Excerpt from A Short History of Parliament The idea of writing a short history of Parliament was first suggested to me by Mr. F. S. Pulling, of Exeter, who at one time I thought would have shared in the work. Circumstances, however, prevented this, and the book ultimately assumed a somewhat different form from that projected at first. The object with which it was written was the hope of imparting a certain amount of life to the dry bones which are strewn in the way of the constitutional student, and of combining instruction with a certain amount of amusement. Whether the effort has been successful or not the reader must judge for himself. I must here take the opportunity to render my acknowledgments to Mr. F. York Powell, Mr. C. H. Carmichael, and Mr. A. B. Beaven for the kind assistance which they have rendered me - especially the latter, who undertook the laborious task of revising the whole of the MS. dealing with the period after 1660. I am indebted to the kindness of Sir George Sitwell for a very early illustration of parliamentary corruption - an isolated evidence but sufficiently pregnant of meaning. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Short History of Parliament, 1295-1642 This little book is not a history of parliament in the usual sense. No attempt is made to discuss obscure points of origins nor to do justice to certain thorny questions upon which reputable historians still disagree. It does include the main facts to be found in standard constitutional texts, and some of the more technical data, figures, and dates are supplied in notes and appendices for those who want them. It is addressed to students of college age, and may serve as collateral reading for college courses in English history or literature. It is hoped that it may also have some value for a wider reading public, including those interested in parliamentary government wherever it may be found in the world today. The purpose is fivefold: (1) to make available the valuable results of recent research scattered through learned monographs, essays, and review articles; (2) to give something of the flavor and points of view of the eras concerned by some quotation from the contemporary sources; (3) to bridge the division, usually too sharply made, between "medieval" and "modern"; (4) to bring the "men of law" into the picture - the legal historian who illuminates the subject by a special approach and the man of law in parliament who made many a practical as well as theoretical contribution; (5) last but not least, to bring parliaments - even those of "medieval" times - and their members to life, to dramatize, as it were, their personnel and activities. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from A Short History of the Last Parliament Refolution equal to that of their Warlike Ancefiorc; a Courage that became the Subjeeir offitch a Prince, and fuch a General, a Courage worthy of the Noble Carafe in which they were engaged 5 the Prefirwation(s) About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from A Short History of the Opposition: During the Last Session of Parliament The present situation of Public Affairs calls forcibly upon every good Subject, to exert himself in the Public Service. Every individual possesses a power, which can aid and support his country. He can draw his sword in her defence, contribute to her resources, or combat with argument, and expose to just indignation, those, who have themselves her internal, and consequently, her unnatural enemies. The Author of the following Essay has long entertained an opinion, that the most formidable foes of Great Britain were nursed in her own bosom: These, under the masque of patriotism, fomented rebellion in her Colonies; and by exposing her pretended weakness, created a combination of powerful States, not only against her interest, but her very existence, as a great and independent Kingdom. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from The Book of Parliament I have made some excursions into the domain of history. That, of course, was inevitable in writing about Parliament, whose roots lie so deep in the mighty past. But I have avoided as much as possible the broad beaten tracks of history; and have turned down unfrequented and little-trodden byways in search of fresh and apt anecdotes to enliven and illustrate and confirm my descriptions of the present work-a-day aspects of Parlia ment. My chief purpose has been to make the book entertaining and instructive to the general reader - to the millions of men and women of all sorts and condi tions in this world-wide Empire of which Parliament is the supreme ruler. But I trust the book will also be found useful to members of Parliament, lawyers, journalists, students of Constitutional history - to all. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Parliament: Its History, Constitution and Practice The word parliament originally meant a In its Latin form it is applied by monastic statutes of the thirteenth century to the talk held by monks in their Cloisters after dinner, talk which the statutes condemn as unedifying. A little later on the term was used to describe solemn conferences such as that held in 1245 between Louis IX of France and Pope Innocent IV. When our Henry III summoned a council or conference of great men to discuss grievances he was said by a contemporary chronicler to hold a parlia ment. The word struck root in England, and was soon applied regularly to the national assemblies which were summoned from time to time by Henry's great successor, Edward I, and which took something like definite shape in what was afterwards called the model parliament of 1295. The word, as we have seen, signified at first the talk itself, the conference held, not the persons holding it. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.