Preface
ADVERTISEMENTBYTHEEDITOR
ThehistoryofthepresentWorkissomewhatcurious:itisextractedfromtwosetsofmanuscripts,differingconsiderablyastotheirarrangement;theoneinFrenchandtheotherinEnglish,writtenbyMr。Benthambetweenfortyandfiftyyearsago;andwhichdonotappeartohavebeeneverconfrontedtogether。
Boththesemanuscripts,withMr。Bentham’sPapersonPunishment,were,atthedesireofMr。Dumont,placedinhishands,and,togetherwithsomefewadditionsfromhisownelegantpen,formthematteroftheworkpublishedbyhim(atParisin1811)underthetitleofThè;oriedesPeinesetdesRé;compenses。OfthisworkthreeeditionshavebeenprintedinFrance,andoneinEngland:
the``RationaleofReward’’occupiesthesecondvolume。
InpreparingitforitsappearancebeforetheEnglishpublic,theEditorhastakentheabovevolumeasthegroundworkofhislabours;
buthavingavailedhimselfwhereverhecouldoftheoriginalmanuscripts,hiswill,inmanyinstances,notbefoundaliteraltranslationofM。Dumont’swork。
TheadditionsmadebyM。Dumontaremarkedout,wheredistinguishable,byappropriateindications。OneoftheseadditionsbeingatvariancewithMr。Bentham’spresentopinions,hasgivenrisetotheremarkswhichimmediatelyfollow。
RRPrefaceSection2TheRationaleofRewardPrefaceREMARKSBYMR。BENTHAM``Catherine’sScaleofRanks’’:———``BenthamorDumont,onPensionsofRetreat?’’———whichyouplease。———Youaskmypresentthoughts:———I
amallobedience。Allowmeonlytonametheplace。Notinyourwork,butletitbeinasequelIampreparingforit。Fromthatwhichyouhavesokindlymadeyours,thosewickedthoughtswouldscareawayreaders,whom,ifcontentwithwhatyougivethemfrommyfirstfriend,thatsequelmayhaveachancefor。Inthatproductionmaybeseen,notindescriptiononly,butinterminis,thearrangements,which,afterfromfortytofiftyyearsforreflection,exhibitthepractical———Idonotsaythenowpracticable———resultoftheprinciplesofyours:andthatcleared(forgivemysayingso)ofwhatnowshowsitselftomeasdross。Noryetwillitdrawreadersfromyours;———forinyoursalonewillbefounddiscussions,explanations,andreasoningsatlength;inthenewone(exceptwheretheoppositeofficiallyavowedprinciplesareexamined)littleelsethanresults。
OfficialAptitudeMaximized;ExpenseMinimized。
Inthesewordsyouhavethetitleofaplanofofficialeconomyandeducationthatgivesdenominationtothewhole,andanindicationofthematterofthefirstandprincipalpart。Sendyourreaders,ifyouhaveany,tothatwork。There,withofficialeconomy,andofficialeducation,theymayseenationalgrowingoutofit———added,andthatwithoutneedofadditionaldescriptionorexpense。There,confrontedwithRadical,theymayseeWhigandToryeconomy,andtaketheirchoice。IsayWhigandTory;forthesetwoareone。
AstoCatherineandherranks,theyranknotquitesohighwithmenowasthen。Pensionsofretreatwouldbeinvitedtomaketheirretreatfromyourpages,wereitnotformyrespectforeditorsandreaders。Inmyownworkmaybeseenapictureofthem,paintedinthosecolourswhichnowappeartometheirproperones。
``Revise?’’Impossible:nottospeakofmydoingyoumoreharmthangood。IntheFrenchalone,the``PensionsofRetreat’’
havealreadycostme———Ihadalmostsaidlostme———moredaysthanIcanenduretothinkof:Iwhohavesofewleft,andworkenoughleftforahundredtimesthenumber。WhatIhavefoundpossible,Ihavedone,———lookingoverthetitlesofthechaptersandsections(stillintheFrenchalone)
and,inrelationtothem,submittingwhatappearstomeanappropriatewording,togetherwithsomelittlealterationsandadditionswhichpresentedthemselvestomeasamendments。
RRPrefaceSection3TheRationaleofRewardPrefacePRELIMINARYOBSERVATIONSThegreatesthappinessofthegreatestnumberoughttobetheobjectofeverylegislator:foraccomplishinghispurposesrespectingthisobject,hepossessestwoinstruments———PunishmentandReward。Thetheoriesofthesetwoforcesdividebetweenthem,althoughinunequalshares,thewholefieldoflegislation。
ThesubjectofthepresentworkisReward;andnotrewardalone,buteveryotherusewhichcanbemadeofthatmatterofwhichrewardsmaybeformed。
Inthefollowingwork,thedifferentsourcesfromwhichrewardsmaybederivedareexamined;thechoicewhichoughttobemadebetweenthedifferentmodificationsofwhichrewardissusceptible,ispointedout;andrulesarelaiddownfortheproductionofthegreatesteffectwiththeleastportionofthispreciousmatter。
Ontheonehand,indicationisgivenofthevenom,moreorlessconcealed,whichisincludedintheemploymentswhichhavetoocommonlybeenmadeofit;andanattempthasbeenmadetotakeswayfromotherscertainimputationswhichtheenthusiasmofvirtuehascastuponthem。
Thelimitshavebeentracedbetweenthefieldsofrewardandpunishment;thespringsofthatmechanismdeveloped,whencethoselawsarisetowhichthepowerisattributedofexecutingthemselves,anddirectionsgivenforthatcombinationofremedies,thesweetwiththebitter,wherebysohappyaunionisproducedbetweeninterestandduty。
Theadvantagesofasystemofremuneratoryprocedurearepointedout;anideagivenofthecourseitoughttotake;andanenumerationmadeoftheusesofthematterofrewardwhicharenotremuneratory。Thenatureandeffectsofsalariesandotherofficialemolumentsareinquiredinto;thenatureanddegreeoftheencouragementpropertobeaffordedtotheartsandsciencesisdiscussed;
and,finally,thequestion,———Howfaritispossiblebeneficiallytoapplyartificialrewardtotheencouragementofproductionandtrade,isconsidered。
RRBook1Chapter1TheRationaleofRewardBookIOfRewardsinGeneralChapterIDEFINITIONSReward,inthemostgeneralandextensivesenseevergiventotheword,maybedefinedtobe———aportionofthematterofgood,which,inconsiderationofsomeservicesupposedorexpectedtobedone,isbestowedonsomeone,intheintentthathemaybebenefitedthereby。{AlternativeDefinition}
Whenemployedunderthedirectionoftheprincipleofutility,itoperatesasamotivefortheperformanceofactionsusefultosocietyinthesamemanneras,underthesameguidance,punishmentoperatesinthepreventionofactionstowhichweascribeaninjurioustendency。
Theservices,intheproductionofwhichthispreciousmattermaybeemployed,maybedistinguishedintoordinaryandextraordinary。
