opposed parties ; all the members of a party voting
together on all material questions. Some members
belong to no party and vote on either side, as they
may consider right. Of late years the Irish meme
bers have combined to form a party of their own,
The two main parties were formerly called Whigs
and Zorses, but are now known as Liberals and
Conservatives. It is from one or other of these
great parties that the members of the Government
are chosen. It depends upon which party has
most votes in the House, whether the ministers are
chosen from one party or from the other, The
ministers and their Supporters sit on one side of the
House, and the members of the Opposition upon
the other ; the independent members sit on what are
called the cross-benches. The Irish members, while
keeping together for action in regard to Irish
measures, range themselves as Liberals or Conservatives
 for other purposes. There is a section of
extreme Liberal members, who are called Radicals,
Order and preservation are held to be the leading
 principles of the Conservatives ; while progress
and improvement inspire the policy of the Liberals,
Both parties alike are equally free to adopt such
measures as will secure good and wise government,
but they are distinguished by leading general principles
 sufficiently marked to enable every member
to select his own side.
The opposition are usually thoroughly organised
 under a leader, and they make it their