theshopkeepersarericher。Theserving—man，theartisan，andthehusbandman，haveamorecopiousandpalatablesupplyoffood，betterclothing，andbetterfurniture。Thisisnoreasonfortoleratingabuses，orforneglectinganymeansofamelioratingtheconditionofourpoorercountrymen。Butitisareasonagainsttellingthem，assomeofourphilosophersareconstantlytellingthem，thattheyarethemostwretchedpeoplewhoeverexistedonthefaceoftheearth。
WehavealreadyadvertedtoMr。Southey’samusingdoctrineaboutnationalwealth。Astate，sayshe，cannotbetoorich;butapeoplemaybetoorich。Hisreasonforthinkingthisisextremelycurious。
\"Apeoplemaybetoorich，becauseitisthetendencyofthecommercial，andmoreespeciallyofthemanufacturingsystem，tocollectwealthratherthantodiffuseit。Wherewealthisnecessarilyemployedinanyofthespeculationsoftrade，itsincreaseisinproportiontoitsamount。Greatcapitalistsbecomelikepikesinafish—pondwhodevourtheweakerfish;anditisbuttoocertain，thatthepovertyofonepartofthepeopleseemstoincreaseinthesameratioastherichesofanother。Thereareexamplesofthisinhistory。InPortugal，whenthehightideofwealthflowedinfromtheconquestsinAfricaandtheEast，theeffectofthatgreatinfluxwasnotmorevisibleintheaugmentedsplendourofthecourt，andtheluxuryofthehigherranks，thaninthedistressofthepeople。\"
Mr。Southey’sinstanceisnotaveryfortunateone。ThewealthwhichdidsolittleforthePortuguesewasnotthefruiteitherofmanufacturesorofcommercecarriedonbyprivateindividuals。
Itwasthewealth，notofthepeople，butoftheGovernmentanditscreatures，ofthosewho，asMr。Southeythinks，canneverbetoorich。Thefactis，thatMr。Southey’spropositionisopposedtoallhistory，andtothephaenomenawhichsurroundusoneveryside。EnglandistherichestcountryinEurope，themostcommercialcountry，andthecountryinwhichmanufacturesflourishmost。RussiaandPolandarethepoorestcountriesinEurope。Theyhavescarcelyanytrade，andnonebuttherudestmanufactures。IswealthmorediffusedinRussiaandPolandthaninEngland？ThereareindividualsinRussiaandPolandwhoseincomesareprobablyequaltothoseofourrichestcountrymen。Itmaybedoubtedwhethertherearenot，inthosecountries，asmanyfortunesofeightythousandayearashere。Butarethereasmanyfortunesoftwothousandayear，orofonethousandayear？ThereareparishesinEnglandwhichcontainmorepeopleofbetweenthreehundredandthreethousandpoundsayearthancouldbefoundinallthedominionsoftheEmperorNicholas。TheneatandcommodioushouseswhichhavebeenbuiltinLondonanditsvicinity，forpeopleofthisclass，withinthelastthirtyyears，wouldofthemselvesformacitylargerthanthecapitalsofsomeEuropeankingdoms。Andthisisthestateofsocietyinwhichthegreatproprietorshavedevouredasmaller！
ThecurewhichMr。Southeythinksthathehasdiscoveredisworthyofthesagacitywhichhehasshownindetectingtheevil。
Thecalamitiesarisingfromthecollectionofwealthinthehandsofafewcapitalistsaretoberemediedbycollectingitinthehandsofonegreatcapitalist，whohasnoconceivablemotivetouseitbetterthanothercapitalists，theall—devouringState。
Itisnotstrangethat，differingsowidelyfromMr。Southeyastothepastprogressofsociety，weshoulddifferfromhimalsoastoitsprobabledestiny。Hethinks，thattoalloutwardappearance，thecountryishasteningtodestruction;buthereliesfirmlyonthegoodnessofGod。WedonotseeeitherthepietyortherationalityofthusconfidentlyexpectingthattheSupremeBeingwillinterferetodisturbthecommonsuccessionofcausesandeffects。We，too，relyonhisgoodness，onhisgoodnessasmanifested，notinextraordinaryinterpositions，butinthosegenerallawswhichithaspleasedhimtoestablishinthephysicalandinthemoralworld。Werelyonthenaturaltendencyofthehumanintellecttotruth，andonthenaturaltendencyofsocietytoimprovement。Weknownowell—authenticatedinstanceofapeoplewhichhasdecidedlyretrogradedincivilisationandprosperity，exceptfromtheinfluenceofviolentandterriblecalamities，suchasthosewhichlaidtheRomanEmpireinruins，orthosewhich，aboutthebeginningofthesixteenthcentury，desolatedItaly。Weknowofnocountrywhich，attheendoffiftyyearsofpeaceandtolerablygoodgovernment，hasbeenlessprosperousthanatthebeginningofthatperiod。
Thepoliticalimportanceofastatemaydecline，asthebalanceofpowerisdisturbedbytheintroductionofnewforces。ThustheinfluenceofHollandandofSpainismuchdiminished。ButareHollandandSpainpoorerthanformerly？Wedoubtit。Othercountrieshaveoutrunthem。Butwesuspectthattheyhavebeenpositively，thoughnotrelatively，advancing。WesuspectthatHollandisricherthanwhenshesenthernaviesuptheThames，thatSpainisricherthanwhenaFrenchkingwasbroughtcaptivetothefootstoolofCharlestheFifth。
Historyisfullofthesignsofthisnaturalprogressofsociety。
Weseeinalmosteverypartoftheannalsofmankindhowtheindustryofindividuals，strugglingupagainstwars，taxes，famines，conflagrations，mischievousprohibitions，andmoremischievousprotections，createsfasterthangovernmentscansquander，andrepairswhateverinvaderscandestroy。Weseethewealthofnationsincreasing，andalltheartsoflifeapproachingnearerandnearertoperfection，inspiteofthegrossestcorruptionandthewildestprofusiononthepartofrulers。
Thepresentmomentisoneofgreatdistress。Buthowsmallwillthatdistressappearwhenwethinkoverthehistoryofthelastfortyyears;awar，comparedwithwhichallotherwarssinkintoinsignificance;taxation，suchasthemostheavilytaxedpeopleofformertimescouldnothaveconceived;adebtlargerthanallthepublicdebtsthateverexistedintheworldaddedtogether;
