PREFACE. To all who have read the celebrated work of M. De Lolme, it must be evident that he has more truly written an account of our Government and Institutions as they are at the present day, than when he wrote; for at that period there did not exist, to the same extent as at present, the diffusion of knowledge among the people,―the freedom of speech and of the press,—the religious and civil liberty,—the independence of Parliament, and the justice of the tribunals, which he so energetically applauds. Although we have not, in practice, yet fully developed his beautiful theory of a Constitution, we have, nevertheless, by ameliorations in our criminal laws, improvements in our Courts of Equity, reforms in Parliament, and many other legislative measures, greatly advanced the happiness of the people, without invading the dignity of the Crown or the privileges of the nobility. We have abolished the Test and Corporation Acts, and all religious disabilities, with the sole exception of the restrictive oath imposed on Members of Parliament. We have, it is true, much yet to improve; but we now possess a Constitution and laws so nearly similar to those delineated by M. De Lolme, that a new edition of his admirable work, with appropriate notes and illustrations, appears to be well adapted to the present time. JOHN MACGRegor. THE approbation with which the public have been pleased to favour this work, together with the nature of the subject, embolden me to lay the present fourth and enlarged edition of the same at your Majesty's feet, both as an homage and an expression of the desire I entertain, that the book may for a few minutes engage the attention of a person of your deep and extensive knowledge. Your Majesty's reign has, for many years past, afforded proofs, in more respects than one, that, though human wisdom may not always be able to anticipate difficulties, yet, assisted by fortitude, it can succeed in terminating them in a more favourable manner than it seemed at first possible to be expected, or even in bringing them to a happy issue. According to the common course of nature, your Majesty has only yet seen the less considerable part of the years of which your reign is to be composed: that the part which now opens before your Majesty may be attended with a degree of satisfaction proportionate to your Majesty's public and private virtues, to your disinterested government, and religious regard for your royal engagements, is the fond hope of Your Majesty's Most humble and most devoted Servant, And, these many Years, Subject by Choice, J. L. DE LOLME. May 1784. |