1822 June 12

Economy etc

Of this process to be at once correct and upon attentive inspection clear thus abstract must be the /any/ description given in words, but nothing can be more frequent, commensurately[?] /perfectly/ practical and familiar, than the exemplifications given of it. For the performance of it, on the part of the individual corrupted no extraordinary degree of intellectual aptitude - no use[?] so much as the most ordinary human intelligence is requisite /necessary/: the degree of intellectual aptitude universally possessed by all domestic animals of an inferior degree is quite sufficient. In any one of the Streets of London observation made of /taking/ the appointed time, behold the sort of commercial intercourse that has place between three parties - the Cats meat barrow woman, the householder and the cats. The hour arrived, the interesting receptacle /vehicle/ makes its appearance, the householder and the cats repair to their respective doors at each door, as the vehicle arrives at that latitude /alongside of it/, the householder sallies forth, pays the purchase money for the ration, and places it within the reach of the four legged domestic functionary. On the mind of this useful functionary whose office is no sinecure, true it is that no such sinister conduct the idea of which is invoked in the import of the word corruption, can with truth and justice be said to have place. But the purpose for which this example is produced is the shewing that to produce the requisite association betwixt conduct in a certain shape on the one part /side/ conduct in a different but correspondent shape on the other, no verbal explanation, no verbal discourse, such as that the proof of which has been required for a mans conviction of the species of offences called bribery is necessary At a certain time of the day, or upon the hearing of a certain sound the sound of the barrow, or upon the sight of that vehicle its directrix and its contents, the watchful functionary on making his /her/ appearance at the door has been in the habit of receiving his ration: no speech affording the assurance that in the event of his making his appearance on the spot the ration will be placed within his reach has unless by accident ever been addressed to him either by his employer or by his purveyor. Yet of his part of the contract, the performance has not been the less punctual, or the less effectual.

[Marginal note]

Far be it from this pen to degrade the ever watchful faithful functionary to the level of an English King, an English House of Right Honorable Lords or an English Member of Honorable House