have injuriously affected the Letter of the Statute, the Spirit of it has not only been preserved in practice, but carried still higher.  Hence we scarcely scruple to take for granted that a County Representative is a man of substantial landed property; or stands in such known relation to a conspicuous Estate that he has in it a valuable interest; and that, whoever be the possessor, such Estate may be looked upon as a pledge for his conduct.

The basis of the elective Franchise being property, the legal condition of eligibility to a seat in Parliament is the same.  Our ancestors were not blind to the moral considerations which, if they did not suggest these ordinances, established a confidence in their expediency.  Knowing that there could be no absolute guarantee for integrity, and that there was no certain test of discretion and knowledge, for bodies of men, the prudence of former times turned to the best substitute human nature would admit of, and civil society furnished.  This was property; which shewed that a man had something that might be impaired or lost by mismanagement; something which tended to place him above dependence from need; and promised, though it did not insure, some degree of education to produce requisite intelligence.  To be a Voter required a fixed Property, or a defined privilege; to be voted for, required more; and the scale of demand rose with the responsibility incurred.  A Knight of the Shire must have double the Estate required from a Representative of a Borough.  This is the old Law; and the course of things since has caused, as was observed above, that high office to devolve almost exclusively on Persons of large Estate, or their near connections.  And why is it desirable that we should not deviate from this track?  If we wish for honesty, we shall select men who, not being subject to one of the strongest temptations to be otherwise than honest, will incur heavier disgrace, and meet with less indulgence, if they disappoint us.  Do we wish for sage conduct, our choice will fall upon those who have the wisdom that lurks in circumstances, to supply what may be deficient in their personal accomplishments.  But, if there be a deficiency, the fault must lie with the Electors themselves.  When persons of large property are confided in, we cannot plead want of opportunities for being acquainted with them.  Men of large estates cannot but be men of wide concerns; and thus it is that they become known in proportion.  Extensive landed property entails upon the possessor many duties, and places him in divers relations, by which he undergoes a public trial.  Is a man just in his dealings?  Does he keep his promises?  Does he pay his debts punctually?  Has he a feeling for the poor?  Is his Family well governed?  Is he a considerate Landlord?  Does he attend to his own affairs; and are those of others, which have fallen under his care, diligently and judiciously managed?  Answers to these questions, where the