首页 >出版文学> The Rationale of Reward>第3章
  1。Thenaturalburthensofanyparticularservice,maybecomprisedunderthefollowingheads:———Theintensityoflabourrequiredinitsperformance,———theulterioruneasinesswhichmayarisefromitsparticularcharacter,———thephysicaldangerattendingit,———theexpensesorothersacrificesnecessarymadepreviouslytoitsexercise,———thediscreditattachedtoit,———thepeculiarenmitiesitproduces。
  Thewagesoflabourindifferentbranchesoftrade,areregulatedinexactproportiontothecombinationoftheseseveralcircumstances。Tothelegislator,however,exceptincaseswhereitmaybenecessarytoaddfactitioustonaturalreward,considerationsofthissortareingeneralsubjectsonlyofspeculation。
  Thatanyparticularserviceismoreorlesshighlypriced,isoflittleimportance:itaffectstheindividualsonlywhostandinneedofit。Thecompetitionbetweenthosewhowantandthosewhocansupply,fixesthepriceofallservicesinthemostfittingmanner。Itissufficientthatthedemandbepublicandfree。Toassist,ifnecessary,ingivingpublicitytothedemand,andinmaintainingreciprocallibertyinsuchtransactions,isallthatthelegislatoroughtdodo。
  2。Naturalrewardsareliabletobeinsufficient,inrelationtoservices,whoseutilityextendstothewholecommunity,withoutproducingparticularadvantagetoanyoneindividualmorethananother。Ofthisnaturearepublicemployments。Itistrue,manypublicemploymentsareattendedbynaturalrewardsintheshapeofhonour,power,themeansofservingone’sconnexions,anddeservingthepublicgratitude;
  andwhentheserewardsaresufficient,factitiousrewardsaresuperfluous。
  Totheirambassadors,andmanyothersoftheirgreatofficersofstate,theVenetiansnevergaveanypecuniaryreward。InEng1and,thepublicfunctionsofsheriffsandjusticesofthepeacearegenerallydischargedbyopulentandindependentindividuals,whoseonlyrewardconsistsintherespectandpowerattachedtothoseoffices。
  3。Therearemanycircumstanceswhichmaydiminishthevalueofareward,withoutbeinggenerallyknownbeforehand,butagainstallofwhichitispropertoguard。Doestherewardconsistofmoney?Itsvaluemaybediminishedbyaburthenofthesamenature,orbyaburthenintheshapeofhonour。Honourandmoneymayevenbeseenatstrifewithoneanother,aswellaswiththemselvesBythesemeans,thevalueofarewardmaysometimesbereducedtonothing,andevenbecomenegative。
  Inthiscountry,where,properlyspeaking,thereisnopublicprosecutor,manyoffences,whichnoindividualhasanypeculiarinterestinprosecuting,areliabletoremainunpunished。Inthewayofremedy,thelawoffersfrom£;10to£;20,tobelevieduponthegoodsoftheoffender,towhoeverwillsuccessfullyundertakethisfunction:sometimesitisadded,thattheexpenseswillberepaidincaseofconviction:sometimesthisisnotpromised。Theseexpensesmayamounttothirty,fifty,andevenonehundredpounds;itisseldomtheyaresolittleastwentypounds。Afterthis,canwebesurprisedthatthelawsareimperfectlyobeyed?
  Itmaybeadded,thatitisconsidereddishonourabletoattendtothissummonsofthelaws。Anindividualwhointhismannerendeavourstoservehiscountry,iscalledaninformer;andlestpublicopinionshouldnotbesufficienttobrandhimwithinfamy,theservantsofthelaw,andeventhelawsthemselves,haveonsomeoccasionsendeavouredtofixthestain。Thenumberofprivateprosecutorswouldbemuchmorenumerous,if,insteadoftheinsidiousofferofareward,anindemnificationweresubstituted。Thedishonourableofferbeingsuppressed,thedishonouritselfwouldcease。Andwhocansay,whenbysuchanarrangementthecircumstancewhichoffendsitisremoved,whetherhonouritselfmaynotbepressedintotheserviceofthelaws?
  Thereisanothercaseinwhich,bythenegligenceoflegalandofficialarrangements,aconsiderableandcertainexpenseisattachedtoandmadetoprecedeavariableanduncertainreward。Anewideapresentsitselftosomeworkmanorartist。Knowingthatthelawsgranttoeveryinventoraprivilegetoenablehimexclusivelytoreaptheprofitsofhisinvention,heenjoysbyanticipationhissuccess,andlabourstoperfecthisinvention。Having,intheprosecutionofhisdiscovery,consumed,perhaps,thegreaterpartofhispropertyandhislife,hisinventioniscomplete。Hegoes,withajoyfulheart,tothepublicofficetoaskforhispatent。Butwhatdoesheencounter?Clerks,lawyers,andofficersofstate,whoreapbeforehandthefruitsofhisindustry。Thisprivilegeisnotgiven,butis,infact,soldforfrom£;100to£;
  200———sumsgreaterperhapsthanheeverpossessedinhislife。Hefindhimselfcaughtinasnare,whichthelaw,orratherextortionwhichhasobtainedtheforceoflaw,hasspreadfortheindustriousinventor。Itisataxlevieduponingenuity,andnomancansetboundstothevalueoftheservicesitmayhavelosttothenation。
  RuleIII。Rewardshouldbeadjustedinsuchamannertoeachparticularservice,thatforeverypartofthebenefittheremaybeamotivetoinduceamantogivebirthtoit。
  Inotherwords,thevalueoftherewardoughttoadvancestepbystepwiththevalueoftheservice。Thisruleismoreaccuratelyfollowedinrespectofrewardsthanofpunishments。Ifamanstealaquantityofcorn,thepunishmentisthesame,whetherhestealonebushelorten;
  butwhenapremiumisgivenfortheexportationofcorn,theamountofthepremiumbearsanexactproportiontotheamountexported。Tobeconsistentinmattersoflegislation,thescaleoughttobeasregularintheonecaseasintheother。
  Theutilityofthisruleisputbeyonddoubtbythedifferencethatmaybeobservedbetweenthequantityofworkperformedbymenemployedbytheday,andmenemployedbythepiece。Whenaditchistobedug,andtheworkisdividedbetweenonesetofmenworkingbytheday,andanothersetworkingbythepiece,thereisnodifficultyinpredictingwhichsetwillhavefinishedfirst。
  Hope,andperhapsemulation,arethemotiveswhichactuatethelabourerbythepiece:themotivewhichactuatesthelabourerbythedayisfear———fearofbeingdischargedincaseofmanifestandextraordinaryidleness。
