lows that the Laws may contain the whole Duty of the subject, may be contriv'd in the most masterly way, and explain'd in the most regular method; but then, says he, how shall I understand them? If a Man has no learning, how shall he read them in a language he don't know, and in a character he is not acquainted with? Says, 'tis necessary that every Man engag'd in a Law suit, should himself have a view of the whole Proceedings, that he may judge of his Attorney's honesty and capacity; but that this is impossible, till he is previously acquainted with the statutes in his favour, and the practice of the court.
That the objection that the Latin is the only proper language, because its meanings are established, and its sounds unvariable, is of no weight, and would have held good against the Romans themselves, as well as us, because it was then as liable to alterations as ours is now, yet they had no recourse to the Greek to prevent that Mischief, or mistrufted the obscurity or corruption of their laws, from the revolution of their language.
Concludes, that the English Tongue is as capable of answering all the purposes of Expression as the Latin and in its present purity, will last as long; that it will express Truth and Justice, with abundance of spirit and sublimity; and when our Laws are wrote equal to the language, there will be no danger of mistaking their intention.
The London Journal, Sat. March 13. No. 606.
CORRUPTION, he says, has been complained of in all ages, but the greatest complainers have been the first and greatest corruptors, who having corrupted men to serve the ends of their tyrannies, have made that corruption a reason for continuing those tyrannies.
Denies that this age or this nation is more corrupt than other ages, or than this kingdom was heretofore.
Says, that the only probable way which has been thought of to prevent corruption is an Oath, by which men appeal to heaven for the truth of what they say, and the punishments of another world, and the penalties of this are laid before them, if they speak false: But this is not sufficient, for an Oath, where a man's interest is concern'd, and his passions strong, puts him upon distinctions to evade the force of truth; by which means the fear of a Deity and invisible punishments, is render'd less efficacious.
Thinks it would have been for the interest of mankind, if there never had been an Oath imposed, relating solely to man's self and his own interest; for that an honest man will not be corrupted, and such who will, find out ways to reconcile their wickedness and their consciences.
Says, the causes of corruption are false teaching and false philosophy, or wrong notions of life and pleasure; and that 'tis no wonder men act dishonestly, when they place their chief good in gratifying every passion just as it rises, without regard to consequences.
Advises an education in principles of wisdom and virtue, that religion is only an enforcement of morality, and that a man's present happiness consisted in the practice of it; and if to this were added the necessity of temperance, in order to preserve honesty, we should be more strongly guarded against corruption, than by all the Oaths which were ever invented; that the only way to preserve our integrity, and be just to the community, is to be just to ourselves, by living within the rules of reason.
Concludes with taking notice of an appeal made to him by Mr D'anvers concerning the Truth of his Remarks on a Passage in a Pamphlet called, Observations on the present State of Affairs, in which the Author had given a dismal description of the present declining, corrupted and depravedState
