1820 Feb. 17

Radicalism not dangerous

III. Experience

II. Ireland

Radicalism origin of

Reputed Instruments of felicity

1. Money

2. Power

2

The quantity of felicity produced in any human breast by these objects of general desire does not rise /encrease/ in any proportion to the quantity of the aggregate mass of them. It is always a question whether in the breast of an average Monarch in an unlimited monarchy the quantity of felicity be twice as great as that in the breast of an average day-labourer in constant employment is always questionable: that it is so much ten times as great, no man it is believed will look upon him to assert with confidence.

This being agreed, a consequence is that in every community the quantity of felicity will be the greater the nearer the approach to equality is in the manner in which they /such of them as are divisible,/ are divided.

Of these several instruments of felicity and objects of general desire the only essential and permanent ones /articles/ /ones that are susceptible of division/ are money and power: these accordingly are the only ones which have a necessary place under every system of government.

Considered as appendages of government /political power/ factitious dignity, vengeance and ease, are characteristic of bad government.

Factitious dignity is the fruit of /product /offspring/ of/ pure illusion on the one part, and of imposture on the other. The effect of it in so far as it has any is purely mischievous. Suppose money, and power /its preeminence on money and preeminence on power together with factitious dignity/ altogether absent, the portion of respect and affection each man possesses - the portion of natural dignity each man possesses, will be dependent on his good behaviour will depend on the degree in which the virtues of /virtue of beneficence in conjunction with that of prudence, including/ self-regarding prudence are regarded as being present in or wanting to his conduct.