492 The Session of Parliament. [MAY, 



of the Parliament,, in no very measured terms, that it should stop the 

 bleeding artery through which the wealth and the resources of the nation 

 were flowing. Let them but repeat their vote of Friday last, and they 

 would answer the just expectations of the people ; let them but repeat 

 that vote, and, though the Minister might dissolve them, yet they would 

 stand." 



The motion was, of course, negatived. 



But then came on a business in which the House found full employ- 

 ment for its deliberation. The topic was pleasant and popular, and the 

 House exhibited the fullest attendance of the session. This was the 

 Ellenborough Divorce Bill, which had been sent down from the Lords. 

 The brilliant part of the first night's performance was. Miss Margaret 

 Steele's examination before the Collective Wisdom. 



Miss Margaret Steele, Lady Ellenborough' s governess, stated that she 

 had remonstrated with Lady Ellenborough on levities in her conduct. 



" Did you ever speak with Lord Ellenborough respecting his wife ?" 

 " Yes ; I told him she had some associates which I thought bad." 



" Do you recollect who these objectionable associates were ?" (Loud 

 cries of " No, No.") 



" Were those associates gentlemen or ladies ?" " Both." 



" Were these associates introduced into the house by Lord Ellen- 

 borough?" " They were of course introduced by Lord Ellenborough." 



<f Were they rejected in society by persons of rank ?" " On the con- 

 trary." 



< ' Were they usually admitted in society at other respectable houses ?" 

 " At houses called respectable." (Laughter.} 



" Am I to understand that those ladies and gentlemen, to whom you 

 objected, were afterwards visited by Lady Ellenborough at their 

 houses ?" f( I know one individual was, to whom I have particularly 

 alluded." 



' f You considered that Lady Ellenborough, being a young person, had 

 better avoid these persons ?" " I considered them bad associates for 

 Lady Ellenborough, or any one else." 



" They were received in the best society in England ?" " In fashion- 

 able society." (Laughter.) 



" Were they such as were received in the society in which Lord and 

 Lady Ellenborough moved ?" " They were, but I warned Lord Ellen- 

 borough against them." 



" Will you try to recollect what warning you gave Lord Ellen- 

 borough?" " I warned him particularly against one lady ; but I can- 

 not mention names/' 



" Were these objectionable associates unknown to Lady Ellenborough 

 before her marriage ?" " Certainly." 



" What were your objections to the male associates ?" " I merely 

 knew them by reputation to be profligate men." 



' ' Did the witness warn Lord Ellenborough on more than one occasion 

 against them ?" " I did not." 



" Can you recollect what answer he made to your warnings ?" " He 

 laughed !" 



Examined by Sir H. HARDINGE. " Were those persons who visited 

 at Lord Ellenborough's, and whom you thought objectionable persons, of 

 rank in England ?" " They were." 



" Were they persons who are usually seen at places of public amuse- 

 ments ?" " They were." 



