REFORMATIONANDANARCHYCONTRASTEDANDCOMPARED。
Thatthehousemustperceive，fromhiscomingforwardtomarkanexpressionortwoofhisbestfriend，howanxioushewastokeepthedistemperofFrancefromtheleastcountenanceinEngland，wherehewassuresomewickedpersonshadshownastrongdispositiontorecommendanimitationoftheFrenchspiritofreform。HewassostronglyopposedtoanytheleasttendencytowardstheMEANSofintroducingademocracyliketheirs，aswellastotheENDitself，thatmuchasitwouldafflicthim，ifsuchathingcouldbeattempted，andthatanyfriendofhiscouldconcurinsuchmeasures(hewasfar，veryfar，frombelievingtheycould)，hewouldabandonhisbestfriends，andjoinwithhisworstenemiestoopposeeitherthemeansortheend;andtoresistallviolentexertionsofthespiritofinnovation，sodistantfromallprinciplesoftrueandsafereformation;aspiritwellcalculatedtooverturnstates，butperfectlyunfittoamendthem。
Thathewasnoenemytoreformation。Almosteverybusinessinwhichhewasmuchconcerned，fromthefirstdayhesatinthathousetothathour，wasabusinessofreformation;andwhenhehadnotbeenemployedincorrecting，hehadbeenemployedinresisting，abuses。Sometracesofthisspiritinhimnowstandontheirstatute-book。Inhisopinion，anythingwhichunnecessarilytoretopiecesthecontextureofthestate，notonlypreventedallrealreformation，butintroducedevilswhichwouldcall，butperhapscallinvain，fornewreformation。
ThathethoughttheFrenchnationveryunwise。Whattheyvaluedthemselveson，wasadisgracetothem。Theyhadgloried(andsomepeopleinEnglandhadthoughtfittotakeshareinthatglory)inmakingarevolution;asifrevolutionsweregoodthingsinthemselves。Allthehorrors，andallthecrimesoftheanarchywhichledtotheirrevolution，whichattenditsprogress，andwhichmayvirtuallyattenditinitsestablishment，passfornothingwiththeloversofrevolutions。
TheFrenchhavemadetheirway，throughthedestructionoftheircountry，toabadconstitution，whentheywereabsolutelyinpossessionofagoodone。Theywereinpossessionofitthedaythestatesmetinseparateorders。Theirbusiness，hadtheybeeneithervirtuousorwise，orhadtheybeenlefttotheirownjudgment，wastosecurethestabilityandindependenceofthestates，accordingtothoseorders，underthemonarchonthethrone。Itwasthentheirdutytoredressgrievances。
Insteadofredressinggrievances，andimprovingthefabricoftheirstate，towhichtheywerecalledbytheirmonarch，andsentbytheircountry，theyweremadetotakeaverydifferentcourse。Theyfirstdestroyedallthebalancesandcounterpoiseswhichservetofixthestate，andtogiveitasteadydirection，andwhichfurnishsurecorrectivestoanyviolentspiritwhichmayprevailinanyoftheorders。Thesebalancesexistedintheiroldestconstitution;andintheconstitutionofthiscountry;andintheconstitutionofallthecountriesinEurope。Thesetheyrashlydestroyed，andthentheymelteddownthewholeintooneincongruous，ill-connectedmass。
Whentheyhaddonethis，theyinstantly，andwiththemostatrociousperfidyandbreachofallfaithamongmen，laidtheaxetotherootofallproperty，andconsequentlyofallnationalprosperity，bytheprinciplestheyestablished，andtheexampletheyset，inconfiscatingallthepossessionsofthechurch。TheymadeandrecordedasortofINSTITUTEandDIGESTofanarchy，calledtherightsofman，insuchapedanticabuseofelementaryprinciplesaswouldhavedisgracedboysatschool;butthisdeclarationofrightswasworsethantriflingandpedanticinthem，asbytheirnameandauthoritytheysystematicallydestroyedeveryholdofauthoritybyopinion，religiousorcivil，onthemindsofthepeople。Bythismaddeclarationtheysubvertedthestate，andbroughtonsuchcalamitiesasnocountry，withoutalongwar，haseverbeenknowntosuffer;andwhichmayintheendproducesuchawar，andperhapsmanysuch。
Withthemthequestionwasnotbetweendespotismandliberty。Thesacrificetheymadeofthepeaceandpoweroftheircountrywasnotmadeonthealtaroffreedom。Freedom，andabettersecurityforfreedomthanthattheyhavetaken，theymighthavehadwithoutanysacrificeatall。
Theybroughtthemselvesintoallthecalamitiestheysuffer，notthatthroughthemtheymightobtainaBritishconstitution;theyplungedthemselvesheadlongintothosecalamitiestopreventthemselvesfromsettlingintothatconstitution，orintoanythingresemblingit。
CONFIDENCEANDJEALOUSY。
Confidencemightbecomeavice，andjealousyavirtue，accordingtocircumstances。Thatconfidence，ofallpublicvirtues，wasthemostdangerous，andjealousyinahouseofcommons，ofallpublicvices，themosttolerable;especiallywherethenumberandthechargeofstandingarmiesintimeofpeacewasthequestion。
ECONOMYOFINJUSTICE。
Strangeasthisschemeofconductinministryis，andinconsistentwithalljustpolicy，itisstilltruetoitself，andfaithfultoitsownpervertedorder。Thosewhoarebountifultocrimes，willberigidtomerit，andpenurioustoservice。Theirpenuryisevenheldoutasablindandcovertotheirprodigality。Theeconomyofinjusticeis，tofurnishresourcesforthefundofcorruption。Thentheypayofftheirprotectiontogreatcrimesandgreatcriminalsbybeinginexorabletothepaltryfrailtiesoflittlemen;andthesemodernflagellantsaresure，witharigidfidelity，towhiptheirownenormitiesonthevicariousbackofeverysmalloffender。
SUBSISTENCEANDREVENUE。
Thebenefitsofheaventoanycommunityoughtnevertobeconnectedwithpoliticalarrangements，ormadetodependonthepersonalconductofprinces;inwhichthemistake，orerror，orneglect，ordistress，orpassionofamomentoneitherside，maybringfamineonmillions，andruinaninnocentnationperhapsforages。Themeansofthesubsistenceofmankindshouldbeasimmutableasthelawsofnature，letpoweranddominiontakewhatcoursetheymay。
AUTHORITYANDVENALITY。
Itisdifficultforthemostwiseanduprightgovernmenttocorrecttheabusesofremote，delegatedpower，productiveofunmeasuredwealth，andprotectedbytheboldnessandstrengthofthesameill-gotriches。Theseabuses，fulloftheirownwildnativevigour，willgrowandflourishundermereneglect。Butwherethesupremeauthority，notcontentwithwinkingattherapacityofitsinferiorinstruments，issoshamelessandcorruptasopenlytogivebountiesandpremiumsfordisobediencetoitslaws，whenitwillnottrusttotheactivityofavariceinthepursuitofitsowngains，whenitsecurespublicrobberybyallthecarefuljealousyandattentionwithwhichitoughttoprotectpropertyfromsuchviolence，thecommonwealththenisbecometotallypervertedfromitspurposes;neitherGodnormanwilllongendureit;norwillitlongendureitself。Inthatcasethereisanunnaturalinfection，apestilentialtaintfermentingintheconstitutionofsociety，whichfeverandconvulsionsofsomekindorothermustthrowoff;orinwhichthevitalpowers，worstedinanunequalstruggle，arepushedbackuponthemselves，and，byareversaloftheirwholefunctions，festertogangrene，todeath;andinsteadofwhatwasbutjustnowthedelightandboastofthecreation，therewillbecastoutinthefaceofthesunabloated，putrid，noisomecarcass，fullofstench，andpoison，anoffence，ahorror，alessontotheworld。
PREROGATIVEOFTHECROWNANDPRIVILEGEOFPARLIAMENT。
Itistheundoubtedprerogativeofthecrowntodissolveparliament;butwebegleavetolaybeforehismajesty，thatitis，ofallthetrustsvestedinhismajesty，themostcriticalanddelicate，andthatinwhichthishousehasthemostreasontorequire，notonlythegoodfaith，butthefavourofthecrown。Hiscommonsarenotalwaysuponaparwithhisministersinanapplicationtopopularjudgment：itisnotinthepowerofthemembersofthishousetogototheirelectionatthemomentthemostfavourabletothem。Itisinthepowerofthecrowntochooseatimefortheirdissolutionwhilstgreatandarduousmattersofstateandlegislationaredepending，whichmaybeeasilymisunderstood，andwhichcannotbefullyexplainedbeforethatmisunderstandingmayprovefataltothehonourthatbelongs，andtotheconsiderationthatisdue，tomembersofparliament。Withhismajestyisthegiftofalltherewards，thehonours，distinctions，favour，andgracesofthestate;withhismajestyisthemitigationofalltherigoursofthelaw：andwerejoicetoseethecrownpossessedoftrustscalculatedtoobtaingoodwill，andchargedwithdutieswhicharepopularandpleasing。Ourtrustsareofadifferentkind。Ourdutiesareharshandinvidiousintheirnature;andjusticeandsafetyisallwecanexpectintheexerciseofthem。Wearetooffersalutary，whichisnotalwayspleasing，counsel;wearetoinquireandtoaccuse：andtheobjectsofourinquiryandchargewillbeforthemostpartpersonsofwealth，power，andextensiveconnections：
wearetomakerigidlawsforthepreservationofrevenue，whichofnecessitymoreorlessconfinesomeaction，orrestrainsomefunction，whichbeforewasfree：whatisthemostcriticalandinvidiousofall，thewholebodyofthepublicimpositionsoriginatefromus，andthehandoftheHouseofCommonsisseenandfeltineveryburthenthatpressesonthepeople。Whilst，ultimately，weareservingthem，andinthefirstinstancewhilstweareservinghismajesty，itwillbehard，indeed，ifweshouldseeaHouseofCommonsthevictimofitszealandfidelity，sacrificedbyhisministerstothoseverypopulardiscontents，whichshallbeexcitedbyourdutifulendeavoursforthesecurityandgreatnessofhisthrone。Nootherconsequencecanresultfromsuchanexample，butthat，infuture，theHouseofCommons，consultingitssafetyattheexpenseofitsduties，andsufferingthewholeenergyofthestatetoberelaxed，willshrinkfromeveryservice，which，howevernecessary，isofagreatandarduousnature;orthat，willingtoprovideforthepublicnecessities，and，atthesametime，tosecurethemeansofperformingthattask，theywillexchangeindependenceforprotection，andwillcourtasubservientexistencethroughthefavourofthoseministersofstate，orthosesecretadvisers，whooughtthemselvestostandinaweofthecommonsofthisrealm。
AHouseofCommonsrespectedbyhisministersisessentialtohismajesty’sservice：itisfitthattheyshouldyieldtoparliament，andnotthatparliamentshouldbenewmodelleduntilitisfittedtotheirpurposes。Ifourauthorityisonlytobeheldupwhenwecoincideinopinionwithhismajesty’sadvisers，butistobesetatnoughtthemomentitdiffersfromthem，theHouseofCommonswillsinkintoamereappendageofadministration;andwilllosethatindependentcharacterwhich，inseparablyconnectingthehonourandreputationwiththeactsofthishouse，enablesustoaffordareal，effective，andsubstantialsupporttohisgovernment。Itisthedeferenceshowntoouropinionwhenwedissentfromtheservantsofthecrown，whichalonecangiveauthoritytotheproceedingsofthishousewhenitconcurswiththeirmeasures。
Thatauthorityoncelost，thecreditofhismajesty’scrownwillbeimpairedintheeyesofallnations。Foreignpowers，whomayyetwishtoreviveafriendlyintercoursewiththisnation，willlookinvainforthatholdwhichgaveaconnectionwithGreatBritainthepreferencetoanalliancewithanyotherstate。AHouseofCommons，ofwhichministerswereknowntostandinawe，whereeverythingwasnecessarilydiscussed，onprinciplesfittobeopenlyandpubliclyavowed，andwhichcouldnotberetractedorvariedwithoutdanger，furnishedagroundofconfidenceinthepublicfaith，whichtheengagementofnostatedependentonthefluctuationofpersonalfavour，andprivateadvice，caneverpretendto。
