Short History of the Reign.

Otago Witness, 21 June 1887, Page 11

Short History of the Reign.

THE first notable event of the Queen's reign was the outbreak of a rebellion in Canada. The imbecile colonial policy of the JBritibh Government towards Canada — almost as suicidal as the mistakes of the previous half century, which culminated in the Declaration of Independence by the revolted American States — had fanned into open rebellion the colonists of .British North America. It was soon suppressed, however, and Lord Durham, who was sent out to pacificate the Cnnadas, did so wisely, and established the just principle on which the relations between Britain and her colonies are now based.

The early portion of Her Majesty's reign saw the Australasian Colonies iirsl begin to rise into prominence. We have grown up so rapidly that we have hardly time to look about us and become conscious of our own sensations. Two generations have hardly passed since we began to be. It was in 1837 that the in si land sale took place at Adelaide. In the same year the estimated population of South Australia was considerably under 80,000 persons, and :U that time Victoria was included in the colony of New South Wales. Queensland had been known since 1825, when the Mermaid cast anchor in Morcton Bay, but she could not be said to have a population before 1845, and then it was only " computed at about 2,257." In our own colony it was in 1840 that the Treaty of Wailangi was signed, and Wellington and Auckland were first planted. Otago followed in 184S, and Canterbury not until 1850. We are now 3,000,000 of Englishmen. Our united revenue amounts to and our loreign trade to £ 119,000,000. Our wealth thus far has depended mainly on our wool, which means that we must have the main part of our area tenanted by sheep, and not by men. Yet we have built cities. The population of Melbourne exceeds, and that of Sydney nearly reaches, 300,000. We have a large number of towns ranging between 20,000 and 60,000, and the number of our smaller towns — large enough to be mentioned in our guide books — must, on a rough compulation, amount certainly to a couple of thousands. The opening of the reign saw also the general development of the railway system all over England (1837-3Q), the construction of the electric telegraph (1838), the iirsl successful attempts to make use of steam for the business of transatlantic navigation (1838), and the introduction of the penny postage (1840). The suspension of transportation in the same year (1840) ensured 'a career of future prosperity to our settlements in Australia. A measure to abolish in various cases the punishment of death was passed. Inquiries into the condition of our poor and labouring classes were the order of the day. A system of national education, begun in 1834 by a small annual grant towards the erection of schools, was developed in 1839 by the creation of a Committee of the Privy Council, for educational purposes, and by steady increase of educational grants. In Ireland the horrors of the Tithe War led in 1838 to the abolition of tithes and the substitution of a land tax. A Poor Law was passed in the same year, and a Municipal Reform Act two years later. But although the ministry were able to carry these and several other beneficial measures, they failed to win the confidence of the people. The condition of the manufacturing poor was deplorable, and it gave rise to the agitation for admission

to equal political rights with the middle classes. For ten years (1838-48) the movement disturbed England: Events abroad added to the difficulties of the ministry at home. A war was forced on China in 1836, on its refusal to allow the smuggling of opium into its dominion. In India the occupation of Cabul during the same year (1839) ended two years later in a general revolt of the Afghans, and in the loss of a British army in the Kyber Pass. A general election in 1841 resulted in the return of the Con-

servatives to power under Sir Robert Peel. When the new ministry assumed office there was a general confidence that the financial genius of Sir Robert Peel would quickly find some way to amend the condition of things, especially in the agricultural districts. Abroad the Government proved itself successful. Peace was made with China by a treaty which threw open five additional ports to European traders ; and in India the disaster of Cabul was avenged by an expedition under General Pollock. In 1843 Daniel O'Connell and his formidable agitation for Repeal are entitled to the foremost place; but the prohibition of the monster meeting at Clontarf, on October 3rd, broke his power. In India the province of Scinde was annexed to the British dominions.

In j 845 England's supremacy in India was again jeopardised by the outbreak of the Sikhs who were,

however, subdued in the battles of Sobraon, Moodkee, and Ferozeshah. On July 17 of that year died Earl Grey, Premier of the Cabinet, who passed the Reform Bill and abolished slavery. The agitation regarding the Corn Laws commenced about this time. Peel, who had been elected in 1841 to maintain- the Corn Tax, in 1846 repealed it, in consequence of the agitation of a great political association called the Anti-Corn Law League, and also for the difficulty of providing for an impending famine in

Ireland. The day that the bill was passed by the House of Lords saw the ministry defeated on an Irish Coercion Bill. Lord John Russell succeeded to the Premiership, and carried out the system of Free Trade initiated by his predecessor. The great O'Connell died in 1847, and in 1848 there were revolutionary outbreaks in Germany, Italy, Austria, and France, while in England the renewal of the Chartist agitation, and in Ireland the v Young Ireland " rebellion, were the principal events. Another outbreak of the Sikhs took place in 1849, and was followed by their complete defeat and the annexation of the Punjaub. In 1849, while the countries of the continent were still agitated by the revolutionaries, trade and manufactures at home were improving-, wages rising, and the popular discontent dying out. . Ireland, -too, was temporarily tranquil. •185 1 was rendered notable by the opening of the Great Exhibition and the discovery, of gold in Victoria. In the following year the Volunteer movement. sprung into existence, in consequence of the popular fear of a French invasion.; Little wars were , proceeding with . Burmah .q,nd the Kaffirs. .Lord Russell's ministry was defeated on 'a Militia Bill, and Lord Derby came into office with Disraeli as Chancellor of the Exchequer. A new constitution was granted to New Zealand. The end of the year saw the death of the great Duke of Wellington. The new Parliament was called together in November, but the Derby administration was defeated on the budget of Mr. Disraeli. In a few days after the Aberdeen Coalition Ministry wasiformed. "With Mr. Gladstone as Chancellor of the Exchequer, another sweeping abolition of duties was carried; while Lord Palmerston" at the Home Office introduced such useful reforms as the ticket-of -leave system, the extension of the Factory Acts, and the shutting up of graveyards in the metropolis. But the mind of the nation was soon to be wholly taken up with foreign affairs. The attack upon Turkey by the Emperor of Russia was resisted by the allied forces of England and France. War was declared in March, 1854. The invasion of the Crimea (September

14th), and the victory of Alma (September 20th),

were followed by the siege of Sebastopol. On October 25th was fought the battle of Balaclava; the 5111 November Avitnessed the successful defence of the heights above Inkerman. The winter tried our- troops severely, encamped as they were on a bleak plateau, while the commissariat utterly broke clown. This caused great indignation in England, and Lord Aberdeen was succeeded as Prime Minister by Lord Palmerston in February, 1855. When operations were resumed in the summer the English army was far outnumbered by its French allies, who consequently gained the greater part of the credit of the capture of Sebastopol on September sth. The war was now virtually over, the Congress of Paris opened February 26U), 1556, and March 30th a treaty of peace was signed. For some time after the Crimean war the business of legislation proceeded with languor. In India the annexation of Oudc (February 7th, 1856) gave rise to much discontent among the natives, which was afterwards to bear fruit. The seizure of the lorcha (or cutter) Arrow by the Chinese authorities, on the charge of piracy, was the cause of the second Chinese war (October, 1855 — May, 1S58). The policy of the Government in this matter led to their defeat in February, 1857 ; but Lord Palmcrston's appeal to the country brought him back to power with a larger majority than before. The little war with Persia was concluded in April. Soon afterwards the news of the outbreak in India broke upon England with the shock of a thunderclap. A mutiny at Mcerut in May was ■ followed by the seizure of Delhi, where the native king was en- • throned as Emperor of Hindoostan; by a fresh mutiny and massacre of the Europeans at Cawnpore, by the rising of Oude, and the siege of the Residency of Lucknow. The revolt was not finally suppressed until August, 1858. At home the new parliament was engaged for some time in passing the Act for the establishment of a Court of Divorce. This year (1857) also saw the abolition of the system of transportation. The autumn was' memorable by a terrible money panic, and the failures of banks and commercial firms, which led to the suspension of the Bank Charter Act. In the beginning of 1858 Lord Palmerston introduced a bill to transfer the .authority ,of the East India Company to" the Crown, In accordance with this Act the government of the company — the famed "John Company " — formally ceased on September Ist, 1858 ; and the Queen was proclaimed throughout India in.

