第5章

ECONOMYONSTATEPRINCIPLES。

Economyinmyplanswas，asitoughttobe，secondary，subordinate，instrumental。Iactedonstateprinciples。Ifoundagreatdistemperinthecommonwealth;and，accordingtothenatureoftheevilandoftheobject，Itreatedit。Themaladywasdeep;itwascomplicated，inthecausesandinthesymptoms。Throughoutitwasfullofcontra-indicants。

Ononehandgovernment，dailygrowingmoreinvidiousfromanapparentincreaseofthemeansofstrength，waseverydaygrowingmorecontemptiblebyrealweakness。Norwasthisdissolutionconfinedtogovernmentcommonlysocalled。Itextendedtoparliament;whichwaslosingnotalittleinitsdignityandestimation，byanopinionofitsnotactingonworthymotives。Ontheotherhand，thedesiresofthepeople(partlynaturalandpartlyinfusedintothembyart)appearedinsowildandinconsiderateamanner，withregardtotheeconomicalobject(forIsetasideforamomentthedreadfultamperingwiththebodyoftheconstitutionitself)，that，iftheirpetitionshadliterallybeencompliedwith，thestatewouldhavebeenconvulsed，andagatewouldhavebeenopenedthroughwhichallpropertymightbesackedandravaged。

Nothingcouldhavesavedthepublicfromthemischiefsofthefalsereformbutitsabsurdity，whichwouldsoonhavebroughtitself，andwithitallrealreform，intodiscredit。Thiswouldhaveleftaranklingwoundintheheartsofthepeople，whowouldknowtheyhadfailedintheaccomplishmentoftheirwishes，butwho，liketherestofmankindinallages，wouldimputetheblametoanythingratherthantotheirownproceedings。Buttherewerethenpersonsintheworldwhonourishedcomplaint，andwouldhavebeenthoroughlydisappointedifthepeoplewereeversatisfied。Iwasnotofthathumour。IwishedthattheySHOULD

besatisfied。ItwasmyaimtogivetothepeoplethesubstanceofwhatIknewtheydesired，andwhatIthoughtwasright，whethertheydesiredornot，beforeithadbeenmodifiedforthemintosenselesspetitions。I

knewthatthereisamanifest，markeddistinction，whichillmenwithilldesigns，orweakmenincapableofanydesign，willconstantlybeconfounding，thatisamarkeddistinctionbetweenchangeandreformation。Theformeraltersthesubstanceoftheobjectsthemselves，andgetsridofalltheiressentialgood，aswellasofalltheaccidentalevil，annexedtothem。Changeisnovelty;andwhetheritistooperateanyoneoftheeffectsofreformationatall，orwhetheritmaynotcontradicttheveryprincipleuponwhichreformationisdesired，cannotbecertainlyknownbeforehand。Reformisnotachangeinthesubstance，orintheprimarymodificationoftheobject，butadirectapplicationofaremedytothegrievancecomplainedof。Sofarasthatisremoved，allissure。Itstopsthere;andifitfails，thesubstancewhichunderwenttheoperation，attheveryworst，isbutwhereitwas。

Allthis，ineffect，Ithink，butamnotsure，Ihavesaidelsewhere。Itcannotatthistimebetoooftenrepeated;lineuponline;preceptuponprecept;untilitcomesintothecurrencyofaproverb，TOINNOVATEIS

NOTTOREFORM。TheFrenchrevolutionistscomplainedofeverything;theyrefusedtoreformanything;andtheyleftnothing，no，nothingatall，UNCHANGED。TheconsequencesareBEFOREus，——notinremotehistory;notinfutureprognostication：theyareaboutus;theyareuponus。Theyshakethepublicsecurity;theymenaceprivateenjoyment。Theydwarfthegrowthoftheyoung;theybreakthequietoftheold。Ifwetravel，theystopourway。Theyinfestusintown;theypursueustothecountry。Ourbusinessisinterrupted;ourreposeistroubled;ourpleasuresaresaddened;ourverystudiesarepoisonedandperverted，andknowledgeisrenderedworsethanignorancebytheenormousevilsofthisdreadfulinnovation。TherevolutionharpiesofFrance，sprungfromnightandhell，orfromthatchaoticanarchywhichgeneratesequivocally“allmonstrous，allprodigiousthings，“cuckoo-like，adulterouslylaytheireggs，andbroodover，andhatchtheminthenestofeveryneighbouringstate。Theseobsceneharpies，whodeckthemselvesinIknownotwhatdivineattributes，butwhoinrealityarefoulandravenousbirdsofprey(bothmothersanddaughters)，flutteroverourheads，andsousedownuponourtables，andleavenothingunrent，unrifled，unravaged，orunpollutedwiththeslimeoftheirfilthyoffal。

PHILOSOPHICALVANITY;ITSMAXIMS，ANDEFFECTS。

TheAssemblyrecommendstoitsyouthastudyoftheboldexperimentersinmorality。Everybodyknowsthatthereisagreatdisputeamongsttheirleaders，whichofthemisthebestresemblanceofRousseau。Intruth，theyallresemblehim。Hisbloodtheytransfuseintotheirmindsandintotheirmanners。Himtheystudy;himtheymeditate;himtheyturnoverinallthetimetheycansparefromthelaboriousmischiefoftheday，orthedebauchesofthenight。Rousseauistheircanonofholywrit;inhislifeheistheircanonofPolycletus;heistheirstandardfigureofperfection。Tothismanandthiswriter，asapatterntoauthorsandtoFrenchmen，thefoundriesofParisarenowrunningforstatues，withthekettlesoftheirpoorandthebellsoftheirchurches。

Ifanauthorhadwrittenlikeagreatgeniusongeometry，thoughitspracticalandspeculativemoralswereviciousintheextreme，itmightappear，thatinvotingthestatue，theyhonouredonlythegeometrician。

ButRousseauisamoralist，orheisnothing。Itisimpossible，therefore，puttingthecircumstancestogether，tomistaketheirdesigninchoosingtheauthor，withwhomtheyhavebeguntorecommendacoursesstudies。

Theirgreatproblemistofindasubstituteforalltheprincipleswhichhithertohavebeenemployedtoregulatethehumanwillandaction。Theyfinddispositionsinthemindofsuchforceandqualityasmayfitmen，farbetterthantheoldmorality，forthepurposesofsuchastateastheirs，andmaygomuchfurtherinsupportingtheirpoweranddestroyingtheirenemies。Theyhavethereforechosenaselfish，flattering，seductive，ostentatiousvice，intheplaceofplainduty。Truehumility，thebasisoftheChristiansystem，isthelow，butdeepandfirm，foundationofallrealvirtue。Butthis，asverypainfulinthepractice，andlittleimposingintheappearance，theyhavetotallydiscarded。Theirobjectistomergeallnaturalandallsocialsentimentininordinatevanity。Inasmalldegree，andconversantinlittlethings，vanityisoflittlemoment。Whenfullgrown，itistheworstofvices，andtheoccasionalmimicofthemall。Itmakesthewholemanfalse。Itleavesnothingsincereortrustworthyabouthim。Hisbestqualitiesarepoisonedandpervertedbyit，andoperateexactlyastheworst。Whenyourlordshadmanywritersasimmoralastheobjectoftheirstatue(suchasVoltaireandothers)theychoseRousseau，becauseinhimthatpeculiarvice，whichtheywishedtoerectintorulingvirtue，wasbyfarthemostconspicuous。WehavehadthegreatprofessorandfounderofTHEPHILOSOPHYOFVANITYinEngland。AsIhadgoodopportunitiesofknowinghisproceedingsalmostfromdaytoday，heleftnodoubtonmymindthatheentertainednoprincipleeithertoinfluencehisheart，ortoguidehisunderstanding，butVANITY。Withthisvicehewaspossessedtoadegreelittleshortofmadness。Itisfromthesamederanged，eccentricvanity，thatthis，theinsaneSocratesoftheNationalAssembly，wasimpelledtopublishamadconfessionofhismadfaults，andtoattemptanewsortofgloryfrombringinghardilytolighttheobscureandvulgarviceswhichweknowmaysometimesbeblendedwitheminenttalents。Hehasnotobservedonthenatureofvanitywhodoesnotknowthatitisomnivorous;thatithasnochoiceinitsfood;thatitisfondtotalkevenofitsownfaultsandvices，aswhatwillexcitesurpriseanddrawattention，andwhatwillpassatworstforopennessandcandour。

Itwasthisabuseandperversion，whichvanitymakesevenofhypocrisy，thathasdrivenRousseautorecordalifenotsomuchaschequered，orspottedhereandthere，withvirtues，orevendistinguishedbyasinglegoodaction。Itissuchalifehechoosestooffertotheattentionofmankind。Itissuchalifethat，withawilddefiance，heflingsinthefaceofhisCreator，whomheacknowledgesonlytobrave。YourAssembly，knowinghowmuchmorepowerfulexampleisfoundthanprecept，haschosenthisman(byhisownaccountwithoutasinglevirtue)foramodel。Tohimtheyerecttheirfirststatue。Fromhimtheycommencetheirseriesofhonoursanddistinctions。

Itisthatnew-inventedvirtue，whichyourmasterscanonize，thatledtheirmodelheroconstantlytoexhaustthestoresofhispowerfulrhetoricintheexpressionofuniversalbenevolence;whilsthisheartwasincapableofharbouringonesparkofcommonparentalaffection。

Benevolencetothewholespecies，andwantoffeelingforeveryindividualwithwhomtheprofessorscomeincontact，formthecharacterofthenewphilosophy。Settingupforanunsocialindependence，thistheirheroofvanityrefusesthejustpriceofcommonlabour，aswellasthetributewhichopulenceowestogenius，andwhich，whenpaid，honoursthegiverandthereceiver：andthenhepleadshisbeggaryasanexcuseforhiscrimes。Hemeltswithtendernessforthoseonlywhotouchhimbytheremotestrelation，andthen，withoutonenaturalpang，castsaway，asasortofoffalandexcrement，thespawnofhisdisgustfulamours，andsendshischildrentothehospitaloffoundlings。Thebearloves，licks，andformsheryoung;butbearsarenotphilosophers。Vanity，however，findsitsaccountinreversingthetrainofournaturalfeelings。Thousandsadmirethesentimentalwriter;theaffectionatefatherishardlyknowninhisparish。

UnderthisphilosophicinstructorintheETHICSOFVANITY，theyhaveattemptedinFrancearegenerationofthemoralconstitutionofman。

