nfounded. If agreed to, it was said, it would only be a repetition of
former votes. Lord Althorp said that the motion was made without any
suggestion on the part of ministers. For himself, unless he felt a
reasonable hope that a measure equally efficient would be brought
forward and carried, he would not remain in office a single hour. The
opponents of reform had gained a great triumph, and might rejoice in
their success; but he did not think that any great triumph would be
eventually gained; he was confident that the measure was only postponed.
If the people of England remained firm and determined, but peaceable,
he hoped and believed that there would be ultimate and speedy success.
There was only one chance of failure; namely, if their disappointment
led them into acts of violence, or to unconstitutional measures of
resistance. The motion was earned by a majority of three hundred and
twenty-nine against one hundred and ninety-eight.

CONSEQUENCES OF THE REJECTION OF THE REFORM BILL.

The rejection of the reform bill produced an extraordinary sensation
throughout the country. Meetings were instantly convened in the
metropolis. One was held at the Thatched-house Tavern, consisting of
all the members who had supported the bill in its passage through
the commons. The common-council also promptly assembled; and this was
followed by a meeting at the Mansion-house of merchants and bankers, who
passed resolutions approving of the conduct of government, and pledging
themselves to its support. Petitions were also carried to the king,
praying him to continue his ministers, and have recourse to a new
creation of peers, sufficient in numbers to carry the bill. The
lord-mayor and corporation went to St. James's with an address to
the throne, and the civic procession was joined in its route by such
numerous bodies with similar addresses, that, before it reached the
palace, it consisted of more than 500,000 persons. Soon after their
arrival the parochial deputies waited on Lord Melbourne, who prudently
advised them to commit their addresses to the county members for
presentation at the levee. This was announced to the multitude by Mr.
Hume, who, while he exhorted them to be firm and united, advised them to
be peaceable, and to disperse immediately, so that no advantage might
be given to the enemies of reform. Mischief, however, was on foot. The
mansions of the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis of Bristol, and that of
Earl Dudley