themselves to the United States; but they were unsuccessful, and the rebellion was suppressed by a a few British troops. From that time Canada has steadily increased in wealth and population, and is now one of the most loyal and patriotic of the colonies.

In 1842 a war broke out between England and China, in consequence of the seizure and destruction by the Chinese government of opium belonging to British merchants. Many people in this country considered the war unjustifiable on our part. The British troops were victorious, and the Chinese were compelled to make peace, to cede the island of Hong Kong, to pay a large indemnity, and open four of their ports to British trade.

A succession of scanty harvests, and the great hardships endured in consequence by the poor, had led to a desire for the abolition of the Corn Laws, which imposed a duty on the importation of foreign corn. This movement was conducted by the Anti-Corn Law League, which had its origin in Manchester, and of which Richard Cobden was the principal leader.

In 1841 the Whig ministry of Lord Melbourne resigned, and a government formed by Sir Robert Peel took office. During 1842 and 1843, Ireland was in a state of great agitation. Daniel O'Connell, an eloquent Irish member of Parliament, was the head of a movement which had for its object the "Repeal of the Union." Great meetings were held in various parts of the country, at which resolutions were passed in favour of "Repeal." Daniel O'Connell and five of his colleagues were prosecuted for sedition, and condemned to imprisonment; but the sentence was

reversed on a technical point of law by the House of Lords. From this time the agitation gradually declined.

In 1846 the Corn Laws were abolished by Sir Robert Peel's government, and "free trade" in corn declared. Sir Robert Peel, losing many of his most influential supporters who were opposed to this measure, resigned office, and was succeeded by Lord John Russell as premier, in 1846.

The extraordinary success of railways led to great speculations in them and other projects of a like nature; and in 1846 and 1847, in consequence of reckless adventure, a monetary crisis occurred, which involved many thousands in loss and utter ruin.

In February 1848, the nation was startled by the news from France. Louis Philippe, the king, fled to England in disguise, and a Republic was proclaimed at Paris. Many expected a renewal of the scenes and wars of the first French revolution. But these forebodings were happily unfulfilled. The French Republic was recognised by England; and, in spite of the many changes in the government of France since 1848, peace has always been preserved between the two countries, whose best interests are identical.

In April 1848, a large body of Chartists assembled near London, and threatened to march on the capital. Their designs were frustrated by the vigilance of the government, and the streets of London were lined by nearly 200,000 of its citizens, who were voluntarily enrolled as special constables. The same year a rising, headed by Smith O'Brien, took place in Ireland, but was suppressed, and the ringleaders captured, tried, and transported.

Next year her Majesty visited Ireland, where she was received with great enthusiasm, by all classes of her subjects.

The most interesting event in the year 1851 was the opening of the Great Exhibition in London. Here, under a fairy-like palace of glass, were exhibited the products of the peaceful industry of all nations. But unfortunately, the peaceful ideas excited by this great gathering were not destined to be realised. After a European peace of nearly forty years, three of the great powers engaged in a destructive war, caused by the aggressive policy of Russia. A Russian army invaded Turkey, and the Sultan called upon his English and French allies to come to his assistance. A combined expedition sailed for the East in 1854, and landed on the 19th of September 1854 in the Crimea.

On the 20th of September the battle of Alma was fought, and the Russians totally defeated. The allied armies then proceeded to lay siege to the great naval fortress of Sebastopol, which was held by a large Russian garrison. The siege was long and bloody. A vigorous attack was made on the besiegers by the Russians, on the 5th of November 1854, but they were repulsed in the hardly contested battle of Inkermann.

After a siege of nearly a year, the principal forts of Sebastopol were taken, and shortly afterwards peace was made between the belligerents.

The most important event since the close of the Russian war has been the great mutiny of the Sepoy (or native Indian) army. This rebellion broke out in June 1857. Many British officers were cruelly murdered, and at Cawnpore the whole garrison, with the women and children, were barbarously put to death.

Delhi, a fortress held by the rebels, was taken by General Wilson; and Lucknow, where a British garrison was closely besieged by a rebel army, was relieved by the heroic Havelock. Sir John Lawrence, Lord Clyde, and other eminent soldiers, at the head of large reinforcements from England, have at length succeeded in crushing this formidable insurrection, which seemed at first likely to wrest from England her great Indian empire. Let us hope, that wise and prudent measures may be adopted to raise the condition of the many millions of India, whom Providence has placed under the sceptre of our Queen.

CHAP. XLI.

THE BRITISH EMPIRE AND CONSTITUTION.

THE British Empire consists of the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the numerous islands on the northern and western coasts of Scotland, together with numerous colonies and dependencies in every part of the world.

The British possessions in Europe are the island of Heligoland at the mouth of the Elbe; Gibraltar in Spain; Malta and Gozo, in the Mediterranean; and the seven Ionian islands, on the west coast of Greece, which are under English protection.

In Asia-almost all Hindostan; the island of Ceylon Malacca, Singapore, Hong-Kong, and Aden, on the

coast of Arabia.

In Africa-Cape Colony, Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Gold Coast, St. Helena, and Ascension.

In North America-Upper and Lower Canada, and all the country north and west to the Pacific and Arctic oceans; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Prince Edward's Island, Newfoundland, Honduras, the Bermudas, and Vancouver's Island.

In South America-British Guiana and the Falkland Islands.

In the West Indies,-Jamaica, the Bahamas, Trinidad, Antigua, Barbadoes, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and other small islands.

In Australasia—Australia, Van Diemen's Land, New Zealand, Sarawak, and Labuan.

THE CONSTITUTION.-In considering the constitution of our country, we may conveniently divide it into three parts-1st. The Executive; 2nd. Legislative; and 3rd. Judicial Functions.

I. The Executive Power.-This resides in the king or queen for the time being, who is the head of the state, and by our constitution endowed with certain powers, together called the Royal Prerogative. The sovereign is the chief magistrate of the state.

1. He is the source of all judicial power in the state; the judges of the land are his substitutes, sit by his authority, everything is transacted in his name.

2. He is looked upon as the universal proprietor of the kingdom, and is consequently directly concerned with all offences, which are regarded as committed against him, the offenders are prosecuted in his name, and he can pardon whom he will.

3. He is the fountain of honour; that is, the distributor of titles and dignities.