Chapter 2348 - 295: Disraelism (×) Hastingsism (√)_2

In short, Disraeli’s proposition can be summed up in one phrase: "Self-restraint and revival of traditions."

As everyone knows, the last person who proposed this idea ended up with three thousand students and became a model for all ages.

Though Disraeli lacks expertise in teaching, it does not hinder him from becoming a spiritual leader for many young aristocrats.

With the rise of industrial capital and the passing of the 1832 parliamentary reform, the political authority of traditional nobility was rapidly weakened, making many young aristocrats feel uncertain about their future.

They were attached to their aristocratic identity and unwilling to join the Whig Party, but influenced by new social trends, they felt disappointed with the Tory Party.

Yet at this moment, Disraeli suddenly appeared before them and told them, "Nobility is not a declining class, but the guardian of the nation’s spirit. The decline of the nobility is not due to the times but because of the nobility’s own degradation. You are neither Whig nor Tory. You are the new aristocrats, the hope of England. As long as you reclaim your noble responsibilities, you can once again lead Britain."

Disraeli endowed them with a new narrative of aristocratic identity, a political mission with a sense of moral superiority, and a beautiful vision of a romantic future.

For this reason, although Young England’s members were few, they almost encompassed the brightest, most outstanding and socially responsible noble scions within the Conservative Party. Such as Lord George Smith, eldest son of the Earl of Stranford, Lord John Mannas, second son of the Duke of Rutland, and Alexander Bell-Cockran, nephew of the Count Donnan ’Sea Wolf’ Thomas Cockran, and son of Admiral Thomas John Cockran, etc.

Every one of them regarded Disraeli as their spiritual mentor to some extent.

Even though the small group led by Disraeli currently held little power in Parliament, occupying only three seats in the Lower House, this did not mean that their strength could be ignored.

As the most successful angel investor in today’s Britain, Sir Arthur Hastings knew the importance of investing in the future.

When he first met Disraeli, the latter was merely a political failure who received only 4 votes while running in Westminster, yet now, eight years later, Mr. Disraeli has grown into one of the most promising young members of the British Parliament.

When he first met Dickens, the latter was just a court clerk working two jobs a day, yet eight years later, Dickens had become a leading figure in British literature.

When he first met Darwin, the latter was just slightly bald, yet eight years later, Darwin’s head was gradually seeing the emergence of an inner sea.

When he first met Eld, the latter was just a aristocratic youth attracting attention on the University of London campus, yet eight years later, Eld was not only still attracting attention, but was almost taking away the beehives too.

In other words, although Young England now seemed small and weak, this was merely a matter of numerical appearance. What was truly important was their visibly high "return on investment."

Among them, at least three are the first heirs of their families, and it would not be a problem for these three young people to become Upper House Members in the future.

Add to those with solid personal capabilities, it would not be difficult for them to produce seven or eight Privy Council Advisors in the future.

As for the rest who are of ordinary aptitude, most would likely become pillars of the Royal Navy, Army, and various departments of White Hall, after all, that’s typical for British noble families: those with poorer backgrounds join the military, those with better prospects join the government, and the really average ones get positions in the colonies.

And by then, the face of British politics will completely change.

In both the Upper House and Lower House seats, they will be filled with Disraeli’s listeners, friends, and admirers.

In this sense, as long as Young England develops normally, it would be hard for Disraeli not to become the Prime Minister in the future.

As for why Arthur wanted to bring Disraeli and Eld to the Athena Club at this critical moment?

It was certainly not because he had a great love for the game of billiards, but because the Alan Pinkerton leak case made him increasingly feel that the Whig Party and the Conservative Party’s hostility toward him was becoming more apparent.

In the past, with the gold standard of being a "University of London graduate" in British politics, no matter what problems arose, Lord Brougham and Earl of Dalmo would be the first to step in and cover for him. And for the sake of party unity, the Whig Party would always tacitly approve their actions.

But ever since the purge of radicals within the Whig Party started, Arthur increasingly felt that his position was becoming more precarious.

Although Victoria always stood by him, the power of the Royal Family could at most ensure his status as the "Court Non-Resident Attendant", and his role in White Hall had to consider the ruling party’s favor. Looking further, should he aim to advance legislation, support from Parliament would be required.

And when Arthur looked around him, the only one who could provide such security assurances was Mr. Benjamin Disraeli, with whom he had a symbiotic relationship.

Previously, Arthur’s investment in Disraeli was considerable, yet no matter if it was the loans he provided to Disraeli or using Imperial Publishing and other means to assist Disraeli’s campaigns, at its core, it was still Arthur’s investment in Disraeli as an individual.