thefoodofthepeoplestudiouslyrendereddear;thecurrencyimprudentlydebased，andimprudentlyrestored。Yetisthecountrypoorerthanin1790？Wefirmlybelievethat，inspiteofallthemisgovernmentofherrulers，shehasbeenalmostconstantlybecomingricherandricher。Nowandthentherehasbeenastoppage，nowandthenashortretrogression;butastothegeneraltendencytherecanbenodoubt。Asinglebreakermayrecede;butthetideisevidentlycomingin。
Ifweweretoprophesythatintheyear1930apopulationoffiftymillions，betterfed，clad，andlodgedthantheEnglishofourtime，willcovertheseislands，thatSussexandHuntingdonshirewillbewealthierthanthewealthiestpartsoftheWestRidingofYorkshirenoware，thatcultivation，richasthatofaflower—garden，willbecarrieduptotheverytopsofBenNevisandHelvellyn，thatmachinesconstructedonprinciplesyetundiscoveredwillbeineveryhouse，thattherewillbenohighwaysbutrailroads，notravellingbutbysteam，thatourdebt，vastasitseemstous，willappeartoourgreat—
grandchildrenatriflingencumbrance，whichmighteasilybepaidoffinayearortwo，manypeoplewouldthinkusinsane。Weprophesynothing;butthiswesay:IfanypersonhadtoldtheParliamentwhichmetinperplexityandterrorafterthecrashin1720thatin1830thewealthofEnglandwouldsurpassalltheirwildestdreams，thattheannualrevenuewouldequaltheprincipalofthatdebtwhichtheyconsideredasanintolerableburden，thatforonemanoftenthousandpoundsthenlivingtherewouldbefivemenoffiftythousandpounds，thatLondonwouldbetwiceaslargeandtwiceaspopulous，andthatneverthelesstherateofmortalitywouldhavediminishedtoone—halfofwhatitthenwas，thatthepost—officewouldbringmoreintotheexchequerthantheexciseandcustomshadbroughtintogetherunderCharlestheSecond，thatstagecoacheswouldrunfromLondontoYorkintwenty—fourhours，thatmenwouldbeinthehabitofsailingwithoutwind，andwouldbebeginningtoridewithouthorses，ourancestorswouldhavegivenasmuchcredittothepredictionastheygavetoGulliver’sTravels。Yetthepredictionwouldhavebeentrue;andtheywouldhaveperceivedthatitwasnotaltogetherabsurd，iftheyhadconsideredthatthecountrywasthenraisingeveryyearasumwhichwouldhavepurchasedthefee—
simpleoftherevenueofthePlantagenets，tentimeswhatsupportedtheGovernmentofElizabeth，threetimeswhat，inthetimeofCromwell，hadbeenthoughtintolerablyoppressive。Toalmostallmenthestateofthingsunderwhichtheyhavebeenusedtoliveseemstobethenecessarystateofthings。Wehavehearditsaidthatfivepercent。isthenaturalinterestofmoney，thattwelveisthenaturalnumberofajury，thatfortyshillingsisthenaturalqualificationofacountyvoter。Henceitisthat，thoughineveryageeverybodyknowsthatuptohisowntimeprogressiveimprovementhasbeentakingplace，nobodyseemstoreckononanyimprovementduringthenextgeneration。Wecannotabsolutelyprovethatthoseareinerrorwhotellusthatsocietyhasreachedaturningpoint，thatwehaveseenourbestdays。Butsosaidallwhocamebeforeus，andwithjustasmuchapparentreason。
\"Amillionayearwillbeggarus，\"saidthepatriotsof1640。
\"Twomillionsayearwillgrindthecountrytopowder，\"wasthecryin1660。\"Sixmillionsayear，andadebtoffiftymillions！\"
exclaimedSwift，\"thehighallieshavebeentheruinofus。\"\"A
hundredandfortymillionsofdebt！\"saidJunius;\"wellmaywesaythatweoweLordChathammorethanweshalleverpay，ifweowehimsuchaloadasthis。\"\"Twohundredandfortymillionsofdebt！\"criedallthestatesmenof1783inchorus;\"whatabilities，orwhateconomyonthepartofaminister，cansaveacountrysoburdened？\"Weknowthatif，since1783，nofreshdebthadbeenincurred，theincreasedresourcesofthecountrywouldhaveenabledustodefraythatdebtatwhichPitt，Fox，andBurkestoodaghast，nay，todefrayitoverandoveragain，andthatwithmuchlightertaxationthanwhatwehaveactuallyborne。Onwhatprincipleisitthat，whenweseenothingbutimprovementbehindus，wearetoexpectnothingbutdeteriorationbeforeus？
ItisnotbytheintermeddlingofMr。Southey’sidol，theomniscientandomnipotentState，butbytheprudenceandenergyofthepeople，thatEnglandhashithertobeencarriedforwardincivilisation;anditistothesameprudenceandthesameenergythatwenowlookwithcomfortandgoodhope。Ourrulerswillbestpromotetheimprovementofthenationbystrictlyconfiningthemselvestotheirownlegitimateduties，byleavingcapitaltofinditsmostlucrativecourse，commoditiestheirfairprice，industryandintelligencetheirnaturalreward，idlenessandfollytheirnaturalpunishment，bymaintainingpeace，bydefendingproperty，bydiminishingthepriceoflaw，andbyobservingstricteconomyineverydepartmentoftheState。LettheGovernmentdothis:thePeoplewillassuredlydotherest。
CIVILDISABILITIESOFTHEJEWS
（January1831）
StatementoftheCivilDisabilitiesandPrivationsaffectingJewsinEngland。8vo。London:1829。
THEdistinguishedmemberoftheHouseofCommons，who，towardsthecloseofthelateParliament，broughtforwardapropositionforthereliefoftheJews，hasgivennoticeofhisintentiontorenewit。Theforceofreason，inthelastsession，carriedthemeasurethroughonestageinspiteoftheoppositionofpower。
Reasonandpowerarenowonthesameside;andwehavelittledoubtthattheywillconjointlyachieveadecisivevictory。Inordertocontributeoursharetothesuccessofjustprinciples，weproposetopassinreview，asrapidlyaspossible，someofthearguments，orphrasesclaimingtobearguments，whichhavebeenemployedtovindicateasystemfullofabsurdityandinjustice。
Theconstitution，itissaid，isessentiallyChristian;andthereforetoadmitJewstoofficeistodestroytheconstitution。
NoristheJewinjuredbybeingexcludedfrompoliticalpower。
Fornomanhasanyrighttopower。Amanhasarighttohisproperty;amanhasarighttobeprotectedfrompersonalinjury。
