POLITICAL HEADS CHIEFS, KINGS, ETC. 741 



sight, but, surrounded with empty dignity and commanding the 

 opinion of the bulk of the samarai or military class, wielded the real 

 power themselves. They took care, however, to perform every act in 

 the name of the faineants, their lords, and thus we hear of . . . 

 daimios, just as in the case of the Emperors, accomplishing deeds and 

 carrying out policies of which they were perhaps wholly ignorant." 

 This lapsing of political power into the hands of ministers was, in the 

 case of the central government, doubly illustrated. Successors as they 

 were of a god-descended conqueror whose rule was real, the Japanese 

 Emjaerors gradually became only nominal rulers ; partly because of 

 the sacredness which separated them from the nation, and partly be- 

 cause of the early age at which the law of succession frequently en- 

 throned them. Their deputies consequently gained predominance. 

 The regency in the ninth century " became hereditary in the Fujiwara 

 [sprung from the imperial house], and these regents ultimately be- 

 came all-powerful. They obtained the privilege of opening all peti- 

 tions addressed to the sovereign, and of presenting or rejecting them 

 at their pleasure." And then, in course of time, this usurping agency 

 had its own authority usurped in like manner. Again succession by 

 fixed rule was rigorously adhered to ; and again seclusion entailed loss 

 of hold on affairs. " High descent was the only qualification for 

 oflice, and unfitness for functions was not regarded in the choice of 

 ofiicials." Besides the Shogun's four confidential officers, " no one else 

 could approach him. Whatever might be the crimes committed at 

 Kama Koura, it was impossible, through the intrigues of these favor- 

 ites, to complain of them to the Shogun." The result was that " sub- 

 sequently this family . . . gave way to military commanders, who," 

 however, often became instruments in the hands of other chiefs. 



Though less definitely, this process was exemplified during early 

 times in Europe. The Merovingian kings, to whom there clung a 

 tradition of supernatural origin, and whose order of succession was so 

 far settled that minors reigned, fell under the control of those who 

 had become chief ministers. Long before Childeric the Merovingian 

 family had ceased really to govern. " The treasures and the power of 

 the kingdom had passed into the hands of the prefects of the palace, 

 who were called ' mayors of the palace,' and to whom the supreme power 

 really belonged. The prince was obliged to content himself with bear- 

 ing the name of king, having flowing locks and a long beard, sitting on 

 the chair of state, and representing the image of the monarch." 



From the evolution standpoint we are thus enabled to discern the 

 relative beneficence of institutions which, considered absolutely, are 

 not beneficent, and are taught to approve as temporary that which, as 

 permanent, we abhor. The evidence obliges us to admit that subjec- 

 tion to despotic rulers has been largely instrumental in advancing civ- 

 ilization. Induction and deduction alike prove this. 



If, on the one hand, we group together those wandering, headless 



