Political Tracts (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1793 edition. Excerpt: ...any other reform refpechng this property, than commuting it for an equivalent (hare of land; the very meafure which muft effectually fecurc It, by combining it in one general intereft with the landed property of the kingdofn.As to the dignitaries of (c)ur church, they cannot be affefted by any reform which relates to their fucceffors, and the church has already been plundered to fuch an extent as to render the remainder of its property fecure to its prefent poffeflbrs, from the infignificance of its value as a life inheritance. As to the Houfe of Lords, let us fuppofe, the infignificance to which they are reduced, and the contempt with which, for above a century, they have been treated by the Houfe of Commons, fhould induce an idea that they are ufelefs-, what material detriment can they, as individvuals, receive by an abolition of their order, and the faint fhadow of its ancient power. All the feignioral rights and territorial privileges which diftinguifhed the ancient Barons of England have been long fince abolifhed: eftates are of the fame nature, and of equal value, whether in poffeffion of a Lord or a Commoner; and it is from their property, not their titles; their prefent importance refults: fo unimportant are titles in this country that when unaccompanied by eftates they have remained unclaimed as not worth acceptance. Tt does not even follow that the progrefs of Jacobinifm will produce greater changes in the nature of themonarchical power than what has refulted from paft events, or may refult from future ones: the name and form of monarchy may fubfift, though Jacobinifm prevail, and it is only the name and form which can be permanent; its real nature muft neceffarily be fubjeft to imperceptible changes, his prefent Majefcy bears no more