question. When famine prevails there will always be a numerous party
who will maintain the affirmative. Death and decimation are stern facts
which seem to bring conviction. Yet it is the duty of a minister to
consider whether, if the government were to interfere, the death might
not be increased, and the rate of mortality aggravated."

Another measure for the relief of Ireland was proposed by ministers to
enable government to make advances from the treasury on the security of
the rates, and excited a debate, when its committal was moved on the 8th
of February. This debate was remarkable as giving an opportunity to the
great agitator for his last parliamentary effort. He declared that two
millions of the Irish population must perish if the parliament did not
come forward with adequate relief; while he proclaimed their measures
totally inadequate, and showing either ignorance of the state of the
country, or want of sympathy for its sufferings. He affirmed that in the
ruin which had fallen on the land, any attempt to levy rates would
be abortive, and drive the people to desperation. The honourable and
venerable member depicted the condition of the people with truthful
eloquence, and he was no less correct in showing the shortcomings of the
government schemes of relief. His speech was delivered in a faint voice,
and with every symptom of physical exhaustion. He was heard with the
most profound attention and respect. His predictions, unfortunately,
came to pass. His dissolution was hastened by his inability to procure
an assent to his views in the house, and by the consequences which he so
clearly foresaw.

Lord John's measures for the relief of Ireland having been carried, he
on the 1st of March proposed a permanent measure to compel the land
to support the pauper poor. On the 12th of March his lordship made an
elaborate defence of his scheme, which wras warmly debated, Mr. Roebuck
acrimoniously attacking Irish landlords, and Mr. Smith O'Brien insisting
that the blame of the condition of Ireland rested upon the government.
Government, however, was not left alone to initiate measures of Irish
relief. Lord George Bentinck, on the 4th of February, brought forward
a motion for the reproductive employment of Irish labour by the
construction of railways in Ireland. This motion his lordship advocated
eloquently, and it has been agreed that his oration was the best he ever
delivered. His plan was in all respects sound considered i