1821. May 10. 1822 Aug 9.

In regard to fiction two sources and of use and

of service require to be noted. One is, the extent of the

sinister service rendered: the other is, by the extent of

the class of persons to whom the service is rendered.

2. In respect of the

extent of the service rendered, the use of fiction may be

distinguished into general and particular .

By

particular use understand the particular benefit, which on

the occasion of such fiction,

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

in regard to human actions in general, right & wrong,

proper ground for approbation and disapprobation depends — not on

the influence of the action or the greatest happiness of the greatest

number, but on the practice, consequently on the will, & thence or 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 falsehood — wilful deliberate and

self-conscious falsehood — in a word mendacity: the practicing on this occasion and for this purpose

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.