of the rise and progress of the arts and sciences-第2节
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fewest inconveniencies。 This is a matter of so great difficulty；
that men may have made some advances； even in the sublime arts of
poetry and eloquence； where a rapidity of genius and imagination
assist their progress； before they have arrived at any great
refinement in their municipal laws； where frequent trials and
diligent observation can alone direct their improvements。 It is
not； therefore； to be supposed； that a barbarous monarch；
unrestrained and uninstructed； will ever become a legislator； or
think of restraining his ； in every province； or even
his in every village。 We are told； that the late Czar；
though actuated with a noble genius； and smit with the love and
admiration of European arts； yet professed an esteem for the
Turkish policy in this particular； and approved of such summary
decisions of causes； as are practised in that barbarous monarchy；
where the judges are not restrained by any methods； forms； or
laws。 He did not perceive； how contrary such a practice would
have been to all his other endeavours for refining his people。
Arbitrary power； in all cases； is somewhat oppressive and
debasing； but it is altogether ruinous and intolerable； when
contracted into a small compass； and becomes still worse； when
the person； who possesses it； knows that the time of his
authority is limited and uncertain。 'Habet subjectos tanquam
suos； viles； ut alienos。'＇3＇ He governs the subjects with full
authority； as if they were his own； and with negligence or
tyranny； as belonging to another。 A people； governed after such a
manner； are slaves in the full and proper sense of the word； and
it is impossible they can ever aspire to any refinements or taste
of reason。 They dare not so much as pretend to enjoy the
necessaries of life in plenty or security。
To expect； therefore； that the arts and sciences should take
their first rise in a monarchy； is to expect a contradiction。
Before these refinements have taken place； the monarch is
ignorant and uninstructed； and not having knowledge sufficient to
make him sensible of the necessity of balancing his government
upon general laws； he delegates his full power to all inferior
magistrates。 This barbarous policy debases the people； and for
ever prevents all improvements。 Were it possible； that； before
science were known in the world； a monarch could possess so much
wisdom as to become a legislator； and govern his people by law；
not by the arbitrary will of their fellow…subjects； it might be
possible for that species of government to be the first nursery
of arts and sciences。 But that supposition seems scarcely to be
consistent or rational。
It may happen； that a republic； in its infant state； may be
supported by as few laws as a barbarous monarchy； and may entrust
as unlimited an authority to its magistrates or judges。 But；
besides that the frequent elections by the people； are a
considerable check upon authority； it is impossible； but； in
time； the necessity of restraining the magistrates； in order to
preserve liberty； must at last appear； and give rise to general
laws and statutes。 The Roman Consuls； for some time； decided all
causes； without being confined by any positive statutes； till the
people； bearing this yoke with impatience； created the
； who promulgated the ； a body of laws；
which； though； perhaps； they were not equal in bulk to one
English act of parliament； were almost the only written rules；
which regulated property and punishment； for some ages； in that
famous republic。 They were； however； sufficient； together with
the forms of a free government； to secure the lives and
properties of the citizens； to exempt one man from the dominion
of another； and to protect every one against the violence or
tyranny of his fellow…citizens。 In such a situation the sciences
may raise their heads and flourish： But never can have being
amidst such a scene of oppression and slavery； as always results
from barbarous monarchies； where the people alone are restrained
by the authority of the magistrates； and the magistrates are not
restrained by any law or statute。 An unlimited despotism of this
nature； while it exists； effectually puts a stop to all
improvements； and keeps men from attaining that knowledge； which
is requisite to instruct them in the advantages； arising from a
better police； and more moderate authority。
Here then are the advantages of free states。 Though a
republic should be barbarous； it necessarily； by an infallible
operation； gives rise to Law； even before mankind have made any
considerable advances in the other sciences。 From law arises
security： From security curiosity： And from curiosity knowledge。
The latter steps of this progress may be more accidental； but the
former are altogether necessary。 A republic without laws can
never have any duration。 On the contrary； in a monarchical
government； law arises not necessarily from the forms of
government。 Monarchy； when absolute； contains even something
repugnant to law。 Great wisdom and reflection can alone reconcile
them。 But such a degree of wisdom can never be expected； before
the greater refinements and improvements of human reason。 These
refinements require curiosity； security； and law。 The
growth； therefore； of the arts and sciences can never be expected
in despotic governments。
There are other causes； which discourage the rise of the
refined arts in despotic governments； though I take the want of
laws； and the delegation of full powers to every petty
magistrate； to be the principal。 Eloquence certainly springs up
more naturally in popular governments： Emulation too in every
accomplishment must there be more animated and enlivened： And
genius and capacity have a fuller scope and career。 All these
causes render free governments the only proper for the
arts and sciences。
The next observation； which I shall make on this head； is；
。 The emulation； which
naturally arises among those neighbouring states； is an obvious
source of improvement： But what I would chiefly insist on is the
stop； which such limited territories give both to and to
。
Extended governments； where a single person has great
influence； soon become absolute； but small ones change naturally
into commonwealths。 A large government is accustomed by degrees
to tyranny； because each act of violence is at first performed
upon a part； which； being distant from the majority； is not taken
notice of； nor excites any violent ferment。 Besides； a large
government； though the whole be discontented； may； by a little
art； be kept in obedience； while each part； ignorant of the
resolutions of the rest； is afraid to begin any commotion or
insurrection。 Not to mention； that there is a superstitious
reverence for princes； which mankind naturally contract when they
do not often see the sovereign； and when many of them become not
acquainted with him so as to perceive his weaknesses。 And as
large states can afford a great expence； in order to support the
pomp of majesty； this is a kind of fascination on men； and
naturally contributes to the enslaving of them。
In a small government； any act of oppression is immediately
known throughout the whole： The murmurs and discontents；
proceeding from it； are easily communicated： And the indignation
arises the higher； because the subjects are not apt to apprehend
in such states； that the distance is very wide between themselves
and their sovereign。 'No man；' said the prince of Cond偅弧�'is a
hero to his 。' It is certain that admiration
and acquaintance are altogether incompatible towards any mortal
creature。 Sleep and love convinced even Alexander himself that he
was not a God： But I suppose that such as daily attended him
could easily； from the numberless weaknesses to which he was
subject； have given him many still more convincing proofs of his
humanity。
But the divisions into small states are favourable to
learning； by stopping the progress of as well as that
of 。 Reputation is often as great a fascination upon men
as sovereignty； and is equally destructive to the freedom of
thought and examination。 But where a number of neighbouring
states have a great intercourse of arts and commerce； their
mutual jealousy keeps them from receiving too lightly the law
from each other； in matters of taste and of reasoning； and makes
them examine every work of art with the greatest care and
accuracy。 The contagion of popular opinion spreads not so easily
from one place to another。 It readily receives a check in some
state or other； where it concurs not with the prevailing
prejudices。 And nothing but nature and reason； or； at least； what
bears them a strong resemblance； can force its way through all
obstacles； and unite the most rival nations into an esteem and
admiration of
