brated banker. Three years later he entered parliament for Boroughbridge in the Newcastle interest. He also joined the Constitutional Association for promoting a Reform in Parliament.
He had not been long in parliament before the ministry of the day found themselves confronted by a vigorous opponent. In May 1797, upon Grey's motion for parliamentary reform, he uttered a vehement indictment against the government and against their arbitrary encroachments upon popular rights. He stigmatised the war against France as a futile attempt to stifle the flame of liberty. Burdett continued this high tone in succeeding sessions, and was speedily recognised by the public as a champion of the liberty of speech. Imputations naturally arose on the part of his opponents that his sole aim was the applause of the mob. But the true cause of his rapid rise in popular estimation was his constant effort to expose the genuine grievances of the day—the increasing weight of taxation in consequence of the war, the continued restraints upon the expression of public opinion, and the abuse of power over those who were offensive to the ministry. He had repeated opportunities of protesting against the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act, and was bold enough on one occasion to suggest that it should be repealed altogether, rather than rendered inoperative by continued suspensions. He resisted the measure for excluding Horne Tooke from the House of Commons. He rendered a great public service by obtaining inquiry into the mismanagement of Coldbath Fields Prison, where suspected persons were usually detained under the Habeas Corpus Suspension Acts. It was shown that the governor had made no distinction between his treatment of these persons and that accorded to convicted felons. An order was issued that Burdett should no longer be permitted to visit any prison in the kingdom, but eventually the authorities gave way and the condition of the unfortunate prisoners was ameliorated.
In 1797 Burdett made the acquaintance of Horne Tooke, and there speedily grew up between them the closest friendship. Alike in philology and in politics Burdett became the pupil of the veteran whig. At the general election of 1802 Burdett was proposed for the county of Middlesex, in opposition to Mr. Mainwaring, chairman of quarter sessions, the magistrate who had the most strenuously resisted inquiry into prison abuses. Burdett was elected by a considerable majority and sat for nearly two years, during which legal proceedings were going on with the object of nullifying the return. At length in 1804 his election was declared void, and a new contest took place between him and Mainwaring's son, who headed the poll by a majority of five. This return was amended in the following year, and Burdett's name substituted for that of Mainwaring; and further amended in February 1806, Burdett being thus finally excluded. This unexampled litigation cost the parties untold sums of money, and Burdett forthwith resolved that he would never again contest a parliamentary constituency.
In 1806, when, upon the death of Fox, Earl Percy, a government candidate, stood for Westminster, Burdett subscribed 1,000l. towards the candidature of Paull for Westminster. Paull was brought forward by the party anxious for an improved tone of morals with reference to parliamentary elections. Paull was defeated, but the party determined that both he and another candidate of their own choice should succeed next time. In the following year another dissolution of parliament gave the opportunity. Burdett was requested to stand, but he adhered to his resolve not to become a candidate at another contested election. This precisely suited the Westminster committee, who were determined to send their man to parliament free of every sort of expense. Meanwhile a misunderstanding arose with Paull, who challenged Burdett to a duel. Both were wounded, and were carried up to London together in Paull's carriage. The committee were compelled to throw Paull overboard, and after a lively contest of fifteen days Burdett was found at the top of the poll, Lord Cochrane being second. The exultation was immense. A public dinner was held, and an anniversary festival instituted for 23 May. A chairing followed, and the popular baronet was borne through the streets upon a triumphal car.
The Westminster election of 1807 was the first triumph of the parliamentary reformers. The expenses proper were under 800l., but this amount was augmented to nearly 1,800l. through the costs attendant on the dinner, the chairing, and several actions at law brought against Burdett by the returning officer and others. All this cast much obloquy upon the committee, but the high reputation of their representatives in parliament more than repaid them for any sacrifices they made. Burdett continued to sit for Westminster for thirty years.
There were now several abortive attempts to raise the great question of reform, in all of which Burdett took a prominent part. He spoke against the practice of corporal punishment in the army, and made an unsuccessful endeavour to get a parliamentary
