Chapter XXXIX: Appendix: Choice of Profession (2)

_Oct._ 18, '55.--You have conferred a great obligation on me by putting me into the witness-box, and asking me why I thought last year that we were under an obligation to Lord Palmerston for 'concentrating the attention of the cabinet on the expedition to the Crimea.' Such was _then_ my feeling, entertained so strongly that I even wrote to him for the purpose of giving to it the most direct expression. And such is my feeling _still_. I think the fall of Sebastopol, viewed in itself and apart from the mode in which it has been brought about, a great benefit to Europe.... This benefit I should have contemplated with high and, so to speak, unmixed satisfaction, were I well assured as to the means by which we had achieved it. But, of course, there is a great difference between a war which I felt, however grievous it was, yet to be just and needful, and a war carried on without any adequate justification; so far as I can to this hour tell, without even any well-defined practical object.... Your letter (if I must now pass from the defensive) seems to me to involve assumptions as to our right to rectify the distribution of political power by bloodshed, which carry it far beyond just bounds. In the hour of success doctrines and policy are applauded, or pass unquestioned even under misgiving, which are very differently handled at a period of disaster, or when a nation comes to feel the embarrassments it has accumulated. The government are certainly giving effect to the public opinion of the day. If that be a justification, they have it: as all governments of England have had, in all wars, at eighteen months from their commencement. Apart from the commanding consideration of our duty as men and Christians, I am not less an objector to the post-April-policy, on the ground of its certain or probable consequences--in respect first and foremost to Turkey; in respect to the proper place and power of France; in respect to the interest which Europe has in keeping her (and us all) within such place and power; in respect to the permanence of our friendly relations with her; and lastly, in respect to the effects of continued war upon the condition of our own people, and the stability of our institutions. But each of these requires an octavo volume. I must add another head: I view with alarm the future use against England of the arguments and accusations we use against Russia.

_Dec._ 1.--What I find press hardest among the reproaches upon me is this:--'You went to war for limited objects; why did you not take into account the high probability that those objects would be lost sight of in the excitement which war engenders, and that this war, if once begun, would receive an extension far beyond your views and wishes?'

_Dec. 3._--I _do_ mean that the reproach I named is the one most nearly just. What the weight due to it is, I forbear finally to judge until I see the conclusion of this tremendous drama. But I quite see enough to be aware that the particular hazard in question ought to have been more sensibly and clearly before me. It _may_ be good logic and good sense, I think, to say:--'I will forego ends that are just, for fear of being driven upon the pursuit of others that are not so.' Whether it is so in a particular case depends very much upon the probable amount of the driving power, and of the resisting force which may be at our command.

CHRONOLOGY[394]

1832.

Dec. 13. Elected member for Newark,--Gladstone, 887; Handley, 798;
Wilde, 726.

1833.

Jan. 25. Admitted a law student at Lincoln's Inn.

March 6. Elected member of Carlton Club.

April 30. Speaks on a Newark petition.

May 17. Appointed on Colchester election committee.
" 21. Presents an Edinburgh petition against immediate abolition of
slavery.

June 3. On Slavery Abolition bill.

July 4. On Liverpool election petition.
" 8. Opposes Church Reform (Ireland) bill.
" 25 and 29. On negro apprenticeship system.

Aug. 5. Serves on select committee on stationary office.
" 8. Moves for return on Irish education.

1834.

Mar. 12 and 19. On bill disenfranchising Liverpool freemen.

June 4. Serves on select committee on education in England.

July 28. Opposes Universities Admission bill.

Dec. 26. Junior lord of the treasury in Sir R. Peel's ministry.

1835.

Jan. 5. Returned unopposed for Newark.
" 27. Under-secretary for war and the colonies.

March 4. Moves for, and serves on, a committee on military expenditure
in the colonies.
" 19. Brings in Colonial Passengers' bill for improving condition of
emigrants.
" 31. In defence of Irish church.

June 11. Entertained at Newark.
" 22, July 20. Criticises Municipal Corporation bill.

Aug. 21. Defends House of Lords.

Sept. 23. Death of his mother.

1836.

Feb. 8. A member of Aborigines committee.

