1834-] The First Reformed Parliament. 239 as these men, with their philosophy, their science, their read- ing, their experience, the acuteness of some, the dogged- ness of others, the seriousness of most, the mirth of a few might have become, if they could have become a phalanx at all." * The party of which such divergent opinions were formed, as regarded alike their voting power and their character and ability, entered on the work of legislation with a vigour un- checked by official responsibility, and a hopefulness untamed by Parliamentary experience. They represented the people who had just been enfranchised, and electors and members alike supposed that the enfranchisement was intended, not as an end, but as a means for obtaining practical reforms. They were too sanguine in their expectations, too trustful of the official Liberals, and anxious to do more than was possible in the time. The lesson had to be learned, and it was not long before it was forced upon them, that their work was not at first to pass measures through Parliament, but to prepare the country for them, and to lead the agitations which should enforce success. This was not a pleasant revelation for men who were deeply impressed with the grievances which existed, and the remedies which were required. What hurt them most was the resistance which they met with from the ministerial party, who owed their position to the popular enthusiasm. This gave rise to feelings of animosity against the Whigs, which sometimes found an exaggerated expression, but which yet was the natural result of disappointed hopes. Thus, if the Whigs regarded the Radicals as unreasonable demagogues, the Radicals returned the compliment by treating the minis- terialists as no better than Tories. One of the most brilliant, the most active, and, it must be added, the most bitter of them said, " The Whigs have ever been an exclusive and aristocratic faction, though at times employing democratic principles and phrases as weapons of offence against their opponents. It is the fashion of the writers who advocate their cause and eulogize their party, to describe them as representing the
- " History of the Thirty Years' Peace," vol. ii. pp. 351, 352.
