Publisher's Synopsis
The diaries of Sir John Trelawny cover the period from February 1858 until July 1865, when he was the Member of Parliament for the Devonshire borough of Tavistock. They present an account of the day-to-day activitites of a radical Liberal MP endeavouring to promote a number of measures, notably a bill for the abolition of church rates. They also record Trelawny's opinions on a range of other issues, both domestic and foreign.;The diaries represent the impressions of a back-bencher during the period of political confusion between the fall of Palmerston's first ministry, in February 1858, and the reconciliation of the various sections of the Liberal party at the famous Willis' rooms meeting in June 1859. They go on to illustrate the predicament of radical Liberals during Palmerston's second ministry.;At the same time, the atmosphere of the House of Commons is evoked and light is thrown on the characteristics and mannerisms of its members, including such figures as Palmerston, Gladstone and Disraeli.
