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society。 These theorists imagined that it possessed something eternally
and intrinsically good； distinct from the blessings which it generally
produced。 They considered it not as a means but as an end； an end to be
attained at any cost。 Their favourite heroes are those who have sacrificed；
for the mere name of freedom； the prosperitythe securitythe justice
from which freedom derives its value。
There is another remarkable characteristic of these writers； in which
their modern worshippers have carefully imitated thema great fondness
for good stories。 The most established facts； dates； and characters are
never suffered to come into competition with a splendid saying； or a
romantic exploit。 The early historians have left us natural and simple
descriptions of the great events which they witnessed； and the great men
with whom they associated。 When we read the account which Plutarch
and Rollin have given of the same period； we scarcely know our old
acquaintance again； we are utterly confounded by the melo… dramatic
effect of the narration； and the sublime coxcombry of the characters。
These are the principal errors into which the predecessors of Mr
Mitford have fallen； and from most of these he is free。 His faults are of a
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completely different description。 It is to be hoped that the students of
history may now be saved； like Dorax in Dryden's play； by swallowing
two conflicting poisons； each of which may serve as an antidote to the
other。
The first and most important difference between Mr Mitford and those
who have preceded him is in his narration。 Here the advantage lies； for
the most part； on his side。 His principle is to follow the contemporary
historians； to look with doubt on all statements which are not in some
degree confirmed by them； and absolutely to reject all which are
contradicted by them。 While he retains the guidance of some writer in
whom he can place confidence； he goes on excellently。 When he loses it；
he falls to the level； or perhaps below the level； of the writers whom he so
much despises： he is as absurd as they； and very much duller。 It is really
amusing to observe how he proceeds with his narration when he has no
better authority than poor Diodorus。 He is compelled to relate something；
yet he believes nothing。 He accompanies every fact with a long
statement of objections。 His account of the administration of Dionysius
is in no sense a history。 It ought to be entitled〃Historic doubts as to
certain events； alleged to have taken place in Sicily。〃
This scepticism； however； like that of some great legal characters
almost as sceptical as himself； vanishes whenever his political partialities
interfere。 He is a vehement admirer of tyranny and oligarchy； and
considers no evidence as feeble which can be brought forward in favour of
those forms of government。 Democracy he hates with a perfect hatred； a
hatred which； in the first volume of his history； appears only in his
episodes and reflections； but which； in those parts where he has less
reverence for his guides； and can venture to take his own way； completely
distorts even his narration。
In taking up these opinions； I have no doubt that Mr Mitford was
influenced by the same love of singularity which led him to spell 〃island〃
without an 〃s；〃 and to place two dots over the last letter of 〃idea。〃 In
truth； preceding historians have erred so monstrously on the other side that
even the worst parts of Mr Mitford's book may be useful as a corrective。
For a young gentleman who talks much about his country； tyrannicide； and
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Epaminondas； this work； diluted in a sufficient quantity of Rollin and
Berthelemi； may be a very useful remedy。
The errors of both parties arise from an ignorance or a neglect of the
fundamental principles of political science。 The writers on one side
imagine popular government to be always a blessing； Mr Mitford omits no
opportunity of assuring us that it is always a curse。 The fact is； that a
good government； like a good coat； is that which fits the body for which it
is designed。 A man who； upon abstract principles； pronounces a
constitution to be good； without an exact knowledge of the people who are
to be governed by it； judges as absurdly as a tailor who should measure the
Belvidere Apollo for the clothes of all his customers。 The demagogues
who wished to see Portugal a republic； and the wise critics who revile the
Virginians for not having instituted a peerage； appear equally ridiculous to
all men of sense and candour。
That is the best government which desires to make the people happy；
and knows how to make them happy。 Neither the inclination nor the
knowledge will suffice alone； and it is difficult to find them together。
Pure democracy； and pure democracy alone； satisfies the former
condition of this great problem。 That the governors may be solicitous
only for the interests of the governed； it is necessary that the interests of
the governors and the governed should be the same。 This cannot be often
the case where power is intrusted to one or to a few。 The privileged part
of the community will doubtless derive a certain degree of advantage from
the general prosperity of the state； but they will derive a greater from
oppression and exaction。 The king will desire an useless war for his
glory； or a parc…aux…cerfs for his pleasure。 The nobles will demand
monopolies and lettres…de…cachet。 In proportion as the number of
governors is increased the evil is diminished。 There are fewer to
contribute； and more to receive。 The dividend which each can obtain of the
public plunder becomes less and less tempting。 But the interests of the
subjects and the rulers never absolutely coincide till the subjects
themselves become the rulers； that is； till the government be either
immediately or mediately democratical。
But this is not enough。 〃Will without power；〃 said the sagacious
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Casimir to Milor Beefington； 〃is like children playing at soldiers。〃 The
people will always be desirous to promote their own interests； but it may
be doubted； whether； in any community； they were ever sufficiently
educated to understand them。 Even in this island； where the multitude
have long been better informed than in any other part of Europe； the rights
of the many have generally been asserted against themselves by the
patriotism of the few。 Free trade； one of the greatest blessings which a
government can confer on a people； is in almost every country unpopular。
It may be well doubted； whether a liberal policy with regard to our
commercial relations would find any support from a parliament elected by
universal suffrage。 The republicans on the other side of the Atlantic have
recently adopted regulations of which the consequences will； before long；
show us；
〃How nations sink； by darling schemes oppressed； When vengeance
listens to the fool's request。〃
The people are to be governed for their own good； and； that they may
be governed for their own good； they must not be governed by their own
ignorance。 There are countries in which it would be as absurd to
establish popular government as to abolish all the rest