Statesmen，likeyourpresentrulers，existbyeverythingwhichisspurious，fictitious，andfalse;byeverythingwhichtakesthemanfromhishouse，andsetshimonastage;whichmakeshimupanartificialcreature，withpaintedtheatricsentiments，fittobeseenbytheglareofcandlelight，andformedtobecontemplatedataduedistance。Vanityistooapttoprevailinallofus，andinallcountries。TotheimprovementofFrenchmenitseemsnotabsolutelynecessarythatitshouldbetaughtuponsystem。Butitisplainthatthepresentrebellionwasitslegitimateoffspring，anditispiouslyfedbythatrebellionwithadailydole。IfthesystemofinstitutionrecommendedbytheAssemblybefalseandtheatric，itisbecausetheirsystemofgovernmentisofthesamecharacter。Tothat，andtothatalone，itisstrictlyconformable。Tounderstandeither，wemustconnectthemoralswiththepoliticsofthelegislators。Yourpracticalphilosophers，systematicineverything，havewiselybegunatthesource。Astherelationbetweenparentsandchildrenisthefirstamongsttheelementsofvulgar，naturalmorality(Filiolatuatedelectarilaetoretprobaritibiphusikenessetenprostatekna：etenim，sihaecnonest，nullapotesthominiesseadhominemnaturaeadjunctio：quasublatavitaesocietastollitur。ValetePatron(Rousseau)ettuicondiscipuli(l’AssembleeNational)——Cic。Ep。adAtticum。)，theyerectstatuestoawild，ferocious，low-minded，hard-heartedfather，offinegeneralfeelings;aloverofhiskind，butahaterofhiskindred。Yourmastersrejectthedutiesofhisvulgarrelation，ascontrarytoliberty;asnotfoundedinthesocialcompact;andnotbindingaccordingtotherightsofmen;

becausetherelationisnot，ofcourse，theresultofFREEELECTION;

neversoonthesideofthechildren，notalwaysonthepartoftheparents。

ThenextrelationwhichtheyregeneratebytheirstatuestoRousseauisthatwhichisnextinsanctitytothatofafather。Theydifferfromthoseold-fashionedthinkers，whoconsideredpedagoguesassoberandvenerablecharacters，andalliedtotheparental。Themoralistsofthedarktimes，preceptorumsanctivoluereparentisesseloco。Inthisageoflight，theyteachthepeoplethatpreceptorsoughttobeintheplaceofgallants。Theysystematicallycorruptaverycorruptiblerace(forsometimeagrowingnuisanceamongstyou)，asetofpert，petulantliterators，towhom，insteadoftheirproper，butsevere，unostentatiousduties，theyassignthebrilliantpartofmenofwitandpleasure，ofgay，young，militarysparks，anddanglersattoilets。TheycallontherisinggenerationinFrancetotakeasympathyintheadventuresandfortunes，andtheyendeavourtoengagetheirsensibilityonthesideofpedagogueswhobetraythemostawfulfamilytrusts，andvitiatetheirfemalepupils。Theyteachthepeoplethatthedebauchersofvirgins，almostinthearmsoftheirparents，maybesafeinmatesinthehouses，andevenfitguardiansofthehonourofthosehusbandswhosucceedlegallytotheofficewhichtheyoungliteratorshadpreoccupied，withoutaskingleaveoflaworconscience。

Thustheydisposeofallthefamilyrelationsofparentsandchildren，husbandsandwives。Throughthissameinstructor，bywhomtheycorruptthemorals，theycorruptthetaste。Tasteandelegance，thoughtheyarereckonedonlyamongthesmallerandsecondarymorals，yetareofnomeanimportanceintheregulationoflife。Amoraltasteisnotofforcetoturnviceintovirtue;butitrecommendsvirtuewithsomethingliketheblandishmentsofpleasure;anditinfinitelyabatestheevilsofvice。

Rousseau，awriterofgreatforceandvivacity，istotallydestituteoftasteinanysenseoftheword。Yourmasters，whoarehisscholars，conceivethatallrefinementhasanaristocraticcharacter。Thelastagehadexhaustedallitspowersingivingagraceandnoblenesstoourmutualappetites，andinraisingthemintoahigherclassandorderthanseemedjustlytobelongtothem。ThroughRousseau，yourmastersareresolvedtodestroythesearistocraticprejudices。Thepassioncalledlovehassogeneralandpowerfulaninfluence;itmakessomuchoftheentertainment，andindeedsomuchoftheoccupationofthatpartoflifewhichdecidesthecharacterforever，thatthemodeandtheprinciplesonwhichitengagesthesympathy，andstrikestheimagination，becomeoftheutmostimportancetothemoralsandmannersofeverysociety。Yourrulerswerewellawareofthis;andintheirsystemofchangingyourmannerstoaccommodatethemtotheirpolitics，theyfoundnothingsoconvenientasRousseau。Throughhimtheyteachmentoloveafterthefashionofphilosophers;thatis，theyteachtomen，toFrenchmen，alovewithoutgallantry;alovewithoutanythingofthatfineflowerofyouthfulnessandgentility，whichplacesit，ifnotamongthevirtues，amongtheornamentsoflife。Insteadofthispassion，naturallyalliedtograceandmanners，theyinfuseintotheiryouthanunfashioned，indelicate，sour，gloomy，ferociousmedlyofpedantryandlewdness;ofmetaphysicalspeculationsblendedwiththecoarsestsensuality。Suchisthegeneralmoralityofthepassionstobefoundintheirfamousphilosopher，inhisfamousworkofphilosophicgallantrythe“NouvelleEloise。”Whenthefencefromthegallantryofpreceptorsisbrokendown，andyourfamiliesarenolongerprotectedbydecentpride，andsalutarydomesticprejudice，thereisbutonesteptoafrightfulcorruption。TherulersintheNationalAssemblyareingoodhopesthatthefemalesofthefirstfamiliesinFrancemaybecomeaneasypreytodancing-masters，fiddlers，pattern-drawers，friseurs，andvaletsdechambre，andotheractivecitizensofthatdescription，whohavingtheentryintoyourhouses，andbeinghalfdomesticatedbytheirsituation，maybeblendedwithyoubyregularandirregularrelations。Byalawtheyhavemadethesepeopletheirequals。ByadoptingthesentimentsofRousseautheyhavemadethemyourrivals。Inthismannerthesegreatlegislatorscompletetheirplanoflevelling，andestablishtheirrightsofmenonasurefoundation。

IamcertainthatthewritingsofRousseauleaddirectlytothiskindofshamefulevil。Ihaveoftenwonderedhowhecomestobesomuchmoreadmiredandfollowedonthecontinentthanheishere。Perhapsasecretcharminthelanguagemayhaveitsshareinthisextraordinarydifference。Wecertainlyperceive，andtoadegreewefeel，inthiswriter，astyleglowing，animated，enthusiastic;atthesametimethatwefinditlax，diffuse，andnotinthebesttasteofcomposition;allthemembersofthepiecebeingprettyequallylabouredandexpanded，withoutanydueselectionorsubordinationofparts。Heisgenerallytoomuchonthestretch，andhismannerhaslittlevariety。Wecannotrestuponanyofhisworks，thoughtheycontainobservationswhichoccasionallydiscoveraconsiderableinsightintohumannature。Buthisdoctrines，onthewhole，aresoinapplicabletoreallifeandmanners，thatweneverdreamofdrawingfromthemanyruleforlawsorconduct，orforfortifyingorillustratinganythingbyareferencetohisopinions。Theyhavewithusthefateofolderparadoxes。

“CumventumadVERUMest，SENSUSMORESQUErepugnant，Atqueipsautilitas，justipropemateretaequi。”

Perhapsboldspeculationsaremoreacceptablebecausemorenewtoyouthantous，whohavebeenlongsincesatiatedwiththem。Wecontinue，asinthetwolastages，toread，moregenerallythanIbelieveisnowdoneonthecontinent，theauthorsofsoundantiquity。Theseoccupyourminds。Theygiveusanothertasteandturn，andwillnotsufferustobemorethantransientlyamusedwithparadoxicalmorality。ItisnotthatI

considerthiswriteraswhollydestituteofjustnotions。Amongsthisirregularities，itmustbereckonedthatheissometimesmoral，andmoralinaverysublimestrain。ButtheGENERALSPIRITANDTENDENCYofhisworksismischievous;andthemoremischievousforthismixture：forperfectdepravityofsentimentisnotreconcileablewitheloquence;andthemind(thoughcorruptible，notcomplexionallyvicious)wouldreject，andthrowoffwithdisgust，alessonofpureandunmixedevil。Thesewritersmakeevenvirtueapandertovice。

However，IlessconsidertheauthorthanthesystemoftheAssemblyinpervertingmoralitythroughhismeans。ThisIconfessmakesmenearlydespairofanyattemptuponthemindsoftheirfollowers，throughreason，honour，orconscience。ThegreatobjectofyourtyrantsistodestroythegentlemenofFrance;andforthatpurposetheydestroy，tothebestoftheirpower，alltheeffectofthoserelationswhichmayrenderconsiderablemenpowerfulorevensafe。Todestroythatorder，theyvitiatethewholecommunity。Thatnomeansmayexistofconfederatingagainsttheirtyranny，bythefalsesympathiesofthis“NouvelleEloise“theyendeavourtosubvertthoseprinciplesofdomestictrustandfidelity，whichformthedisciplineofsociallife。Theypropagateprinciplesbywhicheveryservantmaythinkit，ifnothisduty，atleasthisprivilege，tobetrayhismaster。Bytheseprinciples，everyconsiderablefatherofafamilylosesthesanctuaryofhishouse。

Debetsuacuiquedomusesseperfugiumtutissimum，saysthelaw，whichyourlegislatorshavetakensomuchpainsfirsttodecry，thentorepeal。Theydestroyallthetranquillityandsecurityofdomesticlife;

turningtheasylumofthehouseintoagloomyprison，wherethefatherofthefamilymustdragoutamiserableexistence，endangeredinproportiontotheapparentmeansofhissafety;whereheisworsethansolitaryinacrowdofdomestics，andmoreapprehensivefromhisservantsandinmates，thanfromthehired，bloodthirstymobwithoutdoors，whoarereadytopullhimtothelanterne。Itisthus，andforthesameend，thattheyendeavourtodestroythattribunalofconsciencewhichexistsindependentlyofedictsanddecrees。Yourdespotsgovernbyterror。TheyknowthathewhofearsGodfearsnothingelse：andthereforetheyeradicatefromthemind，throughtheirVoltaire，theirHelvetius，andtherestofthatinfamousgang，thatonlysortoffearwhichgeneratestruecourage。Theirobjectis，thattheirfellow-citizensmaybeunderthedominionofnoawe，butthatoftheircommitteeofresearch，andoftheirlanterne。

