292 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



say all your Lordships are sensible of it. And 

 I cannot think, that when elections come to be 

 so frequent (as by this bill they are ordered to 

 be), but that these mischiefs will be so far from 

 being remedied, that they will be much thereby 

 increased. There will be in all cities and bo- 

 roughs a solid foundation laid for debauchery 

 among the populace, and for feuds and animo- 

 sities among the gentry, which in all probability 

 may last as long as the Parliament, that is from 

 three years to three years. 



" I must confess, 1 should have been a great 

 deal more willing to have given my vote for this 

 bill, had there been a previous act made for 

 the regulating of elections, and for the settling the 

 privileges of the members of Parliament, that they 

 might be no grievance to the subject in case of 

 constant Parliaments. But when this bill comes 

 without these two things, I am afraid it will do 

 mischief to the country, but no good. 



" I beg your Lordships to believe, that I am 

 not against Parliaments, nor against frequent 

 Parliaments. But, in my poor apprehension, 

 they should just be as frequent as there is occasioii 

 for them. I would not put any obligation upon 

 the King to call them, whether he had need of 

 them or no. In all probability, we shall have 

 too much occasion for them, in the circumstances 

 we now are ; and 1 could heartily wish a time 



