The Queen has received Lord Derby's explanation of his views with regard to the Budget,33 and will be glad to see him on Wednesday at three o'clock. She had been alarmed by vague rumours that it was the intention of the Government to propose great changes in the present financial system, which, with an adverse majority in the House of Commons and at the eve of a Dissolution, must have led to much confusion. She thinks the course suggested by Lord Derby to consider the Budget merely as a provisional one for the current year, by far the wisest, the more so as it will leave us a surplus of £2,000,000, which is of the utmost importance in case of unforeseen difficulties with Foreign Powers.34
Footnote 33: Its chief feature was a renewal of the expiring Income Tax.
Footnote 34: Accordingly, no financial changes were proposed until after the General Election. See post, [p. 406].
Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria.
House of Commons, 26th April.
(Monday night, twelve o'clock.)
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with his humble duty to your Majesty, reports to your Majesty that the Militia Bill has been carried (second reading) by an immense majority.
| For | 315 | |
| Against | 165 |
The concluding portion of the debate was distinguished by the speeches of Mr Sidney Herbert and Mr Walpole, who made their greatest efforts; the first singularly happy in his treatment of a subject of which he was master, and the last addressing the House with a spirit unusual with him.
Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.
FRANCE AND THE BOURBONS