CHAP. I.

Parliamentary Session-Speech from the Throne; its Topics

-The Adresses of both Houses-The Reform Bill-

Church Rates Bill-Second Reading of the Reform Bill-

Defeat of the Government-Lord Derby announces the

Dissolution of Parliament-Meeting of the New Parlia-

ment-Election of Speaker-Her Majesty's Speech-The

Address in the House of Lords-Amendment on the

Address carried in the Commons-Resignation of Earl

Derby's Cabinet-Lord Palmerston forms an Adminis-

tration-His Ministry-Close of the Session-Finance-

The Centenary of the Birth of Robert Burns-Explo-

sion on board the Great Eastern-Wreck of the Royal

Charter Foreign Affairs-The War in Italy-Case of

the Charles et Georges-China-Japan-British Honduras

and the Republic of Guatemala-Colonial

CHAP. II.

Formation of the National Rifle Association-Remarkable

Trials: the Shrewsbury Earldom; the Thellusson Will

Case-Decease of Eminent Persons: Brunel, David Cox,

Henry Hallam, Dr. Lardner, Leigh Hunt, Lord Mac-

aulay, Lady Morgan, Thomas De Quincey, Robert Ste-

phenson-The Treaty of Commerce with France-Fate of

Sir John Franklin and his Crew-The Victoria Cross-
Cession of Savoy and Nice to France; Correspondence of
the English Foreign Office regarding the Cession.

CHAP. III.

Parliamentary Session-The Queen's Speech-The Addresses

in both Houses-The Budget-Opposition of the Lords

to the Repeal of the Paper Duty-Resolutions passed by

the Commons affirming their right of granting aid and

supplies to the Crown-Parliamentary Reform-Sum-

mary-Close of the Session-Finance-Explosion at the

Burradon Coal-Pit-Great Volunteer Review in Hyde

Park-The Road Murder-First Meeting of the National

Rifle Association at Wimbledon - Liverpool Free Li-

brary-Colliery Explosion at Risca-State of Ireland-

Colonial: Australian Exploring Expedition--Foreign:

Massacre of Christiane in Syria; War with China-De-
cease of Eminent Persons: Earl of Aberdeen, Lord El-
phinstone, Lord Dalhousie, Earl Dundonald, Sir William
Napier, Sir Charles Napier, James Wilson, Matthew
Baines, Sir Charles Barry, Dr. Fletcher, the Archbishop
of York, Mrs. Jameson

CHAP. IV.

Parliamentary Session-The Queen's Speech-Debates on the

Addresses-Thanks of the Houses to the Officers and

Men engaged in the War with China-Amendment of

the Laws relating to Bankruptcy-Motions of Condo-

lence on the Death of the Duchess of Kent-Parliamen-

tary Reform-Appropriation of the four seats vacant by

the Disfranchisement of Sudbury and St. Albans-Bill to

Facilitate Elections for the Universities-Abolition of

Church Rates-The Budget-Summary-End of the Ses-

sion-Finance-Establishment of Post Office Savings-

Banks - Census of 1861-Education - Severe Frost--

Easter Monday Volunteer Reviews-Great Fire in South-

wark-National Rifle Association-Purchase of Shake-

spere's Gardens for the Nation-The Queen's Visit to

Ireland-Death of the Prince Consort; Funeral of the

Prince-Foreign: India-France-Italy-Civil War in

America: President Lincoln's Inaugural Address-Pro-

gress of the War-Battle of Bull's Run-Affair of the

Trent-Russia - Decease of Eminent Persons: the

Duchess of Kent, Dr. Adams, Agnes Baillic, Duke of

Bedford, Count Cavour, Lord Campbell, Elizabeth Bar-

rett Browning, Lord Herbert, Thomas Duncombe, the

Prince Consort.

CHAP. V.

Parliamentary Session-Speech from the Throne-The Ad-
dresses of both Houses-Her Majesty's Reply-Debates
on National Education-Bill for the Abolition of Church
Rates-Marriages of Affinity Bill-Motion on the Grant
to Maynooth College-Public Education in Ireland-
Debates in both Houses on the Civil War in the United
States-Debate on the Production of Cotton in the East
Indies-Bill for Relieving the Distress caused by the
"Cotton Famine "-Annual Statement of the Chancellor
of the Exchequer-Motion for the Reduction of the Na-

