date

7 June 1810 1 §.6 Influence
7 June 1810 1 §.6

Influence

Ch. Mischief

§.6. Ghost-seeing

3 o

1

11

1

He who points out an imperfection is shamed as a disturber of the peace.

Among those whose good or ill fortune it is to labour under a natural twist of the understanding there is one set in whom the phalanx on the defender of abuse beholds and finds a set of natural allies and confederates.

This is a compound of those whom, unaccompanied /unprovided/ with any adequate acquaintance with the texture of that business into the management of which they intrude themselves of that government in which they undertake /presume/ to bear a part, the love of power, to be exercised, of the interest /at the suggestion/ or the humour of the moment, has introduced into the House. Understanding nothing, they are alarmed at every thing. The frame of the government they have read in Blackstone is all perfect and past all power of amendment to improve it. + To what causes /In what circumstances/ in particular this excellence has its cause they are alike unable and unwilling to enquire. Causes, uninfluencing circumstances, and obstructions /obstacles/ all are set down alike /on the same line/ in their catalogues of causes.

Nothing can be more commodious than this disposition /frame/ /theory/ of mind to assuming and overbearing ignorance. Without {any} self denial they are virtuous: without the /any/ expence of thinking they are wise. He who should presume to point out any distinction as above would be regarded as an enemy, he who thus endeavours to inform their understanding is treated as a disturber of the peace. He draws upon them for the exercise of faculties which they do not possess, if he puts them into the condition of bankrupts, if he humbles /lowers/ them if in public /the House/, in the eyes of others: if in the /even if in the secrecy of the closet/, in their own eyes.

It is all perfect, or all blindness I,

It has no faults, or I can none descry

+ No distinction will they allow themselves to observe between any of the most beneficient and any the most inconvenient points in it /features of it/.
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