England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century; Great Britain -- History -- William IV, 1830-1837
arms are not at the top, as that would have intercepted the view
of the gallery behind the Chair, which will be chiefly
appropriated to the press, and under the Speaker's control."
At the opening of Parliament, the Dukes of Cumberland and Wellington,
several of the bishops, and some members of the House of Commons, were
soundly hissed; nay, the King himself, when he opened Parliament on
the 24th, was served the same, and two men were taken up for the said
offence--one of them not only having groaned in a violent manner, but
having called out, "There goes a d--d villain." Both had to find bail
to keep the peace, self in £40, and two sureties in £20, which, not
being forthcoming, they were locked up in default.
Whilst on the subject of this new Parliament, I may mention that on
March 12th, the Hon. C. Berkeley gave notice that on May 1st he should
move that a portion of the Strangers' Gallery in that House be set
apart for the accommodation of ladies--which elicited "great
laughter." But his motion never came off, for, on the date fixed, the
House was in its Easter vacation, but was referred to a committee to
report on. On April 9th Sir Robert Peel and his ministry resigned, and
was succeeded by Lord Melbourne as Prime Minister.
Anent this, on June 1st, two men were charged at Bow Street, with
causing a great mob by halloaing forth an harangue, entitled, "The
political form of Matrimony between the Whigs and the people"; a
portion of which is as follows:--
"Now, there was a man in the House of Incurables, whose name was
Melbourne, and that man was perfect and upright. There was a day
when the Reformers came to present themselves before the King and
Bobby;[17] and Billy[18] said unto Bobby, 'Whence comest thou?'
And Bobby answered, 'From going to and fro from St. Stephen's.'
And Billy said, 'My servant Melbourne is perfect and upright, and
one that feareth the King and supporteth the rights of the
people.' And Bobby said, 'Do they serve the people for nought?
Put forth thine hand and touch his office, and he will mock the
people to their face, place for place, pension for pension--yea,
all that the Whigs have, will they give for their pensions.' And
Billy then said to Bobby, 'His office is in thy power.' And a
messenger came unto Melbourne and said, 'Thy Ministry is
dissolved, and Bobby is chosen in thy stead, and I alone am left
to tell thee.' Then Melbourne arose and rent his wig, and shaved
his head, and fasted three days in sackcloth and ashes.
'Pensionless came I unto office, and pensionless shall I go out.
Billy gave, and Billy taketh away; and blessed be the name of
Billy.'"
[Footnote 17: Sir Robert Peel.]
[Footnote 18: The King.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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