more ambitious to be raised a step higher, than a Commoner of diftinction is to be created a Peer. And finally, they are not unfrequently feduced by the conftitutional permanency of the rights which they poffefs (a permanency) effential to the proper difcharge of thofe functions, and the attainment of thofe important ends, in which the utility of an order of Peerage confifts) to fink into indolence and fupinenefs, and to lofe all zeal for diftinguishing themselves by meritorious exertions.

A thorough insight into the prejudices and temptations peculiar to elevated rank is no less requifite to a Peer than an intimate knowledge of his pofitive duties. Neither are these disadvantages to be overlooked by the Commoner, who has the option of a Peerage. For he is bound in the fight of God, while he estimates on the one hand the enlarged opportunities of doing good which he may gain by the promotion, fairly to appreciate on the other the additional danger of contracting blamable habits, views, and difpofitions, to which himfelf, his family, and his connections may be likely to be expofed by his acceptance of it;

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and

and to decide, not from the suggestions of va nity or ambition, but according to the preponderance of thofe motives alone which Chriftianity recognizes and approves. Similar reflections, as far as they are applicable, ought to determine the Peer who has the offer of advancement in rank, as to the answer which he gives to the proposal.

The duties which, in addition to the general obligations of British subjects, are immediately incumbent on Peers, relate either to the difcharge of their public functions, or to their conduct in private life. Those of the former description may properly be inveftigated in the first place.

I. The public duties of a Peer, that is to fay, the duties arifing from his fituation as a member of the Upper Houfe of Parliament, afford a wide field for practical remarks. Appointed to watch over the welfare of the realm, and entitled to a permanent feat in its councils, he is bound early to direct his views to the fubjects likely to be brought before him, and to furnish himself with information on

the

the great variety of topics connected with national fecurity and national duty. He is to render himself converfant with the fundamental principles of civil fociety, and of legal government; with the rights of individuals and of nations. He is to render his mind familiar with the elements of foreign and domestic policy, of commerce, of finance, of jurifprudence; to investigate the grounds of the fyftem of colonization, and the proper treatment of foreign poffeffions in their infant, their mature, and their declining ftate; to fcrutinize the general fources of the prosperity, and the causes of the decay, of empires; more ef pecially of those which in the form of their internal government, in the manners and dif pofitions of the inhabitants, or in their relative fituation with regard to foreign powers, moft nearly resemble his own country, Throughout the whole extent of his enquiries it is his part to unite the conclufions of reafon and of experience; and to illuftrate the truth of theoretical principles by references to the hiftories of preceding ages. His mind being stored with these elementary treasures, he will proceed to apply them to their intended objects. He will

acquire

acquire an accurate knowledge of the state of affairs exifting at home: he will make himself thoroughly acquainted with the British Conftitution, with the offices, powers, connections, and dependencies of its several parts, legislative and executive: he will trace the rife and progrefs of each; the alterations which they have respectively undergone; and the effects, whether beneficial or injurious, which each change has actually produced, or had an apparent tendency to produce, on the public happiness. He will examine the links by which Great Britain is connected with other mations; and will attend with minute care to the more important treaties of alliance and of commerce by which fhe is bound. He will mark the origin, the extenfion, and the existing state of her revenues, of her judicial fyftem, of her military and naval establishments, of her foreign trade, and of her domestic manufactures. He will acquaint himself with her internal police, and with the general state of arts, fcience, and literature, of manners, morals, and religion. He will attend to the effects which the fyftem of colonization purfued by Great Britain has produced both in

the Mother Country and in the Colonies; and will learn the actual fituation of her diftant poffeffions. In thefe various branches of enquiry he will contrast the conduct of his own country with that of other nations, and obferve the refult of their different plans. Finally, he will confider in what particulars the laws and inftitutions of this kingdom may rendered more conducive to the public good; how they may be made more efficient, if advantageous; how they may be amended or changed, if ufelefs or prejudicial,

be

Let not the preceding fketch be thought to prefent an impracticable fcheme of laborious ftudy; and rather to exprefs the neceffary qualifications of the Peerage at large, than the needful attainments of an individual Peer. It certainly is not to be expected that every member of the House of Lords should prepare himself to enter into all the details, to which each fubject of inveftigation which has been noticed would lead, if pursued to its full extent. But without a comprehenfive knowledge of the general principles which each of thofe fubjects involves, and a fund of folid information

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