though evident to the meaneft ca. pacity, yet, by a combination of circumstances, are only known to a few thinking men in every nation, and in every age, but opinions, worthy only of the defpo. tifm of Afia, and paffions, armed with power and authority, have, generally, by infenfible, and fometimes by violent impreffions on the timid credulity of men, effaced thofe fimple ideas, which perhaps conftituted the firit philofophy of infant fociety. Happily the philofophy of the prefent enlightened age feems again to conduct us to the fame principles, and with that degree of certainty, which is obtained by a rational examination, and repeated experience. The opinion, that every member of fociety has a right to do any thing, that is not contrary to the laws, without fearing any other inconveniences, than thofe which are the natural confequences of the action itself, is a political dogma, which fhould be defended by the laws, inculcated by the ma. giftrates, and believed by the peo. ple; a facred dogma, without which there can be no lawful fociety; a juft recompence for our facrifice of that univerfal liberty of action, common to all fenfible beings, and only limited by our natural powers. By this principle, our minds become free, active, and vigorous; by this alone we are infpired with that virtue which knows no fear, fo different from that pliant prudence, worthy of thofe only who can bear a precarious existence.I do not know of any exception to this general axiom, that Every member of fociety should know when he is criminal, and when innocent. If cenfors, and, in general, arbi trary magiftrates, be neceffary in any government, it proceeds from fome fault in the conftitution. The uncertainty of crimes hath facrificed more victims to fecret ty. ranny, than have ever fuffered by public and folemn cruelty. What are, in general, the proper punishment for crimes? Is the punishment of death really useful, or neceffary for the fafety, or good order of fociety? Are tortures and torments confiftent with justice, or do they answer the end propofed by the laws? Which is the best method of preventing crimes ? Are the fame punishments equally ufeful at all times? What influence have they on manners? Thefe problems fhould be folved with that geometrical precifion, which the mist of fophiftry, the feduction of eloquence, and the timidity of doubt are unable to refift. If I have no other merit than that of having first prefented to my country, with a greater degree of evidence, what other nations have written, and are beginning to practife, I fhall account myfelf fortunate; but if, by fupporting the rights of mankind, and of invincible truth, I fhall contribute to fave from the agonies of death one unfortunate victim of tyranny, or of ignorance, equally fatal; his bleffing and tears of tranfport, will be a fufficient confolation to me for the contempt of all mankind." We wish that the extent of our plan could admit of our giving more extracts from this favourite writer; his unbounded philanthropy, and the eloquence and tendernefs which which he pleads the caufe of humanity, muft always procure him the moft favourable reception. THE THE CONTENTS. HISTORY OF EUROPE. CHA P. I. General afpect of affairs. Prefent appearances pacific. Some ancient caufes CHA P. II. [I Strict attention of the government of Sweden to prevent luxury. An im- portant law made for enlarging the liberty of the prefs in that kingdom. Denmark. Great preparations making in Ruffia, to obferve the tranfit of the planet Venus over the fun: the Empress writes a letter upon that fub- ject to the academy at Petersburgh. Deputies from all the provinces of the empire are fummoned to Mofcow, to form a new code of laws. State of affairs in Turkey. Encouragement given by the Grand Seignior, to intro- duce the art of printing in his dominions. The piratical ftates of Barbary refufe to pay the ancient tribute to the Porte. An infurrection in the province State of affairs in Poland. Original caufes of the late difputes. Ancient Y uni n union of the kingdom of Poland and the great duchy of Lithuania. The kingdom modelled into a republic, upon the death of Sigifmund Auguftus. The firft diet of the republic. A perpetual peace agreed upon between the CHA P. IV. The caufes affigned for the great fuperiority which the Roman Catholics in Poland have acquired over the Greeks and Proteftants. Account of Sigif- mund the third. Treaty of Oliva. Edict against the Arians. Conftitu- tion of 1717. Oppreffion of the Diffidents in confequence of it. Confti- tution of 1736. Confederacies formed by the Diffident nobles. Declaration of the Empress of Ruffia in their favour. Of the King of Pruffia, &c. Malecontents. The diet meets : fome of the members arrested by the Ruffians. A commiffion appointed finally to settle the affairs of the Diffidents. [17 Spain. Meafores relative to the expulfion of the Jefuits; the causes that are affigned for that proceeding. The houses of that fociety in every part of Spain feized by the king's troops; the members arrefted, and their effects fequeftered. The King of Spain's ordinance against the fociety. The Je- fuits tranfported to Civita Vecchia; but are not fuffered to be landed; from thence they are carried to Corfica. The Jefuits in Mexico, and all the other Spanish colonies, arrested, and their property feized. Similar measures pur - Of Corfica; its ancient fate; granted by a Pope to the republic of Pifa; conquered by the Genocfe; oppreffive and impolitic government of it. The Corficans offer to fubmit themfelves to the Turks. The beginning of the prefent troubles in that ifland; the Prince of Wirtemberg, with an imperial army, compels the malecontents to fubmit. The troubles begin again. Thea- dore proclaimed king. French army fubdue the island; but upon their de- parture the malecontents renew the war with more fury than ever. Paf- chal Paoli declared general of the Corficans; he drives the Genocfe to the fortified towns upon the coafts; and establishes a regular government. The Great diftreffes of the poor, from the high prices of provifions; riot: and widend vidend carried by a numerous majority of proprietors. The parliament· - СНАР VIII. [39 A bill of indemnity for thofe concerned in the late embargo, brought in; CHRONICLE. Births for the year 1767 Marriages 44 Principal Promotions Deaths APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. Proteft against the refcinding the Eaft-India dividend [180 Tranflation of his Catholic majefty's ordinance for the banishment of the An authentic narrative of the many horrid cruelties inflicted by Elizabeth [190 C. Abstract of the trial of William Gueft for high treason, in filing, impairing,. [197 Copy of a letter of her imperial majesty of all the Ruffias, to his excellency burg, [200 - An account of the last honours paid to his royal highness the Duke of York, at A curious account of the great eruption of Mount Vesuvius, on the 19th of [ibid. [201 [203 [207. Ceremonial of the private interment of his late royal highness the Duke of Oliver Cromwell's speech to the members of the long parliament, when he [312 An account of all the public debts, at the receipt of his majesty's exchequer Standing out Jan. 5, 1767 (being old Christmas day) with the annual STATE PAPERS. His majesty's most gracious Speech to both houses of parliament, on Thursday the 2nd day of July, 1767 His majesty's most gracious speech to both houses of parliament, on Tuesday the The humble addrefs to his majesty, of the right hon. the lord mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London, in common council affembled, presented the 11th of November, 1767, on the happy occafion of the birth of a prince together with their condolence on the death of his royal highness the duke of York; and his majesty's most gracious anfwer His excellency George lord viscount Townshend, lord lieutenant-general, and general governor of Ireland, bis speech to both boufes of parliament at Dublin, on Tuesday the 20th day of October, 1767, with their addreffes of Sir Philip Sidney, with a comparison between him and the cele |