The Revolution 349 



reformed and its duration shortened; not to give the people^ 

 without property, a predominancy, but to prevent that cor- 

 ruption in vi'hich our debts and taxes have originated ; the utter 

 destruction of all monopolies and, among them, of all charters 

 and corporations; game-made property, and belonging to the 

 possessor of one acre as much as to him who has a thousand; 

 and, lastly, the laws, both criminal and civil, to be thoroughly 

 reformed.^ — These circumstances include the great evils of the 

 British constitution; if they be remedied it may enjoy even a 

 Venetian longevity; but if they be allowed like cancerous 

 humours to prey on the nobler parts of the political system, 

 this boasted fabric may not exist even twenty years. To guard 

 property effectually and to give permanency to the new system, 

 the militia laws ought all to be repealed. When we see, as in 

 all the monarchies of Europe, the government only armed, 

 despotism is established. ^Vhen those who have property alone 

 are armed, how secure the people from oppression? — When those 

 who have no property are armed, how prevent their seizing the 

 property of others.^ — Perhaps the best method of guarding 

 against these contrary evils is to embody, in a national militia, 

 all who have property; and at the same time to alloAV arms 

 (unembodied) to all citizens indiscriminately: we see, in the 

 case of Berne, that the people being armed keeps an aristocracy 

 in such order that great oppressions are unknown. An army 

 was always dangerous ; and, in the probable state of Europe, it 

 may be doubly so; discipline preserved, it cemented despotism; 

 undisciplined, it may unite with the people of no property and 

 produce anarchy and ruin. There seems to be no sufficient 

 guard upon it but a national militia, formed of every man that 

 possesses a certain degree of property, rank and file as well as 

 officers.^ Such a force in this island would probably amount to 



£100 is too gross an imposition to be endured. To levy that £1000 in 

 the most pernicious method that can wound both property and liberty, 

 are circumstances congenial to the tenth century but not to the eighteenth. 

 Italy, France, and America have set noble examples for the imitation of 

 mankind; and those countries that do not follow them will soon be as 

 inferior in cultivation as they are in policy. — Author's twte. 



^ The late riots at Birmingham ought to convince every man, who looks 

 to the preservation of peace, that a militia of property is absolutely neces- 

 sary; had it existed at that town, no such infamous transactions could 

 have taken place, to the disgrace of the age and nation. Those riots may 

 convince us how insecure our property really is in England, and how very 

 imperfect that political system which could, twice in ten years, see two 

 of the greatest towns in England at the mercy of a vile mob. The military 

 must, in relation to the greater part of the kingdom, be always at a distance; 

 but a militia is on the spot and easy to be collected, by previous regula- 

 tions, at a moment's warning. — Author's note. 



