IS EXCELLENCE HELD OUT TO US ONLY THAT WE SHOULD BURKE. LONDON: PRINTED FOR G. G. J. AND J. ROBINSON, PATER-NOSTER-ROW; W. AND A. LEE, LEWES; M. FALKNER, MANCHESTER; AND S. WOOLMER, EXETER. MDCCXCII reclass D, F. 10-28-33 PREFACE. ALTHOUGH the Table of Contents, and the Intro ductory Observations to the following Work, will inform the Reader of my design; yet, in order to prevent mistakes, I think it neceffary to premise a few prefatory remarks. Since the major part of this work was printed, several of my observations have received additional confirmation, by the proceedings of the House of Commons, during the prefent feffion. But there is one thing which requires a little explanation, in order to obviate what may be thought a contradiction. I have in one or two places mentioned "our annually increafing taxes." The practice of government for fifteen years past, warranted me in using such an expreffion. At last, after nine years peace, it appears that the people of this country, have the profpect of fome trifling diminution of their burdens. The ingenuity, industry, and spirit of our manufacturers and merchants; the meafures of government to make the taxes productive ;— These, with many accidental and temporary circumstances, have confpired to render our revenue flourishing beyond expectation. But I beg leave to add, that the main principles of this work, are not to be shaken, either by temporary profperity or adverfity. Should what is called our rofperous fituation, be ftill more profperous; Should France have yet new diftreffes to fuffer; these principles will remain the fame. They are, I am perfuaded, the principles of eternal truth and juftice: 1 "If these fail; The pillar'd firmament is rottennefs, "And earth's bafe built on stubble.". There There are, I know, perfons of a different opinion; and who imagine that the felicity of an individual, and of a nation, depends principally on riches, without enquiring by what means those riches are acquired, or in what manner they are improved. If any perfon who is rivetted to fuch an opinion, should take up this book, I think it but fair to tell him, he may almost as well lay it down again; as there is little in it to afford him either fatisfaction or conviction. But, as the friend of that man, I cannot help earnestly perfuading him seriously to reflect; whether, while his mind is under the influence of fuch a fentiment, he deferves to be called either a BRITON, or a CHRISTIAN; or whether he is not the enemy of Liberty, of Truth, of Virtue, of Goodness, of GOD HIMSELF! I am fearful that feveral of my fentiments, as well as the manner in which I have expressed them, may not be agreeable to fome perfons I cordially esteem. I muít, therefore, request them not only to read, but to paufe, to reflect with impartiality, before they cenfure. I trust I possess a mind open to conviction, and that I fhall esteem the man who will endeavour, with candour, to convince me of my mistakes, MY FRIEND. Should any one honour me with public notice, I hope, however engaged in the common concerns of life, to be able, as I am fure I shall be willing, to defend or to give up any thing that I have written. This is nothing more than my duty. When a man prefumes to address the public, and at the fame time declares his determination not to reply to any thing that may be faid to him, fuch a declaration might be confidered as an unpardonable infult, were it not a fort of acknowledg ment of the weakness of the writer, or of the weakness of his caufe; probably of both. I fhould be very unhappy, if what I have now faid, fhould be confidered as throwing down the gauntlet, or challenging |