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Rh

OTHING but the very excess and fury of despotic power ordained that the father's disgrace should drag after it that of his wife and children. They are wretched enough already without being criminals: besides, the prince ought to leave suppliants or mediators between himself and the accused, to asswage his wrath, or to inform his justice.

It is an excellent custom of the Maldivians, that when a lord is disgraced, he goes every day to pay his court to the king till he is taken again into favour: his presence disarms the prince's wrath.

In some despotic governments they have a notion that it is trespassing against the respect due to their prince, to speak to him in favour of a person in disgrace. These princes seem to use all their endeavours to deprive themselves of the virtue of clemency.

Arcadius and Honorius, in a law which we have already descanted upon, positively declare that they will shew no favor to those who shall presume to petition them in behalf of the guilty. This was a very bad law indeed, since it is bad even under a despotic government.

The custom or Persia, which permits every man that pleases, to leave the kingdom, is excellent; Rh