Page:Montesquieu - The spirit of laws.djvu/231

Rh is, that in order to preserve the principles of the established government, the state must be supported in the extent it has acquired, and that the spirit of this state will change in proportion as it contracts or extends its limits.

EFORE I finish this book, I shall answer an objection that may be made to what has been here advanced.

Our missionaries tell us that the vast empire of China has an admirable government, in which there is a proper mixture of fear, honor, and virtue. Consequently I must have given an idle distinction, in establishing the principles of the three governments.

But I cannot conceive what this honor can be among people that will not do the least thing without blows.

Again, our mercantile people are far from giving us any idea of that virtue so much talked of by the missionaries; we need only consult them in relation to the robberies and extortions of the Mandarines.

Besides, Father Parennin's letters concerning the emperor's proceedings against some new converted princes of the blood who had incurred his displeasure, plainly shew us a continued plan of tyranny, and inhuman injuries committed by rule, that is in cool blood.

We have likewise Monsieur de Mairan 's, and the same Father Parennin's letters on the Government of China. I find therefore that after some pertinent questions and answers, the whole wonder vanishes. Rh