The British Essayists (Volume 33, PT. 1); With Prefaces, Historical and Critical (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. 1823. Excerpt: ... enriched and strengthened by the electoral dominions, and declares that the public debt is a blessing to the nation. Yet, amidst all this prosperity, poor Jack is hourly disturbed by the dread of Popery. He wonders that some stricter laws are not made against Papists, and is sometimes afraid that they are busy with French gold among the bishops and judges. He cannot believe that the Nonjurors are so quiet for nothing, they must certainly be forming some plot for the establishment of Popery; he does not think the present oath sufficiently binding, and wishes that some better security could be found for the succession of Hanover. He is zealous for the naturalization of foreign Protestants, and rejoiced at the admission of the Jews to the English privileges, because he thought a Jew would never be a Papist. N" 11. SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1758. It is commonly observed, that when two Englishmen meet, their first talk is of the weather; they are in hastej to tell each other, what each must already knoMr, that it is hot or cold, bright or cloudy, windy or calm. There are, among the numerous lovers of subtilties and paradoxes, some who derive the civil institutions of every country from its climate, who impute freedom and slavery to the temperature of the air, can fix the meridian of vice and virtue, and tell at what degree of latitude we are to expect courage or timidity, knowledge or ignorance. 'From these dreams of idle speculation, a slight survey of life, and a little knowledge of history, is sufficient to awaken any inquirer, whose ambition of distinction has not overpowered his love of truth. Forms of government are seldom the result of much, deliberation; they are framed by chance in popular assemblies, or in conquered countries by despotic authority..Laws are...