18 Dec r 1806

Scotch Reform /Evidence/

To L d Grenville

'. People or Lawyers

Non-Lawyer. Indeed? Well, to be sure, that's what i should be very glad to hear, so it be but true.

Lawyer. You love liberty, do n't you? I mean English liberty, practical, constitutional liberty that which distinguishes us so much to our advantage from all other countries.

Non-Lawyer - Do n't doubt it, my friend but[/] what of that?

Lawyer. English liberties you acknowledge, are all founded upon law?

Non-Lawyer - Why, I suppose they may be: at least in a great measure: but what is all this to lead to? But [...?]you were for [...?] /charging/ me of speculation: and this about liberty and law not very new indeed - but is it not rather speculative but a little upon the speculative order, is not it? We shall come to Terra Firma, I hope, at last?

Lawyer. Have patience. The law is the support of English liberties: the lawyers are the guardians, the supporters of the law: unless they were respectable, they could not support it: and unless they are rich, they would not be respectable.

For a societies[?], if that was what you meant to treat[?] are a very respectable one, I must confess you have made of it. Yet still some how or other, and with all your [...?] to theory, we are not got down as yet much lower than the clouds. Are we to land on /come down/ Terra Firma at last; any good from[?], accept of any assistance.