d similar sentiments. On discovering this, ministers
and their friends lost their temper, and railed against the "unnatural
coalition" which, the said, was now shown to have taken place between
parties opposed to each other in principle. Earl Grey, in reply, assured
the house that he had never either felt or expressed confidence in the
government. They had done well in carrying the Catholic Relief bill;
they had received all the political and personal support he could give;
and that support he could not but feel was of some benefit to the cause;
but he claimed no gratitude for what he had done; and, on the other
hand, he had none. As to general confidence in the present cabinet, he
never entertained such an idea. His public declarations must be known
to some of their lordships, and he was certain that, in private, he had
often made the same statements. He had repeatedly expressed his belief
of the incapacity of ministers, and therefore he could not have any
confidence in them. On a division, ministers had a majority of one
hundred against fifty-six; but the debate was a declaration of war;
and it became evident that their scheme of government, by balancing and
trimming their measures, so as to secure the aid of one section of those
who trusted them not, against another, was now at an end.

In the house of commons, the language was still more vehement and
bitter. The amendment was supported by Messrs. Brougham, Wynn, and
Huskisson, Sir Charles Wetherell, and Lord John Russell. Sir Robert
Peel had the mortification of receiving a lecture on the subject of
consistency from Mr. Huskisson. On a division, the amendment was lost
by a majority of one hundred and eighty-five against one hundred and
thirty-nine.

PROROGATION AND DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament was prorogued by the king in person on the 28rd of July. In
his speech he thanked both houses for their expressions of sympathy and
affectionate attachment, conveyed to him on the demise of his lamented
brother, and on his accession; and said that he ascended the throne with
a deep sense of the sacred duties which devolved upon him, and with a
humble and earnest prayer to Almighty God, that he would prosper his
anxious endeavours to promote the happiness of a free and loyal people.
His majesty referred to the Catholic Relief bill, expressing a hope
that it would put an end to religious feuds; and declaring that he was
determined to support the Protestant reli