Page:Montesquieu - The spirit of laws.djvu/382

330 As it is the business of legislators to watch over the health of the citizens, it would have been a wise part in them to have stopped this communication by laws made on the plan of those of Moses.

The plague is a disease whose infectious progress is much more rapid. Ægypt is its principal seat, from whence it spreads over the whole universe. Most countries in Europe have made exceeding good regulations to prevent this infection, and in our times an admirable method has been contrived to stop it; this is by forming a line of troops round the infected country, which cuts off all manner of communication.

The Turks, who have no regulations in this respect, see the Christians escape this infection in the same town, and none but themselves perish; they buy the cloaths of the infected, wear them, and go on their old way as if nothing had happened. The doctrine of a rigid fate, which directs their whole conduct, renders the magistrate a quiet spectator; he thinks that God has already done everything, and that he himself has nothing to do.

E do not find in history that the Romans ever killed themselves without a cause; but the English destroy themselves most unaccountably; they destroy themselves often in the very bosom of happiness. This action among the Romans was the effect of education; it was connected with their principles and customs: among the Rh