THE

CONSTITUTION

O F

ENGLAND,

OR

AN ACCOUNT

OF THE

ENGLISH GOVERNMENT;

In which it is compared with the REPUBLICAN Form of
GOVERNMENT, and occafionally with the
other MONARCHIES in Europe.

LONDON:

Sold by G. KEARSLEY, in Fleet Street; and
J. RIDLEY, in St. James's Street.

MDCC LXXVII.

INTRODUCTION

CHAP.

Page

I. Caufes of the Liberty of the English Nation.

Reafons of the difference between the Government of

France, and that of England. In England, the great

power of the Crown, especially under the firft Norman

Kings, created an union between the Nobility and the

People

6

II. A fecond advantage England had over France,

it formed one undivided State.

III. The Subject continued

III. Of the Legislative Power

IV. Of the Executive Power

24

41

61

72

V. The boundaries which the Conftitution has fet to the

Royal Prerogative

VI. The fame fubject continued

VII. New Restrictions

75

VIII. Of private Liberty, or the Liberty of Indivi-

duals

X. Of Criminal Justice

XI. The fame Subject continued

125

XII. The Subject concluded,-Laws relative to Im-

prifonments

BOOK

II.

143

1. Some Advantages peculiar to the English Conftitu-

tion. 1. The Unity of the Executive Power 150

II. The Executive Power is more easily confined when it.

is ONE

179

173

III. A fecond peculiarity of the English Government.

The Divifion of the Legislative Power

IV. A third Advantage peculiar to the English Govern-

ment. The bufmess of propofing 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 puld

be enacted by the Votes of the People at large

184

195

CHAP.

[iv]

Page

VI. Advantages that accrue to the People from appoint-

ing Reprefentatives

4

211

VII. The Subject continued.---The Advantages that ac-

crue to the People from appointing Reprefentatives are

very inconfiderable, unless they alfo intirely delegate

their Legislative Authority to them
215

VIII. The Subject concluded.---Effects that have re-

fulted in the English Government, from the People's

Power being completely delegated to their Reprefenta-

tives

221

226

IX. A farther Difadvantage of Republican Govern-

ments.---The People are neceffarily betrayed by thofe in

whom they trust

X. Fundamental difference between the English Govern-

ment, and the Governments just defcribed.---In Eng-

land all Executive Authority is placed out of the bands

of thofe in whom the People put their confidence.

Ufefulness of the Power of the Crown

243

235

XI. The Powers which the People themselves exercise.

The Election of Members of Parliament

XII. The Subject continued.---Liberty of the Prefs. 246

XIII. The Subject continued

260

269

XIV. Right of Refiftance

XV. Proofs drawn from facts of the truth of the Prin-

ciples laid down in this Work.---1. The peculiar Man-

ner in which Revolutions have always been concluded

in England
279

XVI. The Manner in which the Laws for the Liberty of

the Subject are executed in England
298

XVII. A more inward view of the English Government

than has hitherto been offered to the Reader. Total dif-

ference between the English Monarchy, as a Monarchy,

and all thofe with which we are acquainted

XVIII. How far the examples of Nations that have loft

their Liberty are applicable o England-

XIX. Conclufion.---A few words on the Nature of the

Divifions that take place in England

342

369

392

THE

CONSTITUTION

OF

ENGL A N D.

INTRODUCTION.

HE fpirit of Philofophy which peculiarly diftinguishes the prefent age, after having corrected a number of errors fatal to Society, feems now to be directed towards the principles of Society itself; and we see prejudices vanifh, which are difficult to overcome, in proportion as it is dangerous to attack them (a). This rifing freedom of fenti

(a) As every popular notion, which may contribute to the fupport of an arbitrary Government, is at all timeş B