  Itmustnot,however,beforgotten,thattherearemanysortsofworkinrespectofwhichitisimpropertoadoptthismodeofpayment;whichtendsindeedtoproducethegreatestquantityoflabour,butatthesametimeiscalculatedtogivebirthtonegligenceandprecipitation。Thismethodoughtonlytobeemployedincaseswherethequalityoftheworkcaneasilybediscerned,anditsimperfections(ifany)detected。
  Thevalueofarewardmaybeincreasedordiminished,inrespectofcertaintyaswellasamount:when,therefore,anyservicesrequirefrequentlyrenewedefforts,itisdesirablethateacheffortshouldrendertheprobabilityofitsattainmentmorecertain。
  Arrangementsshouldbemadeforconnectingserviceswithreward,insuchmannerthattheattainmentoftherewardshallremainuncertain,without,however,ceasingtobemoreprobablethanthecontraryevent。Thefacultiesoftheindividualemployedwillthusnaturallybekeptuponthefullstretch。Thisisaccomplishedwhenacompetitionisestablishedbetweentwoormorepersons,andarewardispromisedtothatonewhoshallrenderserviceinthemosteminentdegree,whetheritrespectthequantityorthequalityoftheserviceproposed。
  RuleIV。Whentwoservicescomeincompetition,ofwhichamancannotbeinducedtoperformboth,therewardforthegreaterserviceoughttobesufficienttoinducehimtopreferittotheless。
  Inacertaincountry,mattersaresoarranged,thatmoreistobegainedbybuildingshipsontheoldplan,thanbyinventingbetter;bytakingoneship,thanbyblockadingahundred;byplunderingatsea,thanbyfighting;bydistortingtheestablishedlaws,thanbyexecutingthem;byclamouringfororagainstministers,thanbyshowinginwhatmannerthelawsmaybeimproved。Itmusthoweverbeadmitted,thatinrespectofsomeoftheseabuses,itwouldbedifficulttoprescribetheproperremedy。
  Bywhatmethodcancompetitionbetweentwoservicesbeestablished?Theindividualfromwhomtheyarerequiredmust,eitherfrompersonalqualificationsorexternalcircumstances,haveitinhispowertorendereithertheoneortheother。Itispropertodistinguishthecasesinwhichthispositionistransient,fromthoseinwhichitispermanent。Itisinthefirstthatthefaultcommitted,bysufferingdisproportiontosubsist,ismostirreparable。
  DuringtheAmericanwar,upwardsofanhundredshipswereatonetimeinoneoftheharboursoftherevoltedcolonies。
  Itvasofgreatimportancethattheyshouldbekeptinastateofblockade,sincemanyofthemwereloadedwithmilitarystores。AnEnglishcaptainreceivedorderstoblockadethem。Sufficientlyskilledinarithmetic,andinproverbs,toknowthattwoorthreebirdsinhiscagewereworthahundredinthebush,heactedasthegreaternumberofmenwouldhaveactedinhisplace。Hestoodofftoasufficientdistancetogivetheenemyhopesofescaping:assoonastheyhadquittedtheharbour,hereturned,capturedhalf—a—dozen,andtherestproceededtotheirdestination。Idonotanswerforthetruthofthisanecdote;buttrueornottrue,itisequallygoodasanapologue。Itexhibitsoneofthefruitsofthatinconsiderateprodigality,whichgrants,withoutdiscrimination,theproduceoftheircapturestothecaptors。
  Anotherexample。Amanwhohasinfluenceobtainsthecommandofafrigate,withorderstogouponacruise。Thecommandofafirst—rateisacceptedbythoseonlywhocannotobtainafrigate。
  Itisthusthatinterestisputincompetitionwithduty———cupiditywithglory。Therearedoubtlessnotwantingnoblemindsbywhomtheseductionsofsinisterinterestareresisted:butwhereforeshouldtheybesomuchexposedtowhatitissodifficulttoresist?
  Itistrue,thattheirearsmaynotbealtogetherinsensibletothecallofhonour。Thelawhasbestowedpecuniaryrewardsuponthecaptorsofarmedvessels———(anotherexample,whereoneinstanceofprofusionhascreatedthenecessityofasecond)———buttheserewardsarestillunequal:thechaseofdovesismoreadvantageousthanthepursuitofeagles。
  Theremedywouldbetotax,andtaxheavily,theprofitsoflucrativecruises,toformafundofrewardinfavourofdangerous,ormerelyusefulexpeditions。Bythisarrangement,thecountrywouldbedoublybenefited,theservicewouldberenderedmoreattractive,andconductedwithmoreeconomy。Itmaybetrue,thatifthistaxweredeductedfromtheshareoftheseamen,theirardourmightbecooled:neitherinvalueorinnumberaretheirprizesinthislotterysusceptibleofdiminution。
  Butthoughthisbetruewithrespecttothelowerranksoftheprofession,oughtwetojudgeinthesamemannerofthesuperiorofficers,whosemindsareelevatedastheirrank,andonwhoseconducttheperformanceofthedutyhasthemostimmediatedependence?
  Inthejudicialdepartment,theservicewhichbelongstotheprofessionofanadvocate,andtheservicewhichbelongstotheofficeofajudge,areinastateofrivalry:theyconstitutetheelementsoftwopermanentconditions,ofwhichthefirstamongmostnationsisthepreliminaryroutetothesecond。InEngland,thejudgesareuniformlyselectedfromamongtheclassofadvocates。Nowtheinterestofthecountryrequiresthatthechoiceshouldfalluponthemenofhighestattainmentsintheirprofession,sinceuponthereputationofthejudgesdependstheopinionwhicheverymanformsofhissecurity。Itisnotofthesameimportancetothepublicthatadvocatesshouldbesupereminentlyskilful:theiroccupationisnottoseekoutwhatisagreeabletojustice,butwhatagreeswiththeinterestofthepartytowhichchancehasengagedthem。Onthecontrary,themoredecidedlyanyadvocateisexaltedinpointoftalentsabovehiscolleagues,themoredesirableisitthatheshouldnolongercontinueanadvocate。Inproportiontohispre—eminence,istheprobabilitythathewillbeopposedtothedistributionofjustice。Theworsethecauseofthesuitor,themorepressingishisneedofanableadvocatetoremedyhisweakness。
  InEngland,theemolumentsoftheLordChancellorarereckonedat£;
  20,000
  ———Vice—Chancellor,5,000
  ———MasteroftheRolls,4,000
  ———Chief—JusticeoftheKing’sBench,6,500
  ———Chief—JusticeoftheCommonPleas,5,000
  ———Chief—BaronoftheExchequer,5,000
  ———NinePuisneJudges,4,000Now,amongsttheclassofadvocatestherearealwaystobefoundabouthalf—a—dozenwhoseannualemolumentsaveragefromeighttotwelvethousandpounds。Ofthisnumberthereisnotonewhowouldnotdisdaintheofficeofpuisnejudge,sincehisprofitsareactuallytwoorthreetimesasgreatastheirs。Totheseadvocatesofthefirstclassmaybeaddedasmanymore,whowouldequallydisdainthesesubordinatesituations,inthehopeeverydayofsucceedingtotheadvocateswhoshallsucceedtotheprincipalsituations。Therearetwomethodsofobviatingthisinconvenience:theonebyincreasingtheemolumentsofthejudges。
