1819 Aug. 21

Disfranchisement

Apology for the Borough-mongers, or Defence of Reform

2

behold[?] this delusion is dissipated, all conception[?]

will be inadequate inefficient[?]

To all those whose power has /terrorism/ for its sole or principal ground terrorism, it is manifest how acceptable this delusion – and thence the phrases which is /are/ /the figure and the phrases which are/ the vehicle of it can not but be: in proportion as it prevails, it points the whole force of reform against their rivals, leaving their own power untouched. It suits them as possessors of landed opulence; it suits them as men of taste: for pretensions to taste, i.e. to a share in the monopoly of /exclusive possession of the endowment of/ good taste, is one of the features of aristocracy, and naturally not to say necessarily accompanied with insolence and intolerance: with those antisocial vices for the display of which the word serves as a pretence. Being associated with the ideas of stench and putrefaction – with the idea of putrefaction, and thence with that of stench, it excites disgust: and it is in consideration of this disgust that it is condemned: condemned by many a man, who so it were not mischievous to himself and his own circle, would care little or nothing in what degree it were mischievous to the community at large. to any body else