In 1692 the effect would have been to make the power of the rural population irresistible.

Of the one hundred and forty-two members taken away in 1832 from small boroughs more than half were given to large and flourishing towns.

But in 1692 there was hardly one large and flourishing town which had not already as many members as it could, with any show of reason, claim.

Almost all therefore that was taken from the small boroughs must have been given to the counties; and there can be no doubt that whatever tended to raise the counties and to depress the towns must on the whole have tended to raise the Tories and to depress the Whigs.

From the commencement of our civil troubles the towns had been on the side of freedom and progress, the country gentlemen and the country clergymen on the side of authority and prescription.