tion to that principle,
but he objected to the details. The bill was very ably supported by
Mr. Ricardo and Mr. Duncombe. Several speeches were made on its behalf,
which were calculated to damage it, and to awaken the alarm of the
manufacturing interest; these were made by Mr. Sharman Crawford, Mr.
Ferrand, Mr. Borthwick, Sir Robert Inglis, and Mr. Newdegate. Mr.
Roebuck offered an able and formidable opposition to it. Mr. Brotherton
made a feeling appeal to the house, assuring it that the working-classes
were borne down by the oppressive number of their hours of toil; that it
was impossible for them to accomplish a better arrangement by voluntary
agreement; that he himself had worked in a factory, and felt the
oppressiveness of the burden, resolving, if ever he could, to contribute
to the emancipation of the workmen from so great an evil, and declaring
that he still retained in their original freshness the feelings he
then cherished. This noble appeal was received by the house with warm
demonstrations of applause. Sir James Graham endeavoured to remove the
effect which it produced, setting out with the paltry sophism that Mr.
Brotherton had risen by the long-hour system, ergo, he should not oppose
it! The fair implication of Mr. Brotherton's speech was that he had
risen _in spite_ of the long-hour system, and if Sir James could have
regarded the arguments of the honourable member for Salford with common
candour, he must have drawn that inference. The bill was carried through
both houses with rapid success, after undergoing certain modifications.
Lord Brougham took occasion to launch his thunders against his former
friends in the ministry for their varying opinions, forgetful that from
him this reproach, however well founded, came with the worst possible
grace.

On the 22nd of March Mr. Fox Maule moved the second reading of a bill
for shortening the period of service in the army. The bill was opposed
by Sir Howard Douglas, who did not on this occasion give his last
mistaken opinion on military affairs. Colonel Sibthorp, the opponent
of every improvement in the law, was an appropriate companion for Sir
Howard Douglas in this opposition. Colonel Reid also denounced the
measure. It received support from Major Layard, who exposed the
injustice of the Duke of Wellington's Horse-guards' administration by
instances of the gross political partiality displayed in the promotion
of officers. Sir De Lacy Evans, the friend of the so