approaching, and regret a glorious country nodding to its fall,
when victory, wealth, and daily universal improvements, might
make it the admiration and envy of the world? Is the Crown to
be forced to be absolute? Is Caesar to enslave us, because he
conquered Gaul? Is some Cromwell to trample on us, because
Mrs. Macaulay approves the army that turned out the House of
Commons, the necessary consequence of such mad notions? Is
eloquence to talk or write us out of ourselves? or is Catiline
to save us, butt so as by fire? Sir, I talk thus freely,
because it is a satisfaction, in ill-looking moments, to vent
one's apprehensions in an honest bosom. YOU Will not, I am
sure, suffer my letter to go out of your own hands. I have no
views to satisfy or resentments to gratify. I have done with
the world, except in the hopes of a quiet enjoyment of it for
the few years I may have to come; but I love my country, though
I desire and expect nothing from it, and I would wish to leave
it to posterity, as secure and deserving to be valued, as I
found it. Despotism, or unbounded licentiousness, can endear
no nation to any honest man. The French can adore the monarch
that starves them, and banditti are often attached to their
chief; but no good Briton can love any constitution that does
not secure the tranquillity and peace of mind of all.

(1) Now first collected.



Letter 2 To Sir David Dalrymple.(2)
Arlington Street, Jan. 23, 1770. (page 26)