January 30,1837.

The Poor Law Act has surpassed his expectation.

My lords, I supported the bill while it was in this house; and having given that support to the bill from being a witness to the evils, and being apprehensive of the consequences likely to have attended the former system, I conceive it to be my duty to come forward on this occasion, and to state that this bill has surpassed any expectation which I had formed of the benefits likely to result from it.  The bill, my lords, may require amendment in certain parts, and it appears that his majesty’s government have taken measures to ascertain what points in the bill so require amendment.  I, for one, am ready to pay the greatest attention to the points which may be brought under the consideration of this house.  But I must say that I approve of the measure as far as it has gone hitherto, and I have witnessed its operation.  I do not talk of what I have seen generally, I talk of the details of the management of the bill, from having witnessed that management in different workhouses, in different parts of the country in which I have resided; and I must say that it has been practically beneficial, and particularly in cases such as these.  First of all, it has put the workman and his employer upon a true and friendly footing of confidence.  Then it has connected the man of property, the man of the highest rank in his country, with the lowest class, with the labouring class, by admitting such to the board of Guardians.  I can mention some noble lords, who are ornaments to this house, and who constantly attend at the weekly meetings of the guardians, being elected guardians by the parishes in the neighbourhood in which they reside.  No measure could be attended with better results, and being convinced that it will effect still greater benefits, sincerely thinking so, I should be ashamed if I did not step forward, and at once avow my sentiments respecting it.  I avow at once that I supported the bill at the time his majesty’s ministers proposed it—­that I do not repent of what I did on that occasion in so supporting it—­but, on the contrary, that I rejoice in the part I then took; and I now congratulate his majesty’s ministers on its success.

April 7, 1837.

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The Universities—­their Education System the admiration of the World.

The working of all these colleges and of the system on which they are regulated, is for the benefit of the public; and in each and every college the object is to carry into execution the will of the founder, just as it would probably have been had he lived to this period.  In every case the great object of the governing authorities is, to benefit the public by the education of the youth who resort to these institutions.  The noble viscount (Melbourne) could not help admitting that these institutions have worked well, and that latterly a great improvement has taken