Ordinaryservicesmayhesubdividedintoregularlyrecurringorroutine,andoccasional。Byroutineservices,Imeanthosewhich,inallthevariousdepartmentsofgovernment,thepublicfunctionariesareboundtoperforminvirtueoftheirrespectiveoffices。
Byoccasionalservices,Imeanthoserequiredbythegovernmentatthehandsofpersonsnotinitsemploy。Theybelongalmostentirelytotheadministrationofjustice,andthatbranchofthepolicewhichisconnectedwithit———asdenouncingandprosecutingcriminals,givingjudicialevidence,andseizingpersonsaccused,&;c。Tothesameheadmaybereferredservicesrenderedtoindividualsincaseoffires,inundations,andshipwrecks:inasmuchasthegovernmentisinterestedinthepreservationofeveryindividualinthecommunity,theseservicesmaybeconsideredasrenderedtoit。
Totheheadofextraordinaryservices,maybereferred———Servicesrenderedtothewholecommunitybynewinventions,givingtotheoperationsofgovernment,inanyofitsdifferentbranches,anincreaseddegreeofperfection:suchasimportantimprovementsinmilitaryornavaltactics,fortificationorshipbuilding,&;c。;inthemodeofadministeringjustice,regulatingthepoliceorthefinances,orinanyotherpartofthefieldoflegislation。Servicesrenderedintimeofwar,bytheseizureordestructionofobjectscontributingtothepoweroftheenemy,orbythepreservationofsuchasbelongtoone’sowncountry。Servicesrenderedbypersonsexercisingtheofficeofforeignministers,consistinginthepreventionorterminationofthecalamitiesofwar,orinthebringingaboutusefulalliances。Discoveriesofgreatimportancetotheaugmentationofthenationalwealth;
newmethodsofabridginglabour;theintroductionofnewbranchesofindustry&;c。Discoveriesinscience,whicharenotsusceptibleofimmediateapplicationtothearts。Nobleactions,anddistinguishedinstancesofvirtue:inconsideringwhich,notonlytheimmediatebenefitshouldberewarded,buttheirinfluenceasexamplesuponthecultivationofsimilarexcellencies。Suchisthefieldofservices;such,therefore,isthefieldofreward。
Withregardtorewards,themostimportantdivisionisintooccasionalandpermanent,thefirstareapplied,accordingtotimesandcircumstances,toasingleindividual,ortoanumberofindividuals,invirtueofsomeinsulatedandspecificservice。Theothersarechargeduponsomegeneralfundprovidedforanindefinitenumberofpersons,andforasuccessionofservices。
Inconsequenceoftheextentandpermanenceoftheireffects,itisprincipallywithregardtothelatterclassofrewardsthatitwillbefoundofimportancetoestablishthetrueprincipleswhichoughttoregulatetheirdistribution。Occasionalrewardsbeingconfinedwithinnarrowerlimits,andtheireffectsmoretransitory,erroneousviewsrespectingthemarecomparativelyoftriflingconsequence。
Themostextensiveuseofthematterofrewardtakesplaceintransactionsbetweenindividuals。Inthecaseofpersonalserviceswhichareperformedinvirtueofcontract,thepaygiventohimbywhomtheyarerendered,ishisreward。Inbuyingandselling,reciprocaldeliveryistherewardforthemutualtransfer。Butthepublic,thatistosay,thegovernmentonaccountofthepublic,hasademandforavarietyofservicesandgoodsexactlysimilartothoseofwhichanindividualstandsinneed:anditisthusthatthemostadvantageousmodeofemployingthematterofreward,evenintheordinarycourseofbusiness,entersintothesphereofpolitics,andclaimstheattentionofthelegislator。
RRBook1Chapter2TheRationaleofRewardBookIOfRewardsinGeneralChapterIIMATTEROFREWARD———SOURCESBetweenthefourobjects———delinquency,punishment,expenditure,andreward,thereisanintimateconnexion。Hewhoknowsthroughthenatureandpossiblemodificationsofanyone,knowsthoroughlythenatureandpossiblemodificationsofalltherest。Whyso?Becausetheyareallofthembutsomanymodificationsofgoodandevil———oftheinstrumentsorcausesofpainandpleasure,consideredinaparticularpointofview。
Whatevermischiefbeingproducedcontrarytothewillofthelegislator,takesthenameofanoffence,thesamewhenproducedinpursuanceofthatwill(soitbewithadirectintentiononhispartthatthepartyshallbeasuffererbyit)takesthenameofpunishment。Rewardistogood,whatpunishmentistoevil:rewardononepartsupposesexpenditureontheother:
whateverisreceivedbyonepartyonthefootingofreward,isexpendedbysomeother:———whenaview,then,isgivenoftheseveralpossiblemodificationsofoffence,aviewisatthesametimegiveninreality,ifnotinname,oftheseveralpossiblemodificationsofreward。
Thismayatfirstsightappearaparadox;butastheabsenceofgoodiscomparativelyanevil,sotheabsenceofeviliscomparativelyagood:thenotion,therefore,ofevil,andofallsortsofevil,isincludedinthenotionofreward。
Theseveralmodificationsofthematterofrewardmaybecomprisedunderfourheads:———1。Thematterofwealth;2。Honour;3。Power;4。Exemptions。Inrespectoftheemploymentofthedirectmodeforaffordingpleasure,itbelongsnotproperlytopolitical,buttodomesticgovernmentoreducation。
1。Thematterofwealth。———Money,ormoney’sworth,isbymuchthemostcommonstuffofwhichrewardsaremade;andingeneralthemostsuitableofwhichtheycanbemade:whyitissowillappearhereafter。
2。Honour。———Honourmaybemadeoutofanystuff。Insomecases,itisproducedbythebearingaparticulartitlenothereditary,———asthenameoftheofficeamanholds。Inothercases,itishereditary,andplacestheindividualsbearingitinadistinctrank,superiortothatoftheotherclasses,———asinthecaseofthenobility。
Inothercases,itisunaccompaniedwithanydistinguishingdenomination,oranyparticulartitle,———asinthecaseofmedals,orpublicthanksconferredafteranygreatvictory,inthenameofthekingandparliament。
Agraduatedscaleofranks,especiallywhenitsgradationsaredeterminedbymerit,anddependuponactualservice,isanexcellentinstitution。Itcreatesanewsourceofhappiness,bymeansofataxuponhonour,almostimperceptibletothosebywhomitispaid:
itaugmentsthesumofhumanenjoyment;itincreasesthepowerofgovernment,byclothingitsauthoritywithbenignity;itopensnewsourcesfortheexerciseofhope,themostpreciousofallpossessions;anditnourishesemulation,themostpowerfulofallincentivestovirtuousactions。Suchagraduatedscaleofrankshasatalltimesbeeninuseinthemilitarybranchofthepublicservice。Butinthiscase,theprincipalobjectisnothonourbutpower:———superiorityinrankisinvariablyaccompaniedbysuperiorityincommand。Thehonourwhichaccompaniesthepowerisbutanaccidentalappendage。
