1822 May 12

Economy etc

Q. What, if any, are the circumstances by which with reference to this function a

member of the community is rendered destitute of /divested of/ the requisite and

indispensable portion of intellectual aptitude viz in the shape of scientific

and judicial aptitudes

A. Yes: namely 1. Immaturity in respect of age

2. Destituteness or insufficiency in respect of that branch of art and science of

appropriate scientific aptitude which is necessary to enable the constitutive

functionary to form a judgment concerning /in relation to/ the aggregate

appropriate aptitude absolute and comparative of a person proposed for the

situation of member of the body of supremely operative functionaries, in a word

the art of reading, and /with the addition of the art/ of writing as applied to

the signature of his own name: provided alway that in a number sufficient to

constitute an interest not different /disagreeing/ from the universal interest

members endowed with the [...?] of art and science are in a condition to

exercise the function

Q. What in the scale of age is the point below which the greatest happiness

principle requires that immaturity with reference to this function be presumed.

A. That point, below which persons in general are regarded as not possessed of

knowledge and judgment sufficient to enable them to take the general direction

of their own conduct.

Q. What is that age?

A. On this point fixation can not be other than in a great degree arbitrary and

casual Custom may therefore be allowed to determine. Under Rome bred law the age

thus fixt is five and twenty years; under English-bred law, one and twenty. One

and twenty seems full long enough, five and twenty much too long. Where no clear

decision is given by reason /Reason silent or hesitating/, custom should on

every occasion decide the scale. By departure from custom, disappointment is

produced: and by disappointment, disquietude, meanness, pain.