This defeat was a severe one, but it was nothing
to one which followed. Mr. Bouverie, Member for the Kilmarnock Burghs, moved that all the ratepaying clauses of the Bill be struck out, and replaced by a single clause requiring twelve months' continuous residence. This change reduced the borough franchise in Scotland to Household Suffrage pure and simple, and was resisted by the Lord Advocate. A great number of members, however, had paired off till 10 o'clock, the division was taken at 9.55, and the result showed a majority against Government of 116 to 96, the total vote being scarcely half the previous one. Mr. Disraeli, whose equa- nimity, it is said, had been completely upset by his defeat on Mr. Baxter's amendment, rose, and demanded time that his Govern- ment might " consider its position."
