ACCOUNT 
that the influence of the democracy 
has long been gaining ground in 
ovr constitution, He insists that 
the monarchy, deprived as it is of 
the legal power necessary to its de- 
fence, cannot maintain itself with- 
out influence: but at the sdme 
time he admits that a government 
of influence is baneful in its nature ; 
and that the- resources of uo state 
whatever can for a continuance 
support it: he is therefore an ad- 
vocate for a relorim, though, as we 
have already said, on principles 
different from any yet recommended 
to the public. 
* Unless (says he) a radical ame- 
lioration of legislative policy takes 
place, anarchy will triumph, or des- 
potism wili crush every remnant of 
liberty. This horrid alternative can 
be prevenred only by a¢tive and stre- 
nuous exertions of the advocates for 
orderand raticnalfreedom. Whoever 
values his property and his honours, 
must owe their preservation to him- 
self; he can no longer enjoy them 
in indolence under the proiection of 
laws, or a constitution, for which 
the contending partics feel no reve- 
rence, which the one endezxvours to 
destroy, ard the other to abuse,’ 
A great blessing attending our 
government, he observes, is, that 
we need not disorganize in order 
to regenerate; and that a com- 
plete reformation may be obtained 
by adhering to the spirit, without 
departing from the forms, of our 
present constitution :—but, in or- 
der to proceed with effeét, he thinks 
the iegis!ature ought to begin in 
time. ‘Lo those who have ese 
and -to those who have hitherto 
possessed a kind of monopoly of 
places, he- gives very whclesome 
advice in the following words : 
¢ Vhe rich would do weil to imi- 
tate the fabled policy of the beaver, 
who is said to bite off the patt for 
Voi, XXXVI. 
OF BOOKS. [829 
which the hunters pursue him; and 
submits to be maimed in order to 
save his life. The upper rank cannot 
Jong retain an exclusive right to 
the lucrative offices of the state. 
The greedy multitude will at first 
insist on having a share; they will 
then take the whole, and the pii- 
vate possessions of the rich will soon 
follow. Before it is too late, all 
salaries and profits arising from of. 
fices of state should be infinitely 
reduced, and neither the populace 
nor their leaders will then be very 
keen in the pursuit of barren ho- 
nour and unprofitable labour.’ 
After the last chapter, are given 
Ior pages of notes, illustrating 
various propositions laid down in 
the body cf the work ; to which is 
subjoined an Appendix of 31 pages, 
containing many very judicious ob- 
servations on agriculture, enclo. 
sures, &c. ‘ 
Such is the outline of a work, 
which, we are convinced, cannot be 
read without benefit by any class 
or description of thinking men, 
It contains undoubtedly much that 
will be condemned, or at least dis. 
puted, by many, on the subjects 
of the army, militia, religion, gar- 
risons, royal prerogative, commerce, 
and reform: but the parts which 
may be condemned by some, will 
be infinitely overbalanced by those 
that must be praised by all. 
The History and Antiquities of the 
County of Leicester, compiled from 
the best and mostancicnt Historians, 
&S¢. Lucluding also, Mr. Burton’s 
Des:ription of the County, publishell 
ia 1622; and the later ColleBions 
of Mrs Uenbhley, Mr. Carte, Mr. 
Peck, and Sir Thomas Cave. By 
Fohu Nichals, F.S. A, Edinburgh 
and Perth, In 4 vols. folio. 
Vol. 1. Part. Containing Intro« 
Mm ducory 
