SPECTATOR'S LIBRARY.

PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY.

'fifth:Ty of the House of Commons. from the Convention Parliament of 1683-9 to the Passing of the Reform Bill in 1832. Sly W. Charles Townsend, Esq., M.A.. Re- corder of Macclesfield. Volume I Cullom,. Ficrtorr, Titian; a Romance of Venice. By R. Shelton Mackenzie, LL.D. In three volumes. GEOLOGY. Bentley. Report on the Geology of the County of Londonderry, anal of parts of Tyrone and Fermanagh. Examined and described under the authority of the Master.General and Board of Ordnance. By J. E. Portluck, F.A.S. &c.. Vice.President of the Geological mid Zoological Societies of Dublin, Sec.. Captain of Royal Engineers conducting the Geological Branch of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland.

TOWNSEND'S HISTORY OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. IN his preface, Mr. TOWNSEND says—" a popular history of the House of Commons, furnishing biographical notices of those Mem- bers who have been most distinguished in its annals, and describing the changes in its internal economy, powers, and privileges, ap- pears to be still wanting in our literature." To supply this want is the object of the present undertaking: and though the plan of the author is often insufficiently developed, and sometimes lost sight of, his History of the House of Commons is a valuable addition to the library ; being striking and various in its matter, powerful and popular in its style, and dealing moreover with interesting charac- ters and incidents, which cannot be met with in any other acces- sible work, fertile as the present day is in memoirs, or compilations of that nature, respecting the period of which Mr. TOWNSEND treats.

The method of the work, or at least of the volume before us, is to make the Speaker the chief medium of carrying on the history. The volutne opens with a brief sketch of the Speakership, with charac- teristic anecdotes of the office and occasional notices of the men, from the first mention of that functionary, as parlour or mouth of the House, in the 51st of 11sNar the Third, down to the Revolution of 1688; which is the time selected by Mr. TowesEen for the formal commencement of his history. From this epoch he begins with regular notices of the successive Speakers; but as he does not confine his biographies to men who filled the office after the Revolution provided they lived subsequent to that event, he is enabled to carry back the narrative to the reigns of CHARLES the Second and JAMES the Second. The introduction of the biography of several legal members, who did not attain the chair, adds variety to the work, though furnishing little to the account of the House of Commons. But a rapid and readable digression on privilege gives a very sufficient view of the rise, progress, and check of that monstrous usurpation upon the rights of fellow-subjects for such in fact is the main story of privilege. The period expressly treated of (1688-1832) is divided by Mr. TOWNSEND into three divisions ; the first extending "from the abdication of James to the death of GEORGE the First in 1727. The second sera, a sort of mezzo- termino, comprehends the reign of GEORGE the Second, when men in office were corrupt and public morals low, and the general topics of discourse resembled parish-vestry discussions." The third commences with the accession of GEORGE the Third, and closes with the passing of the Reform Bill. The volume before us em- braces the first period.

