reading was moved on the 9th
of April, and the debate was continued up to the 13th. Before the
discussion commenced, the Duke of Buckingham gave notice that if there
should be, as he trusted there would be, a majority against the second
reading of this bill, he would bring in, after the Easter recess, a bill
for the purpose of giving representatives to such of the large towns
therein to be named, whose importance entitled them to representation;
and also for the purpose of joining and consolidating the representation
of certain boroughs which now elected members, so as to make room for
the new representatives without adding to the members of the house of
commons, and to extend the franchise in such a way as to prevent its
abuse in boroughs. In proof of his sincerity, his grace moved the
insertion of this notice on the journals of the house.

In moving the second reading of the reform bill, Earl Grey said, that he
considered himself almost relieved from entering into discussion of its
principles, because there were few of their lordships who did not now
recognise those principles, and admit that some degree of change
was necessary. After briefly mentioning the nature of the bill, its
interesting object, the large majority that had sent it from the commons
to the lords, and the support it had received from the people, he
proceeded to notice the Duke of Buckingham's intended motion for
reform. His very notice, he said, admitted all the three principles
of disfranchisement, enfranchisement, and an extension of the right
of voting. He felt, therefore, justified in calling on the house to
sanction the second reading of a measure founded upon a basis which was
acknowledged to be just, even by those who opposed the measure itself;
inasmuch as they would have an opportunity of proposing in the committee
such alterations in its details as might appear necessary and expedient.
The noble earl next proceeded to notice the alterations introduced into
the bill, and to defend the ten-pound qualification from objections
that had been raised against it. He concluded with an appeal to their
lordships on the unjust attacks made on him for having proposed a
measure which, in his opinion, was required by that duty which he owed
to his sovereign and his country. He especially called their lordships'
attention to the awful silence on the part of the people now prevailing,
and taking place of that outcry which first marked the progress of the
b