on the people; to grow their leader in warlike expedition; and to preſide, after a ſort, in their civil aſſemblies. The ſecond is, of ſuch men as have acquired large poſſeſſions, and conſequently dependencies, or deſcend from anceſtors who have left them great inheritances, together with an hereditary authority; theſe, eaſily uniting in opinions, and acting in concert, begin to enter upon meaſures for ſecuring their properties, which are beſt upheld by preparing againſt invaſions from abroad, and maintaining peace at home: this commences a great council, or ſenate, for the weighty affairs of the nation. The laſt diviſion is, of the maſs of the people, whoſe part of power is great and indiſputable, whenever they can unite, either collectively or by deputation, to exert it.
The true meaning of a balance of power is beſt conceived by conſidering what the nature of a balance is. It ſuppoſes three things: firſt, the part which is held, together with the hand that holds it; and then the two ſcales, with whatever is weighed therein. In a ſtate within itſelf, the balance muſt be held by a third hand, who is to deal the remaining power, with the utmoſt exactneſs into the ſeveral ſcales. The balance may be held by the weakeſt, who by his addreſs, removing from either ſcale, and adding his own, may keep the ſcales duly poiſed: when the balance is broken by mighty weights falling into either ſcale, the power will never continue long, in equal diviſion, between the two remaining parties; but, till the balance is fixed anew, will run entirely into one. This is made to appear by the examples of the Decemviri in Rome, the Ephori in Sparta, the four hundred in Athens, the thirty in Athens, and the Dominatio Plebis in Carthage and Argos.
