...nobility as a mere relic of barbarous ages; — the custom of primogeniture as one of those ' laws ' which frequently continue in force long after the circumstances * which first gave occasion to them, and which alone could ren' der them reasonable, are no more.' His famous division of the classes of society into...

...the younger. Hence the origin of the right of primogeniture, and of what is called lineal succession. Laws frequently continue in force long after the circumstances...proprietor of a single acre of land is as perfectly secure in his possession as the proprietor of 1OO,OOO. The right of primogeniture, however, still continues...

...security of a landed estate depended on its greatness. Hence the origin of the law of primogeniture. In the present state of Europe the proprietor of a single acre is as perfectly secure of his possession as the proprietor of a hundred thousand." And this is manifestly...

...barbarians who subverted the Roman empire, Adam Smith proceeds — " Laws frequently continue in force after the circumstances which first gave occasion...of land is as perfectly secure of his possession as is the proprietor of a thousand. The right of primogeniture, however, still continues to be respected...

...unfavourable view of the influence exercised by this custom in modern times. — "Laws," says Smith, "frequently continue in force long after the circumstances...proprietor of a single acre of land is as perfectly secure in his possession, as the proprietor of a hundred thousand. The right of primogeniture still, however,...

...landlord was a " sort of petty prince. " Laws frequently continue in force long after the cir" cumstances which first gave occasion to them, and which " could...perfectly secure of his possession, as " the proprietor of 100,000." But when we consider the altered circumstances of the nation, the progress we have made,...

...descend undivided to one. In those disorderly times- every great landlord was a sort of petty prince. " Laws frequently continue in force long after the circumstances which first gave occasion to them, and which couM alone render them reasonable, are no more. In the present state of Europe, the proprietor of a...

...that I am quotina from Adam Smith's " Wealth of Nations," and not from a speech John Bright : — " Laws frequently continue in force long after the circumstances...reasonable, are no more. In the present state of Europe, the pro" prietor of a single acre of land is as perfectly secure in his possession " as the proprietor...

...successive generation have not an equal right to the earth and all that it possesses."—Adam Smith. " Laws frequently continue in force long after the circumstances...which could alone render them reasonable, are no more. The right of primogeniture, however, as it is the fittest to support family distinctions, is still...

...the younger. Hence the origin of the right of primogeniture, and of what is called lineal succession. Laws frequently continue in force long after the circumstances,...gave occasion to them, and which could alone render oc2 388 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF BOOK HI. them reasonable, are no more. In the present state of Europe,...