In such a case, prevention is the proper object to be professed and to be pursued; and this will, I think, infallibly be obtained by such a motion, in whatever manner it may happen to be disposed of at this moment.

The wording of such a motion would require some care and attention, to be quite sure that the privilege is correctly and accurately stated; and on this subject it is probable that Charles Williams Wynne, who has, I doubt not, looked carefully through the precedents, can give better advice than any body else.

For the argument, however, it is obvious that, in this way of treating the subject, precedents are of much less importance, because the Speaker's speeches not being properly matter of record, it was natural, and indeed unavoidable, that slight breaches of the rule should pass unnoticed; and it is not until the violation of it is gross and flagrant, that it attracts attention. This is the case with almost every other privilege of parliament: the daily and habitual breach of these in slight cases is never understood to prejudice, in the slightest manner, the rule of privilege itself, which it remains in the breast of the House to exercise and assert to its full extent, whenever the occasion requires it. In the present case, it may easily be shown that the violation is such as, if wholly unnoticed, must destroy the privilege itself.

I confess I doubt whether the matter has hitherto been taken up and spoken of quite in as high a tone as its importance requires; if it be, as I really believe, the greatest direct violation of the independence of the House of Commons that has been attempted, I might say, for a century and a half. By independence, I do not, of course, mean its right of free action, with which this matter has no concern, but its right of separate, distinct, and uncommunicated proceeding. It is far less in degree, but in

principle exactly similar to the case I alluded to at the beginning of this note, the case of the five members. Ever most truly yours,

GRENVILLE.

LETTER CCIX. TO J. A. MURRAY, ESQ.

My dear Murray,

Lincoln's Inn, 25th February, 1814.

I fear you have been looking upon me for some time past as unpardonably idle, in omitting so long to write to you. I can be a very diligent correspondent, if we keep up a pretty constant fire of great or small shot; but if a pause takes place, it seems as if neither of us could break it.

I have read Mr. Stewart's new volume with great satisfaction and instruction; it is full of matter, little to the taste of readers of the present day, but highly valuable for every person who, in any intellectual pursuit or profession, is called upon to correct and strengthen his understanding. Besides, I like these subjects. What seems to me the most complete, as well as original portion of the volume, is all that which treats of mathematical evidence and reasoning. The part I cared for least, is the dissertation upon Aristotle's logic, though it can hardly fail to have some salutary influence upon education in England, provided it provokes anger at Oxford. I wish he had examined more fully, and perhaps with rather more perspicuity, that curious but difficult subject, Analogy, on which he has made some observations that make one regret they are not farther pursued. In his remarks upon the use of final causes in philosophy, he is clear as well as just; but these he might have illustrated more at length; and it would have been a great service, as a practical guide to those

who would profit by these remarks, had he brought us nearer to an express rule for distinguishing the use of that auxiliary in scientific inquiry, from the abuses of which it is susceptible in all the sciences. In the present low state of literature, while any thing is the mode but studies of a high aim, this volume may possibly draw less admiration than his former writings, where he had more occasions to illuminate his metaphysical reasonings, for popular effect, by applications of moral and critical reflections; but it cannot fail to give greater solidity to his philosophical reputation.

I cannot pretend to give you any news; for I see nobody that knows more than the newspapers give us. The state of public opinion is an amusing subject of observation at the present moment; I never knew it more violent or more nearly unanimous, though I find myself, by the compulsion of all the reflections that I have been able to make upon this great crisis, in the small minority of those who dread the consequences of the restoration of the Bourbons, or the conquest of France. Some of the wisest men, I know, are praying for, and even expecting, the restitution of the church lands. The anxiety of this suspense is quite painful; it cannot last much longer.

Ever affectionately yours,

FRA. HORNER.

Parliament re-assembled, pursuant to the adjournments, on the 21st of March, but Mr. Horner's name does not appear in any of the debates until the 2d of May during the greater part of the interval, he was on the circuit. From that time, to the close of the session on the 30th of July, he spoke on several occasions:

principle exactly similar to the case I alluded to at the beginning of this note, the case of the five members. Ever most truly yours,

GRENVILLE.

LETTER CCIX. TO J. A. MURRAY, ESQ.

My dear Murray,

Lincoln's Inn, 25th February, 1814.

I fear you have been looking upon me for some time past as unpardonably idle, in omitting so long to write to you. I can be a very diligent correspondent, if we keep up a pretty constant fire of great or small shot; but if a pause takes place, it seems as if neither of us could break it.

I have read Mr. Stewart's new volume with great satisfaction and instruction; it is full of matter, little to the taste of readers of the present day, but highly valuable for every person who, in any intellectual pursuit or profession, is called upon to correct and strengthen his understanding. Besides, I like these subjects. What seems to me the most complete, as well as original portion of the volume, is all that which treats of mathematical evidence and reasoning. The part I cared for least, is the dissertation upon Aristotle's logic, though it can hardly fail to have some salutary influence upon education in England, provided it provokes anger at Oxford. I wish he had examined more fully, and perhaps with rather more perspicuity, that curious but difficult subject, Analogy, on which he has made some observations that make one regret they are not farther pursued. In his remarks upon the use of final causes in philosophy, he is clear as well as just; but these he might have illustrated more at length; and it would have been a great service, as a practical guide to those

who would profit by these remarks, had he brought us nearer to an express rule for distinguishing the use of that auxiliary in scientific inquiry, from the abuses of which it is susceptible in all the sciences. In the present low state of literature, while any thing is the mode but studies of a high aim, this volume may possibly draw less admiration than his former writings, where he had more occasions to illuminate his metaphysical reasonings, for popular effect, by applications of moral and critical reflections; but it cannot fail to give greater solidity to his philosophical reputation.

I cannot pretend to give you any news; for I see nobody that knows more than the newspapers give us. The state of public opinion is an amusing subject of observation at the present moment; I never knew it more violent or more nearly unanimous, though I find myself, by the compulsion of all the reflections that I have been able to make upon this great crisis, in the small minority of those who dread the consequences of the restoration of the Bourbons, or the conquest of France. Some of the wisest men, I know, are praying for, and even expecting, the restitution of the church lands. The anxiety of this suspense is quite painful; it cannot last much longer.

Ever affectionately yours,

FRA. HORNER.

Parliament re-assembled, pursuant to the adjournments, on the 21st of March, but Mr. Horner's name does not appear in any of the debates until the 2d of May during the greater part of the interval, he was on the circuit. From that time, to the close of the session on the 30th of July, he spoke on several occasions: