Page:Montesquieu - The spirit of laws.djvu/120

68 livelyhood. In fact, in a well regulated democracy, where people's expences ought to extend only to what is necessary, every one ought to have as much as his necessities require; for how could his wants be otherwise supplied?

N equal division of lands cannot be established in all democracies. There are some circumstances in which a regulation of this nature would be impracticable, dangerous, and even subversive of the constitution. We are not always obliged to proceed to extremes. If it appears that this division of lands, which was designed to preserve the people's morals, does not suit with the democracy, recourse must be had to other methods.

If a fixed body be established to serve as a rule and pattern of manners, a senate, to which age, virtue, gravity, and public services gain admittance; the senators, by being exposed to public view like the statues of the Gods, must naturally inspire sentiments that will transfuse themselves into the bosom of every family.

Above all, this senate must steadily adhere to the ancient inslitutions, and mind that the people and the magistrates never swerve from them.

The preservation of the ancient customs is a very considerable point in respect to manners. Since a corrupt people seldom perform any memorable actions, seldom establish societies, build cities, or enact laws; on the contrary, since most institutions Rh