Mr. Villiers' Union Chargeability Bill got through the Lords after
all without much trouble. Nobody opposed it except the Duke of Rutland, and only twenty-four peers voted with him, against eighty-six on the other side. The only point made by the Duke was the statement that at present it paid a farmer to find a parishioner work, better than to contribute the rate necessary to keep him in the workhouse, which may be occasionally true, but only proves that the present system retains men in parishes where there is no natural demand. The Duke with a curious infelicity possible only to a Protectionist, quoted a case where the clergy- man of a parish with only thirty inhabitants and no paupers will have to pay 301. a year. In other words, the labourers who make the income have been expelled, and now the owners are grumbling because they have to pay the tax they have so long thrown on to other people. Earl Grey, we may remark, denied that Dr. Hunter's report of the condition of the labouring classes was exaggerated.
