Leafing through the archives the other day I came across this most entertaining article which gives an ideal example of the complexities of parliamentary language.
“By the resolution of the House of Commons expressed on Tuesday night, a great part of the interesting plan of Mr. Whitbread for the amelioration of the condition of the poor is rendered nugatory*. The great object of compelling the establishment of parochial schools being defeated, we are left, of course, just where we hitherto have been in that particular. To pass and Act of Parliament to allow vestries to do, if they think fit, what they have been at no time prevented from doing, is really absurd, or too refined for vulgar comprehension! It is surely strange, that on the occasion of a debate and division on so widely operative and generally interesting a measure, no more than 47 members of the House of Commons should be found in their places – seven more than are necessary for forming a House to pass an inclosure bill!”
Stamford Mercury 24th July, 1807.
* nugatory = of no value