he proposed to make the treasury pay the whole in England
and in Ireland. The relief would not be great; but it would be of
importance, as giving greater control over prosecutions: the estimated
expense in England was L100,000; in Ireland, L17,000. At present part of
the police force in Ireland was borne by the land: he proposed to impose
the whole expense on the state. He proposed, also, that government
should bear a share in the cost of medical relief under the new poor-law
act; half to be defrayed by government, half by local authorities--the
estimated cost was L100,000 for England, and L15,000 for Scotland. Aid
also would be given in providing education in workhouses; the unions to
appoint, and government to pay the schoolmasters. The expense of this
would be L30,000. Finally, government proposed to pay the poor-law
auditors in England and Ireland, which would cost L15,000. Sir Robert
concluded by thanking the house for the patience with which they had
listened to his financial exposition.

A long and desultory conversation followed this explanation of the
ministerial measure of free trade; several members avowing their
determined hostility, and others promising unlimited support. At the
suggestion of Sir Robert Peel, Monday, the 9th of February, was fixed
for the day on which the discussion should commence. In order to enable
the reader to understand rightly the reductions and alterations proposed
in the tariff, it is necessary to glance at the resolutions proposed by
Sir Robert Peel in committee of the whole house on the customs and corn
act. The first resolution related to the importation of corn, grain,
meal, or flour, setting forth the duties to paid until the 1st day of
February, 1849, when the duties were wholly to cease. Thus, on wheat,
when under 48s. per quarter, 10s. duty was to paid; and this duty was to
be lowered Is. on the rise of wheat up to 53s., when there was to be a
duty paid of 4s. for every quarter. Barley, oats, rye, peas, and beans,
wheat-meal and flour, barley-meal, oat-meal, rye-meal, pea-meal, and
bean-meal were by tire same resolution, taxed in equal proportion, until
the 1st day of February, 1849, when these duties were likewise to cease
and determine; or, at least, to pay only a nominal duty of 1s. per
quarter on wheat, let the price be what it might, and the other corn in
proportion to its value. By the second resolution, in lieu of duties of
customs then chargeable on certain articles