It is, however, an observation forced on me by what I have seen
here.
It would be invidious, perhaps, to criticise the different
candidates for the representation of London and Westminster very
severely. I think it must be granted, that they are as sincere in
their professions as their opponents, which at least bleaches away
much of that turpitude of which their political conduct is accused
by those who are of a different way of thinking. But it is quite
evident, at least to me, that no government could exist a week,
managed with that subjection to public opinion to which Sir Francis
Burdett and Mr. Hobhouse apparently submit; and it is no less
certain, that no government ought to exist a single day that would
act in complete defiance of public opinion.
I was surprised to find Sir Francis Burdett an uncommonly mild and
gentlemanly-looking man. I had pictured somehow to my imagination a
dark and morose character; but, on the contrary, in his appearance,
deportment, and manner of speaking, he is eminently qualified to
attract popular applause. His style of speaking is not particularly
oratorical, but he has the art of saying bitter things in a sweet
way.
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