Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/228

 at eeing others enjoy a Bleing which themelves had lot. In a word, Riches and Conquet fell to the Share of the one, and Virtue and Happines to that of the other.

In thee various Modes of Government the Offices at firt were all Elective; and when Riches did not preponderate, the Preference was given to Merit, which gives a natural Acendant, and to Age, which is the Parent of Deliberatenes in Council, and Experience in Execution. The Ancients among the Hebrews, the Geronts of Sparta, the Senate of Rome, nay, the very Etymology of our Word Seigneur, hew how much grey Hairs were formerly repected. The oftener the choice fell upon old Men, the oftener it became neceary to repeat it, and the more the Trouble of uch Repetitions