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The House of Commons : tts constiintion.

The House of Commons is now the most important
 branch of the legislature. It is composed
of the representatives of the third estate of the
realm, the Commons, chosen according to law. It
numbers 670 members, 271 of whom represent
cities and boroughs, 13 groups of boroughs, gq
universities and 377 counties. England and Wales
send 495, Scotland 72, and Ireland 103. These
members are chiefly composed of country gentlemen,
 members of the learned professions, and successful
 merchants and manufacturers, a few are
representatives of the labouring classes maintained
by those whom they represent,

Every member represents a particular town or
district, and the special interests of some locality
or of some class of persons. The number of members
 representing towns varies according to their
size and importance, and may change from time to
time; all changes as to the places represented, and
as to the number of members to be sent up to
Parliament, are fixed by statute. Fundamental
changes as to these questions, as well as to the
system of election, are effected by laws enacted by
Parliament for the purpose. These changes constitute
 what is called the Reform of Parliament
and are embodied in Reform Bills.
Formerly, it was necessary that a man should
possess a certain amount of property to qualify him