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¬I answered, " I can form no useful judgment in a case so new to me; but there is one princi- ple so clear and so universal, that it must apply equally to all subjects, to the affairs of all countries, and even of all worlds. The first step towards public reformation of every de- scription, is a firm combination against rash and violent men. — Very many of them (perhaps the bulk) are perfectly well intentioned, but not for all that the less dangerous to the cause they would support. — Some of them, indeed, one would think were in our world set on to take the lead by those who opposed any changes, that wise men might retire altogether from the pursuit. For my own part, I would not only submit to the imperfections of such an admirable constitution at you have described in Annate, but would consent to the continuance of the worst that can be imagined, rather than mix myself with ignorance, thrusting itself before the wisdom which should direct it, or with per- sons of desperate fortunes, whom no sound state of society could relieve; but such men, I think, ¬could ¬
