REVENUE. 559 



from the vanquished, lessened only by such portions as he 

 gives in reward for services, augments his means of sup 

 porting his dependents and maintaining his supremacy. 



To these sources of income which may be classed as inci 

 dental, is simultaneously added a source which is constant. 

 When predominance of the chief has become so decided that 

 he is feared, he begins to receive propitiatory presents ; 

 at first occasionally and afterwards periodically. Already in 

 369-71, when treating of presents under their ceremo 

 nial aspects, I have given illustrations ; and many more 

 may be added. Describing the king among the Homeric 

 Greeks, Grote writes &quot; Moreover he receives frequent pre 

 sents, to avert his enmity, to conciliate his favour, or to 

 buy off his exactions.&quot; So, too, of the primitive Germans, 

 we are told by Tacitus that &quot;it is the custom of the 

 states to bestow by voluntary and individual contribution 

 on the chiefs, a present of cattle or of grain, which, while 

 accepted as a compliment, supplies their wants.&quot; And gifts 

 to the ruler voluntarily made to obtain good will, or prevent 

 ill will, continue to be a source of revenue until quite late 

 stages. Among ourselves &quot;during the reign of Elizabeth, 

 the custom of presenting Xew Year s gifts to the sovereign 

 was carried to an extravagant height ;&quot; and even &quot; in the 

 reign of James I. the money gifts seem to have been con 

 tinued for some time.&quot; 



Along with offerings of money and goods there go offerings 

 of labour. Not unfrequently in primitive communities, it is the 

 custom for all to join in building a new house or clearing a plot 

 of ground for one of their number : such benefits being recipro 

 cated. Of course the growing predominance of a political 

 head, results in a more extensive yielding of gratuitous labour 

 for his benefit, in these and other ways. The same motives 

 which prompt gifts to the ruler prompt offers of help to him 

 more than to other persons ; and thus the custom of working 

 for him grows into a usage. We read of the village chief 

 among the Guaranis that &quot;his subjects cultivated for him 



