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Subject Area: Economics
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EDITOR’S NOTE. - Jeremy Bentham, The Works of Jeremy Bentham, vol. 3 [1843]

Edition used:

The Works of Jeremy Bentham, published under the Superintendence of his Executor, John Bowring (Edinburgh: William Tait, 1838-1843). 11 vols. Vol. 3.

Part of: The Works of Jeremy Bentham, 11 vols.

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EDITOR’S NOTE.

The ensuing Work was the last upon which its Author was engaged: his career was closed whilst he was employed upon it. The manuscript was left in a very unfinished state; and some imperfections will still be observed, which under other circumstances would have been removed. It is not deemed necessary to point these out more particularly; the subject is mentioned only that they may not be considered as having been overlooked.

The work was written at different periods in 1829, 1830, and 1831: and the Author’s original plans appear to have undergone some modifications. Thus, in consequence of the expected Petitions for the institution of the Court not being presented, new arrangements were necessary: a note on this subject will be found at the commencement of the tenth section.

The eight first sections of the Bill were sent to press and prepared for publication by the Author himself: some additional matter has however since been found and inserted, and some minor alterations have been introduced from notes made by him at later periods.

In the Dispatch Court Proposal, Sect. III. (see p. 305), is a list of the Sections proposed to be comprised in the Bill. In some respects the Author deviated from this list: certain of the titles were subsequently altered by him: and two entirely new Sections were added; namely, Sect. XIII. Definitions (still imperfect,) and Sect. XVIII. Evidence-procuring money, how provided. The two Supplementary Sections—XXV. Bankruptcy and Insolvency, and XXVI. Henceforward Dispatch Court—are also new, not being included in that list.

The Dispatch Court was designed as an experiment, in the first instance, of temporary duration. The period of that duration, although alluded to (Sect. II. Art. 4, 5,) as intended to be limited, is nowhere fixed.

The work throughout bears reference to the Author’s Procedure Code; and should be taken in connexion with that work.