《the origin of the distinction of ranks》

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the origin of the distinction of ranks- 第22部分


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its become numerous; a deputy…judge is appointed; from whom the people may expect more attention to the dispatch of business than the chief is usually inclined to bestow。     Of this gradual progress in the judicial power of a magistrate; from the period when he is merely an arbiter; to that when he is enabled to execute his decrees; and to call parties before him; several vestiges are still to be found even in the laws of polished nations。 Among the Romans; the civil judge had no power to determine a law…suit; unless the parties had previously referred the cause to his decision; by a contract which was called litis…contestatio。 In England; at this day; no criminal trial can proceed; until the culprit; by his pleading; has acknowledged the authority of the court。 But while these practices were retained; from a superstitious regard to ancient usage; a ridiculous circuit was made; to avoid the inconveniences of which they were manifestly productive。 At Rome; the plaintiff; after having desired the defendant to come voluntarily into court; was; upon his refusal; permitted to drag him by the throat;(12*) and by the English law; the defendant; who stands mute; is subjected to the peine fort et dure; a species of torture intended to overcome the obstinacy of such as are accused of atrocious crimes。     According to the systems of religion which have prevailed in the unenlightened parts of the world; mankind have imagined that the Supreme Being is endowed with passions and sentiments resembling their own; and that he views the extraordinary talents and abilities of their leader with such approbation and esteem as these qualities never fail to excite in themselves。 The same person whom they look upon as the first of mortals; is naturally believed to be the peculiar favourite of Heaven; and is therefore regarded as the most capable to intercede in their behalf; to explain the will of the Deity; and to point out the most effectual means to avert his anger; or to procure his favour。     The admiration of a military leader in rude countries; has frequently proceeded so far as to produce a belief of his being sprung from a heavenly original; and to render him the object of that adoration which is due to the Supreme Being。     In some of the American tribes; the chiefs carry the name of the sun; from whom they are supposed to be descended; and whom they are understood to represent upon earth。(13*) The Incas of Peru derived themselves; in like manner; from the sun。 In the kingdom of Loango; the prince is worshipped as a god by his subjects。 They give him the name or title usually bestowed upon the Deity; and they address him with the utmost solemnity for rain or fruitful seasons。     The superstition of the early Greeks; in this particular; is well known; which was carried to such a height; as enabled almost every family of distinction to count kindred with some one or other of the celestial deities。 It is in conformity to this ancient mythology that Racine has put the following beautiful address into the mouth of Phedra。                 Noble et brillant auteur d'une triste famille;                 Toi; dont ma m鑢e osoit se vanter d'阾re fille;                 Qui peut…阾re rougis du trouble o?tu me vois;                 Soleil; je te viens voir pour la derni鑢e fois!     The same principle has disposed men to deify those heroes who have rendered themselves illustrious by their public spirit; and their eminent abilities; to imagine that in another state of existence they retain their former patriotic sentiments; and being possessed of superior power; continue; with unremitting vigilance; to ward off the misfortunes; and to promote the happiness of their people。     When such are the prevailing dispositions of a people; the chief of a barbarous tribe is naturally raised to be their high priest; or if he does not himself exercise that office; he obtains at least the direction and superintendence of their religious concerns。 For some time after the building of Rome; the leader of each curia or tribe; is said to have been their chief ecclesiastical officer。 A similar police in this respect appears to have been originally established in the cities of Greece; and has probably taken place among the primitive inhabitants of most countries。 It may easily be conceived that in ignorant nations; guided by omens and dream; and subject to all the terrors of gross superstition; this branch of power; when added to the conduct of war; and the distribution of justice; will be an engine of great consequence to the magistrate; for carrying through his measures; and for extending his authority。     As; in conducting the affairs of a community; in the management of what relates to peace or war; and in the administration of justice; various abuses are apt to be committed; and many more may still be apprehended; the people are gradually led; by experience and observation; to introduce particular statutes or laws; in order to correct or ascertain their practice for the future。 