68 REFORM AND DEMOCRACY 



in a quarter of a century, and at once opened 

 the famous struggle for Parliamentary reform. 

 The demand for this reform received a great 

 impulse from the revolutionary wave that swept 

 over the Continent, and the popular agitation 

 in Great Britain, reflecting the methods of 

 O Connell s late operations in Ireland, assumed 

 a very threatening aspect. The Tories fought 

 with dogged energy to retain the ancient power 

 and privilege of the landed interest. Two years 

 of violent political strife resulted, however, in 

 the enactment of the reform. Through its pro 

 visions the House of Commons ceased to be 

 under the control of the landed aristocracy and 

 became fairly representative of the industrial 

 class that was assuming such importance in the 

 growing towns. The apportionment of seats 

 among the constituencies was based in some 

 measure upon the number of the population, 

 thus recognizing a principle that was dear to 

 the democratic reformer. Moreover, while the 

 landed aristocracy still retained its control of 

 the House of Lords, the passage of the Reform 

 Bill had finally been effected by a proceeding 

 that showed how, in a contest between the two 

 houses, the Commons could constitutionally 

 carry the day. 



