ABSTRACT
There are few circumstances more remarkable in parliamentary history than the suspense which attended the fate of the Peel government. The opposing hosts were drawn up in array for three weeks without the possibility of a general engagement. The return of the corn bill from the house of lords was to be the signal for a general battle, and a bill of such vast importance could not be hurriedly passed by either house of parliament. The friends of the government, elate with the last rally of their chief, and encouraged by several circumstances which then occurred, redoubled their efforts to detach the protectionist party from Lord George Bentinck. A member of the ministry, high in office and returned to parliament on strong protection principles, had been called upon by his constituents at the commencement of the session to oppose the government measure or to resign his seat to one more faithful to their cause.