  (Thiscoursehasbeenadopteduponmanyoccasions,andtheyhavebeenraisedtotheirpresentamount,withoutsuccess。)Theotherconsistsinloweringtheprofitsoftheadvocates:adesirableobjectinmorerespectsthanone,butwhichcanresultonlyfromrenderingthewholesystemofthelawsmoresimpleandintelligible。
  Inthedepartmentofeducation,thereisanearlysimilarrivalrybetweentheprofessionoftheclergyandtheofficeofprofessor,betweentheprofessionofadvocateandtheofficeofjudge,inthedepartmentofthelaws。Inproportionasheiswhatheoughttobeinordertobeuseful,aclergymanisaprofessorofmorality,havingforhispupilsalargerorsmallernumberofpersonsofeveryclass,duringthewholecourseoftheirlives。Ontheotherhand,aprofessor(asheiscalled)hasforhispupilsanumberofselectindividuals,whosecharacteriscalculatedtoexercisethegreatestinfluenceuponthegeneralmassofthepeople,andamongtheirnumbertheclergyaregenerallytobefound。
  Theperiodduringwhichtheseindividualsattendthelecturesoftheprofessoristhemostcriticalperiodoflife———theonlyperiodduringwhichtheyareunderobligationtopayattentiontowhattheyhear,ortoreceivetheinstructionpresentedtothem。Suchbeingtherelationbetweentheservicesofthetwoclasses,letusseewhatistheproportionbetweentheamountofrewardrespectivelyallottedtoeach。
  InEngland,theemolumentsoftheclergyvaryfrom£;20to£;10,000a—year,whilethoseoftheprofessorsinthechiefseatsofeducation———theuniversities———arebetweenthetwentiethandthehundredthpartofthelattersum。InScotland,theemolumentsoftheprofessorsdifferbutlittlefromwhattheyareinEngland,buttherichestecclesiasticalbeneficeisscarcelyequaltotheleastproductiveprofessorship。Itisthus,saysAdamSmith,that``inEnglandthechurchiscontinuallydrainingtheuniversitiesofalltheirbestandablestmembers;
  andanoldcollegetutor,whoisknownanddistinguishedasaneminentmanofletters,israrelytobefound’’;whilstinScotlandthecaseisexactlythereverse。ItisbytheinfluenceofthiscircumstancethatheexplainshowacademicaleducationissoexcellentintheScottishuniversities,and,accordingtohim,sodefectiveinthoseofEngland。
  Betweentwoprofessionswhichdonotenterintocompetitionwitheachother(forexample,thoseofopera—dancersandclergymen,)
  adisproportionbetweentheiremolumentsisnotattendedwithsuchpalpableinconveniences;butwhenbyanycircumstancetwoprofessionsarebroughtintocomparisonwitheachother,theleastadvantageouslosesitsvaluebythecomparison,andthedisproportionpresentstotheeyeoftheobservertheideaofinjustice。
  RRBook1Chapter11TheRationaleofRewardBookIOfRewardsinGeneralChapterXICHOICEASTOREWARDSInmakingaproperselectionofpunishments,muchskillisrequired:comparativelymuchlessisrequisiteintheproperselectionofrewards。Notonlyarethespeciesofrewardsmorelimitedinnumberthanthoseofpunishments,butthegroundsofpreferencearemoreeasilydiscoverable,andtherearenot,asinthecaseofpunishments,anypassionswhichtendtomisleadthejudgment。
  Thequalitiesdesirableinrewardsarethesameasinthecaseofpunishments:weshallenumeratethem,andthenproceedtopointoutinwhatdegreetheyareunitedincertainmodesofremuneration。
  Arewardisbestadaptedtofulfilthepurposeforwhichitmaybedesigned,whenitis———Variable,susceptibleofincreaseordiminutioninrespectofamount,thatitmaybeproportionedtothedifferentdegreesofofservice。
  Equable,thatequalportionsmayatalltimesoperatewithequalforceuponallindividuals。
  Commensurable,withrespecttootherspeciesofrewardsattachedtootherservices。
  Exemplary:itsapparentoughtnottodifferfromitsrealvalue。
  Thisqualityiswanting,whenalargeexpenseisincurredforthepurposeofreward,withoutitsbecomingmatterofnotoriety。Theobjectaimedatoughttobetostriketheattention,andproduceadurableimpression。
  Economical。Moreoughtnottobepaidforaservicethanitisworth。Thisistheruleineverymarket。
  Characteristic:asfaraspossibleanalogoustotheservice。
  Itbecomesbythismeansthemoreexemplary。
  Popular。Itoughtnottoopposeestablishedprejudices。InvaindidtheRomanemperorsbestowhonoursuponthemostodiousinformers;theydegradedthehonours,buttheinformerswerenotthelessinfamous。Butitisnotenoughthatitdoesnotopposetheprejudices:itisdesirablethateveryrewardshouldobtaintheapprobationofthepublic。
  Fructifying:calculatedtoexcitetheperseveranceoftheindividualinthecareerofservice,andtosupplyhimwithnewresources。Intheselectionfromamongthevarietyofrewards,ofthatparticularonewhichmostcertainlywillproduceanydesiredaffect,attentionmustnotonlybepaidtothenatureoftheservice,butalsototheparticulardispositionandcharacteroftheindividualuponwhomitistooperate。Inthisrespect,publicregulationscanneverattaintheperfectionofwhichdomesticdisciplineissusceptible。Nosovereigncaneverinthesamedegreebeacquaintedwiththedispositionsofhissubjects,asafathermaybewiththoseofhischildren。Thisdisadvantageishowevercompensatedbythelargernumberofcompetitors。Inakingdom,everydiversityoftemperament,andeverydegreeofaptitude,maybefoundunitedtogether;andprovidedtherewardbeproportionatetotheservice,itwillbeoflittleimportancewhatmaybeitsnature:likethemagnet,whichoutofheterogeneousmassattractsandseparatesthemosthiddenparticlesofiron,itwilldetecttheindividualsusceptibleofitsattraction。
  Besides,thenatureofpecuniaryreward,whichisadaptedtothegreaterproportionofservices,issuchthateveryindividualmayconvertitintothespeciesofpleasurewhichbemostprefers。
  Toformajudgmentofthemeritsanddemeritsofpecuniaryreward,aglanceatthelistofdesirablequalitieswillsuffice。
  Itwillatoncebeseenwhichofthemitpossesses,andofwhichofthemitisdeficient:itisvariable,equable,andcommensurable。
