22 On Party-Prejudice. 
Theopompus acted with great moderation, as, among 
many other regulations, he instituted the Ephori ; 
“and thus, by depriving the royal authority of some 
of its weight, added to its stability. Instead of 
lessening, he exalted himself. It is reported, that, 
when his wife asked, *if he did not blush to be- 
queath to his children an authority more-crippled 
than that he had received from his ancestor?’ he re- 
plied ‘no: for I leave it greater, because more du-. 
rable.’ 
In despotic governments, where the will of the 
prince is the supreme law, party-prejudices on po- 
litical subjects seldom arise. The people may re- 
volt against the cruelties of an unfeeling tyrant; or 
they may be induced by a factious chief to depose 
the despot, and raise their leader to his throne. 
But, though their ruler be changed, their prin- 
ciples remain, They hug willingly the chains im- 
posed by themselves; and, if they should prove 
highly galling, they may be again induced to break 
them, but will not fail to call in the aid of another 
tyrant to rivet them faster than ever! 
A monarchical government, among a highly ci- 
vilized people, may admit of some diversities of 
opinion, but party-prejudice can have little influ- 
ence in destroying private or public tranquillity. 
Remove a minister—kindle an external war—pro- 
mote a taste for frivolous amusements, and the pet- 
ty murmurs of opposition are generally silenced. 
