46 LIFE OF SIR JAMES STEUART. Sept. 21. 



have to be performed in that city. England finking, 

 as it is daily, in real iinportance, can never hope to 

 take the lead in future fchemes of glory, and emi- 

 nence ; and therefore I hope that the American 

 ftates may have the advantage of verifying the noble 

 proje£l: of our iliullrious Scot. 



Generations, writes he, pafs away, kingdoms and 

 empires change, but mankind may be faid to be im- 

 mortal. It is, therefore, no obje£lion againft any 

 fcheme for their improvement, that time is required 

 for the execution of it. A thoufand years to mankind 

 are not equal to a day in human life. Weights and 

 meafures once properly eftablifhed would furvive the 

 greatell revolutions and convulfions of ftates ; and 

 therefore the only poffible method by which fuch a 

 plan can be brought to bear is by time, the profpecl 

 of eafe and utility, and by the medium of fcience and 

 of the arts. I am forry to have flighted my own 

 country and nation in the courfe of thefe remarks. 

 But Great Britain never had in the eye of a true philo- 

 fopher, and politician, the ftamina of a found and laft- 

 ing conftitution f . Her features indeed were bold, 

 and her temper amiable. She once obeyed the laws of 

 nature and nations, of juftice, and of humanity. Her mo- 

 rals were purer than thofe of the furrounding nations, 

 Such a nation deferred, if I may fo fay, the counte- 

 nance and approbation of the God of juftice and mercy, 



f This pofition will be controverted by many. Why this dcfpon- 

 dency refpeding Britain ? Scotland, at leaft, is certainly in a ftate of rapid 

 progrcflive improvement ; and is not knowledge more generally diffused 

 now than formerly. Why then fhould Britain decline ? At what period, 

 and in wliat country do we not find defefts ; but where is the political 

 conftitution that can boaft of itsyJa.W//) with that of Britain ? What 

 marks of decay have we yet experienced ? Let men of fenfe but fet them- 

 felves fteadily to oppofe hurtful regulations as they occur, and we fhall 

 fee them decreafe. Without tliie attention can any nation cxlft ? and 

 have wc ever yet feen an inftitution where the exertions of individuals 

 can produce greater effcil than in our own ? Why tlien defpair ! From 

 defpondcncy, a ruinous inaili-vity infues ; from adive exertiuns prof- 

 peri' y muft as Deceflarily follow. Edit. 



