own dignity, ought strongly to incline you to lean to that course which is as certain,—as absolutely certain,—not only to regain all you have lost, if you have lost any thing, but to raise you higher than you ever were in the affection, esteem, and respect of the people. Of my fears for an adverse event,-of my fears of what may possibly happen, I shall say nothing,—I mean only this, that no one event is more to be dreaded,―for the security of all our establishments, for the security of all our institutions, -than a growing alienation of the public mind from the legislative body of this country. Above all, we should avoid the widening of any breach, the increase of any distance, by which we are now separated from the great bulk of the people.

My Lords, we have heard of other plans of reform which have been brought forward, as it has been rightly said, too late. I confess, I look upon these plans with all but suspicion, when I consider the time and occasion of bringing them forth, their not having been broached during the time which has elapsed, since the 8th or 9th of October last up to the present day,—their having met with so little countenance from either side of the House; all this tends very greatly to excite my distrust as to the beneficial effects which these plans would produce if

S

adopted. I think the Noble Duke* may, to use the expression of my Noble Friend's† quotation, go into the country

dona ducum

Secretaque gestans

and will in vain obtain for it even the smallest portion of such acceptation and such gratitude as will tend to soothe the irritation or calm the anxious solicitude of the people upon this ques

tion.

A Right Reverend Prelate has said, that the anxiety for this measure is nearly gone by, though it has not entirely subsided. Do not, my Lords, imagine such to be the case-do not let any man among you deceive himself: the anxiety has not nearly subsided,-it has not nearly gone by,-it exists as strongly and as intensely as ever, with this difference onlythat it has stood the test of disappointment and long delay, and, as was justly observed during the debate, of the "hope deferred, that maketh the heart sick." It is, I say, as strong and as intense as ever; and you may rely on it, that from one end of this land to the other, the people, the intelligent, the thinking, the rational,

*The Duke of Buckingham.

+ The Earl of Carnarvon.

the honest people, and that, too, not merely of this metropolis, but of every town, village, and hamlet in England, and, if possible, still more in Scotland, are waiting, in breathless suspense, the event of this night's discussion. I hope and trust, my Lords,--I confidently hope,-nay, I fully expect, that your decision will be such as to diffuse universal joy throughout the country, and terminate that painful suspense which this Bill has so long occasioned. Should such, my Lords, be the result of your votes this night, greater than ever will be the affection, gratitude, and respect which the people will bear towards

you.

THE END.

Tilling, Printer, Chelsea.