312

THE ORIGIN

CHAP. V.

The changes produced in the government of apeople , by their progrefs in Arts, and inpolilhed Manners.

SECTION I.

Circumjlances , in a polifhed nation , which tend toincreafe the power of the Sovereign.

The advancement of a people in the arts oflife, is attended with various alterations in the Hateof individuals , and in the whole conflitution oftheir government.

Mankind, in a rude age, are commonly in readi-nefs to go out to war, as often as their circumflancesrequire it. From their extreme idlenefs, a militaryexpedition is feldom inconvenient for them; whilethe profpeft of enriching themfelves with plunder,and of procuring diflindion by their valor, ren-ders it always agreeable. The members of everyclan are no lefs eager to follow their chief, andto revenge his quarrel, than he is defirous of theiraffiflance. They look upon it as a privilege, ratherthan a burden, to attend upon him, and to fharein the danger, as well as in the glory and profitof all his undertakings. By the numberlefs ads ofhoffility in which they are engaged, they are trainedto the ul'e of arms , and acquire experience in themilitary art, fo far as it is then underftood. Thus,without any trouble or expenfe, a powerful militia