among the people; whilst its abuses easily admit of reforms consistent with its spirit, capable of being effected without injury or danger, and mainly contributing to its preservation. The latter portion of this work is the only part (except an introduction to the whole) that I have finished. The reason why it is thus prematurely published, without sufficient concoction or correction, is to be attributed to the vanity of imagining it may at this period be of some service. It may at least provoke the wits and excite the thoughts of other men, to a more happy attention to subjects in which every member of this free community has an interest of the deepest importance. |