454: POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. 



local gods, their ecclesiastical organizations, their religious 

 festivals. And in time of general war the contingents they 

 severally furnish remain separate. Egyptian nomes, Greek 

 cities, feudal lordships, yield illustrations. 



509. The gradual disappearance of local autonomies h 

 a usual outcome of the struggle between the governments of 

 the parts, which try to retain their powers, and the central 

 government, which tries to diminish their powers. 



In proportion as his hands are strengthened, chiefly by 

 successful wars, the major political head increases his 

 restraints over the minor political heads ; first by stopping 

 private wars among them, then by interfering as arbitrator, 

 then by acquiring an appellate jurisdiction. Where the local- 

 rulers have been impoverished by their struggles with one 

 another, or by futile attempts to recover their independence, 

 or by drafts made on their resources for external wars where, 

 also, followers of the central ruler have grown into a new order 

 of nobles, with gifts of conquered or usurped lands as rewards 

 for services ; the way is prepared for administrative agencies 

 centrally appointed. Thus in France, when the monarch 

 became dominant, the seigneurs were gradually deprived of 

 legislative authority. Eoyal confirmation became requisite 

 to make signorial acts valid ; and the crown acquired the 

 exclusive right of granting charters, the exclusive right of 

 ennobling, the exclusive right of coining. Then with decline 

 in the power of the original local rulers came deputies of the 

 king overlooking them : provincial governors holding office at 

 the king s pleasure were nominated. In subsequent periods 

 grew up the administration of intendants and their sub-dele 

 gates, acting as agents of the crown ; and whatever small local 

 powers remained were exercised under central supervision. 

 English history at various stages yields kindred illustrations. 

 When Mercia was formed out of petty kingdoms, the local 

 kings became ealdormen; and a like change took place 

 afterwards on a larger scale. &quot; From the time of Ecgberht 



