If it be so corrupt,« said the Doctor, »I think it is high Time to amend
it. Or else it is easy to foresee that Roman and British Liberty will have the
same Fate; for Corruption in the Body Politic as naturally tends to Dissolution
as in the Natural Body.«
    »I thank you for your Simile,« cries my Lord: »for in the Natural Body, I
believe, you will allow there is the Season of Youth, the Season of Manhood, and
the Season of Old Age; and that, when the last of these arrives, it will be an
impossible Attempt by all the Means of Art to restore the Body again to its
Youth, or to the Vigour of its middle Age. The same Periods happen to every
great Kingdom. In its Youth it rises by Arts and Arms to Power and Prosperity.
This it enjoys and flourishes with a while; and then it may be said to be in the
Vigour of its Age, enrich'd at home with all the Emoluments and Blessings of
Peace, and formidable abroad with all the Terrors of War. At length this very
Prosperity introduces Corruption; and then comes on its old Age. Virtue and
Learning, Art and Industry, decay by Degrees. The People sink into Sloth and
Luxury, and Prostitution. It is enervated at home, becomes contemptible abroad;
and such indeed is its Misery and Wretchedness, that it resembles a Man in the
last decrepid Stage of Life, who looks with Unconcern at his approaching
Dissolution.«
    »This is a melancholy Picture indeed,« cries the Doctor; »and if the latter
Part of it can be applied to our Case, I see nothing but Religion, which would
have prevented this decrepid State of the Constitution, should prevent a Man of
Spirit from hanging himself out of the Way of so wretched a Contemplation.«
    »Why so?« said the Peer; »Why, hang myself, Doctor? Would it not be wiser,
think you, to make the best of your Time, and the most you can in such a
Nation?«
    »And is Religion then to be really laid out of the Question?« cries the
Doctor.
    »If I am to speak my own Opinion, Sir,« answered the Peer, »you know I shall
answer in the Negative. - But you are too well acquainted with the World to be
told, that the Conduct of Politicians is not formed upon the Principles of
Religion.«
    »I am very sorry for it,« cries the Doctor; »but I will talk to them