which creates a laziness and despondency, that puts men beyond hopes and fears: mortifying ambition, and other active qualities, which freedom begets; and instead of them, affording only a dull kind of pleasure, of being careless and insensible[1].'
There is no doubt, but by entering into society, mankind voluntarily give up a part of their natural rights, and bind themselves to the obedience of laws, calculated for the general good. But, we must distinguish between authority, and oppression; between laws, and capricious dictates; and keeping the original intention of government ever in view, we should take care that no more restraint be laid upon natural liberty, than what the necessities of society require.
Perhaps the limits between the power of government, and the liberty of the people, should not be too strictly marked out. Men of taste reckon that picture hard, where the outlines are so strong, as to be clearly seen. They admire a piece of painting, where the colours are delicately blended, and the tints, which point out every particular object, are softened into each other, by an insensible gradation. So in a virtuous state, there should be such a mutual confidence between the
- ↑ My lord Molesworth's Account of Denmark, p. 69.
A 2
