John Tyrell opposed it, as did also Messrs. Sidney
Herbert and Newdegate. On a division it was rejected by a majority of
one hundred and eighty-two against one hundred and nine.

The subject of the corn-laws was taken into more complete consideration
on the 26th of May, when, pursuant to notice, Lord John Russell moved
the following resolutions:--"That the present state of political
tranquillity, and the recent revival of trade, afford to this house
a favourable opportunity to consider of such measures as may tend
permanently to improve the condition of the labouring classes. That
those laws which impose duties, usually called protective, tend to
impair the efficiency of labour, to restrict the free interchange of
commodities, and to impose on the people unnecessary taxation. That the
present corn-law tends to check improvements in agriculture, produces
uncertainty in all farming speculations, and holds out to the owners
and occupiers of land prospects of special advantage which it fails to
secure. That this house will take the said laws into consideration,
with a view to such cautious and deliberate arrangements as may be most
beneficial to all classes of her majesty's subjects. That the freedom of
industry would be promoted by a careful revision of the law of parochial
settlement which now prevails in England and Wales. That a systematic
plan of colonization would partially relieve those districts of the
country where the deficiency of employment Iras been most injurious to
the labourers in husbandry. That the improvements made of late years
in the education of the people, as well as its more general diffusion,
have been seen with satisfaction by this house. That this house will
be ready to give its support to measures founded on liberal and
comprehensive principles, which may be conducive to the further
extension of religious and moral instruction. That a humble address be
presented to her majesty to lay the foregoing resolutions before her
majesty." In support of these resolutions, Lord John Russell made a long
and comprehensive speech, embracing the several topics to which they
had reference. Adverting to the corn-laws, he said, that experience had
shown that the present system was founded in error, and produced the
very evil against which it was intended to guard. The graduated scale
was a complete failure, and equally injurious to the purchaser and
consumer. It was contrary to all true commercial principles, and