The following speech being spoke off hand upon the debates in the House of Commons, you cannot expect in it the exactness of Roman eloquence; but you have the freedom, and bravery of the old Roman, and true English spirit, zealous for the good of their country, and bold in all its dangers. And if other corporations and shires would take the like care as B---l, they might be as happy in the choice of their representatives; and then, and never till then, may we hope to see poor England become old England again, rich and happy at home, glorious and renowned abroad. Towards which, this worthy patriot has set a noble example; and that it may inspire and incourage others, and prompt and enable the country to distinguish such from pensioners, and wretched betrayers of their country and posterity, is the design of making this publick, from a copy which I procured from a member of the house of commons, who took it in short hand, as it was spoke.
Knight, John,Sir,-1718.
[London : s.n.,
1694?]
Attributed to Sir John Knight. cf. NUC pre-1956.
Title taken from first lines of text; imprint from Wing.
Also published under title: A speech in the House of Commons against the naturalization of foreigners, 1693.
In opposition to a bill to naturalize Protestant immigrants, rejected by the House of Commons 15 March 1694.
In this edition, the word "SPEECH" on first line of text is in Roman type.
Identified as Wing K686a on UMI microfilm, reel 944.
Wing (2nd ed.),
ESTC
England and Wales. Parliament. House of Commons
Protestantism
England London.