\"Solargeapart，\"answersMontesinos，\"thattheinterestamounted，duringtheprosperoustimesofagriculture，toasmuchastherentalofallthelandinGreatBritain;andatpresenttotherentalofalllands，allhouses，andallotherfixedpropertyputtogether。\"
TheGhostandLaureateagreethatitisverydesirablethatthereshouldbesosecureandadvantageousadepositforwealthasthefundsafford。SirThomasthenproceeds:
\"Anotherandfarmoremomentousbenefitmustnotbeoverlooked;
theexpenditureofanannualinterest，equalling，asyouhavestated，thepresentrentalofallfixedproperty。\"
\"Thatexpenditure，\"quothMontesinos，\"givesemploymenttohalftheindustryinthekingdom，andfeedshalfthemouths。Take，indeed，theweightofthenationaldebtfromthisgreatandcomplicatedsocialmachine，andthewheelsmuststop。\"
FromthispassageweshouldhavebeeninclinedtothinkthatMr。
Southeysupposesthedividendstobeafreegiftperiodicallysentdownfromheaventothefundholders，asquailsandmannaweresenttotheIsraelites;wereitnotthathehasvouchsafed，inthefollowingquestionandanswer，togivethepublicsomeinformationwhich，webelieve，wasverylittleneeded。
\"Whencecomestheinterest？\"saysSirThomas。
\"Itisraised，\"answersMontesinos，\"bytaxation。\"
Now，hasMr。Southeyeverconsideredwhatwouldbedonewiththissumifitwerenotpaidasinteresttothenationalcreditor？Ifhewouldthinkoverthismatterforashorttime，wesuspectthatthe\"momentousbenefit\"ofwhichhetalkswouldappeartohimtoshrinkstrangelyinamount。Afundholder，wewillsuppose，spendsdividendsamountingtofivehundredpoundsayear;andhistennearestneighbourspayfiftypoundseachtothetax—gatherer，forthepurposeofdischargingtheinterestofthenationaldebt。Ifthedebtwerewipedout，ameasure，beitunderstood，whichwebynomeansrecommend，thefundholderwouldceasetospendhisfivehundredpoundsayear。Hewouldnolongergiveemploymenttoindustry，orputfoodintothemouthsoflabourers。ThisMr。
Southeythinksafearfulevil。Butistherenomitigatingcircumstance？Eachofthetenneighboursofourfundholderhasfiftypoundsayearmorethanformerly。Eachofthemwill，asitseemstoourfeebleunderstandings，employmoreindustryandfeedmoremouthsthanformerly。Thesumisexactlythesame。Itisindifferenthands。ButonwhatgroundsdoesMr。Southeycalluponustobelievethatitisinthehandsofmenwhowillspenditlessliberallyorlessjudiciously？Heseemstothinkthatnobodybutafundholdercanemploythepoor;that，ifataxisremitted，thosewhoformerlyusedtopayitproceedimmediatelytodigholesintheearth，andtoburythesumwhichtheGovernmenthadbeenaccustomedtotake;thatnomoneycansetindustryinmotiontillsuchmoneyhasbeentakenbythetax—gathereroutofoneman’spocketandputintoanotherman’spocket。WereallywishthatMr。Southeywouldtrytoprovethisprinciple，whichisindeedthefoundationofhiswholetheoryoffinance:forwethinkitrighttohinttohimthatourhard—heartedandunimaginativegenerationwillexpectsomemoresatisfactoryreasonthantheonlyonewithwhichhehasyetfavouredit，namely，asimilitudetouchingevaporationanddew。
Boththetheoryandtheillustration，indeed，areoldfriendsofours。Ineveryseasonofdistresswhichwecanremember，Mr。
Southeyhasbeenproclaimingthatitisnotfromeconomy，butfromincreasedtaxation，thatthecountrymustexpectrelief;andhestill，wefind，placestheundoubtingfaithofapoliticalDiafoirus，inhis\"Resaignare，repurgare，etreclysterizare。\"
\"Apeople，\"hetellsus，\"maybetoorich，butagovernmentcannotbeso。\"
\"Astate，\"sayshe，\"cannothavemorewealthatitscommandthanmaybeemployedforthegeneralgood，aliberalexpenditureinnationalworksbeingoneofthesurestmeansofpromotingnationalprosperity;andthebenefitbeingstillmoreobvious，ofanexpendituredirectedtothepurposesofnationalimprovement。
Butapeoplemaybetoorich。\"
Wefullyadmitthatastatecannothaveatitscommandmorewealththanmaybeemployedforthegeneralgood。Butneithercanindividuals，orbodiesofindividuals，haveattheircommandmorewealththanmaybeemployedforthegeneralgood。Iftherebenolimittothesumwhichmaybeusefullylaidoutinpublicworksandnationalimprovement，thenwealth，whetherinthehandsofprivatemenoroftheGovernment，mayalways，ifthepossessorschoosetospenditusefully，beusefullyspent。Theonlyground，therefore，onwhichMr。Southeycanpossiblymaintainthatagovernmentcannotbetoorich，butthatapeoplemaybetoorich，mustbethis，thatgovernmentsaremorelikelytospendtheirmoneyongoodobjectsthanprivateindividuals。
Butwhatisusefulexpenditure？\"Aliberalexpenditureinnationalworks，\"saysMr。Southey，\"isoneofthesurestmeansforpromotingnationalprosperity。\"Whatdoeshemeanbynationalprosperity？DoeshemeanthewealthoftheState？Ifso，hisreasoningrunsthus:Themorewealthastatehasthebetter;forthemorewealthastatehasthemorewealthitwillhave。Thisissurelysomethinglikethatfallacy，whichisungallantlytermedalady’sreason。Ifbynationalprosperityhemeansthewealthofthepeople，ofhowgrossacontradictionisMr。Southeyguilty。A
people，hetellsus，maybetoorich:agovernmentcannot:foragovernmentcanemployitsrichesinmakingthepeoplericher。Thewealthofthepeopleistobetakenfromthem，becausetheyhavetoomuch，andlaidoutinworks，whichwillyieldthemmore。
WearereallyatalosstodeterminewhetherMr。Southey’sreasonforrecommendinglargetaxationisthatitwillmakethepeoplerich，orthatitwillmakethempoor。Butwearesurethat，ifhisobjectistomakethemrich，hetakesthewrongcourse。Therearetwoorthreeprinciplesrespectingpublicworks，which，asanexperienceofvastextentproves，maybetrustedinalmosteverycase。
