1819 Aug. 17 15

Fallacies Ch. | | Logical HighFlyers

9 Influence

Mention has been made of a case in which the cloak may be termed a special one: it is the more special, the more exactly it fits to the foul spot to the abuse. As the looseness of the cloak has its advantages, so has the close-fittingness: the looser the greater in number and extent the foul-spots, the abuses, for which it may be made a cover: but the closer to shape, the less the suspicion excited by the use of it.

An instance of this sort of special cloak is afforded by the thing called corruption - parliamentary corruption - and the word - the so commonly useful word - influence. How decorous! how graceful! how every way becoming - the cloak made out of it! /which it affords!/