Note 16 — Chapter I

[Mr. Disraeli’s first speech was made on the motion with reference to what was called ‘the Spottiswoode Gang.’ An association had been formed in London for the purpose of collecting money to test the validity of the Irish elections wholesale. Mr. Spottiswoode, one of the Queen’s printers, was the president of this association, which was denounced by the Radicals and the Irish Members as ‘the Spottiswoode Gang,’ and attacked in Parliament by Mr. Blewitt, who moved five resolutions condemning the institution of the Spottiswoode fund. Lord John Russell, however, discouraged the attack, on the ground that the number of election petitions in the present year was not such as to warrant any extraordinary measures in regard to them. Mr. Blewitt withdrew four of his resolutions and left the House without moving the fifth. Solvuntur risu tabulæ.]