The history of the present Work is somewhat curious: it is extracted from two sets of manuscripts, differing considerably as to their arrangement; the one in French and the other in English, written by Mr.Bentham between forty and fifty years ago; and which do not appear to have been ever confronted together.
Both these manuscripts, with Mr.Bentham's Papers on Punishment, were, at the desire of Mr.Dumont, placed in his hands, and, together with some few additions from his own elegant pen, form the matter of the work published by him (at Paris in 1811) under the title of Thèorie des Peines et des Récompenses.Of this work three editions have been printed in France, and one in England:
the ``Rationale of Reward'' occupies the second volume.
In preparing it for its appearance before the English public, the Editor has taken the above volume as the groundwork of his labours;but having availed himself wherever he could of the original manuscripts, his will, in many instances, not be found a literal translation of M.Dumont's work.
The additions made by M.Dumont are marked out, where distinguishable, by appropriate indications.One of these additions being at variance with Mr.Bentham's present opinions, has given rise to the remarks which immediately follow.
RR Preface Section 2 The Rationale of Reward Preface REMARKS BY MR.BENTHAM ``Catherine's Scale of Ranks'':---``Bentham or Dumont, on Pensions of Retreat?''---which you please.---You ask my present thoughts:---Iam all obedience.Allow me only to name the place.Not in your work, but let it be in a sequel I am preparing for it.From that which you have so kindly made yours, those wicked thoughts would scare away readers, whom, if content with what you give them from my first friend, that sequel may have a chance for.In that production may be seen, not in description only, but in terminis , the arrangements, which, after from forty to fifty years for reflection, exhibit the practical---I do not say the now practicable ---result of the principles of yours: and that cleared (forgive my saying so) of what now shows itself to me as dross.Nor yet will it draw readers from yours;---for in yours alone will be found discussions, explanations, and reasonings at length; in the new one (except where the opposite officially avowed principles are examined) little else than results.
Official Aptitude Maximized; Expense Minimized.
In these words you have the title of a plan of official economy and education that gives denomination to the whole, and an indication of the matter of the first and principal part.Send your readers, if you have any, to that work.There, with official economy, and official education, they may see national growing out of it---added, and that without need of additional description or expense.There, confronted with Radical, they may see Whig and Tory economy, and take their choice.I say Whig and Tory; for these two are one.
As to Catherine and her ranks, they rank not quite so high with me now as then.Pensions of retreat would be invited to make their retreat from your pages, were it not for my respect for editors and readers.In my own work may be seen a picture of them, painted in those colours which now appear to me their proper ones.
``Revise?'' Impossible: not to speak of my doing you more harm than good.In the French alone, the ``Pensions of Retreat''
have already cost me---I had almost said lost me---more days than I can endure to think of: I who have so few left, and work enough left for a hundred times the number.What I have found possible, I have done,---looking over the titles of the chapters and sections (still in the French alone)and, in relation to them, submitting what appears to me an appropriate wording, together with some little alterations and additions which presented themselves to me as amendments.
RR Preface Section 3 The Rationale of Reward Preface PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS The greatest happiness of the greatest number ought to be the object of every legislator: for accomplishing his purposes respecting this object, he possesses two instruments---Punishment and Reward.The theories of these two forces divide between them, although in unequal shares, the whole field of legislation.
The subject of the present work is Reward; and not reward alone, but every other use which can be made of that matter of which rewards may be formed.
In the following work, the different sources from which rewards may be derived are examined; the choice which ought to be made between the different modifications of which reward is susceptible, is pointed out; and rules are laid down for the production of the greatest effect with the least portion of this precious matter.
On the one hand, indication is given of the venom, more or less concealed, which is included in the employments which have too commonly been made of it; and an attempt has been made to take sway from others certain imputations which the enthusiasm of virtue has cast upon them.
The limits have been traced between the fields of reward and punishment; the springs of that mechanism developed, whence those laws arise to which the power is attributed of executing themselves, and directions given for that combination of remedies, the sweet with the bitter, whereby so happy a union is produced between interest and duty.
The advantages of a system of remuneratory procedure are pointed out; an idea given of the course it ought to take; and an enumeration made of the uses of the matter of reward which are not remuneratory.The nature and effects of salaries and other official emoluments are inquired into; the nature and degree of the encouragement proper to be afforded to the arts and sciences is discussed;and, finally, the question,---How far it is possible beneficially to apply artificial reward to the encouragement of production and trade, is considered.