Havingfoundtheadvantageofassassinationintheformationoftheirtyranny，itisthegrandresourceinwhichtheytrustforthesupportofit。Whoeveropposesanyoftheirproceedings，orissuspectedofadesigntoopposethem，istoansweritwithhislife，orthelivesofhiswifeandchildren。Thisinfamous，cruel，andcowardlypracticeofassassinationtheyhavetheimprudencetocallMERCIFUL。Theyboastthattheyoperatedtheirusurpationratherbyterrorthanbyforce;andthatafewseasonablemurdershavepreventedthebloodshedofmanybattles。

Thereisnodoubttheywillextendtheseactsofmercywhenevertheyseeanoccasion。Dreadful，however，willbetheconsequencesoftheirattempttoavoidtheevilsofwarbythemercifulpolicyofmurder。If，byeffectualpunishmentoftheguilty，theydonotwhollydisavowthatpractice，andthethreatofittoo，asanypartoftheirpolicy;ifeveraforeignprinceentersintoFrance，hemustenteritasintoacountryofassassins。Themodeofcivilizedwarwillnotbepractised;noraretheFrenchwhoactonthepresentsystementitledtoexpectit。They，whoseknownpolicyistoassassinateeverycitizenwhomtheysuspecttobediscontentedbytheirtyranny，andtocorruptthesoldieryofeveryopenenemy，mustlookfornomodifiedhostility。Allwar，whichisnotbattle，willbemilitaryexecution。Thiswillbegetactsofretaliationfromyou;andeveryretaliationwillbegetanewrevenge。Thehell-houndsofwar，onallsides，willbeuncoupledandunmuzzled。Thenewschoolofmurderandbarbarism，setupinParis，havingdestroyed(sofarasinitlies)alltheothermannersandprincipleswhichhavehithertocivilizedEurope，willdestroyalsothemodeofcivilizedwar，which，morethananythingelse，hasdistinguishedtheChristianworld。

Suchistheapproachinggoldenage，whichtheVirgilofyourassemblyhassungtohisPollios！(Mirabeau’sspeechconcerninguniversalpeace。)

UNITYBETWEENCHURCHANDSTATE。

Theytakethistenetoftheheadandheart，notfromthegreatnamewhichitimmediatelybears，norfromthegreaterfromwhenceitisderived;butfromthatwhichalonecangivetrueweightandsanctiontoanylearnedopinion，thecommonnatureandcommonrelationofmen。

Persuadedthatallthingsoughttobedonewithreference，andreferringalltothepointofreferencetowhichallshouldbedirected，theythinkthemselvesbound，notonlyasindividualsinthesanctuaryoftheheart，orascongregatedinthatpersonalcapacity，torenewthememoryoftheirhighoriginandcaste;butalsointheircorporatecharactertoperformtheirnationalhomagetotheinstitutor，andauthor，andprotectorofcivilsociety;withoutwhichcivilsocietymancouldnotbyanypossibilityarriveattheperfectionofwhichhisnatureiscapable，norevenmakearemoteandfaintapproachtoit。TheyconceivethatHewhogaveournaturetobeperfectedbyourvirtue，willedalsothenecessarymeansofitsperfection——Hewilledthereforethestate——Hewilleditsconnectionwiththesourceandoriginalarchetypeofallperfection。Theywhoareconvincedofthishiswill，whatisthelawoflaws，andthesovereignofsovereigns，cannotthinkitreprehensiblethatthisourcorporatefealtyandhomage，thatthisourrecognitionofasignioryparamount，Ihadalmostsaidthisoblationofthestateitself，asaworthyofferingonthehighaltarofuniversalpraise，shouldbeperformedasallpublic，solemnactsareperformed，inbuildings，inmusic，indecoration，inspeech，inthedignityofpersons，accordingtothecustomsofmankind，taughtbytheirnature;

thatis，withmodestsplendourandunassumingstate，withmildmajestyandsoberpomp。Forthosepurposestheythinksomepartofthewealthofthecountryisasusefullyemployedasitcanbe，infomentingtheluxuryofindividuals。Itisthepublicornament。Itisthepublicconsolation。Itnourishesthepublichope。Thepoorestmanfindshisownimportanceanddignityinit，whilstthewealthandprideofindividualsateverymomentmakesthemanofhumblerankandfortunesensibleofhisinferiority，anddegradesandvilifieshiscondition。Itisforthemaninhumblelife，andtoraisehisnature，andtoputhiminmindofastateinwhichtheprivilegesofopulencewillcease，whenhewillbeequalbynature，andmaybemorethanequalbyvirtue，thatthisportionofthegeneralwealthofhiscountryisemployedandsanctified。

IassureyouIdonotaimatsingularity。Igiveyouopinionswhichhavebeenacceptedamongstus，fromveryearlytimestothismoment，withacontinuedandgeneralapprobation，andwhichindeedaresoworkedintomymind，thatIamunabletodistinguishwhatIhavelearnedfromothersfromtheresultsofmyownmeditation。

ItisonsomesuchprinciplesthatthemajorityofthepeopleofEngland，farfromthinkingareligiousnationalestablishmentunlawful，hardlythinkitlawfultobewithoutone。InFranceyouarewhollymistakenifyoudonotbelieveusaboveallotherthingsattachedtoit，andbeyondallothernations;andwhenthispeoplehasactedunwiselyandunjustifiablyinitsfavour(asinsomeinstancestheyhavedonemostcertainly)intheirveryerrorsyouwillatleastdiscovertheirzeal。

Thisprinciplerunsthroughthewholesystemoftheirpolity。Theydonotconsidertheirchurchestablishmentasconvenient，butasessentialtotheirstate;notasathingheterogeneousandinseparable;somethingaddedforaccommodation;whattheymayeitherkeeporlayaside，accordingtotheirtemporaryideasofconvenience。Theyconsideritasthefoundationoftheirwholeconstitution，withwhich，andwitheverypartofwhich，itholdsanindissolubleunion。Churchandstateareideasinseparableintheirminds，andscarcelyistheoneevermentionedwithoutmentioningtheother。

(Inpreparingthesepagesforpublication，theselectorhasdiscoveredhowunconsciouslyhewasindebtedtotheintellectualinspirationofBurke，inthefollowingextract：——

“FoundedinChrist，andbyApostlesform’d，GloryofEngland！oh，myMotherChurch，Hoarywithtime，butalluntouchedincreed，FirmtothyMaster，byasfondagraspOffaithasLuther，withhisfree-bornmindClungtoEmmanuel，——doththysoulremain。

ButyetaroundTheescowlsafiercearrayOfFoesandFalsehoods;must’ringeachtheirpowers，Triumphantly。AndwellmaythoughtfulHeartsHeavewithforebodingswellandheavyfears，Tomark，howmadopiniondothinfectThychildren;howthineapostolicclaimsAndlovematernalareregardednow，BycreedlessVanity，orcarelessVice。

Fortimetherewas，whenpeerlessHookerwrote，Anddeep-soul’dBacontaughttheworldtothink，Whenthouwertparamount，——thycausesublime！

AndinTHYlife，allPolityandPowersThethronesecuring，orinlawenshrined，WithallestatesourbalancedRealmcontains，Intheesupreme，amaster-virtueown’dAndhonour’d。ChurchandStatecouldthenco-work，LikesoulandbodyinonebreathingFormDistinct，butundivided;eachwithruleEssentialtothekingdom’shealthfulframe，YetBOTH，inunityaugustandgoodTogether，underChristtheirlivingHead，Ahallow’dcommonwealthofpowersachieved。

Butnow，ineviltimes，sectarianWillWouldsplittheBody，andtosectsreduceOursaintedMotherofth’imperialIsles，WhichhaveforagesfromHerbosomdrankThosetruthsimmortal，LifeandConscienceneed。

ButnevermaytherudeassaultofheartsSelf-blinded，ortheautocraticprideOfReason，bynohallowingfaithsubdued，OnelockofgloryfromHerrev’rendheadSucceedintearing：Love，andAwe，andTruthHerdoctrinespreach，withapostolicforce：

HercreedisUnity，herheadisChrist，HerFormsprimeval，andherCreeddivine，AndCatholic，thatcrowningnameshewears。”

“Luther，“6thedition1852。

TRIPLEBASISOFFRENCHREVOLUTION。

InsteadofthereligionandthelawbywhichtheywereinagreatpoliticcommunionwiththeChristianworld，theyhaveconstructedtheirrepubliconthreebases，allfundamentallyoppositetothoseonwhichthecommunitiesofEuropearebuilt。Itsfoundationislaidinregicide，injacobinism，andinatheism;andithasjoinedtothoseprinciplesabodyofsystematicmanners，whichsecurestheiroperation。

IfIamasked，howIwouldbeunderstoodintheuseoftheseterms，regicide，jacobinism，atheism，andasystemofcorrespondingmanners，andtheirestablishment？Iwilltellyou：——

I——REGICIDE。

IcallacommonwealthREGICIDE，whichlaysitdownasafixedlawofnature，andafundamentalrightofman，thatallgovernment，notbeingademocracy，isausurpation。Thatallkings，assuch，areusurpers;andforbeingkingsmayandoughttobeputtodeath，withtheirwives，families，andadherents。Thecommonwealthwhichactsuniformlyuponthoseprinciples，andwhich，afterabolishingeveryfestivalofreligion，choosesthemostflagrantactofamurderousregicidetreasonforafeastofeternalcommemoration，andwhichforcesallherpeopletoobserveit——thisIcallREGICIDEBYESTABLISHMENT。

II——JACOBINISM。

Jacobinismistherevoltoftheenterprisingtalentsofacountryagainstitsproperty。Whenprivatemenformthemselvesintoassociationsforthepurposeofdestroyingthepre-existinglawsandinstitutionsoftheircountry;whentheysecuretothemselvesanarmy，bydividingamongstthepeopleofnopropertytheestatesoftheancientandlawfulproprietors;whenastaterecognisesthoseacts;whenitdoesnotmakeconfiscationsforcrimes，butmakescrimesforconfiscations;whenithasitsprincipalstrength，andallitsresources，insuchaviolationofproperty;whenitstandschieflyuponsuchaviolation，massacringbyjudgments，orotherwise，thosewhomakeanystrugglefortheiroldlegalgovernment，andtheirlegal，hereditary，oracquiredpossessions——IcallthisJACOBINISMBYESTABLISHMENT。

