An essay on the history of civil society / [Adam Ferguson].

  • Adam Ferguson
Date:
1789
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on the history of civil society / [Adam Ferguson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    389/438 page 379
    dignity, have molt good qualities remaining; yet the one becoming mercenary and fervile ; the other imperious and arrogant; both regardlefs of juftice, and of merit; the whole mafs is conupted, and the manners of a fociety changed for the woife, in proportion as its members ceafe to acd on principles of equality , independence, or fieedom. Upon this view, and considering the merits of men in the abstract, a mere change from the habits of a republic to thofe of a monarchy; from the love of equality, to the fenfe of a Subordination founded on birth, titles, and fortune, isa fpecies of corruption to mankind. But this degree of corruption is. Still confident with the Safety and profperity of fome nations; it admits of a vigor- ous courage, by which the rights of individuals, and of kingdoms, may be long preferved. Under the form of monarchy, while yet in its vigour, Superior fortune is, indeed, one mark by which the different orders of men are distinguished; but there are fome other ingredients, without which wealth is not admitted as a foundation of prece- dency, and in favour of which it is often defpifed, and lavilhed away. Such are birth and titles, the reputation of courage, courtly manners, and a cer- tain elevation of mind. If we fuppofe , that thefe distinctions are forgotten, and nobility itfelf only to be known by the Sumptuous retinue which money alone may procure; and by a lavish expence, which the more recent fortunes can generally beftfuStain; luxury mult then be allowed to corrupt the monar- chical as much as the republican State, and to intro-
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