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_ the diftribution of private juftice, to check 
Enquirer, No. XVE. 
But are there not modes in which in- 
the oppreffion of the great, and.to fecure creafed knowledge may more quietly and 
Jife and property to all the members of/a and gradually meliovate the condition of 
ftate, in almoft every country in Europe, mankind ? May we not expect much from 
Induftry has been more encouraged, trade improved fyftems of morality ?—for, mo- 
freed from many impolitic fhackles, pu- rals being in fact nothing elfe than fuch a 
nifhments rendered lefs cruel, and, in ge- rule of life as will promote the createft de- 
neral, a more juft and liberal fpirit of in- gree of happinefs ; and the art of living 
ternal government has been introduced, happily being as much an experimental art 
Jon j | 
‘The rule of a Frederick and 2 Catherine, 
defpotic as the principles of both have 
been, cannot be denied to be much more 
lenient and better calculated to promote the 
public welfare, than that of their prede- 
ceflors. 
as any other, will it not be making a con- 
tinual progrefs in human focieties, who 
can have no, intereft fo dear to them as 
carrying it to perfeStion? This, un- 
doubtedly, feems a plaufible deduétion; 
but, I fear, an impartial furvey of hiftory 
‘fare to meet with, fhouid preferve their_\ power? 
_ All this is very well as far as it goes. will not permitus tobe very fanguine in 
But fince arbitrary rulers muft ever have ourexpectations. Has it, in reality, ap- 
an intereft nearer and dearer to them than peared that either individuals or bodies of 
the happinefs of their fubjects, viz. that men, in proportion as they have advanced 
of their power, they will never willingly inthofe branches of knowledge which adorn 
acquiefce in promoting the public improve- and elevate the fpecies, haye been more 
ment with refpect to thofe points on which juft, more temperate, more beneficent? 
this power is founded. And as great part What are the great moral evils under 
of the worft abufes in corrupt governments which mankind labour? Are they not, 
are intimately connected with the mainte- with refpect to ourfelves, the indulgence 
nance of the fovereign authority, itisvain of our appetites and paffions, and falfe 
to expect that they will ever be reformed eftimates of happinefs, proceeding from 
till the people themfelves'come to under- vicious aflociations—with refpect to others, 
ftand and purfue their own interefts. But the preference we give to our own interefts 
here is the great difficulty. How is it above that of the community.?—And are 
poflible that the mafs of a nation fhould not thefe propenfities interwoven into our 
ever, in the hands of their old matters, very nature, and only to be controuled by 
become enlightened enough tocomprehend a long courfe of difcipline? Is the man 
their evils, and the remedies of them— of kuowledge, to whom fo many new 
fhould be able peaceably to deliberate about fources of enjoyment are opened, lefs likely 
them, and take proper fieps for their re- to grafp with eagernefs at the means of 
lief—fhould avoid the hares of crafty de- attaining thofe enjoyments, than the illite- 
magogues, and purfue fleadily the right rate and eafily-fatished peafant? 
objects by the wifeft means; and, finally, luxury ever be feparated from refinement, 
amidft the unjuft oppofition they would be avarice from commerce, or rapacity from 
tis granted, that a ftrong and 
minds from that irritation which will in enlightened fyftem of government may 
the end break out in ats of the moft check many of the public mifchiefs which 
dreadful violence? Alas! have we not would flow from thele fources; but how, 
too weil learned what a nation willdothat without intolerable reftraints upon freedom 
rifes to revenge thofe injuries whicheither of a&tion, fhallit prevent the priwate ones? 
wildom cannot, or felfifhnefs will'nct, re- Lookatourmanufacturing towns, and try to 
drefs in a proper time and manner? But feparate, even in idea, the vices and mife- 
they fhould have firft been enlightened, fay ries that overrun them, from the circum- 
the friends of ‘knowledge and liberty. ftance of a vaft population compofed of ar- 
How? when their meetings for inftruction tificers, who, if their wages are low, muf 
are prevented by the bayonet; when the employ their whole time in providing the 
prefs is thackled by penal reftriftions; and neceflaries of life; if high, will lie under 
when hired teachers tell the people that temptations to excels, which they have no 
they have nothing to do with the laws but principles that can enable them to refit. 
obey them? ‘The melioration of mankind The almoft infuperable difficulties expe- 
by means of political revolutions, is, in- rienced in every plan for amtending the 
deed, a noble fubject of {peculation; and ftate of the yearly increafing poor in greay 
Jam far from afferting, that the hope of towns, fufficiently evinces the intimate 
patriots on this head are futile and vifion- coimexion between private calamity, and 
ary but, for my own part, I have only what has always appeared to conftitute 
the wif) lefteethe confidence is gone,’ public profperity. i 
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