_The City opposes renewal of Income Tax.--Agricultural depression.--The First Corn Law.--Another address of the Livery not received.--Vagrants in the City.--The Spa Fields Riot.--Matthew Wood, Mayor.--City address to Regent on state of affairs.--Outrage on the Regent.--The City urges Parliamentary Reform.--The trial of Hone.--Parliamentary Elections.--The Manchester Massacre or "Peterloo."--The Six Acts.--Tumultuous proceedings in Common Hall.--Conduct of Sheriff Parkins.--Accession of George IV.--Addresses of sympathy to Queen Caroline.--The Queen's trial.--Matthew Wood at Brandenburgh House.--The Queen presents her portrait to the City.--The Queen attends at St. Paul's.--The City urges the dismissal of the King's Ministers.--The Queen's death.--Disgraceful scene at her funeral.--Riots at Knightsbridge.--Sheriff Waithman assaulted.--The City and the Holy Alliance.--Wild speculation followed by great distress._ _Page 292_ CHAPTER XLIV. _The Repeal of Corporation and Test Acts.--The Catholic Emancipation Bill.--Accession of William IV.--The King's visit to the City postponed for fear of riot.--Resolutions respecting Reform.--Introduction of the first Reform Bill.--The Bill approved by the City.--The Bill withdrawn and Parliament dissolved.--The Bill re-introduced.--Passes the Commons, rejected by the Lords.--City address and King's reply.--Political Unions formed.--Sir John Key re-elected Mayor.--The Freedom of the City voted to lords Grey and Althorp.--Resignation of the Ministry.--The City expresses dissatisfaction.--The Ministry recalled.--The Reform Bill passed.--The rights of the Livery saved.--Grand Entertainment at the Guildhall.--A retrospect.--The Enfranchisement of Jews.--The City's public spirit.--The abolition of Coal and Wine Dues.--The City and the Port of London._ _Page 326_ CHAPTER XXXV. [Sidenote: George I proclaimed king, 1 Aug., 1714.] Like her predecessor on the throne, Queen Anne died on a Sunday. A proclamation was immediately drawn up by the lords spiritual and temporal, assisted by the members of the Privy Council and the lord mayor, aldermen and citizens of London, announcing the accession of Prince George, the Elector of Hanover, and that same afternoon he was duly proclaimed at Temple Bar and elsewhere. The proclamation does not appear on this occasion to have borne the signature of the lord mayor or any of the aldermen.[1] [Sidenote: City addresses to the new king.]