Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume 2, No. 12, May, 1851.Various
History
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume 2, No. 12, May, 1851.
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
Our last Record closed amidst the unsuccessful attempts to find somebody
who would undertake to carry on the government of the country. Stanley
and Russell, the representatives of the Free-trade and Protection
parties, felt too weak. Gladstone would not help Stanley, nor Graham
help Russell; and nobody would help Lord Aberdeen. At last the advice of
the Duke of Wellington was solicited; in accordance with which the
former Ministry were invited to resume their places. They left office on
the 22d of February because they were unable to obtain the confidence of
the House, and resumed on the 3d of March, under the pressure of the
same inability, every man his old office. At a meeting of the members of
the House who usually supported him, summoned by Lord John Russell, he
announced, among other measures, that it was the determination of the
Government to proceed with the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, with certain
modifications. This aroused vehement remonstrances from a number of
Catholic Whigs, who announced their determination to oppose the Ministry
at all hazards. When the bill came to be presented, it was found that
all that remained was the prohibition for Catholic bishops to assume
titles derived from the name of any place in the United Kingdom. Dr.
Wiseman must not call himself Archbishop of Westminster, or Dr. M'Hale
sign himself "John of Tuam," under penalty of £100, if Government should
have the folly to prosecute. Meanwhile they may address each other by
these titles, and all Catholics may consider and address them so
unharmed. The bill, as modified passed to a second reading on the 22d of
March, by 438 ayes to 95 nays--a majority of more than four to one. Such
is the _finale_ of the absurd and disproportionate agitation with
respect to the "Papal Agression." Nobody is satisfied. The Church party,
who mourned over the shortcomings of the bill as originally presented,
are of course still less pleased with it as emasculated. The Catholics
who then opposed it as an injury, now resent it as an insult.
The Ministry has sustained a series of annoying defeats and checks on
unimportant measures; and have therefore kept back all the leading
business, such as the presentation of the Budget. The Protection and
Free-trade parties are mustering their strength throughout the country,
preparatory to a general election, which will probably take place at the
close of the present session.
The prevailing crime at present seems to be poisoning by arsenic. Wives
poison their husbands, husbands their wives, and servants both. A bill
has has been introduced by Lord Carlisle prohibiting the sale of arsenic
except in the presence of a witness, who with the purchaser, are to
register their names in a book. It is also proposed to enact that all
arsenic sold shall be mixed with substances which by their taste or
color will give warning of its presence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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