Itscarcelyeverhappensthatanyprivatemanorbodyofmenwillinvestpropertyinacanal，atunnel，orabridge，butfromanexpectationthattheoutlaywillbeprofitabletothem。Noworkofthissortcanbeprofitabletoprivatespeculators，unlessthepublicbewillingtopayfortheuseofit。Thepublicwillnotpayoftheirownaccordforwhatyieldsnoprofitorconveniencetothem。Thereisthusadirectandobviousconnectionbetweenthemotivewhichinducesindividualstoundertakesuchawork，andtheutilityofthework。
Canwefindanysuchconnectioninthecaseofapublicworkexecutedbyagovernment？Ifitisuseful，aretheindividualswhorulethecountryricher？Ifitisuseless，aretheypoorer？A
publicmanmaybesolicitousforhiscredit。Butisnothelikelytogainmorecreditbyanuselessdisplayofostentatiousarchitectureinagreattownthanbythebestroadorthebestcanalinsomeremoteprovince？Thefameofpublicworksisamuchlesscertaintestoftheirutilitythantheamountoftollcollectedatthem。Inacorruptage，therewillbedirectembezzlement。Inthepurestage，therewillbeabundanceofjobbing。Neverwerethestatesmenofanycountrymoresensitivetopublicopinion，andmorespotlessinpecuniarytransactions，thanthosewhohaveoflategovernedEngland。YetwehaveonlytolookatthebuildingsrecentlyerectedinLondonforaproofofourrule。Inabadage，thefateofthepublicistoberobbedoutright。Inagoodage，itismerelytohavethedearestandtheworstofeverything。
BuildingsforStatepurposestheStatemusterect。Andherewethinkthat，ingeneral，theStateoughttostop。Wefirmlybelievethatfivehundredthousandpoundssubscribedbyindividualsforrail—roadsorcanalswouldproducemoreadvantagetothepublicthanfivemillionsvotedbyParliamentforthesamepurpose。Therearecertainoldsawsaboutthemaster’seyeandabouteverybody’sbusiness，inwhichweplaceverygreatfaith。
Thereis，wehavesaid，noconsistencyinMr。Southey’spoliticalsystem。Butiftherebeinhispoliticalsystemanyleadingprinciple，anyoneerrorwhichdivergesmorewidelyandvariouslythananyother，itisthatofwhichhistheoryaboutnationalworksisaramification。Heconceivesthatthebusinessofthemagistrateis，notmerelytoseethatthepersonsandpropertyofthepeoplearesecurefromattack，butthatheoughttobeajack—of—all—trades，architect，engineer，schoolmaster，merchant，theologian，aLadyBountifulineveryparish，aPaulPryineveryhouse，spying，eaves—dropping，relieving，admonishing，spendingourmoneyforus，andchoosingouropinionsforus。Hisprincipleis，ifweunderstanditrightly，thatnomancandoanythingsowellforhimselfashisrulers，betheywhotheymay，candoitforhim，andthatagovernmentapproachesnearerandnearertoperfection，inproportionasitinterferesmoreandmorewiththehabitsandnotionsofindividuals。
Heseemstobefullyconvincedthatitisinthepowerofgovernmenttorelieveallthedistressesunderwhichthelowerorderslabour。Nay，heconsidersdoubtonthissubjectasimpious。Wecannotrefrainfromquotinghisargumentonthissubject。Itisaperfectjeweloflogic:
\"’Manythousandsinyourmetropolis，’saysSirThomasMore，’riseeverymorningwithoutknowinghowtheyaretosubsistduringtheday;asmanyofthem，wheretheyaretolaytheirheadsatnight。
Allmen，eventheviciousthemselves，knowthatwickednessleadstomisery:butmany，evenamongthegoodandthewise，haveyettolearnthatmiseryisalmostasoftenthecauseofwickedness。’
\"’Therearemany，’saysMontesinos，’whoknowthis，butbelievethatitisnotinthepowerofhumaninstitutionstopreventthismisery。Theyseetheeffect，butregardthecausesasinseparablefromtheconditionofhumannature。’
\"’AssurelyasGodisgood，’repliesSirThomas，’sosurelythereisnosuchthingasnecessaryevil。For，bythereligiousmind，sickness，andpain，anddeath，arenottobeaccountedevils。’\"
Nowifsickness，pain，anddeath，arenotevils，wecannotunderstandwhyitshouldbeanevilthatthousandsshouldrisewithoutknowinghowtheyaretosubsist。Theonlyevilofhungeristhatitproducesfirstpain，thensickness，andfinallydeath。
Ifitdidnotproducethese，itwouldbenocalamity。Ifthesearenotevils，itisnocalamity。Wewillproposeaveryplaindilemma:eitherphysicalpainisanevil，oritisnotanevil。
Ifitisanevil，thenthereisnecessaryevilintheuniverse:
ifitisnot，whyshouldthepoorbedeliveredfromit？
Mr。Southeyentertainsasexaggeratedanotionofthewisdomofgovernmentsasoftheirpower。Hespeakswiththegreatestdisgustoftherespectnowpaidtopublicopinion。Thatopinionis，accordingtohim，tobedistrustedanddreaded;itsusurpationoughttobevigorouslyresisted;andthepracticeofyieldingtoitislikelytoruinthecountry。Tomaintainpoliceis，accordingtohim，onlyoneoftheendsofgovernment。Thedutiesofarulerarepatriarchalandpaternal。Heoughttoconsiderthemoraldisciplineofthepeopleashisfirstobject，toestablishareligion，totrainthewholecommunityinthatreligion，andtoconsideralldissentersashisownenemies。
\"’Nothing，’saysSirThomas，’ismorecertain，thanthatreligionisthebasisuponwhichcivilgovernmentrests;thatfromreligionpowerderivesitsauthority，lawstheirefficacy，andboththeirzealandsanction;anditisnecessarythatthisreligionbeestablishedasforthesecurityofthestate，andforthewelfareofthepeople，whowouldotherwisebemovedtoandfrowitheverywindofdoctrine。Astateissecureinproportionasthepeopleareattachedtoitsinstitutions;itis，therefore，thefirstandplainestruleofsoundpolicy，thatthepeoplebetrainedupinthewaytheyshouldgo。Thestatethatneglectsthispreparesitsowndestruction;andtheywhotraintheminanyotherwayareunderminingit。Nothinginabstractsciencecanbemorecertainthanthesepositionsare。’
\"’Allofwhich，’answersMontesinos，’areneverthelessdeniedbyourprofessorsoftheartsBabblativeandScribblative:someintheaudacityofevildesigns，andothersinthegloriousassuranceofimpenetrableignorance。’
Thegreaterpartofthetwovolumesbeforeusismerelyanamplificationoftheseparagraphs。WhatdoesMr。Southeymeanbysayingthatreligionisdemonstrablythebasisofcivilgovernment？Hecannotsurelymeanthatmenhavenomotivesexceptthosederivedfromreligionforestablishingandsupportingcivilgovernment，thatnotemporaladvantageisderivedfromcivilgovernment，thatmenwouldexperiencenotemporalinconveniencefromlivinginastateofanarchy？Ifheallows，aswethinkhemustallow，thatitisforthegoodofmankindinthisworldtohavecivilgovernment，andthatthegreatmajorityofmankindhavealwaysthoughtitfortheirgoodinthisworldtohavecivilgovernment，wethenhaveabasisforgovernmentquitedistinctfromreligion。ItistruethattheChristianreligionsanctionsgovernment，asitsanctionseverythingwhichpromotesthehappinessandvirtueofourspecies。Butweareatalosstoconceiveinwhatsensereligioncanbesaidtobethebasisofgovernment，inwhichreligionisnotalsothebasisofthepracticesofeating，drinking，andlightingfiresincoldweather。Nothinginhistoryismorecertainthanthatgovernmenthasexisted，hasreceivedsomeobedience，andhasgivensomeprotection，intimesinwhichitderivednosupportfromreligion，intimesinwhichtherewasnoreligionthatinfluencedtheheartsandlivesofmen。ItwasnotfromdreadofTartarus，orfrombeliefintheElysianfields，thatanAthenianwishedtohavesomeinstitutionswhichmightkeepOrestesfromfilchinghiscloak，orMidiasfrombreakinghishead。\"Itisfromreligion，\"
saysMr。Southey，\"thatpowerderivesitsauthority，andlawstheirefficacy。\"FromwhatreligiondoesourpowerovertheHindoosderiveitsauthority，orthelawinvirtueofwhichwehangBrahminsitsefficacy？Forthousandsofyearscivilgovernmenthasexistedinalmosteverycorneroftheworld，inagesofpriestcraft，inagesoffanaticism，inagesofEpicureanindifference，inagesofenlightenedpiety。Howeverpureorimpurethefaithofthepeoplemightbe，whethertheyadoredabeneficentoramalignantpower，whethertheythoughtthesoulmortalorimmortal，theyhave，assoonastheyceasedtobeabsolutesavages，foundouttheirneedofcivilgovernment，andinstituteditaccordingly。Itisasuniversalasthepracticeofcookery。Yet，itisascertain，saysMr。Southey，asanythinginabstractscience，thatgovernmentisfoundedonreligion。WeshouldliketoknowwhatnotionMr。Southeyhasofthedemonstrationsofabstractscience。Averyvagueone，wesuspect。
Theproofproceeds。Asreligionisthebasisofgovernment，andastheStateissecureinproportionasthepeopleareattachedtopublicinstitutions，itistherefore，saysMr。Southey，thefirstruleofpolicy，thatthegovernmentshouldtrainthepeopleinthewayinwhichtheyshouldgo;anditisplainthatthosewhotraintheminanyotherwayareunderminingtheState。
Nowitdoesnotappeartoustobethefirstobjectthatpeopleshouldalwaysbelieveintheestablishedreligionandbeattachedtotheestablishedgovernment。Areligionmaybefalse。A
governmentmaybeoppressive。Andwhateversupportgovernmentgivestofalsereligions，orreligiontooppressivegovernments，weconsiderasaclearevil。
Themaxim，thatgovernmentsoughttotrainthepeopleinthewayinwhichtheyshouldgo，soundswell。Butisthereanyreasonforbelievingthatagovernmentismorelikelytoleadthepeopleintherightwaythanthepeopletofallintotherightwayofthemselves？Havetherenotbeengovernmentswhichwereblindleadersoftheblind？Aretherenotstillsuchgovernments？Canitbelaiddownasageneralrulethatthemovementofpoliticalandreligioustruthisratherdownwardsfromthegovernmenttothepeoplethanupwardsfromthepeopletothegovernment？Thesearequestionswhichitisofimportancetohaveclearlyresolved。
Mr。Southeydeclaimsagainstpublicopinion，whichisnow，hetellsus，usurpingsupremepower。Formerly，accordingtohim，thelawsgoverned;nowpublicopiniongoverns。Whatarelawsbutexpressionsoftheopinionofsomeclasswhichhaspowerovertherestofthecommunity？Bywhatwastheworldevergovernedbutbytheopinionofsomepersonorpersons？Bywhatelsecaniteverbegoverned？Whatareallsystems，religious，political，orscientific，butopinionsrestingonevidencemoreorlesssatisfactory？Thequestionisnotbetweenhumanopinionandsomehigherandmorecertainmodeofarrivingattruth，butbetweenopinionandopinion，betweentheopinionsofonemanandanother，orofoneclassandanother，orofonegenerationandanother。
Publicopinionisnotinfallible;butcanMr。Southeyconstructanyinstitutionswhichshallsecuretoustheguidanceofaninfallibleopinion？CanMr。Southeyselectanyfamily，anyprofession，anyclass，inshort，distinguishedbyanyplainbadgefromtherestofthecommunity，whoseopinionismorelikelytobejustthanthismuchabusedpublicopinion？Wouldhechoosethepeers，forexample？Orthetwohundredtallestmeninthecountry？OrthepoorKnightsofWindsor？Orchildrenwhoarebornwithcauls？Ortheseventhsonsofseventhsons？
Wecannotsupposethathewouldrecommendpopularelection;forthatismerelyanappealtopublicopinion。Andtosaythatsocietyoughttobegovernedbytheopinionofthewisestandbest，thoughtrue，isuseless。Whoseopinionistodecidewhoarethewisestandbest？
Mr。Southeyandmanyotherrespectablepeopleseemtothinkthat，whentheyhaveonceprovedthemoralandreligioustrainingofthepeopletobeamostimportantobject，itfollows，ofcourse，thatitisanobjectwhichthegovernmentoughttopursue。Theyforgetthatwehavetoconsider，notmerelythegoodnessoftheend，butalsothefitnessofthemeans。Neitherinthenaturalnorinthepoliticalbodyhaveallmembersthesameoffice。Thereissurelynocontradictioninsayingthatacertainsectionofthecommunitymaybequitecompetenttoprotectthepersonsandpropertyoftherest，yetquiteunfittodirectouropinions，ortosuperintendourprivatehabits。
