

flues,

bat for a time any

such occurrence added to the popular agitation, which had unhappily been justified by
evidence of the malignant intentions of Irish conspirators. On the I7th of December there

name was

afterwards to be notoriously associated with another trial, and who had been retained for
their defence, at once

came news

of the exjjlosion of a quantity of

abandoned

their case,

nitro-glycerine,

since, though he did not believe that they

were themselves parties to the crime which had been committed, some of those who had
instructed

which had been taken from Newcastle to Newcastle Moor, there to be thrown into a waste gully. This substance was
declared on inquiry only to have been intended
for

him on

their behalf probably were,

to represent

manufacturing purposes, but

it

was

re-

and he could no longer continue

them.

moved, in accordance with the law, because of the danger of leaving it in the midst of the
town.

Public subscriptions were made fur the

sufferers

In attempting to dispose of

it

the sub-

by the explosion, was manifested. The perpetrators were brought up on a charge of wilful murder, and
tion

and much

indigna-

stance exploded, and a policeman and the two

carters
to
it,

who conveyed it to the moor were blown pieces; the town-surveyor, who accompanied
was
so injured that

remanded

for

further

evidence.

Eewards

he died shortly

after-

ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.

wards
;

257
is

and the

sheriff,

who was
it

also present,

thing of that dogged determination which

British characteristic,

was

seriously hurt.

and
of

is

usually dangerous

Nitro-glyceriae, or, as

was

also called,

to conspirators

and

assassins.

In London a
of all ranks at-

blasting

oil,

was

in use in the

Welsh

slate-

considerable

number
It

men

quarries and in mining and blasting operations.

tended at Guildhall to be sworn in as special

constables.

It

was causing some uneasiness.

sliip in

Not
of
it

was a time

of

much

distress

long before, a

which a quantity

and hardship among the poor, and injuries

like those caused

formed part of the cargo, had exploded at an

by the

ruffians

who had

American
were

port,

and with such violence that

apparently taken the lead of the Irish political associations

the vessel was destroyed, a

lost,

number

of lives

were an additional grievance

and the pier or breakwater was

It

and ai'oused feelings of abhorrence.

These feelings were soon afterwards inten-

wrecked.
of the

was noticed,

too, that the bodies

dead did not present the ai^pearance of

having been burned or scalded.

The Newcastle Moor explosion was not shown

to

by telegraphic despatches which seemed show that even in our colonies the insane wickedness of the confederates might be unsified

to

have any connection with the Fenian

plots;

expectedly revealed.

The Duke

of

Edinburgh

but there were too

many

offences with

which

had jjroceeded on a voyage aboard the Galatea

to the Australian colonies, to

they were obviously associated, and reports

which he had

were made almost daily

of secret

meetings in

agreed to pay a

visit.

On

the 12th of INIarch

London under pretence

or on other pretexts.
of

of "raffling"

watches
party

he was making excursions in

V/ales,

New

South
to

At Queenstown a
off

and while

at

Sydney had agreed

Fenians seized a Martello tower occupied by

a quantity

attend a picnic at a place called Clontarf.

two coastguardsmen and carried

of

gunpowder.

In Cork during daylight and

Fenians en-

The entertainment had been proposed partly in his honour; but advantage was taken of
the occasion to

in a frequented thoroughfare eight

make
of

subscriptions to

the

tered a gunsmith's shop

tity of

and

stole a large

quan-

funds of a
rival,

sailors'

home.

Soon after
a large

his arof

gunpowder and a number

of revolvers.

and

in

view

number

was scarcely surprising that some calamities which were evidently accidents were at first
It

people assembled there, the prince was stand-

ing talking to Sir William Manning, while

the governor and the lord chief-justice of the

connected in the public imagination with the

conspii-acy
chief.

which was workiiig so much mis-

colony stood close by,

A man was seen sudone barrel, the ball

at

The blowing up of Hall's powder-mills Faversham on the 28th of December, 1867,

of this kind.

denly to raise a revolver, with which he took

deliberate

aim and

fired

was

Three of the buildings there

from which struck the prince.

ness
fell

His royal highSir William

were destroyed in succession, and no explanation of the cause of the accident could be ob-

forward on hands and knees, exclaim-

ing that his back was broken.

tained.
mill,
all
it

It

had commenced
all

in the "

corning"

and that was

that could be known, for

Manning made a dash at the assassin, who threatened him with the revolver, to avoid the
shot from which, Sir William stooped, and in

the eleven

men who might have

;

explained

were blown to atoms

it

was feared the

doing so

lost his balance

and

fell.

The

villain

whole building and magazine would perish, for

the

pulled the trigger, but the second shot did not

explode, and a third entered
at that
tlie

powder

in the glazing-house lay in heaps,

(six feet thick)

ground

for
his

and the walls

were heated and

moment
till

his

hands were seized and

much shaken. The Fenian

actual
panic.

arms pinioned by a person named Vial, who

atrocities,

however, were

ajiart

held

him

he could be secured.

The
tlie

con-

from such accidents, nor did they create an

cussion of the ball,

just
feel

which struck
ribs,
it

jirince

An

enormous

])rocession

in

behind the right

made

the injury

Dublin in memory of the Mancliester murderers increased

VOL. IV.

more serious than

turned out to be, the

the feeling of resentment.

feel

bullet having traversed the coui-se of the ribs

superficially,

People in the large towns began to

some-

and lodged at no great depth

80

in

258

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

He was conveyed
lost

the muscle of the abdomen.

to his tent,

those inequalities which had

grown

into bitter

and though he had

much

wrongs, and had justified political combinations

blood and suffered from the shock, he felt well enough to send out a message to the persons as-

made

and confederations, which, if they are in secret, too often grow into conspi-

sembled, saying that he was not

should be better presently.
escaped being lynched, was
buffeted.

much hurt, and

racies,

Earrell, who barely

much mauled and

it

under the name of which offences are committed for which there is no excuse, and crimes are perpetrated for which there can be
nothing but stern condemnation.

After his apprehension

was

re-

was the agent of a Fenian conspiracy, and this suspicion was to a considerable
ported that he

Speaking

in Lancashire of the condition of

the country with regard to Irish affairs and the evil that had been wrought
outrages,

extent supported by the statement of the prisoner himself, who said that he bad written an

by Fenian

Mr. Gladstone averred that he enall that belonged to that

address to the people of Ireland, and had sent

it to

tertained a deep conviction that the

the printers of two Irish publications,

Ireland and

name of name

implying that he was one of an organization. He declared, however, that there was no truth
in this,

would probably

find for

government, for par-

liament, and for the people the most difficult

and that no one but himself was concerned in the attempt, for which he seemed
xo be penitent.

and anxious portion

of their political

employ-

ment

for years to come.

In referring to what
last

they had seen during the

few weeks he

The prince soon began to recover from his wound, but was advised to leave the colony, the relaxing climate of which at that season
was unfavourable. Before he
left

intended to speak as plainly as he could upon the subject of what was known by the designation of Fenianism.
of the public

In the present

state

he

called

on

mind, after occurrences so wicked

the governor to intercede for the

man who

had endeavoured to shoot him; but Farrell was afterwards tried and executed, the governor probably thinking thnt
if

and detestable, he wished to urge upon the public and upon himself these two fundamental cautions first, that in considering those outrages they should endeavour to preserve an equal temper and perfect self-com-

he went un-

punished there would be some serious disturbance.

If any proof had been needed that the

mand

mem-

bers of the royal family did not distrust the Irish

people, but believed in their loyalty

the second was that they should not confound the cause of Fenianism with the It was a great adcause of Ireland.
;

and hon-

our in spite of the evil counsels of Fenian conspirators

vance in modern civilization which had led to the lenient treatment of political offenders

and their wretched followers, it would

of

have been found in the fact that the Prince

an advance of which they had an illustrious example in the proceedings that had followed
the conclusion of the dreadful and desperate

and Princess

Wales went on a

visit to Ire-

land on the 15th of April, landed at Kingston,

war

in America.

Leniency to

political offen-

and proceeded by road in an open carriage to Dublin, where they were received with enthusiasm. They afterwards visited Punches-

ders he believed to be alike wise and just; but he altogether denied and he was speaking

now not
as they
partial

of persons

but of actsthat acts such

town Eaces, and on the 18th the prince was inaugurated a Knight of St. Patrick. One object of the visit of the prince was to unveil
the statue of Burke, and during their stay

had

lately seen

were entitled to the

political.

immunities and leniency that ought to

be granted to offences properly

knew
might

not

whom

they

made a round

of visits

and joined in

offend;

it might but his conviction was that there

please or

He whom it

a series of entertainments without displaying

apprehension, and with a just reliance on the

was a deep moral taint and degradation in the thing which was called Fenianism. He arrived at that conclusion

good faith and good-will of the population.

when the Fenian

in-

But the
of

diflRculty

was

still

there, the difficulty

of Ireland

vasion of Canada took place.

Canada was

removing from the government

notoriously and perfectly guiltless in respect

THE EEALITY OF lEISH GRIEVANCES.

to Ireland
;

259

and he said that

to carry tire

and
it

the past.

Civil rights

had been extended;

;

sword

witliiu her borders

merely because

odious penalties had been removed

distinctions that formerly existed
effaced,

religious

was dreamed

or supposed that through

Canada
de^Dth

had been
spirit

some disgrace or wound might be

of

inflicted

and a better and a milder

had

upon England, was the very height and

recently taken possession of British legislation

human wickedness and

baseness.

He was
Man-

with regard to

Ii-eland.

At

the same time,

if

not surprised at what had taken place in

chester.

we wished

to place ourselves in a condition to

it

He

could not for a

moment admit
They

grapple with the Irish problem as

ought

to to

that offences of that kind ought to be treated

be grappled with, there was but one

way

with great leniency and tenderness.

do

it

to suppose ourselves in
existed.

the position of

were told that the men who went

police

to stop the

Irishmen, and then say honestly whether

we

van with revolvers did not mean any

it

would be satisfied with the

state of things that

harm, and that

bloodshed.

was an accident that

led to

now

The

allegation

had been used, and

to kill Brett,

Nearly thirty years had elapsed since

(in

with no small

effect in Ireland, that the attempt

1838) the gi-eat grievance of the tithe system

in Ireland

and the intention was not

blow open the door

but

to

had been mitigated by the conver-

of the van.

The evidence

sion of tithe into a rent-charge jsayable

by the

was that the

tilator
;

pistol

was

fired

through the ven-

landlord.

It

was

thirty-five years since the

and, undoubtedly, he

who wished
But
further,

to

church "cess" (which in England was called

church-rate) had been totally abolished
;

blow

oi)eu

a door did not

fire his pistol

through
it

but

a part that was already open.

one of the most conspicuous complaints of the

Irish people

was treated

as a sort of accident, forsooth, that

was that a Protestant church had

in districts where, exofficers,

the police, instead of calmly submitting to the

been established and imposed upon them, and

demand

of the party

who

intercepted them,

was maintained even

should have offered such resistance as they

cept the clergyman, his family, and his

all

were able
a

and that

Brett, with the spirit of

the inhabitants were

tlu'ee

Roman

Catholics.

man and an Englishman, should have

do anything great or small

refused

After

hundred years

of trial since the

to

in furtherance

establishment of the Protestant church in

Ireland not above one-seventh or one-eighth
of the people of Ireland

of the objects of the breakers of the law.

The

anticipation

and the

belief

upon which that

forsooth, that

were Protestants of
It
is

plea of excuse

was founded was,

the Established Church.

not to be won-

the policeman had no sense of duty, no principle,

dered at that this grievance rankled, nor that

the adoption of a plan of general education in

and no courage, and

that, therefore, being

an animal without either honour or conscience,

his business the to

Ireland should have been less successful because of the opposing claims of the clergy.

moment danger appeared was

;

In

run away

and that a confident reckoning and

Ulster the proportion of

Roman

Catholic and

might be made that he would run away

that
if

Protestant children in the National Schools

he did not, but acted under a sense of

were about

in proportion to the

number

of

duty, and died in consequence, his death was

to be regarded as an accident.

each denomination in the jjopulation; but the

same proportion does not seem

island.

to

have been

It was, to say the least, a matter of sadness

tliat,

maintained in the southern portion of the

after six

hundred yearsof political connec-

Not only w-as

the Irish Church a source

tion with Ii-eland, that union of heart

and spirit
the wel-

of pei'petual discontent,

but the injustice of the

which was absolutely

fare of that country

necessar}'' for

laws under which land was held by tenants

in the southern portion of Ireland

had not yet been brought

to exaggerate that

were such

about.

It

was impossible

as to arouse the bitter feeling of the po]>iilation.

fact or the gravity of the responsibility

it

which

Nearly a century before, Grattan had

ill

brought to the government of this country.

that,

spoken of Ireland as "a people

governed,
in

There was no doubt

stood, there

even as mattera

and a goveriimeut

ill

obeyed," and

his

was a great improvement upon

speeches in the Irish jiarlianient, had described

260

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

who were
till

the hardships suflfered by cottagers

forced to pay tithes for
tlieir

inquired into in 1836, but not disestablished

potatoes

they

and disendowed

till

1869.

Again, to quote

were

left in

a state of impoverishment, ruin,

Earl Russell, "Truth and justice in England

and
no

despair.

In 1788 Grattan
this

three-fourths of
tithe
;

said, "In kingdom potatoes pay

make
it

sure but slow progress; parliamentary

it

reform caused great agitation in 1780, but

in the south they not only pay, but

was not carried

till

1832; the slave-trade

in 1780,

pay most heavily.

the countrymen.

They pay frequently

in

provoked much indignation

not abolished
till

but

it

was

proportion to the poverty and helplessness of

.

1807.

Measures

to

promote
but the
if it

What

so galling,

what

free-trade were proposed in 1823;

so inflammatory as the comparative view of

work was not completed

till

1862, even

the condition of his majesty's subjects in one

part of the

can be said to have been then complete.

The

kingdom and the other

is free,

In one

corporation and test laws were repealed in

part their sustenance

and

in the other

1828; the edifice of religious liberty was only

tithed in the greatest degree; so that a graziei*

completed by the admission of Jews to parliament at a later time."

coming from the west

form the
latter that

to the south shall in-

with him neither potatoes

The claims on behalf

burden
of

of Ireland

were

still

nor hay are tithed; and a weaver coming from

the north shall infoim the south that in his

that the country should be released from the

an alien church, that a system of

country neither potatoes nor flax are tithed,

education should be provided suitable for the

condition of the people, and that there should be

and thus are men, in the present unequal and

unjust state of things, taught to repine, not
only by their intercourse with the pastor, but

a legal acknowledgment of the I'ightsof tenants

to profit l)y such

improvements as they might

with one another."

This condition of things was abolished along

have made in their holdings, and to enjoy a

more equitable mode

important, and

of tenure.

with tithe and

cess,

and the Encumbered

The land question was

it

in reality the

most

Estates Acts, brought in by Sir Robert Peel,

had been associated with

needed to be repressed

tended to ameliorate the condition of landholdei's;

much

of the crime that

but

it

took long even partially to undo

still

or punished.

Unhappily, conditions, at which

the

ill

govei'nment of four hundred years,

it

we have

already glanced, the confederacies to

to

longer unhappily does

take to apply healing

murder and
had made
sion

commit

outrages, for which

remedies to old and deep wounds, and to convince the Irish people that apparently tardy

there were neither social nor political excuses,

it

necessary to use means of represof beneficial

governments have been anxious to repair the

injuries inflicted during the four centuries

which retarded the course

from

legislation.

The

limits of our

remaiuing pages

1430 to 1829,

when

the evil policy was, as Earl

would not
brutal

suflice to record

examples of the
injuries
inflicted

Russell said, to check the industry, to repress

the manufactures, to persecute the religion,

assassinations
of

and

under the name

"Ribbonism."
of

Those who

and to confiscate the rights

of the Irish people.

have read the records

Realities of Irish

Mr. Stuart Trench's

The Catholic
tion of cess

Relief

Act

of 1829, the aboli-

Life will

remember the

and

tithes,

the extension of the

pictures they give of the atrocities perpetrated

forty-five years ago.

poor-laws to Ireland in 1838, and acts for the

sale of

The Fenian outrages

those,

encumbered

estates,

which put an end

differed but little

later

from some of

and

to a large

amount

of

pauperism and misery,

examples of crimes committed apparently

if

were
to

all

efforts to jjromote the equality

and

with the complacent indifference,

not under

remedy the wrongs

of Ireland.

The Church

the actual direction, of associations with

titles,

new

of Ireland

had been freed from many abuses;

and on more than one

are equally,

if

not more abominable.

siglit of

a system of national education had been ex-

Still

we should

not lose

the fact,

tended and improved

that while in one part of the

kingdom the

occasion the position of the Irish Church had

tenants held their land on equitable terms,

been threatened.

It

was discussed

in 1835,

and could claim something

like adequately

THE IRISH LAND QUESTION.

adjusted reward
for

261

improvements, in the

other there was neither inducement to labour

of another race. The experiment was not made, and the inequality was

ized

by men

nor reward for the results of knowledge and

experience.
It

therefore indefensible.
thrift could

Neither industry nor

well be expected of people to

tlieir posi-

may have been

the case that the tenant

whom
tion

the inducements to improve

rights granted in Ulster,

and known as the

had been denied.

Tlie increased cultivato of

Ulster right or custom, could not be entirely

applicable to neglected and unprofitable lands
in other i)laces.

tion of their land, they too often

believe,

had reason would be followed by the raising

One reason

for its not being

their

rents

the

improvements that

they

so applicable was, that the tenants were too

could contrive to
to confiscation

impoverished to make improvements which

make in it might be liable by the landowner in favour of

needed agricultural implements, proper fences,

another tenant
for occupation.

who would
it

offer

higher terms
of the to

and the ordinary appliances

of

farm-work.

That was the condition

that a

To

raise the

wretched crops from their ne-

peasant landholder; and

the complaints against

was no answer

glected unfenced patches, they only scratched

it

number

of

the surface of the gi'ound, or at the best kept

part of
it

the j^roprietors of the

able fairness,

soil

acted with reason-

in cultivation

by spade and

hoe.

and neither exacted exorbitant

There was no law giving

What hope

could theie be for an agricultural

rentals nor permitted the unjust eviction of

country wdiere the people

the land, and by

who had

to live

on

their

tenants.

what

it

produced, held their

actual security of tenure.

of property in the soil

The

alleged rights

plots or farms at the pleasiire of the landlords

have many a time stood

or their agent

The Ulster

" custom,"

which

in the

way

of just legislation in

England as

had the

effect of law,

recognized the claim of

well as in Ireland, and have frustrated the

the tenant to undisturbed possession as long

as he paid his rent,

attempts of honest and earnest statesmen to

deliver the holder

and

if

he gave up

liis

hold-

and cultivator

of the land

ing entitled him to compensation for unex-

from the position of a tenant on sufferance.

hausted improvements.
to sell the

It also enabled

him

The landholder
under something

in Ireland

was

in fact living

good -will

of his

farm

to

anyone

of a feudal law, as tlie tenure as that granted

tiller

whom

the landlord was willing to accept as a

was much the same

conqueror
to

by the
ground.

tenant.

In fact he possessed to a great extent

the

of

the

the privileges of a farmer holding his land on

Hundreds
a kind of
privilege,

of years before, conquest

had given

a long lease.

title to restrict

the tenure to a mere

to

In Ulster there was comparative prosperity,

for the holder of land profited

and there had been no law passed

by

his

own

alter that state of things.

At

a remote period

industry.

His improvements had a market

there had been open war; the victors liad taken

possession of the land
;

value, even after he

had reaped some

of the

the vanquished could

benefit

from them.

In the south, and wherlittle

therefore only be tenants at will.

Generations

ever the tenants were

at
will,

more than tenants

the
j^eople

the

condition
their
it

of

was

land had changed hands by purchase or otherwise tenants had come and gone.
had passed
All was altered but the feudal tenure.

wretched,

and

fields

were neglected.

Govern-

In such a condition
that they

was not very surprising

political agitators,

ment had

failed to secure the holders of land

became the prey of

against the assertion of an obsolete authority.

or that they were ready to defy the law, whicli

Some

of the holders listened to the evil counsel

they believed, fi'om bitter experience, was

cal-

that a remedy might be found in a cousi)iracy

to defy the

culated rather to suppress than to protect or

government, to refuse both rent

tlie

encourage them.
tend
tliat

It

is

not necessary to con-

and possession of
landlords

land,

and

to assassinate

the Ulster custom would not have

who

took steps to recover either.

worked
different

to equal

advantage among a people

in

character and

temperament

to

In 1866 Mr. Gladstone and Earl Russell

those of a province colonized or chiefly colon-

were together

in

Italy,

and there they

dis-

262

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

Church
little

cus.ied the question of the Established

called a liberal

measure of Irish

local self-

iu Ireland.

"I

found that he was as

to

government.
trusted

Mr. Maguire was liked and

agitators,

disposed

as

was

maintain Protestant

by extreme

who

could not

ascendency in Ireland," wrote the earl in his

Recollections,

question his earnest love for his country, and

also

"and from

that time I judged

safer in his

by cautious
often,

politicians,

who admired

the

that this great question

would be

consistency and moderation of opinions, which

hands than in mine."

This and some subsequent remarks seem to

were
no
forward a measure

however,

deli veiled in

language of

little

force,

and with considerable vehe-

show that

it

was

to bring

mence

of expression.

on the disestablishment and disendowment of

the Irish Church that Mr. Gladstone took the
place of the 'earl as leader of the

Mr. Maguire's proposals were, that the

house should resolve
to take into
itself into

a committee

House

of

immediate consideration the con-

Commons.
Derby Mr. Disraeli had been commanded to form a new administration. The only changes that were
the retirement of Lord

dition of Ireland,

and the debate that ensued

on the subject.
of the Irish

On

showed that the government was not prepared

to indicate
It

any

distinct policy

was evident that the question

made,

however,

were the appointment of

in place
of

Church must be brought forward, and the

ministry was not prej^ared
to yield to the

Lord Cairns as lord-chancellor Lord Chelmsford, and that

of

Mr.

Ward
lord of

demands that would be made.

Lord Mayo, the secretary
of the

Hunt
Mr.

to the chancellorship of the exchequer,

for Ireland, spoke

Disraeli, of course,

becoming

first

wisdom

of "levelling

up"

instead of

the treasury.
It was felt that the affairs of Ireland manded immediate attention, but it soon

levelling

down, and appeared

to suggest that

de-

religious equality should be secured

by supit

ap-

porting the various denominations, but

was

peared to be equally evident that the ministry

not represented that he uttered the opinions

of the

had no
not
till

definite propositions to

make.

It w^as

government, and the resolutions of Mr.

the end of February, 1868, that the

Maguire were opposed during a debate which

lasted for three nights.

new

ministry was formed, and

when

in

March

Mr. Gladstone

in the

the house had settled to business the subject

course of the discussion had, in referring to the Irish Church, mentioned the word disestablishment, and the applause with which

was brought forward by Mr. John Francis

Maguire,

who was eminently

capable of giving

forcible expression to the serious claims of his

the expression had been received was significant,

countrymen.

Mr. Maguire was a man

of conalso

so

significant

that Mr. Disraeli,

who

siderable ability,

and though he was

followed him, declared his determination to

resist

known
sion

to

be so opposed to

all acts of lawless

with

all

his

power any attempts that

and
in his

violence that he had on

more than one

occa-

might be made

to overthrow the Established

shown himself ready

to forfeit his position

Church
and

iu Ireland,

argument main-

rather than give any support to rebellious

tained the inseparable alliance between church

state.

demonstrations, he had

shown by unmistakable

evidences that he was none the less true to the

interests of his

On

the fourth night a decisive blow was

countrymen, because he well

struck.

Mr. Gladstone unhesitatingly declared Church

in

understood the differences between English and

Irish characteristics

his opinion that the Established

and temperament.
he had not actually

He
re-

Ireland must cease to exist as an institution

had avoided, even

fused,

if

upheld by the

state.

Religious equality must

as
it

overtures which would have led to

oflace at

be established,

difficult

might

be,

but

some remunerativo
pecuniary
discouraging.

a time when his

not on the principle of levelling up.

object also

His

circumstances

were narrow and

was

to

promote the loyalty and

it

He had

distinctly

avowed that

union of the Irish people, but

was

idle

and
sus-

there could be no separation of England and

Ireland,

mocking

to use

words unless they could be

but had advocated what

may be

tained by the unreserved devotion of definite

THE lEISH CHUKCH DEBATE STANLEY CEANBOENE.

efforts.

263

" If

we

are prucleut men, I hope

lies to

shall

endeavour as far as in us

we make

sented to her majesty, praying that, with a

view to the purposes aforesaid, her majesty

will be graciously pleased to place at the dis-

some provision

for a contingent, a doubtful,

future.
shall
If

and probably a dangerous

chivalrous men, I trust

we be

posal of parliament her interest in the temporalities, in

we

endeavour to

archbishoprics, bishoprics, and

wipe away

all

those stains which the civilized

see,

other ecclesiastical dignities and benefices in

world has for ages seen, or seemed to

the shield
Ireland.
-of

on

Ireland and in the custody thereof."

England

in her treatment of I hope

When

it

was proposed

to bring these reso-

If

we be compassionate men,
all,

lutions before the house in committee.

Lord

we

shall

now, once for

not

listen to tlie tale of

Stanley moved, " That this house, while ad-

woe which comes from

which,
if

her,

and the

reality of

mitting that considerable modifications of the

temporalities of the united church in Ireland

its

justice,

is testified

by the

continuous migration of her people:

shall

that we

may, after the pending inquiry, appear to

be expedient,
sition
is

endeavour to

of oj^inion that
tlie

any propo-

" Raze out the written troubles from her brain,

tending to

disestablishment or dis-

Pluck from her memory the rooted sorrow."

endowment

of that church

ought to be reserved
jjarliament."

for the decision of the

new

He

we be just men, we shall go forward in the name of truth and right, bearing this in mind that, when the case is
But, above
all, if

advocated this resolution on the ground that

it

would leave the parliament, which would be elected by the enlarged constituencies under

proved and the hour

justice denied."

is

come, justice delayed

is

the

new Eeform

Bill, free

and unfettered; but

to note that the

Mr. Gladstone was not slow

The government was unprepared for this sudden declaration, and Mr. Disraeli complained that at the very outset of their duties
the

admissions involved in such a resolution were a decisive proof that the days of the Irish

Church were numbered.

of that

In one part of his

new ministry

should be called upon to deal

powerful address he denied that the existence

with a

difficulty, all the

elements of which had

church was necessary for the mainten-

existed while

Mr. Gladstone, who had been

ance of Protestantism in Ireland.

Though

the

converted by Mr. Bright and the philosophers,

census of 1861 showed a small proportionate

increase of Protestants,
tlie

was himself in

office.

rate of conversion

The majority

of

the house was, however,

was

so small that it

would take 1500 or 2000

if it

manifestly in favour of the projiosal to bring

the question forward without delay, and Mr.

years to effect an entire conversion

went

on at the same
in this matter

rate.

The

final

arrangements

Maguire having withdrawn

Mr. Gladstone
it

his proposition,
in i)lacing before

might be

left to

a reformed par-

lost

no time

liament, but he proposed that they should

the following resolutions, to be

:

committee of the whole house

the opinion of this house
it is

"

moved
1.

in

prevent by legishition, this session, the growth

of

That in

a new crop of vested interests.

necessary that

the Established Church of Ireland should cease

to exist as

Lord Cranborne spoke with bitter emjihasis against the proposal of Lord Stanley, which
had received the support
of the ministry,

an establishment, due regard being

and

had

to all personal interests

2.

and

to all indivi-

after events sliowed that his attack

unjustifiable.

was not was

all

dual rights of property.

That, subject to
it

The amendment, he

said,

the foregoing considerations,

to prevent the creation of
terests

is

expedient

ambiguous
avow.

it

either indicated no policy at

new

personal in-

or a policy which the ministry

was afraid

to

by the exercise of any public patronage,

The

leader of the opposition offered

foreign secretary offered
for delay.

and
tical

to confine the operations of the Ecclesias-

them a

policy, the

Commissioners of Ireland to objects of

necessity, or involving individual
final

them a paltry excuse

nor creditable.
clever

The

attitude
firm,

immediate
rights,

assumed by ministers was neither wise,

pending the
3.

decision of parliapre-

The amendment was

too

ment.

That an humble address be

by

half.

He was

prepared to meet the

264
resolution of
tive,

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

Mr. Gladstone by a
caixls in
dii-ect

nega-

must

also

have

felt

that he

was fighting
with as

but not to support an amendment to gain

the bauds of minis-

against almost certain defeat; but he could

fight for a lost cause,

time and keep the

and in

retreat,

ters to sbulfle just as convenience or exigency

might suggest.

much courage and address as most men display when they are advancing to victory. He
turned sharply upon Lord Cranborne, who,

Mr. Gatl.orne Hardy followed on the next

evening with a sjDeech which deeply impressed
the house by
It
its

he

said,

was

at no time

wanting in imi^utiug

eloquence and earnestness.

as

to the

government unworthy motives.

The

was probably as powerful an appeal

noble lord was a

man of

great talent, and there

could well have been

made

for the mainten-

was great vigour

of vindictiveness;

ance of the Established Church in Ireland, the

cry against which he declared was a party
cry.

in his language
" I

and no want
an impartial
finish.

admit that now, speakas

ing as a
one, I

critic,

and not perhaps

I think
it

This declaration failed to strengthen

if it

must say

wants

Con-

even

did not injure the cause he was

It
left

sidering that the noble lord has studied the

subject,

advocating.

may have
by Lord

helped to cancel the

Stanley's proposals,
it

and that he has written anonymous

impression
as

articles against

me

before and since I

was

his

Mr. Bright suggested that

but
it

was intended
replied to

colleague,

do not know whether he wrote

his colleague,

to do,

had

little effect

on the subsequent

them when I was

guem."

tliink

it

attitude of the house.

Mr. Bright

might have been accomplished more ad un-

one portion of

it

Church

in Ireland, so far

by saying that the Episcopal from having made

The

references to

Lord Cranborne's

contributions to the

Quarterly Review and

Catholics Protestants, had

intensely

made Catholics more

other periodicals was telling, nor was the retort

Roman

than they were in any other

upon Mr. Lowe

less so.

"What

is

more

country of Europe.

remarkable than his learning and his

logic, is

Mr. Lowe attacked the ministry and their

policy with effective criticism.
to link together the Irish

that power of spontaneous aversion which particularly characterizes him.

.

The attempt

and the English

the working-classes

of

England.
Ireland
;

He He

hates
hates

Church was

like that of the tyrant Mezeutius,

the

Roman

Catholics of

he hates
hates her

who
kill

fastened a dead to a living body.

The

the Protestants of Ireland.

He

effect

would be not

to revive the

dead but to
instead of

majesty's ministers; and until the right hon-

the living.

The government,
threw
in Victor

ourable gentleman, the

member

for

Soutli

initiating measures,
lish of

out, like the cuttle-

Lancashire, placed his hand upon the ark, he

which we read

Hugo's novels,

seemed almost

to hate the right honourable

all sorts of

tentacula for the purpose of catchit

gentleman for South Lancashire."

This was

ing up something, which

might appropriate
Irish

in the characteristic vein of the Disraeli of a

and make
founded on
of the

its

own.

The

Church was

good many years before, and perhaps the house

injustice,

on the dominant rights

was reminded

of those

days, for

when

the

few over the many, and should not

It

speaker went on to say that he had never

attacked any one in his
of
life,

stand.
if

was

called a missionary church, but

there arose cries

silence

so its mission
it

was not
had

fulfilled.

As a

mis-

"Oh

oh

!"

and "Peel;" but when

assailed."

sionary church

failed utterly; like

some

was regained the sentence concluded with,

" unless I

exotic brought from a far country, with infinite

was

first

It

was good
was,

pains and useless trouble,

it

was kept
in

heavy fencing

of a sort;

but what followed

alive

with

difficulty

and expense

an uu-

was more serious than fencing.

He

it

gi'ateful climate

and an ungenial
to rejDly.

soil.

may
of

be supposed, thinking of the disposi-

Mr. Disraeli rose

There had been

tion of Irish Cluirch

endowments or grants

much

that

was personal

in the

remarks

which were under the royal authority when

he intimated that his opponents were, he
believed, about
to seize

Loi'd Cranborne,

much

that was pungent and

irritating in the speech of

his

Mr. Lowe, and with

atmosphere he

upon the supreme

knowledge

of the political

authority of the realm, and announced that

DISRAELI'S TACTICS.
he would to the utmost of his ability oppose
their attempts.

265

moral he refused to attend her majesty at

Crathie Church: that he received the thanks
of the

Mr. Gladstone afterwards said that there

w'ere portions of this speech

pope for his proceedings respecting the

that he

which appeared

Irish Church:

was a member

of a

to be

due to the influence of a heated imagi-

High Church

ritualistic congi-egation.
all,"

" These

nation;

and the same explanation might have

Disraeli, that there

statements, one and

wrote Mr. Gladstone,

been given to a subsequent declaration made

in a letter to the public journals, " are untrue in letter

by Mr.

were symptoms

of

and

in spirit,

from the beginning

arrived,

to

a conspiracy between High Church ritualists

the end."

and Irish Eomauists,

hands
of

confederacy in the

The Easter vacation

and the mea-

which the Liberation Society was a

These representations, the
last

sures which were to have been brought for-

mere instrument.
first

of

which was made on the

night

ward by the government were suspended. When the house again met some of the business

of the (.lebate,

were repeated with the remark

was pushed

on, the

budget was brought

about the Liberation Society, in a letter to a

forward, the results of the Abyssinian war

clergyman (one of Mr.

Disraeli's constituents)

were announced, and the ministry gave no

sign of their intentions.

who had asked sertion made to

for an explanation of the as-

After eleven nights'

the house.
to apply personally

discussion a division took place on

Mr. Glad-

That they were intended

that a good

stone's first resolution, and the majority against

to Mr. Gladstone cannot be safely assumed, but

the government was 65.

Mr. Disraeli then

many

people did so apply them

stated that this vote of the committee altered

can scarcely be doubted.

the relations between the government and the

the proposed jjlans for

The argument, that

if

house.

After an adjournment the house was

disestablishment should be adopted, nearly

informed that he had waited on the queen

two-thirds of the property of the Irish Church

and tendered the resignation

at the

of the ministry,

would remain

in the

hands

of its ministers,

and

same time advising her majesty, that

of

that they would be placed in a position as free

as those of any dissenting

though the representatives

the existing

body in England, pro-

constituencies were, no doubt, as morally com-

bably had some

effect.

Lord Stanley's amendof

petent to decide the question of the disestab-

ment was

lost

by a majority

6L

The mofive

lishment of the Irish Church as the representatives of the

tion for going into

committee was gained by

new

constituencies

would

be, it

a majority of 50,

among whom were

Conit.

was the opinion of ministers that

be

efforts

should

servatives; seven Liberals voting against

made

to appeal to the

new

constituencies.

The majority
cipated.

in a house

where only 33 votes

anti-

If parliament could co-operate with the govern-

were wanting was larger than had been

ment arrangements might be made

solution in the

for a dis-

The

Liberal party was remarkably

in various

autumn.

united.

Large meetings were held

The

position

was

this.

If parliament

were

parts of the country; one at St. James' Hall,

at

immediately dissolved the new elections would

be those of the constituencies already existing,

which Earl Russell presided, was

consi-

dered of great importance.

It

because the provisions of the

new reform
;

bill

may be mentioned

that, in opposition to

the proposed measure, various personal accusations

had not been brought into operation the result of this would be that the new parliament
would cease
after a

were brought against Mr. Gladstone,

to

few months of existence.

the effect, that

when at Rome he made an-ange-

ments with the pope to destroy the church

establishment in Ireland, and to

make
all

othei-

Thus the ministry would be able to press forward government measures, with the alternative, that if they were defeated, an immediatedissolution would have the effect of necessitating

changes, he being a Ronian Catholic at heart:

that he had publicly
to

condemned

supjioit

two general

elections within a very

the

clergy in

the three kingdoms from

short period.

church or public funds: that when at Bal-

The

tactics of the ministry

were condemned

266

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

regarded by
of Papacy.

by the opposition as being unconstitutional, and it was contended, that after such obvious
defeats they should

many

as a direct encouragement

have resigned without

recommending a

dissolution.

Much
made

sharp
to the

time of Charles

The Eegium Donum had II., and was

existed from the a grant of

of

money

questioning as to the statements

from the crown for the support

terian ministers in Ireland.

Presby-

queen ensued; but

that

it

need scarcely be said

James

II. discon-

Mr. Disraeli was not led into admissions

tlie
is

tinued

it,

but
it

it

was revived by William

III.,

that would implicate

government.

He

who made
Belfast.

a charge upon the customs of

had, temporarily, what

commonly called "the

but though the min-

whip hand"

of the house,

In vain did Mr. Gladstone explain that both

these grants would be dealt with

istry recorded their strong opposition to the

two

when
him

the

remaining resolutions on the Irish Churcli, no

division took place,

whole scheme was under consideration.

Mr.
re-

and both were

carried.

Aytoun and

those

who

agi'eed with

fused to leave the matter to any general arIt

is

no new experience, that when the

all its

Liberal party appears to be having

own

rangement. The house was in an uproar. Amidst the shouts and exclamations of contending disputants the occupants of the ministerial

way

it

begins to

not far to seek.

fall asunder. The reason is The independence of thought

is

benches dej^arted and

it

left their

op-

which
which

is its

boast

often fatal to that cohesion,

ponents to fight
yells

out.

Amidst continued
it

we might even say

is

to that loyalty to its leaders,

and violent denunciations Mr. Disraeli

what he had expected; the gentlemen

essential to secure the success of

it

mea-

returned, and sardonically observed that

sures which

has been most earnest in pro-

was

just

moting.

on the opposite side were quarrelling over their

booty
.

No

sooner had Mr. Gladstone's resolutions

been carried than a Scotch member, Mr.

element to the scene

The sarcasm added another discordant and at last, with con;

Aytoun, persisted in proposing, as a distinct

supplementary provision, that the Maynooth
grant and the
continued.

siderable difficulty, a rider

propositions, that

was added

to the

when legislative effect should

first

Eegium Donum should be

dis-

be given to the
right

resolution

it

would be
to

The grant

to the Irish College of

of con-

and necessary that the grant

Mayper-

Maynooth had been a well-gnawed bone

tention for

nooth and the Eegium

Donum

should be disall

many

years, because the

extreme
it it

continued, due regai'd being had to

sonal interests.

Protestants of the house had grumbled over

during successive sessions, contending that

The amount represented by these two grants

was about a million and a quarter.

was

in effect It

an endowment of the Eomish

Church.

had been

originally conceded as

The
had

position
effect

which the ministry had taken

in ui-ging the house to deal
bills.

a contribution towards the secular education of

its

youths
hood,

who were intended for the Irish jariestand who would, therefore, be teachers of
The
question,
it

promptly with deferred

The navy

esti-

mates, three months overdue, were passed, and

it

the peojjle.

was argued, lay

was necessary

to

hurry the Scotch Eeform

It

between

helf)ing

them

to acquire the

knowas

Bill before tlie dissolution.

was proposed
of parlia-

ledge that would enable them to be intelligent

to increase the

number

of

members

members

of society, or leaving

them almost

ment

in order to give Scotland a fair share in

;

ignorant as the people over

to exert not only spiritual

whom

they were

the representation

but there was a general

but

social influence.

impression that there were already too

many
bill

These were the grounds on which the grant

members; and Mr. Baxter moved that before

the house went into committee on the
there should be an instruction to the com-

was defended, and

all

its

appropriation was, at

events to some extent, guarded in accordit

ance with the principle on which

had been

mittee that they should have power to disfranchise English boroughs which the census

voted

but the very fact of giving money for

the support of a Eonian Catholic college was

returns of 1861 showed had fewer than 5000

CHANGES IN THE RETUEN OF LIBERAL MEMBERS.

iuhabitauts.

267

This

would

disfranchise

ten

decided

how far some of

the

new
it

constituencies

boroughs, aud was in direct opposition to Mr.

Disraeli's declaration that the

would go in the direction of modern Radicalism.

reform

bill of

The

struggle was severe, for

was almost uni-

1867 would not disfranchise a single borough.

Sir R. Kuightley therefore

versally

recognized that Mr. Gladstone, as

moved

that the

leader of the Liberals, had entered upon a

policy

ten seats required for Scotland should be obtained by taking a seat from every borough

which would involve widely-reaching

measures and many important changes, for

whose population was below 12,000, a motion which Mr. Disraeli warmly supported.
the division this motion was defeated
votes to 196,

which timid
shelter

politicians or those
title of

who sought

On

under the

" Liberal-Conserva-

by 217

tives" were not prepared.

The Conservatives
i:)oiuts

and a subsequent proposition

that the rate-paying

were

active,

and their plans were organized

of

made by Mr. Bouverie,

land,

with considerable attention to those

the contest

clauses should be struck out as regarded Scot-

by which they might obtain the

was

also passed

by a majority

of 22 votes.

most advantage.

They had

carried the

war

This decision was declared by Mr. Disraeli to

affect the principle of the

into the country of their foremost opponent,

Reform Act, and was

i"e-

and though,

in

South-west Lancashire, when

at the hustings, there

corrected

by a compromise founded on a

Mr. Gladstone appeared and he

poll

solution that no elector in Scotland should be

appeared to be a great majority in his favour,

called with

allowed to exercise the franchise

who was

some confidence upon

his

not rated to the poor, and had not paid his

rates.

former constituents, he was defeated at the

on the following day, two Conservatives,
elected, the
votes,

The

Irish

Reform
Bill,

Bill

and other measures

of

Mr. Cross and Mr. Turner, being

were rapidly pushed onward, one

the Bribery

them being

former by 7729 and the latter by 7676

which was settled by reverting

while Mr. Gladstone, though he had prepon-

to the original proposition that the jurisdic-

deratingnunibersamong the Liverpool electors,

polled only 7415,

tion of the house over bribery cases should be

and Mr. Grenfell, the other

transferred to the judges.

The

bill

enabling

Liberal candidate, 6939.

The probability

of

the government to purchase the electric tele-

such a result had been foreseen by others,

graphs from various private companies

who

though
himself

it
;

would appear not by Mr. Gladstone

elec-

were then working them,

the house.

also passed

through

therefore without his solicitation, aud

without any expense to him, the Liberal

to be suffitors of

The business was then deemed

on the
last

Greenwich had

in\t

him

in nomination

ciently completed to warrant a dissolution,

and

along with Mr. Alderman Salomons, and he

day of July parliament was pro-

had already been elected as their representative

rogued, and preparations were

made

for an

by 6551

votes,

Mr. Salomons

polling

appeal to the

new

constituencies,

though the
of

6645,

and the two Conservatives 4661 and

electors of

actual dissolution and the

commencement
till

4342 respectively.

the elections did not take place

November.

Mr. Gladstone had asked the

There

is

no need

to dwell

upon the addresses

sides.

South-west Lancashire to place themselves

and njanifestoes issued on both

The

by their votes along with the unmistakable

majority of the country.
general elections

actual results of the contest are of

more imY>ve-

The

result of the

portance, for they completely falsified

i:)roved that

the Liberals had

dictions that under the extended franchise the

the national voice in their favour.

At

the

working-men would send to parliament members of their

same time there were some remarkable changes

with regard to the public estimate of former
Liberal
representatives,

own body as

their representatives.

The
great

exertions on both sides were strenuous,

of the election

and

still

more

re-

and the excitement

was very

markable evidences, that the new constituencies

for

it

was

to test the sentiments of the

had

their

own

opinions of

certain

country with regard to the two great parties

of

aspirants

for

parliamentary

honoui*s,

aud

the state;

aud the question had

to

be

imderstood the difference between the real

"

268

GLADSTONE AND HIS COXTEMPOEAEIES.

of those candidates

aud supposed claims

who who

sense.

He might
if

have been excused from

poverty had been his plea,

sought to represent the working-classes.

drawing cheques

Among

former Liberal representatives

but he distinctly declared that the expenses of

were rejected was Mr. John Stuart Mill.

an election should be borne by the constituency.

He

failed in

the endeavour to resume his

There were people who declared that

former place, and was defeated by Mr.

W. H.

this caused his defeat.

Smith, a gentleman of education and of moderate Conservative opuions, who, as the head of
If the people of "Westminster
tired of

had grown

a firm of booksellers and

publishers,

had

Mr.

Mill, the j^eople of Sheffield ap-

achieved considerable commercial success by

peared to have been offended by some of the

utterances of Mr.

having obtained from most of the principal

railway companies concessions enabling him
to

Eoebuck, who certainly

seldom concealed his opinions for the sake of

propitiating

place stalls on the various station- plat-

anybody

in or out of parliament.
to

forms for the sale of books and newspaj^ers.

His pugnacity seemed

of frequent displays of

have increased with

There were several indications that Mr.

Mill was not to be numbered with the popular
representatives.
plicity,

"With a philosojjhical sim-

which may perhaps be regarded as a

judgment, he recommended other
In former pages we have

had taken the form what seemed like irrita" Tear- 'em bility, aud the nickname of which had been applied to him was supposed
years, or, at all events, it
to express his honest irrepressible

want

of

tendency to

candidates to other constituencies, and none of

go at anybody or anything opposed to his

convictions or even his

own
to

them were returned.

had something
a
to say

own

prejudices,

and

about Mr. Mill's peculiar

wony and
does

bark at supposed abuses, as a terrier

a susijicion of rats.

training and education; and probably he

little

was
be
,

when he has

True to

too

much

of the philosopher for his

his convictions,

he had with his usual courage he had displayed bitter

foiimer constituents.

He

was thought

to

dared to oppose the trades-unions, and strong

in his

"viewy"

to

have

political crotchets
theoi'ies,

which

prejudices,

were all very well as cold

but would not

antagonism to the Northern cause during the

bear the test of practical experience.

Some
"

of

American war.

The

Sheffield voters rejected

these " crotchets," like " women-suftrage

and

him, and elected Mr. Muudella,

who very

women's

title

to

independence, have since

of

soon took an eminently useful part in some of

the most beneficial

come from the region

substantial or

mere theory, and are

imminent questions.

ments.

Sir

work of successive parliaWentworth Dilke, \vho had reprere-

One

of

Mr. Mills distinctions was an aver-

sented Wallingford, failed to regain his seat,

sion to the expenditure of at elections.

money by candidates He was a charitable, and even a

j

but his son (now Sir Charles Dilke) was

turned for Chelsea.

Mr.

Miall, the stanch

generous benefactor to

many who needed

of

help;
its

supporter of the Xonconformist interest, lost

the election at Bradford, but was soon after-

and

it is

easy to see that the aversion had

in a detestation

grounds
desire to

bribery and a
it.

wards renominated, and obtained the Mr. Milner-Gibson was defeated

get into parliament.
at

seat.

remove

all

opportunities for

It

Ashtonefi"ort to

was not that Mr. Mill was niggardly, though

his

under-Lyne, and made no further

means were not

compete
;

so large as to enable

him

He had

done good

ser-

to

in

extravagance
it necessai'ily

with wealthy
follow that the
his views

vice to the state in the great battle for free-

men
on

nor did

trade and afterwards, and

retire

was

entitled to

electors of

Westminster objected to

from public
sallies

life.

Mr. Bernal Osborne,

this subject because they desired to sell

whose
of the

had so often roused and amused

their

votes.
is

In nearly every constituency

the house, and

whom

Dr. Gifford,

when

editor

there

a feeling that a free expenditure of

money

is

a very desirable proceeding on the

It looks " hearty,"

Standard newspaper, had happily named "the stormy petrel of debate," was among Mr. Lowe, as we have already

part of a candidate.

and

the rejected, but was afterwards returned to

Mr. Mill was scarcely a hearty person

in that

parliament.


WORKING-CLASS CANDIDATES-GLADSTONE PREMIER
noted, was returned as the
first

269

representative

23,

and receiving none in the burghs.

An

for the University of London.

analysis of the election of 1868

total Liberal vote in

showed the

One
son
of

of the

most marked contests was that

England and Wales was

between Lord Hartington and the younger

Loi'd
tlie

1,231,450; the Conservative,

ity,

824,057 major-

Derby

we

might abuost say

407,393.

The

total Liberal vote in Scot-

between
-

houses of Cavendish and Stanley

land was 123,410; the Conservative, 23,391

majority, 100,019, a few additions for unde-

for North Lancashire.

was the
it

Mr. Frederick Stan-

ley

successful candidate

by a large
after-

cided

votes

making the
total

majority slightly

majority, and

was only some months

greater.

The

Liberal vote in Ireland

wards that Lord Hartington obtained a seat

for the

Radnor boroughs, and was included

of

in

was 53,379; the Conservative, 36,082 majority, 17,297. Thus there was a gross Liberal vote
of

the

new

ministry formed by Mr. Gladstone.

1,408,239,

and a gross Conservative vote

The names

some

of those here

mentioned
"

of 883,530, leaving a majority in favour of the

will be recognized as belonging to the real re-

Liberals of 524,709.
that

But

it

is

to be noted

presentatives of " the woi'king-classes

of the

the

92 constituencies

gained

by the

community; but
those

it

was very

significant that

Liberals throughout the elections contained a

who

professed to belong to that class,

population of 6,611,950; while the 69

won by
of

or to found their claims on being eminently

fitted to

the Conservatives contained only a population

of 5,177,534, leaving a balance

uphold working-class

interests, wei'e

on the side

unmistakably rejected.

Mr. Ernest Jones,

an actual workingless success

the Liberals of 1,434,416. There were no fewer

Mr. Mason Jones, even Mr. Beales, were not

acceptable,

than 227 out of the whole number of members

returned

and Mr.

Odgei",

who had no

seat in the previous

man
in

of

no

little ability,

had even

paiiiament, being upwards of one-third of the

commanding the

suffrages of his fellowself-

craftsmen than some of the blusterous and

assertive declaimers

whose names need not be

House of Commons. The situation of the Conservative government was so obvious that Mr. Disraeli anentire

mentioned here, but who assuredly were not

representatives of working-men in any true
sense,

nounced the resignation of ministers without

waiting for the verdict of the house.

On

the

but were the demoralizing parasites

contributions which

4th of December Mr. Gladstone was summoned

to receive the queen's

of

"the working -classes," subsisting on the

or

command

to

form a new
it,

subscrijitions

they

ministry.

On the

9th he had completed

and

could contrive to extract from their dupes.

had succeeded

in jjersuading

Mr. Bright (who

was

still

disinclined to hold office) to accejjt the

The
of

social

and

political aspect of the

House
there

position of president of the

Board of Trade.

Commons was

not

much changed, but

of

For no other minister than Mr. Gladstone

would he have consented
of the cabinet, to

had been a remarkable transposition

bers.

memCon-

become a member
necessary to assure

In several places which had formerly

ojiinions,

and he

felt it

been conspicuous for Radical

servatives

his constituents in

words

of

much pathos and

had achieved the greatest

success.

evident sincerity that he should neitlier change

his sentiments nor sacrifice his strong convic-

Tlie county of Lancaster

had returned eight and

Conservatives, representing the whole of the

divisions of the countj',
in

tions because of his association with the ministry,

some

of the

though

it

might be necessary

for

him

to

towns equally unexpected changes had taken

I.)lace.

abstain from the expression of indoj)emlent

There could be no question, however,

opinions for

tlie

purpose of maintaining the

that the aggregate increase of Liberalism

was

united action which would be essential to (he

equally remarkable.

In the boroughs there

maintenance of the government.

In fact

JNIr.

were only 95 Conservative members returned

as against 214 Liberals, while in Scotland the

Bright did not altogether abstain from taking

independent ground outside the cabinet, but

he
felt

Liberal votes were overwhelming, the Conservatives taking only 7 county seats against

that with Mr. Gladstone at the helm,

in

and having

view that

lesrislation for

Ireland


270

GLADSTONE AXD HIS COXTEMPOEAPJES.

so earnestly advocated,

which they had both

policy

On

the 1st of March, 1869, he rose to bring

he could not refuse to strengthen the Liberal

forward the scheme which had been proposed.

by accepting

a place in the ministry.

secretary,

For three hours the dense crowd which

filled

Lord Clarendon was foreign

Lord

the benches, the galleries, and every point

Granville secretary for the colonies; Mr. Bruce,

from which he could be heard, listened with

almost breathless interest.

home
cal

secretary;

and to the calm and methodiwhich he had to

Mr. Cardwell was committed the war

A speech full of detail, full of strong appeal,

but a speech, so Mr. Disraeli
said, in wdiich

secretaryship, an office in

carry out important measures of

army reform.

there was not a redundant word.

The Duke of Argyle was secretary for India, Lord Hatherly (Sir William Page Wood), a
staunch Liberal, became lord-chancellor; the
Earl of Kimberley. lord privy seal; and Mr.
Childers
first

That should alone be a reason

ing extracts from
indicate
it.

for not quotsufficient to

It

must be

what were the provisions of the bill which was to make the significant and imchange of dissolving the union between

lord of

the admiralty.

Lord

l^ortant

Dufferiu had a place in the ministry as chancellor of the

the two churches.

Duchy

of Lancaster, Earl Spenof Ireland,

Those provisions were, that the existing Ecclesiastical

cer

became lord-lieutenant
of

with

Commission should

cease,

and that

Mr. Chichester Fortescue as chief secretary.

new commission

should be ajipoiuted for ten

The Marquis

Hartington was made post-

years in which the property of the Irish Church

master-general, and Mr.

Lowe

chancellor of

should be vested (making provision for

interests)
bill.

life

the exchequer, an experiment the consequences

of

from the time of the passing of the

which

will be briefly noted hereafter.

it

On

This

new commission was

disendowment would

to be

ap-

the whole
well

was a strong government and organized, and it was popular. The fact of

pointed immediately after the passing of the

bill,

so that

practically

Mr. Bright having become a direct coadjutor of

the premier had great weight with those of the

commence
in eflfect

at once.

The

Ii'ish

Church would

be made a free Episcopal Church, and

Liberal party

who looked forward

to decisive

during the transitional period no new vested

interests

measures for the satisfaction of Irish claims.

In an address to his constituents at Greenwich

were to be created.

Disestablishment would commence on the

1st of

Mr. Gladstone sounded the note

Irish Church, Irish education,
of land in Ireland,

of advance,

January, 1871 (unless the date should

not only with regard to the question of the

for sufficient reasons be altered

by the govern-

and the tenure

ment),
of

when

the union between the churches

but in other mattei'S with

which he knew that the government would

have
Irish
to deal promj^tly

England and Ireland would be dissolved. The Irish Church would cease to be recognized

and

Church came
abuse,

first.

violent

invective,

decisively. The Amidst a storm of and denunciation

by the state;

all Irish ecclesiastical

courts would

be abolished, and ecclesiastical laws would

remain only provisionally

in force,

not as

law'S,

uttered at public meetings by noblemen, lead-

but as a voluntary compact between

clei-gy

ing Orangemen, bishops, and clergy, as well as

and

laity until

they should be altered by the

by

his opponents in

parliament, he braced

governing body of the disestablished church

a kind of synod elected to represent the clergy

himself to the task of bringing forward the

complete scheme, of which his resolutions had

and

laity

and recognized by the queen in

been the intimation.

"

We

confide," said the

council as a duly constituted representative

premier, " in the traditions

of our fathers;

we have

received

body

to be legally incorporated. to

The crown
Irish
sit

we

confide in the soundness

civil principles

was to resign the right

bishops,
in the

appoint

both of the religious and of the

that ])revail;

and Irish bishops would no longer

of Lords.

we

confide in the sacredness of

House

that cause of justice in which

we

are engaged,

In the interval between the

the act and

passing of
1st,

and with that confidence and persuasion we

are prepared to go forward."

the date of January

1871,

and during the reorganization of the church,

SPENCER COMPTON CAVENDISH

M A K C^
FKOM
L
I

O F H A >1T 1 M

ti

T C ) -N

A PHOTOGRAPH

BY THE LONDON STEREOSCOPIC

CO.

BIACKIE ^ SON. LONDON. OLASGOW. EDlNBURCiH

DUBLIN

THE IRISH CHURCH BILL- DISENDOWMENT.

'

271

ajipointraents were to be
offices,

made
to

to spiritual

When

the proj^tosed govei-ning body

made

but they

were

i:ot

carry with

an application, and declared that they intended

either to maintain

them the freehold or confer vested interests. In the same manner appointments would be

any church
it

for public wor-

ship or to remove
position, it

to

some more convenient

to them.

made

to vacant bishoprics, of tlie

but only on the

would be handed over

prayer

bishops to consecrate a particular

Churches not in use and incapable of being

restored for pui-poses of worship would

person to a vacancy; and these appointments

be

would carry with them no vested

interests

handed over
tenance.

to the

Board

of

Works, with an
adjoining
all

and no rights
up on similar

of

peerage.

