criticised
the manner and circumstances under which it had been brought forward in
the face of a deficiency of more than one million, which, considering
the state of our affairs both at home and abroad, was likely to be
greatly augmented by the 5th day of October, 1840. At the same time the
noble duke said that he would vote for the bill, and would recommend
their lordships to follow his example. Several other noble lords
addressed the house, chiefly in favour of the measure; and the bill was
then read a second time, and subsequently became law without further
opposition.

In his remarks on the postage-bill the Duke of Wellington recommended
ministers to reduce the amount of the floating debt, under the pressure
of which the market had been labouring, by funding exchequer-bills.
Apparently acting upon this suggestion, on the 12th of August Viscount
Melbourne and the chancellor of the exchequer made public their
determination, subject to the approval of parliament, to effect the
funding of four millions of exchequer-bills in the three per cent,
consolidated annuities. This arrangement was effected on the 17th.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

In the house of lords the labours of the session were brought to a
close by a long and animated discussion on a motion made on the 24th of
August, by Lord Lyndhurst, for "a return of all bills that had arrived
from the house of commons since the commencement of the session, with
the dates at which they were brought up." In his speech, the noble
lord directed the attention of the house to the fate of four important
subjects--the Irish municipal corporations, the affairs of Canada,
the recommendations of the ecclesiastical commissioners, and tire
administration of justice; after which he went on to pass under a
searching review, the whole parliamentary conduct of ministers in the
course of the expiring session. Lord Melbourne replied in an effective
speech. Lord Brougham contended that the country would be glad to see
the Conservatives return to office.

Parliament was prorogued by her majesty in person on the 27th of August.
After being addressed by the speaker on the various measures which had
occupied the attention of parliament, and after having given the
royal assent to several bills, her majesty read the speech, which the
lord-chancellor put into her hands, in her usual distinct and impressive
manner. The speech referred to the various topics which had engaged the
attent