1818 July 5

Parl. Ref. Bill

Reasons

II. Electors Who

Universality

People after them rulers

2

34

Now in the breast of the democracy, this cardinal element (cardinal virtue it used to be called) is {always} at its maximum: in the breast of /an/ a Monarchy at its minimum: in the breast of an aristocracy in a quantity growing less and less as the aristocracy approaches nearer and nearer to the condition of a Monarchy. The particular interests of the Monarchist and of the Aristocrat, are in direct opposition to the universal interest: what is the consequence? that of the other two elements viz appropriate intellectual aptitude and appropriate active talent whatsoever portions are possessed by these two adversaries /opponents/ are sure to be employed - every occasion in which the opposition of interests has place, and it has place on almost every occasion - in support of the interests thus adverse to that of the people: to be thus employed, and thereby to be employed in giving continually encreased facility and extension to the sacrifice made of the more extended to the less extended interests.

But in this respect as it was in the beginning, so it is now, and shall /will continue to/ be to the end. Man must be transformed into a being totally different from what he is before any change in this particular can take /have/ place.
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    Q.1. The British Constitution is what is in reality or at least in appearance a mixt Monarchy: a Monarchy with a mixture of democracy and Aristocracy in it. But now if, to proceed /in continuation of our enquiry/, I am to ask you in /by/ what arrangements in it that degree of admiration with which you acknowledge yourself to contemplate is produced, you will tell me, perhaps, that the question has been already answered? and that it is by that portion /part/ of the mixture which consists in democracy that the whole stock of this sentiment of yours is engrossed.

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    II. Aristocracy © Member of an Aristocracy.

    Aristocracy © pure Aristocracy without a Monarch over it, belongs not to the present occasion. It is confined to the Aristocratical Cantons of Switzerland: governments which can not be charged with professing liberal ideas.

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    1. Aristocracy constituted by official power belonging to the executive branch © aristocracy of power

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    4. Aristocracy constituted by present opulence © aristocracy of wealth

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