Sostrongistheinterestofarulertoprotecthissubjectsagainstalldepredationsandoutragesexcepthisown，soclearandsimplearethemeansbywhichthisendistobeeffected，thatmenareprobablybetteroffundertheworstgovernmentsintheworldthantheywouldbeinastateofanarchy。Evenwhentheappointmentofmagistrateshasbeenlefttochance，asintheItalianRepublics，thingshavegoneonfarbetterthaniftherehadbeennomagistratesatall，andifeverymanhaddonewhatseemedrightinhisowneyes。Butweseenoreasonforthinkingthattheopinionsofthemagistrateonspeculativequestionsaremorelikelytoberightthanthoseofanyotherman。Noneofthemodesbywhichamagistrateisappointed，popularelection，theaccidentofthelot，ortheaccidentofbirth，affords，asfaraswecanperceive，muchsecurityforhisbeingwiserthananyofhisneighbours。Thechanceofhisbeingwiserthanallhisneighbourstogetherisstillsmaller。Nowwecannotunderstandhowitcanbelaiddownthatitisthedutyandtherightofoneclasstodirecttheopinionsofanother，unlessitcanbeprovedthattheformerclassismorelikelytoformjustopinionsthanthelatter。
Thedutiesofgovernmentwouldbe，asMr。Southeysaysthattheyare，paternal，ifagovernmentwerenecessarilyasmuchsuperiorinwisdomtoapeopleasthemostfoolishfather，foratime，istothemostintelligentchild，andifagovernmentlovedapeopleasfathersgenerallylovetheirchildren。Butthereisnoreasontobelievethatagovernmentwillhaveeitherthepaternalwarmthofaffectionorthepaternalsuperiorityofintellect。Mr。
Southeymightaswellsaythatthedutiesoftheshoemakerarepaternal，andthatitisanusurpationinanymannotofthecrafttosaythathisshoesarebadandtoinsistonhavingbetter。Thedivisionoflabourwouldbenoblessing，ifthosebywhomathingisdoneweretopaynoattentiontotheopinionofthoseforwhomitisdone。Theshoemaker，intheRelapse，tellsLordFoppingtonthathisLordshipismistakeninsupposingthathisshoepinches。\"Itdoesnotpinch;itcannotpinch;Iknowmybusiness;andInevermadeabettershoe。\"ThisisthewayinwhichMr。Southeywouldhaveagovernmenttreatapeoplewhousurptheprivilegeofthinking。Nay，theshoemakerofVanbrughhastheadvantageinthecomparison。Hecontentedhimselfwithregulatinghiscustomer’sshoes，aboutwhichhehadpeculiarmeansofinformation，anddidnotpresumetodictateaboutthecoatandhat。ButMr。Southeywouldhavetherulersofacountryprescribeopinionstothepeople，notonlyaboutpolitics，butaboutmattersconcerningwhichagovernmenthasnopeculiarsourcesofinformation，andconcerningwhichanymaninthestreetsmayknowasmuchandthinkasjustlyastheKing，namelyreligionandmorals。
Menareneversolikelytosettleaquestionrightlyaswhentheydiscussitfreely。Agovernmentcaninterfereindiscussiononlybymakingitlessfreethanitwouldotherwisebe。Menaremostlikelytoformjustopinionswhentheyhavenootherwishthantoknowthetruth，andareexemptfromallinfluence，eitherofhopeorfear。Government，asgovernment，canbringnothingbuttheinfluenceofhopesandfearstosupportitsdoctrines。Itcarriesoncontroversy，notwithreasons，butwiththreatsandbribes。Ifitemploysreasons，itdoesso，notinvirtueofanypowerswhichbelongtoitasagovernment。Thus，insteadofacontestbetweenargumentandargument，wehaveacontestbetweenargumentandforce。Insteadofacontestinwhichtruth，fromthenaturalconstitutionofthehumanmind，hasadecidedadvantageoverfalsehood，wehaveacontestinwhichtruthcanbevictoriousonlybyaccident。
Andwhat，afterall，isthesecuritywhichthistraininggivestogovernments？Mr。Southeywouldscarcelyproposethatdiscussionshouldbemoreeffectuallyshackled，thatpublicopinionshouldbemorestrictlydisciplinedintoconformitywithestablishedinstitutions，thaninSpainandItaly。YetweknowthattherestraintswhichexistinSpainandItalyhavenotpreventedatheismfromspreadingamongtheeducatedclasses，andespeciallyamongthosewhoseofficeitistoministeratthealtarsofGod。
Allourreadersknowhow，atthetimeoftheFrenchRevolution，priestafterpriestcameforwardtodeclarethathisdoctrine，hisministry，hiswholelife，hadbeenalie，amummeryduringwhichhecouldscarcelycomposehiscountenancesufficientlytocarryontheimposture。Thiswasthecaseofafalse，oratleastofagrosslycorruptedreligion。LetustakethenthecaseofallothersmostfavourabletoMr。Southey’sargument。Letustakethatformofreligionwhichheholdstobethepurest，thesystemoftheArminianpartoftheChurchofEngland。Letustaketheformofgovernmentwhichhemostadmiresandregrets，thegovernmentofEnglandinthetimeofCharlestheFirst。WouldhewishtoseeacloserconnectionbetweenChurchandStatethanthenexisted？Wouldhewishformorepowerfulecclesiasticaltribunals？foramorezealousKing？foramoreactiveprimate？
WouldhewishtoseeamorecompletemonopolyofpublicinstructiongiventotheEstablishedChurch？Couldanygovernmentdomoretotrainthepeopleinthewayinwhichhewouldhavethemgo？Andinwhatdidallthistrainingend？TheReportofthestateoftheProvinceofCanterbury，deliveredbyLaudtohismasteratthecloseof1639，representstheChurchofEnglandasinthehighestandmostpalmystate。SoeffectuallyhadtheGovernmentpursuedthatpolicywhichMr。Southeywishestoseerevivedthattherewasscarcelytheleastappearanceofdissent。
Mostofthebishopsstatedthatallwaswellamongtheirflocks。
SevenoreightpersonsinthedioceseofPeterboroughhadseemedrefractorytotheChurch，buthadmadeamplesubmission。InNorfolkandSuffolkallwhomtherehadbeenreasontosuspecthadmadeprofessionofconformity，andappearedtoobserveitstrictly。ItisconfessedthattherewasalittledifficultyinbringingsomeofthevulgarinSuffolktotakethesacramentattherailsinthechancel。ThiswastheonlyopeninstanceofnonconformitywhichthevigilanteyeofLaudcoulddetectinallthediocesesofhistwenty—onesuffragans，ontheveryeveofarevolutioninwhichprimate，andChurch，andmonarch，andmonarchyweretoperishtogether。
