JET. 38.] THE INCOME-TAX. 311 



triumph, while he is lower than yon can even fancy. 

 The truth is, we have found that he has a Tory re- 

 porter as well as a Whig, and it is a mere chance that 

 the truth is ever told. Nevertheless you will perceive, 

 even from him, that the two last nights have been 

 very decisive, especially last night, against the tax. 

 We consider it as almost done for, but this can only be 

 effected by the country backing us, and by our continu- 

 ing daily to attack it. I had begun this letter intending 

 to make it a long and full one, but now am called away 

 to have a round with the Tax Board and the newly- 

 discovered jobs, so must delay writing further till to- 

 morrow. Ever yours truly, H. BROUGHAM. 



" I obeyed your instructions as to Castlereagh t'other 

 night, attacking him as personally as possible, and 

 mean to have his Irish affairs brought up/' 



At length came the day when the decision should 

 be given, after the debate on the second reading took 

 place. But it speedily appeared manifest that there 

 would be a decision without any debate ; for that had 

 been anticipated, and indeed had taken place over and 

 over again. Even more than the usual number of 

 petitions were poured in for some hours, many having 

 been reserved for this day. But there was little or no 

 debating upon them, all men being impatient for the 

 division, the result of such long- continued labour and 

 such lengthened excitement. All was silence and 

 suspense, when, about eleven o'clock, Sir W. Curtis, 

 one of the City members, moved up the House, car- 

 rying a huge petition, which he presented without a 

 single remark, as the petition of the great meeting at 

 the Egyptian Hall of bankers and merchants of Lon- 



