THE PRESS.
time general system of society : something analogous to it appears every- where in the affairs of common life. He who is not in possession of landed property to a certain yearly value, or in assured expectation of it bg inherit- ance, is disqualified for a seat in the House of Commons. Persons who are educated and stationed in the lower grades of life, are disqualified for fami- liar intercourse with those whom fortune has placed far above them. The man who is below a certain standard in his stature, is disqualified for a gre- nadier, though he might be as brave as Tydeus. A Quaker is disqualified by his opinions for the army or navy, and from very many of the continon offices and ways of life. The whole society of Bible Christians, who have published a "New System of Vegetable Cookery," adapted to their anti-car- nivorous principles, are disqualified for the Beef-steak Club, and even for partaking of a parish-feast. It may be an evil to be poor, a disadvantage to be dirninutive, a misfortune to have inherited or imbibed sectarian toilets ; but in the disqualifications which result from such an evil, such a disad- vantage, such a misfortune, DO hardship is felt, no injury is inflicted, no in- justice is complained of. A Protestant is disqualified for the dignity of Vicar Apostolical, Bishop in partibus, Cardinal, or Pope. And the Pope himself, if he were Turlsishly inclined, and wished to remove from the malaria of Rome to the delightful climate of Constantinople, could not exchange time tiara for the turban, and become a Grand Mufti, unless he qualified as a Mussulman. Every thing is subject to certain conditions ; and the condition which the constitution requires from its legislators and its chief magistrates is, that they should profess the Protestant faith. That faith is an essential part of the British constitution ; and if men who are opposed to it covet and desire seats in the Legislature, it is much more reasonable for us to require that they should change their opinions, than for them to demand that we should change the constitution of these kingdoms. Abstract rights, then, may be left to be declaimed upon by states-boys in good faith, and by incendiary news-writers in bad faith. No statesman will honestly appeal to them, except they are such statesmen as have never ceased to be boys in understanding, and in knowledge, or have declined into their second childhood.
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