JB/537/242/002

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With others, this may be a point of prudence, with me it is
a matter of necessity — I cannot rest till I feel myself every
where at the bottom - I cannot go on with what is before
me, while I leave any thing behind me unexplain'd - I feel myself
to have acquired to a considerable degree that pleasing and uncommunicable
sensation - Thus only can one hope to keep
clear of those inconsistencies, into which I see my predecessors,
(as far as I have predecessors) humble servants for the
most part to Authority, & to one another, falling evermore.

Forgive me Sir, if I declare simply, & once for all,
that till this great business is disposed of, I feel myself unable
to think of any other — The Will is here out of the question.
Whatever may be the case with others, I find it impossible with
me to bring the powers of invention to a mechanical obedience
to the good pleasure of that faculty — The sense of necessity,
which may set them to work in some, strikes me motionless -
I am in this respect like David; I can "give
no melody in my heaviness." In the track I am in, I
march up with alacrity & hope: in any other I should
crawl on with despondency & reluctance - If I am not likely
to succeed in a pursuit in which I am engaged with affection
& with strong presentiments of success; much less can I where
both are wanting: I mean situated as I am at present — any
tolerable share of success in such an undertaking as mine, you
are sensible, must needs work a considerable revolution.

Identifier: | JB/537/242/002 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 537.
Date_1	1772-10-14	Marginal Summary Numbering
Box	537	Main Headings
Folio number	242	Info in main headings field
Image	002	Titles
Category	Correspondence	Number of Pages
Recto/Verso		Page Numbering
Penner	Jeremy Bentham	Watermarks
Marginals		Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year
Notes public		ID Number
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