1818 Dec. 23

Parl. Reform Bill

Dialogue

II. Election Evils

26

7

Anti-Reformist. Though as was natural enough you have given to your /these same[?]/

uncharacteristic evils of yours the last place, do in the first place have the

goodness to tell me what they are /name them/. I wish to know what they are, that I

may see at once what it is you thus propose to put aside.

Reformist. They are neither more nor less than Offences offences /evils/ of all

sorts by which individuals as such are liable to be made sufferers: evils by injuries

to person, d o by d o to property, d o by d o to reputation. I might add perhaps

/possibly have added/ evils by injuries to condition in life: but these will so

rarely come in question, that we may /to save perplexity it may be better to/ lay

this out of the question, which may be done with very little inconvenience /little if

any loss/.

Anti Reformist. A most formidable truce this! Why, have we already all the contents

of Pandoras box. Pray in mercy, release me /my conception/ by the mention of a few

particulars.

Reformist – that I can do in a trice. You know what Election riots are: you know

what Election lies are. As to riots, if you wish to vary the phrase, call them

tumults, disturbances, disorders, annoyances fightings […?] breaches of the peace

nuisances – what you

Anti Reformist. Alack a day, we all know them but too well.

Reformist. Well then, there is not a mischief imaginable either to person or

property that is not liable to be produced by an Election riot: by a riot in any

case, and therefore in that case. Then /So/ again as to reputation there is not that

mischief to reputation that is not liable to be produced by an Election lie. You know

M r Hunt[?] /the two Soccas[?]/. You remember the arm he fights

with /they fight with/ in addition to the arm of flesh. For person and property

gentlemen have /he has/ the arm of flesh; for reputation, the tongue and the hand

that holds the pen