I know, too, that, besides this vain, contradictory, and self-destructive security which some men derive from the habitual attachment of the people to this Constitution, whilst they suffer it with a sort of sportive acquiescence to be brought into contempt before their faces, they have other grounds for removing all apprehension from their minds.  They are of opinion that there are too many men of great hereditary estates and influence in the kingdom to suffer the establishment of the levelling system which has taken place in France.  This is very true, if, in order to guide the power which now attends their property, these men possess the wisdom which is involved in early fear.  But if, through a supine security, to which such fortunes are peculiarly liable, they neglect the use of their influence in the season of their power, on the first derangement of society the nerves of their strength will be cut.  Their estates, instead of being the means of their security, will become the very causes of their danger.  Instead of bestowing influence, they will excite rapacity.  They will be looked to as a prey.

Such will be the impotent condition of those men of great hereditary estates, who indeed dislike the designs that are carried on, but whose dislike is rather that of spectators than of parties that may be concerned in the catastrophe of the piece.  But riches do not in all cases secure even an inert and passive resistance.  There are always in that description men whose fortunes, when their minds are once vitiated by passion or by evil principle, are by no means a security from their actually taking their part against the public tranquillity.  We see to what low and despicable passions of all kinds many men in that class are ready to sacrifice the patrimonial estates which might be perpetuated in their families with splendor, and with the fame of hereditary benefactors to mankind, from generation to generation.  Do we not see how lightly people treat their fortunes, when under the influence of the passion of gaming?  The game of ambition or resentment will be played by many of the rich and great as desperately, and with as much blindness to the consequences, as any other game.  Was he a man of no rank or fortune who first set on foot the disturbances which have ruined France?  Passion blinded him to the consequences, so far as they concerned himself; and as to the consequences with regard to others, they were no part of his consideration,—­nor ever will be with those who bear any resemblance to that virtuous patriot and lover of the rights of man.

There is also a time of insecurity, when interests of all sorts become objects of speculation.  Then it is that their very attachment to wealth and importance will induce several persons of opulence to list themselves and even to take a lead with the party which they think most likely to prevail, in order to obtain to themselves consideration in some new order or disorder of things.  They may be led to act in this manner, that they may secure some portion of their own property, and perhaps to become partakers of the spoil of their own order.  Those who speculate on change always make a great number among people of rank and fortune, as well as amongst the low and the indigent.