1819 May 13. + A Esp. 9

Disfranchising

Disfranchising

§.5 Evil 4. Multiplying Country Members

2

1

1

☞. Employ the modes of aptitude, as being at first, or not till after the deduction?

Their aptitude is in their acres and their ancestors

§.5. Evil 4. Encreasing the members of a class preeminently destitute of appropriate aptitude: namely Country Gentlemen /Members/.

1. As far as it goes it makes bad worse: {or rather that which so long as the present system continues is relatively good it suppresses /extinguishes/ and puts what is worst and worst in its place.}

In respect of the cast of persons it tends to introduce its tendency is to substitute to men of all occupations taken promiscuously the class of Country Gentlemen.

Now in respect of every one of the three elements of appropriate aptitude, this class is with reference to the interest of the people the most inapt

1. In respect of appropriate probity. Their characteristic /distinguishing/ interest is a permanent aristocratical interest, opposite to the interest of the people. They are constantly on the look out for money if not for themselves for their dependent relations and other dependents of all classes for offices cloathed with emoluement and especially for those sinecures for the obtainment of which the name of Holy Ghost is profaned by richly rewarded blasphemy, the matter of factitious dignity, Knighthoods, Baronetcies and Peerages for themselves and families. Members of that legion of which the name is Aristocracy – they are continually on their knees before that prince of evil spirits whose name is Monarchy: ready to sacrifice upon its altars on each occasion the blood and treasure of the people of that people whom they hate and despise as much as their fears will let them.

Secure in possession of their acres, they will /can/ never cease to regard themselves as secure in the possession of those /their/ seats: of those seats, in which the terrific and corruptive influence conferred by their acres, will never cease to force those who are subject to it to place them.

Apology for Borough Mongers

{With such of my friends whose favourite watch-word is Borough-mongers I agree in regarding as […?] and receptacles of corruption those who deal in /whose traffic is in these/ Borough Seats. But I can not /it is not in my power to/ agree with them if it be their opinion that, when the vote a man gives is not that which he would give, if neither good nor evil to himself in his individual capacity were a looked for consequence of his vote, it is better the vote should be the result of the fear of evil, than of the receipt or hope of good. Hawkins[?] &[?] Lopez[?] friend.}