, the constituency of the United Kingdom may be placed at
2,200,000. So, gentlemen, it at once appears that there are
30,000,000 people in this country who are as much represented by the
House of Lords as by the House of Commons, and who, for the
protection of their rights, must depend upon them and the majesty of
the throne. And now, gentlemen, I will tell you what was done by
the last reform act.

Lord Grey, in his measure of 1832, which was no doubt a
statesmanlike measure, committed a great, and for a time it appeared
an irretrievable, error. By that measure he fortified the
legitimate influence of the aristocracy, and accorded to the middle
classes great and salutary franchises; but he not only made no
provision for the representation of the working classes in the
constitution, but he absolutely abolished those ancient franchises
which the working classes had peculiarly enjoyed and exercised from
time immemorial. Gentlemen, that was the origin of Chartism, and of
that electoral uneasiness which existed in this country more or less
for thirty years.

The Liberal party, I feel it my duty to say, had not acted fairly by
this question. In their adversity they held out hopes to the
working classes, but when they had a strong government they laughed
their vows to scorn. In 1848 there was a French revolution, and a
republic was established. No one can have forgotten what the effect
was in this country. I remember the day when not a woman could
leave her house in London, and when cannon were planted on
Westminster Bridge. When Lord Derby became prime minister affairs
had arrived at such a point that it was of the first moment that the
question should be sincerely dealt with. He had to encounter great
difficulties, but he accomplished his purpose with the support of a
united party. And gentlemen, what has been the result? A year ago
there was another revolution in France, and a republic was again
established of the most menacing character. What happened in this
country? You could not get half a dozen men to assemble in a street
and grumble. Why? Because the people had got what they wanted.
They were content, and they were grateful.

But, gentlemen, the constitution of England is not merely a
constitution in State, it is a constitution in Church and State. The
wisest sovereigns and statesmen have ever been anxious to connect
authority with religion--some to increase their power, some,
perhaps, to mitigat