CatherineII。extendedtheapplicationofhisarrangementtothecivilservice。Shedistributedallthepublicofficersinthecivildepartmentintodistinctandevennumericalclasses,correspondingwiththedistributionofrankinthearmy:———secretaries,judges,musicians,academicians,allthecivilfunctionaries,beingadvancedbysteps,aperpetualstateofemulationandofhopestimulatedtheirlaboursthroughoutthewholecourseoftheircareer。Itwasaninventioninpolitics,whichmatchesthemostingeniousdiscoverynartthatthepresentcenturyhaswitnessed。
Atonestroke,withoutviolenceorinjustice,hereditarynobilitywasdeprivedofthegreaterpartofitsinjuriousprerogatives。Theforemostinrankandwealthbeganhiscareerattheloweststep:hisascentthrougheachgradationdependingupontheappointmentofthesovereign,ifwithoutmerit,hewasleftbehind,whilemenofthemostobscurebirthtookprecedenceofhim。Thisenginewasthemorepowerful,fromthegentlenesswithwhichitoperated———thesimplenon—collationofrewardperformingtheofficeofpunishment。
Anotheradvantagegainedbythetransferenceofthedenominationsofthemilitaryranksintothecivilserviceis,thattherespectbornebythemilitarytothecivilfunctionariesisthusinnosmalldegreeincreased。Itisaningeniousartificeforconqueringthebarbarousandabsurdcontemptforcivilfunctionswhichprevailsinallmilitarygovernments。Theassimilationofranksnaturallyleadstotheassimilationofrespect。Fromthetimethatthisarrangementwasmade,thenobilitywereseeneagerlytoengageinoffices,whichbeforetheyhadregardedwithdisdain。
Ordersofknighthoodappearlikefloatingfragmentsdetachedfromsomesuchregularsystemofhonoraryrewards。
Insomestates,anorderofknighthoodbasbeenestablishedunderthetitleof``TheOrderofMerit’’。Itmightbesupposedthatthisorderhadbeenestablishedasajest,bywayofsatireuponallotherorders。Notso,however:whateverridiculetheremaybe,fallsexclusivelyuponthosewhoaremembersofthisorder:ofallordersitistheleastdistinguished;thenobilityarenotcandidatesforadmission———theyconsideritderogatorytotheirbirth。Itisthereward———itmaybepurchasedby,service。
Thehigherranksofknighthood,aretheytobeconsideredasrewards?———aretheypublicrewards?Tothisquestionitappearsdifficulttogiveadecisiveanswer。Theyarebestowedforsogreatavarietyofreasons,thattogiveanydescriptionofthem,whichshallbeapplicabletoallcases,isimpossible。Theyaresometimesgivenfortheperformanceofdistinguishedservices;butmuchmoregenerallytocourtiersandmenofrank,whoarethecompanionsofthesovereign,toincreasethesplendourofhiscourt。Inthesecases,themeritprovedis,thattheindividualhasmadehimselfagreeabletothesovereign。Butifpersonsthusdecoratedclaimdistinctionsnotbelongingtoothermembersofthecommunity,———ifeveryonemustyieldthemprecedence,oughtnotsomepublicreasontobegivenforcreatingthissuperiority———forthiscomparativedegradationofthelargestportionofthecommunity?Oughtsuchdraftsupontherespectofthepublictobedrawninfavourofanindividual,tillithasbeenshownthathehasrenderedservicestoentitlehimtothisspecialhomage?
Whenthusconferred,isnotaresourcethatmightyieldimportantfruitsemployedwithbadeconomy?Weshallreturntothissubject。
3。Power。———Theprincipleswhichoughttoregulatethedistributionofthisgreatobjectofhumandesire,belongtotheheadofconstitutionallaw,ratherthantoourpresentsubject。
Poweriscreatedforapurposealtogetherdifferentfromthatofservingasmatterofreward。Meritisnottheonlyconsiderationbywhichitsdistributionmustbegoverned。
Underamonarchicalgovernment,forexample,theinconveniencesattendingtheelectionofakingmaybesoserious,thatthesupremepoweroughttobeattachedtosomequalificationmoremanifestandindispensablethanthepersonalmeritofanindividual。Inamixedgovernment,also,inwhichthereisachiefmagistrate,andabodyofhereditarynoblesinvestedwithcertainpowers,itmaybethoughtproperthatthisbodyshouldbecomposedofmanymembers:butthemorenumerous,thelesssusceptibleisitofthatsortofselectionwhichsupposesineachindividualdistinguishedmerit。
Thusfar,however,wemaydetermineingeneral,viz。thatpower,whereveritcanbeemployedwithoutinconvenienceasmatterofreward,oughttobesoemployed。
Inthususingit,thedifficultyistoselectanyactoreventthatshallserveasevidenceofthecapacityofindividua]sforexercisingthepowerwithwhichtheymaycometobeinvested。Inpublicemployments,forexample,howvariousarethetalentsrequired,forthepossessionofwhichnosingleactcanbeconsideredassatisfactoryevidence!
Werethisnotthecase,thegreaternumberofpublicemploymentsmightbeconferredasrewardsfortheperformanceofsomedeterminateservice,respectivelyrelatingtothem。
IntheGazette,noticesmightbegiven,couchedinthefollowingterms:———``Whoeverproducesthemostperfectdie,shallbeplacedattheheadoftheMint。’’———``Whoeverproducesamodelofthemostserviceablepieceofartillery,shallbeplacedattheheadoftheOrdnance。’’———``Hewhoconstructstheswiftestsailingvessel,unitedwiththemostperfectmeansofattackanddefence,shallbeplacedattheheadofthenavalarchitecture。’’———``Theauthorwhowritesthebesttreatiseuponcommerce,finances,ortheartofwar,shallbeplacedattheheadoftheBoardofTrade,shallbefirstLordoftheTreasury,orCommander—in—Chief,respectively。Hewhowritesthebesttreatiseonthelaws,shallbemadeChancellor。’’
Atfirstview,nothingcanbemorecaptivatingthansuchaplan;butupontheslightestexamination,itwillbefoundmorespeciousthansolid。Why?Becauseitisbynomeansuncommonforamanwhoisinaneminentdegreeendowedwithoneofthequalitiesrequisite,tobealtogetherdestituteofotherequallyindispensable。
Thereare,besides,casesinwhicheventhisimperfectmodeofproofisaltogetherwanting。Duringalongperiodoftranquillity,bywhatdescribableservicecanamilitarymandisplayhistalentsforcommand?Amongthequalitiesmostessentialforsuchaduty,arepresenceofmind,enlargedviews,foresight,activity,courage,perseverance,personalinfluence,&;c。&;c。Bywhatspecificactcananofficerwhohasseennoservice,showhimselftobepossessedofanyofthesequalifications?
