[036-199v]

1821 July 12

Codification Offer

'9.

Custom would prove the necessity of civil lists for idiot services of the lowest intellect: what should it be for d o of the highest?

To no one of all those to whom /who/, for services the most perfectly useless or the most inordinately worse than useless have been in the habit /custom/ of looking to factitious reward in all its shapes as a means not only of subsistence but of preeminence could any such notions as these fail of being in the highest degree unacceptable /[...?]/. For the alledged necessity of factitious reward they would find in custom a plea as well /a most efficient/acceptable/ a plea and the only one /adapted to their purpose/.