III——ATHEISM。

IcallitATHEISMBYESTABLISHMENT，whenanystate，assuch，shallnotacknowledgetheexistenceofGodasamoralgovernoroftheworld;whenitshalloffertohimnoreligiousormoralworship;——whenitshallabolishtheChristianreligionbyaregulardecree;——whenitshallpersecutewithacold，unrelenting，steadycruelty，byeverymodeofconfiscation，imprisonment，exile，anddeath，allitsministers;——whenitshallgenerallyshutuporpulldownchurches;whenthefewbuildingswhichremainofthiskindshallbeopenedonlyforthepurposeofmakingaprofaneapotheosisofmonsters，whosevicesandcrimeshavenoparallelamongstmen，andwhomallothermenconsiderasobjectsofgeneraldetestation，andtheseverestanimadversionoflaw。When，intheplaceofthatreligionofsocialbenevolence，andofindividualself-denial，inmockeryofallreligion，theyinstituteimpious，blasphemous，indecenttheatricrites，inhonouroftheirvitiated，pervertedreason，anderectaltarstothepersonificationoftheirowncorruptedandbloodyrepublic;——whenschoolsandseminariesarefoundedatthepublicexpensetopoisonmankind，fromgenerationtogeneration，withthehorriblemaximsofthisimpiety;——whenweariedoutwithincessantmartyrdom，andthecriesofapeoplehungeringandthirstingforreligion，theypermititonlyasatoleratedevil——I

callthisATHEISMBYESTABLISHMENT。

CORRESPONDENTSYSTEMOFMANNERSANDMORALS。

Whentotheseestablishmentsofregicide，ofjacobinism，andofatheism，youaddtheCORRESPONDENTSYSTEMOFMANNERS，nodoubtcanbeleftonthemindofathinkingmanconcerningtheirdeterminedhostilitytothehumanrace。Mannersareofmoreimportancethanlaws。Uponthem，inagreatmeasure，thelawsdepend。Thelawtouchesusbuthereandthere，andnowandthen。Mannersarewhatvexorsoothe，corruptorpurify，exaltordebase，barbarizeorrefineus，byaconstant，steady，uniform，insensibleoperation，likethatoftheairwebreathein。Theygivetheirwholeformandcolourtoourlives。Accordingtotheirquality，theyaidmorals，theysupplythem，ortheytotallydestroythem。OfthisthenewFrenchlegislatorswereaware;therefore，withthesamemethod，andunderthesameauthority，theysettledasystemofmanners，themostlicentious，prostitute，andabandonedthateverhasbeenknown，andatthesametimethemostcoarse，rude，savage，andferocious。NothingintheRevolution，no，nottoaphraseorgesture，nottothefashionofahatorashoe，waslefttoaccident。Allhasbeentheresultofdesign;

allhasbeenmatterofinstitution。Nomechanicalmeanscouldbedevisedinfavourofthisincrediblesystemofwickednessandvice，thathasnotbeenemployed。Thenoblestpassions，theloveofglory，theloveofcountry，havebeendebauchedintomeansofitspreservationanditspropagation。Allsortsofshowsandexhibitions，calculatedtoinflameandvitiatetheimagination，andpervertthemoralsense，havebeencontrived。Theyhavesometimesbroughtforthfiveorsixhundreddrunkenwomen，callingatthebaroftheAssemblyforthebloodoftheirownchildren，asbeingroyalistsorconstitutionalists。Sometimestheyhavegotabodyofwretches，callingthemselvesfathers，todemandthemurderoftheirsons，boastingthatRomehadbutoneBrutus，butthattheycouldshowfivehundred。Therewereinstancesinwhichtheyinverted，andretaliatedtheimpiety，andproducedsons，whocalledfortheexecutionoftheirparents。Thefoundationoftheirrepublicislaidinmoralparadoxes。Theirpatriotismisalwaysprodigy。Allthoseinstancestobefoundinhistory，whetherrealorfabulous，ofadoubtfulpublicspirit，atwhichmoralityisperplexed，reasonisstaggered，andfromwhichaffrightednaturerecoils，aretheirchosen，andalmostsoleexamplesfortheinstructionoftheiryouth。

Thewholedriftoftheirinstitutioniscontrarytothatofthewiselegislatorsofallcountries，whoaimedatimprovinginstinctsintomorals，andatgraftingthevirtuesonthestockofthenaturalaffections。They，onthecontrary，haveomittednopainstoeradicateeverybenevolentandnoblepropensityinthemindofmen。Intheircultureitisarulealwaystograftvirtuesonvices。Theythinkeverythingunworthyofthenameofpublicvirtue，unlessitindicatesviolenceontheprivate。Alltheirnewinstitutions(andwiththemeverythingisnew)strikeattherootofoursocialnature。Otherlegislators，knowingthatmarriageistheoriginofallrelations，andconsequentlythefirstelementofallduties，haveendeavoured，byeveryart，tomakeitsacred。TheChristianreligion，byconfiningittothepairs，andbyrenderingthatrelationindissoluble，hasbythesetwothingsdonemoretowardsthepeace，happiness，settlement，andcivilizationoftheworld，thanbyanyotherpartinthiswholeschemeofDivineWisdom。Thedirectcontrarycoursehasbeentakeninthesynagogueofantichrist，Imeaninthatforgeandmanufacturyofallevil，thesectwhichpredominatedintheConstituentAssemblyof1789。

Thosemonstersemployedthesame，orgreaterindustry，todesecrateanddegradethatstate，whichotherlegislatorshaveusedtorenderitholyandhonourable。

FEROCITYOFJACOBINISM。

Astothosewhomtheysuffertodieanaturaldeath，theydonotpermitthemtoenjoythelastconsolationsofmankind，orthoserightsofsepulture，whichindicatehope，andwhichmerenaturehastaughttomankind，inallcountries，tosoothetheafflictions，andtocovertheinfirmity，ofmortalcondition。Theydisgracemenintheentryintolife，theyvitiateandenslavethemthroughthewholecourseofit，andtheydeprivethemofallcomfortattheconclusionoftheirdishonouredanddepravedexistence。Endeavouringtopersuadethepeoplethattheyarenobetterthanbeasts，thewholebodyoftheirinstitutiontendstomakethembeastsofprey，furiousandsavage。Forthispurposetheactivepartofthemisdisciplinedintoaferocitywhichhasnoparallel。Tothisferocitythereisjoinednotoneoftherude，unfashionedvirtues，whichaccompanythevices，wherethewholearelefttogrowuptogetherintheranknessofuncultivatednature。Butnothingislefttonatureintheirsystems。

Thesamedisciplinewhichhardenstheirheartsrelaxestheirmorals。

Whilstcourtsofjusticewerethrustoutbyrevolutionarytribunals，andsilentchurcheswereonlythefuneralmonumentsofdepartedreligion，therewerenofewerthannineteenortwentytheatres，greatandsmall，mostofthemkeptopenatthepublicexpense，andallofthemcrowdedeverynight。Amongthegaunt，haggardformsoffamineandnakedness，amidsttheyellsofmurder，thetearsofaffliction，andthecriesofdespair，thesong，thedance，themimicscene，thebuffoonlaughter，wentonasregularlyasinthegayhouroffestivepeace。Ihaveitfromgoodauthority，thatunderthescaffoldofjudicialmurder，andthegapingplanksthatpoureddownbloodonthespectators，thespacewashiredoutforashowofdancingdogs。Ithink，withoutconcert，wehavemadetheverysameremarkonreadingsomeoftheirpieces，whichbeingwrittenforotherpurposes，letusintoaviewoftheirsociallife。ItstruckusthatthehabitsofParishadnoresemblancetothefinishedvirtues，ortothepolishedvice，andelegant，thoughnotblameless，luxury，ofthecapitalofagreatempire。Theirsocietywasmorelikethatofadenofoutlawsuponadoubtfulfrontier;ofalewdtavernfortherevelsanddebauchesofbanditti，assassins，bravos，smugglers，andtheirmoredesperateparamours，mixedwithbombasticplayers，therefuseandrejectedoffalofstrollingtheatres，puffingoutill-sortedversesaboutvirtue，mixedwiththelicentiousandblasphemoussongs，propertothebrutalandhardenedcourseoflifebelongingtothatsortofwretches。Thissystemofmannersinitselfisatwarwithallorderlyandmoralsociety，andisinitsneighbourhoodunsafe。Ifgreatbodiesofthatkindwereanywhereestablishedinaborderingterritory，weshouldhavearighttodemandoftheirgovernmentsthesuppressionofsuchanuisance。

VOICEOFOPPRESSION。

ShouldwenotobtestHeaven，andwhateverjusticethereisyetonearth？

Oppressionmakeswisemenmad;butthedistemperisstillthemadnessofthewise，whichisbetterthanthesobrietyoffools。Thecryisthevoiceofsacredmisery，exaltednotintowildraving，butintothesanctifiedfrenzyofprophecyandinspiration——inthatbitternessofsoul，inthatindignationofsufferingvirtue，inthatexaltationofdespair，wouldnotpersecutedEnglishloyaltycryout，withanawfulwarningvoice，anddenouncethedestructionthatwaitsonmonarchs，whoconsiderfidelitytothemasthemostdegradingofallvices;whosufferittobepunishedasthemostabominableofallcrimes;andwhohavenorespectbutforrebels，traitors，regicides，andfuriousnegroslaves，whosecrimeshavebrokentheirchains？Wouldnotthiswarmlanguageofhighindignationhavemoreofsoundreasoninit，moreofrealaffection，moreoftrueattachment，thanallthelullabiesofflatterers，whowouldhushmonarchstosleepinthearmsofdeath。

BRITAINVINDICATEDINHERWARWITHFRANCE。

Thereisonethinginthisbusinesswhichappearstobewhollyunaccountable，oraccountableonasuppositionIdarenotentertainforamoment。Icannothelpasking，Whyallthispains，tocleartheBritishnationofambition，perfidy，andtheinsatiatethirstofwar？

Atwhatperiodoftimewasitthatourcountryhasdeservedthatloadofinfamy，ofwhichnothingbutpreternaturalhumiliationinlanguageandconductcanservetoclearus？，Ifwehavedeservedthiskindofevilfamefromanythingwehavedoneinastateofprosperity，Iamsurethatitisnotanabjectconductinadversitythancanclearourreputation。Wellisitknownthatambitioncancreepaswellassoar。

Theprideofnopersoninaflourishingconditionismorejustlytobedreaded，thanthatofhimwhoismeanandcringingunderadoubtfulandunprosperousfortune。Butitseemsitwasthoughtnecessarytogivesomeout-of-the-wayproofsofoursincerity，aswellasofourfreedomfromambition。IsthenfraudandfalsehoodbecomethedistinctivecharacterofEnglishmen？Wheneveryourenemychoosestoaccuseyouofperfidyandillfaith，willyouputitintohispowertothrowyouintothepurgatoryofself-humiliation？IshischargeequaltothefindingofthegrandjuryofEurope，andsufficienttoputyouuponyourtrial？ButonthattrialIwilldefendtheEnglishministry。IamsorrythatonsomepointsIhave，ontheprinciplesIhavealwaysopposed，sogoodadefencetomake。

