Those opinions which you have been educated to
dread and mistrust are opinions that are dying away.
Predominant opinions are generally the opinions of the
generation that is vanishing. Let an accident, which
speculation could not foresee, the balanced state at this
moment of parliamentary parties cease, and in a few years,
more or less, cease it must, and you will witness a
development of the new mind of England, which will make up by
its rapid progress for its retarded action. I live among
these men; I know their inmost souls; I watch their instincts
and their impulses; I know the principles which they have
imbibed, and I know, however hindered by circumstances for the
moment, those principles must bear their fruit. It will be a
produce hostile to the oligarchical system. The future
principle of English politics will not be a levelling
principle; not a principle adverse to privileges, but
favourable to their extension. It will seek to ensure
equality, not by levelling the Few but by elevating the Many."
Indulging for some little time in the mutual reflections,
which the tone of the conversation suggested, Sybil at length
rose, and saying that she hoped by this time her father might
have returned, bade farewell to Egremont, but he also rising
would for a time accompany her.
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