And, first, to demonstrate the utilit\ of some aci]iiaintanee with the laws of the land, let us onl\ reflect a moment on the singular frame and polity of that land, which is go\ erned bv this systemof laws. A land, perhaps the only one in the uni\ erse, in which political or ci\ il lihertt is the \er\ end and scope of the constitution. (Wontesi). hsp. /.. /. ii. c. >.). 'I'his libert\, rightb understood, consists in the power of doing whatever the laws permit; (/v/- cultas cjtis. (jiwdcuKftic fincrc hhcf, nisi quidZ7, autjurepiohibctur. lust, i.m) which is onh to he effected h\ a general conformitv of all orders and degrees to those equitable rules of action, by which the meanest indiv idual is protected fromthe insults and oppression of the greatest. As therefore ev ery sublect is interested in the preservation of the laws, it is incumbent upim everv man to be acquainted w ith those at least, w ith w hich he is immediatelv concerned; lest he incur the censure, as well as inconv enience, of liv ing in a society vv ithout knowing the obligations which it lays him under.'" Black.stoiie hv no means stands alone in his praise of Idiglish law. But 1 must emphasize here that Blackstone stresses this peculiar exeellence as the first reason for studying linglish law. I'inalU in this chapter 1 want tt^ introduce tme last nn th most potent in the modern secular world, that law is the Spirit of the People. For those who accept it-thev are main -law has great legitimaev in the territory in which it operates. The claim loses force, though, as soon as one recognizes the enivrmous extent of bivrrowing from elsewhere, which is the subject of m\' next chapter, d'he classsic statements are by Montesquieu and more particularly Ciarl IViedrich \ cm Sa\ ignw riuis, Montesquieu; flic political and civ il laws of each nation must be so particularly suited for the people for w hom thev' have been made that it is a great chance if those of one nation can suit another.'’' 18 Commentaries on the Laws of England i (first edition, 1765), p. 6. 19 De I'Esprit des Lois book 1, ch. 3. 96
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