Page:Life of the Right Honourable Sir Robert Peel.pdf/17

Rh which the life of that eminent man has been exclusively devoted (devoted more than that of any other person) to public objects and to the service of the State, bringing to that service the greatest and most distinguished talents, equally great and equally distinguished in business and in debate. And, my lords, such having been the case, such exertions having been continued to the last, it would be impossible to witness that sudden and unexpected close to such a life so employed, without that passing expression of sympathy, sorrow, and condolence, with which I believe all persons in the country, and more especially all those connected with its legislation and public proceedings, have witnessed the event that has filled their hearts with sorrow, and their minds with apprehension. My lords, I will say no more; what has been felt in the assembly of which he was a member, is felt here, and is felt throughout the country. And I persuade myself that, however feebly, I have but given vent to your lordships' feelings, as well as my own, when I have endeavoured that such a loss should not pass unnoticed in this House." His lordship was listened to with the greatest attention, and every sentiment he uttered received a ready and affecting response from the House.

Lord Stanley next rose and said—"Great as is the public loss which we have sustained, and universal as is the sympathy manifested by the whole country at the calamity which has just occurred, I did not anticipate that in this House, of which Sir Robert Peel was not a member, the noble marquis would have called for an expression of public feeling, or would have adverted, as he has done, to this lamentable occurrence. But, my lords, as the noble marquis has adverted to the case, I cannot deprive myself of the melancholy gratification of declaring how fully I participate in the feelings which the noble marquis has so eloquently expressed. The noble marquis truly