t for war, which might terminate in the
restoration of these provinces to her dominion. One party in Belgium,
indeed, openly declared that her interests demanded a reunion with
France; and that there was no doubt that she would receive the
protection of that power in case any of the allies should attempt to
preserve her connexion with Holland. To avoid war, therefore, the allies
agreed to interpose their good offices; and as their first object was to
stop hostilities, a protocol, signed at London on the 4th of November,
bound all parties to negotiation rather than to have recourse to
the sword. These negotiations involved many difficulties, and were
counteracted by many conflicting interests; but their result, as will be
seen, was the erection of Belgium into an independent kingdom.

CHAPTER XLI.

{WILLIAM IV. 1831--1832}

_State of the Reform Question..... Meeting of Parliament.....
Introduction of the Reform Bill..... Debate on the Motion
that the Bill be read a Second Time, &c...... Motion of
Adjournment pending the Ordnance Estimates carried against
Ministers..... Prorogation and Dissolution of
Parliament..... The Budget..... Proposed Change in
Taxes, &c...... Arrangement of the Civil List..... General
Election..... Meeting of Parliament: The Reform Question
renewed in Parliament, and carried in the Commons.....
Rejection of it by the Lords..... Consequences of its
Rejection..... Financial Statements..... Prorogation of
Parliament..... Coronation of William IV...... Opening of
the New London Bridge..... Ravages of the Cholera.....
Foreign Affairs..... Meeting of Parliament..... New Reform
Bill..... State of Ireland_

STATE OF THE REFORM QUESTION.

{A.D. 1831}

It has been seen that the ministry which succeeded that of the Duke of
Wellington were pledged to apply themselves forthwith to what was termed
the reform of the representation; that is, to strengthen and enlarge the
democratic part of the constitution. While they were occupied in this
work, the details of which were as yet unknown, meetings were held in
all parts of the country, for the purpose of getting up petitions in
support of their policy. The prayers of the petitions were various, and
in many cases very indefinite. Thus one set of petitioners prayed that
the right of suffrage should be equalised and extended; but whether they
meant such an extensio