The first session was opened on the 3rd of February. Earl Grey in the lords, and Mr. Disraeli in the commons, opened the party campaign by assailing the foreign policy of the government; and Disraeli was alike caustic and unjust upon Lord Palmerston, scarcely avoiding personality, while inveighing against the public conduct of the veteran statesman.
One of the first subjects of a practical nature introduced to parliament was law reform, which the lord-chancellor brought forward. His lordship seldom gained the approbation of the house for his measures, and when he was successful it was always under circumstances which betrayed the weakness of his personal influence. Lord Cranworth was neither popular in the lords nor in the country, and was less so in his ostensible legal reforms than on any other subject. Politically he was the incubus of the ministry, although as a chancery judge, or at all events a chancery lawyer, he possessed reputation. Some improvements were effected during the session, but on the whole the country was disappointed, and this disappointment was chiefly occasioned by the incapacity, intellectual and administrative, of Lord Cranworth to deal with any comprehensive public measure.
Mr. Locke King introduced his motion for the extension of the county franchise to £10 householders. Lord John Russell and Sir James Graham advocated the measure, which they had previously so strenuously opposed. As this was obviously for the purpose of defeating the government, and gaining popularity for party purposes, the public gave them no credit for sincerity, and even expressed disapprobation. This measure was lost by the small majority of thirteen.
A committee of inquiry into the operation of the Bank Charter Act was, early in the session, nominated in the commons.
On the 13th of February the chancellor of the exchequer made his financial statement. Mr. Disraeli and Mr. Gladstone offered an unworthy party opposition to almost every item of the budget, but they were defeated by very large majorities. Lord John Russell appeared to advantage in these discussions, as he seconded the just and reasonable views of government, although it was well known that he was desirous of a coalition with the Peelites and the Manchester school to turn them out.
DEBATES ON THE CHINESE WAR-DEFEAT OF THE MINISTRY.
The grand party struggle in parliament took place upon the subject of the Chinese war. The opposition had previously made attempts, led by Lord Grey and Mr. Disraeli, to overturn the cabinet on the subject of the Persian war, but signally failed. Lord Derby proposed a vote of censure, in the lords, against Dr. Bowring, for his conduct at Canton, and the policy of the cabinet by which he was supported. The lords, by a considerable majority, upheld the government. Mr. Cobden made a motion in the commons similar to that made by Lord Derby in the House of Peers. The Peelites and the Manchester school coalesced, Lord John Russell, Mr. Roebuck, and other independent “members,” fell in with the coalition, and the government was beaten by a majority of sixteen. The ministry did not resign, but adopted the alternative of dissolving parliament.