TheserightsthelawallowstotheJew;andwiththeserightsitwouldbeatrocioustointerfere。Butitisamerematteroffavourtoadmitanymantopoliticalpower;andnomancanjustlycomplainthatheisshutoutfromit。
Wecannotbutadmiretheingenuityofthiscontrivanceforshiftingtheburdenoftheprooffromthosetowhomitproperlybelongs，andwhowould，wesuspect，finditrathercumbersome。
SurelynoChristiancandenythateveryhumanbeinghasarighttobeallowedeverygratification。whichproducesnoharmtoothers，andtobesparedeverymortificationwhichproducesnogoodtoothers。Isitnotasourceofmortificationtoaclassofmenthattheyareexcludedfrompoliticalpower？Ifitbe，theyhave，onChristianprinciples，arighttobefreedfromthatmortification，unlessitcanbeshownthattheirexclusionisnecessaryfortheavertingofsomegreaterevil。Thepresumptionisevidentlyinfavouroftoleration。Itisfortheprosecutortomakeouthiscase。
Thestrangeargumentwhichweareconsideringwouldprovetoomuchevenforthosewhoadvanceit。Ifnomanhasarighttopoliticalpower，thenneitherJewnorGentilehassucharight。
Thewholefoundationofgovernmentistakenaway。Butifgovernmentbetakenaway，thepropertyandthepersonsofmenareinsecure;anditisacknowledgedthatmenhavearighttotheirpropertyandtopersonalsecurity。Ifitberightthatthepropertyofmenshouldbeprotected，andifthiscanonlybedonebymeansofgovernment，thenitmustberightthatgovernmentshouldexist。Nowtherecannotbegovernmentunlesssomepersonorpersonspossesspoliticalpower。Thereforeitisrightthatsomepersonorpersonsshouldpossesspoliticalpower。Thatistosay，somepersonorpersonsmusthavearighttopoliticalpower。
Itisbecausemenarenotinthehabitofconsideringwhattheendofgovernmentis，thatCatholicdisabilitiesandJewishdisabilitieshavebeensufferedtoexistsolong。WehearofessentiallyProtestantgovernmentsandessentiallyChristiangovernments，wordswhichmeanjustasmuchasessentiallyProtestantcookery，oressentiallyChristianhorsemanship。
Governmentexistsforthepurposeofkeepingthepeace，forthepurposeofcompellingustosettleourdisputesbyarbitrationinsteadofsettlingthembyblows，forthepurposeofcompellingustosupplyourwantsbyindustryinsteadofsupplyingthembyrapine。Thisistheonlyoperationforwhichthemachineryofgovernmentispeculiarlyadapted，theonlyoperationwhichwisegovernmentseverproposetothemselvesastheirchiefobject。Ifthereisanyclassofpeoplewhoarenotinterested，orwhodonotthinkthemselvesinterested，inthesecurityofpropertyandthemaintenanceoforder，thatclassoughttohavenoshareofthepowerswhichexistforthepurposeofsecuringpropertyandmaintainingorder。Butwhyamanshouldbelessfittoexercisethosepowersbecausehewearsabeard，becausehedoesnoteatham，becausehegoestothesynagogueonSaturdaysinsteadofgoingtothechurchonSundays，wecannotconceive。
ThepointsofdifferencebetweenChristianityandJudaismhaveverymuchtodowithaman’sfitnesstobeabishoporarabbi。
Buttheyhavenomoretodowithhisfitnesstobeamagistrate，alegislator，oraministeroffinance，thanwithhisfitnesstobeacobbler。NobodyhaseverthoughtofcompellingcobblerstomakeanydeclarationonthetruefaithofaChristian。Anymanwouldratherhavehisshoesmendedbyahereticalcobblerthanbyapersonwhohadsubscribedallthethirty—ninearticles，buthadneverhandledanawl。Menactthus，notbecausetheyareindifferenttoreligion，butbecausetheydonotseewhatreligionhastodowiththemendingoftheirshoes。Yetreligionhasasmuchtodowiththemendingofshoesaswiththebudgetandthearmyestimates。WehavesurelyhadseveralsignalproofswithinthelasttwentyyearsthataverygoodChristianmaybeaverybadChancelloroftheExchequer。
Butitwouldbemonstrous，saysthepersecutors，thatJewsshouldlegislateforaChristiancommunity。Thisisapalpablemisrepresentation。Whatisproposedis，notthattheJewsshouldlegislateforaChristiancommunity，butthatalegislaturecomposedofChristiansandJewsshouldlegislateforacommunitycomposedofChristiansandJews。Onninehundredandninety—ninequestionsoutofathousand，onallquestionsofpolice，offinance，ofcivilandcriminallaw，offoreignpolicy，theJew，asaJew，hasnointeresthostiletothatoftheChristian，oreventothatoftheChurchman。Onquestionsrelatingtotheecclesiasticalestablishment，theJewandtheChurchmanmaydiffer。ButtheycannotdiffermorewidelythantheCatholicandtheChurchman，ortheIndependentandtheChurchman。TheprinciplethatChurchmenoughttomonopolisethewholepoweroftheStatewouldatleasthaveanintelligiblemeaning。TheprinciplethatChristiansoughttomonopoliseithasnomeaningatall。FornoquestionconnectedwiththeecclesiasticalinstitutionsofthecountrycanpossiblycomebeforeParliament，withrespecttowhichtherewillnotbeaswideadifferencebetweenChristiansastherecanbebetweenanyChristianandanyJew。
InfacttheJewsarenotnowexcludedfrompoliticalpower。Theypossessit;andaslongastheyareallowedtoaccumulatelargefortunes，theymustpossessit。Thedistinctionwhichissometimesmadebetweencivilprivilegesandpoliticalpowerisadistinctionwithoutadifference。Privilegesarepower。Civilandpoliticalaresynonymouswords，theonederivedfromtheLatin，theotherfromtheGreek。Noristhismereverbalquibbling。Ifwelookforamomentatthefactsofthecase，weshallseethatthethingsareinseparable，orratheridentical。
ThataJewshouldbeajudgeinaChristiancountrywouldbemostshocking。Buthemaybeajuryman。Hemaytryissuesoffact;andnoharmisdone。Butifheshouldbesufferedtotryissuesoflaw，thereisanendoftheconstitution。Hemaysitinaboxplainlydressed，andreturnverdicts。Butthatheshouldsitonthebenchinablackgownandwhitewig，andgrantnewtrials，wouldbeanabominationnottobethoughtofamongbaptizedpeople。Thedistinctioniscertainlymostphilosophical。
