ABSTRACT
Various notions have been entertained respecting the character of a perfect prince. The representations that have been exhibited to us by the majority of philosophers both ancient and modern, have been magnificent and uniform. Where the powers of government are distributed, where certain cares vest in the democracy, and certain cares in the aristocracy, it is questionless impossible that so much should depend upon the prince, as where his power is undivided and unrestrained. But if the king of England has not every thing to do, it does not follow that he has nothing to do. Having thus laid down, not the whole, but some of the most considerable outlines of the duty of a king of England, it remains for us to state, what must be the dispositions and character of that person, who may be expected to fulfil this duty with the happiest success.