IffaithwiththeHouseofCommons，thegrandsecurityforthenationalfaithitself，canbebrokenwithimpunity，awoundisgiventothepoliticalimportanceofGreatBritain，whichwillnoteasilybehealed。
BURKEANDFOX。
HisconfidenceinMr。Foxwassuch，andsoample，astobealmostimplicit。Thathewasnotashamedtoavowthatdegreeofdocility。Thatwhenthechoiceiswellmade，itstrengthensinsteadofoppressingourintellect。Thathewhocallsintheaidofanequalunderstandingdoubleshisown。Hewhoprofitsofasuperiorunderstandingraiseshispowerstoalevelwiththeheightofthesuperiorunderstandingheuniteswith。Hehadfoundthebenefitofsuchajunction，andwouldnotlightlydepartfromit。Hewishedalmost，onalloccasions，thathissentimentswereunderstoodtobeconveyedinMr。Fox’swords;andhewished，asamongstthegreatestbenefitshecouldwishthecountry，aneminentshareofpowertothatrighthonourablegentleman;becauseheknew，that，tohisgreatandmasterlyunderstanding，hehadjoinedthegreatestpossibledegreeofthatnaturalmoderation，whichisthebestcorrectiveofpower;thathewasofthemostartless，candid，open，andbenevolentdisposition;disinterestedintheextreme;ofatempermildandplacableeventoafault;withoutonedropofgallinhiswholeconstitution。
PEERSANDCOMMONS。
Thecommonshavethedeepestinterestinthepurityandintegrityofthepeerage。Thepeersdisposeofallthepropertyinthekingdom，inthelastresort;andtheydisposeofitontheirhonourandnotontheiroaths，asallthemembersofeveryothertribunalinthekingdommustdo;thoughinthemtheproceedingisnotconclusive。Wehave，therefore，arighttodemandthatnoapplicationshallbemadetopeersofsuchanatureasmaygiveroomtocallinquestion，muchlesstoattaint，oursolesecurityforallthatwepossess。ThiscorruptproceedingappearedtotheHouseofCommons，whoarethenaturalguardiansofthepurityofparliament，andofthepurityofeverybranchofjudicature，amostreprehensibleanddangerouspractice，tendingtoshaketheveryfoundationoftheauthorityoftheHouseofPeers：andtheybrandeditassuchbytheirresolution。
NATURALSELF-DESTRUCTION。
TheFrenchhadshownthemselvestheablestarchitectsofruinthathadhithertoexistedintheworld。Inthatveryshortspaceoftimetheyhadcompletelypulleddowntothegroundtheirmonarchy，theirchurch，theirnobility，theirlaw，theirrevenue，theirarmy，theirnavy，theircommerce，theirarts，andtheirmanufactures。Theyhaddonetheirbusinessforusasrivals，inawayinwhichtwentyRamiliesorBlenheimscouldneverhavedoneit。Wereweabsoluteconquerors，andFrancetolieprostrateatourfeet，weshouldbeashamedtosendacommissiontosettletheiraffairswhichcouldimposesohardalawupontheFrench，andsodestructiveofalltheirconsequenceasanation，asthattheyhadimposedonthemselves。
THECARNATIC。
TheCarnaticisacountrynotmuchinferiorinextenttoEngland。Figuretoyourself，Mr。Speaker，thelandinwhoserepresentativechairyousit;figuretoyourselftheformandfashionofyoursweetandcheerfulcountryfromThamestoTrent，northandsouth，andfromtheIrishtotheGermanseaeastandwest，emptiedandembowelled(mayGodaverttheomenofourcrimes！)bysoaccomplishedadesolation。Extendyourimaginationalittlefurther，andthensupposeyourministerstakingasurveyofthissceneofwasteanddesolation;whatwouldbeyourthoughtsifyoushouldbeinformed，thattheywerecomputinghowmuchhadbeentheamountoftheexcises，howmuchthecustoms，howmuchthelandandmalt-tax，inorderthattheyshouldcharge(takeitinthemostfavourablelight)forpublicservice，upontherelicsofthesatiatedvengeanceofrelentlessenemies，thewholeofwhatEnglandhadyieldedinthemostexuberantseasonsofpeaceandabundance？Whatwouldyoucallit？Tocallittyrannysublimedintomadness，wouldbetoofaintanimage;yetthisverymadnessistheprincipleuponwhichtheministersatyourrighthandhaveproceededintheirestimateoftherevenuesoftheCarnatic，whentheywereproviding，notsupplyfortheestablishmentsofitsprotection，but，rewardsfortheauthorsofitsruin。
Everydayyouarefatiguedanddisgustedwiththiscant，“theCarnaticisacountrythatwillsoonrecover，andbecomeinstantlyasprosperousasever。”Theythinktheyaretalkingtoinnocents，whowillbelievethat，bysowingofdragons’teeth，menmaycomeupreadygrownandreadyarmed。Theywhowillgivethemselvesthetroubleofconsidering(foritrequiresnogreatreachofthought，noveryprofoundknowledge)themannerinwhichmankindareincreased，andcountriescultivated，willregardallthisravingasitoughttoberegarded。Inorderthatthepeople，afteralongperiodofvexationandplunder，maybeinaconditiontomaintaingovernment，governmentmustbeginbymaintainingthem。Heretheroadtoeconomyliesnotthroughreceipt，butthroughexpense;andinthatcountrynaturehasgivennoshortcuttoyourobject。Menmustpropagatelikeotheranimals，bythemouth。Neverdidoppressionlightthenuptialtorch;neverdidextortionandusuryspreadoutthegenialbed。DoesanyoneofyouthinkthatEngland，sowasted，would，undersuchanursingattendance，sorapidlyandcheaplyrecover？
ButheismeanlyacquaintedwitheitherEnglandorIndia，whodoesnotknowthatEnglandwouldathousandtimessoonerresumepopulation，fertility，andwhatoughttobetheultimatesecretionfromboth——revenue，thansuchacountryastheCarnatic。TheCarnaticisnotbythebountyofnatureafertilesoil。Thegeneralsizeofitscattleisproofenoughthatitismuchotherwise。ItissomedayssinceI
moved，thatacuriousandinterestingmap，keptintheIndiahouse，shouldbelaidbeforeyou。TheIndiaHouseisnotyetinreadinesstosendit;Ihavethereforebroughtdownmyowncopy，andthereitliesfortheuseofanygentlemanwhomaythinksuchamatterworthyofhisattention。Itisindeedanoblemap，andofnoblethings;butitisdecisiveagainstthegoldendreamsandsanguinespeculationsofavaricerunmad。Inadditiontowhatyouknowmustbethecaseineverypartoftheworld(thenecessityofapreviousprovisionofhabitation，seed，stock，capital)，thatmapwillshowyou，thattheusesoftheinfluencesofHeavenitselfareinthatcountryaworkofart。TheCarnaticisrefreshedbyfewornolivingbrooksorrunningstreams，andithasrainonlyataseason;butitsproductofriceexactstheuseofwatersubjecttoperpetualcommand。ThisisthenationalbankoftheCarnatic，onwhichitmusthaveaperpetualcredit，oritperishesirretrievably。
Forthatreason，inthehappiertimesofIndia，anumber，almostincredible，ofreservoirshavebeenmadeinchosenplacesthroughoutthewholecountry;theyareformedforthegreaterpartofmoundsofearthandstones，withsluicesofsolidmasonry;thewholeconstructedwithadmirableskillandlabour，andmaintainedatamightycharge。Intheterritorycontainedinthatmapalone，Ihavebeenatthetroubleofreckoningthereservoirs，andtheyamounttoupwardsofelevenhundred，fromtheextentoftwoorthreeacrestofivemilesincircuit。Fromthesereservoirscurrentsareoccasionallydrawnoverthefields，andthesewatercoursesagaincallforaconsiderableexpensetokeepthemproperlyscouredanddulyleveled。Takingthedistrictinthatmapasameasure，therecannotbeintheCarnaticandTanjorefewerthantenthousandofthesereservoirsofthelargerandmiddlingdimensions，tosaynothingofthosefordomesticservices，andtheusesofreligiouspurification。Thesearenottheenterprisesofyourpower，norinastyleofmagnificencesuitedtothetasteofyourminister。Thesearethemonumentsofrealkings，whowerethefathersoftheirpeople;
testatorstoaposteritywhichtheyembracedastheirown。Thesewerethegrandsepulchresbuiltbyambition;butbytheambitionofaninsatiablebenevolence，which，notcontentedwithreigninginthedispensationofhappinessduringthecontractedtermofhumanlife，hadstrained，withallthereachingsandgraspingsofavivaciousmind，toextendthedominionoftheirbountybeyondthelimitsofnature，andtoperpetuatethemselvesthroughgenerationsofgenerations，theguardians，theprotectors，thenourishersofmankind。
ABSTRACTTHEORYOFHUMANLIBERTY。
Iloveamanly，moral，regulatedlibertyaswellasanygentlemanofthatsociety，behewhohewill：andperhapsIhavegivenasgoodproofsofmyattachmenttothatcauseinthewholecourseofmypublicconduct。
IthinkIenvylibertyaslittleastheydo，toanyothernation。ButI
cannotstandforward，andgivepraiseorblametoanythingwhichrelatestohumanactions，andhumanconcerns，onasimpleviewoftheobject，asitstandsstrippedofeveryrelation，inallthenakednessandsolitudeofmetaphysicalabstraction。Circumstances(whichwithsomegentlemenpassfornothing)giveinrealitytoeverypoliticalprincipleitsdistinguishingcolouranddiscriminatingeffect。Thecircumstancesarewhatrendereverycivilandpoliticalschemebeneficialornoxioustomankind。Abstractedlyspeaking，government，aswellasliberty，isgood;
yetcouldI，incommonsense，tenyearsago，havefelicitatedFranceonherenjoymentofagovernment(forshethenhadagovernment)withoutinquirywhatthenatureofthatgovernmentwas，orhowitwasadministered？CanInowcongratulatethesamenationuponitsfreedom？
IsitbecauselibertyintheabstractmaybeclassedamongsttheblessingsofmankindthatIamseriouslytofelicitateamadman，whohasescapedfromtheprotectingrestraintandwholesomedarknessofhiscell，onhisrestorationtotheenjoymentoflightandliberty？AmItocongratulateahighwaymanandmurderer，whohasbrokenprison，upontherecoveryofhisnaturalrights？Thiswouldbetoactoveragainthesceneofthecriminalscondemnedtothegalleys，andtheirheroicdeliverer，themetaphysicknightofthesorrowfulcountenance。WhenI
seethespiritoflibertyinaction，Iseeastrongprincipleatwork;
andthis，forawhile，isallIcanpossiblyknowofit。ThewildGAS，thefixedair，isplainlybrokeloose：butweoughttosuspendourjudgmentuntilthefirsteffervescenceisalittlesubsided，tilltheliquoriscleared，anduntilweseesomethingdeeperthantheagitationofatroubledandfrothysurface。Imustbetolerablysure，beforeI
venturepubliclytocongratulatemenuponablessing，thattheyhavereallyreceivedone。Flatterycorruptsboththereceiverandthegiver;
andadulationisnotofmoreservicetothepeoplethantokings。I
shouldthereforesuspendmycongratulationsonthenewlibertyofFrance，untilIwasinformedhowithadbeencombinedwithgovernment;
withpublicforce;withthedisciplineandobedienceofarmies;withthecollectionofaneffectiveandwell-distributedrevenue;withmoralityandreligion;withsolidityandproperty;withpeaceandorder;withcivilandsocialmanners。Allthese(intheirway)aregoodthingstoo;
and，withoutthem，libertyisnotabenefitwhilstitlasts，andisnotlikelytocontinuelong。Theeffectoflibertytoindividuals，is，thattheymaydowhattheyplease：weoughttoseewhatitwillpleasethemtodobeforeweriskcongratulations，whichmaybesoonturnedintocomplaints。Prudencewoulddictatethisinthecaseofseparate，insulated，privatemen;butliberty，whenmenactinbodies，isPOWER。
