H I S T O R Y a n d G O V E R N M E N T
O F
P O L A N D.
B O O K I.
C H A P . I.
Refearches into the origin and progrefs o f the Poliih government.—
An inquiry into the caufes o f the gradual diminution
o f royal prerogative, and ejlablifhment o f a monarchy
wholly eleSlive.— Licentious power and conduB o f the nobles-.
— Bad ejfeBs o f ariflocratical authority.
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T is a matter of -extreme difficulty to inveftigate in any c h a p .
country the origin and progrefs of its conftitution ; a s . 1_' ,
well becaufe the beginning of all hiftories is involved in ob-
icurity and fable ; as becaufe that body of laws and ufages,
which form the eifence of every goverhment, is not created
B i a t