ous at ſeeing others enjoy a Bleſſing which themſelves had loſt. In a word, Riches and Conqueſt fell to the Share of the one, and Virtue and Happineſs to that of the other.
In theſe various Modes of Government the Offices at firſt were all Elective; and when Riches did not preponderate, the Preference was given to Merit, which gives a natural Aſcendant, and to Age, which is the Parent of Deliberateneſs in Council, and Experience in Execution. The Ancients among the Hebrews, the Geronts of Sparta, the Senate of Rome, nay, the very Etymology of our Word Seigneur, ſhew how much grey Hairs were formerly reſpected. The oftener the choice fell upon old Men, the oftener it became neceſſary to repeat it, and the more the Trouble of ſuch Repetitions be-
