STUDY XIII. 107 



be found worthy of the admiration of the rich, 

 were they extraded from the Hiflory of Savages, 

 or from that of the Roman Emperors; were 

 they two thoufand years old, or had they taken 

 place two thoufand leagues off. They would amufc 

 their imagination, and tranquillize their avarice. 

 Our own commonalty, undoubtedly, well deferves 

 to be loved. I am able to demonftrate, that their 

 moral goodnefs is the firmeft fupport of Govern- 

 ment, and that, notwithftanding their own necef- 

 lities, to them our foldiery is indebted for the 

 fupplement to their miferable pittance of pay, and 

 that to them the innumerable poor with whom the 

 kingdom fwarms, owe a fubfiftence wrung from 

 penury itfelf, 



Salus Populi suprema Lex esto, faid the 

 Ancients : let the fafety of the People be the pa- 

 ramount Law, becaufe their mifery is the general 

 mifery. This axiom ought to be fo much the 

 more facred in the eyes of Legiflators and Refor- 

 mers, that no Law can be of long duration, and 

 no plan of reform reduced into etfedt, unlefs the 

 happinefs of the people is previoufly fecured. Out 

 of their miferies abufes fpring, are kept up, and 

 are renewed. It is from want of having reared the 

 fabrick on this fure foundation, that fo many illuf- 

 trious Reformers have feen their political edifice 

 crumble into ruins, If Jgis and Cleomenes failed 



in 