March 22. On negro apprenticeship in Jamaica.
" 28. A member of negro apprenticeship committee.

June 1. On Tithes and Church (Ireland) bill.
" 8. A member of select committee on disposal of land in the
colonies.

Oct. 18. Speaks at dinner of Liverpool Tradesmen's Conservative
Association.
" 21. Speaks at dinner of Liverpool Operatives' Conservative
Association.

1837.

Jan. 13. Speaks at Peel banquet at Glasgow.
" 17. Speaks at Newark.

Feb. 10. Moves for return showing religious instruction in the
colonies.

March 7. A member of committee on Irish education.
" 8. On affairs of Lower Canada.
" 15. In support of church rates.

April 28. A member of colonial accounts committee.
" 21. At Newark on Poor Law.
" 24. Returned unopposed for Newark.
" 27. Defeated for Manchester,--Thomson, 4127; Philips, 3759;
Gladstone, 2324.

Aug. 9. Speaks at dinner at Manchester.

Dec. 12. Member of committee on education of poor children.
" 22. On Canadian discontent.

1838.

Jan. 23. On Canadian affairs.

March 7. Criticises action of government in Canada.
" 30. In defence of West Indian sugar planters.

June 20. On private bill to facilitate colonisation of New Zealand.

July 10. Moves for a commission on grievances of Cape colonists.
" 11 and 23. Opposes the appointment of dissenting chaplains in
prisons.
" 27. A member of committee on Scotch education.
" 30. Opposes grant to Maynooth College.

Aug. Visits the continent. Oct. in Sicily; Dec. in Rome.

Dec. _The Church in its Relations with the State_, published.

1839.

Jan. 31. Returns to England.

Apr. 15. Withdraws from Lincoln's Inn.

May 6. Opposes Suspension of the Jamaica constitution.

June 10. Opposes bill for temporary government of Jamaica.
" 20. Criticises the proposal for a board of education.

July 25. Married to Miss Catherine Glynne at Hawarden.

1840.

Mar. 30-April 4. Examiner at Eton for Newcastle scholarship.

April 8. Denounces traffic in opium and Chinese war.
" 8. A member of committee on opium question.

May 29. In support of Government of Canada bill.

June 3. Eldest son, William Henry, born.
" 15. On Canadian Clergy Reserves bill.
" 25. On sugar duties.
" 29, July 20. Opposes Ecclesiastical Revenues bill.

July 9. A member of select committee on colonisation of New Zealand.
" 27. Denounces traffic in opium.

Sept. 18. Speaks at Liverpool on religious education.

Nov. _Church Principles considered in their Results_, published.

1841.

Jan. 20. On the corn laws at Walsall.

March 31. Proposes rejection of bill admitting Jews to corporate office.

April Revised edition of _The Church in its Relations with the
State_, published.

May 10. Opposes reduction of duty on foreign sugar.

July 29. Re-elected for Newark,--Mr. Gladstone, 633; Lord John Manners,
630; Mr. Hobhouse, 394.

Sept. 3. Appointed vice-president of the board of trade.
" 14. Returned unopposed for Newark.

1842.

Feb. 8. Proposes colonial trade resolutions, and brings in bill for
better regulation of railways.
" 14. Replies to Lord J. Russell's condemnation of government's
proposals for amending corn law.
" 25. Opposes Mr. Christopher's sliding scale amendment.

March 9. On second reading of corn law importation bill.

April 15. On Colonial Customs Duties bill.

May 13. On preferential duties for colonial goods.
" 23. On importation of live cattle.

June 3. On sugar duties.
" 14. On export duty on coal.

Sept. 18. Loses finger of left hand in gun accident.

1843.

Jan. Anonymous article, 'The Course of Commercial Policy at Home
and Abroad,' in _Foreign and Colonial Quarterly Review_.

" 6. Inaugural address at opening of Collegiate Institute,
Liverpool.

Feb. 13. Replies to Viscount Howick on the corn law.

April 25. Opposes Mr. Ricardo's motion for immediate free trade.

May 9. Opposes Mr. Villiers's motion for the immediate abolition of
corn laws.
" 15. Attends first cabinet as president of the board of trade.
" 19. Supports bill reducing duty on Canadian corn.

