CHAPTER X.

REIGN OF WILLIAM IV. (_continued_).

The Remainder of the Session--The Coercion Bill carried--Rejection of the Tithes Bill--University Tests--Prorogation of Parliament--Brougham's Tour in Scotland--Burning of the Houses of Parliament--Fall of Melbourne's Ministry--Wellington sole Minister--Peel forms a Ministry--The Tamworth Manifesto--Dissolution and General Election--Mr. Abercromby elected Speaker--The Lichfield House Compact--Peel defeated on the Address--Lord John Russell announces a Resolution on Appropriation--Lord Chandos's Motion--Lord Londonderry's Appointment--The Dissenters and London University--Hardinge's Tithe Bill--The Appropriation Resolution--The Debate--Peel resigns--Melbourne's second Ministry--Conservative Successes--Lord Alvanley and O'Connell--The Duel between Alvanley and Morgan O'Connell--O'Connell and Disraeli--Character of Lord Melbourne--Municipal Reform--Report of the Commission--The Municipal Corporations Act introduced--Its Progress in the Commons--Lyndhurst's Amendments--It becomes Law--Irish Corporations--Report of the Commission--The Bill is mutilated in the Upper House, and abandoned--It becomes Law in 1840--Municipal Reform in Scotland 375