  Itoughttobeadded,thatitisfrequentlyindispensablynecessary:therearemanycasesinwhicheveryotherreward,separatedfromthis,wouldnotonlybeaburthen,butevenamockery,especiallyiftheperformanceoftheservicehavebeenattendedwithanexpenseorlossgreaterthantheindividualcaneasilysupport。
  Ontheotherhand,pecuniaryrewardisnotexemptfromdisadvantages。Speakinggenerally(fortherearemanyexceptions,)itisneitherexemplary,norcharacteristic,norevenpopular。[2]Whenallowedtoexceedacertainamount,ittendstodiminishtheactivityofthereceiver:insteadofaddingtohisinclinationtopersevereinhisservices,itmayfurnishhimwithatemptationtodiscontinuethem。TheenrichedmanwillbeapttothinklikethesoldierofLucullus,whobecametimidsosoonashepossessedpropertytopreserve。Ibiteò;,quovis,quizonamperdidit,inquit。Hor。Epist。II。lib。2。Therearealsocasesinwhichmoney,insteadofanattractive,mayhavearepulsiveeffect,———insteadofoperatingasareward,maybeconsideredasaninsult,atleastbypersonswhopossessanydelicacyintheirsentimentsofhonour。Acertaindegreeofskillisthereforerequiredintheapplicationofmoneyasareward:
  itisoftentimesdesirablethatthepecuniaryshouldappearonlyasanaccessarytothehonorary,whichshouldbemadetoconstitutetheprincipalpartofthereward。[3]
  Everypecuniaryrewardmaybe,asitwere,annihilatedbyitsrelativesmallness。Amanofindependentfortune,andofacertainrankinsociety,wouldbeconsideredasdegradedbyacceptingasumthatwouldnotdegradeamechanic。Thereisnorulefordetermining;whatispermittedorprohibitedinthisrespect:customhasestablishedtheprejudice。
  Butthedifficultyitpresentsisnotinsurmountable。Bycombiningtogethermoneyandhonour,acompoundisformed,whichisuniversallypleasing:medals,forexample,possessthisdoubleadvantage。Byalittleartandprecaution,asolidpeaceisestablishedbetweenprideandcupidity;andthusunited,theyhavebothbeenrangedunderthebannersofmerit。Prideproclaimsaloud———``Itisnottheintrinsicvalueofthemetalwhichpossessesattractionsforme;itisthecircleofgloryalonewithwhichitissurrounded。’’
  Cupiditymakesitscalculationinsilence,andaccuratelyestimatesthevalueofthematerialoftheprize。
  BytheSocietyofArtsastillhigherdegreeofperfectionhasbeenattained。Achoiceiscommonlyallowedbetweenasumofmoneyandamedal。Thusallconditionsandtastesaresatisfied:themechanicorpeasantpocketsthemoney;thepeerorgentlemanornamentshiscabinetwithamedal。
  Theapparentvalueofmedalsisinsomecasesaugmented,byrenderingthedesign,uponthemcharacteristicoftheserviceonaccountofwhichtheyarebestowed。Bytheadditionofthenameoftheindividualrewarded,anexclusivecertificateismadeinhisfavour。Theingenuitydisplayedinthechoiceofthedesignhassometimesbeenextremelyhappy。
  ABritishstatutegivestothepersonwhoapprehendsandconvictsahighwayman,amongstotherrewards,thehorseonwhichtheoffenderwasmountedwhenhecommittedtheoffence。
  PossiblytheframerofthislawmayhavetakenthehintfromthepassageinVirgil,inwhichthesonofÆ;neaspromisestoNisus,incaseofthesuccessoftheexpeditionhewasmeditating,theveryhorseandaccoutrementswhichTurnushadbeenseentouse。
  Itisequallypossible,thatthesameknowledgeofhumannature,whichsuggestedtotheLatinpoettheefficacyofsuchareward,suggesteditatoncetotheEnglishlawyer。Bethisasitmay,thisprovisioniscommendableonthreeseveralaccounts。Intheassignmentoftheprize,itpitchesuponanobject,which,fromthenatureofthetransaction,islikelytomakeaparticularimpressiononthemindofthepersonwhoseassistanceisrequired;actinginthisrespectinconformitytotheruleabovelaiddown,whichrecommendsanattentiontothecircumstancesinfluencingthesensibilityofthepersononwhomimpressionistobemade。
  Italsohastheadvantageofbeingcharacteristic,aswellasexemplary。
  Theanimal,whenthustransferred,becomesavoucherfortheactivityandprowessofitsowner,aswellasatrophyofhisvictory。
  Anarrangementlikethis,simpleasitis,orratherbecauseitissosimple,wasanextraordinarystretchinBritishpolicy;
  inwhich,thoughthereisgenerallyagreatmixtureofgoodsense,therereignsthroughoutakindoflittlenessandmauvaisehonte,whichavoids,withtimidcaution,everythingthatisbold,striking,andeccentric,scarcelyeverhazardinganyofthosestrongandmasterlytoucheswhichstriketheimagination,andfillthemindwiththeideaofthesublime。
  ExamplesofrewardsofthisnatureaboundintheRomansystemofremuneration。Foreveryspeciesofmerit,appropriatesymboliccrownswereprovided。ThisbranchoftheiradministrationpreservedtheancientsimplicityofRomeinitscradle;andthewreathofparsleylongeclipsedthesplendourofthecrownsofgold。Iwasabouttospeakoftheirtriumphs,buthereIamcompelledtostop:humanityshuddersatthatprideofconquestwhichtreadsunderitsfeetthevanquishednations。Thesystemoflegislationoughtnodoubttobeadaptedtotheencouragementofmilitaryardour,butitoughtnottofanitintosuchaflameastomakeitthepredominantpassionofthepeople,andtoprostrateeverythingbeforeit。
  Honoraryrewardsareeminentlyexemplary:theyarestandingmonumentsoftheserviceforwhichtheyhavebeenbestowed;
  theyalsopossessthedesirablepropertyofoperatingasaperpetualencouragementtofreshexertions。Todisgraceanhonoraryreward,istobeatraitortoone’sself;hethathasoncebeenpronouncedbrave,shouldperpetuallymeritthatcommendation。
  Tocreatearewardofthisnature,isnotverydifficult。Thesymbolicallanguageofesteemis,likewrittenlanguage,matterofconvention。Everymodeofdress,everyceremony,sosoonasitismadeamarkofpreeminence,becomeshonourable。Abranchoflaurel,aribband,agarter———everythingpossessesthevaluewhichisassignedtoit。Itishoweverdesirable,thattheseensignsshouldpossesssomeemblematiccharacterexpressiveofthenatureoftheserviceforwhichtheyarebestowed。Withreferencetothisprinciple,theblazonryofheraldryappearsrudeandunmeaning。Thedecorationofthevariousordersofknighthood,thoughnotdeficientinsplendour,arehighlydeficientinrespectofcharacter:
