6580. PEOPLE, English.—[further continued] .
The English have been
a wise, a virtuous and truly estimable people.
But commerce and a corrupt government have
rotted them to the core. Every generous, nay,
every just sentiment, is absorbed in the thirst
for gold. I speak of their cities, which we
may certainly pronounce to be ripe for despotism,
and fitted for no other government.
Whether the leaven of the agricultural body is
sufficient to regenerate the residuary mass, and
maintain it in a sound state, under any reformation
of government, may still be doubted.—
To Mr. Ogilvie. Washington ed. v, 604.
(M.
1811)
