[part in copyist’s hand]

1819 March 15 C 1 + +

To Erskine

II. People’s Error

Error 4. Influence

6

1

5

{5. Error 5. Considering “as unjust and illegal” “influences”, “what in all free and popular elections must form the very nature of human affairs, perpetually exist.”

Observations.

Here I must acknowledge here, at the very opening of the sentence, I feel myself in no small perplexity: and the farther I travel in it, the thicker the perplexity. So much insinuated; so little, if any thing, asserted: so many ideas put together and given as one ideas which I should have wished to have seen separated:- some which – (but I see with how little effect) – I had used my weak endeavour to put and to keep asunder ... What – what shall I do! I know not how to fix the colours of cameleons: I am not used to grope for eels. Well. I must e’en transcribe the whole paragraph as it stands, before I can venture to apply so much as one word more to it!}

“Another great error seems to have prevailed during the late Election, which strikes || at the very form and condition of social life; influences being considered as unjust

and illegal, which in all free and popular Elections must, from the very nature of human affairs, perpetually exist. It may not indeed, it can not always happen, that every man in Westminster, who pays to the public taxes, has had leisure, amidst laborious occupations, to consider the claims of Candidates to distinction and preference: such persons may fairly trust in the opinions and repose in the wishes of their benefactors, their employers, and friends, and it is not corruption in enlightened men, who can see clearly the interests of their Country, to use their influence with persons less qualified to investigate those subjects: but whether I am right or wrong in this, it always did and always must happen in popular Elections, unless God shall be pleased completely to recast the nature and character of man. If, upon the late election, influences were exerted which the law prohibits, I hope they will be detected and punished, and a new Election awarded; but, beyond that, it is useless and even childish to complain.”

|| Note

|| ... “ which strikes”: which /by the word/ being I suppose meant – not the last antecedent, namely “ the last Election”, but an anterior antecedent, to wit “ Another great error”.