In all Parts of the World, Mankind, however debased, retains still the Sense of Feeling; the Weight of Tyranny, at last, becomes insupportable; but the Remedy is not so easy; in general, the only Remedy by which they attempt to cure the Tyranny, is to change the Tyrant; this is, and always was the Case for the greater Part. In some Countries however, were found Men of more Penetration; who discovered, "that to live by one Man's Will, was the Cause of all Men's Misery." They therefore changed their former Method, and assembling the Men in their several Societies, most respectable for their Understanding, and Fortunes, they confided to them the Charge of the Publick Welfare. This originally formed what is called an Aristocracy. They hoped, it would be impossible that such a Number could ever join in any Design against the general Good; and they promised themselves a great deal of Security and Happiness, from the united Counsels of so many able and experienced Persons. But it is now found by abundant Experience, that an Aristocracy, and a Despotism, differ but in Name; and that a People, who are in general excluded from any Share of the Legislative, are to all Intents and Purposes, as much Slaves, when twenty, independent of them, govern, as when but one domineers. The Tyranny is even more felt, as every Individual of the Nobles has the Haughtiness of a Sultan; the People are more miserable, as they seem on the Verge of Liberty, from which they are for ever debarred; this Prospect, whilst it presents a vain Shadow of Happiness to the Subject, binds faster the Chains of their Subjection; what is left undone, by the natural Avarice and Pride of those who are raised above the others, is compleated by their Suspicions, and Dread of losing an Authority, which has no Support in the common Utility of the Nation. A Genoese, or a Venetian Republick, is a concealed Despotism; where you find the same Pride of the Rulers, the same base Subjection of the People, the same bloody Maxims of a suspicious Policy. In one respect the Aristocracy is worse than the Despotism. A Body Politick, whilst it retains it's Authority, never changes it's Maxims; a Despotism, which is this Day horrible to a supreme Degree, by the Caprice natural to the Heart of Man, may, by the same Caprice otherwise exerted, be as lovely the next; in a Succession, it is possible to meet with some good Princes. If there have been Tiberius's, Caligulas, Nero's, there have been likewise the serener Days of Vespasians, Titus's, Trajans, and Antonines; but a Body Politick is not influenced by Caprice or Whim, it proceeds in a regular Manner; it's Succession is insensible; and every Man as he enters it, either has, or soon attains the Spirit of the whole Body. Never was it known, that an Aristocracy, which was haughty and tyrannical in one Century, became easy, and mild in the next. In Effect, the Yoke of this Species of Government is so galling, that whenever the People have got the least Power, they have shaken it off with the utmost Indignation, and established a Popular Form; and when they have not had Strength enough to support themselves, they have thrown themselves into the Arms of Despotism, as the more eligible of the two Evils. This latter was the Case of Denmark, who sought a Refuge from the Oppression of it's Nobility, in the strong Hold of Arbitrary Power. Poland has at present the Name of Republick, and it is one of the Aristocratick Form; but it is well known, that the little Finger of this Government, is heavier than the Loins of Arbitrary Power in most Nations. The People are not only Politically, but Personally Slaves, and treated with the utmost Indignity.