The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 781: Chapter 369 May Turmoil

“I have heard many people say that we should improve the national representation system. Yet thus far, I have never read or heard any plan that completely satisfies me. I am fully convinced that our current legislative institution is capable of perfectly resolving legislative issues and can do so more impeccably than any other nation’s legislative institution.”

“I go further and say that Britain’s legislative and representation system has already won the complete and thorough trust of the nation. I go even further and say that if I were now to create a legislative institution, especially in a country like Britain that possesses such a vast variety of immense wealth, I could not be certain of being able to establish an institution equivalent to our own existing system.”

“For Britain’s political system has a long and excellent tradition, and a new system could not possibly achieve such perfection overnight. And all that I now can do with my utmost effort is to create an institution that strives for the same outcome. Our current representative system includes the absolute majority of the nation’s wealth owners, among which the land interests occupy the principal position.”

“Under such circumstances, I have no intention to propose any other measures to Your Lordships. Not only am I not prepared to introduce any such measures, but I also take this opportunity to declare that during my tenure in the House of Lords, I remain steadfast in my belief that it is my duty to oppose anyone who proposes any such reform measures.”

— Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, 1832, Public speech in the House of Lords.

After stepping down from the podium, the Duke of Wellington turned to Earl of Aberdeen and asked, “How do you think I did?”

The cautious former Foreign Minister, Earl of Aberdeen, diplomatically relayed to the Duke an observer’s opinion, “He says we are going to be out.”

—”19th Century British Parliamentary Reports”

“196 to 111, the Reform Bill is rejected by the House of Lords for the third time”

“A terrible spectacle! After the Reform Bill was obstructed, the House of Lords erupted into appalling chaos, with distinguished Lords cursing and throwing punches at one another”

“Generals of Army origin showed their prowess in the fray, while Lords from legal and judicial backgrounds were clearly at a disadvantage”

“According to onlookers, this was a grand reenactment of medieval warfare, with the Marquis of Salisbury nearly getting KO’d by a powerful punch in the third round”

“As the situation spiraled out of control, ceremonial guns boomed from St. James’s Palace, announcing His Majesty the King was leaving the Palace for Westminster Palace, where the House of Lords resides”

“The esteemed His Majesty the King thundered in the House of Lords, admonishing all the brawling Lords in the manner of a Royal Navy Marshal reprimanding sailors, and sternly warned them that he would have them hanged from the yardarm and whipped if they didn’t cease”

“Duke of Wellington: The Whig Party’s grand promises to the working masses are insincere, as no one has proposed universal suffrage for them”

“This Tuesday afternoon, the Duke of Wellington, as Britain’s Chief Sheriff, inspected the patrols from sheriffs across the country and the various police districts of the Greater London Police Department”

“After the Earl of Grey, the Prime Minister, and Lord Brougham, the High Chancellor, failed to persuade His Majesty the King to increase the number of Whig nobility, the Whig Grey Cabinet decided to resign collectively”

“Grey Cabinet announces collective resignation, the throne of 10 Downing Street remains in abeyance”

“His Majesty the King urgently summoned Earl of Lyndhurst to Buckingham Palace to seek the Baron’s leader’s opinion on the selection of a new Prime Minister”

“Reliable sources reveal that the bold Baron leader suggested to His Majesty that the new Prime Minister should be nominated by the Duke of Wellington”

“Earl of Lyndhurst visited No. 1 Apsley House for an emergency meeting with the Duke of Wellington this Thursday”

“Duke of Wellington: I shall rescue His Majesty from the hands of extremists”

“The Tory Party caucus discussed the selection of a new Prime Minister at the Carlton Club”

“Former Naval Minister Crook recommended Lord Harrowby, for his high esteem among the ‘defectors’ within the Tory Party could perhaps bridge party divisions and take on the leadership mantle”

“The Duke of Wellington remained skeptical about Lord Harrowby, believing that he could not be accepted by the Royalists”

“Who is the new Prime Minister? The name of Sir Robert Peel seems imminent”

“Sir Peel issued a personal statement: Due to my limitations, I have no intention of pursuing the position of Prime Minister”

A sudden downpour descended upon London, this city of storied history, like a dramatic curtain.

The originally gloomy sky seemed to be steeped in ink, the clouds hung so low that they were almost tangible, heavy as piles of lead.

The wind first gathered strength silently, then began zipping through streets and alleys, swaying the branches of trees along the sidewalks, bringing a chilling omen.

In a moment, raindrops hammered down on the cobblestone streets like loose pearls, the sharp sounds rapidly converging into a frantic symphonic movement.

The rain poured down like arrows, a continuous curtain of water blurred the outlines of buildings, turning bustling streets and lanes into raging streams in an instant.

Pedestrians popped open black umbrellas, yet they could not fend off the onslaught of the rainstorm, mud splattered their shoes, their clothes clinging tightly to their bodies. From the third floor of Scotland Yard, looking down, these pedestrians and umbrellas appeared to form a dark path leading to Hell.

Standing by a floor-to-ceiling window adorned with dark red curtains, Arthur had his hands clasped behind his back, his hair as usual swept back away from his forehead, the Assistant Commissioner’s shoulder badge featuring the Order of Saint Edward and a baton seemed somewhat dimmed in such weather.