The Sun.
London, England, 1839-11-14 00:00:00

CUNTIES.

Aberdeenshire 1 1
Ayrshire 1 1
Fifeshire 1 1
Ferfarshire 1 1
ional Members.
EMBERS.

Wexford
Monaghan
Antrim
Armagh 2 1 Londonderry 2 1
Cavan 9 1 Mayo 2 4
Clare 2 2 Tyrone
Cork
Donegal 2 2 Tipperary
Downshire 2 3 49 additional Members.
The result of all these transfers ‘‘ould be, that—
The English small Borough representation would be
diminished in the number of Members ..
Further diminished by Boroughs in schedule B
Ireland diminished in its small Borough representation,
-.

number of Members
English County representation diminished, number of

Members
English County representation further diminished by
two Counties being put into Schedule B
Scotch County representation diminished 6

Total
Out of these there would be distributed in equal pro-
portions
To English large Towns 36
To Scotch, ditto
To Irish, ditto lO
To English large Counties 54
To Scotch, ditto
To Irish, ditto 49

Total
The balance of eighteen might readily be dispensed
with, as there are already, I fear, in the House of Com-
mons, more than that number who are useless to their

country.
This, Sir, is, I think, as large and comprehensive a
measure of Reform as you, or any other leading public
man will be able to carry in this generation. The prin-
ciple of it has, to some extent, the advantage of
being sanctioned by precedent ; and the distribution
of Members among the urban and rural population, at
the rate of 25,000 to the former, and 60,000 to the
latter, is an arrangement nearly in accordance with the
proportions which they respectively bear to each other
in returning a representative at present. Of course, if
any plan, somewhat analogous to this, is ever brought
forward, it will encounter a formidable opposition. The
voters in small boroughs would be instigated to petition
against it. The Whig inhabitants of cities would be
afraid of the extension of the 101. franchise to the coun-

ties ; the county gentry and farmers would be afraid
of the democratic influence of the great towns ; but,
on the other hand, Ireland would be a gainer, as
she would have an accession of thirty eight to her
present number of representatives. Scotland also
would be a gainer, as she would receive an ac-
cession of 16 Members for her large towns and populous
counties ; and England would not, in reality, be a loser,
inasmuch as the small boroughs, which would be extin-
guished, would be better lost tha❑ held ; and the ninety
Members transferred would be assigned to towns and
districts, whose population, intelligence, and property,
entitle them to a legitimate and actual representation.
The middle classes have lately been blamed unceas-
ingly for the faults of Ministers, over whom they had
no control, and reproached beyond this for not doing
what it was utterly impossible to accomplish. The rash
and thoughtless men who made these charges, and who
fancied that working out Reform was as easy in practice
as in theory, have met and agitated, declaimed and
vituperated, and at last disappeared from the scene.
Their arms and their errors, their sacred months, and
their absurdities, are no longer paraded before the
public eye ; bat the mischief they have done lives after
them, and in their ignorant and impatient haste to
accomplish everything at once, they have done as much
harm to the cause of rational liberty, as Peel, Welling.
ton. and Lyndhurst together. They are now in abey-
ance, and when next they enter the field of effective
agitation, may it be with tried old friends, for attainable
objects, for which the public mind is prepared, and not
as the dupes and tools of demagogues and political
profligates, whose existence and public conduct is a
disgrace to civilization.
Admitting, I presume, with you, Sir, that a Demo-
cratic Republic is, in theory, the best form of Govern-
ment that human ingenuity can possibly devise, inas-
much as it is a practical recognition of the equal rights
of man ; it is at the same time a form only adopted for
a country prepared by education, and a combination of
circumstances for its reception, and not only absolutely
unattainable in this country by any means whatever,
but utterly opposed to the feelings and inclination
of an overwhelming majority of the whole people.
Living, therefore, as we do under a constitutional
monarchy, which has endured for upwards of a
thousand years, and which is endeared to the people
from education and habit, from victories and glori-
ous recollections, from antiquity and old association,
and from every other consideration that can give
permanence and stability to laws and institutions, it
is absurd in us to occupy ourselves with abstract ideas
of perfect government, or mere theoretical improve-
ments ; but it becomes a matter of duty to adapt our
plans of improvement to the institutions under which we
live. Our Government is, in fact, an Aristocratic Re-
public, with an Hereditary Executive ; it has within
itself elastic properties, and is capable of adaptation to
all passing seasons and circumstances ; it only requires
its capacity for usefulness, developed by an energetic
Minister, to show to the world that the largest mea-
sure of freedom, the most perfect security for life and
property, and the greatest national prosperity, may be
enjoyed under the genial and fostering influence of an
ancient constitutional monarchy.
In conclusion, Sir, what I would respectfully press

upon your consideration is the propriety of bringing in
a measure of Reform somewhat analagous to this, as
being in accordance with precedent—one, the extent
and operation of which can clearly be discerned, and
which would have a far greater chance of finding favour
with the Legislature and the country than any proposi-
tions of a more sweeping character. In your hands
the various parts and proportions of this plan might
he arranged with a degree of correctness to which I
can make no pretension ; and supported by your
talents, and infuential character, it would, I am san-
guine enough to believe, gradually work its way into
the public mind ; and when, after years of discussion
and debate, the people shall generally be resolved on
its adoption, the way is then clear for any master-
spirit at the head of the Government to take his stand
upon it, and in its ultimate accomplishment secure his
own immortality, while he works out the regeneration
of his country.
I have the honour to remain, Sir,
Your very obedient Servant,
WILLIAM BIGGS.

THE COMMITTEE OF THE PRO-
TESTANT SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION
OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

above-named Committee offered, upwards
of eighteen months ago, two prizes for essays to dis-
prove the utility of national religious establishments.
Authors were invited to compete, and it was announced
that the examiners of the essays expected to make their
decision known about the month of May in the present
year. Will you allow me to ask the Committee,
through your journal, what has been done on the sub-
ject, as I have carefully looked at the usual channels
for conveying such information to the public, and since
the advertisement offering the prizes, have not seen ono
word of the Committee's or Society's proceedings.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
A PARTY INTERESTED.