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PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OF TEE WEEK.

Horn 02 Looms. Monday, Feb. 23. Sanitary Condition of the Metropolis; No- tice of Motion by Lord Shaftesbury—Resignation of the Ministry ; Explanations by Lord Lansdowne—Embankment and Drainage of Lands; Bill brought in by the Ead of Carlisle.

Friday, Feb. 27. Programme of the new Ministry set forth by the Earl of Derby —House adjourned to Monday. Holm op Commorts. Monday, Feb. 23. Maynooth Grant ; Mr. Spooner post.. pones his motion till after Easter—Cleopatra's Needle, not to be removed—Resigns.. tion of the Ministry; Explanations by Lord John Russell.

Friday, Feb. 27. New Writs moved for the vacated places of the new Adminis- tration—Sundry Notices of Motion—House adjourned to Friday the 12th of March.

TIME- TABLE.

The Lords.

Hour of Hour of • Hour of our of

Meeting. Adjournment. Meeting. Adjonnnnent. Monday 5h 45m Monday 511 45m

Friday ..... . Sh . . . 7h Om Friday 4h .... fih 30ro Sittings this Week, 2 ; Time, 25 45r0 Sittingsthia Week, 2; Time, 6h 15m --- this Se115i011. 13; — 33530,0 — this Session, 16; — 835 Om RESIGNATION OF THE RUSSELL MINISTRY.

In the House of Lords, on Monday, the attendance of Peers at the time- when the Lord Chancellor took his seat on the Woolsack was but slender; but at a later period it became very large. On the Ministerial benches, were the Marquises of Lansdowne and Clan- ricarde, and the Earls of Carlisle, Minto, Granville, and Grey. The Mar- quis of Normanby and Lord Campbell were also present. On the Protec- tionist benches were the Earls of Eglintoun, Malmesbury, Warwick, and Glengall, and Lords Lyndhurst, Brougham, and Colchester. The Earl of Derby was absent, busy no doubt in the work of constructing the new Cabi- net. The Duke of Wellington occupied his usual seat on the cross-bench, just below the woolsack. The Peeresses' Gallery was quite full.

After a few words between Lords BROUGHAM and CAMPBELL respecting the County Courts Extension Bill, the Marquis of LANSDOWNE spoke as follows-

" I rise, my Lords, for the purpose of moving that the order of the day which now trtands for Friday next, namely, 'to move the appoint-

ment of a Select Committee to consider the expediency of renewing the East India Company's Charter,' be discharged ; and in making that motion, you will my Lords, readily anticipate that the ground on which I make it is a circumstance already known to all your Lordships—that all her Majesty's Ministers have resigned, and that they only hold their offices until their suc- cessors are appointed. In making this announcement, I am most anxious not to make any observation whatsoever calculated to excite any difference of opinion, or even to provoke any sort of discussion. I should wish so to ab- stain under any circumstances, but more especially during the absence of a noble Earl—a noble and much valued friend of mine, though a political op- ponent—from whom I have heard within the last hour that he has accepted office, and is now engaged in the formation of a new Administration ; a task in which, though it is impossible for me to give him any assistance, I should be the last man, were it even in my power, to create the slightest shade of impediment. I say that I should be the last man to create impedimenta in the formation of an Administration under any circumstances; because we are daily informed that, independently of that Administration which is now in the course of formation, there are concealed many anonymous administra- tions capable and ready to conduct affairs, but, unfortunately, too modest to make themselves known. I have therefore only to state now, that I have long been of opinion—and every hour during the last year has confirmed me in that opinion—that the retention of office and the prolongation of official existence by a Government which does not obtain that amount of support which is necessary to enable it to conduct with efficiency the Queen's affairs, not only ceases to be productive of good, but also becomes productive of evil to the country. I say, therefore' that the very instant I was apprized on Saturday morning by my noble friend in the other House, that in conse- quence of what had occurred there the night before he was inclined to adopt the course of resigning into her Majesty's hands the trust which she had con- fided to him, I instantly intimated to him my acquiescence in and my appro- bation of that course ; and I am authorized to state further, that, when I communicated the circumstance to the rest of our colleagues, they unani- mously and unhesitatingly concurred in that course. " My Lords, I do not know whether it be necessary for me to say more. What I have already said is on account of the Government with which I have been connected, and on account of the colleagues with whom I have had the honour and the happiness to serve. But I may perhaps be permitted, my Lords, considering the position in which I feel myself now to stand, and considering that it is most improbable—I might even add a stronger word— that I should ever again, under any circumstances, address you from this bench—I may, perhaps, be permitted to add a few words to that communi- cation which I have already made to you. Though it will always be con- sidered by me, so long as I have life and health, to be part of my duty to attend the proceedings of your Lordships' House on various important pro- ceedings which are pending in times of a most eventful character, and in times which, I think, will long continue to be of a most eventful character, yet I shall feel it to be snore peculiarly my duty to take part in some ques- tions of great public interest, if they should be presented to your con- sideration. And it will be the more satisfactory to me to take part in one of those questions if it be presented to you, because I shall then give my opinions unbiassed and untrammelled by any official relations. I say, also, that though I consider this to be my lay, the time has at length arrived when I may reasonably dispense from a constant, and I may even add a compulsory, attendance on the proceedings of the House : and with this feeling on my mind, I cannot sit down on this occasion with- out thanking all my noble Mends, personal as well as political, for the warmth and the cordiality of the support which from them I have constantly exrienced. But I must further add, that I shall quit this House with a feeling that I am deeply indebted to the House at large, and, I will say, to all the noble Lords opposite, for the invariable kindness courtesy, and for- bearance with which they have uniformly received me. 'It has always been my wish, and it will always continue to be my wish, to see observed mthe proceedings of this House, that absence of all violence of temper, and of all acrimonious feeling, which I am sure is essential to the dignity of your L0111- ship.: and if I have contributed in any degree to the maintenance of that