June 13. Opposes Lord J. Russell's motion for fixed duty on imported
corn.

Aug. 10. Moves second reading of bill legalising exportation of
machinery.

Oct. 'Present Aspects of the Church' in _Foreign and Colonial
Review_.

1844.

Feb. 5. Moves for select committeen on railways.

March 4. On recommendations of committee on railways.
" 7. On slave trade and commercial relations with Brazil.
" 12. Replies to Mr. Cobden's speech on his motion for committee on
protective duties.
" 19. On reciprocity in commercial treaties.
" 26. Opposes motion to extend low duty on Canadian corn to colonial
wheat.

April 'On Lord John Russell's Translation of the Francesca da
Rimini,' in the _English Review_.
" 2. Outlines provisions of Joint Stock Companies Regulation bill.
" 4. Second son, Stephen Edward, born.

May 18. Presides at Eton anniversary dinner.

June 3. On sugar duties bill.
" 6. In support of Dissenters' Chapels bill.
" 25. Opposes Mr. Villiers's motion for abolition of corn laws.

July. Review of 'Ellen Middleton,' in _English Review._
" 8. On second reading of Railways bill.

Aug. 5. Introduces three bills for regulating private bill procedure.

Oct. 'The Theses of Erastus and the Scottish Church Establishment'
in the _New Quarterly Review_.

Dec. On Mr. Ward's 'Ideal Church,' in _Quarterly Review_.

1845.

Jan. 28. Retires from cabinet.

Feb. 4. Personal explanation.
" 24. In favour of discriminating duties on sugar.
" 26. Defends distinction between free-labour and slave-labour
sugar.

March. _Remarks upon recent Commercial Legislation_, published.

April 11. On second reading of Maynooth College bill.

June. Review of 'Life of Mr. Blanco White,' in _Quarterly_.
" 2. Supports Academical Institutions (Ireland) bill.

July 15. On Spanish treaties and slave-labour sugar.

Sept. 25-Nov. 18. Visits Germany.

Dec. 'Scotch Ecclesiastical Affairs,' in the _Quarterly_.
" 23. Colonial secretary.
Publishes, _A Manual of Prayers from the Liturgy, Arranged for
Family Use_.

1846.

Jan. 5. Retires from the representation of Newark.

1847.

June 'From Oxford to Rome' in the _Quarterly_.
" 7. Captain Gladstone defends his brother's action in recalling
Sir Eardley Wilmot.

Aug. 3. Elected for Oxford University,--Sir R. Inglis, 1700; W. E.
Gladstone, 997; Mr. Round, 824.

Sept. On Lachmann's 'Ilias' in the _Quarterly_.

Dec. 8. Supports Roman Catholic Relief bill.
" 13. On government of New Zealand.
" 16. In favour of admission of Jews to parliament.

1848.

Feb. 9 and 14. On New Zealand Government bill.
" 16. On Roman Catholic Relief bill.

March 10. On recent commercial changes.

April 3. On repeal of Navigation laws, criticising government's
proposal.
" 4. On episcopal revenues.
" 10. Serves as special constable.
" 22. Moves address to the Queen at vestry of St.
Martin's-in-the-Fields.

May 16. In favour of increasing usefulness of cathedrals.
" 23. Replies to Lord G. Bentinck on free trade.

June 2. In favour of freedom of navigation.
" 22. Opposes reduction of sugar duties.

Aug. 17. In favour of legalising diplomatic relations with the Vatican.
" 18. On Vancouver's Island, and free colonisation.

Dec. On the Duke of Argyll's _Presbytery Examined_ in the
_Quarterly_.

1849.

Feb. 19. On revision of parliamentary oaths.
" 22, May 2. In favour of Clergy Relief bill.

March 8. On transportation of convicts.
" 12. On Navigation laws.
" 13. On church rates.
" 27. In favour of scientific colonisation at St.
Martin's-in-the-Fields.

April 16. On colonial administration.

May 10. Defends right of parliament to interfere in colonial affairs.
" 24. In favour of better government of colonies.