Crown

livings
filled

allocation of funds sufficient for their main-

vacant during the same period would be

j^rinciples.

The

burial

grounds

churches
for disestablishment.

would go with the churches,

This was the plan

existing rights being preserved, and

other

That for disendowment was more complicated, and

its

burial-grounds would be transferred to the

practical settlement

would be more

guardians of the poor.

Presbyterian ministers, recipients of the

difficult, since

the titles to

that would be

many of the claims made were intricate. There

Eegium Donum, would be compensated on

the same principles as the incumbents of the
disestablished

were vested interests of incumbents, including

bishops and dignitaries as well as beneficed
clergy,

church.

In these cases and

receiving certain annuities from the

with respect to the grant to Maynooth there

property of the church, and the commissioners

would be a valuation
voted.

of all the interests at 14

would ascertain the amount of each incumbent's

curates.

years' purchase of the capital

amount annually

income, deducting what he paid for

An

elaborate scheme for the final ex-

Such incumbent might then either

tinction of the tithe rent charge in 45 years,

continue to receive the annuity as long as he

provided that landlords would be allowed,

they chose, to purchase
chase,
it

if

continued to discharge the duties or might

at 22h years' jourofi'er,

have

it

commuted
in the

into an annuity for

life.

and

if

they did not accept the

Permanent
employed

curates, or those

who had been

1,

they would come under another and a general

oi^eration.

same parish from January

1,

There would be a compulsoiy

sale

1869, to Januai-y

1871, or
their

had

left

their

to

employment not from

same kind

own

free-will or

through misconduct, would be entitled to the

of compensation as the incumbent,

them of the tithe rent charge, at a rate which would yield 4^ per cent; and, on the other side, they would be credited with a loan
at 3^ per cent, payable in instalments in 45
years.
in the

and such compensation would be paid by the

incumbents.
" Transitory " curates were to be

The power
hands

of purchase

would remain

of tlie tenants for three years

dismissed with a gratuity.

Private endow-

after the passing of the act,

and

it

was

also

ments arising

fi-om

money contributed from

glebe house, would

proposed that the tenants should have a right

of pre-emption of all lands sold

private sources since the year KJCJO, and not

by the com-

including churches and

mission, and that three-fourths of the purchase

not be touched, and would be the only marketable

money might be
land.

left

on the security of the

property

conveyed

to

the

church.

Glebe houses were not marketable property,

for

though there could be traced an expendi-

expected

The following were the particulars of the The tithe rent charge results:

ture of 12,000,000

upon them their annual upon

tliern

value was only 18,600, and tliere was a quarter of a million of building charges

would yield 9,000,000; lands and perpetuity rents, 6,250,000; money, 750,000 total,
16,000,000; the present value of the property
of the' Irish Church.

wliich the state

into possession.

would have

to

pay on coming

Of

this tlie bill

would

If the governing

body paid
tlie

dispose of 8,650,000, viz. vested interests of

the building charges they might acquire

incumbents, 4,000,000; curates, 800,000;

lay compensation, 900,000; private

glebe houses and could purchase glebe land at

endow-

a fair valuation.

ments, 500,000; building charge!?, 250,000;


GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.
jealousy, the confiscation of the estates of those

272

commutation

of the Maynooth grant and the Eegium Douum, 1,100,000; and expenses of the commission, 200,000.

who were more

hospitals of
St.

fortunate, or the

unendowed
of

Consequently,
of

London claiming the revenues

St.

there

would remain a surplus

;

between

Bartholomew's, Guy's, or

Thomas's.

7,000,000 and 8,000,000

and the question

it?"

Dr. Ball and Mr. Gathorne

Hardy were

then arose, "

What

shall

we do with

Mr.

among

the principal speakers, and while the

Gladstone held

it to

be indispensable that the

former predicted that

the measure would

purposes to which the surplus was applied

cause general discontent and agitation, the

latter

should be Irish.
religious,

Further, they should not be

final,

broke forth into a powerful oration,

although they must be

and

which was enthusiastically applaudeil on the

Conservative side, and in which he touched

open the door to no new controversy.

Gov-

ernment proposed to apply the surplus to the

relief of

unavoidable calamities and suffering

upon the various points of the jiroposed measure, and vehemently denounced them all.

not provided for by the poor-law.

The sum

of

He represented that in Ireland

were
satisfactory,

the institutions

185,000 would be allocated for lunatic asylums; 20,000 a year would be awarded to idiot
asylums; 30,000 to training schools for the
deaf,

that

freedom there was

administered as
peoj^le,
it

complete, the law as

justl}'

was

in

England

while the

badly

in-

dumb, and blind 15,000

; ;

for the train;

fluenced by the priesthoofi, were discontented

ing of nurses

10,000 for reformatories and

without real cause and ready to symjDathize

51,000 to county infirmaries

a year.

in

all,

31 l,OCyO

with crime.

This speech Mr. Gladstone afterfitness for a

Mr. Gladstone claimed that by the provision of all these requirements they would
be able to combine very great reforms; and

wards characterized as showing

task which Burke had

disclaimed

that
and

of

drawing an indictment against a whole nation.

they would also be in a better condition for

inviting the Irish landlord
to

Mr. Bright brought

great eloquence.
the position
is

to

the debate the

his

accede to a

influence of his incisive statements

change in the county

to offer

cess, as

they were able

diminution

He

had already estimated

the house, "Wiiat

by

this plan a considerable

when he asked
you have
to

in its burden.

the condition of Ireland at this

moment
anis

The debate was characterized by eloquent speeches from both sides. Mr. Gladstone had scarcely ever approached, and has never exceeded the magnificent effort which he made
on that occasion, an
effort

with which

deal?" and
:

swered the question by saying

not only the Church which
disestablish, but
wiiich,
if

" There

it

is

proposed to

you have the Regium Donum, and you have,

to

which received the

the Church be disestablished, must

admiration and encomiums even of his opponents.

discussion

necessarily be

withdrawn

if

Mr.

Disraeli's contribution to the

brilliant,

these

two things happen, a grant

May-

was witty,

and

telling;

nooth, the act conferring which must necessarily be repealed.

but there were evidences, that though he professed to offer unyielding opposition, he spoke

the house will observe that

all

Now, in doing these things we shall disturb

it,

under the conviction that the measure would

be triumjjhantly carried.
title of

the three principal sects or churches in

He

spoke of the

Ireland, and

we can only do

or attemj^t to

the church being stronger than that of

do

it,

on the ground that we are about to

.

any other landlord, and called disendowment

spoliation, if it

accomplish some great jjublic good.

It is a great thing in statesmanship

were effected without reason,

when you
is

and confiscation whether the reason were valid

or not
;

are about to
able, and

make a change which

hesitate

inevit-

but when he came to apply the arguillustrations

which shocks some, disturbs more, and

still

ment he used suggestions and

which were afterwards spoken

makes hesitating people

if

more

of as

being

you can make the past

jar,

slide into the future

conspicuously illogical and delusive, especially

without any great

and without any great

when he
genti-y

pictured one set of landless Irish

shock to the feelings of the people.

And

in

demanding, from no other motive than

doing these things the government can always


LIBERAL MAJOEITY MR. LOWE'S BUDGET.
afford to be generous

273

and gracious

to those

them
them

as well off as eiglit or nine tenths of

whom
I

they are obliged to disturb.

hououi'able gentlemen
talk of

the population of Wales are;

as well off as half,

we

shall leave
least

observe

and not the

the Protestants of Ireland as being one-fourth

of the

religious half, of the people of

England

are;

whole population
half.

of

being a million

we

shall leave

them

as well off as the English,

and a

All that

is

fanciful exaggeration.
Ei^iscoisalians are
let

Scotch, Welsh, and Irish people

who form

the

According to the census the

population in our colonies, whether in North

not more than 700,000, and

honourable

America or Australia. And what can be more

monstrous than for gentlemen to come here from Ireland and there may be some from

gentlemen bear this in mind, when the census

enumerators go round,
if

man
is

is

not a

Catholic or a Presbyterian, he
unless he can state he
is

put down,
sect, as

England

and tell us we are bringing about a

we
are committing an enor-

of

some other

revolution, that

an Ej^iscopaliau.

And

judging from what

we

mous

oppression, that

we

are hazarding the

know

there must be out of the 700,000 a con-

loyalty of the peoj)le of the north of Ireland,

siderable

number who never go

to church,

when, after

all,

the most and worst which any

and, politically or religiously, have no interest

in
it
it.

of us proposes to

do

is

that the church popula-

Therefore, I believe, speaking correctly,

to

tion of Ireland will be left at least as well off

would not be possible

with
of

show that there are

as

any of the various

poj^ulations of the empire

Episcopalians in Ireland in intimate connection

I have just described?

I hope honourable
is

the

Established C'hui-ch to the

to 600,000.

gentlemen opposite will be convinced that

not a bottomless abyss
their friends into."

amount Now,

more than from 500,000

will

we

are going to plunge

this

not come to more than

is,

100,000 families, that

will not be very of

more than the population

chester, or

much Liverpool, or Man-

Mr. Gladstone having

replied to

some

of the

chief objections brouglit against the

bill,

the
in

Glasgow

so that, in point of fact,

to be a revolution

house divided, and 368 votes were recorded

this question,

which is held

favour of the second reading, only 250 appearing against

it,

this great question

affects only a
this, I

population

a majority which showed not

equal to that of the city of Glasgow, or of

Liverpool, or of Manchester.

only that the Liberals could

jiosition,

command
bill

a secure

population so small as

And it is for am told for

a
I

but that as a party they had become

more completely organized. The

to be discussed in committee,

had

still

am

not versed in computations of this kind,

less

and

legislation

you have no

than twelve bishops and

on other matters was sadly behindhand. budget had to be brought forward; and
troubles caused
so serious tliat
bill

Tlip

archbishops, and that you have devoted for

their service
less

array and navy estimates were in arrear; the

tlie

for their religious services not

estimated to be, at least, ten or
if

than the annual income arising from a

by Fenianism
it

in Ireland

were

capital

sum

was feared another coercion

his
financial
it

twelve millions sterling. Now,

their system

would be necessary.

of teaching is really very good, I

must say
perfectly

Mr. Lowe brought forward

provoked no enthusiasm
satisfactory.
in military

there ought to be in Ireland a

more
is in

statement on the 8th of April, and though

it

moral and religious population among the

was eminently
(chiefly

Church Protestants than there

country in the world.

any other

The reductions made

and naval e.xpenditure) provided

What, then, are we about

If the

to

do?

for the expenses of the past year, including

house accept the advice of the majority

the balance for the

war

in Abyssinia.

This,

sitting

on this side what will be done ?

We are

however,

left

only

32,000

as

surplus.

not going to commit any vital wrong upon that

and the chancellor

a

of the

exchequer proposed

one city poi)ulation of 500,000 or G00,0()0.

. . .

new

plan of collecting taxes, transforming

We

shall leave

them

in

a>;

comfortable
Scot-

the assessed taxes into excise licenses payable

at the beginning of the year,

a position as the majority of the

land are in at this moment.
Vol. IV.

]5eoj)le of

and making
81

We

shall leave

the income-tax,

land-tax, and hou.se duty

274

GLADSTOXE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

Lords did not for a momeni contemplate a
rejection of the bill, though there

payable in a single jxayment early in the

year between January and April.
This,
it

were some

was

calculated,

would

j^lace at

the disi^osal of

among them who

lifted

did

so.

Lord

Derby

the gov^ernment ^3,380,000, and

make

the

up

his voice in the house for the last

actual surplus of the year 3,382,000, which

time in speaking against a measure the operation of

would enable them

to take a

penny

off the
still re-

which he did not

of

live to contemplate.
its

income-tax, abolish the shilling duty

Lord Cairns was one

accepted,

most powerful
it

maining on corn, and entirely remit the duty

ojjponents; but he foresaw that

must be

on

fire

insurance.

There was to be some

re-

and therefore

set himself to secure

arrangement and reduction

of assessed taxes,

such amendments in committee as would, he

thought, help to neutralize
its effects.

an abolition of the

licenses for the sale of tea,

This

and the taxes on post-horses and hair-powder,

and a reduction of the cab and
these changes
cai-riage duties;

was the course recommended by the Duke of

Eichmond, and ultimately followed.

On

the

would come into operation dur-

Episcopal bench the Archbishop of Canterbury, though he could not approve of the
bill,

ing the current year, and a net

amount would

be

left of

about 442,000.

spoke with great moderation.

Other prelates

were more emphatic in their opposition.

One
and

Meetings against the Irish Church

Bill con-

striking exception
wall.

was the eminent Dr. Thirl-

tinued to be held not only in London but by

its

Bishop

of St. David's, the scholar

opponents in Ireland, where the speeches

vituj^era-

historian,

were often violent and scandalously

tive against

bar,

who had once been at the chancery and who was as much admired as a
was respected for

Mr. Gladstone and the

chief pro-

scholar and an orator as he

his character.

moters of the measure.

Threats of forcible

He

declared that the vain and

opposition and outrage were frequently ex-

supei-stitious notion that

church property was

offerings

pressed

by clergymen

as well as laymen.

In

in

any sense divine, or that material

parliament the discussions on the third reading were long and excited
;

might be accepted by the Most High as supplying some want of the divine nature, was
heathenish.
Spitalfields

but the division

it

showed a majority

of 114,

and

then had to

Miss Burdett Coutts's market at

be sent up to the Lords.

was as

religious a

work

as

Mr.

More meetings were

and
with abuse, and
it

held; Mr. Gladstone

Guinness's restoration of Dublin Cathedral.

his supporter's continued to

be assailed

He was

as eager as

any one for Protestant

was sought to defeat the

peers.

ascendency, but ascendency of a religious,

moral, and intellectual character, the ascen-

measure on the second reading by the

At one time this result seemed awkward rumours were heard.

in a letter addressed to a
ing,

possible,

and

dency

of truth

and reason over error.

Of that

Mr. Bright,

ascendency he did not believe the Irish Church

to

Birmingham meet-

be a

pillar.

He

had no fear
of the pope.

of,

had said that

if

the Lords persisted in

belief in, the

power

because no Everywhere

thwarting the national intentions they might

" meet with accidents not pleasant for them to

he saw

it

on the decline, and a serious blow

it

would be dealt at

in Ireland

by removing

think

of."

This was, of course, considered to

a grievance which gave the priesthood an

artificial

be very indiscreet language for a cabinet

minister to use; but Mr. Bright, in pursuance
of his usual personal independence, had not

hold on the sentiment of the people.

On

the other hand. Dr. Magee, the

new
by

Bishop of Peterborough, attacked the

bill

spoken as a cabinet minister, though, pei-haps,

the indiscretion remained.

a slashing onslaught which elicited considerable applause from those

At anyrate

the

who

agi-eed

with

words he used seem to have produced some

effect.

him.

Neither of the English

archbishops

Some

of the

newspapers hinted (ap-

voted; but the Archbishop of Dublin voted

against the
bill,

parently without authority) that the expedient

of creating a

which was sujjported by the

number

of

new

peers might be

solitary vote of Dr. Thirlwall.

of

The Bishop

adopted.

Probably a great majority of the

Oxford (Dr. Wilberforce), though present,

lEISH
did not vote.

CHURCH WORK OF THE

bill,

COMMISSION.

275

Thirteen English and two Irish

while

annual values of some of the benefices and the

bishops pronounced against the

there

commutation:
tion

Clogherney, 1563, commutaLouth,

were many absentees, including the

19,124;
;

1329,

commutation
commutation

Bishops of Carlisle, Exeter, Manchester, Salisbury, and Winchester.

12,941

Carnteel,

1167,

9469; Clones, 1290, commutation 13,298;

carried

The second reading was

against 146

by 179
This
of

Killoughory,

905,

commutation

16,450;

majority for the

in
it.

bill, 33.

Cappagh, 1234, commutation 18,527; Carrigallen,

was the

largest division in the

House

Lords

819, commutation 12,495.

The

within living memory, no fewer than 325 peers

least valuable benefice

having taken part

It eventually passed

diocese of

was Balscadden, in the Dublin, which was worth only 4

for 47.

through committee by 121 votes to 114, and

a year,

and was commuted

Examples
lay-

under a protest signed by Lord Derby and

foi'ty-three

were given of the values of vicar-generalships

temporal and two spiritual peers.

and

registrarships,

which were held

bj'^

The amendments made in committee, however, were most of them rejected when the bill went back to the House of Commons; some
of the proposed modifications

men, and the sum for which they were commuted.

The

smallest income stated was that

of the vicar-general of the dioceses of Limerick,

and one or two

bill

Ardfert, and Aghadoe, which was only 37,

alterations

were accepted; and the

After

was

and the largest the

vince of

registi*arship of the pro-

sent back.
discussion,

much

contention, a stormy
of

Dublin, which was 1015.

The
All

and the application

some rather
Gladstone,
that a con-

others generally averaged about 400.

unparliamentary names to Mr.

an agreement was arrived

at

commutation monies were calculated at 3^ per cent, and the average of the lives of all the
clergy at
10"9
years' purchase.

ference should be held between

ville

Lord Granwhich was

The

total

and Lord Cairns, the end

of

that a compromise

was

effected,

which Mr.

number muted up
tation

of

ecclesiastical

persons

who com-

to the

end of 1874 was 2282, their

Gladstone said was a satisfactory settlement.

net incomes being 589,665, and the

Comparatively

little

change had been made.

money

7,546,005.

commuThe number of
their

Mr. Disraeli endorsed the compromise as a

wise, well-considered,

lay

commutants was

2857,

net

in-

and conciliatory arrangeb}'

ment, and the

bill

became law

receiving

comes being 33,060, and the commutation paid 454,700. The total paid under the
compensation clauses, including
11,343,703.
all

the royal assent on the 26th of July.

heads, was

The

sales of all the

property

The work

of

the "commissioners of the

in Ireland"

vested in the commissioners by the act realized

Church temporalities

was not soon

the end of

9,794,790, of which a
received in cash.
arj',

sum

of 3,362,648
in

was

or easily accomplished.

Not

till

The commissioners

Janu-

the year 1880 had they completed the task im-

1881, had no actual balance in the nature

posed on them by the Irish Church Act, as far

as
it

of a surplus,

but had instead an annual

in-

was possible witliout further

legislation.

come, partly permanent, partly terminable, of

574,219.

respecting the

Some remarkable facts appeared in their report life incomes commuted and the commutation money paid, including cases where 12 per cent bonus was allowed. The amount depended, of course, on the age of the holder. The net annual value of the Archbishopric of Armagli was 10,225, commutation

For a short time members were able

to take

breath after the struggle on the Irish Land

and some useful measures were pushed forward before parliament was prorogued.
Bill,

money 88,442;

Bishopric of

Deny,

an-

The exertions which lie had undergone had affected Mr. Gladstone's health, which, perhaps, suffered even more from the asi)ersions
to

nual value, 6847,

commutation 111,867;

which he had been subjected than from the

Archbishopric of Dublin, 8845, commutation

93,045

Bishopric of Cork, 2485, commuta-

arduous task that he had undertaken. Duiing the recess a meeting of the General Synod of
the Church of Ireland was held in St. Patrick's

tion 18,500.

The following were the net


276

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

both in and out of parliament were uttered

Cathedral to draw up a constitution suitable

for the altered condition of the church.

without reserve, and with his usual emj^hasis

even when he was addressing audiences of
Irishmen.

"solemn protest" was issued against the recent

act
of

the

legislature,

and a scheme was

In the house he had declared

it is

adojjted for the formation of a church

body

"All history teaches us that

nature that

not in

human

from the clergy

of each diocese to elect repre-

men

should be content under any

sentatives varying in

Ireland being 124.

deacon for

number; the total for One dean and one archeach united diocese, and the regius
membei's, the provost and

system of legislation, and of institutions such as

exist in Ireland.

spiracy and put

You may suppress the condown the insurrection, but the

still

professor of Divinity, Trinity College, were

to

moment
will

it is

suppressed there will

remain

be

ex-officio

the germs of this malady, and from these germs

x'ellows of

the college returning one

member;

grow up

as heretofore another crop of inof misfortune.

questions of doctrine and discipline were to

be reserved for the bishops and clergy.

surrection

and another harvest

that those

And

it

may be

This was the movement made in reference

to the act

een years after this

who sit here eightmoment will find another

of

which had been passed for the

first Irish gi'ievance.
it

ministry and another secretary of state ready

to propose to

redress of the

you anotlier administration

In relation to another which

souglit

was now
had

the same ever-failing and ever-poisonous medicine.

to remove, the Catholic clergy

I say there is a

mode

of

making Ireland
England
is
is,

published a series of resolutions, adopted at a

loyah

I say that the parliament of

meeting in Maynooth College on the education

having abolished the parliament of Ireland

doubly bound to examine what that mode
and,
if it

and land questions, condemning the mixed

se-

system of education, demanding complete

can discover

it,

to adojDt

it.

I say

cular education on purely Catholic principles,

that the minister

who

occupies office in this

a share of the funds of the royal

schools,

and endowed
These

country, merely that he

may

carry on the

and a rearrangement

of the Queen's

daily routine of administration,

College on the denominational system.

resolutions were suflBcient to indicate

grapple with this question,

into opposition,

who dares not who dares not go

mind
freely to

what
with

and who
tell

will sit anywhei'e

would be the insurmountable

difficulties

except where he can

his

which Mr. Gladstone would have

to

contend
off the

the house and to the country,

may have
is

when he should
said
laud.

set himself to

hew

high position in the country, but he

statesman, nor
is

not a

third branch of that upas-tree which he had

he worthy of the name."

was overshadowing and blighting

first,

Ire-

Out

of the

house he had dwelt upon the

injustices inflicted

upon the

peojale of Ireland

But,
itself to

the government had to address

by the maintenance of a church originally

thrust upon

the land question.

Ou

this the

meet-

them

as a conquered nation,

and

ing at

Maynooth had added a general

resolu-

by

the perpetuation of a system by which the

tion expressing the belief, in

which the majority

tenant of land remained under what might be

of the people of this country agreed, that its

regarded as a continually threatening penalty.

settlement was essential to the peace of the

kingdom.
It

TVlien the house reassembled on the 8th

bill for

was known that a land

in.

Ireland

of

February, 1870, Mr. Gladstone at once

as-

would be brought

It

was inevitable that

even

serted tliat the duty of parliament in regard

to the condition of

some considerable change should be made.

Before the introduction of the church
befoi-e
it,

Ireland was absolutely

of

bill,

paramount and primary, and on the 15th

for

Mr. Maguire's motion which

pi-eceded

February he brought forward his proposals

the necessity for dealing with both the land

an Irish Land

Bill.

The work

that lay

question and the church question had beeu

discussed by leading

before the government

members

of the house,

The

Irish question, as

was almost appalling. Mr. Bright had told the

and notably by Mr. Bright, whose speeches

neonle of Birmingham, was one of the greatest

PEOVISIONS OF THE lEISH LAND BILL OF

and most
difficult

1870.

277

that had ever engaged the

the most imprudent and violent interferences

attention of the legislature,

and there were

with the fixed usages of the country had occurred.

fifty

other measures of great importance to be considered: bills for the iniiirovement of the constitution

The course

of legislation for the past in a beneficial to the

years,

though intended

and

i^rocedure of the superior legal

spirit,

had possibly been detrimental

tribunals; for settlement of the religious tests

at

interests of the occupiers.

The Act

of 1793

Oxford and Cambridge;

for regulating the

giving the franchise to

Eoman

Catholics had

application of large
local rates
;

sums

of

money

raised

by

induced the creation of 40s. freeholds, and the

abolition of the franchise in 1829 vastly ex-

for

amending the beer and

spirit

licenses

for relieving the

members

of trade

tended the mischief, and, perhaps, under the

circumstances of Ireland, the
chief of
still

combinations from certain disabilities which

greater mis-

prevented their joining in acts that were perfectly legal,

mere yearly tenancy.

The Encum-

and mutually

beneficial

for im-

bered Estates Act, which had since passed

into the act for dealing with the sale of landed
estates,

proving the law of succession to the estates of

intestates;

and

for regulating

merchant ship-

by not protecting the improvements

Parliament
also,

of

ping.
like

To endeavour

to pass all these

would be Mr.

the tenants, had operated as an extensive confiscation.

attempting to drive six omnibuses abreast

said.

during the pre-

through Temple Bar, Mr. Bright

vious half century, had completely changed

Forster replied that the plan would be for the

six

the conditions of eviction against the tenants.

omnibuses to follow one another in

all

safety.

Speaking broadly, Mr. Gladstone asserted that

after

Probably he scarcely expected that

get through, but he

would

we had been

legislating for a century in

it

was

just preparing to take

favour of Ireland,

was a matter

of

doubt

the reins of one that required skilful coaching,

whether, as far as the law was concerned, the

condition of the occupier was better than before the repeal of the penal laws.
bill

namely, the Elementary Education Act, for

which some preparation had been made by the

The present
of

Endowed Schools Act of the previous session. But immediate and undivided attention was first called to the Irish Land Bill, and again
the house

would reverse the presumption

law iu

favour of yearly tenancies, and would not leave

owners and occupiers

full

freedom of contract.

was crowded

to hear the exposition

offer.

which Mr. Gladstone was ready to

The

opponents of the Irish Church Bill twelve

The bill brought forward was of a decisive and comprehensive character. In the first place it proposed the enlargement of the power
of the limited

months before had predicted that

of Irish gi-ievances.

it

was the

owner

in regard both to lease

land and not the church which lay at the root

and

late.

Assistance w-as to be given by loans

He
its

therefore trusted that

of public

money

to occupiers disposed

and

the opposition would approach the question

able to purchase the cultivated lands then iu

their occupation,

with a due sense of

sity for closing

importance.

The

neces-

where the landlords were

would
also

and sealing up the controversy

all

willing to

sell.

Facilities

be given
prepare
of

was admitted by

fair-minded and moderate

to landlords

by means

of

loan,
tlie

to

men on both
fallacies,

sides.

He

called attention to

waste lands for occupation by

making

such as that the land laws were

in Ireland as in England,

roads and the erection of necessary buildings;

the

same

and ought

and

to assist purchasers of reclaimed lands

seller

therefoi'e to

produce the same results in both

upon the security of the

and buyer, or

countries; that Ireland

for the last

had been prospering

and that the people showed

the provision of other security of an adequate

nature.

twenty

yeai-s,

These transactions were to be manof

had no occasion to exhibit feelings of discontent.

aged by the Board

"Works in Dublin.

With regard

to this last item he

With regard
to

to occupation, the

new law was

tri-

that the rate of wages

had not

risen within

be administered by a court of arbitration

civil-bill court,

the previous ten years, that the

number
and some

of

and a

with an appellate

persons receiving poor relief had increased,

the cost of subsistence

bunal consisting of two, and in case of necessity three,

had

risen,

of

judges of assize, the judges having


GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.
to reserve

278

power

a case for a court for laud

provement

in the case of tenants retiring

by

causes iu Dublin, to be composed of equity

an act
it

of their

own.

The

principle on

which

and common-law judges.

was proposed

At

that time there were four descriptions

was, that they

to deal with improvements must have a rentable value, and

of holdings in Ireland,

which Mr. Gladstone

as the Ulster
it

be suitable to the holdings, and the burden

of proof

thought

it

his

duty

to

keep specially in view.

was

to be laid

on the landlords.

In

The
bill

first of

these

was known

other words, improvements should be the

of the tenant,

work

custom.

This custom, where

existed, the

and the landlord should show and the measure

was

to convert into a law, to

which the

that they were not necessary;

new

courts would give effect.

The second
of

was not

to

be limited to future improvements,

class of holdings

were those which prevailed were

be legalized,

but was to be extended to those already made.

under customs and usages other than that

Ulster
;

No

claim would be allowed for any improve-

and

these, too,

to

subject to the restriction, that the tenant might

ment made twenty years before the passing of the act, unless it was an improvement of the
nature of a permanent building, or a reclamation of land, nor
if

claim the benefit of them as an absolute right

only in cases where he was disturbed in his

the tenant held under an

tenancy by the act of his landlord,

if

he had

existing lease or contract

which forbade

it;

not been evicted for non-payment of rent, and

and in the case

for which,

of past

improvements the

had not sublet

rent and
all

or subdivided his holding with-

court might take into consideration the terms

out the landlord's consent.

All arrears of
to

and the terms on which, they had

damages done by the tenant

already been enjoyed by the tenant.

No

the farm might be pleaded by the landlord as

claim would be allowed in respect of improve-

set-off,

and the landlord might bar the pleadif

ments

conti-ary to a future contract volun-

ing of any such custom

he chose to give his

tarily entered into

by the

tenant,

and which
of

tenant a lease for not less than thirty-one

years.

were not required for the due cultivation

the farm.

"Where the buildings were not connected

As

to lands

under

lease, a landlord

might

with any custom, there was to be a scale of

exempt

his lands

from being subject to any

damages

for evictions.

In the case of hold-

custom except the Ulster custom, provided

that he agreed to give his tenant a lease for
thirty-one years; but the lease

ings above fifty pounds a year, the parties

might contract themselves out

of the scale of

must leave

to

damages on the landlord giving a thirty-one

years' lease,

the tenant at the close of that term a right

to claim compensation

and undertaking

to execute neces-

under three heads

manures,

sary improvements.

namely,
buildings,

tillages

and

permanent

In cases of eviction the following was to

be the scale of damages.
If the holding

and reclamation

of lands.
bill

was

From
sible for

the

moment

the

was passed

not valued in the public valuation over 10

every Irishman was to be absolutely respon-

a year the judge might award the holder a

every contract into which he entered.

of rent

sum not exceeding seven years' rent; between ,10 and 50 a year, a sum not exceeding five yeare' rent; between 50 and 100 a year, a sum not exceeding thi'ee yeai-s' rent; and above
100 a
year, not exceeding

Non-payment
to

would be held as a bar

any claim on the landlord, reserving, how-

ever, discretion to the courts in certain cases.

Notices to quit were to be for twelve months

instead of six, and to date from the last day
of the current

two

yeai-s' rent.

In addition to this the question of permanent buildings and the reclamation of land

year;
of

and the notice must two

shillings

have a stamp duty

pence.

and

six-

had

to be dealt with.
of

For the purpose

ments, advances of

promoting improve-

The

bill

also proposed

to

deal with the

it

money would be authorized to landlords, to enable them to defray any charge made against them in the way of im-

question of the county cess, which

assimilate to the poor-rate.

would

In every new

tenancy

it

would have

to

be paid in moieties

NATIONAL EDUCATION.
by landlord aud tenant,
4:

279
of the increased

as the poor-rate

was

also

would be raised because

for strong

then paid, aud iu every old tenancy under

demand
was

arms

to carry

on the neces-

a year the occupier was to be at once

sary work.

On

the second reading a division

relieved.

insisted on

by a few members who had

it.

Such were the principal provisions

bill.

of the

determined to vote against

Mr. Disraeli

Mr. Gladstone,

in

concluding his exfar

and

all

but four or five Conservatives went into

planation, said that

tlie

government were

the lobby with the government, and a minority of only eleven (chiefly Irish

from believing

it

to be a perfect measure,

and

members who
In the

invited in thorougli good faith the co-operation of all pax'ties to

were not

satisfied

with the proposed changes)

their demonstration.

make

it

as nearly perfect
it

were

left to

make
bill

as possible, for their desire was that

should

course of the
tices of

there were three hundred nosince such a

become a great

gift to Ireland,

and be the

amendments,

movement

in

means

of putting

an end

to the grievances
associ-

favour of Ireland was calculated to arouse de-

and sufferings that had so long been

" I

mandsinthe interests of English tenants. Every

clause of

ated with the tenure of land in that country.

the

bill

was jealously examined.

am

sanguine," said Mr. Gladstone, " in the

it

When

it

went

to the Loi'ds, final

;

amendments

hope that
the

will pass, not as tlie

triumph of a

were proposed

but ultimately, without any

it

party, but as a great

work

of good-will for

serious alteration,

passed both houses, and

common good
its

of our
will

common

country,

received the royal assent on the 1st of August.

aud that

result

be to diffuse the

blessings of peace, order,

and industry over a

for Mr. Disraeli,

The question
become
of such

of National

Education had
it

smiling land."

immediate importance that

Mr. Gathorne Hardy, acting

seemed disposed

engaged the attention of parliament and the

country, at the same time that the Irish
Bill

to receive the proposed

meawho,

Laud
the

sure in a more frank and friendly

manner than
chief,

was being

so closely discussed.

At

was afterwards displayed by his

instance of Mr. Gladstone morning sittiiigs

touching upon the various objections which had

were held for the purpose of securing time

consider several other measures.

to

been taken, wound up by saying that a more

complicated, or more clumsy, or a more hetero-

The most

important of these in public estimation was

that which had been brought forward only

geneous measure, had never been brought before parliament.

vein, ridiculing
settling claims,
to the

He

ended in

his satirical

the proposed tribunals for

witli the advice

two days after the introduction of the Ii'ish Land Bill. With dauntless courage and an
energy that nothing seemed able to subdue,
the prime minister had determined to deal

and wound up
to be

house to decide in a becoming manner

upon the matters

consideration.

brought under their

itli

several great

and

difficult (|uestious,

and

he was su])ported by colleagues

es-

who

shared

Of course there was a strong opposition,

pecially

his

enthusiasm and responded to the

ability

call

made

on the part

of

some

Irisli

landlords,

upon their

aud endurance.
as vice-president of the

wlio regarded as revolutionary the changes

To Mr. Forster

which gave the tenant an interest

in the land.

council fell the arduous duty of dealing with

They

virtually argued that land

was either a
for free-

the subject of national education, a question

privileged possession or a

commodity

which at intervals during nearly the whole

period with which these pages have been oc-

dom

of contract.

Mr. Gladstone had pointed

effect of tlie

out, that

though the general

mea-

cupied had repeatedly been discussed, and even

the approximate settlement of which had been
frustrated because of the apparent impossibility of reconciling

sure might bo to im2)ose the possibility of an

immediate

loss

on the landlord, he would nut

loser.

be ultimately a

There was a huge fund

the

demands
it

of the various

of national wealth in the soil of Ireland yet

religious bodies.

By

certain sections of

Non-

undeveloped.

By imparting a stimulus

to the

conformists and Dissenters

had been argued

agriculture of the country the price of hibour

that the state had no claim to introduce or to

280

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEARIES.

tion for

support religious iustruction, and that, therefore,

which aid was given by rates or govto j^rovide "a conscience by which parents might obtain for

uo state aid should be given to schools

religious denomination
;

ernment grants, and

clause,"

of

any

that the rates

contributed by

Roman

Catholics, Protestants

their children the full benefit of the secular

of all denominations,

Jews, and persons of no

instruction without being compelled to keep

religious persuasion whatever, should not be

devoted in any degree to the teaching of tenets

to

them at school during the I'eading of Scripture or any other observance which could be reasonably regarded as religious teaching.

which the contributors were opposed

and

that those schools alone should receive gi'auts

for their support, in
strictly secular.

Again, however, there were large numbers

of

which the teaching was

speakers represented

persons

belonging to

various

religious

Many

bodies,

who were unable

to believe that there

all

that the larger part of the state-aided schools

could be any true or effectual teaching at

had for years been under the

Established

influence, or

which did not include, and even dejiend upon,

that religious influence which, they contended,

wholly under the control of the clergy of the

Church, and
that numbers of

could alone

make

it

of real worth.

persons

who had

conscientious objections to
"

These were the conditions under which the

sending their children to be taught doctrines

Elementary Education Act " was brought

had
contend was the resistance of those
of

from which they themselves

differed,

were

forward, and the chief difficulty against which

it

compelled to avail themselves of schools supported by voluntary contributions, or of private schools of an inferior class where the

to

uncompromising Nonconformists,

whom
dissen-

Mr. Pilchard (representing the Welsh

ters),

teaching was inadequate.

Mr. Miail, and Mr. Dixon were regarded

These "genuine non-cons," as they were sometimes called by their admirers, did not,
of course, object to the teaching of religion;

as the champions.

The

difficulty

was increased

by the

fact that these

gentlemen had been firm

sujjporters of Liberal measures.

but they opposed

its

introduction into any

Nearly everybody agreed that something

should be done.

national system of education in elementary

schools, contending that
it

In agi'icultural

districts the

was the duty

of the

church schools had held some sort of authorit}',

schoolmaster or schoolmistress in such institutions to impart only secular instruction

;

but the actual amount of secular teach-

reli-

ing was often so meagre that the children

gious teaching being left to the ministers of

religion,

were committed

to

an unintelligible routine
of the elements

the

parents, or the

conductors of

which

left

them ignorant even

Sunday-schools.
It
is

of education. of

In the large towns, such as

no part

our present purpose to

far
it is

dis-

Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, and Liverpool, to say

cuss the question

how

possible to give

nothing of London, there were

received scarcely any primary
all.

lessons in history, or to carry on the education

of children at in
all,

hosts of children between the ages of three and

without some kinds of appeal,

dis-

thirteen

who

which an extreme analysis might

it

instruction at

In Leeds only 19,000

oi^t of

cover religious doctrine; but

tioned at once that a very
those
of

may be menlarge number of

58,000 were at school, in Manchester 25,000 out of 60,000, in Liverpool 30,000 out of 90,000.
in

who strongly objected to the introduction what may be called dogmatic or denominaon the entire
reading, nor oppose

don

Birmingham 26,000 out of 83,000. In Lonit was not easy to estimate the amount of
and so
called national schools provided

tional teaching did not insist

ignorance, for thougli free schools, parochial

schools,

exclusion of Scripture
references

by the teacher to those sanctions which are acknowledged by most religious sects. The necessity was, they thought, to
secure the schools against any ordination of

a very defective

and inadequate elementary

education for a large number, there was a vast

horde of neglected and destitute children who

roamed the
parental

streets

and appeared

to be without

denominational teacliing, or even

teaching,
as

religious

care

or responsible

guardianship;
either kept in

a part of the regular instruc-

while a

still

larger

number were

NEGLECTED AND DESTITUTE CHILDEEN.

ignoi"auce because they were able even in in-

281

known
bank

as

"the dark arches of the Adelphi,"

upper
the Strand, and

fancy to contribute to the family sujiport, or only

occasionally attended the

that series of arches which ran along the river

at the
jiart of

"ragged" or eventeachers.

ing schools provided by the voluntary efforts

of benevolent subscribers

spanned the steep lanes and alleys leading to

remote and mostly solitary wharves

and unpaid

were the
who

No system was in existence

trolling

possessing the con-

resort of a horde of wretched children

slept there at night,

power or the

settled resources
tlie

which

and by day

sallied forth

alone could ensure even

primary instruc-

starving, wretched, and with the scared cunning

tion of the poorer class of children.

Nearly

look of hunted creatures.

neglected children in

every church and chapel seemed to

effort to

make an
of

provide day-schools or infant schools,

than a disgrace

The number of Loudon had been more and a reproach; it had become
Magis-

many

of

which languished

for

want

funds
fre-

a terror and a danger for the future.

trates,

and employed
ings

inefficient teachers,

who

because of the want of any regular pro-

quently had to perform their duties in buildnot only inadequate

vision, were

unable to deal with prisoners whose

phrase of jDolice-court re-

but dangerously

heads

(to use the

unhealthy.

In

many

schools

which claimed
the conditions

porters) "scarcely reached above the level of the

and

x'eceived grants of

money

were so hopelessly unsatisfactory that various

expedients had to be adopted to secure the

To send them to prison was to brand them with the criminal mark, to promote their
dock."

graduation in dishonesty and

vice.

Nor were
of cliildren

attendance of a sufficient number of children

to

the industrial schools, the schools providing

for a comparatively small

obtain external support

while in some

number

cases

endowments were misapplied, and funds

an
foundation had been diverted, either

convicted of offences against the law,

much

originally intended for the maintenance of

efficient

The no provision had been made

better than the prisons.

evil was, that

for friendless,

Ijecause there

were few poor inhabitants

re-

houseless boys or

gi)'Is,

except they had

made

maining

in the district, or

because there was

themselves of some importance to the state

no authority which could compel the parents

to avail themselves of the teaching provided

by committing crime. The urchin who lacked food and shelter, but who had too much
virtue or too
little

for

their

children, even

if

it

had been in
of education

courage to pilfer from a

accordance with modern requirements.

shop-door, or from the back of a market cart,

The

provision of the

means

was an unconsidered
estimate.

fraction in the national

was not the chief

difficulty.

The problem was

of parents,

how
and

to
to

overcome the indifference

Only by committing an offence against the law did he or she become an integer of

compel them to take advantage of such

some

social

importance

of

sufficient

a provision.
boys and
juvenile
struction

How

could the vast

number

of

importance to be arrested, charged at a police

court,

girls,

amounting
be

to two-thirds of the

jjopulation,
1

brought under

in-

warmed and

and sent somewhere to be fed and clothed, and taught, what?

In large towns, and especially in

perhaps to become an habitual criminal by

the artful communications of fellow-convicts,
or

London,

destitute, neglected,

and apparently
])lialanx

friendless children

formed a

which
un-

appalled benevolence, and dismayed the administrators of justice.

taint.

by the difficulty of obliterating the i)rison The Elementary Education Act aimed
it

Boys and
as

girls,

at remedying this condition of things, and to a certain extent

taught and uncared

in

for,

were to be seen
well
as
in

diminished the number of

its officers to

the

large

thoroughfares
of

"gutter children," by directing

the compulsory clauses which

by-ways and slums, some

pretences
of

them making
or

seek out the ])arents and bring them under

selling

matches

sweeping

demanded
;

that

crossings, others
of eating-houses

begging or haunting the doors

the children sliould be sent to school

a matter of fact, the schools which

but as
to

and taverns, many

to seize

of

them
were

came

be

hanging about the markets

refuse, or to pilfer

upon the

established did not for a long time lay hold of

this class.

from the

stalls.

What

The actually homeless and

destitute


GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.
manufactures previously carried on without

282

children they could uot bring under instruction, for the provision of food
first,

and

clothes

came

government inspection under regulations analogous to those under those acts.

and there were no elementary breakfast

tables.

The

sixth

and dinner had

To voluntary
of

efforts,

which

and

final

I'eport

of

the commission, howchildi'en,

chiefly

grown out
towns were

the ragged-school

ever, related to

women,

and young
its
re-

movement, the most necessitous of the cliildren

of the large
left,

persons engaged in agriculture, and

and are

left still.

velations respecting the system of empiu_y-

Industrial schools, however,

now

include reis still

iug agricultural gangs, or companies of youug persons and children of both sexes, in Lincolnshire, Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire,

fuges as well as reformatories.

Crime

regarded as a primary claim to participation

in the advantages of schools

where the

re-

Norfolk,

Suffolk,

Nottinghamshire, and

to

formatory system

is

adopted, and such schools

some extent

in Bedford, Rutland,

and Northand

are entirely apart from the provisions of the

ampton, were appalling.

Elementary Education Act, but the schoolboards, through

their officers,

Gang drunken
field

masters,

mostly

depraved

make

use of

ruffians,

were employed
so

to provide
collecting
of

industrial schools for the jaurpose of rescu-

labour,

and they did

by

ing childi-en

who

are so friendless that they

from the surrounding

boys, girls,

villages,

companies

are not eligible for the board-schools.

Like

and women

some of the children

the parents, miseri-est

many
tively,
first

of

the institutions of

this

country,
atfini-

being mere infants,

whom

the two systems have come to work

ably poor, sent out with the

of the

for the sake

though they

differ so greatly that at

few pence they could earn.

The gangof

they appeared to be opposed in principle.

authorities of the board-schools, supported

masters

had almost entire control

the

The

children, for they alone could find

lar

them regu-

partly

by

rates, partly

by government
by

gi-ants,

employment, and that employment could

and partly by

fees paid

parents, soon dis-

scarcely have found a parallel in negro slavery,

for the gangs

covered the value of schools originally founded

were driven to labour under

by benevolent
tute,

contributions, as refuges for

conditions in some respects worse than those

to

the reception of the homeless and the desti-

which slaves on plantations

of eight years old, or
girls of

Vv-ere

subject.

and many of these

institutions

were

Of children

even younger,

made

certificated industrial schools, supported

and lads and

evidence says

14 or 15, or older, these

by benevolent support, partly by the government grant which is now in some inpartly

gangs were composed, and the report on the

stances their chief dependence.

"When
almost
dis-

the gangs are working at a con-

siderable distance

from home the children

^Yhile

philanthropists

were

leave as early as five in the

morning and do

heartened by the aspect of large towns, and

especially of

not return before eight at night, and the few

the metropolis, with regard to

who

attend the Sunday-schools after the

la-

the condition of destitute children, there were

agricultural districts in

bours of the week are described as in a state

of exhaustion

which no

less strin-

which

it is

distressing to witness.
is

gent measures were needed to protect children

A little boy
to

only six years of age

stated to

employed in farm or

field labour.

have regularly walked more than six miles out

work, and often to come home so tired that

A commission
ments
of

of inquiry into the employ-

women and

children in 1865-66 had

of suffering

he could scarcely stand.

Walking, the gaugis

disclosed a large

amount
in

among

masters themselves admit,

the children than working.

a million and a half of J'oung persons and

children, occupied

When

more trying to the gang

various

manufactures

has a long distance to go the children become

so exhausted, that the elder ones are seen

and employments not coming under the regulations of the Factories Act.

The

details of

dragging the younger ones home, sometimes

carrying them on their backs.

the evidence elicited on the subject were so

painful that bills were brought in to place
all

In winter the

children often return from the fields crying

AGEICULTUEAL GANGS" BOAED-SCHOOLS."

from the
cold.
'

283
of

Last

uiglit,'

said the

mother

and sliamelessuess
their conversation

and that the obscenity

of their songs

of a little

boy seven years

lay

of age,

'when
stiff

my
and

and

was such

Henry came home he

cold;

up quite

as needed to be heard to be believed.

this

And
ago.

he

is

often very tired, and will fall

down

was

little

more than seventeen years

July, 1867, that a
bill,

and drop asleep with the food

are compelled to

in his mouth.'

It

was not

till

brought

In some parts of the fen districts the children

jump the

dykes, an exertion

by the Earl of Shaftesbury, forbade the employment of girls of less than 13 years old
in
in agricultural labour for hire, or the employ-

causing frequent accidents, and one poor girl

died from the effects of an effort beyond her
strength."

ment

of

women under

18 in public gangs.

there existed schools supported

Yet by voluntary

"It

is

common practice for the gang-master

but rather,
it is

subscriptions,

and having no connection with

to carry a stick or a whip,

to frighten the children

said,

the government,
state

and schools aided by the

of the

with than for use; but

and under the control

committee

the treatment depends entirely upon his disposition.

of the privy-council of education.

There were

There

is

no control or possibility of

Dissenting schools. Church schools, national

schools, infant schools;

control, for the children

know

that remon-

there was an educa-

strance would

be immediately followed by

expulsion from the gang, and the parents,

a sum of money annually granted by parliament " to

tion

department,

administering

having a pecuniary interest in their labour,

promote the education of children belonging

to

would but too certainly shut their ears

complaints.

to

any
of

the

classes

who

support themselves

by

Instances are not

uncommon

manual labour."

The means employed were

severe and lasting injuries having been inflicted

to aid voluntary local exertion, to establish or

by brutal gang-masters, and gross

'

out-

maintain schools for the elementary instruction of children, or for training teachers in

rages, such as kicking,

knocking down, beating

dyking,'
i.e.

with hoes, spuds, or a leather strap,

or pushing into the water,
lifting

normal

schools.

The

schools were to be in
religious

and

'gibbeting,'

connection with

some recognized

a child

off

the ground and holding

it

denomination, or to include besides secular

instruction
tures

there

by the chin and the back

of the neck,

the daily reading of the Scrip-

are said to be frequent."

from the Authorized Version.

open
u]3on
to

Aid was

The labour in the wet fields was

ing
toil

dreadful, the

given to establish schools, and to support such

as

worst being stone picking, at which exhaustchildren

were

inspection

by appointed

worked eight or nine hours

in

insi^ectors,

whose reports the grants

a day; but turnip pulling was nearly as bad,

and, indeed, the

were made.

There were thus building grants

manner

which the work was

but

and annual grants.

often urged on
effects,

by a brutal taskmaster had

here,

which need not be repeated

Whatever may have been the endeavour to make these provisions into a system of national
education,
it liad

were quite as serious as

many

of those re-

signally failed, or rather

success.

it

corded in the worst accounts of

slavery.

West India

had never approached

be brought

On

all

hands

it

was felt that a wideand

physical consequences were horrible
in,

inclusive measure

must
Islr.

The
those

and the act introduced by

enough, the moral consequences worse.

In
gills

Forster was received with serious interest.

It

mixed gangs

of

women,

boys,

and

was, he explained, intended to secure by enact-

the depravity
rity,

was beyond

description.

All pu-

even the semblance of it, often disappeared.

ment efficient school provision in every district The disin England where it wjis wanted.
tricts

policeman, speaking of the gangs in his

were to be the

civil

parishes.

Any

district,

and

especially of the gross inmiorality

di.strict

supplying a sufficient amount of pri-

of the

gii'ls

at

an early age, said that althougli

mary
to

secular instruction wtaild be let alone so

it

he had been employed for

detective duty in

many

years in
parts of

long as

continued to do

so.

Schools entitled
efficient accor-

some

of the worst

government aid were

to

be

London, he never witnessed equal boldness

ding to a fixed standard, aud compulsory

284

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAKIES.

gated the wrath of those Nonconformists who

iusp3ctiou would be applied to every school

without any denominational conditions, while

the adoption of a conscience clause would be
the condition of any grant, whether for build-

demanded exclusively secular education. Some particulars of the work which had been accomplished when the Elementary Education
tion,

ing or any other

calculated to

purpose.

The

bill

was

Act had been

for ten years in opera-

establish

a system of schools

may do more

to illustrate the

working

under the direction

of school-boards through-

of the

scheme than any general remarks upon

its

out England and Wales, each board to have

the predictions which attended

tion.

introduc-

powers to frame bye-laws, and to compel

the attendance
of

We

find

by

statistical returns in the

children
five

in

the

district

report of the committee of council on education for 1881 that in the year

who were between

of age.

and twelve years

compulsory clause
the extreme stick;

ended August
18,062
to

31, 1881, the inspectors visited

day-

The
to
lers

reference

of

the

schools

in

England
for

and Wales,
4,389,633

which

the boards offended

for

annual grants were made, these furnishing

absolute

compulsion

the compro-

accommodation

scholars,

or

mise of a conscience clause for some time

alienated hard-and-fast advocates of secular

rather more than one-sixth of the population.

There were on the registers the names

4,045,362 children, of

of

education only; while a third jiarty objected

to the provision of

whom

1,268,250 were

funds by the mixed method

under seven years

of age, 2,573,081

between

of school fees, rates, for efficiency.

and government grants

free schools

seven and thirteen, 157,584 between thirteen

Though

were

to

and

fourteen,

and 45,727 above

fourteen.

be provided

in districts

where the poverty

These figures show some improvement upon

the returns quoted in the previous report, the

of the inhabitants

necessary, there were

made gratuitous instruction some who advocated the

all

accommodation having increased by 148,880

school places (or 3*51 per cent),

provision of free education

round.

We

and the scholars

cent).

need not further discuss the questions which

arose,

on the registers by 149,538 (3"84 per

many

of

which continued for some time

The average attendance

children

aiso

nad increased by

after the vigorous exertions of the boards

had

112,619 (4-09 per cent), and the

individually examined

multiplied

schools

with
of

amazing
the

rapidity.

number of by 91,465
the year

The

first

chairman

London School
of

(4"8 per cent).

The annual government grant

rose in
to 2,247,507, or

Board was Lord Lawrence, whose powers

to

elementary dayschools

organization were well apjjlied to this important work, and he was ably assisted by Sir

from i'2,130,009
5|c^.

from

15s.

to

15s.

6^d.

per scholar

in

average

Charles Reed, who, after the death of the

attendance; while the grant for the current

financial year

famous Indian administrator, became chairman, and carried on the work with a vigour
against which there were some remonstrances,

was estimated

at 16s. per head.

The number

of voluntary schools

was

14,370,

with accommodation for 3,195,365, and an

average attendance of 2,007,184; while the

though the answer was to be found in the

statistics,

published by the board, of the numstill

number of board-schools was

ance of 856,351.

3692, with accom-

ber of children

waiting to be received.
satisfy all the
bill,

modation for 1,194,268, and an average attend-

The government could not

The expenditure per scholar

was
for the

objections that were urged against the

in average attendance

whole

of

and the Nonconformists afterwards showed

their disaffection in a

England and Wales 1, 14s. 1 l^t^.

and 2,
Is.

in voluntary,

manner which

contri-

Qd. in

board schools.

Of the

latter

buted to the defeat of the government.

Bright was absent from the house,

Mr.

the highest was

London
9s.

(2, 15s. \0^d.), and

suffer-

the lowest Hull {\,

lie/. Is.

%d. lower

ing from a severe illness which for a time

than the

Roman

Catholic,

which are the

made

it

doubtful whether he would

ever

lowest of the voluntary schools); whilst Bradford

again be able to resume either ministerial or

was 2,

6s. Qd.,

Liverpool 2,

3s. 3|rf.,

parliamentary duties, or he might have miti-

Manchester \,

19s. 0\^d.,

Birmingham \,

THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR.

18s.

285

l^d.,

and

Leeds and

Sheffield

both

or return to the United

Kingdom, was

also

1, 17s. 5hd.

an event which was regarded with considerable interest.

At the same time it was averred by those who were likely to be well informed that the
system of estimating the true value of the
teaching did not in
factorily.
all

instances

work
of

satis-

conflict

The Franco -German war which made Napoleon

exile,

that

terrible

III. a prisoner

The National Union

Elemen-

and an

and gave occasion for the King

tary Teachers \vas protesting against the overpressui'e

of Prussia to accomplish

North German unity

its

on scholars and teachers under the

It

under his own empire

It

has

own

history.
it

education code.
school managers,

was stated that

to the

inspectors,

need bear no prominent part here, for

little

and school-boards attached

so of

has

directly to do with the social

and

much importance

mere percentage

political progress of

England, except, indeed,

passes in the annual examinations,

and made and

that our having remained strictly neutral was

so little of the higher results of moral

intellectual training,
passes, that teachers

some evidence
in

of our

advance in wisdom and

or the

quality of the

judgment.

The

greatest anxiety of the

it

were compelled against

government was for Belgium, and

was was

their wisli to adopt a

to

cramming system, and bring undue pressure upon dull and weak
and
to

much

increased, while public suspicion

excited,

by

the publication in the Times of an

children in order to keep up the reputation

of the schools

alleged draft treaty between

Count Bismarck
was Frencli

maintain their profesthat

prin-

and M. Benedetti, when the

minister at Berlin.

latter

sional position.
practically

The teachers implied the code was based on the

its

This treaty was obviously

intended to secure Belgium to France.

The

ciple that all children can progress at the

rate,

same

matter was serious, but Mr. Gladstone preserved a calm and moder-ate attitude, while

and that

provisions endangered the

if

so-called " results "

such children were edu-

waiting for explanations

from the French

cated naturally.
girls'

Special difficulties existed iu

and Prussian governments.

it

Count Bismarck, had been made,

alliance of

and

infants' schools,

where an inordinate

appeared, had published the document to

of proposal

amount

of

needlework was demanded from

show what kind

children of tender years iu addition to the

and by that means to secure the

ordinary subjects of instruction. It was stated

that the extra worry

England and Belgium.

stone did

All that
first

Mr. Glad-

and labour caused by

might be greatly

when France

denied and then

regulations

in

the

code,

admitted that the document was authentic,

reduced by allowing the managei's to withhold from examination, or to present again iu

the same standard, children not able by reason
of dulness or

was

to ask for

two millions

increase in the
desire

of money and au army by 20,000 men. His

was

to

remain on friendly terms with

that

bad attendance
of those

to

advance at
to

the antagonists,

England might take

it arise),

the average rate, such

power not
on
tlie

extend

the earliest occasion (should

either

beyond 10 per cent

books for

alone or with others, to bear a message of

peace.

the last 22 weeks of the school year.

