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Bentham to Henry James Pye. - Jeremy Bentham, The Works of Jeremy Bentham, vol. 10 (Memoirs Part I and Correspondence) [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. 10.

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

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Bentham to Henry James Pye.

“Q. S. P., February 25th, 1801.

“Frustrated for the moment in the object of my call, by the unwelcome intelligence of an indisposition confining you to your room, I take the liberty of addressing you this way on the subject of it, instead of waiting for an opportunity of addressing you in a way which, perhaps, circumstanced as your health is, may be more troublesome to you.

“I met you not long since at Mr Wright’s; your visits at that emporium of politics are, I understand, not unfrequent. Mr Boyd’s pamphlet* on the affairs of the Bank appears to have drawn considerable attention; a second edition, with replies to his answerers, I see advertised for Friday.

“A field of inquiry, a corner of which only is touched upon by his pamphlet, has occupied a considerable share of my attention for some time. Where he sees danger, I see none: from his remedy it seems to me as if something (though, I believe, not much) might be hazarded, at the same time that there is absolutely nothing to be gained.

“On the other hand, where he sees no danger, I see much, accompanied at the same time with vast benefit, and I think I see a set of expedients whereby the danger might be removed—at least, in a great degree—and, at the same time, the benefit preserved entire. This may one day, perhaps, form part of a regular work, not dependent on times or persons; but en attendant the occasion presents one with a few observations grounded on Mr Boyd’s pamphlet, and the controversy to which it has given rise. My inclination that way is strong enough to dispose me to bestow a few days of my time upon the occasion, but not to hazard any money upon it.

“To return, then, to Mr Wright and his laurel’d visiter. If the one personage, at the recommendation of the other, were disposed to usher my feeble production into the world, the whole of the profit, if any, should go in recompense for the risk, deducting some such matter as a couple dozen copies to give away.

“According to the known law of nature, applicable to these cases, the weight of recommendation is as the height it falls from. I have taken my altitudes—and the result is, the trouble I am thus giving you. Believe me to be, with all respect, &c.

“P.S.—The pamphlet in question being as yet unwritten, (which follows, of course, from its being an intended examination of an augmented edition not yet published,) a bookseller might perhaps think it necessary to prescribe a maximum in regard to time. If so, the greater the latitude, the better for author and work.”

In this year, (1801,) I find a series of letters in French, addressed to Mrs Romilly, in a female hand, entreating her husband’s interference to obtain from Bentham his project of a Civil Code. The name of the lady was not communicated to Bentham: but she says, 25th March:—

“I am required to write, again and again, to subject myself to the charge of importunity; but we are occupied with the great work ourselves, and want the aid of Bentham. The extracts published in the Bibliotheque Britannique have excited the liveliest curiosity. Bentham cannot refuse his aid, when our object is so meritorious. There is really here, at this moment, an eager desire to do good,—nay, I may say, a benevolent fermentation,—which is very impressive. Will it lead to practical consequences? You will doubt: but you will not doubt that such a tendency is wise and praiseworthy, and that it ought to be encouraged. Improvements in our hospitals and poor-houses are really in demand; and my eldest brother, who is one of the administrators named for this object, is so zealous, that I expect we shall call on you soon to aid us in this particular.”

Again, 30th March,—“Don’t be surprised if I write again, though I wrote on the 20th and the 25th; and I ought to be discreet, remembering that we are inhabitants of two countries, which horrid politics have made enemies; but we want Bentham’s Civil Code. Mr Romilly will not fancy we shall turn it to a good account. Those who are charged with the preparation of our Code are infinitely desirous of having it.”

On the subject of an appointment to Paris, to negotiate a Peace, which had been talked of as offered to Lord St Helens, Bentham thus writes to him, 4th April, 1801:—

[* ] Letter, on the Influence of the Stoppage of Issues in Specie on the Price of Provisions, &c. 1801.