PENENDEN HEATH. 467 proaches of vice-its career is disgraceful-its end, the consummation of misery. Upon the walls of a condemned cell in Newgate were found written the following impressive lines Thou hapless wretch! whom Justice calls May be to thee the porch of hell- Mysterious change-it leads to HEAVEN! An immense prison is now building here with innumerable cells, at a prodigious expense to the county. Its architect, W. Alexander, Esq. is of acknowledged celebrity. But surely the county of Kent is not in that state of deterioration to require such a capacious building to incarcerate its lawless and refractory population! The Court Hall, where the assizes are held, unites neatness with conveniency. Above is the Nisi Prius bar, and below the Criminal Court: the building altogether is an ornament to the town; for, standing in the middle of High-street, it is seen to advantage. Here is transacted the business of the county. About a mile from the town lies Penenden Heath, where criminals are executed. Here also the COUNTY ELECTIONS are held, in booths erected for the purpose. The spot is famous, on account of its centrical situation, even in the early periods of our history; for the principal men in the county. met there even in the time of William the Conqueror. I happened to be present one day on this Heath, during THE ELECTION, when Sir William Geary 468 THOUGHTS ON AN ELECTION. and Mr. Honeywood were returned for the county, Sir Edward Knatchbull being the unsuccessful candidate on this occasion. The scene, which I never before witnessed in the country, made a deep impression on my mind. Upon my return home that evening, therefore, I committed the following REFLECTIONS to paper. You have them, my young friend (excepting a very few additions), just as they were written, warm from the heart: "What are yonder crowds passing to and fro with eagerness and agitation? Whence those sounds which salute my ear with so much melody? Why those banners waving in the air with evident tokens of triumph and joy? The assemblage of so many people is occasioned by the choice of representatives for the county-the music cherishes those agreeable emotions which flow from the exercise of their best rights as freemen-and the streamers floating in the breeze, announce their exultation on an occasion honourable to the constitution of the country "To the candidates offering themselves for the important trust, the attention is first naturally directed. The desire of distinction, which rises spontaneously in the human breast, calls for gratification. And after what mode can the passion be more honourably indulged than in representing a free people in parliament? Wealth and talents cannot be more respectably or more usefully employed. Those who by their birth, or who by their industry, have acquired an easy fortune, should devote their leisure to the service of their country. Over the tyranny of rulers, and over THOUGHTS ON AN ELECTION. 469 the licentiousness of the people, ought they to watch with equal jealousy. In a variety of important respects have such people an opportunity to serve their fellow creatures. The patriotic mind seeks occasions of doing good, and will be studious. of their improvement. How far the present candidates are thus actuated, it would be presumption in me to determine. Their professions are fairfrom their subsequent conduct in parliament, their principles receive the best interpretation. Charity, which hopeth all things, would incline us to believe, that according to their own views, and in proportion to their ability, they will prove themselves intent on promoting the good of their country. "The freeholders exercising their right of choosing representatives in parliament, next demand our attention. It is impossible to contemplate such a sight without priding ourselves on this part of the British constitution. Cast your eyes over the European and Asiatic continents-view there realms of immense magnitude-to whose inhabitants no such right hath been granted-by whom no such privilege hath been exercised. In many countries the people have no part in their governments. The rulers sullenly refuse any portion of legislation through means of representatives to the individuals by whose unremitting toil they are supported in their empty pageantry. It is otherwise in Britain, and has been so for ages. The antiquity of parliament is, indeed, considerable, and their deliberation's constitute a 470 THOUGHTS ON AN ELECTION. distinguished trait in the page of British history. How much soever the system of the representation may require amendment-all must confess it to be the glory of our island-the subject of admiration to surrounding nations. Let, then, so noble a right be duly estimated-let it be exercised with an unrestrained freedom. An undue influence ought never to be suffered to impair its energy. Far be it from us to adopt arts of seduction against which the law hath wisely provided, and the prevalence of which must annihilate the privilege which our glorious constitution has placed in our possession. Calling ourselves Britons, and distinguished for a love of freedom at a period when other nations were sunk in slavery-the assertion of our independence should be the height of our ambition : -- If, perchance, thy home Salute thee with a father's honour'd name- To pay it, by transmitting down entire Those sacred rights to which themselves were born! AKENSIDE. "Nor should the spectators forget that on so interesting an occasion, they may derive lessons of improvement. When they perceive thousands pressing forward with eagerness to exercise the right with which they are entrusted, it must recur to them, that the people have a part in the govern ment of the country. See on yonder plain how they pour in without intermission! Even the sick THOUGHTS ON AN ELECTION. 471 and the aged come forth from their retirement. The pallid countenance of the one, and the tottering limbs of the other, proclaim them both unfit to make their appearance amidst so much bustle and confusion. But on this occasion they feel their importance in the scale of society :-in spite of their infirmities, they are ambitious of rendering a service to their fellow-creatures;-however insignificant in their individual capacity, they, for a moment, emerge from their obscurity, and seem to assist in the grand councils of the nation. "Deeply is it regretted, that scenes of riot and disorder should disgrace a period when freemen are called upon to exercise a right which involves the happiness of their native land. But the passions are afloat-prejudices are awakened-the soul abandons itself to an extravagance of joy. Hence the collision of parties is injurious to the sacred interests of virtue. But surely a mode of election might be devised, by which excesses might be prevented. Intercourses of civility ought not to be laid aside-decorum need suffer no violation. Each candidate has the fullest liberty to aspire after the honour of representation, and each freeman has an undoubted right to support the candidate whom he deems best fitted for the discharge. of so important a duty. But whatever defects attach to the present choice of representatives, we must confess that the cheerfulness reigning in every countenance-the joy glowing in every bosomimpart to the benevolent mind no small gratification. Let the spectator, therefore, retire from this |