21 Jan y. 1810

Parl y. Reform

Influence

Ch.2. Influence

'.1.

9

9

Of /To/ the influence of will over will any effectual exercise /submission/ /self-exposure/ is as hath been shewn altogether incompatible with the due exercise of this trust: altogether repugnant to the design[?] of its institution the purpose for which it was instituted.

To any exercise /submission/ of the influence of understanding on understanding no such incompatibility no such repugnance can be objected /imputed/: the case /the only case/ in which any such incompatibility any such repugnance could with reason be imputed is the direct contrary case, viz. if on the occasion in question not to speak of other occasions the influence of understanding on understanding were excluded or endeavoured to be excluded.

When on a question either of fact or law or fact arguments are heard by a Judge - of what does such hearing consist but this, viz. on the part of the Judge an exposure of his own understanding to whatsoever influence may come to be exercised on it by the understandings of the arguers? the suitors if they plead their own causes, the advocates if they employ advocates?

So (to come nearer the mark) in the case of such debates as have place in a legislature or other political assembly. What is it that any speaker does in his speech what at any rate does he profess to do, but by the view he gives of the operations of his own understanding and all operations to exercise whatsoever influence it may be in his power to exercise over the understanding of his hearers?