June 4. On Australian Colonies bill.
" 14. Protests against compensating Canadian rebels.
" 20. Opposes bill legalising marriage with deceased wife's sister.
" 26. Explains views on colonial questions and policy.

July 5. Moves for inquiry into powers of Hudson Bay Company.
" 13-Aug. 9. Visits Italy: Rome, Naples, Como.

Dec. 'The Clergy Relief Bill' in _Quarterly_.

1850.

Feb. 8. In favour of double chamber constitutions for colonies.
" 21. On causes of agricultural distress, in support of Mr.
Disraeli's motion.

March. 'Giacomo Leopardi' in the _Quarterly_.
" 19. On suppression of slave trade.
" 22. On principles of colonial policy.

April 9. Death of his daughter, Catherine Jessy.

May 6. In favour of colonial self-government, and ecclesiastical
constitution for church in Australia.
" 13. Moves that Australian Government bill be submitted to
colonists.
" 31. In favour of differential sugar duties.

June 4. Letter to Bishop of London: _Remarks on the Royal Supremacy._
" 27. Attacks Lord Palmerston's foreign policy in Don Pacifico
debate.

July 3. On death of Sir R. Peel.
" 8. Criticises Ecclesiastical Commission bill.
" 15. Explains plan for creation of new bishoprics.
" 18. Opposes commission of inquiry into English and Irish
universities.

Aug. 1. 'Last earnest protest' against Australian Colonies Government
bill.

Oct. 26. Leaves England for Naples.

1851.

Feb. 26. Returns to England from Naples. Declines Lord Stanley's
invitation to join his government.

March 25. Opposes Ecclesiastical Titles Assumption bill.

April 11. On financial plans to relieve agricultural distress.
" 15. Opposes appointment of committee on relations with Kaffir
tribes.

May 29. On grievances of inhabitants of Ceylon.

June 30. Opposes Inhabited House Duty bill.

July 4. Protests against Ecclesiastical Titles bill.
" 10. On Rajah Brooke's methods of suppressing piracy.
" 19. On discipline in colonial church.
" Publishes two letters to Lord Aberdeen on Neapolitan
misgovernment.

Dec. 7. Death of Sir John Gladstone at Fasque.
" Letter to Dr. Skinner, Bishop of Aberdeen, _On the functions
of laymen in the Church_.
Translation of Farini's _The Roman State_, 1815 to 1850, vols.
i. and ii. published.

1852.

Jan. 29. Publishes _An Examination of the Official Reply of the
Neapolitan Government_.

Feb. 20. Brings in Colonial Bishops bill.

March 15. On free trade.

April On Farini's 'Stato Romano,' in _Edinburgh Review_.
" 2. Third son, Henry Neville, born.
" 5. Protests against policy of Kaffir war.
" 28. Moves second reading of Colonial Bishops bill.
" 30. On Mr. Disraeli's budget statement.

May 10. Proposes rejection of bill to assign disenfranchised seats of
St. Albans and Sudbury.
" 11. In favour of select committee on education at Maynooth
College.
" 12. On paper duty.
" 21. On New Zealand Government bill.

June 8 and 10. Defends action of Bishop of Bath and Wells in the case
of Frome vicarage.
" 23. Brings in bill to amend colonial church laws.

July 14. Re-elected for Oxford University,--Sir. R. Inglis, 1368; W. E.
Gladstone, 1108; Dr. Marsham, 758.

Nov. 11, 25. In defence of principles of free trade.
" 26. Defends Sir R. Peel's free trade policy.

Dec. 'Count Montalembert on Catholic Interests in the Nineteenth
Century' in the _Quarterly_.
" 6. Attacks government's income-tax proposals.
" 16. Replies to Mr. Disraeli's speech in defence of his budget
proposals.
" 23. Appointed chancellor of the exchequer.

1853.

Jan. 20. Re-elected for Oxford University,--W. E. Gladstone, 1022; Mr.
Perceval, 898.

March 3. Speech on Mr. Hume's motion for repeal of all protective
import duties.
" 4 and 18. On Clergy reserves (Canada) bill.
" 28. At Mansion House banquet, on public opinion and public
finance.

