The Shadow of Great Britain

”Don’t be nervous.” Arthur waved his hand: ”I was just speaking casually, just joking.”

Blakewell let out a small sigh of relief, he almost thought his well-paid position with an annual salary of 280 pounds was about to be lost.

Arthur opened the top document and read a couple of lines: ”By the way, this morning at the Poor Law Commission, has Mr. Chadwick been over?”

”He has.” Blakewell nearly responded reflexively: ”When he came in, his mood... was quite agitated, his coat wasn’t fully buttoned, and he forgot to hand his hat to the servant, instead he carried it in his hand. Moreover, he mentioned you more than once.”

Arthur put down the document in his hand, crossed his legs, and took a sip of tea: ”Oh?”

”He used your full name,” Blakewell said in a low voice: ”Moreover, his tone... was rather solemn.”

”What did he actually say?”

Blakewell looked somewhat embarrassed: ”He... please forgive me, Sir, he said he originally had high hopes for you, but judging from the current promotion of the New Poor Law locally, what you’ve done seems even worse than the previous Home Office. Finally, he frankly stated that you... you’ll definitely bear historical responsibility in the future.”

Arthur listened, without even raising an eyebrow, he simply placed the teacup gently back on the saucer: ”Is that all?”

Blakewell froze.

This question was asked so lightly, it was as if he was inquiring about whether the weather would clear up, rather than confirming an accusation.

”Yes... that’s basically it. In fact, his emotions were indeed... intense when he spoke.”

”And is his mood settled now?”

”Uh... no.” Blakewell answered honestly: ”When he left, he seemed even angrier.”

”Good.”

This response left Blakewell momentarily perplexed: ”Good?”

Arthur ignored him, the topic had already shifted: ”Over at the Police Commissioner Committee, the minutes regarding the New Police Bill’s implementation meeting, have they been organized?”

”Already organized.” Blakewell responded immediately: ”It’s in the second document, I’ve marked the differing opinions separately according to your earlier habits.”

”Very good.” Arthur nodded: ”In the afternoon, copy two of them to Mr. March Phillips, the rest don’t move for the time being.”

”Yes, Sir.” Blakewell hesitated for a moment, but couldn’t help speaking: ”However... if I may be bold to ask.”

Arthur didn’t look up, he simply signaled him to continue.

”The reaction from the Poor Law Commission was so intense...” Blakewell considered his words: ”The feedback regarding local governments delaying the execution of the New Poor Law is indeed increasing. Have you considered... at least in form, responding to these reports?”

After saying this, he immediately held his breath.

Arthur finally lifted his head and glanced at him: ”Henry.”

”Yes, Sir.”

”What do you think I should respond to now?”

Blakewell was stunned: ”I... I was just thinking, maybe we could request a clearer timetable from the localities, or issue a reminder letter...”

Arthur asked: ”If we did that, what would happen?”

”They would reply.” Blakewell responded immediately: ”Explain difficulties, state reasons, request extensions.”

”And then?”

”Then the Home Office must express a stance, either agree or refuse.”

Arthur put down the document: ”Are you sure the Home Office can really agree to local extensions? Are you suggesting that a Whig Party government should agree to the local government’s refusal to implement the bill itself proposed by the Whig Party in the Lower House?”

Blakewell blinked: ”You mean...”

”Not dealing with it is a form of dealing with it. Not having a stance is a stance itself.” Arthur interrupted: ”Local governments are delaying, the commission is angry, everyone knows that. But once I start speaking, the issue turns from a local government execution problem into a deliberate endorsement by the Home Office. Although civil servants shouldn’t hold any political stance, within the permitted scope of responsibilities, it’s best not to make things too difficult for ministers during parliamentary inquiries.”

Upon hearing this, Blakewell nodded: ”Yes, Sir. But... forgive my boldness, if Chadwick continues to come this afternoon, he... was already threatening to resign this morning.”

At this point, he cautiously added: ”As far as I know, currently several influential political economists, whether utilitarian or those who have been long-term contributors to the Edinburgh Review, appear to be no more moderate on the New Poor Law issue than Mr. Chadwick...”

Arthur naturally knew Blakewell was correct.

In fact, putting aside standpoints, he even felt somewhat inclined to argue against the public criticism Chadwick was facing.

The 19th-century British political economy theories were basically built on Malthus’s population theory, Ricardo’s model, and Bentham’s utility theory.

This led to one conclusion: Any economic theory opposing the New Poor Law was erroneous economic theory.

Of course, this didn’t mean British political economy was monolithic. In fact, Chadwick had received no shortage of attacks from academic peers.

However, the reasons for their attacks were rarely due to being too radical, but rather accusing Chadwick of being too conservative.

Thomas Hodgskin criticized the compulsory nature of the Poorhouse system, condemning the inefficiency of the Poor Law Commission’s centralization and bureaucracy. According to Hodgskin’s theory, state relief systems instead undermined workers’ self-organizational abilities. Therefore, the new Poor Law, as a patch on the old Poor Law, was fundamentally erroneous. From his perspective, the entire poor relief system should be directly abolished.

Compared to him, Chadwick was portrayed as a conservative reformist since the high ground of radicalism had been seized by Hodgskin.

”I certainly hope Mr. Chadwick doesn’t make such an impulsive decision. But if he truly submits his resignation, and the minister agrees, then we can only accept this fact.”

Blakewell instinctively looked up: ”Accept?”

”Accept.” Arthur nodded: ”Register his resignation according to procedure, submit to the Home Secretary, while copying to the Treasury and related committees in the Lower House. Don’t attempt retention or comment.”

”But...” Blakewell couldn’t help but say: ”The committee will immediately be paralyzed. Local execution is slow enough already, if even Chadwick...”

”The committee won’t be paralyzed.” Arthur interrupted: ”It will only operate in a different manner.”

Blakewell knew it’s best not to question Sir, but to avoid disruption in future work handover, he had to clarify things: ”But... Mr. Chadwick practically controls the pace of the entire committee, he’s both the source of ideas and the centre of execution. If he leaves...”

”If he leaves,” Arthur continued, his tone still steady: ”Then it indicates this position is no longer suitable for a person who only knows how to promote.”

He paused, as if casually adding a sentence: ”Instead, it should be replaced by someone who understands how to pause.”

The moment this sentence was spoken, even Arthur himself realized he’d said a bit too much.

Blakewell keenly caught this slight anomaly. He hesitated for a moment, yet still tentatively asked: ”Are you implying... there’s another person in mind?”

”Henry,” Arthur suddenly said: ”If a system can’t move forward anymore, what’s the most important thing next?”

Blakewell thought for a moment, cautiously answering: ”Prevent it becoming a political burden?”

”Very good.” Arthur nodded: ”What’s the second most important thing then?”

”Ensure it’s not completely negated?”

”More precisely,” Arthur corrected: ”Ensure that before it’s reunderstood, it isn’t hastily executed.”

He casually said: ”I recently received a letter from an old friend. We were originally just discussing revisions to the Logical System, but in the letter, he also casually mentioned some thoughts on the execution effects of the Poor Law.”

”This friend is...”

Blakewell had almost guessed but still needed confirmation.

Arthur stood up, and upon seeing this, Blakewell promptly brought him his coat.

”Prepare the car; we’re visiting John Stuart Mill’s residence.”