CHAPTER XVIII.

THE REIGN OF VICTORIA (_continued_).

Termination of the Hudson's Bay Monopoly--British Columbia and Vancouver--Mr. Locke King's Bill for the Abolition of the Property Qualification--Attempt to abolish Freedom of Arrest for Debt--Mr. Bright agitates for Reform--The Conservatives propose a Reform Bill--Mr. Disraeli's Speeches--Secession of Mr. Walpole and Mr. Henley--Lord John Russell's Resolution--Seven Nights' Debate--Replies of Lord Stanley and Sir Hugh Cairns--Mr. Bright's Speech--Speeches of Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Disraeli--Defeat of the Government--Lord Derby announces a Dissolution--The General Election--Parliament reassembles--Lord Hartington's Amendment--Defeat of the Government--Lord Malmesbury's Statement in his "Memoirs"--Union of the Liberal Party--Lord Granville's attempt to form a Ministry--Lord Palmerston becomes Premier--His Ministry--The Italian Question in Parliament--State of the Peninsula--Speeches of Napoleon and Victor Emmanuel--Ambiguous Attitude of Napoleon--Lord Malmesbury's Diplomacy--Lord Cowley's Mission--The Austrian Ultimatum--Malmesbury's Protest--"From the Alps to the Adriatic"--The Armies in Position--First Victories of the Allies--Magenta and Milan--Battle of Solferino--The Armistice--Treaty of Villafranca--Lord John Russell's Commentary. 287