1818 June 23

Parl. Reform Bill

Preface?

4

Look to Westmoreland for example. Behold there Manicheism illustrated: behold there

the combat between influence and influence, between the good spirit and the evil one.

In Westmoreland, the same influence is it a good thing or a bad thing? {Answer me my

learned and honourable friend /and learned gentleman/ who from that proud eminence on

which no one more sincerely than I do wish to see you reseated[?], poured down such a

torrent of eloquence upon your absent yet not altogether undefended /unprotected/

friend. /the ridiculous and the would be mischievous though well-meaning visionary./}

Now[?] I will save you the trouble. In Westmoreland there is good /evil/ influence

and influence: there is the good /evil/ sort: there is the evil /good/ sort The evil

sort is that which employs itself in support of the Lowthers: the good sort is that

which employs itself for Brougham of Brougham. Is it fit and right that the

Representatives of the People should be named by Peers? That depends upon their

title. Bad if the title be from the honour of Lonsdale: good if it be from the Soke

of Thanet.

The curious thing is to see a Candidate who has no influence – whose sole dependence

as he himself not only knows but desires[?] is in freedom of suffrage, yet whom it is

called ballot inveighing against it, and calling it bad

names. Of the existence of this phænomenon I have proof before me /an example in

black and white/ An honest man ought not to have any regard to his own[?] interest:

therefore, he will not, at any rate, so far as it depends on the vote he gives. {Such

is the tope, and where learnt? even at the feet of Gilbert Wakefield.}