nurious habits, allowing himself to be in want of necessary
food, and neglecting cleanliness. An old housekeeper, who had served
him twenty-six years, he left without any provision whatever. The sum
bequeathed to his sovereign was L250,000.

[Illustration: 819.jpg SOUTHAMPTON]

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS AND PARTY CONFLICTS DURING 1852.

The parliamentary history of 1852 was in various respects eventful. It
was rendered so by the character of the debates both on home and foreign
questions, by the rivalry of Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell, for
the leadership of the whig party, the changes of ministry, and the last
effort of the tory and protectionist party to gain ascendancy.

On the 3rd of February the queen opened parliament in person. "The
speech" referred to the necessity of amending the Reform Bill. Lord John
Russell hoped by this means to prolong his lease of power, which was
seriously menaced in consequence of his dismissal of Lord Palmerston
from the cabinet the previous year. Such was the confidence reposed in
that noble lord by the commons and the country for the management
of foreign negotiations, that from the moment it was understood
that serious differences existed between the premier and the foreign
secretary, the government lost its moral power. An impression also
gained ground throughout the country that Prince Albert interfered with
the legitimate transaction of business at the foreign office, that the
premier was so much of a courtier as to connive at this, and that Lord
Palmerston, having asserted the dignity and independence of an
English minister, became an object of dislike to the prince, Lord John
sacrificing his colleague to the caprices of the court. Whatever might
have been the truth, these impressions prevailed among the people, and
contributed to Lord John Russell's displacement from office. Even
after both those noblemen gave explanations in the commons, the public
retained the impressions, sympathised with Lord Palmerston, and withdrew
much of their confidence from Lord John, nor has his lordship been able
to regain the popularity he previously possessed, even up to the time
these sheets are passing through the press, near the commencement of the
year 1860.

Parliament had only just met when Sir Benjamin Hall, by questions
directed to the premier, brought out a statement of the circumstances
which led to his dismissal of the popular foreign minister. It appeared
that withou