The collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 03 (of 12)

In this compact, thought‑provoking essay, Hazlitt turns his keen eye to the turmoil of early‑19th‑century politics, addressing a fellow member of the old opposition with a plea for sincere patriotism. He draws a vivid line between genuine love of country—willingness to sacrifice personal comfort for the public good—and the hollow, self‑serving nationalism that cloaks ambition in respectable language.

Through crisp, persuasive prose, he dissects the ways rhetoric can be weaponised, warning against the allure of flattering those in power at the expense of the populace. Listeners will hear a passionate call for honest critique, a reminder that a nation’s greatness rests on integrity, liberty, and the courage to confront its own flaws. This early pamphlet offers a timeless reflection on civic duty, inviting listeners to consider what true allegiance really means.