members, and also some of the Irish counties. With regard to the lowering of the franchise, Mr. Bright had taken frequent opportunities of expressing his well-known opinions thereon as well as on the introduction of the ballot. Many other public men had also expressed their views on the subject; in fact Reform had been a prominent topic of the year.
The Conservative Reform Bill, so thoroughly denounced by the Liberals on the Hastings hustings, was really better than the one suggested by Mr. Bright, so far as it went, but it did not go far enough. It contained also a clause which abolished the system of the Freemen franchise, and this was so strongly objected to that petitions were sent up from both towns, as well for that as for other disfranchisements. The petition said "That your petitioners have heard apprehension and alarm that in a Bill introduced into your Honourable House, with the sanction of Her Majesty's Government, it is proposed to disfranchise freeholders from voting in elections for Counties in relation to property situate within the limits of Parliamentary Boroughs, and also to give the right of voting to non-residents for Boroughs, &c."
Public opinion, as reflected in the House of Commons rejected the Conservative Reform Bill and the downfall of the Derby Administration quickly followed. Lord Derby the(sic) appealed to the country, but took very little by his action. He could not carry on the Government, and Lord Palmerston was called upon to form a ministry.
It was impossible at the time to glance at the army and navy without feelings of satisfaction. All honour to the Duke of Cambridge for abolishing the odious system of flogging in the army, or at least, virtually doing so. There was then established a first and second class in the army, and the belonging to the latter was a punishment. The same system had also been introduced into the nave, and in both instances, it has been said the plan has worked well.
The Rifle Corp movement - in a great measure started by the Poet Laureate's spirit-stirring song "Riflemen Form" was carried out with great spirit, and in no pace with greater enthusiasm and alacrity than in our own borough and its immediate neighbourhood.
Among the minor events of the year, though of some importance was the completion of the Great Eastern, the disastrous explosion just at culminating point of success; the return -