THEYWERENOTTHEFIRSTTOBEGINTHEWAR。THEYDIDNOTEXCITETHE

GENERALCONFEDERACYINEUROPE，WHICHWASSOPROPERLYFORMEDONTHE

ALARMGIVENBYTHEJACOBINISMOFFRANCE。THEYDIDNOTBEGINWITHAN

HOSTILEAGGRESSIONONTHEREGICIDES，AREANYOFTHEIRALLIES。THESE

PARRICIDESOFTHEIROWNCOUNTRY，DISCIPLININGTHEMSELVESFORFOREIGN

BYDOMESTICVIOLENCE，WERETHEFIRSTTOATTACKAPOWERTHATWASOUR

ALLYBYNATURE，BYHABIT，ANDBYTHESANCTIONOFMULTIPLIEDTREATIES。

(TheEditorhasventuredtoprinttheselinesinitalics，becauseitappears，whilethisselectionfromBurkeispreparingforthepress，aninflateddemagoguehasnotonlydaredtodenytheclaimsofthedukeofWellingtontobetheHeroofanation’sheart，buthasalsoaccusedtheillustriousBurkeofmisrepresentinghistoricalfactsconnectedwithourwarintheFrenchrevolution。Onwhichsideboththetruthandintegrityofhistoryaretobefound，maysafelybelefttothemoraldecisionofmenwhodoNOTlookatHistorythroughtheexclusivemediumofthemarket，andinlisteningtothevoiceofinstructionare，atleast，enabledtodistinguishthebrayofanassfromthepealofatrumpet。)Isitnottrue，thattheywerethefirsttodeclarewaruponthiskingdom？IseverywordinthedeclarationfromDowning-Street，concerningtheirconduct，andconcerningoursandthatofourallies，soobviouslyfalse，thatitisnecessarytogivesomenew-inventedproofsofourgoodfaithinordertoexpungethememoryofallthisperfidy？

POLISHANDFRENCHREVOLUTION。

Akingwithoutauthority;nobleswithoutunionorsubordination;apeoplewithoutarts，industry，commerce，orliberty;noorderwithin，nodefencewithout;noeffectivepublicforce，butaforeignforce，whichenteredanakedcountryatwill，anddisposedofeverythingatpleasure。Herewasastateofthingswhichseemedtoinvite，andmightperhapsjustify，boldenterpriseanddesperateexperiment。Butinwhatmannerwasthischaosbroughtintoorder？Themeanswereasstrikingtotheimagination，assatisfactorytothereason，andsoothingtothemoralsentiments。Incontemplatingthatchange，humanityhaseverythingtorejoiceandtogloryin;nothingtobeashamedof，nothingtosuffer。Sofarasithasgone，itprobablyisthemostpureanddefecatedpublicgoodwhicheverhasbeenconferredonmankind。Wehaveseenanarchyandservitudeatonceremoved;athronestrengthenedfortheprotectionofthepeople，withouttrenchingontheirliberties;allforeigncabalbanished，bychangingthecrownfromelectivetohereditary;andwhatwasamatterofpleasingwonder，wehaveseenareigningking，fromanheroiclovetohiscountry，exertinghimselfwithallthetoil，thedexterity，themanagement，theintrigue，infavourofafamilyofstrangers，withwhichambitiousmenlabourfortheaggrandizementoftheirown。Tenmillionsofmeninawayofbeingfreedgradually，andthereforesafelytothemselvesandthestate，notfromcivilorpoliticalchains，which，badastheyare，onlyfetterthemind，butfromsubstantialpersonalbondage。Inhabitantsofcities，beforewithoutprivileges，placedintheconsiderationwhichbelongstothatimprovedandconnectingsituationofsociallife。Oneofthemostproud，numerous，andfiercebodiesofnobilityandgentryeverknownintheworld，arrangedonlyintheforemostrankoffreeandgenerouscitizens。Notonemanincurredloss，orsuffereddegradation。All，fromthekingtotheday-labourer，wereimprovedintheircondition。

Everythingwaskeptinitsplaceandorder;butinthatplaceandordereverythingwasbetterd。Toaddtothishappywonder(thisunheard-ofconjunctionofwisdomandfortune)，notonedropofbloodwasspilled;notreachery;nooutrage;nosystemofslandermorecruelthanthesword;nostudiedinsultsonreligion，morals，ormanners;nospoil;noconfiscation;nocitizenbeggared;noneimprisoned;noneexiled：thewholewaseffectedwithapolicy，adiscretion，aunanimityandsecrecy，suchashaveneverbeenbeforeknownonanyoccasion;butsuchwonderfulconductwasreservedforthisgloriousconspiracyinfavourofthetrueandgenuinerightsandinterestsofmen。Happypeople，iftheyknowhowtoproceedastheyhavebegun！Happyprince，worthytobeginwithsplendour，ortoclosewithglory，araceofpatriotsandofkings：andtoleave，“Aname，whichev’rywindtoheav’nwouldbear，Whichmentospeak，andangelsjoytohear。”

Tofinishall——thisgreatgood，asintheinstantitis，containsinittheseedsofallfurtherimprovement，andmaybeconsideredasinaregularprogress，becausefoundedonsimilarprinciples，towardsthestableexcellencyofaBritishconstitution。

Herewasamatterforcongratulationandforfestiveremembrancethroughages。Heremoralistsanddivinesmightindeedrelaxintheirtemperance，toexhilaratetheirhumanity。Butmarkthecharacterofourfaction。AlltheirenthusiasmiskeptfortheFrenchrevolution。TheycannotpretendthatFrancehadstoodsomuchinneedofachangeasPoland。TheycannotpretendthatPolandhasnotobtainedabettersystemofliberty，orofgovernment，thanitenjoyedbefore。Theycannotassert，thatthePolishrevolutioncostmoredearlythanthatofFrancetotheinterestsandfeelingsofmultitudesofmen。Butthecoldandsubordinatelightinwhichtheylookupontheone，andthepainstheytaketopreachuptheotheroftheserevolutions，leaveusnochoiceinfixingontheirmotives。Bothrevolutionsprofesslibertyastheirobject;butinobtainingthisobjecttheoneproceedsfromanarchytoorder;theotherfromordertoanarchy。Thefirstsecuresitslibertybyestablishingitsthrone;theotherbuildsitsfreedomonthesubversionofitsmonarchy。

Intheonetheirmeansareunstainedbycrimes，andtheirsettlementfavoursmorality。Intheother，viceandconfusionareintheveryessenceoftheirpursuit，andoftheirenjoyment。Thecircumstancesinwhichthesetwoeventsdiffer，mustcausethedifferencewemakeintheircomparativeestimation。TheseturnthescalewiththesocietiesinfavourofFrance。Ferrumestquodamant。Thefrauds，theviolences，thesacrileges，thehavocandruinoffamilies，thedispersionandexileoftheprideandflowerofagreatcountry，thedisorder，theconfusion，theanarchy，theviolationofproperty，thecruelmurders，theinhumanconfiscations，andintheendtheinsolentdominationofbloody，ferocious，andsenselessclubs——thesearethethingswhichtheyloveandadmire。Whatmenadmireandlove，theywouldsurelyact。LetusseewhatisdoneinFrance;andthenletusundervalueanytheslightestdangeroffallingintothehandsofsuchamercilessandsavagefaction！

EUROPEIN1789。

Inthelongseriesofageswhichhavefurnishedthematterofhistory，neverwassobeautifulandsoaugustaspectaclepresentedtothemoraleye，asEuropeaffordedthedaybeforetherevolutioninFrance。Iknewindeedthatthisprosperitycontainedinitselftheseedsofitsowndanger。Inonepartofthesocietyitcausedlaxityanddebility;intheotheritproducedboldspiritsanddarkdesigns。

Afalsephilosophypassedfromacademiesintocourts;andthegreatthemselveswereinfectedwiththetheorieswhichconductedtotheirruin。Knowledge，whichinthetwolastcenturieseitherdidnotexistatall，orexistedsolidlyonrightprinciplesandinchosenhands，wasnowdiffused，weakened，andperverted。Generalwealthloosenedmorals，relaxedvigilance，andincreasedpresumption。Menoftalentbegantocompare，inthepartitionofthecommonstockofpublicprosperity，theproportionsofthedividendswiththemeritsoftheclaimants。Asusual，theyfoundtheirportionnotequaltotheirestimate(orperhapstothepublicestimate)oftheirownworth。WhenitwasoncediscoveredbytherevolutioninFrance，thatastrugglebetweenestablishmentandrapacitycouldbemaintained，thoughbutforoneyear，andinoneplace，Iwassurethatapracticablebreachwasmadeinthewholeorderofthingsandineverycountry。Religion，thatheldthematerialsofthefabrictogether，wasfirstsystematicallyloosened。Allotheropinions，underthenameofprejudices，mustfallalongwithit;andproperty，leftundefendedbyprinciples，becamearepositoryofspoilstotemptcupidity，andnotamagazinetofurnisharmsfordefence。Iknewthat，attackedonallsidesbytheinfernalenergiesoftalentssetinactionbyviceanddisorder，authoritycouldnotstanduponauthorityalone。Itwantedsomeothersupportthanthepoiseofitsowngravity。Situationsformerlysupportedpersons。Itnowbecamenecessarythatpersonalqualitiesshouldsupportsituations。Formerly，whereauthoritywasfound，wisdomandvirtuewerepresumed。Butnowtheveilwastorn，and，tokeepoffsacrilegiousintrusion，itwasnecessarythatinthesanctuaryofgovernmentsomethingshouldbedisclosednotonlyvenerable，butdreadful。Governmentwasatoncetoshowitselffullofvirtueandfullofforce。Itwastoinvitepartisans，bymakingitappeartotheworldthatagenerouscausewastobeasserted;onefitforagenerouspeopletoengagein。Frompassivesubmissionwasittoexpectresolutedefence？No！Itmusthavewarmadvocatesandpassionatedefenders，whichaheavy，discontentedacquiescencenevercouldproduce。Whatabaseandfoolishthingisitforanyconsolidatedbodyofauthoritytosay，ortoactasifitsaid，“I

willputmytrustnotinmyownvirtue，butinyourpatience;Iwillindulgeineffeminacy，inindolence，incorruption;Iwillgivewaytoallmyperverseandvicioushumours，becauseyoucannotpunishmewithoutthehazardofruiningyourselves？”

