the waste lands of Ireland, and said he would begin by allocating for that purpose the, not extravagant, sum of L1,000,000, Sir Robert, in his blandest accents, expressed a hope that the noble lord would pause before spending so much money on such an object.  Now, it is railways, Lord George Bentinck asks the Government to lend, not the public money, but the national credit, to raise a loan for extending railway accommodation, and save the lives of the people; but Sir Robert tells him England has not the money for such a purpose, and if she had, his idea was that some other way of spending it could be devised, which would be more beneficial to Ireland; but he did not favour the House with what, according to his views, that better way was.

Some weeks later, the Chancellor of the Exchequer introduced a Bill, empowering the Government to lend the paltry sum of L620,000 to Irish railways, which Sir Robert also opposed, saying that “the measure of Lord George Bentinck was free from some of the objections which forcibly applied to the present measure.”  He offered no objection to the giving of money to Ireland, as a pauper, but he would give none for her permanent improvement.  Like certain philanthropists, who deliver homilies on alms-giving but spare their pockets, he was most liberal of his advice.  He counselled us to have self-reliance, to depend upon ourselves, and not be looking to Dublin Castle or to England; whilst, on the other hand, the First Minister defended his Government against the charge of allowing the people to die of starvation, by asserting that the Irish Famine was a visitation with which no human power could cope.

Before the second reading of his Bill came on, Lord George Bentinck knew it was a doomed measure.  The meeting at Lord John Russell’s, the threat of resignation, the treachery of many Irish members, the opposition of Sir Robert Peel and his followers, left no doubt that the majority against the second reading would be a large one.  Lord George rose after Sir Robert Peel had spoken.  His feelings must have been those of a man who had made a great and noble effort for a good and holy purpose, but had failed, mainly for want of support from those who had solemnly promised it, and whose interest and duty impelled them to stand firmly by that promise.  He did not spare his opponents in his reply.  A good part of Sir Robert Peel’s speech consisted of a eulogium upon industry, perseverance, and individual exertion; and to illustrate those valuable qualities he adduced the example of Mr. Bianconi,—­a foreigner, an Italian, from Milan, Sir Robert said, who had commenced in the South of Ireland, some years before, with one stage-car:  his cars now travel three thousand miles a-day:  he received no Government aid.  “Let me entreat you,” urged the amiable ex-Premier, “to imitate that example.”