Introduction to the Journal. 257 



given to others, and the injury done to the cause. For 

 my part, I was not much disappointed. I had no opi- 

 nion of Sir Francis Burdett's being sound. He seem- 

 ed to me too much attached to his own importance to 

 do the people any real service. He is an aristocrat ; 

 and that is enough for me. It is folly to suppose, that 

 such a man will ever be a real friend of the rights of 

 the people. I wish he were here a little while. He 

 would soon find his proper level ; and that Avould not, 

 I think, be very high. Mr. Hunt was very much 

 against our confiding in Bukdett; and he was per- 

 fectly right. I most sincerely hope, that my country- 

 men will finally destroy the tyrants who oppress them ; 

 but, I am very sure, that, before they succeed in it, 

 they must cure themselves of the folly of depending for 

 assistance on the nobles or the half-nobles. 



462. After witnessing this conduct in Burdett, I set 

 off home, and thought no more about effecting a Re- 

 form. The Acts that soon followed were, by me, look- 

 ed upon as matters of course. The tyranny could go 



on no loTlgfPr ll.nrlpr riifytiico. It vaae oompcllctl 10 ShGW 



its naked face ; but, it is now, in reality, not worse than 

 it was before. It now does no more than rob the peo- 

 ple, and that it did before. It kills more now out-right ; 

 but, men may as vrell be shot, or stabbed or hanged, as 

 starved to death. 



463. During the Spring and the early part of the 

 Summer, of 1817, I made preparations for the depar- 

 ture of myself and family, and when all was ready, I 

 bid an everlasting adieu to Boroughmongers, Sinecure 

 placemen and placewomen, pensioned Lords and La- 

 dies, Standing Armies in time of peace, and (rejoice, 

 oh ! my children !) to a hireling, tithe-devouring Priest- 

 hood. We arrived safe and all in good health, and 

 which health has never been impaired by the climate. 

 We are in a state of ease, safety, plenty ; and hoAv can 

 we help being as happy as people can be! The more 

 I see of ray adopted country, the more gratitude do 

 I feel towards it for affording me and my numerous 

 offspring protection from the tvrants of my native coun- 

 try. There I should have been in constant anxiety 

 about my family, Here I am in none at all. Here I 



