"a theory," "a shadow," "a mockery," per|haps "a nuisance."
These gentlemen value themselves on being systematic; and not without reason. They must therefore look on this gross and palpable defect of representation, this fundamental grievance (so they call it) as a thing not only vicious in itself, but as rendering our whole government absolutely illegitimate, and not at all better than a downright usurpation. Another revolution, to get rid of this illegitimate and usurped government, would of course be perfectly justifiable, if not abso|lutely necessary. Indeed their principle, if you observe it with any attention, goes much fur|ther than to an alteration in the election of the house of commons; for, if popular representa|tion, or choice, is necessary to the legitimacy of all government, the house of lords is, at one stroke, bastardized and corrupted in blood. That house is no representative of the people at all, even in "semblance or in form." The case of the crown is altogether as bad. In vain the crown may endeavour to screen it|self against these gentlemen by the authority of the establishment made on the Revolu|tion. The Revolution which is resorted to for a title, on their system, wants a title it|self. The Revolution is built, according to their theory, upon a basis not more solid than our present formalities, as it was made by an house of lords not representing any one but themselves; and by an house of commons ex|actly
