The leader of the government in the House of Commons was Lord John Russell, who had been scarcely second to Earl Grey in active sympathy for reform. To him, therefore, was intrusted the introduction of the measure. His speech explaining the provisions of the bill at once placed it before Parliament and the country as a question of the most momentous importance. The sweeping provisions of the act aroused the most violent opposition and even the ridicule of the Tories. It proposed to disfranchise fifty-six rotten boroughs and to redistribute the 143 seats thus made vacant. It also changed the basis of franchise in constituencies not otherwise disturbed. But the country favored the movement, and soon the cry was raised that nothing would satisfy the nation but “the whole bill and nothing but the bill.” When the measure, after a most able discussion on both sides, finally came to a second reading, it was carried in the House of Commons, amid unparalleled excitement, by a majority of 302 to 301. The smallness of this majority made it doubtful whether the bill could be finally carried even in the House of Commons. An amendment was offered on which the government was defeated. As the subject was now the all-absorbing question before the nation, the ministry determined to dissolve Parliament, and thus bring public opinion to a definite expression. The result showed the wisdom of the course; for more than a hundred who had voted against the bill lost their seats. With some trifling changes the measure was re-introduced into the House of Commons, and speedily carried. It then went to the House of Lords, where it was discussed perhaps with even greater ability than had been shown in the Lower House. Grey and Brougham urged the measure with great earnestness, while Eldon and Lyndhurst opposed it with scarcely less skill and power. On coming to a final vote the bill was defeated by a majority of forty-three. The excitement in the country over this result was unparalleled. The attitude of the Lords was in evident opposition to the will of the country; and there was much speculation as to the course which ought to be pursued. At length the ministry determined not only to re-introduce the measure, but also to advise the king to create new peers in sufficient number to carry the bill through the Upper House. A list of about eighty names was made out for this purpose. The House of Lords, however, at the last moment gave way. The Duke of Wellington and a knot of his followers, unwilling that so violent a method should be resorted to, absented themselves from the House in order that the bill might be carried in their absence, and without any responsibility on their part. This most important measure of modern English legislation became a law on the 7th of June, 1832.