  theystriketheeye,buttheyconveynoinstructiontothemind。Aribbandappearsmorelikethefineryofawoman,thanthedistinctivedecorationofahero。
  Honorarytitleshavefrequentlyderivedapartoftheirgloryfrombeingcharacteristic。Theplacewhichhasbeenthetheatreofhisexploitshasoftenfurnishedatitleforavictoriousgeneral,wellcalculatedtoperpetuatethememoryofhisserviceandhisglory。Ataveryearlyperiodoftheirhistory,theRomansemployedthisexpedientinadditiontotheotherrewardswhichtheyconferreduponthegeneralwhocompletedaconquest。———HencethesurnamesofAfricanus,Numidicus,Asiaticus,Germanicus,andsomanyothers。
  Thiscustomwasfrequentlybeenimitated。CatherineII。reviveditinfavouroftheRomanoffsandOrloffs。Mahon,twiceintheeighteenthcentury,furnishedtitlestoitsconquerors。ThemansionofBlenheimunitestotheeclatofthename,amoresubstantialproofofnationalgratitude。[5]
  TheRomansoccasionallyappliedthesamemodeofrewardtoservicesofadifferentdescription。TheAppianwayperpetuallyrecalledtothememoryofthosewhojourneyedonit,theliberalityofAppius。[6]
  Thecareeroflegislationmayalsofurnishsomeinstancesofhonourswhichpossessthischaracterofanalogy。InthedigestoftheSardinianlaws,everypraiseworthycarewastakentoinformthepeopletowhichoftheirsovereignstheywereindebtedforeachparticularlaw。Itisanexampleworthyofimitation。Itmayhavebeenintendedasamarkofrespect,aswellasforconvenienceofreference,thatithasbeencustomarytodesignatebythetitleoftheGrenvilleAct,theadmirablelawwhichthisrepresentativeofthepeopleprocuredtobeenactedfortheimpartialdecisionofquestionsrelativetocontestedelections。
  HadthestatueofthislegislatorbeenplacedintheHouseofCommons,fromwhichhebanishedascandalousdisorder,itwouldbothhavebeenamonumentofgratitude,andanoblelesson:itmighthaveforitscompanionastatueofhisnoblerival,theauthorofEconomicalReform。Itisthusthattheimpartialjudgmentofposterity,forgettingthedifferenceswhichseparatedthem,delightstorecollecttheexcellencieswhichassimilatedthemtoeachother:itisthusthatithasplaced,sidebysideofeachother,EschinesandDemosthenes。Themoremenbecomeenlightened,themoreclearlywilltheyperceivethenecessity,atleast,ofdividinghonourbetweenthosewhocausenationstoflourishbymeansofgoodlaws,andthosewhodefendthembytheirvalour。
  Amongthemostobviousandefficaciousmeansofconferringhonoraryrewards,arepictures,busts,statues,andotherimitativerepresentationsofthepersonmeanttoberewarded。Thesespreadhisfametoposterity,and,inconjunctionwiththehistoryoftheservice,handdowntheideaofthepersonbywhomitwasrendered。Theyarenaturallyaccompaniedwithinscriptionsexplanatoryofthecauseforwhichthehonourwasdecreed。Whentheartofwritinghasbecomecommon,theseinscriptionswillfrequentlygivedisgust,bythelengthorextravaganceoftheelogium;
  anditwillthenbecomeanobjectofgoodtastetosayasmuchinasfewwordsaspossible。Perhapsthehappiestspecimensofthekindthatwere,oreverwillbeproduced,arethetwoinscriptionsplacedunderthestatuesofLouisXIV。andVoltaire;theoneerectedbythetownofMontpellier,thelatterbyasocietyofmenofletters,ofwhomFrederickIII。kingofPrussiawasone:———``ALouisXIV。aprè;ssamort。’’``A
  Voltaire,pendantsavie:``Totheking,thoughnolongertheobjectofhopeandfear:tothepoetandphilosopher,thoughstillthebuttofenvy。Thebusiness,onoccasionslikethese,isnottoinformbuttoremind:
  historyandtheartofprintingdotherest。
  Thegreaternumberoftherewardsofwhichwehavespokenabove,areoccasional,thatis,appliedtoaparticularaction。
  Thereareotherswhicharemorepermanentintheircharacter,suchastheHospitalsofChelseaandGreenwich,inEngland,andl’Hô;teldesInvalidesatParis。
  Doubtshaveoftenbeenentertainedoftheutilityoftheseestablishments。Rewards,ithasbeensaid,mightbeextendedtoamuchgreaternumberofindividuals,iftheannualamountoftheexpensesoftheseplacesweredistributedintheshapeofpensions,whiletheindividualswouldthusberenderedmuchhappier,sincemenwhohavepassedtheirdaysofactivity,unitedinaplacewheretheyarenolongersubjecttothecaresandlaboursoflife,areexposedtothemostceaselesslistlessness。
  Ishallnotdisputethetruthoftheseobservations,butontheotherhand,shallexaminetheeffectoftheseestablishmentsuponthemindsofsoldiersandsailors。Theirimaginationsareflatteredbythemagnificenceoftheseretreats;itisabrilliantprospect,openedtothemall;anasylumisprovidedforthosewho,havingquittedtheircountryandtheirfamiliesintheiryouth,havefrequently,intheirdaysofdecrepitudeandage,nootherhomeintheworld。Thosewhoaremutilatedordisfiguredwithwounds,areconsoledbytherenownwhichawaitstheminthehospital,whereeverythingremindsthemoftheirexploits;Itmayalsobeforthebenefitoftheservicemoreprudentthustounitethantodispersethem。Itisaluxury;butitisrational,exemplary,andpossessesacharacterofjusticeandmagnificence。
  Theseestablishmentsbeingnecessarilylimitedwithrespecttothenumberwhichcanbeadmittedintothem,maybeconsidereduponthefootingofextraordinaryrewards,applicabletodistinguishedservices。Theywouldthusconstituteaspeciesofnobilityforthesoldiersandsailors。Theywouldacquireanadditionaldegreeofsplendour,weretheirwallsadornedbythetrophiestakeninwar,whichwouldthereappearmuchmoreappropriatelyplaced,thanwhendepositedinthetemplesofpeace。
  Thedecorationsofthechapelofl’Hô;teldesInvalidesareadmirable。TheflagssuspendedinthecathedralofSt。Paulonlyawakenthoughtsatvariancewiththoseofreligiousworship:removedtoChelseaorGreenwich,theywouldbeconnectedwithnaturalassociations,andwouldfurnishatexttothecommentariesofthosewhoacquiredthembytheirvalour。
  Itisnotoftenthateverydesirablequalityisseentobeunitedinoneandthesamereward:thisunion,however,frequentlytakesplaceinanalmostimperceptiblemanner。
