CHAPTER VIII.

REIGN OF WILLIAM IV.

Character of the new King--Position of the Ministry--Discussion in the Lords on a Regency--Brougham's Speech in the Commons--The King in London--Brougham's Slavery Speech--The Dissolution--Sketch of the July Revolution--Its Effects in England--The Elections--Their Results in England and Ireland--Death of Huskisson--Disturbances in England--The King's Speech--Declarations of Grey and Wellington on Reform--Broughams Notice--Effect of the Duke's Speech--Agitation in Ireland--And against the Police--Postponement of the King's Visit to the Mansion House--Resignation of Wellington's Ministry--Grey forms a Ministry--Brougham's Position--The Ministry--Grey's Statement--Agricultural England--Cobbett and Carlile--Affairs in Ireland--Lord Anglesey--His Struggle with O'Connell--O'Connell's Prosecution dropped--The Birmingham Political Union--Preparation of the Reform Bill--It is entrusted to Lord John Russell--The Budget--The Bill introduced--The First Reading carried--Feeling in the Country--The Second Reading carried--Gascoigne's Amendment--A Dissolution agreed upon--Scene in the Lords--The Press--The Illuminations and Riots--The New Parliament--Discussions on the Dissolution and O'Connell--The Second Reform Bill--The Second Reading--The Bill in Committee--It is carried to the Lords--Debate on the Second Reading--The Bill rejected--Popular Excitement--Lord Ebrington's Resolution--Prorogation of Parliament--Lord John Russell's Declaration--The Bristol Riots--Colonel Brereton 312