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12 is not, on the whole, a desideratum, and is likely, when opportunity offers, to be resisted: a third — that 'so many overthrown estates, so many votes for troubles'; a fourth, — that the beneficent despot, who assumes the prerogative of deity in exalting the meek and sending the rich empty away, brings upon himself the inconvenient consequence of powerful enemies, and feeble, half-hearted and unsympathising friends, and may not improbably be called to defend his reforms against the combined assault of both classes. He will learn the full hatred of men to those who would fain do them good against their will, in ways they do not understand and by changes in which they disbelieve.

Such a ruler, it is safe to predict, will have some rough times to encounter. He will, not improbably, find his work of benevolent despotism arrested by unexpected outbreaks, and will be obliged to pause in the congenial task of improvement to resist the frantic efforts of communities actuated by unforeseen and incalculable impulses, or of individuals who see in a general convulsion of society the only chance of personal rehabilitation. He is sailing in unexplored seas, of whose shoals and rocks, currents and tides, treacherous calms and sudden tempests the charts of statesmanship can give no hint. He may be a courageous, skilful and fortunate navigator; he may sail boldly and well: but the probability of disaster is never far removed, and the disaster may leave the fair vessel of his hopes little better than a wreck.

One of these tremendous episodes broke, while yet