1818 Dec. 21.

Parl. Reform Bill

Dialogue II

{Preliminary View}

24

5

For example, if I do not overflatter myself, I have already had the good fortune to

raise myself a little more or less in your good opinion. I hope to do so a little

higher. Do you think /Think you/ that short as it is of possession, this prospect

gives me any uneasiness?

Anti Reformist. No Atheism yet: no Jacobinism, yet: I have not yawned yet: If

flattery be the food of pride Go on. Every good, in so far as it excludes greater

good call it evil as long /often/ as you please.

Reformist. I thank you. Now then by your favour I have got my whole, and I proceed

to cut /divide/ it into two parts: and the contents of the whole being every one of

them in one or other of the parts, the division is an exhaustive one. I speak with

all due respect to the Edinburgh Reviewer, who said there was no such thing, or if

/and if/ there was /had been/, it was good for nothing.