GREATNESS OF BRITAIN. CX1X 



thought of Thebes or Tyre or Palmyra, and of the insta 

 bility of all human governments, whatever their present 

 riches or grandeur may be, unless the people are elevated 

 by virtue. 



Such, however, were his sentiments ; and, even if they 

 are erroneous, it cannot but be lamented that the only parts 

 of this work which are completed and applied to Great 

 Britain, are those which relate to extent and wealth. The 

 remaining errors of fruitfulness of the soil, and fortified 

 towns are not investigated. 



Having thus cleared the way by shewing in what the 

 strength of government does not consist, he intended to 

 explain in what it did consist : 



1. In a fit situation, to which his observations are conjined. 



2. In the population and breed of men. 



3. In the valour and military disposition of the people. 



4. In the fitness of every man to be a soldier. 



5. In the temper of the government to elevate the na 



tional character ; and, 



6. In command of the sea : the dowry of Great Britain. 



During the next terms and the next sessions of parlia- 1605. 

 ment his legal and political exertions continued without ^&quot; 45&amp;lt; 

 intermission. Committees were appointed for the conside 

 ration of subsidies ; of articles for religion ; purveyors ; 

 recusants; restoring deposed ministers; abuses of the Mar- 

 shalsea court, and for the better execution of penal laws in 

 ecclesiastical causes. He was a member of them all ; and, 

 mindful of the mode in which, during the late session, he 

 had discharged his duties as representative of the house, 

 he was elected to deliver to the King the charge of the 

 Commons respecting ecclesiastical grievances. 



In every debate in this session he was the powerful 

 advocate, in speeches which now exist, for the union of the 



