statesman who, according to the account of the right honorable gentleman, was so eminent for his sagacity in evading the subject altogether.  Now, let me ask the house to consider the position of Lord Derby when he was called to power, a position which you cannot rightly understand if you accept as correct the fallacious statements of the right honorable gentleman.  I will give the house an account of this subject, the accuracy of which I believe neither side will impugn.  It may not possibly be without interest, and will not, I am sure, be without significance.  Lord Derby was sent for by her Majesty—­an unwilling candidate for office, for let me remind the house that at that moment there was an adverse majority of 140 in the House of Commons, and I therefore do not think that Lord Derby was open to any imputation in hesitating to accept political responsibility under such circumstances.  Lord Derby laid these considerations before her Majesty.  I speak, of course, with reserve.  I say nothing now which I have not said before on the discussion of political subjects in this house.  But when a government comes in on Reform and remains in power six years without passing any measure of the kind, it is possible that these circumstances, too, may be lost sight of.  Lord Derby advised her Majesty not to form a government under his influence, because there existed so large a majority against him in the House of Commons, and because this question of Reform was placed in such a position that it was impossible to deal with it as he should wish.  But it should be remembered that Lord Derby was a member of the famous Cabinet which carried the Reform Bill in 1832.  Lord Derby, as Lord Stanley, was in the House of Commons one of the most efficient promoters of the measure.  Lord Derby believed that the bill had tended to effect the purpose for which it was designed, and although no man superior to prejudices could fail to see that some who were entitled to the exercise of the franchise were still debarred from the privilege, yet he could not also fail to perceive the danger which would arise from our tampering with the franchise.  On these grounds Lord Derby declined the honor which her Majesty desired to confer upon him, but the appeal was repeated.  Under these circumstances it would have been impossible for any English statesman longer to hesitate; but I am bound to say that there was no other contract or understanding further than that which prevails among men, however different their politics, who love their country and wish to maintain its greatness.  I am bound to add that there was an understanding at the time existing among men of weight on both sides of the house that the position in which the Reform question was placed was one embarrassing to the crown and not creditable to the house, and that any minister trying his best to deal with it under these circumstances would receive the candid consideration of the house.  It was thought, moreover, that a time might possibly