DIFFICULTYTHEPATHTOGLORY。
Whenyouchooseanarduousandslipperypath，Godforbidthatanyweakfeelingsofmydecliningage，whichcallsforsoothingsandsupports，andwhichcanhavenonebutfromyou，shouldmakemewishthatyoushouldabandonwhatyouareabout，orshouldtriflewithit。Inthishousewesubmit，thoughwithtroubledminds，tothatorderwhichhasconnectedallgreatdutieswithtoilsandwithperils，whichhasconductedtheroadtoglorythroughtheregionsofobloquyandreproach，andwhichwillneversufferthedisparagingallianceofspurious，false，andfugitivepraisewithgenuineandpermanentreputation。WeknowthatthePowerwhichhassettledthatorder，andsubjectedyoutoitbyplacingyouinthesituationyouarein，isabletobringyououtofitwithcreditandwithsafety。Hiswillbedone。Allmustcomeright。Youmayopenthewaywithpain，andunderreproach。Otherswillpursueitwitheaseandwithapplause。
ROBESPIERREANDHISCOUNTERPARTS。
TheyhavemurderedoneRobespierre。ThisRobespierretheytelluswasacrueltyrant，andnowthatheisputoutoftheway，allwillgowellinFrance。Astraeawillagainreturntothatearthfromwhichshehasbeenanemigrant，andallnationswillresorttohergoldenscales。Itisveryextraordinary，thattheveryinstantthemodeofParisisknownhere，itbecomesallthefashioninLondon。Thisistheirjargon。Itistheoldbontonofrobbers，whocasttheircommoncrimesonthewickednessoftheirdepartedassociates。IcarelittleaboutthememoryofthissameRobespierre。Iamsurehewasanexecrablevillain。IrejoicedathispunishmentneithermorenorlessthanIshouldattheexecutionofthepresentDirectory，oranyofitsmembers。ButwhogaveRobespierrethepowerofbeingatyrant？
andwhoweretheinstrumentsofhistyranny？Thepresentvirtuousconstitution-mongers。Hewasatyrant，theywerehissatellitesandhishangmen。Theirsolemeritisinthemurderoftheircolleague。
Theyhaveexpiatedtheirothermurdersbyanewmurder。Ithasalwaysbeenthecaseamongthisbanditti。Theyhavealwayshadtheknifeateachother’sthroats，aftertheyhadalmostblunteditatthethroatsofeveryhonestman。Thesepeoplethoughtthat，inthecommerceofmurder，hewasliketohavethebetterofthebargainifanytimewaslost;theythereforetookoneoftheirshortrevolutionarymethods，andmassacredhiminamannersoperfidiousandcruel，aswouldshockallhumanity，ifthestrokewasnotstruckbythepresentrulersononeoftheirownassociates。Butthislastactofinfidelityandmurderistoexpiatealltherest，andtoqualifythemfortheamityofahumaneandvirtuoussovereignandcivilizedpeople。IhaveheardthataTartarbelieves，whenhehaskilledaman，thatallhisestimablequalitiespasswithhisclothesandarmstothemurderer：
butIhaveneverheardthatitwastheopinionofanysavageScythian，that，ifhekillsabrothervillain，heis，ipsofacto，absolvedofallhisownoffences。TheTartariandoctrineisthemosttenableopinion。ThemurderersofRobespierre，besideswhattheyareentitledtobybeingengagedinthesametontineofinfamy，arehisrepresentatives，haveinheritedallhismurderousqualitiesinadditiontotheirownprivatestock。Butitseemswearealwaystobeofapartywiththelastandvictoriousassassins。IconfessIamofadifferentmind，andamratherinclined，ofthetwo，tothinkandspeaklesshardlyofadeadruffian，thantoassociatewiththeliving。Icouldbetterbearthestenchofthegibbetedmurdererthanthesocietyofthebloodyfelonswhoyetannoytheworld。Whilsttheywaittherecompenseduetotheirancientcrimes，theymeritnewpunishmentbythenewoffencestheycommit。ThereisaperiodtotheoffencesofRobespierre。Theysurviveinhisassassins。Betteralivingdog，saystheoldproverb，thanadeadlion;notsohere。
Murderersandhogsneverlookwelltilltheyarehanged。Fromvillanynogoodcanarise，butintheexampleofitsfate。SoIleavethemtheirdeadRobespierre，eithertogibbethismemory，ortodeifyhimintheirPantheonwiththeirMaratandtheirMirabeau。
ACCUMULATION，ASTATEPRINCIPLE。
Theremustbesomeimpulsebesidespublicspirittoputprivateinterestintomotionalongwithit。Moniedmenoughttobeallowedtosetavalueontheirmoney;iftheydidnot，therecouldbenomoniedmen。Thisdesireofaccumulationisaprinciplewithoutwhichthemeansoftheirservicetothestatecouldnotexist。Theloveoflucre，thoughsometimescarriedtoaridiculous，sometimestoaviciousexcess，isthegrandcauseofprosperitytoallstates。Inthisnatural，thisreasonable，thispowerful，thisprolificprinciple，itisforthesatiristtoexposetheridiculous：itisforthemoralisttocensurethevicious;itisforthesympathetichearttoreprobatethehardandcruel;itisforthejudgetoanimadvertonthefraud，theextortion，andtheoppression;butitisforthestatesmantoemployitashefindsit，withallitsconcomitantexcellencies，withallitsimperfectionsonitshead。Itishispart，inthiscase，asitisinallothercaseswhereheistomakeuseofthegeneralenergiesofnature，totakethemashefindsthem。
WARNINGFORANATION。
Withallthesecausesofcorruption，wemaywelljudgewhatthegeneralfashionofmindwillbethroughbothsexesandallconditions。Suchspectaclesandsuchexampleswilloverbearallthelawsthateverblackenedthecumbrousvolumesofourstatutes。Whenroyaltyshallhavedisavoweditself;whenitshallhaverelaxedalltheprinciplesofitsownsupport;whenithasrenderedthesystemofregicidefashionable，andreceiveditastriumphantintheverypersonswhohaveconsolidatedthatsystembytheperpetrationofeverycrime;whohavenotonlymassacredtheprince，buttheverylawsandmagistrateswhichwerethesupportofroyalty，andslaughtered，withanindiscriminateproscription，withoutregardtoeithersexorage，everypersonthatwassuspectedofaninclinationtoking，law，ormagistracy，——Isay，willanyonedaretobeloyal？Willanyonepresume，againstbothauthorityandopinion，toholdupthisunfashionable，antiquated，explodedconstitution？TheJacobinfactioninEnglandmustgrowinstrengthandaudacity;itwillbesupportedbyotherintrigues，andsuppliedbyotherresourcesthanyetwehaveseeninaction。Confoundedatitsgrowth，thegovernmentmayflytoparliamentforitssupport。Butwhowillanswerforthetemperofahouseofcommonselectedunderthesecircumstances？
Whowillanswerforthecourageofahouseofcommonstoarmthecrownwiththeextraordinarypowersthatitmaydemand？Buttheministerswillnotventuretoaskhalfofwhattheyknowtheywant。Theywilllosehalfofthathalfinthecontest：andwhentheyhaveobtainedtheirnothing，theywillbedrivenbythecriesoffactioneithertodemolishthefeebleworkstheyhavethrownupinahurry，or，ineffect，toabandonthem。AstotheHouseofLords，itisnotworthmentioning。Thepeersoughtnaturallytobethepillarsofthecrown;butwhentheirtitlesarerenderedcontemptible，andtheirpropertyinvidious，andapartoftheirweakness，andnotoftheirstrength，theywillbefoundsomanydegradedandtremblingindividuals，whowillseekbyevasiontoputofftheevildayoftheirruin。Bothhouseswillbeinperpetualoscillationbetweenabortiveattemptsatenergy，andstillmoreunsuccessfulattemptsatcompromise。Youwillbeimpatientofyourdisease，andabhorrentofyourremedy。Aspiritofsubterfugeandatoneofapologywillenterintoallyourproceedings，whetheroflaworlegislation。
Yourjudges，whonowsustainsomasculineanauthority，willappearmoreontheirtrialthantheculpritstheyhavebeforethem。Theawfulfrownofcriminaljusticewillbesmoothedintothesillysmileofseduction。
Judgeswillthinktoinsinuateandsoothetheaccusedintoconvictionandcondemnation，andtowheedletothegallowsthemostartfulofalldelinquents。Buttheywillnotbesowheedled。Theywillnotsubmiteventotheappearanceofpersonsontheirtrial。Theirclaimtothisexceptionwillbeadmitted。Theplaceinwhichsomeofthegreatestnameswhicheverdistinguishedthehistoryofthiscountryhavestood，willappearbeneaththeirdignity。Thecriminalwillclimbfromthedocktotheside-bar，andtakehisplaceandhisteawiththecounsel。Fromthebarofthecounsel，byanaturalprogress，hewillascendtothebench，whichlongbeforehadbeenvirtuallyabandoned。Theywhoescapefromjusticewillnotsufferaquestionuponreputation。Theywilltakethecrownofthecauseway：theywillbereveredasmartyrs;theywilltriumphasconquerors。Nobodywilldaretocensurethatpopularpartofthetribunal，whoseonlyrestraintonmisjudgmentisthecensureofthepublic。Theywhofindfaultwiththedecisionwillberepresentedasenemiestotheinstitution。Juriesthatconvictforthecrownwillbeloadedwithobloquy。Thejurieswhoacquitwillbeheldupasmodelsofjustice。Ifparliamentordersaprosecution，andfails(asfailitwill)，itwillbetreatedtoitsfaceasguiltyofaconspiracymaliciouslytoprosecute。Itscareindiscoveringaconspiracyagainstthestatewillbetreatedasaforgedplottodestroythelibertyofthesubject;everysuchdiscovery，insteadofstrengtheninggovernment，willweakenitsreputation。
Inthisstatethingswillbesufferedtoproceed，lestmeasuresofvigourshouldprecipitateacrisis。Thetimidwillactthusfromcharacter;thewisefromnecessity。Ourlawshaddoneallthattheoldconditionofthingsdictatedtorenderourjudgeserectandindependent;
buttheywillnaturallyfailonthesideuponwhichtheyhadtakennoprecautions。Thejudicialmagistrateswillfindthemselvessafeasagainstthecrown，whosewillisnottheirtenure;thepowerofexecutingtheirofficewillbeheldatthepleasureofthosewhodealoutfameorabuseastheythinkfit。Theywillbeginrathertoconsulttheirownreposeandtheirownpopularity，thanthecriticalandperiloustrustthatisintheirhands。Theywillspeculateonconsequenceswhentheyseeatcourtanambassadorwhoserobesarelinedwithascarletdyedinthebloodofjudges。Itisnowonder，noraretheytoblame，whentheyaretoconsiderhowtheyshallanswerfortheirconducttothecriminalofto？dayturnedintothemagistrateofto-morrow。
SANTERREANDTALLIEN。
Isitonlyanoppressivenightmarewithwhichwehavebeenloaded？Isitthenallafrightfuldream，andaretherenoregicidesintheworld？
Havewenotheardofthatprodigyofaruffian，whowouldnotsufferhisbenignantsovereign，withhishandstiedbehindhim，andstrippedforexecution，tosayonepartingwordtohisdeludedpeople;——ofSanterre，whocommandedthedrumsandtrumpetstostrikeuptostiflehisvoice，anddraggedhimbackwardtothemachineofmurder？Thisnefariousvillain(forafewdaysImaycallhimso)standshighinFrance，asinarepublicofrobbersandmurderersheought。Whathindersthismonsterfrombeingsentasambassadortoconveytohismajestythefirstcomplimentsofhisbrethren，theregicideDirectory？Theyhavenonethatcanrepresentthemmoreproperly。Ianticipatethedayofhisarrival。
HewillmakehispublicentryintoLondonononeofthepalehorsesofhisbrewery。AsheknowsthatwearepleasedwiththeParistastefortheordersofknighthood，hewillflingabloodysashacrosshisshoulderswiththeorderoftheHolyGuillotine，surmountingtheCrown，appendanttotheriband。Thusadorned，hewillproceedfromWhitechapeltothefurtherendofPallMall，allthemusicofLondonplayingtheMarseillaishymnbeforehim，andescortedbyachosendetachmentoftheLegiondel’Echaffaud。Itwereonlytobewished，thatnoill-fatedloyalistfortheimprudenceofhiszealmaystandinthepilloryatCharingCross，underthestatueofKingCharlestheFirst，atthetimeofthisgrandprocession，lestsomeoftherotteneggs，whichtheconstitutionalsocietyshallletflyathisindiscreethead，mayhitthevirtuousmurdererofhisking。Theymightsoilthestatedress，whichtheministersofsomanycrownedheadshaveadmired，andinwhichSirClementCotterelistointroducehimatSt。James’s。
IfSanterrecannotbesparedfromtheconstitutionalbutcheriesathome，Tallienmaysupplyhisplace，and，inpointoffigure，withadvantage。
Hehasbeenhabituatedtocommissions;andheisaswellqualifiedasSanterreforthis。NerowishedtheRomanpeoplehadbutoneneck。ThewishofthemoreexaltedTallien，whenhesatinjudgment，was，thathissovereignhadeighty-threeheads，thathemightsendonetoeveryoneofthedepartments。TallienwillmakeanexcellentfigureatGuildhallatthenextsheriff’sfeast。HemayopentheballwithmyLadyMayoress。
Butthiswillbeafterhehasretiredfromthepublictable，andgoneintotheprivateroomfortheenjoymentofmoresocialandunreservedconversationwiththeministersofstateandthejudgesofthebench。
TheretheseministersandmagistrateswillhearhimentertaintheworthyaldermenwithaninstructingandpleasingnarrativeofthemannerinwhichhemadetherichcitizensofBordeauxsqueak，andgentlyledthembythepubliccreditoftheguillotinetodisgorgetheiranti-revolutionarypelf。
Allthiswillbethedisplay，andthetown-talk，whenourregicideisonavisitofceremony。AthomenothingwillequalthepompandsplendouroftheHoteldelaRepublique。Thereanothersceneofgaudygrandeurwillbeopened。Whenhiscitizenexcellencykeepsthefestival，whicheverycitizenisorderedtoobserve，forthegloriousexecutionofLouistheSixteenth，andrenewshisoathofdetestationofkings，agrandball，ofcourse，willbegivenontheoccasion。Thenwhatahurly-burly;——whatacrowding;——whataglareofathousandflambeauxinthesquare;——whataclamouroffootmencontendingatthedoor;——whatarattlingofathousandcoachesofduchesses，countesses，andLadyMarys，chokingtheway，andoverturningeachother，inastrugglewhoshouldbefirsttopayhercourttotheCitoyenne，thespouseofthetwenty-firsthusband，hethehusbandofthethirty-firstwife，andtohailherintherankofhonourablematrons，beforethefourdays’durationofmarriageisexpired！——Morals，astheywere：——decorum，thegreatoutguardofthesex，andtheproudsentimentofhonour，whichmakesvirtuemorerespectablewhereitis，andconcealshumanfrailtywherevirtuemaynotbe，willbebanishedfromthislandofpropriety，modesty，andreserve。
SIRSYDNEYSMITH。
Thisofficerhavingattempted，withgreatgallantry，tocutoutavesselfromoneoftheenemy’sharbours，wastakenafteranobstinateresistance，suchasobtainedhimthemarkedrespectofthosewhowerewitnessesofhisvalour，andknewthecircumstancesinwhichitwasdisplayed。UponhisarrivalatParis，hewasinstantlythrownintoprison;wherethenatureofhissituationwillbestbeunderstood，byknowing，thatamongstitsMITIGATIONS，wasthepermissiontowalkoccasionallyinthecourt，andtoenjoytheprivilegeofshavinghimself。Ontheoldsystemoffeelingsandprinciples，hissufferingsmighthavebeenentitledtoconsideration，andeveninacomparisonwiththoseofcitizenLaFayette，toapriorityintheorderofcompassion。Iftheministershadneglectedtotakeanystepsinhisfavour，adeclarationofthesenseoftheHouseofCommonswouldhavestimulatedthemtotheirduty。Iftheyhadcausedarepresentationtobemade，suchaproceedingwouldhaveaddedforcetoit。Ifreprisalshouldbethoughtadvisable，theaddressoftheHousewouldhavegivenanadditionalsanctiontoameasurewhichwouldhavebeen，indeed，justifiablewithoutanyothersanctionthanitsownreason。
But，no。Nothingatalllikeit。Infact，themeritofSirSydneySmith，andhisclaimonBritishcompassion，wasofakindaltogetherdifferentfromthatwhichinterestedsodeeplytheauthorsofthemotioninfavourofcitizenLaFayette。Inmyhumbleopinion，CaptainSirSydneySmithhasanothersortofmeritwiththeBritishnation，andsomethingofahigherclaimonBritishhumanity，thancitizenLaFayette。Faithful，zealous，andardent，intheserviceofhiskingandcountry;fullofspirit;fullofresources;goingoutofthebeatenroad，butgoingright，becausehisuncommonenterprisewasnotconductedbyavulgarjudgment;——inhisprofession，SirSydneySmithmightbeconsideredasadistinguishedperson，ifanypersoncouldwellbedistinguishedinaserviceinwhichscarcelyacommandercanbenamedwithoutputtingyouinmindofsomeactionofintrepidity，skill，andvigilance，thathasgiventhemafairtitletocontendwithanymen，andinanyage。ButIwillsaynothingfartherofthemeritsofSirSydneySmith：themortalanimosityoftheregicideenemysupersedesallotherpanegyric。Theirhatredisajudgmentinhisfavourwithoutappeal。AtpresentheislodgedinthetoweroftheTemple，thelastprisonofLouistheSixteenth，andthelastbutoneofMariaAntoniettaofAustria;theprisonofLouistheSeventeenth;theprisonofElizabethofBourbon。Therehelies，unpitiedbythegrandphilanthropy，tomeditateuponthefateofthosewhoarefaithfultotheirkingandcountry。Whilstthisprisoner，secludedfromintercourse，wasindulginginthesecheeringreflections，hemightpossiblyhavehadthefurtherconsolationoflearning(bymeansoftheinsolentexultationofhisguards)，thattherewasanEnglishambassadoratParis;hemighthavehadtheproudcomfortofhearing，thatthisambassadorhadthehonourofpassinghismorningsinrespectfulattendanceattheofficeofaregicidepettifogger;andthatintheeveningherelaxedintheamusementsoftheopera，andinthespectacleofanaudiencetotallynew;anaudienceinwhichhehadthepleasureofseeingabouthimnotasinglefacethathecouldformerlyhaveknowninParis;butintheplaceofthatcompany，oneindeedmorethanequaltoitindisplayofgaiety，splendour，andluxury;asetofabandonedwretches，squanderingininsolentriotthespoilsoftheirbleedingcountry。A
subjectofprofoundreflectionbothtotheprisonerandtotheambassador。
AMORALDISTINCTION。
Ithinkwemighthavefound，beforetherudehandofinsolentofficewasonourshoulder，andthestaffofusurpedauthoritybrandishedoverourheads，thatcontemptofthesuppliantisnotthebestforwarderofasuit;thatnationaldisgraceisnotthehighroadtosecurity，muchlesstopowerandgreatness。Patience，indeed，stronglyindicatestheloveofpeace;butmerelovedoesnotalwaysleadtoenjoyment。Itisthepowerofwinningthatpalmwhichensuresourwearingit。Virtueshavetheirplace;andoutoftheirplacetheyhardlydeservethename。Theypassintotheneighbouringvice。Thepatienceoffortitudeandtheenduranceofpusillanimityarethingsverydifferent，asintheirprinciple，sointheireffects。
INFIDELSANDTHEIRPOLICY。
IntherevolutionofFrancetwosortsofmenwereprincipallyconcernedingivingacharacteranddeterminationtoitspursuits：thephilosophersandthepoliticians。Theytookdifferentways，buttheymetinthesameend。Thephilosophershadonepredominantobject，whichtheypursuedwithafanaticalfury;thatis，theutterextirpationofreligion。Tothateveryquestionofempirewassubordinate。TheyhadratherdomineerinaparishofatheiststhanruleoveraChristianworld。Theirtemporalambitionwaswhollysubservienttotheirproselytizingspirit，inwhichtheywerenotexceededbyMahomethimself。Theywhohavemadebutsuperficialstudiesinthenaturalhistoryofthehumanmind，havebeentaughttolookonreligiousopinionsastheonlycauseofenthusiasticzealandsectarianpropagation。Butthereisnodoctrinewhatever，onwhichmencanwarm，thatisnotcapableoftheverysameeffect。Thesocialnatureofmanimpelshimtopropagatehisprinciples，asmuchasphysicalimpulsesurgehimtopropagatehiskind。Thepassionsgivezealandvehemence。
Theunderstandingbestowsdesignandsystem。Thewholemanmovesunderthedisciplineofhisopinions。Religionisamongthemostpowerfulcausesofenthusiasm。Whenanythingconcerningitbecomesanobjectofmuchmeditation，itcannotbeindifferenttothemind。Theywhodonotlovereligion，hateit。TherebelstoGodperfectlyabhortheauthoroftheirbeing。Theyhatehim“withalltheirheart，withalltheirmind，withalltheirsoul，andwithalltheirstrength。”Heneverpresentshimselftotheirthoughts，buttomenaceandalarmthem。Theycannotstrikethesunoutofheaven，buttheyareabletoraiseasmoulderingsmokethatobscureshimfromtheirowneyes。NotbeingabletorevengethemselvesonGod，theyhaveadelightinvicariouslydefacing，degrading，torturing，andtearinginpieceshisimageinman。Letnoonejudgeofthembywhathehasconceivedofthem，whentheywerenotincorporated，andhadnolead。Theywerethenonlypassengersinacommonvehicle。Theywerethencarriedalongwiththegeneralmotionofreligioninthecommunity，and，withoutbeingawareofit，partookofitsinfluence。Inthatsituation，atworst，theirnaturewasleftfreetocounter-worktheirprinciples。Theydespairedofgivinganyverygeneralcurrencytotheiropinions。Theyconsideredthemasareservedprivilegeforthechosenfew。Butwhenthepossibilityofdominion，lead，andpropagation，presenteditself，andthattheambition，whichbeforehadsooftenmadethemhypocrites，mightrathergainthanlosebyadaringavowaloftheirsentiments，thenthenatureofthisinfernalspirit，whichhas“evilforitsgood，“appearedinitsfullperfection。
Nothingindeedbutthepossessionofsomepowercanwithanycertaintydiscoverwhatatthebottomisthetruecharacterofanyman。WithoutreadingthespeechesofVergniaud，FrancianofNantes，Isnard，andsomeothersofthatsort，itwouldnotbeeasytoconceivethepassion，rancour，andmaliceoftheirtonguesandhearts。Theyworkedthemselvesuptoaperfectfrenzyagainstreligionandallitsprofessors。Theytorethereputationoftheclergytopiecesbytheirinfuriateddeclamationsandinvectives，beforetheylaceratedtheirbodiesbytheirmassacres。Thisfanaticalatheismleftout，weomittheprincipalfeatureintheFrenchrevolution，andaprincipalconsiderationwithregardtotheeffectstobeexpectedfromapeacewithit。
Theothersortofmenwerethepoliticians。Tothem，whohadlittleornotatallreflectedonthesubject，religionwasinitselfnoobjectofloveorhatred。Theydisbelievedit，andthatwasall。Neutralwithregardtothatobject，theytookthesidewhichinthepresentstateofthingsmightbestanswertheirpurposes。Theysoonfoundthattheycouldnotdowithoutthephilosophers;andthephilosopherssoonmadethemsensiblethatthedestructionofreligionwastosupplythemwithmeansofconquest，firstathome，andthenabroad。Thephilosophersweretheactiveinternalagitators，andsuppliedthespiritandprinciples：thesecondgavethepracticaldirection。Sometimestheonepredominatedinthecomposition，sometimestheother。Theonlydifferencebetweenthemwasinthenecessityofconcealingthegeneraldesignforatime，andintheirdealingwithforeignnations;thefanaticsgoingstraightforwardandopenly，thepoliticiansbythesurermodeofzigzag。Inthecourseofevents，this，amongothercauses，producedfierceandbloodycontentionsbetweenthem。Butatthebottomtheythoroughlyagreedinalltheobjectsofambitionandirreligion，andsubstantiallyinallthemeansofpromotingtheseends。
WHATAMINISTERSHOULDATTEMPT。
Aftersuchanelaboratedisplayhadbeenmadeoftheinjusticeandinsolenceofanenemy，whoseemstohavebeenirritatedbyeveryoneofthemeanswhichhadbeencommonlyusedwitheffecttosoothetherageofintemperatepower，thenaturalresultwouldbe，thatthescabbard，inwhichweinvainattemptedtoplungeoursword，shouldhavebeenthrownawaywithscorn。Itwouldhavebeennaturalthat，risinginthefulnessoftheirmight，insultedmajesty，despiseddignity，violatedjustice，rejectedsupplication，patiencegoadedintofury，wouldhavepouredoutallthelengthofthereinsuponallthewrathwhichtheyhadsolongrestrained。Itmighthavebeenexpectedthat，emulousofthegloryoftheyouthfulheroinalliancewithhim，touchedbytheexampleofwhatoneman，wellformedandwellplaced，maydointhemostdesperatestateofaffairs，convincedthereisacourageofthecabinetfullaspowerful，andfarlessvulgarthanthatofthefield，ourministerwouldhavechangedthewholelineofthatuseless，prosperousprudence，whichhadhithertoproducedalltheeffectsoftheblindesttemerity。Ifhefoundhissituationfullofdanger(andIdonotdenythatitisperilousintheextreme)，hemustfeelthatitisalsofullofglory;andthatheisplacedonastage，thanwhichnomuseoffirethathadascendedthehighestheavenofinventioncouldimagineanythingmoreawfulandaugust。Itwashopedthat，inthisswellingsceneinwhichhemovedwithsomeofthefirstpotentatesofEuropeforhisfellow-actors，andwithsomanyoftherestfortheanxiousspectatorsofapart，which，asheplaysit，determinesforevertheirdestinyandhisown，likeUlyssesintheunravellingpointoftheepicstory，hewouldhavethrownoffhispatienceandhisragstogether;and，strippedofunworthydisguises，hewouldhavestoodforthintheformandintheattitudeofahero。OnthatdayitwasthoughthewouldhaveassumedtheportofMars;thathewouldbidtobebroughtforthfromtheirhideouskennel(wherehisscrupuloustendernesshadtoolongimmuredthem)thoseimpatientdogsofwar，whosefierceregardsaffrighteventheministerofvengeancethatfeedsthem;thathewouldletthemloose，infamine，fever，plagues，anddeath，uponaguiltyrace，towhoseframe，andtoallwhosehabit，order，peace，religion，andvirtuearealienandabhorrent。Itwasexpectedthathewouldatlasthavethoughtofactiveandeffectualwar;thathewouldnolongeramusetheBritishlioninthechaseofmiceandrats;thathewouldnolongeremploythewholenavalpowerofGreatBritain，oncetheterroroftheworld，topreyuponthemiserableremainsofapeddlingcommerce，whichtheenemydidnotregard，andfromwhichnonecouldprofit。Itwasexpectedthathewouldhavere-assertedthejusticeofhiscause;thathewouldhavere-animatedwhateverremainedtohimofhisallies，andendeavouredtorecoverthosewhomtheirfearshadledastray;thathewouldhaverekindledthemartialardourofhiscitizens;thathewouldhaveheldouttothemtheexampleoftheirancestry，theassertorofEurope，andthescourgeofFrenchambition;
thathewouldhaveremindedthemofaposterity，which，ifthisnefariousrobberyunderthefraudulentnameandfalsecolourofagovernment，shouldinfullpowerbeseatedintheheartofEurope，mustforeverbeconsignedtovice，impiety，barbarism，andthemostignominiousslaveryofbodyandmind。Insoholyacauseitwaspresumedthathewould(asinthebeginningofthewarhedid)haveopenedallthetemples;andwithprayer，withfasting，andwithsupplication(betterdirectedthantothegrimMolochofregicideinFrance)，havecalleduponustoraisethatunitedcrywhichhassooftenstormedheaven，andwithapiousviolenceforceddownblessingsuponarepentantpeople。ItwashopedthatwhenhehadinvokeduponhisendeavoursthefavourableregardoftheProtectorofthehumanrace，itwouldbeseenthathismenacestotheenemy，andhisprayerstotheAlmighty，werenotfollowed，butaccompanied，withcorrespondentaction。Itwashopedthathisshrillingtrumpetshouldbeheard，nottoannounceashow，buttosoundacharge。
LAWOFVICINITY。
ThisviolentbreachinthecommunityofEuropewemustconcludetohavebeenmade(eveniftheyhadnotexpresslydeclareditoverandoveragain)eithertoforcemankindintoanadoptionoftheirsystem，ortoliveinperpetualenmitywithacommunitythemostpotentwehaveeverknown。Cananypersonimagine，that，inofferingtomankindthisdesperatealternative，thereisnoindicationofahostilemind，becausemeninpossessionoftherulingauthorityaresupposedtohavearighttoactwithoutcoercionintheirownterritories。Astotherightofmentoactanywhereaccordingtotheirpleasure，withoutanymoraltie，nosuchrightexists。MenareneverinastateofTOTALindependenceofeachother。Itisnottheconditionofournature：norisitconceivablehowanymancanpursueaconsiderablecourseofactionwithoutitshavingsomeeffectuponothers;or，ofcourse，withoutproducingsomedegreeofresponsibilityforhisconduct。TheSITUATIONSinwhichmenrelativelystandproducetherulesandprinciplesofthatresponsibility，andafforddirectionstoprudenceinexactingit。
Distanceofplacedoesnotextinguishthedutiesortherightsofmen;
butitoftenrenderstheirexerciseimpracticable。Thesamecircumstanceofdistancerendersthenoxiouseffectsofanevilsysteminanycommunitylesspernicious。Buttherearesituationswherethisdifficultydoesnotoccur;andinwhich，therefore，thesedutiesareobligatory，andtheserightsaretobeasserted。Ithaseverbeenthemethodofpublicjuriststodrawagreatpartoftheanalogies，onwhichtheyformthelawofnations，fromtheprinciplesoflawwhichprevailincivilcommunity。Civillawsarenotallofthemmerelypositive。
Those，whichareratherconclusionsoflegalreasonthanmattersofstatutableprovision，belongtouniversalequity，andareuniversallyapplicable。Almostthewholepraetorianlawissuch。Thereisa“LawofNeighbourhood“whichdoesnotleaveamanperfectlymasteronhisownground。WhenaneighbourseesaNEWERECTION，inthenatureofanuisance，setupathisdoor，hehasarighttorepresentittothejudge;who，onhispart，hasarighttoordertheworktobestayed;or，ifestablished，toberemoved。Onthisheadtheparentlawisexpressandclear，andhasmademanywiseprovisions，which，withoutdestroying，regulateandrestraintherightofOWNERSHIP，bytherightofVICINAGE。
NoINNOVATIONispermittedthatmayredound，evensecondarily，totheprejudiceofaneighbour。Thewholedoctrineofthatimportantheadofpraetorianlaw，“Denovioperisnunciatione，“isfoundedontheprinciple，thatnoNEWuseshouldbemadeofaman’sprivatelibertyofoperatinguponhisprivateproperty，fromwhenceadetrimentmaybejustlyapprehendedbyhisneighbour。Thislawofdenunciationisprospective。Itistoanticipatewhatiscalleddamnuminfectum，ordamnumnondumfactum，thatis，adamagejustlyapprehended，butnotactuallydone。Evenbeforeitisclearlyknownwhethertheinnovationbedamageableornot，thejudgeiscompetenttoissueaprohibitiontoinnovate，untilthepointcanbedetermined。Thispromptinterferenceisgroundedonprinciplesfavourabletobothparties。Itispreventiveofmischiefdifficulttoberepaired，andofillblooddifficulttobesoftened。Theruleoflaw，therefore，whichcomesbeforetheevil，isamongsttheverybestpartsofequity，andjustifiesthepromptnessoftheremedy;because，asitiswellobserved，Resdamniinfecticeleritatemdesiderat，etpericulosaestdilatio。Thisrightofdenunciationdoesnothold，whenthingscontinue，howeverinconvenientlytotheneighbourhood，accordingtotheANCIENTmode。Forthereisasortofpresumptionagainstnovelty，drawnoutofadeepconsiderationofhumannature，andhumanaffairs;andthemaximofjurisprudenceiswelllaiddown，Vetustasprolegesemperhabetur。
Suchisthelawofcivilvicinity。Nowwherethereisnoconstitutedjudge，asbetweenindependentstatesthereisnot，thevicinageitselfisthenaturaljudge。Itis，preventively，theassertorofitsownrights，orremedially，theiravenger。Neighboursarepresumedtotakecognizanceofeachother’sacts。“Vicinivicinorumfactapraesumunturscire。”Thisprinciple，which，liketherest，isastrueofnationsasofindividualmen，hasbestowedonthegrandvicinageofEuropeadutytoknow，andarighttoprevent，anycapitalinnovationwhichmayamounttotheerectionofadangerousnuisance。
EUROPEANCOMMUNITY。
Theoperationofdangerousanddelusivefirstprinciplesobligesustohaverecoursetothetrueones。Intheintercoursebetweennations，weareapttorelytoomuchontheinstrumentalpart。Welaytoomuchweightupontheformalityoftreatiesandcompacts。Wedonotactmuchmorewiselywhenwetrusttotheinterestsofmenasguaranteesoftheirengagements。Theinterestsfrequentlyteartopiecestheengagements;
andthepassionstrampleuponboth。Entirelytotrusttoeither，istodisregardourownsafety，ornottoknowmankind。Menarenottiedtooneanotherbypapersandseals。Theyareledtoassociatebyresemblances，byconformities，bysympathies。Itiswithnationsaswithindividuals。Nothingissostrongatieofamitybetweennationandnationascorrespondenceinlaws，customs，manners，andhabitsoflife。
Theyhavemorethantheforceoftreatiesinthemselves。Theyareobligationswrittenintheheart。Theyapproximatementomen，withouttheirknowledge，andsometimesagainsttheirintentions。Thesecret，unseen，butirrefragablebondofhabitualintercourseholdsthemtogether，evenwhentheirperverseandlitigiousnaturesetsthemtoequivocate，scuffle，andfight，aboutthetermsoftheirwrittenobligations。Astowar，ifitbethemeansofwrongandviolence，itisthesolemeansofjusticeamongstnations。Nothingcanbanishitfromtheworld。Theywhosayotherwise，intendingtoimposeuponus，donotimposeuponthemselves。Butitisoneofthegreatestobjectsofhumanwisdomtomitigatethoseevilswhichweareunabletoremove。TheconformityandanalogyofwhichIspeak，incapable，likeeverythingelse，ofpreservingperfecttrustandtranquillityamongmen，hasastrongtendencytofacilitateaccommodation，andtoproduceagenerousoblivionoftherancouroftheirquarrels。Withthissimilitude，peaceismoreofpeace，andwarislessofwar。Iwillgofurther。Therehavebeenperiodsoftimeinwhichcommunities，apparentlyinpeacewitheachother，havebeenmoreperfectlyseparatedthan，inlattertimes，manynationsinEuropehavebeeninthecourseoflongandbloodywars。ThecausemustbesoughtinthesimilitudethroughoutEuropeofreligion，laws，andmanners。Atbottom，theseareallthesame。ThewritersonpubliclawhaveoftencalledthisAGGREGATEofnationsacommonwealth。
Theyhadreason。Itisvirtuallyonegreatstatehavingthesamebasisofgenerallaw，withsomediversityofprovincialcustomsandlocalestablishments。ThenationsofEuropehavehadtheverysameChristianreligion，agreeinginthefundamentalparts，varyingalittleintheceremoniesandinthesubordinatedoctrines。ThewholeofthepolityandeconomyofeverycountryinEuropehasbeenderivedfromthesamesources。ItwasdrawnfromtheoldGermanicorGothiccustumary，fromthefeudalinstitutionswhichmustbeconsideredasanemanationfromthatcustumary;andthewholehasbeenimprovedanddigestedintosystemanddisciplinebytheRomanlaw。Fromhencearosetheseveralorders，withorwithoutamonarch(whicharecalledstates)，ineveryEuropeancountry;thestrongtracesofwhich，wheremonarchypredominated，wereneverwhollyextinguishedormergedindespotism。Inthefewplaceswheremonarchywascastoff，thespiritofEuropeanmonarchywasstillleft。Thosecountriesstillcontinuedcountriesofstates;thatis，ofclasses，orders，anddistinctionssuchashadbeforesubsisted，ornearlyso。Indeed，theforceandformoftheinstitutioncalledstatescontinuedingreaterperfectioninthoserepublicancommunitiesthanundermonarchies。Fromallthosesourcesaroseasystemofmannersandofeducationwhichwasnearlysimilarinallthisquarteroftheglobe;
andwhichsoftened，blended，andharmonizedthecoloursofthewhole。
PERILSOFJACOBINPEACE。
ThesametemperwhichbringsustosolicitaJacobinpeace，willinduceustotemporizewithalltheevilsofit。Bydegreesourmindswillbemadetoourcircumstances。Thenoveltyofsuchthings，whichproduceshalfthehorror，andallthedisgust，willbewornoff。Ourruinwillbedisguisedinprofit，andthesaleofafewwretchedbaubleswillbribeadegeneratepeopletobarterawaythemostpreciousjeweloftheirsouls。Ourconstitutionisnotmadeforthiskindofwarfare。Itprovidesgreatlyforourhappiness，——itfurnishesfewmeansforourdefence。Itisformed，inagreatmeasure，upontheprincipleofjealousyofthecrown;and，asthingsstoodwhenittookthatturn，withverygreatreason。Igofurther;itmustkeepalivesomepartofthatfireofjealousyeternallyandchastelyburning，oritcannotbetheBritishconstitution。Atvariousperiodswehavehadtyrannyinthiscountry，morethanenough。Wehavehadrebellions，withmoreorlessjustification。Someofourkingshavemadeadulterousconnectionsabroad，andtruckedawayforforeigngoldtheinterestsandgloryoftheircrown。Butbeforethistimeourlibertyhasneverbeencorrupted。Imeantosay，thatithasneverbeendebauchedfromitsdomesticrelations。TothistimeithasbeenEnglishliberty，andEnglishlibertyonly。Ourloveoflibertyandourloveofourcountrywerenotdistinctthings。Libertyisnow，itseems，putuponalargerandmoreliberalbottom。Wearemen，andasmen，undoubtedlynothinghumanisforeigntous。Wecannotbetooliberalinourgeneralwishesforthehappinessofourkind。Butinallquestionsonthemodeofprocuringitforanyparticularcommunity，weoughttobefearfulofadmittingthosewhohavenointerestinit，orwhohave，perhaps，aninterestagainstit，intotheconsultation。Aboveall，wecannotbetoocautiousinourcommunicationwiththosewhoseektheirhappinessbyotherroadsthanthoseofhumanity，morals，andreligion，andwhoselibertyconsists，andconsistsalone，inbeingfreefromthoserestraintswhichareimposedbythevirtuesuponthepassions。
Whenweinvitedangerfromaconfidenceindefensivemeasures，weought，firstofall，tobesurethatitisaspeciesofdangeragainstwhichanydefensivemeasuresthatcanbeadoptedwillbesufficient。Nextweoughttoknowthatthespiritofourlaws，orthatourowndispositions，whicharestrongerthanlaws，aresusceptibleofallthosedefensivemeasureswhichtheoccasionmayrequire。Athirdconsiderationis，whetherthesemeasureswillnotbringmoreodiumthanstrengthtogovernment;andthelast，whethertheauthoritythatmakesthem，inageneralcorruptionofmannersandprinciples，caninsuretheirexecution？Letnoonearguefromthestateofthings，asheseesthematpresent，concerningwhatwillbethemeansandcapacitiesofgovernment，whenthetimearrives，whichshallcallforremediescommensuratetoenormousevils。
Itisanobvioustruththatnoconstitutioncandefenditself：itmustbedefendedbythewisdomandfortitudeofmen。Thesearewhatnoconstitutioncangive：theyarethegiftsofGod;andhealoneknowswhetherweshallpossesssuchgiftsatthetimewhenwestandinneedofthem。Constitutionsfurnishthecivilmeansofgettingatthenatural;
itisallthatinthiscasetheycando。Butourconstitutionhasmoreimpedimentsthanhelps。Itsexcellencies，whentheycometobeputtothissortofproof，maybefoundamongitsdefects。
Nothinglooksmoreawfulandimposingthananancientfortification。Itslofty，embattledwalls，itsbold，projecting，roundedtowers，thatpiercethesky，striketheimagination，andpromiseinexpugnablestrength。Buttheyaretheverythingsthatmakeitsweakness。YoumayaswellthinkofopposingoneoftheseoldfortressestothemassofartillerybroughtbyaFrenchirruptionintothefield，astothinkofresisting，byyouroldlaws，andyouroldforms，thenewdestructionwhichthecorpsofJacobinengineersofto-dayprepareforallsuchformsandallsuchlaws。Besidesthedebilityandfalseprincipleoftheirconstructiontoresistthepresentmodesofattack，thefortressitselfisinruinousrepair，andthereisapracticablebreachineverypartofit。
Suchisthework。Butmiserableworkshavebeendefendedbytheconstancyofthegarrison。Weather-beatenshipshavebeenbroughtsafetoportbythespiritandalertnessofthecrew。Butitisherethatweshalleminentlyfail。Thedaythat，bytheirconsent，theseatofregicidehasitsplaceamongthethronesofEurope，thereisnolongeramotiveforzealintheirfavour;itwillatbestbecold，unimpassioned，dejected，melancholyduty。Theglorywillseemallontheotherside。
Thefriendsofthecrownwillappear，notaschampions，butasvictims;
discountenanced，mortified，lowered，defeated，theywillfallintolistlessnessandindifference。Theywillleavethingstotaketheircourse;enjoythepresenthour，andsubmittothecommonfate。
PARLIAMENTARYANDREGALPREROGATIVE。
Yourthronecannotstandsecureupontheprinciplesofunconditionalsubmissionandpassiveobedience;onpowersexercisedwithouttheconcurrenceofthepeopletobegoverned;onactsmadeindefianceoftheirprejudicesandhabits;onacquiescenceprocuredbyforeignmercenarytroops，andsecuredbystandingarmies。Thesemaypossiblybethefoundationofotherthrones：，theymustbethesubversionofyours。Itwasnottopassiveprinciplesinourancestorsthatweowethehonourofappearingbeforeasovereign，whocannotfeelthatheisaprince，withoutknowingthatweoughttobefree。Therevolutionisadeparturefromtheancientcourseofthedescentofthismonarchy。Thepeopleatthattimere-enteredintotheiroriginalrights;anditwasnotbecauseapositivelawauthorizedwhatwasthendone，butbecausethefreedomandsafetyofthesubject，theoriginandcauseofalllaws，requiredaproceedingparamountandsuperiortothem。Atthatever-memorableandinstructiveperiod，theletterofthelawwassupersededinfavourofthesubstanceofliberty。Tothefreechoice，therefore，ofthepeople，withouteitherkingorparliament，weowethathappyestablishment，outofwhichbothkingandparliamentwereregenerated。Fromthatgreatprincipleoflibertyhaveoriginatedthestatutes，confirmingandratifyingtheestablishment，fromwhichyourmajestyderivesyourrighttoruleoverus。Thosestatuteshavenotgivenusourliberties;ourlibertieshaveproducedthem。Everyhourofyourmajesty’sreignyourtitlestandsupontheverysamefoundationonwhichitwasatfirstlaid;andwedonotknowabetteronwhichitcanpossiblybeplaced。
Convinced，sir，thatyoucannothavedifferentrightsandadifferentsecurityindifferentpartsofyourdominions，wewishtolayanevenplatformforyourthrone;andtogiveitanunmovablestability，bylayingitonthegeneralfreedomofyourpeople;andbysecuringtoyourmajestythatconfidenceandaffectioninallpartsofyourdominions，whichmakesyourbestsecurityanddearesttitleinthisthechiefseatofyourempire。
Such，sir，beingamongstusthefoundationofmonarchyitself，muchmoreclearlyandmuchmorepeculiarlyisitthegroundofallparliamentarypower。Parliamentisasecurityprovidedfortheprotectionoffreedom，andnotasubtilefiction，contrivedtoamusethepeopleinitsplace。
Theauthorityofbothhousescan，stilllessthanthatofthecrown，besupportedupondifferentprinciplesindifferentplaces，soastobe，foronepartofyoursubjects，aprotectorofliberty，andforanotherafundofdespotism，throughwhichprerogativeisextendedbyoccasionalpowers，wheneveranarbitrarywillfindsitselfstraitenedbytherestrictionsoflaw。Haditseemedgoodtoparliamenttoconsideritselfastheindulgentguardianandstrongprotectorofthefreedomofthesubordinatepopularassemblies，insteadofexercisingitspowertotheirannihilation，thereisnodoubtthatitnevercouldhavebeentheirinclination，becausenottheirinterest，toraisequestionsontheextentofparliamentaryrights，ortoenfeebleprivilegeswhichwerethesecurityoftheirown。Powersevidentfromnecessity，andnotsuspiciousfromanalarmingmodeorpurposeintheexertion，would，asformerlytheywere，becheerfullysubmittedto;andthesewouldhavebeenfullysufficientforconservationofunityintheempire，andfordirectingitswealthtoonecommoncentre。Anotherusehasproducedotherconsequences;andapowerwhichrefusestobelimitedbymoderationmusteitherbelost，orfindothermoredistinctandsatisfactorylimitations。
BURKE’SDESIGNINHISGREATESTWORK。
Hehadundertakentodemonstratebyargumentswhichhethoughtcouldnotberefuted，andbydocumentswhichhewassurecouldnotbedenied，thatnocomparisonwastobemadebetweentheBritishgovernmentandtheFrenchusurpation。Thattheywhoendeavouredmadlytocomparethem，werebynomeansmakingthecomparisonofonegoodsystemwithanothergoodsystem，whichvariedonlyinlocalandcircumstantialdifferences;muchless，thattheywereholdingouttousasuperiorpatternoflegalliberty，whichwemightsubstituteintheplaceofourold，and，astheydescribedit，superannuatedconstitution。HemeanttodemonstratethattheFrenchschemewasnotacomparativegood，butapositiveevil。Thatthequestiondidnotatallturn，ashadbeenstated，onaparallelbetweenamonarchyandarepublic。HedeniedthatthepresentschemeofthingsinFrancedidatalldeservetherespectablenameofarepublic：hehadthereforenocomparisonbetweenmonarchiesandrepublicstomake。ThatwhatwasdoneinFrancewasawildattempttomethodizeanarchy;toperpetuateandfixdisorder。Thatitwasafoul，impious，monstrousthing，whollyoutofthecourseofmoralnature。Heundertooktoprovethatitwasgeneratedintreachery，fraud，falsehood，hypocrisy，andunprovokedmurder。Heofferedtomakeoutthatthosewhohadledinthatbusinesshadconductedthemselveswiththeutmostperfidytotheircolleaguesinfunction，andwiththemostflagrantperjurybothtowardstheirkingandtheirconstituents;totheoneofwhomtheAssemblyhadswornfealty，andtotheother，whenundernosortofviolenceorconstraint，theyhadswornafullobediencetoinstructions——That，bytheterrorofassassination，theyhaddrivenawayaverygreatnumberofthemembers，soastoproduceafalseappearanceofamajority——Thatthisfictitiousmajorityhadfabricatedaconstitution，which，asnowitstands，isatyrannyfarbeyondanyexamplethatcanbefoundinthecivilizedEuropeanworldofourage;thatthereforetheloversofitmustbelovers，notofliberty，butiftheyreallyunderstanditsnature，ofthelowestandbasestofallservitude。
HeproposedtoprovethatthepresentstateofthingsinFranceisnotatransientevil，productive，assomehavetoofavourablyrepresentedit，ofalastinggood;butthatthepresentevilisonlythemeansofproducingfutureand(ifthatwerepossible)worseevils——Thatitisnotanundigested，imperfect，andcrudeschemeofliberty，whichmaygraduallybemellowedandripenedintoanorderlyandsocialfreedom;
butthatitissofundamentallywrong，astobeutterlyincapableofcorrectingitselfbyanylengthoftime，orofbeingformedintoanymodeofpolityofwhichamemberoftheHouseofCommonscouldpubliclydeclarehisapprobation。
LORDKEPPEL。
IeverlookedonLordKeppelasoneofthegreatestandbestmenofhisage;andIlovedandcultivatedhimaccordingly。Hewasmuchinmyheart，andIbelieveIwasinhistotheverylastbeat。ItwasathistrialatPortsmouththathegavemethispicture。WithwhatzealandanxiousaffectionIattendedhimthroughthathisagonyofglory，whatpartmysontookintheearlyflushandenthusiasmofhisvirtue，andthepiouspassionwithwhichheattachedhimselftoallmyconnections，withwhatprodigalitywebothsquanderedourselvesincourtingalmosteverysortofenmityforhissake，Ibelievehefelt，justasIshouldhavefeltsuchfriendshiponsuchanoccasion。Ipartookindeedofthishonourwithseveralofthefirst，andbest，andablestinthekingdom，butIwasbehindhandwithnoneofthem;andIamsure，thatiftotheeternaldisgraceofthisnation，andtothetotalannihilationofeverytraceofhonourandvirtueinit，thingshadtakenadifferentturnfromwhattheydid，Ishouldhaveattendedhimtothequarter-deckwithnolessgood-willandmorepride，thoughwithfarotherfeelings，thanI
partookofthegeneralflowofnationaljoythatattendedthejusticethatwasdonetohisvirtue。
Pardon，mylord，thefeeblegarrulityofage，whichlovestodiffuseitselfindiscourseofthedepartedgreat。Atmyyearsweliveinretrospectalone;and，whollyunfittedforthesocietyofvigorouslife，weenjoy，thebestbalmtoallwounds，theconsolationoffriendshipinthoseonlywhomwehavelostforever。FeelingthelossofLordKeppelatalltimes，atnotimedidIfeelitsomuchasonthefirstdaywhenIwasattackedintheHouseofLords。
Hadhelived，thatreverendformwouldhaveriseninitsplace，and，withamild，parentalreprehensiontohisnephewthedukeofBedford，hewouldhavetoldhimthatthefavourofthatgraciousprince，whohadhonouredhisvirtueswiththegovernmentofthenavyofGreatBritain，andwithaseatinthehereditarygreatcouncilofhiskingdom，wasnotundeservedlyshowntothefriendofthebestportionofhislife，andhisfaithfulcompanionandcounsellorunderhisrudesttrials。Hewouldhavetoldhim，thattowhomeverelsethesereproachesmightbebecoming，theywerenotdecorousinhisnearkindred。Hewouldhavetoldhimthatwhenmeninthatranklosedecorumtheyloseeverything。OnthatdayI
hadalossinLordKeppel;butthepubliclossofhiminthisawfulcrisis——！Ispeakfrommuchknowledgeoftheperson，heneverwouldhavelistenedtoanycompromisewiththerabbleroutofthissans-culotterieofFrance。Hisgoodnessofheart，hisreason，histaste，hispublicduty，hisprinciples，hisprejudices，wouldhaverepelledhimforeverfromallconnectionwiththathorridmedleyofmadness，vice，impiety，andcrime。
LordKeppelhadtwocountries;oneofdescent，andoneofbirth。Theirinterestandtheirgloryarethesame;andhismindwascapaciousofboth。Hisfamilywasnoble，anditwasDutch：thatis，hewastheoldestandpurestnobilitythatEuropecanboast，amongapeoplerenownedaboveallothersforloveoftheirnativeland。Thoughitwasnevershownininsulttoanyhumanbeing，LordKeppelwassomethinghigh。Itwasawildstockofpride，onwhichthetenderestofallheartshadgraftedthemildervirtues。Hevaluedancientnobility;andhewasnotdisinclinedtoaugmentitwithnewhonours。Hevaluedtheoldnobilityandthenew，notasanexcuseforinglorioussloth，butasanincitementtovirtuousactivity。Heconsidereditasasortofcureforselfishnessandanarrowmind;conceivingthatamanborninanelevatedplaceinhimselfwasnothing，buteverythinginwhatwentbefore，andwhatwastocomeafterhim。Withoutmuchspeculation，butbythesureinstinctofingenuousfeelings，andbythedictatesofplain，unsophisticated，naturalunderstanding，hefeltthatnogreatcommonwealthcouldbyanypossibilitylongsubsistwithoutabodyofsomekindorotherofnobility，decoratedwithhonour，andfortifiedbyprivilege。Thisnobilityformsthechainthatconnectstheagesofanation，whichotherwise(withMr。Paine)wouldsoonbetaughtthatnoonegenerationcanbindanother。Hefeltthatnopoliticalfabriccouldbewellmadewithoutsomesuchorderofthingsasmight，throughaseriesoftime，affordarationalhopeofsecuringunity，coherence，consistency，andstabilitytothestate。Hefeltthatnothingelsecanprotectitagainstthelevityofcourts，andthegreaterlevityofthemultitude。Thattotalkofhereditarymonarchy，withoutanythingelseofhereditaryreverenceinthecommonwealth，wasalow-mindedabsurdity，fitonlyforthosedetestable“foolsaspiringtobeknaves，“whobegantoforgein1789thefalsemoneyoftheFrenchconstitution——ThatitisonefatalobjectiontoallNEWfanciedandNEWFABRICATEDrepublics(amongapeoplewho，oncepossessingsuchanadvantage，havewickedlyandinsolentlyrejectedit)，thatthePREJUDICEofanoldnobilityisathingthatCANNOTbemade。Itmaybeimproved，itmaybecorrected，itmaybereplenished：menmaybetakenfromitoraggregatedtoit，buttheTHINGITSELFismatterofINVETERATEopinion，andthereforeCANNOT
bematterofmerepositiveinstitution。Hefeltthatthisnobilityinfactdoesnotexistinwrongofotherordersofthestate，butbythem，andforthem。
“LABOURINGPOOR。”
Letgovernmentprotectandencourageindustry，secureproperty，repressviolence，anddiscountenancefraud，itisallthattheyhavetodo。Inotherrespects，thelesstheymeddleintheseaffairsthebetter;therestisinthehandsofourMasterandtheirs。Weareinaconstitutionofthingswherein——“Modosolnimius，modocorripitimber。”ButIwillpushthismatternofurther。AsIhavesaidagooddealuponitatvarioustimesduringmypublicservice，andhavelatelywrittensomethingonitwhichmayyetseethelight，Ishallcontentmyselfnowwithobserving，thatthevigorousandlaboriousclassoflifehaslatelygot，fromthebontonofthehumanityofthisday，thenameofthe“labouringpoor。”Wehaveheardmanyplansforthereliefofthe“labouringpoor。”Thispulingjargonisnotasinnocentasitisfoolish。Inmeddlingwithgreataffairs，weaknessisneverinnoxious。
Hithertothenameofpoor(inthesenseinwhichitisusedtoexcitecompassion)hasnotbeenusedforthosewhocan，butforthosewhocannot，labour——forthesickandinfirm，fororphaninfancy，forlanguishinganddecrepitage：butwhenweaffecttopity，aspoor，thosewhomustlabour，ortheworldcannotexist，wearetriflingwiththeconditionofmankind。Itisthecommondoomofmanthathemusteathisbreadbythesweatofhisbrow，thatis，bythesweatofhisbody，orthesweatofhismind。Ifthistoilwasinflictedasacurse，itis，asmightbeexpectedfromthecursesoftheFatherofallblessings——itistemperedwithmanyalleviations，manycomforts。Everyattempttoflyfromit，andtorefusetheverytermsofourexistence，becomesmuchmoretrulyacurse;andheavierpainsandpenaltiesfalluponthosewhowouldeludethetaskswhichareputuponthembythegreatMasterWorkmanoftheworld，who，inhisdealingswithhiscreatures，sympathizeswiththeirweakness，andspeakingofacreationwroughtbymerewilloutofnothing，speaksofsixdaysofLABOURandoneofREST。
Idonotcallahealthyyoungman，cheerfulinhismind，andvigorousinhisarms，IcannotcallsuchamanPOOR;Icannotpitymykindasakind，merelybecausetheyaremen。Thisaffectedpityonlytendstodissatisfythemwiththeircondition，andtoteachthemtoseekresourceswherenoresourcesaretobefound，insomethingelsethantheirownindustry，andfrugality，andsobriety。Whatevermaybetheintention(which，becauseIdonotknow，Icannotdispute)ofthosewhowoulddiscontentmankindbythisstrangepity，theyacttowardsus，intheconsequences，asiftheywereourworstenemies。
STATECONSECRATEDBYTHECHURCH。
Ibegleavetospeakofourchurchestablishment，whichisthefirstofourprejudices，notaprejudicedestituteofreason，butinvolvinginitprofoundandextensivewisdom。Ispeakofitfirst。Itisfirst，andlast，andmidstinourminds。For，takinggroundonthatreligioussystem，ofwhichwearenowinpossession，wecontinuetoactontheearlyreceivedanduniformlycontinuedsenseofmankind。Thatsensenotonly，likeawisearchitect，hathbuiltuptheaugustfabricofstates，butlikeaprovidentproprietor，topreservethestructurefromprofanationandruin，asasacredtemplepurgedfromalltheimpuritiesoffraud，andviolence，andinjustice，andtyranny，hathsolemnlyandforeverconsecratedthecommonwealth，andallthatofficiateinit。
Thisconsecrationismade，thatallwhoadministerinthegovernmentofmen，inwhichtheystandinthepersonofGodhimself，shouldhavehighandworthynotionsoftheirfunctionanddestination;thattheirhopeshouldbefullofimmortality;thattheyshouldnotlooktothepaltrypelfofthemoment，nortothetemporaryandtransientpraiseofthevulgar，buttoasolid，permanentexistence，inthepermanentpartoftheirnature，andtoapermanentfameandglory，intheexampletheyleaveasarichinheritancetotheworld。
Suchsublimeprinciplesoughttobeinfusedintopersonsofexaltedsituations;andreligiousestablishmentsprovided，thatmaycontinuallyreviveandenforcethem。Everysortofmoral，everysortofcivil，everysortofpoliticinstitution，aidingtherationalandnaturaltiesthatconnectthehumanunderstandingandaffectionstothedivine，arenotmorethannecessary，inordertobuildupthatwonderfulstructure，Man;
whoseprerogativeitis，tobeinagreatdegreeacreatureofhisownmaking;andwho，whenmadeasheoughttobemade，isdestinedtoholdnotrivialplaceinthecreation。Butwhenevermanisputovermen，asthebetternatureoughtevertopreside，inthatcasemoreparticularly，heshouldasnearlyaspossiblebeapproximatedtohisperfection。
Theconsecrationofthestate，byastatereligiousestablishment，isnecessaryalsotooperatewithawholesomeaweuponfreecitizens;
becauseinordertosecuretheirfreedom，theymustenjoysomedeterminateportionofpower。Tothemthereforeareligionconnectedwiththestate，andwiththeirdutytowardsit，becomesevenmorenecessarythaninsuchsocieties，wherethepeople，bythetermsoftheirsubjection，areconfinedtoprivatesentiments，andthemanagementoftheirownfamilyconcerns。Allpersonspossessinganyportionofpoweroughttobestronglyandawfullyimpressedwithanideathattheyactintrust;andthattheyaretoaccountfortheirconductinthattrusttotheonegreatMaster，Author，andFounderofsociety。Thisprincipleoughteventobemorestronglyimpresseduponthemindsofthosewhocomposethecollectivesovereignty，thanuponthoseofsingleprinces。Withoutinstruments，theseprincescandonothing。Whoeverusesinstruments，infindinghelps，findsalsoimpediments。Theirpoweristhereforebynomeanscomplete;noraretheysafeinextremeabuse。Suchpersons，howeverelevatedbyflattery，arrogance，andself-opinion，mustbesensiblethatwhethercoveredornotbypositivelaw，insomewayorothertheyareaccountableevenherefortheabuseoftheirtrust。Iftheyarenotcutoffbyarebellionoftheirpeople，theymaybestrangledbytheveryjanissarieskeptfortheirsecurityagainstallotherrebellion。ThuswehaveseenthekingofFrancesoldbyhissoldiersforanincreaseofpay。Butwherepopularauthorityisabsoluteandunrestrained，thepeoplehaveaninfinitelygreater，becauseafarbetterfounded，confidenceintheirownpower。Theyarethemselves，inagreatmeasure，theirowninstruments。Theyarenearertotheirobjects。
