Account of 
Dr Smith. 
118 HISTORY of the SOCIETY. 
ferent nature, and to which the anfwer mutt vary, in different 
countries, according to the different circum{ftances of the cafe. 
In a fpeculative work, fuch as Mr Smir.’s, the confideration 
of this queftion did not fall properly under his general plan ; 
but that he was abundantly aware of the danger to be: appre- 
hended from a rath application of political theories, appears, 
not only from the general ftrain of his writings, but from fome 
incidental obfervations which he has exprefsly made upon the 
fubje&. ‘‘ So unfortunate (fays he, in one paflage) are the 
“ effets of all the regulations of the mercantile fyftem, that 
they not only introduce very dangerous diforders into the 
{tate of the body politic, but diforders which it is often dif- 
ficult to remedy, without occafioning, for a time at leaft, 
ftill greater diforders.—In what manner, therefore, the na- 
tural fyftem of perfect liberty and juftice ought gradually to 
be reftored, we muft leave to the wifdom of future ftatefmen 
and legiflators to determine.” In the lait edition of his 
Theory of Moral Sentiments, he has introduced fome remarks, 
which have an obvious reference to the fame important doc- 
trine. The following paflage feems to refer more particularly 
to thofe derangements of the focial order which derived their 
origin from the feudal inftitutions. 
‘© THe man whofe public fpirit is prompted altogether by 
humanity and benevolence, will refpeét the eftablifhed powers 
and privileges even of individuals, and {till more of the 
great orders and focieties into which the ftate is divided. 
Though he fhould confider fome of them as in fome meafure 
abufive, he will content himfelf with moderating,what he often 
cannot annihilate without great violence. When he cannot 
conquer the rooted prejudices of the people by reafon and 
perfuafion, he will noc attempt to fubdue them by force; 
but will religioufly obferve what, by Cicero, is juftly called 
the divine maxim of PLATO, never to ufe violence to his 
? 
ee 
ce 
country — 
