an early dissolution. Lord
John Bussell declared that the government had taken a course for which
there was no precedent in the constitutional history of England. He
followed Mr. Cobden and Mr. Cardwell in insisting upon the government
adopting such a course as to a dissolution, as would remove from
the house the necessity of taking measures to assert its own high
prerogatives. Mr. Disraeli declined pledging the government more
definitely than he had done, which drew from Mr. Bright an invective
full of fire, yet marked by a dignity unusual with that honourable
member; he demanded that the supplies should be stopped, or the house be
assured that no effort would be made by the government to retain power
by unconstitutional methods. The result of these vigorous proceedings
were statements made in both houses on the part of the ministry, that it
was the intention to dissolve parliament and have an autumn session
to settle the question of protection. It does not appear that these
promises were made in good faith;--at all events no autumn session was
called, although a new parliament met in November, and the question in
debate set at rest.

The government introduced a militia-bill, which Lord John Bussell and
the Whigs generally opposed. Lord Palmerston supported the government,
as did the Peel party, his lordship criticising the tactics of Lord
John with severity. The opposition between these two statesmen kept the
liberal party divided, and alone enabled the government to maintain its
course.

Lord Brougham introduced a bill to enable parliament to meet thirty-five
days after a dissolution. The bill was carried through both houses
without opposition.

The government took up a bill of Lord John Russell's for the
disfranchisement of the borough of St. Albans, on account of gross
bribery and corruption. The bill was carried, no opposition being
offered except by a small number of Lord Derby's own party in the House
of Lords.

Sudbury and St. Albans being disfranchised, a question arose as to
the appropriation of the four seats. On the 10th of May, Mr. Disraeli
brought in a bill for the purpose, proposing that the four vacant seats
be given to great county constituencies in the north of England. Mr.
Gladstone opposed the measure, on the ground that the government was
trifling with the prerogatives of the house. It was a government in a
minority, and its duty was to pass no measures but such routine business
as the count