( '412 ) Bk.iv. 



CHAP. XIII. 



Of the Necessity of general Princijjles on this Subject. 



It has been observed by Hume, that of all sci- 

 ences there is none where first appearances are 

 more deceitful than in politics.* The remark is 

 undoubtedly very just, and is most peculiarly ap- 

 plicable to that department of the science, which 

 relates to the modes of improving the condition of 

 the lower classes of society. 



We are continually hearing declamations against 

 theory and theorists, by men who pride themselves 

 upon the distinction of being practical. It must 

 be acknowledged that bad theories are very bad 

 things, and the authors of them useless and some- 

 times pernicious members of society. But these 

 advocates of practice do not seem to be aware that 

 they themselves very often come under this de- 

 scription, and that a great part of them may be 

 classed among the most mischievous theorists of 

 their time. When a man faithfully relates any 

 facts, which have come within the scope of his 

 own observation, however confined it may have 

 been, he undoubtedly adds to the sum of general 

 knowledge, and confers a benefit on society. But 

 when from this confined experience, from the ma- 



* Essay xi. vol. i. p. 431. 8vo. 



