OF THE

REFORM ACT OF 1832.

BY SIR JOHN WALSH, BART., M.P.,

LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,

AND CHARING CROSS.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Introduction Temporary character of the Settlement of 1832- Its

effects have not yet been impartially considered

on the question of its reconstruction

They fairly arise

Page 1

CHAPTER II.

Opposite mode of argument adopted by Conservatives and by the Philo-

sophers of the Movement Examples-The Peace Party-Mr. J.

Stuart Mill-Grounds of the Conservatives' attachment to the Con-

stitution of 1688-Liberal policy pursued during the last eight years

of the Tory administrations - Sketch of the financial and political

condition of the nation at the fall of the Duke of Wellington's Ad-

ministration

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CHAPTER III.

First results of the Reform Act - Why so little decided-Conser-

vatism of Lord Grey - Personal ascendancy of Sir Robert Peel -

Predominance of the old Parliamentary leaders in the new Assembly

— Strength of the Conservative principle in the country

CHAPTER IV.

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The results of the Reform Bill gradually developed after the retirement

of Lord Grey-The General Election of 1835 a tolerably correct

index of the relative proportions of parties under the new system

Strong Government impossible - Frequent changes inevitable — In-

consistency in public men

CHAPTER V.

51

Subject continued — The changes occasioned by the Reform Act in the

Personnel of the House of Commons, considered under the division

of men of the old and new systems-Men of the Reform Act

not available for office-Fickleness of large constituencies - Lord

Broughton, Mr. Hawes, Lord Macaulay, Mr. Bright, Mr. Cobden,

Mr. Muntz - Practical Government of the country in fact carried

on by the old portion of the House - Conservative element wholly

unrepresented in the new constituencies

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