There can be no doubt whatsoever that there was no opinion existing in the country, in the year 1829, and the beginning of 1830, in favour of parliamentary reform.  I believe this is a fact which was fully admitted in the discussions of the House of Commons at that time.  Then my Lords, came the French Revolution, which occurred at the period of the commencement of the elections of 1830, followed by the insurrection in Belgium; and there can be no doubt that these events occasioned a very great excitement at the elections of members of parliament.  There were many declarations in favour of parliamentary reform; and all that passed on the subject of parliamentary reform on that occasion, was calculated to influence, and did very considerably influence, the opinions of that parliament upon that question.  The noble Lords opposite then came into power, and I will say, my Lords, that they met a parliament ready to pass a measure of moderate parliamentary reform.  But the noble Lords opposite thought proper, instead of carrying such a measure, to dissolve that parliament, and a new parliament was called under a degree of excitement in the public mind such as had never before been witnessed.  The excitement has continued, to a certain degree, ever since, and it has been kept up by the strong opinion put forward and entertained, that it is the King who wishes for parliamentary reform in the manner proposed by this bill.  Now, my Lords, I say it is no such thing; for my part, I do not believe one word of any such assertion.  My opinion is, that the King follows the advice of his servants; but I believe that it is the idea thus engendered which renders it difficult that there should not be some reform.  It is not, however, to be supposed that the King takes any interest in the subject.  I entertain no doubt that the cause of the great excitement upon this subject is, that it is the King’s opinion that the bill ought to be carried.  The noble Earl would find the country cool upon the subject if the King’s mind were altered.  He would not be able to pass this bill; and indeed, I am sure, from experience, that if ministers, on any great constitutional question, were not convinced that the King would go through with them, it would be impossible for any set of ministers to carry any such measure.

April 10, 1832.

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The best part of the Public do not wish the Reform Bill.

The opinion of the gentlemen of the country,—­I speak from my own knowledge with respect to the southern counties, and from sure report as to other counties generally,—­but I do say that the opinion of the gentlemen, of the landed property, and of the learning of the country, is against this bill.  The bill is, on the other hand, supported by the noble Lords opposite, and by their adherents, certainly not a numerous class; it is also supported by all the dissenters from the church of England, and by all