The Commons.

dignity, it will be a source of constant satisfaction to me convinced as I am

i , that it s by observing that mode of proceeding your Lord:ships will best main- tain that authority in the country which you derive from its constitution ; an authority which, whatever may be said to the contrary, I believe all the sane parts of the country wish you long to enjoy. I say, my Lords, the sane part of the country; for all that portion of the public has had occasion to see, within the last few years, that there is no country in the world with institu- tions similar to yours, and that where they have existed, and have been hastily abolished, it has been found much easier to destroy than to recon- struct them. I leave, then, my Lords, this place with the most ardent hope that, under whatever Government you may be placed, your Lordships may continue to pursue that course which entitles you to the respect of the coun-

trT—a respect which I am confident that you will continue to maintain. have felt myself justified in saying thus much to your Lordships on account of the situation in which I now find myself. I have now only to say, that it

is my intention to move, if I hear no objection from any noble Lord, that, on our rising tonight, we adjourn till Friday night. I do this after a communica- tion with the noble Earl to whom I have already alluded. If it should be stated to one by any noble Lord that there is business either of an ordinary or of a judicial character, there can be no objection to our adjourning from day to day with a view to its transaction ; on the perfect understanding, however, that till Friday next no public or political business is to be trans- acted." (The delivery of this address was accompanied with frequent ex- pressive cheers.)

In the absence of Lord Derby, the acknowledgments of the House were made by the Earl of MALMZSBURY- " My Lords, it would be unbecoming in me, after the remarks which have just fallen from the noble Marquis, to say anything but this—that we have

nothing on this side of the House, and, I believe nothing on the other side

of it, but pride and pleasure at the way in which noble Marquis has just

addressed us. Pride and pleasure we feel here when the noble Marquis tells us, and tells us truly, that during the political battles which have been waged between the two sides of the House, he has endeavoured to give neither offence nor pain to any man, but has constantly exhibited those lessons of courtesy and kindness which are so becoming and so necessary in your Lordships' House. I hope that the words of the noble Marquis will be long remembered here, coming as they do from a man of the highest au- thority in experience, in dignity of bearing, and in courtesy of manner, on the most exciting and sometimes on the most offensive questions. (Great cheering.) I think that they will be long remembered by those members of

this House who are of the same age and experience as the noble Marquis,

and also by those younger friends behind me who can receive nothing but good from considering and reflecting upon the speech he has just delivered to us. I have nothing to add, save that I trust that, if the course of events should prevent the noble Marquis from occupying the bench on which he is now sitting, we shall not lose for many a day the valuable assistance which he is capable of giving to our deliberations. I trust that he will long give us the benefit of his advice, and the valuable example of those admirable qualities which are so indispensable in a deliberative assembly." (Cheers.) Some routine arrangements were made, and the Peers adjourned till Friday.

