only way to be quiet in Parliament was always to vote with the Ministry, and never to take a place."[75] [74] "Institute of the Laws of England," 4th part, p. 3. [75] Sir H. C. Robinson's "Diary and Reminiscences," vol. ii. pp. 315-6. No doubt the member of Parliament enjoys many privileges which are denied to the mere layman. He is stimulated by the excitement of participating in a perpetual political conflict; he delights in the intellectual pleasure of hearing the most interesting questions of the day debated by the shrewdest men of the age; he is conscious of being in a sense a public benefactor, with a direct (if somewhat slight) influence upon the policy of his country. He is given a front seat in what Mr. Biggar once called the "best theatre in London," and there is always the chance that some day he may himself be cast for a leading part in that great political drama which is performed night after night on the boards of the Theatre Royal, Westminster. Politics--"l'art de mentir à propos," as Voltaire defined them--may have their origin in the perversity rather than in the grandeur of the human soul, but the attraction they exercise over the average Englishman is very great.[76] But for the privileges of a parliamentary career--one of the worthiest to which a patriot can devote himself, in Mr. Balfour's opinion--a heavy price has to be paid, and to the toll of toil and treasure levied by Parliament must be added the sacrifice of independence as well as of time. [76] Moore wrote to Lady Donegal in 1807: "I begin at last to find out that _politics_ is the only thing minded in this country, and that it is better even to _rebel_ against government than have nothing to do with it." "Memoirs," vol. i. p. 225.