§ SIR ROBERT H. INGLISsaid: I rise, Sir, to submit a Motion to the House, which, in ordinary cases, though in all a matter of privilege, is also so much a matter of course, that it is usually made in a well-bred whisper by some Gentlemen on the right hand of the table, or by some Gentlemen on the left hand of the table; while the House at large knows nothing of the question, till you, Sir, in the full dignity of your voice and your position, put it formally from the Chair. I ask the indulgence of the House while for a few moments I deviate from that ordinary course; because the individual in reference to whom my Motion is founded is no ordinary man, and I hope, and I believe that I speak the 955 sentiments of the House generally, when I say that Lord Ashley should not be withdrawn from the first ranks of this assembly, the scene of his labours and his triumphs, without some parting expression of respect and regret.
§ MR. FORSTERrose to order. He begged to ask Mr. Speaker whether the hon. Member was in order in making this Motion, accompanied by observations, without notice?
§ MR. SPEAKERunderstood the hon. Baronet was about to move a new writ for Bath, in the room of Lord Ashley; and, if so, he was in order.
§ MR. W. WILLIAMSprotested against the unusual course adopted by the hon. Baronet the Member for Oxford. The House had assembled to proceed with some Bills, and the hon. Baronet was occupying their attention with praises of Lord Ashley.
§ SIR ROBERT H. INGLISI had hoped that, even if I had had no right to address the House, the subject would have met with universal indulgence. But the services, indeed, of Lord Ashley are too recent, as well as too numerous, to require any detailed reference to them. The faithful memory of this House and the gratitude of the country will long record them. During the last fifteen years of Lord Ashley's Parliamentary life he has been emphatically the friend of the friendless. Every form of human suffering he has, in his place in this House, and especially every suffering connected with labour, sought to lighten, and in every way to ameliorate the moral, social, and religious condition of our fellow-subjects; and out of this House, his exertions have been such as, at first sight, might have seemed incompatible with his duties here. But he found time for all; and when absent from his place on these benches, he was enjoying no luxurious ease, but was seated in the chair of a ragged school meeting, of a Scripture Readers' Association, or of a Young Man's Christian Institution. I will add no more than that the life of Lord Ashley, in and out of this House, has been consecrated, in the memorable inscription of the great Haller, Christo in pauperibus. I shall conclude by moving, that Mr. Speaker do issue his warrant for a new writ for a Member to serve in Parliament for the city of Bath, in the room of Lord Ashley, now Earl of Shaftesbury.
§ MR. BROTHERTONbegged to offer his humble tribute of respect to Lord Ash- 956 ley, for his efforts to ameliorate the condi-of the poor.
§ SIR GEORGE GREYwas sure the House would concur with the hon. Baronet the Member for the University of Oxford in expressing admiration of the private virtues of Lord Ashley, and of the way in which he had devoted his time and talents for the advantage of his poorer countrymen.
§ Motion agreed to.