In the House of Commons, there was an unusually large attendance of Members even as early as four o'clock, when the Speaker took the chair.

At half-past four o'clock, Lord john Russell entered the House alone and took his usual seat on the Treasury bench. There he was joined 1;1 Sir

George Grey, Lord Seymour, Mr. Labouehere, Mr. Fox Malik, Sir William

Somerville, and Sir Francis Baring. By that time the portion of the House allotted to Members was crowded, and in the hum of conversation which prevailed the private and formal business was for some time mere pantomime. A considerable number of the Members had betaken themselves to the side- galleries, the better to survey the interesting scene presented on the floor of the House. The Speaker's and the Strangers' Galleries had each its full complement of eager occupants ; whilst many a fair face could be faintly seen through the screen at the Ladies' Gallery. Turning to the Opposition side of the House, the front bench was occupied so early as four o'clock by several of the Protectionist and Conservative Members. Soon after four, Mr. Disraeli arrived and took his accustomed seat. j Mr. Feargus O'Connor was in his usual place in the front Opposition bench ; on the arrival of Lord Palmerston, shortly before five, he crossed (vet and

tendered his hand to the ex-Secretary who occupied a front seat below he gang- way: Lord Palmerston returned the proffered courtesy, amid the halt-sup- pressed amusement of the Members in his immediate vicinity. Some common business having been disposed of, Lord JORN RUSSELL rose to give the expected explanations on the retirement of the Ministry.

"After the majority of last Friday night, the House will be prepared for the announcement which I am now about to make. At a meeting of her Majesty's servants on Saturday, we considered what course it was incumbent upon us to pursue. It appeared to us that it was impossible to carry on sa- tisfactorily the business of the Government in this House after the events of the preceding night. We considered also the alternative of advising her Majesty to use her prerogative of dissolving Parliament; but we considered that there were such grave objections to such a course, that we declined to recommend

it to the Crown. We therefore determined humbly to lay our resignations be-

fore her Majesty ; which I accordingly did upon the same afternoon. Her Majesty was graciously pleased to accept our resignations, and has since sent for the Earl of Derby ; who, I understand, has undertaken the task of form- ing a Government. We therefore hold our offices only until our successors are appointed by her Majesty. Sir, after this statement I do not wish to re- cur to the various events which have taken place since the commencement of this session, and which may, perhaps, form the subject of debate hereafter ; but I cannot conclude what I have to say upon this occasion

without expressing my sincere thanks to those who have supported her Ma- jesty's Government, and who, during upwards of five years, have enabled me to support a burden for which I confess I was otherwise totally unfit. (Cheers from the Ministerial side.) Having this confidence, and having had the ad- vantage of this support, I have been enabled during that period so to conduct public affairs, that we shall not leave them, in any great branch, whether of our domestic or foreign relations, in a state of which we need be at all ashamed. (Cheers from the Ministerial side.) I wish further to state, that, 'with respect to one of my colleagues, to whom I am particularly indebted, it Is to the temperate wisdom and respected character of the Marquis of Lans- downe that the Government owes the facility of being able to carry measures of great importance through the House of Lords, where a Ministry composed of the party to which I belong has not hitherto had the support of a ma- jority. (Cheers.)

"As I have said, I do not wish to recur to past events, or indeed to dilate upon anything which may raise a difference of opinion in the House. With respect to the fixture, I shall only say that I shall think it my duty to oppose, out of office, as I have opposed in office, any restoration of the duty on corn- oad Ministerial cheers, with ironical cheers and "Oh, oh !" from the rrotectionists)—whether under the name of protection or of revenue. I shall also think it my duty to support an extension of the suffrage—(Minis- tend/ cheers)—to those who are fit to exercise the franchise for the welfare

of the country ; believing that such extension will add strength and solidity to our Parliamentary system. (Ministerial cheers.) I will say further, that I shall always use the little influence which I may possess for the main- tenance of the blessings of peace. (Renewed cheers.)

