" Did you think that Mr. Browborough would be convicted of bribery by a jury?” “No, indeed,” answered Lord Cantrip. “And can you tell me why?” “Because there was no earnestness in the matter, — either with the Attorney-General or with any one else.” “And yet,” said Mr. Gresham, “Grogram is a very earnest man when he believes in his case. No member of Parliament will ever be punished for bribery as for a crime till members of Parliament generally look upon bribery as a crime. We are very far from that as yet. I should have thought a conviction to be a great misfortune.” “Why so?” “Because it would have created ill blood, and our own hands in this matter are not a bit cleaner than those of our adversaries. We can’t afford to pull their houses to pieces before we have put our own in order. The thing will be done; but it must, I fear, be done slowly, — as is the case with all reforms from within. "

― Anthony Trollope , Complete Works of Anthony Trollope