1[?] Jan y 1810

Parl y Reform

1 '.4.

Ch.12. IV Bribery of [...?]

'.4.

'.4. Mischief to Bribe giver's mind

10

1

'.4. Mischief to the Bribe giver's mind.

{For shortness this section may vie with one /a chapter/ of Montesquieu.}

If the conduct of him by whom, for a vote /given/ on a particular occasion given, given in a "dry and sordid" shape is received as scandalous, need {the state of} his mind in respect thereof reputed /deemed and taken/ tainted and contaminated, the mind of him by whom the "dry and sordid matter" is administered, will not it is perceived be to be found in a state very distinguishably /clearly/ /in any very high degree/ different?

Of what quality so ever the effect be which is produced or endeavoured to be produced , the concurrence /action/ of both these agents is employed in or towards the production of it.

But the situation of the bribes being /is/ that of donor, and the situation of the person bribed /corrupted/ being that of one who at his hands has received /receives/ a benefit - the briber /corruptor/ the person in whose breast the design which is brought to bear originated being moreover the corruptor, the situation of the corrupted party seems in general to be considered as being of the two the most scandalous, that of the corrupt or the least scandalous.

Much however in this as in all other cases depends upon "greatness of character" and "height of situation": insomuch that, if in the case in question the predicament /behaviour/ of him to whom the bribe /matter of corruption/ is administered be of the two commonly deemed and taken to be the more scandalous, that of him by whom it is administered the less scandalous, and the "taint and contamination" of the mind less deep and dark coloured, it is only because, and therefore in so far as the person by whom the said matter of corruption is administered is more apt to belong to the class of great characters than to the class of humans[?], or other little ones.