ord Holland--Wellington and the Peninsular
campaign--Student days in Edinburgh and speeches at the
Speculative Society--Early leanings in politics and
literature--Enters the House of Commons as member for Tavistock 1

CHAPTER II

IN PARLIAMENT AND FOR THE PEOPLE

1813-1826

The political outlook when Lord John entered the House of
Commons--The 'Condition of England' question--The struggle for
Parliamentary Reform--Side-lights on Napoleon Bonaparte--The
Liverpool Administration in a panic--Lord John comes to the aid
of Sir Francis Burdett--Foreign travel--First motion in favour
of Reform--Making headway 21

CHAPTER III

WINNING HIS SPURS

1826-1830

Defeated and out of harness--Journey to Italy--Back in
Parliament--Canning's accession to power--Bribery and
corruption--The repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts--The
struggle between the Court and the Cabinet over Catholic
Emancipation--Defeat of Wellington at the polls--Lord John
appointed Paymaster-General 47

CHAPTER IV

A FIGHT FOR LIBERTY

1830-1832

Lord Grey and the cause of Reform--Lord Durham's share in
the Reform Bill--The voice of the people--Lord John introduces
the bill and explains its provisions--The surprise of the
Tories--Reform, 'Aye' or 'No'--Lord John in the Cabinet--The
bill thrown out--The indignation of the country--Proposed
creation of Peers--Wellington and Sidmouth in despair--The
bill carried--Lord John's tribute to Althorp 63

CHAPTER V

THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA

1833-1838

The turn of the tide with the Whigs--The two voices in the
Cabinet--Lord John and Ireland--Althorp and the Poor Law--The
Melbourne Administration on the rocks--Peel in power--The
question of Irish tithes--Marriage of Lord John--Grievances
of Nonconformists--Lord Melbourne's influence over the
Queen--Lord Durham's mission to Canada--Personal sorrow 88

CHAPTER VI

THE TWO FRONT BENCHES

1840-1845

Lord John's position in the Cabinet and in the Commons--His
services to Education--Joseph Lancaster--Lord John's
Colonial Policy--Mr. Gladstone's opinion--Lord Stanmore's
recollections--The mistakes of the Melbourne Cabinet--The Duke
of Wellington's opinion of Lord John--The agitation against the
Corn Laws--Lord John's view of Sir Robert Peel--The Edinburgh