"I have only to add, that since I came into the House, I have received a communication from the Earl of Derby, stating that it is his wish, for the convenience of the official arrangements which he has been charged by her Majesty to make, that this House should adjourn till Friday next. In compliance with that wish, and to promote the public convenience, I there- fore more that this House at its rising adjourn till Friday next."

Mr. litYRR said, that the experienced Members were aware that the course now proposed was that usually taken on similar occasions ; for it was only fit and proper that those who are intrusted with the Govern- ment should have time to make their arrangements.

But he rose to express a hope that, should the House most on Friday, the new Ministry would give an explanation of the policy intended to be pursued by them. He said this because he had heard it rumoured that it was not intended that the House should meet again. As a person indifferent to both parties, he could only say that if the new Ministry brought forward good measures he would support them, but if bad he would oppose them. Remade these observations as an independent man and an advocate of progressive liberal measures, carrying out free trade beyond the point to which it was yet carried. (" Hear !" and some laughter front the Protectionist benches.) But if the new Ministers intended to recur to the old system, let them have the manli- ness to declare so, and let them not make an appeal to the country without al- lowing the people to know what their policy is.

The motion was agreed to ; and several orders of the day being disposed of the House adjourned till Friday.

THE FINAL VOTE AGAINST THE RUSSELL DIDTISTRY.

FRIDAY, FEBRIYA.RY 20.

Question proposed, "That leave be given to bring in a bill to amend [and consolidate] the laws respecting the Local Militia." Mr. Bernal, Chairman of Committees. An amendment proposed, and question put, "that the word 'local' stand part of the question." _Lord _Palmerston.

Majority for the Amendment and against Ministers, 136.

Adderley, Chas. B. Dod, J. Whitehall Hope, Sir John, Bt. Pechell, Sir G. Anstey, Chisholm Drundamig, Visct. Hotham, Lord Portal, Melville Archdall, Capt. H. Drummond, Henry Ilumphery, Aid. J. Prime, Richard Arkwright, George Duncombe, Hon. A. Jocelyn, Viscount Pugh. David Baillie,II. James Duncombe, lion. 0. Jones, Capt- T. Richards, Richard Baldock, E. H. Duncuft, John Keating, Robert Roche, E. Burke Barrow, W. H. Du Pre, Caledon G. Keogh, William Sadleir, John Beresford, Maj. W. Edwards, Henry Knightley, Sir C. Bt.Sandars, George Blake, Martin J. Egerton, W. Tinton Knox, Lt.-Col. B. Sibthorp, Col.

Bolder°, Capt. H. Evelyn, W. J. Booker, T. W. Lennox, Ld. Alex. G.Spooner, Richard Forbes, William Lennox, IA. Hen. G. Stafford, Augustus

Booth, Sir It. Gore Forester, Hon. G. C. Leslie, Charles P. Stanley, Edward Bowles, Rear-Ad. Fox, Sackville W. Lopes, Sir Ralph, Bt.Stuart, John Bremridg-e, Rich. Freestun, Col. W. Mackenzie, W. F. Sturt, Henry G. Brisco, Musgrave Freshfield, J. W. Mackie, John Sullivan, Michael Bruce, C. Cumming Fuller, Augustus E. Mahon, O'Gorman Tennent, Sir E. Buck, Lewis Wm. Galway, Viscount Manners, Lord John Thompson, Lt.-Col. Buller, Sir J. Y. Bt. Gaskell, James M. Maunsell, Col. T. P.Trevor, Hon. G. R.

Burghley, Lord Gladstone, W. E. Meux, Sir H. Bart. Tyler, Sir G. Campbell, Hon. W. Gould, Wyndham Miles, William Tynte, Col. C. J. K. Christopher, R. A. Grace, Oliver D. J. Mines, It. MoncktonTyrell, Sir J. T. Bt. Christy, Samuel Grattan, Henry Moody, Chas. Aaron Vyse, Hon. Capt. Clive, lion. R. H. Greene, Capt. John Morgan, Octavius Waddington, U. S. Clive, Henry Bayley Grogan, Edward Mullings, J. It. 'Walpole, Spencer Cobbold, John C. Gwyn, HowelNaas, Lord Walsh, Sir J. B. Bt. Cocks, T. Somers Hall, Col. John Napier, Joseph Wawn, J. Twizell Coles, H. Beaumont Hallewell, E.G. Newdegate, C. N. West, Fred. R. Collins, Thomas Hamilton, G. A. Newport, Viscount Whiteside, James Compton, 11. Combe Harding,e, Hon. C. S. Norreys, Sir D. Bt. Willoughby, Sir II. Conolly, Thomas Harris, lion. Capt. O'Brien, Sir Tim. Wodehouse, E. Corry, Rt. Hon. H. Hayes, Sir E. S. Bt. O'Ferrall, More Young, Sir J. Cubitt, William Herbert,Rt. Hon. S. O'Flaherty.

