[clx. 360]

1822 July 25

Constitut. Code Rationale

Securities

5 Moral Counterforce

Public Opinion Tribunal

Evidence etc

Such is /are/ the facilities which the nature of the case affords for the encountering of it when the shape in which it presents itself is thus determinate.

Now suppose it in the merely oral shape. Being refutation proof being proof against exposure, the great probability is that even in its first shape it is false. It is either a compleat fabrication in the whole texture of it, if there be a groundwork of truth belonging to it an embroidery of falshood is added - of falshood such as suits the sinister purpose whatever it be. But how so ever mischievous and injurious this first is naturally its least mischievous and most /least/ injurious shape: and even in this shape it is not capable of being encountered. From the first mouth it passes on to another and in the second mouth further mischievousness further injuriousness with or without consciousnces and intentionality are naturally added. Thus it travels on from mouth to mouth it travels /rolls/ on adding to its mischievousness and injuriousness at every stage; to the number of the stages there is no limit: and at no one of them can it ever be encountered