2 Jan y 1810 +

Parl y. Reform

{Influence}

Ch.2.

'.1.

1

1

Ch.2. Of Influence - what proper, what sinister.

Dialogue.

'.1.

Objector. In this there is /seems to be/ something plausible at least but in the mean time /after and from all this/, what are we to think of influence?

In the case /station/ of Member of Parliament - in the station of parliamentary Elector in neither of these stations is there any room, understand any legitimate and proper room - for the exercise of influence?

Author. O yes: room, aye /yes/ and legitimate and proper room - room for legitimate and proper and due influence, in abundance.

For this purpose however, a distinction must at the very outset marked out /brought to view/: and by the help of this distinction, in what cases influence may rightly be termed legitimate and proper, in what others illegitimate and improper, not to mention as yet /here/ certain other epithets which there may be occasion for will be rendered manifest beyond dispute.

The influence of which the impropriety has already been brought to view is the influence of will over or on will. whatsoever influence is exercised on the will of one man considered as acting in either of those stations - in the exercise of either of those public trusts - by the will of any other individual /person/, whether in the like station or in any other. Influence thus exercising itself may as the convenience of discourse requires, be designated by any one of a variety of epithets, viz. illegitimate, improper, as above, sinister, undue, not to speak as yet of corrupt or corruption, of which presently