5th of December Sir Robert resigns--Lord John Russell fails to form
a Government--The old Cabinet again in power--Mr. Gladstone replaces
Lord Stanley, 75

CHAPTER IV.

Meeting of Parliament--Queen's Speech--The Premier's speech on the
Address--Goes into the whole question of Free Trade--The
protectionists--Lord Brougham's views (_Note_)--The twelve nights'
debate on the Corn Laws--No connection between it and the
Famine--Stafford O'Brien's speech--Sir James Graham's reply--Smith
O'Brien's speech--His imprisonment (Note B.)--O'Connell's
motion--His speech--Sir Robert Peel replies--Substantially agrees
with O'Connell--Bill for the protection of life in Ireland--Its
first reading opposed by the Irish members--O'Connell leads the
Opposition in a speech of two hours--Mr. D'Israeli mistaken in
calling it his last speech--His account of it--He misrepresents
it--The opinions expressed in it were those O'Connell always held.
Break up of the Tory party--Lord George Bentinck becomes leader of
the Protectionists--Their difficulty in opposing the Coercion
Bill--Ingenious plan of Lord George--Strange combination against the
Government--Close of Debate on Coercion Bill--Government defeated by
a majority of 73--Measures to meet the Famine--Delay--Accounts from
various parts of the country--Great distress--"Are the Landlords
making any efforts?"--Notice for rent--The bailiff's reply--Number
of Workhouses open--Number of persons in them--Sir Robert Peel's
speech on his resignation--Accident to him--His death--The
Peels--Sir Robert's qualities and character--His manner of dealing
with the Famine--His real object the repeal of the Corn Laws, 93