rn one member, and Limerick and Waterford two each,
thus adding three to the existing members for Ireland. The general
result of the whole measure, Lord John Russell said, would be to create
a new constituency of about 500,000 persons; the increase in counties
would be about 100,000; that in towns already represented, about
110,000; in new boroughs 50,000; in Scotland 60,000; and in Ireland,
perhaps, 40,000. This numerous body, he said, was connected with
property, and possessed a valuable stake in the country; and upon this
body it would depend, if any future struggle should arise, to support
parliament and the throne in carrying that struggle to a successful
termination. The probability of this franchise, he continued, would be
an inducement to good conduct; for when a man found that by being rated
at a certain rent, and by paying rates, he became entitled to vote in
the election of members of that house, he would feel an inducement to
be careful, frugal, and punctual in all his dealings, to preserve his
character amongst his neighbours, and the place which he might hold in
society. This large increase of the constituency would provide for the
political and moral improvement of the people. It was true, he said,
that the arrangements which he had detailed would diminish the total
number of members in the house; but that would not be a disadvantage.
There would be an absolute diminution in the whole of sixty-two, which
diminution was inflicted exclusively upon England; but it was the
opinion of ministers that this reduction would enable the house to
transact business more effectually and conveniently. After accounting
for two omissions, which might be brought as charges against
him--namely, that no provision was made for shortening the duration
of parliaments, or for introducing the vote by ballot--his lordship
concluded by requesting leave to bring in a bill to amend the
representation of the people in England and Wales.

This motion brought on a debate which lasted seven nights, and elicited
opinions from between seventy and eighty members. This debate would of
itself form a volume, and therefore only a brief outline can be given of
it in these pages. Sir Robert Inglis admitted that there was excitement
and expectation among the people; but he argued that the origin of it
was to be found in the events which had occurred in France and Belgium,
and that, if government would oppose instead of fomenting it, it would
soon