DRO Es DEO: WU. Gori S$) | Bec. 
Turis has been a moft dangerous and imprudent alteration. 
Every one knows the hazard of truftine power in few hands. 
Friendfhip, relationfhip, or an unfortunate congenial turn of 
mind, may be found in two, which will hardly be met with in 
a greater number. In fact, two may become but as one, and 
this- reduction be productive of the moft fhameful abufes. 
But if it were poffible, that a gentleman fhould fo far forget 
the duty he owes to his country, as to adopt a fy{tem, in the 
moft diftant view productive of a military government; fhould 
he, through miftaken friendfhip, promote or fecond any illega- 
lity of proceeding ; Heaven have mercy upon poor Britain! Not 
the increafing power of the crown; not the machinations of a 
faction; not the corruption of a parlement, will half fo effec- 
tually ruin its conftitution. Not the force of man can overturn 
it, if the civil powers are true to their truft: nor lefs than the 
intervention of Heaven preferve it, if they are falfe. 
Ar prefent perhaps no danger is to be apprehended; but, for 
the fake of pofterity, let us guard againft events; and remember, 
that “ an attack by ftorm may be repulfed, but an unfufpected 
** fap is fure in the end to overturn the ftrongeft works.” 
Is the militia at prefent that pure affemblage of men of rank, 
fortune, and independence, as it was in the beginning? It may 
confift of perfons of equal integrity. But is it not poffible that 
a few may have crept in, deftitute of qualification, or deftitute of 
heads fteady enough to bear the great trial of power? Are there 
no inftances of their carrying the controul of the camp into pri- 
vate life; none, of their ruffling the tranquillity of the focial 
hour, clouding the bright moments of the gay affembly ; or pre- 
Iya: venting 
75 
