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one should think that the way were also, in that case, sufficiently broad, and that each might proceed, without interruption, in his own course. But such is the nature of the human mind, that it always lays hold on every mind that approaches it; and as it is wonderfully fortified by an unanimity of sentiments, so is it shocked and disturbed by any contrariety. Hence the eagerness which most people discover in a dispute; and hence their impatience of opposition, even in the most speculative and indifferent opinions." -Hume's Essays, edit. 1777, from p. 56 to p. 61

GENERAL

GENERAL REVIEW.
REVIEW..

THE reader who has attentively compared the opinions of the different Writers, and who at the same time is acquainted with the History of the French Revolution, and of the men who produced it, will find little difficulty in seeing who were right and who were wrong.-Nothing could equal the error of deviating entirely from experiencebeating down principle, under the appearance of getting rid of prejudice and following theory as the only guide in establishing a new order of things.

The most important truth established by these writings, and by subsequent facts, is, that universal suffrage, by throwing the nomination of men to power into the hands of the lower or ders, who are the most numerous in every country, produced the effect of congregating an assembly of such bad and desperate men as never was before seen. In all cases where men act in a sim ple or natural way, the most virtuous or the best informed take the lead the conduct of public affairs; for virtue and wisdom become men best for

directing

directing others.-When the Israelites were without a King, they were thus guided; and when the Americans revolted, the best men in the country took the lead; and even in France, during the first days of the Revolution, those who took the guidance in Paris were men of property, probity, and considerable abilities. They seated themselves at the Hotel de Ville, and formed a council. They supplied the place of the former magistrates; and they, without any recognised authority, were obeyed; but when the miserable theories of universal suffrage had time to operate, men of probity, property, and talents, were replaced by the factious democrats, who gained popularity by deceiving the people, and giving them false hopes. Men who spoke truth to the people never were favourites, neither will they ever be such; and consequently, whenever elections are gained by the mere majority of persons, the elected will be unfit and dangerous men.It is of very little importance to know whether the first men who began the Revolution were good or bad; but it is of very great importance to ascertain by what means they brought such ruin on themselves and on their country, which, whether good or bad, they never possibly could have intended.

When the principal Authors under review wrote, the First Assembly was still existing, and univer sal suffrage was not intended, though something nearly approaching to it-Every person paying

three

three livres (half a crown) a year direct taxes was to have a vote-This was a qualification; and as Mr. Burke very properly said at the time was a barrier against the free exercise of the Rights of Man, such as they had been sealed and settledMr. Burke saw this early; but the French Nation found it out before the 10th of August 1792, and the sans-culottes just spoke as well and truly in regard to this particular as Mr. Burke. "What!" said they?"A man who pays sixty sols a year taxes is to have a vote, and a man who pays only fifty-nine has no vote, yet men are free and equal! Down with restrictions and qualifications of this sort; let us look at Nature, and the Rights of Man; let us look at Equality, and let every man vote!" Now it must be confessed, that if the Rights of Man are not to be exploded, this conclusion was just; and that no qualification was necessary, or even admissible; and as this conclusion, just in itself, led to the most terrible consequences, it is a most impressive lesson of the danger of laying down abstract principles which admit of no compromise. Universal suffrage led to the mi series of France, and the abstract principles of the Rights of Man led to universal suffrage.

Now, as practical utility is the intention of this Review, let us apply the same principle to England, and inquire, whether it would not be likely to produce a similar effect:

It

It will be said by many, that the English are a different people from the French, and fortunately so they are; but not so different that they can with safety attempt to do what was so fatal to France.

Radical reform appears to be another way of expressing universal suffrage; and though the reformers will not tell people what they exactly wish for, though it is probable that they do not agree amongst themselves, yet it would to a certainty happen as it did in France.-If they stop at some particular point, the question will be afterwards, Why stop here?"-The question of the fifty-nine sols and the sixty is quite similar, and it is one that does not admit of a proper answer.

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Whenever experience and expediency are out of the question, and abstract principles are taken as guides, there is no means of giving satisfaction till the principle is fully adhered to.

Rotten boroughs are at first complained of; but suppose the extreme of the grievance, as it is called, to be done away, that could never satisfy reformers; for still there would be some Boroughs twice as large as others; and whether twice or ten times, it equally violates the princi ple, and the partial reform would only be a step to a greater one.

The progress of the human mind during a revolution is curious, and its investigation important, inasmuch as men grow more difficult to be satisfied as they become more successful. The

VOL. III.

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