Lord George rose after
Sir Robert Peel had spoken. His feelings must have been those of a man
who had made a great and noble effort for a good and holy purpose, but
had failed, mainly for want of support from those who had solemnly
promised it, and whose interest and duty impelled them to stand firmly
by that promise. He did not spare his opponents in his reply. A good
part of Sir Robert Peel's speech consisted of a eulogium upon industry,
perseverance, and individual exertion; and to illustrate those valuable
qualities he adduced the example of Mr. Bianconi,--a foreigner, an
Italian, from Milan, Sir Robert said, who had commenced in the South of
Ireland, some years before, with one stage-car: his cars now travel
three thousand miles a-day: he received no Government aid. "Let me
entreat you," urged the amiable ex-Premier, "to imitate that example."
"Mr. Bianconi and his cars," began Lord George, "appear to be the
standing stock-in-trade of the right hon. gentleman. I am sure, that it
must be in the recollection of every man who was in the House in 1839,
when the Government of Lord Melbourne proposed its scheme for assisting
railways in Ireland, that, word for word, what we have heard for the
last half hour in the right honourable gentleman's speech, was uttered
by him on that occasion.
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