[Sidenote: “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.”] Of the three words, “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity,” an Englishman usually accepts the first as a noble aim for nations, whilst he smiles at the two others.[26] [Sidenote: French Republicans only Free.] “Liberty” is a sacred word in England, its birthplace and its home. We all know what we mean by it, and I need not attempt a definition, still it may be well for us to think how it is that the English all believe themselves to be free, whilst in France it is only the republicans who think that of themselves. The monarchists, still a large and influential body, believe themselves to be all victims of oppression. [Sidenote: Reason for the Difference in sense of Freedom between England and France.] The answer may be given in a brief sentence. The English believe themselves to be free, simply because they have got into the habit of accepting the decision of a majority in the House of Commons, even when it is against themselves. The decision is always accepted, though frequently with the intention of getting it reversed at a future date. The French reactionary classes have not this feeling of respect for the decisions of the Chamber of Deputies. They have not got into the habit of it, perhaps they never will, and they chafe under every adverse decision, which seems to them a distinct act of tyranny. [Sidenote: Nothing Sacred in a Majority.] “There is nothing sacred in a majority,” they say. To this an Englishman can only answer that in the working of free institutions it has been found a convenience to accept the decisions of majorities, at least provisionally. The French reactionaries have neither acquired this habit nor are they likely to acquire it, so the feeling of being oppressed must remain with them, particularly as they are not likely to procure the abolition of universal suffrage. [Sidenote: A Resemblance between France and England.] [Sidenote: Mr. Gladstone.] [Sidenote: Effects of a Contest of Classes.] [Sidenote: The Irish Question a Class Question.] [Sidenote: Powerful Social Opposition to Mr. Gladstone.] [Sidenote: French Upper Classes overborne by Numbers.] [Sidenote: The “Classes” deny the Existence of “Liberty” in France.]