Page:Montesquieu - The spirit of laws.djvu/469

Rh for their formalities of justice. The Parthians could not bear with one of their kings, who having been educated at Rome, rendered himself affable and easy of access to all. Liberty itself has appeared insupportable to those nations who have not been accustomed to enjoy it. Thus a pure air is sometimes disagreeable to those who have lived in a fenny country.

Balbi, a Venetian, being at Pegu, was introduced to the king. When the monarch was informed that they had no king at Venice, he burst into such a fit of laughter, that he was seized with a cough, and had much ado to speak to his courtiers. What legislator could propose a popular government to a people like this?

HERE are two sorts or tyranny; the one real, which arises from the oppressions of government; the other is seated in opinion, and is sure to be felt whenever those who govern, establish things shocking to the turn of thought, and inconsistent with the ideas of a nation.

Dio teils us, that Augustus desirous of being called Romalus; but having been informed, that the people feared, that he would cause himself to be crowned king, he changed his design. The old Romans were averse to a king; because they could not suffer any man to enjoy such power: these would not have a king, because they Rh