The Sun.
London, England, 1819-06-28 00:00:00

at which 31 must appear, and answer foe their cdfidad; and
this power rf the majority will stand or fall ace,ordingly as
it has been exercised. Its possessors are therefore bound, by
a sense of heir own interest, the strongest tie that regulates
human actions, to labour for the benefit of the peoplg. This
is the court that they have invariably pursued, and from
which it nay be safely said they will never depart, unless
forced into contention by the intemperate attacks of ene-
mies to peace and"'V•ue liberty. HOever perfect aad beau-
tiful in description, maybe the state of things promised by
reformers, the blessings which we actually enjoy, and the
security in ,ur bands, for their lung and prosperous conti-
nuance, must never be disregarded. An increase of liberty,
and a perfect House of Cournon,, are the benefits we aro
told a change would produce. The first is an indefinite ad-
vantage, perhaps hardly to be desired ; or, if really neces-
sary, attainable through the saute channel which has con-
veyed to us that which we already possess; and the assem
bly, wholly and purely popular, which we are to receive, is
but a comp:ond of impossibilities and , uncertainties. It
there is now a balance in the Constitution, it would then be
overthrown; if there is now a check to the encroachments of
a preponderant democracy, they would then be irresistible.
The change Enigitt lead to revolution, or endanger thr pre-
sent settlement of property ; while the only visible good held
out, is the destruction of the existing order of things, whicli,
if not perfect, is, at least, the best this world contains, and
is adapted in all its parts to the country in which it has
grown and fluerished. These are facts not to be controvert-
ed by any ingenuity-of theoretic reasoning.

" The conduct of Parliament in its attention to the king-
dom's welfare being unimpeachable, its enemies condemn
the manner in which it is constituted. But if an assemble,
comprehending so much wealth, talent, and integrity, as the
House of Commons,were chosen by sets or by decimation from
among the people at large, it would be unwise in the urati,ti
that prospered under its guidance, to quarrel with the tood,,i
Of its election. Political institutions most be judged by
their practical effect, and not ley the manner of their forma-
tion. Let the House of Commons be tried by this criterion.
If the influence of the Nobles be objected to, let us see whe-
ther their interests have been promoted, while those of the
people have been neglected. If the power of the Crown b e
dreaded, let the records of Parliament tell, whether it has
hero supported or enlarged by any subduction of the people's
liberties. It would involve every disputed question of domes-
tic policy to examine the conduct of the Legislature as it
affects the inferior classes, who have lately been made to cry
the loudest for a reform. If, however, they could reflect on
the nature of the boon they ask, they would discover, by the
mode in which they are taxed, the point on which the disin-
terestedness of legislative justice is most conspicuous, abun-
,dant cause fur satisfaction. They would see, that however
bumble their condition, the richest and greatest in the realm
are ever watchful of their rights and possessions, attentive to
their necessities, mindful of their sufferings, and anxious fur
their happiness. It is remarked by an able writer not
illiberal in his opinions of human nature, that in a Govern-
ment, where the riches and power are united in the hands of
a few perso-s, " they will readily conspire to lay the whole
burt hen on the poor, and oppress thentstill further, to the
distant( agement of all industry,"—hut, how happilyalifferent
has been the conduct of those to whose direction the consti-
tution has confided the welfare and property of British sub-
jects. Have they spared themselves, and cast the weight of
imposts on the pour? Hare they not, on the Con'rary, in pro-
viding for the vast expenditure of the Ciovermuent, laid taxes
of the highest possible ratio un all articles of luxury, which
can be procured only by the rich ; on the trausrer, whether
by gift, sale, or demise, of large property, which can In, ef-
fcctedonly by the rich; on rents of lands and houses, which,
multiplying as they rise in amount, are felt most sensibly by
the rich ; and, finally, on incomes, which tax, passing entirely
over the poor, and hut gently visiting the middle classes, fell,
while coutinued by the wisdom of Parliament, with undi-
minished weight on the well-ascertained revenues of the rich
and great. '

" It is not, however, in the conduct of Parliament that the
more prudent advocates for reform have sought fur reasons to
call fur a change in the Constitution. It seems, lather, that
they object to the persons who compose the legislature. But
very few have yet fairly considered the nature of the assembly,
which is proposed as a substitute fur 'the House of Com-
mons. To a third estate, purely democrat lent, the other two
branches of the legislature would be an insufficient court-
terpoise; and it is probable that a revolution would
quickly follow the first contest between them. The
Crown, undefended front popular,eneroachtuent, in one of the
broadest avenues to the perogative, would be separated from
the nation with which it now acts in concert. There arc in-
deed few evils that a kingdom can experience from a specu-
lative attempt to reform its constitution, that England would
be secure from, were a new and uncontrollable political
power to be placed in hands unaccustomed to use it. It
must ever be' remembered, that the Legislature, as it is now
constituted, it as open to the complaints of the people as it
would be wider a perfect democracy. Though it might be
made subject to the more frequent controul of the people, it
could not be more influenced by their opinion. The two
great parties, into which Parliament has formed itself, upon
the usages of the most prosperous century of our Constitu-
tion, operate as a mutual check upon each other ; and being
rival candidates for popular approbation, the basis of all
lasting power, appeal to the nation at large, as a final anal
absolute judge, upon every question touching the general
welfare. The right of decision thus vested in the great bcdy
of the people, has been exercised with effect, ever since the
true constitutional privileges of the swhject have been deft.mai
and confirmed. It has been exercised in the support of Go-
vernment, thron.ol long and exhausting wars; it has bee:,
manifested in the overthrow of administrations, whenever
their counsels. have become pernicious to their country—it
will continue to guard the nation from foreign and domestic
danger, al long as its trite value an-1 power are anown, and
its possessors refuse to barter it for the delusive promises uI
Reformers."

Hume.

ARTISTS IN ENGLAND.—It appears from a list
►f each class inset red in a late number of Annall
pf the Fine Arts,that modern patronage has created
'n England not less than 931 profescion,il artists
7arion4 description q, in and near the metropolis ;
whom there are 532 painters, 45 sculptors,
149 architects, 93 engravers in tine, 38 in mixed
tiles, 19 in mezzotinto, 83 in aequatinta, 22 on
rood ; and deserves to be especially noticed
,inong the painters, there are no secs than 43
adies.