In the fecond Number of the Philanthropist, page 7, in line 32, instead of " And I here call the attention" read " NEED I here call the attention, &c. and in line 34, instead of " And I direct his meditations" read "NEED I direct his meditations, &c.

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THE

PHILANTHROPIST.

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 1795.

LONDON:

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1795.

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HOWEVER fashionable it has been in modern days to

depreciate, and decry the memorable revolution of 1688, it must be confeffed, that our obligations to that aufpicious period are many, and fuch as we shall never be able to be fufficiently grateful for. If that illuftrious era was productive to us of no other advantage, every one must acknowledge that it produced this, namely, that it banished from the kingdom of Great Britain those extravagant, and impious notions almost then univerfally entertained of the divinity of royalty, and that from the abdication of James the Second, the knowledge of government, and fcience, have encreased, and the rights of the human race have been investigated, and afcertained agreeably to the pure, and fenfible principles of true liberty.

It

It is furely impoffible to contemplate this one circumstance without feeling in our hearts the moft lively veneration for thofe illustrious patriots, who delivered us, and their country from all the calamities, and horrors, which ever follow in the train of defpotifm. No nation perhaps ever endured greater afflictions than have oppreffed this island. No nation has been ever involved in such scenes of havoc, bloodshed, murder, and devastation, as this nation has been involved in by its Governors. But all these melancholy disasters are to be attributed to that one curfed fource," the fuppofed divinity of human majefty," and "the natural, and indefeasible right of princes to reign over their fubjects," from whence every evil that has embittered human existence has derived its poisoned stream. Indeed we must all regret, that though tyranny has been fubdued, the fatal confequences of these diabolical doctrines are ftill most severely felt by the people. The effects of every virulent distemper for a long while continue in the conftitution of the patient. It is fo with the conftitution of this country: for never have we been able to root out entirely that lurking poifon which this detefted fpecies of contagious idolatry left behind it, and which is fo greedily preying on the vitals of every thing that is good, virtuous, and honourable in Government. Influence has fuccceded to prerogative, corruption to tyranny, and wars which were formerly carried on for the avowed ambition, or amufement of the prince, are now · carried on on the more fpecious pretexts-the defence of our religion, the defence of our laws, the defence of every thing in which the very existence of fociety is concerned.

Thefe objections have been frequently, and very forcibly urged against the Revolution, and have taken away fome of that admiration, and commendation, which would otherwise have been bestowed on it. But allowing these objections their full force, and their wideft extent, it does not appear to me that they of themselves alone are fufficient to tarnish and obfcure the luftre of an event, from which fuch unprecedented

benefits

benefits to fociety have fo manifeftly refulted. All improvements are flow and progreffive. The foundation of knowledge must be first laid, before you can raife the fuperftructure on it, and perhaps more reputation, and greater gratitude are due to thofe who have undergone the laborious task of laying the foundation, than to thofe, who have raised the building, and have given to it proportion, fymmetry, and beauty. If the truth of this circumftance be allowed, great and unbounded esteem and reverence will be owing to those who laid the first ftone of British emancipation. They will appear to have de→ served well of their country, and the thanks of their country await them!

It would take up more room than in this small space is allowed me to enumerate all the circumstances which induce me to call this Revolution glorious, great, and fortunate. At a future period, I promise to undertake this task, and I confefs it to be a task which I fhall undertake with pleasure, because the Philanthropist will ever be happy, indeed he confiders it his duty, to rescue from unmerited obloquy whatever is the object of praise, and whatever challenges respect, and commendation.

Much has been lately faid refpecting the rights of men, and much it must be confeffed, has been faid against them. The friends of freedom, and the friends of flavery, have been both zealously at work, and each party has employed itself to the utmost stretch of its abilities in vindicating, and in oppofing, these high privileges of man. Where contests have been carried on with fuch warmth, and where they have been inflamed by perfecution, and by profecution, it is vain to look for temper or for moderation. We must therefore naturally expect to find arguments, and affertions on each fide of the queftion carried too far, and inferences drawn from premises at the same time unfair, dishonest, and unconclufive. But if blame attaches on either party, I should rather be disposed to lay it to the charge of thofe, who have provoked this intemperance

perance of debate; to the charge of thofe, who have been the enemies of man's rights, and who in their pufillanimous combats have had recourse to every expedient, at the same time irritating and dishonourable. To be too profufe in our panegyrics on a virtue is certainly venial, if it be not highly praise worthy; but to waste talent in defending falfhood, and in adorning her, is difgraceful, corrupt, wicked, and can neither be justified, nor extenuated. If therefore the rights of man have been extended beyond their true limits, and the rights of the crown have been circumfcribed by too contracted boundaries, let the friends of royalty know, that they are the caufes of it! As an eloquent writer has obferved " If princely power had been never raised to a level with the attributes of the divinity, by Filmer, it had been probably never funk fo low as popular acquiefcent by Locke."

It is impoffible here to pass over an art, which the friends of corruption, and prostitute writers, have always had recourfe to, that the rights, and equality of man, were neceffarily connected with every crime that is foul, and pernicious to focial government. That they were fynonimous with confifcation, plunder, rapine, and devastation, and that they, who used them, ufed them only as fafcinating cloaks for the odious and flagitious defigns they meditated, of overturning all government, confounding all property, and making their own fortunes in the general wreck. Thefe wicked intentions have repeatedly been brought forward, and enforced by many eloquent, and able writers and speakers, not without fuccefs : for the general panic, which has lately feized almost every family in the kingdom, the credulity, which has swallowed every plot, confpiracy, rebellion, and treafon, that minifters have fabricated; and laftly, the approbation of this prefent mad, ruinous, and difgraceful war, can be afcribed to no other caufe, but to the dreadful influence of fuch calumnies against the peaceable, and virtuous fubjects, of this king

dom.

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