ABSTRACT
I T was reported in semi-official circles, that at a cabinet meeting held in the week ending May 10, 1862, the noble premier told his colleagues that he believed the member for Devonport (Mr. W. B. Ferrand) meant to try to work mischief to the government for their neglect of the distress in Lancashire; and that they must anticipate him, and spoil his game, by sending down a government com-- missioner at once. I t is said that, addressing the secretary of state for the home department, he asked Sir George Grey if he had a proper man at command for the service. Sir George, after thinking over the matter for a few seconds, replied that he could not at the moment name a man for the task. Turning then to the president of the poor-law board, the premier asked Mr. Villiers if he could supply a good man for the purpose, and received a prompt reply that he had at command just the man for the job. " When can he go?" asked the premier; "can he go at once?" Mr. Villiers thought he could; and a note to Mr. Farnall brought back the reply that he could go " to-morrow." Thus the statistical depart-- ment of the cotton famine fell to the lot of the poor-law board, from the accident that Sir George Grey could not at once fix upon a man for the work.
