The Sun.
London, England, 1819-09-14 00:00:00

LETTER VII.

Mr. EntToit—Yon will have perceived from
some of my former Letters, that I am far from
being persuaded that any Reform whatever is re-
quired itt the House of Commons. The only
reason why, when the times •should permit,
I would advocate any change, arises from the
powerful and widely extended delusion, drawn
from false theory, concerning the present system
of return. The short note, which you inserted
on the 7th, signed a steady and UNDAUNTED RE-
FORMER, moves with remarkable force how wide-
ly that delusion extends, even among the real
ttiends of the Constitution. That writer at once
commends a Letter, signed A PITTITE, and re-

probates what he calls at Sarion Parliameut
meaning, I presume, a Parliament returned in part,
(though in fact, in a very small proportion) by
Boroughs as inefficien!, in point of numbers, as
Old Sarum.' If such men are deluded by this no-
tion, how can «e wonder that persons less firm
in principle, or ivithout any fixed principle at all,
are led away, and driven inio Madness by
the coo!, mplation of it. It is to prevent this
aka, which I know not otherwiie howt to ob-
viate, that I would advise any kind of altcra-

lion.

For, in very truth, I do not believe, that, by
any possible system of election or return, better
Legislative Bodies could ever be formed than
have sat successively in the House of Commons,
from the time of the Revolution.

That every individual, in any assembly what-
eves, should be equally fit for the office of a Le-
gislator, or equally zealous to perform it,' is ut-
terly impossible. But when property, talent,
education, experience, are collectively employed to
do the business of the State, in numbers very con-
siderable, and in weight no less efficient, it is not
the 'change of fifty or more individuals that could
materially alter the Constitution of the whole.
But if such. a change were to be made, as would
infuse the spirit of democracy into that assembly,
or render it subservient to t'be mistakes or ca-
prices of the people, farewell the Monarchy; ftire-
well the British Constitution ; farewell the Liberty
and Glory of the Nation !

But no hot-headed Politician, nor any half-
informed cool-headed one, can possibly be made to
comprehend this truth. Therefore an alteration
ratty he requisite, merely to save appearances;
for as to any real good which could be done, in
other respects, by such a change as your Steady
14former reqiires, 1 deny it, without hesitation
or reserve.

-Poliiical theories are very specious and itnpos-
ing ; but, like theories in philosophy, are very
often erroneous. And as one judicious experi-
ment may overthrow the whole system of a phi-
losopher, much more ought the practical expe-
rience of a century to be accepted. as decisive
against the systems of speculating Politicians.
But what political system ever had so much of
sound experience in its favour es our glorious
Constitution ? No tbeory,:therefore, ought to be
permitted to•cause a radical alteration in it.
If you look to the proceedings of America,
where the system is made as democratic as it
could be, end where the people vainly boast of 'a'
.Itherty tit►:sh preferable, in their opinion, to that

of England, and you will see the same common-

place argmnents employed against wars, taxes,
and every measure which the Government finds
necessary, as have been so often exhausted by
our pretended Patriots,. Be assured that no pos-
sible change would satisfy or! silence such de-
claimers. To.,satisfy them is impossible ; and if
they cannot be silenced by constitutional means,
the single method that remains is to let them rave
unheeded, providing, at the same time, for the
safety of the whole, by such measures as the-
present laws afford, or a slight amendment of
them may authorize.
SOMERS.