Page:The Annals of Our Time - Volume 1.djvu/28

OCTOBER all his connexion with Russia and Persia, and refused to receive the ambassador from the Shah now at Candahar."

31.—The Irish National Association meet in Dublin for the last time, O'Connell carrying a motion expressing confidence that the present Administration would give full effect to the wishes of the people of Ireland.

Numerous political meetings held during this month in favour of the ballot and triennial Parliaments

November 1.—Decree of the King of Hanover annulling the Constitution of 1833.

2.—The Fitzwilliam Museum buildings, Cambridge, commenced

3.—Another irruption of water into the Thames Tunnel: one man drowned.

4.—The Queen returns from Brighton to Buckingham Palace.

8.—In the Consistory Court Dr. Lushington gives a decree in favour of the right of the churchwardens of Braintree to levy a church rate on the parishioners, and in opposition to the decision of a majority of the latter assembled in vestry.

9.—This being the first Lord Mayor's Day since her accession, the Queen proceeded through the City in state to dine with his lordship (Sir John Cowan, Bt.) at Guildhall. The Queen left Buckingham Palace at 2, accompanied in the state carriage by the Duchess of Sutherland, Mistress of the Robes, and the Earl of Albemarle, Master of the Horse. The Royal family, ambassadors, Cabinet Ministers, and nobility followed in a train of two hundred carriages, extending nearly a mile and a half. The day was kept as a holiday throughout London, and, though the weather was bad, nothing could exceed the enthusiasm with which her Majesty was greeted by the dense crowds she passed through. At Temple Bar the Lord Mayor delivered the keys of the City to the Queen, which she restored in the most gracious manner to his lordship, who then took his place immediately in front of the royal carriage. On passing St. Paul's, the senior scholar of Christ's Hospital delivered an address of congratulation, and the National Anthem was sung by the pupils. Guildhall was reached about half-past 3 o'clock. A throne and chair of state were placed upon a raised platform at the east end of the banqueting-hall. The Queen wore the order of the Garter, and a magnificent diamond circlet on her head. After the banquet, the Lord Mayor proposed "The health of her most gracious Majesty," which her Majesty acknowledged, and gave in return "The Lord Mayor, and prosperity to the City of London." The only other toast, "The Royal Family," was given by the Lord Mayor. Her Majesty left for Buckingham Palace at half-past 8. The City was illuminated in the evening.

9.—Moses Montefiore knighted by the Queen, being the first Jew who had received this honour.

13.—Serious disturbances throughout Canada, arising from the opposition offered in the Legislature to resolutions carried in the House of Commons in March 1836, declining to make the Council of Lower Canada elective, continuing the Charter of the Land Company, and authorizing the Provincial Government, independent of the Legislature, to appropriate the money in the treasury for the administration of justice and the support of the civil government. Lord Gosford had some months since written to the Colonial Secretary: "In consequence of meetings held and about to be held in different parts of the Province, I cannot conceal from you my impression that a system of organization, under the influence and guidance of M. Papineau and a few designing individuals ready to execute his purposes, is at this moment going on. The primary and ostensible object of M. Papineau's plan seems to be, to procure a public expression of indignation against the Ministerial measures, and eventually to excite a hostile feeling against the Government, and to establish a convention, which he expects will overawe the constituted authorities, and thus carry all his destructive views into execution. Under this conviction, I am prepared to adopt prompt measures, should they be necessary, to check the evil in its infancy. I contemplate therefore issuing a proclamation, warning the people against the misrepresentations and machinations of the designing, and exercising the discretion you confided to me, for increasing the military force here, by despatching your letter to Sir Colin Campbell, with a request for one of the regiments now stationed at Halifax. I must repeat, that these steps would not be dictated by the apprehension of any serious commotion, for I have every reason to believe that the mass of the Canadians are loyal and contented; but from the persuasion that the presence of a larger military force in this province might of itself prevent the occurrence of any disturbance, by deterring the ill-disposed, securing the wavering, and giving confidence to the timid." To-day warrants were issued at Quebec for the arrest of five ringleaders, on a charge of treason. A party of eighteen of the Montreal Volunteer Cavalry were despatched to St. John's to seize two other suspected persons. When returning with their prisoners they were attacked near Chambly by about 300 men armed with rifles, who fired upon them from behind a breastwork of felled trees. After a short resistance the cavalry fled, leaving their prisoners in the hands of the assailants. Colonel Wetherall thereupon marched against St. Charles, where the Papineau party or "Liberty boys" had taken refuge, and with the assistance of a large body of Canadians drove them into the woods. Colonel Gore made an attack on St. Denis, but the rebels resisted successfully till they heard of Wether- Rh