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Anecdotes of the life of Richard Watson, bishop of Landaff : written by himself at different intervals, and revised in 1814 / published by his son, Richard Watson
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in a legal and peaceable way, shall on this or any other futureoccasion attempt to procure a reform of parliament.

K I am, &c.

R. Landaff.

Since the writing of this letter, some unsuccessful attempts havebeen made in the House of Commons for procuring a betterrepresentation of the people, and there are many wise men whoardently wish for it, being fully aware, that without some effectualstop being put to the increasing influence of the executive overthe legislative part of the constitution, the liberty of Britain mustexpire as that of Rome did ; the forms of the constitution willremain, its substance will exist no more. And what hope canwe have that a public body will reform itself? Since themiserable event of the French revolution, it may be said to everyman in England and in Europe , who attempts to reform abuseseither in Church or State Desine , jam conclamatum est.

In March, 1785, I published a collection of Theological Tracts,in six volumes, closely printed on a large paper, principallyintended for the benefit of young men who had not money topurchase books in divinity. This book was very well receivedby the world, near a thousand copies having been sold in lessthan three months; and very ill received by the bishops, onaccount of my having printed some tracts originally written byDissenters. Till I was told of it, I did not conceive that suchbigotry could have been then found on the bench, and I trust itcan be found there no longer. The Archbishop of Canterbury, to