[xxxvi. 15]

1821. April 9.

First Lines

So much for moral aptitude. Now as to intellectual aptitude and active talent.

1. The greater the quantity in value a man has of those good things which are the fruits of the labour of others, the less the need he has of labour on his own part: the less therefore will his frame, whichever part of it, bodily or mental be in question, be inured to labour. But, other circumstances equal, intellectual aptitude will be in proportion to labour.

Accordingly, in every department in which the waste and corruption of Government has furnished pay enough for both, you will see two sorts of men in pairs: viz. 1. the man who bears the title and cuts the figure doing nothing of the business: 2. the unopulent man who bears no title, cuts no figure, and cuts /does/ no /all the/ business.

3. in general, the greater

And so likewise in regard to active talent /aptitude/.

3. The greater the exercise given to the will, the less the exercise given to the understanding.

The Monarch is all will: understanding is wanting to him. Will occupies itself about the end, understanding about the means. All the Monarch has to do is to look out for ends: for objects suited to his fancy and his taste. To find out means for the obtainment of those objects belongs to others: to the two legged and featherless instruments of his pleasure.

Of the Right Honourable House - of the Honourable House - the members are, each of them, a fraction of a Monarch - a Monarch in miniature. Accordingly, in neither situation, has reason, fruit of the labour of the understanding, any effective place. By collision of wills it is, not by collision of understandings, that every result is produced. When argument, or any thing which has the semblance of it is exhibited, it is only for appearance sake: for any such delusion, as it is thought these may be a convenience in propogating without doors.