Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/413

 1 85 5.] Death of Peel to Resignation of Aberdeen. 399 example. Russell must be regarded as one of the most Liberal of the Whigs, touched, rather in method of procedure than in acceptance of principles, by the old ideas of official manage- ment and compromise. With regard to Parliamentary reform and education, both of which he was honestly desirous of pro- moting, he was now in much the same position which he held up to 1845 on the corn laws. He was then desirous of relieving the food of the people from the artificial restraints which made it dear; but he thought that his particular fancy of a moderate fixed duty would cheapen bread, whilst it would to some extent serve the landed interests. Now, whilst anxious to widen the basis of the franchise, he wanted to do it in some way that might rather affect the balance of parties than the solid influence of the privileged classes. Whilst his theories pointed forward, his practice lagged behind. The very opposite was the case with Mr. Giadstone, who, without hasty expressions of advanced principles, went gradually on from one practical reform to another, all in the direction of extending rights and curtailing privileges. There was enough, however, in the attitude of these and other members of the Government to warrant, on the part of the Radicals, if not a policy of entire trust, at least that attitude of friendly expectation which marked the first session of the new Parliament. The Houses met, after the Christmas recess, on the loth of February, 1853, when a general statement was made of the course of business which the Government proposed to pursue. The Reform Bill was not to be introduced till next session, but on the 1 8th, in reply to a question from Disraeli, Russell said there were two questions he wished to promote the further education of the people, and the amendment of the represen- tation. On the 4th of April the Education Bill was brought in. It was a halting measure, recognizing principles which it failed to carry out, and laying down broad plans and spoiling them in detail. Thus it admitted the principle of local rating, but confined it to municipal corporations; and introduced local management of the funds, but strictly limited the manner in which they should be applied. Its merit was, both in design