ABSTRACT
The struggle for Parliamentary Reform lasted for rather more than half a century. In the course of those years the fortunes of the cause underwent many vicissitudes; but the prospects had rarely seemed as hopeless as in the spring of 1807. From the examples available it is clear that its editors were both able and enlightened: they were keen Reformers, very interested in social questions, and far from tender of the feelings of the Whig leaders. The endeavours of the Whigs to secure some measure of Economical Reform were not confined to an attempt to check the wasteful outpourings of the Treasury or the Civil List. They tackled also the question of corruption. The honourable behaviour of the Whig leaders in holding aloof did them great harm in the country and popular opinion applauded those Reformers who had been most bitter in their attacks.
