[1] Mr. Wilbraham was M.P. for Dover.
[2] The depression in the rate of interest created by this monetary
plethora is thus exhibited by Mr. Tooke:
---------------+------------+-----------------
| 3 Per Cent.| Premium on
Dates. | Consols. | Exchequer Bills.
---------------+------------+-----------------
April 3, 1823, | 73½ | 10 to 12
July 1, 1823, | 80¾ | 21 to 24
Oct. 3, 1823, | 82½ | 37 to 40
Jan. 1, 1824, | 86 | 51 to 53
Apr. 2, 1824, | 94¼ | 56 to 58
---------------+------------+-----------------
_Tooke on the State of the Currency_, 1826, p. 41.
[3] James Deacon Hume, Esq., then of the Customs, now (1830) of the
Board of Trade.
[4] The speech of Lord John Russell, when on March 1, 1831, he
introduced the first Reform Bill, opened a debate which practically
lasted until June 5, 1832. The Whig ministry knew that the fate
of their party depended upon that of the Bill, and they came to
realize that the fate of the dynasty itself might depend upon
the same thing. The Opposition were no less desirous of victory,
seeing in the Bill a measure which threatened the prosperity of
the people and the very existence of the State. "The country was
divided into two hostile camps, regarding each other with feelings
of increased exasperation. On the one hand, the anti-reformers
though, comparatively few, were immensely strong in position and
prestige.... On the other hand, the reformers could count upon the
support of the great mass of the people."
[5] The First Reform Bill had passed two readings when the
ministry, concluded after an adverse vote upon a motion, introduced
by General Gascoyne, in opposition to their policy, that it was
useless to continue the struggle in Parliament. Confident of the
support of the electors, they resolved to appeal to the country.
To do this a dissolution of Parliament was necessary, and against
this the anti-reformers were firmly arrayed. The ministry appealed
to the King. In the selection which follows, this appeal is vividly
described, and the action of the King in dissolving Parliament is
clearly portrayed.
[6] Mr. O'Connell
[7] Mr. Cobbett.
[8] _Character, Object, and Effects of Trades Unions_, etc., 8vo,
1834. See also an able article in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for
June, 1834.