The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 663 - 324 Power Expansion

Viscount Melbourne, upon hearing this, also thought it was a good opportunity to discuss the prosecution work regarding the Swain revolt with Arthur while Lord Brougham was present.

And to have someone take on a burdensome task, the best method is to disguise it as an honor.

Viscount Melbourne said with a smile, "A pragmatic attitude is always beneficial to work. Analyzing specific problems specifically is also my political stance. Although I am a member of the Whig Party, I can support the Tories on certain issues, just like in this Swain revolt where I chose to stand with Peel."

First, Melbourne mentioned Peel’s name, then he began to talk to Arthur about his rise to prominence. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"Even though it’s been almost two years," he continued, "I can still recall those headlines that spread everywhere. All the major media on Fleet Street, the British public, and the citizens of London were thrilled and inspired by the emergence of a police officer who stood firmly on the side of truth and justice in the courts.

Furthermore, this was not only an honor belonging to you personally. That case triggered many chain reactions and ultimately led to Parliament’s determined effort to reform the ’Bloody Code.’ Of the 222 capital offences, now only 56 remain, Arthur, and at least half of that achievement is yours."

Arthur dare not claim such monumental credit for himself in light of Viscount Melbourne’s praise.

As a graduate of the University of London, he was thoroughly familiar with the entire course of the movement to abolish the ’Bloody Code.’

If one were to list the pioneers in this area, they would include the movement’s leader, Lord Samuel Romilly, followed by the Duke of Sussex, Sir Robert Peel, and his mentor, Lord Brougham, among others.

The case of young Adam merely served as the catalyst, and it happened at a time when the Duke of Wellington, Sir Peel, and others urgently needed to establish an image of an upright Catholic during the turbulent period of passing the Catholic Emancipation Act.

Thus, with their tacit approval and encouragement, Arthur was pushed into the spotlight to bask in all the glory. This has led to a smooth and prosperous career at Scotland Yard.

Knowing his own abilities—when to reach out and when not to—was Arthur’s winning secret for staying securely at Scotland Yard until today.

Moreover, with another leader of the abolition movement, his mentor Lord Brougham, present, whether it was to involve him in the discussion or to say a few gratuitous words in passing, Arthur had to mention his teacher’s contributions.

"The movements to abolish the ’Bloody Code,’ to end slavery, and to reform Parliament all essentially share the same nature. Calls for change in these areas began at the end of the last century. Though initially supported by only a few, over thirty years of development, everything seemed to fall into place.

If one insists that the abolition of slavery is entirely Wilberforce’s achievement, or that the abolition of the ’Bloody Code’ is all my doing, that would be unfair to other long-term reform supporters. Without the education I received from the University of London, I, a country bumpkin from York, could never have understood what a movement is, let alone the ’Bloody Code.’"

With this, Arthur turned his gaze to Lord Brougham and said with a smile, "The first time I learned about the movement was from a lecture by Lord Brougham at the school. It is fair to say that it was this educational experience that made me a firm opponent of the ’Bloody Code,’ an abolitionist, and at the same time, a supporter of parliamentary reform."

Even Lord Brougham, with his typically cold demeanor, couldn’t help but show a shy and proud smile at Arthur’s words.

Carrying two glasses of wine, he walked over to Arthur, handed him one, and said jokingly, "Although Thomas and I have always believed that the University of London would someday produce many of Britain’s finest talents, what we never expected is that there would be such an outstanding individual among the first group of students."

Arthur accepted the glass and replied with a smile, "Your Lordship, there might not be just one. Just among those I know of from the University of London, another outstanding individual is currently floating in the waters of South America."

Lord Brougham raised his eyebrows in good spirits and asked, "Oh? I was not aware of this. Do we have a student who has joined the Royal Navy? Do I know him?"

"You should," Arthur replied. "Mr. Eld Carter from the Classics Department. After graduation, he became a cartographer for the Royal Navy and is currently on a challenging and prestigious global scientific voyage by order of the Navy Department."

"Eld Carter?"

Brougham pondered the name for a moment and then suddenly clapped his hands, "I seem to remember him, after all, it’s rare to see a student receive three school warnings in one term. If it wasn’t for Bentham’s opposition to rigid Oxonian management, the board of trustees might have really expelled him. Seeing him progress so well now, it seems Bentham’s words were not wrong; exceptional people are never those who play it by the book."

While Brougham praised Eld in such a manner, Arthur didn’t immediately join in.

He merely continued drinking his wine on his own.

Others may not know how Eld received his school warnings, but he, being Eld’s friend, was well aware.