English Political and Constitutional History, 1600-1900; Syllabus of a Course of Lectures Delivered at Cornell University, July-August, 1902 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II. The Development Of Parliamentary And Cabinet Govern Ment, 1760-1902 Sect. 1. General Characteristics Of The Reign Of George III, 1760-1820. I. Character and education of George III. 1. Personal traits (see Thackeray's Four Georges); his in tellect. 2. Bias given by his education; influence of his mother; of Bute. 3. His policy and character as compared with the first two Georges. 4. Increase of the influence of the crown as the mark of his reign; what progress had already been made (see May, I, 15 ff.). II. The state of parliamentary representation: at the beginning of the reign the House of Commons did not represent the people. 1. Because dominated by the Whig oligarchy (Green, IV, 124, 210 ff., passim). a. Walpole ministry, 1721-1741: character and policy of Walpole. 6. Ministry of Cartaret (Lord Granville), 1741-1744. c. Henry Pelham, 1744-1754. d. Duke of Newcastle, 1754-1756 (brother of H. Pelham). e. William Pitt, 1756-1761: Newcastle at head of treasury; popularity of Pitt; his policy; his oratory; elements of his greatness. 2. Because of its composition. a. Restrictions on the electoral franchise. b. Borough representation. 1. Creation of parliamentary boroughs by royal charter in reign of Charles II (see May). 2. "Pocket," "nomination," and "rotten boroughs"; sale of seats controlled by peers. 3. Official influence in large towns. 4. Disfranchisement of large cities. c. Conservative control of county representation. d. Condition of Scotch and Irish representation. e. Dishonest trial of election petitions: The Gren ville Act; the present law (see May). III. How George III secured control of the House of Commons. 1. By sale of seats; the "Nabobs." 2. By the distribution of ofllces, civil, military, and judi cial; history of acts restrict...