Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/318

 304 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1837- seek for peace in the less exciting sphere of the House of Lords. Baring became Chancellor of the Exchequer, but if he had the spirit, he had not the opportunity of reforming the system of finance to which his party had become accustomed. Other alterations were at the same time made in the Cabinet. Russell, Home Secretary, and Normanby, Colonial Secretary, exchanged places, in the hope, it might be, that change in administrative details would compensate for the want of vigour in general policy. These arrangements would not be deserving of notice but for the fact that Lord Howick made them the cause of his retirement from the Cabinet. His reason, as given in the following session, was that the changes were unfavourable to that section of the party who wished to avoid further constitutional reforms.* It is difficult now to understand the position thus taken up, but his lordship's readiness to assume the character of the candid friend, and to damage his party whilst remaining in it, perhaps gave special acuteness to his vision. It has since that time placed him in antagonism to the most earnest and useful Liberal leaders. His defection could just then do little good or harm to the Ministry, and his place was filled by Macaulay, who could at least give help as an orator to the decaying fortunes of the Government. The Queen opened, in person, the session of 1840, and the principle subject of interest in the speech was the announce- ment of the intended marriage of her Majesty. The choice made by the sovereign gave universal satisfaction to people and Parliament, a satisfaction which steadily increased as the character of the Prince Consort became more known. There was, however, a difference of opinion as to the allowance which ought to be made to him, the views of economists being strengthened by the general distress which existed in the country. The Government proposed the sum of ^"50,000 a year, to which Hume, on the 2/th of January, moved an amendment that it be ^"20,000. He was defeated by 305 to want of confidence and resolution, on the 28th of January, 1840.
 * The explanation was given in his speech on the debate on Sir J. Buller's