After Mr. Goschen's speech, Mr. O'Connor Power pleaded powerfully for
a self-acting law which would alter the repre- sentation as population varied, and pointed out how the attempt to keep down Irish representative rights had told, as it was long ago predicted that it would tell, against the Act of Union. Sir Stafford Northcote made a somewhat feeble speech in favour of completing the scheme by a Redistribution of Seats Bill; and then Sir Henry James replied in a very amusing speech, in which he rallied Sir Michael Hicks Beach on his desire to give the agricultural labourers only borough votes, and Mr. Lowther on the joy with which he bears of any new contest, likening him to the dog which attended every great fire with the fire brigade, and was off to the scene of conflagration as soon as the lurid glow appeared in the sky. The dog was never known to do any good, and the right honourable gentleman, to give him his due, was never known to do any harm. The speech was a light and laughing one ; but really, after so much heavy unreality, a little liveliness and wit was not amiss. When the House divided, there appeared for Lord John Manners' amend- ment, 210,—against it, 340; majority for the Government, 130.
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