SI 



parts a fupernatural and inconceivable degree of ftrcngth, and energy, 

 like that which delirium beftows on the maniac. According to the cir- 

 cumftances, that exifl at the moment, or the biafs impreft, by thofe who 

 are interefled in guiding the movements of the populace, it roufes the 

 good, or the bad paffions, hope or defpair, courage or fear, mercy or 

 cruelty ; its operations are inftantaneous and involuntary ; the people arc 

 fcarcely confcious of their own afts ; they rufli, with impetuofity, to effec- 

 tuate mighty changes unforefcen by themfelves. — It is the office of great 

 addrefs and ability, in the^ ftatefman, or the general, who has {ludied the 

 human charafter, to feize the public mind in this moment if ignition ; to 

 ftrike without refpite, and forge and fafliion it, to his will ; whether he 

 defigns, to make it an inftrument of good, or to employ it, as a powerful 

 engine of deflruftion. We fliall be convinced of the immenfe force, and 

 diffufion of panic credulity, by confidering, that it propagates itfelf, 

 and at the fame time encreafes its momentum, in a fort of geometrical 

 progreffion. Every man, who is fully poffefl with it, is anxious to infeft 

 others, and becomes an apoftle of deluflon, to a circle, that furrounds 

 him, When the influence of credulity becomes thus epidemic, reafon is 

 Clent ; law and authority are inoperative ; it is vain to oppofe mounds, 

 to the popular torrent. In proportion as the agents and managers of 

 parties are low, worthlefs, and unprincipled ; in proportion, as parties 

 tliemfelves are exafperated againft each other ; perfons will be found more 

 ready, both to circulate and to credit fuch pernicious falflioods ; and the 

 work of general delufion and fanatical impoflure will be rendered more 

 extenfive, and more ruinous. 



Through this principle of credulity, we often find a whole nation adopt- 

 ing the paffions and prejudices of an individual. The people are thus 

 rendered their own, dupes;* and impofe on themfelves through the me- 

 dium of their own adopted paffions. They refign themfelves, to the de- 

 lufions of fancy ; and are hurried on blindly and madly, at the fuggeftions 



(G 2) of 



* In the year 1626 we find the Britifti Houfc of Commons making open profeffion of 

 credulity^ and giving fanflion to popular rumour by a vote of the legiflature. " On fonie 

 queries of Dr. Turner's, it was voted, (fays Hume) " that common fame was fufficient 

 ground of accufation by the Commons. Vol. 6," 



