Page

INTRODUCTION

CHAP. I. Causes of the Liberty of the Eng-

lish Nation.-Reasons of the Difference be-

tween the Government of England, and

that of France.-In England, the great

Power of the Crowen, especially under the

first Norman Kings, created an Union be-

tween the Nobility and the People

II. A second Advantage England had over

France:-it formed one undivided State - 24

III. The Subject continued -

IV. Of the Legislative Power

V. Of the Executive Power

-

-

-

VI. The Boundaries which the Constitution

has set to the Royal Prerogative

VII. The same Subject continued -

VIII. New Restrictions

-

-

-

- -

-

IX. Of private Liberty, or the Liberty of

X. On the Law, in regard to Civil Matters,

that is observed in England -

XI. The Subject continued.—The Courts of

6

41

59

70

73

77

83

98

110

133

151

-166

XIV. The Subject concluded.-Laws rela-

tive to Imprisonment

184

BOOK

BOOK II.

CHAP. I. Some Advantages peculiar to the

English Constitution. 1. The Unity of

II. The Subject concluded.-The Executive

Power is more easily confined when it is

III. A second Peculiarity.-The Division of

the Legislative Power

IV. A third Advantage peculiar to the Eng-

lish Government. The Business of pro-

posing Laws, lodged in the Hands of the

People

V. In which an Inquiry is made, Whether it

would be an Advantage to public Liberty

that the Laws should be enacted by the

Votes of the People at large? -

VI. Advantages that accrue to the People

from appointing Representatives

VII. The Subject continued.-The Advan-

tages that accrue to the People from their

appointing Representatives are very in-

considerable, unless they also entirely trust

their Legislative Authority to them

-

Pago

191

209

213

223

235

250

253

VIII. The

Page

259

VIII. The Subject concluded.-Effects that

have resulted, in the English Government,

from the People's Power being completely

delegated to their Representatives -

IX. A farther Disadvantage of Republican

Governments.-The People are necessarily

betrayed by those in whom they trust - 265

X. Fundamental Difference between the Eng-

lish Government and the Governments just

described.-In England, all Executive Au-

thority is placed out of the Hands of those

in whom the People trust.-Usefulness of

the Power of the Crown

XI. The Powers which the People themselves

exercise. The Election of Members of

Parliament -

274

- 281

XII. The Subject continued.-Liberty of the

XV. Proofs drawn from Facts of the Truth

of the Principles laid down in this Work.-

1. The peculiar Manner in which Revolu

tions have always been concluded in Eng-

*land -

XVI. Second Difference.-The Manner

after which the Laws for the Liberty of

the Subject are executed in England - - - 332

-

-

314

XVII. A

XVII. A more intimate View of the English

Government than has hitherto been offered

to the Reader in the Course of this Work.-

Very essential Differences between the Eng-

lish Monarchy, as a Monarchy, and all

those with which we are acquainted

Second Part of the same Chapter

-

-

-

Page

- 37,3

XVIII. How far the Examples of Nations

who have lost their Liberty are applicable

to England -

-

404

- 456

- 482

XIX. A few additional Thoughts on the

Attempts that may at particular Times be

made to abridge the Power of the Crown,

and some of the Dangers by which such

Attempts may be attended -

XX. A few additional Observations on the

Right of Taxation, which is lodged in the

Hands of the Representatives of the Peo-

ple.-What Kind of Danger this Right

may be exposed to

-

XXI. Conclusion.-A few Words on the

Nature of the Divisions that take place in

496

INTRODUCTION.

THE spirit of philofophy which pecu

liarly distinguishes the prefent age, after having corrected a number of errors fatal to fociety, feems now to be directed towards the principles of fociety itself, and we see preitself,—and judices vanifh which are difficult to overcome, in proportion as it is dangerous to attack them*. This rifing freedom of fentiment, the

As every popular notion which may contribute to the fupport of an arbitrary government is at all times. vigilantly protected by the whole strength of it, political