Consideratepeople，beforetheydeclarethemselves，willobservetheusewhichismadeofPOWER;andparticularlyofsotryingathingasNEW
powerinNEWpersons，ofwhoseprinciples，tempers，anddispositions，theyhavelittleornoexperience，andinsituationswherethosewhoappearthemoststirringinthescenemaypossiblynotbetherealmovers。
POLITICSANDTHEPULPIT。
Supposing，however，thatsomethinglikemoderationwerevisibleinthispoliticalsermon;yetpoliticsandthepulpitaretermsthathavelittleagreement。NosoundoughttobeheardinthechurchbutthehealingvoiceofChristiancharity。Thecauseofcivillibertyandcivilgovernmentgainsaslittleasthatofreligionbythisconfusionofduties。Thosewhoquittheirpropercharactertoassumewhatdoesnotbelongtothem，are，forthegreaterpart，ignorantbothofthecharactertheyleave，andofthecharactertheyassume。Whollyunacquaintedwiththeworldinwhichtheyaresofondofmeddling，andinexperiencedinallitsaffairs，onwhichtheypronouncewithsomuchconfidence，theyhavenothingofpoliticsbutthepassionstheyexcite。
Surelythechurchisaplacewhereoneday’struceoughttobeallowedtothedissensionsandanimositiesofmankind。
IDEAOFFRENCHREVOLUTION。
ItappearstomeasifIwereinagreatcrisis，notoftheaffairsofFrancealone，butofallEurope，perhapsofmorethanEurope。Allcircumstancestakentogether，theFrenchrevolutionisthemostastonishingthathashithertohappenedintheworld。Themostwonderfulthingsarebroughtaboutinmanyinstancesbymeansthemostabsurdandridiculous;inthemostridiculousmodes;and，apparently，bythemostcontemptibleinstruments。Everythingseemsoutofnatureinthisstrangechaosoflevityandferocity，andofallsortsofcrimesjumbledtogetherwithallsortsoffollies。Inviewingthismonstroustragi-comicscene，themostoppositepassionsnecessarilysucceed，andsometimesmixwitheachotherinthemind;alternatecontemptandindignation;alternatelaughterandtears;alternatescornandhorror。
PATRIOTICDISTINCTION。
IcertainlyhavethehonourtobelongtomoreclubsthanoneinwhichtheconstitutionofthiskingdomandtheprinciplesofthegloriousRevolutionareheldinhighreverence;andIreckonmyselfamongthemostforwardinmyzealformaintainingthatconstitutionandthoseprinciplesintheirutmostpurityandvigour。ItisbecauseIdosothatIthinkitnecessaryformethatthereshouldbenomistake。
Thosewhocultivatethememoryofourrevolution，andthosewhoareattachedtotheconstitutionofthiskingdom，willtakegoodcarehowtheyareinvolvedwithpersons，who，underthepretextofzealtowardstheRevolutionandconstitution，toofrequentlywanderfromtheirtrueprinciples;andarereadyoneveryoccasiontodepartfromthefirmbutcautiousanddeliberatespiritwhichproducedtheone，andwhichpresidesintheother。
KINGLYPOWERNOTBASEDONPOPULARCHOICE。
Accordingtothisspiritualdoctorofpolitics，ifhismajestydoesnotowehiscrowntothechoiceofhispeople，heisnoLAWFULKING。Nownothingcanbemoreuntruethanthatthecrownofthiskingdomissoheldbyhismajesty。Therefore，ifyoufollowtheirrule，thekingofGreatBritain，whomostcertainlydoesnotowehishighofficetoanyformofpopularelection，isinnorespectbetterthantherestofthegangofusurpers，whoreign，orratherrob，alloverthefaceofthisourmiserableworld，withoutanysortofrightortitletotheallegianceoftheirpeople。Thepolicyofthisgeneraldoctrine，soqualified，isevidentenough。Thepropagatorsofthispoliticalgospelareinhopesthattheirabstractprinciple(theirprinciplethatapopularchoiceisnecessarytothelegalexistenceofthesovereignmagistracy)wouldbeoverlooked，whilstthekingofGreatBritainwasnotaffectedbyit。Inthemeantimetheearsoftheircongregationswouldbegraduallyhabituatedtoit，asifitwereafirstprincipleadmittedwithoutdispute。Forthepresentitwouldonlyoperateasatheory，pickledinthepreservingjuicesofpulpiteloquence，andlaidbyforfutureuse。Condoetcomponoquaemoxdepromerepossim。Bythispolicy，whilstourgovernmentissoothedwithareservationinitsfavourtowhichithasnoclaim，thesecurity，whichithasincommonwithallgovernments，sofarasopinionissecurity，istakenaway。
Thusthesepoliticiansproceed，whilstlittlenoticeistakenoftheirdoctrines;butwhentheycometobeexaminedupontheplainmeaningoftheirwords，andthedirecttendencyoftheirdoctrines，thenequivocationsandslipperyconstructioncomeintoplay。Whentheysaythekingoweshiscrowntothechoiceofhispeople，andis，therefore，theonlylawfulsovereignintheworld，theywillperhapstellustheymeantosaynomorethanthatsomeoftheking’spredecessorshavebeencalledtothethronebysomesortofchoice;andthereforeheoweshiscrowntothechoiceofhispeople。Thus，byamiserablesubterfuge，theyhopetorendertheirpropositionsafebyrenderingitnugatory。Theyarewelcometotheasylumtheyseekfortheiroffence，sincetheytakerefugeintheirfolly。For，ifyouadmitthisinterpretation，howdoestheirideaofelectiondifferfromourideaofinheritance？AndhowdoesthesettlementofthecrownintheBrunswicklinederivedfromJamesI。
cometolegalizeourmonarchy，ratherthanthatofanyoftheneighbouringcountries？Atsometimeorother，tobesure，allthebeginnersofdynastieswerechosenbythosewhocalledthemtogovern。
ThereisgroundenoughfortheopinionthatallthekingdomsofEuropewere，ataremoteperiod，elective，withmoreorfewerlimitationsintheobjectsofchoice。Butwhateverkingsmighthavebeenhereorelsewhereathousandyearsago，orinwhatevermannertherulingdynastiesofEnglandorFrancemayhavebegun，thekingofGreatBritainis，atthisday，kingbyafixedruleofsuccession，accordingtothelawsofhiscountry;andwhilstthelegalconditionsofthecompactofsovereigntyareperformedbyhim(astheyareperformed)，heholdshiscrownincontemptofthechoiceoftheRevolutionSociety，whohavenotasinglevoteforakingamongstthem，eitherindividuallyorcollectively;thoughImakenodoubttheywouldsoonerectthemselvesintoanelectoralcollege，ifthingswereripetogiveeffecttotheirclaim。Hismajesty’sheirsandsuccessors，eachinhistimeandorder，willcometothecrownwiththesamecontemptoftheirchoicewithwhichhismajestyhassucceededtothathewears。
WhatevermaybethesuccessofevasioninexplainingawaythegrosserrorofFACT，whichsupposesthathismajesty(thoughheholdsitinconcurrencewiththewishes)oweshiscrowntothechoiceofhispeople，yetnothingcanevadetheirfullexplicitdeclarationconcerningtheprincipleofarightinthepeopletochoose;whichrightisdirectlymaintained，andtenaciouslyadheredto。Alltheobliqueinsinuationsconcerningelectionbottominthisproposition，andarereferabletoit。
Lestthefoundationoftheking’sexclusivelegaltitleshouldpassforamererantofadulatoryfreedom，thepoliticaldivineproceedsdogmaticallytoassert，that，bytheprinciplesoftheRevolution，thepeopleofEnglandhaveacquiredthreefundamentalrights，allofwhich，withhim，composeonesystem，andlietogetherinoneshortsentence;
namely，thatwehaveacquiredaright，1。“Tochooseourowngovernors。”
2。“Tocashierthemformisconduct。”
3。“Toframeagovernmentforourselves。”
Thisnew，andhithertounheardof，billofrights，thoughmadeinthenameofthewholepeople，belongstothosegentlemenandtheirfactiononly。ThebodyofthepeopleofEnglandhavenoshareinit。Theyutterlydisclaimit。Theywillresistthepracticalassertionofitwiththeirlivesandfortunes。Theyareboundtodosobythelawsoftheircountry，madeatthetimeofthatveryRevolutionwhichisappealedtoinfavourofthefictitiousrightsclaimedbythesocietywhichabusesitsname。
PREACHINGDEMOCRACYOFDISSENT。
IfthenobleSEEKERSshouldfindnothingtosatisfytheirpiousfanciesintheoldstapleofthenationalchurch，orinalltherichvarietytobefoundinthewell-assortedwarehousesofthedissentingcongregations，Dr。Priceadvisesthemtoimproveuponnon-conformity;
andtosetup，eachofthem，aseparatemeeting-houseuponhisownparticularprinciples。Itissomewhatremarkablethatthisreverenddivineshouldbesoearnestforsettingupnewchurches，andsoperfectlyindifferentconcerningthedoctrinewhichmaybetaughtinthem。Hiszealisofacuriouscharacter。Itisnotforthepropagationofhisownopinions，butofanyopinions。Itisnotforthediffusionoftruth，butforthespreadingofcontradiction。Letthenobleteachersbutdissent，itisnomatterfromwhomorfromwhat。Thisgreatpointoncesecured，itistakenforgrantedtheirreligionwillberationalandmanly。Idoubtwhetherreligionwouldreapallthebenefitswhichthecalculatingdivinecomputesfromthis“greatcompanyofgreatpreachers。”Itwouldcertainlybeavaluableadditionofnondescriptstotheamplecollectionofknownclasses，generaandspecies，whichatpresentbeautifythehortussiccusofdissent。Asermonfromanobleduke，oranoblemarquis，oranobleearl，orbaronbold，wouldcertainlyincreaseanddiversifytheamusementsofthistown，whichbeginstogrowsatiatedwiththeuniformroundofitsvapiddissipations。IshouldonlystipulatethatthesenewMess-Johnsinrobesandcoronetsshouldkeepsomesortofboundsinthedemocraticandlevellingprincipleswhichareexpectedfromtheirtitledpulpits。Thenewevangelistswill，Idaresay，disappointthehopesthatareconceivedofthem。Theywillnotbecome，literallyaswellasfiguratively，polemicdivines，norbedisposedsotodrilltheircongregations，thattheymay，asinformerblessedtimes，preachtheirdoctrinestoregimentsofdragoonsandcorpsofinfantryandartillery。
Sucharrangements，howeverfavourabletothecauseofcompulsoryfreedom，civilandreligious，maynotbeequallyconducivetothenationaltranquillity。ThesefewrestrictionsIhopearenogreatstretchesofintolerance，noveryviolentexertionsofdespotism。
JARGONOFREPUBLICANISM。
Dr。Price，inthissermon，condemnsveryproperlythepracticeofgross，adulatoryaddressestokings。Insteadofthisfulsomestyle，heproposesthathismajestyshouldbetold，onoccasionsofcongratulation，that“heistoconsiderhimselfasmoreproperlytheservantthanthesovereignofhispeople。”Foracompliment，thisnewformofaddressdoesnotseemtobeverysoothing。Thosewhoareservantsinname，aswellasineffect，donotliketobetoldoftheirsituation，theirdutyandtheirobligations。Theslave，intheoldplay，tellshismaster，“Haeccommemoratioestquasiexprobatio。”
Itisnotpleasantascompliment;itisnotwholesomeasinstruction。
Afterall，ifthekingweretobringhimselftoechothisnewkindofaddress，toadoptitinterms，andeventotaketheappellationofServantofthePeopleashisroyalstyle，howeitherheorweshouldbemuchmendedbyit，Icannotimagine。Ihaveseenveryassumingletters，signed，Yourmostobedient，humbleservant。TheproudestdenominationthateverwasenduredonearthtookatitleofstillgreaterhumilitythanthatwhichisnowproposedforsovereignsbytheApostleofLiberty。Kingsandnationsweretrampleduponbythefootofonecallinghimself“theServantofServants;“andmandatesfordeposingsovereignsweresealedwiththesignetof“theFisherman。”