Even this legislative power; by which all the other branches of government are controlled and directed; is naturally assumed by the chief; after he has acquired considerable influence and authority。 When the members of his tribe have become in a great measure dependent upon him with regard to their property; they are in no condition to dispute his commands; or to refuse obedience to those ordinances which he issues at pleasure; in order to model or establish the constitution of the society。     From these observations we may form an idea of that constitution of government which is naturally introduced among the members of a rude tribe or village。 Each of the different families of which it is composed is under the jurisdiction of the father; and the whole community is subjected to a chief or leader; who enjoys a degree of influence and authority according to the superior abilities with which he is endowed; or the wealth which he has been enabled to acquire。     The rudest form of this government may be discovered among the Indians of America。 As these people subsist; for the most part; by hunting or fishing; they have no means of obtaining so much wealth as will raise any one person greatly above his companions。 They are divided into small independent villages; in each of which there is a chief; who is their principal leader in war。 He bears the name of that particular tribe over which he presides; and in their public meetings he is known by no other。 His authority; though greater in some villages than in others; does not appear in any of them to be very considerable。 If he is never disobeyed; it is because he knows how to set bounds to his commands。 Every family has a right to name an assistant to the chief; and the several heads of families compose an assembly; or 'council of the elders'; which is accustomed to deliberate upon all matters of public importance。(14*)     Each individual is allowed; in ordinary cases; to 'take up the hatchet'; as it is called; or make war upon those who have offended him。 Enterprises of moment; however; are seldom undertaken without the concurrence of the assembly。 Each family has a jurisdiction over its own members。 But the members of different families are at liberty to settle their differences in what manner they please; and the chief; or council; interfere only as mediators; or as arbiters; unless upon the commission of those enormous and extraordinary crimes which excite the general indignation; and which; from a sudden impulse of resentment; are instantly punished with severity。(15*)     From the accounts which have been given of the wandering tribes of shepherds in different parts of the world; it would seem that their government is of the same nature; though the power of their leader is further advanced; according to the degrees of wealth which they enjoy。 In proportion to the extent of his herds and flocks; the chief is exalted above all the other members of the tribe; and has more influence in directing their military operations; in establishing their forms of judicial procedure; and in regulating the several branches of their public administration。 Thus the captain or leader of a tribe among the Hottentots; who have made but small progress in the pastoral life; and among the wild Arabs; who have seldom acquired considerable property; appears to have little more authority than among the savages of America。(16*) The great riches; on the other hand; which are frequenCy acquired by those numerous bands of shepherds inhabiting the vast country of Tartary; have rendered the influence of the chief proportionably extensive; and have bestowed upon him an almost unlimited power; which commonly remains in the same family; and is transmitted from father to son like a private inheritance。     The ancient German nations; described by Caesar and Tacitus; may be ranked in a middle situation between these extremes; having probably had more wealth than the Hottentots; or most of the wild Arabs; and less than the greater part of the Tartars。 While they remained in their own country; they were not altogether strangers to the cultivation of the ground; but they all led a wandering life; and seem to have had no idea of property in land; a sufficient proof that they drew their subsistence chiefly from their cattle; and regarded agriculture as only a secondary employment。 Their chiefs appear to have been either hereditary; or elected from those families who had been longest in the possession of opulent fortunes; but their military expeditions were frequently conducted by such inferior leaders; as happened to offer their service; and could persuade their companions to follow them。 In time of peace; justice was administered by the respective chiefs; or leading men; of the different villages。(17*)     But when those barbarians had sallied forth from their native forests; and invaded the provinces of the Roman empire; they were soon led to a great improvement in their circumstances。 The countries which they conquered had been cultivated and civilized under the Roman dominion; and the inhabitants; though generally in a declining state; were still acquainted with husbandry and a variety of arts。 It was to be expected; therefore; that; while the Gothic invaders; during a long course of bloody wa
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