* * * * * Quare cum _penes unum_ est omnium summa rerum, _regem_ illum unum vocamus, et _regnum_ eius rei publicae statum. * * * * * Itaque si Cyrus ille Perses _iustissimus fuit sapientissimusque rex_, tamen mihi populi res; ea enim est, ut dixi antea, publica; non maxime expetenda fuisse illa videtur, cum regeretur _unius nutu_. Ac modo si Massilienses nostri clientes per delectos et principes cives _summa iusticia_ reguntur, inest tamen in ea condicione populi _similitudo quædam servitutis_. * * * * * Cur enim regem appellem Jovis optimi nomine hominem dominandi cupidum aut _imperii singularis_, populo oppresso dominantem, non _tyrannum_ potius? _De Re Publica._ For the Literary Messenger to contain temperate articles upon general politics, and political economy, is in the humble opinion of the individual now writing, as manifestly proper, as it would be obviously the reverse for it to embark in the slightest degree in party strife. He was therefore decidedly pleased with the appearance of an article of the temper and tone of the letter in the last number upon the RIGHT OF INSTRUCTION. That article has so universally been attributed to the pen of the amiable and learned JUDGE HOPKINSON, that it would be affectation not to consider him as its author. This avowal, whilst it renders the boldness of an attempt at reply the more fearfully conspicuous, also renders more glaringly manifest the impropriety of suffering the gauntlet so gallantly thrown by so able and courteous a champion into the teeth of all Virginia's chivalry, to remain unaccepted. The fear that business, or inertness, or a belief that the question is settled, should prevent our distinguished men from entering the lists, and thus leave the impression that the cause of the Honorable Judge was deemed too righteous for our knights to risk the fate of the combat, has induced one little fitted for the controversy, with no little trepidation, to enter the lists. To drop a stale metaphor, I will venture to suggest a few plain reasons for thinking the argument of the Judge not entirely conclusive.