four hours given the most diligent consideration to its general
principles, I have no hesitation in pronouncing it a wise, noble,
and comprehensive measure, skilfully framed for the healing of
great distempers, for the securing at once of the public
liberties, and of the public repose, and for the reconciling and
knitting together of all the orders of the State.

The honourable Baronet who has just sat down (Sir John Walsh.),
has told us, that the Ministers have attempted to unite two
inconsistent principles in one abortive measure. Those were his
very words. He thinks, if I understand him rightly, that we
ought either to leave the representative system such as it is, or
to make it perfectly symmetrical. I think, Sir, that the
Ministers would have acted unwisely if they had taken either
course. Their principle is plain, rational, and consistent. It
is this, to admit the middle class to a large and direct share in
the representation, without any violent shock to the institutions
of our country. I understand those cheers: but surely the
gentlemen who utter them will allow that the change which will be
made in our institutions by this bill is far less violent than
that which, according to the honourable Baronet, ought to be made
if we make any Reform at all. I praise the Ministers for not
attempting, at the present time, to make the representation
uniform. I praise them for not effacing the old distinction
between the towns and the counties, and for not assigning Members
to districts, according to the American practice, by the Rule of
Three. The Government has, in my opinion, done all that was
necessary for the removing of a great practical evil, and no more
than was necessary.