that government, and then,
supposing it made on these theories, which were made from it, to accuse
the government as not corresponding with them. I do not vilify theory
and speculation--no, because that would be to vilify reason itself.
"_Neque decipitur ratio_, _neque decipit unquam_." No; whenever I speak
against theory, I mean always a weak, erroneous, fallacious, unfounded,
or imperfect theory; and one of the ways of discovering that it is a
false theory is by comparing it with practice. This is the true
touchstone of all theories which regard man and the affairs of men: Does
it suit his nature in general?--does it suit his nature as modified by
his habits?

The more frequently this affair is discussed, the stronger the case
appears to the sense and the feelings of mankind. I have no more doubt
than I entertain of my existence, that this very thing, which is stated
as a horrible thing, is the means of the preservation of our Constitution
whilst it lasts: of curing it of many of the disorders which, attending
every species of institution, would attend the principle of an exact
local representation, or a representation on the principle of numbers. If
you reject personal representation, you are pushed upon expedience; and
then what they wish us to do is, to prefer their speculations on that
subject to the happy experience of this country of a growing liberty and
a growing prosperity for five hundred years. Whatever respect I have for
their talents, this, for one, I will not do. Then what is the standard
of expedience? Expedience is that which is good for the community, and
good for every individual in it. Now this expedience is the
_desideratum_ to be sought, either without the experience of means, or
with that experience. If without, as in the case of the fabrication of a
new commonwealth, I will hear the learned arguing what promises to be
expedient; but if we are to judge of a commonwealth actually existing,
the first thing I inquire is, What has been found expedient or
inexpedient? And I will not take their promise rather than the
performance of the Constitution.

But no; this was not the cause of the discontents. I went through most
of the northern parts--the Yorkshire election was then raging; the year
before, through most of the western counties--Bath, Bristol,
Gloucester--not one word, either in the towns or country, on the subject
of representation; much on the receipt tax, something on Mr. Fox's