These consequences are the more to be dreaded, as the present fury of the people, though glossed over by pretensions to civil liberty, is in reality incited by the fanaticism of religion; a principle the most blind, headstrong, and ungovernable, by which human nature can possibly be actuated. Popular rage is dreadful, from whatever motive derived: But must be attended with the most pernicious consequences, when it arises from a principle, which disclaims all controul by human law, reason, or authority.

These are the arguments, which each party may make use of to justify the conduct of their predecessors, during that great crisis. The event, if that can be admitted as a reason, has shown, that the arguments of the popular party were better founded; but perhaps, according to the established maxims of lawyers and politicians, the views of the royalists ought, beforehand, to have appeared more solid, more safe, and more legal. But this is certain, that the greater moderation we now employ in representing past events; the nearer shall we be to produce a full coalition of the parties, and an entire acquiescence in our present establishment. Moderation is of advantage to every establishment: Nothing but zeal can overturn a settled power: And an over-active zeal in friends is apt to beget a like spirit in antagonists. The transition from a moderate opposition against an establishment, to an entire acquiescence in it, is easy and insensible.

There are many invincible arguments, which should induce the malcontent party to acquiesce entirely in the present settlement of the constitution. They now find, that the spirit of civil liberty, though at first connected with religious fanaticism, could purge itself from that pollution, and appear under a more genuine and enga

ging aspect; a friend to toleration, and encourager of all the enlarged and generous sentiments that do honour to human nature. They may observe, that the popu lar claims could stop at a proper period; and after retrenching the high claims of prerogative, could still maintain a due respect to monarchy, to nobility, and to all ancient institutions. Above all, they must be sensible, that the very principle, which made the strength of their party, and from which it derived its chief authority, has now deserted them, and gone over to their antagonists. The plan of liberty is settled; its happy effects are proved by experience; a long tract of time has given it stability; and whoever would attempt to overturn it, and to recal the past government or abdicated family, would, besides other more criminal imputations, be exposed, in their turn, to the reproach of faction and innovation. While they peruse the history of past events, they ought to reflect, both that those rights of the crown are long since annihilated, and that the tyranny, and violence, and oppression, to which they often gave rise, are ills, from which the established liberty of the constitution has now at last happily protected the people. These reflections will prove a better security to our freedom and privileges, than to deny, contrary to the clearest evidence of facts, that such regal powers ever had an existence. There is not a more effectual method of betraying a cause, than to lay the stress of the argument on a wrong place, and by disputing an untenable post, enure the adversaries to success and vic tory.

BLIOTHE

•

ESSAY XV.

OF THE PROTESTANT SUCCESSION.

I

SUPPOSE, that a member of parliament in the reign of King WILLIAM or Queen ANNE, while the establishment of the Protestant Succession was yet uncertain, were deliberating concerning the party he would choose. in that important question, and weighing, with impartiality, the advantages and disadvantages on each side, I believe the following particulars would have entered into his consideration.

He would easily perceive the great advantage resulting from the restoration of the STUART family; by which we should preserve the succession clear and undisputed, free from a pretender, with such a specious title as that of blood, which, with the multitude, is always the claim, the strongest and most easily comprehended. It is in vain to say, as many have done, that the question with regard to governors, independent of government, is frivolous, and little worth disputing, much less fighting about. The generality of mankind never will enter into these sentiments; and it is much happier, I believe, for society, that they do not, but rather continue in their natural prepossessions. How could stability be preserved in any monarchical government (which, though perhaps not the best, is, and always has been, the most common of any), unless men had so passionate a regard for the true heir of their royal family; and even though

he be weak in understanding, or infirm in years, gave
him so sensible a preference above persons the most ac-
complished in shining talents, or celebrated for great at-
chievements? Would not every popular leader put in
his claim at every vacancy, or even without any va-
cancy; and the kingdom become the theatre of perpe-
tual wars and convulsions? The condition of the Ro-
MAN empire, surely, was not, in this respect, much to
be envied; nor is that of the Eastern nations, who pay
little regard to the titles of their sovereign, but sacrifice
them, every day, to the caprice or momentary .humour
of the populace or soldiery. It is but a foolish wisdom,
which is so carefully displayed in undervaluing princes,
and placing them on a level with the meanest of man-
kind. To be sure, an anatomist finds no more in the
greatest monarch than in the lowest peasant or day-la-
bourer; and a moralist may, perhaps, frequently find
less. But what do all these reflections tend to?
all of us, still retain these prejudices in favour of birth
and family; and neither in our serious occupations, nor
most careless amusements, can we ever get entirely rid
of them. A tragedy that should represent the adven-
tures of sailors, or porters, or even of private gentle.
men, would presently disgust us; but one that intro-
duces kings and princes, acquires in our eyes an air of
importance and dignity. Or should a man be able, by
his superior wisdom, to get entirely above such pre-
possessions, he would soon, by means of the same wis-
dom, again bring himself down to them, for the sake of
society, whose welfare he would perceive to be inti-
mately connected with them. Far from endeavouring
to undeceive the people in this particular, he would che-
rish such sentiments of reverence to their princes, as re-
quisite to preserve a due subordination in society. And

We,