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The worth of LIBERTY is inestimable; it comprehends all human felicity;
and it is impossible for any man to love GOD and HIS COUNTRY, who does
not study to promote the principles of liberty, and to support its cause.

....

Where liberty is gone all is gone that is precious and dear to men,
For this reason it may be justly expected that all who are friends to
mankind, will ever oppose PRIESTCRAFT and SPIRITUAL TYRANNY, as
these have been ever found the greatest foes to TRUTH, and the HAPPI-
NESS OF MAN! In the professors of Christianity, this is a most indis-
pensible duty, both from a regard to mens' temporal good, and from
the concern which they ought to have for the honour and purity of their
religion.

BARON'S PILLARS OF PRIESTCRAFT SHAKEN. VOL. I. Preface.

HARLOW: PRINTED BY B. FLOWER;

FOR M. JONES, NO. 5. NEWGATE STREET, LONDON,
AND SOLD BY THE DIFFERENT BOOKSELLERS

IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

1809.

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PREFACE.

J

DURING the last session of parliament the house of Com

mons was so much employed in the important Inquiry respecting his Royal Highness the Duke of York, and in at tending to various corrupt practices in our public men, that the attention of ministers was principally occupied in devising the best means of preventing the effects of some of those inquiries, and of stifling the rest. They were, as usual, supported by large majorities, and after a stormy session, appeared secure in their respective places.

As the year advanced, the triumphs of NAPOLEON attracted their attention. To arrest his progress, and to afford to their own country, and to Europe, a display of their talents, and of the skill of their chosen commanders, Sir A. Wellesley, and Lord Chatham, the expeditions to Spain and Walcheren were contrived, and carried into execution. The effects of this united exertion of talent are now fully displayed to the public!

That disaster and disgrace should be the only effects of our councils, cannot, when we reflect on their distracted nature, excite much surprise. Weakness, incapacity, rashness,' in attention to the lessons of experience have characterised the conduct of both counsellors and commanders.

Whether these disasters and disgraces, and a waste of British resources, and British blood, almost unparalleled, will awaken the serious attention of parliament remains to be seen. When we, however, reflect on the increased and continually increasing venality and corruption of the times, and the supineness of the people, we confess, we entertain but slender hopes that any effectual inquiries will take place,

Public attention has been somewhat diverted from that reflection our situation so imperiously demands, by the circumstance of the tools of ministers having contrived the observance of a Jubilee, on account of his Majesty entering on

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