edom if we neglect the duties which
it imposes. But I have resolved to avoid dwelling upon dangers, and
would rather appeal to other motives. The triumph for a nation so
individually free as ours, would be to show that the possible benefits of
despotism belonged to it--that there should be paternal government
without injurious control--that those things should ultimately be
attained by the exertions of many which a despot can devise and execute
at once, but which his successor may, with like facility, efface.
Whereas what is gained for many by many, is not easily got back. It must
be vast embankments indeed which could compel that sea to give up its
conquests.

* * * * *

We have now gone through the principal means by which social remedies may
be effected: there comes the consideration within what limits these means
should be applied. The subject of interference is a most difficult one.
We are greatly mistaken, however, if we suppose that the difficulty is
confined to Government interference. Who does not know of extreme
mischief arising from over-guidance in social relations as well as in
state affairs? The inherent difficulty with respect to any interference,
is a matter which we have to get over in innumerable transactions
throughout our lives. The way in which, as before said, it appears to me
it should be met, is principally by enlightenment as to the purposes of
interference. Look at the causes which are so often found to render
interference mischievous. The governing power is anxious to exalt
itself; instead of giving life and energy, wishes only to absorb them.
Or it is bent upon having some outward thing done, careless of the
principles on which it is done, or of the mode and spirit of doing it.
Hence, in public affairs, things may be carried which have only a show of
goodness, but in reality are full of danger; and in private life, there
arise formality, hypocrisy, and all kinds of surface actions. Or, again,
the governing power is fond of much and minute interference, instead of,
as Burke advises, employing means "few, unfrequent, and strong." There
may also be another error, when from over-tenderness, or want of
knowledge, the authority in question suffers those under its influence to
lean on it, when they are strong enough to walk by themselves. All these
errors are general ones, which require to be guarded against in the
education of a child, as well as in the