that the best legislators have been often satisfied with the establishment of some sure, solid, and ruling principle in government; a power like that which some of the philosophers have called a plastic nature; and having fixed the principle, they have left it afterwards to its own operation.
To proceed in this manner, that is, to pro|ceed with a presiding principle, and a prolific ener|gy, is with me the criterion of profound wisdom. What your politicians think the marks of a bold, hardy genius, are only proofs of a deplorable want of ability. By their violent haste, and their defiance of the process of nature, they are deli|vered over blindly to every projector and adven|turer, to every alchymist and empiric. They de|spair of turning to account any thing that is common. Diet is nothing in their system of re|medy. The worst of it is, that this their de|spair of curing common distempers by regular methods, arises not only from defect of comprehen|sion, but, I fear, from some malignity of disposi|tion. Your legislators seem to have taken their opinions of all professions, ranks, and offices, from the declamations and buffooneries of satirists; who would themselves be astonished if they were held to the letter of their own descriptions. By listening only to these, your leaders regard all things only on the side of their vices and faults, and view those vices and faults under every colour of exaggeration. It is undoubtedly true, though it may seem paradoxical; but in general, those who are habitually employed in finding and dis|playing faults, are unqualified for the work of re|formation:
