to resist
future changes. On this ground I take my stand, not opposed to any
well-considered reform of any of our institutions, which the well-being
of the country demands, but opposed to this reform in our constitution,
because it tends to root up the feelings of respect towards it, which
are founded in prejudice, perhaps, as well as in higher sources of
veneration for all our institutions. I believe that reform will do this;
and I will wield all the power I possess to oppose the gradual progress
of that spirit of democracy to which others think we ought gradually to
yield; for if we make those concessions, it will only lead to establish
the supremacy of that principle. We may, I know, make it supreme; we may
be enabled to establish a republic full, I have no doubt, of energy--not
wanting, I have no doubt, in talent; but in my conscience I believe
fatal to our mixed form of government, and ultimately destructive of all
those usages and practices which have long ensured to us a large share
of peace and prosperity, and which have made and preserved this the
proudest kingdom in the annals of the world." The bill was supported by
Sir H. Willoughby, Lord William Lennox, Messrs. Bulwer and Slaney, and
other members, who all insisted on the absolute necessity of yielding,
and of yielding precisely what was contained in the bill, because all
the principles therein contained, and the extent to which they should be
applied, had been submitted to the people, and had been adopted by them,
with a determination which rendered resistance useless. On the other
hand, the bill was opposed by Lord Mahon, Sir E. H. Inglis, and other
members. It was stated that most members of the house had seen an
address to the inhabitants of Leeds, signed "Thomas Babington Macaulay,"
in which that gentleman stated that he by no means considered the bill
as final, but that he looked upon it only as a step towards a more
extended suffrage. The house divided on the morning of the 18th, which
was Sunday, and the motion for the second reading was carried by a
majority of three hundred and twenty-four against one hundred and
sixty-two. Immediately after the division, the house adjourned for the
Christmas holidays, till the 17th of January.

CHAPTER XLII.

{WILLIAM IV. 1832-1833}

_Reform Bill passed by the Commons..... Debates on the Reform
Bill in the Lords..... Disturbed State of the Nation.....
Reassembling of Parliament..... Failur