CHAPTER XVIII. 



I NEVER could agree in opinion with the 

 philanthropic, well-intentioned, and honest Major 

 Cartwright,* in his unqualified scheme of universal 

 suffrage ; because I conceive that the ignorant and 

 the wicked ought to be debarred from voting for 

 anything ; they should neither be honoured Avith 

 privileges nor employed in any office of public 

 trust ; a virtual representation is all-sufficient for 

 them. Could matters be so managed that none 

 but sensible, honest men should be allowed to 

 vote, either for members of Parliament, or for 

 any other public functionary, the country would, 

 in a short time, put on a very improved appear- 

 ance. It is quite natural to suppose that, were 

 elections entrusted to this description of men, they 

 would elect none but those of similar character to 

 their own. But, should it be found impracticable 

 thus to order public matters, then the next best 

 plan, which might easily be accomplished, would 

 be to confer the additional elective franchise upon 

 householders of probity and honour, for it must 

 be admitted that information and impartiality are 

 not confined to any class, and the poor are fre- 

 quently as wise as the rich, and as remarkable 

 for integrity. 



If an overwhelming mass of selfism did not 

 paralyze every improvement, how r easily and how 



* Major John Cartwright died 23rd Sep., 1824, aged 84, an 

 honour to himself, his country, and to human nature an uprght, 

 unvarying, inflexible patriot. 