ATHEISMCANNOTREPENT。

Disappointmentandmortificationundoubtedlytheyfeel;buttothem，repentanceisathingimpossible。Theyareatheists。Thiswretchedopinion，bywhichtheyarepossessedeventotheheightoffanaticism，leadingthemtoexcludefromtheirideasofacommonwealththevitalprincipleofthephysical，themoral，andthepoliticalworld，engagestheminathousandabsurdcontrivancestofillupthisdreadfulvoid。

Incapableofinnoxiousrepose，orhonourableaction，orwisespeculation，inthelurking-holesofaforeignland，intowhich(inacommonruin)theyaredriventohidetheirheadsamongsttheinnocentvictimsoftheirmadness，theyareatthisveryhourasbusyintheconfectionofthedirt-piesoftheirimaginaryconstitutions，asiftheyhadnotbeenquitefreshfromdestroying，bytheirimpiousanddesperatevagaries，thefinestcountryuponearth。

OUTWARDDIGNITYOFTHECHURCHDEFENDED。

TheEnglishpeoplearesatisfied，thattothegreattheconsolationsofreligionareasnecessaryasitsinstructions。Theytooareamongtheunhappy。Theyfeelpersonalpain，anddomesticsorrow。Inthesetheyhavenoprivilege，butaresubjecttopaytheirfullcontingenttothecontributionsleviedonmortality。Theywantthissovereignbalmundertheirgnawingcaresandanxieties，which，beinglessconversantaboutthelimitedwantsofanimallife，rangewithoutlimit，andarediversifiedbyinfinitecombinationsinthewildandunboundedregionsofimagination。Somecharitabledoleiswantingtothese，ouroftenveryunhappybrethren，tofillthegloomyvoidthatreignsinmindswhichhavenothingonearthtohopeorfear;

somethingtorelieveinthekillinglanguorandover-labouredlassitudeofthosewhohavenothingtodo;somethingtoexciteanappetitetoexistenceinthepalledsatietywhichattendsonallpleasureswhichmaybebought，wherenatureisnotlefttoherownprocess，whereevendesireisanticipated，andthereforefruitiondefeatedbymeditatedschemesandcontrivancesofdelight;andnointerval，noobstacle，isinterposedbetweenthewishandtheaccomplishment。

ThepeopleofEnglandknowhowlittleinfluencetheteachersofreligionarelikelytohavewiththewealthyandpowerfuloflongstanding，andhowmuchlesswiththenewlyfortunate，iftheyappearinamannernowayassortedtothosewithwhomtheymustassociate，andoverwhomtheymustevenexercise，insomecases，somethinglikeanauthority。Whatmusttheythinkofthatbodyofteachers，iftheyseeitinnopartabovetheestablishmentoftheirdomesticservants？Ifthepovertywerevoluntary，theremightbesomedifference。Stronginstancesofself-denialoperatepowerfullyonourminds;andamanwhohasnowantshasobtainedgreatfreedom，andfirmness，andevendignity。Butasthemassofanydescriptionofmenarebutmen，andtheirpovertycannotbevoluntary，thatdisrespect，whichattendsuponalllayproperty，willnotdepartfromtheecclesiastical。Ourprovidentconstitutionhasthereforetakencarethatthosewhoaretoinstructpresumptuousignorance，thosewhoaretobecensorsoverinsolentvice，shouldneitherincurtheircontempt，norliveupontheiralms;norwillittempttherichtoaneglectofthetruemedicineoftheirminds。Forthesereasons，whilstweprovidefirstforthepoor，andwithaparentalsolicitude，wehavenotrelegatedreligion(likesomethingwewereashamedtoshow)toobscuremunicipalities，orrusticvillages。No！Wewillhavehertoexalthermitredfrontincourtsandparliaments。Wewillhavehermixedthroughoutthewholemassoflife，andblendedwithalltheclassesofsociety。ThepeopleofEnglandwillshowtothehaughtypotentatesoftheworld，andtotheirtalkingsophisters，thatafree，agenerous，aninformednationhonoursthehighmagistratesofitschurch;thatitwillnotsuffertheinsolenceofwealthandtitles，oranyotherspeciesofproudpretension，tolookdownwithscornuponwhattheylookuptowithreverence;norpresumetotrampleonthatacquiredpersonalnobility，whichtheyintendalwaystobe，andwhichoftenis，thefruit，notthereward(forwhatcanbethereward)，oflearning，piety，andvirtue。Theycansee，withoutpainorgrudging，anarchbishopprecedeaduke。TheycanseeabishopofDurham，orabishopofWinchester，inpossessionoftenthousandpoundsayear;andcannotconceivewhyitisinworsehandsthanestatestothelikeamountinthehandsofthisearl，orthatsquire;althoughitmaybetrue，thatsomanydogsandhorsesarenotkeptbytheformer，andfedwiththevictualswhichoughttonourishthechildrenofthepeople。Itistrue，thewholechurchrevenueisnotalwaysemployed，andtoeveryshilling，incharity;norperhapsoughtit;butsomethingisgenerallysoemployed。Itisbettertocherishvirtueandhumanitybyleavingmuchtofreewill，evenwithsomelosstotheobject，thantoattempttomakemenmeremachinesandinstrumentsofapoliticalbenevolence。Theworldonthewholewillgainbyaliberty，withoutwhichvirtuecannotexist。

Whenoncethecommonwealthhasestablishedtheestatesofthechurchasproperty，itcan，consistently，hearnothingofthemoreortheless。

Toomuchandtoolittlearetreasonagainstproperty。Whatevilcanarisefromthequantityinanyhand，whilstthesupremeauthorityhasthefull，sovereignsuperintendenceoverthis，asoveranyproperty，topreventeveryspeciesofabuse;and，wheneveritnotablydeviates，togivetoitadirectionagreeabletothepurposesofitsinstitution。InEnglandmostofusconceivethatitisenvyandmalignitytowardsthosewhoareoftenthebeginnersoftheirownfortune，andnotaloveoftheself-denialandmortificationoftheancientchurch，thatmakessomelookaskanceatthedistinctions，andhonours，andrevenues，which，takenfromnoperson，aresetapartforvirtue。TheearsofthepeopleofEnglandaredistinguishing。Theyhearthesemenspeakbroad。Theirtonguebetraysthem。Theirlanguageisinthepatoisoffraud;inthecantandgibberishofhypocrisy。ThepeopleofEnglandmustthinkso，whenthesepratersaffecttocarrybacktheclergytothatprimitive，evangelicpoverty，which，inthespirit，oughtalwaystoexistinthem(andinustoo，howeverwemaylikeit)，butinthethingmustbevaried，whentherelationofthatbodytothestateisaltered;whenmanners，whenmodesoflife，whenindeedthewholeorderofhumanaffairs，hasundergoneatotalrevolution。Weshallbelievethosereformersthentobehonestenthusiasts，not，asnowwethinkthem，cheatsanddeceivers，whenweseethemthrowingtheirowngoodsintocommon，andsubmittingtheirownpersonstotheausteredisciplineoftheearlychurch。

DANGEROFABSTRACTVIEWS。

Itisnotworthourwhiletodiscuss，likesophisters，whether，innocase，someevil，forthesakeofsomebenefit，istobetolerated。

Nothinguniversalcanberationallyaffirmedonanymoraloranypoliticalsubject。Puremetaphysicalabstractiondoesnotbelongtothesematters。Thelinesofmoralityarenotlikeideallinesofmathematics。Theyarebroadanddeepaswellaslong。Theyadmitofexceptions;theydemandmodifications。Theseexceptionsandmodificationsarenotmadebytheprocessoflogic，butbytherulesofprudence。Prudenceisnotonlythefirstinrankofthevirtuespoliticalandmoral，butsheisthedirector，theregulator，thestandardofthemall。Metaphysicscannotlivewithoutdefinition;butprudenceiscautioushowshedefines。Ourcourtscannotbemorefearfulinsufferingfictitiouscasestobebroughtbeforethemforelicitingtheirdeterminationonapointoflaw，thanprudentmoralistsareinputtingextremeandhazardouscasesofconscienceuponemergenciesnotexisting。Withoutattemptingthereforetodefine，whatnevercanbedefined，thecaseofarevolutioningovernment，this，Ithink，maybesafelyaffirmed，thatasoreandpressingevilistoberemoved，andthatagood，greatinitsamount，andunequivocalinitsnature，mustbeprobablealmosttocertainty，beforetheinestimablepriceofourownmorals，andthewell-beingofanumberofourfellow-citizens，ispaidforarevolution。Ifeverweoughttobeeconomistseventoparsimony，itisinthevoluntaryproductionofevil。Everyrevolutioncontainsinitsomethingofevil。

APPEALTOIMPARTIALITY。

Thequalityofthesentencedoesnothoweverdecideonthejusticeofit。Angryfriendshipissometimesasbadascalmenmity。Forthisreasonthecoldneutralityofabstractjusticeis，toagoodandclearcause，amoredesirablethingthananaffectionliabletobeanywaydisturbed。

Whenthetrialisbyfriends，ifthedecisionshouldhappentobefavourable，thehonouroftheacquittalislessened;ifadverse，thecondemnationisexceedinglyembittered。Itisaggravatedbycomingfromlipsprofessingfriendship，andpronouncingjudgmentwithsorrowandreluctance。Takinginthewholeviewoflife，itismoresafetoliveunderthejurisdictionofseverebutsteadyreason，thanundertheempireofindulgentbutcapriciouspassion。ItiscertainlywellforMr。

Burkethatthereareimpartialmenintheworld。TothemIaddressmyself，pendingtheappealwhichonhispartismadefromthelivingtothedead，fromthemodernWhigstotheancient。

HISTORICALESTIMATEOFLOUISXVI。

TheunhappyLouisXVI。wasamanofthebestintentionsthatprobablyeverreigned。Hewasbynomeansdeficientintalents。Hehadamostlaudabledesiretosupplybygeneralreading，andevenbytheacquisitionofelementalknowledge，aneducationinallpointsoriginallydefective;butnobodytoldhim(anditwasnowonderheshouldnothimselfdivineit)thattheworldofwhichheread，andtheworldinwhichhelived，werenolongerthesame。Desirousofdoingeverythingforthebest，fearfulofcabal，distrustinghisownjudgment，hesoughthisministersofallkindsuponpublictestimony。

Butascourtsarethefieldforcaballers，thepublicisthetheatreformountebanksandimposters。Thecureforboththoseevilsisinthediscernmentoftheprince。Butanaccurateandpenetratingdiscernmentiswhatinayoungprincecouldnotbelookedfor。

