deprecated, from the pretended risk of increafing the evil and preffure of our fituation. From all this, it would appear, that the time for Reform never yet has come, and never can come*.* When, indeed, the arbitrary monarchy of France was battering down by the exertions of a great people, and nothing was feen but virtuous exertion and exultation, it might be admitted, that in such a conjuncture, men might run before the mark, and confound principles together, which had no connection. Such was the alledged, but not proved state of England, when Mr. Grey gave notice last year of his motion. The objection had then, therefore, at least, a plaufible, though not a just foundation. But, good God! how different, on the admiffion of the objectors to the times, was the present moment?" the English "ftarting back with horror at the crimes and calamities of France, and feemingly forgetting all diftreffes in an enthufiafm for their own Government! Surely common sense pronounced that to be the hour for reformation, more especially when it was left to themselves, (the House of Commons) to originate and to fashion it. So far from being urged on by the people to go too far, they trod like men that feared the ground would break under them, and could hardly 'be brought up to the point which their understandings dictated. Let them feize, therefore, this happy and providential crifis, to do with popularity and fafety, what to fave their country must be done at laft." But, instead of embracing this favourable opportunity, every means is employed by Government to defeat the cause of Reform, and calumniate its advocates. Vide Mr. Grey's fpeech, May 6th. Those who wish to promote the PHILANTHROPIST, by their affiftance, will please to address their favours (post-paid), to the Editor, at Citizen EATON's, No. 74, Newgate-street. No. 13. THE PHILANTHROPIST. MONDAY, JUNE 22, 1795. LONDON: Printed for and fold by DANIEL ISAAC EATON, Printer and Bookfeller to the Supreme Majefty of the People, at the Cock and SWINE, No. 74, Newgate street. 1795: PRICE ONE PENNY.. CAN TO THE PEOPLE. ye, O Britons, unconcern'd behold To the EDITOR of the PHILANTHROPIST. Tempora mutantur et nos mutamur ab illis. CITIZEN, BUSINESS lately led me to a fea-port town, in the north of England. It was near two years fince I had been there, and the furprifing changes that had taken place during that short period, are the subject of the following letter. Before Before the celebrated Proclamation against the writings of PAINE, and the FRIENDS of LIBERTY, was ushered into the world, one Juftice of the Peace had been found fufficient for all the legal bufinefs of the town, for many years, nay even he had been dead for fome time, and no other appointed in his room, nor did it appear that the peace was worfe preferved during that interregnum, than it now is. After the Manifefto against the RIGHTS of MAN made its appearance, a quorum of three Worshipful Juftices were judged neceffary, for the confervation of the peace (i. e.) to prevent the further diffemination of fuch execrated principles, two Attornies, as Clerks to affift their Worships with their legal knowledge, in which infignificant point their Worships are rather ignorant, and a body of five hundred Janiffaries, alias Loyal Volunteers, which ferve both to encrease the famine, which already ftares the wretched inhabitants in the face, and are an unanswerable argument, should the audacity of the poor tempt them to murmur. The injured widow and children of an honest feaman, who was murdered by Captain Faulkner at the reduction of Fort Bourbon in Martinique,* appeared before his Worship, Guinea Dick, for relief, which the distress of her fituation entitled her to the injuries she had received in the lofs of her husband, torn from her by defpotic power, and murdered, were too much for human nature to bare; it was not the common calamity of war that had deprived her of her husband, it was the ungovernable will and pleasure of a petty tyrant! The anguish of the widow, when relating to the fage Juftice, her pitiful tale, requires a better pen than mine to delineate. She called upon heaven to pour down its vengeance upon thofe fatellites of defpotifm, the prefs gang, who had torn the husband from his wife, and a father from his children; the vented her execrations against the man, who had made her a widow, and her children orphans. *The fact was, Captain Fr, for fome hafty anfwer of the feaman, run him through, without either judge or jury; the unfortunate man immediately ex pired; F was tried by a jury of his mefsmates and acquitted; before the Court he promifed to pay the widow an annuity of thirty pounds a year, when his death, in an action with a French Frigate, prevented her receiving the benefit of it. She She had attacked one of the most valuable privileges of Englifhmen, the right of being impreffed and murdered. No further was she suffered to proceed; fhe was inftantly ordered away, and threatened with a months hard labour in the house of correction if for the future fhe was not more circumfpect when she fpoke of fuch auguft perfonages-Ex uno difce omnes. After General Smith made his motion in the Houfe of Commons, for a monument to be erected in Westminster Abby to the memory of Captain Faulkner, a friend of liberty wrote to him, reprefenting the cafe of the widow, but what fuccefs h's application may have is yet uncertain. I went one evening to the Theatre; feveral Officers happened to be there; and as the theatre is generally the field in which the volunteer Officers fight their Campaigns, these military heros, wishing to exprefs their loyalty and adoration for Majefty, called for the tune of God fave the King, and ordered the audience to ftand uncovered, as in the prefence of God's vicegerent. Now, as I entertain no refpect for God's vicegerent, much less a tune to his name, I fat covered in defiance to the military, who branded me with the terms of Jacobin, Revolutionist, and Leveller; however, one of them, the length of whofe fword pronounced him a warrior, came up to me, and in a tone, which would have done honour to an eunuch in the Opera-Houfe, begged I would fo far oblige him as to pull off my hat. As feveral more of his warlike brethren accompanied him to enforce his requeft, I judged it prudent to comply, affuring him at the fame time, I did it merely to oblige him. The Friends of Liberty in that town had formerly instituted a Society for the Investigation of Political Truths, of which I was a Member; but alas, the arbitrary power of the Juftices had totally routed it out, by threatening to deprive the landlord of his licence, at whofe house the meeting was held. But, however their Worships, may attempt to crush what they call pernicious principles, it is with Liberty as with Religion, profecution oniy makes it flourish with greater vigour. Oh ! Oh! firft, and most benevolent of Powers! I gratified several of the Friends of Liberty with the Effigy of a THRICE-ACQUITTED FELON: They faid they received ́more pleasure in having a Medal of the Printer to the Majesty of the People, than they would have done in a Coronation Medal of G—— III. Your's, &c. R. F. A Jacobin Revolutionist and Leveller. ABRIDGMENT OF THAT EMINENT PATRIOT Mr. JOHN TRENCHARD's HISTORY OF STANDING ARMIES IN ENGLAND. With An Incomparable PREFACE UPON GOVERNMENT. THERE PREFACE. HERE is nothing in which the generality of mankind are fo much mistaken as when they talk of government. The different effects of it are obvious to every one, but few can trace its causes. Moft men have indigested ideas of the nature of it› and attribute all public mifcarriages to the corruption of mankind. They think the whole mass is infected, that it is impoffible to make any reformation, and so submit patiently to their country's calamities, or elfe fhare in the fpoil; whereas complaints of this kind are as old as the world, and every age has thought their own the worst. We have not only our own experience, but the example of all times, to prove that men in the fame circumstances will do the fame things, call them by what names of |