PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

J4·(j
Of diffircn! Form,J'
constitution in \Vllich the people partak'~ of tIle power
of legislation, the following should 110t be neglected :
I. The direction which it gIves to the educatign,
studies, and pur .. uits of the superior orders of the
community. 'l'he share \vhich this hag in foroling
the public manners allU national character is very
important.. In countries in which the gentry are excluded
from all concern in the government, scarce
any thing is left which leads to advancement, but
the profession of arms. They who do not ad4jct
themselves to thi~
profession (and miserable must
that country be, which constantly employs the military
senice of a great proportion of any order of
its subjects) are commcnly lost by the mere want of
object and destination; that is, they either faU, with.
out reserve, into the most sottish habits of animal
gratification, or entirely devote themselves to the
attainnlent of those futile arts alld decorations which
cOQlPose the business and recommen~atiotis of a
court: on the othe!' hand, ~vt\ere the v/hole, or any
effecti\-e portion of civii power is possessed by a popular
assembly, more serious pursuits will be encouraged,
purer ~oraJs and a more intellectual character­
,viII ellgage the public e~teenl; those faculties, which
(IUcllify Olen for d(~liberation and debate, and which
are the fruit of sober habits, of early apd long con ..
tinned application, u,ill be T()used and allimated by
the reward, which, of all others, mm:t readily awak~
ens the ambition of the human mind, political dignity
and iClporrance.
II. Popular elections procure to the comnlon peo ..
pIe courte:-y from their superiors. That contemptuou~
and overbearing insolence, with which the lower
orders of the comlnunity are \\Tont to be treated
by the higher, is greatly mitigated where the people
have something to give. The assiduity, ~\'ith which
their favour is sought upon these occasion:.;, serves to
generate settled habits of condescension and respect;
and as human life is nlore enlbittered by afironts
than. injuries, whatever contributes to procu re mild ..
!l~ss and civility of manners towards those who are