The Revolution 355 



on old ideas ; but the effects, good and bad, here arranged, in 

 opposition to each other, are visible to every eye ; the advantages 

 are recognised; the evils are felt. On these circumstances we 

 are competent to reason.^ 



1792 



It may afford the reader some satisfaction to note a few circum- 

 stances of the state of France at the opening of 1792, which I 

 draw from the correspondence of some friends, on whose accuracy 

 I can rely. 



Agriculture. — Small proprietors, who farm their own lands, 

 are in a very improved and easy situation: renters are propor- 

 tionally so, to the degree in which their landlords have not been 



in France, one circumstance must strike any attentive reader; it is, that 

 none of the writers who have pushed the most forward in favour of new 

 systems have said anything to convince the unprejudiced part of man- 

 kind that experiment is not as necessary a means of knowledge in relation 

 to government as in agriculture, or any other branch of natural philosophy. 

 Much has been said in favour of the American government, and I believe 

 with perfect justice, reasoning as far as the experiment extends ; but it is 

 fair to consider it as an imperfect experiment extending no further than 

 the energy of personal virtue, seconded by the moderation attendant on 

 a circulation not remarkably active. We learn, by Mr. Payne, that 

 G eneral Wa shington accepted no salary ascornmander of their troops, nor 

 any as presT3enTof their legislature — an instance that doesirortcmr to their 

 government, their country, and to human nature; but_it^may_be_diiubted 

 whether anv such instances will o ccur tw o hundred ^^ears hence? The 

 exporfTof the Unite3 Stafes now amount to 20 millions of dollars; when 

 they amount to 500 millions, when great wealth, vast cities, a rapid 

 circulation, and, by consequence, immense private fortunes are formed, 

 wilTiucH^pectacles be foUnd? WiirtlTeir government Then be as faultless 

 as irsppears aSpfesentT^^^t may. Probably it wiirstiTTbe found excellent ; 

 but we have no conviction, no proof; it is in the womb of time-^TH5_ 

 EXEEiaMiiii,Is_N'OT MADE. Such remarks, however, ought always to be 

 accompanied witlPthe admission that the British government has been 

 experimented. With what result? Let a debt of 240 millions — let seven 

 wars — let Bengal and Gibraltar — let 30 millions sterling of national 



burthens, taxes, rates, tithes, and monopolies — let these answer 



— Autlior's note. 



* The gross abuse which has been thrown on the French nation, and 

 particularly on their assemblies, in certain pamphlets, and without inter- 

 ruption in several of our newspapers, ought to be deprecated by every 

 man who feels for the future interest of this country. It is in some in- 

 stances carried to so scandalous an excess that we must necessarily give 

 extreme disgust to thousands of people, who may hereafter have an ample 

 opportunity to vote and act under the influence of impressions unfavour- 

 able towards a country that, unprovoked, has loaded them with so much 

 contumely; for a nation groaning under a debt of 240 millions, that 

 deadens the very idea of future energy, this seems, to use the mildest 

 language, to be at least very imprudent. — .Author's ncte. 



