[clxiv. 167]

1820 June 22

Emancipation Spanish

?. Interests opposite?

King worst not best.

F. King, not the best man, but the worst.

All Geography - all History all reasoning deduced from both shews /All History and all Geography concurr in shewing it/ - that the more extensive and uncontrouled a mans power is, the less is his sympathy for other men in general, especially for those who are most immediately subject to such his power, and the more intense and unbridled and exclusive his regard for self for his self-regarding interest. If then by /to the word/ excellence is attached any such meaning as that of the existence of regard for the happiness of others in a larger proportion to regard for self that is commonly found in human breasts, the very last situation in a Monarchy to which it ought in reason to be ascribed is that of the Monarch himself: in that of day-labourer, pauper, or even criminal, in respect of almost any crime would /might/ it with more reason be expected to be found.

In the history of Rome under the Emperors, history presents us with a set of men who with here and there an exception, at least as to degree present /afford/ the most striking exemplification of any we are familiar with of depravity in that shape in which it stands most exactly opposite to excellence as above explained To cut the matter short they are not uncommonly denoted by some mark of strong and unmeasured mark of vituperation /condemnation and abhorrence/ such as is contained in the word monsters. But among the Monarchs /of the Monarchies/ of Asia in general monstrosity not inferior has in all times and places been the predominant character. Of this The style in which the intercourse between them and their subjects is carried on affords of itself sufficient

evidence.