Whatpowerincivilisedsocietyissogreatasthatofthecreditoroverthedebtor？IfwetakethisawayfromtheJew，wetakeawayfromhimthesecurityofhisproperty。Ifweleaveittohim，weleavetohimapowermoredespoticbyfarthanthatoftheKingandallhisCabinet。
ItwouldbeimpioustoletaJewsitinParliament。ButaJewmaymakemoney;andmoneymaymakemembersofParliament。GattonandOldSarummaybethepropertyofaHebrew。AnelectorofPenrynwilltaketenpoundsfromShylockratherthanninepoundsnineteenshillingsandeleven—pencethreefarthingsfromAntonio。
Tothisnoobjectionismade。ThataJewshouldpossessthesubstanceoflegislativepower，thatheshouldcommandeightvotesoneverydivisionasifhewerethegreatDukeofNewcastlehimself，isexactlyasitshouldbe。Butthatheshouldpassthebarandsitdownonthosemysterious，cushionsofgreenleather，thatheshouldcry\"hear\"and\"order，\"andtalkaboutbeingonhislegs，andbeing，forone，freetosaythisandtosaythat，wouldbeaprofanationsufficienttobringruinonthecountry。
ThataJewshouldbeprivy—councillortoaChristiankingwouldbeaneternaldisgracetothenation。ButtheJewmaygovernthemoney—market，andthemoney—marketmaygoverntheworld。TheMinistermaybeindoubtastohisschemeoffinancetillhehasbeenclosetedwiththeJew。AcongressofsovereignsmaybeforcedtosummontheJewtotheirassistance。ThescrawloftheJewonthebackofapieceofpapermaybeworthmorethantheroyalwordofthreekings，orthenationalfaithofthreenewAmericanrepublics。ButthatheshouldputRightHonourablebeforehisnamewouldbethemostfrightfulofnationalcalamities。
ItwasinthiswaythatsomeofourpoliticiansreasonedabouttheIrishCatholics。TheCatholicsoughttohavenopoliticalpower。ThesunofEnglandissetforeveriftheCatholicsexercisepoliticalpower。GivetheCatholicseverythingelse;butkeeppoliticalpowerfromthem。Thesewisemendidnotseethat，wheneverythingelsehadbeengiven，politicalpowerhadbeengiven。Theycontinuedtorepeattheircuckoosong，whenitwasnolongeraquestionwhetherCatholicsshouldhavepoliticalpowerornot，whenaCatholicassociationbeardedtheParliament，whenaCatholicagitatorexercisedinfinitelymoreauthoritythantheLordLieutenant。
IfitisourdutyasChristianstoexcludetheJewsfrompoliticalpower，itmustbeourdutytotreatthemasourancestorstreatedthem，tomurderthem，andbanishthem，androbthem。Forinthatway，andinthatwayalone，canwereallydeprivethemofpoliticalpower。Ifwedonotadoptthiscourse，wemaytakeawaytheshadow，butwemustleavethemthesubstance。Wemaydoenoughtopainandirritatethem;butweshallnotdoenoughtosecureourselvesfromdanger，ifdangerreallyexists。Wherewealthis，therepowermustinevitablybe。
TheEnglishJews，wearetold，arenotEnglishmen。Theyareaseparatepeople，livinglocallyinthisisland，butlivingmorallyandpoliticallyincommunionwiththeirbrethrenwhoarescatteredoveralltheworld。AnEnglishJewlooksonaDutchoraPortugueseJewashiscountryman，andonanEnglishChristianasastranger。Thiswantofpatrioticfeeling，itissaid，rendersaJewunfittoexercisepoliticalfunctions。
Theargumenthasinitsomethingplausible;butacloseexaminationshowsittobequiteunsound。Eveniftheallegedfactsareadmitted，stilltheJewsarenottheonlypeoplewhohavepreferredtheirsecttotheircountry。Thefeelingofpatriotism，whensocietyisinahealthfulstatespringsup，byanaturalandinevitableassociation，inthemindsofcitizenswhoknowthattheyowealltheircomfortsandpleasurestothebondwhichunitestheminonecommunity。But，underapartialandoppressiveGovernment，theseassociationscannotacquirethatstrengthwhichtheyhaveinabetterstateofthings。Menarecompelledtoseekfromtheirpartythatprotectionwhichtheyoughttoreceivefromtheircountry，andthey，byanaturalconsequence，transfertotheirpartythataffectionwhichtheywouldotherwisehavefeltfortheircountry。TheHuguenotsofFrancecalledinthehelpofEnglandagainsttheirCatholickings。TheCatholicsofFrancecalledinthehelpofSpainagainstaHuguenotking。Woulditbefairtoinfer，thatatpresenttheFrenchProtestantswouldwishtoseetheirreligionmadedominantbythehelpofaPrussianoranEnglisharmy？
Surelynot，andwhyisitthattheyarenotwilling，astheyformerlywerewilling，tosacrificetheinterestsoftheircountrytotheinterestsoftheirreligiouspersuasion？Thereasonisobvious:theywerepersecutedthen，andarenotpersecutednow。TheEnglishPuritans，underCharlestheFirst，prevailedontheScotchtoinvadeEngland。DotheProtestantDissentersofourtimewishtoseetheChurchputdownbyaninvasionofforeignCalvinists？Ifnot，towhatcausearewetoattributethechange？Surelytothis，thattheProtestantDissentersarefarbettertreatednowthanintheseventeenthcentury。SomeofthemostillustriouspublicmenthatEnglandeverproducedwereinclinedtotakerefugefromthetyrannyofLaudinNorthAmerica。WasthisbecausePresbyteriansandIndependentsareincapableoflovingtheircountry？Butitisidletomultiplyinstances。Nothingissooffensivetoamanwhoknowsanythingofhistoryorofhumannatureastohearthosewhoexercisethepowersofgovernmentaccuseanysectofforeignattachments。Iftherebeanypropositionuniversallytrueinpoliticsitisthis，thatforeignattachmentsarethefruitofdomesticmisrule。Ithasalwaysbeenthetrickofbigotstomaketheirsubjectsmiserableathome，andthentocomplainthattheylookforreliefabroad;todividesociety，andtowonderthatitisnotunited;togovernasifasectionoftheStatewerethewhole，andtocensuretheothersectionsoftheStatefortheirwantofpatrioticspirit。IftheJewshavenotfelttowardsEnglandlikechildren，itisbecauseshehastreatedthemlikeastep—mother。Thereisnofeelingwhichmorecertainlydevelopsitselfinthemindsofmenlivingundertolerablygoodgovernmentthanthefeelingofpatriotism。Sincethebeginningoftheworld，thereneverwasanynation，oranylargeportionofanynation，notcruellyoppressed，whichwaswhollydestituteofthatfeeling。Tomakeitthereforegroundofaccusationagainstaclassofmen，thattheyarenotpatriotic，isthemostvulgarlegerdemainofsophistry。Itisthelogicwhichthewolfemploysagainstthelamb。Itistoaccusethemouthofthestreamofpoisoningthesource。