Ishouldhaveconsideredallthisasnomorethanasortofflippant，vaindiscourse，inwhich，asinanunsavouryfume，severalpersonssufferthespiritoflibertytoevaporate，ifitwerenotplainlyinsupportoftheidea，andapartofthescheme，of“cashieringkingsformisconduct。”Inthatlightitisworthsomeobservation。
Kings，inonesense，areundoubtedlytheservantsofthepeople，becausetheirpowerhasnootherrationalendthanthatofthegeneraladvantage;butitisnottruethattheyare，intheordinarysense(byourconstitutionatleast)，anythinglikeservants;theessenceofwhosesituationistoobeythecommandsofsomeother，andtoberemovableatpleasure。ButthekingofGreatBritainobeysnootherperson;allotherpersonsareindividually，andcollectivelytoo，underhim，andowetohimalegalobedience。Thelaw，whichknowsneithertoflatternortoinsult，callsthishighmagistrate，notourservant，asthishumbledivinecallshim，but“OURSOVEREIGNLORDTHEKING;“andwe，onourparts，havelearnedtospeakonlytheprimitivelanguageofthelaw，andnottheconfusedjargonoftheirBabylonianpulpits。
CONSERVATIVEPROGRESSOFINHERITEDFREEDOM。
Thepolicyappearstometobetheresultofprofoundreflection;orratherthehappyeffectoffollowingnature，whichiswisdomwithoutreflection，andaboveit。Aspiritofinnovationisgenerallytheresultofaselfishtemper，andconfinedviews。Peoplewillnotlookforwardtoposterity，whoneverlookbackwardtotheirancestors。Besides，thepeopleofEnglandwellknowthattheideaofinheritancefurnishesasureprincipleofconservation，andasureprincipleoftransmission，withoutatallexcludingaprincipleofimprovement。Itleavesacquisitionfree;butitsecureswhatitacquires。Whateveradvantagesareobtainedbyastateproceedingonthesemaxims，arelockedfastasinasortoffamilysettlement;graspedasinakindofmortmainforever。Byaconstitutionalpolicyworkingafterthepatternofnature，wereceive，wehold，wetransmitourgovernmentandourprivileges，inthesamemannerinwhichweenjoyandtransmitourpropertyandourlives。
Theinstitutionsofpolicy，thegoodsoffortune，thegiftsofProvidence，arehandeddowntous，andfromus，inthesamecourseandorder。Ourpoliticalsystemisplacedinajustcorrespondenceandsymmetrywiththeorderoftheworld，andwiththemodeofexistencedecreedtoapermanentbodycomposedoftransitoryparts;wherein，bythedispositionofastupendouswisdom，mouldingtogetherthegreatmysteriousincorporationofthehumanrace，thewhole，atonetime，isneverold，ormiddle-aged，oryoung，but，inaconditionofunchangeableconstancy，movesonthroughthevariedtenourofperpetualdecay，fall，renovation，andprogression。Thus，bypreservingthemethodofnatureintheconductofthestate，inwhatweimprove，weareneverwhollynew;
inwhatweretain，weareneverwhollyobsolete。Byadheringinthismannerandonthoseprinciplestoourforefathers，weareguidednotbythesuperstitionofantiquarians，butbythespiritofphilosophicanalogy。Inthischoiceofinheritancewehavegiventoourframeofpolitytheimageofarelationinblood;bindinguptheconstitutionofourcountrywithourdearestdomesticties;adoptingourfundamentallawsintothebosomofourfamilyaffections;keepinginseparable，andcherishingwiththewarmthofalltheircombinedandmutuallyreflectedcharities，ourstate，ourhearths，oursepulchres，andouraltars。
Throughthesameplanofaconformitytonatureinourartificialinstitutions，andbycallingintheaidofherunerringandpowerfulinstinctstofortifythefallibleandfeeblecontrivancesofourreason，wehavederivedseveralother，andthosenosmallbenefits，fromconsideringourlibertiesinthelightofaninheritance。Alwaysactingasifinthepresenceofcanonizedforefathers，thespiritoffreedom，leadinginitselftomisruleandexcess，istemperedwithanawfulgravity。Thisideaofaliberaldescentinspiresuswithasenseofhabitualnativedignity，whichpreventsthatupstartinsolencealmostinevitablyadheringtoanddisgracingthosewhoarethefirstacquirersofanydistinction。Bythismeansourlibertybecomesanoblefreedom。
Itcarriesanimposingandmajesticaspect。Ithasapedigreeandillustratingancestors。Ithasitsbearingsanditsensignsarmorial。Ithasitsgalleryofportraits;itsmonumentalinscriptions;itsrecords，evidences，andtitles。Weprocurereverencetoourcivilinstitutionsontheprincipleuponwhichnatureteachesustorevereindividualmen;onaccountoftheirage，andonaccountofthosefromwhomtheyaredescended。Allyoursophisterscannotproduceanythingbetteradaptedtopreservearationalandmanlyfreedomthanthecoursethatwehavepursued，whohavechosenournatureratherthanourspeculations，ourbreastsratherthanourinventions，forthegreatconservatoriesandmagazinesofourrightsandprivileges。
CONSERVATIONANDCORRECTION。
Astatewithoutthemeansofsomechangeiswithoutthemeansofitsconservation。Withoutsuchmeansitmightevenriskthelossofthatpartoftheconstitutionwhichitwishedthemostreligiouslytopreserve。ThetwoprinciplesofconservationandcorrectionoperatedstronglyatthetwocriticalperiodsoftheRestorationandRevolution，whenEnglandfounditselfwithoutaking。Atboththoseperiodsthenationhadlostthebondofunionintheirancientedifice;theydidnot，however，dissolvethewholefabric。Onthecontrary，inbothcasestheyregeneratedthedeficientpartoftheoldconstitutionthroughthepartswhichwerenotimpaired。Theykepttheseoldpartsexactlyastheywere，thatthepartrecoveredmightbesuitedtothem。Theyactedbytheancientorganizedstatesintheshapeoftheiroldorganization，andnotbytheorganicmoleculaeofadisbandedpeople。Atnotime，perhaps，didthesovereignlegislaturemanifestamoretenderregardtothatfundamentalprincipleofBritishconstitutionalpolicythanatthetimeoftheRevolution，whenitdeviatedfromthedirectlineofhereditarysuccession。Thecrownwascarriedsomewhatoutofthelineinwhichithadbeforemoved;butthenewlinewasderivedfromthesamestock。Itwasstillalineofhereditarydescent;stillanhereditarydescentinthesameblood，thoughanhereditarydescentqualifiedwithProtestantism。Whenthelegislaturealteredthedirection，butkepttheprinciple，theyshowedthattheyhelditinviolable。
HEREDITARYSUCCESSIONOFENGLISHCROWN。
UnquestionablytherewasattheRevolution，inthepersonofKingWilliam，asmallandatemporarydeviationfromthestrictorderofaregularhereditarysuccession;butitisagainstallgenuineprinciplesofjurisprudencetodrawaprinciplefromalawmadeinaspecialcase，andregardinganindividualperson。Privilegiumnontransitinexemplum。
Ifevertherewasatimefavourableforestablishingtheprinciple，thatakingofpopularchoicewastheonlylegalking，withoutalldoubtitwasattheRevolution。Itsnotbeingdoneatthattimeisaproofthatthenationwasofopinionitoughtnottobedoneatanytime。Thereisnopersonsocompletelyignorantofourhistoryasnottoknowthatthemajorityinparliamentofbothpartiesweresolittledisposedtoanythingresemblingthatprinciple，thatatfirsttheyweredeterminedtoplacethevacantcrown，notontheheadoftheprinceofOrange，butonthatofhiswifeMary，daughterofKingJames，theeldestbornoftheissueofthatking，whichtheyacknowledgedasundoubtedlyhis。Itwouldbetorepeataverytritestory，torecalltoyourmemoryallthosecircumstanceswhichdemonstratedthattheiracceptingKingWilliamwasnotproperlyaCHOICE;buttoallthosewhodidnotwish，ineffect，torecallKingJames，ortodelugetheircountryinblood，andagaintobringtheirreligion，laws，andlibertiesintotheperiltheyhadjustescaped，itwasanactofNECESSITY，inthestrictestmoralsenseinwhichnecessitycanbetaken。
Sofarisitfrombeingtrue，thatweacquiredarightbytheRevolutiontoelectourkings，thatifwehadpossesseditbefore，theEnglishnationdidatthattimemostsolemnlyrenounceandabdicateit，forthemselves，andforalltheirposterityforever。ThesegentlemenmayvaluethemselvesasmuchastheypleaseontheirWhigprinciples;butI
neverdesiretobethoughtabetterWhigthanLordSomers;ortounderstandtheprinciplesoftheRevolutionbetterthanthosebywhomitwasbroughtabout;ortoreadintheDeclarationofRightanymysteriesunknowntothosewhosepenetratingstylehasengravedinourordinances，andinourhearts，thewordsandspiritofthatimmortallaw。
Itistruethat，aidedwiththepowersderivedfromforceandopportunity，thenationwasatthattime，insomesense，freetotakewhatcourseitpleasedforfillingthethrone;butonlyfreetodosouponthesamegroundsonwhichtheymighthavewhollyabolishedtheirmonarchy，andeveryotherpartoftheirconstitution。
However，theydidnotthinksuchboldchangeswithintheircommission。
Itisindeeddifficult，perhapsimpossible，togivelimitstothemereABSTRACTcompetenceofthesupremepower，suchaswasexercisedbyparliamentatthattime;butthelimitsofaMORALcompetence，subjecting，eveninpowersmoreindisputablysovereign，occasionalwilltopermanentreason，andtothesteadymaximsoffaith，justice，andfixedfundamentalpolicy，areperfectlyintelligible，andperfectlybindinguponthosewhoexerciseanyauthority，underanyname，orunderanytitle，inthestate。TheHouseofLords，forinstance，isnotmorallycompetenttodissolvetheHouseofCommons;no，noreventodissolveitself，nortoabdicate，ifitwould，itsportioninthelegislatureofthekingdom。Thoughakingmayabdicateforhisownperson，hecannotabdicateforthemonarchy。Byasstrong，orbyastrongerreason，theHouseofCommonscannotrenounceitsshareofauthority。Theengagementandpactofsociety，whichgenerallygoesbythenameoftheconstitution，forbidssuchinvasionandsuchsurrender。
Theconstituentpartsofastateareobligedtoholdtheirpublicfaithwitheachother，andwithallthosewhoderiveanyseriousinterestundertheirengagements，asmuchasthewholestateisboundtokeepitsfaithwithseparatecommunities。Otherwisecompetenceandpowerwouldsoonbeconfounded，andnolawbeleftbutthewillofaprevailingforce。Onthisprinciplethesuccessionofthecrownhasalwaysbeenwhatitnowis，anhereditarysuccessionbylaw：intheoldlineitwasasuccessionbythecommonlaw;inthenewbythestatutelaw，operatingontheprinciplesofthecommonlaw，notchangingthesubstance，butregulatingthemodeanddescribingthepersons。Boththesedescriptionsoflawareofthesameforce，andarederivedfromanequalauthority，emanatingfromthecommonagreementandoriginalcompactofthestate，communisponsionereipublicae，andassuchareequallybindingonkingpeopletoo，aslongasthetermsareobserved，andtheycontinuethesamebodypolitic。
LIMITSOFLEGISLATIVECAPACITY。
