train of artillery and numerous squadrons of daring cavalry.

After being long friendly to us, disturbances had arisen among them; the
army became mutinous and demanded to be led against the British. Much
severe fighting took place; at length, after a series of victories, gained
mainly by the use of the bayonet, the British army pushed on to Lahore,
the capital, and the Sikhs surrendered (1846).

Three years later they again rose; but after some further engagements,
their main army was routed with great slaughter by Lord Gough, in the
battle of Gujerat. The territory of the Punjab was thereupon added to our
Indian empire.

The terrible famine which was passing over Ireland (1846-47), owing to the
failure of the potato crop, had to be dealt with by the ministry. The
sufferings of the Irish peasantry during this trying time were most
fearful; and sympathy was keenly aroused in this country. Parliament voted
large sums of money to relieve the distress as much as possible, the
government started public works to find employment for the poor, and their
efforts were nobly seconded by the generosity of private individuals. But
so great had been the suffering that the population of Ireland was reduced
from eight to six millions during this period.

The measure for which Peel's ministry will always be famous was the Repeal
of the Corn-laws. The population of the country was rapidly increasing;
and as there were now more mouths to fill, it became more than ever
necessary to provide a cheap and plentiful supply of bread to fill them.
For several years the nation had been divided into two parties on this
question. Those who were in favour of protection for the British
wheat-grower were called Protectionists, while those who wished to abolish