The Revolution 347 



able that any form of properly equal government should be 

 established for many ages; the people, in general, and especially 

 in France, being proud of their monarchs even when they are 

 oppressed by them." ^ 



In regard to the future consequences of this singular revolu- 

 tion as an example to other nations there can be no doubt but 

 the spirit which has produced it will, sooner or later, spread 

 throughouiJEurope, according to the different degrees of illu- 

 mination amongst the common people; and it w ill prove either 

 mischievous or beneficial in proportioii_to the pre\-ious~steps 

 taken by govermnents/ It is unquestionably the subject of all 

 others the most interesting to ever)- class, and even to every 

 individual of a modern state: the great hne of division into 

 which the people divides is. first, those that have property; and, 

 second, others that have none. The events that have taken 

 place in France in many respects have been subversive of pro- 

 perty; and have been effected by the lower people in direct 

 opposition to the nominal legislature; yet their constitution 

 began its establishment with a much greater degree of regularity, 

 by a formal election of representatives, than there is any prob- 

 ability of seeing in other countries. Revolutions will there be 

 blown up from riotous mobs — from the military called out to 

 quell them, but refusing obedience, and joining the insurgents. 

 Such a flame, spreading rapidly through a country, must prove 

 more hostile and more fatal to property than anything that has 

 prevailed in France. The probability of such events every one 

 must allow to be not inconsiderable; the ruin that must attend 

 them cannot be doubted; for they would tend to produce not 

 a National x^ssembly and a free constitution, but a universal 

 anarchy and confusion. The first attempt towards a democracy 

 in England would be the common people demanding an admis- 

 sion and voice in the vestries, and voting to themselves w^hate\er 

 rates they thought proper to appropriate ; which, in fact, would 

 be an agrarian law. Can there be so much supineness in the 

 present governments of Europe as to suppose that old principles 

 and maxims will av-ail any longer.'' Can such ignorance of ihe 

 human heart, and such blindness to the natural course of events 

 be found as the plan of rejecting all innovations lest they should 

 lead to greater? There is no government to be found that does 

 not depend, in the last resort, on a military power; and if that 

 fail them is not the consequence easily seen? A new policy 

 must either be adopted, or all the governments we know will be 



* Dr. Priestley's Lectures on Hist., 4to., 1788, p. 317. — Author's note. 