It will be seen from this account, that Mr. Towleseen's plan has several advantages in a popular point of view. Unfettered by the claims of a continuous narrative, he is able to select the most striking topics of Parliamentary history, and even of them to give only just so much as suits his purpose : the biographical form not merely furnishes variety and presents a gallery of political portraits, many of them new to the world, but also admits of considerable freedom both in the choice and treatment of the subjects. Every passage may be made striking, curious, anecdotical, or gossipy : and such is the character of the volume. On the other band, the temptations are great to digress in search of what is popularly attractive, leaving the main subject, the history of the Commons, to shift for itself, while the reader is amused with notices of individual members, and that too on points which have no relation to their characters as "Parliament-men." This temptation, so difficult to resist, Mr. TOWNSEND has rather yielded to. The life of HARLEY, Earl of Oxford, though a very good biographical notice, is out of all proportion to his position as Speaker, and does not throw nearly so much light on Parliamentary history as it might have been made to do. A similar remark applies to the life of Sir THOMAS HANDIER, the Montalto of the Dunciad; although the Editor of SHAKSPER1 was somewhat more conspicuous as Speaker than Helmer. The less noted men have shorter lives, rather, it would appear, because the biographical materials are more scanty than from any consider- ation of the history of the House of Commons. Closely con- nected with this fault, if not springing out of it, is another—the book does not present a whole view of any thing. In the larger cases, the biographies are not complete, and there is nothing like a history of the House of Commons either as regards things or men. Although the author appears well-read and familiar with his sub- ject, he has not infused the spirit of it into his book ; which is a production of points and parts rather than a continuous presenta- tion—rather story than history. An allusive style, and an ill-ar- ranged chronology, narrating the last first, are minor defects, and more easily remedied by revision, but, we think, originating in the same cause—a want of definite plan as regards the Parliamentary history, and an exclusive aim at being popular. Some few of the minor blemishes would lead to an inference that the author had not revised his proof-sheets. Excepting the two latter defects of detail, the faults we have mentioned would cease to be faults were the title of the work changed from History to Memoirs; and of course they rather add to than detract from its readableness. This is much greater than many might imagine possible, from the skill of the author, and the more graphic nature of the materials. In the early times treated of, there was more robust sturdiness in the national cha- racter, and more striking idiosyncracy with less squeamishness in particular individuals. The absence of reporters, and of rhe- torical training, diminished the number of speakers and curtailed the length of the speeches; and, what is perhaps of as much con- sequence, gave point, character, and closeness to such as were spoken. In those primitive times, Parliamentary commonplaces were scarce; a man could not get up a speech for this session by reproducing from the newspapers the inanities of the last, till House of Commons oratory is like nothing so much as the figure, drawn from the hogs of Westphaly and distinguished by physical grossness,* by which POPE described what Parliamentary speaking was coming to a century ago. Much ignorance of true political principles might exist, with very many English pre- judices, and a low morale, whilst the manner was often blunt to an opponent, and formally servile to a superior : but orators by the hour were not, in those day 5; the men who spoke much had a natural aptitude for speaking, improved by learning and practice ; those who spoke seldom were stimulated by the subject or the occasion, and what they said bore the impress of earnestness acting upon a character,—things which are now rarely, perhaps never seen, except in the case of some personal brawl; which may explain whilst it excuses the interest taken in such scenes.

The traits of old debates in the House of Commons are com- paratively few in number in Mr. TOWNSEND'S history ; and they might have been increased with advantage; but what there are are good. For example—

AN ELECTION OF A SPEAKER, TEMP. ELIZ.

The following scene, some years later, most graphic in its description of the homely members and their modest head, is painted to the life. Meeting, to go through the form of choosing a Speaker with all proper solemnity, "the Comp- troller of the Household, 39 Elizabeth, Sir William Knolls, said, • I will deliver my opinion unto you who is most fit for this place, being a Member of this House, and those good abilities which I know to be in him,' (here he made a little pause. and the House hawked and spat, and after silence made he pro- ceeded.) 'Unto this place of dignity and calling, in my opinion, (here he stayed a little,) 'Mr. Sergeant Yelverton' (looking upon him) 'is the fittest man to be preferred,' (after which words Mr. Yelverton blushed and put off his hat, and after sat bareheaded,) 'for I know him to be a man wise and learned, secret and circumspect, religious and faithful, no way disable, but every way able to supply this place.' He then eat down, hoping for a general

commit.

