into smaller constituencies; but after this has been done so far as this is likely to be sought, there will no doubt still remain counties, cities, and towns, the inhabitants of which will not desire or consent to any division. Liverpool, for example, would probably insist upon remaining—and there is no reason why it would not remain—an entire and undivided constituency. It now contains 17,333 voters, and is increasing in magnitude. The electors of Liverpool, even if the quota were largely increased, might still be sufficient in number to return seven or eight members. It is impossible to foresee the extent of the changes, or the development which any of the great centres of population may undergo. Under a system in which political weight is perpetually regulated by the magnitude and importance of the community, there is no reason for preserving an arbitrary limit prescribed under an obsolete condition of things, and the nominal representation may be determined by, and correspond with, the real position of the electors.
XXXIII. Every constituency which is, or shall hereafter be entitled to return a member or members to serve in Parliament, shall be summoned by writ to return so many members as shall be equal to the quotient of the number of the electors of the same constituency, who shall vote at the election thereby directed to be made, divided by the number of the quota for the time being declared and certified according to sections I. and III., hereinbefore contained, and one member for every fractional part of such dividend; and in cases where the number of such electors shall be less than such quota, one member, and no more,—except in cases falling within section XXXII., hereinbefore contained; and it shall not be necessary to specify in the writ otherwise than as aforesaid, the number of members to be returned by any constituency.
The operation of this law will be explained by supposing that in North Cheshire, after an extended franchise, there should be 11,000 voters, and that the quota be 2,000. The number of electors, divided by the quota, gives a quotient of five, and a fractional number, which will make it the duty of the sheriff to return five, and one for the fractional number,
