I EARLY LIFE 17 



the best constitution in the world, and disordering that wise 

 system of laws, institutions, and customs, by which our 

 ancestors, during so many centuries, have been so happily 

 governed. He is not only a wicked minister in himself, but 

 has removed every security provided against wicked ministers 

 for the future. 



" On the other hand, the partisans of the minister make his 

 panegyric rise as high as the accusation against him, and 

 celebrate his wise, steady, and moderate conduct in every part 

 of his administration. The honour and interest of the nation 

 supported abroad, public credit maintained at home, persecution 

 restrained, faction subdued : the merit of all these blessings is 

 ascribed solely to the minister. At the same time, he crowns 

 all his other merits by a religious care of the best government 

 in the world, which he has preserved in all its parts, and has 

 transmitted entire, to be the happiness and security of the 

 latest posterity. "(III. 26.) 



Hume sagely remarks that the panegyric and 

 the accusation cannot both be true ; and, that what 

 truth there may be in either, rather tends to show 

 that our much-vaunted constitution does not fulfil 

 its chief object, which is to provide a remedy 

 against maladministration. And if it does not 



" we are rather beholden to any minister who undermines it 

 and affords us the opportunity of erecting a better in its 

 place." (HI. 28.) 



The fifth Essay discusses the " Origin of 

 Government " : 



"Man, born in a family, is compelled to maintain society 

 from necessity, from natural inclination, and from habit. The 

 same creature, in his farther progress, is engaged to establish 

 political society, in order to administer justice, without which 

 there can be no peace among them, nor safety, nor mutual 



VOL. VI C 



