1821. April 26.

First Lines

Constitutional Finance?

II. Remains to be shown how it is, and whence it is, that the state of moral appropriate aptitude with relation to the functions in question being in the exalted situations in question such as has been described, the conception, commonly entertained in relation to it, has commonly been so opposite to the state of things as thus describeds and thereby so incorrect and opposite to truth. The cause of this delusion may be seen in the influence exercised by the high alliance - by the confederacy of power, factitious dignity, and excessive opulence partly through the medium of corruption, partly through the medium of force and intimidation on those discourses, written as well as oral, particularly those presenting themselves constantly to view in the written form by which information is conveyed, respecting this quarter of the field of thought and action, - in which instruction is sought, and by which opinion and affections are moulded.

Take, in the first place, opulence even in that minor degree of force with which it operates when the field of its operation is confined to private life. Proportioned to the quantity of the matter of opulence which a man has at his command will be the quantity in which those who are in habits with him, or entertain a prospect of being in habits with him, may expect to share. Proportioned to the intensity of their respective appetites for such share will naturally be their endeavour to procure for those appetites their appropriate gratification according to all such means /actions and discourse together/ safe and not disreputable as they see within their reach. Proportioned to the success of such their endeavours will their own self-satisfaction and that gratiude as towards the author of it can scarcely fail, in some way or other, to be the accompaniment of it. In action as well as discourse, more particularly in discourse as being the cheaper article, will this gratitude, real and figned[?] tgether, find expression and give itself vent.