Hisconductinitsprinciplewasnotunwise;but，likemostotherofhiswell-meantdesigns，itfailedinhishands。Itfailedpartlyfrommereillfortune，towhichspeculatorsarerarelypleasedtoassignthatverylargesharetowhichsheisjustlyentitledinhumanaffairs。Thefailure，perhaps，inpartwasowingtohissufferinghissystemtobevitiatedanddisturbedbythoseintrigues，whichitis，humanlyspeaking，impossiblewhollytopreventincourts，orindeedunderanyformofgovernment。However，withtheseaberrations，hegavehimselfovertoasuccessionofthestatesmenofpublicopinion。Inotherthingshethoughtthathemightbeakingonthetermsofhispredecessors。Hewasconsciousofthepurityofhisheart，andthegeneralgoodtendencyofhisgovernment。Heflatteredhimself，asmostmeninhissituationwill，thathemightconsulthiseasewithoutdangertohissafety。Itisnotatallwonderfulthatbothheandhisministers，givingwayabundantlyinotherrespectstoinnovation，shouldtakeupinpolicywiththetraditionoftheirmonarchy。Underhisancestorsthemonarchyhadsubsisted，andevenbeenstrengthened，bythegenerationorsupportofrepublics。First，theSwissrepublicsgrewundertheguardianshipoftheFrenchmonarchy。TheDutchrepublicswerehatchedandcherishedunderthesameincubation。Afterwards，arepublicanconstitutionwas，undertheinfluenceofFrance，establishedintheempireagainstthepretensionsofitschief。EvenwhilstthemonarchyofFrance，byaseriesofwarsandnegociations，andlastly，bythetreatiesofWestphalia，hadobtainedtheestablishmentoftheProtestantsinGermanyasalawoftheempire，thesamemonarchyunderLouistheThirteenth，hadforceenoughtodestroytherepublicansystemoftheProtestantsathome。LouistheSixteenthwasadiligentreaderofhistory。Buttheverylampofprudenceblindedhim。Theguideofhumanlifeledhimastray。A

silentrevolutioninthemoralworldprecededthepolitical，andpreparedit。Itbecameofmoreimportancethaneverwhatexamplesweregiven，andwhatmeasureswereadopted。Theircausesnolongerlurkedintherecessesofcabinets，orintheprivateconspiraciesofthefactious。Theywerenolongertobecontrolledbytheforceandinfluenceofthegrandees，whoformerlyhadbeenabletostiruptroublesbytheirdiscontents，andtoquietthembytheircorruption。

Thechainofsubordination，evenincabalandsedition，wasbrokeninitsmostimportantlinks。Itwasnolongerthegreatandthepopulace。

Otherinterestswereformed，otherdependencies，otherconnections，othercommunications。Themiddleclasseshadswelledfarbeyondtheirformerproportion。Likewhateveristhemosteffectivelyrichandgreatinsociety，theseclassesbecametheseatofalltheactivepolitics;

andthepreponderatingweighttodecideonthem。Therewerealltheenergiesbywhichfortuneisacquired;theretheconsequenceoftheirsuccess。Therewereallthetalentswhichasserttheirpretensions，andareimpatientoftheplacewhichsettledsocietyprescribestothem。

Thesedescriptionshadgotbetweenthegreatandthepopulace;andtheinfluenceonthelowerclasseswaswiththem。Thespiritofambitionhadtakenpossessionofthisclassasviolentaseverithaddoneofanyother。Theyfelttheimportanceofthissituation。Thecorrespondenceofthemoniedandthemercantileworld，theliteraryintercourseofacademies，but，aboveall，thepress，ofwhichtheyhadinamannerentirepossession，madeakindofelectriccommunicationeverywhere。Thepressinrealityhasmadeeverygovernment，initsspirit，almostdemocratic。Withoutitthegreat，thefirstmovementsinthisRevolutioncouldnot，perhaps，havebeengiven。Butthespiritofambition，nowforthefirsttimeconnectedwiththespiritofspeculation，wasnottoberestrainedatwill。Therewasnolongeranymeansofarrestingaprincipleinitscourse。WhenLouistheSixteenth，undertheinfluenceoftheenemiestomonarchy，meanttofoundbutonerepublic，hesetuptwo。Whenhemeanttotakeawayhalfthecrownofhisneighbour，helostthewholeofhisown。LouistheSixteenthcouldnotwithimpunitycountenanceanewrepublic：yetbetweenhisthroneandthatdangerouslodgmentforanenemy，whichhehaderected，hehadthewholeAtlanticforaditch。HehadforanoutworktheEnglishnationitself，friendlytoliberty，adversetothatmodeofit。Hewassurroundedbyarampartofmonarchies，mostofthemalliedtohim，andgenerallyunderhisinfluence。Yeteventhussecured，arepublicerectedunderhisauspices，anddependentonhispower，becamefataltohisthrone。Theverymoneywhichhehadlenttosupportthisrepublic，byagoodfaith，whichtohimoperatedasperfidy，waspunctuallypaidtohisenemies，andbecamearesourceinthehandsofhisassassins。

NEGATIVERELIGIONANULLITY。

IfmeredissentfromthechurchofRomebeamerit，hethatdissentsthemostperfectlyisthemostmeritorious。Inmanypointsweholdstronglywiththatchurch。HethatdissentsthroughoutwiththatchurchwilldissentwiththechurchofEngland，andthenitwillbeapartofhismeritthathedissentswithourselves：——awhimsicalspeciesofmeritforanysetofmentoestablish。Wequarreltoextremitywiththosewhoweknowagreewithusinmanythings，butwearetobesomaliciousevenintheprincipleofourfriendships，thatwearetocherishinourbosomthosewhoaccordwithusinnothing，becausewhilsttheydespiseourselves，theyabhor，evenmorethanwedo，thosewithwhomwehavesomedisagreement。AmaniscertainlythemostperfectProtestantwhoprotestsagainstthewholeChristianreligion。Whetheraperson’shavingnoChristianreligionbeatitletofavour，inexclusiontothelargestdescriptionofChristianswhoholdallthedoctrinesofChristianity，thoughholdingalongwiththemsomeerrorsandsomesuperfluities，israthermorethananyman，whohasnotbecomerecreantandapostatefromhisbaptism，will，Ibelieve，choosetoaffirm。Thecountenancegivenfromaspiritofcontroversytothatnegativereligionmay，bydegrees，encouragelightandunthinkingpeopletoatotalindifferencetoeverythingpositiveinmattersofdoctrine;and，intheend，ofpracticetoo。Ifcontinued，itwouldplaythegameofthatsortofactive，proselytizing，andpersecutingatheism，whichisthedisgraceandcalamityofourtime，andwhichweseetobeascapableofsubvertingagovernment，asanymodecanbeofmisguidedzealforbetterthings。

ANTECHAMBEROFREGICIDE。

Tothosewhodonotlovetocontemplatethefallofhumangreatness，Idonotknowamoremortifyingspectacle，thantoseetheassembledmajestyofthecrownedheadsofEuropewaitingaspatientsuitorsintheantechamberofregicide。Theywait，itseems，untilthesanguinarytyrantCarnotshallhavesnortedawaythefumesoftheindigestedbloodofhissovereign。Then，when，sunkonthedownofusurpedpomp，heshallhavesufficientlyindulgedhismeditationswithwhatmonarchheshallnextgluthisraveningmaw，hemaycondescendtosignifythatitishispleasuretobeawake;andthatheisatleisuretoreceivetheproposalsofhishighandmightyclientsforthetermsonwhichhemayrespitetheexecutionofthesentencehehaspasseduponthem。Attheopeningofthosedoors，whatasightitmustbetobeholdtheplenipotentiariesofroyalimpotence，intheprecedencywhichtheywillintriguetoobtain，andwhichwillbegrantedtothemaccordingtotheseniorityoftheirdegradation，sneakingintotheregicidepresence，andwiththerelicsofthesmile，whichtheyhaddressedupfortheleveeoftheirmasters，stillflickeringontheircurledlips，presentingthefadedremainsoftheircourtlygraces，tomeetthescornful，ferocious，sardonicgrinofabloodyruffian，who，whilstheisreceivingtheirhomage，ismeasuringthemwithhiseye，andfittingtotheirsizethesliderofhisguillotine！Theseambassadorsmayeasilyreturnasgoodcourtiersastheywent;butcantheyeverreturnfromthatdegradingresidence，loyalandfaithfulsubjects;orwithanytrueaffectiontotheirmaster，ortrueattachmenttotheconstitution，religion，orlawsoftheircountry？Thereisgreatdangerthatthey，whoentersmilingintothisTrophoniancave，willcomeoutofitsadandseriousconspirators;andsuchwillcontinueaslongastheylive。

Theywillbecometrueconductorsofcontagiontoeverycountrywhichhashadthemisfortunetosendthemtothesourceofthatelectricity。Atbesttheywillbecometotallyindifferenttogoodandevil，tooneinstitutionoranother。Thisspeciesofindifferenceisbuttoogenerallydistinguishableinthosewhohavebeenmuchemployedinforeigncourts;butinthepresentcasetheevilmustbeaggravatedwithoutmeasure;fortheygofromtheircountry，notwiththeprideoftheoldcharacter，butinastateofthelowestdegradation，andwhatmusthappenintheirplaceofresidencecanhavenoeffectinraisingthemtotheleveloftruedignity，orofchasteself-estimation，eitherasmen，orasrepresentativesofcrownedheads。

TREMENDOUSNESSOFWAR。

Asifwarwasamatterofexperiment！Asifyoucouldtakeituporlayitdownasanidlefrolic！Asifthediregoddessthatpresidesoverit，withhermurderousspearinhand，andhergorgonatherbreast，wasacoquettetobeflirtedwith！Weoughtwithreverencetoapproachthattremendousdivinity，thatlovescourage，butcommandscounsel。Warneverleaveswhereitfoundanation。Itisnevertobeenteredintowithoutmaturedeliberation;notadeliberationlengthenedoutintoaperplexingindecision，butadeliberationleadingtoasureandfixedjudgment。

Whensotakenup，itisnottobeabandonedwithoutreasonasvalid，asfully，andasextensivelyconsidered。Peacemaybemadeasunadvisedlyaswar。Nothingissorashasfear;andthecouncilsofpusillanimityveryrarelyputoff，whilsttheyarealwayssuretoaggravate，theevilsfromwhichtheywouldfly。

ENGLISHOFFICERS。

Thereisnowantofofficers，thatIhaveeverunderstood，forthenewshipswhichwecommission，orthenewregimentswhichweraise。Inthenatureofthingsitisnotwiththeirpersons，thatthehigherclassesprincipallypaytheircontingenttothedemandsofwar。Thereisanother，andnotlessimportantpart，whichrestswithalmostexclusiveweightuponthem。Theyfurnishthemeans，“HowwarmaybestupheldMovebyhertwomainnerves，ironandgold，Inallherequipage。”

