etensions of the papists." This declaration
was made public in a meeting of prelates at Lambeth-palace, and
announced by the bishop in the house of lords, so that it was evident
that this was a measure not to be forced. On this declaration, indeed,
the motions previously named, which would virtually have been a renewal
of the discussion, were withdrawn, and the Catholic question was thereby
laid aside for a time. The test acts, no less than Catholic emancipation
had been a principal bond of union among the opposition; but neither was
this urged; so that every subject which could have brought any party
in the coalition to the test, was avoided. Under these circumstances,
towards the close of the session some of the Whigs took office. Thus
Lord Lansdowne was appointed secretary for the home department; Lord
Carlisle, privy-seal; and Mr. Tierney, master of the mint. But about
this time the opposition received a more regular form and abler
direction. Hitherto Mr. Peel had acted with moderation and urbanity, but
he now gave indications of decided hostility. In discovering this Mr.
Canning said, that he rejoiced to see the standard openly raised: he
always preferred direct hostility to hollow professions or pretended
neutrality.

MOTION ON THE CHANCELLOR'S JURISDICTION IN BANKRUPTCY.

On the 22nd of May, Mr. Michael Angelo Taylor again brought the subject
of delays in the court of chancery before the commons. The delays, he
said, which disgraced that court, and the arrears of business under
which it was sinking, were the consequences of the system of the court
itself. An additional judge had in a former year been appointed, and yet
the ar-rear of business had not been extinguished. To adopt the language
of Mr. Shadwell, not three angels could discharge the duties of the
office of lord-chancellor, constituted as that office now was. He
proposed, therefore, to withdraw all matters of bankruptcy from the
great seal: matters which had not originally been subject to that
jurisdiction, but had been made so by parliament, and which were of
themselves sufficient to occupy the attention of any single judge. He
moved, therefore, "that this house do resolve itself into a committee
of the whole house to consider of the statute of the 13th year of
Elizabeth, and of certain subsequent statutes, which gave to the
lord-chancellor of England jurisdiction in matters of bankruptcy."
This motion was opposed by the attorney-general, Mr. Br