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Rh to embody the spirit and glory of the country. But the glamour is personal to the man and does not transfigure his heirs and successors. Then, the throne founded by genius is seen to be a poor, tawdry thing, on the steps of which stand a crowd of greedy, unscrupulous parasites, who have no thought but of enriching themselves at the expense of the people. Discipline and obedience give place to conspiracy and revolt; enthusiasm is succeeded by contempt; till, ere long, the mushroom dynasty is extinguished amidst the laughter of those who applauded its birth. As it was with Napoleon and the Second Empire, so was it with Ranjít Singh and his son Kharak Singh and the bastards who quarrelled over the inheritance of the Lion of the Punjab.

Far different is the fate of august and ancient dynasties whose hereditary dignities have descended in an unbroken line through many generations. These fall, it is true, by the vices and recklessness of their representatives, as history has often shown. But how many chances are in their favour, and how criminal is the weakness and how abject the folly which alienate the easily retained affection of a nation! Whatever may be said of the divine right of kings, it would seem that the stars in their courses fight on their behalf; that something of divinity hedges them about; they are the object of a respect and love which is worth more to them than armies in battle array; the immemorial sentiment of mankind demanding a master, the weakness of humanity