As the plan pursued in the subsequent work is detailed in the first chapter, it would be fuperfluous to fay any thing concerning it in this place. But there is another point on which the reader may wish for some explanation, before he enters on the perufal of the following pages. He will be aware that it can scarcely fall to the lot of any individual to attain to fuch a degree of perfonal knowledge of the habits, pursuits, and occupations of the different ranks and profeffions into which the higher and middle classes of society in this country are distributed, as to qualify him to delineate their respective duties with tolerable accuracy. And he may with justice expect to be informed whether the author of the prefent performance has enjoyed advantages of any kind, affording him a chance of accomplishing, in a fatisfactory manner, the task which he has undertaken. It is therefore incumbent A 3 376591, cumbent on me to ftate that I have enjoyed, in carrying on the work, advantages of fuch a nature as to leave me almost without apology for the greater part of its errors and imperfections. The endeavours which I have ftudiously made to derive intelligence from various quarters respecting the feveral topics which I have had to difcufs, have been amply recompenfed. And in executing most of the chapters appropriated to particular defcriptions of men, and especially fome of those chapters with the subjects of which I was the least acquainted, I have been fortunate enough to receive the unreferved fuggeftions, advice, and animadverfions of perfons feverally occupying the station, or belonging to the profession in queftion, and accustomed ftrictly to confider its duties in a confcientious light. Were I at liberty to mention the names to which I allude, fome of them would be found in poffeffion of no small share of public respect and esteem. Yoxall Lodge, near Lichfield, Nov. 6th, 1794 General Remarks on the First Principles of the British Conftitution. Tendency of Men to Social Union 9-II Simplicity of early Forms of Government exemplified 11-15 First General Principle of the British Constitution 17, 18 State of popular Representation confidered as to strict Juftice A 4 19-22 Hereditary |