44 THALIA.

extreme lengths to which the arrogance of Cambyseg
proceeded, and some of us have felt its influence.
How can that form of government possibly be good,
in which an individual with impunity may indulge
his passions, and which is apt to transport even the
best of men beyond the bounds of reason ? When a
man, naturally envious, attains greatness, he instantly
becomes insolent: insolence and jealousy are the
distinguishing vices of tyrants, and when combined
lead to the most enormous crimes. He who is placed
at the summit of power, ought indeed to be a stranger
to envy; but we know, by fatal experience, that the
contrary happens. We know also, that the worthiest
citizens excite the jealousy of tyrants, who are pleas­
ed only with the most abandoned: they are ever
prompt to listen to the voice of calumny. If we pay
them temperate respect, they take umbrage that we
are not more profuse in our attentions: if the respect
with which they are treated seem immoderate, they
call it adulation. • The severest misfortune of all is,
that they pervert the institutions of their country,
offer violence to our females, and put those whom
they dislike to death, without the formalities of jus­
tice. But a democracy in the first place bears the
honourable name of an equality i the disorders which
prevail in a monarchy cannot there take place. The
magistrate is appointed by lot, he is accountable for
his administration, and Whatever is done, must be
with the general consent. I am, therefore, of opinion,
that monarchy should be abolished, and that, as every
thing depends on the people, a popular government
should be established." Such were the sentiments
of Otanes.

LXXXI. Megabyzus, however, was inclined to an
oligarchy; in favour of which he thus expressed him­
self: "All that Otanes has urged, concerning the ex­
tirpation of tyranny, meets with my entire approba­
tion ; but when he recommends the supreme authority
to be intrusted to the people, he seems to me to err in
the extreme. Tumultuous assemblies'of the people
are never distinguished by wisdom, but always by in­
solence ; neither can any thing be possibly more pre­