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

354 Britisli COIlstilutiOJ!,
public service, the authors of this arrangement were
led to its by the obvious propriety of leaving to a
lnaster the choice of his servants; and by the manifest
inconveniency of engaging the national council,
upon ever}· vacancy, in those personal contests which
attend elections to places of honour and emolument.
Our ancestors did not observe that this di~po~ition
added an influence:o the regal office, which, as the
number and value of public employments increased,
would supersede in a great mea!\ure the forms, and
change the t:haracter of the ancient constitution.
-rhey knew not, what the experience and reflection
of modem ages has di~covered,
that patronage uni.
versally is power; that he who pos:'esses ill a sufficient
deg::-ee the means of gratifying the de:-ires of
mankind after wealth and distinction, by whatever
che