IftheEnglishJewsreallyfeltadeadlyhatredtoEngland，iftheweeklyprayeroftheirsynagogueswerethatallthecursesdenouncedbyEzekielonTyreandEgyptmightfallonLondon，if，intheirsolemnfeasts，theycalleddownblessingsonthosewhoshoulddashtheirchildrentopiecesonthestones，still，wesay，theirhatredtotheircountrymenwouldnotbemoreintensethanthatwhichsectsofChristianshaveoftenbornetoeachother。ButinfactthefeelingoftheJewsisnotsuch。Itispreciselywhat，inthesituationinwhichtheyareplaced，weshouldexpectittobe。TheyaretreatedfarbetterthantheFrenchProtestantsweretreatedinthesixteenthandseventeenthcenturies，orthanourPuritansweretreatedinthetimeofLaud。
They，therefore，havenorancouragainsttheGovernmentoragainsttheircountrymen。ItwillnotbedeniedthattheyarefarbetteraffectedtotheStatethanthefollowersofColigniorVane。ButtheyarenotsowelltreatedasthedissectingsectsofChristiansarenowtreatedinEngland;andonthisaccount，and，wefirmlybelieve，onthisaccountalone，theyhaveamoreexclusivespirit。Tillwehavecarriedtheexperimentfurther，wearenotentitledtoconcludethattheycannotbemadeEnglishmenaltogether。Thestatesmanwhotreatsthemasaliens，andthenabusesthemfornotentertainingallthefeelingsofnatives，isasunreasonableasthetyrantwhopunishedtheirfathersfornotmakingbrickswithoutstraw。
Rulersmustnotbesufferedthustoabsolvethemselvesoftheirsolemnresponsibility。Itdoesnotlieintheirmouthstosaythatasectisnotpatriotic。Itistheirbusinesstomakeitpatriotic。Historyandreasonclearlyindicatethemeans。TheEnglishJewsare，asfaraswecansee，preciselywhatourGovernmenthasmadethem。Theyarepreciselywhatanysect，whatanyclassofmen，treatedastheyhavebeentreated，wouldhavebeen。Ifallthered—hairedpeopleinEuropehad，duringcenturies，beenoutragedandoppressed，banishedfromthisplace，imprisonedinthat，deprivedoftheirmoney，deprivedoftheirteeth，convictedofthemostimprobablecrimesonthefeeblestevidence，draggedathorses’tails，hanged，tortured，burnedalive，if，whenmannersbecamemilder，theyhadstillbeensubjecttodebasingrestrictionsandexposedtovulgarinsults，lockedupinparticularstreetsinsomecountries，peltedandduckedbytherabbleinothers，excludedeverywherefrommagistraciesandhonours，whatwouldbethepatriotismofgentlemenwithredhair？Andif，undersuchcircumstances，apropositionweremadeforadmittingred—hairedmentooffice，howstrikingaspeechmightaneloquentadmirerofouroldinstitutionsdeliveragainstsorevolutionaryameasure！\"Thesemen，\"hemightsay，\"scarcelyconsiderthemselvesasEnglishmen。
Theythinkared—hairedFrenchmanorared—hairedGermanmorecloselyconnectedwiththemthanamanwithbrownhairbornintheirownparish。Ifaforeignsovereignpatronisesredhair，theylovehimbetterthantheirownnativeking。TheyarenotEnglishmen:theycannotbeEnglishmen:naturehasforbiddenit:
experienceprovesittobeimpossible。Righttopoliticalpowertheyhavenone;fornomanhasarighttopoliticalpower。Letthemenjoypersonalsecurity;lettheirpropertybeundertheprotectionofthelaw。Butiftheyaskforleavetoexercisepoweroveracommunityofwhichtheyareonlyhalfmembers，acommunitytheconstitutionofwhichisessentiallydark—haired，letusanswertheminthewordsofourwiseancestors，NolumuslegesAngliaemutari。\"
But，itissaid，theScripturesdeclarethattheJewsaretoberestoredtotheirowncountry;andthewholenationlooksforwardtothatrestoration。Theyare，therefore，notsodeeplyinterestedasothersintheprosperityofEngland。Itisnottheirhome，butmerelytheplaceoftheirsojourn，thehouseoftheirbondage。Thisargument，whichfirstappearedintheTimesnewspaper，andwhichhasattractedadegreeofattentionproportionednotsomuchtoitsownintrinsicforceastothegeneraltalentwithwhichthatjournalisconducted，belongstoaclassofsophismsbywhichthemosthatefulpersecutionsmayeasilybejustified。Tochargemenwithpracticalconsequenceswhichtheythemselvesdenyisdisingenuousincontroversy;itisatrociousingovernment。Thedoctrineofpredestination，intheopinionofmanypeople，tendstomakethosewhoholditutterlyimmoral。Andcertainlyitwouldseemthatamanwhobelieveshiseternaldestinytobealreadyirrevocablyfixedislikelytoindulgehispassionswithoutrestraintandtoneglecthisreligiousduties。Ifheisanheirofwrath，hisexertionsmustbeunavailing。Ifheispreordainedtolife，theymustbesuperfluous。ButwoulditbewisetopunisheverymanwhoholdsthehigherdoctrinesofCalvinism，asifhehadactuallycommittedallthosecrimeswhichweknowsomeAntinomianstohavecommitted？Assuredlynot。ThefactnotoriouslyisthattherearemanyCalvinistsasmoralintheirconductasanyArminian，andmanyArminiansaslooseasanyCalvinist。
Itisaltogetherimpossibletoreasonfromtheopinionswhichamanprofessestohisfeelingsandhisactions;andinfactnopersoniseversuchafoolastoreasonthus，exceptwhenhewantsapretextforpersecutinghisneighbours。AChristianiscommanded，underthestrongestsanctions，tobejustinallhisdealings。Yettohowmanyofthetwenty—fourmillionsofprofessingChristiansintheseislandswouldanymaninhissenseslendathousandpoundswithoutsecurity？Amanwhoshouldact，foroneday，onthesuppositionthatallthepeopleabouthimwereinfluencedbythereligionwhichtheyprofessed，wouldfindhimselfruinedbeforenight;andnomaneverdoesactonthatsuppositioninanyoftheordinaryconcernsoflife，inborrowing，inlending，inbuying，orinselling。Butwhenanyofourfellow—creaturesaretobeoppressed，thecaseisdifferent。
