Page:Life of the Right Honourable Sir Robert Peel.pdf/8

8 small minority; but Sir Robert Peel gradually reunited them, and developed the new plan by which he proposed to reinstate them in public opinion, and ultimately in political power.

In the autumn of 1834, Sir Robert, accompanied by Lady Peel, and some other members of his family, left England, with the intention of spending the winter in Italy, but while at Rome he was suddenly summoned by a special messenger to return home, and take the office of premier;—the King having dismissed Lord Melbourne's cabinet. Sir Robert immediately left Rome, and on his arrival in London had an audience of his Majesty, accepted the office of Prime Minister, and, with a rapidity which surprised the public, as well as his political opponents, commenced to form his administration. He appealed to the country for support, on the ground that his former measures had shown a desire to improve; but in the elections which followed, he failed to obtain a majority, and was obliged to resign in April, 1835. By the restoration of the Whigs, Sir Robert Peel was again thrown into the position of leader of the Opposition, and he had now occasion to develope the masterly tactics which had already increased his party, and which were destined, at no distant date, to place them again in power.

At a dinner given to Sir Robert Peel, on 12th May, 1838, he thus spoke of the changing fortunes of the Conservative party. "In the session immediately following the passing of the Reform Bill, we never mustered on any division in the House of Commons, more than one hundred Conservatives: now, I have the honour of addressing three hundred. On the first dissolution in 1835, when I was at the head of the Government, I believe we divided on the nomination of speaker, 306 members. The names attached to the invitation of this day, comprising 313 members of the House of Commons, will, I think,