I recollect a picture of Diogenes going about in search of an honest man.  The philosopher bore a staff in one hand, and a lantern in the other.  Did the latter accompaniment imply that he was a persevering Spirit who would continue his labour by night as well as by day?  Or was it a stroke of satire on the part of the painter, indicating that, as Diogenes was a surly and conceited Cynic, he preferred darkness for his time of search, and a scanty and feeble light of his own carrying, to the bounteous assistance of the sun in heaven?  How this might be with Diogenes, I know not; but assuredly thus it fares with our Reformers:—­The Journal of some venal or factious scribbler is the black and smoky lantern they are guided by; and the sunshine spread over the face of a happy country is of no use in helping them to find any object they are in search of.—­The plea of the degraded state of the Representation of Westmoreland has been proved to be rotten;—­if certain discontented persons desire to erect a building on a new plan, why not look about for a firm foundation?  The dissatisfied ought honestly to avow, that their aim is to elect a Man, whose principles differ from those of the present Members to an extreme which takes away all hope, or even wish, that the interest he is to depend upon should harmonize with the interest hitherto prevalent in the County.  Every thing short of this leaves them subject to a charge of acting upon false pretences, unless they prefer being accused of harbouring a pharisaical presumption, that would be odious were it not ridiculous.  If the state of society in Westmoreland be as corrupt as they describe, what, in the name of wonder, has preserved their purity?  Away then with hypocrisy and hollow pretext; let us be no longer deafened with a rant about throwing off intolerable burthens, and repelling injuries, and avenging insults!  Say at once that you disapprove of the present Members, and would have others more to your own liking; you have named your Man, or rather necessity has named him for you.  Your ship was reduced to extremities; it would have been better to abandon her—­you thought otherwise; will you listen then while I shew that the Pilot, who has taken charge of the vessel, is ignorant of the soundings, and that you will have cause to be thankful if he does not prove very desperate in the management of the helm?

The Lands of England, you will recollect, Gentlemen, are originally supposed to be holden by grants from the King, our liege Lord; and the Constitution of the Country is accordingly a mellowed feudality.  The oldest and most respectable name for a County Representative is, KNIGHT OF THE SHIRE.  In the reign of Queen Anne it was enacted, that every Knight of the Shire (the eldest sons of Peers and a few others excepted) shall have a clear estate of Freehold or Copyhold to the value of L600 per annum.  The same qualification continues to be required at this day; and, if the depreciation of money and other causes