36 LORD LILFORD 



believe, most sincerely and conscientiously 

 opposed to the measure. It is supposed, that 

 were these times similar to those of the Gordon 

 riots, he would almost be inclined to play the 

 part of Lord George Gordon over again. 

 Thank God ! there is no such danger now to be 

 apprehended. 



1 The Bishop of Durham ] the next day made 

 a long and violent speech. The Bishop of 

 Oxford 2 answered the portions of it applying to 

 himself in a very spirited manner. I did not 

 hear my dear father speak ; on Monday, the 6th, 

 he made, I hear, a very good speech on the 

 Disfranchisement Bill, which reads admirably, 

 though ill reported ; I am happy and proud to 

 have lived to see this great measure at last 

 carried, it reflects honour on the minister who 

 achieved it, but I do not think the conduct of 

 the Whigs can be sufficiently admired, their 

 disinterestedness, their magnanimity in not 

 expressing either pique or resentment at seeing 

 what has been throughout their political career, 

 their greatest political object carried by one who 



1 Dr. Van Mildert. " Dr. Bagot. 



