9 Nov r 1811

Evidence

1. Theoretic

Ch Persuasion

§.2 Hume

5

Delivered by a trustworthy hand a report made to me in the loosest and most general terms suffices in many instances to produce in my mind a persuasion of the truth of it sufficiently strong for every practical purpose, of the truth of it. Compared with that of the impression made in my mind by a scene in one of Richardson's or M rs Radcliffes works the impression made by the relation of this true fact shall have been altogether faint and next to imperceptible.

The imagination may to any degree be affected and distorted while the judgment remains unmoved. Vampires Ghosts [...?] Church Yard

Any recollection of the truth of which at the same time that whether through [...?] or any other cause it has been rendered faint, he has no doubt, let him compare it with any scene with which he happens to have been particularly struck in a romance a novel or a play, and then say whether it be vividness of the conception or memory that produces belief, and faintness disbelief.