the following November, the Governor-General becoming her Viceroy. In February, 1859, *- ne f a i mre of Mr. Disraeli's Reform Bill necessitated an appeal to the country. The election brought back Lord Palmerston, whose ministry lasted till his death in 1865. A commercial treaty with France, negotiated by Mr. Cobden, was concluded in January, 1861. The ratifica.tion of the treaty of Tientsin by the Emperor in October ended for a lime the disturbances in China. A native war was proceeding in New Zealand. The opening days of 1862 were made memorable by a fearful accident at the Hartley coal mine, Northumberland, by which 202 men and boys were buried alive. For the next three years home politics were inactive. Parliament was dissolved in July, 1865, and a large Liberal majority was the result or the appeal to the country. In the following October, Lord Palmerston died. The new Government introduced a Franchise Bill early in 1866, and resigned, on failing to carry it, in July. This year was also notable for a terrible commercial panic, and the laying of the Atlantic cable. In 1867 a further measure of reform was carried by the Conservative Government, and the Parliamentary session was scarcely over when the country was startled by the news of the attempted rescue of the Fenian prisoners at Manchester.

The Fenian movement, organised for the purpose of extorting independence for Ireland by iorce, may be said to have commenced at the close of the American War, in 1865; but all attempts at insuirection had hitherto proved abortive. The scheme for the capture of Chester Casilc, in February ol this year, was anticipated by the Government. The gathering at Tallaght, in March, which was to have lormed a pi elude to a general rising in Ireland, was dispersed by the police On November 23, three of the leaders of the Manchester rescue were hanged. On December 13, an attempt was made to blow up the House of Detention at Clcrkenwell. Early in 1868, Lord Derby withdrew from, poh'lics, and Mr. Disraeli became Premier. In July, Mr. Gladstone carried his Irish Cl'urch Bill, and in the general election which followed the Liberals again secured the power. The successful conclusion of the Abyssinian expedition belongs to the history of this year. A sad event of 1868 was the great massacre of settlers by natives in Poverty Bay. New Zealand.

During the .session of 1869, the Disestablishment of the Irish Church was carried, and the Irish Land Bill, according a sort of tenant right, was also passed in 1870, while a little later in the same year the Education Bill became law. In 1871, the long-pend-ing dispute between Britain and America, re the Alabama claims, was settled, Great Britain having to pay about indemnity money. 1872 was remarkable for the agitation among the agricultural labourers, and the formation of their Union, an event which even the first Tichborne trial, now drawing to its close, failed to throw into the shade. A fresh step in Parliamentary reform was made by the passing of a measure which enabled the votes of electors to be given in secret by means of the ballot. Meanwhile the time had come when the nation was no longer in reforming mood. 1573 proved a trying time for the Liberal Government. The Irish Home Rule party now came into prominence, under Mr. Isaac Butt ; and put them in a new difficulty. Defeated on the Irish University Bill, they resigned in March, but Mr. Disraeli prudently , declined to accept office without a working majority. By the death of the ex-Emperor of the French at Chiselhurst, on January 9, a name of enormous power passed out of the living world into that of history. Nine days later died Lord Lytton, who, if he did not in every walk achieve equal distinction, yet failed in none.

Early in 1874 Mr, Gladstone suddenly resolved to consult public opinion by a dissolution of Parliament, and the return of a Conservative majority of nearly seventy members led to his retirement from office, Mr. Disraeli again becoming Prime Minister. February 28th was the 188 th and last day of the trial of the Tichborne Claimant for perjury. Sentence of fourteen 3'ears' imprisonment was passed. The Ashantee war — " one of the least of all our little wars " — was brought to a close in March. About this time (1877-78) the Home Rule .party, under the leadership of Mr. Parnell, who had displaced Mr. Butt, began to make its power felt in the House of Commons. The new leader availed himself of the distress caused by bad harvests in 1878-80, and of the repeal of the Convention Act in 1879, t0 organise the formidable Land League movement. Throughout 1876 and 1877 a guarded and even hostile attitude towards Russia was maintained ; and Avhen the Russians seemed about to enter Constantinople, the British fleet was ordered to the Dardanelles, and an Indian Contingent was brought to Malta. When a treaty was concluded between Turkey and Russia at San Stefano, Mr. Disraeli, now Lord Beaconsfield, insisted that it should be submitted to the great Powers. A general Congress at Berlin followed, which Lord Beaconsfield and Lord Salisbury attended as the representatives of England, and in the summer of 1878 the Eastern Question was temporarily set at rest by the Treaty of Berlin, Cyprus now became a British possession. The death of Earl Russell, May 28th, in this year, removed from the political world the shadow of a great name. Abroad, the repulse by the Afghans of a British mission led this year to a fresh Afghan war (Nov. 187S). The Afghans made but a poor

resistance, and the British troops soon occupied Cabul. A treaty was concluded at Gandamak with Yakoob Khan, who had succeeded to power on the death of his father, Sliere Ali, in May, 1879, ut all its provisions were scattered to the winds by the murder of Sir Louis Cavagnari, who had been deputed as English Envoy to Cabul (Sept.). The British army promptly advanced on the capital, and on Dec. 24 Cabul was again occupied. Matters were now settlingdown, but the approach of the Sirdar Ayoob Khan kindled anew the flames of rebellion. This pretender, having defeated General Burrows at Maiwand in July, proceeded to invest Candahar, but he was utterly routed in his turn by General Sir F. Roberts (Sept.), who had effected the difficult march from Cabul with consummate generalship. The government of the country was ultimately left in the hands of Abd ur Rahman (July, 1880). The year 1879 began inauspiciously with the war between the British and the Zulu king, Cetowayo, owing to the refusal of the latter to make reparation for the raids by his subjects upon Natal. A force under Lord Chclmsford crossed the frontier, and after several reverses, inflicted a crushing defeat on the Zulus, and captured Cctcwayo. At home the next general election sent the Liberals back to power with a large majority.

The new Parliament met May 20th, and the slate of Ireland soon absorbed attention. The Relief of Distress Bill passed uneventfully into law; but the Compensation for Disturbance Bill, having for its main provision that in certain districts tenants might be compensated for eviction in the case of non-payment of rent, was unceremoniously thrown out of the House of Lords by the overwhelming majority of 231. In June the King of Greece, George L, made a short stay. In South Africa the annexation of the Transvaal to the British dominions (April, 1877), had caused much discontent among the Boers, which in December of this year, 1880, took the form of open rebellion. A most disastrous campaign followed in which the British sustained three several deleals. An armistice, proposed by the Boers, was accepted in March, 1881, and peace was. finally concluded on the 22nd of the same month. By the Convention of Pretoria the Boers, while retaining selfgovernment, acknowledged the suzerainty of Britain, and thus the Transvaal practically became an independent Stale. The Ministry re-assembled both Houses on January 6th, and at once set to work at limber legislation lor Ireland. Two reprcsshc measures — a Preservation of Property and an Arms Bill — became law, after a desperate light on the part of the Parnclhtes ; and the Government wcie free to introduce their "message of peace,"' the new Irish Land Bill, by which the whole system ol Irish tenures was transformed (April 7th). After endless obstruction the Bill received the royal assent in. August. The remainder of the session was devoted chiefly to army reform. By the Army Discipline Act flogging was totally abolished. The evils of the short-service system were decreased, the prospects of junior officers were improved; while by a strict method of localization more troops were ready for service at a particular moment. In Ireland, the triumphal acquittal of Mr. Parnell and his coadjutors had added to the strength of the agitators, while they condemned the Land Act by anticipation. The Government, seeing little prospect of the Land Act being allowed fair play, availed itself of the " unexhausted resources of civilization," by lodging Mr. Parnell and five of his allies in Kilmainham Gaol. Ten days later the Land League was proclaimed as '' an illegal and criminal association," but it immediately revived as the National League. On April 19th Lord Bcaconsiield passed away, full of years and of such honours as the State had to bestow. His last public utterance had been in the House of Lords on the occasion of the assassination of the Emperor of Russia in the previous March.

The session which opened Feb, 7th, 1882, was devoted, like its predecessor, almost entirely to Irish affairs. A iresh trouble was prepared for the Government by the adoption of a motion in the House of Lords for a Select Committee to inquire into the working of the Irish Land Act. The release of Mr Parnell and other "suspects" on certain conditions — jocosely referred to by the Opposition as the " Kilmainham Treaty '" — gave rise to much heated debate (May). These incidents seriously interfered with the discussion on the new Rules of Procedure. It was hoped there would be more expedition after Easter; but a terrible crisis — the assassination of Lord Frederick Cavendish and Mr. Burke, the Chief and Under Secretaries for Ireland, in the Phcenix Park, Dublin, on May 6th, compelled the Government to resort to a totally new departure. A stringent Prevention of Crimes Bill was forthwith introduced (May 1 ith), which on becoming law (July 12th) put a stop to the worst of the atrocities. In spite of the most extreme provocation the Ministry introduced one more remedial measure for Ireland, the Arrears of Rent Bill, which received royal assent, August 18th. The other measures of the session included in the Commons the Parcel Post Bill; in the Upper House, the Married Women's Property Bill — which places the married woman precisely upon the same footing as her husband in everything relating to the ownership and disposal of property — and the Settled Land Bill were carried. The Procedure Resolutions were finally passed in an autumn session (October 24th to December 2nd).

