Chapter XVI

ON THE STATE OF THE CONSTITUTION IN THE REIGNS OF ANNE, GEORGE
I., AND GEORGE II.

Termination of Contest between the Crown and Parliament --
Distinctive Principles of Whigs and Tories -- Changes effected in
these by Circumstances -- Impeachment of Sacheverel displays them
again -- Revolutions in the Ministry under Anne -- War of the
Succession -- Treaty of Peace broken off -- Renewed again by the
Tory Government -- Arguments for and against the Treaty of
Utrecht -- The Negotiation mismanaged -- Intrigues of the
Jacobites -- Some of the Ministers engage in them -- Just alarm
for the Hanover Succession -- Accession of George I. -- Whigs
come into Power -- Great Disaffection in the Kingdom --
Impeachment of Tory Ministers -- Bill for septennial Parliaments
-- Peerage Bill -- Jacobitism among the Clergy -- Convocation --
Its Encroachments -- Hoadley -- Convocation no longer suffered to
sit -- Infringements of the Toleration by Statutes under Anne --
They are repealed by the Whigs -- Principles of Toleration fully
established -- Banishment of Atterbury -- Decline of the
Jacobites -- Prejudices against the reigning Family -- Jealousy
of the Crown -- Changes in the Constitution whereon it was
founded -- Permanent military Force -- Apprehensions from it --
Establishment of Militia -- Influence over Parliament by Places
and Pensions -- Attempts to restrain it -- Place Bill of 1743 --
Secret Corruption -- Commitments for Breach of Privilege -- of
Members for Offences -- of Strangers for Offences against Members
-- or for Offences against the House -- Kentish Petition of 1701
-- Dispute with Lords about Aylesbury Election -- Proceedings
against Mr. Murray in 1751 -- Commitments for Offences
unconnected with the House -- Privileges of the House not
controllable by Courts of Law -- Danger of stretching this too
far -- Extension of Penal Laws -- Diminution of personal
Authority of the Crown -- Causes of this -- Party Connections --
Influence of Political Writings -- Publication of Debates --
Increased Influence of the Middle Ranks Page 175

CHAPTER XVII

ON THE CONSTITUTION OF SCOTLAND

Early State of Scotland -- Introduction of Feudal System --
Scots Parliament -- Power of the Aristocracy -- Royal Influence
in Parliament -- Judicial Power -- Court of Session --
Reformation -- Power of the Presbyterian Clergy -- Their Attempts
at Independence on the State -- Andrew Melville -- Success of
James VI. in restraining them -- Establishment of Episcopacy --
Innovations of Charles I. -- Arbitrary Government -- Civil War --
Tyrannical Government of Charles II. -- Reign of James VII. --
Revolution and Establishment of Presbytery -- Reign of William
III. -- Act of Security -- Union -- Gradual Decline of Jacobitism
Page 266