"The whole House cried, 'Aye, aye, aye! let him be!' and the master Comp- troller made a low reverence and sat down ; and after a little pause and silence, Mr. Sergeant Yelverton rose, and after a very humble reverence, said—' Whence your unexpected choice of me to be your mouth or Speaker should proceed, I -am utterly ignorant. If from my merits, strange it were that so few deserts should purchase suddenly so great an honour. Nor from my ability doth this your choice proceed ; for well known it is to a great number in this place now assembled, that my estate is nothing correspondent for the maintenance of this dignity. For my father dying, left me a younger brother, and nothing to me but my bare annuity. Then growing to man's estate, and some small practice of the law, I took a wife, by whom I have had many children ; the keeping of us all being a great impoverishment to my estate, and the daily living of us all nothing but my daily Industry. Neither from my person nor nature doth this choice arise. For he that supplieth this place ought to be a man big and comely, stately and well-spoken, his voice great, his courage majestical, his nature haughty, and his purse plentiful and heavy: but, contrarily, the stature of my body is small, myself not so well-spoken, my voice low, my carriage lawyerlike and of the common fashion, my nature soft and bashful, my purse thin, light, and never yet plentiful.'"

THE HOUSE AND THE SPEAKER.

With the more courtly times of Charles the Second ensued a partial improve- ment The following strange dialogue, between a petulant Speaker and the old Commonwealth soldier Colonel Birch, shows however, that much of the Republican leaven remained. The Speaker taking notice of Colonel Birch changing his seat to another side of the House, Colonel Birch said, "I wonder the Speaker should take notice of my changing sides, when I never took notice of the Speaker changing his chair," (alluding to the Speaker pretending to be sick when the Court, being displeased at him, put Sir It Sawyer in the chair.) Some time after, the Speaker told Colonel Birch that "it was indecent for him to brush his heard without a looking-glass"; to which Birch replied, "You would not think it so if you had a beard to brush !" On another occasion, having to apologize, the Speaker said, "Be mistook only the forepart of the law about petitions for the latter, and he hopes his mistake will never cost the House so much as Birch's has done" (in something rebtin,,e to a tax-bill.) Colonel Birch retorted, " Whatever his mistake has cost the House, he is sure the marks were not upon the bags," (meaning that the Speaker had lost money at play, and the King's marks were upon the bags he sent the money in, being the Navy bags.) The rebukes on his dissolute manners, addressed by the Op- position Members to that arrogant young rake Mr..Edward Seymour, who then dictated his pleasure from the chair, would not be tolerated in our more refined days; the House being insulted in the insults offered to its head. "You expose the honour of the House," said Mr. Harbord, "in resorting to gaming-houses with foreigners, as well as Englishmen, and to ill places." "You are too big for that chair," added Sir Thomas Littleton: "for you, that are one of the governors of the world, to be our servant, is incongruous!"

Mr. SEYMOUR, though a bad man in bad times, appears to have been a good Speaker for an unruly House.

"By his very haughtiness and pride he contributed to reduce a turbulent and unruly House into subjection, enforced respect to his office, and even against order controlled the factious Members. At a critical moment, when the House was in Committee, and, in consequence of some dispute in telling a division swords had been drawn and blows struck, he resumed the chair of his own authority, contrary to rule, and instantly reduced the turbulent scene into exact discipline. " When the House had ordered several lawyers into custody for pleading before the Lords, being forbidden by thei resolutions, Mr. Seymour, in passing through Westminster Hall, directed the Mace to take Sergeant Pemberton in- • The peeped aeshe Dialogues, called " Epilogue to the Satires."

stantly into custody. 'He saw me,' said the imperious Speaker, and paid me no respect, though I was near him, or very slightly.'

"Mr. Seymour was not free from personal corruption' but scorned all petty

'

bribes and gave the fees due to the Speaker on private bills to the poor of his parish (St. Giles.) Always bearing in mind his descent from a Protector of the realm, that the Duke of Somerset was a me 1.ber of his family, not be of the Duke's, when summoned to the Privy Council, he walked to the head of the room, and leaning over Charles, whispered too audibly, that he should not prevaricate with himself. Hardened in his pride by age, Ile treated William the Third with the airs of an equal, if not a superior ; and when dismissed from his place of Comptroller of the Household bv Queen Anne, sent word that he should return his staff by the common carrier. " One instance of his hardihood in the exercise of the duties of' Speaker is highly to his credit. A message being brought that the King was seated on his throne, and his presence desired to hear the prorogation of Parliament, he refused to stir till the Bill of Supply had been returned according to precedent front the House of Lords; and though again warned that his Majesty WAS waiting, he declared he would be torn by wild horses sooner than quit the chair. The bill was brought, and the Commons advanced to the bar of the Lords encouraged by the triumph of their had. These matters of punctilious observance, however trifling in appearance, are far from insignificant when considered as tests of the respect which must be paid, or the slight that may be offered with impunity, to a sensitive and jealous assembly.

