then adjourned. On the
13th, when the motion was made for the speaker leaving the chair, some
discussion took place on the general principles of the bill; but it was
very brief; and the house then discussed the measure clause by clause.
The discussion on the several clauses continued from the 13th of July to
the 15th of September, the opposition combating every point foot to foot
with ministers. Amendments were moved as to the general principles
of the bill, and as regards particular boroughs; but ministers were
triumphant in almost every instance of importance. An amendment, moved
by the Marquis of Chandos, that the right of voting should belong-to
all occupiers of land paying a rent of not less than fifty pounds, was,
however, earned by a majority of eighty-four; and it was incorporated
with the original clause, which gave a right of voting for counties to
leaseholders for a certain period, and a defined rent. The committee
finished its labours on the 7th of September; and the bill, as amended,
was reported to the house. The third reading was carried without a
debate, on the 15th of September, by a majority of fifty-five; but on
the motion that the bill do pass, a debate arose, which continued during
the 19th, 20th, and 21st of September. Mr. Macaulay, with brilliant
eloquence, admonished the peers to look to the deserted halls of France,
and take warning not to oppose popular lights. Mr. Croker who seemed
to make a point of rising to address the house after Mr. Macaulay,
ridiculed the idea of the peers of England being deterred by fear from
the performance of their duty, and reminded Mr. Macaulay that if the
halls of France were deserted, it was because the French nobility were
so foolish as to make any concessions to popular clamour. Mr. Stanley,
then in the noon of his reputation, replied with his usual debating
power to Mr. Croker, and carried the sympathies, if not the opinions
of the house. Useless and angry recrimination entered largely into the
remainder of the debate, in which Mr. Wynn and Sir Charles Wetherell
especially figured. The personal influence of Lord Althorp and Sir
Robert Peel allayed this angry spirit.

REJECTION OF THE REFORM BILL BY THE LORDS.

The reform bill having been carried in the commons, on the next day Lord
John Russell, attended by many of its supporters, delivered the bill
to the lord-chancellor in the house of lords. The bill was read a first
time, and, on the motion of Earl