This was

in

accordance

with the

general feeling of

the country, and a

new

The

final

passing of the education bill con-

treaty was signed

between Russia, France,

to maintain the indein

cluded the session of 1870 so far as important

and England, engaging

pendence of
treaty of 1839.

measures were concerned. It

may also be

noted

Belgium as provided

the

that an order in council directed that from

the 31st of

service of the state

August appointments to the civil would be by competitive examination. The announcement of tlie in-

As

the war between France and Prussia

to

went on there appeared

change
in

be a

peculiar
tliougli

public feeling here, and

tended release of the Fenian prisoners undergoing sentences for treason or treason-felony,

after the siege of Paris,

where

tlie

inhabitants

had suffered dreadful privations, wo were

on condition that they should not remain

in

prompt

in

sending

relief

to

the famished

286

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

T\-as

people, something like adulatioa

beard

to the effect that the

Lords could not consider

in reference to

German prowess. For a time German tactics, German promptitude, German

versation,

the projDosal

till

a more comprehensive scheme

organization were tLe foremost topics of con-

was brought before them. This plan of burking the bill was ingenious, but the intention

and perhaps deservedly so, and then

was obvious, and Mr. Gladstone frustrated

strance

in relation to our

own

board-scliool teaching,

the German method

of education

was every-

where lauded as something very near perfection,

by a plan which aroused much remonamong some of his own supjDorters, including Mr. Fawcett, a very thorough
it

only a few people venturing to doubt

it

Liberal

of

the

school

of
in

Mill,

who was
and was
a

whether

was
it

as effectual as its admirers

returned for Brighton

1865,

represented

to be.

noted

man

in the house, not only because of

The position of affairs in Europe, and some movement in jjublic opinion on the subject of
a comparison between England and other nations in the matter of military government,

his great ability,

but because several years

previously an accident had deprived

his sight, a calamity

him

of

which made
his

little

dif-

ference

in

his

pursuits, in

intellectual

made the time seem favourable

for bringing

achievements, or even in his robust recreations.

forward the projDosed system of army reform,

Mr.

Gladstone

checkmated the Lords by

all

which had been prepared by Mr. Cardwell, the

minister of war.

an expedient which, for a moment, at

events, looked unconstitutional,

and

to follow that

To purchase a commission, up by purchasing successive

had been the rule, so that a

and

for

which

nobody seemed able

warrant, making

to find a precedent.

The

steps in the service,

purchase system was originated by a royal

it

commission represented actual property, just as

a horse, a house, or the good-will of a business
mi^dit.
sale, and

j^rivilege,

and therefore

he had advised the queen to aid the reformaticm of the

It was, in fact, a matter of bargain

and

army by

cancelling the warrant.

the regulation price of a commission at

Perhaps her majesty

willing to do so,

the Horse Guards

was often
It
is

far exceeded

by its

may not have been unwhen she remembered some

it

actual selling value.

therefore, that

scarcely surprising,
of purchase

opinions of the Prince Consort on the subject.

whenever abolition
it

At

all

events

was done, and pur-

had been proposed, as

had been by Sir de

chase was

made

illegal.

The only

effect of the

Lacy Evans, and more recently by Mr. Trevelyau, a whole contingent of officers frantically declared that the service

Lords rejecting the

bill

now would be

that

they would vote against compensation to the

holders of purchased commissions, for that was
all

was going

to the

bad; and another contingent, believing purchasing a commission was the only

of

the bill that was

left.

They

there-

way

to

fore passed a vote of censure on the ministry

keep the commodity in the hands best

to adorn
last.
it,

fitted

by a majority

of eighty,

and then passed the

determined to fight the

bill to

the

measure without more delay.

It soon

became evident that they were

might

The University Tests

siastical Titles Bill

Bill

was

also carried

strong enough, aided by the opposition, to

arrest the progress of the bill so that
it

without any serious alteration, and the Eccle-

put an end to another

go over the session, and therefore the part of

it

intolerant
since

relating to reorganization of the

onl}'
;

army was

demand which had remained ever The Trades the " papal aggression."
by workmen
in the case of strikes,

abandoned, and
clauses retained

the abolition of purchase

Union Act, while forbidding the violence

exercised

with a strong hint to the

all

clamorous opponents that as

premiums on
illegal,

yet defined wliat was and what was not illegal

interference,

the original price of commissions were

and did something to bring about and

the law might be put in force.

Commons, but in clever expedient was tried

the

The bill passed the House of Lords a

for the purpose of

a better undei-^tanding between employers

their "hands."

The Local Government Acts

tlieir

extended to small towns and villages the advantages of managing

corporate business,
to cities

delaying and then shelving the whole matter.

The Duke

of

Richmond moved an amendment

which had previously been confined

ILLNESS
and
borouglis
witli

AND EECOVEEY OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.

institutions.

287
also

municipal

of

low

fever.

Other

visitors

had

been
died.

We

can scarcely part from the year 1S71

afiected,

and the Earl

of Chesterfield

had

without referring to the budget by which

Mr. Lowe became

rious,
difficult

for a time not only notoIt is

On his return to his own house at Sandrin"-ham the prince became very ill, and his condition soon appeai-ed to be very dangerous.

but what was worse, ridiculous.

to

say

why

he should have been

For some time

before, thei-e

had been a good

subject to ridicule, except that he

made a
deficit

deal of loose talk

among

people supposed to be

mistake which
situation.

ended in an almost absurd

said,

inimical to the royal family, or at least to

There would, he

be a

royalty in general; people, that

is

to say,

who

of 2,71.3,000, looking at the probable

amount

professed belief in the French Eepublic and

in democratic institutions.

required for the abolition of purchase in the

Directly the re-

army.

There was no surplus revenue, and he

property liable as

port of the prince's sickness was circulated,

proposed to alter the probate duty, place a

two per cent duty on

the succession duties.

all

however, these conversations ceased, or were suppressed to a lower tone, and throughout
the country the people waited with troubled

intestate, alter the legacy duty,

and increase

His argument was that

hearts to learn the latest intelligence of his

condition.

they had never realized as

expected by former ministers

much as had been who imposed

to

On the

14th of December, the annitlie

versary of the death of the prince-consort,

them.
matclies,

He

then

proposed

tax

lucifer

popular sentiment was wrought up to a great

height, and

of 1800 matches, a

by a halfpenny stamp on every box penny stamp on a box of

sympathy

for the

queen found con-

stant and deep expression.

At churches and
Bulletins were

100 wax lights or of fusees; this he calculated

chapels belonging to

all

denominations prayers

would

raise 550,000.

He would

then

make

were

ofi^ered for his

;

recovery.

up the

rest of the required

amount by charg-

issued daily

number

of reporters

from the

ing a percentage on incomes, in lieu of the

4:cl.

daily papers anxiously waited near Sandring-

in the pound. to tax

ham
matches was met not

to obtain

any item

of intelligence

with

The proposal
indignation.

regard to the changes of the disorder, that

only with a howl of derision but by a cry of

they might telegraph

it

to

London

or the chief

vast procession, or rather a

towns; so eager was the public to become

acquainted with the particulars.

confused but decent and orderly assembly, of

The day

poor

girls,

women, and boys who represented

the
metropolis,

which had appeared to bode calamity passed,

the prince's condition had slightly improved.

the match-sellers of

went

along the Strand and by the

to the

Embankment
in a quietly

Everywhere the most

ex2:)ressed for the

loyal

sympathy was

Houses

of Parliament,

and

queen and the princess.

On

demonstrative manner, with which the police

could not easily interfere, assembled there in
great numbers, and presented a monster petition.

the 19th of

December the prince was slowly

recovering, and the day after Christmas-day

her majesty wrote a letter to her people expressing her deep sense of the touching sym-

Their prayer was

granted and

tlie

budget collapsed, another penny on the

in-

pathy which had been manifested by the whole

nation.

come-tax making up the deficiency both of

the abandoned legacy duties and of the con-

In the

last

week

of

February the

prince had recovered, and with the queen, the

jirincess,
licly

demned impost on matches.

In the
last

and the rest of the royal family, pubto St.

went

Paul's Cathedral

to offer

month

of tlie year gi-eat anxiety of

grateful thanks to

God

for the great mercy.

it

was everywhere manifested because

royal highness had been visiting

the

On

the 29th of February, fur

was

leap-year,

serious illness of the Prince of Wales.

His

her majesty again addressed a letter expressing

sincere acknoM-ledguients to her subjects,

Lord Londesit

who
the

borougli at his house near Scarborougli, and

had assembled

in millions

and

filled all

was supposed that some defect

in the drain.^ge

great thoroughfares with an orderly, loyal, and

or sanitary arrangements had caused an attack

sympathetic crowd.

288

GLADSTONE AXD HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

liquor traffic, as the sale of wine, beer, actual

The
and

damage

inflicted.

The United

States

spirits

had come to be

called,

was

still

government, however, claimed indirect damages for the expense they had incurred, and

opposed with great pertinacity by the United

Kingdom Alliance, which had collected a large sum of money, and was constantly circulating
its

the losses they had sustained in consequence

of the failure of our

government

to prevent

periodicals

and appeals throughout the

gi'eat

the privateers from leaving our ports.

These

country.

Doubtless a

change had been

claims were for losses in the transfer of the

wrought among a large

so that there
bill

class of the population,

American commercial marine to the British flag,

the enhancement of the
ances,

and drinking habits had greatly diminished,

payment

of

insur-

was

little difficulty in

passing a

and the prolongation

of the war,

and
it.

regulating public-houses, giving magis-

the addition of a large

sum

to the cost of

trates the

power

to grant or refuse licenses,

The
for

arbitrators were

Count Frederic Sclopis

increasing the penalties for drunkenness, and

lessening the

for Italy, president; Chief-justice

Cockburn

number

of hours for keeping

England

IVIr.

Charles Francis

Adams

for

taverns open both on Sundays and week-days.

America; M. Jaques Staempli for Switzerland;

The publicans were

also protected in

some

and Viscount Itajuba

for Brazil.

They met

important particulars; but they were of course

opposed to the bill, which, however, was carried
in spite of opposition.

on the 15th and 19th of June, and agreed that

the indirect claims should be rejected.
discussions were

The
the

resumed at intervals

till

25th of December, when the decision of the

More important

in a political, or rather in

tribunal was announced, namely, that in the

cases of the

an international sense than any other occurrence of the session of 1872, was the effort
to

Alabama and

the Florida, Great

Britain had failed to

scribed

fulfil

the duties

pi'e-

come

to a definite settlement of the long

by the

rules of the treaty, in not having

fitting out,

outstanding question of damages demanded by

the United States government for the injuries
inflicted

used due diligence to prevent the

arming, and equipping vessels which, there

by the Alabama.

Mr.

Reverdy

was ground
carry on

for believing

were intended

to

Johnson,

who was

a jovial man, and liked the

war against a power with which she

In the case of other vessels
it

English people, came here to negotiate the

matter, but,
to use

was at peace.

a modern phrase, was

was decided that there had been no

due diligence. The award for the
all

failure of

"too gushing" in his after-dinner speeches,

satisfaction of

and was so complimentary to England that

his

claims was 15,000,000 dollars.

This settled

countrymen came
recalled,

to the conclusion that

the question.

he would never properly support their claims.

Emperor

of

At about the same time the Germany decided against us as to

belonged to the
ac-

He was
torian,

and Mr. Motley the

his-

the right of j^ossession of the island of San

and Mr. Fish, the foreign secretary

of

Juan, which he declared

the United States, resumed negotiations.

It

United

States.

Both conclusions were

was decided that commissioners from England

should go to Washington, and as our govern-

cepted with dignity and endorsed with honour,

and at a

cost

which would have been far

ment had already expressed

regret at the

exceeded even by a temporary resort to hostilities,

ravages of the piratical vessels which went out

of English shipyards, the conference
easier.

while there was a gratifying sense on

became

both sides that the dispute was settled in accordance with reason and humanity.

Some

international rules on the duties

of nations to prevent privateering

were agreed

on, for the guidance of the ai'bitrators

we)-e

who

It

may

well be supposed that

tlie

untiring

to

be chosen to decide the question.

that

energy and rapidity with which the Liberal

Our commissioners contended

committed any breach
but they accepted the
rules,

we had not

government advanced measures

of

remarkable

of international faith;

importance, produced a feeling of restlessness

and supposed that

among the

less

ardent of their followers, while

the only point for consideration would be the

the opposition marked with satisfaction the

DEFEAT OF THE LIBERAL GOVERNMENT.

signs of reaction.

289

Such a number

of bills,

compelled to remain in

office,

and

all

that

was

embracing

so

many important

interests, could

done was to abolish

tests at Trinity College.

not be passed without a great

many

people

being affected by them, and every fresh change

touched some interest and aroused some animosity.

At

the same time, as

we have

before

The Judicature Bill had already been brought forward by Lord-chancellor Selborue. It was based on the report of the commission
appointed in 1869 to inquire into the subject,

seen, the very tendency to independent thought

and the want of compact following among the

Liberals tended after every
to diminish that

and was one

of the

most important measures

it

new achievement
The time now

of the Liberal government, for

was intended

unanimity by which a strong

1873 when Mr. Glad-

for the reconstruction of the whole judicial

party can alone be maintained.

system, by uniting the higher courts of justice

in one great tribunal, the operations of

anived in the session

of

which

stone was to bring forward the third of the

were

to

be free from the old distinctions and

measures which he had promised for Ireland.

This was the introduction of a national system
of education

restrictions

between law and equity, so that

suitors

might be spared expense, time, and

under which the rights of con-

trouble in seeking redress.

The

lord chiefpleas,

science

would be secured.

As a

jji-eliniinary
pix)-

justice, the chief-justice of the

common

measure in this direction Mr. Gladstone

jiosed to create a

and the chief-baron

of the exchequer

were

to

new

university in Dublin, of

remain in the positions they then occupied,

which Trinity College and other colleges should

form a
part, just as the colleges of

and some
ture.

of the existing divisions

were

re-

Oxford and
Cer-

tained as courts of the high court of judica-

Cambridge belong

to tiieir universities.

The

appellate jurisdiction of the

House

tain careful provisions

were to be made to

of

Lords exercised by the law lords was to be

to

recognize the preponderance of the

Roman
ex-

transferred

a tribunal composed of the

Catholic religion, one of

clusion of
tlie

them being the

subjects,

lord-chancellor, the chief-justice of England,

teaching of theology and moral

the chief-justice of

common
rolls,

pleas, the chief-

philosophy,

upon which

however,

baron, the master of the

and other judges

voluntary examinations would be held.

bill

The
in

not exceeding nine in number. not at

first

The

bill

was

was opposed both by Roman Catholics

Another
bill

adapted to Scotland and Ireland

and Protestants. Mr. Fawcett

College,

brought

by

because of some question of privilege, but was

in the previous yeai-

had

been

soon carried through both houses with the

supported by the governing body of Trinity

understanding that

it

would eventually be

and Mr. Gladstone therefore declared

tlie

adapted to the wliole kingdom.

that the ministry would stand or fall by

But the Liberal government had been

beaten,
there

measure which he now advocated.

the professed Liberals were averse to

Some
it.

of

was already a Conservative

became more
evi-

Mr.

reaction which afterwards

Ilorsman bitterly opposed

checks and counterchecks,

it,

and though the

dent, and

preparations were

made

for

the

debate was sharp, able, and well spiced with

it

general election in 1874.

in the ministry,

Changes were made

re-

was soon seen

Mr. Bright, who had

of Lancaster.

that the division for the second reading would

turned to the
lor of the

liouse,

consenting to be chancel-

be a narrow one.

It

went against the govern-

Duchy
w-ell

Mr. Glad-

ment by 287

votes to 284.

stone undertook the duty of chancellor of the

Mr. Gladstone's ministry ailhered to their

determination to resign
raeli tion;
office,

exchequer as

as that of prime minister,

and Mr. Dis-

was sent

for to

form anotlier administra-

and Mr. Lyon Playfair and Mr. Vernon Harcourt also took oHice. The government liad
deserved well of the country, not only for the

but tiiough he had obstinately opposed

the bill on
feated,

which the government was detlie

number
tion.

of inipurtant

measures

it

had passed,

he was not ready to take

their resignation.

place of-

but for removing 12,000,000 from the taxaIt

fered

him by

Mr. Gladstone
rc-Iuctantly

had

si)ent

10,000,000 in buying the

and

his colleagues Vol. IV.

were therefore

telegraphs as arranged

by the jnevioua minis82


290
try,

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

had devoted J2,000,000
to

the

army
off

behalf of the late government, from

its

comof

during the Franco-Prussian war, had paid

half the either

mencement
Lords.
"
self,

to

its

close,

in

the

House

Alabama claim without the

or tax,

aid of

loan

and
the

had reduced

the

For a variety

of reasons personal to

myI

national debt

by 26,000,000. Yet Mr. Glad-

I could not contemplate

any unlimited
;

stone announced at

commencement

of

extension of active political service

and

am

1874 that there was a surplus of 5,000,000 at

their disposal,

anxious that

it

should be clearly understood

I have acted in

and that he intended

local administration,

to pre-

by those friends with whom

the direction of
reserve
all

pare a plan for totally repealing the incometax,

affairs,

that at

my age

must

improving

and ad-

my

entire

freedom to divest myself of

vancing the interests of consumers.

Quite early in the year, however,
it

the responsibilities of leadership at no dis-

was

tant time.

The need
of

of rest will prevent

me

announced that parliament would be dissolved.

It

from giving more than occasional attendance

in the

was determined was

for

to try the strength of the

House

Commons during

the present

Liberal interest, and the result was that that

interest

session.

the present

in

abeyance.

" I should be desirous, shortly before the

people were ready to rest and be thankThey had been dazed by a whirl of legislation. Others belonged to the classes who
ful.

Some

commencement
sider

of the session of 1875, to con-

whether there would be advantage in

my

placing

my

services for a time at the dis-

feared that the ministry might go too far, that

posal of the Liberal party, or whether I should

nothing was stable, and that nobody could

tell

then claim exemption from the duties I have

hitherto discharged.
If,

what might go

next.

These divisions para-

however, there should

lysed the action of the Liberal party.

The
the

be reasonable ground for believing that, instead of the course

Conservatives on the other hand were united,

which

have sketched,

it

compact, and cautiously confident.

16th of February the cabinet met.
stone

On

would be preferable,
generally, for
of

in the

view of the party

Mr. Glad-

me

to

assume at once the place

recommended an immediate
to,

resignation,

an independent member, I should willingly

latter

which was agreed

called

and Mr. Disraeli was

adopt the

alternative.

But

I shall

upon

to

form a ministry.

retain all that desire I have hitherto felt foi

In one of the speeches delivered before his

constituents,

the welfare of the party, and

if

the gentlemen

Mr. Gladstone had

intimated

composing
a leader or

it

should think
provision

fit

either to choose
interim, with a

that

if

the country resolved upon the dismis-

make

ad

sal of the

Liberal ministry, he should reserve

view to the convenience

of the present year,

to himself the right of limiting his future

services to his party as he

the person designated would, of course, com-

might think

fit.

mand from me any

in

assistance

which he might
it

He

desired to enjoy a joeriod of repose.

In a
12,

find occasion to seek,

and which

might be

letter to

Lord Granville, dated March

:

he

my power

to render."

explained the reasons for his decision

"My
cular to

dear Granville,

have issued a

cir-

members

of parliament of the Liberal

party on the occasion of the opening of parlia-

The time had now arrived when the preMarquis of Hartington were to be fulfilled. The retirement of Mr. Gladstone from the leadership of the
dictions of the friends of the

mentary business.
explain

But

I feel

it

to be neces-

Liberal party had indeed

point of view
difficult,

made

it

from one
of

sary that, while discharging this duty, I should

from another point

what a

circular could not convey with

view easy

to appoint a successor.

The

great

regard to
time.

my individual

position at the present

ability, the

long experience, and the yet abun-

I need not apologize for addressing

dant energy of the Liberal chief had been so

lately manifested

these explanations to you.

Independently of
it is

by a
of

session, in

which meacarried,

other reasons for so troubling you,

to observe that

enough

sures of

immense importance had been

rajoid strides, that

you have very long represented

and the progress

measured by

the country had been

the Liberal party, and have also acted on

whoever should

THE NEW LIBERAL LEADEE

be chosen to represent the great party that

LOIID HARTINGTOX.
really representative

DI

and who were

or hesitation

men

of

had temporarily

fallen apart

and been van-

various shades of Liberalism, had

little

doubt

quished, could not hope and would not be ex-

when Mr.

Forster had declined

pected to exhibit equal qualifications for the

task of leadership.

to occupy the place vacated

by Mr. Gladstone.
remind the meet-

At

the same time there

Mr.

Villiers simply rose to

was,

if

not an insurmountable reluctance on

ing that Lord Hartington had been before

the public and the
sixteen

the part of other distinguished men, at least

House

of

Commons

for

a grave disinclination to assume a position

or seventeen years;
filling

that they had

where comparison might tend

their
real

to depreciate

seen

him

subordinate oSices, and also

attainments, or whei-e, however

filling

the higher offices in the state.

;

He had

eminent those attainments might be, there

been chief secretary for Ireland

he had pre-

would be great doubt as to their

efficacy in

sided over the post-office, and he had been

reuniting the sections of the Liberals in such

under-secretaryfor war; he had presided over

manner

as to restore the probability of their

committees of great

jiublic importance,

and

ready return to power.

on
at the Eeforni

all

these occasions he had displayed good

However, a meeting was held

Club on the 3d
it

feeling,

good sense,

tact,

and judgment that

of February, 1875,

and there
of the

fairly entitled

him

to the confidence of the

was

to be determined

what course should

was understood,

party.

Mr.

Villiers

added that he would not

fairly be raised

be pursued,
meeting.

Mr. Bright was chairman

it

believe

any prejudice could

Lord Granville,

against the Marquis of Hartington merely

was the trusted

chief in the

Upper House.

from the circumstance

of his family connec-

"Who among the members would be chosen to be the

influence
stantly required
fixed on

of the late cabinet real leader whei'e

tions, seeing that his family

happened

to

be

associated with the great principles which

had

and authority would be more con1

been professed in the Liberal party for at

least

The general attention was

two

centuries.

Without

fui'ther

remarks

Mr.

Forster.

He had

displayed relittle tact,

he jDrojiosed him to the acceptance of the

meeting, sincerely believing that the noble
lord

markable power of elucidation, no

and that genuine earnestness

of purpose

which

would do honour
pi'oposal

to their choice.

was

of the greatest importance,

and

to

him

The

was responded

to

by Lord
behalf of
of

had been intrusted a measure which had met

with the concurrence of the whole house, and

Frederick Cavendish,
his brother,

who spoke on

and Mr. Bright, as chairman

was now heartily accepted by the country.

the meeting, spoke in terms of hearty com-

Yet Mr.

Forster's earnestness, allied as

it

per-

mendation
forces.

of the

new

leader of the Liberal

haps necessarily was with remarkable positiveness, was, perhaps, the very quality

which
in

Ten years
was promoted
observer of

before,

when Lord Hartington

and frequent

he

felt,

would prevent him from becoming

to office, a close

any

real sense the

parliamentary leader of

parliament had written amus:

the party.

Two

days before the meeting he

ingly as follows

We

shall not soon forget

wrote, declining the candidature on the ground

that he felt he could not reckon on that general support

the effect upon certain

members

of the house,

without which he could not

fulfil

and they not few in number, of the announcement that the Marquis of Hartington was to
be the under-seci-etary for war, and take the

the required duties.

Mr. Goschen had been spoken

didate,

of as a canto

management
partment

of the lousiness of the

war

de-

and the choice was supposed between him and Lord Hartington.

be

in the house.

" It

is

an insult to the

Mr.

house," said one.

"

The cheekiest thing /ever

it is

Goschen, however, had scarcely been in a position to give to the Liberal party the kind of

heard

of," said

another; "but

like old

Pam."
enough

" It

is

very bad, I must confess," said

hostages wliich entitled

sponsible a position.

him to occupy so reAt auyrate it was evithe meeting,

a cautious old gentleman,

to

who has
in

lived long
let

speak with reserve.

" However,

dent that those

who composed

ua trust there

may be more

him than we

292

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

"Ah!
;

know."

there's

nothing in him,

I'll

he was indolent in mind and body, he can master his subject

venture to say

and

if

he had not been a

which means that

we

he can

duke's son he would have stood no more

work, and also that what he has mastered

himself he can explain to others clearly and
concisely.

chance of being under-secretary for war than

I

should," exclaimed a

young

sprig, as

he

And

here

leave his lordship,

lounged against the door of the house.

And

with the expression of a well-grounded hope

that, if

perhaps this was the strongest condemnation

of the

he do not achieve a high position as a

appointment that had been uttered, for

debater, he will gain the character of an able,

solid,

only think of young "

Noddy " as
of those

under-secreoffice,

and useful administrator.

tary for war, or, indeed, in any other

except

it

might be one

snug traditional

It

was confidently expected that the queen

in public to

berths in which a
to take his salary

man

has nothing to do but

his tongue
!

would again appear

Prince

open

joarlia-

and hold

The

ment; but this was j^revented by the sudden

illness

appointment, however, was certainly a very

strange one to outsiders,

of

Leopold,

her

majesty's
in such

by which we mean

youngest son,

who had always been

and was
suffering

those

who have never been within the charmed

delicate health that he could not enjoy

much

circle of the "

of

Upper Ten," and have no means knowing more of the scions of the great
Marquis
of Hartington, as he lounges

active exercise,

from some
of which,
feared.

kind of low fever, supposed to have been

taken at Oxford, and the
eflTects

houses than one can gather from their looks,

for the

upon a weak

constitution,

were greatly

into the house with his

hands in his pockets,

Happily the prince recovered, but her majesty

could not appear, and the speech was read by
tlie

in that easy nonchalant

manner

of his, does

not strike the beholder as having any special

capacity for governing.

lord-chancellor.

On

the contrary, you

his appeai-ance,

Efforts to put an end to the East African

would take him

to be,

from

slave-trade

were vigorously continued, and

about as commonplace a person as you would

find in a day's march.

the protected tribes on the Gold Coast had

But we remember that

official

assented to abolish

it

there.

The king and

offered to cede

a very experienced, sharp-sighted

to us, very emphatically,

said
talk-

chiefs of the Fiji Islands

had

when we were

their territory to
conditions,

England unfettered by any

had been thought right
its

ing about this appointment, "

You are all

mis-

and

it

to

taken

there

is

some good,
in

solid stuff in this

accept

it,

not only because of

natural

young fellow; and

Another member

my

opinion this will

resources, but because of the maritime advan-

turn out to be a very capital appointment."

of parliament

tages

it

would confer on the British

fleets in

one who,

if

the Pacific.

not within, stands upon the very verge of the

sacred inclosure of higlier
opinion. "
life

An
of life

ample harvest had restored prosperity

gave a similar

to the provinces of India,

and the great

loss

Wait a

while," said he, "

and you

which had been feared had been averted,

will find that the

marquis

will turn out better

because the Indian government had been able

to

than you imagine."

stand
?

And now how do matters

?

convey food to the

districts
felt.

where the

Are

there any signs of these last pro-

famine had been so severely

phecies being fulfilled

Well, the time

is

young
but

The harvest
plentiful,

in

England,

too,

had been
of

yet

but, nevertheless, his lordship has several

it is

and the prosperity

;

of the country

times appeared before the house, and,

fair to say,

had been maintained

for

though our trade

off,

has gained greatly in the opinion of

1874 had somewhat fallen

and was

less

the members.

He

will never be an eloquent

than that of 1873, the reduction of taxation

speaker.

He

has neither the affluence of lan-

had steadily increased the consumption

necessaries of
life,

of the

guage northe manner of an orator. But hitherto

he has done his work well.
that,

and
a

of articles

which con-

He

has shown

tributed to the revenue, so that the national

finances

notwithstanding

all

that nonchalance of

were

in

satisfactory

condition.

manner which would

lead you to suppose that

Such were the agreeable conditions which

IRISH AGITATION "HOME RULE "-JOHN MITCHEL.

attended the succession of the

293

new

goveru-

he meant the sovereign independence of Ireland

;

meut

to power.

the total overthrow of the Established

(his address

jSIeasures for simplifying

the transfer of

Church; universal tenant rights

land, for completing the reconstruction of the

did not specify what were the conditions he

judicature, for improving the dwellings of the

would

insist on)
it

and abolition

of ejectments

working-classes in large towns, for amending

the sanitary laws, preventing the pollution of
rivers

(by which

would seem that he meant the

right of the tenants to keep possession of the land); free education

by the operation

of factories, the waste

that

is,

denominational
secular educa-

of mills, or preveutible discharge of

sewage

education for those

tion for those

who

like

it,

and other noxious matters,

attention.

all

were to receive
also to be laid

who

like that,

with the express

And

bill

was

organic provision of law that no persons should

before the house for the

amendment

of the

be taxed for the education of other persons'

children;

Merchant Shipping Acts.

and the immediate

liberation

of

Among

other matters to be considered was

those prisonei's of state

whom

the English

one of great importance, namely, legislation

for the purpose of protection against personal violence,

government kept

in prison as Fenians.

That
it

was

his

declaration,
all,

and so far as
at
least

was

and for more

effectually securing the

explicable at

it

had a merit

trial of offences

by appointing a public pro-

which some subsequent declarations of "HomeRulers," "Land-Leaguers," and others have

secutor.

lacked

it

was

distinct in its emphasis.

it

That

Among

other proposals

it

had been sug-

compliance with
sible,

would have been impos-

gested that some of the exceptional or tem-

not to the English government alone

porary statutes for preserving the peace in

Ireland might be dispensed with; but paidia-

but to

any government

ceivable Irish government,

even was

to

con-

nothing to

ment had

scarcely

met before John Mitchel,

the jDurpose.

Tipperary evidently cared for

the Irish agitator,

who

had, as

we have

seen,

nothing more than that the candidate was

the irreconcilable opponent of England, and

been transported for the part he took in the

rebellion of 1848, reappeai-ed
It will be

upon the

scene.

sought to force himself into the British

lature.

legis-

remembered that he had broken his parole and had escaped to the United States,
where he became a naturalized American.
was, of course, obvious enough that he
It

That, at

all

events, seems to have

been the conclusion of those electors who

returned him without opposition.

The next

was

day he landed at Queenstown, and parliament

precluded on both grounds from representing

had

to decide

what

wa.s to

be done with him.

a constituency in the House of Commons.

By

Without delay Mr.

Disi-aeli

gave notice of a

becoming a naturalized subject

state he

of

another

motion that John Mitchel, having been adjudged guilty of treason -felony and sentenced
to transportation for fourteen years,

had forfeited

his rights as a British

fulfilled the

subject,

and

as he

had not

term
These

and not

of his sentence he

was

still

a convict.

having endured the

full

term of his sentence,

considerations were so far from influencing

him

nor having received pardon under the great

seal,

and

his supporters, that they

were regarded

has become and continues to be incapable

as affording

an extraordinary opportunity for

to sit in parliament.

He

also

announced

tliat

raving defiance against England by electing

Ml".

he should move for a new writ for Tipperary.

Mitchel as

member
his

for Tipperary,

and

curious

log.al

debate followed, during which

insisting that he should enter the

Commons, where
Martin, sat as

House of brother-in-law, John

the attorney-general admitted that Mitchel

could not be proceeded against and compelled

to serve out his original sentence.

member for INfeath. Mitchel, who was in very ill health, had issued an address from New York to the electors of Tipperary, declaring himself to be in

He

might
it

have been arrested for prison-breaking, but

;

had not been worth while to arrest him and it was argued that having been adjudged a
felon,

favour of

Home

Rule, by which, he explained,

and not having either completed

his

"

294

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

and the
result of the case

sentence or received a pardon, he remained a

felou

which he had

so

and could not

sit in

parliament.

The

inveterately argued to the end.

debate continued, and the proposal of Lord

Hartington and Mr. Forster for a committee

V^e can scarcely leave

story and enter

this period of our

was
that

resisted

by

jVIi".

Disraeli,

who

declared

upon the

brief chapter that

social
j-ears,

there

were no contradictory opinions

reconciling.

will iudicate rather

than narrate the

seven

which needed
resolution

The proposal was

Mr.
Disraeli's

and

political progi-ess of the late

rejected without a division.

without once more glancing at the attitude

was agreed

to,

and the new writ

appeals.

assumed by a certain number

of the clergy,

was issued. The

Irish " National" jmpers pub-

who, with a section of their congregations,

refuse obedience either to ecclesiastical or to
civil authority,

lished denunciations

and exciting

The new writ was

didate

issued and another can-

though they retain the

as-

appeared

Captain

Stephen Moore.

sumjJtiou of belonging to the church which

is

Mitchel was re-elected by a large majority,

supported and defended by both.

If the

but Captain Moore claimed the

votes

seat, since the

illegal.

Ritualists represent the

Church

of

England

given to his opponent were

tried

and the national observance

it is

of religion, then

The question was then

C'uurt of

by the

Irish

time that disestablishment and disendoweffected;

Common
Mitchel,

Pleas, which found in his

defence,

meut should be

they are doing their

it

favour.

who would make no

utmost, whether they

oj^inions of those
of

mean
is

or not, to aid the

then declared that he would become candidate

for each county of Ireland in turn, so that

who

declare that the

Church

England

so called

only one

among many

they might

all

be disfranchised, and so awaken

religious bodies,
to

and should no longer claim

kind of church union repre-

the Irish people to their oppression; but he

be national in any special sense, but should

itself into a

was unequal

to the task.

Before he could

form

commence such an undertaking the excitement he had undergone acting upon an enfeebled frame caused his death, which took
place on

sented by a council or assembly,

much

as one

of the large nonconformist bodies is

less

more or

represented by what

is

known as the Conthe Ritualistic

the 21st of March, at Drumlaue,

gregational Union.

near Newry.
supporter,
of

His brother-in-law and staunch John Martin, a man who, in spite

in

To no such union would

priests

and people be

likely to conform.

The

some extreme views, was much liked

congregations which they represent practically

the house by members of both parties, was

acknowledge no external authority for

of

taken

ill

while attending the funeral, and

the regulation
differ

church observances, and

died a few days afterwards.

It

may

be mentioned that at the same time

more from the Evangelical or Low Church bodies than the latter do from most
It

that Mitchel

was

elected in Tipperary, Dr.

forms of dissent or nonconformity.

is

Keuealy, the barrister

who had become

so

usually supposed that the Ritualists

notorious for his defence of " the Claimant

in the Tichborne trial,

are

was returned

for Stoke-

more in symjjathy with the Church of Rome, and it is obvious enough that they

upon-Trent.

So disinclined were the members

no two perintro-

imitate the

Romish ceremonial,

elevate the

on

all

sides to recognize him, tliat

paten, use incense, observe genuflexions, sejiarate

sons were found to give

him the usual

themselves from the congregation by

duction to the house, and he was obliged to

screens,

deck the

altar,

and even celebrate the

of "mass." It
is

come forward alone

seat.

to take the oaths

and

his

communion under the name

Romish
Church

He

frequently afterwards contrived to

doubtful, however, whether these apparently

inclinations have induced the Pajial
to seek for converts in Ritualistic con-

make

himself so offensive as to justify the

dislike that

had been manifested, but there

to suspect

were some reasons

that he was

gregations.

That church would scarcely be

suffering from mental disturbance, aggravated

if

likely to regard with pleased expectation, the

not caused by the strain he had endured.

accession of people or clergy

who

are distin-

ABOLITION OF COMPULSORY CHUECH-EATES.

gnished for disobedience to the authority under
bols,

295

and stiange ceremonies, which had a weak

which they profess

to remain,

and

for dis-

because an uninterpretable resemblance to

those of the

loyalty to the repeated injunctions of the superioi's,

Romish

chapel.

Some

of

the

to

whom by

their very office they have

churches where these practices were observed

promised to be dutiful.
Earl Russell had come to the conclusion,
that until the religion of the Church of Eng-

had been built or enaowed by private munificence, and this made the interposition of the
bishops more
difficult.

In many cases the

land became assimilated to the religion of Rome,

introduction of what had come to be called

of St.

Thomas Aquinas, and

would not be

of Aristotle, the

Ritualism (though

it

was not only in excess

of,

Ritualists

satisfied.

Perhaps he

but contrary to the settled ritual of the Re-

did not see that before that could take place

either the Ritualistic clergy

formed Church) aroused the bitter opposition

of a lai'ge

must be the

pre-

number

of the congregation, the

vailing

body

in a church, the authority of

" rector's wax'den," the " people's warden,"

and

whose bishops they only acknowledge as a

the

synodsmen became leaders

and scenes

of

opposite

mere matter
supported

of convenience, or
all

they must join

factions;

of scandalous disorder
re-

the opponents of

ecclesiastical authority

ensued because of the attempts of the

by the

state,

and therefore

re-

forming party to prevent Romish innovations.

duce the so-called Church of England to an

The painful

riots

which had disgraced

St.

important and generally recognized

sect,

the

George's-in-the-East were repeated in some

members

of which,

however, would no more

other parts of
later date.

London

at this time,

and at a

authoi'itatively

form a national church than

In some instances the service was

do the Wesleyau Methodists, the Baptists, or

the Congregationalists.
bered, that though
clergy displayed

interrupted,
side

and actual fighting went ou

in-

But

let it

be remem-

and outside the church.

Appeals were

many

of the "Ritualistic"

made to the bishop of the diocese, whose declarations

what

to ordinary people ap-

were disregarded by the "priest."

AU was
God

peared to be an absurdly dogged obstinacy, by

persisting in wearing certain costumes,

confusion and disorder, and the house of

and

was profaned, the name of I'eligion dishonoured.

introducing peculiar gestures and postures in

the service, decking the altar with flowers and
candles, using a

The aspect

of aflairs

was somewhat

difierent

from that which

jjrevailed at the time of the

monotonous twang

in the ser-

St. George's-in-the-East riots, for before the

mon and
martyred
fallen

a gabbling recitative in the prayers,

struggle
rates

became

violent, compulsory church-

as though these were things to hold to and be

foi',

had been abolished.

introduced by
ISIr.

In February,

18(58,

there were others who, having

of

bill,

Gladstone for the

upon times

church restoration, open

abolition of compulsory church-rates,

was read

pews, memorial windows, and choral services,

a second time amidst considerable opposition,

mode of conducting the made more picturesque and emotional in order to awaken the sensibdities. There were young men who, apart
held that the whole
sorvice needed to be

with respect to which Lord Crauborne asked

what was
principle of

to

be gained by adhering to the

surrender."

"no

That question,
look not only

he

said,

was

to be

answered by the circum-

Lorn the merely sensuous revivals

visited the poor

of

cere-

stances of the time.

We must

monial, were devoted workers, and assiduously

to the position of the iiatiou out of dooi-s,

but

and the
set

sick,

organized charies-

to the course of events in the house

ciples

the prin-

table efforts,

and

about improving or

upon which

parties guided their

moveregu-

tablishing schools, societies, week-day meetings,

ments, the laws by which public

lated their

meu

and even

concerts, lectures,

and recrea-

own

conduct.

lie did not think

tions

among

the

members

of their churches

that any gain to the cliurch would result from

and the inhabitants

of their districts.

The

prolonging the contest

and though he gave

tin.'

number

uf these, however, did not counteract

up any possession

of

church with the

tlie effect

pi'oduced by the

more

fanatical up-

deepest reluctance, he could not content himself

holders of ornamental dresses, mysterious s^'m-

with a stolid opposition nor give way to

296
that tendency,

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

by which
it

seemed so many

late as

January, 1874, the positions respec-

were apt to be

aflected, of ]:)ursuing for

many

tively occupied

by the contending
will not
it

parties,

years a steady obstruction, and tlien giving

seemed

to

be

" We
because

pay deno-

way

to an unreasonable jjanic.

It

was wiser

minational

fees,

does violence to our

to accept the terms offered them, because they

religious scruples;" and,

"You must pay deno-

might go further and fare worse.

These terms stopped short of actual abolition
;

minational

fees,

because to refuse them does

violence to other people's religious scruples."

but the rates were made voluntary,

in-

As

a matter of fact, the general sense of public

asmuch
pelled

as their jDayment could not be comlegal process.

opinion soon rectified this impression.

operation of the school-boards, and the
in

by

The
its

act passed

on

The manner

the 31st of July, 1868, and

preamble stated,

which

it satisfied

the requirements of vari-

that as church-rates had for some years ceased

to be

ous classes of the public, helped to assimilate

the voluntary rate-aided schools, and even in
rural districts the

made

or collected in

many

parishes

by

reason of the opposition thereto; and, in

many

working

of the

Education

other parishes where church-rates had been

Act has gradually established board-schools

iu place of

made, the levying thereof had given

litigation

rise to

many
schools

of the ineffectual

and

ill-

and

ill

feeling, it

was expedient

to

supported

formerly maintained

by

abolish the
rates

power

to

compel payment of such

voluntary subscriptions aided by occasional

givants.

by any

legal process.

The

first

section

of the act j^rovided that

no such process could

It will be perceived that

what we have now

be taken for the enforcement of payment of

been considering has

of Eitualism, for it

its

bearing on the question

any church-rate made

land or Wales.
at last settled.

in
this

any parish

in

Eng-

is

easy to understand that

Thus

vexed question was

Dissenters, or

men

of decidedly Protestant

views, regarded with dismay the probability

this subject it

While we are noting

be observed
that

may
the

of

being required to send their children to the

the introduction

of

schools of those other Dissenters or

Noncon-

Elementary Education

Act again revived

formists
to the

who yet were

Eomish
side

recognized as belonging

the question, not of church-rates, but of the

Church

of England,

though they stood

payment

of rates

foi'

the partial support of

jilaces

on the

and were known as

the

denominational schools by grants, in

Ritualists.

It will be seen, too, that all these to

where there was no demand for the establish-

subjects

had a very direct relation

ment

of a board-school, the provisions of the

question of possible church disestablishment.

existing voluntary rate-aided schools being

sufficient for the instruction of the children.

That was a matter on which people were

compelled to think seriously
;

and though the

For some time the discussion grew clamorous on this subject, and doubtless, from the point
of

disestablishment and disendowment of the

church in Ireland had no necessary connection

with, and was not at
all

view of the Dissenters and those who desecular education, the supschools

preliminary

to,

any two

manded a merely

movement afiectiug
land

the Establishment in Eng-

port of denominational

by a grant

the

relations of the church to the

from the rates appeared to be objectionable.

Just as under the modified forms of the old
system, church-rates, when voted by a majority
of ratepayers,

countries

being

essentially

difterent

men
op-

looked the proposal in the face.

stone did.

Mi\ Glad-

The arguments

of those

who

had been payable by

all

house-

posed church disestablishment in Ireland on

the ground of the probability of
its

holders, these school-rates

all

were paj'able by

being

fol-

householders,

if

the supporters of church

lowed by a similar measure in England did

not cause

schools

were sufficiently numerous to sustain them against the demand for affiliation of the

him

to protest too

much.

In that

chapter of autobiography, written in September, 1868, in

parish or district to that of the school-board

which he

refers to his early de-

and the provision

of a board-school.

As

clarations with regard to the church,

and

his

writer in the Pall Mall Gazette said even as

correspondence with Lord Macaulay, he says:

ME. GLADSTONE OX THE CONDITION OF THE CHURCH.

" I can hardly believe that even those, including, as they do, so

29/

government as the
tious.

basis of political coubtitu-

many men both

upright

and

able,

who now contend on

principle for

The other is the disintegration of Christendom from one into many communions. As
long as the church at large, or the church

the separation of the cliurch from the state,

are so determined to exalt their theorem to

within the limits of the nation

one, I do not see

is

substantially

the place of an universal truth, that they ask

why

the religious care of the

propei-ly constituted

us to condemn the whole of that process, by

subject, through a

body

which, as the gospel spread

civilized world, Christianity

itself

through the

for the purpose, should cease to be a function

of the state, with the

became incorporIn the

perceive

whole action and

life of

ated with the action of civil authority and

which

it

has throughout Europe been so long

with the framework of public law.

course of
little of

and so
of the

closely associated.

As

long as the state

human
is

history, indeed,
evil

we

holds by descent, by the intellectual superiority

unmixed
It

and far

less of universal

governing

classes,

and by the good-will and undeno absolute improits

good.

not difficult to discern that (in

of the jDeople, a position of original

the language of Bishop Heber) as the world

rived authority, there

priety,

is

became Christian Christianity became worldly:

that the average tone of a system, which em-

but the reverse, in

commending
boons.

to

the nation the gi'eatest of

all

braces in

its
is

wide-spreading arms the entire

But when,
stitutions

either

by some revolution

of in-

community,

almost of necessity lower than

if

from their summit

to their base, or

that of a society which,

large,

is still

private,

by a

silent

and surer

process, analogous to

and

into

which no man enters except by his

that which incessantly removes and replaces

own

deliberate choice, very possibly even at

the constituent parts of the

state has

human

body, the

the cost of

much

pei'sonal

and temporal
for the i-ace

detri:

come

to

be the organ of the deliberate

will of the

ment.
those

But Christ died

and

and ascertained

community, ex-

who

notice the limited progress of con-

pressed through legal channels, then, indeed,

the inculcation of a religion can no longer rest
in full or

version in the world until alliance with the

civil

authority gave to His religion a wider

permanent

force

upon

its

authority.

access to the attention of mankind,

may be

in-

And
itself

when, in addition
is

to this, the

community

clined to doubt whether, without that alliance,

its

split

and severed into opinions and

immeasurable and inestimable

ev-er

social results

communions, which, whatever their concurrence in the basis of Christian belief, are hostile

would
all

have been attained.

Allowing for

that

may be

justly urged against the danger

religious ad-

in regard to the point at issue, so that

for the nation dwindles into
it

of

mixing secular motives with

all,

what was meant

ministration, and, above

sion of force into the

against the intruof thought, I for

in the

the private estate as

were of a corajjarative

domain

handful, then the attempt to maintain an

established church becomes an error fatal to

one cannot desire that Constantine

gov-

ernment

of the empire, that Justinian in the

the peace, dangerous perhaps even to the

of civil society.
(to use

life,

foi'mation of its code of laws, or that Charle-

Such a church then becomes

I

magne

in refounding society, or that Elizabeth

a figure

think of John Foster's) uo

in the crisis of the English

Eeformation should

longer the temple, but the mere cenotaph of a

have acted on the principle that the state and

the church in themselves are sei)arate or alien
powei-s incapable of coalition.

great idea.
sim))ly

Such a

])olicy is thereafter
is

not

an attempt to treat what

if it

superan-

nuated and imbecile as

the combined

were

full of life

But there
point of

are

two

causes,

and vigour, but to thwart the regular and

normal action
force
of the ruling social forces, to

operation of which, upon reaching a certain

development, relaxes or dissolves

them from

their proper channels,

and

to

their union

by a process by

as

normal
tlu'

(if

it

be

turn them by

artificial

contrivance, as Apollo

less beneficial) as that

whicli

uuidu was
is

turned the rivere of Troas from their beds, to

a purpose of our own.
I)rice

originally brought about.

One

of these

the

This

is

to set ca-

establishment of the ])riuciple of popular

self-

against natine; and the end must be

293
tliat,

GLADSTONE AXD HIS COXTEMPOEAEIES.

with more or
less of delay,

more

or less

tion

which he had made thirty years before,

of struggle or convulsion, nature will get the

that the prosecution of the clergy for matters

of observance, or the interference of legal tri-

better of caprice.

But does

it

follow from

all tins

that the tone

?

bunals would be iuefiectual, and would at the

of moral action in the state should be lowered

same time perpetuate that moral disturbance

which
is itself

Such a fear
sober men,

is

what perplexes

serious

and

more mischievous than the

di-

who are

laudably unwilling to sur-

vergence of observances in public worship

render, in a world whei'e falsehood has so wide

which an appeal to the law

punish or to control.

is

designed to

a range, any portion of this vantage-ground

of truth

Mr. Gladstone did not

and

right.

I,

who may have

helped

regard the apparent spread of Eitualism with

the apprehension expressed by numbers of
people

to mislead
tion,

them by an over-hasty

generalizato

would now submit what seems

me

who

professed to be jealous for Protes-

calculated to reassure the mind. I

tantism.

There was a much moi'e practical

issue

make an

ajipeal to the history of the last

and important question at

than whether

thirty years.

During those

years,

what may
but
its

a Ijandful of the clergy were or were not en-

be called the dogmatic allegiance of the state

to religion has been gi'eatly relaxed
;

gaged in an utterly hopeless and visionary

effort to

Romanize the church and the people

consciousness of moral duty has been not less

of

England.

quickenedand enhanced. Idonot say this iudepreciation of Christian dogma.

reign of

At no time since the sanguinary Mary had such a scheme been possible.
had been possible in the seventeenth
it

But we are still

hundred

But

if it

a Christian people.
itself into
yeai-s.

Christianity has wrought

life

or eighteenth centuries

would

still

have be-

the public

of fifteen

come impossible
had substituted

in the nineteenth,

when Eome
of

Precious truths and laws of relative

for the

proud boast

semper

right

and the brotherhood

of

man, such as

eadem a policy

of violence

and change

in faith,

the wisdom of heathenism scarcely dreamed

of,

when

she had refurbished and paraded

anew

and could never firmly grasp, the gospel

every rusty tool she was fondly thought to

has made to be part of our

tance,

common inhericommon as the sunlight that warms us and as the air we breathe. Sharp though our divisions in belief may be, they have not cut
so deep as to prevent, or as perceptibly to imjxiir,

have disused, when no one could become her

convert without renouncing his moral and

mental freedom, and placing his

civil loyalty

and duty at the mercy

and ancient
history.

of another,

and when

she had equally i-epudiated modern thought

the recognition of those great outlines

of

He

could not persuade

and fences

moral action.

It

is

far better

himself to feel alarm as to the final issue of

for us to trust to the operation of these our

her crusades in England, and that although

common principles and feelings, and to serve our Maker together in that wherein we are at
line,

he did not undervalue her great powers of

mischief by persevering proselytism.^
]Mr.

rather than, in aiming at a standard theo-

Gladstone regarded so-called Eitualism

retically higher, to set out

I

with a breach of
the

as the result, sometimes the exaggerated result, of

lie

great

commandment which forms

all relative duties,

that reformation in the structure of

ground-work of
fuse to do as

and

to re-

the buildings, and in decent, orderly, and

I'everent celebration of Divine worship

we would be done by." In reading these words we can scarcely avoid

and

the services of the church, which superseded the

the conclusion that the writer perceived the

mean and inconvenient

edifices,

the slo-

probable effects of the diverse movements in

the church
itself

venly observances, the imcouth singing, and

the indifference of the congregation, which

upon the position of the church in relation to a claim for state support
to state control.

had been painfully prevalent forty years before.

and a subjection
date,

At

a later

He

reminds his readers that the use of the

however, in 1874 and 1875, Mr. Glad1

stone wrote with characteristic emphasis on

tlie

Contemporary Review, October,

1S74, reprinted 1875;

subject of Eitualism, and repeated a declara-

Gleanings of Past Years,

vol. vi. 1879.

EOMISH TRACTICES-APPEAL TO THE AECHBISH(3P.

surplice in the pulpit

299

was once regarded

as

an

may and must be

of doctrinal significance.

innovation suggestive of Eoniisli tendencies,

that a sur2)liced choir was to
ation,

My

proposition

is

simply this

That,

where

many an abominmost
simjjle

external usages have become subjects of contention,

and that many changes which had bein the

and that contention

is

carried to issue

come established customs

and
of

in courts of law, the field should not be un-

distinctly Protestant churches, and some them even among non-episcopal congrega-

necessarily widened;

and the usage should not

be interjjreted for judicial jiurposes with reference to this or that particular

tions,

were opposed on the ground that they

dogma
it

so

were intended to favour popish or heretical

doctrines.

long, but of course only so long, as

rally

natu-

and unconstrainedly bears some sense

" There cannot," said

Mr. Gladstone,

" be

not entailing such a consequence."

a doubt that the beauty of the edifice, the

These had been Mr. Gladstone's views during the long and bitter controversy, which did

furniture and the service, though their

^^i-ir-

pose be to carry the

mind forward, may

in-

not cease

when

new

act of the legislature

duce

it

to rest

upon those objects themselves.

of ritual,

was

jJassed for the

purpose of bringing rituaconformit}',

Wheresoever the growth and progress

though that
proper,
is

listic

priests

into

or rendering

ritual

be

in

itself suitable

and

them

liable to suspension, inhibition, or

even

accepted, whether con.sciously or un-

imprisonment.
protests,

There had been numerous

apjjeals
it

consciously,

and whether

in

whole or in part

numerous

to

the bishops,
tliat

by the individual,
of his

as standing in the stead of

frequent warnings, and

cannot be said

own

concentration and travail of spirit

instances were wanting calculated to alarm

in devotion, there the ritual,

itself,

though good

in

and disturb those who

the Papal Church and

differed

from Mr.

becomes for him so much formality,

so

Gladstone in their estimate of the power of

the influence of
its

that

is,

much

deadness.

Now

there are
at once
it

multitudes of peojDle
to this proposition,

who will accede who will even hold

emissaries or of the admirers of

Romish

cere-

to be

monies and

pi\actices.
tlie

In February, 18G7, a

no more than a truism, but with a complacent

conviction in the back-ground of their minds
that
it

deputation from

National Club waited on

the Archbishop of Canterbury to present an

address, asking

does not touch their case at

all.

They

him

to use his influence to sup-

may
they

be Presbyterians or Nonconformists, or

press the attempt of

some

of the clergy to re-

may be Churchmen whose clergyman

subscribed liberally to

vive

Romish

practices in the Reformed Church.

preaches against Popery open or concealed, or

Among those innovations particularly specified

were habitual confession
to a priest,

who have themselves

Ritualism.

wearing

prosecute the Rev. this or the Rev. that for

Romish vestments,

the use of incense

and

of

No matter.

They, and their clergy-

candles lighted in the daytime, the mixing of

man
ists.

too,

may

nevertheless be flagrant Ritualof Ritualism

water with the sacramental wine, and the

olTering of the

For the barest minimum

may

be a screen hiding from the worshipper

tory sacrifice.
Avas,

Holy Sacrament as a propitiaThe rejily of the archbi.shop

fairly con-

the object of his worshij); nay, will be such a

screen, unless the worshipper bestirs himself
to use it as a helji

"Whatever changes may be

sidered to be symbolical of erroneous doctrine,

and

to see that

is

not a

snare."

rately rejected
limits of our

and to favour that which was delibeby the Church of EnglandI

The

remaining pages forbid

whatever

have

i-eason to believe is ofifeiisive

further quotation from an article, which the

to the great bulk of a congregation,

ami

cal-

student

who

desires to estimate the asjiect

of the "Ritualistic" controversy to read.

culated to estrange them from the church of

their forefathers all this I shall readily dis-

and attitude

would do well
ever, to faces
it

It

is

necessary,

howpre-

countenance
to ])romise

but

must not be understood

tli;it

remember that Mr. Gladstone

by
saying, " I have

any interfereneo with

leu'ili-

nowhere ques-

niate latitude
in*' if

which

is

permitted

in the order-

tioned that those are outward usages, which

the services of the church."

300
In the following

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

May a royal commission was
in the church

stituting a

system

of
it

Congregationalism in

authorized to inquire into the diiierences of

practice

Scotland, and though

was advocated by the

peers,

which had arisen

from

Duke

of Argjdl

and other Liberal

Mr.

varying interpretations put upon the rubrics,

orders,

Gladstone warmly supported an amendment

proposed by Mr. Baxter on the second reading in the
that
it

and directions for regulating the cause

of public worship,

and conduct

more

especially

House

of

Commons,

to the effect

with respect to the ornaments used in churches

was inexpedient

to legislate

on the
of Scot-

and chapels, and the vestments worn by the

ministers.

subject of patronage in the

Church

The

question, therefore,
;

had been
it

land without further inquiry.

Mr, Gladstone

for
felt

some years under discussion

that any attempt to settle

but

was

objected to the exclusion of the "heritors"

it

by putting

from a
ters, to

distinct share in the election of minis-

stringent laws in force would be followed with

difficulties

the omission of any provision for the

which might endanger the Estab-

needs of Highland parishes, and to the effects

lishment.

When

a definite measure was at

which the measure would have on the Free

Church.

length brought forward

Mr. Gladstone,
few

as

What, he asked, were they going

to

we have

seen, opposed

it

on the gi'ound that

jjersons

do for those people

whom they had

driven out

for the purpose of restraining a

of the Established Church,

and compelled to

who

desired to import into the observance of

find ministers for themselves, to build churches,

the Church of England an imitation of the

manses, and schools, and in fact to organize

ceremonies of the Chinch of Home,

tend to deprive the former of
its

it

would

and pay
receive

for the establishment of a complete If they

freedom

system of church government?

would

without any real certainty of effecting the

object desired.

them back

in bodies
bill.

he would withIf the

As a matter
first

of fact

it

had not

draw
ity,

his opposition to the

General

been easy to compel the abandonment of these

practices

Assembly would, on terms

of fraternal equal-

by those who

declared that in

communicate with the Dissenting bodies,

observing them they were obeying the real

injunctions of the church, and

and endeavour to bring about an union of

equality, he

who

secondly

would power
;

assist

them

to the full exbill

challenged a decision on the charge that they

tent of his

but the present

was

were breaking the law of the

denied
tlie

state,

while they

neither fair nor generous.

