houses, of importance to the country. The war debates, however, occupied
most of the attention of the houses. In the beginning of the year their
subjects were:--the want of spirit, preparation, and intelligence on the
part of the ministry; the deference, and even amity, shown to Russia
by Lord Aberdeen and his chief supporters, while the czar was deceiving
them, and prosecuting his ambitious designs with energy. The financial
schemes of the chancellor of the exchequer caused much debate. He
propounded the doctrine that increased taxes on income, and other
sources of taxation, must cover the expenses of the increased military
preparations--that the income of the year should pay the cost of the
year. Nothing could more clearly show that he had no conception of the
magnitude of the conflict upon which his country was about to enter.
Whatever might be Mr. Gladstone's abilities as an economist, or a
financier, he proved himself incapable as a statesman. On the 12th of
August, her majesty prorogued the parliament in person.

During the session several changes in the ministry had occurred. Lord
John Russell, who at the beginning of the session held a place in the
cabinet without any office, was appointed to the presidency of the
council, Lord Granville giving way in his favour; as did Mr. Strutt,
chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, for Lord Granville. The Duke of
Newcastle held the secretaryships, both of war and the colonies, at the
beginning of the session. He was clearly incapable of filling both,
and was ultimately proved unequal to either. He, however, resigned the
colonies, a fourth secretaryship--that for war--being created for the
occasion. The duke persisted in selecting that office, and Lord Aberdeen
and the Peelite section of the cabinet insisted on conferring it upon
him, in spite of the desire of Lord John Russell, the whig section of
the cabinet, and the general voice of the country, that Lord Palmerston
should, at such a juncture, assume that most important official
position. The result was a terrible breakdown in the administration
of the war department, disastrous to the ministry, the army, and the
country. The vacant secretaryship of the colonies was given to Sir
George Grey, who was certainly unequal to its requirements. On the
whole, the changes gave dissatisfaction to the country, and prepared
the way for the destruction of the cabinet. In the midst of such great
dangers to the country, it was found that