Thenwerepresentthosemotiveswhichweknowtobesofeebleforgoodasomnipotentforevil。Thenwelaytothechargeofourvictimsallthevicesandfolliestowhichtheirdoctrines，howeverremotely，seemtotend。Weforgetthatthesameweakness，thesamelaxity，thesamedispositiontopreferthepresenttothefuture，whichmakemenworsethanagoodreligion，makethembetterthanabadone。
Itwasinthiswaythatourancestorsreasoned，andthatsomepeopleinourtimestillreason，abouttheCatholics。APapistbelieveshimselfboundtoobeythePope。ThePopehasissuedabulldeposingQueenElizabeth。ThereforeeveryPapistwilltreathergraceasanusurper。ThereforeeveryPapistisatraitor。
ThereforeeveryPapistoughttobehanged，drawn，andquartered。
Tothislogicweowesomeofthemosthatefullawsthateverdisgracedourhistory。Surelytheanswerliesonthesurface。TheChurchofRomemayhavecommandedthesementotreatthequeenasanusurper。Butshehascommandedthemtodomanyotherthingswhichtheyhaveneverdone。Sheenjoinsherprieststoobservestrictpurity。Youarealwaystauntingthemwiththeirlicentiousness。Shecommandsallherfollowerstofastoften，tobecharitabletothepoor，totakenointerestformoney，tofightnoduels，toseenoplays。Dotheyobeytheseinjunctions？
Ifitbethefactthatveryfewofthemstrictlyobserveherprecepts，whenherpreceptsareopposedtotheirpassionsandinterests，maynotloyalty，maynothumanity，maynottheloveofease，maynotthefearofdeath，besufficienttopreventthemfromexecutingthosewickedorderswhichtheChurchofRomehasissuedagainstthesovereignofEngland？WhenweknowthatmanyofthesepeopledonotcareenoughfortheirreligiontogowithoutbeefonaFridayforit，whyshouldwethinkthattheywillruntheriskofbeingrackedandhangedforit？
PeoplearenowreasoningabouttheJewsasourfathersreasonedaboutthePapists。Thelawwhichisinscribedonthewallsofthesynagoguesprohibitscovetousness。ButifweweretosaythataJewmortgageewouldnotforeclosebecauseGodhadcommandedhimnottocovethisneighbour’shouse，everybodywouldthinkusoutofourwits。YetitpassesforanargumenttosaythataJewwilltakenointerestintheprosperityofthecountryinwhichhelives，thathewillnotcarehowbaditslawsandpolicemaybe，howheavilyitmaybetaxed，howoftenitmaybeconqueredandgivenuptospoil，becauseGodhaspromisedthat，bysomeunknownmeans，andatsomeundeterminedtime，perhapstenthousandyearshence，theJewsshallmigratetoPalestine。Isnotthisthemostprofoundignoranceofhumannature？Dowenotknowthatwhatisremoteandindefiniteaffectsmenfarlessthanwhatisnearandcertain？TheargumenttooappliestoChristiansasstronglyastoJews。TheChristianbelievesaswellastheJew，thatatsomefutureperiodthepresentorderofthingswillcometoanend。
Nay，manyChristiansbelievethattheMessiahwillshortlyestablishakingdomontheearth，andreignvisiblyoverallitsinhabitants。Whetherthisdoctrinebeorthodoxornotweshallnothereinquire。ThenumberofpeoplewhoholditisverymuchgreaterthanthenumberofJewsresidinginEngland。Manyofthosewhoholditaredistinguishedbyrank，wealth，andability。
Itispreachedfrompulpits，bothoftheScottishandoftheEnglishChurch。NoblemenandmembersofParliamenthavewrittenindefenceofit。Nowwhereindoesthisdoctrinediffer，asfarasitspoliticaltendencyisconcerned，fromthedoctrineoftheJews？IfaJewisunfittolegislateforusbecausehebelievesthatheorhisremotedescendantswillberemovedtoPalestine，canwesafelyopentheHouseofCommonstoafifth—monarchyman，whoexpectsthatbeforethisgenerationshallpassaway，allthekingdomsoftheearthwillbeswallowedupinonedivineempire？
DoesaJewengagelesseagerlythanaChristianinanycompetitionwhichthelawleavesopentohim？Ishelessactiveandregularinhisbusinessthanhisneighbours？Doeshefurnishhishousemeanly，becauseheisapilgrimandsojournerintheland？Doestheexpectationofbeingrestoredtothecountryofhisfathersmakehiminsensibletothefluctuationsofthestock—
exchange？Doeshe，inarranginghisprivateaffairs，evertakeintotheaccountthechanceofhismigratingtoPalestine？Ifnot，whyarewetosupposethatfeelingswhichneverinfluencehisdealingsasamerchant，orhisdispositionsasatestator，willacquireaboundlessinfluenceoverhimassoonashebecomesamagistrateoralegislator？Thereisanotherargumentwhichwewouldnotwillinglytreatwithlevity，andwhichyetwescarcelyknowhowtotreatseriously。Scripture，itissaid，isfullofterribledenunciationsagainsttheJews。Itisforetoldthattheyaretobewanderers。Isitthenrighttogivethemahome？Itisforetoldtheyaretobeoppressed。Canwewithproprietysufferthemtoberulers？ToadmitthemtotherightsofcitizensismanifestlytoinsulttheDivineoracles。
WeallowthattofalsifyaprophecyinspiredbyDivineWisdomwouldbeamostatrociouscrime。Itis，therefore，ahappycircumstanceforourfrailspecies，thatitisacrimewhichnomancanpossiblycommit。IfweadmittheJewstoseatsinParliament，weshall，bysodoing，provethatthepropheciesinquestion，whatevertheymaymean，donotmeanthattheJewsshallbeexcludedfromParliament。
Infactitisalreadyclearthatthepropheciesdonotbearthemeaningputuponthembytherespectablepersonswhomwearenowanswering。InFranceandintheUnitedStatestheJewsarealreadyadmittedtoalltherightsofcitizens。Aprophecy，therefore，whichshouldmeanthattheJewswouldnever，duringthecourseoftheirwanderings，beadmittedtoalltherightsofcitizensintheplacesoftheirsojourn，wouldbeafalseprophecy。This，therefore，isnotthemeaningofthepropheciesofScripture。