He wanted to know

authority of a civil court to pro-

nounce on church matters.

It

what the General Assembly had done towards reuniting itself to bodies which it turned out
holding the view which formed the basis of
the present
bill.

was

in opposing the " Public

Worship
in

Regulation Bill" that Mr. Gladstone reappeared in

tlie

Speaking of the

effects

which

House

of

Commons

1874,

the measure had already produced, he said:

and Mr. Disraeli uttered some congratulatory

words on his again presenting himself in parliament,

"There was scarcely any disestablishment

movement

in Scotland until the date of the

and expressed the

felt

loss

which the
There

introduction of this crude, premature, and

insufficiently considered bill.

house had

during Ins absence.

But

is

it

true

were two measures about to be brought forward. One was the Church Patronage of Scotland Bill introduced in the
the

that there

is

no promise of a disestablishment

movement
The

in Scotland

now ?

What

has hap?

House

of Lords

by

pened since the announcement

of this bill

Duke

of

Richmond, for the purpose of

representatives of 1,200,000 of the Scot-

abolishing the remaining lay patronage in the

tish peo]:)le have, in their

General Assembly,
. . .

Established

Kirkand vesting it

of the congregations.

members The cjualification was to

in the

declared for disestablishment.

There

were 295, as

understand the number, against

I do not

be that which existed in other Presbyterian

bodies in Scotland
;

98, those 98 not voting in favour of establish-

the compensation to pa-

ment, but for the previous question.

trons was not to exceed one year's stipend,

wish myself to be responsible for raising the

question of disestablishment in Scotland.
I

where any compensation was demanded. This

bill

went apparently a long way towards

in-

am

not an idolater of establishment.s."


THE BILL "TO PUT DOWN RITUALISM."
Here Mr. Gladstone was interrupted by an
ironical cheer

301

from the ministerial benches,

tain profit by withdrawing one adherent from them here and another from them there

but he continued amid the counter cheering

of his

that

is

a challenge, I think, to
of the public

them

to take

own

supporters

up a question

and national en-

" Neither

am

one of those

who would wish

dowment
issued

to raise a controversy of that kind, excepting

under very strong justifying circumstances,

of religion such as was never before by a government under any circumstances, and such as, in my opinion, it is totally

and excepting with a perfect preparedness to

abide the issue of that contest.
If the cheer

inconsistent with prudence

issue.

and wisdom

to

If

we have been

rash

which I do not

we have just heard and

fair,

it

was perhaps a very

cheer-

admit

our

rashness will certainly fade into

natural,

and legitimate
I

was

in-

utter insignificance

by the

side of the gratui-

tended to imply that

am

a great enemy of

tous hardihood of the government, which, as

it

establishments, because I used every effort in

appears to me, determines to initiate a

re-

my

power

to put

an end to an establishment
say, in

ligious

war

in Scotland

under the influence

of

in Ireland, I

must

answer to that cheer, So far

have a character
posterity
is

the best motives, but under circumstances the

that I do not repent the part I took.

most slippery and dangerous."

from repenting

it, if

am

to

The
large

bill,

however, was carried by a very

with posterity at
ever to

all

supposing
I

majority,

and

it

afterwards

became

know

that such a person as myself

evident that the Public Worship Regulation

existed in this country

am
to

perfectly willing

that

my

character should be tried simply and

solely

by the proceedings

which

was a

would also be carried. This measure was introduced by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the House of Lords, and after some
Bill

party with regard to the Irish Cluu'ch Establishment.

I would, however, in this case re-

amendments, provided that, in accordance with

what seemed from some

parts of the canons to

cognize distinctions that are founded in the

be the intended constitution of the church,

the bishop of the diocese, guided by the advice
of clerical

nature of things.

In Scotland there has been

of principle

no general movement
establishment
;

towards

dis-

and lay

assessors, should

have the

and although an established

is

power

of directing the

mode

of

worship ob-

church in a minoiity

an anomaly,

it

is

an

served in the churches.

A single parishioner,
was
to

anomaly which

was well content

to tolerate,

or the rural dean, or the archdeacon,

and which the masses

of the people of Scot-

have power to

apjieal to the

bishop against

land were justly and wisely prepared to tolerate,

the practices of an incumbent with regard to

public worship, and the bishop might then,
if

and not

to be guided

by abstract

pi'iu-

ciples, but by a careful regard to the state of

he thought the complaint sufficiently well

But when in that state of things the government throws down the challenge before them proposes to invest this ecclesiastical
facts.
;

grounded,
into
it.

summon

the assessors to inquire

If the assessors

condemnetl the pracbislioj)

tice or

observance the

could issue a

body, or even the committee or commission

of
it,

monition, against which the incumbent might

with powers never before intrusted to

will infallibly

appeal to the archbishoji and his board of assessors,

an ecclesiastical body, but which

be quoted in support of high
sions in other quarters;
it

who would

be competent to pronounce

clerical pretenin

a final decision.

and when

doing that,

We have already noted what was the nature

of the resolutions

does

it,

as the right honourable

and learned

which Mr. Gladstone brought

niea-sure.

lord says, in the sense of strengthening the

forward against the proposed

Tiiey

Established Church, but declining to recognize, for everj' practical ])urpose, tlie existence

were supported by a speech of remarkable

energy and power, to which the house listened

of those great Presbyterian communitieswiiom

with

rai)t

attention

but the government had

b'll,

you drove out and compelled

except as bodies from

to

become Dis-

already, to

some extent, adopted the

and

senters, entirel_y declining to recognize them,

at a later stage, near the close of the discussion,

whom

you make a

cer-

Mr. Disiaeli

who

declared that the

302
object of the bill

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

was
if

to put

down

Ritualism,

Harcourt, the solicitor-general of the previor.s

and remai'ked that

isolated position

Mr. Gladstone did not know what Eitualism was he was in a very

government.

He

paid a high tribute to Mr.

Gladstone's incomparable eloquence, but described the speech to which the house had
listened as a powerful plea for universal

unmistakably
Some

adopted the

measure.

Nonto

Most
istic

of us

have seen how

little

true effect

conformity.

He

called

upon Mr. Disraeli

the measure has secured.

of the Ritual-

clergy preserve an undignified attitude,

is

show that he was the leader of English opinion and to identify the government with
the measure brought forward

in

which they resemble the publican who

by the Arch-

constantly endeavouring to exceed the terms

of his license,

bishop of Canterbury.

It

was believed that

and yet contrives

to recede in

the vehement appeal of Sir William Harcourt

time to prevent that license from being cancelled.

had much influence

evident, at the

in determining the pre-

Others maintain an obstinate appear-

mier to put down Ritualism;

ance of indifference either to monition or to

sentence,

but it was same time, that public opinion

and continue the

by a

practices against

was

in favour of

some steps being taken

to

which they have been warned, and even defy

the law, sujiported
section or a majority
of those

assert the principles of the

Reformed Church

against "Popish practices" by some of her

professed
ministers.

of their congregations,

and unmindful

The Public Worship

who
can

remonstrate.

Some have experienced

ecclesiastical

the

Regulation Bill became law, and the patronage and direction of Mr. Disraeli doubtless
accelerated
it;

utmost penalty which the

inflict,

law

and have gone

for a short time to

but neither the influence of

prison,

where they have not been made insup-

the government, the authority given to the

bishops, nor the

portably uncomfortable, but have had the

satisfaction of appearing for a brief space as

power

of the

judge of the
proved

ecclesiastical division of the judicature

martyi's to a religious cause.

Others

and

to be efficacious in

making

it

a measure truly
public

happily, perhaps, the majority

have

accom-

and

effectively

regulating

worship.

modated their sincere admiration for a more

pronounced ritual with the provisions of the
rubric,

Not even the advocacy of who appeared general

the former solicitorfor

the

time

to

and have abated excesses which were

be objectionable.
are not

abandon,
chief

if

not to denounce, his political

invest the bill with the
it.

declared to

So that to
of the Estab-

could

power

people
lished

who

members
difference

which was claimed for

Church the

between sanc-

tioned and prohibited observance often ap-

The

series of letters

which appeared in the

" Historicus " in

pears to be so slight that the only explanation

of prohibition
is

Times with the signature of

the early part of the decade
notice

to

be sought in the intention

now under
attention,

our

to express doctrine

by

certain external cere-

had excited no

little

and

monies.

were regarded as valuable contributions to

ecclesiastical

These

discussions

were

re-

the discussion of international law.

Those
to

markable for the differences

of opinion

which

who knew
" the

that they
"

were contributed

appeared between members of both parties

when

the questions were brought forward.

Lord Salisbury, who was characterized by

Mr. Disraeli
flouts

by William George Granville Venables Vernon Harcourt who, beside having made a reputation at the bar,
leading journal

as a great master of jibes

and

was already recognized as an and an able writer on

dicted that he

effective

speaker

and

jeers,

was again opposed

to his subbill in

political subjects

pre-

sequent

chief,

and denounced the

the

would not be long out

of par-

House of Lords. Mr. Gathorne Hardy condemned it in the House of Commons. But
still

liament, though in 1858 he had unsuccessfully

presented himself as a candidate to represent

the Kirkcaldy burghs.

more remarkable was the defence

propositions

of the

In 1866 he became a

bill

and the fervid appeal against Mr. Glad-

queen's counsel, and two years afterwards was

stone's

made by

Sir

William

returned to parliament by the Liberals of the

ENGLISH CATHOLICS AND THE VATICAN DECEEES.

city of Oxfonl.

303 whole
that,

In the following year he

of

had thrown
nation.

o^Deu siich schools to the

was

elected

professof

international

law

So decided was the opposition,

bill

in the University of Cambridge,

and was a

though the

passed

its

second stage, and

member
laws.

of the royal

commissions for amend-

afterwards went into committee, Mr. Disraeli

ing the naturalization laws and the neutrality

abandoned the obnoxious clauses. Mr. Forster had shown that out of 1082 gi-ammar-schools
584 had been founded before the Toleration
Act, 35 before the Reformation, and 44 during
the

Mr. Harcourt was grandson

married
to the

of the
in

former

Archbishop of Canterbury, and

1859 was

stepdaughter of the late Sir

after her death

Commonwealth.

The Nonconformists

George Cornewall Lewis, and

to the daughter of the late

were strong

in their denunciation of the pro-

John Lothrop

posed measure.

The prime minister declared

and eventually the measure
it

Motley, the famous writer of the history of the

Netherlands,
for the

that he could not himself understand the dis-

who was
till

for
in

some time minister

appointment as

puted clauses;

United States

London.

was

so curtailed that

chiefly consisted of an

It

was not

after his

act to abolish the

Endpwed

Schools Commis-

solicitor-general in in 1873 that

Mr. Gladstone's ministry

sion

and

to transfer its

powers to the Charity

Mr. Harcourt received the honour

it

Commissioners.

of knighthood, but

may be
tall,

said that the title

Mr. Gladstone had already begun

to devote his retire-

added nothing

to the reputation

which he had

some portion

of the leisure

which

already achieved. His

burlyfigure and out-

ment

afforded

him

to the discussion, by

means

spoken language were

house, whei-e

alread}' familiar to the

of jiublished essays, of the questions whicli

many members,

as well as people

had arisen out

of his declaration with regard

outside parliament, regarded

of the typical

him

as

somewhat

to tlie attitude

assumed by the Church of

of

Englishman, especially when the

Rome.

That declaration, part

which has

manner
him a

of his assailants

seemed

to arouse in

been quoted in a previous page, aroused considerable

certain blunt directness,

which some-

excitement, not only in England,

;

times strongly resembled defiance, a quality

but

abroad

and

many eminent Roman

of

which has not been altogether without

in recent parliamentary contentions.

effect

Catholics in this country entered into the

controversy,

some

them

protesting,

and

Mr. Gladstone was now not only out

office,

of

others in the
sions of

main

agi-eeing with the concluof the

but had in a great measure secured an

Mr. Gladstone on the subject

of the

opportunity for exercising independent action.

recent

demands

Vatican for absolute

civil as well

He
and

needed repose

the kind

of I'epose

which

papal infallibility in relation to

as ecclesiastical
It
is
afl^airs.

sucli

men
in

as he find in

change of employment

temporary freedom from the onerous

leadership.

not surprising that while

responsibilities of political

His

converts to the

many eminent Roman communion opposed

dis-

occasional presence in the house

was marked
in the in

Mr. Gladstone's views with considerable

tives of old

by the vigour with which he took part

debates.

play of indignation, distinguished representa-

He

had supported Mi\ Forster

Roman
is

Catholic families endoreed

his strenuous opposition to the proposed

Enespere-

them.
for

It

nothing

new

in

our history

dowed Schools Act Amendment

cially to those clauses

Bill,

English members of the

to

Roman comThe

which would have

munion

avow

that they

owe no supreme

stored to the

Church

of

England the adminis-

political or civil allegiance to the pope.

tration of schools of

which the founders had

recognized Episcopal authority, or had directed

men who sprang forward to fight against the Spanish Armada were ready to disregard or
even to defy papal deiu;nciations
;

attendance on the service of the Church, or

and therein

had appointed that the master should be

holy
orders.

in

they only followed the traditions of Engli.sh

Catholicism.
It

This

the

Liberals

declared

was not

to

Mr. Gladstone's

would be a retrogressive enactment

deavour to cancel recent

an

en-

essay on Ritualism -that the controversy referred.

legislation,

which

Partly in reply to the remonstrauce-^


304

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

also apparently because

which followed, but

he deemed
it

In this ecclesiastical controversy Mr. Gladstone seemed

actively

light to speak out

upon the

now

to be

immersed, but he
duties.
;

whole question, especially as he had been so

closely identified with legislation

engaged

in

other

Other

which had

essays appeared from his pen

he spoke at

secured

religious

liberty

and had removed

public meetings and at assemblies for the pro-

the civil and political disabilities of his

Roman
essay,

motion of education; though he seemed so

far to

Catholic fellow -subjects,

Mr. Gladstone, a
of

have withdrawn from

political leader-

month

after

the

publication

the

ship that not only his former followers, but

issued a

pamphlet on The Vatican Decrees in

on Civil Allegiance.
In this he

many

Conservatives

also,

were deploring

his

their bearing

abstention from taking a more decidedly pro-

justified his

former statements. The sale of the

minent
of

part,

and were speaking

is

of it in to

terms
enter

pamphlet was enormous.

The disputants who entered the field were many, and included Cardinals Manning and Newman, Bishops Ullathorne, Vaughan, and Clifford, MonCapel,

regret.

This

not the place

into the discussions

which engaged him, and

the declarations which were

made

that he

was showing a want

of discretion in alien-

signor

Monsignor

Francisco

Nardi,

ating the friendly support of a large

num-

Lord Petre, Lord Herries, Lord Robert Montague, Sir George Bowyer,

ber of the members of the

Roman

Catholic

Lord Camoys, and

Church.

In reading the essays themselves one

Lord Acton.
of course,

Among his numerous opponents,

readily perceives that he felt the time

had

were some who charged him with

come when
yond the

it

was

his

duty to speak out, be-

insulting

and accusing the Roman Catholics

possibility of mistake.

To

the essays

of this country.

He

absolutely denied

any

themselves, which are published in an inexpensive

such intention, and when the cries of anger,

of surprise,

form along with others, we would refer

and

of rebuke had somewhat sub-

not only for a more complete comprehension

of the subject with

sided

he issued a second pamphlet

to

VatiRejjlies,

which he

dealt,

but as an
if

canism: an Answer
in

Reproofs and

aid to the study of his mental, and,

we may

which he reiterated
"

his assertions, saying

be excused for the word, of his temperamental

characteristics.

The Vatican decrees

over loyalty and

do, in the strictest

sense, establish for the

pope a supreme comcivil

Mr.
part

Gladstolie, then,

was taking only an

discussions.

mand
and

duty.

To

the

occasional,
in

though sometimes a prominent,

parliamentary

vast majority of

Roman

Catholics they are,

The

in all likelihood will long in their care-

Liberal party was, so to speak, in abeyance the government of Mr. Disraeli was united,

fully enveloped

meaning remain,

practically

unknown.
spoken or

Of that small minority who have

fitted

and the Conservatives seemed

long lease of power.

likely to hold a

themselves to speak, a portion

The country was

difficult,

ap-

reject them.

Another portion receive them

parently inclined " to pause and to consider,"

with an express reserve, to

me

pei-fectly satis-

when
back.

to pause

was

and

to consider

factory, against all their civil consequences.

was too

likely to be interpreted to

mean going
which
forward

Another portion seem

to suspend their judgis

The

restless fervour of activity

ment

until

it

is

determined what

a free

had carried the

late administration

council,

what

is

moral unanimity, what are

was not calculated

to last

even

if it

had con-

declarations ex cathedra, whether there has

tinued the government would not have been

able to drag the country after
it

been a decisive and binding promulgation so

as to create a law,

when once
flag.

and whether the claim

for

the national foot began seriously to

an undue obedience need be considered until

We
ceeded

have already seen to what a handsome

some

act of

undue obedience
it

is

asked.

A very
are in-

financial legacy the

;

new government had

to profit.

suc-

large class, as

seems to me, think they re-

and there were other achievements by

Perhaps
it

ceive these decrees,

and do

not.

They

which they were able

volved in inconsistency, and that inconsistency

is

might not be reasonable to include in these the

successful termination of the

dangerous."

war

in

Ashantee

'

GENERAL GARNET JOSEPH WOLSELEY.

1"

G.C.B.

VISCOUNT

woi.si:

i.i-:>':

COM]vANDER-IlT- CHIEF OF THE BRITISH

ARMY

IN EGYPT, IN 1882, 1884-85,

BY FEKMISSION FROM A PHOTO GRAPH BY LOCK & WmTi-lKLD

BUiCKIE & SON. I.ONDON. GLASGOW. EDINBURGH & DDBUN.

ASIIANTKE-SIR GAENET WOLSELEY END OF THE WAE.

Tint at all

305

events the Liberals were out of

office

land

in

return for a small

sum

of

money and

before the

news

of that result could be said

for the

removal of some of the restrictions

in Sumatra.

actually to belong to them.

late

The

fall of

the

which former treaties had placed upon the

ministry had been sudden

slid

they seemed
The appeal
for the

Dutch

The

result of this

was

to

have swiftly

from power.

that the Dutch became involved in a war with

the Sultan of Acheen,

to the country

had taken the opposition una-

who was
of

supported by

wares,

and they were scarcely ready

the Malays

and the King

Ashantee,

who

successes of their predecessors.

claimed from England the continuance of a

to

The
])eople

verj'

name

of

Ashantee had

many
It

pension or allowance which he had formerly

received from the Dutch, occupied the ceded
territory,

something mysterious about

it.

was

remembered that the Gold Coast had always

been associated with thoughts of slavery, of
the cruelty of native savage rulers, of blood-

and commenced a desultory war by

attacking the Fantees.

of harassing assaults

Then ensued a
on our garrisons
of

series
;

and

shed indulged in as a a pastime.

common ceremony

or as

though,

when

the

King

Ashantee was met

of the tribes of

The Ashantees were the fiercest Western Africa, and lost few
killing

by a small body

of English troops
it

and marines,

he was signally beaten,

was believed that

opportunities of

or

oppressing

the

while his tribe held possession of the open

weaker people about them, among

whom

were
but

country the other tribes would make

cause with them.
fore, to

common
there-

the Fantees, under British protection,

It

was determined,

incapable of defending the territory or supporting the few ti'oops which garrisoned the forts.

send a large force, which in the cooler

tlie

season of

year might push on towards

Our trading

settlements on the Gold Coast,

fre-

Coomassie,
Glover, a

the

Ashantee
of

capital,

Captain

founded in the seventeenth century, had

quently been a source of trouble.

commander
of

much

experience in

They had
with

dealing with the natives, having collected on

the
east

been relinquished
the Ashantees,

in 1830, after a conflict

the

proposed

line

of

advance

who were

afterwards defeated,

and a treaty was concluded with them by the

governor of Cape Coast Castle, Mr. Maclean,
the

number of Houssas, one of the warlike Mahometan tribes of the country.

Such an enterprise
as that of

marching an

husband

of

Letitia

Elizabeth

Landon

English force through a country swarming

(L. E. L.),

whose verses of a sentimental and

cast

with savage enemies, and so

pestilential, that,

somewhat melancholy
quoted.
in 1838,

were once much

room, with a

unless a successful termination

of

the

war

This lady,

who married Mr. Maclean

in her

CO lid be achieved within a few months, the

was found dead

phial

which had contained prussic acid clasped

the army men might be stricken down wasted away with fever required a com-

in her hand.

No

reason could be alleged for

;

mander quick
ful in
tactics,

in discerning opportunity, skil-

this tragic occurrence

and

it

excited considerin-

and

of unllinching resolution.

able attention,
terest to her

and jirobably gave greater

There a])peared
ing to this
officer

to be little hesitation in

nam-

poems than

their intrinsic merits

command

Sir Garnet Wolseley, an

would have secured.

who had

already given ample proofs of

For some years the

merchant
18G3

affairs of the

Gold Coast
were
office.

settlements were administered by a body of

ti-aders,

remarkable ability and rapid decision in circumstances of difficulty on several occasions, and
notably in his direction of the
pedition in 1870.

but

subsequently

placed under the control of the colonial

In
hostilities

again

arose,

and

were

was by

this general's

Red River exThe promptitude, wliicli characteristic, was sliown

tlie

Itrought
>f

to

an unsatisfactory end, because

climate

his

immediately setting out for

C!old

the fatal effects of the

Still

on the

Coast in advance of his troops, and

tliero, at

troops.

later

some

of tlie settlements

the head of small botlies of men, liojding the

were made over to the Dutch in exchange

for other territory, but in 1872 these possessions

Ashantees in check, and

inflicting

upon them

several defeats while waiting for the arrival

of his regiments. 83

were by treaty transferred

to

Eng-

306
Sir

GLADSTONE AXD HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

Garnet Wolseley, son
of

Major "VYolseley

stand near the capital, ended in the decisive

defeat of the Ashantees.

of the 26th Foot,

a soldier.
of age,

may be said to have been born In 1852, when he was nineteen years

The advance had

1873,

begun

in

the

last

days of

Captain
the

he had entered the army as ensign. In

Glover in the east and other

officers in

1855 he became captain, and in 1858 major of

the 90th Foot.

west raising native forces with which to converge on the capital.

It soon appeared that

In the next year he was maae

lieutenant-colonel,

and he obtained

his colo-

the native tribes were almost useless as auxiliaries,

nelcy in 1863.

During nearly the whole

of

and

it

was

difficult to secure

the ser-

these thirteen years he was actively engaged, and on several occasions had performed dis-

vices of the

camp

followers and bearers

assist

who

were necessary to
country.
ever, Sir

an army

in such a

tinguished services.

After the Burmese war

On

the 5th of February, 1874, how-

of 1852-53 he obtained light infantry in the

a medal.

With

the

Garnet had entered Coomassie with his

of

Crimea he was severely

siege of Sebastopol,

troops,

and there he received the submission

wounded during the

and

the king,

who agreed

to ap^joint commissioners

received the legion of honour and the Turkish

to conclude a treaty.

It was, however, time to

order of the Medjidie.

After the siege of

Lucknow and the defence of Alumbagh, where he was made brevet lieutenant-colonel, he was
specially

make the return march, and the troops retired to Adamsi to await the Ashantee agents, with

whom

there might have been

more trouble
capitid,

mentioned in the despatches.

statf of

In
the

had not Cnptain Glover already arrived with

his contingent

1860 he was in China on the

on the north of the

quartermaster-general, and served throughout

the campaign.

through which he marched without opposition.

In 1867 he became quarter-

The king relinquished

tribes

all

sovereignty over the

protection,

master-general in Canada,
in the

where

his success

who were under English

and

Red River

expedition was conspicuous

someof his tributary chiefs soon renounced

allegiance to him.

their

for the ability with

which he could estimate a

of

The army was marched

and though many
officers

situation

and take immediate advantage

of the order of St.

an

back to the

coast,

opportunity.

In 1870 he was nominated a

Michael

and men had succumbed

to the hardships of

knight-commander

that brief campaign, the troops re-embarked

and

St.

George, an honour which was followed

within the time that had been proposed, and

before the sickly season had commenced.

by

his

appointment to be adjutant-general at
Activity, fertility of resource,

The

headquarters.

power

of the

Ashantee tyrant was over, and

and that judicious confidence which appears

to follow a readily

the native savage chiefs had been impressed

formed but complete plan

to impress

by

his defeat.

The English government then

of operations

were important qualities against

it

determined to retain the settlements on the

coast as a colony of the crown, forming the

a foe

whom

was necessary

by

rapid and effectual successes, and in a country

neighbouring

districts

into

a protectorate.

where the enemy must be driven from

eA'ery

The native
tecting

tribes

were informed that the procomj^lete control,

standpoint and defeated within so short a time

that the victorious troops would be able to

power would include

and would assign the

rity or interference.

limits of native autho-

return to the coast ready to re-embark before

One

of the first intima-

The punctuality with which this was actually effected was something remarkable. The march of the English
the sickly season had set
in.

tions

made by

the directions of Lord Car-

narvon

to the native chiefs

was that the pur-

chase or sale of slaves would not be any longei-

troops,

who fought

their

way

in a series of
;

permitted, and that thereafter the law woulil

skirmishes,
final

was almost unchecked

and the

not recognize the right of a master to the possession of a slave.

engagement, when the enemy made a

: ;

CHAPTER

XII.

THE LATEST STEIDE.

Footprints of Advance

Sailors

A Brief Chronicle Aspects in 1S76 Vote by Ballot Agricultm-ists and Artisans Disraeli, Eai'l Beaconsfield Imperial Policy India Egypt Suez Canal The Eastern Question Russia Turkish Provinces Bulgaria War " Peace n'ith Honour " Afghanistan General Roberts South Africa Cetewaj'o The Enemies of Ireland Liberal Reaction, 1880 Two
and Ships
:

Years Ago

The Makings of History Conclusion.

The more recent occurrences with which we

are chiefly concerned in estimating the latest
steps of social

the visit of the Pickwickians to Eatauswill,

were abolished.

The

ballot

bill,

introduced by

and

political progress

can be
esti-

touched but

lightly.

We cannot

to-day

Mr. Forster on the 20th of February, 1871, proposed to secure secret and therefore uncontrolled voting,

mate the influences

of yesterday.

Our i-emain-

and

to prevent personation

by

ing observations must necessarily be few and

brief.

compelling each voter to attend at the polling

place, where, after stating his

They

will indicate

some vast and im-

name and

]jlace

portant objects; but our attention can

now

of residence, a

stamped
to

official

voting paper

be directed only to superficial appearances.

would be handed
inscribe his vote.

The events

of the years since 1878

have not

He

him on which he was to was to take this paper

yet passed into the sphere of history, for they

into a separate compartment, where, without

have not developed complete

results,

and

at

the possibility of being overlooked, he was to

present are full of suggestions for some future

mark a
to vote.

cross in the space opposite the

name

chapter of the story of our national

chronicler

life.

The
forms

of the candidate in

whose favour he desired

then to fold the pajier
seen,

must stay

his hand, for

he can give
of the

He was

no more than an imperfect outline

dimensions of which

so that this

mark could not be

and

to

that loom large in the present, but the real

it is

drop

it

thi'ough the aperture in the ballot-box

not easy to comfDute.

or urn in the presence of the official in charge.

C.andidates were to be nominated by a pro-

We have already noted some of the financial

advantages to which the Conservative govern-

poser,

seconder, and

eight assenters,

all

of

whom

were to be registered votere, and

to sign

ment had succeeded

but
it

after the Liberal defeat

a nomination paper, the handing of which to

the returning officer would alone be necessary

may be

said that

when they commenced

had

office

the old order had given place to the new.

of entering parliament

The very mode

representatives
for

been clianged, for constituencies elected their

Of course the "secret vote" was denounced by the supporters of bribery and l>y those who for years had been able to
for nomination.

by secret

voting.

The measure
INIr.

intimidate or unduly influence

tlie

electoi-s

which Mr. Grote, and afterwards

but

it

was also opposed by many who regarded

Berkeley, had long contended in vain, and

the concealment of the vote as

unmanly and

which had at one time become a mark

ridicule,

for

degrading.

Among

these

were Mr. Julm

had been passed.

reality,

Vote by

ballot

had
of

Stuart Mill,

who had

at one time been an

been made a

and the old system

" of elections,

advocate of the ballot.

He and

otliei-s

did not

public nominations of candidates and the con-

seem to
landlord

reflect that

open voting did not pre-

sequent riots and " humours

an those described

such

vent the meanness and unnianliness of the

bv Dickens

in his account of

who

coerced the tenant, the rural

308
magnate, who, as
it

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

were, carted electors to the

tington was chairnjan in 1868-69 had led him,

poll to vote accord iug to his will, the patrons

and others
tion.

also, to

advocate

its

prompt adopit.

who bought

the votes of the local tradesmen

Public opinion was mostly in favour of

by their " good custom," or the employer who could " see after " his workpeople. The ballot
was
to be regarded less as a

Its opponents in the

House of Commons, howout of the session

;

ever, nearly talked

it

and
on

measure for proto

when

it

went up to the Lords, a majority had

moting manly independence than as one

already

made up

their
it

minds

to reject

it,

check and frustrate the shameless corruption

the ground that

had been brought before

It

maintained by those who had authority, wealth,

or influence.
It

tliem too late to be considered.

was suptitle

was

to prevent immorality
is

ported by the Marquis of Ripon (a

ferred on Earl de

con-

rather than to inculcate morality, and that

Grey

for his services in the

mostly

all

that can be done by act of parlia-

ment.

Alabama commission); but the Earl of Shaftesbury moved for its rejection, and the Lords
appeai'ed to think, that though
it

Those who assailed the proposed

that
it

bill

said

passed the

would enable

electoi-s

to

give their

vote in a sneaking underhand

stead of openly and boldly.

forget

manner inThey seemed to

of

House of Commons the delay showed that nobody cared much about it. Mr. Gladstone,
however, had adopted
sure,
it

as a necessary of the

mea-

that

there

was plenty

sneaking
bold

and some members

house
it

underhand bribery
scrupulous voters
sitous ones of

as well as too

much

would willingly have voted against

that their constituents were in
its

who knew
and
elecre-

bullying and intimidation exercised on un-

favour,

who were
it

for sale, or necesto expect

would resent their opposition at the next

tion.

whom

was too much

In the session of 1872 Mr. Forster

that they

should support the principle of

election at the expense of

turned to the charge.

Again the

bill

passed
still

purity of

being

through the Commons; but the Lords were

ruined by their resentful and powerful superiors.

determined to punish Mr. Gladstone for having placed the royal prerogative against their
opposition to the

Some such measure had been advocated

two
centuries.

at intervals for nearly

In 170S,

Army Reform
secret

Bill.

On

the

according to a letter of Addison, the question

of deciding elections

second reading a resolution was carried in

by

ballot
it

was discussed

committee making

voting
it

optional.

in parliament.

In 1815

was a "bui-ning
some clause
Bill
re-

This was, of course, absurd, as

was nearly
There had

question."

The omission

of

equivalent to cancelling the objects for which

the ballot was to be introduced.

lating to the ballot

from the Reform

was

explained by Lord John Russell to have arisen

been a pretty smart debate in the Conmions,

from the desirability

measure.

of bringing in a separate

where Mr. Fawcett was among the opponents

of secret voting.

Loxd John Russell was personally

There had been a sharp

dis-

averse to such a measui'e; but he sometimes

cussion over a clause

making

it

punishable by

gave unmistakable signs that he thought the

]M-evailing corruption

imprisonment with or without hard labour for

an elector to make known his vote at the
ing place.
tion
poll-

might render

it

neces-

sary.

Lord Palmerston had jested about the

and had argued that voting
for
of parliament

This was moditied, and a proposiadojjted, that

ballot-box,

was

any one inducing a

members
might

was a public

trust,

and

voter to

show
it,

his votiug-pajier after he has

should be exercised openly, that ever^-body

see it

marked

should be liable to three months'

was done
agents.

fairly;

a representation

imprisonment with hard labour. The optional

clause of the Lords

which must have provoked a

electioneei'ing

gi'im smile

among

was immediately

rejected

Mr. Gladstone had

but the conviction
cor-

when

the

bill

went back

to the lower house.

been against the

ballot,

There was the usual contention, amidst which

was forced upon him that the prevailing

provision,

many adopted

the proposition of Mr. Disraeli,

ruption could only be remedied by some such

"to apply secret voting only as a degrading punishment for the electoral excesses of
society."

and the revelations made before a

commission of inquiry of which Lord Har-

This, as Mr. Gkidstone jiointed out.

EFFECTS OF STRIKES THE ENGINEERS.

was an admission that the
ballot

309
their yaixls open,

would be a

afford to pay,

and yet keep

remedy

for existing evils.

;

The Lords were

had the

effect of driving the greater part of

obliged to give wa_y

but they succeeded in

should only remain in

the shipbuilding trade from the

the Clyde.

Thames

to

making

the measure experimental by introit

After the capitulation of Paris

ducing a proviso that

force to the

and the

disasters

which had ensued

fi-om the

end

of the year 1880 unless parfit

corrupt imperialism of the French government, the atrocities of the Communists had to be

liament should see

to continue

it.

In that

form

it

passed,
lias

and parliament as well as the

its

punished and supj^ressed

by a republican
in-

nation

too completely recognized

it to

ad-

organization, and the political derangements

there,

vantages to allow
It

be rescinded.

seemed

to

have some distui'bing

was not unnatural that the change which

in the

fluence on the uneducated portions of

most

had taken place

franchise,

mode

of election should

European communities.
appeared to
affect a

In this country they

of artisans

direct attention to a further extension of the

number

and

and one of the objections made by

it

labourers with a sullen disinclination to argue the matter of the strikes; and in some indirect
ciate

the Lords to the ballot was that

to a redistribution of seats.

would lead
direct pro-

No

and not

easily explained

way

to asso-

posal
till

was brought before parliament, however,

with an attempt at despotism the refusal demands.

1877,

when Mr. Trevelyan moved

for a

of the masteis to yield to all theu' It is only

uniform parliamentary franchise in boroughs

under very eminent and judicious

and counties, and a redistribution

of political

leadership that large bodies of people can be

power

for the purpose of obtaining a

more

brought to discriminate, and there was

the economic necessities which

fie-

complete representation.

This proposition,

quently manifested a disposition to confound

control de-

which was debated in a

cated

full house,

was advo-

by Lord Hartington, and Mr. Gladstone.

it,

mand and

production, labour and wages, with

tiie

He

and Mr. Lowe, who both voted for

it

after-

an arbitrary and oppi'essive exercise of

will of employers.

wards supported

by

articles contributed to

leading magazines.

Mr. Goschen, though on

it,

Doubtless there were industries in which

the rate of wages and the hours of work were
unfairly against the operatives; but in numer-

the Liberal side, was opposed to

and that

opposition has since been maintained, though

it

has perhaps had the eiFect of preventing

ous instances

it

was pretty

clearly

shown, not
further

him from taking a more forward position in Liberal councils. Mr. Tre velyan's proposal was
rejected

only that the masters could not

concessions, but

make

that they were willing to

to

by 276 against 220

votes,

and there

submit the disputes

examination and to the

was no very strenuous demand made outside

parliament for further parliamentary reform,

decision of arbiti'ators.

"We cannot here con-

sider in which of the trades important griev-

though certain conditions had arisen, which

ances existed; but the general industry of

tlie

seemed

to indicate that

some extension
some change

of the in the

country suffered seriously, and has since suffered,

franchise,

and

especially

from the interruption of production and

manufactures where the operafulfil

county franchise, would not be very long

delayed.

the uncertainty which had become an element

in those great

tions must be continuous in order to

(he

In the industrial and mining centres the

effects of recent

terms of extensive contracts.

especially in railway

In

many

cases,

and continued
felt,

strikes

among

workmen were being

try.

and had had some

a good deal of the business

and marine engineering, left England and

of

influence on the general prosperity of the coun-

went

to the great

workshops

France and

We

have already glanced at some of the

Belgium.

At Newcastle

in 1871

above 9000
reducing

results of this disturbance

and the poverty and

of

men were on

.strike for (lie ])ur))ose of

suffering at the East

End

London, where

the hours of work to nine houi-s a day for (he

the refusal of the shij)wright3 to work at a

rate of

same amount
receiving,

of
it

payment that they were then

was declared by the
maste:-s

wages higher than the masters could

and


310

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

on Saturday and the
to

tbat, witli the short time

have reached

its last

boundary when the

lueal times, this

would

jii'acticallj

mean

eight

men employed

at the

Loudon gas-works struck

hours a day, to say nothing of the frequent

without sufficient notice of their intention, and

threatened to leave a great part of the metropolis in

"Mondays" taken by numbers

of the

men

as

holidays from work, and the consequent danger

of delay in the fulfilment of contract engage-

darkness unless their unreasonable

or

demands were complied with;

when

num-

ments.

ber of the police force clamoured for increased

For sixteen weeks the engineer were supported by the contributions of other societies

pay without having made proper representations at headquarters.

These two develop-

belonging to the trades-unions.

sult of the

As

a reafloat,

ments

of the prevailing epidemic

were checked

communistic theories then

by the promptitude
recurrence was

of the superiors,

and their
special

there was a general notion

and

not an unof

made improbable by a
it

worthy one from another point

that
tisans, mechanics,

view
ar-

enactment which, while

alties for

removed some penstrikes,

an international trades -union of

or tliroughout the world

endeavours made to maintain

and labourers throughout might be

rate of

ordained punishment for any person engaged

in the public service leaving or neglecting their

Europe
effected,

by which

tlie

wages and the

duties without proper notice according to a

specified regulation.

hours of labour might be controlled.

effects of

The

such a confederation
in

(if it

had been

Perhaps the most startling appearance

in

possible)

the corresponding modification

the sphere of " strikes " was the agricultural

labourer.

of production,

and the

cost of

commodities
all

It will be

remembered that years

necessary alike to the

workman and

other
as-

and years before an attempt on his part to

assert the right to

men, and in the crushing of individual

combine for the purpose of

piration under the wheels of a society, did

resisting slow starvation

had been met by a

not seem to occur to the delegates and their

supporters

penal enactment.

It

was supposed that he

nor the power to mani-

who advanced

the theory.

To some
of

had neither the

fest his

spirit

extent, too, there

was a recognition
foi'eign

com-

dissatisfaction

by

effectual

remons-

munity on the part of

of

workmen. Many
to

trance.

The

repeal of the corn-laws had somehis position

them who had been applied

by English

what imjjroved
saries of life

by enabling him

manufacturers to take the place of

strike, either refused to

men on

to share in the reduced prices of the first neces;

come, or after having been appealed to by the representatives of the

trades-unions, returned without entering on
their engagements.

but on the whole he was

little

better off than

Cobden had described him to be.

poverty was mitigated

In some

localities his

But while

half

England

by

certain allowances

from his employers

in in

was on

strike, the

workshops of other nations

If foreign labour did

others his children might find

employment

were growing busy.

the intervals of school attendance.

Wages
;

not come here, foreign

trade

and
of

British
it

varied considerably in different districts

but

trade could go elsewhere, and

much

did.

on the whole the body of agricultural labourers

in to

Early in the decade with which these pages

conclude there were between 30,000 and 40,000
ironworkei-s and miners idle in South Wales and Monmouthshire. The colliers of Northum-

England seemed incapable

of being roused

make any active

effort to

improve their conexamples of the

Continuous and
effect of sup-

dition.

There were few signs of individual

ambition among

themfew

berland and the Forest of Dean, the iron-

energy which was to be observed among the

operatives of large towus.

workers of North Staffordshire, the mechanics

in the building trades in
]i:irts

London and some

monotonous toil, no doubt, has the

pressing the indiv^idual
life

of the provinces,

and even those engaged

of

in

more casual and worse-paid emploj'ments, them

sorely said

would be thought that

farmyard and the

effect

men; but it would be more

joined in the general attempt to obtain the better conditions which some of

obvious in the factory or the mill than in the

fields.

Life in the open air

needed.

Perhaps the movement

may be

would be supposed

to be in itself an aid to

THE AGRICULTURAL LABOURER JOSEPH ARCH.

freedom of thou-lit
ditioii of

311
or no notice

;uid action

but the cou-

they had uttered, of which

little

the farm labourers was agaiust their

result.

had been taken.

not
affoi'd to

The farmers

said they could

of

cmubiuiug with any hopeful

They were
to be a

pay higher wages on account

intellectually uninformed; they

seemed

the rents

demanded by the holders

of

of the land;
fol-

body too numerous

at other

to

command employment
pay

the landowners maintained their right to

wages than the farmers or landowners

to
;

low out the rules

commerce with regard

all

to

were able or willing

and

their employ-

other commodities, and to obtain

the rent

ment was

to a great degree

dependent not only

of the soil

that their land would bring them.

Farmers

on the seasons but on the nature

and

seemed at

all

events to have enough to eat, and

crops and the system of farming adopted in the

warm

clothing,

and most

of the comforts, as
life.

county in which they happened to be settled-

well as

many
all

of the luxuries of

Laud-

They were little more

to

for the

most part believed

to

have

owners had

the puichasable comforts and a

ability to assert their "rights" or

majority of the luxuries and amusements of

represent their wrongs and to seek re-

dress

by any organized method

cattle

than the

townand country. Hodge had almost forgotten the taste of real meat; bread and weak tea, a bit
of

teams they drove or the

they tended.

hard cheese, a bowl of bad potatoes, and an

The wretched

cottages in

which their families

which

occasional scrap of bacon, with intervals of por-

herded together, the privations which they

endui-ed, their hopeless, aimless lives,
after years of ill-paid labour had no prosl)ect

ridge or water gruel, and not quite enough of

any

of these things; old

and patched

clothes,

leaky boots; a cottage in which his family

but the workhouse

all

these

things

herded together in sleeping rooms such as a

sporting nobleman would not have tolerated
for horses or

were known, and people read about them in

newspajjers;
istence,

but the

vei"y fact of their ex-

hounds

these were the circummany

close,

and

of the slow

endurance of those
it

stances of the field or farm labourer in

who

suffered them,

made

seem impossible

parts of the country.

that there should ever be an agricultural labourers' union.

In South Warwickshire the pinch was

"

A bold peasantry a country's

imagination of the

and hurt

sorely, just at the

time that a

man

jjridb " existed oialy in the

returned to his native village after a visit to

poet.

Tlie artisan of the large towns,

sympasuffer-

thize as he

might with the poverty and

some friends in the manufacturing districts beyond. Such a journey made him an authority,

ings of Giles Clodpole, could scarcely bring

and people were eager

theirs could

(if

any mental

himself to think that unions and committees

attitude of
liear

be called eager) to

and combinations were meant

yet
it

for

him

and

an account of his
the

travels.

was an established, though an unrememfact,

Among
atives,

news with which the wanderer

bered

that Giles or George,

when he

left

returned was that of the strikes

among

ojjer-

the plough or the byre and took the queen's

shilling,

had soon developed into a sturdy

sol-

and the slowly stirring imagination of the sullering peasants was moved by what
they heard.
off,

dier

who had fought

the battles of the country

or of statesmen in almost every clime, and

with almost unvarying resolution, courage, and
success.

to

They could scarcely be woi-se and desperate as the attempt might be combine in a tlemand for wages suffici-

The time had arrived

for the

move-

ent to keep them from actual starvation, they

ment
and
it

in favour of

an improved condition of

the population to reach the tillers of the soil

was

first to

touch South Warwickshire.

might hold out if they could get a little help from outside while they made their cause known. The principal organizer of the move-

Few

people in

London knew much abuut

it

ment was
hi-i

Josepli Arch, a labourer who,

by

the peasantry of Shakspere's county until

charactoi-

and natural

ability,

had been

was rumoured that they had begun

some measures
sUirving.

to take

for

for endeavouring to obtain an

tliem.

some time regarded as a leader among He was somewhat better educated

addition to the wages on which they were

Some

faint

and

im[)erf.'ct j)roLosts

than most of his neighbours, and knew how tu address them, for he had been accustomed

312

GLADSTOXE AXD HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

He
assist

to preach to a Metliodist congi'egation.

emigi'ation.

The

struggle hail

h.sted

undertook to

call

a meeting, and on the ap-

for eighteen weeks,

and the union had spent

to-

pointed day a tliousand

men met under a gi'eat

about ^'25,000, including the sums paid

chestnut tree, and there, in phiin, homely, but

effective language.

wards emigration.

Out

of

2400

men 870

Arch addressed them. The

returned to work, 400 migrated, 440 emigrated,

thing was done: the union was formed there

350 returned to work without leaving the

union, 350 surrendei'ed and left the union,

and then,and vai'ious branches were afterwards organized. The movement soon spread, and
though the men had great
the
out.
difficulty in finding

and many remained unemployed.

various parts of the country, a
arisen against which

means

for support, they contrived to hold

The movement had, however, extended to new power had

some
of the farmers conto
fight,

In Suffolk the labourers' strike became

serious.

The demand was for a shilling a week more wages. The farmers formed an
association for the exclusion of union

tinued

while in some places the

grounds of the demands put forward by the

labourers were recognized, and efforts were

men from

employment, and for opposing their claims;

but aid came to the

made

to

improve their condition.

At

any-

men

on strike from miners'

rate the agricultural labourer had vindicated

his right to be regarded as

and

artisans'

mi ions, and even the Dorsetshire

an integer in the

peasants contributed.

Mr. Mundella, Lord

of the

national estimate, and his claims could not

Waveney, and Mr. Brand, the Speaker

thenceforth be ignored.
Sailors scarcely
to join in a strike,

House
effect

of

Commons,

in A"ain

endeavoured to
for

seemed very

likely jiersons

a compromise.

The men asked

but at some of the seaports

fifteen shillings a

week.

The allowance from

there was a temporary combination

among
There

the strike committee was nine shillings.

the merchant seamen for higher wages.

In Lincolnshire Mr. Samuel Morley and

had, however, been stronger reasons than a

desire
for increased
of

Mr. Dixon were more

successful,

and the men

pay to account for the

the merpractice of sending out
sufficient

returned to work, but in Suffolk 2000

men

dissatisfaction
cantile marine.

the seamen of

were locked out by the

farmei-s,

who

refused

The

to countenance the union,

and the number

of

ships overladen

and without a

crew

greatly
strike

increased.

weekly organ

the

was one

of

them; the frequent neglect to pro-

was published,

entitled the Labourers'

vide adequate and

wholesome rations was

Chronicle.

by casual

The hay harvest had to be gathered hands engaged with some difficulty.

another; but worse, perhaps, than either of

these

The labourers then oi'ganized a pilgrimage, and a large number of them started on a journey, accompanied by a waggon and team bearing a chest which was " the money-box."

was the crazy condition of some of the which a man who had entered for a voyage was compelled to fulfil his agi-eement under the penalty of imprisonment. Worse
craft, in
still,

marine insurance was so easy that owners

They appealed for contributions as they tramped to Newmarket, Cambridge, Bedford,

Luton, Northampton, Wolverhampton, and as
far as Halifax.

could secure themselves against the loss of any ship or cargo

by paying a premium.
all

It

is

certain that vessels,

which could not be sent

on board,

The

procession

was a strange
and

out without peril to the lives of

frequently
laden.
It
left

one, but the

inoffensive.

men were

orderly, sober,

port short-handed and over-

In some places they received

was darkly hinted that there were

loss,

money
vited
nei-s
;

contributions, in others they were in-

owners who calculated on probable

habitually so over-insured as to

and

by leading inhabitants to substantial dinbut the " pilgi-image " was on the whole

make

that loss

more

profitable than a safe return.

Such sugbroadly

not very successful.

The funds

of the union

gestions, horrible as they

may

seem, were not

were

raj^idly diminishing,

and at length the

very astonishing.

Instances were
to give

committee was obliged to declare that the

allowances could not continue, but that the
residue of the

mentioned which seemed

the dreadful suspicion.

emphasis to

money would be

applied to

The

subject

was taken up by

'Slv.

.Samuel

MR. PLIMSOLL DISRAELI LORD BEACONSFIELD.

PiinisoU, the

313
of

member

for Derby, a

man

of

sion

was deep and general that the breach

manners was
as nothing

great symjjathy and fervid temperament. Mr.

etiquette or of

when
of the

PlimsoU published a book in which he brought some amazing accusations against individual shipowners, who appealed to the law and sued

compared with the apparent indifference

denials with which the effort to save

government, and the exasperating delays and

men

him

for damages.

He next

brought a

bill into

from being drowned at sea had been received.

parliament for the protection of the lives of

Mr. Plimsoll became

for a time a national hero.

seamen, proposing a
going
vessels, the

strict inspection of all outline,

Before the w-eek was up he reappeared in parliament, where he tendered a frank and

adoption of a load

and

manly

other restraints, which were opposed by the

apology for his former violence, and begged

the pardon of the house.

shipping interest in parliament as being harsh

and impracticable, and by others as removing tlie responsibility from the owners and placing
it

Mr. Disraeli had

fully

and readily

witli-

drawn

his

motion for a rejirimand, and the

on parliament.

On

a division the

bill

was

government, awakened to a sense of the feeling

of the country

lejected,

but Mr.

Disraeli's

government prothat should deal

by the utterances

at public

mised to bring in another

with the subject.

bill

meetings, pushed forward a very inadequate

In the next session (1875) a

of a

measure for regulating the

str-ucture of

mer-

measure was brought forward

sti-ingent character

much

less

chant vessels, to be supplemented by subse-

than that of Mr. Plimsoll;

it,

quent legislation on the subject of marine

insurance.

but he was ready to accept

it

in the hope that

That promised
reiterated

legislation did not

might eventually be carried further, when,

he found that
it

appear, however, and Mr. Plimsoll continued

his agitation,
his

to his dismay,

was

to

be

demands, and

delayed and then postponed to some uncertain

date.

even ran the risk of another threat of repri-

Mr. Plimsoll suspected that the governall

mand

for his violence, before, in a

new

Liberal
in of

ment had deluded him, and

shortcomings of the
to his feet,
ical
bill

his suppressed

ministry,

further
for

advances were
of

made,

indignation against former delays and the

providing

some kind

inspection

burst forth as hesiDi'ang

outward bound

vessels, restriction of loading,

with words and gestures of hysterof the shipin the face of minis-

and the regulation

of insurance.

vehemence denounced some

fist

As Mr.

Disraeli sat

and

listened

to the

owners, shook his

ters,

waved

his

arms

wildly,

and declared that

wild tempestuous words, and saw the clenched hand and whirling arm of Mr. Plimsoll, he

he would expose those villains brave

who had

sent

may have remembered

years before,
scarcely less vehemence,

the day, so

many

men

to death.

The speaker interposed.

not apply the
of that house.

when he had when

himself displayed

Tlie honourable
fe

member must
members

and had declared that

the jeering cynical

word

villains to

But

the time would come

the honourable

member would

not withdraw,

and repeating the word vociferously rushed from the house. It was a painful scene, and
with evident reluctance Mr. Disraeli moved
that Mr. Plimsoll should be reprimanded

contemptuous house should hear him. By what an arduous, brilliant, and successful

career by what an exhausting expenditure of vital force he had made good those words
It

by

may be

taken for granted that

lie

at least
in

the

speaker

for

his

disorderly

behaviour.

sympathized

with

Mr.

Plimsoll

that

Other members, among

whom

were Mr. A.

moment

of fierce assertion, for Disraeli

was

M. Sullivan and Mr. Fawcett, interposed on

behalf of the

member

for

Derby, who was. as

one of the first to genuine emotion of that kind, as he would be

one of the
records of
first

appreciate

and admire

they said, obviously in a distressing condition

of health and of mental disturbance, caused

generously to obliterate
Sitting there,

all

its

excesses.

the

by

his exertions

and

liy

the disappointment

foremost

man

in the realm, the

head of a

he had experienced.

It

was decided

to posttill

strong government, and revolving a policy of

pone the decision of the house for a week

which he had hitherto only given some

tillating

scin-

Mr. PlimsoU could be

in his ])lace.

The impres-

suggestions,

he represented

many

U14
qualities

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOKARIES.

which Englishmen held dear.

The

to hold a great,

perhaps a paramount place,

leaders in the parliamentary arena have often

and
its

to bear a personal part in representing

been compared to gladiators, and doubtless

the heat and conflict of debate stirs
lighting instinct which
is

power and influence

if

that had been

one,

up that

his

dream
it

it

was no unworthy
to

and

in a

mostly hidden and

measure

was

be realized.
in the

When

Benja-

subdued, but sometimes glares out with lion

eyes,
it

min
his

Disraeli

sat

front

ministerial

and alarms

its

possessor even more than

If leading states-

bench in the autumn

awaiting him
to

of 1875, the

reward

of

startles his antagonist.

unremitting labour in
;

ijarliament

was

men

are to be spoken of metaphorically as

the crown of the peerage was

gladiators, Disraeli

was a veteran whose repuhis

feints

mark the

step which led to the culmination

tation
test.

had been made by many an eager conHis onslaught was quick,

of his exti-aordinai-y career.

He
It

already felt

the effects of the long

strife.

was not

till

crafty

and

dangerous, his thrust often deadly.

some time afterwards, when the resignation

of

He

advanced boldly, got away readily, was

Lord Derb}' from the cabinet on the ques-

self-contained

and imperturbable

in defeat,

tion of a demonstration

in victory neither implacable nor ungenerous.

Russia, led to his sjjeaking in graceful

by England against and

He

preserved no personal animosities.

full

The
if

pathetic language of his regret at losing the

official

combat over he could do

recent opponent

justice to his

support of one so trusted and admired,

speak
recall
dealt.

gracious words,

that he referred in a

marked manner

to the

need were, and

the skill with which

symptoms
seat in the

of failing physical

powers which

some stroke was

Can more be
?

said in

were among the reasons for his accepting a

relation to the gladiatorial character

Upper House.
to the peerage

He
The

would be a strangely misled man who

strong in him,

On

the 22nd of August, 1876, Mr. Disraeli

would say that Disraeli did not love England.

influences of race were

was elevated

with the

title of

Earl of Beaconsfield.

In his farewell address

:

but they had joined with an influence as

powerful.

to his constituents he wrote

" Thi^oughout

my

He was
Hebrew
and

English

plus

Hebrew
all,

public

life

have aimed at two chief

results.

rather than
for his will

plus English after

Not

insensible to the principle of progress, I

to reconcile

his devoted service

bii'th.

were with

have endeavoured

change with that

one of the main

the country of his

of race

The

characteristics

resi^ect for tradition

which

is

were

thei-e,

and asserted themselves,

elements of our social strength, and in external

afl"airs

especially unsuiting
of the squire in
skill,

him

for playing that part

have endeavoured
oui-

to

develop and

which

lie

sometimes tried his

to

strengthen

empire, believing that combin-

but they were subordinated

what he

ation of achievement

and responsibility

ele-

believed was for the honour and the welfare

of the country to

vates the character

and condition

of a people."

which he belonged.
is,

They

Before the date on which this

ferred, " the Eastern question"

title

was constir-

were subordinated, that

in

many

instances,

was again

but when the time came they reappeared in the policy which he first suggested and then
avowed.
oriental.

ring discussion.

Once more the unspeakable

Turk was

agitating Europe, and the

demands

The The

cast

of

his

aspirations

was

and ambitions of Russia were exciting deep

suspicion in England.

scene

which

he

imagined

as the

triumph

of his later yeai-s

it.

had somese-

thing gorgeous in
vei'ely

Calmer and more

felt

that

In "LesMemoires sur laChevaliere d'Eou" man or woman who had once been famous

thoughtful minds

that
it

it

was

as one of the first sword-players in Europe, and

theatrical.

To him no doubt

was the

whose familiarity with almost every country

natural outcome of some systematic policy,

the gradations of which he

and every court was attributed

to the oppor-

had never declared.

tunities enjoyed in the capacity of a secret

To make the queen

of

the acknowledged ruler

agent, there occurred a passage purporting to

an empire as well as of a realm, to be

be an extract from the will of Peter the Great.

