Page:A short history of social life in England.djvu/389



HE Democratic tendency of our times, the upward movement of the popular classes, who desire to have their share in political life &hellip; is henceforth no Utopian dream, no doubtful anticipation. It is a fact &hellip; which occupies every mind, influences the proceedings of Governments, defies all opposition." These words, spoken in 1847, never rang more true than in 1867, when the working men of England demanded a new Reform Act Crowded meetings with enthusiastic speakers had taken place in the thickly populated northern towns, while in London, the Hyde Park Riot emphatically compelled attention in the House of