In uniting other countries to England they have instinctively aimed at an incorporative not at a federal union.

This absence of the federal spirit is seen in two matters which may appear of subordinate, but are in reality of primary, consequence.

Every member of Parliament has always stood on a perfect equality with his fellows; the representatives of a county or of a borough, English members, Scottish members, Irish members, have hitherto possessed precisely equal rights, and have been subject to precisely the same duties.

They have been sent to Parliament by different places, but, when in Parliament, they have not been the delegates of special localities; they have not been English members, or Scottish members, or Irish members, they have been simply members of Parliament; their acknowledged duty has been to consult for the interest of the whole nation; it has not been their duty to safeguard the interests of particular localities or countries.

Hence until quite recent years English parties have not been formed according to sectional divisions.