AtwhichtimewouldMr。Southeypronouncetheconstitutionmoresecure:in1639，whenLaudpresentedthisReporttoCharles;ornow，whenthousandsofmeetingsopenlycollectmillionsofdissenters，whendesignsagainstthetithesareopenlyavowed，whenbooksattackingnotonlytheEstablishment，butthefirstprinciplesofChristianity，areopenlysoldinthestreets？Thesignsofdiscontent，hetellsus，arestrongerinEnglandnowthaninFrancewhentheStates—Generalmet:andhencehewouldhaveusinferthatarevolutionlikethatofFrancemaybeathand。Doeshenotknowthatthedangerofstatesistobeestimated，notbywhatbreaksoutofthepublicmind，butbywhatstaysinit？Canheconceiveanythingmoreterriblethanthesituationofagovernmentwhichruleswithoutapprehensionoverapeopleofhypocrites，whichisflatteredbythepressandcursedintheinnerchambers，whichexultsintheattachmentandobedienceofitssubjects，andknowsnotthatthosesubjectsareleaguedagainstitinafree—masonryofhatred，thesignofwhichiseverydayconveyedintheglanceoftenthousandeyes，thepressureoftenthousandhands，andthetoneoftenthousandvoices？Profoundandingeniouspolicy！Insteadofcuringthedisease，toremovethosesymptomsbywhichaloneitsnaturecanbeknown！Toleavetheserpenthisdeadlysting，anddeprivehimonlyofhiswarningrattle！
WhenthepeoplewhomCharleshadsoassiduouslytrainedinthegoodwayhadrewardedhispaternalcarebycuttingoffhishead，anewkindoftrainingcameintofashion。Anothergovernmentarosewhich，liketheformer，consideredreligionasitssurestbasis，andthereligiousdisciplineofthepeopleasitsfirstduty。Sanguinarylawswereenactedagainstlibertinism;profanepictureswereburned;draperywasputonindecorousstatues;thetheatreswereshutup;fast—dayswerenumerous;andtheParliamentresolvedthatnopersonshouldbeadmittedintoanypublicemployment，unlesstheHouseshouldbefirstsatisfiedofhisvitalgodliness。Weknowwhatwastheendofthistraining。
Weknowthatitendedinimpietyinfilthyandheartlesssensuality，inthedissolutionofalltiesofhonourandmorality。Weknowthatatthisverydayscripturalphrases，scripturalnames，perhapssomescripturaldoctrinesexcitedisgustandridicule，solelybecausetheyareassociatedwiththeausterityofthatperiod。
ThushastheexperimentoftrainingthepeopleinestablishedformsofreligionbeentwicetriedinEnglandonalargescale，oncebyCharlesandLaud，andoncebythePuritans。TheHighToriesofourtimestillentertainmanyofthefeelingsandopinionsofCharlesandLaud，thoughinamitigatedform;norisitdifficulttoseethattheheirsofthePuritansarestillamongstus。Itwouldbedesirablethateachofthesepartiesshouldrememberhowlittleadvantageorhonouritformerlyderivedfromtheclosestalliancewithpower，thatitfallbythesupportofrulersandrosebytheiropposition，thatofthetwosystemsthatinwhichthepeoplewereatanytimedrilledwasalwaysatthattimetheunpopularsystem，thatthetrainingoftheHighChurchendedinthereignofthePuritans，andthatthetrainingofthePuritansendedinthereignoftheharlots。
Thiswasquitenatural。Nothingissogallingtoapeoplenotbrokeninfromthebirthasapaternal，or，inotherwords，ameddlinggovernment，agovernmentwhichtellsthemwhattoread，andsay，andeat，anddrink，andwear。Ourfatherscouldnotbearittwohundredyearago;andwearenotmorepatientthanthey。
Mr。SoutheythinksthattheyokeoftheChurchisdroppingoffbecauseitisloose。Wefeelconvincedthatitisborneonlybecauseitiseasy，andthat，intheinstantinwhichanattemptismadetotightenit，itwillbeflungaway。ItwillbeneitherthefirstnorthestrongestyokethathasbeenbrokenasunderandtrampledunderfootinthedayofthevengeanceofEngland。
HowfarMr。SoutheywouldhavetheGovernmentcarryitsmeasuresfortrainingthepeopleinthedoctrinesoftheChurch，weareunabletodiscover。InonepassageSirThomasMoreaskswithgreatvehemence，\"Isitpossiblethatyourlawsshouldsuffertheunbelieverstoexistasaparty？Vetitumestadeoscelerisnihil？\"
Montesinosanswers:\"Theyavowthemselvesindefianceofthelaws。Thefashionabledoctrinewhichthepressatthistimemaintainsis，thatthisisamatterinwhichthelawsoughtnottointerfere，everymanhavingaright，bothtoformwhatopinionhepleasesuponreligioussubjects，andtopromulgatethatopinion。\"
Itisclear，therefore，thatMr。Southeywouldnotgivefullandperfecttolerationtoinfidelity。Inanotherpassage，however，heobserveswithsometruth，thoughtoosweepingly，that\"anydegreeofintoleranceshortofthatfullextentwhichthePapalChurchexerciseswhereithasthepower，actsupontheopinionswhichitisintendedtosuppress，likepruninguponvigorousplants;theygrowthestrongerforit。\"Thesetwopassages，puttogether，wouldleadustotheconclusionthat，inMr。Southey’sopinion，theutmostseverityeveremployedbytheRomanCatholicChurchinthedaysofitsgreatestpoweroughttobeemployedagainstunbelieversinEngland;inplainwords，thatCarlileandhisshopmenoughttobeburnedinSmithfield，andthateverypersonwho，whencalledupon，shoulddeclinetomakeasolemnprofessionofChristianityoughttosufferthesamefate。Wedonot，however，believethatMr。Southeywouldrecommendsuchacourse，thoughhislanguagewould，accordingtoalltherulesoflogic，justifyusinsupposingthistobehismeaning。Hisopinionsformnosystematall。Heneversees，atoneglance，moreofaquestionthanwillfurnishmatterforoneflowingandwell—turnedsentence;sothatitwouldbetheheightofunfairnesstochargehimpersonallywithholdingadoctrinemerelybecausethatdoctrineisdeducible，thoughbytheclosestandmostaccuratereasoning，fromthepremiseswhichhehaslaiddown。Weare，therefore，leftcompletelyinthedarkastoMr。Southey’sopinionsabouttoleration。ImmediatelyaftercensuringtheGovernmentfornotpunishinginfidels，heproceedstodiscussthequestionoftheCatholicdisabilities，now，thankGod，removed，anddefendsthemonthegroundthattheCatholicdoctrinestendtopersecution，andthattheCatholicspersecutedwhentheyhadpower。