Butweprotestaltogetheragainstthepracticeofconfoundingprophecywithprecept，ofsettinguppredictionswhichareoftenobscureagainstamoralitywhichisalwaysclear。Ifactionsaretobeconsideredasjustandgoodmerelybecausetheyhavebeenpredicted，whatactionwasevermorelaudablethanthatcrimewhichourbigotsarenow，attheendofeighteencenturies，urgingustoavengeontheJews，thatcrimewhichmadetheearthshakeandblottedoutthesunfromheaven？ThesamereasoningwhichisnowemployedtovindicatethedisabilitiesimposedonourHebrewcountrymenwillequallyvindicatethekissofJudasandthejudgmentofPilate。\"TheSonofmangoeth，asitiswrittenofhim;butwoetothatmanbywhomtheSonofmanisbetrayed。\"Andwoetothosewho，inanyage，orinanycountry，disobeyHisbenevolentcommandsunderpretenceofaccomplishingHispredictions。IfthisargumentjustifiesthelawsnowexistingagainsttheJews，itjustifiesequallyallthecrueltieswhichhaveeverbeencommittedagainstthem，thesweepingedictsofbanishmentandconfiscation，thedungeon，therack，andtheslowfire。Howcanweexcuseourselvesforleavingpropertytopeoplewhoareto\"servetheirenemiesinhunger，andinthirst，andinnakedness，andinwantofallthings\";forgivingprotectiontothepersonsofthosewhoareto\"feardayandnight，andtohavenoneassuranceoftheirlife\";fornotseizingonthechildrenofaracewhose\"sonsanddaughtersaretobegivenuntoanotherpeople\"？
WehavenotsolearnedthedoctrinesofHimwhocommandedustoloveourneighbourasourselves，andwho，whenHewascalledupontoexplainwhatHemeantbyaneighbour，selectedasanexampleahereticandanalien。Lastyear，weremember，itwasrepresentedbyapiouswriterintheJohnBullnewspaper，andbysomeotherequallyfervidChristians，asamonstrousindecency，thatthemeasureforthereliefoftheJewsshouldbebroughtforwardinPassionweek。OneofthesehumoristsironicallyrecommendedthatitshouldbereadasecondtimeonGoodFriday。Weshouldhavehadnoobjection;nordowebelievethatthedaycouldbecommemoratedinamoreworthymanner。Weknowofnodayfitterforterminatinglonghostilities，andrepairingcruelwrongs，thanthedayonwhichthereligionofmercywasfounded。Weknowofnodayfitterforblottingoutfromthestatute—bookthelasttracesofintolerancethanthedayonwhichthespiritofintoleranceproducedthefoulestofalljudicialmurders，thedayonwhichthelistofthevictimsofintolerance，thatnoblelistwhereinSocratesandMoreareenrolled，wasglorifiedbyayetgreaterandholiername。
GLADSTONEONCHURCHANDSTATE
（April1839）
ThestateinitsRelationswiththechurch。ByW。E。GLADSTONE，Esq。StudentofChristChurch，andM。P。forNewark。8vo。SecondEdition。London:1839。
THEauthorofthisvolumeisayoungmanofunblemishedcharacter，andofdistinguishedparliamentarytalents，therisinghopeofthosesternandunbendingTorieswhofollow，reluctantlyandmutinously，aleaderwhoseexperienceandeloquenceareindispensabletothem，butwhosecautioustemperandmoderateopinionstheyabhor。ItwouldnotbeatallstrangeifMr。
GladstonewereoneofthemostunpopularmeninEngland。Butwebelievethatwedohimnomorethanjusticewhenwesaythathisabilitiesandhisdemeanourhaveobtainedforhimtherespectandgoodwillofallparties。Hisfirstappearanceinthecharacterofanauthoristhereforeaninterestingevent;anditisnaturalthatthegentlewishesofthepublicshouldgowithhimtohistrial。
Wearemuchpleased，withoutanyreferencetothesoundnessorunsoundnessofMr。Gladstone’stheories，toseeagraveandelaboratetreatiseonanimportantpartofthePhilosophyofGovernmentproceedfromthepenofayoungmanwhoisrisingtoeminenceintheHouseofCommons。Thereislittledangerthatpeopleengagedintheconflictsofactivelifewillbetoomuchaddictedtogeneralspeculation。Theoppositeviceisthatwhichmosteasilybesetsthem。Thetimesandtidesofbusinessanddebatetarryfornoman。Apoliticianmustoftentalkandactbeforehehasthoughtandread。Hemaybeveryillinformedrespectingaquestion;allhisnotionsaboutitmaybevagueandinaccurate;butspeakhemust;andifheisamanofability，oftact，andofintrepidity，hesoonfindsthat，evenundersuchcircumstances，itispossibletospeaksuccessfully。Hefindsthatthereisagreatdifferencebetweentheeffectofwrittenwords，whichareperusedandreperusedinthestillnessofthecloset，andtheeffectofspokenwordswhich，setoffbythegracesofutteranceandgesture，vibrateforasinglemomentontheear。Hefindsthathemayblunderwithoutmuchchanceofbeingdetected，thathemayreasonsophistically，andescapeunrefuted。Hefindsthat，evenonknottyquestionsoftradeandlegislation，hecan，withoutreadingtenpages，orthinkingtenminutes，drawforthloudplaudits，andsitdownwiththecreditofhavingmadeanexcellentspeech。Lysias，saysPlutarch，wroteadefenceforamanwhowastobetriedbeforeoneoftheAtheniantribunals。Longbeforethedefendanthadlearnedthespeechbyheart，hebecamesomuchdissatisfiedwithitthathewentingreatdistresstotheauthor。\"IwasdelightedwithyourspeechthefirsttimeIreadit;but1likeditlessthesecondtime，andstilllessthethirdtime;andnowitseemstometobenodefenceatall。\"\"Mygoodfriend，\"saysLysias，\"youquiteforgetthatthejudgesaretohearitonlyonce。\"ThecaseisthesameintheEnglishParliament。Itwouldbeasidleinanoratortowastedeepmeditationandlongresearchonhisspeeches，asitwouldbeinthemanagerofatheatretoadornallthecrowdofcourtiersandladieswhocrossoverthestageinaprocessionwithrealpearlsanddiamonds。Itisnotbyaccuracyorprofunditythatmenbecomethemastersofgreatassemblies。Andwhybeatthechargeofprovidinglogicofthebestquality，whenaveryinferiorarticlewillbeequallyacceptable？WhygoasdeepintoaquestionasBurke，onlyinordertobe，likeBurke，cougheddown，orleftspeakingtogreenbenchesandredboxes？
