1881.
Jan. 6th.—Parliament reopens. Mr. Bradlaugh renews his notice as to perpetual pensions. Great interest in the question throughout the kingdom.
Jan. 24th.—Mr. Bradlaugh makes a speech in the House of Commons against Coercion in Ireland.
Jan. 31st.—Mr. Newdegate, speaking in the House, described Northampton as an “oasis in the Midland Counties.”
Feb. 4th.—Mr. Bradlaugh makes a speech against the second reading of the Coercion Bill, and concluded by moving that it be read that day six months.
Feb. 15th.—Date of motion for inquiry into perpetual pensions fixed for March 15th. (When the day arrived Mr. Bradlaugh, on an appeal from Mr. Gladstone, allowed the motion to be postponed, in order to allow supply to be taken. 848 petitions had been presented to the House, with 251,332 signatures in favor of the motion.)
Feb. 17th.—Mr. Dawson, M.P. for Carlow, said that Irish members were much indebted to Mr. Bradlaugh for what he had done on the Coercion Bill.
Feb. 25th.—Mr. Bradlaugh made final speech against third reading of the Coercion Bill.
March 7th.—The case of Clarke v. Bradlaugh heard by Mr. Justice Mathew.