Hitherto, the historical parties had not been unevenly represented at all levels ...

Hitherto, the historical parties had not been unevenly represented at all levels of society, and of the two, the Whig houses were more conspicuous than the Tory. But as they crossed

the floor, the balance altered.

There was a concentration of wealth, titled and untitled, on the Unionist side, and there ought to have been a corresponding concentration of Radicalism-or Socialism-on the Liberal side. But the chief Radical crossed the floor too.

History seemed to have decided once more, as in the thirties, that while there was room for Whigs and Tories, or Liberals and Conservatives, there was no room for anyone else. The debates of two centuries had channeled the political landscape down

to bedrock, and

into one of the two great streams all the minor affluents must find their way, or be wasted in the desert.

But meanwhile, partly from the natural operation of time, and partly, no doubt, from the delicate impulsions which Disraeli gave to that operation, the relations of the Crown with Ministers and people had been subtly transformed. Between them, the Queen and the Prince Consort had created a position which the Queen alone could not fill.

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