Scarce Essay on the English Constitution Advocating a Greater Degree of Royal Influence Twiss, Horace [1787-1849]. Influence or Prerogative? Being an Attempt to Remove Certain Popular Misconceptions Respecting the Present State of the British Constitution and Government. London: Printed for J. Hatchard, 1812. 94 pp. Octavo (8-1/4" x 5"). Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into recent stiff wrappers, printed paper title label to front cover. Some toning, light foxing to a few leaves, light soiling to title page and verso of final leaf. "The Lord Viscount Palmerston with the Author's Compliments" to head of title page, interior otherwise clean. $500. * Only edition. A presentation copy to Lord Palmerston. The author defends the influence of the Crown in the scheme of British Parliamentary government; without it the Prerogative would have to be revived. In his conservative view of the constitution and its core concept of checks and balances, the increasing influence of the Crown is indicative of the growing power of Commons and consequently the need to maintain equilibrium. Twiss was called to the bar in 1811 and later served as King's Counsel. As an author he is remembered for his life of Lord Eldon and for a number of literary works. This is his first publication relating to the law. OCLC locates 2 copies in North America, neither in law libraries. Not in Sweet & Maxwell.
Book number 61039