\"Theymustpersecute，\"sayshe，\"iftheybelievetheirowncreed，forconscience—sake;andiftheydonotbelieveit，theymustpersecuteforpolicy;becauseitisonlybyintolerancethatsocorruptandinjuriousasystemcanbeupheld。\"
Thatunbelieversshouldnotbepersecutedisaninstanceofnationaldepravityatwhichtheglorifiedspiritsstandaghast。
YetasectofChristiansistobeexcludedfrompower，becausethosewhoformerlyheldthesameopinionswereguiltyofpersecution。WehavesaidthatwedonotverywellknowwhatMr。
Southey’sopinionabouttolerationis。But，onthewhole，wetakeittobethis，thateverybodyistotoleratehim，andthatheistotoleratenobody。
Wewillnotbedeterredbyanyfearofmisrepresentationfromexpressingourheartyapprobationofthemild，wise，andeminentlyChristianmannerinwhichtheChurchandtheGovernmenthavelatelyactedwithrespecttoblasphemouspublications。Wepraisethemfornothavingthoughtitnecessarytoencircleareligionpure，merciful，andphilosophical，areligiontotheevidenceofwhichthehighestintellectshaveyielded，withthedefencesofafalseandbloodysuperstition。ThearkofGodwasnevertakentillitwassurroundedbythearmsofearthlydefenders。Incaptivity，itssanctitywassufficienttovindicateitfrominsult，andtolaythehostilefiendprostrateonthethresholdofhisowntemple。TherealsecurityofChristianityistobefoundinitsbenevolentmorality，initsexquisiteadaptationtothehumanheart，inthefacilitywithwhichitsschemeaccommodatesitselftothecapacityofeveryhumanintellect，intheconsolationwhichitbearstothehouseofmourning，inthelightwithwhichitbrightensthegreatmysteryofthegrave。Tosuchasystemitcanbringnoadditionofdignityorofstrength，thatitispartandparcelofthecommonlaw。Itisnotnowforthefirsttimelefttorelyontheforceofitsownevidencesandtheattractionsofitsownbeauty。ItssublimetheologyconfoundedtheGrecianschoolsinthefairconflictofreasonwithreason。ThebravestandwisestoftheCaesarsfoundtheirarmsandtheirpolicyunavailing，whenopposedtotheweaponsthatwerenotcarnalandthekingdomthatwasnotofthisworld。ThevictorywhichPorphyryandDiocletianfailedtogainisnot，toallappearance，reservedforanyofthosewhohaveinthisage，directedtheirattacksagainstthelastrestraintofthepowerfulandthelasthopeofthewretched。
ThewholehistoryofChristianityshows，thatsheisinfargreaterdangerofbeingcorruptedbytheallianceofpower，thanofbeingcrushedbyitsopposition。Thosewhothrusttemporalsovereigntyuponhertreatherastheirprototypestreatedherauthor。Theybowtheknee，andspituponher;theycry\"Hail！\"
andsmiteheronthecheek;theyputasceptreinherhand，butitisafragilereed;theycrownher，butitiswiththorns;theycoverwithpurplethewoundswhichtheirownhandshaveinflictedonher;andinscribemagnificenttitlesoverthecrossonwhichtheyhavefixedhertoperishinignominyandpain。
ThegeneralviewwhichMr。Southeytakesoftheprospectsofsocietyisverygloomy;butwecomfortourselveswiththeconsiderationthatMr。Southeyisnoprophet。Heforetold，weremember，ontheveryeveoftheabolitionoftheTestandCorporationActs，thatthesehatefullawswereimmortal，andthatpiousmindswouldlongbegratifiedbyseeingthemostsolemnreligiousriteoftheChurchprofanedforthepurposeofupholdingherpoliticalsupremacy。Inthebookbeforeus，hesaysthatCatholicscannotpossiblybeadmittedintoParliamentuntilthosewhomJohnsoncalled\"thebottomlessWhigs\"comeintopower。
Whilethebookwasinthepress，theprophecywasfalsified;andaToryoftheTories，Mr。Southey’sownfavouritehero，wonandworethatnoblestwreath，\"Obcivesservatos。\"
Thesignsofthetimes，Mr。Southeytellsus，areverythreatening。Hisfearsforthecountrywoulddecidedlypreponderateoverhishopes，butforafirmrelianceonthemercyofGod。Now，asweknowthatGodhasoncesufferedthecivilisedworldtobeoverrunbysavages，andtheChristianreligiontobecorruptedbydoctrineswhichmadeit，forsomeages，almostasbadasPaganism，wecannotthinkitinconsistentwithhisattributesthatsimilarcalamitiesshouldagainbefalmankind。
Welook，however，onthestateoftheworld，andofthiskingdominparticular，withmuchgreatersatisfactionandwithbetterhopes。Mr。Southeyspeakswithcontemptofthosewhothinkthesavagestatehappierthanthesocial。Onthissubject，hesays，Rousseauneverimposedonhimeveninhisyouth。Butheconceivesthatacommunitywhichhasadvancedalittlewayincivilisationishappierthanonewhichhasmadegreaterprogress。TheBritonsinthetimeofCaesarwerehappier，hesuspects，thantheEnglishofthenineteenthcentury。Onthewhole，heselectsthegenerationwhichprecededtheReformationasthatinwhichthepeopleofthiscountrywerebetteroffthanatanytimebeforeorsince。
Thisopinionrestsonnothing，asfaraswecansee，excepthisownindividualassociations。Heisamanofletters;andalifedestituteofliterarypleasuresseemsinsipidtohim。Heabhorsthespiritofthepresentgeneration，theseverityofitsstudies，theboldnessofitsinquiries，andthedisdainwithwhichitregardssomeoldprejudicesbywhichhisownmindisheldinbondage。Hedislikesanutterlyunenlightenedage;hedislikesaninvestigatingandreformingage。Thefirsttwentyyearsofthesixteenthcenturywouldhaveexactlysuitedhim。