Wearereduced,then,tomereconjecture。Thebestfoundedopinionsaredrawnfromhishabitsoflife,hisattachmenttohisprofession,andabovealltheconfidencereposedinhimbythosewhoareengagedinthesameprofession,whoseopinionisfoundeduponamultiplicityofacts,whichintheaggregateconstitutehischaracter。
Discernment,ortheartofjudgingofindividualcapacity,isararequality,whoseuseitisimpossibletosupersedebygeneralrules。
Aslightadvancemightperhapsbemadeinthisdifficultart,didwepossessacatalogueoftheindicationsoftalentsorcapacity,asapplicabletothevariousdepartmentsofstate。
4。Exemptions。———Thelegislatorcreatestwosortsofevils:heappointspunishmentforoffences;heimposesburthensomedutiesuponthevariousmembersofthecommunity。Henceexemptionsmaybeoftwokinds:exemptionsfrompunishmenta1readyincurred;exemptionsfromcivilburthens。
Anexemptionfrompunishmentalreadyincurred,isapardon。Pardonshaveoftenbeengiveninthewayofreward,thatis,inconsiderationofformerservices。Suchactscannotbeforeseenandprovidedforbyanticipation:theyaretheresultofthediscretionentrustedonthisbehalftothesovereign。
UndertheEnglishlaw,however,thereareinstancesinwhich,byanticipation,exemptionfrompunishmentisgranted;thatistosay,beforethepunishmentisinflicted。Thus,fromthepolicyorweaknessofthetemporalsovereign,theEnglishclergyobtainedintimesofbarbarismanexemptioninallcasesfromcapitalandseveralotherkindsofpunishment:anexemptionwhichbeingbystatutelawconfined,inregardtocausesontheonehand,whilebycommonlawitwasextended,withregardtopersonsontheother,hasleftthispartofthepenalbranchofthelawintheconfusionunderwhichitstilllabours。[3]
Thenobilityfollowedtheexampleoftheclergy。
InalmosteverycountryofEuropetheyhavefoundthemselvesinvestedwithexemptionsofthisnature。AncientRomesettheexample。Nocitizencouldbeputtodeath:Verres,convictedofthemostatrociouscrimes,atonedforthembyenjoyingatdistancefromRomethefruitsofhisplunder。
WhenCatherineII。,empressofRussia,convenedtogetherdeputiesfromalltheprovincesofthatimmenseempire,underthepretenceoftheirassistingherintheformationofacodeoflaws(asortofparodyofthelegislativeassembliesoffreestates,whichwasnothoweverwithoutitsuse,insofarasitcontributedtothespreadofenlightenedideas,)sheconferreduponthem,amongstotherprivileges,anexemptionfromallcorporalpunishment,casesofhightreasonexcepted。
Thisspeciesofdistinction,whichasarewardforlegislators,couldscarcelybeimaginedinanyotherstatethanonejustemergingfromastateofbarbarism,haddoubtlessforitsobjecttheincreasingtheirselfimportance,andtheconferringuponthemasortofrankwhichshouldlastbeyondthedurationoftheirduties。
Asamanmaybepunishedinhisperson,hisreputation,hisproperty,———inlikemanner,throughnecessity,andwiththeviewofpunishinghim,hemaybeburthened。Anexemptionfromaburthenisanexemptionfromtheobligationofrenderingservice:servicesareeitherservicesofsubmission,intherenderingofwhichthewillofthepartyhasnoshare———orservicesofbehaviour。
Ofexemptionfromservicesofsubmission,notexactedinthewayofpunishment,weshallnotfindagreatvarietyofexamples。
InGreatBritain,membersoftheupperhouseofParliamentandotherpeersconstantly,andmembersofthelowerhouseatcertainperiods,areexemptedfromarrests:thisprivilegetheymaybeconsideredasenjoyingpartlyonthegroundsofsatisfaction,partlythattheymaynothedivertedfromtheexerciseoftheirfunctions,andpartlybecause,beingmembersofthesovereignbody,theywouldhaveitso。
Amongservicesperformedbyaction,aresomewhichmaybestyledservicesofrespect。ItisaserviceofrespectexactedbyusageineverykingdominEuropenottowearahat,orwhatisequivalent,inthepresenceoftheking。InSpain,somefamiliesamongthenobilityenjoytheprivilegeofremainingcoveredinthepresenceoftheking。InIreland,theheadofonefamily(thefamilyoftheDeCourcys,earlsofKinsale)enjoysthelikeexemption,usarewardforsomeservicerenderedbyanancestor。
ByaBritishstatute,hewhoapprehendsandprosecutestoconvictionacriminalofacertaindescription,receivedamongstotherrewardsanexemptionfromparishoffices,togetherwiththeprivilegeoftransferring1gthatexemptiontoanother。
ByotherBritishstatutes,personswhohavebornearmsforacertainlengthoftimeintheserviceofthestate,wereexemptedfromtheobligationofthoselawswhich,lestindustryshouldbetoocommon,forbadeamanfromworkingforhisownbenefitatatradeatwhichhehadnotworkedsevenyearsforthebenefitofanother。
Therearevariousotherexemptionsofthesamenature:butastheobjecthereisnottogiveanexhaustiveviewoftheseseveralexemptions,butmerelyafewinstancestoservobywayofexample,theabovespecimensmaysuffice。
Onegeneralobservationappliestoallcasesofexemptionsfromgeneralobligationsimposedbylaw:itis———thatthemoreseverethelaw,themoreabundant,asdrawnfromthissource,isthefundofreward。Itmaybecreatedbyamereactofrestitutionbytherenderingofjustice:tosomemaybegivenwhatoughttobeleftforall:conditionsmaybeannexedtowhatoughttobegivengratuitously。Thegreaterthemassofinjusticeinflicted,thegreatertheopportunityforgenerosityindetail。Theoppressivegovernmentofonesovereignisamineofgoldtohissuccessor。Inthechurch,itisthegoodworksoftheirpredecessors———inthestate,itistheirbadworks,thatincreasethetreasureoftheirsuccessorsInRussiaandinPoland,emancipationisaverydistinguishedreward。A
tyrantmayrewardbydoinglessmischief。
Onewordonthelast,articleofreward———Pleasures。
Punishmentmaybeappliedinallshapestoallpersons。Pleasure,however,inthehandsofthelegislator,isnotequallymanageable:pleasurecanbegivenonlybygivingthemeansbywhichitispurchased———thatistosay,thematterofwealthwhicheveryonemayemployinhisownway。
Amongcertainbarbarousorhalf—civilisednations,theservicesoftheirwarriorshavebeenrewardedbythefavoursofwomen。Helvetiusappearstosmilewithapprobationatthismodeofexcitingbravery。ItwasperhapsMontesquieuthatledhimintothiserror。InspeakingoftheSamnites,amongwhomtheyoungmandeclaredthemostworthyselectedwhomsoeverhepleasedforhiswife,headds,thatthiscustomwascalculatedtoproducemostbeneficialeffects。
Philosophersdistinguishedfortheirhumanity———bothofthemgoodhusbandsandgoodfathers,bothofthemeloquentagainstslavery,howcouldtheyspeakinpraiseofalawwhichsupposestheslaveryofthebesthalfofthehumanspecies?———howcouldtheyhaveforgottenthatfavoursnotprecededbyanuncontrouledchoice,andwhichtheheartperhapsrepelledwithdisgust,affordedthespectacleratherofthedegradationofwomanthantherewardingahero?Thewarrior,surroundedbypalmsofhonour,couldhedescendtoactthepartofaravisher?Andifhedisdainedthisbarbarousright,wasnothisgenerosityasatireonthelaw?
