[lxxxiv. 67]

1821 Decr 16

Codification Proposal

20

Appendix

Lawyers interest

Suppose the existence of an appositely framed all©comprehensive body of law with its rationale, no man would see any use in applying to a professional lawyer for advice as to the question of law: every thing that belongs to the subject would be /lie/ as perfectly within the reach of any one man /the non©lawyer/ as of any other /the lawyer/: in this subject as in any other a man of weak judgment might have /feel the/ need of assistance from a man of stronger judgment: but in search of one, instead of a paid lawyer he would apply to an unpaid friend

To this same purpose /above purposes/ what is required by lawyers interest is © that which, in respect of justice it is as repugnant /detrimental/ as possible to the interest of the greatest number the state of the law should by them be regarded as being as highly contributory to that same end as possible: the state of the law and the disposition and practice /conduct/ of those employed in the act /practice/ or pretence of giving due execution and whose, duty it is to give due execution and effect to it lest in proportion as a contrary opinion prevailed, endeavours should be and to [...?] render the law more apt to its professed end, and to diminish the sacrifice made by lawyers of the universal to their own particular and sinister interest.

In regard to the state of the law in respect of appropriate aptitude and the state of mind the disposition and conduct of lawyers of the class of men employed in the practice or pretence of giving due execution and effect to it, © what the interest of the greatest number requires is © that the conception entertained should be as clear, as correct, as comprehensive and these clear correct and comprehensive conceptions as exclusively entertained as possible: that thus in so far as the law itself fails /is deficient/ in respect of appropriate apptitude, and the conduct of these functionaries there belonging to it fails is deficient in respect of moral aptitude, the endeavour to supply the deficiency may be as extensive, as strenuous and as persevering as possible.)