25 Dec r 1809 + '2

Parl y Reform

Ch.6. Parl. Corruption Member[?]

' 3.1 Corruptor, King

2 dependents mind

5

1

'.2. Mischief to the mind of the individual corrupted - habitual insincerity.

The mind - the mind of the individual on this occasion - is the seat of that depravity which on this occasion affords so much matter of lamentation to the hypochondriac and the hypocrite.

For the statement Of the effect of the disorder on the mind of the Member neither will there be much to say /will many words be necessary/.

In so far as by the Member in question /himself/, this sort of dependence and habitual obsequiousness is either {unnoticed} unreflected upon, or believed to be right, in so far the moral part of his mental frame is not injured by it.

Admitting therefore that in so comporting himself he does wrong, yet forasmuch as to himself /to his own eyes/ he appears not to be doing wrong, he will not for the wrong, what he does unknowingly /he does/ in this case be the more likely to do wrong knowingly in another. But unfortunately in this case is comprized the whole field of legislation and government: and the measure being given, and that by the supposition a wrong one, in what part of the frame the cause of the worst[?] /wrong/ be to be looked over, - whether in the moral or the intellectual, does not seem to be of any great importance.

{Note well that it is only at the expence of the intellectual part that the moral part of the frame can be [...?]}
Similar Items
  • Title: [25 Dec r 1809 Parl y Ref m]
    Description: 25 Dec r 1809

    Parl y Ref m

    Ch. Parl. Corrupt Member[?]

    ' 3.1. Corruptor King

    2 Dependents mind

    6

    2

     Insert statement of the corresponding habits of indiscriminate support viz. abuse in Administration, and d o opposition when in Opposition. Shew that both are modifications of corrupt dependence and undue and mischievous obsequiousness.

    But neither can the moral part of his frame be stated as altogether pure.

    Taking the whole parliament through, Many are the /On some/ occasions on which the course taken by the Minister will appear to him to be exactly right: of all courses that on that occasion could have been /be/ taken the one which in the highest degree is most subservient to the public interest.

    But it will be very extraordinary indeed if there be not also occasions, and those in no inconsiderable number on which the course taken by the Minister will not appear to him exactly in that light: instead of the best, it may appear the worst possible, or the impropriety of it may present itself as standing at any intermediate degree of the scale.

    Had he been In a state of independence actuated at the same time by a sense of duty, according to the nature of each objectionable measure he could either have opposed it in toto, or proposed amendments to it.

    In his state of dependence, taking the measure as he finds it, according to the degree of his dependence, he either supports it as it stands, defends /supports/ it - viz by speech as well as vote, or by vote only; or absenting himself, forbears to oppose it: forbears to oppose that which in his own opinion /view of the matter/ ought to be defeated, and ought therefore to be opposed.
  • Title: [1819 April 18 transcribed. This original]
    Description: 1819 April 18 transcribed. This original in 1811.

    Jug. Util. Sub Rev

    Part III. Mischievous tendencies applying to the intellectual portion of man's frame considered as a member of Society.

    Part IV. Mischievous tendencies applying to the moral part of man's frame. Prepared to be added 1819 Apr. 21.
  • Title: [24 Jan y 1810 Parl y. Reform]
    Description: 24 Jan y 1810

    Parl y. Reform

    Ch. 9 Seat Given

    '.2.

    2

    To draw off attention /the battle/ from realities, the artificer of Venus has been resorted to, a number of /divers/ phantoms have been set up /presented/ in the character of serious evils: thus comes the necessity /hence the task/ of shewing that they are phantoms.

    In this case what we see is a man /an individual/ who to obtain a seat in parliament /the House of Commons/ has placed himself for and during his continuance in that situation in a state of dependence under some other individual to whom he is indebted for it. But in the state of things thus produced no mischief worth regarding could be upon an enquiry made without /not exposed to misguidance by/ any personal interest, be discovered. I who derive no advantage from this state of things can not perceive in it any mischief worth regarding: any such self inculpative perception with /on/ degree /ground/ of reason can I ascribe it to a person whose eyes even if there were any mischief in the case would so naturally be closed against /turned aside from/ it.

    I do not see any thing wrong in it: how can I suppose that he does. Doing as he does, he has no conception of his doing anything wrong: even admitting thus what can not be admitted /is he [...?] to be/, that there is something wrong, and in that respect that there exists a corresponding spot in the intellectual part of his frame, yet to the moral part which alone is here in question it extends not.