rld; so bountiful and munificent to their country; so sparing, so
modest, so self-denying to themselves. What resemblance can we find in
the present generation, of these great men? At a time, when your ancient
competitors have left you a clear stage; when the Lacedemonians are
disabled; the Thebans employed in troubles of their own; when no other
state whatever is in a condition to rival or molest you: in short, when
you are at full liberty; when you have the opportunity and the power to
become once more the sole arbiters of Greece; you permit, patiently,
whole provinces to be arrested from you; you lavish the public money to
scandalous and obscure uses; you suffer your allies to perish in time of
peace, whom you preserved in time of war; and, to sum up all, you
yourselves, by your mercenary court, and servile resignation to the will
and pleasure of designing, insidious leaders, abet, encourage, and
strengthen the most dangerous and formidable of your enemies. Yes,
Athenians, I repeat it, you yourselves are the contrivers of your own
ruin. Lives there a man who has confidence enough to deny it? let him
arise, and assign, if he can, any other cause of the success and
prosperity of Philip. "But," you reply, "what Athens may have lost in
reputation abroad, she has gained in splendor at home. Was there ever a
greater appearance of prosperity! a greater face of plenty? Is not the
city enlarged? Are not the streets better paved? houses repaired and
beautified?"--Away with such trifles! Shall I be paid with counters? An
old square new vamped up! a fountain! an aqueduct! Are these
acquisitions to brag of? Cast your eye upon the magistrate, under whose
ministry you boast these precious improvements. Behold the despicable
creature, raised, all at once, from dirt to opulence; from the lowest
obscurity to the highest honours. Have not some of these upstarts built
private houses and seats, vying with the most sumptuous of our public
palaces? And how have their fortunes and their power increased, but as
the commonwealth has been ruined and impoverished!

To what are we to impute these disorders? and to what cause assign the
decay of a state, so powerful and flourishing in past time?--The reason
is plain. The servant is now become the master. The magistrate was then
subservient to the people: punishments and rewards were properties of
the people: all honours, dignities, and preferments were disposed by the
voice and favour of the peopl