which the sovereign may
wield, and during the past three-quarters of a century has wielded, in
the actual conduct of public affairs is far from inconsiderable. But,
as will also be emphasized, that influence is but the shadow of the
authority which the crown once--even as late as the opening of the
eighteenth century--possessed. It is largely personal rather than
legal; it is asserted within the domain of foreign relations rather
more than within that of domestic affairs; and as against the adverse
will of the nation expressed through Parliament it is, in effect,
powerless.[38]

[Footnote 38: On the monarchical revival under
George III., see D. A. Winstanley, Personal and
Party Government; a Chapter in the Political
History of the Early Years of the Reign of George
III., 1760-1766 (Cambridge, 1910). For an excellent
appraisal of the status of the crown throughout the
period 1760-1860 see T. E. May, The Constitutional
History of England since the Accession of George
III., edited and continued by F. Holland, 3 vols.
(London, 1912), I., Chaps. 1-2.]

*35. Ascendancy of the House of Commons.*--A second transformation
wrought in the working constitution since 1689 is the shifting of the
center of gravity in Parliament from the House of Lords to the House
of Commons, together with a notable democratizing of the
representative chamber. In the days of William and Anne the House of
Lords was distinctly more dignified and influential than the House of
Commons. During the period covered by the ministry of Walpole
(1721-1742), however, the Commons rose rapidly to the position of the
preponderating legislative branch. One contributing cause was the
Septennial Act of 1716, whereby the life of a parliament was extended
from three years to seven, thus increasing the continuity and
desirability of membership in the Commons. Another was the growing
importance of the power of the purse as wielded by the Commons. A
third was the fact that Walpole, throughout his prolonged ministry,
sat steadily as a member of the lower chamber and made it the scene of
his remarkable activities. The establishment of the supremacy of the
Commons as then constructed did not, however, mean the triumph of
popular government. It was but a step toward that end. The House of