256 



PERIT. 



be courageously, firmly, and circumspectly under- 

 taken, is to correct the vague ideas which the 

 former government has left impressed on the 

 minds of the present generation* It is not to be 

 supposed, however, that this difficulty consists so 

 much in the want of acquaintance with the ade- 

 quate means by which the end is to be accomplish- 

 ed ; as in the dangerous precipitancy with which 

 new governments reform the abuses they find es- 

 tablished. Beginning with liberty, the most ar- 

 dent of our wishes, that must be bestowed with 

 caution, (sobriedad,) in order that the sacrifices 

 which are made for the purpose of gaining it be 

 not rendered useless. Every civilized people is 

 in a state to be free ; but the degree of freedom, 

 which a country can enjoy, ought to bear an ex- 

 act proportion to the measure of its civilization : 

 if the first exceed the last, no power can save them 

 from anarchy ; and if the reverse happen, name- 

 ly, that the degree of civilization goes beyond 

 the amount of freedom which the people possess^ 

 oppression is the consequence. If all Europe 

 were suddenly to be put in possession of the li- 

 berty of England, the greater part of it would 



