Diminution of the influence of the Crown shown by these

Lord Palmerston's removal from office

Increased influence of the Crown now under due control
Continued influence of great families

PAGE

. 125

128

130

Attempted exclusion of Princess of Wales from the regency

Meeting of Parliament during the king's second illness, 1788-9

The rights of a regent debated.

Regent to be appointed by bill founded on resolutions

Great seal to be used under authority of Parliament

A new speaker during the king's incapacity.

The commission to open Parliament

The regency bill stayed by the king's recovery

141

142

145

151

152

153

155

158

159

These proceedings considered

Ministerial embarrassments caused by the king's third illness,

The issue of money authorized by Parliament

Act authorizing George IV. to sign by a stamp.

Rights of an infant king considered on the accession of Wil-

CHAPTER IV.

REVENUES OF THE CROWN: THE CIVIL LIST: PENSIONS: PREROG-

ATIVES OF THE CROWN IN RELATION TO THE ROYAL FAMILY.

PAGE

. 186

189

The Civil List from William and Mary to George III. .

Settlement of the Civil List on the accession of George III.

Charges and debts upon the Civil List

Schemes for economic reform.

Management of the land revenues on behalf of the public

Pensions on the Civil List and other Crown revenues

Restrictions on the grant of pensions.

Final regulation of the Pension List

Powers of the sovereign over grandchildren

The Royal Marriage Act, 1772

Guardianship of Princess Charlotte

CHAPTER V.

THE HOUSE OF LORDS, AND THE PEERAGE.

Progressive increase of the peerage prior to reign of George III. 224

Change in the character of the House by increase of numbers.

Profuse creatious in the reign of George III.

ib.

226

228

229

232

233

235

Increased number of the House of Lords, a source of strength

Political parties in the House

Collisions between the two Houses averted by the influence of

the Crown

Position of the Lords in reference to the Reform Bills

PAGE

248

249

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Anomalies of representation prior to reform

Defects in the electoral system

Nomination boroughs. .

Various and limited rights of election

Bribery at elections

Sale of boroughs.

Attempts to restrain corruption

Act to prevent the sale of seats

Government boroughs

Revenue officers disfranchised

Vexatious contests in populous cities

Territorial influence in counties

Defective representation of Scotland

279

282

283

And of Ireland

Nominee members, the majority of the House

Injustice in the trial of election petitions

The Grenville Act.

287

288

289

291

Improved constitution of election committees

Bribery of members by places and pensions

293

294

Various sources of corruption condemned by Parliament.

State of society favorable to these practices

How popular principles were kept alive

The first schemes of parliamentary reform

Mr. Pitt's motions for reform

Reform advocated by Mr. Grey

Discouraged by the French Revolution

Reform motions at the beginning of this century

Lord J. Russell's efforts for reform

Disfranchisement and other Acts to restrain bribery
Policy of legislation concerning bribery.

Efforts to shorten the duration of Parliaments

Motions in favor of vote by ballot.

Qualification Acts repealed.

Proceedings at elections improved.
Later measures of reform

CHAPTER VII.

RELATIONS OF PARLIAMENT TO THE CROWN, THE LAW, AND THE

Motions in the Lords to reverse the proceedings against Wilkes. 382

Resolutions against him expunged

Exclusion of strangers from parliamentary debates

Members of the Commons excluded from the Lords

Consequent misunderstanding between the two Houses

Publication of parliamentary debates

Commencement of the system

Misrepresentations of reporters

Their personalities

Contest between the Commons and the printers

Wilkes and the Lord Mayor interpose in their behalf
The Commons proceed against the city magistrates
Reports of debates permitted

Publication of parliamentary papers.

Freedom of comments upon Parliament.

Early petitions, and rights of petitioners

Commencement of modern system of petitioning

Petitioning at the beginning of the present century
Abuses of petitioning

Debates on presenting petitions restrained

Pledges of members to candidates considered

Surrender of certain parliamentary privileges

Conflict of privilege and law.

Sir F. Burdett's case.

The Stockdale cases

883

426

428

429

430

481

432

Right of Parliament to publish papers affecting character
Moderation of the Commons in forwarding the admission of Jews

Control of Parliament over the executive government

Over questions of peace and war

Relations between the Commons and the ministers of the Crown 434

Popular addresses on the same subject

Votes expressing confidence or otherwise

Impeachments.

Improved relations of the Crown with the Commons

Stability of governments, before and since reform, considered

ib.

435

. 437

ib