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this Opinion, which I am not only inclined to favour by my Reſpect for the Authors of it, but by a natural Affection to Monarchy, and a prevailing Inclination to believe that every Excellence is inherent in a King.[1]
To condemn an Opinion ſo agreeable to the Reverence due to the regal Dignity, and countenanced by ſo great Authorities, without a long and accurate Diſcuſſion, would be a Temerity juſtly liable to the ſevereſt Cenſures. A ſupercilious and arrogant Determination of a Controverſy of ſuch Importance would doubtleſs be treated by the Impartial and Candid with the utmoſt Indignation.
But as I have too high an Idea of the Learning of my Contemporaries, to obtrude any crude, haſty, or indigeſted Notions on the Public, I have proceeded
- ↑ Without yielding in the leaſt to the Suſpicion that Dr. Johnſon is the Author of this Eſſay, we may venture to ſuggeſt, that perhaps the Doctor’s Loyalty may be owing to ſuch a Predilection in favour of Monarchy.
