. Life and public services of Hon. Wm. E. Gladstone . the new Parlia-ment met May 31st. In this assembly, Mr. Gladstone again satfor the University of Oxford. The Government was in a con-siderable minority in the new House, and the effects of this statoof affairs were felt at once. A week had been spent in sweatingin new members, so that it was not until the 7th of June thatHer Majesty opened Parliament in person, it having been openedby commission upon first assembling. The first business was thepreparation of an address to the Queen ; the regular routine atthe beginning of the session ; and
. Life and public services of Hon. Wm. E. Gladstone . the new Parlia-ment met May 31st. In this assembly, Mr. Gladstone again satfor the University of Oxford. The Government was in a con-siderable minority in the new House, and the effects of this statoof affairs were felt at once. A week had been spent in sweatingin new members, so that it was not until the 7th of June thatHer Majesty opened Parliament in person, it having been openedby commission upon first assembling. The first business was thepreparation of an address to the Queen ; the regular routine atthe beginning of the session ; and to this address, as moved in The Palmerston Ministry. 191 the House of Commons, the Marquis of Hartington offered anamendment. This was equivalent to proposing a vote of want ofconfidence, and the result was eagerly looked for. The debatelasted three nights, and terminated with a division which showeda majority of nineteen against the Ministry. Having been twicedefeated in the House, there was no option but for them to re-sign ; and resign they Lord Palmerston. The Liberal party, to whom the power had thus fallen, wasdivided against itself; Lord John Russell headed one portion,while Lord Palmerston was the chief of the other. A coolnesshad existed between these two for some time, though it was saidthat at the date of Lord Derbys resignation they had been re-conciled, and would act together. But it was at least doubtfuihow long Eussell would endure Palmerston as his chief, and morethan doubtful whether Palmerston would consent to act underRussell. In this dilemma, the Queen sent for Lord Granville, 192 The Palmerston Ministry. who was the confessed leader of the Liberal Party in the Houseof Lords ; and gave him her command to form a Ministry. Contrary to precedent, a portion of the interview in whichthis arrangement was made was published in the Times; and it isfrom this article that we learn the reasons for this choice, as wellas the Queens fear of offending either of the
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