[ clxvii. 212]

1821 March 2 7

Rid Yourselves

Adopter's Justification

Meantime these when added tpgether make but a small part of the whole number of the imperfections which, if my eyes do not deceive me I have discovered in this momentous work: a small volume would not suffice for any thing like a full display of them. Corresponding amendment would have to be proposed: amendment in all its classes: subtraction, addition, substitution.

Were the volume a folio, and every line of it a distinct and incontrovertible truth, the /tribute of/ approbation I have given to the several nations by which the same Code has been adopted would not be the less sincere.

If of either of the importance or of the extent of a legislative provision /arrangement/ the number of words employed in giving expression to it were regarded as a time measure, minute indeed would be that portion of the Code to which any approbation from me could consistently with sincerity be applied. /bestowed/ Such is the only measure recognized by /among/ our sham /spurious/ and self-appointed legislators in whose vocabulary reflection is synonynous to theory, and theory Jacobinism and blasphemy. Measuring the field of legislation by this measure, although the English penal code is not less defective in its provision than it is tyrannical, it is upon the multitude of the /penally inflicting/ laws that they lay all the blame, not upon their barbarity or their momentous ineptitude with relation to /in the duration of means/ their professed and to their real and actual ends.