could inflict, have been unsparingly dealt to political opponents. Combatants "have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adder's poison is under their lips." But good taste and a stricter order in debate, have restrained the grosser outrages to decency. The weapons of debate have been as keen and trenchant as ever: but they have been wielded according to the laws of a more civilised warfare. The first years of the Reformed Parliament threatened the revival of scenes as violent and disorderly as any in the last century1: but as the host of new members became disciplined by experience, and the fierce passions of that period subsided, the accustomed decorum of the House of Commons was restored.

authority

Indeed, as the Commons have advanced in power Increased and freedom, they have shown greater self-restraint, and of the a more ready obedience to the authority of the Speaker. Chair. They have always been more orderly in their proceedings than the Lords; and the contrast which the scenes of the first twenty years of George III. present to those of later times, can scarcely fail to strike an attentive student of Parliamentary history.

What would now be thought of such scenes as those enacted in the time of Sir John Cust, Sir Fletcher Norton, and Mr. Cornwall,-of rebukes and interruptions2,- of unseemly altercations with the Chair, — of

1 Mr. Shiel and Lord Althorp, 5th Feb., 1834.-Hans. Deb., 3rd Ser., xxi. 146. Mr. Rigby Watson and Lord Sandon, 12th March, 1834. -Ibid., xxii. 116. Mr. Romayne and Mr. O'Connell, 6th May, 1834. Ibid., xxiii. 624. Mr. Hume and Mr. Charlton, 3rd June, 1835.Ibid., xxvii. 485, 22nd July, 1835. -Ibid., 879.

2 Scenes between Mr. Rigby and the Speaker, Sir John Cust, in 1762. Cavendish Deb., i. 342. And between Sir J. Cavendish and the

same Speaker, March 9th, 1769.-
Ibid., 567. Mr. Burke and the
same, April 15th, 1769.—Ibid., 878.
Scenes with Sir Fletcher Norton,
Dec. 14th, 1770.—Ibid., ii. 168.
March 12th and 27th, 1771.—Ibid.,
ii. 390, 476. General Tarleton and
Mr. Speaker Addington, 16th Nov.,
1795.-Lord Colchester's Diary,
i. 7.

Even so late as March 16th
1808, there was an altercation be-
tween the Chair and Mr. Tierney,
which ended in a resolution affirm-
ing the impartiality of Mr. Speaker

General standard of debate.

the words of the Speaker himself being taken down
and of a motion that they were disorderly and dangerous
to the freedom of debate? 1

In concluding this sketch of Parliamentary oratory, a few words may be added concerning the general standard of debate in the House of Commons. If that standard be measured by the excellence of the best speakers at different periods, we have no cause to be ashamed of the age in which our living orators and statesmen have flourished. But judged by another test, this age has been exposed to disparaging criticisms. When few save the ablest men contended in debate, and the rank and file were content to cheer and vote, a certain elevation of thought and language was, perhaps, more generally sustained. But, of late years, independent members,-active, informed, and businesslike, representing large interests,-more responsible to constituents, and less devoted to party chiefs,living in the public eye, and ambitious of distinction,— have eagerly pressed forward, and claimed a hearing. Excellence in debate has suffered from the multiplied demands of public affairs. Yet in speeches without pretensions to oratory, are found strong common sense, practical knowledge, and an honesty of purpose that was wanting in the silent legions of former times. The debates mark the activity, and earnest spirit of a representative assembly. At all times there have been some speakers of a lower grade,—without instruction, taste, or elevation. Formerly their common-place effusions, were not reported: now they are freely read, and scornfully criticised. They are put to shame by the writers of the daily press, who discuss the same subjects

Abbot.-Lord Colchester's Diary,
ii. 142.

1 Feb. 16th, 1770; Parl. Hist., xvi. 807.

with superior knowledge and ability. Falling below the educated mind of the country, they bring discredit upon the House of Commons, while they impair its legislative efficiency. But worse evils than these have been overcome; and we may hope to see this abuse of free discussion eventually corrected, by a less tolerant endurance on the part of the House, and by public reprobation and contempt.

507

INDEX TO VOL. I.