r, because the legislature had imposed a duty on
corn for the protection of agriculture; and the latter, because their
interests were protected by a duty on sugar. In like manner it was
attempted to excite popular odium against other classes, as favoured
in the acquisition of wealth at the expense of the community: all who
supported the Conservatives were subjected to the same charge, while the
supporters of government were exultingly denominated anti-monopolists.
The watch-word of the Liberal party was, in truth, "anti-monopoly;"
and a strenuous effort was made to enlist popular feeling in its behalf.
This cry, however, did not succeed.. Even the city of London, which had
before returned four Liberals, now returned only two, which were coupled
with two Conservatives. As for the elections, in the counties they went
everywhere against the ministry: and in the towns and manufacturing
districts the cry of "Low wages!" was raised against that of "Cheap
bread!" with considerable effect. In a word, the returns proved more
favourable to the Conservative party than the most sanguine among them
had anticipated; and it appeared certain that Sir Robert Peel would
command a stronger and more efficient majority than had supported any
minister for a long period.

MEETING OF THE NEW HOUSE OF COMMONS, ETC.

The new session of parliament was opened by commission on the 19th of
August, and the speech was read by the lord-chancellor on the 24th of
the same month. The speech referred to a treaty concluded on the 15th of
July, 1840, between her majesty and the Emperor of Austria, the King of
Prussia, the Emperor of Russia, and the Sultan, the objects of which,
it was said, had been fully accomplished. The speech also informed the
house that her majesty had ordered the return of her minister to the
court of Persia, and announced that the differences which had arisen
between Spain and Portugal about the execution of a treaty concluded
by those powers in 1835, for regulating the navigation of the Douro had
been amicably adjusted. In reference to the disputes with China, a hope
was expressed that the emperor would see the justice of the demands
which her majesty's plenipotentiaries had been recently instructed to
make. The speech concluded thus:--"My lords and gentlemen,--We are more
especially commanded to declare to you that the extraordinary
expenses which the events in Canada, China, and the Mediterranean have
occasioned, and the nec