real improvements made in that kind of government.
The objection to theſe governments is not becauſe they are ſupported by nobles, and a ſubordination of ranks; for all governments, even the moſt democratical, are ſupported by a ſubordination of offices, and of ranks too. None ever exiſted without it but in a ſtate of anarchy and outrage, in a contempt of law and juſtice, no better than no government. But the nobles, in the European monarchies, ſupport them more by oppoſing than promoting their ordinary views. The kings are ſupported by their armies: the nobles ſupport the crown, as it is in full poſſeſſion of the gift of all employments; but they ſupport it ſtill; more by checking its miniſters, and preventing them from running into abuſes of power, and wanton deſpotiſm: otherwiſe the people would be puſhed to extremities and inſurrections. It is thus that the nobles reconcile the monarchical authority to the obedience of the ſubjects; but take away the ſtanding armies, and leave the nobles to themſelves, and they would overturn every monarchy in Europe, in a few years, and erect ariſtocracies.
It is become a kind of faſhion among writers, to admit, as a maxim, that if you could be always ſure of a wiſe, active, and virtuous prince, monarchy would be the beſt of governments. But this is ſo far from being admiſſible, that it will for ever remain true, that a free government has a great advantage over a ſimple
