4892 
have had leisure to examine it, (which 
may, for aught we know to the contrary, 
€ just as far from the first page to the 
Second.) and of the value of the work, in 
So small a compass,” as “ four handseme 
volumes in quarto,” (double the size of 
Gregory’s Dictionary of Arts and Sci- 
ences, by the way :) but I must say, that 
if this mode of puffing off a brother-in- 
Jaw’s performances be consistent with 
the present genius of methodism, it 
must be sadly lowered in temperature 
since the time of its establisher ; for, 
whatever I may think of John Wesley, 
of his excellencies, or of his defects, he 
had not in his composition a particle 
of what was found in that of Ignatius 
Loyola. Your’s, &c. 
Rochdale, Lancashire, Awnti-Mewxpax. 
November 7, 1809. 
Lo the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
HAT the House of Commons is not 
what it was when first constituted, 
and that corrupt and improper influence 
is exercised over it, no person is bold 
enoughtodeny. That, likean old mansion, 
it is very much out of repair, is a truth 
that every person is obliged, however un- 
willingly, to acknowledge, although every 
observer stands in silent dread of the 
Consequences. [I have not observed a 
plan brought forward likely to remedy 
the evil; therefore, notwithstanding IT 
feel myself very unequal to the task, as 
no other person comes forward with a 
plan, I think it my duty, from the love I 
have to my country, and a dread of the 
convulsion we seem evidently upon the 
brink of experiencing, through the me- 
dium of your valuable Magazine, to 
propose the under-mentioned regulations 
to the serious consideration of the pub- 
lic, not as a plan, but as a mere sketch, 
that may happily turn the attention of 
some persons far better qualified to do 
justice to the subject. I must confess, I 
see great danger, and very little good, 
likely to arise from universal suffrage. 
I think every voter should esteem the 
privilege, and think it a high honour to 
be in possession of a vote. In the com- 
mon concerns of life, we seldom find that 
which is the business and duty of a whole 
parish, for instance, is so well attended 
to, as if it concerned only one or two 
individuals; that body of men, who, 
through habits of sober industry, are 
least likely to be influenced by corrupt 
end improper motives, I think, are asa 
body, more likely to be met with in the 
Plan for a Reform in the House of Commons. -[Dte. 1, 
middling classes of society. Persons 
who are continually experiencing the 
pressure of want, or are aspiring after 
grandeur of appearance, far beyond their 
income, I think very likely to sell their 
vote to the best purchasers. On the other 
hand, the middling class of society, by 
having their time and attention fully 
occupied in arranging and couducting 
their various trades and occupations, are 
not so likely, on every trivial occasion, to- 
put forth that energy that ought to be 
reserved for cases of real national im- 
portance; the greatest evil of a popular 
government, is the ease with which a 
popular cry and ferment can be produced 
by those persons, who seek to hide their 
base designs amidst the general confu- 
sion ; by which means the people get be- 
wildered, and no real essential good is_,- 
done: the cry of no popery, fully evinces 
what I allude to. I think non-resident 
freemen, and little forty shilling free- 
holders, have been productive of a great 
deal of evil; as elections are often turned 
about by people, who are not even 
known or thought of, at any other time. 
I am no politician, and delight in the 
shades of privacy; therefore, I shall thank 
you, if you think my observations deserve 
a place in your valuable Magazine, not to 
annex my name to them, by doing which 
you will oblige, Your’s, &c. . 
Woodbridge, 
October 25, 1809. 
An Outline of a Plan for a Reform in 
the House of Commons. 
1. Asitis very desirable, as much as pos- 
sible, to conform to ancient customs, those 
boroughs, that at present return members to. 
Parliament, to continue so to do under the 
following regulations; but the exc/usive right 
of burgage tenures to be done away. 
2. ‘That all owners of copyhold estates, 
of the value of ten pounds per anuum, to be 
entitled to vote fer members of Parliament 
for the borough or county. 
3. That all owners of freehold estates, 
of the value of five pounds per annum, be’ 
entitled to a vote for the borough or county. 
4. That the renter of a farm, on lease, or 
after two years’ occupation, of the value of 
forty pounds per annum, be entitled to a vote 
for the district, or county. — 
5. That the renter of a messuage, of the 
value of twenty pounds.per annum, held on 
lease, or after two years’ occupation, be en- 
titled to a vote for the borough, or district. 
6. That no freeman of any corporation 
Should be entitled to a vote, unless he is the 
Owner of, or occupies, a house, or estate, 
within the county, or within twenty miles of 
the borough, of the annual value of three 
pounds; 