It

the prime minister of a government that was

was as

follows:

"Approach as near as pos-

RUSSIA'S
sible to Constantinople

ALLEGED GEASPING POLICY.

the Mediterranean
not, as

315
to Besika

and towards the Indies.

was ordered

Bay,

He

wlio reigns at Constantiuojjle will be the

Mr. Disraeli afterwards declared, with

^jro-

real sovereign of the world,

and with that

the intention of menacing anybody, or to

tect the

object in view provoke continual wars with

Turkish Empire, but to protect the

Tui'key and with Persia

in the

establish dockyards

British Empire.
tatives of the

At a

conference of represenit

Black Sea

get possession of the shores

powers held at Berlin,

liad

of that sea as well as those of the Baltic, these

been proposed that there should be a suspension of hostilities between

two things being necessary

for the ultimate

Turkey and the

the negotia-

success of our project; hasten the decay of

provinces for a month, during which a peace

Persia; penetrate as far as the Persian Gulf,

re-establish the former trade of the

should be negotiated, and that

if

Levant
extend

tions failed the powers should agree to adopt

by apjDropriating Syria; and,

the

if

possible,

further measures to secure peace and compel

the power of Russia to the Indies, which are

Turkey

to observe her

former promises.
to the proposed

emporium
fii'st

of the world."
this alleged

Lord Derby was opposed

The

Napoleon published

concerted action, which he believed was the

extract from the plan for compassing European

outcome of a former secret agreement between

Russia, Austria, and Germany.
also a suspicion that Russia

supremacy
cessors,

left

by the Czar Peter

for his suc-

There was

and deposited

in the archives of the

had fomented the

Palace of Peterhoff.

The whole matter was

insurrection in

some

of the provinces.

The
iutelli-

declared to have been an invention of the

memorandum was

not adopted, and public

French emperor
tively denied

for his

own

purposes, and

excitement was kept at a high pitch by

the existence of any such document was posi-

gence that the Mussulmans at Salonica had

risen against the

by the late Emjjeror Alexander. Whether it ever had any existence or not need
Nothing could have been
to expi-ess

Europeans and murdered

consuls
;

the French and

stantinople a

German

that at Con-

not be discussed.

revolutionary i^arty

had suc-

more ingeniously devised more than once appeared

politicians to

what has

ceeded in deposing the sultan Abdul Aziz,

to

some European

who shortly
;

be the practical aim of Russia.

During the Franco-German war Russia had demanded that as some of the provisions of the treaty made after the Crimean war liad
been disregarded, the clause restraining her

afterwards had committed suicide by opening the veins in his arm with a pair of scissors that his nephew Mui-ad had been

appointed his successor, and had promised to

appoint a government to secure the liberties
of all his subjects.

In three months, however,

from maintaining armaments in the Black

Sea should be ex[)unged.
ference at Berlin, and the

he also was dethroned, and his brother Haniid

reigned in his stead.

There was a con-

Then came

the

news

of

demand became a
This

the insurrection in Bulgaria, and of the horrible cruelties of the savage Bashi-Bazouks,

request to which the powers conceded.

"concession" turned out to be important, as

Russia, no doubt, foresaw
it

who were
Forty

sent to suppress

it.

The

bodies of

might

be. In 1875

slaughtered
girls

she

was already advancing

into Central Asia

women and children lay in heaps. who had shut themselves in a

12,000 persons
at

by steady strides, and at the same time Turkey had declined into the condition from
which she had previously sullered because
an
evil

house were burned to death;

had been

killed in Philippopolis;

Batak

of

and corrupt government.

of oppression

There came

above 1000 persons had taken refuge in the chui'cli, which resisted the attempts of the
Bashi-Bazouks, who thereupon
fired

rumours

and barbarous cruelties

through

perpetrated against the people of the

principalities.

Danubian

the windows, climbed to the roof, and dropped

It soon
of Russia

became evident that

would claim the right

the

Emperor

burning faggots and lighted rags, which had been dipped in petroleum, amongst the refugees.

to interpose for the proti ctioii of the Christian

Mr. Gladstone urged that the European

to settle the Ea^itern

populations on the frontier, whatever miglit

powers should combine

(juestiou.

be his ultimate object.

The

British fleet in

Mr. Disraeli exjtlaiued that the

;ji6

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

of

European powers approved the attitude

England, which was one of

demnation.

Those who thought with Lord

strict neutrality.

Beaconsfield would have ignored the necessity

for interfering with

The duty

of the

government, he

said,

was

to

what the Turkish governthat interference might

maintain the empire of England at a

critical

ment chose

to do,

if

moment, and they would never agree to any ste]), though it might obtain for a moment
comparative
quiet

affect the jjower or influence of

England

in

the East, and open the door for Russia at Constantinople.

and a

false

prosperity,

The

latter prevailed.

The

in-

which hazarded the existence

of that empire.
it

vincible distrust of Russian intrigue, the recollections of

Before parliament was prorogued

was
the

Rnssian barbarism, turned the scale,

a later date.

announced that the prime minister had been

honoured with a peerage, and would
UiDper House.
sit in

but not

till

There were

fierce

debates in parliament, great public meetings

in

During the

recess the public

London and

the provinces, in

which Mr.

feeling on behalf of the wretched people of the

Gladstone took a leading part with amazing

fervour and energy.
to carry the people

insurgent provinces became intensified by the

report received fi'om Mr. Baring, our representative.

For a time he seemed

with him, for they were
of pity

Mr. Gladstone had already come and now he

issued

moved by sentiments
tion,

and

of indigna-

forward as the leader and exponent of the

popular sentiment,
a
the

and

called

on the government to put

pressure upon Turkey; but the sentiment gave

place to the old distrust of Russian influence,

pamphlet entitled Bulgarian Horrors arid

a concert of the the

Question of the East, in which he advocated

and began
it

to

burn low.

The indignation,

if

European powers

to extinguish

did not die out, smouldered before the blaze

zegovina, and Bulgaria.

Ottoman executive power in Bosnia, HerOne passage in this

of

of that promise of imperial

supremacy which

might be threatened by any treaty that gave

Russia a new footing in the East.
Russia declai'ed war with Turkey on the
1877, and while one army Danube and marched towards the At Balkans another invaded Asia Minor. From Sisfirst they met with few repulses.

pamphlet was afterwards urged against him,

as

though he had advocated the expulsion

the whole Turkish population from Europe.

24th of April,
crossed the

"The bag -and -baggage policy," as some wit had named it, became a long-standing jeering
accusation.

What

he wrote was

" Let

us insist that

tova to Tirnova, the ancient

garia, the

cai^ital of

Bul-

our government, which has been working in one direction, shall work in the other, and
shall apply all its vigour to concur with the

Grand-duke Nicholas made an almost

but at the Shipka Pass, and
a stand and thrown
at

triumphal procession amidst the acclamations

of the people
;

other states of Europe in obtaining the extinction of the Turkish executive

garia.

Plevna, 20 miles south of the Danube, where

power

in Bultheir

Omar Pacha had made

fortifications, the

u]j

Let the Turks

now

carry

away

Turks numbered 50,000 to

abuses in the only jjossible manner, namely,

by carrying

off

themselves.

Their Zaptiehs

and the Russians were defeated with immense loss. They afterwards took the Shijika
70,000,

and their Mudirs, their Bimbashis and their

Yuzbachis, their Kaimakams and their Pashas,
one and
clear out
all,

Pass,

and

after

a tremendous conflict

the

emperor sent General Todleben, the defender

of

bag and baggage,

shall, I hope,

Sebastopol,

to

the scene of action, and

from the province they have deso-

Plevna surrendered.
all

Then

the Russians swept

187!^

lated

and profaned."

before them.

In the early part of

Thei'e

was soon a

plain issue before

the

they might have entered Constantinople.

It

nation
stone

those

who thought with Mr. Glad-

was reported that they had done

so,

and par-

would have renounced Turkey rather

liament then sitting was in a ferment.

fleet

The
Public

than have prolonged for an instant the crimes

was ordered

to the Dardanelles.

which were being perpetrated by her emissaries, or

feeling

was so aroused that the anti-Russian

have seemed

to

countenance them by

party was predominant.

Sir Staftbrd Northcote announced that he

refraining from joining in their practical con-


ORIGIN OF THE TEEM "JINGOES.
vvuiilJ

317

ask for a supplementary estimate of six

for

might enable him

to

show some

brilliant dis-

millions

naval

and military purposes.

play of statecraft, and, as the phrase went,

give to England her proper place in the world.

Again a sudden report came that the Russians

w^re close to Constantinople, and the excite-

These opinions had undoubtedly gained ground,

ment
tieet

in

London became tremendous.

and
it

The

and
that

so loud

and boisterous were some

of the

was ordered to go through the Dardanto Constantinople,

if

extremer advocates of an anti-Russian policy,

it

elles

in spite of the

Russian protest that

passed the Straits

obliged to

seemed as though we should soon be make some manifestation which

to a proclamation of hostilities.

there would be good reason for the occupation

of the

would be equal

neighbourhood by the troops, our ships

remained there.

There was to be no disem-

barkation of the British and no advance by the

Russians.
Daily, almost hourly, Mr. Gladstone

The bumptious, overbearing demonstrations of the war party perhaps increased when it was discovered that Russia kept faith, and
refrained from marching on Constantinople,

was

and

it

may have

required

all

the astuteness of
to

endeavouring to force upon the government a

recognition of the claims of the people of the

Lord Beaconsfield himself

actually

"uphold the
with
the

character and prestige of England" without

disturbed provinces, and his efforts were

suj)-

making common

cause

ported by hundreds of meetings in different

parts of the country.

" Jingoes."

He

admitted that in

The term "Jingoes"

will itself,

what he might
in a

call his old

age he had became

I^lained, indicate the jiersons

when who were

exjust

an agitator, but the agitation, he averred, was

then making themselves most conspicuous

especially in

good and holy cause,

of

in

the hope that

London

and

the temper which

by the withdrawal
port from Turkey,

moral and material sup-

they too

frequently

displayed.

The most
the

and the combined repre-

noisy and violent of the

partisans of

sentations of our government with those of the

government were
ing

of course those

who,

i-egard-

other powers, the Porte would be compelled

to

war from a
it,

distance,

and without any exto

cease

from cruelty and oppression, and

jiractical self-govei-nment

perience of
threaten.

were ready

boast and

to

freedom with

might

For these some

jinglers of

rhyme
lialls

be secured for the people.

The

resolutions
of

had written one or two

songs,

so-called "patriotic"
of

which he introduced into the House

Com-

by which the proprietors

and
to

music

mons, and supported with moving elequence

expected to attract large audiences, to assist

in yelling the choruses,

and earnestness, did

acceptance.
division on

not,

however, meet with

consume

liquor.

In the Liberal ranks there was

the subject, and an impression

The most
a refrain
taste

successful of these productions liad

which seemed exactly

to suit the

seemed
trality,

to be deepening, that complete neu-

and intelligence

of tlie audiences:

abstention from any pledges, and a

watchful attitude with regard to Russia was

the safest policy.

" We don't want to fight, but by Jingo, if we do, We've got the ships we've got the men we've got
; ;

There was a general notion

the

money

too."

that Lord Beaconsfield

ation than he chose to

knew more of the situmake public that lie v/as waiting quietly for the right moment to ciieckmate the Emperor of Russia, and con;

This chorus was heard everywliere, ami the

Liberals, wlio

had been

good deal hustled

and insulted, even at their own meetings,

and who for the most part
felt

that they were

trol

Turkey by two or three rapid and successful moves. There was some reason for so
His career had been
illustrative of

being publicly yelled down, gave to their demonstrative opponents the name of "Jingoes,"
a term wliich
is

thinking.

quite likely to be perpetuated

is

these very qualities of patient self-possession,

when

its

origin

forgotten.
to be liav-

combined with readiness of action, and resource

and unbounded audacity, which, now that he
held the dogs of

For a time
iiig all

tiie

"Jingoes" seemotl

their

own way, and became

not only

war

in leash,
tlie

and

M'as the

boisterous, but riotously aggressive.

eral instances,

In sevin

head

if

not the dictator of

government.

and notably on one occasion

318

GLADS10XE AXD HIS COXTEMPOEAEIES.

tliey

Loudon,

boasted of having taken forcible

agreed to submit the terms of the treaty to a

congress,

possession of rooms that had been hired by

which was

to assemble at Berlin

on

the Liberals for the purpose of holding meetings.

the 13th of June.

of the public the

Somewhat

to the surprise

One evening

company

of these high-

prime minister announced

spirited

and gallant gentlemen, flushed with

the intention of himself accompanying Lord

pride and wine, seeing Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone in a

insulting,
sti-ations,

Salisbury to attend

it.

West End street, became so grossly and made such threatening demonthat
it

The

result of the conference was that a treaty

was signed intrusting Austria to occupy Bosnia

and the Herzegovina, an arrangement which Lord Beaconsfield afterwards admitted was

became necessary

for the

lady to seek shelter in the hall of a house, at

the door of which a servant was standing.

made
nople,

for the purpose of placing another

power

The vote of credit asked for by the government had been granted by a large majority.
Prince Gortschakoff had declared that, far from

as a block to a Russian advance on Constanti-

The organization
Austria.

left to

of these provinces was Roumania, Servia, and Mon-

marching onward, the Russian troops had

been ordered everj'where to cease from further
hostilities;

tenegro were to be independent, the latter state

receiving the seaport of Antivari and some

the British Mediterranean

to Constantinople.

fleet

adjoining territory.

The Balkans were

to

be

had been sent

of

On

the 3rd

the southern frontier of Bulgaria, which

was

March, 1878, a treaty of

j^eace

between

made

tributary to the sultan, but with an in-

Russia and Turkey was signed at

St. Stefano,

dependent government under a prince elected

by which Russia, while securing the freedom

of the
rule,

by the
South
called

people, with the assent of the contract-

Christian populations from Turkish

ing powers and the confirmation of the sultan.

of the

would not only have claimed a large war would

as practi-

Balkans a state was to be created

indemnity, but would have expanded Bulgaria into a state, of which she
cally

Eastern Roumelia, which was to be

under the direct authority of the sultan, who,

however, was not to send thither any of those
irregular troops
so

have had control.

This treaty was at

once denounced by Lord

Derby

an

at-

whose

atrocities

had aroused
to re-

tempted readjustment of the treaty

of Paris,

much

indignation.

Roumania was

without the consent of the other contracting

powers, while Lord Beaconsfield represented
that

store to Russia a part of Bessarabia

which had

been detached by the treaty of 1856, and in

exchange was to receive from Russia part of
the Dobrudscha, including Silistria and
nolia.

would virtually give Russia contiol over the whole of south-eastern Europe. It
it

Magsome

was demanded that the terms

of

a treaty

The Porte was bound

to

come

to

should be considered in a conference at Berlin,

arrangement with Greece for the

of the frontier; to

rectification

and the demand was accompanied by

"apply to Crete the organic

demonstrations, in which Lord

not concur, since

Derby could he regarded them as apThe

reserve

law of 1868;" to hand over to Russia Ai"dahan,

Kars, and Batoum; and to pay a war indemnity.

proaching to a declaration of war.

forces

were

called out,

and

it

was afterwards

The congress having concluded

do very badly after
all.

its sittings,

known

that orders had been sent to the Indian

to

with a settlement by which Russia did not

government

send 7000 native troops to

Lord Beaconsfield

Malta, and that

we

liad

prepared to occupy

returned to London, where he was received

the island of Cyprus, and land an armed force

with enthusiastic acclamation, and after a

kind of ceremonial procession from the
rail-

on the coast of Syria.

Lord Derby

feeling that he could not re-

way-station addressed the multitude from a

main

in the ministrj' sent in his resignation, of Salisbury

window of

the Foreign Office.

He

said:

"Lord
which

and the Marquis

to

was appointed

Salisbury and myself have brought you back

peace, but a peace, I hope, with honour,

the direction of foreign affaire,

Mr. Ga-

Hardy (Lord Cranbrook) taking the India office. After much contention Russia
thorne

may

satisfy our sovereign,

and tend

to the wel-

fare of the country."

For some time afterwards

DIFFICULTIES IN AFGHANISTAN.
" peace with honour
"

319

was a motto or watch-

word. Lord Joliu Eussell had used the phrase

five-and-tweuty years before,
at

ready to resent his reception of advances that were friendly. In 1878, when the result of the
protests

when

in a speech

made

against Russia's advance upon

Greenock he had
treaty

said: " If peace cannot be

it is

the Turkish provinces was uncertain, a Russian envoy

maintained with honour

no longer peace."

was sent to Cabul with the appaThis, of course, would,

The Berlin
ence

was accomplished, and

considerable
effect.

rent object of concluding some kind of alliance

Lord Beaconsfield's pi-esence at the confer-

with the Ameer.

if

may have had

Not
it,

not frustrated, have been a serious injury to

that imperial policy

the effect which the Jingoes attributed to

which had found some

title

however;

for, so far as

England was concerned,

expression by an addition to the royal

instead of the terms of the treaty having been

which was

to

be used only in relation to India.

proposed and settled by acute and authoritative discussion, it

If Russia sent

was afterwards discovered

a mission.

an envoy England must have The changes which had been

that there had been a " diplomatic correspond-

made
had

in the office of viceroy of India in 1876

ence" and secret engagements with Russia and

led to the resignation of

Lord North-

Turkey, which in

eifect

had already

settled

brook, and

Lord Lytton

(better

most

of the clauses of the proposed treaty,

readei'S of verse

by

his

nom

de j^lume of

known to Owen

and had been agreed on and signed at the

Foreign Office before the meeting of the congress.

Meredith), the son of the brilliant novelist,

succeeded him, for what reason or what special

capacity

nobody seems

to

have discovered at

that time.

He

w^as prepared to carry out the

We

have not yet done with the Eastern

policy of the government, and, without regard

to the protests of

question.

Shere Ali, the mission was

While the treaty

seemed
to

of Berlin

was supposed

to

sent to Cabul.

It

was stopped on the frontier

shut the front gate to India, the marauder

by an
allow

officer of
it

the Ameer,
till

who

refused to

be plotting to gain an entrance by

to pass

he had the authority of

the back door.

his chief.
refusal, the

This was regarded as a deliberate

We

have already noted the early distur-

manner

of

which demanded a

re-

bances in connection with the occupation of

Cabul.i It

sort to force;

and a British force supported

to

now seemed

as

if

that terrible story

the mission and marched

place between Jellalabad

Gandamuk, a
Shere Ali

was about
had

to be repeated.

Dost

Mahomed
Ali,

and Cabul, where

left as his

successor the
resisted

Ameer Shere

they formed a camp.

died
;

INIeantinie

whose claims were

so that after

by the other sons, many vicissitudes of war he did

conceived that he had
little

his son

Yakoob Khan, with whom be

to the throne, professed

had quarrelled, came

not gain firm possession of the Afghan capital

till

a desire to be on friendly terms with the

British,

1868.

He

and went into the camp.

into to
in

treaty

reason to love the English,

who had

refused to

was entered
a

pay the .Ameer 60,000

guarantee him against the advance of Russia,

year

exchange for the frontier, the

and had recognized his rivals Afzul

Khan and
In

" scientific frontier," as

called
it,

Lord Beaconsfield had by the

to

Azim Khan

as de facto rulers of

Cabul during

to be occupied

British.

their successful resistance to his claims.

British rejiresentative

was

be resident at

1869 Lord Mayo, the viceroy

nation by a native in the

whose

assassi-

Cabul, and

tlie

Ameer was

to

be assisted to

Andaman

Islands

defend

him.'^elf

against any foreign enemy.

of the treaty

was one
with six

of tlie darkest events in 1872

official visit

had

Almost before the ink

and
wjiile the

was div.

paid him an

and furnished him

acrainst the

sound of applause at the dex-

lacs of

rupees and some artillery.

terity with

which we had occupied Cabul and

We
hostile

had refused to protect him

advances of Russia;
1nit

Candahar, and so could keep Russia out of

India,

wc wercciiually

was

still

ringing,

news came that

the mi-ssion with

Sir

Louis
>

Cavagnari, the

English envoy, ami

t];e

Vol.

i.

p.

28S; vol.

ii.

p.

7.

ne.irlv all the officers of

320

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORAEIES.

the native troops deserted to the enemy, and

native escort, had been murdered by iusur-

geuts iu Cabul.

They had beeu attacked

in

he was severely defeated at Maiwand, and

the residency by a crowd of fierce but cowardly

foes,

had to

fall

back

iu confusion

on Candahar,

whocame upon them like a horde of w olves.

which was closely invested by

Eeinforcemeuts were
transport,

Ayub Khan.
dan-

The Englishmen, seeing nothing for it but to fight, made a swift sudden sally and drove back the crowd that thronged the gate, and then rapidly retired, leaving some of the enemy
dead

delayed for want of

the

crisis

was

becoming

when with his army

gerous,

Sir Frederick Eoberts set out

of 10,000

men on

a forced march
of

many
were
of

of

them driven headlong by

for the officers

from Cabul to Candahar, a distance

300 miles, through a
country.
difficult

about
hostile

blows from the

fist,

were not

and

completely armed.
this

Even repeated

sallies like

The heat was tremendous, and

no

avail, the

mob, pressed
closed

for-

there was some fighting to be done on the

ward by increasing num'uers,

was war then,
time to
lose.

upon
It

way, but in three weeks the journey was accomplished.

them; they were overwhelmed and

of course,

slain.

The men, without

hesitation,

and there was no

attacked the enemy, and gained a brilliant

victory,

The

forces that

came

to stop

which re-established the prestige and

the British advance were defeated with heavy

loss,

the temporary power of the British arms, and

and General Sir Frederick Eoberts held

enabled us to place the administration, as

well as the ameership, iu the hands of

Cabul with the troops under his command,

Sir D. Stewart reoccupying Candahar.

Abdul

Yaof his

Eahman Khan, and

to retire

from Cabul,

koob Khan abdicated, and with some

advisera

leaving "the scientific frontier" to i-emaiu

was sent

to

Peshawur.

This caused

an expression without much

ing.

practical

mean-

a general insurrection in the country round

Cabul, the leaders of which ordered an attack

on the forces of Sir Frederick Eoberts,

who

of Sir Frederick Eoberts

The gallantry and remarkable generalshij) was i^erhaps not so

recognized
as

had retired
to

to the

cantonments of Sherpur
Before any aid ar-

comjaletely

some subsequent
of the

await reinforcements.

successes

by other generals have been, but he

queen

rived our troops had beaten their assailants,

w-hose leaders fled, and Shere Ali

was honoured with the thanks

his

Khan, the
releft as in-

and the country, and his name and that of

Afghan governor
mained
pendent

of

Candahar, having

army

is

still

associated Avith the deed of

loyal to the English,

was

prowess which alone seemed to give some

lustre to a

ruler, while Sir D. Stew^art mai-ched

war undertaken without counting

if

with part of his force to Cabul to assume

the cost and singularly barren in results.

supreme command.

On

the

way he met and

Alas

there was,

possible, a still woi-se

defeated an Afghan army, probably raised by

the fugitive chiefs, near Ghuzni.

and
It

less

honourable

enterprise

before

the

He

then

country in what was

is

known
few

as the Zulu war.

continued

negotiations

which made Abdul

so recent that a
it.

lines only

need be

Rahman Khau,
Cabul.
It

son of Afzul Khan,

Ameer

of

devoted to

The various
to General Sir Frederick Eoberts,

states of
it

South Africa difTered

was

so considerably that

was not
still

at first easy to

however, that the great achievement of the

unravel their claims,

grievances.

less

their alleged

campaign was due; and, but for the

skill

and
his

There were Cape Colony and

There

almost unparalleled boldness of that com-

Natal directly under British control.

mander and the unyielding courage

men, a great disaster might at the
befallen the British arms.

of

was the Transvaal, the

Vaal
river, a

territory north of the

last

have

Dutch

republic, with a popula-

In June, 1880,

tion of 40,000

Europeans and 250,000 Kafirs

There was the Orange Free
settlers

Ayub

(a

brother

of

Yakoob Khan), who

marched
General

and

natives.

had taken up

his position at Herat,

State,

formed by Dutch

who emigrated

against Candahar with a large force.

from Cape Colony because they disliked British

rule,

Burrows advanced

to o;ipose him,

but some of

and whose independence had been recog-

LIEUT.

GEN SIR FREDERICK S ROBERTS. C.C.B, FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BY THE LONDOK STEREOSCOPIC CO

SIACSXE. 4 SOK. LONDON. OLiEOOW. & SDmBDHOH.

THE ZULU WAR.

iiizeJ.

321

Oil the uorth

side,

beyond the Limjjopo

out Sir Theophilus Shepstone, who, without

river,

the

Transvaal bordered on the vast

waiting for an exact decision either there or

at home, proclaimed the annexation.
It un-

wilderness of the interior, where Moffat and

Livingstone visited the Bechuanas and other

great tribes.

dertook to arbitrate on Cetewayo's claim, and

after finding in his favour sent out Sir Bartle

Next

to the

Orange State lay

rule,

Basutoland and Natal, under British

and

Frere, who, as lord commissioner, instead of

bordering on Natal the covmtry of the Zulus.

doing prompt

justice,

kept back the award,

The

inability of the Boers of the Transvaal

treated the Zulu chief with

marked
delay,

dislike,

to defend themselves against the

Zulu Kafirs

and at length, and aroused

after having exasperated him,

induced the British government to offer to

take charge of the additional territory in the

his suspicions

by

demanded

as a condition of the

award that the Zulu

presumed

interest of the

European
native

poi^ulation

troops should be disarmed and disbanded, and

as against the numerical superiority of the

natives.

return to their homes. This

demand not being

in-

Some

of

the
to

tribes

were mere

immediately complied with Zululand was

sufficiently organized

be regarded rather
than
as

vaded by British troops; but we had undervalued the ability of Cetewayo and the strength
of those

as

uncivilized

communities

savages,

and though we had in 1874 put

ilown a so-called insurrection under the chief

Laugalibabele, and punished

whom we had converted into enemies. News of a defeat at Isandula came here at a
to

him with im-

time when the pendulum of public opinion

prisonment,

it

was thought by many that we

here that Dr. Colenso,

was about
claring

swing back. The

sjairits

of those

acted in a high-handed manner.

It

who had been

disaster;

boasting and singing, and defelt

may be mentioned
in

"by Jingo,"
in

little

dashed at the

the Bishop of Natal, was deeply and conscientiously interested

and though, when Lord Chelmsford,

the wellbeing of

the

who was

command, retrieved
tlie

his position

Zulus, and repeatedly denounced, while he

so completely that on

arrival of Sir

Garnet

more than once mitigated or prevented, the

justice

in-

Wolseley the war was over, and Cetewayo w;:s

quickly

and misunderstanding under which

of the Transvaal
chief, Secocoeni,
tlie

made a

prisoner, the

blow loosened

they suffered.

the hold of the government, and " imperial

The Boers
feated

had been deand were

in

policy"

was spoken

in lower tones.

One event
in

by one
treat

which gave a darker shadow to the war

imperial, the son of

constant peril from

Zulus, and yet they

Zululand was the death of the young prince

the late Napoleon III.
of the

would not
some

them with consideration. Judgit

ing from recent events

of the

would seem that

and the widowed Eugenie, ex-empress

Frencli.

Zulu

chiefs,

Cetewayo,for instance,

The youth, who was

had studied

of

good and

was

little less

worthy

of res|)ect

and

concilia-

fair promise,

in a military school to serve as a volunstaff.

tion than the subjects of the

South African

at

Woolwich, and offered

Volksraad

but Cetewayo, as the greatest chief

teer on

Lord Chelmsford's

He went

out

and ruler of the Zulus, detested the Boers, who

had, he believed, injured him, and
territory

with a small reconnoitring party, which was

surprised

who

held

by the enemy, who slew him with

annex the Ti-ansvaal

which he with justice claimed

peo])le,

to be-

their assegais.
Tiie determination to

long to
to be to

liis

while he was frankly anxious

witli the English,

on friendly terms

and

met with no
of Zululand.

better result than the invasion

pay allegiance to

tlie

English sovereign.

The

soldiers

Under

these circumstances the British governto

force the Boers found tliemselves

who came to reinamong enewas

inter-

ment made what appears

gi-eatest possible

have been the

mies,

and

friendly

annexation

mistake with respect to both

re])resen-

preted into armed invasion, ending in defeat

parties.

In response to some vague

proposed to the Boers
tliat

which
avenge.

it

would have been ignominious

to
to

tation

it

the Trans-

The mistakes

of

1877-79 had

vaal should be annexed to British territory that

it

be remedied by another government, by the

'

might have due protection, and sent

long-deferretl release

and restoration

of Cete-

VoL. IV.

84

322
wayo, and
tlie

GLADSTONE AND HIS COXTEMPOEAEIES.

abandonment
of
hostilities

suliciiation of France,

and because

of the ap-

against the peoj^le of the Transvaal,

who had

peals of the jDrodigal khedive.

Subsequently

apparently been the victims of misrepresentation.

the affairs

of

this

involved

exchequer

re-

quired the appointment of an extra liquidation commission,

Before passing from the Eastern question a

and

in 1881 the capital debt

word must be

said about Egypt.

One

of the

under various "loans" amounted to above

98,000,000, with a floating debt of 5,000,000.
Ft will readily
i.stratiou of

earlier manifestations of the policy afterwards

adopted by the government was the jDurchase

be understood that the adminof the chief offices

from the khedive in 1875 of the 176,000

shares which he

many
rise to

by Euro-

held

in

the Suez

Canal.

peans gave
far this

much

dissatisfaction.

How

There were 400,000 shares altogether, and he

held nearly half of them, but he was nearly

may have
it

influenced the commence-

ment

of the insurrection

under Ai-abi Pasha

ruined

by

extravagance

and

debauchery,

in 1882

would be

difficult to say.

and they came upon the stock -exchange,

where the British government bought them

for .4,000,000 sterling.

The dual control virtually ceased to exist when France held back from supporting the
authority of the khedive against the rebel
general, with

few people there

of the

were who had grave doubts

as a subtle thing,

wisdom

of

whom

it

was believed he was

till

the investment, but the majority

of
it

first

thought

treacherously in accord

the insurrection in

an artful move of Disbold, char-

Alexandria rendered

it

necessary for our gov-

raeli's,

and afterwards as a rather

ernment

to send a fleet

under Admiral Seyresidents,

acteristic

way
to

of

showing foreign nations that

mour

to protect

European

and the

we meant
the East.

keep our hold upon the road to

a matter of fact
to
it

acts of the insurgents compelled us to suppress

As

was, perhaps,
in-

what had by that time become a

rebellion.

worth while to give

terest in a

England a large

commercial undertaking in which

our trade was certain to play a prominent

part,

We must now return to affairs in parliament and the country which have marked tlie
progress or

and

to

be able to hold some influence

Lesseps, a

the vicissitude of

later

years.

over
tive

M. de

somewhat

self-asser-

Reference

luis

already been

and arrogant personage,

as recent events

party and the

in parliament

Home Rulers,
it

made to the Irish who were directed

until his death.

have shown.

by Mr. Butt

But we soon had a more distinctive influence in Egypt by what was known as the dual control,

Had

he lived

may

well be believed that

less

their jjroceedings

would have been

unrea-

which gave
the

to

France and England the

afi"airs

sonable,

and
;

in a j^arliamentary sense
the\'

more

administration of the financial

of the

reputable

but

had already begun a and

country
creditors.

in

interests

of

the

European
rej^re-

"policy of exasperation," as he himself had

In 1876 Mr. Goschen and a

named

it,

and

it

was marked by
whole
the
for

M-ilful

sentative of

France unravelled the tangled

irrational obstruction of the

legislative

skein of Egyptian finance, arranged the loans

so that creditors could be paid at
fice,

business of jxirliament

purpose of

some

sacri-

coercing the government or of periDetuating

placed the khedive on a fixed allowance,

of

the confusion and disaffection by which professional

political
agitatoi-s

and brought the whole

under European

Egyptian finance

seek

to profit.

control, taking the regulation

The conspiracy
government
1877,

to obstruct the business of the

of railways, the collection of the revenues, dis-

first

consi3icuously succeeded in
of July,

bursements of the

state, care of the funds,

and

on the 31st

when

the house,

payments

of debts, the

Egyptian minister of
This arrange-

determined not to be controlled by a handful

its

finance being quietly deposed.

of

men who endeavoured

to

pervert

ment concluded by the appointment of coutroUei-s-general by England and France. The scheme was opposed by Lord Derby, but was agreed to by Lord Salisbury at the pressing

forms, voted over and over again against

repeated motions for adjournment, and sat for

twenty-six hours.

In 1S79 the O'Conor

Don

introduced a

bill

A GENERAL
to tL^al with Irish uiiivei'dity education, but the

ELECTION.
candidates, and his

323

own

return

b}^

1579 votes

govei-nmeut brought iu a

bill of

their

own,

against 1368 polled by Lord Dalkeith, son

of the

creating a convocation which would elect an

Duke

of Buccleugh,

proved that the

examining body, with the power to confer

degrees on approved candidates and to organize
a system of scholarships and fellowships to be

Liberal cause had been well maintained. The

representation of Leeds, too, had been open
to

Mi\ Gladstone, but he

;

w^as already pledged

provided for by annual votes in parliament.

to Scotland

and Mr. Herbert Gladstone, the

Towards the end

the sound of

of

1879 there was an

political atmosijhere,

youngest son of the Liberal leader, having

unsuccessfully contested Middlesex with

ominous sound in the

for battle at the

the Liberal forces mustering

Lord George Hamilton, was returned for the cloth

city.

coming
its

elections.

Parlia-

ment had not run

years; but
it

entire course of seven

It

was obvious that Mr. Gladstone could

interest,

has mostly been regarded as an

no longer refuse to resume his jJace at the

unwritten law that parliament shall prepare

to dissolve at the

head of the Liberal

prime minister.

nor was

it

more

end of the sixth

session.

than a momentary question

who

should be

Mr. Gladstone challenged the ministry

appeal to the countiy.

to

The

result of the elections

There were numerous

was the return

of 351 Liberals

and 240 Con-

symj^toms that a change was desired.

Trade

servatives, as against 351 Conservatives

and

was depressed, there was much want and

distress

251 Liberals in the previous parliament.

The

among

the followers of some of the

Home
at

Rulers numbered 61, as against 50 in

chief industries.

In Ireland there were symp-

the former elections.

In the

first

speech

made

toms

of increased difficulty,

and everywhere
and frequent
iu

Edinburgh by Mi\ Gladstone on

he had referred to his

his elecpolitical

there was that kind of dissatisfaction which

often succeeds great excitement
surprises.
spirits
;

toral journey

opjwnents, and concluded by saying

The Liberals were not

high
office

the ministry seemed to cling to

I give

"I give them credit for patriotic motives; them credit for those patriotic motives
us.

as

though they meant to extend the duration

which are so incessantly and gratuitously

denied to
I believe that
it

of parliament to its furthest limit,

and feared
dis-

we

are all united,

an

ajjpeal to the electors.

Suddenly the

gentlemen
tural,
if

indeed,

would be most unna-

solution
1880.

was announced

for the 24tli of

March,

we were not in a fond attachment,

country to which

When

the elections began there was

perhaps in something of a proud attachment,

to the great

no longer uncertainty. The country appeared

to

we belong to
to it

have been reconverted to Liberalism, and

to

this great emi^ire,

which has committed

awakened

keen

interest.

Mr. Gladstone
in

a trust and a function given from providence

as special

could rely on his supjjorters

Scotland.

and remarkable as ever was en-

At

the time

when

his opponents trium]ihed,

trusted to any portion of the family of man.

and he was being abused and suspected, he

had been elected
to the rectorship of the

Gentlemen,

I feel

when
I

I sj^eak of that trust

fail

Uni-

and that function that words

not
tell

me

I can-

versity of Glasgow,

though a cabinet minister

lie had

you what

think of the nobleness of

was the other candidate.

now

deterinto

the inheritance that has descended upon us,

of the sacredness of the
it.

mined

to

carry

the electoral

conflict

duty of maintaining

Midlothian, and there to test the strength of

Liberal principles.
1879,

I will not condescend to It

make
is

it

a part

On

the 29th of December,

of age,

of controversial politics.

a part of

my

Mr. Gladstone was seventy years

being, of
soul.

my

flesh

and blood,
I

of

my

heart and

but he entered into the contest with undiminished spirit and energy.

For those ends

have laboured through

till

"The Midlothian
of places at

my

youth and manhood

In that faith and

my

hairs are

campaign," as

it

came

to be called, luis almost

gray.

jiractico I

have lived;

become

historical.

The number

in that faith

and practice

I will die."

which he spoke, the large audiences he addressed, the results in gaining seats for Liberal

This declaration touched a chord in the

heart of the country, which had nut ceased to

324

GLADSTOXE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

Kingsley, the scholar and writer,
once lived
''Christian

vibrate when, ou the 13th of December, 1SS2,

who had

the premier received from

country,

all

parts of

tlie

in a luminous

mental haze of

from great
and schools

political

and

social bodies

Socialism," passed into the land

first

as well as from private individuals,

societies

and from
chil-

of light

and love in the

month

of 1875.

of

men, women, and

In the previous year intelligence of the death

of Livingstone

dren,

warm and enthusiastic congratulations

fifty

had come from Unyanyembe.

on having completed
tary
life,

years of j^arliamen-

In 1870-1871 Mr. Stanley, a young and energetic

of a

chiefly passed in active

and often

in

American, was sent out by the proprietor

strenuous etforts for the advancement of the

welfare of the country.

New York

newspaper

to

endeavour

to

discover Livingstone, from

whom

for a long

time nothing had been heard.

Mr. Stanley

On

the 21st of April, 1881,

of

all

England

found Idm at

Ujiji,

and accompanied him ou

mourned the death

of Beaconsfield.

Benjamin

Disraeli, Earl

a journey. Livingstone afterwards went on an

expedition to the unexplored regions south-

From

the queen upon the

throne to the cotter's child sitting on the

door-step the intelligence

west of Lake Tanganyika.

After much

toil-

was received with a

felt

some

travelling,

and having

suffered greatly
of

sentiment that arose from a sense of national

loss;

from dysentery, he died on the shore

Bangweolo, May, 1873.

Lake

but many, including her majesty,

also that they

were bereaved

of a true

and

There had been many great and serious

losses beside these.

genial friend.

In the ten years with

In an early page of

this book,^ written

on the

which our record

closes, Sir

Arthur Helps,

day following
found of a

his death,

some record
times.

will

be

Harriet Maitineau, Lord Lawrence, Sir

Eow-

political career

which was perhaps

land HUl, Lord Westbury, Landseer, Lord

the most remarkable of

modern

Of

his

Clarendon; and later George Henry Lewes,

personal and intellectual characteristics numei'-

George Eliot (Miss Evans), Anthony Trol10(56,

ous illustrations will be found in these volumes.

Earl Russell had quietly gone to his rest full
of years on the 28th of

and others whose names have already apleft

peared in the course of this narrative, had

May,

1878.

He was

the conflict in which they had borne a part.

in his eighty-sixth year, and,

still

though he was

honoured, he had so long been out of the

No

sooner had

the

new ministry been

it

sphere of practical statemanship that, as the

formed by Mr. Gladstone than

ditiiculties

had serious

Times
the

said, his

death removed from the world

to

contend with.

The outrages

shadow

of a great

name.

committed in Ireland drove the government

Thiers had died in 1877, and Victor

uel in 1878;

and events had been

it

Emmanso many

a policy of conciliation.

and so quick that

seemed but yesterday

moment all attempts at The remnant of the Ribbonmen, the Fenians, and the Land League
to

abandon

for the

that Napoleon III. had

exile to

come

in his second

were manifesting a

hostility

which could only

it

England, and had there been laid

at Chislehurst.

be put down by that force which

was ad-

in the

mausoleum

Thirlwall,
in 1875
of

mitted was not a permanent remedy, but at

the same time might be a painfully necessary
expedient.

the great Liberal bishop,

had died

and the witty,

able,

and courtly Bishop

Winchester two years before him.

In 1870

There had been 1253 outrages in the previous year, and most of them in the later

the sudden death of England's great novelist,

Charles Dickens, had brought to thousands of

months

of the year.

Houses had been broken

men, women, and children the sense of a

sonal
loss.

jDcr-

into, incendiaries

had been at work,

cattle

Lord Lytton, the

Mill,

brilliant speaker

and writer

of romance, died in January,

and

had been maimed and tortured, horrible and brutal attacks had been made, not on men
only, but

John Stuart

the

logiciau

and

politi-

on

women and

children.
of rent

Tenants
unautho-

cal economist, in
1

November, 1873.
Vol.
i.

Canon

who had
rized

paid an

amount

p. 320.

by the Land League, landlords who

THE "TACTICS OF EXASPERATION."

demanded payment
or had

)25

ejected tenants,

Members
It

of each jjarty

came

in detachments

occupiers of farms or dwellings from which

to relieve those who

had carried on the struggle.

former tenants had been expelled for non-

payment
to

of rent,

and persons who had agreed

his rent

see a

was an absurd and monstrous spectacle, to few men, by merely technical opposition,
and delaying

work

for

anybody who had paid

wilfully preventing legislation

or refused to join the League, were liable to

assault, or to continued persecution
life

the entire

work

of

the session against the

by which

great majority of the house.

At

length the

was endangered.

jSTone

dared to claim

speaker declared, amidst the support of the

majority, that a
of procedure

compensation for outrages committed on them:

new and

exceptional coui'se

no one dared to prosecute.

proaching, and only those

Anarchy was ap-

was imperatively demanded, and

if

who

defied the

law

that he was satisfied he should carry out the

were safe from the bullet

the assault of the ruffian.

of the assassin or

wishes of the house

he declined to

call

on

any more members

to speak.

The question
in

act

The government was obliged to act, and to swiftly and sternly. The remedy was
fur it

was then
the

put, amidst cries of privilege from

Home

Rulers,
all

who were vehement

to enable

summary:
arrest of
of

was

to give power to the

demanding
protection,

the privileges of jjrecedent,

lord-lieutenant to

issue

a warrant for the

and law,
all

them

to defy

any person

whom

he might suspect
to
till

and deride

law and order.

bill.

Leave was

treasonable or agrarian offences, and

then given to bring in the

detain

him

as a prisoner without trial

The
.until
it

tactics of exasperation

were continued,

September, 1882.
of

Tliis part of the Protection

and were borne with exemplary patience

they grew beyond
endurance, when
rules of

Life and

Property
opposed

Bill
Ijy

was, of course,
Irish
party,

vehemently
while

the

became necessary to adopt those

have
as they

many

Liberals advocated the introduc-

procedure without which the Land Leaguers

tion of remedial instead of coercive measures.

would

coerced

the

House

of

Com-

Mr. Bright (chancellor

caster)

of the

Duchy

of

Lan-

mons

and their followers had coerced

delay and frustrate

reminded the house, amidst assent from

honest and law-abiding people in Ireland.

the

Home Piulers,tliat he had formerly stood up

and said that he had not
all

Premeditated

efforts to

for Ireland,

at these

the business of the country were diversified

times thouglit

the proposed coercive mea-

sures necessary, the basis of his hostility to

by premeditated insults to the prime minister, and shameless accusations against members of
the government, or anyone
differ

them having been that they were not accompanied by any i^emedial jneasures, or even by

who ventured

to

from the extreme Irish party.

reports of all the commissions, with one
it

any admission
bill

of grievances

but now a land

in.

The

was jiromised and would be brought

state of terrorism in Ireland

exception, agreed that

was

of vital import-

The

was made
all classes

ance to establish a court for the purpose of

dealing with the differences between landlord

patent to everybody, by letters from

of persons,
of the

and by the speeches

itself,

of the leaders

and tenant, and

for the jirotection of tenants

movement

who

boasted that the

against arbitrary increase of rent.

But

it

was

Land Leaguers had superseded the law of parliament. Tlie leaders of the Land League,
lie

also necessary to maintain the right of assign-

ment
ant to

or sale of tenant-right, the old law of

declared,

had demoralized the

from the

Irish peojile

the country recognizing the right of the tensell

a
The

statement received, of

coui-se,

with conRulers.

wliatever interest he possessed in

siderable protests
Irish party

Home

his tenancy,

which by

tlie

act of 1870 had

had commenced

to carry out
.sat

threats of obstruction,

and the house had

become something considerable; so that the commissioners had recommended a recognition of

it,

twenty-two hours. The next sitting lasted for

forty-one hours,

and

tliat it

might be enforced withTlie cardinal

tlie

during which motions for

out injustice to the landlord.

feature of the
bill,

adjournment were made over and over again

then,

would be

court, to

by the

Homo Rulers, and rejected by the house.

which, however, an appeal would not be com-

326

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOEAEIES.

be charged at the rate of 3i per cent, and
repayable in
thirty
-

pulsory but optional. This court, which would

also act as a land

commission and regulate

all

five

years.

Advances

the proceedings of the local courts, would consist of

might be made
for

for agricultural

improvements
:

three members, one of

whom must

al-

the reclamation of waste lands

when

ways be a judge or an ex-judge of the Supreme Court, and it would have power to appoint
assistant commissioners
to sit in the provinces.

state aid

was met by a corres^oonding outlay

where there was

of private capital, or in cases

and sub-commissioners

a baronial guarantee, the Treasury

would ad-

Every tenant would be

have fixed for his

vance three-fourths of the cost of projected

entitled to go to the court to

improvements.

Advances

to

be determined

holding a "judicial rent," which would en-

dure for fifteen years, during which there could

by parliament were also to be made to assist emigration. The result of the bill would be to
restrain the increase of rent

be no eviction of the tenant exce^^t for

specific

by

certain rules,

breach of certain specific covenants or non-

to regulate compensation for disturbance, to

payment
of

of rent.

There would be no power

establish the right of the tenant to sell his interest, to

resumption on the part of the landlord

prevent evictions except for default,

during this time, and his remedy would have

to take the

and

to

forbid resumption

by the landlord

form

of a

compulsory
fifteen

sale of the

except for grave and reasonable causes, which

tenant-right.

After the

years

had

might be brought

in question before the court.

expired application might be

court for a renewal of tenancy

made

to the

We

need not follow the distracting and

toties quoties.
if

protracted debates and obstructions amidst

The conditions

as to eviction

would remain

which the

bill

went through committee, and,

It

the tenancy were renewed, but the landlord

with several modifications, became law.

passed at last
;

would have a pre - emption

right
if

of
sell.

the tenant's

and though Lord Salisbury en-

the latter wished to the rents,

The

court,

deavoured to introduce changes which would

in fixing

would control the unof the bill

have made some of the clauses in favour of

the tenant nugatory, and other alterations of a
cancelling character were proposed, the measure

limited growth of rental and of tenant-right.

There were other provisions

which

protected tenants and extended the advantages of the rules of the court even to those

was
to

at last completed,

and at the outset began

work

well, in spite of the efforts of agitators

who were under

the Ulster custom, or

who

to discredit the courts

and the government.

did not choose to apply to the court

itself.

Of the recent horrible assassinations in

Phoenix Park, Dublin, and the attempts to
destroy
life

By

the second part of the

bill

the

Land
to sell

Commission would be enabled

to realize a

or property

by dynamite, nothing
profess to be repre-

scheme for supplying landlords ready

will be said here.

Those who advocate, pro-

and tenants desiring to purchase their holdIn such cases the commissioners would ings.
have power to advance, to tenants intending
to purchase, three -fourths of the

mote, or cause them

may

sentative Irishmen, but they are doing their

worst to remove Ireland from the sympathy

or the regard of mankind.

purchase-

money, or one -half of the purchase -money

when
rent.

the tenant agreed to pay a price to the

In noticing offences against the law, and especially

landlord and to hold from

him

at a fee

farm

crimes of violence,

it

should be remai'ked

The

rest of the

purchase-money might

that according to the statistics issued the

num-

be borrowed elsewhere, and purchasing tenants would be indemnified against encumbered

estates or defective titles.

ber of indictable offences within the last ten

years in England, "Wales, and Ireland indicate a slight increase of crime in recent years,

The Land Commisand

resell it in
if

sion could purchase an estate

both absolutely and relatively to population.

small lots to the tenants

three-fourths of

The number

of crimes reported to

have been

them, paying not

less

than three-fourths of
to

committed was uniformly smaller in Ireland

than in England and Wales.

the total rent, desired

become

holdei's.

The

ten years

Advances

for this

and other purposes were

to

from 1871

to

1880 included

five years of great

STATISTICS OF CEIME.
prosperity of trade and high wages, and five
2"27 in Ireland.

327

Drunkenness was worst

7*26 in Scotland.

in

years of decline of trade and lower wages.

Tlie avei'age of the

Ireland, being
:

16"60 per thousand, against

two periods

of five years

6*77 in

England and

But

had been, per 1000, England and Wales from

1875, 1-98; Ireland, 1-36; from 1876 to 1880,

for drunkenness
statistics

and small crimes the criminal

were favourable to Ireland.

What

England and Wales, 2-09; Ireland,

dictable
offences wei'e

1-37.

Ini

aggravated the state of crime in Ireland was

the recurrence of political offences, and agrarian

thus shown to have

five

been greater in number during the

years.

good
of

crime was seldom absent

;

from Irish

As

to Ireland, the larger

number

criminal jurisprudence
1

but no criminal was

crimes at the commencement and end of the

periods 1871-72 and 1879-80 was clearly due
to the relations

brought to justice although the offences were

often grave.

In lawlessness and drunkenness

between landlords and tenants.

last ten years there

Dublin and Edinburgh were much worse than

Middlesex.
ties

Although during the

had
in

Generally the agricultural coun-

been a slight increase of crime, the number of

pei'sons

had

less

crime than the manufacturing

in savings-

committed for

trial

had diminished

and mining counties. The deposits

bank,
&c., as

every part of the United Kingdom, which

points to the fact that the graver crimes had

a rule showed greater where

least.

crime and drunkenness were

of criminals

The bulk

diminished in number.

In Scotland and Ire-

were

illiterate.

It

was not easy

land the proportion of committals was uni-

to define to

what extent drunkenness was the

formly greater than in England and Wales.

direct or indirect cause of crime.

On an

average of ten years the percentage

of convictions

was 78 per cent

in

England
anil

In education Ireland compares unfavoin-ably with England and Scotland.

of the poi^ulation
is

and Wales, 76 per cent in Scotland,

55 per cent in Ireland
tion in Ireland
is
;

One quarter
in the last

in 1880 the proporcent.

unable to read and write.

was only 50 per

as
in

This

The
fifty

progi'ess in education

made

suggestive,

especially

Ireland the

years has, however, been great, for in

proportion of convictions in cases of offences

against
pi'operty

1841 the proportion of illiterates to the population

was considerably greater

jiereon.

was 53 per

cent.

In 1851

it

had

fallen

than in offences against the

In Eng-

to 47, in 1861 to 39, in 1871 to 33,

and

in 1881

land, in 1880, 72 pereons were

for
for

apprehended

to 25,

The

eastern and northern provinces

murder;

of

these

13

were discharged
of prosecution,

stand on an equality in regard to education,

the proportion of illiterates in each being 20

want

of evidence or

want

or 18 per cent of the whole,

for trial, or 82 per cent.

and 59 committed
In Ireland in the
for

per cent, but Leinster has

made rather
it

the

greater progress, the profiortion there having

same year 53 persons were api^rehended

been 44 in 1841, while in Ulster

40.

was but

murder
for
cent,

37, or 69 per cent,

were discharged
only 30 per

In Munster there are 29 persons out of

want

of evidence,

and

IG, or

every 100 unable to read or write, and in Con-

committed

for trial.

Of 61 committed
were

naught

38.

Forty yeare ago the percentage

for trial in England, 28, or 46 per cent,

of illiterates in the western jirovince

was as

convicted; of 35 committed for

murder

in Ire-

high as

72.

The untaught

are distributed
fol-

land, only 3, or 8| per cent, were convicted.

among
lowing

the religious denominations in the

In j^roportion to the population the ofiences

against public order were 5'13 to the thousand
in Scotland against

proportions: Roman

Catholics, 30-1

per cent; Episcopalians, IQ-Q; Presbyterians,

7'1;

ri6

in

England.
tlie

The

and Methodists,

5-5.

The

greatest pro-

offences against morals

of 0'21 to the

were in

proportion

gress as regards primary education seems to

thousand in England, against

Offences against the person

have been made among the

Eoman

Catliolics.

004

in Ireland.
to the
;

But the number

of Protestant Episcopalian

were ITSS
2"82 in

thousand

in Scotland, against

children attending the National Schools has

increased in ten years
is

England and the

offences against pro-

by 54 per

cent,

and

this
re-

perty 6'6 per

thousand in Scotland, against

regarded as a proof of the subsidence of

328
ligious prejudice.
spite of the

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPOKAEIES.

It is

worth notice

that, in

from, the various countries in 1880 was as

fol-

former denunciation of the Queen's

lows: United
parts, 5995.

States, 140,052; British

North
other

Colleges by the priesthood, the percentage of

America, 16,214; Australasia, 18,274;

all

llonian Catholic students in the three colleges

of Belfast, Cork, and Galway, increased between

Compared with

the previous year,

the increase to the United States alone was

68,000, while the reduction to Australasia

1871 and 1881

the

by

76'1 per cent; in

Cork alone,

was

number

of

Eoman

Catholic students rose

more than 50 per cent upon the

previous year.

figures of the

from 88 to 179.
In 1880 there
States,

In 1876 and 1877 between 60

of the whole excess of emigra-

and 70 per cent

left

our shores for the United

14,471

tion

was

to Australasia.

In 1880

it

was

less

69,081

English,

Scotch, and

than 10 per cent of the whole.

83,018 Irish; for British North America, 13,541

English, 3221 Scotch, and 4140 Irish; for Australasia, 15,176 English,

The emigration
which bad

of persons of Irish origin,

fallen very

low between 1875 and

3059 Scotch, and 5949

14,047;
total is

1879, suddenly rose in 1880 to 93,641, or 12,000

in excess of the

Irish; for all other places, English,

annual average of the previous

of Irish emigrants

Scotch, 1305; Irish, 534.

The grand
164,274

ten years.
to the total

The proportion

227,542,

compared

with

in

1879.
left

from the United Kingdom, which

about 25 per cent, rose to 41 per
figures being:

Including foreigners, 332,294 individuals

had

fallen to

our shores, 281,560 as steerage, and 50,734 as

cabin passengers.

cent.

The

English emigrants,

Of the former 156,150

sailed

111,845, or 49 per cent of the whole; Scotch,

22,056, or 10 per cent; Irish, 93,641, or 41 per
cent.

from Liverpool, 26,058 from Loudon, 19,068 from other English ports; 26,340 from Glasgow; and 53,944 from Londonderry and Cork,
all

The Eoaaan Catholic Church

munity in Ireland.
to the census of 1882,

is

still,

as

it

of

whom went to America, in the proportion

Eepublic to
of
1

always has been, the dominant religious comIts

of 17 to the

to the

Dominion.
to British

members, according
3,960,891, or

The

total

those

who went
;

numbered

North America was 29,340

to Australia

and

76'54 per cent of the whole population.

testant Episcopalians

Pro-

New Zealand, 25,438;

to the British

to the

East Indies, 4527;

numbered

639,574, or

West

Indies, 1543; to the

Cape

12-36 per cent; Presbyterians, 470,734, or

910
little

and Natal, 9803; to British possessions

tral

iu Cenall

per cent; and Methodists, 48,839, or a

less

and South America, 2203; and 2166 to

of

than

per cent.

The proportion
cent,

of

other British possessions.

Eoman
to female emigrants
still

Catholics to the population has de-

The proportion
was nearly

male

clined since 1861

more than one per

and

5 to 3, namely, 203,294 to 129,000;

shows a

slight

tendency to decline.

The

but among British subjects only, the relations

of the sexes

proportion of Episcopalians shows a progressive but very small tendency to rise,

were somewhat
Irish took

different,

and

in

and the

round numbers there were 13 males to 9

females.

same may be said

a

of the Methodists.

The

prois

The
is

most women with

portion of Presbyterians to the population

little

them, which

an indication of a more per-

smaller than iu 1871, but larger than

manent separation from the mother country,

their relations being 48

in 1861.

The
is

decline in the

Eoman

Catholic

men

to 45

women;

the
8.

population
sionei's to

believed

by the census commis-

English were 7 to

4,

and the Scotch 13 to

of British origin of

be due entirely to emigration.

Of the 188,950 adults

sexes,

both

Eoman

Catholics are most numerous

it is

The among

19,971

men and

25,239

women were
out to join

the poorest of the people, and

the poorest

married, the explanation of the excess being

that the surplus

who have

contributed the largest proportion

women were going

of emigrants.

their husbands; 92,470

were single men, 51,197

also 38,592 chil-

In 1881 and 1882 emigration, and especially

Irish emigration, continued.

were spinsters; and there were

The enemies

of

dren under twelve years of age.

