ised: even Tacitus, an excellent judge of political subjects, considered it as a project entirely chimerical. Nor was it because he had not thought of it, had not reflected on it, that he was of this opinion: he had sought for such a government, had had a glimpse of it, and yet continued to pronounce it. impracticable.

Let us not, therefore, ascribe to the confined views of man, to his imperfect sagacity, the discovery of this important secret. The world might have grown old, generations might have succeeded generations, still seeking it in vain. It has been by a fortunate conjunction of circumstances-I shall add, by the assistance of a favourable situation-that Liberty has at last been able to erect herself a temple.

Invoked by every nation, but of too delicate a nature, as it should seem, to subsist in societies formed of such imperfect beings as mankind, she showed, and merely showed herself, to the ingenious nations of antiquity who inhabited the south of Europe. They were constantly mistaken in the form of the worship they paid to her. As they continually aimed at extending dominion and conquest over other nations, they were no less mistaken in the spirit of that worship; and though they continued for ages to pay their devotions to this divinity, she still continued, with regard to them, to be the unknown goddess.

Excluded, since that time, from those places to

• "Statuo esse optime constitutam rempublicam quæ ex tribus generibus illis, regali, optimo, et populari, modice confusa."-Cic. Frag.

"Cunetas nationes et urbes, populus, aut priores, aut singuli, regunt. Delecta ex his et constituta reipublicæ dirma, laudari facilius quam evenire: vel si evenit, haud diuturna esse potest."-Tac. Ann. lib. iv.

which she had seemed to give a preference, driven to the extremity of the Western World, banished even out of the Continent, she has taken refuge in the Atlantic Ocean. There it is, that, freed from the dangers of external disturbance, and assisted by a happy pre-arrangement of things, she has been able to display the form that suited her; and she has found six centuries to have been necessary for the completion of her work.

Being sheltered, as it were, within a citadel, she there reigns over a nation which is the better entitled to her favours, as it endeavours to extend her empire, and carries with it, to every part of its dominions, the blessings of industry and equality. Fenced in on every side (to use the expression of Chamberlayne) with a wide and deep ditch, the sea,-guarded with strong out-works, its ships of war, and defended by the courage of her seamen, --she preserves that mysterious essence, that sacred fire so difficult to be kindled, and which, if it were once extinguished, would perhaps never be lighted again. When the world shall have been again laid waste by conquerors, she will still continue to show mankind, not only the principle that ought to unite them, but, what is of no less importance, the form under which they ought to be united. And the philosopher, when he considers the constant fate of civil societies amongst men, and observes the numerous and powerful causes which seem, as it were, unavoidably to conduct them all to a state of political slavery, will take comfort in seeing that Liberty has at length disclosed her nature and genuine principles, and secured to herself an asylum against despotism on one hand, and popular licentiousness on the other.

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INDEX.

BOOK II.

A View of the Advantages of the English Government,
and of the Rights and Liberties of the People; and a
Confirmation, by reference to Facts, of the Principles
stated in the Work.

Chap.

Page

VII. The subject continued.-The Advantages that
accrue to the People from their appointing
Representatives are very inconsiderable, un-
less they also entirely trust their Legislative
Authority to them

VIII. The subject concluded.-Effects that have re-
sulted, in the English Government, from the
People's Power being completely delegated to
their Representatives

IX. A farther Disadvantage of Republican Govern-
ments. The People are necessarily betrayed
by those in whom they trust

X. Fundamental Difference between the English
Government and the Governments just de-
scribed. In England, all Executive Authority
is placed out of the Hands of those in whom
the People trust.-Usefulness of the Power of
the Crown

cise.

XI. The Power which the People themselves exer-
The Election of Members of Parliament
XII. The subject continued.-Liberty of the Press
XIII. The subject continued.

3

8

12

19

25

26

• 37

44

Chap.

Page

XV. Proofs, drawn from Facts, of the Truth of the
Principles laid down in the present Work.-
1. The peculiar Manner in which Revolutions
have always been concluded in England
XVI. Second Difference.-The Manner after which
the Laws for the Liberty of the Subject are
executed in England

XVII. A more intimate View of the English Govern-
ment than has hitherto been offered to the
Reader in the course of this Work. Very
essential Differences between the English Mon-
archy, as a Monarchy, and all those with
which we are acquainted

Second Part of the same Chapter

XVIII. How far the Examples of Nations who have

51

65

97

122

lost their Liberty are applicable to England. 164
XIX. A few additional Thoughts on the Attempts
that may at particular Times be made to
abridge the Power of the Crown, and some
of the Dangers by which such Attempts may
be attended
XX. A few additional Observations on the Right of
Taxation, which is lodged in the Hands of the

.. 184

Representatives of the People.-What kind of
Danger this Right may be exposed to . . 195
XXI. Conclusion.-A few Words on the Nature of

the Divisions that take place in England . . 206

THE END.

T. Davison, Printer, Whitefriars.