[xxxvi. 183]

1821 May 19 1822 Aug. 9

Constitut Cod

First Lines

Surplus

Ch [...?...?]

3. [...?]

In regard to fiction two sources of use or /and/ service require to be noted. One is, the extent of the sinister service rendered: the other is, the extent of the class of persons to whom the service is rendered.

1. In respect of the nature /extent/ of the service rendered, the use of fiction may be distinguished into general and particular.

The /By/ particular use understand the particular benefit, which on the occasion of such fiction, accrues /results/ to the class or classes of persons /functionaries/ served by it: by the general use, the benefit which accrues to all of them in the aggregate from the general principle of demoralization, which it contributes to establish: viz that to /in/ regard to human actions in general, right ans wrong, proper ground for approbation and disapprobation, depends - not on the influence of the action on the greatest happiness of the greatest number, but on the practice, consequently on the will, and thence on the interest, real or supposed, of the aggregate of those same particular classes. Of the establishment of this principle of demoralization, the object and the effect is - the causing men to behold, not merely with indifference, but even with approbation - in the first place, the perpetration of injustice, and in a word of political evil in all its shapes; and, in the next place, the employing as an instrument in the commission of such mischief falshood - wilful deliberate and self-conscious falshood - in a word mendacity: the practising on this occasion and for this purpse that vice which when by individuals not armed with power it is employed to purposes much less extensively mischievous is by these same men habitually and to a vast extent visited with the severest punishment.

Now go to p.3.