1818 Dec. 23

Parl

Dialogue

Prel

Evils & Remedies

I Evils

29

10

Reformist. Evils in fact – evils in tendency only, and therefore not yet, if at all,

in fact. Another division, by your leave, and that too an exhaustive one.

Anti-Reformist. If you keep on exhausting much longer, I will tell you of one thing

that you will exhaust without intending it more than you could wish to do /exhaust/ -

and that is my patience. Well, there is a distinction between facts and tendencies

/facts and tendencies are not exactly the same thing/, every body knows that: But

where is the use of it.

Reformist. {A little} patience and you will see what a quantity of useless

complication it will serve to exclude. You are not fond complication are you?

Anti-Reformist. No, I hate it mortally. The more complication on one point, the more

attention requisite /necessary/ on the other. Attention I leave to those who are paid

for it: unless it be to a song, a poem, or a good novel: for that makes a difference.

Reformist. What will /would/ you say, if I leave the door of the hustings open to

madmen and to peers of the realm /peers and bishops/, all upon the strength of this

distinction?

Anti-Reformist. I should /shall/ say that you yourself are mad.

Reformist. We shall see.

Anti-Reformist. We are still in the clouds. One of these days /Some time or other/ I

hope, we shall land on terra firma.