Theyfurnishedjustthequantityofintellectualexcitementwhichherequires。Thelearnedfewreadandwrotelargely。Ascholarwasheldinhighestimation。Buttherabbledidnotpresumetothink;andeventhemostinquiringandindependentoftheeducatedclassespaidmorereverencetoauthority，andlesstoreason，thanisusualinourtime。ThisisastateofthingsinwhichMr。Southeywouldhavefoundhimselfquitecomfortable;
and，accordingly，hepronouncesitthehappieststateofthingseverknownintheworld。
Thesavageswerewretched，saysMr。Southey;butthepeopleinthetimeofSirThomasMorewerehappierthaneithertheyorwe。
NowwethinkitquitecertainthatwehavetheadvantageoverthecontemporariesofSirThomasMore，ineverypointinwhichtheyhadanyadvantageoversavages。
Mr。Southeydoesnotevenpretendtomaintainthatthepeopleinthesixteenthcenturywerebetterlodgedorclothedthanatpresent。Heseemstoadmitthatintheserespectstherehasbeensomelittleimprovement。Itisindeedamatteraboutwhichscarcelyanydoubtcanexistinthemostperversemindthattheimprovementsofmachineryhaveloweredthepriceofmanufacturedarticles，andhavebroughtwithinthereachofthepoorestsomeconvenienceswhichSirThomasMoreorhismastercouldnothaveobtainedatanyprice。
Thelabouringclasses，however，were，accordingtoMr。Southey，betterfedthreehundredyearsagothanatpresent。Webelievethatheiscompletelyinerroronthispoint。Theconditionofservantsinnobleandwealthyfamilies，andofscholarsattheUniversities，mustsurelyhavebeenbetterinthosetimesthanthatofday—labourers;andwearesurethatitwasnotbetterthanthatofourworkhousepaupers。FromthehouseholdbookoftheNorthumberlandfamily，wefindthatinoneofthegreatestestablishmentsofthekingdomtheservantslivedverymuchascommonsailorslivenow。InthereignofEdwardtheSixththestateofthestudentsatCambridgeisdescribedtous，ontheverybestauthority，asmostwretched。Manyofthemdinedonpottagemadeofafarthing’sworthofbeefwithalittlesaltandoatmeal，andliterallynothingelse。ThisaccountwehavefromacontemporarymasterofSt。John’s。Ourparishpoornoweatwheatenbread。Inthesixteenthcenturythelabourerwasgladtogetbarley，andwasoftenforcedtocontenthimselfwithpoorerfare。InHarrison’sintroductiontoHolinshedwehaveanaccountofthestateofourworkingpopulationinthe\"goldendays，\"asMr。Southeycallsthem，\"ofgoodQueenBess。\"\"Thegentilitie，\"sayshe，\"commonlyprovidethemselvessufficientlyofwheatfortheirowntables，whylesttheirhouseholdandpooreneighboursinsomeshiresareinforcedtocontentthemselveswithryeorbarleie;yea，andintimeofdearth，manywithbreadmadeeytherofbeanes，peason，orotes，orofaltogether，andsomeaccruesamong。Iwillnotsaythatthisextremityisoftsowelltobeseenintimeofplentieasofdearth;butifIshouldIcouldeasilybringmytrial:foralbeittherebemuchmoregroundecarednowealmostineveryeplacethenbathebeeneoflateyeares，yetsuchapriceofcornecontinuethineachetowneandmarkete，withoutanyjustcause，thattheartificerandpoorelabouringmanisnotabletoreachuntoit，butisdriventocontenthimselfwithhorse—corne。\"WeshouldliketoseewhattheeffectwouldbeofputtinganyparishinEnglandnowonallowanceof\"horse—corne。\"ThehelotryofMammonarenot，inourday，soeasilyenforcedtocontentthemselvesasthepeasantryofthathappyperiod，asMr。Southeyconsidersit，whichelapsedbetweenthefallofthefeudalandtheriseofthecommercialtyranny。
\"Thepeople，\"saysMr。Southey，\"areworsefedthanwhentheywerefishers。\"Andyetinanotherplacehecomplainsthattheywillnoteatfish。\"Theyhavecontracted，\"sayshe，\"Iknownothow，someobstinateprejudiceagainstakindoffoodatoncewholesomeanddelicate，andeverywheretobeobtainedcheaplyandinabundance，werethedemandforitasgeneralasitoughttobe。\"Itistruethatthelowerordershaveanobstinateprejudiceagainstfish。Buthungerhasnosuchobstinateprejudices。Ifwhatwasformerlyacommondietisnoweatenonlyintimesofseverepressure，theinferenceisplain。Thepeoplemustbefedwithwhattheyatleastthinkbetterfoodthanthatoftheirancestors。
Theadviceandmedicinewhichthepoorestlabourercannowobtain，indisease，orafteranaccident，isfarsuperiortowhatHenrytheEighthcouldhavecommanded。Scarcelyanypartofthecountryisoutofthereachofpractitioners，whoareprobablynotsofarinferiortoSirHenryHalfordastheyaresuperiortoDr。Butts。Thattherehasbeenagreatimprovementinthisrespect，Mr。Southeyallows。Indeedhecouldnotwellhavedeniedit。\"But，\"sayshe，\"theevilsforwhichthesesciencesarethepalliative，haveincreasedsincethetimeoftheDruids，inaproportionthatheavilyoverweighsthebenefitofimprovedtherapeutics。\"WeknownothingeitherofthediseasesortheremediesoftheDruids。Butwearequitesurethattheimprovementofmedicinehasfarmorethankeptpacewiththeincreaseofdiseaseduringthelastthreecenturies。Thisisprovedbythebestpossibleevidence。ThetermofhumanlifeisdecidedlylongerinEnglandthaninanyformerage，respectingwhichwepossessanyinformationonwhichwecanrely。AlltherantsintheworldaboutpicturesquecottagesandtemplesofMammonwillnotshakethisargument。Notestofthephysicalwell—beingofsocietycanbenamedsodecisiveasthatwhichisfurnishedbybillsofmortality。Thatthelivesofthepeopleofthiscountryhavebeengraduallylengtheningduringthecourseofseveralgenerations，isascertainasanyfactinstatistics;andthatthelivesofmenshouldbecomelongerandlonger，whiletheirbodilyconditionduringlifeisbecomingworseandworse，isutterlyincredible。
