Some weeks later, the Chancellor of the Exchequer introduced a Bill,
empowering the Government to lend the paltry sum of L620,000 to Irish
railways, which Sir Robert also opposed, saying that "the measure of
Lord George Bentinck was free from some of the objections which forcibly
applied to the present measure." He offered no objection to the giving
of money to Ireland, as a pauper, but he would give none for her
permanent improvement. Like certain philanthropists, who deliver
homilies on alms-giving but spare their pockets, he was most liberal of
his advice. He counselled us to have self-reliance, to depend upon
ourselves, and not be looking to Dublin Castle or to England; whilst, on
the other hand, the First Minister defended his Government against the
charge of allowing the people to die of starvation, by asserting that
the Irish Famine was a visitation with which no human power could cope.
Before the second reading of his Bill came on, Lord George Bentinck knew
it was a doomed measure. The meeting at Lord John Russell's, the threat
of resignation, the treachery of many Irish members, the opposition of
Sir Robert Peel and his followers, left no doubt that the majority
against the second reading would be a large one.
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