April 4. On government's proposal to improve education in England and
Wales.
" 8. Explains nature of proposals for conversion of portion of
national debt.
" 8. On Irish taxation.
" 14. Opposes motion for repeal of advertisement duty, newspaper
stamp tax, and paper duty on financial grounds.
" 18. Introduces his first budget.
" 22. Defends South Sea commutation bill.

May 9. Opposes amendment, in the interest of property, to income-tax.
" 12. Explains changes proposed in succession duties.
" 23. On taxation of Ireland.

June 13. Moves second reading of Savings Bank bill; and July 21.

July 1. Proposes reduction of advertisement duty to sixpence.
" 29. On South Sea Annuities.

Aug. 3. On Colonial Church Regulation bill.

Sept. 27. At Dingwall and Inverness, on results of free trade and evils
of war.

Oct. 12. Tribute to memory of Sir R. Peel at unveiling of statue at
Manchester. At town hall on Russo-Turkish question.

1854.

Jan. 7. Fourth son, Herbert John, born.

March 6. Introduces budget.
" 17. In support of Oxford University bill.
" 21. Replies to Mr. Disraeli's attack on his financial schemes.
" 25. At Mansion House banquet on war and finance.

April 7. On second reading of Oxford University bill.
" 11. Statement on public expenditure and income.

May 8. Introduces war budget.
" 22. Defends resolution empowering government to issue two millions
of exchequer bonds against criticism of Mr. Disraeli.
" 25. On second reading of bill for revision of parliamentary oaths.
" 29. On withdrawal of Bribery Prevention bills.

June 2. Explains provisions of Revenue and Consolidated Fund Charges
bill.
" 21. On proposal to abolish church rates.
" 29. Brings in bill for repeal of usury laws.

Dec. 13. On the Crimean war.
" 2. Moves resolution for regulation of interest on Savings Bank
deposits.

1855.

Jan. 29. Opposes Mr. Roebuck's motion.

Feb. 5. Explains reasons for government's resignation.
" 22. Withdraws from cabinet.
" 23. Explains reasons.

March 19. Explains methods adopted to meet war expenditure.
" 19. In favour of free press.
" 26. Defends government of Sardinia in debate on military
convention.

April 20. Criticises budget of Sir G. C. Lewis.
" 26. On principles of taxation.
" 30. Criticises government Loan bill.

May 9. Opposes bill for amendment of marriage law.
" 21. Moves adjournment of debate to discuss Vienna conferences.
" 24. On prosecution of the war.

June. 'Sardinia and Rome,' in _Quarterly_.
" 15. On civil service reform.
" 15. Statement as to Aberdeen government, and terms of peace.

July 10. In favour of open admission to civil service.
" 20, 23, and 27. Protests against the system of subsidies, on the
guarantee of Turkish loan.

Aug. 3. On Vienna negotiations.

Oct. 12. Lecture on Colonial Policy at Hawarden.

Nov. 12. Lecture on Colonies at Chester.

1856.

Feb. 29. On report of Crimean commissioners.

April 11. Condemns government proposals for national education.
" 24. On civil service reform.

May 6. On treaty of peace.
" 19. Criticises budget.

July 1. On differences with the United States government on recruiting
for the British army.
" 11. Criticises County Courts Amendment bill.
" 23. Strongly opposes the Bishops of London and Durham Retirement
bill.

Aug. 'The War and the Peace' in _Gentleman's Magazine_.

Sept. 'The Declining Efficiency of Parliament' in the _Quarterly_.
" 29. At town hall, Mold, in support of Foreign Missionary Society;
in the evening at Collegiate Institution, Liverpool, for
Society for Propagation of the Gospel.

1857.

Jan. 'Homer and His Successors in Epic Poetry,' and 'Prospects
Political and Financial' in _Quarterly_.
" 31. At Stepney, on duty of rich to poor.

Feb. 3. Criticises government's foreign policy and financial measures.
" 5. In support of motion to appoint committee on the Hudson Bay
Company. Nominated member of the committee.
" 20. Condemns budget of Sir G. C. Lewis.

