6.L Dir Rothschild 1.10.56 95966 ADVERTISEMENT. THE design upon which the following essay was written comprehended much more than has been yet accomplished. It was my object to illustrate, by an analysis of the history of the governments of modern Europe from the commencement of the fifteenth century, two very plain but somewhat neglected truths. The first is, that the monarchies of the continent of Europe have been, generally speaking, so ill adapted to make their subjects virtuous and happy, that they require, or required, complete regeneration. The second is, that the government of England ought not to be included in this class; that it is calculated to produce liberty, worth, and content, iv among the people; whilst its abuses easily admit of reforms consistent with its spirit, capable of being effected without injury or danger, and mainly contributing to its preservation. The latter portion of this work is the only part (except an introduction to the whole) that I have finished. The reason why it is thus prematurely published, without sufficient concoction or correction, is to be attributed to the vanity of imagining it may at this period be of some service. It may at least provoke the wits and excite the thoughts of other men, to a more happy attention to subjects in which every member of this free community has an interest of the deepest importance. |