[clxiv. 169]

1820 June 22

Emancipation Spanish

?. Interests opposite

King worst, not best

No man of common discernment who has ever had access to see them when off their stilts can have been at a loss to see /failed to observe/ that with the exception of here and there one who has been kept /bound/ to his good behaviour in the early part of his life, by some circumstances of distress and difficulty, by which he has been kept in a state of comparative dependence they are instead of being above par below par in every thing to which, with reference to its influence on the condition of mankind the name of excellence can consistently with common sense be applied

With all this before their eyes, under every Monarchy, but in no country so conspicuously as in this, do the ruling few concurr in ascribing to men in this situation - to all men without exception or distinction in this same situation that distinguishing quality which the most unobservant and stupid and unobservant can scarcely avoid perceiving can never have belonged or be about to belong to any one.

And this - those of them who have any reflection - to what intent? Undeniably to this - namely that considering the share they are continually either enjoying or looking for in the extortion and depredation committed /continually practiced/ for his benefit, whatsoever may be the share of power they happen respectively to possess, the exaltation of his to a pitch thus extravagant is regarded by them as necessary to the maintenance of it.