opposition to attack the government. A debate
was opened by a motion, introduced by Mr. G. H. Moore, "a member of the
Irish independent opposition," which was badly managed by the introducer
and the parties who supported him; the government was victorious.

Education, especially in Ireland; life peerages; civil service
appointments; the use of torture in India; law reform; difficulties in
the execution of the treaty of Paris; the questions connected with the
Isle of Serpents and Bulgrad, on the new Russo-Bessarabian frontier; the
disposal of the Aland Islands conquered by the allies during the war in
the Baltic; the Turkish firman in favour of the Christians in fulfilment
of the treaty of Paris; annexation of Oude; and maritime international
law,--were the subjects which engaged the attention of the members of
both houses. The men who were most prominent in these debates were Lords
Lyndhurst, Brougham, Campbell, Derby, and the Duke of Argyle in the
lords; Lords Palmerston and Russell, Sir James Graham, Sir Charles
Napier, and Benjamin Disraeli, in the commons.

The eventful year of 1856 commenced and closed in war. War with Russia
and Persia existed at its commencement: war with China was waging at its
close.

England, always victorious in the East, won there fresh laurels; always
embroiled in India, she had made for herself fresh complications; always
bold and enterprising in her industry, she had, in spite of war and
warlike expenses, increased marvellously her prosperity, material
resources, the comfort of her people, and the real conditions of her
power.

CHAPTER LXIX.

{VICTORIA. 1857-1858}

Foreign Affairs..... European Treaties in alliance with
France..... Difference with the United States of
America..... War with China, to the conclusion of Peace in
1858..... Treaty with Japan effected by Lord Elgin in
1858..... Colonial..... Chinese Insurrection at Sarawak.....
India: the Mutiny..... Home: General State of the Country;
Monetary Panic..... Debate on the Chinese War..... Defeat
of the Ministry..... General Election..... Marriage of the
Princess Royal..... Parliamentary Proceeding's..... The
Court..... Art-Treasures Exhibition, Manchester.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS: RELATIONS WITH FRANCE, AND WITH OTHER EUROPEAN POWERS
THROUGH THE FRENCH ALLIANCE.

{A.D. 1857-1858}

The importance of the French alliance was acknowledged by all classes in
England, bu