Justin Croft Antiquarian Books - Rare and Antiquarian Books and Manuscripts

Rare first edition, in original wrappers. A critical commentary on the British constitution from a French perspective; the title was published following the 1818 general election of the United Kingdom, in which the weak Whig party gained a few seats, while the Tories led by the Earl of Liverpool retained a majority of about 90 seats. The pamphlet provides a detailed case history of political manoeuvring prior to the election to demonstrate the extent to which British political life was damned by archaic and corrupt practice. Singled out for particular censure was the existence of the “rotten boroughs” (Ilchester, Midhurst and Wendover) controlled by a minute electorate, usually in the pockets of the major landed interests.