Ireland in parliament
tion^

The

excess of emigrants

to,

over immigrants

and those

who recommended sedioutside who recommended

PROGEESS OF THE COUNTEY,

dynamite, made
life

359

and property

insecure.

separate property, and subjecting her to the law

of

The obstructors employment of

of legislation prevented the

bankruptcy

if

she engages in trade, the act

labour, and perpetuated the

proceeds in the second clause in these words

"

misery of the country.

Every woman who marries

of this act
sliall

after the

com-

We

cannnot pass from our references to the

re-

mencement
and
disclose

be entitled to have

important measures of the ten years under

to hold as her separate property, of in

and

to

view without dwelling for a moment on the

bill

manner

aforesaid, all real

and

which makes employers

for injuries sustained

liable to

pay da-

personal property which shall belong to her

at the time of marriage, or shall be acquired

mages

by work-people

in their service in consequence of carelessness

by or devolve upon her

after marriage."

or neglect of jaersons in authority over

them
far-

A
ment

woman
shall

married before the commence-

the

Ground Game
to kill hares

Bill,

which permits

of the act is entitled to all the property

mers

and rabbits on
Bill,

their farms

which
of

accrue to her after that date.

and the Burials

to

permitting any pei'sons

of the

When a married couple are living apart, either

them
is

bury their dead in the churchyards

subject to criminal proceedings for

district

where there
of the

is

no public cemetery.

interfering with the property of the other, just

as
if

One

most

beneficial
is

and equitable

they had never been married.

A married

measures, however,

the Married

Women's
is

woman may
of

accept any trust, or become exe-

Property
given to

Bill,

by which

at last protection

cutrix or administratrix, without the consent

women

against

the rapacity and

her husband.

cruelty of worthless husbands.

1870, with an

The Married Women's Property Act of amending statute (correcting an

for her absolute use the

Let

us, in conclusion,

devote a few minutes

for

to those evidences,

which may give us hope

inadvertence) of 1874, secured to a married

the future maintenance of commercial ami

social prosperity.

woman
of her

wages which
or other

she earned by her

own

labour and the profits

The

progress of

the

country

cannot be

own

skill in literature, art,

doubted.

Our wealth does not diminish, and

it

employment.
l>erty to

Dejaosits in savings banks, proof

there are signs that

continues to increase.

which she became entitled as next

legacies not exceeding
also

Our commerce
likely to

is

maintained, though some of

kin,

and pecuniary

two

the conditions of trade have altered, and are

hundred pounds, were

placed at her

made her own and

This significant

undergo many further changes. The

own

disposal.

amount

of revenue derived

from customs and

assertion that the marriage should not be held

to annihilate the individual rights of a

excise has remained at about the

same

figure

woman

during the past three years, that from excise

was greatly extended and simplified by the

act of 1882.

having increased during the year 1882, wlien

the figures were

The very

first

sub-section proshall

customs, 19,275,208; excise,

vides that

"a married woman

any

... be

27,170,798; as compared with 19,210,465,

capable of acquiring, holding, and disposing

and 25,372,183 for the year 1881.

by

will or otherwise of

real or personal

The total income for the year 1882 amounted

to 85,921,532,

pi'operty as her separate property in the

same

which shows a small increase

manner

as

if

she were a feme

sole,

without the
section

intervention of any trustee."

The same

on the previous year, and an increase of four and a half millions on that of 1880. There

goes on to declare that she

may

enter into con-

was

little

opportunity, however, for that reit is

tracts without the intervention of her husband,

trenchment which

the professed aim of

and abolishes the rule whereby,

an action at law, or
her husband must be
is

if

she brings
else,

the Liberal government to promote; for re-

sued by some one

trenchment can only be acliieved by the adoption of the

" joined for conformity."

two other watchwords which have

After providing that any contract entered

into

yet to be translated into action

''reform."

"peace'" and

by a married woman

shall

be presumed,

Of the eighty-five and a half milabout tweuty-niue and a half

unless the contrary be expressed, to bind her

lions of revenue,


330
millions

GLADSTONE AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

went
to

pay the interest

of

debt,

account

how

the world has developed within

by the cost of former wars and provision against war and an equal sum
chiefly incurred
;

the last forty years.

territory

There are the enlarged

of

and production

North America,

for the

payments

for maintaining the present for the legacy, left

the advance of South America, the practical

army and navy, and

ties for

by

tlie

opening of Africa west and south, the growth

of the Australian colonies,

previous government, of the remaining

the

liabili-

and the increase

in

Afghan and South African wars

Indian produce by the construction of

ways.
hearers,
Pacific

rail-

535,000 and 500,000 respectively. In 1878 there was 3,500,000 for our share in
the Russian-Turkish war; in 1879 and 1880,
for the

Then, as Mr. Clarke reminded his

there
are

the opening up of

the
Cali-

World, the discovery of gold in

Austi'alia, the cargoes

war

in

South Africa, 4,744,920; and,

fornia

and

from the west

in 1881, for the

Afghan war, 500,000.

This

coast of South America, Peru,

and
If

Chili of

brings us to the conclusion that at present

guano, nitre, wheat, and copper.

else

nothing
of trade

debt and war, including provisions for protection against invasion, cost about sixty-nine

had occurred, the vast expansion

least

in the Pacific

must have produced great eff"ects,

per cent of the whole revenue, and that about

sixty-five per cent of that

and at

doubled the trade of the world.

revenue

is

derived

Forty years ago steam played but an inconsiderable part in foreign trade.

from customs,

excise,

and income-tax

above

Sailing ships,

a million and a half being derived from what

is

or steamers with

wooden

hulls,

were made
with the

called house-tax

an impost inflicted on the

was repealed, and the

with the timber of the United States, Canada,

tenant in place of the window-tax, which in

1851, as a tax on light,

Norway, and Russia, and were

fitted

hemp

of

Russia and other countries.

Our

house-duty substituted.

materials for ship equipment were chiefly im-

Another sign
of our shipping

of the national enterprise to

is

ported fi'om abroad, and

we had

to

pay the

which reference may be made

the advance

foreigner for them, while the foreigner had

and carrying
at a

trade.

As Mr.
is

great advantages for engaging in the same

enterprise.

Hyde
sible
I^orts

Clarke,

who spoke

meeting of the
it

Now,

the hulls are

made

of iron

British Association, well

to

said,

impos-

and

steel,

the rigging and

cables also, the

form any true estimate of our imof

engines are of metal, and a chief working

material
far as

and exports and

our uational industry

without taking this powerful element into account.

The

total

tonnage entered and cleared

As all these articles, so is coal. we are concerned, are of home production, we no longer have to import them, we
to account the pi'oducts of oui-

of ports in the foreign trade alone,

shows as

no longer have to pay a tax for acquiring them,

1850, 14,000,000 tons; 1860, 24,000,000 tons; 1870, 36,000,000 tons; 1880, 58,000,000 tons.

and we turn

own

Thus the

increase in thirty years

result
is

was

fourfold.

The same
lish

obtained
If

if

vessels with

cargoes are alone taken.

we

take the Eng-

The foreigner is seldom able to compete with us. The Americans, who have the advantage of home timber, have lost that resource, and their home iron is produced
soil.

tonnage engaged in this trade we find

under

less

favourable cii'cumstances.

Thus,

1850, 9,000,000 tons; 1860, 14,000,000 tons; 1870, 25,000,000 tons; 1880, 41,000,000 tons.

by the addition and application of steam in iron and steel vessels, the economical conditions
of ourship2)ing trade

The amount

of foreign

tonnage engaged in
It

have been greatly altered,

of the

this trade increased only fourfold.

must

and inasmuch as the trade

expanded, so do

world has

be noted also that our steam tonnage largely

increased in this epoch.

we

obtain not only our share

Thus we have

to deal

of the increase of this trade,

but a share en-

with two leading

classes of facts

first,

the

hanced by our possession of advantages in the

increase of our shipping trade; second, the

development

-of

our steam marine.

In con-

new mode of cffrrying. Even an outline of

and

the increase of those

sidering the nature of the growth of our trade

material advantages which promote national

social progress, not only in

and that

of other countries

we must

take into

England but

PROGEESS OF THE COUNTRY.

throughout the civilized world, -would not be
complete without reference to the amazing

331

and

in 1881 6,294,436,

whereas in 1840 the

8,155,521,

pojiulatiou

was estimated at

and

development of the means of transit and

of

increased in remarkably uncertain proportions

till

communication

and from a table of railway

it

1846,

when the

decrease commenced, which

mileage published in 1882

Avould appear that

fol-

has continued chiefly thi'ough emigration in

fits

Germany comes

first

with 21,500 miles,

and

starts,

but during the years from 1845

lowed by Great Britain, 18,200; France, 17,200;

Russia, 14,600; Austria, 12,000; Italy, 5500;

to 1854 at a great rate, afterwards in less pro-

portion

till

1875,

when the

decrease on the pre-

Spain, 4900; Sweden, 4600; Belgium, 2500;

vious year was 5350.

In 1876, however, there

on the population of

Switzerland, 1565; Holland, 1435; Denmark,

began a

definite increase

1160; Roumania,920; Turkey, 870; Portugal,

1875 of 12,124, and in the following year a

further increase of 17,288.
the increase

660; and Greece, six miles.

ceipts of British railway

As

for the retotal

In 1879 and 1880

at above 12,000

companies their
it

was maintained
but
fell

in

1869 was only 41,000,000; but

was

for each year,

again in 1880 to 226,

62,962,000 in 1880, 64,338,000 in 1881, and

and

in 1881

had been replaced by a decrease

which
is

was

still

increasing.

The

receipts

from third-

of 32,663, a diminution

somewhat

class passengers,

which

specially illustrated

significant as illustrating the results of that

the condition of the working-classes, increased

kind of agitation which stimulates to crime

from 7,000,000
1880.

in

1869 to 15,000,000 in

and outrage and removes the safeguards

society.

of

In Great Britain there were 26.465 miles

of telegraphic lines, as

The whole population of the United Kingdom in 1871 was 31,513,442, and in 1881
34,788,814.

compared with 59,090

miles
in

miles

in

Russia,

43,650

France,

31,015 in Austria-Hungary, and 14,265 miles

in

creased.

The population in the large towns has inBirmingham had increased from
Manchester had only from 182,000
slightly in-

Gei-many

Germany

coming

first

with the

340,000 to 400,000; Liverpool, from 493,000

to 552,000.

total length of wires,

having 159,910 against

134,465 miles in Russia, 125,265 in France,

creased; but Salford had increased from 124,000

to 176,000; Bristol, to 206,000;

and 121,720 in England.

France,

But the

total

num-

ber of messages in 1881 showed for England

29,820,445;

Leeds, from 259,000 to 309,000;

Leicester,

19,882,628;

Germany,
and

16,312,457; Austria-Hungary, 8,729,321;

from 95,000 to 122,000; Nottingham, from 129,000 to 186,000; and Coventry, from 41,000
to 47,000.

Russia only 7,298,422.

The

ratable value of

Birmingham,

In England the gross amount received and

the gross amount expended in respect of the
post-oflice telegraph service

Liverpool, and other towns has also greatly

increased.

from the date

of

The number
2,399,370
in

of

electors

in

1880-81 was
in

the transfer to the government to the 31st

England,

138,440

Wales,

March, 1880, were remarkable.

amount received from 1870 to 1880, was 11,592,160, 185. 3d. and the gross amount expended 9,920,597, 95. 7hd. In the year 1880 the gross amount received was
;

The gross March 31,

310,218 in Scotland, and 229,461 in Ireland,

making a
ments
sities

total

of

3,077,489.

The
and

assess-

in

counties, to

boroughs,

univer-

amounted

418,223,601

English,

14,631,847 Welsh, 54,782,336 Scotch, and

1,469,795,

65.

6d.

The

capital

account

34,222,230 Irish, or a total of 521,860,014.

amounted

to 10,529,577.

There has been an increase

trade, export

in the foreign

The computed population of England and Wales in 1871 was 22,760,359. In 1881 it was The increase from 1840 to 1881 25,798,922.
had been 10,068,109.
In Scotland there were
3,666,375 persons in 1871, and 3,695,450 in
1881, an increase of 1,094,764 since 1840.

and import, of the United King-

dom, as shown by the entries and clearances

in the British ports, of 60 per cent in the ten

years from 1870 to 1880.

The volume

of our

trade has been continually increasing.

In

The

total real value of imports

to

and exports
in

Ireland in 1871 the population was 5,386,708,

from and

our colonial possessions was

GLADSTONE AND HIS COXTEMPOEAEIES.

1865, -124,387,551; iu 1875, 161,074,982; iu 1881, 178,220,852, exclusive of bullion
specie.

of sufficient
I

magnitude to mark emphatically

aud

the date of the removal of the remaining restraints

Our
iu

foreign exports and imports re1865,

;

upon food supply.

It

must be remem-

presented

489,903,861; in 1875,
I

bered, too, that the increase in national prosperity has been accompanied

655,551,900

in

1881, 694,105,264, wliicli

less

by that steady

was nearly three millions

of 1880.

than the totals

I

and compatible increase of population which

is itself

sometimes an evidence of wellbeing.

at the vast extent
rela-

The

real value of goods

imported iu 1875

One glance may be taken

wa.s 373,939,577; in 1880, 411,229,565;

and

and the constantly increasing commercial

which seems

in 1881, 397,022,489; the value of British

tions of that colonial empire the contemplation

of to

produce exported in 1875 was 223,465,963;

dwarf the physical and

it

aud

of foreign

and colonial produce

In
1880
the

exjDorted,

numerical proportions, while

j

enhances our

58,146,360.

figures

were

sense of the vigour and intense vitiility of the

223,060,446 and 63,354,020; and in 18S1,

portion of the realm in which

we

live.

234,022,678 and 63,060,097.

From
in-

the North American colonies to the

of British India,

In the fortj-one years from 1840 the

crease of the value of goods imijorted

teeming provinces

from the

had

West India Islands

to year,

to Africa, Fiji,
is

aud the

risen in 1881, 540 per cent, the increased value

Australias, the computation

made from year

per head of the population being 11,

as against 2,
7s.

7s. 4c/.

and may be regarded

as approximate!}"

6^d.

The value

of Bi-itish

accui'ate

when
an

it

recounts that the British

produce and manufactures exported had risen

Empire, including the United Kingdom, consists

from 51,308,740 to 234,022,678, or 356 per

cent,
18s.

of

ai-ea

of

7,926,737

square miles,

and the proportion per head

9d. to 6, 14s.

fi'om 1,

with a population of 240,753,111, a revenue of

181,332,505, an expenditure of 189,153,411,

These figures are very

full of suggestion.

They mean a

vast acces-

a debt of 1,069,699,974; imports, including

bullion

sion of comfort, a

much

larger supply of food,

aud

specie, of

491,345,959 value, ex-

a remarkable impi'ovement in the condition

of the labouring population.

ports of 393,078,218 value,

and a

total of

They

also sug-

shipping, inwai'ds aud outwards, but excluding

gest that with

increasing freedom of com-

the coasting trade, of 56,541,708 tons, of which

44,469,846 tons
is

merce trade has increased, and that the national ledger

traffic

British.

shows under the head of foreign

the gigantic total of more than fourteen

With

these stupendous figures this record

thousand millions sterling for the twenty-eight

years from 1854 to 1881 inclusive.

may

well close, for from the seeming dry

statistics there

bones of such

should arise in

One more word on

tions

this subject. Since the rerestric-

the imagination of the reader a great living nation

maining shilling duty and some other

nation which has held a foremost

were removed from foreign grain iu 1870,

In the twenty-one years

place in the councils of the world,

and has
is its

the proportion of food brough t herefrom abroad

gone forth from the small island which

central

has vastly increased.

home, not only conquering and

to

from 1849

to 1869 the importations

were about

conquer, but to increase and multijjly aud to

replenish the earth.

583,000,000 cwt. of wheat and wheat flour,

110,000,000 cwt. of barley, 109,000,000 cwt.
of oats, 183,000,000 cwt. of maize,

and a

total,

including large quantities of peas and beans,

of

This " laud of old and wide renown, where freedom slowly broadens down from precedent to precedent," has too often followed bad traditions,

1,046,123,490 cwt.
to

In the twelve years

and yielded

to

unwise counsel in

its

from 1870

1882 the figures were about

relations to the world.

fight

It has gone out to

677,000,000 cwt. of wheat aud wheat flour, 132,500,000 cwt. of barley, 143,500,000 cwt.
of oats, 334,000,000 cwt. of maize,

when
of

it

might have made peace by

bravely refusing to draw from the scabbard a

and a

total

sword

which

all

men knew and many had

it

of 1,334,701,083 cwt., a proportionate increase

felt the

smiting power;

has sometimes inter-

CONCLUSIOX.
meddled with quarrels not
its

333

own, and turned

history of the country in the future.

The

them

into conflicts that

of

have stayed the onward

has more than once

march

mankind
rulers,

it

who are presently to be the men and women to whom the position of
young
especially,

been duped by foreign statecraft and fooled

England

is

to be intrusted, will

have to stand
either as par-

by

its

own

who threw

high stakes for

in the world's gi^eat

highway
and on

place

and

pride.
to

British temper has occasion-

tisans or as patriots,

their action the

ally ap])eared
I)oIicy

be overbearing, or British

future progi'ess of the nation will depend.

has had a temporary look of truckling. But with all these faults Britain has stood forth in the main as the upholder of truth and justice,

They may by trying

to face both

ways

per-

suade themselves that they are

politicians.

as the vindicator of freedom

and the claims

of

their

They may stand and block the road against fellows, and profess that they ai-e
thereby acting for the security of the whole

human progress. The voice of the nation has many a time risen clear and strong above mere party cries, above the murmurs of those who thought either to lead or to drive, but
found the halter shaken loose in their grasp,
the goad i^iercing their
still

people.

They may

try to turn back the ad-

vancing army and for a moment make confusion in the ranks

;

they

may

be urged on-

ward

in breathless haste

by

pretentious, loudroad,

own

hands.

Oftener
like

mouthed demagogues, and, missing the

find themselves obliged to seek a

there has arisen

some great leader

way of

escape

him whose name stands

this

as part of the title of

from the mires of self-seeking, of unbelief and

of false doctrine; or they

book

man

clear in purpose, resolute,

set towai'ds one

may, with an eye

light, ]nirsue

and strong; with his face

goal, his life earnestly

that

is

single

and

full of

the

devoted to promoting,

course of peace, justice, and truth, and of that

with unflagging

zeal, tlie

moral and

political

righteousness which exalteth a nation.

The
will

improvement
of

of the country, the

advancement
of

time
of

is

not far distant

if

when a

vaster multitude

free

institutions,

and the progress

men,

not every
in the

man and woman,

higher education.

have a voice
try
;

government

of the coun-

but that time should not

it

let

us trust
is

One more word.

Every reader

of
is

these
in one

that

may

not

arrive

till

there

good

pages, old or middle-aged or young,

reason to hope that no voice shall ring out

way

or other helping to

make

or to

mar

the

with a treacherous or an uncertain crv.

INDEX.
Abd-el-Kader, his defence of the ChrisAlbert, Charles,

Damascus, iv 65. Aberdeen, Earl of, colonial secretary

tians in

the lead in insurrectionary

in

King of Piedmont, takes movements

Albert Nyanza, discovery Albums, period of, i 1S8.

Aldershott,

of, iv 20.

Peel's ministry,
tary,
i

130

foreign secre24; resigns

looked on with suspicion by Mazzini and his coadjutors,

in Italy,
ii

J52;

camp

at,

iii

132.

318; forms a coalition ministry,

iii

ii

152; defeated at

Novara,

ii

152; abdi-

Alexandra, Princess, betrothed to Prince of Wales, iv 144; her enthusiastic reception in London, iv 144
riage, iv 145.
;

ii3i6; disinclined for war,

office,
iii

cates in favour of his son, Victor

Em292;

her mar-

147; his death, iv 42.

of,

manuel,
;

ii

153.
i

Abyssinia, condition

iv 244

cruel
;

Albert, Prince, visit to England,

Alfred, Prince, begins his nautical career,

iii

conduct of King Theodore, iv 245 an expedition sent out under General Sir

Robert
247; Mr.
iv 247. Achilli,
turer,

Napier,

iv 246

capture

of
iv

Baron Stockmar's opinion of him, i his education and accomplish294 ments, i 295 is informed of King Leo;
;

324; his visit to

iv 43;
is

Cape of Good

Hope,
iv 257.

elected to the throne of

Greece, iv 145; attempt to assassinate,

Alien Act,

Magdala and death of Theodore,

pold's

desire

for
i

his

marriage with

Disraeli on the expedition,

Queen

Victoria,

296;

makes a tour

in

amendment

of,

ii 2.

Dr.,
iii

converted Catholic
iii 8.

lec-

by Stockmar, i 296; disparaging rumours as to his princiItaly accOTnpanied

ples,

Allied fleets sent to the Dardanelles,

25-

iii

8;

great libel case,

Adams, Mr., discovers the planet Neptune,

ii

300 his proposed annuity reduced by the vote of the house, 301;
i
;

Alma, battle of, iii 95; news received England, iii 104.
chequer,
character of, i So i 69 usefulness in passing first reform
;

in

176.

the question of precedence,

of,
ii

302; re-

Althorp, Lord, chancellor of the ex;

Adelaide,
206.

Dowager Queen, death

Queen

ceives in 1837 the

sort,
i

title of

Prifice

Con-

his
bill,

302

his enthusiastic reception

i

Adelaide,

of William IV., popu-

oil

landing in England,
;

303; his mar-

lar prejudice against, i 58. Administrative reform, organization of

riage, i 304 appointed regent in the event of the queen's death, i 304; his

124; again chancellor of the exchequer, i 126; succeeds to the title of Earl Spencer, i 126.
i

81: resigns office,

association to obtain,
in the
lic

iii

161

discussion
161;

manners and study of

politics,

304

Atiiazon steamship, burning

of,

ii
iii

276.

House of Lords demand for, iii 179.

on,

iii

pub-

dissatisfaction at his presence at the

Amusements
iv 7, 8.

for

the people,

217;

debate on Peel's free-trade budget,

100; his industry,
ii

ii

degrading and refined amusements,

Adullamites, the, iv 216.

131; success of the

Adulteration of food and drink, revelations

made by

the Lancet,
ii

iii

229.

ii

Great Exhibition of 1851 due to him, popular misunderstandings of 231

;

Anatomy Act

of 1832 passed,

176.

Afghan war of 1840-42,

7;

Dost Mostarts

hini,

ii

232; his influence on university

hammed
tish,
ii

gives himself up to the Bri-

8; Sir

Robert Sale
ii

from

education, ii 233; views on the situation before the Crimean war, iii 27 his
;

Anderson, John, extradition case between the United States and British governments, iv 106. Annuities and Assurances, Mr. Gladstone's

Cabul

for Jellalabad,
ii

8;

treachery of

alleged share in the resignation of Lord

scheme

for, iv 172.
;

Akbar Khan,
the British,
ii

8;

terrible retreat of

Palmerston,
49; visit to

iii

45; his character vindiiii

attempted advance of Colonel Wild's force, ii 10; General Pollock advances to relieve the garrisons in Afghanistan, ii 10; forces the Khyber Pass, ii 11; General Sale re8;

cated and political status asserted,

the French emperor,
iii

great Anti-Corn-law agitation, i 27S meetings at Manchester, i 278; the

97:

meetings prohibited and dispersed,

279.

lieved at Jellalabad,

ii

11; gallant
ii

de11;

fence of General Sale's force,

General Pollock captures the KhoordCabul Pass, and defeats Akbar Khan, ii 11; enters Cabul, ii 12; the gates of Somnauth carried away, ii 12; causes

Napoleon III., iii 98; his queen and the emperor, iii 99 speech on the need for confidence in government, iii 178; his interest in the improvement of the condition of the people, iii 216; efforts to establish mohis opinion of

letters to the
;

Anti-Corn-law Association, the Manchester, 1275; organize lectures through

the country,
i

277; meetings disturbed

i

by

Chartists,

277.

del dwellings,

iii

217; speech at edu-

cational conference at Willis'

iii

Rooms,

Anti-Corn-law Conference, i 278. Antl-Corn-law League, origin of, erects a pavilion at Manchester,
ner,
tion
24, 25; petitions

275;
24;

ii

218; he drawls

up code
iii

for the organi-

great banquet and working-men's dinii

Afghan outbreak, the war, ii 12; war of

of the

ii

12;

end of

zation of volunteers,

325; president
325; his great

and

distribu-

1878, iv 319;

of the British Association for the Pro-

of tracts,
ii

Gen. Sir Fred. Roberts' victory, iv32o.

Africa, exploration in, iv 20, 198.

motion of Science,
industrj',
;

iii

Chartists,

25:
ii

opposed by the ii 25; work done by the ladies'

Agricultural distress, Mr.

for inquiry into,
ii ii

75;

Cobden moves Mr. Miles' moMr.

Disraeli's

iv 44 letter on the training of boys for the royal navy, iv 46:

narrow escape from a carriage accident,

iv 47; the twenty-first

tion concerning,

76;

anniversary of

27; great bazaar to raise opening of the Free-trade Hall, ii 28; is charged with re.spon.sibility for the murder of Sir Rubcrt

committee,
funds,
ii

27;

speech on,
reply,
1845,
ii ii

ii

76

Sir Robert

Peel's

77;

failure of the

crops in
86.
2; iv 2.

85; Harriet

Martineau on the
ii

poor state of his health, iv 51 his visit to Sandhurst and to the Prince of Wales at Camhis marriage, iv 49
;

Peel's secretary,

ii

38; repudiation of

the charge at a meeting in Manchester,

failure of the potato crop,

bridge, iv 51; his

iv 52; his illness
last

amendments on

the

Agricultural improvements,

iii

despatch concerning the 7"rf/dispiitc,

London becomes its headquarters, Kohl's account of the League and its mode of operations, ii 42: altiii

ii

42;

Agricultural labourer, condition of the,

iv

becomes serious,
;

iv 54;

tude of
owners,

many
ii

tenant-farmers and land-

310;

strikes

among,
iv 311;

iv 311;

Arch's agitation,
struggle, iv 312.

Mr. end of the

moments and death, iv 53 grief of the nation, iv 53; Mr. Gladstone's tribute to his memory, iv 53 passage
;

49;

work of the Le.igue

ii

in

agricultural districus,

49:

meetings in

Alabama
iv

privateer, built in England,

from Dean Milman's sermon,

funeral of the prince, iv 56.

iv

55

Covent Garden Theatre, ii 51; Drury Lane Theatre refused, ii 55: important
accessions to
its

13s; her depredations, iv 136; destroyed by the Kearsargc, iv 136; set-

ranks,
ii

ii

55,

56;

the

Albert Memorial, inauguration of the,

iv 200.

Times on the League,

55; its revision

ii

tlement of claim for damages,

iv 288.

of the electoral register,

57;

Mr.

336

ANALYTIC
Ballot,

INDEX.
advocated by George Grote, i 107
;

BRUCE
war,
iii

Cobden's advice to the people, ii 57; statistics of the League's growth, ii 83; great bazaar in Covent Garden Theatre, ii 83; seeks to provide voting qualifications, ii 83, 84; great meeting at Manchester during the Irish famine, ii 90; successful appeal for funds, ii 91;
its

73; speech
iii

in the

House

of

discussions on, iv 307

308.

bill

passed, iv

Baly, Dr., killed in a railway accident,

iv 42.

he refuses to contribute to the Patriotic Fund, iii 118; his opposition to the French alliance, iii iiS; speech on the popularity of the
79;

Commons,

Bandiera, story of the brothers,

336.

war,
iii

iii

119; letter to his constituents,

influence

in

the country,

ii

95;

Bank Act, amendment of, ii 61. Bank Charter Act, suspension

1857,
iii

of,

in

iii 120, 204; farewell address to his late constituents,

120; loses his seat,

dreaded by the Duke of Wellington, ii 95; dissolution of the League, ii 115;

221.
of, iv 4.

Barry, Sir Charles, death

erecting public,
Beales, Mr.
178.

handsome presents
porters,
ii

to

its
ii

chief sup297, 303.

Baths and washhouses, movement for

ii

115; its revival,

205; his appeal to the government on behalf of peace, iii 154; his outlines of a reform bill, iii 289; opposes Disraeli's reform bill, iii 290; is elected
iii

Analytic Sanitary Commission of the

Lancet, superintended by Dr. A. H.

Hassall,
iii

229.

Edmond, iv 223; his efforts for the Reform League, iv 223; his share in the Hydepark Riots, iv 224;
at great trades' demonstration, iv 239.

member
reform,

for

Birmingham,
296;

iii

290; his

address at Glasgow on parliamentary

iii

Anglo-French alliance, letters of Napoleon and Prince Albert, iii 275. Arch, Mr. Joseph, iv 311.
Arctic exploration,
Argj'll,
ii

come
iii

tax, succession duties,

Belgium formed
Leopold,
i

into a

kingdom under

relations between

speech on the inand the France and England,

for reforming ta.xa-

91.

317; his
iii

scheme

203.

Bentham, Jeremy,
tical progress,
i

his influence on poli-

tion,

330; speeches on church-rates,

Duke

of,

lord privj' seal in the

ii

52.
i

iv 15;

on the right of the House of

to interfere with taxation bills,

Aberdeen ministry,
merston's ministry,
career,
iii

317,

and

in Pal-

Bentinck, Lord George, his career,

332;
Iilr.

Lords
iv 28;

iii

151;

his early

Disraeli on,
ii

333; leader of

on the prosperity and institutions

304; his writings

iii

and wide

the Protectionists,

99;

Mr. Disraeli's

social influence,
iii

304; his marriage,

304; character

of, iv

212; secretary

biography of, ii 99; his mode of improving the condition of Ireland, ii

119; his death,
ii

of the United States, iv 103; president of the Board of Trade, iv 269 chan;

cellor of the

duchy of Lancaster,

iv 289.

for India, iv 270.

205.

Britannia Tubular Bridge, completion

of,
ii

Arkwright, Richard, his spinning frame,

i

Berlin, congress at, iv 318.

175.

275-

Arms, improvement in, iii 326. Armstrong, Sir William, invention of improved gun, iii 326. Amaud, Marshal St., in the Crimea, iii 92; is attacked by cholera, iii 94. Arnold, Dr., his influence on public
school
life, ii

Bessemer, Henry, iv 19, 20. Bethell, Mr. See Westbury.

Betting-ofiices, evils of,
iii

British Association for

the Advancein

ment of Science, meeting

chester,
i

Man-

6.
i

277.

Bishoprics abolished in 1833, Blessington, Lady, iii 4.

110.

Bilbury Reservoir, near Huddersfield, bursting of, ii 288: iv 184.

Birkbeck, Dr., establishes mechanics'
institutes,
i

Brooke, Sir James, Rajah of Sarawak, i 290; his career in Borneo, ii 157; his proceedings discussed in parliament,
ii

158; returns to
ii

England and
ii

is

well

175.

received,

159; appointed governor of 159;

ii

Arrcnu, case of the lorcha, iii 198. Ashantee, war in, iv 304. Ashley, Lord. See SJm/tesbjiry.

50.

Labuan but removed,

the,
ii

Mr. Glad159.

BirkenJiead troopship, wreck of

298.

stone on his proceedings,

administration,
for Yorkshire,
i

Brougham, Lord, opposes Wellington

i

Attwood,

Mr.,

motion
i

in

House

of

Commons

to consider the Five Points 261.

of the Charter,

Bismarck, Prince, his view of government, iv 154; his conduct in the AustroPrussian war, iv 237.
Blouifield, Bishop, sketch of,
i

32; elected

member

60; his great industry

and fame,
i

61; disliked as a coadjutor,

life,
i

Auchterarder case, the, ii 166. Auckland. Lord, Governor-general of India, appoints General Pollock to the command of an Afghan expedition, ii 9.
Australia,
first

47.

62; amiable in private

62; his
i i

Black Friday,
iv 236.

iv 235;

panic
in

in

London,

personal appearance and vanity,

his reckless

63; 63;

use of personalities,
i

Blum,

Robert, leader

Hungarian

not a great lawyer,

64, extent of his

i

settlement

in,

ii

192;

ceases to receive convicts from Britain,

ii

194; Australian Colonies

Government

insurrection, seized and shot, ii 155. Board of Health, appointment of, ii 181. Board of Trade returns of imports and

knowledge and

literary powers,
i

65;

appointed lord-chancellor,
sonal quarrel between

69;

per-

him and Earl of

introduced and passed, ii 197; Mr. Gladstone proposes an ecclesiastical

Bill

exports of food, iv

1, 2.

Bomba, nickname of Ferdinand, King

of Naples, iv 66. Booth, John Wilkes, assassinates President Lincoln, iv 143;
is

constitution for the Australian colonies,

ii

197; discovery of gold

ii

in,

ii

201;
in,

statistics of,

202; exploration

iv

shot, iv 143.

20.

Australia, South,
;

misgovernment

of,

ii

190 representative government granted

to,
ii

Bowring, Sir John, early history and character, iii 199; appointed consul at Canton and governor of Hong Kong,
iii

190.
ii

200; his action in the

200.

Arrmv

afliair,

Durham, i 125; his criticism on the weakness of the cabinet in the Commons, i 127; is disliked by the king, 127; he advocates repeal of stamp-duty on newspapers, i 189; his antagonism to Lord IMelbourne, i 220; is reconciled with Lord Lyndhurst, i 221; he proposes in the Lords the abolition of the corn duties, ii 33; his claims on the
i

Austria, insurrection in,

Prussia, iv 236.

155;

war with

iii

gratitude of the nation,

ii

46; opposes
bill,

See Italy. Ayrton, Mr., on her Majesty, iv 239: is rebuked by Mr. Bright, iv 239. Aytoun, Mr., his motion on the ]\Iaynooth Grant and the Regium Donum,
iv 266.

Austria and Italy.

Bowyer, Sir George, attacks the government for their policy towards Italy,
iv 86, 87.

Lord Lyndhurst's married women

iii

12; applies for letters of naturaliza-

tion in France, intending to offer

of, iv 185.

himiii

Bradfield Reservoir, bursting

self as
13:

candidate for presidentship,

in 1859,
iii

Bread
Brett,

riots,

iii

211.

Lord Brougham
;

304;

Aytoun, Professor, death of, iv. 198; his works and literary position, iv 198.

murder of Sergeant, iv 253; execution of the murderers, iv 255. Bribery Bill passed, iv 267.
Bright, John, his birth and early training,
ii ii

address to working men at Sheffield in 1865, iv 241 death of, iv 198. Brown, John, his efforts on behalf of the
his

slave, iv 92;

is

tried

and sentenced

to

31;

meets with Richard Cobden,

31; elected
;

member

for

Durham,

ii

death, iv 95; letter from prison to a Quaker lady, iv 98; his execution, iv 99.

B.
Baker,
Sir

Samuel,

e.vplorations

in

with Mr. Cobden, ii 51; Mr. Cobden induces him to join the corn-law agitation, ii 51; his posi31
his first interview

Africa, iv 20.

tion in regard to the

allies,
iii iii

Crimean war,

iii

Balaklava, occupied by the

97; attacked

61; his unpopularity during the war,

iii

Brown, Sir George, at the battle of the Alma, iii 96. Browning, Mrs., poem on tyranny in Naples, Hungary, and Italy, ii 139. Bruce, Frederick, sent to Pekin to
ratify the treaty of Tien-tsin, iv 59.

by the Russians,

107.

68;

speech

in

Edinburgh against

:; ;

BRUCE
Bruce,

INDEX.
CHOLERA
Campbell, Thomas, death of, i 286. Canada, revolt in, i 221; causes of
content,
i

337
iii

Henry A., home secretary', iv27o. Brunei, Mr., makes the Thames Tunnel,
ii

Sahib's treachery and cruelty,

dis-

252;

I7Sgr.
ii

222

the cause of the colon-

Cecil,

Brussels, insurrection in 1830,

Buckland, Dean, outcry against,

176.

Budget of
:

1S40,
ii

306; of 1841,
34; of 1844,
ii

308; of
60, 62;

1842,

330;
ii

19,

ii

of 1845,

69; of 1846,
ii

96; of 1852.

Mr.

Disraeli's,

310;

Mr. Gladstone's

329; of 1854, i" S^i 57; supplementary budget, iii 59; of Sir George
first, ii

Comewall Lewis,

iii

163, 164, 219

of

advocated by Mr. Hume, i 224; to suspend the constitution of Lower Canada, opposed by Mr. Roebuck, i 224 appointment of the Earl of Durham as governor-general, i 225; complaints of his policy, i 227; he resigns, i 227; bill granting indemnities to people whose property had been injured during insurrection, ii 195
ists
bill

General Havelock captures, iii 256. Lord Robert, iv i6g; his charge against Mr. Lowe, iv 170.
cities,
ii

introduced

Cemeteries, outside of

18.

Chalmers, Dr.,

ii

165; Sara Coleridge's

criticism on his manner, ii 166. Chamber's Editiburgh Journal begun,

1832,
i

112.
i

Chartism, Carlyle on,

Points,
i

251, 262; the Six

258; meetings at

Birmingham,
;

Mr. Disraeli in 1858, iii 289; of Mr. Gladstone in 1859, '" 316; of i860,
iii

discussed in the
ii

British parliament,
251.
life

331; of 1861, iv 31; of 1862, iv 119;

196; Fenian raid on, iv Canning, George, his early

tical views,
i

and
i

poli-

of 1863, iv 146; of 1864, iv 171; of 1865,

iv 173; of 1866, iv ZI2;

7; his
i

oratory,
i

20; his

of 1869, iv 273;

administration,

27; death,

29.

Manchester, and London, 1 258 imprisonment of Henry Vincent, i 260 the National Petition, i 261; Mr. Attwood's motion, i 261; apprehension of the secretaries of the National Convention, i 261; meeting and riots in Bir-

of 1871, iv 287.
!!ull

Canning,
ii

Run,

battle of, iv 115.

206.

liuller,

Charles,

succeeds Lord Dalhousie as Governor-general of India, iii 245 outcry against his policy, iii
;

Lord,

mingham,
oners,
nor,
i
i

261; sentences on the pris-

262; arrest of Feargus O'Con-

262; arrest

Buhver, Sir E. Lytton, on newspaper

stamp-duty,
bill
i

189; his speech

on reform

his proclamation regarding the 271 landowners of Oudh, iii 272; .success of
;

Frost, Williams,

and transportation of and Jones, i 263; end

of Chartism,
tion of

263; Disraeli's descrip-

of 1866, iv 216.
of, iv 38.

his policy,

iii

273; appointed
iii

first

Viceiii

Bunsen, Chevalier, death

soned,
i

roy in India,
273.

275;

his

death,

Chartists try to stir

i

some Chartist doings, i 265 up the people,

i

Burdett, Sir Francis, fined and impri2; deserts the Liberals,

i

280

Harriet Martineau on,

ii
ii

280
;

97.

Canrobert, General,

commander

of the
iii
iii

Burke, Colonel, Irish-American agitator, iv 252.

Crimea, the queen's description of him,

in the

French troops

104;
104;

causes alarm in London, second National Petition,

148 148

the
;

at-

Burking,
of Pegu,

176.
iii

resigns his
197; annexation

command,

iii

135, 164.

Burmah, war with,

iii

Canton captured by the

iii

allied

forces,

tempt to put down public meetings, ii 148 meeting on Kennington Common, ii 149; Earl Russell's account of
:

197.

276.
to the

the proceeding.s,
ii

ii

149; its after efTects,

Burnes,

Sir Alexander,
ii

murdered

in

Cape of Good Hope, opposition

landing of convicts,
17; statistics of,
ii

149.
of,
i.

Cabul,
iv 20.

8.

195.

Chatham, Earl
tary reform,
i

advocates parliamen-

Burton, Captain, explorations in Africa,

Bu.\ton, Sir

Capital punishment, efforts to abolish,

ii ii

17;

commission on,

Cheap
iv 153-

trains for the working-classes,

Thomas

Fowell, advocates
i

iv

168

public executions abolished,

the abolition of slavery,

line

22, 146.

iv 169.

Childers, Mr.,
ii

first

lord of the admir-

Byron, Lord, intimacy with Lady Caro-

Carbonari,

145.

alty, iv 270.

Lamb,

316.

Cardigan, Earl of, his share in the blunder at Balaklava, iii 109; his quarrel-

China, opening up of, i 290; first war with, i 290 capture of Nankin and
;

some

disposition,

iii

109.

Hong-Kong,
nity,
i

290; large

war indemiii

c.
Cabinets
ton's,
i
:

Cardwell, Mr., president of the Board of Trade, ii 317; Indian secretary, iii
1

290; second war with,

196;

seizure of the crew of the lorcha Arrirut

Canning's,

27
i

three cab-

inets in seven months,

i

30; Welling-

he resigns, iii 154 secretary for 151 war, iv 270; his army reforms, iv 286.
;
;

by the Chinese and demand

restoration,
iii

for their

30; Grey's,

69, 90;
;

Melbourne's,
Peel's,
i

Caricatures of LB,
Carlisle,

97.
i

98, 126, 145,

158, 233
ii

130,

Lord, his early career,

iii

334;

158, 231, 318;

91; Russell's,
ii

ii

116;

Lord-lieutenant of Ireland,
Carlyle,
slavery,

151.

iv 182; Derby's,

296;

iii

287; iv 222;
iii

Thomas, on the
i

abolition of
i

Aberdeen's,
iv 269, 323.

ii

316; Palmerston's,

150,

154; on Chartism,

251,262;

292; Disraeli's;, iv235, 292; Gladstone's,

on emigration, 254; on the Poor-law Association, ii 288; his History of the

Cairns, Sir

Hugh, supports
of 1859,
iii

Disraeli's
solicitor-

French Revolution,
Caroline, Queen,

ii

163.
i

reform
general

bill

291:

is

trial of,

6;

her death
19; his

Conservative administration, iii 303 his rapid promotion, iii 303 Bulwer's description of him,
in the
;
;

and

funeral,

39.
of,
i

Castlereagh, Lord, suicide

iii

303.

Cambridge, Duke of, at battle of the Alma, iii 96. Campbell, Sir Colin, birth and education, iii 30s enters the army, iii 305 services in the Peninsula, in America, Demerara, China, in India under Lord Gough, in the Scinde campaign with Sir Charles Napier, and in the Crimea, iii 305 at the battle of the Alma, iii gfi appointed commander-in-chief of
; ; ;
;

kindness of manner, i 133. Cathcart, Sir George, killed at Inkerman, iii 112; letter from the queen to
his

Mr. Parkes applies to Sir John Bowring, iii 199 the men sent back, but apology refused by Governor Yeh, iii 200 bombardment of Canton, iii 201; Lord Lyndhurst's speech in the House of Lords, iii 201; Mr. Cobden's pamphlet, iii 201 he condemns the government action, iii 202: defeat of the government, iii 202; Disraeli and Gladstone on the governCanton taken, ment's policy, iii 203 iii 276; capture and death of Commissioner Veh, iii 277; Mr. Frederick Bruce sent to Pekin to ratify treaty of
198;
;
;

Tien-tsin, iv 59: the

Taku

forts de-

widow,

iii

112.
i

Catholic Association, the, Catholic Emancipation,

i

25.

19; refusal o(

Admiral Hope attempts to storm them, iv 61; Baron Gros and Lord Elgin sent out with a sufficient
fended,
iv 60;

Canning to oppose, 27; bill brought in by Peel and passed, 33: it fails to
i

force, iv 61; taking of the

Taku

forts

and march towards Pekin,

by the Chinese,
iv 61;

iv 61; cruel

restore order,

36.

treatment of the allied commissioncis

release of the

Cavignari, murder of Sir Louis, iv 319. Cavour, Count, his early career, iii 133;

prisoners and surrender of Pekin, iv 62;

the forces in India,

iii

Lucknow and removes

relieves 255 the non-com;

induces Sardinia to join France and England, iii 134; his policy during
Garibaldi's movements,
ties iv 71; difficuliv 75;

indignation of the troops, iv 62

struction of the

de-

Summer

P.ilacc, iv 62:
iv 63.

conclusion of the convention,

batants in safety, iii 258 announces the close of the rebellion, iii 268 ; is
;

from Garibaldi's successes,

Chisholm, Mrs., her efTorts on behalf of

emigrants, ii 199. Chloroform, opposition to the use
of,

his circular to the courts of Europe,

iv 77; his death, iv 42, 83.

made Lord Clyde,

iii

268.

Campbell, Lord, his early career and literary work, iii 304. Vol. IV.

Cawnpore, mutiny at, iii 251 its defence by Sir Hugh Wheeler, iii 252; Nana
;

Cholera in 1831,

109: in 1849.

ii

178.

85

; ;

338

INDEX.
CHRISTIAN

CRIMEAN
becomes
the prevention of war,
iii

Christian, Duke of Glucksburg,

66; criticism

iv 133; capital of the various branches, iv 133

;

King of Denmark,
Christian Socialism,

iv 146.
ii

50.

on the mode of conducting the war, iii 67; his unpopularity during the war,
iii

progress temporarily checked

civil

Chupatties in the Indian mutiny, iii 247. Church of England Mr. Gladstone's account of revival in, i 45; influence of
position of the, iv 200;

68; addresses his constituents on the

iii

by American Copley, John

hurst.

war, iv 134.

Singleton.

See Lyitd-

war,

141; loses his seat,

iii

iii

204; on
offered

the evil effects of war,

210;

is

Wordsworth and Coleridge Mr.

speech on, iv 200
;

on,

48;

Disraeli's

the post of president of the Board of Trade by Lord Palmerston, iii 292, 293
;

evangelical movement in, iv 202; secessions to Church of Rome, iv 203; Dr. Colenso's book, iv 204; action oto. Essays and Reviews,
iv 205.

is

elected for Rochdale,

iii

293

Copyright, international, between Britain and France, iii i. Corn-law rhymes, i 23. Corn-laws, agitation against, i 23, 273

his account of the interviews with

isters,
iii
iii

min-

293, 294; his refusal of office,

growing demand for their repeal, ii 19; Sir Robert Peel's sliding-scale, ii 19
opposition to
for
it,
ii
ii

295;

is

present at
iii

Lady Palmerston's

21; large majority 23;

reception,

295

his efforts to bring

government,
ii

amendment by

Church of Ireland, the bill of 1833, i 122; Mr. Ward's motion in 1834, i 123; the
king receives a deputation on, i 130; statistics of, i 137; debates on the Irish Tithe Bill, i 135; defeat of the ministry, i 144; the bill abandoned by the Melbourne ministry, i 146; Mr. Dillwyn's motion on the, iv 174; Mr. Gladstone's
views, iv 175; conversion of tithe into rent charge, iv 259; early attempts at
disestablishment, iv 260
;

about a commercial treaty with France,

iii

Mr.

Villiers for the total abolition of

297

his interview \vith

Napoleon

the dut}',

concerning the treaty, iii 319; impressions of the emperor, iii 320; M. Rouher's plan of a commercial treaty, iii 320; interviews with Count Walewski and the emperor, iii 320; his letter to
^Ir. Bright,
iii iii

Com-law

23; great banquet of AntiLeague, ii. 24 dinner by

;

working-men,

ii

25; increase of a.ssociaii

tions for the repeal of the,

25; op-

position of Chartists,

ii

25; conference

321 his opinion of Prince

;

of ministers of religion, ii 26; exertions of the ladies' committee, ii 27; opening

of the

Napoleon,

322

on the degrading
;

effects of v/ar, iv 7

his health gives

Free -trade Hall, ii 28; Mr. Bright advocates the abolition of the
ii

Mr. Glad;

way,

iv 179

refuses lucrative office,

duty,
the,
;

31

Mr. Duncombe's motion

ii

stone's resolutions introduced, iv 263

iv 179; his death, iv i8o;

Mr. Bright's

to reassemble parliament to consider

ii

majority against the government, iv 265; bill for disestablishment and disen-

dowment
iv 272
its
;

introduced, iv 270; debate on,

opposition to the

reception

bill, iv 274; the Lords, iv 274; be;

remarks on, iv 180. Cochrane, Lord. See Dtitidonald. Cockburn, Lord, his early career, ii 219; speech on the Don Pacifico business,
ii

37; passionate discussion on,

37 reduction of duty on Canadian grain,

ii

53

motions by Lord John Russell

ii

regarding,

84; increasing

demand

for

219; personal appearance

ii

and

quali-

comes law,

iv 275

work of the com-

fications,
ii

220;

is

attorney-general,

repeal on account of the famine in Ireland, ii 87; Sir Robert Peel's conviction,
ii
ii

missioners, iv 275; a

new

constitution

317-

88; differences in the cabinet,

drawn up, iv 276. Church of Scotland,

to extend,
214.
i

Coffee-houses, establishment of cheap,

application for aid
to,
i

88;

Lord John
;

Russell's conviction,

ii

iS.

ii

89

majority of the cabinet against

213; opposition
in

213,

Colenso,

Dr.,
iii

consecrated
;

Bishop of
iv 204
;

Natal,

44

his book,

his

Church extension

London,

iv 200.

action for recovery of salarj', iv 205.

ii 90 Duke of Wellington supports Peel, ii 90; startling announcement by the Times, ii 90; resignation

abolition,

Church-rates, unsuccessful attempt to abolish, i 180 ; Sir John Trelawnej''s

bill for

Coleridge, S. T., his influence,

186;

a great talker,
Colonies,

186.
of,
ii

and return to office of Sir Robert Peel, ii 91 renewed effort of the League,
;

the abolition
;

of,

iv 13; agitation

misgovemment

190; apii

ii

91

Peel's proposals to reduce the

ii

concerning, iv 13
iv 13;

Mr. Disraeli on, Mr. Hubbard's bill, iv 13; Bishop

peals for representative government,

192;

duties,
bill

96

discussion
106.

of, ii

97

the
to

motion for a royal commission to

ii

passes,

ii

of Exeter's conciliatory proposal, iv 13:

Sir John Trelawney's bill again brought
in, iv 14; thrown out on second reading, iv 16; introduced a third time, but thrown out, iv i6 compulsorj'
;

inquire into the administration of the

colonLil possessions,
196;

Corrupt practices at elections,

prevent,
i

bill

schemes of

28.
of,

emigration

to,

ii

ig8.

Cotton, prices

church-rates abolished, iv 295.

Combe, Dr. Andrew, ii 176. Combe, George, discussion about his writings, ii 176; his reply to Baron
Stockmar's
letter,
ii

iv 126; efforts to

British colonies, iv 129;

during the civil war, promote its growth in Mr. Gladstone

iv 148.
Bill of 1864

on the cotton famine,

Clarendon, Lord, foreign secretary, iv

270.

176;

on the dimii

County Franchise
out, iv 174.

thrown

inution of aristocratic feeling,

177.

Clerkenwell Prison, outrage on, iv 255. Cobbett, William, outlines of hLs career,
i

Commercial depression in 1836-7, i 276; commercial crisis in 1847, ii 176; commercial failures in 1866, iv 235. Commercial morality, lack of, iv 190. Concerts, popular, iv. 8.

Coiiper, Sir George, death of, iv 42.

Courtenay.

See Tliom.
trial of, for
i

99; loi
i

lectures on
is

political

subjects,

Courvoisier, Francois,

mur306.
iv 8;

ing,

prosecuted for seditious writ102; a contemporary description

102;
is

der, and defence by Mr. Phillips, Covent Garden Theatre, burnt,

of his appearance and manner of speaking,

i i i
;

103 his

want of success
i

returned for Oldham, in parliament,

103; character
of,

Congregational Union of England and Wales founded, i no.

Conservative government, the
130.
first,
i

M.
iii

Jullien's concerts at, iv 8.

Paris,

Cowley, Lord, ambassador at

287.

103; his death,

104.

Cobden, Richard, enters parliament, i 313; his connections with trade, and early writings, ii 23; begins to advocate
repeal of the corn-law, ii 24 devotes himself entirely to this work, ii 25; is elected for Stockport, ii 32; addresses
;

Conservative party, increase in, after the reform bill was passed, i 200.

Crabbe, George, i 186. Indian Cranbome, Lord, becomes secretary, iv 222 Mr. Disraeli on, iv
;

Conspiracy to Murder Bill, introduced by Lord Palmerston, Hi 284; debate on, iii 285 ; defeat of the government, iii
287.

264.

Cranworth, Lord, lord-chancellor in the Aberdeen and Palmerston ministries,

ii

316,

iii

151.

Contagious Diseases ^Animals) Act, passing

of, iv 2.

Cremome
Crime,

Gardens, iv

7.

the
tax,

House
ii ii

of

Commons on

the bread-

statistics of, iv 326.

32, 33; quarrel

between him and

for

Coomassie entered,

iv 306.

