Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Government, Politics, Railways, Museums, Animal Husbandry, Disease, Political Economy

Institutions mentioned:

Houses of Parliament

    Notes the 'clever dodge' invented by the '"men of business" who manage Railway Companies and other speculations' for borrowing money 'which they have no moral right to borrow', and the unsuccessful attempt of John Russell (1st Earl Russell) to convince British Museum trustees of his plans to reform the museum. The writer considers the state of the museum to be 'preposterous' and declares that he avoids taking foreign tourists to see the stuffed animals and relics. Later notes George Grey's speech accompanying the new government bill for 'dealing with the Rinderpest', and details some aspects of the bill: for example, the bill provides for 'the slaughter and burial of diseased cattle, and for the isolation of suspected beasts'. Notes discussion in the House of Lords of rinderpest, in which Henry G Grey (3rd Earl Grey) criticizes the slowness of 'proceeding by Bill' and 'recommends resolutions'. Later notes John S Mill's maiden speech as a member of Parliament, a speech discussing the economic impact of rinderpest. (76)