It was useless for Burke to maintain the incomparable beauty of the British constitution; English politicians might be indifferent to political theories of democracy, and heartily dislike any notion of radical change, but the abuses were too obvious to prevent reform.
Whatever the size of the county it returned two members elected by freeholders, and the cost of a county election was enormous.

Some of the boroughs, especially in Cornwall, were tiny villages.

Eighteen members were returned from such boroughs in that part of Cornwall which now returns one member for the Liskeard Division.

The fields of Old Sarum belonged to seven electors and returned two members.

As there was no habitation whatever in this "borough" of Old Sarum, a tent was put up for the convenience of the returning officer at election times.