Page:Rose 1810 Observations respecting the public expenditure and the influence of the Crown.djvu/8

 times apt to be unjut, is one of the alutary guards of that freedom, which is our pride, our glory, and the great ource of our properity.

Of thee topics of trict invetigation there are particularly two, which Parliament in its inherent and neceary function is frequently called upon ta examine and to dicus, on behalf of themelves and of their contituents,—the Influence of the Crown, and the Public Expenditure; the lat indeed as important with reference to the former, as from its own ubftantive effects on the eae and happines of the people. Its importance, in both points of view, is in proportion to its magnitude; and now, therefore, when the circumtances of the times, and the ituation of the country, call for its exertion beyond all former example, almot beyond all former conjecture, it is doubly incumbent on the Houe of Commons to exercie that guardianhip of the public pure with which it is inverted, by increaing checks, and by frequent enquiry.

This part of its duty, Parliament has, in fact, performed within the lat four-and-twenty years in a manner more efficient, as well as more active, than