That government may be
said to be weak and tottering which finds itself obliged to
connive at such proceedings.
The king of France, in order to give
strength and stability to his administration, ought to have sense
to adopt a sage plan of oeconomy, and vigour of mind sufficient
to execute it in all its parts, with the most rigorous exactness.
He ought to have courage enough to find fault, and even to punish
the delinquents, of what quality soever they may be: and the
first act of reformation ought to be a total abolition of all the
farms. There are, undoubtedly, many marks of relaxation in the
reins of the French government, and, in all probability, the
subjects of France will be the first to take advantage of it.
There is at present a violent fermentation of different
principles among them, which under the reign of a very weak
prince, or during a long minority, may produce a great change in
the constitution. In proportion to the progress of reason and
philosophy, which have made great advances in this kingdom,
superstition loses ground; antient prejudices give way; a spirit
of freedom takes the ascendant. All the learned laity of France
detest the hierarchy as a plan of despotism, founded on imposture
and usurpation. The protestants, who are very numerous in
southern parts, abhor it with all the rancour of religious
fanaticism. Many of the commons, enriched by commerce and
manufacture, grow impatient of those odious distinctions, which
exclude them from the honours and privileges due to their
importance in the commonwealth; and all the parliaments, or
tribunals of justice in the kingdom, seem bent upon asserting
their rights and independence in the face of the king's
prerogative, and even at the expence of his power and authority.
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