Abolition of taxes on the necessaries of life
Bentham, Mill, and Montesquieu on exempted incomes
Lord Derby's description of English taxation
Taxation mainly on the rich and chiefly for the benefit of the poor
Adam Smith on the rules for taxation
Advantages of taxation of luxuries
Growing popularity of graduated taxation—Its early history
Taxation in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand
In France and the United States
Arguments against graduated taxation
Probability that it will increase
Its effect on the disposition of landed property
On the position and habits of the upper classes
Wealth dissociated from duties
Democracy not indifferent to wealth
CHAPTER 4 ARISTOCRACIES AND UPPER CHAMBERS
Dangers of government by a single Chamber
Lessons derived from the Commonwealth
Early History of the House of Lords
Effects of the Reformation and the Rebellion
Importance of the small boroughs in sustaining its influence
Creations of George III.—The Irish Union
Position of the spiritual peers
The House of Lords under George III. not unpopular
Power of personal interest on its members before 1832
Their influence in the House of Commons
Attitude of the peers towards the Reform Bill of 1832
Change in their position effected by the Bill
Importance of the House of Lords in making legislation harmonise with the popular will
In diminishing the too great influence of party in legislation
Attacks on the Lords after the Reform Bill of 1832
The Hereditary Element
Advantages of special education for politics
Influences that maintain the character of the British aristocracy
Their energy and power of adaptation
Large amount of ability among them
Advantages the nation derives from an aristocracy
Representative character of the House of Lords
Popularity of the aristocracy in England
Debility and apathy of the House of Lords
Causes of Its Debility
Discouraging influences in the House
Jealousy of the House of Commons of Bills originating in the Lords
Financial impotence of the Lords