Page:A Vindication of Natural Society - Burke (1756).djvu/59

 rice and Pride of those who are raised above the others, is compleated by their Suspicions, and Dread of losing an Authority, which has no Support in the common Utility of the Nation. A Genoese, or a Venetian Republick, is a concealed Despotism; where you find the same Pride of the Rulers, the same base Subjection of the People, the same bloody Maxims of a suspicious Policy. In one respect the Aristocracy is worse than the Despotism. A Body Politick, whilst it retains it's Authority, never changes it's Maxims; a Despotism, which is this Day horrible to a supreme Degree, by the Caprice natural to the Heart of Man, may, by the same Caprice otherwise exerted, be as lovely the next; in a Succession, it is possible to meet with some good Princes. If there have been Tiberius's, Caligulas, Nero's, there have been likewise the serener Days of Vespasians, Titus's, Trajans, and Antonines; but a Body Politick is not influenced by Caprice or Whim, it proceeds in a regular