93 



The legislative power was vested in the class of free citi- 

 zens asseuibied, though no more than (iOOO usually met, 

 without any regard to property. Though this assembly 

 could alone make or repeal any law, yet by the constitution 

 this exorbitant power was in some measure restricted by a 

 chosen senate, in whom a right of precognition was vested. 

 The assembly had also the right of judging all causes on ap- 

 peals to it, but after some time every power was absorbed 

 by the general assembly of the citii^eus, ever giddy, capri- 

 cious, factious, and frequently unjust. 



This was accounted a free government, yet surely very 

 improperly. No government can be accounted free, whose 

 freedom is not sufficiently secured, which was far from being 

 the case at Athens, where the most uncontrouled despotism 

 was vested in a multitude, the majority of which was equally 

 ignorant, capricious, insolent and improvident. 



There were also many subordinate courts of justice, with 

 Varibus functions, particularly the Areopagus, whose decisions 

 were generally equitable. 



The physical wants of the inhabitants of Attica seem to 

 have been sufficiently provided for. Commerce flourished, 

 various arts and manufactures were practised, and a great 

 degree of luxury prevailed. Consequently agriculture was 

 successfully promoted, nor do they seem to have been defi- 

 cient in commodious habitations. 



Crimes 