Letourreadersthinkoverthesecircumstances。Letthemtakeintotheaccountthesweatingsicknessandtheplague。LetthemtakeintotheaccountthatfearfuldiseasewhichfirstmadeitsappearanceinthegenerationtowhichMr。Southeyassignsthepalmoffelicity，andragedthroughEuropewithafuryatwhichthephysicianstoodaghast，andbeforewhichthepeopleweresweptawaybymyriads。Letthemconsiderthestateofthenortherncounties，constantlythesceneofrobberies，rapes，massacres，andconflagrations。Letthemaddtoallthisthefactthatseventy—twothousandpersonssuffereddeathbythehandsoftheexecutionerduringthereignofHenrytheEighth，andjudgebetweenthenineteenthandthesixteenthcentury。
WedonotsaythatthelowerordersinEnglanddonotsufferseverehardships。But，inspiteofMr。Southey’sassertions，andinspiteoftheassertionsofaclassofpoliticians，who，differingfromMr。Southeyineveryotherpoint，agreewithhiminthis，weareinclinedtodoubtwhetherthelabouringclassesherereallysuffergreaterphysicaldistressthanthelabouringclassesofthemostflourishingcountriesoftheContinent。
ItwillscarcelybemaintainedthatthelazzaroniwhosleepundertheporticoesofNaples，orthebeggarswhobesiegetheconventsofSpain，areinahappiersituationthantheEnglishcommonalty。
ThedistresswhichhaslatelybeenexperiencedinthenorthernpartofGermany，oneofthebestgovernedandmostprosperousregionsofEurope，surpasses，ifwehavebeencorrectlyinformed，anythingwhichhasoflateyearsbeenknownamongus。InNorwayandSwedenthepeasantryareconstantlycompelledtomixbark。
withtheirbread;andeventhisexpedienthasnotalwayspreservedwholefamiliesandneighbourhoodsfromperishingtogetheroffamine。AnexperimenthaslatelybeentriedinthekingdomoftheNetherlands，whichhasbeencitedtoprovethepossibilityofestablishingagriculturalcoloniesonthewastelandsofEngland，butwhichprovestoourmindsnothingsoclearlyasthis，thattherateofsubsistencetowhichthelabouringclassesarereducedintheNetherlandsismiserablylow，andveryfarinferiortothatoftheEnglishpaupers。NodistresswhichthepeopleherehaveenduredforcenturiesapproachestothatwhichhasbeenfeltbytheFrenchinourowntime。Thebeginningoftheyear1817wasatimeofgreatdistressinthisisland。ButthestateofthelowestclassesherewasluxurycomparedwiththatofthepeopleofFrance。WefindinMagendie’sJournaldePhysiologieExperimentaleapaperonapointofphysiologyconnectedwiththedistressofthatseason。
Itappearsthattheinhabitantsofsixdepartments，Aix，Jura，Doubs，HauteSaone，Vosges，andSaone—et—Loire，werereducedfirsttooatmealandpotatoes，andatlasttonettles，beanstalks，andotherkindsofherbagefitonlyforcattle;thatwhenthenextharvestenabledthemtoeatbarley—bread，manyofthemdiedfromintemperateindulgenceinwhattheythoughtanexquisiterepast;andthatadropsyofapeculiardescriptionwasproducedbythehardfareoftheyear。Deadbodieswerefoundontheroadsandinthefields。Asinglesurgeondissectedsixofthese，andfoundthestomachshrunk，andfilledwiththeunwholesomealimentswhichhungerhaddrivenmentosharewithbeasts。SuchextremityofdistressasthisisneverheardofinEngland，oreveninIreland。Weare，onthewhole，inclinedtothink，thoughwewouldspeakwithdiffidenceonapointonwhichitwouldberashtopronounceapositivejudgmentwithoutamuchlongerandcloserinvestigationthanwehavebestoweduponit，thatthelabouringclassesofthisisland，thoughtheyhavetheirgrievancesanddistresses，someproducedbytheirownimprovidence，somebytheerrorsoftheirrulers，areonthewholebetteroffastophysicalcomfortsthantheinhabitantsofanequallyextensivedistrictoftheoldworld。Forthisveryreason，sufferingismoreacutelyfeltandmoreloudlybewailedherethanelsewhere。Wemusttakeintotheaccountthelibertyofdiscussion，andthestronginterestwhichtheopponentsofaministryalwayshave，toexaggeratetheextentofthepublicdisasters。TherearecountriesinwhichthepeoplequietlyenduredistressthatherewouldshakethefoundationsoftheState，countriesinwhichtheinhabitantsofawholeprovinceturnouttoeatgrasswithlessclamourthanoneSpitalfieldsweaverwouldmakehere，iftheoverseersweretoputhimonbarley—bread。Inthosenewcommonwealthsinwhichacivilisedpopulationhasatitscommandaboundlessextentoftherichestsoil，theconditionofthelabourerisprobablyhappierthaninanysocietywhichhaslastedformanycenturies。Butintheoldworldwemustconfessourselvesunabletofindanysatisfactoryrecordofanygreatnation，pastorpresent，inwhichtheworkingclasseshavebeeninamorecomfortablesituationthaninEnglandduringthelastthirtyyears。Whenthisislandwasthinlypeopled，itwasbarbarous:therewaslittlecapital;andthatlittlewasinsecure。Itisnowtherichestandmosthighlycivilisedspotintheworld;butthepopulationisdense。ThuswehaveneverknownthatgoldenagewhichthelowerordersintheUnitedStatesarenowenjoying。Wehaveneverknownanageofliberty，oforder，andofeducation，anageinwhichthemechanicalscienceswerecarriedtoagreatheight，yetinwhichthepeoplewerenotsufficientlynumeroustocultivateeventhemostfertilevalleys。
But，whenwecompareourownconditionwiththatofourancestors，wethinkitclearthattheadvantagesarisingfromtheprogressofcivilisationhavefarmorethancounterbalancedthedisadvantagesarisingfromtheprogressofpopulation。Whileournumbershaveincreasedtenfold，ourwealthhasincreasedahundredfold。Thoughtherearesomanymorepeopletosharethewealthnowexistinginthecountrythantherewereinthesixteenthcentury，itseemscertainthatagreatersharefallstoalmosteveryindividualthanfelltotheshareofanyofthecorrespondingclassinthesixteenthcentury。TheKingkeepsamoresplendidcourt。Theestablishmentsofthenoblesaremoremagnificent。Theesquiresarericher;themerchantsarericher;