1819 Jan. y 4

Parl. Reform Bill

Dialogues

Preliminary View

56

Conclusion

Reformist. May I not now indulge some hope of your approbation for my plan?

Anti-Reformist. I will consider of it.

Reformist. This is all I ask, and as much as for the present I can expect.

Anti-Reformist. Thus much I am prepared already to say to you, that if in any part

of it there be any gross absurdity, it is more than I have been able to discern[?].

As to your motives ...

Reformist. Oh, let us not talk /think/ of motives. Ascribe to the author what

motives you please /Man shall be what you please/, the work /plan/ will be neither

the better nor the worse.

Think your objections over again – look at them one by one – one and all you will

find them one and all the result – not of thought, but of want of thought. Vague

generalities such as their apt denominations – such their common character: current

language, commonly received and never[?] examined conceptions – such is their

source.
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    Anti Reformist. Ah now – here are you running riot again. You have forgot your list

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    Refromist. Not quite: there remains one more. With your leave to save words, I will

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    Anti-Reformist. Scholarship, quotha? and so your voters are to be all Scholars: and

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    Anti-Reformist. And of those who do not /would not otherwise/ possess it how many do

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    Reformist. As for what regards means, the point /matter/ has been pretty well

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    Anti-Reformist. What is this you are talking of ? /have in view?/ {you are so

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  • Title: [1819 Jan. y 10 Parl. Reform Bill]
    Description: 1819 Jan. y 10

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    Leget ut Clericus.[?]

    Anti-Reformist. Well now, suppose them all effective and adequate these remedies of

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    {34}

    Anti-Reformist continued. But /let then/ suppose them thus bought – how, after all

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    Reformist. {Smart enough: but rather too lively.}