tory of mankind, that fo many millions of people have, during fuch a space of time, been held together, in a manner fo free, fo rational, and so suitable to the dignity of human nature.

Legiflators, therefore, ought not to trust the government of a state entirely to chance, but ought to provide a fyftem of laws to regulate who are to adminifter public affairs to the latest pofterity.Effects will always correfpond to causes; and wife regulations in any commonwealth are the most valuable legacy that can be left to future ages.-In the smallest court or office, the stated forms and methods, by which business must be conducted, are found to be a confiderable check on the natural depravity of mankind.-Why should not the cafe be the fame in public affairs?-Can we afcribe the stability and wisdom of our MIXED CONSTITUTION, through so many ages, to any thing but the form of government?-And is it not eafy to point out thofe defects in the ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION, which produced the tumultuous governments of ATHENS and of ROME,

Roме, and ended at laft in the ruin of these two famous republics?

TO

HERE, THEN, IS A SUFFICIENT INDUCEMENT WITH THE UTMOST ZEAL,

MAINTAIN,

THOSE FORMS AND INSTITUTIONS, BY WHICH LIBERTY IS SECURED, THE PUBLIC GOOD CONSULTED, AND THE AVARICE OR AMBITION OF PARTICULAR MEN RESTRAINED.

PART I.

POLITICAL DISQUISITIONS

ON THE

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

OF

DIFFERENT GOVERNMENTS.

ORIGIN OF GOVERNMENTS.

SECT. 1.

PATERNAL AUTHORITY;

OR,

FIRST STAGE OF SOCIETY.

AM MONG favages, who are ftrangers to the art of writing, and who have scarcely any method of recording facts, the experience and obfervation of each individual are almost the only means of procuring knowledge; and the only perfons who can attain a superior degree of wisdom and fagacity, are those who have lived to a confiderable age. In all barbarous countries old men are therefore univerfally respected, and attain fuperior influence and authority.

Among the Grecians, at the siege of Troy, the man who had lived three ages was treated with uncommon deference, and was their principal adviser and director in all important deliberations.

VOL. I.

B

" Doft