OF CORNWALL. 309 
Cornwall, as this County has fo much a greater number of boroughs 
than any in Great Britain, and fends as many almoft as the kingdom 
of Scotland itfelf w . However, the whole difgrace of this iniquity 
cannot reft upon my Countrymen. It is the much to be lamented 
vice of the nation, and not confined to the vulgar ; the part of the 
corrupted is indeed moft fhameful, (for fo the world will have it) 
but that of the corrupter is at leaft equally guilty and ought to 
fhare our deteftation. 
And now I am engaged in this fubjedt, it will not be foreign to sect. xv. 
the Hiftory of Cornwall, to enquire into the original of this fo why Com- 
much envied privilege, or lending a great number or reprelentatives man y mem- 
to the Houfe of Commons, from fo fmall a county, and from bo- ^ par * 
roughs moftly fo inconfiderable as to trade, inhabitants, and every 
thing that can entitle places to diftindfion ; whilft feveral towns in 
England, much fuperior in all refpedfs x , have never been admitted 
to the fame honour. 
This pre-eminence of our county is not ancient. From the 23d 
of Edward I. five boroughs only, (viz. Lancefton, Lifkerd, Truro, 
Bodman, and Helfton) fent two members each, and the county 
two. Loftwythyel has held the fame privilege from the 4th of Ed- 
ward II. and fent two members once before, viz. in the 33d of 
Edward I r . Thefe are our only fix ancient boroughs, and the num- 
ber was neither diminifhed nor increafed, till the 6th of Edward VI. 
excepting only in one inftance, which fhall be taken notice of in 
the fequel. 
At this time (viz. in the latter end of the reign of Edward VI.) 
feven other boroughs, viz. Saltajh , Camelford , TVeJl-Loo, Gra? 2 p 07 it , 
! Tmdagel , Michel , and Newport , were permitted to fend up two 
members each. 
In the firft of Mary, Penryii, and in the fourth and fifth of the 
fame reign, St. Ives had the like privilege. 
In the firft of Elizabeth Ti~egeny was admitted ; in the fifth St. 
Germaii s and St. Maw’s, in the 13 th Eajl-Loo and Fawy , and in 
the 27th of that reign Callington , making up the number of twenty 
one boroughs, which with the county return to parliament forty 
four members. 
The reafon of this modern addition to the boroughs of this 
county, may I think beft appear from confidering that the dutchy 
of Cornwall, (then in the crown and oftner fo than feparated from 
w Cornwall fends forty four members to parlia- 
ment, and Scotland forty five. 
* Sherborne, Manchefter, Birmingham, Ely, 
Burton upon Trent, Leeds and others. 
y Not. Parliamentary, by Dr. Willis, page 
37, &c. 
4 K 
from 
