ublic feeling in this direction is patent, but it
does not follow that a republic is to be the final stage of our
government. In fact, Hume thinks not:--

"It is well known, that every government must come to a period, and
that death is unavoidable to the political, as well as to the
animal body. But, as one kind of death may be preferable to
another, it may be inquired, whether it be more desirable for the
British constitution to terminate in a popular government, or in an
absolute monarchy? Here, I would frankly declare, that though
liberty be preferable to slavery, in almost every case; yet I
should rather wish to see an absolute monarch than a republic in
this island. For let us consider what kind of republic we have
reason to expect. The question is not concerning any fine imaginary
republic of which a man forms a plan in his closet. There is no
doubt but a popular government may be imagined more perfect than
an absolute monarchy, or even than our present constitution. But
what reason have we to expect that any such government will ever be
established in Great Britain, upon the dissolution of our monarchy?
If any single person acquire power enough to take our constitution
to pieces, and put it up anew, he is really an absolute monarch;
and we have already had an instance of this kind, sufficient to
convince us, that such a person will never resign his power, or
establish any free government. Matters, therefore, must be trusted
to their natural progress and operation; and the House of Commons,
according to its present constitution, must be the only legislature
in such a popular government. The inconveniences attending such a
situation of affairs present themselves by thousands. If the House
of Commons, in such a case, ever dissolve itself, which is not to
be expected, we may look for a civil war every election. If it
continue itself, we shall suffer all the tyranny of a faction
subdivided into new factions. And, as such a violent government
cannot long subsist, we shall at last, after many convulsions and
civil wars, find repose in absolute monarchy, which it would have
been happier for us to have established peaceably from the
beginning. Absolute monarchy, therefore, is the easiest death, the
true _Euthanasia_ of the British constitution.

"Thus i