1832.] Cannings Premiership to Passing of Reform Act. 211 But he was sure that the Peers would reject the Penryn Bill, and then there would be but one seat to dispose of, and, in accordance with the spirit of his pledge, he voted for the enfranchisement of Birmingham and against his colleagues. Huskisson may seem to have exaggerated the importance of this vote, but the already uneasy relations of the Cabinet must be taken into account. He acted hastily, however, for on the very night of the division he wrote a letter which he thought contained .an expression of willingness to resign, but which the Premier regarded, and acted on, as a positive resignation. There were some attempts, unfortunate and undignified on the part of Huskisson, to reverse this decision; but the duke was firm, and the resignation was final. Hus- kisson made his explanations on the 2nd of June, and all the Liberal, or, as they were called, Canningite ministers followed Huskisson ; Lord Palmerston, Lord Dudley, Mr. Lamb, and Mr. Grant, all left office, and their places were filled by Tories, so that at last there was a Cabinet united in devotion to the same political principles. It was too late now for the closest unity to bring peace to the official ranks. There were troublesome questions con- stantly arising which no agreement in the Cabinet could put down. Even before the resignation of Huskisson, a warning had been given that the work of concession to the new feelings of the country was not finished. The new spirit was alive, and the Radicals at least were neither afraid to appeal to it nor disappointed at the response. Hume and Hobhouse con- tinued the struggle for economy and retrenchment. On the 1 3th of May there was a vote on a proposal to make a pro- vision for the family of Canning. It was not a pleasant thing for the Whigs to oppose such a proposition, but Hume challenged a division, and obtained fifty-four votes against the motion, amongst the number being Lord Althorpe, Burdett, and Hobhouse. A week afterwards the same inde- fatigable economist moved for a return of pensions on the civil list, with a view to some reform, and for this resolution, so unpalatable to all officials or possible officials, there were
