Now what is the secret of this vigorous old age, after a life spent in such arduous avocations?  Simply this, that a constitution robust by nature has been preserved in its strength by regular habits and out-door exercise.  If I were to repeat the stories I have heard, and seen stated in English newspapers, of the feats, pedestrian and equestrian, performed by Lord Palmerston from early manhood down to the present writing, I fear I should be suspected by some of my readers of offering an insult to their understanding.  I must therefore content myself with saying that very few young men of our day and country could follow him in the field or keep up with him on the road.

A word about Lord Palmerston’s political antecedents.  Beginning as Junior Lord of the Admiralty in the Duke of Portland’s Ministry, in 1808, he has since been once Secretary of War, five times Prime Minister, and once Secretary of State.  From 1811 to 1831 he represented Cambridge University.  Since 1835 he has represented Tiverton.  It may be safely asserted that no man now living in England has been so long or so prominently in public office, and probably no man presents a more correct type of the Liberal, although not Radical, sentiment of England.

It may be well to state that on this evening there was an unusually large attendance of members.  Not only were all the benches on the floor of the House filled, but the rare spectacle was presented of members occupying seats in the east and west galleries.  These unfortunates belonged to that class who are seldom seen in their places, but who are sometimes whipped in by zealous partisans, when important questions are under consideration, and a close vote may be expected.  Their listless faces and sprawling attitudes proved clearly enough that they were reluctant and bored spectators of the scene.  It deserves to be mentioned, also, that, although there are six hundred and fifty-six actual members of the House, the final vote on the question showed, that, even on that eventful night, only four hundred and sixty-two were present.  The average attendance is about three hundred.

At half-past four, the Premier rose to address the House.  He had already given due notice that he should introduce three resolutions, which, considering the importance of the subject, I make no apology for giving in full.

“1.  That the right of granting aids and supplies to the Crown is in the Commons alone as an essential part of their Constitution, and the limitation of all such grants, as to the matter, manner, measure, and time, is only in them.

“2.  That, although the Lords have exercised the power of rejecting bills of several descriptions relating to taxation by negativing the whole, yet the exercise of that power by them has not been frequent, and is justly regarded by this House with peculiar jealousy, as affecting the right of the Commons to grant the supplies and to provide the ways and means for the service of the year.