Thishaslongappearedtoustobethemostseriousoftheevilswhicharetobesetoffagainstthemanyblessingsofpopulargovernment。ItisafineandtruesayingofBacon，thatreadingmakesafullman，talkingareadyman，andwritinganexactman。
ThetendencyofinstitutionslikethoseofEnglandistoencouragereadinessinpublicmen，attheexpensebothoffulnessandofexactness。Thekeenestandmostvigorousmindsofeverygeneration，mindsoftenadmirablyfittedfortheinvestigationoftruth，arehabituallyemployedinproducingargumentssuchasnomanofsensewouldeverputintoatreatiseintendedforpublication，argumentswhicharejustgoodenoughtobeusedonce，whenaidedbyfluentdeliveryandpointedlanguage。Thehabitofdiscussingquestionsinthiswaynecessarilyreactsontheintellectsofourablestmen，particularlyofthosewhoareintroducedintoParliamentataveryearlyage，beforetheirmindshaveexpandedtofullmaturity。Thetalentfordebateisdevelopedinsuchmentoadegreewhich，tothemultitude，seemsasmarvellousastheperformanceofanItalianImprovisatore。Buttheyarefortunateindeediftheyretainunimpairedthefacultieswhicharerequiredforclosereasoningorforenlargedspeculation。Indeedweshouldsoonerexpectagreatoriginalworkonpoliticalscience，suchawork，forexample，astheWealthofNations，fromanapothecaryinacountrytown，orfromaministerintheHebrides，thanfromastatesmanwho，eversincehewasone—and—twenty，hadbeenadistinguisheddebaterintheHouseofCommons。
Wethereforehailwithpleasure，thoughassuredlynotwithunmixedpleasure，theappearanceofthiswork。Thatayoungpoliticianshould，intheintervalsaffordedbyhisparliamentaryavocations，haveconstructedandpropounded，withmuchstudyandmentaltoil，anoriginaltheoryonagreatprobleminpolitics，isacircumstancewhich，abstractedfromallconsiderationofthesoundnessorunsoundnessofhisopinions，mustbeconsideredashighlycreditabletohim。WecertainlycannotwishthatMr。
Gladstone’sdoctrinesmaybecomefashionableamongpublicmen。
Butweheartilywishthathislaudabledesiretopenetratebeneaththesurfaceofquestions，andtoarrive，bylongandintentmeditation，attheknowledgeofgreatgenerallaws，weremuchmorefashionablethanweatallexpectittobecome。
Mr。Gladstoneseemstoustobe，inmanyrespects，exceedinglywellqualifiedforphilosophicalinvestigation。Hismindisoflargegrasp;norishedeficientindialecticalskill。Buthedoesnotgivehisintellectfairplay。Thereisnowantoflight，butagreatwantofwhatBaconwouldhavecalleddrylight。
WhateverMr。Gladstoneseesisrefractedanddistortedbyafalsemediumofpassionsandprejudices。Hisstylebearsaremarkableanalogytohismodeofthinking，andindeedexercisesgreatinfluenceonhismodeofthinking。Hisrhetoric，thoughoftengoodofitskind，darkensandperplexesthelogicwhichitshouldillustrate。Halfhisacutenessanddiligence，withabarrenimaginationandascantyvocabulary，wouldhavesavedhimfromalmostallhismistakes。Hehasonegiftmostdangeroustoaspeculator，avastcommandofakindoflanguage，graveandmajestic，butofvagueanduncertainimport;ofakindoflanguagewhichaffectsusmuchinthesamewayinwhichtheloftydictionoftheChorusofCloudsaffectedthesimple—heartedAthenian:
Ogetonphthegmatososieron，kaisemnon，kaiteratodes。
Whenpropositionshavebeenestablished，andnothingremainsbuttoamplifyanddecoratethem，thisdimmagnificencemaybeinplace。Butifitisadmittedintoademonstration，itisverymuchworsethanabsolutenonsense;justasthattransparenthaze，throughwhichthesailorseescapesandmountainsoffalsesizesandinfalsebearings，ismoredangerousthanutterdarkness。
Now，Mr。Gladstoneisfondofemployingthephraseologyofwhichwespeakinthosepartsofhisworkswhichrequiretheutmostperspicuityandprecisionofwhichhumanlanguageiscapable;andinthiswayhedeludesfirsthimself，andthenhisreaders。Thefoundationsofhistheory，whichoughttobebuttressesofadamant，aremadeoutoftheflimsymaterialswhicharefitonlyforperorations。Thisfaultisonewhichnosubsequentcareorindustrycancorrect。ThemorestrictlyMr。Gladstonereasonsonhispremises，themoreabsurdaretheconclusionswhichhebringsout;and，whenatlasthisgoodsenseandgoodnaturerecoilfromthehorriblepracticalinferencestowhichthistheoryleads，heisreducedsometimestotakerefugeinargumentsinconsistentwithhisfundamentaldoctrines，andsometimestoescapefromthelegitimateconsequencesofhisfalseprinciples，undercoverofequallyfalsehistory。
Itwouldbeunjustnottosaythatthisbook，thoughnotagoodbook，showsmoretalentthanmanygoodbooks。Itaboundswitheloquentandingeniouspassages。Itbearsthesignsofmuchpatientthought。Itiswrittenthroughoutwithexcellenttasteandexcellenttemper;nordoesit，sofaraswehaveobserved，containoneexpressionunworthyofagentleman，ascholar，oraChristian。Butthedoctrineswhichareputforthinitappeartous，afterfullandcalmconsideration，tobefalse，tobeinthehighestdegreepernicious，andtobesuchas，iffollowedoutinpracticetotheirlegitimateconsequences，wouldinevitablyproducethedissolutionofsociety;andforthisopinionweshallproceedtogiveourreasonswiththatfreedomwhichtheimportanceofthesubjectrequires，andwhichMr。Gladstone，bothbypreceptandbyexample，invitesustouse，but，wehope，withoutrudeness，and，wearesure，withoutmalevolence。
Beforeweenteronanexaminationofthistheory，wewishtoguardourselvesagainstonemisconception。ItispossiblethatsomepersonswhohavereadMr。Gladstone’sbookcarelessly，andotherswhohavemerelyheardinconversation，orseeninanewspaper，thatthememberforNewarkhaswrittenindefenceoftheChurchofEnglandagainstthesupportersofthevoluntarysystem，mayimaginethatwearewritingindefenceofthevoluntarysystem，andthatwedesiretheabolitionoftheEstablishedChurch。Thisisnotthecase。ItwouldbeasunjusttoaccuseusofattackingtheChurch，becauseweattackMr。