If, unfortunately, by their intrigues, their sermons, their
publications, and by a confidence derived from an expected union
with the counsels and forces of the French nation, they should draw
considerable numbers into their faction, and in consequence should
seriously attempt anything here in imitation of what has been done
with you, the event, I dare venture to prophesy, will be that, with
some trouble to their country, they will soon accomplish their own
destruction. This people refused to change their law in remote ages
from respect to the infallibility of popes, and they will not now
alter it from a pious implicit faith in the dogmatism of philosophers,
though the former was armed with the anathema and crusade, and
though the latter should act with the libel and the lamp-iron.
Formerly, your affairs were your own concern only. We felt for
them as men, but we kept aloof from them because we were not
citizens of France. But when we see the model held up to ourselves, we
must feel as Englishmen, and feeling, we must provide as Englishmen.
Your affairs, in spite of us, are made a part of our interest, so
far at least as to keep at a distance your panacea, or your plague. If
it be a panacea, we do not want it. We know the consequences of
unnecessary physic. If it be a plague, it is such a plague that the
precautions of the most severe quarantine ought to be established
against it.
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