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Dedication.
xvii
thoſe they ſee altered from Day to Day, and that Governments, by accuſtoming themſelves to neglect ancient Cuſtoms under pretence of imaginary Improvements, often introduce Evils greater than thoſe they intended to correct or guard againſt.
I ſhould, above all things, have avoided, as one that could not but be ill governed, a Republic, where the People pretending to be able to do without Magiſtrates, or at leaſt without allowing them any more than a precarious Authority, ſhould imprudently reſerve to themſelves the Adminiſtration of civil Affairs, and the Execution of
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their