PAGE

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35

57

PAGE

tional Expenditure-Army and Navy Estimates-Miscel-

laneous Business-Close of the Session-Opening of the

International Exhibition, 1862-Tour of the Prince of

Wales to the East-Visit of the Pacha of Egypt to Lon-

don-The Cotton Famine-Social Condition of the People

-Frightful Assassinations and Outrages in Ireland-

Scientific Balloon Ascents-The Handel Festival-Re-

moval of the Prince Consort's Remains-Marriage of the

Princess Alice-Meeting of the National Rifle Associa-

tion-Volunteer Field-Day at Brighton-Bursting of the

Middle Level Drain-The Victoria Cross-Foreign Af-

fairs: The Trent Affair-On the Recognition of the Con-

federate States-Proposal of the French Emperor to In-

terfere in the American War-Capture and Re-capture

of a British Vessel-Conventions with France, Belgium,

and Denmark-Japan-Decease of Eminent Persons:

H. T. Buckle, Viscount Canning, the Archbishop of Ar-

magh, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sir Benjamin

Brodie, Sheridan Knowles, Dr. Leifchild.

CHAP. VI.

The Cotton Famine-The Political Situation-Parliamentary

Session-The Royal Speech-Debates on the Addresses

in the Upper and Lower Houses-Provision for the

Prince of Wales-Financial Statement of the Chancellor

of the Exchequer-Opposition to the Proposal for Taxing

Charities-Army and Navy Estimates-The Prisons Mi-

nisters Bill-Dissenters' Burial Bill-Church-Rate Re-

pealing Bill-Church-Rate Commutation Bill-Discus-

sions on the Act of Uniformity-Debate on the Burial

Service-Discussion on the Irish Church-Education-

Debates on Foreign Affairs-Summary-Close of the Ses-

sion-Finance-Art and Science-Arrival of the Princess

Alexandra of Denmark-The Marriage of the Prince of

Wales-Wimbledon Prize Meeting-Foreign Affairs:

United States-Brazil-Russia and Poland-Congress

proposed by the Emperor of the French-Decease of

Eminent Persons: Lord Clyde, Earl of Elgin, Marquis

of Lansdowne, Marquis of Normanby, Lord Lyndhurst,

Sir George Cornewall Lewis, Sir James Outram, William

Makepeace Thackeray, William Mulready.

CHAP. VII.

Parliamentary Session-The Queen's Speech-Debates on

the Address-Irish Emigration-The Budget-Bill for

granting Government Annuities through the medium of

Savings-Banks-Army and Navy Estimates-Debates on

Foreign Politics-Miscellaneous Measures-Close of the

Session-Finance-Public and Sanitary Works-Archi-

tecture and Sculptural Memorials-The Atlantic Tele-

graph Cable-Birth of a Royal Prince-Visit of the

Prince and Princess of Wales to Cambridge-The Church

-Explosion of a Ship laden with Gunpowder-Piracy

and Murder on board the Flowery Land-The Great Shef-
field Flood-Garibaldi's Visit to England-Shakspere
Festivals-Savoy Chapel destroyed by Fire-Murder of
Mr. Briggs-National Rifle Association-Social Science
-Reform-Ireland-Colonial: India-Canada-Australia
-Africa-Foreign Affairs: Denmark-Russia-Italy-
Greece and the Ionian Islands-United States of Ame-
rica-Action between the Kearsage and the Alabama-
Brazil and Uraguay-Mexico-Japan-Decease of Emi-
nent Persons: Duke of Newcastle, Earl of Carlisle, Cap-
tain Speke, Walter Savage Landor, Nathaniel Haw-
thorne, David Roberts, Jolin Leech, Smith O'Brien

CHAP. VIII.

91

131

. 178

Parliamentary Session-The Royal Speech-Debates on the

Queen's Speech-Condition of Ireland-Debate on the

Irish Church - The Malt Tax-Financial Statement-

Army and Navy Estimates-Indian Budget-Relations

of the British Government with the United States-

Debates on Foreign Affairs-Church Affairs-Education

in Ireland and in Great Britain-Parliamentary Reform-

Miscellaneous Measures-Prorogation of Parliament-

The Elections for a New Parliament-Parliamentary Peti-

tions Finance-Commerce Ecclesiastical - Law and

Law Reform-Judicial Statistics-Social Progress-Emi-

gration-Art and Science-Volunteer Review at Brighton

-Prize Meeting of the National Rifle Association-

Atlantic Telegraph Cable-Visits of the English and

French Fleets-The Cattle Plague-Railway Accidents--

Mr. Gladstone at Glasgow-Remarkable Trials-Ireland:

Ecclesiastical-Reopening of St. Patrick's Cathedral-

iv

Opening of the Year-Parliamentary Session-Election of

Speaker-Queen's Speech-Debates on the Addresses of

both Houses-the Cattle Plague-Roman Catholic Oaths

Bill-Provision for the Princess Helena and Prince Alfred

-Monument to Palmerston-Suspension of the Habeas

Corpus Act in Ireland-Discussion on the State of Ireland

-Debate on the Established Church in Ireland-Discus-

sions on Irish Land Bills-Renewal of the Habeas Corpus

Suspension Act-The Budget-Scheme for the Reduction

of the National Debt-Debate on the Malt Duties-The

Army and Navy Estimates-Fortifications-Civil Service

and Miscellaneous Estimates-Abolition of Church Rates

and Religious Tests - Marriage with Deceased Wife's

Sister-The Jamaica Disturbances-International Mari-

time Law-Reciprocity Treaty with the United States-

Debates on Continental Affairs-Parliamentary Reform-

Resignation of Earl Russell-Formation of a Conserva-
tive Administration-Close of the Session

Finance-

CHAP. X.

Commerce Agricultural and other Statistics-

Railways-Ecclesiastical-The Church in the Colonies-

Reform Meetings-Riots in Hyde Park-Great Storms

and Shipwrecks-Important Fires-Colliery Disasters-

Science and Art-Acts of Parliament-Cholera in London

-The Amateur" Casual"-Meeting of the National Rifle

Association-Visit of British Volunteers to Belgium-

The Queen's Letter to Mr. Peabody-Freedom of the City

conferred on the Duke of Edinburgh-Marriage of the

Princess Mary of Cambridge-Accident to the Prince of

Wales-Marriage of the Princess Helena-The Floods-

Ireland-Colonial: India-Canada-Australia-Jamaica:

Report of the Royal Commission - Foreign Affairs:

France-Prussia-Prussia and Austria-Italy-Spain-

Russia-United States-France and Mexico-Abyssinia-

Africa Decease of Eminent Persons: Queen Marie

Amélie, Lord Monteagle, Sir Harry Jones, Dr. Whewell,

Bishop of Calcutta, Lord Northbrook, Rev. John Keble,

John Gibson, R.A.

CHAP. XI.

Opening of the Year-Parliamentary Session-The Queen's

Speech-Debates in both Houses upon the Address-

North American Provinces Confederation Bill-Canadian

Railway Loan-Metropolitan Poor Law Bill - Trades'

Unions-Parliamentary Reform: Resolutions proposed by

the Chancellor of the Exchequer; General Debate on the

Subject; Withdrawal of the Resolutions-Resignation of

Three Members of the Cabinet-Mr. Disraeli brings in

his Bill to carry the Ministerial Scheme of Reform; the

Bill read a Second Time; it goes into Committee-The

"Compound Householder"-the "Lodger Franchise"-

Concessions of the Government-Proposal to allow Women

to Vote-"Fancy Franchises"-Adoption of Mr. Laing's

Motion for the Redistribution of Seats-Propositions of

the Government to effect the Redistribution-Discussion

on Cumulative Voting-Third Reading of the Bill-the

Bill passes the House of Lords and receives 'the Royal

Assent-The Reform Bill for Scotland is read a Second

Time

СПАР. ХІІ.

222

CHAP. XIII.

The Autumn Parliamentary Session-The Queen's Speech--

Debates on the Addresses-The Abyssinian Expedition

-Summary-Close of the Session-Finance-The Iron

Trade-Commercial and Judicial Statistics-Ecclesiastical

Affairs-Literature, Science, and Art-Acts of Parliament

-Reform Agitation-The Court-Fearful Accident on the

Ice in Regent's Park-Fenian Disturbances in England-

Strike of Agricultural Labourers-Strike of Railway

Engine-Drivers-Volunteer Review at Dover-Meeting of

the National Rifle Association-Visit of the Belgian

Volunteers-The Alton Murder-Rescue of Fenian

Prisoners at Manchester-Explosion at the Ferndale

Colliery-Attempt to blow up Clerkenwell House of

Detention-Important Trials-Colonial: Union of Canada,

Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick-The West Indies-

Foreign Affairs: France-Prussia and Germany-Prussia

-Italy-Austria-United States-Mexico-Decease of

Eminent Persons: Earl of Rosse, Sir William Lawrence,

Sir Archibald Alison, Michael Faraday, Baron Marochetti,

Clarkson Stanfield, John Phillip, E. H. Baily

397

CHAP. XIV.

