^28 Dr. Perci'val's Notes and Illujrations. 



%vhom he had juft reafon, as an individual, to diflike ; the com- 

 mander, afFeaed by fo generous an aftion, earneftly wiftied for 

 a reconciliation. Prince Kaunitz, however, declined all his ad- 

 vances ; obferving that he had only done his duty, in caufing his 

 fovereign to pay due regard to merit ; but that in the direc- 

 tion of his private intimacies or connexions, he was fubjeft to 

 no controul, and might, in perfeft confiftence with duty, in- 

 dulge an entire freedom of choice. This fadl weU iUuftrates the 

 true application and extenLof influence. 



Note (C) p. 17. 

 DOCTRINE OF PASSIVE OBEDIENCE. 



Mr. Hume has very facetioufly imputed Toryi/m to So c r a T E s ; 

 becaufe, by declining to make his efcape out of prifon, he fanc- 

 tions the doftrine of paflive obedience and non-refiftance. But 

 the truth is, this venerable philofopher difdained to fave the fhort 

 remnant of his days by an ignominious flight; by pradlifing the 

 arts of corruption ; or, by involving the minifters of juftice in the 

 guilt of betraying their truft. He does not appear to have treated 

 the tumultuous aflfembly, which fat in judgment upon him, with 

 pajive deference. " Be not offended Athenians;" he faid, " it is 

 " impolTible; that any one (hould long preferve his life, who ar- 

 " raigns, with intrepidity, your licentioufnefs and injuftice !" 



Jn the admirable arguments for fubmiflion to the laws, which 

 Plato has put into the mouth of his mafter, in the dialogue enti- 

 tled Crito, the obligation of the facial compaa appears to be 

 cxprefsly and forcibly pleaded. Very able writers have contended 

 for and againft this alledged foundation and bond of civil fociety. 

 It has been condemned, as built on the chimerical fuppofition, that 

 " fayages have been called out of caves and deferts, to deliberate 

 " and vote upon topics, which the experience, the ftudies, and 



" the 



