Volume 1

Microcosm of London / [Anon].

Date:
[1808-1811]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Microcosm of London / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    166/248 page 154
    HOUSE OF COMMONS. It may be rather desirable than unprofitable, in a popular work of this nature, to give a short history of the English constitution, before we describe either the courts of law, or the three branches which compose the legislature, par- ticularly as it may enable our readers to enjoy with more facility the de- velopcment of its different parts, if we delineate with correctness and fidelity the more important outlines. It may admit of some doubt whether this is precisely the sort of work from which information of this nature may be reasonably expected; but as in this respect our minds, like our appetites, are whetted by a change of food, and as variety supplies them both with an increased relish for what is set before them, we shall venture upon this part of our plan with the hope of being useful to some of our readers, if not equally entertaining to all. Delectando pariterque monendo. Hon. In the earlier stages of society, men appear to have lived in the enjoyment of an uncontrolled liberty, subject to no other rules of conduct than the mere laws of nature, until necessity or convenience led them to associate in aggre- gate bodies. They were impelled to this association by their mutual wants and fears; government of some sort or other naturally resulted from society.
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