There is nothing to be in propriety called people, to watch, to inspect, to balance against the power of office.

The power of office, so far as the English nation is concerned, is the sole power in the country: the consequence of which is, that, being a kingdom of magistrates, what is commonly called the _esprit du corps_ is strong in it.

This spirit of the body predominates equally in all its parts; by which the members must consider themselves as having a common interest, and that common interest separated both from that of the country which sent them out and from that of the country in which they act.

No control upon them exists,--none, I mean, in persons who understand their language, who understand their manners, or can apply their conduct to the laws.

Therefore, in a body so constituted, confederacy is easy, and has been general.