  Aninstanceofarewardparticularlywelladaptedtothenatureoftheservice,isthatofthemonopolywhichitisalmostuniversallythecustomtocreateinfavourofinventors。Fromtheverynatureofthething,itadaptsitselfwiththeutmostnicetytothoserulesofproportiontowhichitismostdifficultforrewardartificiallyinstitutedbythelegislatortoconform。Itadaptsitselfwiththeutmostnicetytothevalueoftheservice。Ifconfined,asitoughttobe,totheprecisepointinwhichtheoriginalityoftheinventionconsists,itisconferredwiththeleastpossiblewasteofexpense:itcausesaservicetoberendered,whichwithoutitamanwouldnothaveamotiveforrendering;andthatonlybyforbiddingothersfromdoingthatwhich,wereitnotforthatservice,itwouldnothavebeenpossibleforthemtohavedone。Evenwithregardtosuchinventions(forsuchtherewillbe)whereothers,besideshimwhopossessedhimselfofthereward,havescentoftheinvention,itisstillofuse,bystimulatingallparties,andsettingthemtostrivewhichshallfirstbringhisdiscoverytobear。Withallthisituniteseverypropertywhichcanbewishedforinareward。Itisvariable,equable,commensurable,characteristic,exemplary,frugal,promotiveofperseverance,subservienttocompensation,popular,andrevocable。
  RRBook1Chapter12TheRationaleofRewardBookIOfRewardsinGeneralChapterXIIPROCEDUREASTOREWARDS。Theprovinceofrewardisthelastasylumofarbitrarypower。Intheearlystagesofsociety,punishments,pardons,andrewards,wereequallylavishedwithoutmeasureandwithoutnecessity。Theinflictionofpunishmenthasalreadyinameasurebeensubjecttoregulation:atsomefuturetimeruleswillbelaiddownforthegrantingofpardons;andlastofall,forthebestowmentofrewards。Ifpunishmentoughtnottobeinflictedwithoutformalproofofthecommissionofcrime,neitheroughtrewardtobeconferredwithoutequallyformalproofofdesert。
  Itmaybeallowed,thatinpointofimportance,thedifferencebetweenthetwocasesisgreat;thatpunishmentinflictedwithouttrialexcitesuniversalalarm,whilstrewardconferredwithoutdesertexcitesnosuchfeelings。Buttheseconsiderationsonlyprovethattheadvantageofformalprocedureinthedistributionofrewardislimitedtothepreventionofprodigality,andoftheotherabusesbywhichthevalueofrewardisdiminished。
  AtRome,ifcertaintravellersmaybebelieved,itisthecustom,whenasaintisabouttobecanonized,toallowanadvocate,whoinfamiliarlanguageiscalledtheadvocateofthedevil,topleadagainsthisadmission。Ifthisadvocatehadalwaysbeenfaithfultohisclient,thecalendermightnothavebeensofullasatpresent。Bethisasitmay,theideaitselfitexcellent,andmightadvantageouslybeborrowedbypoliticsfromreligion。L’Italicovalornonè;ancormorto:thereareyetsomelessonstobelearnedinthecapitaloftheworld。
  ItisreportedofPetertheGreat,thatwhenhecondescendedtopassthrougheverygradationofmilitaryrank,fromthelowesttothehighestinhisempire,hetooknostepwithoutproducingregularcertificatesofhisqualifications。Wemaybeallowedtosupposethatevenwithinferiorrecommendationstothoseproducedbythegreatprince,hecouldhavesucceeded。Therewasnoadvocateforthedeviltocontestthepoint,andevenhadtherebeenonehisfidelitywouldhavebeendoubtful:buthadthequalificationsoftheCzarbeenasimperfectas,accordingtothehistory,theywerecomplete,hissubmittingtoproducethemwouldhaveofferedanoblelesson。
  InEnglandwhenadormantpeerageisclaimedbyanyindividual,theattorney—generalisconstitutedtheadvocateforthedevil,andchargedtoexamineintoandproduceeverythingwhichcaninvalidatehistitle。Whereforeishenotthusemployedwhenitisproposedtocreatenewpeers?Whyshouldhenotbeallowedtourgeeverythingwhichcanbesaidagainstthemeasure?Isitfearedthathewouldbetoooftensuccessful?
  Inthedistributionofrewards,wereitalwaysnecessarypubliclytoassignthereasonfortheirbestowment,arestraintwouldbeimposeduponprincesandtheirministers,towhichtheyareunwillingtosubmit。ThereformerlyexistedinSwedenacustom,orpositivelaw,obligingthekingtoinsertinthepatentconferringapensionortitlethereasonforthegrant。In1774,thiscustomwasabolishedbyanexpresslawinsertedintheGazetteofthatcourt,declaringthattheindividualshonouredbythebountyofthekingshouldbeidelitywouldhavebeendoubtful:buthadthequalificationsoftheCzarbeenasimperfectas,accordingtothehistory,theywerecomplete,hissubmittingtoproducethemwouldhaveofferedanoblelesson。
  InEngland,theremuneratorybranchofarbitrarypowerhasbeguntobepruned。Exceptinparticularcases,thekingisnotallowedtograntapensionexceeding£;300perannum,withouttheconsentofparliament。Sincethepassingoftheactcontainingthisrestriction,thecandidatesforpensionshavebeenbutfew。
  WhenM。NeckerundertooktheadministrationofthefinancesinFrance,thetotaloftheacknowledgedpensions,withoutreckoningthesecretgratuities,whichwereveryconsiderable,amountedtotwenty—sevenmillionsoflivres。InEnglandwherethenationalwealthwasnotlessthaninFrance,thepensionsdidnotamounttothetenthpartofthissum。Itisthusthatthedifferencebetweenalimitedandanabsolutemonarchymaybeexhibited,eveninfigures。
  InIreland,thekinguponhissoleauthority,inl783,createdanorderofknighthood;thusprofitingbywhatremainedofthefragmentsofarbitrarypower。Noblamewasimputedtohimforestablishingthistaxuponhonour:hadheleviedataxuponproperty,thenationmightnothavebeensotractable。Thosewhohopedtoshareinthenewtreasurewerecarefulnottoraiseanoutcryagainstitsestablishment:thoseatwhoseexpensethistreasurewasestablished,didnotunderstandthispieceoffinesse;theyopenedtheireyeswidelybutcomprehendednothing。Themeasurecouldnothavebeenbetterjustifiedbycircumstances。Everydaythecrownfounditselfstrippedofsomeprerogative,justlyorunjustlythesubjectofenvy;itwasthereforehightimetoavailitselfofthesmallnumberofthose,intheexerciseofwhichitwasstilltolerated。
  BecomeindependentofGreatBritain,thehonouroftheIrishnationseemedtorequireadecorationofthiskind:forwhatisakingdomwithoutanorderofknighthood?
