f which is work for long years and centuries. Years
and centuries, of one knows not what complexion;--blessed or
unblessed, according as they shall, with earnest valiant effort,
make progress therein, or, in slothful unveracity and
dilettantism, only talk of making progress. For either progress
therein, or swift and ever swifter progress towards dissolution,
is henceforth a necessity.

It is of importance that this grand reformation were begun; that
Corn-Law Debatings and other jargon, little less than delirious
in such a time, had fled far away, and left us room to begin!
For the evil has grown practical, extremely conspicuous; if it
be not seen and provided for, the blindest fool will have to feel
it ere long. There is much that can wait; but there is
something also that cannot wait. With millions of eager Working
Men imprisoned in 'Impossibility' and Poor-Law Bastilles, it is
time that some means of dealing with them were trying to become
'possible!' Of the Government of England, of all articulate-
speaking functionaries, real and imaginary Aristocracies, of me
and of thee, it is imperatively demanded, "How do you mean to
manage these men? Where are they to find a supportable
existence? What is to become of them,--and of you!"

Chapter II

Bribery Committee

In the case of the late Bribery Committee, it seemed to be the
conclusion of the soundest practical minds that Bribery could not
be put down; that Pure Election was a thing we had seen the last
of, and must now go on without, as we best could. A conclusion
not a little startling; to which it requires a practical mind of
some seasoning to reconcile yourself at once! It seems, then, we
are henceforth to get ourselves constituted Legislators not
according to what merit we may have, or even what merit we may
seem to have, but according to the length of our purse, and our
frankness, impudence and dexterity in laying out the contents of
the same. Our theory, written down in all books and law-books,
spouted forth from all barrel-heads, is perfect purity of
Tenpound Franchise, absolute sincerity of question put and answer
given;--and our practice is irremediable bribery; irremediable,
unpunishable, which you will do more harm than good by attempting
to punish! Once more, a very startling conclusion indeed;
which, whatever the soundest practical minds in parliament
may think of it, invites all British men to meditations of
various kinds.