Page:John Adams - A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America Vol. I. (1787).djvu/25

than ordinary arts and ſciences, only as of more importance. Called without expectation, and compelled without previous inclination, though undoubtedly at the bell period of time both for England and America, to erect ſuddenly new ſyſtems of laws for their future government, they adopted the method of a wife architect, in erecting a new palace for the reſidence of his ſovereign. They determined to conſult Vitruvius, Palladio, and all other writers of reputation in the art; to examine the moſt celebrated buildings, whether they remain entire or in ruins; compare theſe with the principles of writers; and enquire how far both the theories and models were founded in nature, or created by fancy: and, when this ſhould be done, as far as their circumſtances would allow, to adopt the advantages, and reject the inconveniences, of all. Unembarraſſed by attachments to noble families, hereditary lines and ſucceſſions, or any conſiderations of royal blood, even the pious myſtery of holy oil had no more influence than that other of holy water: the people univerſally were too enlightened to be impoſed on by artifice; and their leaders, or more properly followers, were men of too much honour to attempt it. Thirteen governments thus founded on the natural authority of the people alone, without a pretence of miracle or myſtery, which are deſtined to ſpread over the northern part of that

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