Hereupon, though later in the evening, Sir H. Maxwell asked
permission to move the adjournment of the House, in order to enter on a full discussion of the subject, but was supported by only thirty-nine Members in so doing. A fortieth, Mr. A. O'Connor, stood up, after the Speaker had announced that there were only thirty-nine, but was, of course, too late to alter the decision of the Speaker that Sir H. Maxwell was insufficiently supported in his request to be allowed to move the adjournment of the House. This is a flagrant instance of the favour shown by the House to obstructive motions. A more trumpery matter for %cavil was never brought before the House. It might as well be proposed to waste the time of the House in discussing how far it was right that a Crown member of the Senate of the University of London should have his own views, toad freely publish them. on the subject of the Affirmation Bill. Sir H. Maxwell should have been put down by the unanimous disapproval of the House of Commons, instead of being allowed so nearly to gain his Point.
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