"From a private pique, his reelection as Speaker was opposed at Court ; and though he abstained from offering any excuse when presenting himself for the royal approbation, much to his own private rejoicing—for his was not the pride that apes humility '—the King peremptorily refused his assent, and com- pelled the hesitating Commons to make a fresh election. • • • " When Mr. Seymour went up to the Lords for his Majesty's approval, be declared that he had been chosen by the unanimous vote of the House, but omitted the usual formal plea of modesty, desiring to be excused ; a prayer which it was suspected, from the Lord Treasurer's enmity to Seymour, the Chancellor would cheerfully grant.

I am come hither,' said the haughty Commoner, in a tone of arrogance till then unknown, 'for your Majesty's approbation; which if your Majesty please to grant, I shall do the Commons and you the best service I can.' However disconcerted by this novel boldness, the Royal purpose was too firmly fixed to be thus eluded. " 'The approbation,' said the Chancellor, after an embarrassed pause, which is given by his Majesty to the choice of a Speaker, would not be thought such a favour as it is, and ought to be received, if his Majesty were not at liberty to deny as well as to grant it. It is an essential prerogative of the King to refuse as Well OR approve of a Speaker. The King is the best judge of men and things. He knows when and where to employ. fie thinks tit to reserve you for other service, and to ease you of this.'"

A PRECISE SPEAKER.

" When the Speaker, Sir Richard Onslow, went up with the House to de- mand judgment against Dr. Sacheverell, as the Mace was going into the House of Lords before the Speaker, the Black Rod endeavoured to hinder it, by putting his black rod across the door; on which the Speaker said, ' If he did not immediately take away the black rod, he would return to the House of Commons.' The Black Rod desired him to stay a little, and he would ac- quaint the Lords. The door was shut, and Mr. Speaker and the House staid without. After a little time the door was opened, and Mr. Speaker with the Mace went in. As Mr. Speaker was going to the bar, the Black Rod attempted to interpose himself between the Speaker sod the Mace ; upon which the Speaker said aloud, My Lords, if you do not immediately order your Black Rod to go away, I will immediately return to the House of Common,: Then Lord Chancellor Cowper directed the Black Rod to go from thence. Then Mr. Speaker with the Mace went up to the bar. The Black Roil was then ordered to bring the prisoner; and the Black Rod was going to put him on the right hand of Mr. Speaker; who upon that said, 'If you don't order the Black Rod to go with the prisoner on the left hand of me, at some distance, I will re- turn to the House of Commons.' Upon which the Lord Chancellor directed the Black Rod so to do; and then Mr. Speaker demanded the judgment ; and the Lord Chancellor accordingly pronounced sentence upon the prisoner, kneeling at the bar."

THE STOCK IN TRADE OF A LAWYER.

His rival, the versatile lawyer William Williams, was the eldest son of the Reverend Hugh Williams, D.D., Rector of Nantyerog, in Anglesea, and edu- cated at Jesus College, Oxford. He went the North Wales circuit, and gained the reputation, according to Sir Peter Leicester, of ['dog a very acute young gentleman. Having danced at an assize ball with a rich heiress, the daughter of Watkin Kyffin, Esq., he obtained the young lady's consent to propose him- self to her father as a suitor ; and when the old gentleman asked roughly "what have you ? " replied with ready boldness, "I have, Sir, a tongue and a gown!" His suit prospered ; and he became by his marriage the founder of the flourishing families of Wynnstay and Bodllewyddan and Penbedw.