PREFACE.
THE arts and ſciences, in general, during the three or four laſt centuries, have had a regular courſe of progreſſive improvement. The inventions in mechanic arts, the diſcoveries in natural philoſophy, navigation, and commerce, and the advancement of civilization and humanity, have occaſioned changes in the condition of the world, and the human character, which would have aſtoniſhed the moſt refined nations of antiquity. A continuation of ſimilar exertions is every day rendering Europe more and more like one community, or ſingle family. Even in the theory and practice of government, in all the ſimple monarchies, conſiderable improvements have been made. The checks and balances of republican governments have been in ſome degree adopted by the courts of princes. By the erection of various tribunals, to regiſter the laws, and exerciſe the judicial power—by indulging the petitions and remonſtrances of ſubjects, until by habit they are regarded as rights—a contronl has been eſtablifhed over miniſters of ſtate, and the royal councils, which approaches, in ſome degree, to the ſpirit of republics. Property is generally ſecure, and perſonal liberty ſeldom invaded, The preſs has great influence, even where
