THE ANNUAL REGISTER: A REVIEW OF PUBLIC EVENTS AT HOME AND ABROAD, FOR THE YEAR 1883. NEW SERIES. LONDON: RIVINGTONS, WATERLOO PLACF. LONGMANS & CO.; SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & CO.; HAMILTON & CO.; H. SOTHERAN & CO.; BICKERS & SON; J. TOOVEY; 1884. CONTENTS. The Recess-Sir Charles Dilke's Addresses-Changes in the Administration-Mr. Goschen on the Home and Foreign Policy of the Government-The Bankruptcy Bill and the Farmers' Alliance-The proposed Reform of the Government of London-Egyptian affairs-Lord Dufferin's Despatch-Annexation Policy in The Session-The Queen's Speech-Prolonged Debate on the Address-Mr. Bradlaugh and the Oath-Debate on the Address-Mr. Forster and Mr. Parnell The Easter Recess-Mr. Bright at Glasgow-The Birmingham Campaign—Mr. Childers' Budget-The Irish American Plot-The Explosives Bill-Mr. Brad- laugh and the Affirmation Bill-Government Defeat-Irish Bills and Irish Distress-The Pensions to Lords Alcester and Wolseley-Mr. Pell's Resolution State of Public Business-Meeting of the Liberal Party-Mr. Errington and the Vatican "Mission "-The Ministerial Measures-The Corrupt Practices Bill in Committee-The Suez Canal and the Government Proposals-The withdrawal of Sir Stafford Northcote's Motion-Lord Rosebery's Retirement-Lord George Hamilton's Resolution-The Grand Committees of Law and Trade-Women's Suffrage-Marriage with Deceased Wife's Sister Bill-The Channel Tunnel- The Bright Celebration at Birmingham The Cobden Club-The Madagascar Incident Agricultural Holdings Bill-Conflict between the two Houses-- Egypt-The Irish Migration Scheme-Results of Session-Prorogation of The Recess-Lord Hartington at Sheffield-Mr. Gladstone's Voyage-The Man- chester Election-Mr. Chamberlain and the County Franchise-The Newcastle and Leeds Meetings-The Conservative Programme-Disintegration-The Housing of the Poor-Lord Salisbury and Mr. Chamberlain on State Socialism -Mr. Courtney's Revolt-Mr. Goschen's Plea for Moderate Liberalism-The Scotch Campaign-The Reading Celebration-Lord Hartington's and Mr. Chamberlain's views of the Franchise Bill-Mr. Bright's Conservatism- IRELAND.-Imprisonment of Messrs. Davitt and Healy-The Mallow Election- The Dublin Trials-James Carey-The Parnell Testimonial-The Monaghan AMERICA: UNITED STATES-CANADA-CENTRAL AMERICA, MEXICO, &c.— ANNUAL REGISTER FOR THE YEAR 1883. PART I. ENGLISH HISTORY. CHAPTER I. The Recess Sir Charles Dilke's Addresses-Changes in the Administration-Mr. Goschen on the Home and Foreign Policy of the Government-The Bankruptcy Bill and the Farmers' Alliance-The proposed Reform of the Government of London-Egyptian affairs-Lord Dufferin's Despatch-Annexation Policy in the South Pacific. ANXIETY rather than gloom may be said to have been the dominant feeling throughout the country at the opening of the year. At home, although there was less open defiance of the law amongst our Irish fellow subjects, the tranquillity was felt to be due rather to the firmness of Lord Spencer's government than to any real desire to promote more friendly sentiments. On the Continent the death of M. Gambetta, whilst possibly removing one of the obstacles to a settlement of the Egyptian question in a way favourable to British interests, removed also the one French statesman who seemed capable of directing the discordant sections of the Republican party, and suggested dangers arising from a rapid succession of weak administrations. In the Colonies the futility of the claim of suzerainty over the Transvaal, put forward for the Queen, was becoming every week more apparent; and the powerlessness of the local rulers to maintain order within their own boundaries, coupled with their refusal to keep peace amongst themselves, were regarded as significant proofs of the failure of Lord Kimberley's pacification policy. It may have been with the special object of drawing away public attention from such matters, that Sir Charles Dilke, in a series of speeches addressed to his constituents at various meetings B |