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320 ON THE RISE, PROGRESS, ETC.the British parliament as we have of the other institutions ofthe middle ages.The separationof the higher from the lower nobility tookplace in other countries of Europeas well as in England,but in no other country did the latter so entirely unite withthe middle orders, as to rank with them in one house, andbecome thus wholly distinct from the peers. But if thequestion be proposed, as to How the separation of the upperand lower nobles actually took place? if it be asked How ithappened that the inferior nobles sent deputies chosen fromthe counties instead of appearing in person When ?this firstbecame customary? When the towns first returned members ?(not when they are first noticed bythe chroniclers asAnd, lastly, When and how the deputieshaving done so.)from the counties became united in one body with thosefrom the towns? "We can only say that the most carefulinquirers into British history can give nothing but probablesurmises on the subject, and are totally unable to supporttheir opinions by any historical references. This generaluncertainty will be at once evident to any one who will examine the various and very different accounts which aregiven by English historians of the origin of their constitution. Some, and those of the first rank, have not scrupledseriously to assert, that the early Britons brought theirliberties with them from the forests in which they dwelt !Without going more deeply into these questions, whichwould be here misplaced,it is sufficient to remark, that theBritish constitution had received the impress of its most important characters long before England could boast of anydegree of political liberty superior to that enjoyed by otherstates. It had itsUpper House composed of the lords spiritual and temporal, and its Lower House composed of membersfor the towns and counties; but what was this great parliament, not only before the time of the Tudors, but eveounder their dominion, except an instrument of command.which Henry VII. andVIIL, and their successor Elizabeth.knew most excellently how to apply to the furtherance 0'their own designs?Here, again, we have a palpable example how little w