§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, If, in consideration of the widespread destitution throughout the United Kingdom, and the hardships endured by the people, he will advise Her Most Gracious Majesty to be pleased to appoint a day of humiliation and prayer as a National Appeal to Almighty God?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE) (Edinburgh, Mid Lothian)I have carefully considered the hon. Member's Question. There is undoubtedly much distress in the country, which is greatly to be lamented; but in order to warrant the appointment of days of this kind, which ought necessarily to be rare and separated by intervals from one another—for otherwise they would lose much of their peculiar character—the circumstances of the case should present certain particular characteristics, which we do not think that the description of distress now prevailing does present.