Note 36 — Chapter I · DISRAELI’S PERSONALITY

Disraeli always insisted on the indispensability of the party system. As he pointed out of Bolingbroke, so in his own case, the idea of a “national” party had to be accommodated to conservatism. Gladstone, too, said of Peel, in 1846, that “to abjure party was impossible” (Morley, i. 295; cf. Disraeli’s Life of Lord George Bentinck, p. 224). After repeal was carried, Peel gave great offence to his followers—and especially to Mr. Gladstone—by singling out its illustrious and original champion for praise.