be obtained is not to compel the representative to decide agreeably to the opinions of his constituents, for that would be compelling him often to decide against his better judgment; but it is to force him to decide with a single view to the public good. It is by leaving him unshackled with positive instructions, while he is subject to the ultimate tribunal of the opinion of his constituents, that the end in view is to be accomplished of bringing into action, in the proceedings of the legislature, the greatest practicable quantity of intelligence under the guidance of the purest disposition to promote the welfare of the community. The view which Burke takes of the relation between a representative and his constituents is in the main so correct, and is so luminously expressed, that no one can read it without pleasure and instruction. The passage occurs in his celebrated speech at Bristol on the conclusion of the poll. “Certainly, gentlemen,” he says, “it ought to be the happiness and glory of a representative to live in the strictest union, the closest correspondence, and the most unreserved communication with his constituents. Their wishes ought to have great weight with him; their opinion high respect; their business unremitted attention. It is his duty to sacrifice his repose, his pleasures, his satisfactions to theirs; and above all, ever and in all cases to prefer their interest to his own. But his unbiased opinion, his matured judgment, his enlightened conscience, he ought not to sacrifice to you, to any man, or to any set of men living. These he does not derive from your pleasure; no, nor from the law and the constitution. They are a trust from Providence, for the abuse of which he is deeply answerable. Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion.” Neither the Constitution of the United States, nor that of Switzerland, vests anywhere any power of dissolution of the legislative body. The Swiss Assembly is chosen for a definite time; when that time is up it dissolves by the operation of the law; before that time is up no power can lawfully dissolve it.