ORDER II.

Passions and Affections excited by Displacency, in which EVIL is the predominant Idea.

THE reason for preferring the word Displacency to Malevolence, as a generic term, has already been given. Malevolence is rejected, as not being so applicable to every branch of that displeasure we may possibly indulge against others; whereas Displacency comprehends those various kinds of discontent to which we are exposed, in our social intercourse. Displacency may indicate itself by dispositions exceedingly inimical to its objects, or it may consist in warm disapprobation of their conduct. In the first sense, it is opposed to the operations of the benevolent principle; and in the other, it is the reverse of complacency, which indicates various degrees of affectionate approbation.

The word Displacency is solely applicable to our intercourse with the human species, and is not employed to express discontent or uneasifrom any any other source.

ness,

Displacency divides itself also into two kinds. M A

It may be indicated by malevolent desires and dispositions towards the object: or by unfavourable opinions and disapprobations, without any mixture of Malevolence.

I. The displacency which is indicated by malevolent desires and dispositions.

These may be either of a permanent nature, or merely occasional. The former relates to that Malevolence or ill-will which is constant and uniform in its influence; the other to the passion of Anger and its various modifications, which have some particular acts of an unpleasing and irritating nature, for their immediate objects.

The first species of Malevolence is a branch of that general principle of Hatred, which has already occupied our attention. See CH. I. SECT. III.) It originates from various incidental causes;--such as from reiterated injuries, and vexations;-from unjust or exaggerated representations of the temper, designs, motives, conduct of another, which are unpleasant or pernicious;from the partialities so intimately connected with our social intimacies and affections, which give rise to violent prejudices against those who

appear inimical to their interests ;-from a spirit of envy and jealousy, which connects hatred of the Person with repining at their good fortune. Clans and classes of Enmity may thus be formed, which, augmented by the power of social sympathy, will finally become inveterate and implacable. Malevolence therefore commences with some idea of evil, belonging to and connected with the object; and it settles into a permanent hatred of his person, and of every thing relative to him.

The principle thus formed gives rise to the following malevolent affections.

Malignancy or Malignity. Both these words express a disposition which cherishes inveteraté hatreds, and maintains implacable war against its object; a disposition which deliberately plans schemes of mischief, and employs every means that power, mental or physical, can furnish to the prejudice of another. These words are nearly synonymous. In some connections, Malignity seems rather more pertinently applied to a radical depravity of nature, and Malignancy to indications of this depravity, in temper and conduct in particular instances.

Both may be manifested by the perversion of

power, whether physical or intellectual; and our dread of the disposition will be proportioned to our conceptions of the magnitude of this power. Hence the terror inspired by the idea of Demous and wicked Spirits, or Beings of an higher order, who are supposed to be devoid of every thing that is good, and replete with every thing that is evil, So that

To do ought good never can be their task,
But ever to do ill, their sole delight.

MILTON.

To such Beings we ascribe Malignancy to an infinite extent.

Malice, on the other hand, is more frequently employed to express the dispositions of inferior minds, to execute every purpose of mischief, within the more limited circle of their abilities. It often shews itself by little incidents; such as, by thwarting the favourite purposes of another;-by refusing the good that might be communicated without personal injury; by encouraging unfavourable reports;-by raising unjust suspicions;-by perverse misrepresentations, &c. This temper is sometimes expressed by spite, or by having a spite against any one.

Thus, if we ascribe Malignancy

to Beings of a superior order, by way of preeminence, malice and a malicious disposition, may with peculiar propriety be reserved for the minor agents of mischief, whose power of doing evil is not proportionate to their inclinations.

Envy. This is a painful sensation excited by the view of something desirable in the state and situation of another, which self-love wishes to appropriate. To envy is to repine at the good conferred upon another, or possessed by him. Thus it is a perfect contrast to the sympathy which rejoices at his welfare. Envy entertains a degree of sorrow that the good contemplated should escape ourselves, and of anger that it should fall to the share of another. The inordinate self-love which excites to envy, naturally induces the envious person to imagine that he is more deserving, than the object who has been favoured. He contemplates his own supposed merit, in opposition to the supposed demerit of the more happy object, until he becomes fully convinced, in his own prejudiced judgment, of the injustice of the distribution; and feels a spirit of resentment arising against the possessor, and every cause of his enjoyment.

Thus is envy that species of malevolence, which is inspired by the conjoined influence of pride, sorrow, and anger.