Notthattheyareexemptfromcontributingalsobytheirpersonalserviceinthefleetsandarmiesoftheircountry。Theydocontribute，andintheirfullandfairproportion，accordingtotherelativeproportionoftheirnumbersinthecommunity。Theycontributeallthemindthatactuatesthewholemachine。Thefortituderequiredofthemisverydifferentfromtheunthinkingalacrityofthecommonsoldier，orcommonsailor，inthefaceofdangeranddeath;itisnotapassion，itisnotanimpulse，itisnotasentiment;itisacool，steady，deliberateprinciple，alwayspresent，alwaysequable;havingnoconnectionwithanger;temperinghonourwithprudence;incited，invigorated，andsustained，byagenerousloveoffame;informed，moderated，anddirectedbyanenlargedknowledgeofitsowngreatpublicends;flowinginoneblendedstreamfromtheoppositesourcesoftheheartandthehead;carryinginitselfitsowncommission，andprovingitstitletoeveryothercommand，bythefirstandmostdifficultcommand，thatofthebosominwhichitresides：itisafortitude，whichuniteswiththecourageofthefieldthemoreexaltedandrefinedcourageofthecouncil;whichknowsaswelltoretreat，astoadvance;

whichcanconqueraswellbydelay，asbytherapidityofamarch，ortheimpetuosityofanattack;whichcanbe，withFabius，theblackcloudthatlowersonthetopsofthemountains，orwithScipio，thethunderboltofwar;which，undismayedbyfalseshame，canpatientlyenduretheseveresttrialthatagallantspiritcanundergo，inthetauntsandprovocationsoftheenemy，thesuspicions，thecoldrespect，and“mouth-honour“ofthose，fromwhomitshouldmeetacheerfulobedience;which，undisturbedbyfalsehumanity，cancalmlyassumethatmostawfulmoralresponsibilityofdeciding，whenvictorymaybetoodearlypurchasedbythelossofasinglelife，andwhenthesafetyandgloryoftheircountrymaydemandthecertainsacrificeofthousands。

Differentstationsofcommandmaycallfordifferentmodificationsofthisfortitude;butthecharacteroughttobethesameinall。Andnever，inthemost“palmystate“ofourmartialrenown，diditshinewithbrighterlustrethaninthepresentsanguinaryandferocioushostilities，wherevertheBritisharmshavebeencarried。

DIPLOMACYOFHUMILIATION。

Ithappensfrequentlythatpridemayrejectapublicadvance，whileinterestlistenstoasecretsuggestionofadvantage。Theopportunityhasbeenafforded。Ataveryearlyperiodinthediplomacyofhumiliation，agentlemanwassentonanerrand，ofwhich，fromthemotiveofit，whatevertheeventmightbe，wecanneverbeashamed。

Humanitycannotbedegradedbyhumiliation。Itisitsverycharactertosubmittosuchthings。Thereisaconsanguinitybetweenbenevolenceandhumility。Theyarevirtuesofthesamestock。Dignityisofasgoodarace;butitbelongstothefamilyoffortitude。InthespiritofthatbenevolencewesentagentlemantobeseechtheDirectoryofregicidenottobequitesoprodigalastheirrepublichadbeenofjudicialmurder。

Wesolicitedthemtosparethelivesofsomeunhappypersonsofthefirstdistinction，whosesafetyatothertimescouldnothavebeenanobjectofsolicitation。TheyhadquittedFranceonthefaithofthedeclarationoftherightsofcitizens。Theyneverhadbeenintheserviceoftheregicides，norattheirhandshadreceivedanystipend。

Theverysystemandconstitutionofgovernmentthatnowprevailswassettledsubsequentlytotheiremigration。TheywereundertheprotectionofGreatBritain，andinhismajesty’spayandservice。Notanhostileinvasion，butthedisastersofthesea，hadthrownthemuponashoremorebarbarousandinhospitablethantheinclementoceanunderthemostpitilessofitsstorms。Herewasanopportunitytoexpressafeelingforthemiseriesofwar;andtoopensomesortofconversation，which(afterourpublicovertureshadgluttedtheirpride)，atacautiousandjealousdistance，mightleadtosomethinglikeanaccommodation。Whatwastheevent？Astrangeuncouththing，atheatricalfigureoftheopera，hisheadshadedwiththree-colouredplumes，hisbodyfantasticallyhabited，struttedfromthebackscenes，and，afterashortspeech，inthemockheroicfalsettoofstupidtragedy，deliveredthegentlemanwhocametomaketherepresentationintothecustodyofaguard，withdirectionsnottolosesightofhimforamoment;andthenorderedhimtobesentfromParisintwohours。

RELATIONOFWEALTHTONATIONALDIGNITY。

Wehaveavastinteresttopreserve，andwepossessgreatmeansofpreservingit：butitistoberememberedthattheartificermaybeencumberedbyhistools，andthatresourcesmaybeamongimpediments。

Ifwealthistheobedientandlaboriousslaveofvirtueandofpublichonour，thenwealthisinitsplace，andhasitsuse：butifthisorderischanged，andhonouristobesacrificedtotheconservationofriches，——riches，whichhaveneithereyesnorhands，noranythingtrulyvitalinthem，cannotlongsurvivethebeingoftheirvivifyingpowers，theirlegitimatemasters，andtheirpotentprotectors。Ifwecommandourwealth，weshallberichandfree：，ifourwealthcommandus，wearepoorindeed。Weareboughtbytheenemywiththetreasurefromourowncoffers。Toogreatasenseofthevalueofasubordinateinterestmaybetheverysourceofitsdanger，aswellasthecertainruinofinterestsofasuperiororder。Oftenhasamanlosthisallbecausehewouldnotsubmittohazardallindefendingit。Adisplayofourwealthbeforerobbersisnotthewaytorestraintheirboldness，ortolessentheirrapacity。Thisdisplayismade，Iknow，topersuadethepeopleofEnglandthattherebyweshallawetheenemy，andimprovethetermsofourcapitulation：itismade，notthatweshouldfightwithmoreanimation，butthatweshouldsupplicatewithbetterhopes。Wearemistaken。Wehaveanenemytodealwithwhoneverregardedourcontestasameasuringandweighingofpurses。HeistheGaulthatputshisSWORDintothescale。Heismoretemptedwithourwealthasbooty，thanterrifiedwithitaspower。Butletusberichorpoor，letusbeeitherinwhatproportionwemay，natureisfalseorthisistrue，thatwheretheessentialpublicforce(ofwhichmoneyisbutapart)isinanydegreeuponaparinaconflictbetweennations，thatstate，whichisresolvedtohazarditsexistenceratherthantoabandonitsobjects，musthaveaninfiniteadvantageoverthatwhichisresolvedtoyieldratherthantocarryitsresistancebeyondacertainpoint。Humanlyspeaking，thatpeoplewhichboundsitseffortsonlywithitsbeing，mustgivethelawtothatnationwhichwillnotpushitsoppositionbeyonditsconvenience。

AMBASSADORSOFINFAMY。

OnthistheirgaudydaythenewregicideDirectorysentfortheirdiplomaticrabble，asbadasthemselvesinprinciple，butinfinitelyworseindegradation。Theycalledthemoutbyasortofrolloftheirnations，oneafteranother，muchinthemannerinwhichtheycalledwretchesoutoftheirprisontotheguillotine。Whentheseambassadorsofinfamyappearedbeforethem，thechiefdirector，inthenameoftherest，treatedeachofthemwithashort，affected，pedantic，insolent，theatriclaconium：asortofepigramofcontempt。Whentheyhadthusinsultedtheminastyleandlanguagewhichneverbeforewasheard，andwhichnosovereignwouldforamomentendurefromanother，supposinganyofthemfranticenoughtouseit;tofinishtheiroutrage，theydrummedandtrumpetedthewretchesoutoftheirhallofaudience。

AmongtheobjectsofthisinsolentbuffoonerywasapersonsupposedtorepresentthekingofPrussia。Tothisworthyrepresentativetheydidnotsomuchascondescendtomentionhismaster;theydidnotseemtoknowthathehadone;theyaddressedthemselvessolelytoPrussiaintheabstract，notwithstandingtheinfiniteobligationtheyowedtotheirearlyprotectorfortheirfirstrecognitionandalliance，andforthepartofhisterritoryhegaveintotheirhandsforthefirst-fruitsofhishomage。Nonebutdeadmonarchsaresomuchasmentionedbythem，andthoseonlytoinsultthelivingbyaninvidiouscomparison。TheytoldthePrussianstheyoughttolearn，aftertheexampleofFredericktheGreat，aloveforFrance。Whatapityitis，thathe，wholovedFrancesowellastochastiseit，wasnotnowalive，byanunsparinguseoftherod(whichindeedhewouldhavesparedlittle)togivethemanotherinstanceofhispaternalaffection。ButtheDirectoryweremistaken。

ThesearenotdaysinwhichmonarchsvaluethemselvesuponthetitleofGREAT：theyaregrownPHILOSOPHIC：theyaresatisfiedtobegood。YourlordshipwillpardonmeforthisnoverylongreflectionontheshortbutexcellentspeechoftheplumeddirectortotheambassadorofCappadocia。Theimperialambassadorwasnotinwaiting，buttheyfoundforAustriaagoodJudeanrepresentation。WithgreatjudgmenthishighnesstheGrandDukehadsentthemostatheisticcoxcombtobefoundinFlorencetorepresent，atthebarofimpiety，thehouseofapostolicmajesty，andthedescendantsofthepious，thoughhigh-minded，MariaTheresa。HewassenttohumblethewholeraceofAustriabeforethosegrimassassins，reekingwiththebloodofthedaughterofMariaTheresa，whomtheysent，half-dead，inadung-cart，toacruelexecution;andthistrue-bornsonofapostasyandinfidelity，thisrenegadofromthefaith，andfromallhonourandallhumanity，droveanAustriancoachoverthestoneswhichwereyetwetwithherblood;——withthatbloodwhichdroppedeverystepthroughhertumbril，allthewayshewasdrawnfromthehorridprison，inwhichtheyhadfinishedallthecrueltyandhorrors，notexecutedinthefaceofthesun！TheHungariansubjectsofMariaTheresa，whentheydrewtheirswordstodefendherrightsagainstFrance，calledher，withcorrectnessoftruth，thoughnotwiththesamecorrectness，perhaps，ofgrammar，aking：MoriamurproregenostroMariaTheresa——Shelivedanddiedaking，andotherswillhavesubjectsreadytomakethesamevow，when，ineithersex，theyshowthemselvesrealkings。