8 Oct r 1809

Parl y Reform

B. I. Necessity

Ch. Occasional inadequate

§.2. Changes, inadequate

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4

If their will were with any degree of regularity and constancy their will were

called forth into exercise, then and then only it would be worth their while {to

qualify themselves for the task} to put and keep their minds /understandings/ in a

state of fitness for the task. There and then the art of exercising their will in

relation to this part of their business /executing this part of their business/ with

advantage to themselves would occupy a regular part of their attention would

constitute a part of their study, would occupy an adequate part of their social

intercourse: would form even a part of their education at the dawn of manhood.

At present /As it is/ /In the present state of things/ it is but once in a course of

years that any such call upon the people for the exercise of their judicial faculties

has place. What is the consequence? That of the documents of the body of evidence

bearing upon the question scarce a hundredth part meets their eyes: and when it does

it finds their judgment inert /awkward/ and impotent /feeble/ for want of exercise.

Their affections as hath just been seen are in that state in which they are most apt

to delude /draw astray/ /pervert / their judgment, and their judgment is in that

state in which it is most apt /liable/ /exposed/ to be perverted.

[In margin:] the thread of events has not been carried on /wound up/ regularly in

their minds /a man’s mind/: