A Comparative Display of the Different Opinions of the Most Distinguished British Writers on the Subject of the French Revolution (Volume 1 ); In Tw

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1793 edition. Excerpt: ... constitution. But of this-general position he has Mr.Mackneither explained the mode, nor defined the limi-t J. tations. Nothing is more favourable to the popularity of a work than these lofty generalities, which are light enough to pass into vulgar currency, and to become the maxims of a popular creed. Touched by definition, they become too simple and precise for eloquence, too cold and abstract for popularity. But exhibited as they are by Mr. Burke, they gratify the pride and indolence of the people, who are thus taught to speak what To place this opinion in a stronger point of light, I have collected the principal passages from his Reflections, &c, in which it is announced or insinuated. In your Old States you pos sessed that variety of parts, corresponding with the various descriptions of which your community was happily composed. If diffident of yourselves, and not clearly the almost obliterated constitution of your ancestors, seeing you had looked to your neighbours in this land, who had kept alive the principles and models of the old common law of Europe, meliorated and adapted to the present state. Have they never heard of a monarchy directed by laws, controlled and balanced by the great hereditary wealth and hereditary dignity of a nation, and both again controlled by a judicious check from the reason and feeling of the people at large, acting by a suitable and perma nent organ? And in the same page he represents France as a nation which had it in its choice to obtain such a government with east-, or rather lo confirm it ivhen actually poJstJsed., t-- I must think such a government well deserved to have its excel lencies heightened, its saults corrected, and its capacities imf proved into a...