To this failure may be ascribed the hasty settlement of the corn-law question. The universal cry for food quickened the government into an unflinching consideration of the subject; and consequently a measure was brought before parliament. for the repeal of the corn-laws. After great discussion, this important bill was passed; sir Robert Peel and his colleagues immediately resigned; and soon after the anti-corn-law league was dissolved. The formation of a new ministry devolved on lord John Russell. The failure of the potato crop again in 1846, combined with a deficient harvest throughout Europe, produced great and general distress; and in the west of Scotland, but especially in Ireland, occasioned intense suffering; in the latter country, multitudes perished from famine and disease. Every effort, however, was made by public munificence and private liberality to arrest the progress of these calamities; and, by the goodness of the Almighty, a most bountiful harvest following the year of scarcity, the nation was once more blessed with plenty and abundance.

Questions for Examination.

1. How was the accession of Queen Victoria received?

2. What subjects occupied the attention of her first parliament? 3. When did the coronation of the queen take place?

4. What events led to the occupation of Afghanistan by an AngloIndian army?

5. What was the state of feeling in China, and the West Indies, at this period?

6. What demand of the Chartists disturbed the public peace?

7. What were the chief events of the year 1840?

8. How were the differences with China settled?

9. What disasters befell the British army in Afghanistan? and how were they retrieved?

10. On what terms was peace finally established with China?

11. How were matters at home proceeding at this period, particularly in
Wales?

12. What serious engagements occurred on the Indian frontier, with
treacherous allies, immediately after the Afghan war?
13. What important measures were effected by sir Robert Peel's govern-
ment? and by what means was the repeal of the corn-laws pro-
moted?

14. What was the state of Ireland at this period? What important po
litical measure was hastened on by the failure of the harvest?

SECTION II.

The stately homes of England,
How beautiful they stand!

Amidst their tall, ancestral trees,

O'er all the pleasant land.-Mrs Hemans.

1. THE opulent dwellers, in what Mrs. Hemans styles "the atately homes of England,"-the nobility and gentry, as wel as the wealthy middle class experienced a new call upon their wonted liberality in the year 1847, when another deficient harvest, and the utter failure of the potato crop, created a recurrence of the sad scenes of famine and destitution in Ireland and the west of Scotland. Benevolent persons in the United States of America also contributed liberally to the relief of the suffering poor in Ireland, by sending over cargoes of provisions from their own abundant harvests. Numbers, nevertheless, perished from famine and its attendant diseases. 2. The Orleans dynasty was not of long continuance. All Louis Philippe's energies had been

devoted to the aggrandizement of
áis family; many stringent measures
against the liberties of the French
people had gradually weakened their
affection. Dreading an outbreak,
he fortified Paris under a pretence
of safety against a foreign foe; but,
in reality, to secure himself from
insurrection. The king issued an
ordinance declaring the Reform
banquets, which were held at va-
rious places in France, illegal; and
the attempt to suppress one in
Paris, in February, 1848, led to an
insurrection. Some of the troops
joined the people; the palace was
attacked, and the king fled in disguise. A republic was de-
clared, and a provisional government formed. After various
changes, Louis Napoleon, nephew of the Emperor Napoleon,
was made President of the Republic for four years. Louis
Philippe and his family retired to England, where that monarch
soon after died.

Louis Philippe.

3. The nation suffered a great loss in the death of sir Robert Peel. He was thrown from his horse in St. James's Park, and so injured that he survived but a few hours. His loss was much regretted; and to him the nation is indebted for

.

many improvements in their commercial and domestic policy. His death occurred July 2d, 1850.

4. In 1851, the fairy palace, erected in Hyde Park, was opened to the public. It was, in every respect, a triumph; and people flocked to the "Great Exhibition" from all parts of the globe. The contents of the mammoth fabric were of wonderful variety. It contained colossal statuary, and the miniature needle; the fur dress of the Greenlander, and the silken robe of Persia; the Damascus blade, and the stone hatchet used in the isles of the Pacific; the golden altar of extraordinary value from Spain, and the rude idols from Australia. In this "Crystal Palace," productions from every part of the globe were collected; and, amongst these, the fruits of native industry occupied an honorable position. The building was in the form of a Gothic cathedral, and some of the tallest elms in the park were sheltered under its roof.

5. The electric telegraph between France and England was completed. This new and important invention was now in general use, both in England and on the continent of Europe.

6. Arthur, Duke of Wellington, died suddenly at Walner Castle, December 14th, 1852. He was one of England's greatest generals, and, although he had fought many battles, yet he never experienced a defeat. Deep and sincere was the

He was

lamentation of the English people at his decease. buried in St. Paul's cathedral with much solemnity, and all classes vied in paying honors to this truly noble and great man.

7. After repeated defeat, and resignation, lord John Russell's weak administration retired from office in February, 1852, and was succeeded by a conservative government.

8. On the 7th of November, 1852, a senatus consultum was issued by Napoleon to the French nation, proposing the reestablishment of the empire. The people having, by an immense majority, expressed their desire for the change, the empire was proclaimed on the 2d of December.

9. The financial measures of lord Derby's administration met with considerable opposition; and a hostile vote in the house of Commons led to the resignation of ministers. They retired in December, 1852, after a short tenure of office of nearly ten months' duration. A coalition cabinet, composed of Whig, Peelite, and Radical legislators, under the premiership of lord Aberdeen, succeeded to power. As many of the new ministers were not only men of recognized ability, but had, at various periods, held office, great expectations were formed respecting them.

10. For many years a dispute had raged at Constantinople between the Latin and Greek churches, with reference to the guardianship of the holy places in Jerusalem. France espoused the cause of the Latin, and Russia that of the Greek, church. In November, 1852, the czar Nicholas first put forward that claim to a protectorate of the Greek Christians in Turkey, which lord John Russell afterwards so injudiciously admitted. The preposterous demand was based upon a forced interpretation of certain passages in the treaty of Kainardji, concluded between Russia and Turkey in 1771. The rather acrimonious discussion that took place between France and Russia, respecting the key of the church of Bethlehem, brought the matter fully before the public. In the course of the dispute, both parties threatened hostile measures; and, while the Russian army on the Pruth was re-inforced, and put in readiness for an advance, the French fleet in the Mediterranean approached the Bosphorus. Early in 1853, a favourable change occurred, and as the rival powers seemed willing to make reasonable concessions, hopes were entertained of an amicable solution of the difficulty. These were suddenly dispelled by the arrival at Constantinople, in February, 1853, of Prince Menschikoff, on an extraordinary mission. The real nature of his mysterious errand did not transpire until May,

when his demands were found to be altogether incompatible with the dignity of the sultan as an independent sovereign.

11. These demands were of course rejected; and, in spite of the anxiety of the sultan and his ministers to make every reasonable concession, the Russian troops crossed the Pruth early in July, and proceeded to occupy the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia. After this act of aggression, various attempts were made to settle the matter by negotiation, but they all failed; and, on the 5th of October, the Porte formally declared war. On the 14th, the combined fleets of France and England passed the Dardanelles, at the request of the sultan.

12. The Turks rushed to the rescue of the principalities, and, under the judicious guidance of Omar Pasha, gained many brilliant victories. The Russians, defeated on land, determined to strike a blow at the Turkish navy, and committed the unparalleled outrage at Sinope, which at once excited the indignation of Europe. The Turkish fleet, riding in fancied security, almost within sight of the armaments of the western