7 June 1810

Influence

Ch. Mischief

§.3

3 o

7

2

The minimum /least/ number of Members sufficient to exercise in a positive way /to a positive purpose/ the power of the House is it will be observed no more that forty: while the greatest numbers of which it can by possibility be composed, is so high /great/ as 698. But to every practical purpose this maximum number is perfectly an ideal one: for the practical maximum may be safely taken the greatest numbers that in any one instance was ever known to vote. This may have been it is believed about /it is believed has never risen to[?] high as to/ 450.

Taking into account even the most warmly contested questions, the average it is believed would not be found to rise so high as to 200. {To take the real average by an enumeration commencing at the last Union would be a curious enough as well as importantly[?] instructive operation: but by far too laborious to be performed for this or any other purpose by the author of these pages.}

§.2. Whether the occasionally exemplified number sometimes as low as the 40, or the supposed average number of 200, or even the greatest morally possible number 450 be considered, if the number of those who labour /labouring/ under /habitually led[?] down to the regal side by/ an habitual twist of the understanding {be considered} as also the number of enlisted persons acting under a leader by the gaining of which leader the whole band is gained as above be considered, it may be left to any considerate and impartial mind to judge by how small a number of wills put under influence and regularly and habitually acting in that habitually obsequious state the conduct of any such Assembly is capable of being determined.