A Short History of English Liberalism

A Short History of English Liberalism, by
Walter Lyon Blease
A SHORT HISTORY OF
ENGLISH LIBERALISM



BY

W. LYON BLEASE



_No rational man ever did govern himself by abstractions and
universals.... A statesman differs from a professor in an university;
the latter has only the general view of society.... A statesman, never
losing sight of principles, is to be guided by circumstances; and,
judging contrary to the exigencies of the moment, he may ruin his
country for ever._

BURKE, "On the Petition of the Unitarians."



T. FISHER UNWIN
LONDON: ADELPHI TERRACE
LEIPSIC: INSELSTRASSE 20

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TO
"THE MANCHESTER GUARDIAN"



_First Published in 1913_

(_All rights reserved._)

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. LIBERALISM AND TORYISM 7

II. POLITICAL CONDITIONS IN THE REIGN OF GEORGE III 42

III. THE FIRST MOVEMENT TOWARDS LIBERALISM 69

IV. THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND ENGLISH OPINION 100

V. THE DECLINE OF TORYISM 142

VI. THE MIDDLE-CLASS SUPREMACY 168

VII. THE MANCHESTER SCHOOL AND PALMERSTON 190

VIII. THE BEGINNING OF THE GLADSTONE PERIOD 230

IX. GLADSTONE VERSUS DISRAELI 265

X. THE IMPERIALIST REACTION 294

XI. LIBERALISM SINCE 1906 324

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A Short History of English Liberalism