575.  Death of the King (1830).

George IV died soon after the passage of the new Police Bill (1830).  Of him it may well be said, though in a very different sense from that in which the expression was originally used, that “nothing in his life became him like the leaving of it.”  During his ten years’ reign he had squandered enormous sums of money in gambling and dissipation, and had done his utmost to block the wheels of political progress.

How far this son of an insane father (S567) was responsible, it may not be for us to judge.  Walter Scott, who had a kind word for almost every one, and especially for any one of the Tory party (S479), did not fail to say something in praise of the generous good nature of his friend George IV.  The sad thing is that his voice seems to have been the only one.  In a whole nation the rest were silent; or, if they spoke, it was neither to commend nor to defend, but to condemn.

576.  Summary.

The legislative reforms of George IV’s reign are its chief features.  The repeal of the Test and Corporation acts and the grant to Catholics of the right to reenter Parliament were tardy measures of justice.  Neither the King nor his ministers deserve any credit for them, but, none the less, they accomplished great and permanent good.

WILLIAM IV—­1830-1837

577.  Accession and Character of William IV.

As George IV left no heir, his brother William, a man of sixty-five, now came to the throne.  He had passed most of his life on shipboard, having been placed in the navy when a mere lad.  He was somewhat rough in his manner, and cared nothing for the ceremony and etiquette that were so dear to both George III and George IV.  His faults, however, were on the surface.  He was frank, hearty, and a friend to the people, to whom he was familiarly known as the “Sailor King.”

578.  Need of Reform in Parliamentary Representation.

From the beginning of this reign it was evident that the great question which must soon come up for settlement was that of parliamentary representation.  Large numbers of the people of England had now no voice in the government.  This unfortunate state of things was chiefly the result of the great changes which had taken place in the growth of the population of the Midlands (or the central portion of England) and the North (S563).

Since the introduction of steam (S563) the rapid increase of manufactures and commerce had built up Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, and other large towns in the iron, coal, pottery and manufacturing districts. (See Industrial Map of England, p.10.) These important towns could not send a member to Parliament; while, on the other hand, many places in the south of England which did send members had long ceased to be of any importance.  Furthermore, the representation was of the most haphazard description.  In one section no one could vote except substantial property holders, in another none but town officers, while in a third every man who had a tenement big enough to boil a pot in, and hence called a “Pot-walloper,” possessed the right.