[clxvii. 228]

1820. July 30

Rid yourselves of Ultramaria

'.20 Conclusion

Spaniards! you shut your eyes, you stop your ears. But your eyes, had you ever put them out, your ear-drums had you ever broken them, would the nature of things be changed by it? Are ends to be accomplished by pertinacity without means? Are all virtues reduced to one, and that one the blind and selfish appetite for power?

Spaniards! the name of Bentham is not altogether unknown to you. Soon you shall see what, in the year 1793, and of course in vain, that diligent and veteran labourer in the vineyard of legislation endeavoured to present, on this same subject, to the people of France. Spain could not, on that occasion, have been in his view. But whether among the arguments which, on that occasion, were applied by him to that neighbouring country, there may not be some that would be found applicable to your's /own/, may be not unworthy of your consideration. Whatever interest is misleading you, I may now have he, at any rate, /he at that time could have/ had none.

Sober operations - operations of arithmetic, such as those suggested - think whether they are the suggestions of an enemy! Think (not that it matters any thing to the argument) - Think /if it seems to you worth your while - think now/ whether you have an enemy in

Philo-Hispanus.