Abroad, the Egyptian difficulty came to a head by the uprising of the "National Party under Arabi Pasha. On May 17th, 1883, the English and French fleets.were ordered to Alexandria to support the authority of the Khedive. June nth a riot broke out in the 1 city, and the European colony in alarm began to leave Egypt. Mercantile enterprise was checked, and it was probably owing to financial pressure that armed intervention was then decided on by Mr. Gladstone. The "Bondholders' War " began with the bombardment of Alexandria by the English ileet on July nth, with the result that on the second day it was evacuated by the Nationalists, who, as they retired, took care to burn down the European quarter of the city. Loss estimated at Finally, September 10th, the campaign was ended by a night attack on Tel-el-Kebir, Cairo was saved from the fate of Alexandria by a forced, march of cavalry, September 14th, and Arabi was eventually banished to Ceylon. 1883 saw le longbaffled efforts of the executive to bring the Phoenix Park murderers to justice completely successful. The actual assassins were hanged ; their accomplices sent to penal servitude for life. The dynamite conspirators revealed their presence in London by attempts to blow up the Local Government Board and Times offices (March 13th), and by explosions on the Underground Railway (October 30th). These outrages necessitated the passing of a Bill for amending the Act of 1875 relating to explosives, April 10th. The severity of this measure, and of the sentences inflicted upon four of the gang in June, checked the movement for a brief while. Parliament met February 15th. Among a large number of legislative failures were such important measures as the Criminal Appeal and Code Bills,, and the Bill for the Reform of the Municipality of London (all three " dropped "). The International Fisheries Exhibition, which was opened on May 12th, proved the event of the London season, while it doubtless gave considerable impetus to one of the most important of our industries. Meanwhile the prospect in Egypt grew gloomier day by day. Although the Government had repeatedly declared that the army of occupation would be withdrawn, they had overlooked the fact that the Khedive was engaged in a desperate struggle with the Arabs of the Soudan, who, led by a religious fanatic, Mahomet Achmet ■ (the Mahdi), totally annihilated an Egyptian army under Hicks Pasha November 3rd This success the Mahdi followed up next year (1884) by cutting to pieces, at El Tcb, near Suakim, Baker Pasha's rabble of Egyptians, Bashi-Bazouks, and negroes, February 4th, and England now felt called upon to go to the rescue of her new dependent. About 4,000 troops under General Graham were sent, and engaged the Soudanese commanded by Osman Digna at El Teb (February 29th) and Tamanicb (March 13th), but no practical result followed. In the meantime General Gordon, at the request of the Government, had left London for Khartoum on Januarj ISIII to assume his old post of Governor- General of the Soudan. The main object of his mission was to effect the withdrawal of .the garrison and of the Christian population in Khartoum ; but in August, when all too late, it became necessary to despatch an army under Lord Wolseley to his relief. At home, TSB4 brought about a further'and probably final measure of Reform. Parliament assembled on February sth. The third reading of the Franchise Bill was effected in the Commons on June 26th, but the Lords would have none of it unless (so they alleged) it was accompanied by a Redistribution of Seats Act. The Ministry had therefore no alternative but to hurry on the remaining business in order to pass the Franchise Bill again in an autumn session. Parliament met again on October 23rd, and shortly afterwards an agreement was arrived at between ministers and the Opposition leaders. A Redistribution Bill was drafted in concert, and the Franchise Bill was passed in the Lords on December 6th. The agricultural labourers were thus added to the constituencies. Domestic science was furthered by the opening- of ihc National Health Exhibition on May Bth. The death of Mr. Fawcctt, most illustrious of Postmasters-General, occurred on November 6th. hi December a determined attempt was made to blow up London Bridgv with dynamite. The earliest days of 1885 fell upon trouble, both at home and abroad. Simultaneous attempts were made (January 24th), in broad daylight.. to blow up the Houses of Parliamenttand the Tower, of London by dynamite. For complicity in theseoutrages, two men, Cunningham and Burton, were convicted and sentenced to penal servitude for life in the following May, On February sth, the news of the fall ol Khartoum and the assassination of its heroic defender thrilled the country. A more unpropitiou.s moment for Parliament to reassemble couldhardiyhave been chosen. When it met (February 19th) the Opposition gave notice of a vole of censure on the Government for their conduct of the Soudan campaign. The Government just escaped in the Commons by a narrow majority of 14 ; in the Lords their policy found but 68 supporters. They now resolved on ''"smashing "" the Mahdi.. but after four millions and a half had been voted for that purpose, they as suddenly changed their minds and determined to abandon the Soudan to its fate (May 1 ith). The Redistribution Bill had been meanwhile steadily pushed onwards, and received royal assent, May 21st. Defeat came at length on the Budget Bill, the Ministry resigned fune 12th, and Lord Salisbury became premier for the first time..

