Discourses on Davila. N. 33.

It seems by the Discourse of Boetius, that there was a strong Inclination, in some to destroy Monarchy and Aristocracy in France, as long ago as the rign of Charles the ninth and some of his Predecessors. had this been done, they must either have had no Government at all, would probably have adopted, a Government in one Center like the present national Assembly. In some former discourse an Idea was hinted at, of throwing together a few Thoughts upon the Question whether a Sovereignty in a single Assembly, could have answered the Ends of Government in the sixteenth Century or whether it will do better now in the Eighteenth, for such a nation as France. This question may be answered by a few Remarks upon a Work, which has not been much read in America, as yet but as it is a part of American Literature and will be preserved in the Cabinets of the Curious, it will not misbecome Us to look into it.

In 1788 were published in Paris four Volumes under the Title of Researches historical and political, concerning the United States of America North America, in which is are treated their Relations and Contentions with Great Britain and of their Governments before and after the Revolution, by a Citizen of Virginia; with four Letters from a Burgher of New Heaven concerning the Unity of Legislation. As these Letters from a Citizen of New Heaven to a Citizen of 340 Virginia, are become a Part both of French and American Literature, they will descend to Posterity, as one monument of the Principles and Opinions of this important Period. Posterity therefore will be, as the present Generation both in france and America are interested in a candid investigation of the Truths or Errors they contain: and especially as the Author of them is announced to be one of the greatest Men of this Century. When the Work first appeared in public It was conjectured that the Word “Heaven” was an Error of the Press and that New Haven was meant, and Mr Trumbull the satiric Poet of humble Virtue but independent Spirit and, immortal Fame, who was Supposed imagined, by some who knowing he belonged to connecticut knew not that he was a Citizen of Hartford, to have attempted in prose to ridicule of a Government in one Assembly. But upon considering the concluding part of the dedication, and after reading the four Letters themselves it was conjectured that the New Jerusalem was meant, and the Plan of Government imagined for the Millennium only.2 It now appears however that this Work has been followed by several others published with the Names of the Duke de la Rochefaucault and the Marquis of Condercet, referred to as serious Argument in the national Assembly, and that that assembly has itself adopted the Idea of Mr Turgot it must therefore now be given Up, that this Work was designed to delineate a Government for Men, before the coming of the New Heavens and the New Earth.

These Letters in 1788 were probably written in Answer to the Defence of the American Constitutions the three Volumes of which were all printed and some of them dispersed in France before the End of 1787. This would be probable enough, from the known Friendship of the Writer for Mr Turgot, which induced him formerly to write his Life and his Panegyrick: but it is certain, from many passages in the Letters themselves, in which the Defence, tho not named is so clearly alluded to that it cannot be mistaken. The Writer is a Man of science, but no Experience; of Letters of some kinds, but unacquainted with History as well as the Writings on Government; little acquainted with skilled in the human heart, not at all conversant with the World. This is all demonstrated by his Letters: and what is more whimsical Still, it appears manifest enough that he has undertaken to answer a Book Work without reading it.

A Desire of Reformation in Government, as well as in morals, and Religion, is a proof of an amiable disposition, and benevolent Wisdom. a Passion, for improvements in Arts and discoveries in science, is always laudable and where it is accompanied with Talents, merits 341 and Seldom fails to obtain the Admiration of mankind. But it should be remembered that many a Man feigns a passion which he never felt: others pretend to Talents they never possessed.

There is an Italian proverb of sterling Sense, Se Sta bene non se move. If you Stand well, dont move. A maxim of Wisdom generally just and universally so with this Addition, Unless you have good reason to believe you can Stand better. Before We attempt Reformation We Should be Sure of two Points. 1. That there are Errors, and Abuses, or at least imperfections, which can be corrected. 2. What those Errors, abuses or imperfections are. Before We attempt Discoveries and improvements, We should consider, whether the whole of a Subject is not already known: and whether it is not already as perfect as We can make it: and better than it would be with Such Innovations and alterations as are projected.

As all Things are best illustrated by Examples, it may not be amiss to alledge one or two.

Suppose an Architect should arise and sett up Pretentions to matchless Genius, intuitive Knowledge, and exalted Invention beyond all others who had ever lived in any part of the World. He tells us gravely “Mankind have as yet discovered nothing in the Art of Building. Corinthian Pillars and all the other orders are aukward and clumsy Incumbranes. Dividing an house into various Appartements and Offices, according to the old Architecture, is all Ignorance and Empiricism. I, will teach you a new method; A method of perfect Unity and Simplicity. Pull down to the foundation, all your houses, cutt to pieces all your Pillars and orders, and I will build you new houses habitations, but at your expence however, all in one Center. Houses in which the Garrett and the Cellar, the Kitchen and the Parlour Dining Room, Dressing Room and Lodging Rooms shall all be but one Apartment. This will be Simple: all the Complications and Quackeries of the Old Architecture will be avoided by this device.”