  Toenterintotheconsiderationofthedetailsrequisitefortheestablishmentofasystemofremuneratoryprocedure,comesnotwithinthepresentpartofourdesign:averyslightsketchoftheleadingprinciplesonwhichitmightbegrounded,istheutmostthatcanherebegiven。Thegeneralideawouldofcoursebetakenfromthesystemestablishedinpenalandcivilcases。Betweenthesesystems,themoststrikingdifferencewould,however,arisefromtheinterestandwishesoftheagentwhoseactmightbethesubjectofinvestigation,withrespecttothepublicityoftheact。Intheonecase,theconsequencesofsuchhisact,incaseitwereproved,beingpernicioustohim,allhisendeavourwouldbetokeepitconcealed:intheother,theseconsequencesbeingbeneficial,hisendeavourwouldbetoplaceitinthemostconspicuouslightimaginable。
  Inthefirstcase,hisendeavourswouldbetodelaytheprocessandifpossiblemakeitvoid:inthelattertoexpediteitandkeepitvalid。
  Themoststrikingpointofcoincidenceistheoccasionthereisinbothcasesfortwoparties。Inthecivilbranchtherecanhardlybeadeficiencyinthisrespect;therebeingcommonlytwoindividualswhoseinterestsareopposite,andknownandfelttobeso。Butinthepenalbranch,inoneverylargedivisionofit,thereisnaturallynosuchopposition;Imeaninthatwhichconcernsoffencesagainstthepubliconly。Here,therefore,thelawhasbeenobligedtocreatesuchanopposition,andhasaccordinglycreateditbytheestablishmentofapublicprosecutor。Intheremuneratorybranchofprocedure,thereisasimilarabsenceofnaturalopposition,andaccordinglythegranddesideratumistheappointmentofanofficerwhosebusinessitshouldbetocontestonthepartofthepublic,thetitletowhateverrewardisproposedtobegrantedinthisyear。Hemightbeentitled,forshortness,bysomesuchnameasthatofContestor—general。Withoutaprosecutor—general,inthelargeandimportantdivisionofcasesabovementioned,therewouldnot,unlessbyaccident———Imeanwhenanindividualisengagedinthetaskofprosecutionbypublicspirit,orwhatisthemorenatural,byprivatepique———beanysuitinstituted,anypunishmentinflicted。Forwantofacontestor—generalthereisnotunlessbyasimilaraccidentanycheckgiventotheinjusticeofunmeritedremuneration。Uponthewhole,then,thepenalandcivilbranchesofprocedure,butparticularlythepenal,mayinallcasesserveeitherasthemodels,or,ifthetermmaybeadmitted,astheanti—modelsoftheremuneratorybranchofprocedure。
  RRBook1Chapter13TheRationaleofRewardBookIOfRewardsinGeneralChapterXIIIREWARDSTOINFORMERS。Theexecutionofalawcannotbeenforced,unlesstheviolationofitbedenounced;theassistanceoftheinformeristhereforealtogetherasnecessaryandasmeritoriousasthatofthejudge。
  Wehavealreadyhadoccasiontoremark,thatwithrespecttopublicoffences,wherenooneindividualmorethananotherisinterestedintheirprosecution,ithasbeenfoundnecessarytocreateasortofmagistrate,anaccuser—general,tocarryonsuchprosecutionsinvirtueofhisoffice;butitisindispensablynecessarythatoffencesshouldbedenouncedtohim,beforehecanbegintoact。
  Inawell—orderedcommunityitwouldbethedutyofeveryindividualpossessingevidenceofthecommissionofacrime,todenouncethecriminaltothetribunals;andsuchindividualwouldbedisposedsotodo。Inmostcountries,however,meningeneralaredesirousofwithdrawingfromtheperformanceofthisduty。Somerefusetoperformitfrommistakennotionsofpitytowardsthedelinquent;others,becausetheydisapproveofsomepartofthelaw;others,fromthefearofmakingenemies;manyfromindolence;almostallfromadisinclinationtosubmittothatlosswhichwouldarisefromtheinterruptionoftheirordinaryoccupations。
  Inthesecountries,therefore,ithasbeenfoundnecessarytoofferpecuniaryrewardstoinformers。
  Sofarasmyknowledgeextends,governmentshaveneverbeenadvisedtodiscontinuethispractice。Itissupportedbyauthority,butitiscondemnedbypublicopinion:mercenaryinformationsareconsidereddisgraceful,salariedinformers,odious。Henceitresults,thattherewardofferedbythelawdoesnotpossessallitsnominalvalue;thedisgraceattachedtotheserviceisadrawbackuponitsamount。Theindividualisrewardedbythestate,andpunishedbythemoralsanction。
  Letusexaminetheusualobjectionsmadeagainstmercenaryinformations。
  1。Itisodious(itissaid)toprofitbytheevilwehavecausedtoothers。
  Thisobjectionisfoundeduponafeelingofimpropercommiserationfortheoffender;sincepitytowardstheguiltyiscrueltytowardstheinnocent。Therewardpaidtotheinformerhasforitsobject,theservicehehasperformed;inthisrespect,heisuponalevelwiththejudgewhoispaidforpassingsentence。Theinformerisaservantofthegovernment,employedinopposingtheinternalenemiesofthestate,asthesoldierisaservantemployedinopposingitsexternalfoes。
  2。Itintroducesintosocietyasystemofespionage。
  Tothewordespionage,astigmaisattached:letussubstitutethewordinspection,whichisunconnectedwiththesameprejudices。Ifthisinspectionconsistinthemaintenanceofanoppressivesystemofpolice,whichsubjectsinnocentactionstopunishment,whichcondemnssecretlyandarbitrarily,itisnaturalthatsuchasystemanditsagentsshouldbecomeodious。Butifthisinspectionconsistinthemaintenanceofasystemofpolice,forthepreservationofthepublictranquillityandtheexecutionofgoodlaws,allitsinspectors,andallitsguardians,actausefulandsalutarypart:itistheviciousonlywhowillhavereasontocomplain;itwillbeformidabletothemalone。
  3。Pecuniaryrewardsmayinducefalsewitnessestoconspireagainsttheinnocent。
  Ifwesupposeapublicandwell—organizedsystemofprocedure,inwhichtheinnocentarenotdeprivedofanymeansofdefence,thedangerresultingfromconspiracywillappearbutsmall。Besidestheprodigiousdifficultyofinventingacoherenttalecapableofenduringarigorousexamination,thereisnocomparisonbetweentherewardofferedbythelaw,andtherisktowhichfalsewitnessesareexposed。Mercenarywitnessesalsoareexactlythosewhoexcitethegreatestdistrustinthemindofajudge,andiftheyaretheonlywitnesses,asuspicionofconspiracyinstantlypresentsitself,andbecomesaprotectiontotheaccused。
  Theseobjectionsareurgedinjustificationoftheprejudicewhichexists;buttheprejudiceitselfhasbeenproducedbyothercauses;andthosecausesarespecious。Thefirst,withrespecttotheeducatedclassesofsociety,isaprejudicedrawnfromhistory,especiallyfromthatoftheRomanemperors。Thewordinformeratoncerecallstothemindthosedetestablemiscreants,thehorrorofallages,whomeventhepencilofTacitusfailedtocoverwithalltheignominytheydeserved:
  buttheseinformerswerenottheexecutorsofthelaw,theyweretheexecutorsofthepersonalandlawlessvengeanceofthesovereign。
  Thesecondandmostgeneralcauseofthisprejudiceisfoundedupontheemploymentgiventoinformersbyreligiousintolerance:
