"to Authority: for Power arifing from Strength, is always in "thofe that are governed, who are many; but Authority arifing "from Opinion, is in thofe that govern, who are few." How neceffary is it therefore for every Government to maintain a good Reputation with the People, and to establish its Dominion in their Hearts? Now, the fame Qualities, which acquire Love and Efteem to a private Perfon, will produce the fame Effect with relation to a Government. If the People are once convinced of their Rulers Wisdom to direct them, of their Valour to protect them, of their Piety to derive Favours from Heaven upon them, and that all their Views are aimed at the publick Advantage, they cannot fail having a due Veneration for their Characters and Persons, and yielding a ready Obedience to their Commands. From such a Credit with the People, a Government will receive a firmer Stability, than from any Excellence in the Frame of its Constitution; and will be better guarded by their Affections, than by the Strength of Armies. And from this Confideration too, it is natural to reflect, how ill those Perfons deserve of any Government, who for bafe Ends endeavour to weaken its Authority in blasting its Reputation with the People, by groundless Calumny and Defamation.

RE

FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1735; AND NOW AGAIN SUBMITTED TO CONSIDERATION.

WITH AN

APP EN DIX,

Containing the Refolutions of the HOUSE of COMMONS, on the fame Subject, in 1735; and the Substance of Two BILLS fince brought

into PARLIAMENT.

PREFACE TO THE EDITION OF 1751.

HE following Remarks were first published in 1735.

THE

The

Author of them then was, and still continues, a Member of the House of Commons. He now again fubmits them to the Confideration of the Public; and without the leaft Alteration, having feen no reason since to vary his Opinion; and he hopes they may be of fome Ufe in the present Conjuncture, which feems more favourable to a Scheme, which then failed of Succefs. When they first appeared, they gained fo much Attention, as to give Birth to the Refolutions which are in the Appendix; and to a Bill in Confequence of them, the Substance of which is likewise there inferted.

The Refolutions were at that Time received with univerfal Applaufe: But the Bill could not be prefented till the next Seffion.

The Gentlemen, who were ordered to bring it in, bestowed much Time and Labour in preparing it: But in fome Parts of it complied more with the Prejudices of others, than their own