The Mother of Parliaments

The Irish members were increased to 105 in 1832, but subsequently reduced to 103, fifty years later.

61

Hansard, "Debates," 18 April, 1864.

62

The General Election of 1880 cost £1,700,000. This expenditure was reduced to about a million pounds after the passing of the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act and the Redistribution Bill of 1883 and 1885. By the former the expenses in boroughs are limited to £350, if the number of electors does not exceed 2000; and to £380 if it does exceed 2000, with an extra £30 for every further 1000 electors. In counties, where the electors do not exceed 2000, the expenses are limited to £650, and to £710 if they exceed 2000, with an extra £60 for every further 1000 electors. These sums do not include personal expenses up to £100 and the charges of the returning officer.

63

Hansard, "Debates," vol. 288, p. 1563. (5 June, 1884.) (The phrase was first used in a novel entitled, "Friends of Bohemia, or Phases of London Life," published in 1857, by a Parliamentary writer named E. M. Whitty.)

64

"Parliamentary History," vol. i. p. 766.

65

Andrew Marvell continued to receive a salary from Hull until his death in 1678 (see his "Works," vol. ii., xxxv.), and the member for Harwich obtained a writ against that borough for his salary in 1681.

66

"Diary," 30 March, 1668.

67

Irving's "Annals of Our Time," p. 912. (The majority in 1870 was 187.)

68

"Autobiography of Mrs. Delany," vol. ii. p. 511.

69

Wraxall's "Posthumous Memoirs."

70

p. 270.

71

Speech at Bristol in 1774. ("Works and Correspondence of E. Burke," vol. iii. p. 236). Algernon Sidney anticipated this remark. "It is not therefore for Kent or Sussex, Lewes or Maidstone, but for the whole nation, that the members chosen in those places are sent to serve in Parliament." – "Discourse Concerning Government," vol. ii. p. 370.

72

Bell's "Biographical Sketches," p. 82.

73

Croker, in 1820, complains of having to attend a three o'clock dinner and dance at Bodmin, when he stood as candidate; the whole affair being, he says, "at once tiresome and foolish." "Croker Papers," vol. i. p. 166.

74

"Institute of the Laws of England," 4th part, p. 3.

75

Sir H. C. Robinson's "Diary and Reminiscences," vol. ii. pp. 315-6.

76

Moore wrote to Lady Donegal in 1807: "I begin at last to find out that politics is the only thing minded in this country, and that it is better even to rebel against government than have nothing to do with it." "Memoirs," vol. i. p. 225.

77

Prior's "Life of Burke," vol. ii. p. 454.

78

Buxton's "Memoirs," p. 154.

79

In olden days members used to return from Westminster to London through lanes infested with robbers. This cry enabled them to assemble and leave the House in one another's company.

80

It is curious to reflect that a man may be a member of Parliament even though he is not entitled to a vote as an elector. The Rt. Hon. Austen Chamberlain was not only a member, but even a Cabinet Minister, at a time when he had no vote.

81

Naunton's "Fragmenta Regalia," p. 21.

82

Shaftesbury's "Life," vol. i. p. 30 n.

83

Townsend's "History," vol. ii. p. 400.

84

Reresby's "Memoirs," p. 51.

85