Voltairerelateswithgreatsimplicity,thatatthefirstrepresentationofoneofhistragedies,theaudience,whosawtheauthorinaboxwithanextremelybeautifulyoungduchess,requiredthatsheshouldgivehimakiss,bywayofacknowledgingthepublicgratitude。
Thevictim,apartakerinthegeneralenthusiasm,feltapparentlynorepugnancetomakingthesacrifice:and,withouttheinterventionofthemagistrate,wemaytrusttotheenthusiasmofthesex,andtheirpassionfordistinction,forpreferencesthatmayanimatecourageandgeniusintheircareer。
RRBook1Chapter3TheRationaleofRewardBookIOfRewardsinGeneralChapterIIIREWARDANDPUNISHMENTSCOMBINEDTherearesomecasesinwhichitwouldbeimpropertoemployeitherrewardorpunishmentalone。Theyarethoseinwhichthetwoforcesmaywithadvantagebeunited———inwhichthelegis1atorsaystothecitizen,obey,andyoushallreceiveacertainreward;disobey,audyoushallsufferacertainpunishment。
Thetwomodesmaybeproperlyunitedwhentheservicerequiredbythelawdependsforitsperformanceuponasmallnumberofpersons,inavirtueofthepeculiarcircumstancesinwhichtheyhappenedtobeplaced。If,forexample,theobjectbethesecuringadelinquentatthemomentthatheisabouttocommitanoffence,toinformagainsthimortoprosecutehim———itwillbefoundexpedient,inordertoensuretherenderingofsuchservices,tocombinewitharewardfortheirperformance,punishmentfortheiromission。
Insuchcases,punishmentisusefulintwoways:
besidetheeffectproducedbyitsownforce,italsosustainsthevalueofthereward。Thereisaverystrongprejudiceinthepublicmindagainstpersonswhoacceptpecuniaryrewardfortheperformanceofsuchservices;
butwhenapenalmotiveisadded,thepublicresentmentisabated,ifnotaltogetherremoved。Theprosecutionofacriminalforthesakeofthepecuniarybenefitderivablefromit,isgenerallyregardedasdiscreditable;buthewhoundertakestheprosecutiontoavoidbeinghimselfpunishedwillbeconsideredatleastasexcusable。Thedesireofself—preservationiscalledanaturalpropensity;thatistosay,isregardedwithapprobation。
Thedesireofgainisapropensitynotlessnatural;butinthiscase,althoughmoreuseful,itisnotregardedwiththesameapprobationThisisamischievousprejudice:butitexists,anditisthereforenecessarytocombatitsinfluence。Wemusttreatopinionsaswefindthem,andnotactasthoughtheywerewhattheyoughttobe。Thisisnottheonlyinstanceinwhichitisnecessarytoputaconstraintuponmen’sinclinations,thattheymaybeatlibertytofollowthem。
Aninstanceofthejudiciousmixtureofrewardandpunishmentisfurnishedbythepracticepursuedinmanyschools,calledchallenging。Allthescholarsinthesameclasshavingrangedthemselvesaroundthemaster,hewhostandsattheheadoftheclassbeginstheexercise:
doeshemakeamistake,thenexttohiminsuccessioncorrectshimandtakeshisplace;doesthesecondnotperceivethemistake,orisheunabletocorrectit,theprivilegedevolvesuponthethird;andsooftherest;———thepossessionofthefirstplaceentitlingtheholdertocertainflatteringmarksofdistinction。
Thetwoincitementsareinthiscasemostcarefullycombined:punishmentforthemistake,lossofrank;rewardfortheinformer,acquisitionofthatsamerank;punishmentfornotinforming,lossofrankthesameasfortheoffenceitself。
If,undertheordinarydisciplineofschools,inthecasewherethescholarhasnonaturalinterestwhichshouldinducehimtopointoutthemistakesofhisassociate,itwereattemptedtoproducethesechallengesbytheforceofrewardalone,theopinionwhichthegeneralinterestwouldcreatewouldopposeanobstacletothereceptionofthereward,mostdifficulttobeovercome:butwhentheyoungcompetitorshavetosayintheirdefence,thattheyhavedepressedtheirneighbourmerelytoavoidbeingdepressedthemselves,theyarerelievedfromallpretenceforreproach;everyonewithouthesitationabandonshimselftothesuggestionsofhisambition,and,underthesanctionofthelaw,honourcombatswithunrestrainedimpetuosity。
Thisingeniousexpedientforexcitingemulationisoneamongtheotheradvantagesofanumerousclass。Intheprivateplanofeducation,thereareseldomactorsinsufficientnumberfortheperformanceofthiscomedy。Themostfavourableopportunitiesforlegislationarethoseinwhichthetwomethodsaresocombined,thatthepunishmentimmediatelyfollowstheomissionoftheduty,andtherewarditsperformanceThisarrangementpresentstheideaofabsoluteperfection。Why?Becausetoalltheforceofthepunishmentisunitedalltheattractivenessandcertaintyofthereward。
Ihavesaidcertainty:butthisrequirestobeexplained。Denounceapunishmentforsuchorsuchacts:theonlyindividualwhocannotfailtoknowwhetherornothehasincurredthepunishment,isinterestedinconcealinghishavingincurredit。Ontheotherhand,offerareward,andthesameindividualfindshimselfinterestedinproducingthenecessaryproofsforestablishinghistitletoit。Thusavarietyofcausescontributetothefailureofpunishment———theartificesofthepersoninterested,theprejudicesagainstinformers,thelossorfailureofevidence,thefallibilityormistakenhumanityofjudges———whiletotheattainmentofrewardnosuchobstaclesoccur:itoperates,then,uponalloccasions,withthewholeofitsforceandcertainty。
Beforeacelebratedlaw,whichweowetoMr。Burke,thelordsofthetreasurywerecharged,astheystillare,withthepaymentofthesalariesofcertainofthepublicservants。Justicerequiredthatallshouldbepaidinthesameproportionasfundsforthatpurposewerereceived。Butnolawwasasyetinforcetosupportthisprinciple。Asmightnaturallybeexpected,allsortsofpreferenceshadplace:theypaidtheirfriendsfirst,anditcannotbesupposedtheyforgotthemselves。
Whenthefundssetaparttothisservicewereinsufficient,thelessfavouredclasssuffered。Thedelaysofpaymentoccasionedcontinualcomplaints。
