ABSTRACT
On December 17, 1786, the Rev. Christopher Wyvill, the Yorkshire landowner–parson, who had played so large a part in raising the Parliamentary Reform stir of 1780–1782, confessed a feeling of deep depression to Earl Stanhope, an ally in the once-hopeful days when a “united Popular Party” had stood opposed to Lord North and the Court. Wyvill, therefore, demonstrated very sound sense when, on December 17, 1786, he begged Stanhope to consider some of the amendments which were being urged by men who were no enemies to the emancipation of the shire voter from the “influence” and wealth whether of “King’s Friends” or Whig landlords. Wyvill’s views on the general prospects of “political reformation”, as they seemed at the end of 1786, will bear repeating at some length. In the long run, of course, the new manufacturers were among the strongest of the forces making for a “political reformation” likely to increase the weight of “industry” in Parliament.
