It is understood that the Resolutions have already received the
consent of the leading Opposition Peers. Though their terms are very general, as they ought to be at this stage, they show how very far the Lords are willing to go in the matter of reform. A scheme established in accordance with these Resolutions would combine the elective and the hereditary principles, but at the same time mere heredity would not give admission to the House of Lords. Not only would a reformed Tipper House on these lines be a Withal, or assembly of wise men, but a very considerable section of its Members would be in a position of absolute independence, and could never be suspected of looking over their shoulders to see how the men who had elected them would like their action. Such a body would be eminently well fitted to perform what has become the essential function of the Peers,—to judge whether a particular measure ought or ought not to be referred to the electors.
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