at variegated things. In truth it contains all kinds of republics, and it appears neceſſary for any one, who wants to conſtitute a city, as we do at preſent, to come to a democratic city, as to a general fair of republics, and chooſe the form that he fancies: he will not be in want of models. Is not this a ſweet and divine manner of life for the preſent? To be under no neceſſity to govern, although you were able to govern; nor to be ſubject, unleſs you incline; nor to be engaged in war when others are; nor to live in peace when others do ſo, unleſs you be deſirous of peace; and though there be a law reſtraining you from governing or adminiſtering juſtice, to govern nevertheleſs, and adminiſter juſtice if you incline? Have you not obſerved, in ſuch a republic, men condemned to death or baniſhment continuing ſtill, or returning like heroes, and walking up and down openly, as if no one obſerved them? Is not this indulgence of the city very generous, in magnificently deſpiſing all care of education and diſcipline, and in not regarding from what ſort of purſuits one comes to act in public affairs, but honouring him, if he only ſay he is well affected towards the multitude? Theſe things, and ſuch as theſe; are to be found in a democracy; and it would be a pleaſant ſort of republic, anarchical and variegated, diſtributing a certain equality to all alike, without diſtinction.
Let us conſider now the character of a democratical man, and how he ariſes out of that parſimonious one who, under the oligarchy, was trained up by his father in his manners. Such a one by force governs his own pleaſures, which are expenſive, and tend not to making money, and are called unneceſſary. Eating, ſo far as conduces to preſerve life, health, and a good habit of body, is a
