11 Aug 1809

Parl y Reform

B.III Duration

Ch. 3. 1. Ferment

6

3

As to the Member, in this case he will have the satisfaction of taking his choice. If in his estimation, his own pecuniary circumstances taken into the account, money be the preferable object, he will accept of the official situation: if power, superordinate power, he will declare it.

But though in this respect /article/ the value of a seat in the House will not be taken /done/ away, it will at any rate be diminished /upon the whole be curtailed/ nor will the diminution be inconsiderable. It will be no longer, as at present a situation held during what is called /during/ /in the technical/ good behaviour that is during any sort of behaviour good or bad so it be not punishable as a crime, but during the pleasure of his constituents that is during good behaviour in the natural /familiar/ and unsophisticated sense.

At present, under the system of Septennial Parliaments, each Member /Candidate if successful/ being in, bating accidents, for seven years, each Candidate if unsuccessful, sees his hope deferred for that long term. His exertions are proportionably strenuous, and in case of opposition violent.

But when every year by renewing his chance keeps alive his hope, a gentle and moderate though constant emulation will take place of that turbulent passion in the composition of which a space[?] of eventual despair is necessarily involved.