The remainder of the session vas employed in passing Mr. Balfour's Medical Relict Bill, Lord Salisbury's Housing of the Working Classes (England) Bill, the Land Purchase and Labourers' (Ireland) Bills, and the Criminal Law Amendment Act, a measure which may be said to be still on its trial. Scotland at last received a Chief Secretary and a Vice-President of her Educaiion Department. Just before the prorogation, Lord Iddesleigh announced che proposal of a Royal Commission to inquire into the causes of Depression of Trade, August ioth. In April the Prince and Princess of Wales paid a three weeks' visit to Ireland, and received a cordial reception in most places ; the following month they opened the International Inventions Exhibition at South Kensington. The Exhibition proved hardly so attractive as its predecessors, while financially it resulted m a loss of nearly Many eminent names are lound on the death-list of 1885. The 2nd April saw the unexpected death of Earl Cairns. The veteran statesman, Viscount Halifax (Sir Charles Wood), passed away on August Bth. The death of the illustrious philanthropist, Lord Shaflesbury, October Ist, was mourned by all classes. The elections which came on in November were remarkable for the success of the working-men candidates. The result showed an absolute tie, provided the Home Rulers, now mustering 86 members, obeyed the instructions of their leader, and voted with the Conservatives. Suddenly it was whispered that Mr. Gladstone had become favourable to the establishment of a parliament in Ireland dealing wuh purely Irish affairs, and had even prepared a .scheme. In the same month war was declared against the King of Bunnah for persistent violation of treaties, and on the reassembling of Parliament, 12111 January, 1886, the annexation of his dominions was announced. A foilnight later the Salisbury Administration was deteated on the Allotments amendment ot Mr. Jesse Codings, and Mr. Gladstone once more assumed the reins. It was well known that he entered office pledged to Home Rule measures. After an interval of suspense, n Government of Ireland Bill was brought m on Sth April, but preceded by the resignation of two Cabinet Ministers, and by the secession of numerous minor members of the Liberal party, who found themselves unable 10 support the measure. A Sale and Purchase of Land (Ireland) Bill followed.. 16th April.

The first measure, the Government of Ireland Bill, was defeated on the second reading in the Commons by a majorit)- of 30 (30th June), and the split in the Liberal camp was for ihe time complete. A general election, which returned Unionists, Dissentient Liberals, and Gladstoman "Liberals, restored the Conservatives to ofhec, Lord Salisbury again becoming First Minister of the Crown.

The most momentous colonial event was the eruption of Mount Taraweivi, New Zealand, which buried several square miles of country under mud and ashes, and caused the loss of 100 lives. February Bth of this year acquired the unenviable sobriquet of " Mob Monday." from the riols which look place in the West End after a meeting of the unemployed in Trafalgar Square. The death of Mr. For.stcr, April sth, removed .m occasionally useful and an always prominent, though not always popular minister. The year's obituary also contains the name of Lord Card well, a name associated with the abolition oi purchase in the army. The magnificent Colonial and Indian Exhibition, opened by the Queen in May, brought home to us for the first lime the development and progress which have been made m the various parts of the British dominions. The Exhibition was a great ■success, having been visited by no fewer lhan 5,550,745 persons during the six months it was open.