Crimean war, events

attitude of the czar,

whih
iii

led to,

iii

14;

Peel,

39; his influence with foreign

ii

Cooper, Thomas, writes Tlie Purgatory

14;

Lord Aberiii

audiences,

51

he moves

an

in-

of Suicides,

282.

deen's disinclination for war,

liance
iii

20; al-

quiry into the effect of legislative protection, ii 75; his position with regard to the Crimean war, iii 6i his home at
;

Co-operative societies, started, ii 150; successfully conducted in Rochdale, iv 130, 131 objects of the Rochdale
;

20

czar,

between England and France, letter from Napoleon to the iii 21; foundation of the Russian
:

Dunford,

iii

63; his outline of a people's

iii

societj-, iv 131, 132: its

rapid success,
capital.

demands,iii 22; the Russian

army

takes

anti-war budget,

65; his efforts for

iv 132;

employment of surplus

possession of Moldavia and Wallachia,

; ;

INDEX.
CRIMEAN
lii

DENMARK
Nightingale and a
rive,
iii iii
;

339
iii

23; the
in

ment

Vienna note, iii 23; exciteTurkey, iii 24; Lord Palmeriii

staff of nurses ar-

pol,

iii

186

cost of the war,

iii
;

187;

T22

cholera in the camp,

negotiations for peace,

1S9; confer-

ston eager for decisive measures,

24;

123 123

picture of the scene between

ence in Paris,

the French and British fleets sent to

the Dardanelles,
clares war,
iii

the harbour and the English position,

iii
;

27

Turkey dePrince Albert and

25
;

Lord Palmerston on the situation, iii 27, 28: Lord Aberdeen's views, iii 30; Nicholas declares war against Turkey, iii 31; he writes to the queen, iii 31 the queen's reply, iii 32 commencement of hostilities, iii 32; the Turkish
;

courage and patience of the Lord Panmure's in124 Lord Raglan, iii 125; an army of reserve formed at Malta, iii T26; a railway made from Balaklava
iii
;

troops,

iii

structions to

peace agreed upon, iii 190; the Crimea evacuated by the allies, iii 192 description of Sebastopol, iii 192; a day of thanksgiving, iii ig3; naval review at Spithead,
iii

igo

193 rejoicings in London, iii 193 Mr. Gladstone on the terms of peace,
iii
;

to

the trenches,

iii

127

nationalities
iii

iii

ig4.
of, iii
iii

represented in the Crimea,

tion

127;

Crimes of violence, increase

232;

completion of telegraphic communica-

introduction of the garotte,

233

fleet destroj'ed at

Sinope,

iii

33

the

between London and the seat of

iii

allied fleets ordered to the

iii
iii

Black Sea,

war,

128; condition of the

iii

army

at

33; attitude of Prussia

;

and Austria,

Balaklava,
visions,
iii

128

dearness of pro-

William Palmer the poisoner, iii 234. Criminal Code, amelioration of, i 177: counsel allowed to prisoners in crim'nal
cases,
i

34 Russia,
iii

manifesto by the Emperor of

iii

129;

34; the

land,

35;

Engthe ultimatum of England

feeling in

war

camp,

iii

129;

improvement in the M. Soyer organizes the

iii
;

268
i

restriction

of capital
271,

punishment,

268

transportation coni
:

culinary service,
the positions,
iii

130; description of

demned and

to Russia,

iii

36
;

description of the

131 recruiting at

home

Crimea,
party,
iii
iii

iii

37

the

poetic

English

and abroad,

iii

132; Sardinia enters the

38; popular outcry for war,

38; the

camp at Chobham Common,

;

iii 39; naval review at Spithead, iii 39; departure of troops, iii 40 arrival of

the allied armies in Turkey,

iii

40; co-

operation of the French and English,

iii iii

iii 134; landing army in the Crimea, death of Lord Raglan, iii 136; 135; General Simpson takes the command, iii 3:36; treaty between England, France, and Austria concluded, iii 138; the four

alliance against Russia,

iii 237 238 cruelties in prisons, iii 239; increased carefulness in criminal trials, iv 5.

abolished,

the ticket-of-leave system,

iii

of the Sardinian

Croker, John Wilson,

Cr\'stal Palace,
tions,
ii ii

41.

iii

231; previous exhibi-

231; its success

ii

due

to Prince

Albert,

231; first proposal of,

ii

meets

with great opposition,

234; Sir Joseph

ii

41;
52;

Mr. Gladstone's budget of

1854,

points of agreement as the basis of

Paxton's design adopted,

237;

poem

King of
iii

Prussia's letters to the

iii

queen,

53; the queen's reply,

iii

54;

the czar's insincerity,

iii

56; the

budget,

peace with Russia, iii 138; debate in parliament on the conduct of the war, Foreign Enlistment Bill, iii 139; the
iii

by Thackeray
ii

on,

ii

238; site fixed on,

239; preparations for carrying out the

357; a supplementary budget, iii 59; attitude of Gladstone, Cobden, and

140;

Mr. Roebuck moves

iii

for a

mittee of inquiry,

141,

143
iii

Bright,

iii

60, 61

British interests

Mr. Gladstone on and the war, iii 68

;

John Russell

resigns office,

141

comLord Mr.

ii 240; the opening ceremony, 241 the queen's account of the day's statistics of, and proceedings, ii 245

plans,
ii

distribution of prizes,

ii

248; difliculty
iii

departure of the Baltic

fleet,

iii

70, 77

instructionsof Sir James Graham, iii 77

correspondence between him and Sir Charles Napier, iii 78; results achieved another Baltic in the Baltic, iii 79 fleet despatched under Admiral Dun;

Roebuck's motion carried, iii 147; the government resign, iii T47; Lord Palmerston announces the arrangements for prosecuting the war, iii 152; Mr. Layard attacks the new government, iii IMr. Roebuck presses for a 153 committee of inquiry, iii 153: repulse
;

as to disposal of the building,

Sydenham, ii 250; use of the surplus money, iii 3. Custody of Infants Bill, 273.
removed and re-erected
at
i

D.
improvement of photoDaguerre's graphy, i 271. Dalhousie, Lord, governor-general of
India,
iii

79; speech by Mr. Bright, iii 79; Mr. Gladstone writing in 1S78 on the subject, iii 87 a day of prayer and

das,

iii

of the Russians at Eupatoria, death of the Czar Nicholas,

return

iii iii iii

iii

155 15^

home

of the wounded,

158 158

supplication appointed,
Silistria,
iii

iii

S8; siege of

failure of negotiations for peace,

89, go;

Palmerston's plans
;

campaign, iii 89 conduct of Austria, iii 89; speech by Lord Lyndfor the

proceedings of the commission of inquiry, iii 139 a day of fasting ap;

243; abolishes suttee,

iii

243;

pointed,

iii
iii

159

distribution of

hurst,

iii

391

Sebastopol,

iii

plan for the attack of 92; want of information

medals,
sians,
iii

164; the losses of the

war Rus-

prohibits Thuggism, iii 243. Damascus, massacre of Christians

iv 64.

in,

164; destruction of stores at

iii

about the Russian preparations, iii 93, 96; Mr. Kinglake and the Times on the need for attacking Sebastopol, iii 93 ravages of cholera in the allied armies, iii 93; Varna on fire, iii 94: the armies embark for the Crimea, iii 94; Eupatoria surrendered,
iii

Sapone or White redoubts, the Mamelon, and

Kertch,
165; capture of the

See Denmnrk. Darwin, Charles, his theory of the ori-

Dano-German war.

gin of .species, iv 24
iv 25: his

sketch of his
iv 26.

life,

the Quarries,

iii

166

repulse of the

Descent of Mint,

French at the Malakhoff, iii 167; repulse of the English at the Redan,
iii

Davis, Jefferson, president of the Confederate States, iv 89; his early career, iv 100; imprisoned at the close of the

167; death of

95; battle of the

is
iii

succeeded

Lord Raglan, iii 167; by General Simpson,

iii

war, iv 142.

Alma,
desire
iii

march to Balaklava, iii 97; of Napoleon to go to the Crimea,

iii

95;

168; discussions in parliament on the 168;

169: speeches

peace negotiations,

99

Sardinia joins the

allies,

iii

100;

amendment,

iii

Mr. Lowe's by Glad-

Deak, Francis, Hungarian statesman, " '55Delhi, mutiny and massacre at, iii 248;
the natives obtain possession of the siege and capture of, city, iii 249
;

General

Canrobert
troops,
iii

commands
104
;

the

stone, Bright,

French

iii

strength of

Sebastopol,

105; attack

by the Rusiii

Cobden, Sir J. Grah.Tm, Prince Lord John Russell, iii 169 Albert on the situation, iii 174; Mr.
;

iii
iii iii

sians on the allies at Balaklava,

107; 108;

Gladstone's account

in

1877 of

the

263
268.

260; shooting of the king's sons, the king taken to Rangoon,

;

the charge of the Light Brigade,

iii iii

political situation in 1855, iii 175;

speech
iii

another attack on Balaklava,

battle of Inkerinan,
iii

no;

by

Sir

Edward Bulwer

Lytton,

176;

Denman, Lord,

102.

11 1:

insufficency

of the commissariat arrangements and

sufferings of the
tion

the last of the Vienna conferences, iii 177; report of the committee of inquiry,
tion of
iii

Denmark and

the duchies of Schlcswig

iv 146,
;

and Holstein,

160; arrogance

men,

iii

115; destruciii

iii

177;

danger of the publicathe press, of

of Prussia, iv 161
stein, iv 161;

accession of Christroops enter the

of supplies

by a storm,

116;

army movements by
iii

tian IX., iv 161; his dispute with Hol-

blundering of
iii

the transport service,

list

179:

renewed debates on the peace

179;

German
;

117; the Ti!cs' subscription

for

negotiations,

bombardment
iii

the relief of the sick

iii

iiS;

the Patriotic

and wounded, Fund, iii 118;

Miss Florence

Sveaborg,

iii

184: repulse of a

Russian

attack at the Tchcrnaya,

1S4; taking

remonstrance of England, iv 163; Schlcswig occupied by a German army, iv 163; the powers reduchy,
iv 162

refusal of the peace party to contribute

to this

fund,

iii

118;

of the I\Lalakhoff, iii 185: repulse at the Redan, iii 186; evacuation of Sebasto-

fuse material assistance to

iv 163
;

Denmark,

the duchies ceded to Prussia

; ;

340

INDEX.
DENMARK
;

ETON
his

and Austria, iv 164 the government attacked on the Dano-German question, iv 165; Mr. DisraeU's speech and Mr. Gladstone's reply, iv 165; Mr. Bernal Osborne's sallies, iv 166; Lord
Palmerston's defence, iv 166; his letter
to

speech before the O.xford Diocesan Society, iv 200 ; against reform bill of
1866, iv 219; is chancellor of the ex-

Ecclesiastical

commission appointed,
i

134; attempt to reform abuses,

i8o.

Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, iv 286.

Ecclesiastico-political
165; the Disruption,
to separate

chequer, iv 222
bill,

iv 226;

introduces a reform succeeds Lord Derby as

;

controversies,
ii

ii

165;

movement

prime minister,

iv 235; his administra-

King Leopold,

iv 167;

English symof,

pathy for Denmark, iv 167. Denominational schools, support

iv 296.

attack on Lord his ministry reCranborne, iv 264 sign, iv 269; character of, iv 314; his elevation to the peerage, iv3i4; attends
tion of 1868, iv 262;
;

church and state, ii 168; the High Church party gains ground,
ii

168;

INIr.
ii

Disraeli on the state of the

Church,
to

168; opposition of Dissenters

national

education,
case,
ii

ii

169;

Dr.
Cor-

Derby, Lord, forms a ministry,

his statement in the
ii

ii

296:

Berlin congress, iv 318; his illness and

Hampden's
nelius

169;
ii

Rev.

House

of Lords,

death,
i

320; iv 324; sketch of his career,

Gorham's

case,

170.

304; speech by Sir James Graham on the protection policy of the govern;

321.
i

Disraeli, Isaac, his writings,

29.

Education, Rowland Hill's system of, i 238; speech by Prince Albert at educational conference,
secular,
iii
iii

ment, ii 304 determination to force the government to declare its policy,

iii

Disruption, the, of 1843,

efforts of the

ii

165; financial
ii

218; increase of

Free Church,
Bill,
i

168.

231; statistics of, iv 327.

again prime minister in 1858, iii 292; again forms a ministry, iv 222 his reform bill in the
ii

307

Dissenters' Burial

Bill, iv 171.

287; resigns,

Dissenters' Chapel

2S3; Gladstone

Education of neglected children, movement for, iii 214; Mr. Gladstone on,
iii

House

of Lords, iv 233; his retirement

office in

on, i 283; Macaulay on, i 284. Distress in the country, i 331; in 1861,
iv 123; in

215.

Education,
1833,
i

National, grant voted

in

and death, iv 235. Derby, Lord, resigns

London
Bill,
iii

in 1866-67, '^ 240.

iii

Lord

Divorce Court

206; opposed

by

Eeaconsfield's ministrj-, iv 31S.

Mr. Gladstone,

206.

Dickens, Charles, influence of the Pickwick Papers, i iSS; his obituary notice
of Thackeray, iv 196. Discontent in the country,
6, 70, i6r.

Dorchester labourers, transportation of the, i 162; they are pardoned, i 163.

and constitucommittee of council on, i 267; speech of Mr. Shiel on, i 267; proposed scheme of, i 331; alarm of Dissenters at, i 331; withdrawal of the bill, 332;
267; extension of,
tion of
i

Diseased meat
posal
of, iii

in

London market,

dis-

230.

D'Orsay, Count, his career, iii 4. Drainage of London, scheme for, iv 3. Drinking fountains, erection of, iv 4. Drummond, Edward, Sir Robert Peel's
secretary, assassinated,
iv 63; their character
ii

agitation for, in 1852,

Russell's opinion of,
iv

ii
ii

275; Lord

John

275; grants for,

169;

Mr. Lowe and the Revised

i

Code,

iv 169.

Disestablishment of the church, first public meeting, i in Earl Grey on,

;

38.

Eglinton Tournament,

264.

Druses, their cruelties to the Maronites,

in; Mr. Gladstone's views on,

;

iv 296.

and

origin, iv 63.

Egypt, war in, iv 322. Eldon, Lord, i 242.

Elections, family influence in,
Electric Telegraph,
its
i

Disraeli, Benjamin: education

and early career, i 29 on Toryism versus Conservatism, 130; on the results of the queen's accession, i 250; on the Coni

See Syria. DufFerin, Lord, his account of the scene after the massacre at Damascus, iv 65
chancellor of the
iv 270.

219.
i

origin,

241;

increase of communication, iv 199; pur-

duchy of Lancaster,
prin;

servative cause,

251; formation of the

chased by government, iv 267. Elementary Education Act, iv 280.

Elgin, Lord, sent to China as British
representative,
iii

Young England party,

of sides,
tist
i

1263; his change

264; he describes
i

doings,

265
ii

some Chargraphic scene in a

Duncombe, Thomas, his political ciples and moral character, i 248

poses to extend the franchise,
i

pro-

205,

275;

sent to

260

China

to secure the ratification of the

;

tommy-shop,

15;

becomes spokesman

of the Protectionists, ii 63; his eulogy of Peel and virulent attack of Lord
ii 63; study in Coningsby of Lord John Russell, ii 64; abuse of statesmen, ii 65; slighted by Sir Robert Peel, ii 63 his views at various stages

on opening of private letters by the government, i 335. Dundas, Admiral, sent with a fleet to
the Baltic,
iii

treaty of Tien-tsin, iv 61

orders the

destruction of the
62.

Summer

Palace, iv

Palmerston,

79.
i

Dundonald, Earl,
prisoned,
is
i

96

fined

and imi

Ellenborough, Lord, president of Board of Control, i 318; succeeds Lord Auckland as Governor-general of India, ii 9; orders the gates of Somnauth to be carried away, ii 12; his opposition to

96; his services abroad,

all his

97;

restored to

honours,

97.

of his political career,

ii

65; description
ii

Dunlop, John, a Temperance pioneer,

iv 149.

of a statesman's position,

66; his

Lord Canning's policy

assists

in India,

iii

272.

personal antipathy to Sir Robert Peel,

ii

Dunne, Colonel,
Naples, iv 74.

Garibaldi in
225;

Elliott,
i

Ebenezer,the Corn-law Rhymer,

68, 73;

lege
Bill,

Bill,
ii

speech on the Maynooth Colspeech on the Com ii 81 103 his account of a scene in
; ;

23.

Durham, Earl

of,

his early career,

Elphinstone, Major-general, commander

in Afghanistan, ii 8. Emigration, advocated by Carlyle,

the house,

ii

109

his estimate of Sir

Robert Peel, ii no; his burlesque of Leigh Hunt's imprisonment, ii 162; on the state of the church, ii 168 on the
;

his quarrel with Lord Brougham, i 125; looked to as leader by advanced reformers, i 219; sent to Canada as gov-

254:

schemes

of,

ii

198; statistics of,

ii

ernor-general,
illegal actions,

225; opposition to his

i

200; iv 328.

227

he resigns and
i

navigation laws,

ii

187

proposes to

retires into private life,

i

228; his death,

Employment of women and children, iv 2S2; evils of the gang system in agricultural districts, iv 282.

modify the poor-laws, ii 188; on the power of the crown, ii 285; is chancellor of the exchequer,
ii

228;

John Stuart
i

Mill's defence of his

policy,

229.
classes, iv 199.

Encumbered Estates Act, passing

182.

of,

ii

296: his address

electors,
its
ii

Dwellings for the poorer

to the
his
ii

Buckinghamshire budget of 1852, and

ii
ii

302;

Endowed

opposition,

Schools Act Amendment Bill, opposed by Messrs. Gladstone and

Forster, iv 303.
of, iv 199.

312; his replj',

313; speech

by Mr.

E.
East India Company, origin and growth of, i 286; its trading privileges taken

Gladstone,

315; defeat of the governis

Engineering works, progress

burg, death
writers,
iv
of, iv 42.

ment,
ii

ii
;

316;

accused of plagiarism,

Ernest, Prince, of Hohenlohe Langen-

323

criticises the

government con-

duct of the Crimean war, iii 139, 146; his denunciation of Lord John Russell,
iii

away, i 288. Eastern question, dispute about

holy places,
Russia,
tain
ii
ii

Essays aiid Reviews,

the
206;

iv

205;

their

actions against Dr.

181

again chancellor of the exiii

334;
ii

Russia's designs

chequer,
bill, iii

287; he introduces a reform

against Turkej',

289;

duction of armaments,

on the income-ta.x and reiii 317; on the

iv 122;

335; opposition to 335; alliance between Bri-

Williams and Mr. Wilson, iv 206, 207; the Essays condemned in Convocation, iv 207; Lord Westbury's speech on
Convocation, iv 207. Eton, school life in Gladstone's days, i 11; celebrated men educated at, i 13;

and France and declaration of

ii

abolition of church-rates, iv 13, 16; his

war,
314.

336

is

again brought up, iv

speech against budget of 1862,

INDEX.
EUPATORIA
periodicals written
i

341

GLADSTONE
at,

and published
iii

14.

Eupatoria captured,
repulsed
at,
iii

95; the Russians

155.

Evans, Sir

De Lacy,

at battle of the

Ahua, iii 95. Exchange, burning of Royal,

removal of the body of Napoleon from St. Helena, ii 4; attempt of Louis Napoleon to cause a revolt, ii 5; dissatisfaction of the people with the government, ii 5; agrees to the policy of the western powers on the Turkish
4;

Garibaldi,

Giuseppe,
ii

declares

war

against Austria,
to

152; fights his

ii

way

Rome,

ii

152; his career,

153; his

246.

question,
ii

ii

6;

growing discontent

in,

Rome, ii 153; escapes with the remnant of his army, ii 154; retires to Caprera, iv 67 goes to America, iv 67; makes and sells canheroic defence of
;

Executions, public, abolished, iv 169. Exeter, Bishop of, conciliatory proposal

on church-rates, iv 13. Exhibition of 1S51, ii 231.

Palace.

13s; reform banquets, ii 136; insurrection in Paris, ii 137; flight of the king, ii 137; provisional government

dles in

New York, ii

154; iv 67; master

See Crystal

formed,
225;

ii

138; escape of Louis

Napo-

of trading vessels, iv 67; presentation of a swurd at Newcastle, iv 67; his personal appearance in 1849, iv 68; takes
part in the Franco-Italian war, iv 69; his preparations for the liberation of

leon from
ii

Ham,
225;

ii

138; republic set up,

Exhibition of 1862, iv 123; opposition to, iv 124; superior to that of 1851, iv

124; opening
tics of, iv

distress
ii

among
ii

the working-

classes,

government undertakes
225; the republic 225; disaffection in the

ceremony, iv 125; statis125; account of the building

of,

to provide for them,

proclaimed,
country,
ii

ii

and
ii

its

contents, iv 125.

226; emancipation of slaves

Palermo, iv 70: Cavour's plans, iv 71; the position of France and England, iv 71; statecraft of the Sardinian government, iv 7J;
the pope excommunicates the invaders and usurpers, iv72; appeal of the King

Sicily, iv 69; captures

Exiles in England, amusing account

157.
of,

in the colonies, 11227; failure of attempt

at

insurrection,

ii

227; the elections

ii

Expenditure, national, increase

35; Sir

ii

and formation of a government,

228;

Robert Peel on,

ii

35.

Exploration, activity

in, iv 20.

another unsuccessful attempt at insurrection, ii 228; Louis Napoleon Bonaparte elected a representative,
ii

of Naples, iv 73 Garibaldi's proclamation declaring his intention to free the

;

Eyre, Governor.

See Jainaica.

228;

Neapolitan states, iv 73; crosses to the mainland, iv 74; rapid successes of his

repeated insurrections,
tion of a constitution,

ii ii

229; forma230; electicm

ii

army,
out of

iv 75

his entry into Naples,

iv 75; necessity of

F.
Factory Act, extension of the, iv 153. Factory system, Wordsworth on the evils of the, i 266; Hutton's experience of, i 266; attempts at legislation by tha elder Sir Robert Peel, &c., i 266. Failures, commercial, in 1857, iii 220. Faraday, Professor, lectures at the Royal Institution, iv 9; on spiritualism,
iv 19.

of Louis Napoleon as president,

230;

Rome,

iv 76;

keeping Garibaldi Cavour's plan,

the

the coup d'etat,

;

ii

251 (see Napoleon,

iv 76; the Sardinian

army conquefs

Louis) proclamation of the empire, ii 326; Cobden's efforts to bring about a commercial treaty with, iii 319; hostility of

Papal territory,
tor

iv 78;

meeting of Viciv 97:

Victor

Emmanuel and Garibaldi, Emmanuel chosen king

of the

Germany

to,

iii

323;

M.

Ollivier's

Two
iv

speech on national disarmament, iv 164; war with Prussia, iv 285. Franchise, county and borough, iv 309. Franco-Austrian war. See Italy.

Sicilies, iv 80; Garibaldi resigns the dictatorship and retires to Caprera,

80

his disinterestedness, iv 81

is

elected to the Italian parliament, iv S3;

retires, iv 83; raises

a force for the cap-

Franco-German war,
suffrage,

iv 285.

ture of

Rome,

iv 83;
;

he
is

is

opposed at

Female

increasing

attention

Franklin, Sir John, starts on his Arctic

expedition,
ii

Aspromonte,

iv 84

wounded and

given to, ii 28; Mr. Disraeli's description of a discussion on, ii 29. Fenian organization, iv 250. See Ireland.

203; search for,

iii

5; ex-

pedition

of

Captain

M'Clintock
of,

in

imprisoned for a short time, iv 84; removed to Caprera, iv 84; his enthusi-

search

of, iv 20.
iii

Frauds and robberies, increase

of,

Ferdinand, King of Naples, tyranny

iv 66.

Ferrand, Mr. Busfield, charges against free-trade advocates, ii 33.

Fiji Islands, cession of, iv 292.

John Dean Paul, Strahan, and Bates, iii 232; John Sadlier, M.P iii 232; failure of the Royal British Bank,
232; Sir
,

London, iv 85 returns to Caprera, iv 85; takes up arms against Austria in 1866, iv 85 is

astic reception in
; ;

iii

233; Redpath,

iii

236.

wounded and returns to Caprera, ivSj; another attempt to take Rome, iv 86. Garotte, public indignation against,
iii

Frederick VII. of Denmark, his death,

attention
iv 146.

233; infliction of flogging as a punishiii

Financial reform,

increased

ment,
ii

234.
of,

given to, revenue,

for,
iii

iii iii

330; cost of collecting the

Free Church of Scotland,

tation
for repeal

167.
i

General election of 1865, results

;

iv

330; Mr. Bright's scheme

Free-trade, progress towards,

275; meeting in
of,
ii

22

agii

178; general election of 1868, iv 267:

330.

of the corn-laws,

Mr. Gladstone defeated,

in the

iv 267:

changes
iv 2t9:

Finlay, Mr., claim against the

Greek

Manchester

in favour

new House

of

Commons,

government, ii 212. Fire at Tooley Street, London, iv 1S7. Flogging in the army, motions to abolish,
ii

41.

strength of Liberal and Conservative

parties, iv 269; elections of 1880, iv 323.

Free-trade Hall, Manchester, opening

of,
ii

28.
of,

17; cruelties of,

ii

ii

174; amelior-

Friends, Society
czar,
iii

deputation to the

George George
iii

III.,

death

of,

6.

IV., death of,

38.

ation

of,

175.
:

62.

Germany,hostiIe feeling towardsFrance,

323.

Foreign

affairs
i

the Spanish legion and

Don
ein,
i

Carlos,

190; the

German
i

Zollveri

Frogmore, death of the Duchess of Kent at, iv 49; Prince Albert buried at, iv
56.

Gibson, Milner, advocates the remisfinii

of the taxes on knowledge,
ii

190; revolution in Belgium,

190;

203; loses

insurrection in Poland,

191; riots in

Frome-Bennett

case,

iii

13.
i

his seat,

iii

204.

France, i 191; attempt to suppress political societies in France, i 193. Foreign Enlistment Bill, iii 140; causes ill feeling in America, iii 193. Forster, Mr. Wm. E., his early career,
iv 211.

Frost, John, the Chartist,

263.

Gladstone, John, his political opinions and character, i 8; early history of the
family,
i

8.

G.
Game-law.s, attempt to mitigate,
injury inflicted by,
suicide
ii ii
i

Gladstone,
school
28;
life,

William Ewart, his early 10; enters Eton School, i 1 1

contributes to the

Eton Miscellany,
15: at

Fox, William Johnson, advocates the abolition of the corn-laws, ii 52.

France, riots
press king,
in,
i

58;

Mr. Bright
Stradbroke's

Eton Magazine,
ber for Newark,
slavery,
i

Oxford Uni-

obtains a committee of inquiry into,

ii

versity, 141; enters parliament as

i

mem-

191; attempt to supsocieties

to
in,
i

59

of Lord
59;

political

193;

gamekeepers,
iiS9-

statistics of con-

116;
i

is

remarks on commissioner of the

114; his

Fieschi's attempt
i

assassinate

the

victions for breaches of the game-laws,

treasury,
colonics,

130; under-secretary to the

194;

its

relations with

Turkey

and Egypt, ii 2; Thiers' ministry, ii 3; quarrel with England on the Turkish

question,
ii

Gang

sy.stem, evils of the, iv 282.

Gardiner, Allan, missionary, his sufferings in Patagonia,

ii

i 140; opposes motion for reform of the Irish Church, i 140; opposes proposed inquiry into bribery and cor-

3;

successes in Algeria,

ii

299.

ruption at Liverpool,

141

opposes

; ;

; ;

342

INDEX,
GLADSTONE
Bill,
i i
i

HALLAM
i.138
;

Universities Admission

141 141

his financial statement of 1S63, iv 146;

is

home-secretary,

318

public

Lord Macaulay's opinion of him,

his speech on the Irish Church,

141;

proposed club-tax and tax on charities negatived, iv 146; his speech on en-

feeling against

him
i

in the post-office,

opening letters 336; his speech on

for

speech on abolition of slavery, i 150; is charged with inconsistency, i 201; his work on 'I he State in its Relations luith the Church, i 203; criticisms of Macaulay and the Quarterly Review, i 203; his correspondence with Macaulay, i 204; his change of opinion on the subject, i 206; his speech on the Dissenters' Chapel Bill, i 283; appointed
vice-president of the Board of Trade

dowed

institutions, iv 146
;

details of

Lord Derby's protection

is

policy,

ii
ii

304;

the income-tax, the budget, iv 147 iv 148; our trade with France, iv 148,
172; he supports the Dissenters' Burial

316; his instructions to Sir Charles Napier,

iii

first

lord of the adminalty,

77; quarrel between,

iii

78; first lord

and Master of the Mint,

putation at this timcj
the
i

318; his re-

318; speech on

opium war,

1320; his marriage, 1320;

he supports Sir Robert Peel's proposed sliding-scale, ii 22 withdraws from

;

Peel's

government on account of pro-

posal to increase the

ii ii

Maynooth

grant,

47; his early opinions

on free-trade,

53; proposes to abolish restrictions on the importation of machinery, ii 53; his part in obtaining improvements in railway system, ii 54 on the sugar
;

budget of 1864, iv 171; his scheme for government life annuities and assurance, iv 127; his budget of 1865, iv 173; speech on reform.iv 174; his views on the Irish Church, iv 175; loses his seat for Oxford University, iv 176 his speech at Manchester, iv 177 is returned for South Lancashire,ivi78; becomes leader of the House of Commons, iv 1 82; his speeches at Glasgow and Edinburgh in 1865, iv 182 his views on English Evangelicalism, iv202; his budget of 1866, iv 212; its proposals regarding the national debt, iv 213; his speeches on the reform bill
Bill, iv 171; his
;

of the admiralty
iii

under Palmerston,
154, 155.

151; resigns,

iii

Grant, Sir Hope,

in China, iv 61.

commands

the forces

Grant,
iv

General,
;

142

captures Vicksburg, appointed to command the

142
;

forces,

iv

takes Richmond, iv

142.

Granville, Lord,
ii ii

made

foreign minister,

274
316;

lord-president of the council,

151 secretary' for the colonies,
;

iii

iv 270.

Great Eastern steamship,

iii

iii 327 its usefulness in laying telegraph cables,

;

329.

of 1866, iv 214, 217, 219; his resignation

of

office, iv

222; his opposition to

Mr.

Great Exhibition. See Crystal Palace. Greece, quarrel with Britain on the Don

Disraeli's reform

duties,

ii

72
Bill,
ii

supports the
ii

Maynooth
colonial

College

81

becomes
the

secretary,

94;

on the conduct of Sir

in

bill, iv 229, on the Fenian outrages, iv 258; his view of the Irish problem, iv 259 his resolutions for disestablishment of the Irish Church,
;

and other claims, ii 212; and blockade of the Greek coast, ii 213; settlement of
Pacifico
seizure of war-vessels
dispute,
ii

214; election of Prince Al;

James Brooke
ii

East,

ii

159;

on abolition of the navigation laws,

187, 188; proposes an ecclesiastical constitution for the Australian colonies,

defeated in Lancashire, but returned for Greenwich, iv 267 forms

iv 263
;

is

fred as king, iv 145

clined, iv 145; Prince

the honour deWilliam of Den-

a ministry, iv 269;
introduces his
bill

its

members,

iv 270;

mark

elected, iv 145.

for disestablishing

Greville, clerk of the council, his de-

speech on the Don Pacifico affair, ii 217; on the death of Sir Robert Peel, ii 223 his charges against the administration of justice in Naples,
ii

197

the Irish Church, iv 270; its provisions, iv 270; it passes second reading, iv 273,

scription of the first privy-council of

and becomes
carries Irish

h'.u

275

introduces and

Land
bill

Bill, iv

276

intro-

Queen Victoria, i 209; describes her appearance and manner, i 212. Grey, Earl (second), forms a ministry,
i

ii

is

259 replies to his charges, chancellor of the exchequer,

;

ii

271

duces education
his

for Ireland, iv 289; iv 289

;

69;

Reform

Bill introduced,
i

72; is

ii

316;

government defeated,
he resigns

he

respected by the nation,

istry

So; his min;

his

1854,
iii

ii 329; his budget of supplementary budget, 59; his attitude with regard to Rus-

first

budget,
52
;

resigns,

but compelled to remain in

in 1874, iv 290;
iv.

iii

office, iv 2S9;

his letter to

Lord Granville,
iv
;

290;

sia

and Turkey in 1854 and 1877, iii 60; on the origin and reasons of the Crimean war, iii 68; writing in 187S on the Crimean war, iii 87; speech on the conduct of the Crimean war, iii 145
chancellor of the exchequer,
resigns,
iii iii

introduces

bill

for abolition of

com-

resign but recalled, i 88 on church establishments, i 112; split in his cabinet and resignation of ministry, i declines to form a ministry, 124
;

pulsory church-rates,
296, 300

295 his views on disestablishment of the Church, iv

;
;

ii45.

Grey, Earl

(third), colonial

secretary in

151

on the breaking up of political parties, iii 167; advocates negotiations for peace, iii 169, 183; on the terms of peace with Russia, iii 194; on the quarrel with the United States concerning foreign enlistment, iii 195 on the education of neglected children,
134,

155;

on Ritualism, iv 298 on the Abolition of Patronage and Public Worship Regulation bills, iv 300 his pamphlet on the Vatican Decrees, iv 303; his public life, iv 304; his pamphlet on Turkish affairs, iv 316; the Midlothian Campaign, iv 323; is again prime minishis measures for Ireland, ter, iv 323
; ;

Russell's ministry, i 116.

Grey, Earl de. Lord- lieutenant of Ireland,

i

318.

Grey, Sir George, home secretary in Russell and Palmerston ministries, ii

116;
Gre5',
iii

151.

Sir George,
ii

Governor of
ii

New

Zealand,

14; his difficulties in deal-

and action against

tion, iv 325.

Home

Rule obstruci

ing with the natives,

14

puts the

iii

215; his visit to Corfu,

iii

2S9; chan-

Glenelg, Lord, colonial secretary,

retires

228;

cellor of the exchequer,

ric studies,
iii

iii

292;

Home-

from

office,

229.

affairs of South Australia and New Zealand in order, ii 190. Gros, Baron, French envoy to China,

298; address as chancel-

Godwin, William,
i

political economist,

iv 61.

lor of the University of

iii
iii

Edinburgh,
Islands,

51.

Grote,
in

George,
i

enters

Parliament in
of,

298
;

visit

to the Ionian

299 gratuitous services as commissioner extraordinary at Corfu, iii 306;

his position in the Palmerston ministry,
iii

Godwin, Major-general, commander the Burmese war, iii 197.

Gold, discovery
in California,
ii

1832,

107.
first

Guano,
Guizot,

importation

ii

175.
ii

of,

in Victoria,

ii

201

M., his resignation,

ii

2; re-

201.
i

called to power,
loi.
larity,
ii

6; policy
of,
ii

and popu132
;

306; his budget of 1859,

iii
iii

316;

he

Goodman's
ii

confession,

anecdote

his

introduces budget of i860,

331; on

Gorgei, Arthur, dictator of Hungary,

156.
ii

character,

ii

132; intrigues about the

ii

the French commercial treaty,

iii 333; abolition of excise duty on paper,iii 335; iv 26 ; the impressed stamp on news-

Spanish marriages,
170.

134.

Gorham, Rev. Cornelius,

Gorilla, discovery of the, iv 24.

papers abolished,
tions of

iii

335; on the func;

laymen

in the church, iv 12

Goschen, Mr., his early career, iv 211. Gough, Lord, conquers the Punj.aub,
iii

H.
Habeas Corpus Act suspended,
iv 251.

opposes abolition of church-rates, iv 14; on interference by the House of Lords with taxation, iv 29; his budget of 1861, iv3i; his budget of 1862, iv 119; speech by Mr. Disraeli against the budget, iv 122; Mr. Gladstone's reply, iv 122;

244.
e.\-

Goulbourn, Mr., chancellor of the

chequer,
i

Hall, Sir Benjamin, his political principles,

ii

318;

ii

60.

2S0;

first

commissioner of
iii
i

Graham,
ministry,
i

Sir
i

James,

in

Melbourne's

Woods and
iv38.

Forests,

151.

127; declines to join Peel's,

Hallam, a great

talker,

1S6; his death,

131

speech on the Irish Church,

HALLEY
Halley's comet, appearance
iiSs,
of, in 1835,

INDEX.
IRELAND
Hope, Admiral, attempts
to

343
storm the

Canning,
iii

iii

250; outbreak at

Lucknow,
iii

Taku
Dr.,

forts, iv 61.

250; outbreak at

Cawnpore,
applies
to

251;

Hampden,
ii

and the

see of Hereford,

169.

Horsman, Mr., Irish secretary, iii 151. Houses of Parliament, completion of,
iv4.

Sir

Hugh Wheeler

Nana

Handel Centenary
ace, iv
9.

at the Crystal Pal-

Howe,
an annual celebration,
of,

introduction of sewing-machine

Sahib for assistance, iii 252; heroic defenceofthegarrison,iii253; treachery of Nana Sahib and massacre of the
garrison,
iii iii

Handel
iv 9.

Festival,

by, iv 19.

253;

Sir Colin

Hanover, separation
tain,
i

from Great

Bri-

Howitt, William, explosive writing in his Journal, ii 151.

sent out,

255; General

Campbell Havelock

211.
is solici-

Hubbard, Mr.,
13-

bill

on church-rates,

iv

iii

Harcourt, Sir William, iv 302;

tor-general, iv 303.

Hardinge,
ii

Lord, commander-in-chief,
iii

Hudson, George, railway king, ii 179. Hughes, Mr. Thomas, on trades-unions,

iv 241.

marches on Cawnpore and captures it, 236; defeat of Nana Sahib and blowing up of the magazine, iii 256; Outram and Havelock march on Lucknow, iii
257; entry into the Residency, iii 258; advance of Sir Colin Campbell on

320.

Harrison, Mr., secretary for Ireland,

155-

Hugo,

Victor,

ii

145.

Lucknow,
of Sir
i

iii

258;

its fall,

iii

259; death
260; siege

Hume,
of,
i

Joseph, leader of the Radicals,

82;
ii

Henry Havelock,
iii

iii

Hartington, Marquis

moves a vote of want of confidence in the Derby government, iii 291 defeated for North Lancashire, iv 269; becomes post-master-general, iv 270 becomes Liberal leader in the Commons, iv 290 con; ; ;

81; his early career,

45; advo-

of Delhi,
tured,

260; blowing

up of the

cates the cause of the Canadian colonists,

i ii

224; character

of,

ii

45; his indus-

try,

46; his annual motion for parlia-

mentary reform, ii 309; supports Mr. Gladstone's war budget, iii 58; his
death,
iii

Cashmere Gate, iii 262; the city capiii 262; capture of the King of Delhi and shooting of his sons, iii 263; punishments inflicted on the rebels at
Cawnpore,
iii

264 Disraeli on the

;

mode

flicting opinions

concerning his lord-

58.

of governing,
ii

iii

265;

Cobden on Indian
disposal

ship, iv 291.

Hungarian

insurrection,
ii ii

155; Francis

governnaent,

iii

266;

of the

Hartley Colliery tragedy, iv 57. Harvest, deficient, in 1837-8, i 276. Hassall, Dr. Arthur Hill, superintends the Lancet adulteration commission,
iii

Deak's popularity,
visional governor,

156; 156;

Kossuth proArthur Gorgei

succeeds Kossuth as dictator, ii 156; surrender of the Hungarian army, ii

156.

King of Delhi, iii 268; death of the Rhanee of Jhansi, iii 268; general order by Sir Hugh Rose, iii 2C8; Sir
Colin Campbell announces the end of
the rebellion,
fer the
iii

229.

268; proposal to trans-

Hastings,

Lady

Flora,
i

232.

Hastings, Warren,

287.

Hunt, Leigh, conductor of Exajnincr newspaper, ii 161; sarcastic articles on

the prince regent,
ii

government from the East India

to the

Company

crown,

iii

274; bills of

Hatherley,
270.

Lord, lord -chancellor, iv

161; breadth of
ii

view
38.

in his

advocacy of reforms,
to,
ii

162;

Havelock, Sir Henry, his character and early career, iii 255; march on Cawnpore and Lucknow, iii 256; his death, iii 260; pension granted to his widow and son, iii 270; Lord Canning's esti-

pension granted

161; death of, iv

Lord Palmerston and Lord Derby, iii 274; act for the better government of India finally pas.sed, iii 275; the queen
proclaimed throughout,
iii

275; separate
iv 43.

Hydepark Riots

of 1S66, iv 224.

European army abolished,

Inkerman, battle
of,
iii

of,

iii

m;

descriptions

112, 113; cruelties of the

iii

Rusii

mate of, iii 270. Hawaiian Islands, ii 189. Haynau, General, mobbed
ii

I.
in

sians,

114.
40.

Insanity laws, discussion on the,

London,

140.

Ibrahim Pasha, ii 7. Imports and exports,

iv I, 2.

Inspection of prisons, conflict between

statistics of focd,

House

of Commons and
i

the law courts

Hayti, crowning of Soulouque emperor

of,
iii

concerning,
first

269.
i

4.

Income-tax,
revolt in
i

imposed,

330;

Sir

Insurrections on the Continent,

91.
in, iii

Head, Major, puts down the

Canada,
224.
i

224; receives a baronetcy,

house on behalf of, ii 36; opposition of Lord John Russell and Mr. Roebuck to, ii

Robert Peel appeals

to the

International law, improvements

192.

Inundation of the sea

Ionian
Islands,
iii

in 1862, iv 185.

Heathcote, Sir W., opposes the abolition of church-rates, iv 14; sketch of,
iv 14.

70.

political

condition

of,

India, historical notice

of,

2S7;

Board

Henley, Mr., president of Board of Trade, ii 296. Hennessey, Pope, iv 86. Herbert, Sir Sydney, enters parliament in 1834 as a Tory, i 184; at first a hesitating speaker,
i

of Control established, i 287; troubles with Afghanistan and the Sikhs, i 288; changes in, ii 160; changes in, since
1853,
iii

209; Mr. Gladstone sent as lord commissioner visits the, iii 289, 299; they demand to be annexed to Greece,
iii

299; finally

240;

its

mutiny of Sepoys in, iii causes, iii 240; improvements in

2og;
iii

Ireland, agitation

handed and
i

over,

iii

300.
i

distress in,
i

18,

37, 120; crimes in, in 1832,

121; coer-

the condition of the country,

241

cive measures,

121; church
i

and

mili-

185; his ancestry,

i

severity of the British to the natives,

242; Colonel

iii

tary statistics in 1833,

123; failure of

185; secretary to the admiralty,

318;

241; previous warnings of discontent,

the potato crop

cottars

in,

ii

85: poverty of the distress in,

ii ii

secretary at war,
tary,
iii

ii

317; colonial secreiii

151; resigns,

154, 155; raised

of, iv 42.

to the peerage, iv 42;

death

Hodgson's pamphlet, iii 242; improvements introduced by Lord Dalhousie, iii 243; extension of
iii

and alarming
in,
life

87;

increase of crime
protection of
out,

107; bill for the

High-Church, Ritualism, and LowChurch, iv II. Hill, Rowland, his early training and history, i 237; advocates a penny postage,
i

British rule

in,

iii

244; the Koh-i-noor

diamond sent to England, iii 244; Azimoolah Khan visits London, iii 245; Lord Canning .succeeds Lord Dalhousie,
iii

108;
116;

and properly thrown ii 107; Sir Robert Peel resigns, ii increasing famine and crime, ii remedial measures adopted, ii 117;
ii

opposition to the establishment of secular colleges,

117; injurious effects
ii

239; appointed to superintend

its

iii

working, i 241. Hodson, Lieutenant, his vigour in the suppression of Indian mutiny, iii 261;
shoots the King of Delhi's sons, 263.

245; origin of the

245; causes of the mutiny, name Pandies as

iii

of the relief granted,

118;

Mr. Smith
I

applied to revolted Sepoys,

tribution of chupatties,
iii

247: dis-

of Dcanslon on
ii

how to improve

rcland,

247; disposi-

119;
ii

Lord George Bcntinck's pro119; spiritlessncss of the people,

tion of the troops in the country on the

ii

posal,
ii

Holmfirih, bursting of reservoir

288; iv 184.

at,

Holyoake, Mr., the Secularist,

iii

7.

Home

Rulers, their policy of obstruc-

tion, iv 322.

outbreak of the mutiny, iii 247; outbreak at Mecrut and Delhi, iii 248; the news reaches Lahore and the Sepoys there di.sarmed, iii 249; those at Mooltan disarmed, iii 250; troops on their

120: the

Young
ii

Irelind party,

ii

120;
ii

repeal year,

123; results of famine,

Hood, Thomas,

ii

15.

way

to

China intercepted

by Lord

141; need of improved cooker)-, ii 141; statistics of mortality and relief during the famine, ii 182; punishment of agitators, ii 181, 184; the "Cabbage Gar-

;;

344

INDEX.
IRISH

LIVINGSTONE
i8i; deplorable
ii

den Insurrection,"
Prince Albert on,

ii

the Austrians at Palestro,

iii

314; defeat
ii

iii

221; appointed professor of history,

condition of the people in 1848,

ii

184;

of the Austrians at Magenta,

dinia enter Milan, the Austrians,
ferino,
iii

314; the

iv 202.

184; visit of the

Emperor of France and King of

iii iii

Sar-

queen to, ii 185; Mr. Sharman Crawford moves for leave to bring in a land
bill, ii

315

315; retreat of battle of Soltreaty signed,

Knowledge, repeal of ta.xes on, ii 296. Koh-i-noor diamond sent to England,

iii

244.

290; political condition of, iv 247;

315;

meeting of the emperors

iii

Kossuth,

Louis,

ii ii

142
142;

learns

the

proceedings of professional agitators, iv 248; Fenian threats against England, iv 248; proceedings of Irish views of British Americans, iv 248
seditious
;

at Villafranca,

315

iii 316; dissatisfaction of Sardinia and comresignation of Cavour, iii 322 plamts of Sardinia against the conduct
;

statesmen on, iv 249; the Fenian organization, iv 250; Stephens and Mahoney, iv 250; suspension of Habeas Fenian raid on Corpus Act, iv 251 Canada, iv 25 1 Irish- American attempt on Ireland, iv 251; capture of Colonel
; ;

of Austria, iv 66

tyrannous governcon-

becomes proHungary, ii 156; resigns the dictatorship and flees to Turkey, ii 156; reaches England, ii 157; his American tour, ii 275.
Engli.sh language,
visional governor of

ment

in

Naples,

iv 66; Garibaldi's

quest of Sicily and Naples (see GariVictor Emmanuel ocbaldi), iv 69

;

L.
Lady Hewley's Lady novelists,
Lamoriciere,
Charity,
ii
i

cupies the Papal territory, iv 78; chosen

king of the

Two

Sicilies, iv 80;

Lord

282.

Burke and others, iv 252 attack on prison van at Manchester and murder
;

John

Russell's despatch on the action

301.

of the Sardinian government, iv 81

General,
iv 67.

commander
iv

of

of Sergeant Brett, iv 253; execution of Allen, Larkin, and O'Brien, iv 255;

outrage on Clerkenwell Prison, iv 255; execution of Barrett, iv 256; outrages in Ireland, iv 257; great procession in

Ratazzi succeeds Cavour as minister, iv 83; tries to repeat Cavour's policy, iv 83; Garibaldi raises a force for an
attack on

Papal troops,
Lancashire,

distress

in,

125

pro-

visions for relief, iv 126;

Mr. Cobden

memory of the Manchester

iv 257
;
;

murderers,
;

Rome, iv 83; he is opposed by government troops at Aspromonte, iv 84; seat of government removed to
Florence, iv 85; Venetia joined to Italy,
iv 85;

the land question, iv 260

the

on the amount of distress, iv 126; poorlaw relief, iv 127 aid from America, iv 127; Mrs. Gladstone's efforts, iv 129; improvement of health and decrease of
;

Ulster "Custom," iv 261 Mr. Magtiire's proposed inquiry into condition of Ireland, iv 262; Mr. Gladstone introduces
the Irish

another unsuccessful attack on

iv 86; discussion in the

Rome,
iv 86.

House

of

mortality in distressed districts, iv 129; occupation provided, iv 129.

Commons on

the government policy,

Lansdowne, Lord,
office,
ii

in cabinet

without

Land
it

Bill, iv 276; its provi-

317.

sions, iv 277;

becomes law,
bill

iv 279; a

national education

introduced, iv
in,

289;
Irish

continued outrages

iv 324;

Mr. Gladstone's later measures, iv 325. Brigade raised, iv 76, 86; Mr. Pope
in its forma-

J.
Jamaica, proposal to suspend the constitution
of,
i

Lawrence, Sir Henry, stationed in the Punjaub, iii 247; his death, iii 251. Lawrence, Sir John, stationed in the Punjaub, iii 247 his able administration and tact, iii 269 rewards for his
; ;

Hennessey conspicuous
tion, iv 86.

158

serious riots in,

services,

iii

270.

iv 190; condition of the

i

negro

in, iv 191;

Irving,

Edward,

no.
ii
;

George
290.

Wm.

Isabella,
Italy,

Queen

of Spain,

iv 191

Gordon and Paul Bogle, course pursued by Governor

;

fate of Ruffini, ii r sympathy with Mazzini, ii i; condition in 1848,

ii

Eyre, iv 192
;

execution of Gordon,

151; spread of secret societies,

ii

T52;

severities practised on the iniv 193 surgents, iv 193; public sympathy felt

insurrectionary

movements,

ii

152

Charles Albert takes the lead, ii 152; Garibaldi declares war against Austria,
ii

Gordon, iv 194 Carlyle defends Eyre, iv 194; he is suspended, and a commission of inquiry appointed, iv 195
for
;

Lawson, Sir Wilfrid, president of the United Kingdom Alliance, iv 151. Layard, Austin Henry, his career, iii 139; his excavations near Nineveh, ii 175; attacks the government on the Crimean war, iii 139; attacks Palmerston's government, iii 153. Laymen m the church, Gladstone on
functions
of, iv 12.

152; enters
ii

Rome and a republic

Emmanuel

pro-

the prosecution against

195-

him

fails,

iv

claimed,

152; Victor

suc-

Leech, John, death of, iv 197. Lehzen, Louise, governess to Princess

Victoria,
i

ceeds his father, ii 153; the French, Austrian, and Neapolitan armies ad-

vance upon Rome,

fence of Garibaldi,

ii ii

153; gallant de153;

end of the

Republic, ii 154; Austrian rule unendurable, iii 306 policy of Cavour

;

Roman

Japan, opening up of trade with, iv 20. Jerrold, Douglas, death of, iv 38. Jews, admission of, to House of Commons, iv 36. Jingoes, origin of the name, iv 317.
Jones, Ernest,
Jones,
ii

215.

Leicester the Glass-blower, iv 239. Leopold, chosen King of Belgium,

91;

145.

307 Mazzini and Garibaldi, iii 307; the Emperor of the French contemplates hostilities with Austria, iii 308 Victor Emmanuel's
iii
; ;

and of Mazzini,

William,

conceals
i

himself in

guardian and adviser of Princess Victoria, i 217 promotes her marriage with Prince Albert, i 292. Leopold, illness of Prince, iv 292.
;

Buckingham Palace,
tion to, iv 206.

315.

Lethebj',

Dr., his sanitary inquiries,

Jowett, Professor, iv 202, 204; opposi-

declaration,
iii

iii

308: feeling in England,

letter

Judicature Bill passed,

iv 289.

iii 226; remedies suggested, iii 228. Lewis, Sir G. C, chancellor of the exchequer, iii 155; his antecedentSjiii 163;

308

the emperor's
iii

to

the

his budget,

iii

163, 164.
of, iv

queen,
in

309; unpopularity of the

iii

war

Liberia, establishment of colony

France,

310; Prince Albert on the

Kaffirs,

K.
war
with,
ii

91.

emperor's position, iii 310; negotiations with Lord Cowley, iii 310; the queen

Lincoln,
275, 309.

Abraham, elected President

;

of

the United States, iv loi

character

on Napoleon's position,
Thiers' opinion,
iii

311

iii M. 311 proposal for the

;

disarmament of the great powers,

311; Austria preparing for war,
iii

iii

312;

memorandum
ment,
iii

of the Sardinian govern-

Kars, defence of, iii 187. Kenealy, Dr., is returned for Stokeupon-Trent, iv 294. Kent, Duchess of, income granted to, i 220; illness of, iv 49; the queen's description of her last hours, iv 49
;

and

career, iv loi
;

personal appear-

ance, iv 102
of, iv 143.

his reply to

an address

from Manchester,

iv 126; assassination

Lind, Jenny, her extraordinary success,

ii

312; Austria

demands the
;

dis-

her

208.
traffic, bill for

armament of Sardinia, iii 313 Victor Emmanuel's proclamation to his troops, iii 313; the Austrian army ordered to
enter Sardinia, takes
iii
iii

death, iv 50.

Liquor
288.

regulation

of, iv

command

the emperor 313 of the French army,

;

Kent, Duke of, i 182. Kimberley, Lord, lord privy-seal, iv 270. Kingsley, Charles, efforts to improve the condition of the labouring classes,
ii

Livingstone, David, early life and education, iv 20; joins the

London
sent
i

INIission-

ary

Society and

is

to

South
h'ls
;

313; positions of the armies,

iii

battle of Montebello,

313 313; defeat of

iii
;

150; his opposition to the jNIanchester

ii

Africa, iv 21; his marriage,

v 21;

school,

306; his Christian socialism.

great journey to

Lake Ngami,

iv 22

; ;

; ; ;

INDEX.
LOCAL
receives the gold

345

MEXICO
iii

medal of the Royal

;

302; anecdote of,

by

^Ir. Ballantine,

labours on behalf of total abstinence,

i 256; iv 149; anecdotes of, i 256. Maurice, Rev. Frederic Denison, on

Geographical Society, iv 22 Sir Roderick Murchison on his discoveries,

iv 22
;

iii

302; interested in criminal investigaiii

tions,

302;
iii

Lord Rector
303.

of

Glasgow

recommends the growth of cotton

iv

University,

in Africa,

22

explorations on the

Zambesi, iv
last

22; leaves
;

journey, iv 23
23.

England for his honours given to

M.
Macaulay, Thomas Babington, enters
parliament,
i

him, iv

Manchester school, ii 306 dismissed for teaching certain views on subject of eternal punishment, iii 43 appointed professor of moral philosophy, iv 202.
the
;

the

Local Government Acts, iv 2S6. Loch Katrine water supply for Glasgow,
inauguration
place,
of, iv 5.

Maynooth College
.Sir

104
104

his

high place as
186;

a speaker,
of, his claim for
i

advocates reform,
i

Londonderry, Marquis
i

IDS

a great talker,
i

war

secre-

Bill, introduced by Robert Peel, ii 78 speech by Macaulay on, ii 79; supported by Gladstone and opposed by Disraeli, ii 8i; passing
;

133.

tary,

289;

opposes Peel's sliding-

of,

ii

82.

London University,
grant degrees,
Lords,
i

receives

power

to

scale,

ii

23; his description of a stormy

Maynooth Grant, Mr. Aytoun's motion

on,
iv

135.

scene in the

House

of

Commons,

ii

40;

266

compensation

for

with-

House

of,

rejection of bill for re-

peal of the paper-duty, iv 28; report of

committee of Commons on precedents Mr. Bright for such a course, iv 28 dissents from report, iv 28; Mr. Glad;

stone's opinion, iv 29; resolutions carried in the

Commons,
of,
iii

iv 29.

Lome, Marquis
cess Louise,

marriage with Prin-

on the sugar duties, ii 72; on the Maynooth College Bill, ii 79; loses his seat for Edinburgh, ii 80; paymaster of the fc/rces, ii 116; publication of his History of England, ii 163 is again returned for Edinburgh, iii 10 speech on the Militia Bill, iii 11; his death, iv 39 his position as an author and
;
;
;

drawal

of, iv 271.

Mayo,

assassination of Lord, iv 319. Mazzini, Joseph, the father of Italian freedom, ii 143; his early life, ii 143; personal appearance, ii 144 joins the Carbonari, ii 145; joins the insurrection
;

in Italy,

ii

152; chosen president of the

republic in
in

Rome,
i

ii

152; his reception

304.

politician, iv 39

Mr. Gladstone's

re-

England,
ii I
;

336

general sympathy
ii

Louis Philippe, King of France, i 90 attempt on his life, ii 6; news reaches

the

view

of, iv 39.

with,
in

Carlyle's praise of,

i
ii

his
i.

M'Clintock, Captain, his expedition

the Fox, \yia.

account of an hour of suffering,

House

of

Commons
ii

of his flight
intrigues con-

Meagher of the Sword,

iii 2.

iii 7.

and abdication,
,

133

cerning the Spanish marriage, ii 133. Lowe, Mr. his amendment urging prosecution of the war,
iii

Mackenzie, Bishop, in Africa, iv 22. Mackintosh, Sir James, his efforts to

ameliorate the criminal code,
i

Mechi, Mr., experiments

in agriculture,

17.

169,

176, 17S;

Macnaghten,
Cabul,
ii 8.

Sir William,

murdered
i

in

supports the
career,
offices,

bill

for limited hability in

iii

joint-stock companies,
iii

303; his early

in political

Magazines, beginning of popular,

112.

303

advances

his character as an 304 educationist, iv 169 is charged with

iii
;
;

Magenta, battle of, iii 314. Mahoney, Fenian head-centre,

Mail-coaches,
i

iv 251.

236.

Medical science, advances in, ii 178. Meerut, beginning of mutiny at, iii 248. Mehemet Ali, viceroy of Egypt, 291 British government decline to assist him, 292 his revolt against Turkey, is opposed by England and supii 2 ported by France, ii 3; refuses the terms
i i
;
;

mutilating school inspectors' reports,

he resigns office, iv 170; his speeches on reform bill of 1866, iv 215, his attack on l\Ir. Disraeli, iv 218
iv 170;
;

Malmesbury, Lord, foreign secretary in Lord Derby's ministries, ii 296

iii

of the western powers,

ii

5; at last signs

287.
to

Malt duty, motion

i

repeal, in 1S35,

234; chancellor of the exchequer, iv

133i

a convention, ii 6. Melbourne, Lord, characteristics of, Sydney Smith's opinion of, i 99; i 99 becomes prime minister, i 126; anec;

270; his budget of 1S69, iv 273;

his

budget of 1871, iv 287; proposed tax on lucifer matches, iv 287. Lucknow, outbreak at, and vigorous measures taken by Sir Henry Lawrence, iii 250; entry of General Havelock into,
iii

Malthus on population, 52. Manchester, rapid growth

turn-out of mill-workers,
i

dotes
of,
;

of,

127; his ministry dismissed,

275

128, but recalled,

145

resigns, but

278 meetings prohibited and dispersed, i 279 and resolumeeting of trades delegates
tions adopted, including the People's

shortly after forms another ministry,

i

158;

weakness of ministry,

212: ad-

viser of the

young queen,

214; refuses

258.

Charter,

280

employers resolve to
i

Lyndhurst, Lord, his ancestors, i 113; began his parliamentary career as a

Radical,
i

keep the mills closed, Manchester school of

ii

280.

i 215; supposed undue inover the queen, i 215 inactivity of his ministry, i 305; Conserva-

the Garter,
fluence
of,

politics, rise of,

ii

113

lord

chancellor

in

139; opponents of the,

139, 303.

i 305 ; defeat of, and dissolution of parliament, i 311; Earl

tive attacks on,

various ministries,

i 98, 113, 129, 318; a law reformer, i 113; attorney-general, i 113; friendship between him and Can-

Manin, Daniel, revolutionist

ii

at Venice,

144.

Russell on the situation, 311; vole of want of confidence in the ministry cari

113; his generosity and goodhumour, i 114; his bills to amend the law
ning,
i

Manners, Lord John, commissioner of Woods and Forests, ii 296. Manning, Henry Edward, birth and
education, iv 17; joins the
tholic
iv 18.

ried,

ture of,

313; they resign, i 314; caricai 315; his character and domesi

tic life,

concerning parliamentary oaths, and to better the position of married women,

iii

Roman

Ca-

wife,
later

316; solitude
i

315: strange conduct of and neglect of

liis

liis

Church,

iv 18;

made a

cardinal,

12; his

of Russia,

speech on the unfaithfulness iii 91 advocates additions

;

317; his account man's position, ii 44; his reception of

life,

of a slates-

to the national defences,

iii

305.

