[clxiv. 269]

1820. Sept r. 6

Emancipation Spanish

Summary.

?. Corruptive influence

or Domination impossible?

It follows not that because where circumstances admitt of it a Republic is the only good form of government, your rulers did wrong in putting up with a Monarchy or that they would not have done wrong had they tried for a republic. Had they made any such experiment, I can not /I feel how incompetent I am to/ see /see not/ what chance they could have had to bring /of bringing/ it to bear. Now the Mixt Monarchy is on its legs, as little do I see what chance there could be of preponderant good, from any attempt to overturn /overthrow/ it. All I mean to say is - that whatever change there is /should there be any change/, just so far as it operates in favour of the Monarchical or the Aristocratical part /Monarchy or Aristocracy/ its effects will be evil, just in so far as it operates /its operation is/ in favour of the power of the people, good: and that as by insensible changes when once established it can not fail to be brought nearer to /back in its way to/ despotism, so by sensible changes, so they be not violent ones when and as opportunity offers, to bring it nearer to republicanism, the opportunity should not be suffered to pass /let slip/ unimproved.