MEETING OF PARLIAMENT—­Queen’s Speech—­The Premier’s speech on the Address—­Goes into the whole question of Free Trade—­The Protectionists—­Lord Brougham’s views (note)—­The twelve night’s debate on the Corn Laws—­No connection between it and the Famine—­Stafford O’Brien’s speech—­Sir James Graham’s reply—­Smith O’Brien’s speech—­His imprisonment (note B Appendix)—­O’Connell’s motion—­His speech—­Sir Robert Peel replies—­Substantially agrees with O’Connell—­Bill for the protection of life in Ireland—­Its first reading opposed by the Irish members—­O’Connell leads the Opposition in a speech of two hours—­Mr. D’Israeli mistaken in calling it his last speech—­His account of it—­He misrepresents it—­The opinions expressed in it were those O’Connell always held.  Break up of the Tory party—­Lord George Bentinck becomes leader of the Protectionists—­Their difficulty in opposing the Coercion Bill—­Ingenious plan of Lord George—­Strange combination against the Government—­Close of Debate on Coercion Bill—­Government defeated by a majority of 73—­Measures to meet the Famine—­Delay—­Accounts from various parts of the country—­Great distress—­“Are the landlords making any efforts?”—­Notice for rent—­The bailiff’s reply—­Number of workhouses open—­Number of persons in them—­Sir Robert Peel’s speech on his resignation—­Accident to him—­His death—­The Peels—­Sir Robert’s qualities and character—­His manner of dealing with the Famine—­His real object the repeal of the Corn Laws.

Sir Robert Peel, thus reinstated as Prime Minister of England for the third time, met Parliament on the 22nd of January with a Queen’s speech, in which her Majesty’s first allusion to Ireland was one of deep regret at the deliberate assassinations so frequent in that country.  The speech then goes on to deplore the failure of the potato in the United Kingdom—­the failure being greatest in Ireland—­assuring Parliament that “all precautions that could be adopted were adopted for the purpose of alleviating the calamity.”  An eulogium is next passed on previous legislation in the direction of Free Trade, and upon the benefits conferred by it, with a recommendation that Parliament should take into early consideration the principles which guided that legislation, with a view of having them more extensively applied.

And her Majesty is finally made to say, that she thinks further reductions in the existing duties “upon many articles, the produce of other countries, will tend to ensure the continuance of these great benefits.”  The wily Premier did not allow the word “Corn” or “Corn Laws” to have a place in the speech of his Royal Mistress.