THE POPULAR

HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

BY

CHARLES KNIGHT.

VOLUME VIII.

FROM THE ADMINISTRATION OF LORD GODERICH, 1827, TO

THE FINAL EXTINCTION OF THE CORN-LAWS, FEB., 1849.

WITH

AN APPENDIX OF ANNALS, 1849-1867, AND INDEX.

First American Edition

NEW YORK:

JOHN WURTELE LOVELL

1881.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.-A.D. 1827 to A.D. 1830.

Administration of Lord Goderich.-Turkey and Greece.-The battle of Navarino.-

Resignation of Lord Goderich.-Administration of the duke of Wellington.--Parlia❤

ment.-The Schoolmaster abroad.-Progress of Education.-Mr. Brougham's speech

on Law Reform.-The New Metropolitan Police.-Repeal of the Corporation and

Test Acts.-Mr. Huskisson's retirement from the Ministry.-Ireland.—Election for

Clare of Mr. O'Connell.-Ministerial views on Catholic Emancipation.--Opening of

Parliament.-Emancipation referred to in the King's Speech.-The Catholic Relief.

Bill moved by the duke of Wellington and Mr. Peel.-Continued and violent debates

-The Catholic Relief Bill passed.-Mr. O'Connell's second return for Clare.-

Meeting of Parliament.--Motions for Reform.-Illness and death of George the

Fourth.

· 13-37

CHAPTER II.-A.D. 1830.

Oath of allegiance taken by Peers and Commoners.-Business of Parliament commenced.

-Unmeasured language in the House of Commons.-Motion for a Regency in the

event of the king's demise.-France.-Retrospect of government in reign of Charles

X.-Prince Polignac appointed President of the Council.-Sudden prorogation of the

Chambers.-Algiers.—The Royal Ordinances promulgated.—The three days of July.

Duke of Orleans Lieutenant-General of the Kingdom.-Abdication of Charles X.-

-Duke of Orleans King.-Recognition by England of the new government of France.

-Revolution of Belgium.-The opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.—

Early opposition to the Railway system.-The Locomotive Engine.-George Stephen-

son. His son Robert.-Anticipations of the triumphs of Railways.-Death of Mr.

Huskisson.-Opening of Parliament.-Declaration of the duke of Wellington.-The

king's visit to the City postponed.-Defeat of Ministers on the Civil List.-They re-

sign. Mr. Brougham's parliamentary position.-Administration of earl Grey com-

pleted.-List of the Ministry.

38-69

CHAPTER III.-A.D. 1831.

Re-assembling of Parliament.-Reform Bill prepared by the Cabinet.-Lord John Rus-

sell introduces the Reform Bill.-Wonder and alarm at its contemplated provisions.

-Fears of the Aristocracy.-The Debates on the First Reading.-The Debates on

the Second Reading.-Defeat of the Ministry in Committee.-Lord Grey and Lord

Brougham urge the King to Dissolve.-The Dissolution and General Election.-

The Reform Bill carried.-The Bill in Committee.-It is passed.-The Bill in the

House of Lords.-The Bill rejected upon the Second Reading.-Resolutions of the

House of Commons.-Parliament prorogued.

CHAPTER IV.-A.D. 1831 to A.D. 1832.

70-89

Intense excitement during the prorogation.-Dangers from popular ignorance.-Incendiary

fires and machine-breaking.-The Derby, Nottingham, and Bristol Riots.-Destruc-

tion of property at Bristol.-The Cholera approaching.-Cowardly alarmists.-Central

Board of Health formed.-Parliament.-New Reform Bill passed by the Commons.-

The Bill in the Lords, read a second time.-Political Unions.-The Lords' Com-

mittee, and the majority against Ministers.-The King refuses to create Peers.-

The Ministry resign.-The Duke of Wellington attempts to form a Government.-The

negotiations fail.-The Reform Ministry returns to power.-The King's consent to a

creation of Peers given, but not exercised.-Final passing of the Reform Bill.

CHAPTER V.-A.D. 1832 to A.D. 1833.

90-108

Dissolution of Parliament.-Proceedings for Elections under the Reform Act.-Effect of

Changes in the system of Representation.-Condition of the Nomination Boroughs.

-Electoral changes in close Corporations.-The new Representation.-Metropolitan

Boroughs.-Manufacturing Towns.- Scotland.-Ireland.-Approaching meeting of

the Reformed Parliament.-Fears of Anti-Reformers.-Extension of Popular Litera-

ture during the Crisis.- Parliamentary Representation of the United Kingdom

before the Reform Acts of 1832.
109 125

CHAPTER VI.-A.D. 1833.

Opening of the New Parliament.-Election of the Speaker.-The King's Speech.-Mr.

O'Connell's Amendment.-Declaration of Sir Robert Peel.-Coercion Bill for Ire-

land passed by the Lords.-Public Health.-Observance of the Sabbath.-Coercion

Bill in the House of Commons.-The Coercion Bill passed.-Financial Measures.-

Cobbett's Motion against Sir Robert Peel.-Bill for the Reform of the Irish Church.

-Abolition of Slavery in the British Colonies.-Effects of the Abolition.-Limitation

of Labour in Factories.-Bank Charter.-East India Company's Charter.-Proro-

gation.

126-149

CHAPTER VII.-A.D. 1834.

Poor Law Amendment Act.-Commission for preliminary inquiry.-Commissioners'

Report.-Striking instances of Parochial Reform at Cookham and Southwell.-State

of the Southern Agricultural Counties. Of the Manufacturing Districts.-Violent

opposition to the measure.-The Bill passed.-Debate on the Repeal of the Union

with Ireland.-Irish Church.--Resignations of Mr. Stanley and three of his col-

leagues.-Resignation of lord Grey.-The Melbourne Administration.-The Budget.

-Prorogation.-The Grey Banquet at Edinburgh.-The Houses of Parliament

destroyed by fire.

• 150-166

CHAPTER VIII.-A.D. 1834 to A.D. 1835.

The King's dismissal of the Melbourne Ministry.-Sir Robert Peel's Narrative of his

appointment to the Premiership.-The Peel Administration formed.--Parliament

dissolved. The Tamworth Manifesto- Strong Parliamentary Opposition. - Mr.