[Sidenote: M.P. for Southampton.]

In the year 1840, George, Lord Bruce, the eldest son of Lord Elgin by his
first wife, died, unmarried, and James became heir to the earldom. On
April 22, 1841, he married Elizabeth Mary, daughter of Mr. C.L. Cumming
Bruce. At the general election in July of the same year he stood for the
borough of Southampton, and was returned at the head of the poll. His
political views at this time were very much those which have since been
called 'Liberal Conservative.' Speaking at a great banquet at Southampton
he said--

I am a Conservative, not upon principles of exclusionism--not from
narrowness of view, or illiberality of sentiment--but because I
believe that our admirable Constitution, on principles more exalted
and under sanctions more holy than those which Owenism or Socialism
can boast, proclaims between men of all classes and degrees in the
body politic a sacred bond of brotherhood in the recognition of a
common warfare here, and a common hope hereafter. I am a Conservative,
not because I am adverse to improvement, not because I am unwilling to
repair what is wasted, or to supply what is defective in the political
fabric, but because I am satisfied that, in order to improve
effectually, you must be resolved most religiously to preserve. I am a
Conservative, because I believe that the institutions of our country,
religious as well as civil, are wisely adapted, when duly and
faithfully administered, to promote, not the interest of any class or
classes exclusively, but the happiness and welfare of the great body
of the people; and because I feel that, on the maintenance of these
institutions, not only the economical prosperity of England, but, what
is yet more important, the virtues that distinguish and adorn the