licited
acclamations from all parts of the house. Mr. Peel was the chief
opponent of the measure; but the motion for a committee was carried by a
majority of six votes. The house resolved itself into a committee on the
2nd of March, when six resolutions, proposed by Mr. Plunkett, received
the sanction of the house. On these resolutions he framed two bills; one
repealing disabilities, and the other enacting securities for the safety
of the Protestant succession to the crown, and of the Protestant church.
These bills passed the commons; but in the upper house the atmosphere
was not quite so congenial to their existence. Their fate was decided
on the second day's debate, by a speech delivered by the Duke of York,
presumptive heir to the throne. He remarked in that speech:--"Educated
in the principles of the established church, the more I inquire, and the
more I think, the more I am persuaded that her interests are inseparable
from those of the constitution. I consider her as an integral part, of
that constitution, and I pray that she may long remain so. At the same
time there is no man less an enemy to toleration than myself; but I
distinguish between the allowance of the free exercise of religion and
the granting of political power." This speech had its effect: the bill
was thrown out by a majority of one hundred and fifty-nine against one
hundred and twenty.

MOTIONS FOR PARLIAMENTARY REFORM, ETC.

While the peers were thus engaged the commons were considering the
subject of parliamentary reform. Mr. Lambton proposed to divide
the kingdom into elective districts, extend the franchise to all
householders, and limit the duration of parliament to three years. This
plan being rejected, Lord John Russell proposed another, which would
have extended the right of electing members to populous towns then
unrepresented in parliament, and disfranchise every borough convicted
hereafter of corruption. The house, however, was not yet prepared to go
even thus far, for the motion was rejected by a majority of one hundred
and fifty-five. But one decided measure of practical reform was at least
effected this session; this was the disfranchisement of the corrupt
borough of Grampound, and the transfer of its privileges to the
populous county of York.

REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL COMMITTEE.

Early in this session, from numerous petitions presented on the
prevalence of agricultural distress, and on the motion of Mr. Gooch, a
co