In 1835 they saw
this small dispirited band grow into a resolute and formidable phalanx
of 300. The cry was: 'Resolute attachment to the institutions of the
country.' One passage in the speech is of interest in the history of his
attitude on toleration. Sir William Moles worth had been invited to come
forward as candidate for the representation of Leeds. A report spread
that Sir William was not a believer in the Christian articles of faith.
Somebody wrote to Molesworth, to know if this was true. He answered,
that the question whether he was a believer in the Christian religion
was one that no man of liberal principles ought to propose to another,
or could propose without being guilty of a dereliction of duty. On this
incident, Mr. Gladstone said that he would ask, 'Is it not a time for
serious reflection among moderate and candid men of all parties, when
such a question was actually thought impertinent interference? Surely
they would say with him, that men who have no belief in the divine
revelation are not the men to govern this nation, be they whigs or
radicals.' Long, extraordinary, and not inglorious, was the ascent from
such a position as this, to the principles so nobly vindicated in the
speech on the Affirmation bill in 1883.

PARTY COUNCILS

At the end of January he is back in London, arranging books and papers
and making a little daylight in his chaos. 'What useful advice might a
man who has been _buon pezzo_ in parliament give to one going into it,
on this mechanical portion of his business.' The entries for 1837 are
none of them especially interesting. Every day in the midst of full
parliamentary work, social engagements, and public duties outside of the
House of Commons, he was elaborating the treatise on the relations of
church and state, of which we shall see more in our following chapter.
At the beginning of the session he went to a dinner at Peel's, at which
Lord Stanley and some of his friends were present--a circumstance noted
as a sign of the impending fusion between the whig seceders of 1834 and
the conservative party. Sir Robert seems to have gone on extending his
confidence in him.

I visited Sir Robert Peel (March 4th) about the Canada question,
and again by appointment on the 6th, with Lord Aberdeen. On the
former day he said, 'Is there anyone else to invite?' I suggested
Lord Stanley. He said, perhaps he might be inclined to take a
separate