VI. The Mnsician about Town, 129. | XIV.-Slavery and the Slave Trade,

VII.-An Historical Sketch of French

iv.

nales des Sciences Natur., 332; Practical Observations on the Causes and Treatment of Curvature of the Spine, 332; Elements of the Pathology of

XXVII.-Critical Observations on
Bishop Burnett's "History of the
Reformation of the Church of Eng-
land," 404.

of the Mammalia, 433. XXIX.-Rambles in Switzerland and Savoy, No. II., 446. XXX.-Essay on the Origin and Progress of Animal Magnetism, 464. XXXI.-The Musician about Town, 483.

the Human Mind, 341; a Practical | XXVIII–Remarks on Classifications Treatise on the Human Teeth, 346. XXIII-Outlines of Periodical Literature relating to the Natural Sciences and Philosophy-The London and Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science, 347; The Phrenological Journal and Magazine of Moral Science, 349; The Naturalist, 349; The Magazine of

XXXII-A Night in the Black
Forest, 431.

Natural History, 351; Annals of XXXIII-Miscellanea MeteorologiNatural History, 352.

ca, 498.

XXIV. Notices of Recent German XXXIV.-Critical Notices of New

Works, 354.

XXV. Divi Botanici; or Sketches of
Botanists whose merits are comme-
morated in the Appellations of
Plants, No. IV., 357.

XXVI.-An Essay on the Expedien-
cy and Means of Elevating the Pro-
fession of the Educator in the Esti-
mation of the Public, No. III.,
383.

Publications.-Outlines of Analogical Philosophy, 507. XXXV.-Outlines of Periodical Literature relating to the Natural Sci. ences and Philosophy.-Magazine of Natural History, 526; The London and Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science, 529; Annals of Natural History, 531.

THE ANALYST.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF ENGLISH LIBERTY.

"A mighty pomp, though made of little things."-Dryden.

THERE was a time when the English mode of government was spoken of as a model for a republic; and the liberty and prosperity which distinguished that people were attributed solely to that spirit of wisdom which pervaded the laws and statutes of their constitution. This period passed away, and was succeeded by another tone of opinion, which found, or affected to find, in the constitution, defects of such a grave character as to generate a suspicion of the importance of that liberty which could not stand the test of impartial investigation. Thus unbounded admiration was succeeded by extravagant deprecation. Many of its most graceful features had, in consequence of the new scrutiny to which it had been subjected, been overlooked in the grand volume of the constitution; and the examiners appear not to have been aware that those defects which they supposed they had discovered, might possibly be more the effect of their own false position and incorrect point of view, than truly pertaining to the system before them.

It may appear strange, yet it is nevertheless a fact, that the people of England were not aware of the excellence and value of their constitution, until it was pointed out to them by a foreigner. It is true that they always spoke of the authors of that imperishable work with the utmost respect and veneration; yet it appears that their praises were bestowed in the inverse ratio to the superficiality of their acquaintance with the principles contained therein. There was, however, a lustre and nobility of feeling which dictated this praise: it was the soul, the spirit of patriotism, which, presupposing the perfec

VOL. X., NO. XXVIII.

1

tion of its code, drew their attention away from a critical examination of its merits. Thus it was reserved for that foreigner to unfold before the world the singular merits and benefits of the English Constitution; and so skilfully has he performed his task, as to attract the gaze of the whole of Europe to that wonderful specimen of legislation. The appearance of De Lolme's book created a great sensation throughout Europe (with the exception of the English, who scarcely noticed it); and the best spirits of the age were at once awakened and stimulated to a higher order of investigation and enquiry on that topic.

Impartial and critical examination generally leads to the discovery of defect. Thus it was with that constitution in question, the admiration of which was greatly qualified by the cool analysis and discussion of its merits occasioned by the appearance of De Lolme's works. But the source from whence arose that light which most effectually broke up the ancient spell which encircled the English code, was the questions arising out of the American war. The most experienced and talented statesmen of the age concurred in lamenting the adoption of those measures which the ministry of that day pursued against America, and which tended to involve the constitution in a mist of ambiguity and uncertainty with regard to public right. The essential conditions, also, which were about that time introduced into the common law-such as the endowment of the judges with a broader degree of independence; by abolishing the use of general warrants during the legal proceedings against Wilkes; and the tampering with the natural duties of jurymen, which took place under the ministry of Fox, with regard to their verdicts-plainly shewed that the constitution was many a wide degree from perfection. The true character of the English Constitution was not misunderstood by the transatlantic Englishmen; on the contrary, experience had placed in bold relief full before their eyes its many defective points, and its harsh outline of ancient Norman manners and customs. The Americans, then, with such a picture before them, and stimulated by an ardent spirit of liberty, found not much difficulty in framing a constitution more in accordance with the principles of general freedom than the one existing in the mother country.

Strictly logical maxims, and profound theories laid down in politics, it is well known, fall far short of their mark in application to practical life; and well they may for what human power, however extensive and far-seeing, can contrive so perfect a range of policy as to fall in and blend with the numerous chances, accidents, and circum