Howwouldanordinarylegislatorhaveacted?Hewouldhaveenactedthateveryoneshouldbepaidinproportiontothereceipts;andthathisregulationsmightnotbewantinginform,hewouldhaveaddedadirectpunishmentforitsbreach,withoutinquiringifitwereeasytobeeludedornot。Mr。
Burkeacteddifferently:hearrangedthedifferentofficersinclasses;
hepreparedatableofpreference,inwhichtheorderistheinverseofthecreditwhichtheymightbesupposedtopossess。Thenoblelords,withtheprimeministerattheirhead,bringuptherear,andareprohibitedfromtouchingasingleshillingoftheirpay,tillthelowestscullionhasreceivedeverypennyofhis。
Hadhepermittedthesegreatofficerstopaythemselves,andprescribedhistableofpreferencefortherest,underthepenaltyoflosingapartoftheirsalaries,whatembarrassment,whatdifficulties,whatdelays!——Whowouldundertaketheodioustaskofinformer?Howmanypretencesofjustificationwouldtheynothavehad?Whowouldharedaredtoattacktheministers?InthisarrangementofMr。Burke,tilltheyhavefulfilledtheirduty,theylosetheenjoymentofalltheirsalary;theyloseitwithoutinquiryandwithoutembarrassment。Thusrenderedconditional,theirsalarybecomesinrealitytherecompenceoftheirregularityinpayingtheothers。
Theadvantagesofthisinventionmaybethussummedup。Theirsalary,dependsupontheperformanceoftheservice,isnolongerabarrengratification,butareallyproductivereward。Themotivehasalltheforcebelongingtopunishment:bythesuspensionofpayment,itoperatesasafine。Itpossessesallthecertaintyofareward:
therighttoreceivefollowsthecompletionoftheservice,withoutanyjudicialprocedure。
RRBook1Chapter4TheRationaleofRewardBookIOfRewardsinGeneralChapterIVTHEUNIONOFINTERESTWITHDUTY,ANDOFSELF—EXECUTINGLAWSWhathasbeensaidintheprecedingchapterwillservetoelucidatethemeaningoftheabovetwoexpressions,which,thoughinfamiliarusewithpoliticalwriters,haveneveryetbeencompletelyexplained。
Thelegislatorshould,saythey,endeavourtouniteinterestwithduty:thisaccomplished,theyconsiderperfectionasattained。
Buthowisthisuniontobebroughtabout?———whatconstitutesit?Tocreateadutyandaffixapunishmenttotheviolationofit,istouniteaman’sinterestwithhisduty,andeventouniteitmorestronglythanbyanyprospectofreward。Butthisisnotuniversallyatleastwhattheymean;
forifpunishmentaloneweresufficientfortheestablishmentofthedesiredconnexionbetweeninterestandduty,whatlegislatoristherewhowouldfailinitsaccomplishment?———whatwouldtherebetoboastofinacontrivancewhichsurpassesnottheingenuityofthemostclumsypolitician?
Inthisphrase,bythewordinterest,pleasureorprofitisunderstood:theideadesignedtobeexpressedis,theexistenceofsuchaprovisioninthelaw,asthatconformitytoitshallbeproductiveofcertainbenefitswhichwillceaseofthemselvessosoonasthelawceasestobeobserved。
Inaword,theunioninquestionisproducedwheneversuchaspeciesofinterestcanbeformedasshallcombinetheforcewhichispeculiartopunishmentwiththecertaintywhichispeculiartoreward。
Thisconnexionbetweendutyandinterestistoahighdegreeattainedinthecaseofpensionsandplacesheldduringpleasure。
Letussuppose,forexample,thatthecontinuanceofthepensionismadetodependupontheholder’spayingatalltimesabsoluteobediencetothewillofhissuperior。Thepensionerceasestogivesatisfaction;thepensionceases。Therearenoneoftheembarrassmentsanduncertaintiesattendantonordinaryprocedure;therearenocomplaintsofdisobediencemadeagainstpersonsthuscircumstanced。Itisagainsttheextremeefficacyofthisplan,ratherthanagainstitsweakness,thatcomplaintsareheard。
Insomecountries,bytherevenuelaws,andparticularlyinthecaseofthecustomhouseduties,itisnotuncommontoallowtheofficers,asarewardaportionofthegoodsseizedbythemintheactofbeingsmuggledThisistheonlymodethathasappearedeffectuallytocombatthetemptationstowhichtheyareperpetuallyexposed。Thepricewhichitwouldbeworthwhileforindividualstooffertotheofficersforconnivance,canscarcelyequal,uponanaveragetheadvantagetheyderivefromtheperformanceoftheirduty。Sofarfromtherebeinganyapprehensionoftheirbeingremissinitsdischarge,wheneveryinstanceofneglectisfollowedbyimmediatepunishment,thedangeris,lesttheyshouldbeledtoexceedtheirduty,andtheinnocentshouldbeexposedtosuspicionandvexation。
Thelegislatorshouldenactlawswhichwillexecutethemselves。Whatistobeunderstoodbythis?Speakingwithprecision,nolawcanexecuteitselfInastateofinsulation,alawisinoperative:toproduceitsdesiredeffects,itmustbesupportedandenforcedbysomeotherlaw,which,initsturn,requiresforitssupporttheassistanceofotherlaws。Itisthusthatabodyoflawsformsagroup,orratheracircle,inwhicheachisreciprocallysupportedandsupports。Whenitissaid,therefore,thatthelawexecutesitself,itisnotmeantthatitcansubsistwithouttheassistanceofotherlaws,butthatitsprovisionsaresoarrangedthatpunishmentimmediatelyfollowsitsviolation,unaidedbyanyformofprocedure;thattooneoffence,anothermoreeasilysusceptibleofproof,ormoreseverelypunished,issubstituted。
Mr。Burke’slaw,whichhasalreadybeenmentioned,isjustlyentitledtoberankedunderthishead。Theclausewhichforbidstheministersandtreasurerstopaythemselvestillallotherpersonshavebeenpaid,possessesineffectthepropertiesofapunishmentannexedtoanyretardationofpayments———apunishmentwhichcommenceswiththeoffence,whichlastsaslongastheoffence,whichisinflictedwithoutneedofprocedure;inaword,apunishment,theimpositionofwhichdoesnotrequiretheinterventionofanythirdperson。
Beforethepassingofthislaw,largearrearsonthecivillistwereallowedtoaccumulate:theiraccumulationborethecharactermerelyofasimpleactofomission,whichcouldnotbeclassedunderanyparticularheadofoffence,andtheevilofwhichmightmoreoverbepalliatedbyathousandpretexts。Afterthepassingofthislaw,theministers,itistrue,mightstill,inspiteofthelaw,continuetogivetothemselvesapreferenceovertheothercreditorsonthecivillist———thereisnophysicalforceotherthanexistedbeforetopreventthem:butinvirtueofthislaw,anysuchpreferencewouldbeapalpableoffence———aspeciesofpeculationwhichwouldbestronglyreprobatedbypublicopinion。
Anotherexampleisfurnishedbythelawsrespectingthepaymentofstampduties———Theselawsarerepresentedasamongthenumberofthosewhichexecutethemselves,andarepanegyrizedaccordingly。Thisistruewithregardtosomuchofthesetaxesasislevieduponcontractsandlawproceedings。Letusexplaintheirmechanism。Thesanctiongiventoprivatecontracts,andtheprotectionaffordedbythelawtopersonandproperty,areserviceswhichthepublicreceivesatthehandsoftheministersofjustice。Themethodinwhichtheseduties,then,arelevied,isthis:theseservicesareatfirstrefusedtoallpersonswithoutexception;
theyarethenofferedtoallpersonswhoatthepricesetuponthem,havethemeansandinclinationtobecomepurchasers。Thusaprotection,whichmightbeconsideredasadebtduefromthestatetoallitssubjects,isconvertedintoareward,bymeansoftheprecedentconditionannexedtoit。Thisisnotthetimeforexaminingwhetherthisduty,whichpalpablyamountstothesellingofjustice,isajudicioustax:allthatisherenecessarytobeobservedis,thatthepaymentisinsuredbythesecurityitaffords,andthedangerwithwhichtheomissionisaccompanied。
Torangeoverthewholefieldoflegislation,inordertoascertainthedifferenteasesinwhichthisspeciesofpoliticalmechanismhasbeenemployed,orinwhichitmightbeintroducedwithadvantage,doesnotbelongtoourpresentsubject:———generaldirectionsmighteasilybeframedfortheconstructionofself—executinglaws,andtheirapplicationmightoccupyaplacein``Therecreationsoflegislation’’。
RRBook1Chapter5TheRationaleofRewardBookIOfRewardsinGeneralChapterVMATTEROFREWARD———REASONSFORHUSBANDINGIfitbepropertobefrugalinthedistributionofpunishment,itisnolesspropertobesointhedistributionofreward。
Evilisinflictedinbothcases。Thedifferenceis,thatpunishmentisaneviltohimtowhomitisapplied———reward,tohimatwhoseexpenseitisapplied。Thematterofreward,andthematterofpunishment,springfromthesameroot。Ismoneybestowedasareward?Suchmoneycanonlyarisefromtaxes,ororiginalrevenue———canonlybebestowedatthepublicexpense:———truthssoobvious,thatproofisunnecessary;butwhichoughtonalloccasionstoberecollected,since,allothercircumstancesbeingequal,topayataxtoagivenamountisagreaterevilthantoreceiveitisgood。
Rewards,consistinginhonour,itiscommonlysaid,costnothing。Thisis,however,amistake。Honoursnotonlyenhancethepriceofservices;(asweshallpresentlysee,)theyalsooccasionexpensesandburthenswhichcannotbeestimatedinmoney。Thereisnohonourwithoutpre—eminence:if,then,oftwopersons,forexample,whoareequal,oneprofitsbybeingmadethehigher,theothersuffersinatleastequalproportionbybeingmadethelowerofthetwo。Withregardtohonourswhichconferrankandprivileges,therearecommonlytwosetsofpersonsatwhoseexpensehonourisconferred:thepersonsfromamongstwhomthenewdignitaryistaken,andthepersons,ifany,towhomheisaggregatedbyhiselevation。Thusthegreatertheadditionmadetothenumberofpeers,themoretheirimportanceisdiminished———thegreateristhedefalcationmadefromthevalueoftheirrank。
Thecaseissimilarwithrewardtopower。
Itisbytakingawaylibertyorsecurity,thatpowerisconferred;andtheshareofeachmanistheless,thegreaterthenumberofco—partnersinit。Thepowerconferredinanycasemustheeitherneworold:ifnew,itisconferredattheexpenseofthosewhoaresubjecttoit;ifold,attheexpenseofthosebywhomitwasformerlyexercised。
Exemptionsgiveninthewayofrewardmayappearatfirstsightbutlittleexpensive。Thismaybeonereasonwhytheyhavebeensoliberallygrantedbyshortsightedsovereigns。Itoughthowevertoberecollected,thatinthecaseofpublicburthens,theexemptionofoneincreasestheburthenontheremainder:ifitbehonourabletobeexemptedfromthem,itbecomesadisgracetobearthem,andsuchpartialexemptionsatlengthgivebirthtogeneraldiscontent。
Theexemptionfromarrestfordebt,enjoyedbymembersofparliamentsarearewardconferredattheexpenseoftheircreditors。
Exemptionsfromparishofficesandmilitaryservicesarerewardsconferredattheexpenseofthosewhoareexposedtothechanceofbearingthem。
Theburthenofexemptionsfromtaxesfallsuponthosewhocontributetotheexigenciesofthestate。
Aprivilegetocarryon,inconcurrencewithalimitednumberofotherpersons,aparticularbranchoftruce,isanexemptionfromtheexclusionwhichpersonsingeneralarelaidunderwithreferencetothattrade:thefavourisshownattheexpenseofthepersonswhoaresharersintheprivilege。
Iftherebeaninstanceinwhichanymodificationofthematterofrewardcouldbeconferredwithoutexpense,itwillbefoundamongthosewhichconsistinexemptionfrompunishment。Whenanexemptionofthissortisconferred,theexpenseofit,iftherebeany,isbornebythosewhoareinterestedintheinflictionofthepunishment;thatis,bythoseinwhosefavourthelawwasmade,whichthepunishmentwasintendedtoenforce。Butif,bytheimpunitygiven,thesanctionofthelawsbeweakened,andcrimesconsequentlymultiplied,thepardongrantedtocriminalsisdearlypaidforbytheirvictims。
Theevilofprodigalityisnotconfinedtothediminishingthefundofreward:itoperatesasalawagainstrealmerit。
