CONCLUSION. 51 



poor ; the Ballot, which secured protection to the elector in the free 

 exercise of the political franchise ; the University Test Acts, by which 

 all persons, of whatever religious or political creed, were admitted to 

 the Universities on equal terms ; Church Rates Abolition Bill, which 

 substituted the compulsory payment of Church rates for voluntary 

 exercise. 



These and many other peaceful triumphs, won in the Parliament 

 of England, — that august assembly that has inherited through many 

 generations the character for brilliant and courageous legisla- 

 tion, — have been full of blessing to Great Britain, and to that greater 

 Britain beyond the seas; and combine to mark the Reign of Victoria 

 unequalled for beneficent legislation amongst all the Sovereigns of 

 the House of Brunswick, royal laurels gathered from the field of 

 Peace and not of War, for hath not 



" Peace her triumphs 

 Thrice more renowned than War?" 



Whilst however the reign of Queen Victoria will bear favourable 

 comparison with the most illustrious reigns of English sovereigns, and 

 of the most memorable periods of English history, yet it has its dark 

 and gloomy records, for no period has been more remarkable for its 

 sad catalogue of Wars of aggression, annexation of territories, and 

 conquests of people into subjection under British Dominion, not 

 only without their approval but in spite of their most earnest protesta- 

 tions. No other nation except Russia has shewn such a lust for 

 dominion, and this pride of conquest has resulted in great bloodshed, 

 with all the horrors of war in every quarter of the globe, for the path 

 of British conquest, over the four continents of Europe, Asia, Africa, 

 and America, have been stained by blood, for may we not say of the 

 British Ensign : — 



' ' It has swept o'er cities of song renowned, 

 Silent they lay in the desert around, 

 It has crossed proud rivers whose tide hath rolled, 

 All dark with the warriors' blood of old." 



Now what are the lessons which these desolating wars, waged by 

 England, should teach the Statesmen, Parliament, and Government ot 

 England ? 



Firstly : Non-intervention in the internal affairs of Foreign States, 

 that her ■ policy should, be, as Lord Derby declafed, "entapgling 

 alliances with no nation but friendly relations with all," and which 

 Mr. Cobden well expressed, " as little intercourse betwixt the Govern- 

 ments and as much connection as possible between the people ; " for 



