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paying their Liberty for the Purchase. Now, my Lord, we are come to the Master-piece of Grecian Refinement, and Roman Solidity, a Popular Government. The earliest and most celebrated Republick of this Model, was that of Athens. It was constructed by no less an Artist, than the celebrated Poet and Philosopher, Solon. But no sooner was this Political Vessel launched from the Stocks, than it overset, even in the Life-time of the Builder. A Tyranny immediately supervened; not by a foreign Conquest, not by Accident, but by the very Nature and Constitution of a Democracy. An artful Man became popular, the People had Power in their hands, and they devolved a considerable Share of their Power upon their Favourite; and the only use he made of this Power, was, to plunge those who gave it into Slavery. Accident restored their Liberty, and the same good Fortune produced Men of uncommon Abilities and uncommon Virtues amongst them. But these Abilitieswere
