[Copyist's hand]

1818 July 31

Parl Ref Bill

Reasons

II. Electors who

Reading

Poor Education

3

18

18

Thus it hath been done, and thus it ever shall continue to be done so long as the Constitution fashioned as it has been by such means and for such purposes /and by such means/ continues as it is: meaning always in a state of Gradual, and thence the more quiet and sure progression from worst to worse.

Now - not to speak of Peers and Baronets - suppose that not more than a Single Bishop were to be found who after years upon years employed in elaborate contrivance, had succeeded in conveying into his own pocket, or that of a near and dear Relative a quantity of Mammon the thousandth part of which if thus in an unguarded moment misconveyed by mere manual dexterity would suffice to consign to the Gallows a starving but unpriviledged Depredator say, if to any such practice, any the slightest corrective were to be applied, what w d be the consequences? The whole fabric of the Church would it not fall to pieces the whole fabric of the Church and with it and with it that of the state? That whole fabrick which for such purposes and by such means has been constituted what it is?

Answer Earl of Liverpool. Answer Lord Viscount Sidmouth. Answer Lord Baron Grenville. Nay, good Lord Grenville, shrink not from the question: for it places you in the best of Company. This scene of harrow did it not visit you in one of your waking dreams? Did it not disturb your Reason? did it not frighten you from the professed commission? Alas! where was your Memory 2? Where was your faith 1? {Even in a case like this} Could you not trust the noble Earl not even in a case like this? Could you not trust the noble Viscount? Think you - now that dreams are over - think you that in such hands so much as a single hair of the head of the dear and Holy Mother would ever be suffered to be touched? Shew, if it be possible, that corruption, that mischief, that wickedness, which, it being established we are not prepared mid [...?] to defend!