§ LORD STANLEY, in moving that the name of Lord Redesdale be substituted for that of the late Lord Ashburton, in the Committee on Banking, said: My Lords, I must on this occasion advert to the great and severe loss which this Committee and Your Lordships' House have sustained by the death of my noble Friend Lord Ashburton. Although my noble Friend had arrived at that time of life when it was not reasonable to expect that his life would be protracted for any very lengthened period, yet those Members of your Lordships' House who have been serving on this Committee have had the opportunity of observing and noticing how entirely unclouded was the power of his intellect, how clear was his mind, and how valuable were the experience and information which he brought to bear upon the very important 980 subject which occupied his anxious attention even to the last week or fortnight of his life. I am sure, that although my late noble Friend was not a frequent speaker or debater in this House, yet those of your Lordships who had the opportunity of seeing and knowing him must be well aware, and will appreciate with me, of how much greater value and importance than could have been the powers of the highest eloquence were the clear and impartial judgment and the candid spirit which he brought to bear upon every subject, and that wide practical experience which he possessed, more especially, upon mercantile subjects—subjects to which he had devoted the study and observations of a long life—which imparted to all his opinions the highest authority. I am sure I may add that that general amiability, that uniform courtesy and kindness, not only of mind but of manner and heart, which characterised my noble Friend, must have rendered it impossible that he should have left behind him a single enemy, personal or political. Those who were admitted to the honour of this private friendship will feel more than others the loss which the country has sustained—a loss which will be long felt by all who knew how to value his high qualities, his private worth, and public honour, I trust I shall be pardoned for having occupied your Lordships' attention with these few words.
§ The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNE said, that he had enjoyed the acquaintance and friendship of Lord Ashburton from his earliest years—an elder date than even that of the noble Lord opposite, inasmuch as his (the Marquess of Lansdowne's) life had been longer than that of the noble Lord. That friendship had continued undisturbed for something like forty years, and he had had ample opportunity of corroborating all that the noble Lord had said concerning the high character and talents, the amiability of disposition, and the enlarged experience of his deceased friend.
§ LORD BROUGHAM said, that he also had been acquainted with Lord Ashburton for more than forty years, and had been his fellow-labourer in several most important Parliamentary discussions. He felt it difficult to express his feelings on this occasion; but he could not avoid at least expressing how entirely he agreed with all that had fallen from his two noble Friends respecting the high character, the extraordinary candour, and the sound understanding of Lord Ashburton. The last time he had seen Lord Ashburton he was 981 going to the house of a brother who had died. Another had died ten days before; thus the three brothers had all died within the space of a month.
§ Motion agreed to.