donderry now confessed that eighty or ninety individuals had been
executed; but he denied that they could be considered at all under
the protection of the British government, or in such a situation as to
require our interference.

Many questions of minor importance were discussed this session, but none
that requires our consideration except the foregoing. Parliament was
prorogued on the 6th of August: and then, on the 10th, the king paid a
visit to Scotland; to drink "health to its chieftains and clans, and to
bless the land of cakes."

CHANGE IN THE CABINET.

While the king was in Scotland an event occurred which caused a change
in the cabinet: this was the death of Lord Londonderry who put a period
to his own existence. The difficulty in finding a successor to the
deceased minister was so great as to subdue the resentment which the
king entertained toward Mr. Canning. He had recently been appointed
governor of India; but just as he was preparing to set sail he was
invited to take the high office of secretary of state, which he
accepted. About the same time Mr. Robinson was made chancellor of the
exchequer, and Mr. Huskisson president of the board of trade. About the
time of his death Lord Londonderry was about to join the congress of
Verona, and the Duke of Wellington was deputed to take that place. His
grace nobly endeavoured to stem the despotic acts of the sovereigns
assembled; but all his endeavours proved unavailing.

They still pursued the despotic measures they had commenced, and Spain
especially was doomed to feel their tyranny.

CHAPTER XXXIV

{GEORGE IV. 1823--1825}

Meeting of Parliament..... Affairs of Agriculture and
Commerce..... The Supplies..... The Catholic Question.....
Affairs in Ireland..... Motions to Reform the Criminal
Law..... Motion to Reform the Scotch Representation.....
New Loudon Bridge Bill..... Motion respecting the Duty on
the Leeward Islands..... Expenses of the Coronation.....
Munificence of George IV...... Irish Tithe Commutation Bill,
&c--Prorogation of Parliament..... State of the Country.....
Meeting of Parliament..... Attack on Ministers with
Reference to Spain, &c...... Financial Statements..... The
Trade Question..... Alien Bill, &c...... Discussion on the
Revolt in Demarara,&c...... State of the British
Colonies..... East India Affairs.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

{A.D. 1823}

Parli