Milton's definition-Lies in war: To robbers: To lunatics: To the sick-Hy- ments. A curse-Immorality of oaths-Oaths of the ancient Jews-Milton-Paley CHAP. VIII. OF PARTICULAR OATHS - Oath of allegiance-Oath in evidence-Perjury-Military oath-Oath against bribery at elections-Oath against simony-University oaths-Subscrip- tion to articles of religion-Meaning of the thirty-nine articles literal-Re- Public notions of morality-Errors of public opinion: their effects-Duelling -Scottish Bench-Glory-Military virtues-Military talent-Bravery- Courage-Patriotism not the soldier's motive-Military fame-Public opin- ion of unchastity: In women: In men-Power of character-Character, Ancient Classics-London University-The classics in boarding-schools- English grammar-Science and literature-Improved system of education -Orthography: Writing: Reading: Geography: Natural History: Biog- raphy Natural Philosophy: Political science-Indications of a revolution in the system of education-Female education-The Society of Friends. Union of moral principle with the affections-Society-Morality of the An- cient Classics-The supply of motives to virtue-Conscience-Subjugation of the Will-Knowledge of our own minds-Offices of public worship. CHAP. XIII. EDUCATION OF THE PEOPLE Advantages of extended education-Infant schools-Habits of inquiry. Unmanliness of suicide-Forbidden in the New Testament-Its folly-Legis- These rights not absolute-Their limits-Personal attack-Preservation of I. "Political power is rightly exercised only when it is possessed by consent of II. "Political power is rightly exercised only when it subserves the welfare of the community."-Interference with other nations-Present expedients for present occasions- -Proper business of governments. III. "Political power is rightly exercised only when it subserves the welfare of the community by means which the Moral Law permits."-The Moral Law alike binding on nations and individuals-Deviation from rectitude Loss of Liberty-War-Useless laws. Political Liberty the right of a community-Public satisfaction. Civil disabilities-Interference of the magistrate-Pennsylvania-Toleration Expediency of obedience Obligations to obedience-Extent of the duty- Resistance to the civil power-Obedience may be withdrawn-King James —America—Non-compliance-Interference of the magistrate Oaths of Influence of the crown-House of Lords-Candidates for a peerage-Sudden creation of peers-The bench of bishops-Proxies-House of Commons- The wishes of the people-Extension of the elective franchise-Universal suffrage-Frequent elections-Modes of election-Annual parliaments- Qualifications of voters and representatives-Of choosing the clergy-Duties of a representative-Systematic opposition-Placemen and pensioners Duties of a ruler-The two objects of moral legislation-Education of the people-Bible Society-Lotteries-Public houses-Abrogation of bad laws Substitution of justice for law-Court of Chancery-Of fixed laws-Their inadequacy-They increase litigation-Delays-Expenses-Informalities— Precedents-Verdicts-Legal proof-Courts of Arbitration-An extended system of arbitration-Arbitration in criminal trials-Constitution of courts CHAP. XI. OF THE PROPER SUBJECTS OF PENAL ANIMADVERSION Crimes regarded by the civil and the moral law-Created offences-Seduction -Duelling-Insolvents-Criminal debtors-Gradations of guilt in insol- vency-Libels: Mode of punishing-Effects of the laws respecting libels- Effects of public censure-Libels on the government-Advantages of a free The three objects of punishment: Reformation of the offender: Example: Restitution-Punishment may be increased as well as diminished. Of the three objects of punishment, the punishment of death regards but one- Reformation of minor offenders: Greater criminals neglected-Capital pun- ishments not efficient as examples-Public executions-Paul-Murder- The punishment of death irrevocable-Rousseau-Recapitulation. The primitive church-The established church of Ireland-America-Advan- tages and disadvantages of established churches-Alliance of a church with the state-An established church perpetuates its own evils-Persecution generally the growth of religious establishments-State religions injurious to the civil welfare of a people-Legal provision for Christian teachers-Vo- luntary payment-Advancement in the church-The appointment of religious The English church the offspring of the Reformation; the church establishment, CHAP. XVI. OF LEGAL PROVISION FOR CHRISTIAN TEACHERS-OF VOLUN- TARY PAYMENT, AND OF UNPAID MINISTRY Compulsory payment-America-Legal provision for one church unjust-Pay- Want of inquiry: Indifference to human misery: National irritability: Interest: Secret motives of cabinets: Ideas of glory-Foundation of military glory. Destruction of human life: Taxation: Moral depravity: Familiarity with Influence of habit-Of appealing to antiquity-The Christian Scriptures-Sub- Quakers in America and Ireland-Colonization of Pennsylvania-Unconditional INTRODUCTORY NOTICES. Of the two causes of our deviations from rectitude-want of knowledge and want of virtue-the latter is undoubtedly the more operative. Want of knowledge is, however, sometimes a cause; nor can this be any subject of wonder when it is recollected in what manner many of our notions of right and wrong are acquired. From infancy, every one is placed in a sort of moral school, in which those with whom he associates, or of whom he hears, are the teachers. That the learner in such a school will often be taught amiss, is plain: so that we want information respecting our duties. To supply this information is an object of moral philosophy, and is attempted in the present work. When it is considered by what excellences the existing treatises on moral philosophy are recommended, there can remain but one reasonable motive for adding yet another-the belief that these treatises have not exhibited the principles and enforced the obligations of morality in all their perfection and purity. Perhaps the frank expression of this belief is not inconsistent with that deference which it becomes every man to feel when he addresses the public; because, not to have entertained such a belief, were to have possessed no reason for writing. The desire of supplying the deficiency, if deficiency there be; of exhibiting a true and authoritative standard of rectitude, and of estimating the moral character of human actions by an appeal to that standard, is the motive which has induced the composition of these Essays. In the FIRST ESSAY the writer has attempted to investigate the Principles of Morality. In which term is here included, first, the ultimate standard of right and wrong; and secondly, those subordinate rules to which we are authorized to apply for the direction of our conduct in life. In these investigations, he has been solicitous to avoid any approach to curious or metaphysical inquiry. He has endeavoured to act upon the advice given by Tindal the reformer to his friend John Frith: "Pronounce not or define of hid secrets, or things that neither help nor hinder whether it be so or no; but stick you stiffly and stubbornly in earnest and necessary things." In the SECOND ESSAY these principles of morality are applied in the determination of various questions of personal and relative duty. In making this application it has been far from the writer's desire to deliver a system of morality. Of the unnumbered particulars to which this essay might have been extended, he has therefore made a selection; and in making it, has chosen those subjects which appeared peculiarly to need the inquiry, either because the popular or philosophical opinions respecting them appeared to be unsound, or because they were commonly little adverted to in the practice of life. Form has been sacrificed to utility. Many great duties have been passed over, since no one questions their obligation; nor has the author so little consulted the pleasure of the reader as .* B |