j»92. political progrefs of Britain. >iy 



A circumstance is mentioned in the above quotation that 

 deserves to be attended to at present. The most perfect 

 security of person and property constitutes the very ef- 

 sence of civil liberty j and could that be insnred by an 

 universal liberty of suffrage for representatives, every man 

 ought to promote such a measure ; but if experience (hows 

 that this circumstance alone has never been sufficient to 

 insure any thing like that security, it must be deemed a 

 matter of very little moment at least. If it has proved 

 destructive, It ought to be avoided. It would be well if 

 gentlemen who are zealous in this cause, would consult 

 the authorities there quoted, and satisfy themselves upon 

 this head, before they place their whole reliance on a cir- 

 cumstance, which may, perhaps, instead of a prop on which 

 they can safely lean, turn out to be a spear that fhall 

 pierce them to the heart. 



The following curious fact respecting this circumstance 

 deserves to be noted. The whole male Inhabitants of the 

 canton of Bale in Switzerland, on the first institution of 

 that republic, had a right of voting for their rulers : but 

 experience soon taught them, that this universal pri- 

 vilege of voting, was by no means sufficient to guard a- 

 gainst the influence of wealth and popular manners. Still 

 more effectually to do this, the mode of election was va- 

 ried. Every man coniinued to retain the right of suff- 

 rage, as before ; but instead of one^ every vote Included 

 ihree persons, one of which was to be chosen hy lot. Still, 

 however, influence was found to have great sway in the e- 

 lections, and it was deemed necefsary, on this account, once 

 more to change it. instead of three, every vote was made 

 to include six persons, one of whom only can be chosen, 

 and that must be done by lot. In this state things re- 

 main at present. It requires not much forcslgut to see, 

 that for the same reason as formerly, they will find it ncccf- 

 VOL. xi. EK -J- 



