19.The final cause we are to observe,and finishing exploit,the `portus et sabbatum ',as Lord Bacon might perhaps have called it,(75)of this sublime and edifying dissertation,is this demonstration,he has been giving us,of the perfection of the British Form of Government.This demonstration (for by no less a title ought it to be called)is founded,we may have observed,altogether upon the properties of numbers:properties,newly discovered indeed,and of an extraordinary complection,moral properties;but properties,however,so it seems,of numbers.(76)`Tis in the nature then of numbers we shall find these characteristic properties of the three Forms of Government,if anywhere.Now the properties of numbers are universally allowed to be the proper subject of that mode of demonstration which is called mathematical.The proof our Author has given has therefore already in it the essence of such a demonstration.To be compleat at all points,it wants nothing but the form.This deficiency is no other than what an under-rate workman might easily supply.A mere technical operation does the business.That humble task it shall be my endeavour to perform.
The substantial honour I ascribe wholly to our Author,to whom only it is most due.
20.PROPOSITION THEOREM
The British Government is all-perfect DEMONSTRATIONBy definition 1The British Government =Monarchy +Aristocracy +Democracy.
Again,by definition,2Monarchy =the Government of 1.
Also,3Democracy =the Government of all.
Also 4Aristocracy the Government of some number between 1and all.
Put 5All =1,000,000
Put also 6The number of governors in an Aristocracy =1000Now then,by assumption 71has +strength -wisdom -honesty Also 81000has +wisdom -strength -honesty Also 91,000,000has +honesty -strength -wisdom Rejecting -wisdom -honesty (77)in (7)101has +strength Also rejecting -strength -wisdom in (8)111000has +wisdom Also rejecting -strength -wisdom in (9)121,000,000has +honesty Putting together the expressions (10),(11)and (12)131+1000+1,000,000has strength +wisdom +honesty But by definition (1),(2),(3),(4)and the suppositions (5),(6)14The British Government =1+1000+1,000,000Therefore,by (13)15The British Government has +strength +wisdom +honesty Changing the expression 16The British Government is all-powerful +all-wise +all-honest But by definition 17All-powerful +all-wise +all-honest -all-perfect Therefore,by (16)and (17)18The British Government is all-perfect,Q.E.D.SCHOLIUM.After the same manner it may be proved to be all weak,all-foolish,and all-knavish.
21.Thus much for the British Constitution;and for the grounds of that pre-eminence which it boasts,I trust,indeed,not without reason above all others that are known:Such is the idea our Author gives us of those grounds.'You are not satisfied with it then',says some one.Not perfectly.'What is then your own?'In truth this is more than I have yet quite settled.
I may have settled it with myself,and not think it worth the giving:but if ever I do think it worth the giving,it will hardly be in the form of a comment on a digression stuffed into the belly of a definition.At any rate it is not likely to be much wished for,by those,who have read what has been given us on this subject by an ingenious foreigner:since it is to a foreigner we were destined to owe the best idea that has yet been given of a subject so much our own.Our Author has copied:but Mr.DE L'OLMEhas thought.
The topic which our Author has thus brought upon the carpet (let any one judge with what necessity)is in respect to some parts of it that we have seen,rather of an invidious nature.Since,however,it has been brought upon the carpet,I have treated it with that plainness with which an Englishman of all others is bound to treat it,because an Englishman may thus treat it and be safe.I have said what the subject seemed to demand,without any fear indeed,but without any wish,to give offence:resolving not to permit myself to consider how this or that man might chance to take it.
I have spoken without sycophantical respects indeed,yet I hope not without decency:certainly without any party spleen.I chose rather to leave it to our Author to compliment men in the lump:and to stand aghast with admiration at the virtues of men unknown.(78)Our Author will do as shall seem meet to him.For my part,if ever I stand forth and sing the song of eulogy to great men,it shall be not because they occupy their station,but because they deserve it.
