of their confidence. Had it been so or not? [No, no! and how about Disraeli's budget?]. He only wished that some parts of that budget had been carried out. He would speak of Lord Palmerston, a name just now of some potency. [Three cheers for Lord Palmerston!] Yes, he would speak of my Lord Palmerston and his obnoscious(sic) Constabulary Bill. Mr. Robertson opposed every stage of that bill; and so strong was the feeling against it that it was withdrawn. They all liked local government; indeed it was the very glory of Englishmen that they were a self-constituted government. In respect to local matters, Mr. Robertson had done everything in his power to promote the interests of the borough. He (Mr. Williams) thought they had frequently expressed their wishes for a quick transit to London, and he would say they had never had anyone who had given their attention to it as Mr. Robertson had done. If on the present occasion there had been a contest, he was perfectly certain that Mr. Robertson would have been placed at the head of the poll.
George Scrivens, Esq., said that the speech of his predecessor having terminated so abruptly, he thought the electors must have cut him short. He reminded the electors of the object of their meeting, and referred to Lord Palmerston's adverse vote as the cause of it. He would not make a stalking-horse of Lord Palmerston, but he believed that his Lordship would prove himself equal to the exigencies of the times. Lord Palmerston had boldly said, when on his trial, that the verdict of the House of Commons was against him. But there was no doubt that he would have a new trial, and that the verdict would be reversed. Mr. Scrivens then alluded to the Chinese war and the vote which Mr. Robertson gave in favour of Ministers on that important question as securing to that gentleman his re-election. Mr. Scrivens would endorse all that had been said on the other side as to the faithfulness with which Mr. Robertson had performed his duties. Indeed, he had been too true for his own party. He had renounced them by the independent vote which he gave for Lord Palmerston. Mr. Scrivens next alluded to Locke King's motion, remarking that Mr. North voted for that motion, although Lord Palmerston voted against it. The latter, however did not vote against it because it was a measure of reform, but because it was a small one and because it was introduced at the wrong time. The Maynooth Grant and the Income Tax were next severally dwelt upon, the former not so much to be feared as Puseyism, and -
