Feb 1808

D + B

on L d Eldon's Bill

Reasons necessary

I. Principles

After these exceptions, capable of being peremptory where they apply, but in reality seldom applicable, reason in matters of law, it may be safely said, can never be out of season.

But though useful at all times, time is a circumstance that will give to the utility of this decoration /ornament//accompaniment/ a different shape, according as the times /season/ prepared for the application of it is anterior or posterior to the establishment of the law. proposed law or article of law.

The practice of annexing reasons to a proposed mass of new law, annexing reasons in this way to a proposed law, as regularly as in the House of Lords they are annext to an appeal, and that, at a period antecedent to the exhibition of it in the form of a Bill, conceived in terminus requiring nothing but the legislative sanction /force/ to render it with the properties of a law - this practice I conceive /let us suppose to have been//let it for arguments sake/ be supposed to have been actually established: - in the practice thus established may be observed /discovered/ the following distinguishable uses -