, found its way substantially to
the commons, and was buzzed about among the members. In his speech, his
lordship disavowed any intention to interfere violently with free-trade
principles, but avowed himself still a Protectionist, declaring, that
in his opinion, the importation of all articles which competed with the
industry of the country ought to be taxed, and that corn ought not to
be exempt. A report of his lordship's speech had scarcely reached the
commons, when it was evident that so far as the parliament then sitting
was concerned, the doom of his ministry was sealed. When, the next
day, the wings of the press bore to the country his lordship's oration,
indignation was everywhere excited, and the free-traders were united and
strengthened, in a manner they had not been from the time of the repeal
of the corn-laws.

Lord Derby made a statement connected with reform, which proved to be
nearly as distasteful to a majority of the people out of doors as that
on free-trade. He expressed his intention not to proceed with Lord John
Russell's reform bill, which he described as unsettling everything and
settling nothing, which began by exciting the country, and finished by
dissatisfying it.

His lordship, as if not satisfied with the opposition such statements
were likely to raise against him, provided himself with a third
element of hostility, by invoking the assistance of his hearers for the
extension of the established church, and of an education entirely under
the control of the parochial clergy. The dissenters and Roman Catholics
were much alarmed ly this portion of his lordship's speech, and quietly,
but extensively and effectually, prepared to give a strenuous opposition
to his government. Thus, in his _debut_ as premier, Lord Derby contrived
to set against him the free-traders, reformers, dissenters, and Roman
Catholics, at a moment when there was a majority against him in the
commons. The premier's oratorical onslaught was so indiscreet, that only
the most headstrong and ignorant of his own party had any hope that he
would display the tact, sagacity, self-control, and party-moderation
which alone could enable him to hold his ground against the opposition
in the commons, and the general want of confidence in his ministry.

Such was the imprudence of the first minister, that although Earl
Grey gave him an easy opportunity of withdrawing his anti-free-trade
doctrines, the most in the form of concession which he (Lo