And when, in 1782, Lord Rockingham became, for the second time, Prime-minister, he thought he might well avail himself of the favor he had thus acquired, and of the accession to office of those whom the line which they had formerly taken bound to countenance him, to bring forward a motion for the expunction of the resolutions against him which had been passed in 1770.

It was carried by a largo majority; and though this was as evidently a party division as those had been by which he had been defeated twelve years before, still, as the last resolution on the subject, it must be regarded as decisive of the law and practice of Parliament, and as having settled the doctrine that expulsion does not incapacitate a member who has been expelled from immediate re-election.[12] The establishment of this rule, and the abolition of general warrants, were, however, not the only nor the most important result of these proceedings.

They led indirectly to an innovation which, it is hardly too much to say, has had a greater influence on the character and conduct of Parliament, and indeed on the whole subsequent legislation of the country, than can be attributed to any other single cause.

Hitherto the bulk of the people had enjoyed but very scanty and occasional means of acquiring political education.

At times of vehement political excitement, or any special party conflict, pamphlets and periodical essays had enlightened their readers--necessarily a select and small body--on particular topics.