ament reassembled on the 4th of February. It was opened by
commission; and in the speech his majesty declared that he would be no
party to those proceedings at Verona which sanctioned the interference
of France with the internal affairs of Spain; and that he would
endeavour to avert the calamity of war between those countries. This
declaration elicited general approbation; but it was thought by some
that more energetic measures should be taken than those adopted by
ministers. During the session Lord Ellenborough moved in the upper house
for an address to his majesty, expressing, in high terms, a condemnation
of the conduct of France and other allied powers, as well as of the
British cabinet, in requiring Spain to alter her constitution at their
dictation. The majority of the lords, however, seemed to consider that
ministers had used every judicious and practicable effort to prevent
the attack on Spain; and the motion was rejected. A similar disposition
prevailed in the commons. Some few thought further interference
necessary, and Mr. Mac-donald introduced a motion to that effect, but it
was lost by a majority of three hundred and seventy-two against twenty.
So Spain was left to the mercy of the despots: soon after despotism was
restored in that country, together with Ferdinand VII.

AFFAIRS OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE.

The distress of the landed interests was early discussed in the commons,
and it led to a proposition made by Mr. Whitmore for reducing the
import price of grain two shillings a year till it should fall to sixty
shillings. This was negatived; but government manifested a disposition
to open the trade in corn. At the same time the foreign committee was
reappointed, and further steps taken to free commerce from restrictions.

THE SUPPLIES.

The new chancellor of the exchequer brought forward his budget on
the 21st of February. The total revenue of the year was estimated at
L57,096,988, and the expenditure, at L49,852,786. This left a surplus
of above L7,000,000, and Mr. Robinson proposed to relieve the burdens of
the country by a repeal of assessed taxes to the amount of L 2,000,000,
retaining the other L5,000,000 toward the liquidation of the national
debt. His views and statements obtained much applause, so that he
carried his estimates for the year triumphantly.

THE CATHOLIC QUESTION.

A motion was made on the 17th of April for a committee on the Catholic
claims by Mr. Plunkett Th