Pressure of since the in an enlightened and responsible rule, approved by the judgment of the governed. The constitution, having worked out the aims, and promoted the just interests of society, has gained upon democracy; while growing wealth and prosperity have been powerful auxiliaries of constitutional government. To achieve these great objects, ministers and Parliaments have laboured, since the Relegislation form Act, with unceasing energy and toil. Reform Act. In less than thirty years, the legislation of a century was accomplished. The inertness and errors of past ages had bequeathed a heavy arrear to lawgivers. Parliament had long been wanting in its duty of devising remedies as fast as time breedeth mischief.' 1 There were old abuses to correct,—new principles to establish,-powerful interests and confirmed prejudices to overcome,—the ignorance, neglect, and mistaken policy of centuries to review. Every department of legislation, civil, ecclesiastical, legal, commercial, and financial,-demanded revision. And this prodigious work, when shaped and fashioned in council, had to pass through the fiery ordeal of a popular assembly, to encounter opposition and unrestrained freedom of debate,the conflict of parties,-popular agitation,—the turmoil of elections, and lastly, the delays and reluctance of the House of Lords, which still cherished the spirit and sympathies of the past. And further, this work had to be slowly wrought out in a Parliament of wide remedial jurisdiction,-the Grand Inquest of the nation. Ours is not a council of - Lord Bacon; Pacification of the Church. sages for framing laws, and planning amendments of the constitution: but a free and vigorous Parliament, which watches over the destinies of an empire. It arraigns ministers: directs their policy, and controls the administration of affairs: it listens to every grievance; and inquires, complains, and censures. Such are its obligations to freedom; and such its paramount trust and duty. Its first care is that the state be well governed: its second that the laws be amended. These functions of a Grand Inquest received a strong impulse from Parliamentary Reform, and were exercised wirh a vigour characteristic of a more popular representation. Again, there was the necessary business of every session,-provision for the public service, the scrutiny of the national expenditure, and multifarious topics of incidental discussion, ever arising in a free Parliament. Yet, notwithstanding all these obstacles, legislation marched onwards. The strain and pressure were great, but they were borne;' and the results may be recounted with pride. Not only was a great arrear overtaken: but the labours of another generation were, in some measure, anticipated. An exhausting harvest was gathered: but there is yet ample work for the gleaners; and a soil that claims incessant cultivation. A free government,' says Machiavel, in order to maintain itself free, hath need, every day, of some new provisions in favour of liberty.' Parliament must be watchful and earnest, The extent of these labours is shown in the reports of Committees on Public business in 1848, 1855, and 1861; in a pamphlet, by the author, on that subject, 1849; and in the Edinburgh Review, Jan. 1854, Art. vii. lest its labours be undone. Nor will its popular constitution again suffer it to cherish the perverted optimism of the last century, which discovered perfection in everything as it was, and danger in every innovation. Foreign relations affected by Even the foreign relations of England were affected by her domestic liberty. When kings and nobles governed, their sympathies were freedom. with crowned heads: when the people were admitted to a share in the government, England favoured constitutional freedom in other states; and became the idol of every nation which cherished the same aspirations as herself. This history is now completed. However unConclusion. worthy of its great theme, it may yet serve to illustrate a remarkable period of progress and renovation, in the laws and liberties of England. Tracing the later development of the constitution, it concerns our own time, and present franchises. It shows how the encroachments of power were repelled, and popular rights acquired, without revolution: how constitutional liberty was won, and democracy reconciled with time-honoured institutions. It teaches how freedom and enlightenment, inspiring the national councils with wisdom, promoted the good government of the state, and the welfare and contentment of society. Such political examples as these claim the study of the historian and philosopher, the reflection of the statesman, and the gratulations of every free people. 425 SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTER. 1861-1871. REVIEW OF POLITICAL PROGRESS SINCE 1860:-TRANQUILLITY UNDER LORD PALMERSTON :-HIS DEATH:-EARL RUSSELL'S REFORM BILL, 1866-REFORM ACTS OF EARL OF DERBY AND MR. DISRAELI, 18671868-DISESTABLISHMENT OF THE IRISH CHURCH:-IRISH LAND ACT: SETTLEMENT OF CHURCH-RATE QUESTION: - UNIVERSITY TESTS:-REPEAL OF ECCLESIASTICAL TITLES ACT:-EDUCATION :THE BALLOT. cor tional changes, 1760-1860. THE century comprised in this history was a period of remarkable constitutional progress. The Constitupolitical abuses of many ages were rected; and our laws and institutions judiciously improved and developed. While other states were convulsed by revolutions, English liberties were steadily advancing without violence or tumult. The influence of the crown was constantly diminished, and ministerial responsibility increased. The political ascendency of the House of Peers was reduced. The House of Commons, purged of corruption, and casting off its dependence upon patrons, received a vast increase of power from a wider representation of the people, while it became more responsible to the country, and more sensitive to public opinion. Meanwhile, the press attained a power which had never been conceived in any constitutional system. Irresponsible itself, but at once forming and expressing the sentiments of the people, it swayed the councils of responsible rulers. In alliance with the press, political agitation exercised a potent influence over the executive government and the legislature. No less remarkable was the change in the relations of the church to the state, and to the community. The supremacy of the state church had been maintained by a penal code for the repression and discouragement of Roman Catholics and nonconformists. Within this period every restraint upon freedom of conscience, and every civil disability, was swept away. Religious freedom and equality had become the settled policy of the state. Such were the changes in the laws and liberties of England, which distinguished this period of our history. Let us now approach the consideration of our political progress since 1860. Political under Lord The five first years of this period were marked by unusual political tranquillity. The discustranquillity sions upon Parliamentary reform, in 1860, Palmerston. had failed to awaken any excitement, or even interest, in favour of further electoral changes. After thirty years of agitation, and legislative activity, the minds of men appeared to be at rest. The Crimean war, and the Indian mutiny, had served to divert public attention from domestic politics; and the great civil conflict in the United States engrossed the thoughts of all classes of Englishmen. Such being the sentiments and temper of the country, the venerable statesman who directed its policy, as first minister, was little inclined to disturb |