14 Nov 1814

Influence

Addenda

Ch. Rulers adverse interest

1

“ I have no interest but that of my people - I have no interest but that of my people. Not alone /only/ do Kings continue to trumpet and blazon forth this transparent falshood, but their self nominated advisers of all sorts officially /authoritatively/ appointed and self-appointed echo the same sound. Sire you have no interest - Kings, ye have no interest , but that of your people. Thus in the garb and with the language of so many Members, they perform, knowingly or unknowingly the office of sycophants. In form - in all the forms of grammar - addressed to the ruler of the ruling few, in effect they are addressed /directed/ to the subject many. By no logic by no rhetoric will the Monarch be persuaded that he will be happier by repressing the desire /ruling passion/ of his life or the desire of the moment, be it what it may, than by gratifying them: by no logic, by no logic will he be persuaded {that it is more his interest to repress his desires than to gratify /and not to satisfy/ them} that it is his interest not to gratify /to satisfy/ his desires but to repress them, so long as the qualification is unattended /neither productive neither/ with either resistance on the part of the people nor so much as any murmur or complaints or murmurs loud enough to make him apprehensive for his personal power[?] or tranquillity. {But the people} But John Bull - when these fine sentiments /this rhetoric/ salute his eyes or his ears, the breast of John Bull is filled with delectation: {on him it operates as a lullaby} in this sweet lullaby he beholds a certificate of the virtue of the Monarch - of the excellence of the Constitution - and a bond of the security of all those who are happy enough to live under it.