He was in Parliament thirty-four years. He carried three important bills (capital ...

He was in Parliament thirty-four years.

He carried three important bills (capital punishment, defence of felons, public libraries) besides being very active on free trade, schools of design, and competitive examinations. But he was never in office.

Lord John Russell urged the view, which fortunately did not become canonical, that the Speaker should always be in sympathy with the majority.

In this development Parliament reflected a movement in the national mind.