ts and
platform orators did not trouble themselves much about philosophy. But
they were in communication with men of a higher stamp, Romilly, James
Mill, and others, who formed Bentham's innermost council. Thus the
movements in the outside world set up an agitation in Bentham's study;
and the recluse was prompted to set himself to work upon elaborating his
own theories in various directions, in order to supply the necessary
substratum of philosophical doctrine. If he had not the power of gaining
the public ear, his oracles were transmitted through the disciples who
also converted some of his raw materials into coherent books.

The most important of Bentham's disciples for many years was James Mill,
and I shall have to say what more is necessary in regard to the active
agitation when I speak of Mill himself. For the present, it is enough to
say that Mill first became Bentham's proselyte about 1808. Mill stayed
with Bentham at Barrow Green and at Ford Abbey. Though some differences
caused superficial disturbances of their harmony, no prophet could have
had a more zealous, uncompromising, and vigorous disciple. Mill's force
of character qualified him to become the leader of the school; but his
doctrine was always essentially the doctrine of Bentham, and for the
present he was content to be the transmitter of his master's message to
mankind. He was at this period a contributor to the _Edinburgh Review_;
and in October 1809 he inserted some praises of Bentham in a review of a
book upon legislation by S. Scipion Bexon. The article was cruelly
mangled by Jeffrey, according to his custom, and Jeffrey's most powerful
vassal, Brougham, thought that the praises which remained were
excessive.[304]

Obviously the orthodox Whigs were not prepared to swear allegiance to
Bentham. He was drawing into closer connection with the Radicals. In
1809 Cobbett was denouncing the duke of York in consequence of the Mrs.
Clarke scandal. Bentham wrote to him, but anonymously and cautiously, to
obtain documents in regard to a previous libel case,[305] and proceeded
to write a pamphlet on the _Elements of the Art of Packing (as applied
to Special Juries)_, so sharp that his faithful adviser, Romilly,
procured its suppression for the time.[306] Copies, however, were
printed and privately given to a few who could be trusted. Bentham next
wrote (1809) a 'Catechism of Parliamentary Reform,' which he
communicated to Cobbett (16th November 1810), with a r