The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 14
Recapitulation
Recapitulation.
Total. | Liberal. | Tory. | Doubtful | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Peerages prior to George III | 128 | 42 | 86 | ... |
Thence to Queen Victoria | 173 | 57 | 113 | 8 |
Peerages of Queen Victoria | 173 | 96 | 74 | 8 |
Total Lay Peerages of England, Great Britain, and United Kingdom (not in eluding Royal Princes, nor Spiritual Representative Peers) | 474 | 195 | 273 | 6 |
The foregoing summary sufficiently proves that since the era of Parliamentary Reform the composition of the House of Lords has been modified in a Liberal sense, and had it not been for another process going on simultaneously the numbers of the Political parties might by now have been fairly equalized. That other process will best be explained by studying the next table, which is most significant in its bearing upon all discussions of future Parliamentary Reform.
It shows incontestibly that the Hereditary Principle in Legislation is incompatible with the growth of the national liberties, and, if nought else were to be adduced at all upon the question, it should seal the doom of Hereditary Law-spoilers and Reform-rejectors.