On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
order to pay for the copy of my work . It is my passion for science and Wife fJiifolic weal—it is my burning and unquenchable desire to deliver humanity by some gentle process from the errors in which It finds itself , that makes me support my distress with courage , and
deprives me of any shame in acknowledging it , " I confess tfeat upon the memory of such a mau , ridiculous and erroneous as 1 deem his opinions , 1 pause with a certain respect . " —vol . i . p . 172 .
We have stated that a well arranged view of the French Government , of the Chambers , and of the law of election is given in this work ; these chapters will be interesting to any one who wishes to understand such details . The most valuable portion of the book is that which relates to the division of property , the abolition of the law of primogeniture , and the condition of the working classes . Admitting that a country in which property
is by law divided among all the members of a family , is not likely to accumulate so much wealth as in one in which it is allowed to accumulate in a few hands , Mr . Bulwer yet argues that the result in France has been , and is likely to continue to be , a greater degree of comfort among the mass of the population , and a greater amount of happiness on the whole . He states the counteracting influences to the deterioration of agriculture , which , arising from the character of the French
people , prevent the evil consequences that some theorists assume must necessarily follow the law as existing aaiong them ; and he appeals in support of his opinion to the present condition , and the prospects of the country . In opposition to Mr . Maculloch , whose argument is , that tfc The law of primogeniture will best make a nation rich , and riches are a means o ^ happiness ; therefore the more rich you make a nation , the more happy you make it , " Mr . Bulwer says
"The opponent to the law of primogeniture , if the argument were to rest upon this ground , might not find it difficult to refute his antagonist . ' Riches , ' he would say , ' , as you observe , a means of happiness , but they are not happiness . If the method you pursue to make a nation wealthy embitters the pursuit and the possession of wealth , if the method you take to give people the means of enjoying themselves deprives every one of enjoyment , you are the last of legislators and philosophers , though you may call yourself the first of political economists . ' ' * —vol . i . p . 209 .
Against such a position as this it is impossible to argue , the conditions only require to be proved . Mr . Bulwer goes on "If it were only necessary to consider the riches of * si Ooiittfry in oinierito consult the prosperity of a people , whut would L ) e th ^ ca ^? ¦ * V . The revenue . of England is about 550 , 000 , 000 / . The revenue of EMa « 320 , 91 ) 0 , 000 / .
<* rf ( ie , r £ veuu £ ; <^ f ( England , then , is , in respect to its population ,
Untitled Article
164 Bulwer * $ France .
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1836, page 164, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2655/page/36/
-