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Page:A Vindication of Natural Society - Burke (1756).djvu/103

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[93]

the Bedlam of our System. Looking now upon the Effects of some of those Fancies, may we not with equal Reason call it likewise the Newgate, and the Bridewell of the Universe. Indeed the Blindness of one Part of Mankind co-operating with the Frenzy and Villainy of the other, has been the real Builder of this respectable Fabrick of Political Society: And as their Blindness has caused their Slavery, in Return their State of Slavery is made a a Pretence for continuing them in a State of Blindness; for the Politician will tell you gravely, that their Life of Servitude disqualifies them for a Search of Truth, and supplies them with no other than mean and insufficient Ideas. This is but too true; and this is one of the Reasons for which I blame such Institutions.

In a Misery of this Sort, admiting some few Lenities, and those too but a few, nine Parts in ten of the whole Race of Mankind drudge throughLife.