ABSTRACT
Jeremy Bentham remained secluded in western Russia, translating his work into French; and when the empress visited the district he stayed-stubbornly diffident-in his cottage. Bentham was trying to do for the French what they were already doing superabundantly for themselves. It is important to emphasize that Bentham was consciously dealing with specific questions about French problems at a particular time, not developing a general theory. He drew a sharp distinction between the French and British situations. To follow the greater vicissitudes of Bentham's more elaborate work needs as background some account of Lansdowne's part in Bentham's French activities. The best Dumont could offer was the hope that the next French legislature might come to see the value of Bentham's ideas. The remaking of French institutions afforded ample scope for Bentham's talents; and towards the end of 1789 a new prospect of useful effort was opened.
