supporters. And all this they called "Liberty."

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

The British parliament met on the 2nd of November. In his speech his
majesty dwelt on the excessive pretensions of the French; the failure
of the negociations at Lisle; the flourishing state of trade and the
revenue; our naval victories, and our new conquests in the West Indies:
and recommended those exertions which could alone ensure peace. As Fox
and the other great orators of the opposition still absented themselves
from parliament, there was little interest in the debate which followed,
or in any of the debates during this session. The army and navy
estimates were readily passed, and supplies were early voted, to the
amount of L25,000,000. Among the ways and means adopted was the trebling
of all the assessed taxes. This measure met with strenuous opposition
from a few members; but the bill passed by a large majority.

CHAPTER XXIV.

{GEORGE III. 1798-1801}

Redemption of the Land-Tax, &c..... Irish Rebellion.....
Invasion of Belgium..... Expedition to Minorca..... Battle
of the Nile, &c..... Meeting of Parliament..... Income Tax
sanctioned, &c...... Treaty with Russia..... Union with
Ireland considered..... Prorogation of Parliament.....
Campaign in Italy..... Campaign in Egypt..... Establishment
of the Consular Government in France..... Affairs of
India..... Meeting of Parliament..... Parliamentary
Discussions..... Union with Ireland completed.....
Prorogation of Parliament..... Campaign in Italy.....
Capture of Malta..... Naval Operations..... Meeting of
Parliament..... Motions for Peace, &c.

{A. D. 1798}

REDEMPTION OF THE LAND-TAX, ETC.

Early this session Pitt proposed and carried a bill for the redemption
of the land-tax. This was followed by a bill, proposed by Mr. Dundas,
for enabling his majesty to call out a portion of the supplementary
militia. A second bill was also carried, to encourage voluntary armed
associations for the protection of the country, it being now considered
as menaced with invasion. Another bill was brought into the house by
Dundas, by which the suspension of the _habeas corpus_ act was revived.
The alien bill also was renewed; and Pitt proposed and carried a measure
for more effectually manning the navy. As in the last session, so
likewise in this, the chancellor of the exchequer found himself
compelled to lay before th