Ifweweretoknownothingofthisassemblybutbyitstitleandfunction，nocolourscouldpainttotheimaginationanythingmorevenerable。Inthatlightthemindofaninquirer，subduedbysuchanawfulimageasthatofthevirtueandwisdomofawholepeoplecollectedintoonefocus，wouldpauseandhesitateincondemningthingsevenoftheveryworstaspect。Insteadofblameable，theywouldappearonlymysterious。Butnoname，nopower，nofunction，noartificialinstitutionwhatsoever，canmakethemenofwhomanysystemofauthorityiscomposed，anyotherthanGod，andnature，andeducation，andtheirhabitsoflifehavemadethem。Capacitiesbeyondthesethepeoplehavenottogive。Virtueandwisdommaybetheobjectsoftheirchoice;buttheirchoiceconfersneithertheonenortheotheronthoseuponwhomtheylaytheirordaininghands。Theyhavenottheengagementofnature，theyhavenotthepromiseofrevelation，foranysuchpower。
OURCONSTITUTION，NOTFABRICATED，BUTINHERITED。
TheRevolutionwasmadetopreserveourANCIENT，indisputablelawsandliberties，andthatANCIENTconstitutionofgovernmentwhichisouronlysecurityforlawandliberty。Ifyouaredesirousofknowingthespiritofourconstitution，andthepolicywhichpredominatedinthatgreatperiodwhichhassecuredittothishour，praylookforbothinourhistories，inourrecords，inouractsofparliament，andjournalsofparliament，andnotinthesermonsoftheOldJewry，andtheafter-dinnertoastsoftheRevolutionSociety。Intheformeryouwillfindotherideasandanotherlanguage。Suchaclaimisasillsuitedtoourtemperandwishesasitisunsupportedbyanyappearanceofauthority。Theveryideaofthefabricationofanewgovernmentisenoughtofilluswithdisgustandhorror。WewishedattheperiodoftheRevolution，anddonowwish，toderiveallwepossessasAN
INHERITANCEFROMOURFOREFATHERS。Uponthatbodyandstockofinheritance，wehavetakencarenottoinoculateanyscionalientothenatureoftheoriginalplant。Allthereformationswehavehithertomadehaveproceededupontheprincipleofreverencetoantiquity;andIhope，nay，Iampersuaded，thatallthosewhichpossiblymaybemadehereafter，willbecarefullyformeduponanalogicalprecedent，authority，andexample。
OuroldestreformationisthatofMagnaCharta。YouwillseethatSirEdwardCoke，thatgreatoracleofourlaw，andindeedallthegreatmenwhofollowhim，toBlackstone，areindustrioustoprovethepedigreeofourliberties。Theyendeavourtoprove，thattheancientcharter，theMagnaChartaofKingJohn，wasconnectedwithanotherpositivecharterfromHenryI。andthatboththeoneandtheotherwerenothingmorethanare-affirmanceofthestillmoreancientstandinglawofthekingdom。Inthematteroffact，forthegreaterpart，theseauthorsappeartobeintheright;perhapsnotalways;butifthelawyersmistakeinsomeparticulars，itprovesmypositionstillthemorestrongly，becauseitdemonstratesthepowerfulprepossessiontowardsantiquity，withmuchthemindsofallourlawyersandlegislators，andofallthepeoplewhomtheywishtoinfluence，havebeenalwaysfilled;
andthestationarypolicyofthiskingdominconsideringtheirmostsacredrightsandfranchisesasanINHERITANCE。
Inthefamouslawofthe3rdofCharlesI。calledthePETITIONOF
RIGHT，theparliamentsaystotheking，“YoursubjectshaveINHERITED
thisfreedom，“claimingtheirfranchisesnotonabstractprinciples“astherightsofmen，“butastherightsofEnglishmen，andasapatrimonyderivedfromtheirforefathers。Selden，andtheotherprofoundlylearnedmen，whodrewthispetitionofright，wereaswellacquainted，atleast，withallthegeneraltheoriesconcerningthe“rightsofmen，“asanyofthediscoursersinourpulpits，oronyourtribune;fullaswellasDr。
Price，orastheAbbeSieyes。But，forreasonsworthyofthatpracticalwisdomwhichsupersededtheirtheoreticscience，theypreferredthispositive，recorded，HEREDITARYtitletoallwhichcanbedeartothemanandthecitizen，tothatvaguespeculativeright，whichexposedtheirsureinheritancetobescrambledforandtorntopiecesbyeverywild，litigiousspirit。
Thesamepolicypervadesallthelawswhichhavesincebeenmadeforthepreservationofourliberties。Inthe1stofWilliamandMary，inthefamousstatutecalledtheDeclarationofRight，thetwohousesutternotasyllableof“arighttoframeagovernmentforthemselves。”Youwillsee，thattheirwholecarewastosecurethereligion，laws，andliberties，thathadbeenlongpossessed，andhadbeenlatelyendangered。
“TakingintotheirmostseriousconsiderationtheBESTmeansformakingsuchanestablishmentthattheirreligion，laws，andliberties，mightnotbeindangerofbeingagainsubverted，“theyauspicatealltheirproceedings，bystatingassomeofthoseBESTmeans，“intheFIRST
PLACE“todo“astheirANCESTORSINLIKECASESHAVEUSUALLYdoneforvindicatingtheirANCIENTrightsandliberties，toDECLARE;“——andthentheypraythekingandqueen，“thatitmaybeDECLAREDandenacted，thatALLANDSINGULARtherightsandlibertiesASSERTEDANDDECLARED，arethetrueANCIENTandindubitablerightsandlibertiesofthepeopleofthiskingdom。”
Youwillobserve，thatfromMagnaChartatotheDeclarationofRight，ithasbeentheuniformpolicyofourconstitutiontoclaimandassertourliberties，asanENTAILEDINHERITANCEderivedtousfromourforefathers，andtobetransmittedtoourposterity，asanestatespeciallybelongingtothepeopleofthiskingdom，withoutanyreferencewhatevertoanyothermoregeneralorpriorright。Bythismeansourconstitutionpreservesaunityinsogreatadiversityofitsparts。Wehaveaninheritablecrown;aninheritablepeerage;andahouseofcommonsandapeopleinheritingprivileges，franchises，andliberties，fromalonglineofancestors。
LOWAIMSANDLOWINSTRUMENTS。
Whenmenofranksacrificeallideasofdignitytoanambitionwithoutadistinctobject，andworkwithlowinstrumentsandforlowends，thewholecompositionbecomeslowandbase。DoesnotsomethinglikethisnowappearinFrance？Doesitnotproducesomethingignobleandinglorious？
akindofmeannessinalltheprevalentpolicy？atendencyinallthatisdonetoloweralongwithindividualsallthedignityandimportanceofthestate？Otherrevolutionshavebeenconductedbypersons，who，whilsttheyattemptedoraffectedchangesinthecommonwealth，sanctifiedtheirambitionbyadvancingthedignityofthepeoplewhosepeacetheytroubled。Theyhadlongviews。Theyaimedattherule，notatthedestruction，oftheircountry。Theyweremenofgreatcivilandgreatmilitarytalents，andiftheterror，theornamentoftheirage。
TheywerenotlikeJewbrokers，contendingwitheachotherwhocouldbestremedywithfraudulentcirculationanddepreciatedpaperthewretchednessandruinbroughtontheircountrybytheirdegeneratecouncils。Thecomplimentmadetooneofthegreatbadmenoftheoldstamp(Cromwell)byhiskinsman，afavouritepoetofthattime，showswhatitwasheproposed，andwhatindeedtoagreatdegreeheaccomplished，inthesuccessofhisambition：——
“StillasYOUrise，theSTATEexaltedtoo，Findsnodistemperwhilst’tischangedbyYOU：
Changedliketheworld’sgreatscene，whenwithoutnoiseTherisingsunnight’sVULGARlightsdestroys。”
Thesedisturberswerenotsomuchlikemenusurpingpower，asassertingtheirnaturalplaceinsociety。Theirrisingwastoilluminateandbeautifytheworld。Theirconquestovertheircompetitorswasbyoutshiningthem。Thehandthat，likeadestroyingangel，smotethecountry，communicatedtoittheforceandenergyunderwhichitsuffered。Idonotsay(Godforbid)，Idonotsay，thatthevirtuesofsuchmenweretobetakenasabalancetotheircrimes：buttheyweresomecorrectivetotheireffects。Suchwas，asIsaid，ourCromwell。
SuchwereyourwholeraceofGuises，Condes，andColignis。SuchtheRichelieus，whoinmorequitetimesactedinthespiritofacivilwar。
Such，asbettermen，andinalessdubiouscause，wereyourHenrytheFourthandyourSully，thoughnursedincivilconfusions，andnotwhollywithoutsomeoftheirtaint。Itisathingtobewonderedat，toseehowverysoonFrance，whenshehadamomenttorespire，recoveredandemergedfromthelongestandmostdreadfulcivilwarthateverwasknowninanynation。Why？Becauseamongalltheirmassacres，theyhadnotslaintheMINDintheircountry。Aconsciousdignity，anoblepride，ageneroussenseofgloryandemulation，wasnotextinguished。Onthecontrary，itwaskindledandenflamed。Theorgansalsoofthestate，howevershattered，existed。Alltheprizesofhonourandvirtue，alltherewards，allthedistinctions，remained。Butyourpresentconfusion，likeapalsy，hasattackedthefountainoflifeitself。Everypersoninyourcountry，inasituationtobeactuatedbyaprincipleofhonour，isdisgracedanddegraded，andcanentertainnosensationoflife，exceptinamortifiedandhumiliatedindignation。Butthisgenerationwillquicklypassaway。Thenextgenerationofthenobilitywillresembletheartificersandclowns，andmoney-jobbers，usurers，andJews，whowillbealwaystheirfellows，sometimestheirmasters。Believeme，Sir，thosewhoattempttolevel，neverequalise。Inallsocieties，consistingofvariousdescriptionsofcitizens，somedescriptionmustbeuppermost。
Thelevellersthereforeonlychangeandpervertthenaturalorderofthings;theyloadtheedificeofsociety，bysettingupintheairwhatthesolidityofthestructurerequirestobeontheground。Theassociationsoftailorsandcarpenters，ofwhichtherepublic(ofParis，forinstance)，iscomposed，cannotbeequaltothesituationintowhich，bytheworstofusurpations，ausurpationontheprerogativesofnature，youattempttoforcethem。
TheChancellorofFrance，attheopeningofthestates，said，inatoneoforatoricalflourish，thatalloccupationswerehonourable。Ifhemeantonly，thatnohonestemploymentwasdisgraceful，hewouldnothavegonebeyondthetruth。Butinassertingthatanythingishonourable，weimplysomedistinctioninitsfavour。Theoccupationofahair-dresser，orofaworkingtallow-chandler，cannotbeamatterofhonourtoanyperson——tosaynothingofanumberofothermoreservileemployments。
Suchdescriptionsofmenoughtnottosufferoppressionfromthestate;
butthestatesuffersoppression，ifsuchasthey，eitherindividuallyorcollectively，arepermittedtorule。Inthisyouthinkyouarecombatingprejudice，butyouareatwarwithnature。
HOUSEOFCOMMONSCONTRASTEDWITHNATIONALASSEMBLY。
TheBritishHouseofCommons，withoutshuttingitsdoorstoanymeritinanyclass，is，bythesureoperationofadequatecauses，filledwitheverythingillustriousinrank，indescent，inhereditaryandinacquiredopulence，incultivatedtalents，inmilitary，civil，naval，andpoliticdistinction，thatthecountrycanafford。Butsupposing，whathardlycanbesupposedasacase，thattheHouseofCommonsshouldbecomposedinthesamemannerwiththeTiers-EtatinFrance，wouldthisdominionofchicanebebornewithpatience，orevenconceivedwithouthorror？GodforbidIshouldinsinuateanythingderogatorytothatprofession，whichisanotherpriesthood，administeringtherightsofsacredjustice。ButwhilstIreveremeninthefunctionswhichbelongtothem，andwoulddoasmuchasonemancandotopreventtheirexclusionfromany，Icannot，toflatterthem，givethelietonature。Theyaregoodandusefulinthecomposition;theymustbemischievousiftheypreponderatesoasvirtuallytobecomethewhole。Theirveryexcellenceintheirpeculiarfunctionsmaybefarfromaqualificationforothers。
