After a jocular summing up of the average attitude of
the majority of Peers, Sir Frederick Pollock cites, against Lord Curzon's contention that the best authorities have shown that the Lords have a right to deal with finance, the opinion of Mr. Bagehot in 1878 and that of the late Lord Salisbury in 1894. " We have it on Lord Salisbury's authority that the passing of a revolutionary Budget—for that was his epithet—in the House of Commons at the instance of a weakening Ministry by majorities of a little more or less than a score does not make it expedient for the House of Lords to insist on its legal rights." In conclusion, Sir Frederick Pollock is of opinion that, however little the average elector cares for legal arguments, he does understand what is meant by people minding their own business, and " for my poor part I hope. he will show the Lords that he understands it." Sir Frederick Pollock, we may add, abstains from any reference to. Mr. Asquith's declaration on Home-rule, but incidentally admits that he approved of the Lords' action in throwing out the Home-rule Bill of 1893. Yet he is now prepared_ to vote for a Government pledged to bring in a Home-rule Bill at least as large as Mr. Gladstone's.
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