. It was necessary that the new ministers, who had
vacated their seats by taking office, should be reelected, and this
afforded an opportunity to the radical party of showing their strength.
Thus Mr. Stanley was defeated at Preston by the notorious democrat,
Plenry Hunt. After the new ministry had secured seats, no business of
importance was transacted during the remainder of the year, except the
passing of a regency bill in conformity with the recommendation in the
speech from the throne. This bill had been introduced into the house
of lords on the day when the fate of the late cabinet was sealed in
the commons. It provided that in the event of a posthumous child of the
present queen, her majesty should be guardian and regent of the kingdom;
and that if such an event did not occur, then the Duchess of Kent was to
be guardian and regent during the minority of her daughter, the Princess
Victoria, the heir-presumptive. The princess herself was not to marry
while a minor without the consent of the king, or, if he died, without
the consent of both houses of parliament; and the regency was to be
at an end if the Duchess of Kent, while regent, married a foreigner. A
select committee was appointed on the 9th of December to inquire what
reduction could be made in the salaries and emoluments of offices
held during the pleasure of the crown by members of either house of
parliament, and to report their opinion and observations thereupon
to the house. On the 23rd both houses adjourned to the 3rd of
February--ministers declaring that a long adjournment was necessary,
in order to enable them to prepare the different measures which they
intended submitting to parliament, especially that plan of reform to
which they had pledged themselves on accepting office, and by which
alone they could hope to retain it.

DEATH OF MR. HUSKISSON.

Among the most interesting events of this year may be reckoned the
opening of the Liverpool and Manchester railway. It was, however,
attended by a lamentable catastrophe. Mr. Huskisson, as one of the
members for Liverpool, accompanied the Duke of Wellington in the
procession; and, neglecting the caution given to visitors against
leaving the carriages, he was knocked down by one of the returning
engines, and his leg was so dreadfully crushed, that amputation could
not be performed. He died of that disorder called tetanus, which
commonly occurs after extensive lacerated wounds. His character is
record