Itcannotescapeobservation，thatwhenmenaretoomuchconfinedtoprofessionalandfacultyhabits，andasitwereinveterateintherecurrentemploymentofthatnarrowcircle，theyareratherdisabledthanqualifiedforwhateverdependsontheknowledgeofmankind，onexperienceinmixedaffairs，onacomprehensive，connectedviewofthevarious，complicated，external，andinternalinterests，whichgototheformationofthatmultifariousthingcalledastate。Afterall，iftheHouseofCommonsweretohaveawhollyprofessionalandfacultycomposition，whatisthepoweroftheHouseofCommons，circumscribedandshutinbytheimmoveablebarriersoflaw，usages，positiverulesofdoctrineandpractice，counterpoisedbytheHouseofLords，andeverymomentofitsexistenceatthediscretionofthecrowntocontinue，prorogue，ordissolveus？ThepoweroftheHouseofCommons，directorindirect，isindeedgreat;andlongmayitbeabletopreserveitsgreatness，andthespiritbelongingtotruegreatness，atthefull;anditwilldoso，aslongasitcankeepthebreakersoflawinIndiafrombecomingthemakersoflawforEngland。Thepower，however，oftheHouseofCommons，whenleastdiminished，isasadropofwaterintheocean，comparedtothatresidinginasettledmajorityofyourNationalAssembly。Thatassembly，sincethedestructionoftheorders，hasnofundamentallaw，nostrictconvention，norespectedusagetorestrainit。Insteadoffindingthemselvesobligedtoconformtoafixedconstitution，theyhaveapowertomakeaconstitutionwhichshallconformtotheirdesigns。Nothinginheavenoruponearthcanserveasacontrolonthem。Whatoughttobetheheads，thehearts，thedispositions，thatarequalified，orthatdare，notonlytomakelawsunderafixedconstitution，butatoneheattostrikeoutatotallynewconstitutionforagreatkingdom，andeverypartofit，fromthemonarchonthethronetothevestryofaparish？But——“foolsrushinwhereangelsfeartotread。”Insuchastateofunboundedpower，forundefinedandindefinablepurposes，theevilofamoralandalmostphysicalinaptitudeofthemantothefunction，mustbethegreatestwecanconceivetohappeninthemanagementofhumanaffairs。
PROPERTY，MORETHANABILITY，REPRESENTEDINPARLIAMENT。
Nothingisadueandadequaterepresentationofastatethatdoesnotrepresentitsability，aswellasitsproperty。Butasabilityisavigorousandactiveprinciple，andaspropertyissluggish，inert，andtimid，itnevercanbesafefromtheinvasionsofability，unlessitbe，outofallproportion，predominantintherepresentation。Itmustberepresentedtooingreatmassesofaccumulation，oritisnotrightlyprotected。Thecharacteristicessenceofproperty，formedoutofthecombinedprinciplesofitsacquisitionandconservation，istobeUNEQUAL。Thegreatmasses，therefore，whichexciteenvy，andtemptrapacity，mustbeputoutofthepossibilityofdanger。Thentheyformanaturalrampartaboutthelesserpropertiesinalltheirgradations。Thesamequantityofproperty，whichisbythenaturalcourseofthingsdividedamongmany，hasnotthesameoperation。Itsdefensivepowerisweakenedasitisdiffused。Inthisdiffusioneachman’sportionislessthanwhat，intheeagernessofhisdesires，hemayflatterhimselftoobtainbydissipatingtheaccumulationsofothers。Theplunderofthefewwould，indeed，givebutashareinconceivablysmallinthedistributiontothemany。Butthemanyarenotcapableofmakingthiscalculation;andthosewholeadthemtorapineneverintendthisdistribution。
Thepowerofperpetuatingourpropertyinourfamiliesisoneofthemostvaluableandinterestingcircumstancesbelongingtoit，andthatwhichtendsthemosttotheperpetuationofsocietyitself。Itmakesourweaknesssubservienttoourvirtue;itgraftsbenevolenceevenuponavarice。Thepossessorsoffamilywealth，andofthedistinctionwhichattendshereditarypossession(asmostconcernedinit)，arethenaturalsecuritiesforthistransmission。WithustheHouseofPeersisformeduponthisprinciple。Itiswhollycomposedofhereditarypropertyandhereditarydistinction;andmade，therefore，thethirdofthelegislature;and，inthelastevent，thesolejudgeofallpropertyinallitssubdivisions。TheHouseofCommons，too，thoughnotnecessarily，yetinfact，isalwayssocomposed，inthefargreaterpart。Letthoselargeproprietorsbewhattheywill，andtheyhavetheirchanceofbeingamongthebest，theyare，attheveryworst，theballastinthevesselofthecommonwealth。Forthoughhereditarywealth，andtherankwhichgoeswithit，aretoomuchidolizedbycreepingsycophants，andtheblind，abjectadmirersofpower，theyaretoorashlyslightedinshallowspeculationsofthepetulant，assuming，short-sightedcoxcombsofphilosophy。Somedecent，regulatedpre-eminence，somepreference(notexclusiveappropriation)giventobirth，isneitherunnatural，norunjust，norimpolitic。Itissaid，thattwenty-fourmillionsoughttoprevailovertwohundredthousand。True;iftheconstitutionofakingdombeaproblemofarithmetic。Thissortofdiscoursedoeswellenoughwiththelamp-postforitssecond：tomenwhoMAYreasoncalmly，itisridiculous。Thewillofthemany，andtheirinterest，mustveryoftendiffer;andgreatwillbethedifferencewhentheymakeanevilchoice。
VIRTUEANDWISDOMQUALIFYFORGOVERNMENT。
Idonot，mydearsir，conceiveyoutobeofthatsophistical，captiousspirit，orofthatuncandiddulness，astorequire，foreverygeneralobservationorsentiment，anexplicitdetailofthecorrectivesandexceptionswhichreasonwillpresumetobeincludedinallthegeneralpropositionswhichcomefromreasonablemen。YoudonotimaginethatI
wishtoconfinepower，authority，anddistinctiontoblood，andnames，andtitles。No，sir。Thereisnoqualificationforgovernmentbutvirtueandwisdom，actualorpresumptive。Wherevertheyareactuallyfound，theyhave，inwhateverstate，condition，profession，ortrade，thepassportofheaventohumanplaceandhonour。Woetothatcountrywhichwouldmadlyandimpiouslyrejecttheserviceofthetalentsandvirtues，civil，military，orreligious，thataregiventograceandtoserveit;
andwouldcondemntoobscurityeverythingformedtodiffuselustreandgloryaroundastate。Woetothatcountry，too，that，passingintotheoppositeextreme，considersaloweducation，amean，contractedviewofthings，asordid，mercenaryoccupation，asapreferabletitletocommand。Everythingoughttobeopen;butnotindifferentlytoeveryman。Norotation;noappointmentbylot;nomodeofelectionoperatinginthespiritofsortition，orrotation，canbegenerallygoodinagovernmentconversantinextensiveobjects。Becausetheyhavenotendency，directorindirect，toselectthemanwithaviewtotheduty，ortoaccommodatetheonetotheother。Idonothesitatetosay，thattheroadtoeminenceandpower，fromobscurecondition，oughtnottobemadetooeasy，norathingtoomuchofcourse。Ifraremeritbetherarestofallrarethings，inoughttopassthroughsomesortofprobation。Thetempleofhonouroughttobeseatedonaneminence。Ifitbeopenedthroughvirtue，letitberemembered，too，thatvirtueisnevertriedbutbysomedifficultyandsomestruggle。
NATURALANDCIVILRIGHTS。
FaramIfromdenyingintheory，fullasfarasismyheartfromwithholdinginpractice(ifIwereofpowertogiveortowithhold)，theREALrightsofmen。Indenyingtheirfalseclaimsofright，Idonotmeantoinjurethosewhicharereal，andaresuchastheirpretendedrightswouldtotallydestroy。Ifcivilsocietybemadefortheadvantageofman，alltheadvantagesforwhichitismadebecomehisright。Itisaninstitutionofbeneficence;andlawitselfisonlybeneficenceactingbyarule。Menhavearighttolivebythatrule;theyhavearighttodojustice，asbetweentheirfellows，whethertheirfellowsareinpoliticfunction，orinordinaryoccupation。Theyhavearighttothefruitsoftheirindustry，andtothemeansofmakingtheirindustryfruitful。Theyhavearighttotheacquisitionsoftheirparents;tothenourishmentandimprovementoftheiroffspring;toinstructioninlife，andtoconsolationindeath。Whatevereachmancanseparatelydo，withouttrespassinguponothers，hehasarighttodoforhimself;andhehasarighttoafairportionofallwhichsociety，withallitscombinationsofskillandforce，candoinhisfavour。Inthispartnershipallmenhaveequalrights;butnottoequalthings。Hethathasbutfiveshillingsinthepartnership，hasasgoodarighttoit，ashethathasfivehundredpoundshastohislargerproportion。Buthehasnotarighttoanequaldividendintheproductofthejoint-stock;andastotheshareofpower，authority，anddirectionwhicheachindividualoughttohaveinthemanagementofthestate，thatImustdenytobeamongstthedirectoriginalrightsofmanincivilsociety;forIhaveinmycontemplationthecivilsocialman，andnoother。Itisathingtobesettledbyconvention。Ifcivilsocietybetheoffspringofconvention，thatconventionmustbeitslaw。Thatconventionmustlimitandmodifyallthedescriptionsofconstitutionwhichareformedunderit。Everysortoflegislature，judicial，orexecutorypower，areitscreatures。Theycanhavenobeinginanyotherstateofthings;andhowcananymanclaim，undertheconventionsofcivilsociety，rightswhichdonotsomuchassupposeitsexistence？Rightswhichareabsolutelyrepugnanttoit？Oneofthefirstmotivestocivilsociety，andwhichbecomesoneofitsfundamentalrules，is，THATNOMANSHOULDBEJUDGEIN
HISOWNCAUSE。Bythiseachpersonhasatoncedivestedhimselfofthefirstfundamentalrightofuncovenantedman，thatis，tojudgeforhimself，andtoasserthisowncause。Heabdicatesallrighttobehisowngovernor。Heinclusively，inagreatmeasure，abandonstherightofself-defence，thefirstlawofnature。Mencannotenjoytherightsofanuncivilandofacivilstatetogether。Thathemayobtainjustice，hegivesuphisrightofdeterminingwhatitisinpointsthemostessentialtohim。Thathemaysecuresomeliberty，hemakesasurrenderintrustofthewholeofit。
Governmentisnotmadeinvirtueofnaturalrights，whichmayanddoexistintotalindependenceofit;andexistinmuchgreaterclearness，andinamuchgreaterdegreeofabstractperfection：buttheirabstractperfectionistheirpracticaldefect。Byhavingarighttoeverythingtheywanteverything。GovernmentisacontrivanceofhumanwisdomtoprovideforhumanWANTS。Menhavearightthatthesewantsshouldbeprovidedforbythiswisdom。Amongthesewantsistobereckonedthewant，outofcivilsociety，ofasufficientrestraintupontheirpassions。Societyrequiresnotonlythatthepassionsofindividualsshouldbesubjected，butthateveninthemassandbody，aswellasintheindividuals，theinclinationsofmenshouldfrequentlybethwarted，theirwillcontrolled，andtheirpassionsbroughtintosubjection。ThiscanonlybedoneBYAPOWEROUTOFTHEMSELVES，andnot，intheexerciseofitsfunction，subjecttothatwillandtothosepassionswhichitisitsofficetobridleandsubdue。Inthissensetherestraintsonmen，aswellastheirliberties，aretobereckonedamongtheirrights。Butasthelibertiesandtherestrictionsvarywithtimesandcircumstances，andadmitofinfinitemodifications，theycannotbesettleduponanyabstractrule;andnothingissofoolishastodiscussthemuponthatprinciple。
