The Constitution of England: Or, An Account of the English Government; in which it is Compared, with the Republican Form of Government, and Occasionally with the Other Monarchies in Europe

Jean Louis de Lolme

jan. 1775 · T. Spilsbury, and sold by G. Kearsley

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De Lolme's treatise on the English constitution formerly enjoyed a high reputation. It appeared at a favourable moment, when the rise of modern radicalism made constitutional questions of engrossing interest; it flattered the national pride by representing England as the only country where the government was at once strong and free; it was written in an easy style; and, until recently, it kept a secure place through the absence of any good systematic work on the English constitution. It threw little, if any, fresh light on the subject. A foreign critic has truly described it as an elaboration of a single short chapter of Montesquieu. Bentham, indeed, comparing him with Blackstone, says: 'Our author has copied, but Mr. De Lolme has thought;' and certainly, amidst much exaggeration and distorted judgments, the essay contains many shrewd observations on political affairs. As an enthusiastic statement of the theory that the freedom of the English constitution is the result of the balance of the different parts, the 'equilibrium between the ruling powers of the state', it still deserves study. But as a history and exposition of the constitution it has been superseded.' [DNB]"--John Drury Rare Books Listing.