| Citation |
BNL.757.011
31 Mar 1757:41 (2856)
As the arbitrary power exercised in France, is, I believe,
but little known to many of my country-men, ( and I heartily
wish they may never feel the weight of it, ) so, I doubt
not, but that the following account, will be acceptable to
some of your readers.
Whatever inconveniences may attend an arbitrary government
in general, it must be allow'd to be the fittest and most
advantageous in times of war. An absolute despotic power,
vested in one supreme head, and exercised by a proper
subordination of officers, greatly tends in the very nature
of things to promote that union, secrecy and dispatch, . . .
If his most Christian Majesty finds it necessary to increase
or recruit his standing troops, he does not beat up his
drums, with an ---- all gentlemen soldiers that are willing
to serve --; and then, for encouragement, say,--There's
coat, shoes, stockings, &c. and two guineas in ready money,
for every rake that will run away from his wife and
children. . . [5 more paras.]
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