198 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1827- evidently hopeless for them to expect to obtain power without some change was made in the representation. They found that even the popular enthusiasm, which was the only instru- ment that could be used to force the close constituencies, was obtainable only by the acceptance of some such thorough scheme of reform as was advocated by the Radicals. This was in itself a proof, to them at least, that the country was growing in liberalism even amongst the class which could be expected to influence elections. These party calculations, however, by no means account for the whole of the change among the Whigs. Their members shared in and added to the national movement in the popular direction. A party that could produce, and place confidence in, a Lambton must have been really progressive. The spirit which was thus manifested in the ranks of both the old parties could not but give at once encouragement and power to the Radicals themselves ; and Hume, Burdett, and Wilson, in different ways, showed that they were conscious of the force which was behind them in the state of public feeling and opinion. They did not doubt that any genuine reform would add to their numbers and their strength in Parliament. This was the state of feeling that made it possible for the new Premier to form a Ministry strong enough and bold enough to undertake to govern the country against the wishes of the majority of those who had hitherto regarded office as their monopoly. When Parliament met on the ist of May, after the recess, Canning had completed his arrangements, both as regarded the construction of the Cabinet and the support which was to be expected from the Liberal side of the House. There was no coalition in the way of a distri- bution of place and responsibility. A few Whigs, Scarlett among them, took places ; but the party leaders remained out of office, although there was a general promise of in- dependent support. The House of Commons, when it assembled, presented a most unwonted appearance. On the ministerial side sat the leader of the House, surrounded by many of his old colleagues, and with a considerable number
