Enough of 'Sybil.' Disraeli skilfully contrives to distribute poetical justice among his imaginary characters--to bring his unworthy peers to retribution, and to reward the honest and the generous. He could do it in a novel. Unfortunately, the reality is less tractable. 'A year ago,' he says, in concluding the story, 'I presumed to offer to the public some volumes ("Coningsby") that aimed at calling their attention to the state of political parties, their origin, their history, their present position. In an age of mean passions and petty thoughts, I would have impressed upon the rising race not to despair, but to seek in a right understanding of the history of their country, and in the energies of heroic youths, the elements of national welfare. The present work advances a step in the same emprise. From the state of parties it would draw public thought to the state of the people whom those parties for two centuries have governed. The comprehension and the cure of this greater theme depend upon the same agencies as the first. It is the past alone that can explain the present, and it is youth alone that can mould the remedial future.... The written history of our country for the last ten years has been a mere phantasm.... Oligarchy has been called Liberty; an exclusive priesthood has been christened a National Church. Sovereignty has been the title of something that has had no dominion, while absolute power has been wielded by those who profess themselves the servants of the people. In the selfish strife of factions, two great existences have been blotted out of the history of England: the monarch and the multitude. As the power of the Crown has diminished, the privileges of the people have disappeared, till at length the sceptre has become a pageant, and the subject has degenerated again into a serf.... 'That we may live to see England once more possess a free monarchy, and a privileged and prosperous people, is my prayer; that these great consequences can only be brought about by the energy and devotion of our youth, is my persuasion.... The claims of the future are represented by suffering millions, and the youth of a nation are the trustees of posterity.' CHAPTER IX The New Gospel--Effect on English character--The Manchester School--Tendencies of Sir Robert Peel--The Corn Laws--Peel brought into office as a Protectionist--Disraeli and Peel--Protracted duel--Effect of Disraeli's speeches--Final declaration of Peel against the Corn Laws--Corn Laws repealed--Lord George Bentinck--Irish Coercion Bill--The Canning episode--Defeat and fall of Peel--Disraeli succeeds to the Leadership of the Conservative Party. [Sidenote: THE NEW CREED]