2 ; : EV Roties ; 
a HISTOR!CAL CHRONICLE. 
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25. 
Foregien. 
Retrospective view of the political state of France. 
A ut the governments which sprung up in Europe on thé downfall of the 
Roman empire, were founded on the model of an army. The chief, un- 
der whatever name he was known, with the advice of his council; in other 
words, the general in a council of war, on extraordinary occasions were vest- 
ed with uhlimited authority ; and on ordinary occasions the authority of the 
chief was undisputed. The great body of the people were bound implicitly 
to obey. When the men were put into cantonments, as we may say, dur- 
ing peace, and thus withdrawn from the immediate power of the chief, 
each chieftain exercised unlimited authority over those of the district where 
he presided. By degrees, as a change of circumstances took place in the pro- 
grefs of society, this system of government also suftered a change. Univer- 
sally, the people, properly so called, acquired more power,—their persons and 
property were better secured, and their exertions of industry respected. In 
England, this progrefs, from a peculiarity of circumstances, was greater than 
in any other country; which has given rise, byslow degrees, to that constitu- 
tion of government which is so justly and universally admired., In France 
the people had not been so effectually secured from the power of the cheif- 
tains. But for near two hundred years past, the privileges of the people had 
been gradually becoming more and more respected, and their industry encou- 
‘taged. Under Colbert, and several other ministers, the importance of the 
industry of the people, and the good policy of encouraging tliem, were well 
understood. 
The greatest bar the mionarchs felt in their attémpts to encourage indus- 
try, was the great power and privileges of the grandees; and various were 
the devices adopted to moderate that power: but of late the most efficati- 
ous was thought to be the dread of the bastile, and /ettres de cachet, which 
» gave to the prince a summary power of checking them when he pleased. 
This, to them, was therefore an object of dread, and just apprehension. The 
late unfortunate monarch, had the interest and happinefs of his people more 
at heart than perhaps any other monarch that ever sat ypon that throne, 
H. tv alone excepted ; but his indolence of disposition did not allow him 
to take those decisive measures which were best calculated to effect his pur- 
s. That beneficent dfsposition made him choose a minister who was ob- 
Moxious to his nebles, because a stranger and a plebeian, which excited secret 
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