every man that came to the poll was obliged to pass. Here such insufferable insults were committed, as is a shame to this well-governed city."

Such are the disgraceful incidents which have been suffered for ages, and still continue to mark what ought to be the solemn and deliberate act of choosing men to govern the destinies of a nation, which calls itself highly civilized and enlightened. Such are the evils which have been submitted to without any strenuous attempt to remove them, as if they were not a mere excrescence, but formed an integral or essential part of the system which they deform and debase. If any proof were wanted that they are the results merely of bad arrangements, it would be found at once in the example of elections among people, who have the good sense to adapt their regulations to the end which they wish to effect t. Let us only do the same, and the choice of a parliamentary representative might be made with as little popular commotion as that of a parish officer.

* De Foe's Life and Times, by Walter Wilson, Esq., vol. iii, page 108.

† See an account of an election in the State of New York, in Stuart's Three Years in North America, vol. i, page 237. Elections there, however, are not invariably so peaceful.

These remarks will scarcely be misconstrued, as intended to denounce music, or processions, or other festivities amongst the people on suitable occasions. The hostility which has been shown by well-intentioned but mistaken moralists against popular amusements, would be pernicious, if it could have any effect. Such amusements are required for the healthy play, both of the moral and of the physical constitution of man; and the propensities which they gratify, if not allowed to take a salutary, will assuredly take a mischievous direction. Amidst the monotonous employments arising out of the extreme division of labour in civilized states, excitement and exhilaration are especially demanded and must be had: if they are not to be got in the active game, the absorbing representation, the animating burst of music, the splendid pageant, the spirit-stirring address, they will be sought and found in the tavern and the gaming-house, or the want of them will people the infirmary and the asylum.

But an election is not an occasion designed for yielding wholesome excitement; it is an affair of deliberation and decision, in which the less perturbation of mind there is the better. If it is of any importance to mankind to have securities for good government in their own hands, it is also of

importance that they should not trifle with them. These securities are not written documents deposited in a State Register Office: they consist mainly of certain acts to be done by the people themselves, and require the exercise of discrimination and judgment on the part of those for whose benefit they are instituted. Let the people then apply themselves to the business of elections in the spirit of sobriety and wisdom, and they may find other occasions for indulging in those joyous amusements, which true morality will never discourage, so long as they are harmless and seasonable.

CHAPTER VI.

ON THE INTRODUCTION OF CHANGES IN POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS.

A TREATISE, which has for its object to examine the principles of a political system, with a view to the improvement of its practical arrangements, cannot be more appropriately concluded, than by briefly adverting to the considerations which ought to be attended to in the introduction of constitutional, or rather institutional changes.

The present chapter purposes, therefore, to investigate and exhibit, in the first place, the general principles on this head which a wise policy points out for our observance; and, in the next place, the manner in which we should avail ourselves of them in regard to particular measures. These two parts of the subject will necessarily run into each other; but the division, if it prove of no other service, will, at the worst, present us with a convenient point of rest during the inouiry.

Z

SECTION I.

On the General Principles to be observed in
regard to Political Changes.

It happens only on rare occasions that a community has to form new institutions for its own government; and if an acquaintance with the principles on which such institutions ought to be fashioned, were of use merely on these rare occasions, the questions which we have been employed in discussing would have comparatively little claim on public attention.

The general case is, that nations find themselves with a government already established, and all its parts settled and determined. In either condition, however, whether a nation has to form a government, or whether it already possesses one,-this branch of political knowledge is of high, if not of equal importance.

From the very constitution of mankind, all existing governments must have imperfections to be removed, abuses to be corrected, and deficiencies to be supplied. Perfection in this matter could be the result of nothing but perfect intelligence; and since knowledge is imperfect and progressive, political institutions must partake of the