OR, THE Englishman's Journal. BEING A COLLECTION of LETTERS, Political, Humorous, and Moral; Publish'd Weekly under that Title, Humani nibil a me alienum puto. TERENCE. Nil erit ulterius, quod noftris moribus addat Juv. SAT. Printed, and fold by J. PURSER in White-Fryars; MDCCXXXVIII. T HESE Papers being now fwelled to a Number fufficient to make a Volume, the Proprietors are encouraged to print a fecond Edition of them in this Shape, not without the Vanity of flattering themselves, that they may live to Pofterity. In the Beginning of a Design of this Nature, it is difficult to guess what Number will be cal led for, and it happening that there was a much greater Demand for feveral particular Papers, than the Publisher could anfwer, those who were defirous of making up compleat Sets could not be fupplied with them. To make Amends, they are collected in this Volume, and may be purchased at a much fmaller Price than they amount to when single. This Paper was fet up upon obferving, that the Spirit and Turn of fome others, which had been established before it, were entirely altered. It was proper to convince the World, that the Cause was not forfaken, and whatever Influence might be used upon the Proprietors of one Paper, Liberty fhould never want its Champions; befides, it was neceffary to take off from the Shoulders of the Craftsman fome Part of the Burthen which every Man labours under, who is struggling against Corruption. Those who fancied that all the Topicks of political Controversy had been exhausted, befare Common Senfe made its Appearance, are now convinced that they were mistaken; the Truth of it is, new Measures will demand new Obfervations.----It is poffible Things may be done in this Nation which never were attempted before.----Our Ancestors could leave us no Maxims, Maxims, but against fuch Op----ns as they themselves faw and felt. But befides, political Writings can never be unfeasonable.---In a free State, they are a neceffary Check upon the Actions of those who carry on the Administration of the Govern-. ment ;---they put the People upon their Guard against bad Measures; and it has been faid by a wife. Man, that the keeping up in the Minds of Men a continual Diftruft of those in Power, is the best Security of Liberty. Writers amongst us ftand in the Place of Orators amongst the Ancients; their Orators fpoke to the whole People. ---- All thofe fine Orations of Demofthenes, which we admire fo much to-Day, were delivered from his own Mouth, accompanied with all the Graces of Action; yet had there been fuch Laws and fuch Magiftrates, as have rifen up in fome other Countries fince his Time, it is poffible Demofthenes, whofe Name has been reverenced for fo many Ages, might have been fent to Bridewell; but as their Conftitution was model'd, it was in his Power to fave Athens by his Eloquence, the Athenians having no Riot-Acts. The Cuftom of haranguing the People is not in Ufe amongst us, nor do I think it would be A 3. allowed.. |