按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
with a high hand； and it may be dangerous for any of his followers to disobey his orders； but upon other occasions his power is usually confined within a narrower compass； and frequently extends no further than to the members of his own clan。 After the conclusion of a military enterprise； when the other tribes have retired to their separate places of abode； they are in a great measure withdrawn from his influence； and are placed under the immediate jurisdiction and authority of the respective chiefs by whom they are protected。 As it is necessary that these leading men should give their consent to every public measure of importance； they are usually convened for that purpose by the king； who at the same time is accustomed to preside in all their deliberations。 Such； as far as can be collected from the scattered hints delivered by travellers； is the state of government in many rude kingdom； both upon the coast of Africa； or in those parts of Asia； where a number of distinct tribes or villages have been recently and imperfectly united。 In the Odyssey； Alcinous； king of the Pheacians； says expressly； 'There are twelve chiefs who share dominion in the kingdom； and I am the thirteenth。'（1*） He is accordingly obliged to call a council of his nobles； before he can venture to furnish Ulysses with a single ship； in order to transport him to his native country。 In the island of Ithaca； the power of the chiefs； who usually deliberated in council upon the affairs of the nation； is equally conspicuous。
'Twas silence all； at last Aegyptius spoke； Aegyptius； by his age and sorrows broke： Since great Ulysses sought the Phrygian plains； Within these walls inglorious silence reigns。 Say then； ye Peers！ by whose commands we meet？ Why here once more in solemn council sit？ Ye young； ye old； the weighty cause disclose： Arrives some message of invading foes？ Or say； does high necessity of state Inspire some patriot； and demand debate？ The present synod speak its author wise； Assist him； Jove！ thou regent of the skies！（2*）
From the early history of all the Greek states； we have reason to believe that their government was of a similar nature。 The country of Attica； in particular； is said to have been peopled by colonies which were brought； under different leaders； from Egypt and some of the neighbouring countries； and which formed a number of distinct tribes or villages； independent of one another。 The first association among these little societies happened in the time of Cecrops； the founder of Athens； who became their general； and who made a considerable reformation in their police and manners。 They were afterwards more intimately united in the reign of Theseus； when the nobility； or principal inhabitants of the several towns or villages； were persuaded to settle at Athens； and composed a senate； or national council； which exercised an authority over the whole country； and obtained the chief direction of religious matters； together with the privilege of electing magistrates； and of teaching and dispensing the laws。 The resemblance between this and the ancient Roman constitution is sufficiently obvious。 The foundation of that mighty empire was laid by a few tribes of barbarians； originally distinct from one another； who at first inhabited different quarters of the city； and who appear to have lived under the jurisdiction of their respective chiefs。（3*） This was； in all probability； the origin of that connexion between the poor and the rich； which remained in after ages； and which has been commonly ascribed to the policy of Romulus。 People of the lower class at Rome were all attached to some particular patron of rank and distinction； and every patrician had a number of clients； who； besides owing him respect and submission； were bound to portion his daughters； to pay his debts； and to ransom his person from captivity； as； on the other hand； they were entitled to his advice and protection。 Of these leading men； who had an extensive influence over the populace； was formed the primitive senate； or council of the sovereign； which appears to have had the absolute determination of peace and war； and which； in the first instance； had not only the privilege of deliberating upon all public regulations； but also； upon the death of a king； that of naming a successor to the royal dignity。 It must not be overlooked； however； that in the Roman； as well as in many of the Greek governments； there was originally a considerable mixture of democracy； arising from the peculiar circumstances of the people。 The different tribes； or families； united in the formation of Rome； or of the independent cities which arose in Peloponnesus and some of the neighbouring countries； had very little property； either in moveables or in land； and their poverty must have prevented the growth of authority in their respective leaders。 The influence of a chief； in each of those petty states； depended； in all probability； upon the personal attachment of his followers； and their admiration of his abilities； more than upon his superiority in wealth； and the power which that influence enabled him to assume was； therefore； far from being absolute。 For this reason； under the kingly government of Rome； the authority of the senate； composed of all the chiefs； was not alone sufficient for making general laws； or transacting business where dissension might be apprehended； but its decrees； in such cases； were usually confirmed by an assembly consisting of the whole people。 The same practice obtained in Athens and Sparta； and probably in most of the other states of Greece。 The particulars related by Caesar concerning the inhabitants of ancient Gaul may be considered as affording the most authentic evidence of the state of government in any rude country。 We learn from this author that the whole of that country was divided into a number of separate states； independent of each other； and differing considerably in the degrees of their power； as well as in the extent of their territories。 In the several towns； villages； or families； belonging to each nation； there were certain leading persons； possessed of great influence and authority； by whom their respective followers were governed and protected。 The affairs of a whole nation were conducted by a king； or chief magistrate； assisted by a national council； and when different nations were engaged in a common enterprise； they made choice of a general to command their united forces。（4*） The German nations who about the fifth century； over…ran and subdued the provinces of the Western empire； were in a different situation from any other people with whose history we are acquainted。 While they remained in their own country； those nations had made considerable advances in the pastoral state； and had thereby acquired a good deal of wealth in herds and flock。 By their settlement in the Roman provinces； they had an opportunity； as has been already observed； of acquiring large estates in land； which tended to augment the authority of different leaders in proportion to their riches。 The inhabi