Besides，theyarelessunderresponsibilitytooneofthegreatestcontrollingpowersonearth，thesenseoffameandestimation。Theshareofinfamy，thatislikelytofalltothelotofeachindividualinpublicacts，issmallindeed;theoperationofopinionbeingintheinverseratiotothenumberofthosewhoabusepower。Theirownapprobationoftheirownactshastothemtheappearanceofapublicjudgmentintheirfavour。Aperfectdemocracyisthereforethemostshamelessthingintheworld。Asitisthemostshameless，itisalsothemostfearless。Nomanapprehendsinhispersonthathecanbemadesubjecttopunishment。Certainlythepeopleatlargeneverought：forasallpunishmentsareforexampletowardstheconservationofthepeopleatlarge，thepeopleatlargecanneverbecomethesubjectofpunishmentbyanyhumanhand。(Quicquidmultispeccaturinultum。)Itisthereforeofinfiniteimportancethattheyshouldnotbesufferedtoimaginethattheirwill，anymorethanthatofkings，isthestandardofrightandwrong。Theyoughttobepersuadedthattheyarefullaslittleentitled，andfarlessqualified，withsafetytothemselves，touseanyarbitrarypowerwhatsoever;thatthereforetheyarenot，underafalseshowofliberty，butintruth，toexerciseanunnatural，inverteddomination，tyranicallytoexactfromthosewhoofficiateinthestate，notanentiredevotiontotheirinterest，whichistheirright，butanabjectsubmissiontotheiroccasionalwill;extinguishingthereby，inallthosewhoservethem，allmoralprinciple，allsenseofdignity，alluseofjudgment，andallconsistencyofcharacter;whilstbytheverysameprocesstheygivethemselvesupaproper，asuitable，butamostcontemptiblepreytotheservileambitionofpopularsycophants，orcourtlyflatterers。
FATEOFLOUISXVIII。
Letthosewhohavethetrustofpoliticalorofnaturalauthorityeverkeepwatchagainstthedesperateenterprisesofinnovation：leteventheirbenevolencebefortifiedandarmed。Theyhavebeforetheireyestheexampleofamonarch，insulted，degraded，confined，deposed;
hisfamilydispersed，scattered，imprisoned;hiswifeinsultedtohisfacelikethevilestofthesex，bythevilestofallpopulace;
himselfthreetimesdraggedbythesewretchesinaninfamoustriumph;
hischildrentornfromhim，inviolationofthefirstrightofnature，andgivenintothetuitionofthemostdesperateandimpiousoftheleadersofdesperateandimpiousclubs;hisrevenuesdilapidatedandplundered;hismagistratesmurdered;hisclergyproscribed，persecuted，famished;hisnobilitydegradedintheirrank，undoneintheirfortunes，fugitivesintheirpersons;hisarmiescorruptedandruined;hiswholepeopleimpoverished，disunited，dissolved;whilstthroughthebarsofhisprison，andamidstthebayonetsofhiskeepers，hehearsthetumultoftwoconflictingfactions，equallywickedandabandoned，whoagreeinprinciples，indispositions，andinobjects，butwhoteareachothertopiecesaboutthemosteffectualmeansofobtainingtheircommonend;theonecontendingtopreserveforawhilehisname，andhisperson，themoreeasilytodestroytheroyalauthority——theotherclamouringtocutoffthename，theperson，andthemonarchytogether，byonesacrilegiousexecution。Allthisaccumulationofcalamity，thegreatestthateverfellupononeman，hasfallenuponhishead，becausehehadlefthisvirtuesunguardedbycaution;
becausehewasnottaughtthat，wherepowerisconcerned，hewhowillconferbenefitsmusttakesecurityagainstingratitude。
NOBILITY。
AllthisviolentcryagainstthenobilityItaketobeamereworkofart。Tobehonouredandevenprivilegedbythelaws，opinions，andinveterateusagesofourcountry，growingoutoftheprejudiceofages，hasnothingtoprovokehorrorandindignationinanyman。Eventobetootenaciousofthoseprivilegesisnotabsolutelyacrime。Thestrongstruggleineveryindividualtopreservepossessionofwhathehasfoundtobelongtohim，andtodistinguishhim，isoneofthesecuritiesagainstinjusticeanddespotismimplantedinournature。Itoperatesasaninstincttosecureproperty，andtopreservecommunitiesinasettledstate。Whatistheretoshockinthis？Nobilityisagracefulornamenttothecivilorder。ItistheCorinthiancapitalofpolishedsociety。
Omnesboninobilitatisemperfavemus，wasthesayingofawiseandgoodman。Itisindeedonesignofaliberalandbenevolentmindtoinclinetoitwithsomesortofpartialpropensity。Hefeelsnoennoblingprincipleinhisownheartwhowishestolevelalltheartificialinstitutionswhichhavebeenadoptedforgivingabodytoopinion，andpermanencetofugitiveesteem。Itisasour，malignant，enviousdisposition，withouttasteforthereality，orforanyimageorrepresentationofvirtue，thatseeswithjoytheunmeritedfallofwhathadlongflourishedinsplendourandinhonour。Idonotliketoseeanythingdestroyed;anyvoidproducedinsociety;anyruinonthefaceoftheland。ItwasthereforewithnodisappointmentordissatisfactionthatmyinquiriesandobservationsdidnotpresenttomeanyincorrigiblevicesinthenoblesseofFrance，oranyabusewhichcouldnotberemovedbyareformveryshortofabolition。Yournoblessedidnotdeservepunishment：buttodegradeistopunish。
ItwaswiththesamesatisfactionIfoundthattheresultofmyinquiryconcerningyourclergywasnotdissimilar。Itisnosoothingnewstomyears，thatgreatbodiesofmenareincurablycorrupt。ItisnotwithmuchcredulityIlistentoanywhentheyspeakevilofthosewhomtheyaregoingtoplunder。Irathersuspectthatvicesarefeignedorexaggeratedwhenprofitislookedforintheirpunishment。Anenemyisabadwitness;arobberisaworse。Vicesandabusestherewereundoubtedlyinthatorder，andmustbe。Itwasanoldestablishment，andnotfrequentlyrevised。ButIsawnocrimesintheindividualsthatmeritedconfiscationoftheirsubstance，northosecruelinsultsanddegradations，andthatunnaturalpersecution，whichhavebeensubstitutedintheplaceofmelioratingregulation。
Iftherehadbeenanyjustcauseforthisnewreligiouspersecution，theatheisticlibellers，whoactastrumpeterstoanimatethepopulacetoplunder，donotloveanybodysomuchasnottodwellwithcomplacenceonthevicesoftheexistingclergy。Thistheyhavenotdone。Theyfindthemselvesobligedtorakeintothehistoriesofformerages(whichtheyhaveransackedwithamalignantandprofligateindustry)foreveryinstanceofoppressionandpersecutionwhichhasbeenmadebythatbodyorinitsfavour，inordertojustify，uponveryiniquitous，becauseveryillogical，principlesofretaliation，theirownpersecutionsandtheirowncruelties。Afterdestroyingallothergenealogiesandfamilydistinctions，theyinventasortofpedigreeofcrimes。Itisnotveryjusttochastisemenfortheoffencesoftheirnaturalancestors：buttotakethefictionofancestryinacorporatesuccessionasagroundforpunishingmenwhohavenorelationtoguiltyacts，exceptinnamesandgeneraldescriptions，isasortofrefinementininjusticebelongingtothephilosophyofthisenlightenedage。TheAssemblypunishesmen，many，ifnotmost，ofwhomabhortheviolentconductofecclesiasticsinformertimesasmuchastheirpresentpersecutorscando，andwhowouldbeasloudandasstrongintheexpressionofthatsense，iftheywerenotwellawareofthepurposesforwhichallthisdeclamationisemployed。Corporatebodiesareimmortalforthegoodofthemembers，butnotfortheirpunishment。Nationsthemselvesaresuchcorporations。AswellmightweinEnglandthinkofwaginginexpiablewaruponallFrenchmenfortheevilswhichtheyhavebroughtuponusintheseveralperiodsofourmutualhostilities。Youmight，onyourpart，thinkyourselvesjustifiedinfallinguponallEnglishmenonaccountoftheunparalleledcalamitiesbroughtuponthepeopleofFrancebytheunjustinvasionsofourHenriesandourEdwards。Indeed，weshouldbemutuallyjustifiedinthisexterminatorywaruponeachother，fullasmuchasyouareintheunprovokedpersecutionofyourpresentcountrymen，onaccountoftheconductofmenofthesamenameinothertimes。
LEGISLATIONANDREPUBLICANS。
Thelegislatorswhoframedtheancientrepublicsknewthattheirbusinesswastooarduoustobeaccomplishedwithnobetterapparatusthanthemetaphysicsofanundergraduate，andthemathematicsandarithmeticofanexciseman。Theyhadtodowithmen，andtheywereobligedtostudyhumannature。Theyhadtodowithcitizens，andtheywereobligedtostudytheeffectsofthosehabitswhicharecommunicatedbythecircumstancesofcivillife。Theyweresensiblethattheoperationofthissecondnatureonthefirstproducedanewcombination;
andthencearosemanydiversitiesamongstmen，accordingtotheirbirth，theireducation，theirprofessions，theperiodsoftheirlives，theirresidenceintownsorinthecountry，theirseveralwaysofacquiringandoffixingproperty，andaccordingtothequalityofthepropertyitself，allwhichrenderedthemasitweresomanydifferentspeciesofanimals。Fromhencetheythoughtthemselvesobligedtodisposetheircitizensintosuchclasses，andtoplacetheminsuchsituationsinthestateastheirpeculiarhabitsmightqualifythemtofill，andtoallottothemsuchappropriatedprivilegesasmightsecuretothemwhattheirspecificoccasionsrequired，andwhichmightfurnishtoeachdescriptionsuchforceasmightprotectitintheconflictcausedbythediversityofintereststhatmustexist，andmustcontend，inallcomplexsociety;
forthelegislatorwouldhavebeenashamedthatthecoarsehusbandmanshouldwellknowhowtoassortandtousehissheep，horses，andoxen，andshouldhaveenoughofcommonsensenottoabstractandequalizethemallintoanimals，withoutprovidingforeachkindanappropriatefood，care，andemployment;whilsthe，theeconomist，disposer，andshepherdofhisownkindred，subliminghimselfintoanairymetaphysician，wasresolvedtoknownothingofhisflocksbutasmeningeneral。ItisforthisreasonthatMontesquieuobserved，veryjustly，thatintheirclassificationofthecitizens，thegreatlegislatorsofantiquitymadethegreatestdisplayoftheirpowers，andevensoaredabovethemselves。
