Free and Safe Government: Traced from the Origin and Principles of the British Constitution

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J. Ridgway, 1835 - Constitutional history - 319 pages
 

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Page 254 - To enter fully into this question, and to enumerate all the causes that have hitherto influenced human improvement, would be much beyond the power of an individual. The principal object of the present essay is to examine the effects of one great cause intimately united with the very nature of man; which, though it has been constantly and powerfully operating since the commencement of society, has been little noticed by the writers who have treated this subject.
Page 299 - When acre has been added to acre till all the fertile land is occupied, the yearly increase of food must depend upon the melioration of the land already in possession. This is a fund which, from the nature of all soils, instead of increasing, must be gradually diminishing.
Page 33 - The similarity of these institutions to the customs of the ancient Germans, to the practice of the other northern conquerors, and to the Saxon laws during the Heptarchy, prevents us from regarding Alfred as the sole author of this plan of government ; and leads us rather to think, that, like a wise man, he contented himself with reforming, extending, and executing the institutions which he found previously established.
Page 29 - ... lived above three days in his house. Ten neighbouring householders were formed into one corporation, who, under the name of a tithing, decennary, or fribourg, were...
Page 255 - Through the animal and vegetable kingdoms, nature has scattered the seeds of life abroad with the most profuse and liberal hand. She has been comparatively sparing in the room, and the nourishment necessary to rear them.
Page 23 - Germanicus overpowered them in their own country: but how much blood did those victories cost us ? The mighty projects of Caligula ended in a ridiculous farce. From that period an interval of peace succeeded, till roused at length by the dissensions of Rome, and the civil wars that followed, they stormed our legions in their winter quarters, and even planned the conquest of Gaul. Indeed we forced them to repass the Rhine; but from that time what has been our advantage ? We have triumphed, and Germany...
Page 254 - The cause to which I allude is the constant tendency in all animated life to increase beyond the nourishment prepared for it.
Page 28 - These were the evils for which it was necessary that the vigilance and activity of Alfred should provide a remedy. That he might render the execution of justice strict and regular, he divided all England into counties ; these counties he subdivided into hundreds ; and the hundreds into tithings.
Page 29 - That he might render the execution of justice strict and regular, he divided all England into counties ; these counties he subdivided into hundreds ; and the hundreds into tithings. Every householder was answerable for the behaviour of his family and slaves, and even of his guests, if they lived above three days in his house.
Page 31 - ... that ever was devised by the wit of man. Twelve freeholders were chosen, who, having sworn, together with the hundreder, or presiding magistrate of that division, to administer impartial justice, proceeded to the examination of that cause which was submitted to their jurisdiction.

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