Davies, D. Arthur Berries, Rt. Hon. J. Parke, Charles W. TELLERS.

Deedes, William Higgins, G. G. 0. Pakington, Sir J. S. Palmerston, Visa. Disraeli, Benjamin Hodgson, Wm. N. Palmer, Roundell Dunne, Lt.-Col. F.

Minority for Ministers, 125.

Adair, R. A. Shafto Divett, Edward Ilutt, William Scrope, G. Pottlett Alcock, Thomas Duff, James Johnstone, Sir J. V. Seymour, H. Danby Anson, Ho. Gen. Duncan, George Kershaw, James Seymour, Lord Armstrong, Sir And. Dundas, Sir David Labouchere, Henry Shafto, Robert D. Baines,Rt, En. H. T.Evans, Sir De Lacy Lewis, G. Cornewall Smith, It. Vernon. Baring, Sir F. T. Bt. Evans, John Lygon, Hon. Gen. Smith, John A. Barrington, Visct. Evans, William Matheson, Alex. Somerville. Sir W. Bass, M. Thos. Ewart, William Matheson, CoL T. Stanton, W. H. Bellew, Richard M. Fergus, John Maule, Rt. Hon. FoxStaunton, Sir 0. T. Berkeley, Adm. M. F.Fitzroy, lion. Henry Milligan. Robert Strickland, Sir G . Bt.

Berkeley, C. L. G. Foley, J. II. H. Miner, W. M. Edw.Strutt, E.

Bernal, Ralph Fordyce, Capt. A. D. Mitchell, Thos. A. Stewart, Admiral Bethell, R. Forster, Matthew Mostyn, Hon. E. M. Stuart, Lord Dudley

Birch, Sir T. B. Bt. Fortescue, Chich. Mowatt, Francis Stuart, Lord Jug.

Blackstone, Wm. S. Fox, W. Johnson Norreys, Lord Thicknesse, R. A.

Blewitt R. James Geacb, C. Owen Sir John, Bt. Thornely, Thomas

Bouved * e, En. E. P. Gibson, Rt. Hon. T. Paget, 14. Clarence Trelawny, J. S. Boyle, LL-Col. R. E. Greene, Thomas Parker, John Tune% Rt. Hon. Brocklehurst, John Grey, Rt. Hon. Sir G. Peel, Frederick Vane, Lord Harry Brockman, E. D. Grey, Ralph m. Francis Verney, Sir H. lit. Brotherton, Joseph Grosvenor, Lord It. Pilkington, James Vivian, John Henry Brown, William Hall, Sir B. Bt. Plowden, Wm. 11.C.Waltley, Thomas Charteris, Hon. F. Hanmer, Sir J. Bt. Power, Dr. Clay, James Wall, Chas. Baring Harcourt, G. G. V. Power, Nich. 1Valinsley, Sir Josh. Clay, Sir W. Bart. Harris, Richard Price, Sir Robt, Bt. Walter, John

Cockburn, Sir A. Haetie, Alexander Rice, Ed. Royd Williams, John

Colebrooke, Sir T. Hastie, Archibald Rich, Henry Wilson, James Cowper, Hon. W. F. Hatchell„ John Romilly, Col. Fred. Wood, Sir Charles Craig, Sir Wm. G. Hindley, Charles Russell, Lord J. Wood, Sir W. P.

Crawford, W. S. Howard, Lord Ed. Salwey, Col. Henry TELLERS. Crowder, It. B. Bard, Philip H. Scholefield, Wm. Hayter, W. G.

Dawes, Edward Hume, Joseph Bcobell, Capt. G. T. Hill, Lord Marcus