to ON THE UTILITY OF LAW-SUITS. Mayll, 



Hty ; but nothing contributes more effedlually .to keep 

 alive the fpirit of freedom, than a multiplicity of law- 

 fuits. I have, in the preceding article, remarked the 

 eflFects of diffention in a ftate of nature, and in the on-, 

 gin of civil, fociety. The refentment of the illiterate 

 ai.d untutored barbarian is eafily excited ; and his arm 

 is prompt, and prepared to glut his vengeance. But re- 

 venge ii fat'sfied, when its objed is no more ; and the 

 teinpcfl of the paflions foon.fubfides into a calm. An 

 adlon m a. Court of Juftlce prcferves: and continues an 

 aftive Ipint of oppofition, whereby mankind are., pre* 

 pared to difpute and jmaintain their civil rights,, and not 

 to fuccumb under the prefl"ui"e of arbitrary and imperious 

 opprellion. The injoired remembers that he isaBciton, 

 and, with undaunted firmuefs, demands redrefs. Does 

 the grievance originate from the throne? A thoufand 

 arms are elevated to fecond hiiu in his claim. Thus 

 la-jL'-fuif-s are leneficial to thjs Britijb cotijiitution. 



3. When mankind have arranged themfelves in com- 

 munities, certain regulations and rules are inllitiited 

 and promulgated, in order to promote the general 

 good. An individual, by his refidence in a particular 

 lociety, tacitly confants to be governed b)' its laws. If 

 thefe ordinances fuit not his notions, his wiflies, or his 

 views, he has or ought to have the toleration of emi- 

 grating to another region : But while he is a refident, 

 he. is certainly, on every principle of jullice, entitled 

 to avail himfelf of the laws of his country. 



When my neighbour folicits my advice in a fuit at 

 law, I give it him as becomes an honed man. Does 

 he requell me, nntwithftaiiding my contrary opinion, 

 to try ? I do fo, and aft as an honell; man. Is he call in 

 cofls ? It is perhaps, fortunately for him, a leflbn of 

 ■\vifdom; but ftill I was his friend, and not an enemy to 

 a fellow-citizen or the laws. 



Does another illegally enjoy your pofTeffion and ef- 

 tate ? does he diftnrb your tranquillity, or murder 

 your peace ? does he deprive you of a benefit, or liar- 



