ང

prince as your father is a low one; and your state may be so much the more established, as mine hath been shaken. For our subjects have learned, I dare say, that victories over princes are but triumphs over themselves; and so will more unwillingly hearken to changes hereafter.-To conclude; if God give you success; use it humbly, and be ever far from revenge. If he restore you to your right on hard conditions; whatever you promise, keep. Those men, who have violated laws, which they were bound to preserve, will find their triumphs full of trouble. But do not you think any thing in the world worth attaining by foul and unjust means."

" a

Thus have I endeavoured to gather from a melancholy but instructive event such lessons, as are applicable to the conduct both of prince and subject; of him, who is entrusted with authority, and of him, for whose benefit the authority is conferred. Both are free. Each has his peculiar rights and privileges. But neither of them may use his freedom for a cloke of maliciousness. Least of all, in a country like this, where the power of the sovereign is limited and restrained by law; and where as much liberty is enjoyed, as is compatible with the existence of good government; least of all should any in this country pervert the privileges which they possess of public meet→ ing and free discussion to furious indignation against imaginary grievances, or the support of unseasonable and intemperate innovation. In times like the pre

a Note E to Hume's History, Vol. VI. p. 522.

sent, such admonitions are peculiarly necessary to be impressed upon the lower classes of society; because we have lately had the misfortune to witness combinations the most dangerous and acts the most violent. On one side, we have seen mechanics and labourers clamouring, as they say, for bread; yet destroying the very means, by which bread may become more cheap-on another, the most artful and inflammatory devices are played off upon the passions and credulity of the multitude, for the purpose of inducing them to encourage designs, which do not even in pretence look to progressive reform, but to a total subversion of the established order of things. Again; in the sister Island misguided and unthinking men are labouring to effect a separation, where mutual attachment and the closest union are indispensable to the security and welfare of all.-If we look to the causes of these melancholy results, perhaps they may be traced to an undefined and capricious desire of change, excited by events of unusual interest in other countries. But, we may ask, is it necessary or wise that imitation should follow, when the causes of a proceeding are completely different? Has any distress of peculiar aggravation occurred of late amongst ourselves? Do our governors refuse to hear the voice of reasonable complaint; or express a determination to uphold notorious abuse? Nothing of all these. At no period of our monarchy has there appeared a prince more disposed to feel for the sufferings, and comply with the prayers, of his subjects;-at no period have the advisres of the Crown expressed a more honest and

1

laudable determination to improve whatever shall really be found to demand improvement; and to redress, so far as their power shall extend, every substantial grievance. Let then such, as are well-intentioned, beware how they indulge a visionary dream of perfection; or suppose that evils of any long duration can all be remedied, or on a sudden. In regard to such, as are disposed to use their freedom for a cloke of mischief, let us hope that the good sense and good feeling, for which the people of this country are distinguished, will detect their sophistry and defeat their machinations. Our duty it is, and be it our constant endeavour, to use our liberty, as the servants of God; regulating our conduct as social beings, by motives dictated and sanctioned by religious principle. All classes of society, high and low, rich and poor, will ever find their real benefit and most solid comfort effectually advanced only by adherence to those rules, which are prescribed for their guidance in the unerring pages of Inspiration. The interest, as well as duty, of all it is to unite in a cordial endeavour to promote each other's good; in cheerful obedience to the laws; in patient submission under evils, which cannot but be incident to this imperfect state; and in a firm and generous reliance that, by wise counsels on the part of the governors and good feeling on that of the governed, some of those evils will be greatly diminished and others entirely removed. Thus, under the protection of Almighty God, may we hope to frustrate the efforts of all, who are ill inclined to the peace of this our Jeru

DD

salem; thus may we be enabled to perceive and taste, in renovated excellence, the fruits of that happy Constitution, which our forefathers have handed down to us; which was reared by their wisdom, adorned by their piety, and cemented even with their blood!

THE END.

G. Woodfall, Printer, Angel Court, Skinner Street, London.