make a stand upon the ancient way, and then look about us, and discover what is the straight and right way, and so to walk in it *."

A later statesman, Burke, whose views of the policy of making reformations at once early and temperate, have already been cited, abounds with strong declarations and strenuous exhortations to the same effect.

Even the sternest republicans, and those whose views extend to an almost entire transformation of the political institutions existing in the world, urgently insist that alterations should be slow and progressive, and carefully adapted to the interests, habits, and sentiments of the people. Mr. Bentham, particularly in his earlier works, continually repeats his injunctions on this point. Innovators," says he, in one place, "engrossed with their own

* Essays Civil and Moral, No. 24. See also his papers on Church Controversies, and on the Pacification of the Church. In the latter he explains himself further in regard to the quotation from Scripture. "It is excellently said by the prophet: State super vias antiquas, et videte, quænam sit via recta et vera, et ambulate in eu. So as he doth not say, State super vias antiquas, et ambulate in eis: For it is true, that with all wise and moderate persons, custom and usage obtaineth that reverence, as it is sufficient matter to move them to make a stand, and to discover, and take a view; but it is no warrant to guide and conduct them: a just ground, it is of deliberation, but not of direction."

I say,

notions, pay attention only to abstract advantages. They count dissatisfaction and discontent at their changes as nothing. Their impatience to enjoy the benefit of them is the greatest obstacle to success. This was the great error of Joseph II. The major part of the alterations which he wished to introduce, were abstractedly good: but the imprudence of neglecting to consider the disposition of the people, caused the best designs in his hands to miscarry."

He

Again: "the general result of these maxims is, that the legislator who wishes to introduce great changes, ought to maintain calmness, coolness, and moderation in the pursuit of good. should fear to kindle the passions, to provoke a resistance which may irritate his own mind: he should shun, if possible, making desperate enemies, but surround his work with a triple rampart of confidence, enjoyment, and hope: he should spare, conciliate, humour all interests, compensate those who lose, and ally himself, so to say, with the age

*."

"The greatest merit of a good administration,” he says in another place, "is to proceed slowly in the reform of abuses, to abstain from sacrificing

* De l'influence des Temps et des Lieux en matiere de Législation.

actual interests, to humour individuals in possession, to prepare good institutions by degrees, and to avoid overturning rank, fortune, and establish ments *."

"As to the improvements which are to be introduced into the political system," says another far-going writer, "their quantity and their period must be determined by the degree of knowledge existing in any country, and the state of preparation of the public mind for the changes that are to be desired t."

A passage in the correspondence of Mr. Jefferson, whose views were as democratic as those of almost any philosopher of modern times, contains a highly instructive exposition of his opinion on this subject, expressed in his happiest manner.

"I am certainly," says he, "not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions. I think moderate imperfections had better be borne with, because, when once known, we accommodate ourselves to them, and find practical means of correcting their ill effects. But I know also, that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human

* Examination of a Declaration of Rights.

↑ Godwin's Political Justice.

mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened; as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors. It is this preposterous idea, which has lately deluged Europe in blood. Their monarchs, instead of wisely yielding to the gradual changes of circumstances, of favouring progressive accommodation to progressive improvement, have clung to old abuses, entrenched themselves behind steady habits, and obliged their subjects to seek through blood and violence, rash and ruinous innovations, which, had they been referred to the peaceful deliberations and collected wisdom of the nation, would have been put into acceptable and salutary forms*"

* Memoirs and Correspondence, vol. iv, p. 298.

SECTION II.

On the Practical Application of these Principles.

It will doubtless be said, and it is not to be denied, that in all such precepts and recommendations as those which have been here maintained and supported by the authority of eminent writers; in the propositions, that a statesman should proceed neither too fast nor too slowly; that he ought to be cautious not timid, bold but not rash; that he should neither fall behind nor place himself too much in advance of his age; that he should not make sudden and sweeping changes, for which the mind of the community is unprepared, nor attempt to preserve institutions alien to the spirit of the times, and condemned by the public voice;-there is a vagueness or generality, which appears to render them of little practical use. In applying them, it may be said, to any actual occasion, there is some danger of their being misconceived or perverted; and, at all events, both the defenders and the assailants of any proposed measure may find, in such an armoury, abundance of suitable weapons.