PAGE

Opening of the Year-Parliamentary Session-Renewal of

the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act in Ireland-

Resignation of Earl Derby-Mr. Disraeli made Premier-

Abandonment of Voting by Proxy in the House of

Lords-Act for Discontinuance of Public Executions-

Reform Bill for Scotland-Reform Bill for Ireland-The

Boundary Bill, England and Wales-Election Petitions

Bill-Affairs of Ireland-Ecclesiastical Titles Act-Dis-

cussion on the Condition of Ireland - Debate on the

Disestablishment of the Irish Church-Ministerial Ex-

planations-Mr. Gladstone's Second and Third Resolu-

tions-Debate on the Suspensory Bill-Debate in the

House of Lords on the Irish Church-The Budget-Army

and Navy Estimates-Army Organisation-Purchase in

the Army-Amendments in the Mutiny Bill-Estimates

for the Civil Service-The Indian Budget

Parliamentary Session (continued): The Abyssinian Expedi-

tion-Relations with the United States of North America

-The Allegiance of British Subjects-The Insurrection

in Crete-British Rule in India-Debate on the American

Colonies Confederation Act-Attempt to Assassinate the

Duke of Edinburgh-The Church Rates Bill-University

Tests Abolition Bill-National Education-Debate on

Ritualism-Disendowment of the Church in the West

Indies-Miscellaneous Measures: Bills for the Better

Regulation of Railway Companies; for Transferring the

Electric Telegraphs to the State; for Carrying into effect

the Recommendations of the Public Schools Commission;

for the Abrogation of Unnecessary Oaths-Close of the

Session-The Elections-Resignation of the Conservative

Ministry-

-Mr. Gladstone forms an Administration-

Meeting of the New Parliament-Election of Speaker-

Re-elections of Members accepting Office

CHAP. XVI.

Finance-The National Debt-Coinage and Bullion Statistics

-Commerce-Corn, Cattle, Tea, Sugar, and Cotton Im-

ports-Coal and Salt Exports-Our Mercantile Navy-

Irish Flax Trade-Scottish Fisheries-Pauperism-Public

Health-Education-Savings-Bank Statistics-Ecclesias-

tical: Public Meetings on the Irish Church Question-

Literature, Science, and Art-The Court-The Queen and

the New St. Thomas's Hospital-Royal Volunteer Review

at Windsor-Return of the Duke of Edinburgh-Crystal

Palace Festival to welcome Prince Alfred-Accouchement

of the Princess of Wales-Departure of the Queen for

Switzerland-Royal Christening-Accouchement of the

Princess Teck-Return of the Queen from Switzerland-

Visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Glasgow-

Departure of the Prince and Princess of Wales for the

Continent-The Queen at the Prince Consort's Mausoleum

-Easter Monday Volunteer Review at Portsmouth-

Meeting of the National Rifle Association-The Handel

Festival-The American Minister at Sheffield - Lord

Mayor's Day-Mr. Peabody's Munificent Gift to the Poor

of London

CHAP. XVII.

458

• 488

503

Public Works: the Thames Embankment; Main Drainage

Pumping Station, Abbey Mills; New Smithfield Market

-Religious Riots-Great Public Calamities: Accident at

Long's Victoria Music Hall; Railway Accidents; Storms

and Wrecks-Crime-Fenianism-Emigration-Ireland:

Ecclesiastical-Visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales

to Ireland-Public Education in Ireland-Fenianism in

Ireland-Agrarian Outrage-Crime in Ireland-Remark-

able Trials: the Fenian Prisoners for blowing up the Wall

of the House of Detention; Lyon v. Home; Martini v.

521

Mackonochie; Case of Ex-Governor Eyre

CHAP. XVIII.

Colonial: Canada-New South Wales-Attempt to Assassinato

the Duke of Edinburgh-The Abyssinian War: King

Theodore's Letter to the Queen; his Anger at receiving

no Reply; he Imprisons Consul Cameron and other

Europeans; Ineffectual Attempts to effect their Release;

the English Government decide on dispatching a Military

Expedition to liberate the Captives; General Sir Robert

Napier appointed to the Command of the Force; Landing

at Annesley Bay; Progress of the Army; Social and

Political Condition of Abyssinia; King Theodore receives

Intelligence of the Approach of the British Troops; his

Treatment of the Prisoners; Arrival of Sir Robert Napier

before Magdala; Defeat of Theodore's Army; Surrender

of the Prisoners; Attack and Capture of the Fastness of

Magdala; Death of Theodore; Destruction of the Fortress;

Address of Sir Robert Napier to his Army-Foreign:

France-Prussia-Austria-Italy-Spain-Servia-Greece

-United States of North America-South America