Itisherethatyourmodernlegislatorshavegonedeepintothenegativeseries，andsunkevenbelowtheirownnothing。Asthefirstsortoflegislatorsattendedtothedifferentkindsofcitizens，andcombinedthemintoonecommonwealth，theothers，themetaphysicalandalchemisticallegislators，havetakenthedirectlycontrarycourse。Theyhaveattemptedtoconfoundallsortsofcitizens，aswellastheycould，intoonehomogeneousmass;andthentheydividedthistheiramalgamaintoanumberofincoherentrepublics。Theyreducementoloosecounters，merelyforthesakeofsimpletelling，andnottofigureswhosepoweristoarisefromtheirplaceinthetable。Theelementsoftheirownmetaphysicsmighthavetaughtthembetterlessons。ThetrolloftheircategoricaltablemighthaveinformedthemthattherewassomethingelseintheintellectualworldbesidesSUBSTANCEandQUANTITY。
Theymightlearnfromthecatechismofmetaphysicsthattherewereeightheadsmore，ineverycomplexdeliberation，whichtheyhaveneverthoughtof;thoughthese，ofalltheten，arethesubjectsonwhichtheskillofmancanoperateanythingatall。Sofarfromthisabledispositionofsomeoftheoldrepublicanlegislators，whichfollowswithasolicitousaccuracythemoralconditionsandpropensitiesofmen，theyhaveleveledandcrushedtogetheralltheorderswhichtheyfound，evenunderthecoarse，unartificialarrangementofthemonarchy，inwhichmodeofgovernmenttheclassingofthecitizensisnotofsomuchimportanceasinarepublic。Itistrue，however，thateverysuchclassification，ifproperlyordered，isgoodinallformsofgovernment;andcomposesastrongbarrieragainsttheexcessesofdespotism，aswellasitisthenecessarymeansofgivingeffectandpermanencetoarepublic。Forwantofsomethingofthiskind，ifthepresentprojectofarepublicshouldfail，allsecuritiestoamoderatedfreedomfailalongwithit;alltheindirectrestraintswhichmitigatedespotismareremoved;insomuchthatifmonarchyshouldeveragainobtainanentireascendancyinFrance，underthisorunderanyotherdynasty，itwillprobablybe，ifnotvoluntarilytemperedatsettingoutbythewiseandvirtuouscounselsoftheprince，themostcompletelyarbitrarypowerthathaseverappearedonearth。Thisistoplayamostdesperategame。
PRINCIPLEOFSTATE-CONSECRATION。
Butoneofthefirstandmostleadingprinciplesonwhichthecommonwealthandthelawsareconsecrated，islestthetemporarypossessorsandlife-rentersinit，unmindfulofwhattheyhavereceivedfromtheirancestors，orofwhatisduetotheirposterity，shouldactasiftheyweretheentiremasters;thattheyshouldnotthinkitamongsttheirrightstocutofftheentail，orcommitwasteontheinheritance，bydestroyingattheirpleasurethewholeoriginalfabricoftheirsociety;hazardingtoleavetothosewhocomeafterthemaruininsteadofanhabitation——andteachingthesesuccessorsaslittletorespecttheircontrivances，astheyhadthemselvesrespectedtheinstitutionsoftheirforefathers。Bythisunprincipledfacilityofchangingthestateasoften，andasmuch，andinasmanyways，astherearefloatingfanciesorfashions，thewholechainandcontinuityofthecommonwealthwouldbebroken。Noonegenerationcouldlinkwiththeother。Menwouldbecomelittlebetterthanthefliesofasummer。
Andfirstofall，thescienceofjurisprudence，theprideofthehumanintellect，which，withallitsdefects，redundancies，anderrors，isthecollectedreasonofages，combiningtheprinciplesoforiginaljusticewiththeinfinitevarietyofhumanconcerns，asaheapofoldexplodederrors，wouldbenolongerstudied。Personalself-sufficiencyandarrogance(thecertainattendantsuponallthosewhohaveneverexperiencedawisdomgreaterthantheirown)wouldusurpthetribunal。
Ofcoursenocertainlaws，establishinginvariablegroundsofhopeandfear，wouldkeeptheactionsofmeninacertaincourse，ordirectthemtoacertainend。Nothingstableinthemodesofholdingproperty，orexercisingfunction，couldformasolidgroundonwhichanyparentcouldspeculateintheeducationofhisoffspring，orinachoicefortheirfutureestablishmentintheworld。Noprincipleswouldbeearlyworkedintothehabits。Assoonasthemostableinstructorhadcompletedhislaboriouscourseofinstitution，insteadofsendingforthhispupil，accomplishedinavirtuousdiscipline，fittedtoprocurehimattentionandrespectinhisplaceinsociety，hewouldfindeverythingaltered;
andthathehadturnedoutapoorcreaturetothecontemptandderisionoftheworld，ignorantofthetruegroundsofestimation。Whowouldinsureatenderanddelicatesenseofhonourtobeatalmostwiththefirstpulsesoftheheart，whennomancouldknowwhatwouldbethetestofhonourinanation，continuallyvaryingthestandardofitscoin？Nopartoflifewouldretainitsacquisitions。Barbarismwithregardtoscienceandliterature，unskilfulnesswithregardtoartsandmanufactures，wouldinfalliblysucceedtothewantofasteadyeducationandsettledprinciple;andthusthecommonwealthitselfwould，inafewgenerations，crumbleaway，bedisconnectedintothedustandpowderofindividuality，andatlengthdispersedtoallthewindsofheaven。Toavoidthereforetheevilsofinconstancyandversatility，tenthousandtimesworsethanthoseofobstinacyandtheblindestprejudice，wehaveconsecratedthestate，thatnomanshouldapproachtolookintoitsdefectsorcorruptionsbutwithduecaution;thatheshouldneverdreamofbeginningitsreformationbyitssubversion;thatheshouldapproachtothefaultsofthestateastothewoundsofafather，withpiousawe，andtremblingsolicitude。Bythiswiseprejudicewearetaughttolookwithhorroronthosechildrenoftheircountry，whoarepromptrashlytohackthatagedparentinpieces，andputhimintothekettleofmagicians，inhopesthatbytheirpoisonousweeds，andwildincantations，theymayregeneratethepaternalconstitution，andrenovatetheirfather’slife。
BRITISHSTABILITY。
Fourhundredyearshavegoneoverus;butIbelievewearenotmateriallychangedsincethatperiod。Thankstooursullenresistancetoinnovation，thankstothecoldsluggishnessofournationalcharacter，westillbearthestampofourforefathers。Wehavenot(asIconceive)
lostthegenerosityanddignityofthinkingofthefourteenthcentury;
norasyethavewesubtilizedourselvesintosavages。WearenottheconvertsofRousseau;wearenotthedisciplesofVoltaire;Helvetiushasmadenoprogressamongstus。Atheistsarenotourpreachers;madmenarenotourlawgivers。WeknowthatWEhavemadenodiscoveries;andwethinkthatnodiscoveriesaretobemadeinmorality;normanyinthegreatprinciplesofgovernment，norintheideasofliberty;whichwereunderstoodlongbeforewewereborn，altogetheraswellastheywillbeafterthegravehasheapeditsmoulduponourpresumption，andthesilenttombshallhaveimposeditslawonourpertloquacity。InEnglandwehavenotyetbeencompletelyembowelledofournaturalentrails;westillfeelwithinus，andwecherishandcultivate，thoseinbredsentimentswhicharethefaithfulguardians，theactivemonitorsofourduty，thetruesupportersofallliberalandmanlymorals。Wehavenotbeendrawnandtrussed，inorderthatwemaybefilled，likestuffedbirdsinamuseum，withchaffandragsandpaltryblurredshredsofpaperabouttherightsofman。Wepreservethewholeofourfeelingsstillnativeandentire，unsophisticatedbypedantryandinfidelity。Wehaverealheartsoffleshandbloodbeatinginourbosoms。WefearGod;
welookupwithawetokings;withaffectiontoparliaments;withdutytomagistrates;withreverencetopriests;andwithrespecttonobility。
Why？Becausewhensuchideasarebroughtbeforeourminds，itisNATURAL
tobesoaffected;becauseallotherfeelingsarefalseandspurious，andtendtocorruptourminds，tovitiateourprimarymorals，torenderusunfitforrationalliberty;andbyteachingusaservile，licentious，andabandonedinsolence，tobeourlowsportforafewholidays，tomakeusperfectlyfitfor，andjustlydeservingof，slavery，throughthewholecourseofourlives。
Yousee，sir，thatinthisenlightenedageIamboldenoughtoconfess，thatwearegenerallymenofuntaughtfeelings;thatinsteadofcastingawayallouroldprejudices，wecherishthemtoaveryconsiderabledegree，and，totakemoreshametoourselves，wecherishthembecausetheyareprejudices;andthelongertheyhavelasted，andthemoregenerallytheyhaveprevailed，themorewecherishthem。Weareafraidtoputmentoliveandtradeeachonhisownprivatestockofreason;
becausewesuspectthatthestockineachmanissmall，andthattheindividualswoulddobettertoavailthemselvesofthegeneralbankandcapitalofnationsandofages。Manyofourmenofspeculation，insteadofexplodinggeneralprejudices，employtheirsagacitytodiscoverthelatentwisdomwhichprevailsinthem。Iftheyfindwhattheyseek，andtheyseldomfail，theythinkitmorewisetocontinuetheprejudice，withthereasoninvolved，thantocastawaythecoatofprejudice，andtoleavenothingbutthenakedreason;becauseprejudice，withitsreason，hasamotivetogiveactiontothatreason，andanaffectionwhichwillgiveitpermanence。Prejudiceisofreadyapplicationtotheemergency;itpreviouslyengagesthemindinasteadycourseofwisdomandvirtue，anddoesnotleavethemanhesitatinginthemomentofdecision，sceptical，puzzled，andunresolved。Prejudicerendersaman’svirtuehishabit;andnotaseriesofunconnectedacts。Throughjustprejudice，hisdutybecomesapartofhisnature。