Themomentyouabateanythingfromthefullrightsofmen，eachtogovernhimself，andsufferanyartificial，positivelimitationuponthoserights，fromthatmomentthewholeorganizationofgovernmentbecomesaconsiderationofconvenience。Thisitiswhichmakestheconstitutionofastate，andtheduedistributionofitspowers，amatterofthemostdelicateandcomplicatedskill。Itrequiresadeepknowledgeofhumannatureandhumannecessities，andofthethingswhichfacilitateorobstructthevariousends，whicharetobepursuedbythemechanismofcivilinstitutions。Thestateistohaverecruitstoitsstrength，andremediestoitsdistempers。Whatistheuseofdiscussingaman’sabstractrighttofoodormedicine？Thequestionisuponthemethodofprocuringandadministeringthem。InthatdeliberationIshallalwaysadvisetocallintheaidofthefarmerandthephysician，ratherthantheprofessorofmetaphysics。Thescienceofconstructingacommonwealth，orrenovatingit，orreformingit，is，likeeveryotherexperimentalscience，nottobetaughtapriori。Norisitashortexperiencethatcaninstructusinthatpracticalscience，becausetherealeffectsofmoralcausesarenotalwaysimmediate;butthatwhichinthefirstinstanceisprejudicialmaybeexcellentinitsremoteroperation;anditsexcellencemayariseevenfromtheilleffectsitproducesinthebeginning。Thereversealsohappens;andveryplausibleschemes，withverypleasingcommencements，haveoftenshamefulandlamentableconclusions。Instatesthereareoftensomeobscureandalmostlatentcauses，thingswhichappearatfirstviewoflittlemoment，onwhichaverygreatpartofitsprosperityoradversitymaymostessentiallydepend。Thescienceofgovernmentbeingthereforesopracticalinitself，andintendedforsuchpracticalpurposes，amatterwhichrequiresexperience，andevenmoreexperiencethananypersoncangaininhiswholelife，howeversagaciousandobservinghemaybe，itiswithinfinitecautionthatanymanoughttoventureuponpullingdownanedifice，whichhasansweredinanytolerabledegreeforagesthecommonpurposesofsociety，oronbuildingitupagain，withouthavingmodelsandpatternsofapprovedutilitybeforehiseyes。
Thesemetaphysicrightsenteringintocommonlife，likeraysoflightwhichpierceintoadensemedium，are，bythelawsofnature，refractedfromtheirstraightline。Indeedinthegrossandcomplicatedmassofhumanpassionsandconcerns，theprimitiverightsofmenundergosuchavarietyofrefractionsandreflections，thatitbecomesabsurdtotalkofthemasiftheycontinuedinthesimplicityoftheiroriginaldirection。Thenatureofmanisintricate;theobjectsofsocietyareofthegreatestpossiblecomplexity：andthereforenosimpledispositionordirectionofpowercanbesuitableeithertoman’snature，ortothequalityofhisaffairs。WhenIhearthesimplicityofcontrivanceaimedatandboastedofinanynewpoliticalconstitutions，Iamatnolosstodecidethattheartificersaregrosslyignorantoftheirtrade，ortotallynegligentoftheirduty。Thesimplegovernmentsarefundamentallydefective，tosaynoworseofthem。Ifyouweretocontemplatesocietyinbutonepointofview，allthesesimplemodesofpolityareinfinitelycaptivating。Ineffecteachwouldansweritssingleendmuchmoreperfectlythanthemorecomplexisabletoattainallitscomplexpurposes。Butitisbetterthatthewholeshouldbeimperfectlyandanomalouslyanswered，thanthat，whilesomepartsareprovidedforwithgreatexactness，othersmightbetotallyneglected，orperhapsmateriallyinjured，bytheover-careofafavouritemember。
Thepretendedrightsofthesetheoristsareallextremes：andinproportionastheyaremetaphysicallytrue，theyaremorallyandpoliticallyfalse。TherightsofmenareinasortofMIDDLE，incapableofdefinition，butnotimpossibletobediscerned。Therightsofmeningovernmentsaretheiradvantages，andtheseareofteninbalancesbetweendifferencesofgood;incompromisessometimesbetweengoodandevil，andsometimesbetweenevilandevil。Politicalreasonisacomputingprinciple，adding，subtracting，multiplying，anddividing，morallyandnotmetaphysicallyormathematically，truemoraldenominations。
Bythesetheoriststherightofthepeopleisalmostalwayssophisticallyconfoundedwiththeirpower。Thebodyofthecommunity，wheneveritcancometoact，canmeetwithnoeffectualresistance;buttillpowerandrightarethesame，thewholebodyofthemhasnorightinconsistentwithvirtue，andthefirstofallvirtues——prudence。
MARIEANTOINETTE。ItisnowsixteenorseventeenyearssinceIsawthequeenofFrance，thenthedauphiness，atVersailles;andsurelyneverlightedonthisorb，whichshehardlyseemedtotouch，amoredelightfulvision。Isawherjustabovethehorizon，decoratingandcheeringtheelevatedsphereshejustbegantomovein，——glitteringlikethemorning-star，fulloflife，andsplendour，andjoy。Oh！whatarevolution！andwhataheartmustIhave，tocontemplatewithoutemotionthatelevationandthatfall！LittledidIdreamwhensheaddedtitlesofvenerationtothoseofenthusiastic，distant，respectfullove，thatsheshouldeverbeobligedtocarrythesharpantidoteagainstdisgraceconcealedinthatbosom;littledidIdreamthatIshouldhavelivedtoseesuchdisastersfallenuponherinanationofgallantmen，inanationofmenofhonourandofcavaliers。Ithoughttenthousandswordsmusthaveleapedfromtheirscabbardstoavengeevenalookthatthreatenedherwithinsult。Buttheageofchivalryisgone。Thatofsophisters，economists，andcalculators，hassucceeded;andthegloryofEuropeisextinguishedforever。Never，nevermoreshallwebeholdthatgenerousloyaltytorankandsex，thatproudsubmission，thatdignifiedobedience，thatsubordinationoftheheart，whichkeptalive，eveninservitudeitself，thespiritofanexaltedfreedom。Theunboughtgraceoflife，thecheapdefenceofnations，thenurseofmanlysentimentandheroicenterprise，isgone！Itisgone，thatsensibilityofprinciple，thatchastityofhonour，whichfeltastainlikeawound，whichinspiredcouragewhilstitmitigatedferocity，whichennobledwhateverittouched，andunderwhichviceitselflosthalfitsevil，bylosingallitsgrossness。
SPIRITOFAGENTLEMANANDTHESPIRITOFRELIGION。
Howmuchofthatprosperousstatewasowingtothespiritofouroldmannersandopinionsisnoteasytosay;butassuchcausescannotbeindifferentintheiroperation，wemustpresumethat，onthewhole，theiroperationwasbeneficial。
Wearebuttooapttoconsiderthingsinthestateinwhichwefindthem，withoutsufficientlyadvertingtothecausesbywhichtheyhavebeenproduced，andpossiblymaybeupheld。Nothingismorecertain，thanthatourmanners，ourcivilization，andallthegoodthingswhichareconnectedwithmannersandwithcivilization，have，inthisEuropeanworldofours，dependedforagesupontwoprinciples，andwereindeedtheresultofbothcombined;Imeanthespiritofagentlemanandthespiritofreligion。Thenobilityandtheclergy，theonebyprofession，theotherbypatronage，keptlearninginexistence，eveninthemidstofarmsandconfusions，andwhilstgovernmentswereratherintheircauses，thanformed。Learningpaidbackwhatitreceivedtonobilityandtopriesthood;andpaiditwithusury，byenlargingtheirideas，andbyfurnishingtheirminds。Happyiftheyhadallcontinuedtoknowtheirindissolubleunion，andtheirproperplace！Happyiflearning，notdebauchedbyambition，hadbeensatisfiedtocontinuetheinstructor，andnotaspiredtobethemaster！Alongwithitsnaturalprotectorsandguardians，learningwillbecastintothemire，andtroddendownunderthehoofsofaswinishmultitude。
If，asIsuspect，modernlettersowemorethantheyarealwayswillingtoowntoancientmanners，sodootherinterestswhichwevaluefullasmuchastheyareworth。Evencommerce，andtrade，andmanufacture，thegodsofoureconomicalpoliticians，arethemselves，perhaps，butcreatures;arethemselvesbuteffects，which，asfirstcauses，wechoosetoworship。Theycertainlygrewunderthesameshadeinwhichlearningflourished。Theytoomaydecaywiththeirnaturalprotectingprinciples。
Withyou，forthepresentatleast，theyallthreatentodisappeartogether。Wheretradeandmanufacturesarewantingtoapeople，andthespiritofnobilityandreligionremains，sentimentsupplies，andnotalwaysillsupplies，theirplace;butifcommerceandtheartsshouldbelostinanexperimenttotryhowwellastatemaystandwithouttheseoldfundamentalprinciples，whatsortofathingmustbeanationofgross，stupid，ferocious，and，atthesametime，poorandsordidbarbarians，destituteofreligion，honour，ormanlypride，possessingnothingatpresent，andhopingfornothinghereafter？
POWERSURVIVESOPINION。
Butpower，ofsomekindorother，willsurvivetheshockinwhichmannersandopinionsperish！Anditwillfindotherandworsemeansforitssupport。Theusurpationwhich，inordertosubvertancientinstitutions，hasdestroyedancientprinciples，willholdpowerbyartssimilartothosebywhichithasacquiredit。WhentheoldfeudalandchivalrousspiritofFEALTY，which，byfreeingkingsfromfear，freedbothkingsandsubjectsfromtheprecautionoftyranny，shallbeextinctinthemindsofmen，plotsandassassinationswillbeanticipatedbypreventivemurderandpreventiveconfiscation，andthatlongrollofgrimandbloodymaxims，whichformthepoliticalcodeofallpower，notstandingonitsownhonour，andthehonourofthosewhoaretoobeyit。
Kingswillbetyrantsfrompolicy，whensubjectsarerebelsfromprinciple。
CHIVALRYAMORALIZINGCHARM。
Thismixedsystemofopinionandsentimenthaditsoriginintheancientchivalry;andtheprinciple，thoughvariedinitsappearancebythevaryingstateofhumanaffairs，subsistedandinfluencedthroughalongsuccessionofgenerations，eventothetimewelivein。Ifitshouldeverbetotallyextinguished，thelossIfearwillbegreat。ItisthiswhichhasgivenitscharactertomodernEurope。
Itisthiswhichhasdistinguisheditunderallitsformsofgovernment，anddistinguishedit，toitsadvantage，fromthestatesofAsia，andpossiblyfromthosestateswhichflourishedinthemostbrilliantperiodsoftheantiqueworld。Itwasthiswhich，withoutconfoundingranks，hadproducedanobleequality，andhandeditdownthroughallthegradationsofsociallife。Itwasthisopinionwhichmitigatedkingsintocompanions，andraisedprivatementobefellowswithkings。Withoutforceoropposition，itsubduedthefiercenessofprideandpower;itobligedsovereignstosubmittothesoftcollarofsocialesteem，compelledsternauthoritytosubmittoelegance，andgaveadominatingvanquisheroflawstobesubduedbymanners。
Butnowallistobechanged。Allthepleasingillusions，whichmadepowergentle，andobedienceliberal，whichharmonizedthedifferentshadesoflife，andwhich，byablandassimilation，incorporatedintopoliticsthesentimentswhichbeautifyandsoftenprivatesociety，aretobedissolvedbythisnewconqueringempireoflightandreason。Allthedecentdraperyoflifeistoberudelytornoff。Allthesuperaddedideas，furnishedfromthewardrobeofamoralimagination，whichtheheartownsandtheunderstandingratifiesasnecessarytocoverthedefectsofournaked，shiveringnature，andtoraiseittodignityinourownestimation，aretobeexplodedasaridiculous，absurd，andantiquatedfashion。
Onthisschemeofthings，akingisbutaman，aqueenisbutawoman;awomanisbutananimal，——andananimalnotofthehighestorder。Allhomagepaidtothesexingeneralassuch，andwithoutdistinctviews，istoberegardedasromanceandfolly。Regicide，andparricide，andsacrilegearebutfictionsofsuperstition，corruptingjurisprudencebydestroyingitssimplicity。Themurderofaking，oraqueen，orabishop，orafather，areonlycommonhomicide;andifthepeoplearebyanychance，orinanyway，gainersbyit，asortofhomicidemuchthemostpardonable，andintowhichweoughtnottomaketoosevereascrutiny。
