not indifferent to wealth
CHAPTER 4 ARISTOCRACIES AND UPPER CHAMBERS
Dangers of government by a single Chamber
Lessons derived from the Commonwealth
Early History of the House of Lords
Effects of the Reformation and the Rebellion
Importance of the small boroughs in sustaining its influence
Creations of George III.—The Irish Union
Position of the spiritual peers
The House of Lords under George III. not unpopular
Power of personal interest on its members before 1832
Their influence in the House of Commons
Attitude of the peers towards the Reform Bill of 1832
Change in their position effected by the Bill
Importance of the House of Lords in making legislation harmonise with the popular will
In diminishing the too great influence of party in legislation
Attacks on the Lords after the Reform Bill of 1832
The Hereditary Element
Advantages of special education for politics
Influences that maintain the character of the British aristocracy
Their energy and power of adaptation
Large amount of ability among them
Advantages the nation derives from an aristocracy
Representative character of the House of Lords
Popularity of the aristocracy in England
Debility and apathy of the House of Lords
Causes of Its Debility
Discouraging influences in the House
Jealousy of the House of Commons of Bills originating in the Lords
Financial impotence of the Lords
Sole right of the Commons to originate Money Bills
The Lords deprived of their old right of amending them
Difficulty of maintaining this rule—Its relaxation
The right of rejecting Money Bills
Repeal of the paper duties in 1860
The different provisions of the Budget combined in one Bill
Connection of taxation and representation
Powers of foreign Senates over finance
Dangers of the concentration of all financial power in one House—Its mitigations in England
The House of Lords cannot overthrow Ministers
Its Judicial Functions
