[xxxvi. 130]

1822 June 29

Constitut. Code

Supreme Operative

I. Monarch

1. Morals

Interest sinister

?. Monarchs interest how far opposite to, how far coincident with the universal interest

A community of interest (it may be said) has place between a Monarch and his subjects: and this community of interest will suffice for securing them against ill treatment at his hands: nay: for securing to them the best treatment in his power. True. There is a community of interest between a Post master and his Post-horses: but this community of interest does /suffices/ not suffice for saving them from an untimely death at the end of a life of torment. The interest which a Monarch has in common with his subjects is not sufficient to render him in general so well disposed towards his subjects as a Post master is to his Post-horses. By the horses nothing is usually done by which irritation and hatred towards them are produced in the breast of the Master. By the subjects much is constantly done by which irritation and hatred and continually renewed irritation is produced in the breast of the Monarch.

Spite of whatsoever there is in common between the two interests In the breast of every Monarch the tendency of his disposition is at all times and in all places to produce the greatest infelicity of the greatest number. Such is every where the tendency necessarily produced by his situation: and such every where, except in so far as accidental circumstances have risen up in opposition to such tendency has been, and so long as a Monarchy exists upon the face of the earth will be - the effect.

The more particularly the several shapes in which interest has place in the two situations are examined into - the several departments in the field of legislation to which it applies are examined into, the less numerous and extensive the seats of coincidence, the more numerous and extensive the seats of opposition as between the two interests will be seen to be.