This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1815 Excerpt: …he never asked or received a single favour; and I believe he never gave a vote, but he could solemnly have laid his hand upon his breast and said,
So help me God! I believe I am doing what is for the best! Thus, duly honoured, shall the memory of a good man go to his grave: for while it may be the painful duty of the historian to present to the public the pitiable follies which may deform a character, but which must be given to render perfect the resemblance–on those beauties which rise from the bad parts of the picture, who shall say it is not a duty to expatiate? E The model which Mr. Elwes left to future members may, perhaps, be looked on rather as a work to wonder at, than to follow. The constituent becoming corrupt, renders the representative so of course. Where people will sell, buyers only can have goods; and the people will have themselves only to blame, when what is bought, is again sold. Mr. Elwes came into parliament without expence, and he performed his duty as a member would have done in the pure days of our constitution. What he had not bought, he never attempted to sell–and he went forward in that straight and direct path, which can alone satisfy a reflecting mind. In one word, Mr. Elwes, as a public man, voted and acted in the House of Commons as a man would do, who felt there were people to live after him; who wished to deliver unmortgaged to his children, the public estate of government; and who felt, that if he suffered himself to become a pensioner on it, he thus far embarrassed his posterity, and injured the inheritance. Mentioning to me some years after his retirement his opinions of Mr. Fox and Mr. Pitt, he had this sentiment, always keeping true to tbe gold-colour of his character– when I started in parliament, …