happily than this. Projects that he had long had very near at heart, had taken definite shape; forces to assist in carrying them to completion were developing their strength; and, in addition to all this, a great void in

his life was filled.

The sense of estrangement between himself and his father had been an oppressive weight for many years, and now the burden was removed. Α pleasant picture of his life at this time is given in the closing words of his Diary for 1839

Dec. 25th.-Christmas Day. St. Giles's. A long-established festival for soul and body, the date and centre of domestic gatherings; a day blessed by everything that is gracious in past, present, and future times. After a long period of gloomy weather, the sun shone brightly. The church was alive with holly, and thronged by a decent, well-behaved, well-dressed congregation. The sacrament was administered to about one hundred communicants (an immense proportion in so small a parish), of whom I and my father formed a part, reconciled, God be praised, and made one again after so large an interval of human life. Never have I, by God's goodness, more enjoyed the public service of our blessed church, felt more soothed and elevated, more warmed and strengthened to future efforts under His guidance and rule, and in submission to His service.

Dec. 31st.--Much occupied of late in cutting down bushes and improving the garden-this is a healthy and innocent pleasure. God Almighty,' says Bacon, first planted a garden.' So He did, and man was told to dress it and keep it.' This is the thing I have ever desired, and now I have my own way, for Lord S. is delighted to give it me, and is happy that I take so lively an interest in it.

CHAPTER VIII.

1840.

Announcement of the Queen's Marriage-A Magistrate--The Old Story renewed-The only Conservative Principle-Marriage of the QueenLetter from Daniel Webster-Attempt upon the Queen's Life-Church Extension-Chimney Sweeps-Early Legislation-Various Acts for Protection of Climbing Boys-Lord Ashley takes up the Question-Mr. StevensLabours In and Out of the House--Law Suits as "Test" Cases-A Rescued Boy-Progress of the Factory Movement -Mr. Oastler-Appointment of a Select Committee-Children not Protected by the Factory Acts -Commission Granted to Inquire into the Employment of Children--The Syrian Question-Mehemet Ali and Ibrahim Pasha-Prospects of the Jewish People-Efforts for their Protection-Return to their Own Land-Conflict with France Anticipated--Memorandum to Lord Palmerston-The "Bear" Ellice-Thiers and Guizot - Fall of Acre At Broadlands - Article in Quarterly on "Infant Labour "-Socialism and Chartism.

in

THE Parliament of 1840 was opened by the Queen person, and the speech from the Throne announced her intention to marry her cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, a step which she hoped would be "conducive to the interests of her people as well as to her own domestic happiness." Sir Robert Peel, in the course of the discussion that followed in the House of Commons, observed that her Majesty "had the singular good fortune to be able to gratify her private feelings while she performed her public duty, and to obtain the best guarantee for happiness by contracting an alliance founded on affection."

The early meeting of Parliament broke up the

period of rest and satisfaction that Lord Ashley was enjoying with his father at St. Giles's.

Jan. 6. Although no chicken, I had never attended a Sessions before, either as a spectator or a magistrate. I was interested and instructed, and I endeavoured, by God's mercy, to do judgment and love mercy. Our residence here is drawing to a close-the early meeting of Parliament, Jan. 16, for the Queen's marriage, we sup pose, will separate us very soon. It will be a Providence, and almost a wonder, if we ever come together again, perfect in our health, our happiness, and our numbers.

Jan. 9th.-Acted as a magistrate in the local meeting at Cranborne. These things are epochs in one's life, and I have run half my course before I attain this one. It is easy now to understand, by experience, how difficult it is to combine the due administration of justice with the love of mercy. Raise then your eyes to the counsels of Heaven, and survey but the millionth part of the outmost verge of God's attributes and operations; unsparing justice and unlimited pardon at one and the same moment.

Jan. 12th.-Sunday. The last we shall enjoy for the present in St. Giles's Church. Were we under the caprices of a blind chance, I should quit this dear place in fear and sorrow; but, praised be God, we know in whom we trust, and He will unite us again, or separate us for ever, as seemeth best to His merciful wisdom.

Jan. 23rd.-London. 'Crambe repetita'-the old story renewed. The Carlton Club, the House of Commons, the turmoil and vicissitudes of politics, the hopes and fears of party! But politics and party now are not what politics and party were formerly; the struggle is between antagonist principles, and the issue is life or death to the Constitution in Church and State, under which the mercy of God has hitherto appointed us to live. I can imagine a successful resistance on our part, but I see eventual triumph for our enemies, because a mighty revolution is gradually taking place in the habits and character of thinking, among men. To oppose this is to oppose the flow of the river Amazon-steady, certain, and overwhelming. The only Conservative principle is the Protestant religion as embodied in the doctrines and framework of the Church of England.

1840.]

THE QUEEN'S CORONATION.

239

As a nation we have rejected it, and, as individuals, we neglect it; the few, compared with the numbers of the great,' in this realm, who have brought oil in their lamps, will hardly form the proportion of the ten to the population of Gomorrah. I am always cast down when I estimate by comparison with others my Parliamentary capacity of doing service, 'Je manque de profondeur et de suite. My memory is deficient, my knowledge scanty; I have no readiness for impromptu speaking; all must be prepared, and the greater part even to the language; but nevertheless I must do my best, and commit the issue to Him in whose service I am labouring.

During the comparatively short previous Parliamentary career of Lord Ashley, the occupancy of the Throne had been marked by frequent changes. The death of King George IV. in 1830, the accession of King William IV., his decease in 1837, and the accession thereupon of Queen Victoria, are events in history to which we need not refer particularly, although, as the entries in the Diaries and note-books prove, they were matters of great personal interest to Lord Ashley. An extract, written just when the excitement attendant upon the Queen's coronation was subsiding, may be given here, as a specimen, and as a prelude to the subsequent entry in his Diary referring to her marriage:

July 2, 1838.-It has been a wonderful period, one long and seriously to be remembered by every Englishman. An idle pageant, forsooth? As idle as the coronation of King Solomon, or the dedication of his temple. The service itself refutes the notion; so solemn, so deeply religious, so humbling, and yet so sublime! Every word of it is invaluable; throughout, the Church is everything, secular greatness nothing. She declares, in the name and by the

T

authority of God, and almost enforces, as a condition preliminary to her benediction, all that can make princes wise to temporal and eternal glory. Many very many-were deeply impressed. The crowds immense; perhaps half a million of people assembled, in admiring affection and loyalty, to witness the Royal procession. Both during the day and the night such order and good-humour observed as would have done honour to a private family. Even the fair in Hyde Park has been quiet, decent, respectful, and safe. What a nation this is! What materials for happiness and power! What seeds of honour to God and service to man! May He grant to us yet to be His humble, joyous, and effective instruments for His great and gracious purposes !

Feb. 10th, 1840.-A day of events! The Queen was married.

I and Minny were present by invitation. A Coronation gains everything by splendour and numbers; it is a national act, and receives force and fire from national demonstrations. But a Marriage is, in its essence, private and particular; although the marriage of a Queen, it is domestic; and the interest must be drawn from the same sources as those which furnish interest to any other marriage.

March 6th.—Days fly swifter than a weaver's shuttle; we number them, and so obtain the first part of the Psalmist's prayer; but we do not apply our hearts unto wisdom, and so lose the second. For my part, I am full of schemes and no accomplishments of them, Never ending, still beginning'-devising undertakings, worthy of all the statesmen thrown into a mass, that ever existed, with Parliamentary and oratorical abilities diametrically opposite.

A chatty letter from Mr. Daniel Webster to Lord Ashley, written in May of this year, when the election of General Harrison as President of the United States was proceeding, and which was followed by the appointment of Mr. Webster as Secretary of State, indicates the friendly feelings existing between the great American statesman and the