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mistaken in this judgment, but I have yet heard no reasons whichinduce me to change it. There occur, however, so many contin-gencies in all political concerns, that I am apt to suspect my ownspeculation on such points, and am not very eager in giving creditto the foresight of other men. As to reform, I wish it may beaccomplished, but I am not authorised, either by the history ofthis country, or of any other that I ever read of, to expect thata rich and corrupted state will ever be reformed without beingrevolutionised, and a revolution is not, I believe, the wish of thebest friends of a reform.
“ I am, &c.
“ R. Landaff.”
In May, 1800, when there was a Bill before the House of Lords ,to prevent persons convicted of the crime of adultery from inter-marrying with each other, I received a very serious and sensibleletter, from a gentleman, with whom I had no acquaintance, re-commending it to me to write a tract, investigating the cause ofthe prevalence of the crime of adultery in the present age, andrequesting me to inform him whether I would think of adoptingthe hint he had given. 1 thought the subject too important tobe superficially treated, and had no inclination to enter deeplyinto it, and therefore merely sent him the subjoined note:—
“ Sir, Calgarth Park, May 17. 1800.
“ I return you thanks for the flattering manner in which youare pleased to express yourself concerning my feeble endeavoursin the service of religion and morality, and at the same time
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