Proud as the World is there is more superiority in it, given than assumed, and a bold Pretender generally gains Attention and Obtains disciples. It is probable that our Architect would make impressions on some, for We have good Authority to say that there is no Opinion so absurd but some Philosopher has been found to mantain it. But would Mankind in General, especially the more judicious and thinking part and those who have already comfortable Dwellings, consent to destroy so much Property, waste so much labour, and turn themselves out into the open air, for the sake of Improvements So precarious and problematical.?

Another Example, equally apposite may be taken from Musick. Suppose a Person should appear and tell Us with an Air of solemnity, “that Gluck and Picini, Haydn and Handel were all quacks. Their Complications of Tenor Treble and Base were all ridiculous. But I have discovered a new Science of Musick and invented a new method of practice. a Theory and Practice of mere simplicity. reduce all your Fiddles to one String and your Organs to one Pipe. It is now discovered and made certain that Monotony Is the Perfection of the musical Art. And this is the new Musick and at present all the Tone.” Would all the World, the Performers and Composers as well as Lovers And Hearers at once agree to this.? Would not some be found to say that all the great Masters of Antiquity, as well as of modern times and the present Age, before You, have thought differently. All the Examples are against you. But suppose He should reply. “Dont tell me of Examples. Examples have nothing to do in this matter. Improvement and Discovery must and shall be made. The old Musick was execrable. A better We must and will have. Away with all your Symphonies and Harmonies, your Compositions your Concords and Discords; your flatts and sharps: One simple, unique thorough bass shall bellow in your Ears forever: And then you will have no discords.” “Musicians by Profession are interested to make their Science intricate and their practice complex.” Must Mankind at once resign their Pleasures and Amusements to Such a decisive Pretender, without consulting their own Ears and Taste?

Another Example may be drawn from Grammar. Why should We have so complicated a system, for the ordinary conversation, and daily Intercourse of Life? Why should our Alphabets consist of so many as four and twenty Letters? cannot We do without Eight Parts of Speech? must our Pronouns have so many Cases, our nouns so many declensions, and our Verbs so many Conjugations, Voices, Moods Tenses, Numbers and Persons? Cannot a little Unity and Simplicity be introduced into this Art. The old Grammar consumes a great deal of time.— And while I am writing the federal Gazette is put into my hand with full proof that the Spirit of Unity and Symplicity is becoming epidemical. A new and universal Language is announced, invented by Professor Wolf of Petersbourg, destitute of Words that immediately expresses Ideas and fills the Imagination with Images and Perceptions.3 it does not take up the fifth of the Space of any known Language. it has no Irregularities no declensions, and only one extremely simple Conjugation. Proper Names of Persons and Places may be accurately expressed by it, without the help of 343 Words or Letters and it may be commonly read from left to right, or from right to left at pleasure. it is not unpleasant to the Ear. And may be easily taught in any Country where there are Jews, Turks or Christians, or where the Bible or Koran is read.

What Shall We say to this discovery? or Invention? It is a Wonder, and therefore will attract Attention. But will Professor Wolf insist that We should burn all our Grammars, and cease to teach our Children any Language, till We shall be informed what his secret is? We need not contradict his Pretensions. Let him publish his Art and We shall judge. Till then We shall Use what We have and already know.— But his is a very different situation from that of our modern Legislators. Their pretended Nostrum; their Sublime Invention is nothing new. it is as old as nations and has been tried in almost every nation Country. There is Scarcely any nation which has not in some period of its duration, made an Essay of a Government in a single Assembly: sometimes larger and sometimes smaller in point of numbers: and they have been found to operate alike: as uniformly as the Union of fire Conjunction of fire and Gunpowder, has produced explosions. We need not hesitate then to pronounce the Pretension to be an Imposition. The Discovery to be nothing but a renovation of an old and very gross Error. The Invention to be nothing new, any more than Savage Life.

Naval Architecture may furnish Us with another Example. Why should a ship have three Masts? Such a multitude of Ropes and rigging and such a Variety of Sails? Unity and Simplicity, would be more conspicuous in one Mast, and in one sail.