an ariſtocracy, and democracy. The third he ſuppoſes to grow naturally out of the ſecond, and the ſecond out of the firſt, which originated in patriarchal authority. But as there is nothing remarkable, either in favour of our ſyſtem or againſt it, I ſhould not have quoted the book in this place, but for the ſake of its title. The conſtitution of England is in truth a republic, and has been ever ſo conſidered by foreigners, and by the moſt learned and enlightened Engliſhmen, although the word commonwealth has become unpopular and odious, ſince the unſucceſsful and injudicious attempts to aboliſh monarchy and ariſtocracy, between the years 1640 and 1660.
Let us proceed then to make a few obſervations upon the Diſcourſes of Plato and Polybius, and ſhew how forcibly they prove the neceſſity of permanent laws, to reſtrain the paſſions and vices of men, and to ſecure to the citizens the bleſſings of ſociety, in the peaceable enjoyment of their lives, liberties, and properties; and the neceſſity of different orders of men, with various and oppoſite powers, prerogatives, and privileges, to watch over one another, to balance each other, and to compel each other at all times to be real guardians of the laws.
Every citizen muſt look up to the laws, as his maſter, his guardian, and his friend; and whenever any of his fellow citizens, whether magiſtrates or ſubjects, attempt to deprive him of his right, he muſt appeal to the laws; if the ariſtocracy encroach, he muſt appeal to the democracy; if they are divided, he muſt appeal to the monarchical power to decide between them, by joining with that which adheres to the laws; if the democracy is on the ſcramble for power, he muſt appeal to the ariſtocracy, and the monarchy, which by unit-