  intheagesofignoranceandbigotry,barbarouslawshavingbeenenactedagainstthosewhodidnotprofessthedominantreligion,informerswerethenconsideredaszealousandorthodoxbelievers;butinproportiontotheincreaseofknowledge,themannersofmenhavebeensoftened,andtheselawshavingbecomeodious,theinformers,withoutwhoseservicestheywouldhavefallenintodisuse,partookofthehatredwhichthelawsthemselvesinspired。Itwasaninjusticeinrespecttothem,butasalutoryeffectresultedfromit,totheclassesexposedtooppression。
  Thesecasesoftyrannyexcepted,theprejudicewhichcondemnsmercenaryinformersisanevil。Itisaconsequenceoftheinattentionofthepublictotheirtrueinterests,andofthegeneralignoranceinmattersoflegislation。Insteadofactinginconsonancewiththedictatesoftheprincipleofutility,peopleingeneralhaveblindlyabandonedthemselvestotheguidanceofsympathyandantipathy———ofsympathyinfavourofthosewhoinjure———ofantipathytothosewhorenderthemessentialservice。Ifaninformerdeservestobehated,ajudgedeservestobeabhorred。
  Thisprejudicealsopartlyspringsfromaconfusionofideas。Nodistinctionismadebetweenthejudicialandtheprivateinformer;
  betweenthemanwhodenouncesacrimeinacourtofjustice,andhewhosecretlyinsinuatesaccusationsagainsthisenemies;betweenthemanwhoaffordstotheaccusedanopportunityofdefendinghimself,andhewhoimposestheconditionofsilencewithrespecttohisperfidiousreports。
  Clandestineaccusationsarejustlyconsideredasthebaneofsociety:theydestroyconfidence,andproduceirremediableevils;buttheyhavenothingincommonwithjudicialaccusations。
  Itisextremelydifficulttoeradicateprejudicessodeeplyrootedandnatural。Fromnecessity,thepracticeofpayingpublicinformerscontinuestobeinuse;butthecharacterofaninformerisstillregardedasdisgraceful,andbysomestrangefatalitythejudgesmakenoeffortstoenlightenthepublicmindonthissubject,andtoprotectthisusefulandevennecessaryclassofmenfromtherigourofpublicopinion。
  Theyoughtnottosuffertheeloquenceofthebartoinsultbeforetheirfacesthesenecessaryassistantsintheadministrationofjustice。TheconductoftheEnglishlawtowardsinformersfurnishesacuriousbutdeplorableinstanceofhumanfrailty。Itemploysthem,oftentimesdeceivesthem,andalwaysholdsthemuptocontempt。
  Itistimeforlawgiversatleasttoweanthemselvesfromtheseschoolboyprejudiceswhichcanconsistonlywithagrossinattentiontotheinterestsofthepublic,joinedtoagrossignoranceoftheprinciplesofhumannature。Theyshouldsettlewiththemselvesonceforallwhatitistheywouldhave:theyshouldstrike,somehoworother,abalancebetweenthebenefitexpectedfromtheeffectsofalaw,andtheinconveniences,orsupposedinconveniences,inseparablefromitsexecution。Iftheinconveniencespreponderate,lettherebeanendofthelaw;ifthebenefits,lettherebeanendofallobstacleswhichanaversiontothenecessaryinstrumentswhichitsefficacydepends,wouldopposetoitsexecution。
  RRBook1Chapter14TheRationaleofRewardBookIOfRewardsinGeneralChapterXIVREWARDSTOACCOMPLICES。Amonginformers,criminalswhodenouncetheiraccompliceshavebeendistinguishedfromothers,andtheofferofpardonorrewardstoinducethemthustoact,hasbeencondemnedasaltogetherimproper。
  Itmustbeacknowledged,thatsolongasthereisanyothermeansofobtainingtheconvictionofacriminalwithoutthusrewardinganaccomplice,thismethodisbad;theimpunitynecessarilyaccompanyingitisanevil。Butiftherebenoothermeans,thismethodisgood:sincetheimpunityofasinglecriminalislessevilthantheimpunityofmany。
  Inrelation,however,toweightyandseriouscrimes,nosuchrewardscanwithproprietybeappointedbyagenerallaw。Agenerallawofferingpardonandrewardtothecriminalwhoinformedamongsthisaccomplices,wouldbeaninvitationtothecommissionofallsortsofcrimes:
  itwouldbeasthoughthelegislatorhadsaid,``Amongamultitudeofcriminals,themostwickedshallnotonlybeunpunishedbutrewarded。’’Amanshalllayplansforthecommissionofacrime———shallengageaccompliceswiththeintentionofbetrayingthem:tothenaturalprofitsofthecrime,suchalawwouldaddtherewardbestoweduponhimasaninformer。ItiswhathasoftenhappenedunderEnglishlaw。Itisoneofthefruitsofthemaximwhichprohibitstheexaminationofsuspectedpersonsrespectingfactswhichmaytendtocriminatethemselves。Itis,however,criminalswhocanalwaysfurnish,andwhoofoftencanalonefurnish,thelightnecessaryfortheguidanceofjustice。Buttheexaminationofsuspectedpersonsbeingforbiddenasameansofobtainingintelligence,thereremainsonlythemethodofreward。
  Butwhenthereward,insteadofbeingbestowedinvirtueofagenerallaw,islefttothediscretionofthejudge,andofferedonlywhennecessary,thisinconveniencedoesnotexist。Advantageouscrimescannolongerbecommittedwithsecurity。Recoursebeinghadtothiscostlymethodonlywhenallothermethodsfail,therewillalwaysbealongerorshorterinterval,duringwhicheverycriminalwillfeelhimselfexposedtothepunishmentdenouncedagainsthiscrimes。Theemploymentofrewardinthismannerhavingbecomeusual,willexerciseuponthesecurityofcriminalstheeffectofagenerallaw:itmightevenbeprescribedbysuchalaw。Thismethodwouldthenpossessalltheadvantagesofanunconditionallaw,withoutitsinconveniences。
  Beccariahascondemned,withoutexception,everyrewardofferedtoaccomplices。Asthefoundationofhisopinion,heproducesonlyaconfusedsentimentofdisapprobationattachedtothewords``treasonandfaithlessness’’。
  Voluntaryconventionsamongmenaregenerallyusefultosociety。Itwouldbeinmostcasesproductiveofevil,weretheynotconsideredbinding。Infamyhasthereforebecomeconstantlyattachedtothetermstreasonandfaithlessness。Theacts,howevertowhichthesetermsareapplied,areonlyperniciousinasfarasthecontractsofwhichtheyareviolationsareatleastinnocent。Torenderthesecurityofsociety(whichcrimes,weretheytoremainunpunished,woulddestroy)
  subordinatetotheaccomplishmentofallmannerofengagements,wouldbetorendertheendsubordinatetothemeans。Whatwouldbecomeofsociety,wereitonceestablishedasaprinciple,thatthecommissionofacrimebecameadutyifonceithadbeenpromised?Thatpromisesoughttobeperformed,isamaximwhich,withoutalimitationexceptingthosetheperformanceofwhichwouldbepernicioustosociety,mighttohaveplaceneitherinlawsnorinmorals。Itisdoubtfulwhichwouldbemostinjurious———thenon—performanceofeverypromise,ortheperformanceofall。Farfrombeingagreaterevilthanthattowhichitisopposed,itwouldbedifficulttoshowthatthenon—performanceofcriminalengagementsisproductiveofanyevil。Fromtheperformanceofsuchanengagement,anunfavourablejudgmentonlycanbeformedofthecharacteroftheparty:howcanaasimilarjudgmentbeformedfromitsviolation?Becausehehasrepentedofhavingcommittedorbeenwillingtocommitanactioninjurioustosociety,andwhichheknewtobeso,doesitfollowthathewillfailtoperformactionswhichheknowstobeinnocentanduseful?
  Fromtheviolationofengagementsamongcriminals,whatevilcanbeapprehended?———Thatunanimityshallbewantingamongthem?———thattheirenterprisesshallbeunsuccessful?———thattheirassociationsshallbedissolved?Itisproverbiallysaid,``thereishonouramongthieves’’。