government on earth, that
our citizens may certainly be considered as in the happiest political
situation which exists.

The _Assemblee des Notables_ has been productive of much good in this
country. The reformation of some of the most oppressive laws has taken
place, and is taking place. The allotment of the State into subordinate
governments, the administration of which is committed to persons chosen
by the people, will work in time a very beneficial change in their
constitution. The expense of the trappings of monarchy, too, is
lightening. Many of the useless officers, high and low, of the King,
Queen, and Princes, are struck off. Notwithstanding all this, the
discovery of the abominable abuses of public money by the late
Comptroller General, some new expenses of the court, not of a piece with
the projects of reformation, and the imposition of new taxes, have, in
the course of a few weeks, raised a spirit of discontent in this nation,
so great and so general, as to threaten serious consequences. The
parliaments in general, and particularly that of Paris, put themselves
at the head of this effervescence, and direct its object to the calling
the States General, who have not been assembled since 1614. The object
is to fix a constitution, and to limit expenses. The King has been
obliged to hold a bed of justice, to enforce the registering the new
taxes: the parliament, on their side, propose to issue a prohibition
against their execution. Very possibly this may bring on their exile.
The mild and patriotic character of the new ministry is the principal
dependence against this extremity.

The turn which the affairs of Europe will take, is not yet decided.

A war, wherein France, Holland, and England should be parties, seems,
_prima facie_, to promise much advantage to us. But, in the first place,
no war can be safe for us, which threatens France with an unfavorable
issue. And, in the next, it will probably embark us again into the
ocean of speculation, engage us to overtrade ourselves, convert us into
sea-rovers, under French and Dutch colors, divert us from agriculture,
which is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute
most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness. The wealth acquired by
speculation and plunder, is fugacious in its nature, and fills society
with the spirit of gambling. The moderate and sure income of husbandry
begets permanent improvement, quiet life, and orderly conduct, both
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