Ontheschemeofthisbarbarousphilosophy，whichistheoffspringofcoldheartsandmuddyunderstandings，andwhichisasvoidofsolidwisdomasitisdestituteofalltasteandelegance，lawsaretobesupportedonlybytheirownterrors，andbytheconcernwhicheachindividualmayfindinthemfromhisownprivatespeculations，orcansparetothemfromhisownprivateinterests。InthegrovesofTHEIR
academy，attheendofeveryvista，youseenothingbutthegallows。
Nothingisleftwhichengagestheaffectionsonthepartofthecommonwealth。Ontheprinciplesofthismechanicphilosophy，ourinstitutionscanneverbeembodied，ifImayusetheexpression，inpersons，soastocreateinuslove，veneration，admiration，orattachment。Butthatsortofreasonwhichbanishestheaffectionsisincapableoffillingtheirplace。Thesepublicaffections，combinedwithmanners，arerequiredsometimesassupplements，sometimesascorrectives，alwaysasaidstolaw。Thepreceptgivenbyawiseman，aswellasagreatcritic，fortheconstructionofpoems，isequallytrueastostates：——Nonsatisestpulchraessepoemata，dulciasunto。Thereoughttobeasystemofmannersineverynationwhichawell-formedmindwouldbedisposedtorelish。Tomakeusloveourcountry，ourcountryoughttobelovely。
SACREDNESSOFMORALINSTINCTS。
WhydoIfeelsodifferentlyfromtheReverendDr。Price，andthoseofhislayflock，whowillchoosetoadoptthesentimentsofhisdiscourse？Forthisplainreason——becauseitisNATURALIshould;
becausewearesomade，astobeaffectedatsuchspectacleswithmelancholysentimentsupontheunstableconditionofmortalprosperityandthetremendousuncertaintyofhumangreatness;becauseinthosenaturalfeelingswelearngreatlessons;becauseineventsliketheseourpassionsinstructourreason;becausewhenkingsarehurledfromtheirthronesbytheSupremeDirectorofthisgreatdrama，andbecometheobjectsofinsulttothebase，andofpitytothegood，webeholdsuchdisastersinthemoral，asweshouldbeholdamiracleinthephysical，orderofthings。Wearealarmedintoreflection;ourminds(asithaslongsincebeenobserved)arepurifiedbyterrorandpity;ourweak，unthinkingprideishumbledunderthedispensationsofamysteriouswisdom。Sometearsmightbedrawnfromme，ifsuchaspectaclewereexhibitedonthestage。I
shouldbetrulyashamedoffindinginmyselfthatsuperficial，theatricsenseofpainteddistress，whilstIcouldexultoveritinreallife。Withsuchapervertedmind，Icouldneverventuretoshowmyfaceatatragedy。PeoplewouldthinkthetearsthatGarrickformerly，orthatSiddonsnotlongsince，haveextortedfromme，werethetearsofhypocrisy;Ishouldknowthemtobethetearsoffolly。
Indeedthetheatreisabetterschoolofmoralsentimentsthanchurches，wherethefeelingsofhumanityarethusoutraged。Poetswhohavetodealwithanaudiencenotyetgraduatedintheschooloftherightsofmen，andwhomustapplythemselvestothemoralconstitutionoftheheart，wouldnotdaretoproducesuchatriumphasamatterofexultation。
There，wheremenfollowtheirnaturalimpulses，theywouldnotbeartheodiousmaximsofaMachiavelianpolicy，whetherappliedtotheattainmentofmonarchicalordemocratictyranny。Theywouldrejectthemonthemodern，astheyoncedidontheancientstage，wheretheycouldnotbeareventhehypotheticalpropositionofsuchwickednessinthemouthofapersonatedtyrant，thoughsuitabletothecharacterhesustained。NotheatricaudienceinAthenswouldbearwhathasbeenborne，inthemidstoftherealtragedyofthistriumphalday;aprincipalactorweighing，asitwereinscaleshunginashopofhorrors，somuchactualcrimeagainstsomuchcontingentadvantage，andafterputtinginandoutweights，declaringthatthebalancewasonthesideoftheadvantages。Theywouldnotbeartoseethecrimesofnewdemocracypostedasinaledgeragainstthecrimesofolddespotism，andthebook-keepersofpoliticsfindingdemocracystillindebt，butbynomeansunableorunwillingtopaythebalance。Inthetheatre，thefirstintuitiveglance，withoutanyelaborateprocessofreasoning，willshow，thatthismethodofpoliticalcomputationwouldjustifyeveryextentofcrime。Theywouldsee，thatontheseprinciples，evenwheretheveryworstactswerenotperpetrated，itwasowingrathertothefortuneoftheconspirators，thantotheirparsimonyintheexpenditureoftreacheryandblood。Theywouldsoonsee，thatcriminalmeansoncetoleratedaresoonpreferred。Theypresentashortercuttotheobjectthanthroughthehighwayofthemoralvirtues。Justifyingperfidyandmurderforpublicbenefit，publicbenefitwouldsoonbecomethepretext，andperfidyandmurdertheend;untilrapacity，malice，revenge，andfearmoredreadfulthanrevenge，couldsatiatetheirinsatiableappetites。Suchmustbetheconsequencesoflosing，inthesplendourofthesetriumphsoftherightsofmen，allnaturalsenseofwrongandright。
PARENTALEXPERIENCE。
HaditpleasedGodtocontinuetomethehopesofsuccession，I
shouldhavebeen，accordingtomymediocrity，andthemediocrityoftheageIlivein，asortoffounderofafamily：Ishouldhaveleftason，who，inallthepointsinwhichpersonalmeritcanbeviewed，——inscience，inerudition，ingenius，intaste，inhonour，ingenerosity，inhumanity，ineveryliberalsentiment，andeveryliberalaccomplishment，——wouldnothaveshownhimselfinferiortothedukeofBedford，ortoanyofthosewhomhetracesinhisline。Hisgraceverysoonwouldhavewantedallplausibilityinhisattackuponthatprovisionwhichbelongedmoretominethantome。Hewouldsoonhavesuppliedeverydeficiency，andsymmetrizedeverydisproportion。
Itwouldnothavebeenforthatsuccessortoresorttoanystagnantwastingreservoirofmeritinme，orinanyancestry。Hehadinhimselfasalient，livingspringofgenerousandmanlyaction。Everydayhelivedhewouldhavere-purchasedthebountyoftheCrown，andtentimesmore，iftentimesmorehehadreceived。Hewasmadeapubliccreature，andhadnoenjoymentwhateverbutintheperformanceofsomeduty。Atthisexigentmoment，thelossofafinishedmanisnoteasilysupplied。
ButaDisposerwhosepowerwearelittleabletoresist，andwhosewisdomitbehovesusnotatalltodispute，hasordaineditinanothermanner，and(whatevermyquerulousweaknessmightsuggest)afarbetter。
Thestormhasgoneoverme，andIlielikeoneofthoseoldoakswhichthelatehurricanehasscatteredaboutme。Iamstrippedofallmyhonours，Iamtornupbytheroots，andlieprostrateontheearth！
There，andprostratethere，Imostunfeignedlyrecognisethedivinejustice，andinsomedegreesubmittoit。ButwhilstIhumblemyselfbeforeGod，Idonotknowthatitisforbiddentorepeltheattacksofunjustandinconsideratemen。ThepatienceofJobisproverbial。Aftersomeoftheconvulsivestrugglesofourirritablenature，hesubmittedhimself，andrepentedindustandashes。Butevenso，Idonotfindhimblamedforreprehending，andwithaconsiderabledegreeofverbalasperity，thoseill-naturedneighboursofhis，whovisitedhisdunghilltoreadmoral，political，andeconomicallecturesonhismisery。Iamalone。Ihavenonetomeetmyenemiesinthegate。Indeed，myLord，I
greatlydeceivemyself，ifinthishardseasonIwouldgiveapeckofrefusewheatforallthatiscalledfameandhonourintheworld。Thisistheappetitebutofafew。Itisaluxury，itisaprivilege，itisanindulgenceforthosewhoareattheirease。Butweareallofusmadetoshundisgrace，aswearemadetoshrinkfrompain，andpoverty，anddisease。Itisaninstinct;andunderthedirectionofreason，instinctisalwaysintheright。Iliveinaninvertedorder。Theywhooughttohavesucceededmehavegonebeforeme。Theywhoshouldhavebeentomeasposterityareintheplaceofancestors。Iowetothedearestrelation(whichevermustsubsistinmemory)thatactofpietywhichhewouldhaveperformedtome;Ioweittohimtoshowthathewasnotdescended，asthedukeofBedfordwouldhaveit，fromanunworthyparent。
REVOLUTIONARYSCENE。
History，whokeepsadurablerecordofallouracts，andexercisesherawfulcensureovertheproceedingsofallsortsofsovereigns，willnotforgeteitherthoseeventsortheeraofthisliberalrefinementintheintercourseofmankind。Historywillrecord，thatonthemorningofthe6thofOctober，1789，thekingandqueenofFrance，afteradayofconfusion，alarm，dismay，andslaughter，laydown，underthepledgedsecurityofpublicfaith，toindulgenatureinafewhoursofrespite，andtroubled，melancholyrepose。Fromthissleepthequeenwasfirststartledbythevoiceofthesentinelatherdoor，whocriedouttohertosaveherselfbyflight——thatthiswasthelastproofoffidelityhecouldgive——thattheywereuponhim，andhewasdead。Instantlyhewascutdown。Abandofcruelruffiansandassassins，reekingwithhisblood，rushedintothechamberofthequeen，andpiercedwithahundredstrokesofbayonetsandponiardsthebedfromwhencethispersecutedwomanhadbutjusttimetoflyalmostnaked，and，throughwaysunknowntothemurderers，hadescapedtoseekrefugeatthefeetofakingandhusband，notsecureofhisownlifeforamoment。Thisking，tosaynomoreofhim，andthisqueen，andtheirinfantchildren(whooncewouldhavebeentheprideandhopeofagreatandgenerouspeople)，werethenforcedtoabandonthesanctuaryofthemostsplendidpalaceintheworld，whichtheyleftswimminginblood，pollutedbymassacre，andstrewedwithscatteredlimbsandmutilatedcarcases。Thencetheywereconductedintothecapitaloftheirkingdom。Twohadbeenselectedfromtheunprovoked，unresisted，promiscuousslaughter，whichwasmadeofthegentlemenofbirthandfamilywhocomposedtheking’sbody-guard。Thesetwogentlemen，withalltheparadeofanexecutionofjustice，werecruellyandpubliclydraggedtotheblock，andbeheadedinthegreatcourtofthepalace。Theirheadswerestuckuponspears，andledtheprocession;whilsttheroyalcaptiveswhofollowedinthetrainwereslowlymovedalong，amidstthehorridyells，andshrillingscreams，andfranticdances，andinfamouscontumelies，andalltheunutterableabominationsofthefuriesofhell，intheabusedshapeofthevilestofwomen。Aftertheyhadbeenmadetotaste，dropbydrop，morethanthebitternessofdeath，intheslowtortureofajourneyoftwelvemiles，protractedtosixhours，theywere，underaguardcomposedofthoseverysoldierswhohadthusconductedthemthroughthisfamoustriumph，lodgedinoneoftheoldpalacesofParis，nowconvertedintoaBastilleforkings。
Isthisatriumphtobeconsecratedataltars？tobecommemoratedwithgratefulthanksgiving？tobeofferedtothedivinehumanitywithferventprayerandenthusiasticejaculation？——TheseThebanandThracianorgies，actedinFrance，andapplaudedonlyintheOldJewry，Iassureyou，kindlepropheticenthusiasminthemindsbutofveryfewpeopleinthiskingdom：althoughasaintandapostle，whomayhaverevelationsofhisown，andwhohassocompletelyvanquishedallthemeansuperstitionsoftheheart，mayinclinetothinkitpiousanddecoroustocompareitwiththeentranceintotheworldofthePrinceofPeace，proclaimedinaholytemplebyavenerablesage，andnotlongbeforenotworseannouncedbythevoiceofangelstoquiettheinnocenceofshepherds。
