This Bill was not, on the whole, well received by
the Scotch Members. Mr. Baxter (M.P. for the Montrose district) entered a very manly and vigorous protest against any addition to the number of the House of Commons. " Rather than accept these seven seats at the heavy expense of an addition to the, House of Commons, he would consent to leave the claims of Scotland to be dealt with by the Reformed Parliament." " Scotland desired to be treated not as a peculiar and separate province, but as an in- tegral part of the United Kingdom." The seats for Scotland should have been taken from the nomination or corrupt boroughs in England. Mr. McLaren (M.P. • for Edinburgh) pro- tested ably against the principle of gutting the counties. Mr. Laing, on the other hand, was, as usual, prepared to swim with the tide. Mr. Disraeli briefly appealed to the traditional " cau- tion" of the Scotch Members not to commit themselves. The Government were entirely squeezable on all points. The only " principles" of the Bill were a large extension of the franchise, and an addition to the representation of Scotland.
