resources in the country, and some further
measures should be adopted, to meet the exigencies of their case. Sir
Robert Peel replied, that "the statement did not fall much short of the
impression _first formed in his mind_ in October and November last," and
concluded thus: "I again assure the honorable and learned member that
_every precaution that can be taken by Government has been taken, not
within the last week, or fortnight, but long ago_."

In the Speech from the throne, her Majesty was made to say, that she
observed with deep regret the very frequent instances, in which the
crime of deliberate assassination had been, of late, committed in
Ireland; and that it would be the duty of Parliament to consider,
whether any measure could be devised, to give increased protection to
life in that country. In accordance with this striking passage in the
Royal Message, Lord St. Germans, Chief Secretary for Ireland, introduced
in the House of Lords, on the 23rd of February, a bill for the
protection of life in Ireland, better known by the title of Coercion
Bill, given to it by the liberal Irish members, and by the Irish people.
Of course it passed without difficulty, Lord Bingham, as became one of
his name and blood, making a furious speech in its favour.

Strong as the Peel Cabinet had been for years, the Premier's newly
announced policy on the Corn Law question led to such a disruption of
party ties, that the progress of the Coercion Bill through the Commons
could not be regarded by the Government without apprehension. When it
went down from the Lords, the unusual, though not unprecedented
proceeding of opposing its first reading, was had recourse to by
O'Connell and his supporters. O'Connell led the opposition in a speech
of two hours, which Mr. D'Israeli calls his last speech in the House of
Commons; but this is a mistake. He spoke on the 8th of February, 1847,
nearly a year after, on the famine. It is quite possible, that Mr.
D'Israeli confounds the two occasions, for the account he gives of
O'Connell on the 3rd of April, 1846, was far more applicable to him in
February, 1847. Of the speech delivered on the former occasion, against
the first reading of the Coercion Bill, Mr D'Israeli says: "It was
understood that the House would adjourn for the Easter recess on the 8th
instant. There were, therefore, only two nights remaining for Government
business, before the holidays. On the first of these, (Friday, April the
3rd), Mr.