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HIS ADDRESS TO THE SWEDISH ESTATES OF THE REALM. 243
person who performs the lowest function, every thing is
arranged in regular order, which every body can readily
observe, if he will but consider the subject.
66
We here see that every provincial magistrate is
subordinate to a judge, and both to the Parliament,
which is submitted to the royal revision, and this finally
to the General Estates of the Realm . In like manner,
the sub-bailiff and the bailiff himself are under obedience
to the governor of the province ; this governor is respon
sible to the Parliament and to the Councils of the State,
and these again to the Senate. The Senate, conjointly
with the Parliament and all the Councils, are responsible
to the four Estates of the Realm, which, at every Diet
appoint and establish committees to examine their con
duct. Besides, every man in office must render an account
to the fiscal board ; and lastly, the General Estates them
selves must render an account to God as their only
Sovereign.
"This shews us, Gentlemen, that in our country every
thing is so wisely ordered and arranged, according to the
laws of subordination, that no person can neglect the
duties of his office with impunity ; and also that in every
law-suit every one is sure to succeed in gaining his cause,
provided justice be on his side. Nevertheless, faults
cannot altogether be prevented, and abuses will spring up,
often under very specious pretexts, and by false and per
verse interpretations of the laws and of justice, since
human weakness always prevails among the generality of
men, which inclines them in the interpretation and ad
ministration of the laws to regard personal friendship,
family interests, preferment, emoluments, &c. This,
indeed, is a very great evil, and, alas ! at the present day,
common to all the governments of the world, without a
probability of its being speedily and radically extirpated
from any of them. But under our form of government,
every one can peacefully enjoy the inestimable advantage
of being in perfect security in every thing concerning his
life, his property, his honour, and his office, and the
functions of his station. Every station enjoys its peculiar
immunities and privileges, and particularly the cultivator
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