March 3. Supports Mr. Cobden's resolution on China.
" 6. Proposes reduction of tea duty, and condemns Sir G. C. Lewis's
financial proposals.
" 10. Moves resolution in favour of revising and reducing
expenditure.
" 27. Returned unopposed for Oxford University.

April. 'The New Parliament and its Work' in _Quarterly_.

June 2. Speaks at Oxford at inauguration of Diocesan Spiritual Help
Society.

July. 'The Bill for Divorce,' and 'Homeric Characters In and Out of
Homer' in _Quarterly_.
" 9. At Glenalmond College on Christian and classical education.
" 16. On the Persian war.
" 17. Denounces war with China.
" 21. On Lord J. Russell's Oaths Validity Act Amendment bill.
" 22, Aug. 4. Criticises and moves amendments to Burials Act
Amendment bill.
" 24. Explains strong objections to Divorce and Matrimonial Causes
bill.
" 29. Opposes Superannuation Act Amendment bill.
" 31. Opposes second reading of the Divorce bill.

Aug. 7. Protests against unequal treatment of men and women in Divorce
bill.
" 12. Supports continuance of tea and sugar duties.
" 14. On Balkan Principalities.
" 14. Personal explanation regarding his connection with Lord
Lincoln's divorce.

Oct. 12. At Chester, on duty of England to India.
" 22. At Liverpool, urging closer connection between the great
manufacturing towns and the universities.

Dec. 4 and 7. Criticises the Bank Issues Indemnity bill.
" 9. Protests against proposal to increase pension of Sir Henry
Havelock.
" 11. On appointment of select committee on Bank Act.

1858.

Feb. 19. Opposes Conspiracy to Murder bill.

March. _Studies in Homer and the Homeric Age_ published.

April. 'The Fall of the Late Ministry' in _Quarterly_.
" 19. On Mr. Disraeli's budget statement.
" 21, June 8. Criticises Church Rates Abolition bill.
" 26 and 30. On proposals for government of India.

May 3. On financial condition of the country.
" 3, June 7, 14, 17, and July 1. On government of India.
" 4. Moves address on Danubian Principalities.
" 21. Defends Lord Canning in debate on the Oude Proclamation.

June 1. On the Suez Canal, condemning English interference with the
project.
" 28. Supports Funded Debt bill.

July 1 and 5. Proposes additional clause to Universities (Scotland)
bill facilitating the creation of a national university.
" 6. Moves that the army of India be not employed beyond the
frontiers of India without permission of parliament.
" 19. On Government of British Columbia bill.
" 20. On Hudson Bay Company.

Oct. 'The Past and Present Administrations' in _Quarterly_.
" 17. Address at Liverpool on university extension.

Nov. 8. Leaves England for Corfu, on appointment as lord high
commissioner extraordinary of the Ionian Islands.

Dec. 3. Addresses Ionian Assembly.

1859.

Feb. 5. Presents new constitution to Ionian Chamber of Deputies.

" 12. Returned unopposed for Oxford University.

March 8. Returns to London.
" 29. On Representation of the People bill.

April. 'The War in Italy' in the _Quarterly_.
" 18. On the state of Italy.
" 29. Returned unopposed for Oxford University.

June 17. Letter to the provost of Oriel.
" 20. Appointed chancellor of the exchequer.
" 22. Presides at annual dinner of Royal Literary Fund.

July 1. Re-elected for Oxford University,--Mr. Gladstone, 1050;
Marquis of Chandos, 859.
" 12. Supports bill enabling Roman catholics to hold office of
chancellor of Ireland.
" 18. Introduces budget.
" 21. Replies to Mr. Disraeli's criticisms.

Aug. 8. In defence of government's Italian policy.

Oct. On 'Tennyson's Poems' in _Quarterly_.

Nov. 1. At Cambridge, in support of Oxford and Cambridge mission to
Central Africa.
" 12. Elected Lord Rector of University of Edinburgh,--Mr.
Gladstone, 643; Lord Neaves, 527.

Dec. 'Nelda, a Romance,' translated from Grossi, in _Fraser's
Magazine_.

FOOTNOTES:

[394] All speeches unless otherwise stated were made in the House of Commons.