1819 Jan. y 4

Parl. Reform Bill

Dialogues

Preliminary View

56

Conclusion

Reformist. May I not now indulge some hope of your approbation for my plan?

Anti-Reformist. I will consider of it.

Reformist. This is all I ask, and as much as for the present I can expect.

Anti-Reformist. Thus much I am prepared already to say to you, that if in any part

of it there be any gross absurdity, it is more than I have been able to discern[?].

As to your motives ...

Reformist. Oh, let us not talk /think/ of motives. Ascribe to the author what

motives you please /Man shall be what you please/, the work /plan/ will be neither

the better nor the worse.

Think your objections over again – look at them one by one – one and all you will

find them one and all the result – not of thought, but of want of thought. Vague

generalities such as their apt denominations – such their common character: current

language, commonly received and never[?] examined conceptions – such is their

source.