to the aid of private money.  The expense of the last election has been computed (and I am persuaded that it has not been overrated) at 1,500,000_l._,—­three shillings in the pound more in [than?] the land-tax.  About the close of the last Parliament and the beginning of this, several agents for boroughs went about, and I remember well that it was in every one of their mouths, “Sir, your election will cost you three thousand pounds, if you are independent; but if the ministry supports you, it may be done for two, and perhaps for less.”  And, indeed, the thing spoke itself.  Where a living was to be got for one, a commission in the army for another, a lift in the navy for a third, and custom-house offices scattered about without measure or number, who doubts but money may be saved?  The Treasury may even add money:  but, indeed, it is superfluous.  A gentleman of two thousand a year, who meets another of the same fortune, fights with equal arms; but if to one of the candidates you add a thousand a year in places for himself, and a power of giving away as much among others, one must, or there is no truth in arithmetical demonstration, ruin his adversary, if he is to meet him and to fight with him every third year.  It will be said I do not allow for the operation of character:  but I do; and I know it will have its weight in most elections,—­perhaps it may be decisive in some; but there are few in which it will prevent great expenses.  The destruction of independent fortunes will be the consequence on the part of the candidate.  What will be the consequence of triennial corruption, triennial drunkenness, triennial idleness, triennial lawsuits, litigations, prosecutions, triennial frenzy,—­of society dissolved, industry interrupted, ruined,—­of those personal hatreds that will never be suffered to soften, those animosities and feuds which will be rendered immortal, those quarrels which are never to be appeased,—­morals vitiated and gangrened to the vitals?  I think no stable and useful advantages were ever made by the money got at elections by the voter, but all he gets is doubly lost to the public:  it is money given to diminish the general stock of the community, which is in the industry of the subject.  I am sure that it is a good while before he or his family settle again to their business.  Their heads will never cool; the temptations of elections will be forever glittering before their eyes.  They will all grow politicians; every one, quitting his business, will choose to enrich himself by his vote.  They will all take the gauging-rod; new places will be made for them; they will run to the custom-house quay; their looms and ploughs will be deserted.