Ifrewardsarcbestoweduponpretendedservices,suchpretendedservicesenterintocompetitionwithrealservices,Hesucceedsbest,whoaims,nottoentitlehimselftothegratitudeofthepeople,buttocaptivatethegoodwillofhimatwhosedisposalthefundofrewardisplaced。Obsequiousnessandcourtlyvicestriumphovervirtueandgenius。Theartofpleasingiselevatedattheexpenseoftheartofserving。
Whatistheconsequence?Realservicesarenotperformed,ortheyarepurchasedatextravagantprices。Itidnotsufficientthatthepricepaidforthembeequaltothatofthefalseservices:beyondthis,theremustbeasurplustocompensatethelabourwhichrealservicesrequire。``Ifsomuchisgiventoonewhohasdonenothing,howmuchmoreisduetome,whohavebornetheheatandtheburthenoftheday?———ifparasitesarethusrewarded,howmuchmoreisduetomytalentsandindustry?’’,Suchisthelanguagewhichwillnaturallybeemployed,andnotwithoutreason,bythemanofconsciousmerit。
Itisthusthattheamountoftheevilisperpetuallyaccumulating。Thegreatertheamountalreadylavished,thegreaterthedemandforstillfurtherprodigality;asinthecaseofpunishment,themoreprofuselyithasbeendealtout,thegreateroftentimesistheneedofemployingstillmore。
Whenbythedisplayofextraordinaryzealanddistinguishedtalents,apublicfunctionaryhasrenderedgreatservicestohiscountry,———toassociatehimwiththecrowdofordinarysubordinates,istodegradehim。
Hewillfeelinrespectofthefundofreward,inthesamemannerasthedisposerofitoughttohavefelt。Hewillconsiderhimselfinjured,notonlywhenanythingisrefusedtohim,butwhenanythingisbestoweduponthosewhohavenotdeservedit。
Aprofusedistributionofhonoursisattendedwithadoubleinconvenience:inthefirstplaceitdeterioratesthestock;andinthenext,itisproductiveofgreatpecuniaryexpense。Whenapeerage,forexample,isconferred,itisgenerallynecessarytoaddtoitapension,underthenotionofenablingthebearertosustainitsdignity。
Itisthusthattheexistenceofanhereditarynobilitytendstoincreasethepricenecessarytohepaidintheshapeofreward。Hasaplebeianrenderedsuchservicestohiscountryascannotbepassedbywithneglect,thefirstoperationistodistinguishhimfrommenofhisownrank,byplacinghimamongthenobility。Butwithoutfortune,apeerageisaburthen;tomakeitworthhaving,itmustbeaccompaniedwithpecuniaryreward:theimmediatepaymentofalargesumwouldbetooburthensome;posterityisthereforemadetobearaportionoftheburthen。
Itistrue,posterityoughttopayitsshareinthepriceofservicesofwhichitreapsashareoftheadvantage。Buttheamebenefitmightbeprocuredatalewexpense:iftherewerenohereditarynobility,personalnobilitywouldanswereverypurpose。AmongtheGreeks,abranchfromapinetree,ahandfulofbarley,———amongtheRomans,afewlaurelleaves,orearsofcorn,———weretherewardsofheroes。
FortunateAmericans!fortunateonsomanyaccounts,iftopossesshappiness,itweresufficienttopossesseverythingbywhichitisconstituted,thisadvantageisstillyours!———Preserveitforever:
bestowrewards,erectstatues,confereventitles,sothattheybepersonalalone;butneverbindthecrownofmerituponthebrowofsloth。
Suchisthelanguageofthosepassionateadmirersofmeritwhowouldgladlyseeagenerousemulationburninginullranksofthecommunity———whoconsidereverythingwastedwhichisnotemployedinitspromotion。Cananythingberepliedtothem?Iftherecan,itcanonlybebythosewho,jealousofthepublictranquillityasnecessarytotheenjoymentsofluxury,andmorealarmedatthefollywhichknowsnorestraintthanattheselfishnesswhichmaybeconstrainedtoregulateitself,wouldhave,atanyprice,aclassofpersonswhomayimposetranquillityuponthosewhocanneverbetaught。
Insomestatesthestrictestfrugalityisobservedinthedistributionofrewards:suchingeneralhasbeenthecaseunderrepublicangovernments;thoughitistrue,thatevenindemocracies,historyfurnishesinstancesofthemostextravagantprodigalityandcorruption。
Thespeciesofrewardbestowedbythepeopleupontheirfavouriteswiththeleastexamination,ispower———agiftmorepreciousanddangerousthantitlesofhonourorpecuniaryrewards。Themaxim,Woetothegratefulnation!isaltogetherdevoidofmeaning,unlessitbedesignedasawarningagainstthisdispositionofthepeopletoconferunlimitedauthorityuponthosewhoforamomentobtaintheirconfidence。
Afterhavingsaidthusmuchinfavourofeconomy,itmustnotbedeniedthatspeciouspretencesmaybeurgedinjustificationofaliberaluseofrewards。
Thatportionofthematterofrewardwhichissuperfluouslyemployeditissaid,maybeconsideredasthefundofaspeciesoflottery。
Atacomparativelysmallexpense,alargemassofexpectationiscreated,andprizesareofferedwhicheverymanmayflatterhimselfwiththehopeofobtaining。Andwhatarealltheothersourcesofenjoyment,whenputincompetitionwithhope?Butcansuchreasonsjustifytheimpositionorcontinuanceoftaxeswithnootherviewthanthatofincreasingtheamountofthodisposablefundofreward?Certainlynot。Itwouldbeabsurdthustocreatearealevil———thustopillagethemultitudeofwhattheyhaveearnedbythesweatoftheirbrow,tomultiplytheenjoymentsofthewealthy。
Inaword,whatevermaybethoughtofthislottery,wemustnotforgetthatitsprizesmustbedrawnbeforewecanobtainanyusefulservices。
Totheindividualhimself,activeismoreconducivetohishappinessthanidlehope:theonedevelopshistalents,theotherrendersthemobtuse;
thefirstisnaturallyalliedtovirtue,thesecondtovice。
InEngland,reasons,oratleastpretexts,havebeenfoundforthearbitrarydisposalofrewards,whichwouldnotexistunderanabsolutemonarchy。Theconstitutionofparliamentgivesoccasiontotheperformanceofservicesofsuchanatureascannotbeacknowledged,butwhichintheeyesofmanypoliticiansarenotthelessnecessary。A
certainquantityoftalentisrequisite,itissaid,tosavethepoliticalvesselfrombeingupsetbyanymomentaryturbulenceorwhimofthepeople。