SECOND MARRIAGE 203 



High Elms, Hayes, Kent, 

 February 2, 1884. 



Sir — A Society has recently been formed for the 

 purpose of bringing together all those who, while desiring 

 that the majority of the Electors should have their due 

 preponderance, are also anxious that the minority should 

 be fairly represented. 



The present system notoriously fails to secure this, 

 nor would the plan of equal electoral districts promise 

 in this respect much better results. 



But, however this may be, if additional seats are 

 given to large constituencies, the question of proportional 

 representation becomes one of great practical importance. 



The Society is not pledged to any particular plan or 

 system, and it is proposed to hold a meeting of all those 

 who (assuming that the system of single seats be not 

 adopted) would favour some form of proportional 

 representation, in order to determine the best system 

 for adoption, and the mode of bringing the subject before 

 Parliament and the country. 



I have been requested by the Committee to invite 

 you to join the Society, and give it the advantage of your 

 advice and co-operation. 



If you are willing to do so, may I ask you to sign the 

 enclosed Post-card and return it to the Honorary 

 Secretary. — I am, your obedient servant, 



John Lubbock. 



Proportional representation has not yet made 

 the way in this country that its advocates have 

 hoped, but on the Continent it makes striking 

 progress, being adopted by Denmark, Switzer- 

 land, and Belgium. The following letter to Sir 

 John is from the aged statesman who was instru- 

 mental in its introduction into Denmark : 



Copenhague, le 17 aout 1885. 



Monsieur — Ayant eu l'honneur de recevoir votre 

 billet du 30 juillet, je regrette beaucoup que l'etat de ma 

 sante ne me permet pas de repondre d'une maniere 

 satisfaisante aux questions que vous avez bien voulu 

 m'adresser. Je dois me borner a dire que je n'ai pas 

 change d' opinion sur la methode proportionnelle adoptee 



