by Oliver Goldsmith 1728-1774

The Most Perfect State of Civil Liberty

Chinese merchant Lien Chi tells a colleague that English liberties have little to do with elections, taxes and regulations.

1760

King George III 1760-1820

Introduction

In a fictional ‘letter’, supposedly by Chinese merchant Lien Chi, Oliver Goldsmith argued that England felt more free than other countries because minor transgressions were winked at until they become too great for safety. On the Continent they maybe had simpler laws and more democracy, but they also had more meddlesome, self-righteous and prying governments.

by Oliver Goldsmith 1728-1774

IN England, from a variety of happy accidents, their constitution is just strong enough, or if you will, monarchical enough, to permit a relaxation of the severity of laws, and yet those laws still to remain sufficiently strong to govern the people. This is the most perfect state of civil liberty, of which we can form any idea: here we see a greater number of laws than in any other country, while the people at the same time obey only such as are immediately conducive to the interests of society; several are unnoticed, many unknown; some kept to be revived and enforced upon proper occasions, others left to grow obsolete, even without the necessity of abrogation.

There is scarce an Englishman who does not almost every day of his life offend with impunity against some express law, and for which, in a certain conjuncture of circumstances, he would not receive punishment. Gaming-houses, preaching at prohibited places, assembled crowds, nocturnal amusements, public shows, and an hundred other instances, are forbid and frequented.

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Précis

In the person of a Chinese merchant explaining to a colleague what made England so free, Oliver Goldsmith argued that it was not a lack of laws but a culture in which ordinary citizens could to some extent dispense themselves from laws they found irksome. He traced this liberty to Britain’s unique constitutional blend of democracy and monarchy.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

England has a strong Constitution. Laws can be relaxed. Public order is unharmed.

See if you can include one or more of these words in your answer.

IEnforce. IIRobust. IIIWithout.

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