THE SPIRIT O F LAW S. Tranflated from the FRENCH of M. DE SECOND AT, BARON DE MONTESQUIEU.. With Corrections and Additions communicated by the VOL. I. EXRECTO DECUS LONDON: Printed for J. NOURSE, and P. VAILLANT, in the Strand. MDCCL. PREFACE. IF amidst the infinite number of sub jects contained in this book, there is any thing, which, contrary to my expectation, may poffibly offend, I can at least affure the public, that it was not inferted with an ill intention: For I am not naturally of a captious temper. Plato thanked the Gods, that he was born in the fame age with Socrates: and for my part, I give thanks to the Almighty, that I was born a fubject of that government under which I live; and that it is his pleasure I fhould obey thofe, whom he has made me love. I beg one favor of my readers, which I fear will not be granted me; this is, that they will not judge by a few hours reading, of the labour of twenty years; that they will approve or condemn the book entire, and not a few particular phrases. A 2 If ג״י, |