Thus people,
riches, trade, power, change their stations, flourishing mighty
cities come to ruin, and prove in times neglected desolate
corners, whilst other unfrequented places grow into populous
countries, filled with wealth and inhabitants. But things not
always changing equally, and private interest often keeping up
customs and privileges, when the reasons of them are ceased, it
often comes to pass, that in governments, where part of the
legislative consists of representatives chosen by the people,
that in tract of time this representation becomes very unequal
and disproportionate to the reasons it was at first established
upon. To what gross absurdities the following of custom, when
reason has left it, may lead, we may be satisfied, when we see
the bare name of a town, of which there remains not so much as
the ruins, where scarce so much housing as a sheepcote, or more
inhabitants than a shepherd is to be found, sends as many
representatives to the grand assembly of law-makers, as a whole
county numerous in people, and powerful in riches. This
strangers stand amazed at, and every one must confess needs a
remedy; tho' most think it hard to find one, because the
constitution of the legislative being the original and supreme
act of the society, antecedent to all positive laws in it, and
depending wholly on the people, no inferior power can alter it.
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