ing out of two rebellions in England, together with two civil wars in Ireland, and three or four invasions of that country, can hardly be looked upon as exceptions old) doidet.

lo algnol You will naturally conclude, from some expressions in a former part of this article, that the Parliament, or at least the House of Commons, must be an essential ingredient in the composition of the government under consideration; and assuredly it is such; in so much that several sensible persons believe the national affairs could not well be managed without its help: nor is this surprising, when we remember the general character and qualifications required of those who are the Representatives of the people: none can be admitted to fill the high and important D situation of a member of what is termed

the Lower-House, except such as are of incorruptible principles and independent fortunes; and moreover arrived at years of discretion. It may here be necessary to remark, with regard to the last mentioned requisite, that an English subject cannot be elected to sit in Parliament until he has attained the age of twenty-one; the founders of this unparalleled Constitution having sagaciously observed, that gentlemen of twenty-one, not only always possess common sense, but have great experi ence of life, and are therefore eligible persons to assist in the debates of a Senate.

This is not the proper place to describe the eloquence displayed by the various speakers in the above-mentioned assembly; a point which I shall reserve, until I come to treat of national

talent. As for the House of Peers, and

theme still more august-the Sovereign, I shall pass them by altogether; from the double motive of fearing to give umbrage to persons who are in power, and of proving rather tiresome to such as are not. With respect to the Legislature, I shall only say that the British people are governed by means of a body of laws, astonishingly operative and efficacious; and so remarkably few in number, and so free from every kind of perplexity, that the meanest capacities can recollect and comprehend them all; and that the lowest member of the community, with little trouble, and at a trifling expense of time and money, may seek redress from them, and obtain it.

I sincerely hope you will not find me unnecessarily diffuse in what

I have delivered upon these nice and momentous subjects, and trust that, as we advance,, I shall appear to you and your friends less dry and uninteresting....

I must next touch-but with due diffidence-on a topic almost as de-. licate and important as the last-named: I mean the Religious Establishment of England, the unexceptionable nature, of which appears from this striking fact; it is here the received form of all ranks and classes; for-unlike other countries, -in England there are not any Sectaries. The Bishops, or Chieftains of the Church are invariably chosen from amongst the wisest and best of the clerical body: their revenues are very moderate; or, to speak more correctly, very small; their lives are occupied in the exercise of their arduous functions; in study, abstinence, mortification, meditation and

prayer and any leisure time they have from these engagements, they devote to inquiring into the morals and abilities of the inferior clergy, who are always promoted accordingly; without regard had to family connexion or Parliamentary interest. These subaltern ministers, however, seldom or never seek for preferment, unless with a view of enlarging the sphere of their professional exertions. This is easily accounted for, because their incomes are more than sufficient to provide them and their families with all the conveniences of life; and they are regularly paid by the State, in order that the dignity of the Priestly character may be properly supported, and to preclude what otherwise might happen, a loss of time, temper and respectability, by their being exposed to altercations with their parishioners. I speak now of such of the clergy