Manteuffel, Prussian minister, Maronites. See Druses.

iii

34.

Lytton, Sir E. Bulwer, speech on the

conduct of the Crimean war, iii 144 motion to censure the government, iii 181; supports Disraeli's reform bill
of 1859,
colonies,
tician
iii

Marriage laws, unsatisfactory nature of i7y; interpretation of them the old,

i

a deputation of radical working-men, ii 45; his death, ii 44. Metropolitan Underground Railway.
iv 3. I99-

by
to

Sir

Matthew Hale,
i

178; attempts

Mexico, Juarez president of the republic,

amend,
i

178, 179;

a reform accomto,
i

iv 155: disorder in the country, iv

291; Disraeli's description

iii

plished,

179.

of his oration,
iii

291; secretary for the

Married women, Laws relating

iii

273;

action of Britain, France, and Spain, iv 155; the United States refuse 155:
to join the convention, iv 155: a Euro-

299; his success as a poli-

12.

his

and defects as a speaker, iii 300; political creed and industry as a

iii

writer,

300; created a baronet.iii 301;

iii

his personal peculiarities,

301
iii

his
;

Martaban, capture of, iii 197. Martineau, Harriet, her influence in declines a pen8t Liberal politics, on the Chartists, i 280; on sion, 81
i
;

pean expedition sent out, iv 155 proclamation by the allied p<nvcrs, iv 156: Mexican opposition to General Al:

romantic novels and dramas,

his political progress
cess,
iii

301

the potato disease,

ii

86.
of,
iii
i

302

his

and literary sucunhappy marriage.

Martini-Henry

rifle,

invention

326.

monte, iv 156: Napoleon III.'s views with regard to the Archduke Maximilian, iv 156; ^^ Billault's statement
in the

Mathew,

P'ather, his early career,

255;

Corps

Legislatif, iv 156; confer-

346

INDEX.
MIALL
NICHOLAS
Murchison, Sir Roderick, on Livingstone's explorations, iv 22.

ence between the Mexican and allied commissioners, iv 156 withdrawal of ihe English and Spanish governments,
;

at Windsor,

iii loi letter to the queen acknowledging the kindness of the re;

Music-halls, increase

of, iv 7.

ception,

iii

102; the queen's return visit 103; his difficult position,

iv 157

proclamation of the French

to Paris,
iii iii

iii

commissioners and defeat of the French troops, iv 157; General Forey sent out Puebla with reinforcements, iv 157 surrendered and the French enter the
;

N.
Xana
Sahib, the chief of Bithoor,
in
iii

capital, iv 157 ; General Forey 's proclamation, iv 157 the crown accepted by Maximilian, iv 158 opposition to his reign, iv 158; he is captured and executed, with his generals Miramon and Mejia, iv 158; Juarez again presi; ;

252; asked to aid Cawnpore, iii 252;

the defence of
iii

his treachery,

253-

Napier, Sir Charles, bombards

d'Acre,
iii
ii

St.

Jean
fleet,

7;

admiral of the Baltic

quarrel
78;

70,

77;
iii

with
iii
iii

Sir

dent, iv 159; fate of the ex-empress,

iv 159.

Graham,

refuses

the
79;
79.

Cross of the Bath,

his

James Grand what he

conquers

life by Pianori, schemes regarding the Principalities and Austria, iii 278; his visit to the queen at Osborne, iii 279; attempt on his life by Felice Orsini, iii 280; indignation in France against England, iii 281; despatch of Count Walewski concerning, iii 281 ill feehng of the French towards England, iii 282; the matter amicably settled, iii 288;

277; attempt on his

277;
his

policy

Miall,
is

Edward,

views on oaths,

iii

7;

achieved in the Baltic,

Sciiide,
13.

of, iv 159; his proposal for a congress of nations, iv 159; its reception by the powers, iv 159.
iii

defeated, but afterwards elected for

Napier, Sir Charles James,

ii

Bradford, iv 268.
Militia Bill, introduced
;

by Lord John Russell, ii 291 opposed by Hume and Cobden, ii 292 speech by Lord Pal;

Napier, General Sir Robert, leads the Abyssinian expedition, iv. 247.
Napiers, the family
of,
ii

Napoleon, Prince, his marriage, Cobden's opinion of, iii 322. Napoleonic prestige, the, ii 273.
iv 19.

312;

Nasmyth, inventor of steam-hammer,

National
formed,
i

12.

merston,
ii

293 defeat of government, 296; bill of 1852, iii 9; speech by

ii
;

Naples, Mr. Gladstone's strong charges against the government of, ii 259: horrible condition of the prisons,
ii

Complete
281.

Suffrage

Union

Macaulay,

iii

11.
i

261;

National

Convention
to

Mill, James, a philosophic Radical,

his influence with the East India

53;

Com-

examples of tyranny, ii 262; case of Baron Carlo Poerio, ii 262; treatment

of the prisoners,
ter,
ii ii

enormous petition

formed, i 281; the House of

pany,
Mil!,

286.

265

Poerio's charac-

Commons, combe that

the bar,
282.
i

281; motion

by Mr. Dunby house,

i

the petitioners be heard at

281
;

John

Stuart, his influence on Ini

266; political catechism taught

ii

rejected

dian

affairs,

286;

is

rejected
;

by West-

minster electors, iv 268 views, iv 268.

his political

from the constitution, ii 268; comparison with Charles I. of England and Ernest of
in the schools,

266; extracts

National Debt, reduction of interest on, ii 60; Mr. Gladstone's proposals on,
iv 213.

Milner-Gibson, Thomas, advocates free trade in food, ii 24; gains a seat for Manchester, ii 26; opposes the sugar
ii 71; is defeated at Ashtonimder-Lyne, iv 268. Mines, act regulating the working of women and children in, i 331. Mirror, first of the cheap magazines,

Hanover,

ii

269; the subject before the

ii

House

of

Commons,

270;

Lord Pal-

duties,

merston sends copies of ]Mr. Gladstone's pamphlet to all the courts of Europe, ii 270; replies to Mr. Gladstone's pamphlet, ii 271; Lord Palmerston's treatment of them, ii 271.

National Education, need of, iv 279; the Elementary Education Act introduced,
iv 280; establishment of school-boards, iv 284; the

compulsory and conscience

Code,
iv 285;

clauses, iv 284: statistics of progress,

iv 2S4: objections to the

112.
ii

Mitchel, John,

145; his return

is

from

Napoleon, removal of his body from St. Helena, ii 4. Napoleon, Louis, early career of, i 196;
attempts a rising at Strasburg,
retires to
efforts,
ii
ii
i

Mr. Gladstone's education

land, iv 289.

bill for Ire-

Navigation laws, instituted,

cessive modifications of,
ii

ii

186; suc-

transportation, iv 293;

twice elected

197;

186; passing

forTipperary, iv 293; his death, iv 294. Model Lodging-houses, iii 217.

London,
4;

198; his literary

of

bill to

abolish,

ii

187.

prepares for an expedition,

Neild, !Mr., leaves his fortune to the

Moldavia. See Principalities. Molesworth, Sir William, enters parlia-

4; lands at

Boulogne,
5; escapes'

ii

5;

unsucim-

queen,

ii

319.

cessful attempt at revolt,

ii

5; his

Neill, General,

death
of,

of, iii of, iii

258;
270.

Lord

ment
first

of 1832,

107 opposition
;

to,

108
ii

prisonment,
ii

ii

commissioner of public works,

iii

138;

settles

in

from Ham, England, ii 138;

Canning's description

Newcastle,
i

Duke

his early history,

ii

317; colonial secretary,

181.

elected a representative to the

tional

Na251;

334; secretary for the colonies,

317;

Moltke, General von, iv 237. Montebello, battle of, iii 313. Moore, Thomas, death of, ii 301. More, Hannah, influence of her writijigs, i 184; advocates the better education of

Assembly,
ii

ii

22S; elected presiii

defends himself from charges of indolence and indifference in the conduct

of the war,
iii

dent,

230;

the cojip d'etat,

mary

Kinglake's and Victor Hugo's sumof him, ii 251; a communication

147.

Newman,

Dr.

J.

H., his account of rise

i

women,

184.

Moxon, Mr., the publisher, trial of, i 285. MuUer, Franz, the railway murderer,
iv 188; his

apprehension and execution,

in rail-

iv 189;

need of communication

way-carriages, iv 190. Municipal Corporations,

inquiry into

addressed to the National Assembly, ii 252; his accomplices in the seizure of power, ii 253; selection of ministers and army officers, ii 253; arrangements to print the proclamations, ii 253; Granier de Cassagnac's account of the arrests, ii 253; arrest and imprisonment of the deputies, ii 255; promotion and suppression of insurrection,
loss of life,
ii

of Tractarian movement,
for libelling Achilli,
iii 8.

no;

trial

Newspapers, abolition of stamp-duty, iii 231; starting of the penny newspaper,

iii

231.
of,
ii
ii

New

Zealand, discovery

13; for13; diffi-

mally annexed to England, culties with the natives,

ii

14;

Sir

working
tions of,
i

of,
i

165;

growth and corrup-

255; great

George Grey's
ii

Polytiesiaji

Mythology,

165; report of commissioners,

introduced by Lord John Russell to amend, i 167; supported by

166;
bill

ii 256; proclamations to the country and the army, ii 256; vote for the extension of his term and his power, ii ii

14; plan

ii

190;

adopted for its colonization, incompetent governors, ii 191;

ii

affairs

put on a better footing by Gov191.

visit to

Robert Peel, i 168 passes House of but opposed in Lords, i 171; after compromises between the houses
Sir
;

257; distrust of

him

in this country,

ernor Grey,
this

Commons
the

274; his progress through

ii

president,
ii

324; speech at

France as Bordeaux,
ii

Nicholas, Emperor of Russia,

bill finally

passed,

174; feeling in

325; his reception in Paris,

ii

326;

is

the country

tween

on the disagreement beLords and Common.s, i 175

i

proclaimed emperor,
his marriage,
iii

327; speech to
ii

the senate and legislative body,

20; addresses
iii

327;

satisfactory result of the act,

176
i

letter

country in 1844, ii 130; iii 14; personal appearance and manner, ii 130; attempts to get England to agree to his plans concerning Turkey, iii 14 his fondness for dramatic performances

I.^ndon exempt
176.

from

the

reform,

to

Emperor Nicholas,
to the

21; desires to

and

familiarity with actors,

iii

iii

16; love

go

Crimea,

iii

99; visits the

queen

of display,

16; industry in govern-

INDEX.
NIGHTINGALE
ing,
17;
iii

PARLIAMENTARY
iii

347

17;

estimate of his character,

Owen, Robert,
i

his social experiments,

King Leopold on the Dano-German

war, iv 167; his personal habits, iv 167; his failing health and death, iv 181;

anecdote related by Dr. i\Iandt, iii domestic affection, iii 19; reply to the Emperor of France's letter, iii 22;
iS;

25; presented to the

queen,

250.

Oxford School, the, iv 203. Oxford Union Suciety, Mr. Gladstone's

connection with,
i

anecdote

of, iv 181.
iii

effect of the

news of

tlie

battle of the
iii

44.

Pandies, origin of name,

247.

Alma

on,

iii

103; his death,

155.

Nightingale, Florence, her birth and

education,
iii

121;

her work

in

the

Oxford University, tendency of, towards high Toryism, i 43. Oxford University Commission, report
of,
iii

Panmure, Lord, war secretary, iii 151; his antecedents and personal appearance,
iii

151.
of,
i

Crimea,
scribed

iii

122; testimonial fund subiii

12.

Paper-duty, reduction
passes the

189
;

agitabill

for,

122.

tion for the repeal of, iv 26

the

Nile, discoveries of Captains Speke

and

Commons, but
; ;

is

thrown

Grant, and of Mr. Baker, iv 198; death of Captain Speke, iv 199.

Nitro-glycerine, e.xplosion
castle, iv 256.
of, at

P.
Pacifico,

Newi

Don,

ii

212.

Norbury, Lord, assassination

Northcote,
tarj'

of,

306.

Pakington, Sir John, colonial secretary, ii 296 troubles about the transporta;

out by the Lords, iv 27 conflict between the houses, iv 28 appointment of a select committee to inquire into precedents, iv 28; its report, iv 28; resolutions passed in
ing, iv 29
;

Sir

Stafford,

opposes the
iv 119,

tion of criminals,

ii

308

first

lord of

Commons concerna proposition for remission

budget of 1S61,
to

iv 119; private secre-

the admiralty,
Palestro, battle

iii

287.

Mr. Gladstone,

123;

of, iii 314.

expectations of his success, iv 123; his

ancestry and career, iv 123.

Palmer, William, case of, iii 234. Palmerstcn, Viscount, his early career,
i

of duty passed, iv 30. Paprneau, Louis Joseph, i 223. Parliament houses burned, i 159. Parliament, opening of session 1830,

North-west passage made by Captain Maclure, iv 20. Nottingham, riot at, i 85.

189;

is

war secretary and

i

foreign

secretary,

31, 69, 189;

ii

116; his suci

65; dissolution of, in 1834, i 130; the new parliament of 1835 with a Liberal
i 132 the opposition choose the speaker, i 132; preparations for the elections to the queen's first, i 218;
;

cess in the foreign

office,
ii

190

advo-

majority,

cates free-trade in corn, Pacifico business,

ii
;

23; the

Don

138; his character

o.
Oath
lic

and
tion
iii

policy,

ii

208

demands

satisfac-

small Liberal majority returned,

220;

from Greece of the

ii

Don
;

Pacifico

opened by the queen,

of, in

220; dissolution

in courts of justice,

i.

and other claims,

claims,
ii

213

settlement of

1841,

311; election in 1841, large

O'Connell, Daniel, supports the CathoAssociation,

i

214; complaints of his action

ii

Conservative majority,
of,
i

26, his
i

mode
31;
is

of apelected
i

in the matter,

214
in

brilliant

speech
ii

329

i 313; meeting opened by the queen, i 330;

;

pealing to a jury,

26; his declaration

i

by Palmerston

defence,

215

of loyalty to the crown,

and

re-elected

member

for Clare,
i

36;

speeches of Gladstone, Cockburn, and Sir Robert Peel, ii 217; majority for

opening of, in 1852, ii 277 discussion on the kitchen arrangements, ii 277;

speech on Irish disturbances,

described by

120; his
i

government,
cojip d'etat,

ii

221;
;

he approves of the

meeting of, in December, the government attacked

duct of the war,
Russell replies,
1859,
iii

1S54,

iii

13S;

for its con-

violent language on Earl Grey,

124;
i

Haydon
ii

the painter,

135; the repeal year,

123; his great

influence, ii 123; government interferes and prohibits a meeting, ii 125; the meeting prevented by O'Connell's advice, ii 125; his influence at an end, ii 126; is prosecuted and found guilty, ii 126; acquitted on appeal, ii 127; his

speech in parliament, ii 128; his death and funeral, ii 129. O'Connor, Feargus, arrested, i 262;leader in the National Convention, i 281 charlast
;

remonstrances of ii 25S the queen and government, ii 258; his removal from the foreign office, ii 258; his conduct in regard to Mr. Gladstone's pamphlet on the Neapolitan government, ii 270 the subject of his dismissal before the house, ii 281; Lord John Russell's explanation, ii 281 Lord Palmerston's explanation, ii 284 Mr. Roebuck on, ii 285 speech by Mr.
; ; ; ;

291

Lord John 139 dissolved in 140 Liberal majority in the

iii
;

iii

new parliament,

iii

291; session of 1866

iv 209.

opened by the queen, General Election.

See

Parliamentary Oaths, bill introduced by Lord Lyndhurst, iii 12. Parliamentary Reform, early attempts
at,
i
i

i; effect

Disraeli on,

ii 285 ings with Sir Benjamin Hall,

;

Palmerston's dealii

of French Revolution on, proposed march of Manchester

to petition for,
to
i

286;

workmen
societies

2;

organizing
efforts

his horror of cruelty,

ii

2S7

his later

promote,
i

of

acter

of,
ii

ii

sanity,

shows symptoms of in278; winding up of his land

145;

account of the reason of his dismissal,

287 is home secretary under Lord Aberdeen, ii 317; eager to take decisive measures with Russia, iii 24; his views on the situation, iii 28 his success as home secretary, iii 42 his view on a
ii
;

scheme,

ii

278; scene in the

ii ii

House of

Lord John Russell, 17, 70; of Marquis of Blandford and Lord Althorp, 38; of Lord Brougham, 66; Earl Grey's
i i

Commons,
for assault,

279; committed to prison

ministry successful,
chise
bill

90; county fran;

2S9 confined in a lunatic

;

lost, iv
;

173

Mr. Gladstone

asylum, ii 279. Omar Pacha, iii 21. Open-air meetings, attempt to suppress,
iii 6.

on, iv 174

referred to in royal speech

national fast for the cholera epidemic,

42, and on burying dead bodies under buildings, iii 44; his resignation, iii 45; it is withdrawn, iii 49; his speech at a banquet to Sir Charles Napier, iii 70; attacked by Mr. Bright, iii 72; his
iii

of 1866, iv 210;

bill

introduced, iv 210,

213; Mr. Gladstone's speech, iv 214; Mr. Lowe's opposition to the bill, iv
215: speeches

Oramge conspiracy
throne,
i

to

prevent the acces-

by Mr. Bright and Sir

sion of the Princess Victoria to the

183.

E. Bulwer Lytton, iv 216; demonstrations throughout the country, iv 217;

Orangeism, attempt to assassinate the queen attributed to, i 306. Orator Hunt, a Radical reformer, i 3; imprisonment of, i 5. Organization among the masses, growth of the tendency to, ii 30.
Orsini, Felice,
iii

reply,

iii

72

forms a ministry,

iii

150:

speech of Mr. Gladstone at Liverpool,

precarious position of the ministry, iii 182; his government attacked and defeated,
iii
iii
;

202

appeal to the country,

205: introduces a
Bill,
iii

204

return of a large majority for

iii

Mr. Brighl's letter, iv 217; Mr. Lowe's speech against the bill, iv 218; Mr. Gladstone's reply, iv 219; narrow majority for government, iv 221 bill
iv 217;
;

government,
spiracy to
tion to the

Con-

for redistribution of scats, iv 221; defeat

2S0.

Murder
bill,
iii

284; opposi-

Osborne, Bernal, his sallies of wit, iv 166; his attack on Mr. Disraeli, iv 232. Osborne House, ii 93. Oudh, annexation of, iii 244.

285,

and defeat of
;

222

and resignation of the ministry, iv angry demonstrations over the

bill

the government, iii 287 resignation, again prime minister, iii 292: iii 2S7; he offers the presidentship of the Board
of Trade to Mr. Cobdcn, iii 292, 293; on the national defences, iii 306 sup;

country, iv 223;

of 1867 introduced
its

by Mr.
iv 228;

Disraeli, iv 226;

provisions,

opposition of the Liberal party

Outram, Sir James, Overend, Gurney,

iv 235.

iii

257.

to the bill, iv 229;

Mr. Hodgkinson's

&

Co., failure of,

proposal, iv 231
iv
;

redistribution of seats,

port given to his ministry by the Conservative party, iv 29

;

Owen,

Professor, on the gorilla, iv 24.

his letter

to

Bernal Osborne, Lowe, and 231 Lord Cranborne on Mr. Disraeli and

; ;

348

IXDEX.
PASSPORTS

REFORM
the

the

bill,

iv 232

the
;

bill in

House

Peel,

Sir William, death

of,
iii

iii

270;

progress,
>

335; of literature

and

art,

of Lords, iv 233 Lord John Russell's view of the position, iv 233 the bill
;

Lord Canning's opinion of, Pegu, annexation of, iii 197.

270.

335of,

Property qualification, abolition

iv

finally passed, iv 234.

Pelissier, General, commands the

French

37-

Passports, abolition

of, iv 200.

army
of,
ii

in the Crimea,
iii

iii

135

his ante-

Patagonian missionaries,
298.

story

cedents,

136, 164:

Prosperity of the country, ii 60; before the Crimean war, iii i; improvement
in the condition of the working-classes,
iii

Penny Magazine begun,

Per-sia,

1832,

112.
i

Patronage (Scotland) Bill introduced, iv 300; Mr. Gladstone's objections to it,

IV 300.

Periodical Literature, increase

of,

1S7.

2;

signs of, in i860, iv

i.

war

with,

i\Iajor-general

suicide of 197 Stalker and Commoiii

;

Protectionists,

Paul

^Sir

John Dean), Strahan, and

of,

dore Ethersej-,
Philosophical
ii

iii

205.
i 5.
i

Bates,

trial

for fraudulent appro-

Peterloo Massacre, th^

form an opposition to Peel's government, ii 63; their dismay at Sir Robert Peel's free-trade budget, ii 98; led by Lord George Bentinck,
ii

priation of trust

money,
ii

iii

232.

Radicalism,

107, 311

99.

Paxton, Sir Joseph,

234; his design for the Crystal Palace, ii 234 it is adopted, ii 237.
;

13.

Prussia, death of

King
236
;

of, iv 41;

war

Phoeni.x

Park assassinations,
i

iv 326.
i

with Austria,

iv

acquires preiv 238

;

Photography, introduction
Pillory abolished, the,
Pitt, 97.

of,

271.

dominance

in

Germany,

war

Peabody, George, his generous gift, iv 127 letter from the queen, iv 128; his
;

William,
i

opposes parliamentary
his efforts on behalf of

with France, iv 285. Public Schools, commission of inquiry

on, iv 169.

additional gifts, iv 128; his death, iv

128
;

reform,
Plimsoll,

i.

object to which his gifts were

j\lr.,

Public Worship Regulation Bill passed,

iv 301
;

applied, iv 128.

seamen,
Garibaldi's

iv 312;

scene in the house, iv

its

small effects, iv 302.

Peard,

Colonel,
iv 74.

English18:

313; a

government measure introduced,

of,
ii

man,
is
i

iv3i3.
i

Peel, Sir Robert, his earlj' career,

Poet-laureate, appointment

206.

Punch, beginning of, ii 15: influence of Hood's " Song of the Shirt," ii 15. Punjaub annexed to British India, iii
244.

home

secretary,

30; character of,

Poland, insurrection

in,

92

Russian

68; opposes the disfranchisement of

i

close boroughs,

78
;

is

chancellor of

exchequer,
JIanifesto,
i
i

98

issues

Tamworth

tyranny in, iv 153; debate on, in House of Commons, iv 154; conduct of Prussia, iv 154; great meeting at the Guildhall, iv 154; insurrection in,

Pusey, Dr., joins Tractarian movement,

i

in;

his opposition to Professor

Jow-

ett, iv 206.

130; his ministry defeated,

headed by

Puseyism,

284.

133

the

Duke
i

of Wellington on his

truthfulness,

136; his

speech on Irish

Langiewicz, iv 154; remonstrances of England, France, and Austria, iv 154;

Church, i 143; he resigns office, i 145; Conservative banquet to, i 200; his speech on accession of Queen Victoria,
i

GortschakofTs reply,

iv 155

attitude

Q.
Quakers,
advocate
148.

of Austria, iv 155. Police force, organization

Political parties,
198, 252;
ii

of,

53.
of,
i

freedom

for

the

211;

his

election address

for

the
his
i

change

in

views

negro,

queen's

first

parliament,

218

64.
i

policy of opposition to government,

231; forms a ministry,
i

Political Register, Cobbett's,

100.

231; requires

the dismissal of

some of the

ladies of

i 232; opposes the reduction of sugar duties, i 309; his speech on the corn-laws, i 310; carries a vote against the ministry, i 311; his speech on want of confidence vote, i

the royal household,

Polytechnic in London, iv 9. Poor-law, the new, i 160 evils of the old system, i 160, 164; passing of the
;

R.
Radnor, Lord, friend of Cobbett, i 102; recommends Cobbett to the electors,
i

bill,

i i

161, 163;

hardships under the

new,

162, 163; decrease of poor-rate

i

103.
iii

under,

163; proposal
ii

by Mr.

Disraeli

Ragged School movement,

Raglan,
Lord,
ii

212.

to modify,

188; supported

by Gladii

master-general of the
;

313; his proposals for modifying the

stone and opposed

by Peel,
iv 241.

189;

ordnance,

320

at the battle of the

tax on grain,

ii

19; his

duties being unproductive,

remarks on high ii 35 on
;

working of the poor-law,

the income-tax,
secretary,
;

ii

36

murder of

his

Poor-law Association, Carlyle on, ii 288. Pope Pius IX., Mr. Gladstone on, ii
147;

Alma, iii 95; death of, iii 136, 167. Railway accidents, iv 187; on the Shrewsbury and Chester line in 1865,
iv 187
;

ii 38 angry encounter between him and Cobden, ii 39; on freeii

ii

began
is

his career as a reformer,

ii

at Abergele in 1868, iv 188

147;

driven from

Rome,

ii

147, 152.

Col. Rich's report, iv 188.

trade,

52; his opposition to his

govern-

Population, statistics

of, iv 331.

Railway

companies,

embarrassments

ment,

63; the personal attacks of

ii

Mr.

Postal system, great need for a cheap,

i

of, iv 238.

Disraeli on,

74; declines the Garter

234; Charles Knight's description of

i

oSered by the queen, ii 92; resigns, but again assumes office, ii 93, 94 announces his change of views on
the corn -laws, ii 95; his budget, ii 96 arguments against protection and defence against the charge of incon;

the old,

235; Mr. Palmer's improve-

Railways, development of, i 233, 272 beginning of excursion trains, i 272

the

ments,

236;

Rowland

Hill advocates

mania of 1845-50,
;

ii

179

dispute

sistency,

ii

97

is

enthusiastically
ii

a penny postage, i 239; proposal for an inquiry into the plan opposed by government, i 240 the plan adopted, i 240; its enormous development, i 241. Post-office, diminution of revenue from,
;

concerning the broad and narrow great increase of, in gauges, ii 181 the years preceding the Crimean war,
iii

increase of railways and public

3
;

works, iv
331-

statistics

of railways, iv
197.

praised

by Mr. Bright,

102;

he proii

after the introduction of penny postage,

poses to challenge Mr. Disraeli,

his defeat
life

106:

on the Irish protection of and property bill, ii 108; announces

ii

36 complaints concerning opening of letters in the, ii 73.

ii
;

Raijgoon, taking
iv

of,

iii

Ratazzi succeeds Cavour as minister,

83
;

his intention to resign,

108; Disraeli's
of,
ii

Potato crop, failure of, ii 85. Power-loom, inventor of the,

40.

attempts

to

repeat Cavour's

275.

policy, iv 83, 86.

estimate

of,

ii

log;

anecdotes
ii ii

113;

Press prosecutions for political offences,

i

Rebeccaites, the,
Chartists,
ii
ii

ii

121; joined

by the

acts of patronage by,

114; his last

138
;

122; grievances

removed,
217.

speech

in

the house,

his last

Prince Imperial, death of the, iv 321.

Princess

122.
iii

words on public business, ii 221; is thrown from his horse, ii 221; his death, ii 222; mourning for him over the
country,

Royal, betrothal of, iii 278 dowry and pension of, iii 278 ; her marriage, iii 2S0.
iii

Recreation for the people,

Redistribution of seats,
229, 231.

bills for, iv 221,

Thomas

ii his funeral, 223 Carlyle on, ii 224.

;

ii

224

Principalities, disposal of the,

194.

Redpath

frauds, the,

iii

236.

Prize-fight

between
iv
5.

Tom
of,
i

Sayers and
334

Peel, Sir Robert,

made a

lord of the

Heenan,
Progress,

admiralty,

iii

155.

meaning

railway

Reform, agitation for parliamentary, ii 302; iii 289; Mr. Bright 's outlines of a bill, iii 289; Mr. Disraeli introduces

;; ;

REFORM
289; Mr. Bright's objections to it, iii 290; Lord John Russell's amendment, iii 290; Mr. Gladstone supports the government, iii 290; the oratory of Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton and Sir Hugh Cairns, iii 291; Lord Palmerston on the position of the government, iii 291 defeat of the government, iii
bill, iii
;

INDEX.
SLAVERY
iii

349
;

147

report of Committee,

moves a vote
cabinet,
iii

iii 177 of reprehension on the

Salisbury,

affairs, iv 318;

Lord, secretary for foreign attends Berlin Congress,

of,

178: rejected

by

Sheffield

iv 318.

electors, iv 268.

Salomons, Sir David, prosecution

iv 37ii

Romilly, Sir Samuel, i 17. Rosse, Lord, his great telescope,

175.

Sanitary matters, increased attention

i

to,

291.

Royal British Bank, failure of, iii 233. Royal Charter, wreck of the, iv 56. Royal Institution, lectures on science
at, iv 9.

187;

ii

18, 178, 181;

iii

2.

San Juan,
Schleswig

island of, iv 288.

-

Holstein
the,

war.
326.

See Den-

Reform
i

Bill

72

list

of 1832, provisions of the, of places wholly or partly to

it, i

mark.
ii

Ruffini, fate of,

i.
ii

Schneider
63, 65.

rifle,

iii

be disfranchised by
of the clergy
carried,
i

77; opposition

Runnymede
Russell,

Letters,

Scientific progress, iv ig.

to,

78;

second reading
in

Lord John,

his education
i

and

Scinde, annexation
Scott, John.
Scott,

of,

ii

13.

78;
i

government defeated
i

early efforts on reform,

first
i

17; introduces

See Eidon.
i

committee,
i

78; parliament dissolved,

79

new
in

parliament,

83

the

bill

House of Commons, i 83 thrown out by House of Lords, i 84 excitement and riots in the country, i 84: proposal to refuse to pay taxes till the bill was passed, i 88; the king declines to create new peers to pass
passed
the
bill,
i

reform bill, i 70; his popularity, on the defeat of the Peel ministry, 134; on the Established Church, i 136; on the Irish Church, i 137; is charged with inconsistency, i 138 becomes
79;
i
;

Sir Walter, his political views

106; his

and treatment at Jedburgh,

death,
i

106.
of,
iii

Sebastopol, strength

105; invest106; block-

ment

of,

and attack on,

iii

iii

home

secretary,

167

his

election

ing of the harbour,

106.

address for the queen's first parliament, i 218; on Philosophical Radicalism,

ii
i

Secessions
iv 203.

to

the

Church of Rome,

88; the ministry resign,

i i

88,

311; opposes Peel's sliding-scale,

is

but are recalled, the royal assent,

90; the bill receives

90; fears entertained
i

21;

unable to form a ministry,

ii

of the consequences of its passing,

199.

93; reasons for voting against the Protection of Life Bill, ii 115; forms a

Secret Societies, English genius not favourable to, ii 145; sketch bj' Mr. Disraeli of initiation into a trades'union, ii 146; increased since Chartist days,
ri

Reform Bill of 1852, introduced by Lord John Russell, ii 289 its provisions,
;

ministry,
bill,
ii
ii

ii

116; carries a sugar-duties

bill,

147.
of,
i

116; introduces a reform

bill,
ii

Secular Education, advance

iii 7.

49.

ii

289; received lukewarmly,

Bill of 1854,
iii

ii

289.

2S9; militia

291; resigns office,

ii

Secularists, organization of the party,

Reform
iii

50;

withdrawn,

ii

295;

is

foreign secretary,

317; his

51.

Reform Bill of i860, introduced by Lord John Russell, iv 37 lukewarmly received, and withdrawn, iv 38. Reform Bill of 1866 introduced, iv 213
; ;

reform bill of 1854, iii 50; it is withdrawn, iii 51; his resignation, iii 52; he urges the prime minister to remove
the

Semmes, Captain, commander of the Sum ier a.nd Alabama, iv 135, 136.
Sewing-machine, introduction of, iv 19. Shaftesburj', Earl of, devoted to the
amelioration of the condition of the labouring poor, ii 204 succeeds in
;

of Newcastle and appoint Lord Palmerston, iii 137; again resigns

iii

Duke

its fate, iv 222.

office,

141;

is

colonial secretary,
iii

iii

Reform

Bill of 1867

introduced by Mr.

155; sent to Vienna,

157; complaints

stopping delivery of letters on Sunday,

ii

Disraeli, iv 226.

of his conduct in the Vienna negotiations,

iii

205; the practice resumed,

ii

Reform League, the, iv 223; its connection with the Hydepark Riots, iv 223. Reformed parliament, work in, i 118;
diary of

iSo; again resigns,

iii

181;

is

205; his interest in the

Ragged School

denounced by

Disraeli,

iii

181;

moves
bill,

movement,

iii

212.

Edward

Baines,
i

119.

amendment on Disraeli's reform iii 290; amendment carried, iii

;

Sheffield, inundation of, iv 186.

291;

Sherbiooke, Lord.

See Lowe.
K.,
i

Registration Act passed,

177.

Regium Donum, motion on

compensation
for

the, iv 266;

again foreign secretary, iii 292 on church-rates, iv. 16; introduces a re-

Shipka Pass,

the, iv 316.
J.

Shuttleworth, Sir

267.
ii

withdrawal of, iv 271. Religious activity from 1830-1S34, i no.

Restaurants, spread
country,
142.
iii

form

bill,

iv 37,

and withdraws

it,

iv

Sikhs, drinking habits of the,

161.

38; his

despatch on the action of the

of, iv 10.
of,

Sardinian government, iv 8i; gratitude

Simpson, General, takes the army in the Crimea,

Six Acts, the,
i

command
iii

of

136, 16S.

Revolutions in 1848, effect

ii

on

this

of Cavour and Garibaldi, and other Italians, iv 83: forms a ministry after
Palmerston's
death, iv
his

6.

Slavery, proposed abolition

of,

22; be-

Rhanee of Jhansi,
Ribbonism
Rice.
ministry,
i

268.

182

his

re-

ginning of agitation,
attempt,
i

55;

renewed
i

in Ireland, iv 260. in

form
bill

bill

of 1866, iv 210, 213; resigns

146;

statistics

of,

146;
of

Spring,
180

Lord

Melbourne's

office, iv

222

127; chancellor of the ex;

of 1S67, iv
235.

view of the reform 233; retires from public

of,
i

evidence before committee of House

of

Commons,

146;
i

liberation

chequer,

reduces the duty on

life, iv

newspapers and on paper, i 189. Richmond, surrender of, iv 142.

Rinderpest, appearance
Riots and incendiarism,
of, iv 2.
ii

Russell,

Lord William, murder

306.

by Quakers, 148; government object X.O sudden emancipation, 148;

slaves
i

Russell,

W.

H., describes the battle of

iii

insurrection in Jamaica,

i i

149: excite-

Inkerman,
Russia, her

112.
iii

120.

demands on Turkey,
iii

22;

Ripon, Lord, president Trade, i 318.

Ritualism, result
of,

of

Board of

they are refused,

lachia,
iii

23; the

Russians
iii

take possession of Moldavia and Wal23; the

iv 12; rioLs in St.

Vienna note,

23;

Gcorge's-in-the-East, London, iv 17 in the Church of England, iv 294; Mr.

her alleged policy, iv 316; declares war against Turkey, iv 316. See Crimean

149: motion for abolition lost, i 149; meetings on the subject, i 149; account by Sir George Stephen of one, i 150; Mr. Gladstone rebuts the charge of cruelty on his father's estate, i 150: governin

ment

Great Britain,

ment scheme of
Martineau on,
apprenticeship
passed,
i

abolition,
i

152; ap-

Gladstone on,

iv 298;

a royal commis-

War.

prenticeship proposed,

152: Harriet

sion appointed, i\ 300. Roberts, General Sir Frederick, iv 320.

152; opposition to the

scheme,

153;

the

Roebuck, John Arthur,

career,
i

birth

and early
i

government scheme of emancipation

i

225

enters

parliament of
220; Sadleir, John,

154:

joy of the negroes,

134;

1832,

107; unseated at B.ith,

MP., embezzlements and

iii

Thomas Carlyle on
tion,
i

the results of aboli-

advocates the cause of Canada, i 224; his quarrel with Mr. Coppock, ii 301;

forgeries of,

232.

154; the apprenticeship

ended
i

Sadowa,

battle of, iv 238.

and emancipation completed,

8; relieved

156;

French invasion, ii 308; moves for a committee of inquiry into the conduct of the Crimean war, iii
on danger from
141, 143; carried

Sale, General Sir Robert,

by a

large majority,

Cabul to Jellalabad, ii General Pollock, ii 11. Sale of Beer Act, ii 295.

marches from by

the efforts to stop the slave-trade in-

crease the sufferings of the negroes,

i

156;

mitigate these,

Lord Brougham's attempts to i 157: motion in the

350

INDEX.
SMITH

TURNER
157:

House of Commons,
stone's speech,
i

Mr. Glad-

by, iv

3; their
of, iv 3.

commercial success,
of,
i

iv 3:

Bill introduced, iv 151, 152; operations

157; the motion rejected, i 157; government proposal to suspend the constitution of Jamaica
fails,
i

death
St.

of the Alliance, iv 151

290.

meeting of
iv 151: pro-

Jean d'Acre, siege

Leonards,
296.

clergymen

at/

Manchester,
bill, iv

St.
ii

Lord, lord - chancellor,

visions of the

152;

Mr. Bright's

158; a modified proposal intro-

counter plan,

iv 152.

duced and carried, i 158; further arrangements for putting down the slavetrade, i T58; treaty between France and England to suppress slave-trade,
i

Stockmar, Baron, sent by King Leopold

as adviser and secretary' to the queen,
i

217; esteem in

which he was held, 218; dissatisfaction of opponents with

Tennyson, Alfred, appointed poet-laureate, ii 206 family of, ii 207 on the coup d'etat, ii 274. Thackeray, Wm. M. poem on the Great
;

192.
g.

Smith, Albert, iv

Smith of Deanston, Mr., his proposal on improving the condition of Ireland,

ii

position, i 218; his value in the queen's household, i 305. Stowe, Mrs. Harriet Beecher, publishes Uncle Tom's Cabin, ii 301; iv 92.
his

Exhibition,
ii
;

ii

283

May Day

Ode,
;

on the snob political, ii 287 243 publication of Esjnond, ii 301 his

;

119.
i

Strathbogie case, the,

93, 186.

ii

166.
-

death, iv 196; his Rterarj' character, iv ig6 ; Dickens' obituarj' notice of,
iv 196.

Smith, Rev. Sydnej',

Strikes
iv 3og.

among

the

working

classes,

Smith, Mr. Vernon, president of the

Thames,
of,
i

purification of the,

iii

228.

Board of Control,

iii

155.
i

Strong drinks, decreasing use

St.

188.

Social improvements,

54.

Stefano, treaty

of, iv

318.

Thames Embankment, Thames Tunnel, the, ii

the, iv 3.
175.

Social science, increased attention to,

ii

Subscription to Church articles, iv 208.

18.

Society for

the

Diffusion

of

Useful

Knowledge, i 49. Society for Improving the Dwellings of

the Industrial Classes,
Solferino, battle of,
iii
iii

Suez Canal, the, iv 322. Sugar duties, proposal of Peel's government to modify, ii 66; amendment of Mr. iNIiles carried, ii 67; government
threaten to resign unless the vote be
reversed,
ii

Theology, change in popular, ii 301. Thiers, M., forms a ministry, ii 2 ; his

warlike attitude,
distrusted,
ii ii

his professions
ii 6.

6; resignation,

Thom, "Sir William Courtenay,"

lusion of,
i

de-

228.

247
i

his pretentions

and

315.

67: the vote reversed,

ii

ii

68;

their result,

247.

Somerville, Mrs.,
Soult,

ii

176.

further reduction of duties,

;

6g;

Mr.

Thomson,
iii
;

Sir William, his early career,

Marshal, at the coronation of

Victoria,
;

i 230 on the French England, i 230. South Kensington Museum, the Vernon and Turner collection removed to, iii

Queen

alliance with

Milner- Gibson on, ii 71 Gladstone and ^lacaulay on, ii 72 the government proposal carried, ii 73. Sugden, Sir Edward. See St. Leo}i;

32g studies and improvements in iii 329; the success of the Atlantic telegraph cable due to,
electrical science,
iii

330.

ards.

Thuggism
Fort,

prohibited,

iii

243.
238.
of,

325; establishment of, iv 200.

Sumter,

taken

by

the

Con-

Ticket-of-leave system,
in Ireland, iv 271.

iii

Soyer,

Ale.xis,
ii

his

views
iii

on

Irish

federates, iv 100,

no.
iii

Tithe rent-charge, plan for extinction

the suppression
Toll-gates,
ii

cookery,

141; organizes the culinary

130.

Sunday Beer
Sunday
of,
iii

Bill,

226.

services in the Crimea,

trading,

bill for

destruction

of,

in

Wales,
i

Spanish marriages and Louis Philippe,

ii

222
iii

riotous
bill,
;

demonstrations
222
;

121.

133-

against the

iii

it

is

with-

Spasmodic school of poetic romance and

philosophy,
ii

drawn,
iii

207.

petitions for inquiry 224 into alleged outrages by the police,

Tory party, remodelling of Toryism and Conservatism,

i

the,

131.

Disraeli on,

130.

Special Correspondents at the seat of war, iii 120.

224

riotous proceedings,

iii

224

Total Abstinence.

See
fire at,
i

Tcmpeiance
330.

Speke, death of Captain, iv 199. Spencer, Earl, Lord-lieutenant of Ireland, iv 270.

Lord Palmerston and Lord Brougham mobbed, iii 225.

Surrey Zoological Gardens,
Suttee abolished in India,
iv 10.
iii

Movement. Tower of London,

is

Tractarian movement, the,

243.
iii

Spinning-jenny, the
Spiritualism,

first, i

275.
of,

Sveaborg, bombardment
iv

of,

184.

i no, 284; joined by Dr. Pusey, i in. Trades-union, Mr. Disraeli's sketch 01

introduction

18

Swift,

Dean, his scheme

i

for disposing

initiation into a,

ii

146.
of,
i

Faraday

on, iv ig.

of chiidran,

C53.

Trades-unions, revival
in, iv 63, of, in 1834,
i

161; activity

Spurgeon, Mr. C. H., iv 11. Stanfeld, Mr., iv 212. Stanhope, Lady Hester, her ability and
strange career,
i

Syria, outbreak
64; generous
iv 65;

and massacres

conduct of Abd-el-Kader,

Lord Dufferin's account of the

273.

scene at Deir-el-Kamar, iv 65; interference of France and England, and punishment of the leaders, iv 65.

mass meeting of, at Copenhagen Fields, i 162; alarm in London, i 162; petition the government, i 163; outrages connected with,
162
;

large

Stanley, of Alderley, president of Board

iv 123

action of, iv 239

great de;

of Trade,

iii

155.

monbtration in London, iv 239

!Mr.

Stanley, Dean, iv 204. Stanley, Lord, chief secretary for Ireland,

i

Leicester's oratory, iv 239 ; effects of their operation, iv 240 ; outrages at

69; resigns,

123;

declines to
ii

T.
Tahiti, differences about,
ii

Sheffield

and other towns,

iv 241; ad-

join Peel's ministry',

131
i

94; speech
is

dresses
131.
allies, iv 61.
i

on the Irish Church,

secretary,
i

142;

colonial

to working - men by Lord Brougham and Mr. Thomas Hughes,

;

318; opposes repeal of the

corn-laws,

ii

92 becomes Earl ofDerby,

;

Taku forts, stormed by the Tamworth Manifesto, the,

Tea-room Party,
Crimean war,
Telegraph, increase
iii i.

iv 241

a commission of inquiry apthe miscreant Broadhead, iv

130.

pointed, iv 242; evidence of witnesses,

iv 242
; ;

ii 297; the " Rupert of Debate," iii 301. Stanley, Lord, secretary' for the colonies

the, iv 230, 231.

of,

previous to the

in his father's ministrj',

iii

287.

242 Trades-union Act passed, iv 286. Transportation, abolition of, iii 237.

Star of India, the order of the, iv 43. Statute Law, consolidation of the, iv 168;

Telegraph Cable, laying of the second Atlantic, iii 329.

first

and

Transvaal, the, iv 320.

Trelawney, Sir John, his church-rate

bill,

Lord Westbury's labours, iv 168. Steam-hammer, invention of, i 271 iv ig. Steam marine, development of, i 271,
;

Temperance movement,
iv 149
;

its

beginnings,
;

iv 33.

234;
Steel,

iii

327; iv 20.
of, iv ig.

formation of societies, iv 149 merges into the Total Abstinence movement, iv 150 ; the " Paisley

making

Stephens, James, Fenian head-centre,

iv 250.

Youths " and the Tradeston Society in Glasgow, iv 150; organization at Preston, iv 150; progress of the movement,
iv 150; formation of the National Temperance League and of the United Kingdom Alliance, iv 150; the Permissive

Trent case, the, iv 116. Truck system, Disraeli's description of a scene in a tommy-shop, ii 15. Turkey, affairs in, iv 315 ^Ir. Gladstone's pamphlet on Bulgarian Horrors, iv 316; war with Ru.ssia, iv 316.
;

Stephens, Rev.

J. R.,

253; his violent

Turner, the
St.

artist,

iii

bequeaths his
iii

speech at Chartist meeting, i 260. Stephenson, Robert, works constructed

collection to the nation,

3;

buried in

Paufs,

iii 4.

:;

INDEX.
ULSTER
to

551

WARD
on Lord Mayor's Day.
her accession,
her
life,
i

Canada,

iv

ment agree

to deliver

nS: the Federal governup the Confeder-

246

great

e.vpectations of radical reformers from

249; creeds of polirical
i 252; attempts on 272; her relations, i 292; her nearness to the throne first made

u.
Ulster " Custom," the, iv 261, 278. United Kingdom Alliance, iv 150. United States, difficulties with Britain,
iii

ate commissioners, iv 118; action of

the European powers on the matter,

iv 118;
fitting

parties at this time,

i

Mr. Lincoln's opinion,

iv 118;

out of blockade-runners, iv 134;

building of ships of war in Britain for

known
Albert,

to her,

293; consulted

by King

193,

195

commencement
number

of

the

civil

war
;

in, iv 88;

feeling in England,

the South, iv 135 remonstrance from the Federal government, iv 135; dam;

Leopold as
i

to a
;

296
;

marriage with Prince the marriage decided

iv 89

secession of a

of states
i

and Jefferson Davis elected

their presi-

dent, iv 8g; Mr. Lincoln's declaration of the purpose of the war, iv 89 opinion
;

age done by privateers, iv 135 the Slimier destroyed by a northern war steamer, iv 135; the Florida, iv 135;
;

upon,

297

enthusiastic reception of

the announcement by the parliament and the countrj', i 298; remarks on the

building of the
British

Alabama,

iv 135; the

question of precedence,
riage,
i

in the

Northern States on slavery, iv 90; attitude of South Carolina in 1848, iv 90; the Democratic and Republican parties, ivgo; a memorial from English
ladies

government decline to interfere,

shipped off to sea, iv 136; her

and

it is

depredations, and destruction by the

Kearsarge,

on the subject of slavery,

reply,
iv

iv 90;

resentful

iv
;

Slave

Bill,

91

the Fugitive 90 Lincoln's fugitive

; ;

iv 136; difficulty of preventing the building of privateers in Britain, iv 136; the Confederate rams, iv 137; speech by Mr. Gladstone on the war, iv 137, 139 opinions of Bright
;

slave proclamation, iv 91

establish;

ment

of the colony of Liberia, iv gi

in

and Cobden,
in

iv 137; effect of the

war by
cul-

the slave population

92; cruelties practised

the United
slaves, iv

England,

iv 139; proclamation free-

States, iv gi; anti-slavery societies, iv

ing the slaves, iv 140; manifesto

Jefferson Davis

oathe

recommending the

92;

l\Irs.
;

iv 92

Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, career of John Brown, iv 92

Mississippi join the con;

tivation of food instead of cotton, iv

141; successes of the Federals, iv 141;

Arkansas and

by

federation, iv 99 Fort Sumter taken the Confederates, iv 100, no; Pre.

successes of the Confederates, iv 141; the Merrimac and Monitor armour

vessels, iv 141; repeated defeats of the

sident Lincoln calls for 75,000 men, iv

100,

Federals, iv 142; General Grant takes

i 303; her marchanges in her household caused by change of ministry, i 315; her visit with the prince consort to Germany, Belgium, and France, ii 92: encourages native manufactures, ii 123 her visit to Louis Philippe, ii 129; visit of Emperor of Russia to, ii 130; her visit to Ireland, ii 185; the queen ard most of the royal family attacked by measles, iii 39 receives a visit from the French emperor and empress, iii loi; her return visit to Paris, iii 103: visits Cherbourg, iii 279 her visit to Coburg, iv 46; letter to King Leopold on the twenty-first anniversarj' of her marriage, iv 49; her grief and seclusion on the death of Prince Albert, iv 56; opens session of 1866, iv 209.

304;

no; career of
;

Jefferson Davis, iv
of

Vicksburg,
pointed to

iv 142;

General Sherman's

Victoria, Australia, discovery of gold in,

ii

100; character

and career

Abraham

successes, iv 142; General Grant ap-

201.
of, iv 20.

Lincoln, iv loi

his personal appear-

ance, iv 102

difference of opinion in
iv

the forces, iv 142; re-election of Mr. Lincoln, iv 142 all

;

command

Victoria N'Yanza, discover^'

Vienna Conference,
iii

iii
iii

158
168.
iii

failure of,

England
102
;

with regard to the war,

the Confederate ports taken

by the

160; debates on,

speech by Mr. Bright on the United States, iv 103; attitude of suspicion between England and the Federal government, iv 105; the Southern
States acknowledged as a belligerent power by the Bntish government, iv
106,

North,

iv 142: capitulation of Peters-

Villafranca, Treaty of,

Villiers,

316.

burg and Richmond,

;

iv 142; end of the war.iv 142; Jefferson Davis imprisoned, humanity and generosity of iv 142

Mr., proposes the abolition of

ii

the tax on corn,

23; the

motion

lost,

33-

the North,

iv

142

assassination of
;

in;
iv

strict neutrality

proclaimed

President Lincoln, iv 143 attempt on Mr. Seward's life, iv 143; cost of the
war, iv 144 appearance of after the surrender, iv 144.
;

Volunteer movement, proposals for the formation of volunteer regiments, iii

284; growth
of,
iii

324;

iv 43;
iii

code

between the Federal and Confederate

States,
106,

Richmond

drawn up by Prince Albert,

325.

in
;

the e.vtradition
feeling

question, iv 106

ill

between
108;

University Tests

Bill

passed, iv 286.

Britain and the United States, iv 108;

Volunteer review in Hyde Park, iv44; first meeting of National Rifle Association at Wimbledon, iv 45: review of
the Scottish volunteers at Holyrood in
i860, iv 45; the queen's account of, iv

the

Morrill Tariff

Bill,

iv

the

Times on the prohibitory tariff, iv 109; sympathy in Britain for the North, iv

V.
Vaccination Act passed,
iii

46.

no

Jefferson Davis issues letters of

iv

marque,
teers, iv

no; calls for 150,000 volunno; blockade of the Southern

228.

Vane, Charles Stewart.

derry.

See London-

w.
Wakley, Mr., editor of the Lancet,
iii

ports, iv

no;

the border slave states

sympathize with the South, iv no; the Federal government resent the recognition of the South, iv in; French desire to aid the South, iv 112; a second call for men by the North, iv 112;
early successes of the Confederates, iv
112, 115; Cassius

Vatican Decrees, Mr. Gladstone on the,

iv 304.

229.
of, his
;

Vestiges of the Natural History of Creatioft, publication of, ii 176.

Wales, Prince
tion,
iii

birth

and educaiii

324, 330

his

popularity,

Veto law, the,

Victor

ii

166.

Emmanuel,
ii

succeeds
ii

to

the

M.

Clay's letter on

throne of Piedmont,
fications,

153

his quali-

Edinburgh and Oxford, iii 325; Marlborough House prepared for him, iii 325; visit to Canada and the United
324; at
States, iv 42, 47; his visit to Ireland,
his serious illness, iv 287 258 Charles Sumner's description of, iv 47; letter from President Buchanan to the
iv
:

the objects of the war and the right of

secession, iv 112
iv
;

153.
life

battle of Bull

Run.

Victoria,

Queen, birth and early

i

115; Captain Wilkes of the San jfacinto boards the Trent and de-

and

training,

181, 208, 211;

anecdote
i

of her education in economy,

182;

mands

the surrender of the Confederate commissioners, iv 116; the commissioners

forcibly
in

alleged conspiracy to prevent her succession, i 183 receives information o!

;

queen, and her reply,

of,

iv 48: betrothal

iv

144; his marri.ige, iv 145;

Ten-

carried

off,

iv

116;

excitement

England,

iv 116; action

of the British government, iv 116; Mr.

208; her first privy council, 209; her proclamation, i 210; sentiment throughout the
the death of William IV.,
i

nyson's ode of welcome, iv 145. Wallachia. See Principalities.

Walpole, Mr.,
iii

home

secretary,

ii

296:

Seward's answer, iv 117 Captain Wilkes commended for his conduct, iv

;

country,

210:
i

is

advised by Lord

287; iv 225.

Melbourne,
controlled
first

117;

the ambassador in Washington

iv 117; troops

by the Whigs,

214; suspicion of being her i 215;

i

Warburton,
Radical,
i

Henry,
311.

philosophical

instructed to leave unless satisfaction

speech in parliament,
i

220; coro-

Ward,

F. O., labours for sanitary imiii 2.

were given,

despatched

nation,

230; procession

and banquet

provement,

352

WATER
Water supply, of London,
iv 4, 1S7; of

INDEX.
ZULU
Westbury, Lord, solicitor-general
-A-berdeen ministrj',
iii
ii

in

the

Titles Assiunption
it

Act passed,
173;

ii

173;

Glasgow, iv. 5. Waterloo Bridge mystery, the,

Wellington,
i

317;

his

legal

is

repealed,
of,
ii

ii

Earl Russell's

236.

labours, iv 16S; his .speech on Convocation, iv 207; his early career, iv 208;
is

account
of the public

173; petitions of
in

Oxford
favour

Duke of, his administration,

of,
i

and Cambridge Universities

bill,
ii

30;

unpopularity

60; refuses to

accused of

la.xity,

and resigns the

the,
i

173; excitement in the

support parliamentary reform, i 65 resignation of his ministry, i 66 his failure as a politician, i 66; breaking of his windows, i 83, no; estimate of
;

lord-chancellorship, iv 209.
IVestiHitister

mind during several

years,

ii

174.

Review,

108.

avowal of his political conduct, i 119: undertakes to conduct the government till Peel's return, i
the duke,
i

119;

Wheeler, Sir Hugh, commands the rison at Cawnpore, iii 252. White Conduit House, the, 98.
i

gar-

Wolseley, Sir Garnet, iv 305. Wood, Sir C, president of the Board of

Control,
ii

317;

iii

151; appointed first

iii

lord of the admiralty,

151
163;

Wilberforce, William,

155; his share

i

Wordsworth, William,
poet-laureate,
ii

ii
;

made
with
163;
ii

in the agitation for abolition,

156.

163

alliance

129; foreign secretary,

130; in Peel's

William IV., accession,

i
I

57; death of,

Coleridge,

ii

164;
ii

his death,

ministry without

office,

318;

renewed

181; character of,

181.

anecdotes

of,

164.

popularity
318

of,
i

210; at the coronation

William of Denmark, Prince, elected

of the queen,
ii
;

230; his correspondence,

ii

King of Greece,
Williams, Sir

iv 145.

his simple personal habits,

ii

318; his death,

ii
;

320 the funeral services held at Madrid, Berlin, and Vienna, ii 322 Prince Louis
; ;

317; lying in state, funeral, ii 321 military

W. F., of Kars, iii 187. Wilson, Prof John, receives a pension

from government, iii 10; votes for Macaulay, iii 10. Wimbledon, first meeting ot the National Rifle Association at, iv 45.

Y.
Yeh, governor of Canton, ture and death of, iii 277.
iii

igg; cap-

Young England party,

263.

Napoleon's respect for, ii 322 Lord Derby, Disraeli, and Gladstone on,
;

Wiseman, Cardinal,

ii

322.

Wesleyan Methodist Association founded, 1S34,

i

ii 171; his personal appearance, ii 171; his learning, ii 172; excitement on the appointment of Dr.

no.

Wiseman,

ii

172;

the

Ecclesiastical

Zulu war, the, iv

320.

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