560 POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. 



his plantation, and he enjoyed certain privileges on divi 

 sion of the spoils of the chase. Otherwise he possessed no 

 marks of distinction.&quot; And the like practice was followed 

 by some historic races during early stages. In ancient Rome 

 it was &quot; the privilege of the king to have his fields tilled by 

 taskwork of the burgesses.&quot; 



543. Growth of the regular and definite out of the irre 

 gular and indefinite, variously exemplified in the foregoing 

 chapters, is here again exemplified very clearly. For, as 

 already said, it is from propitiatory presents and services, at 

 first spontaneous and incidental, that there eventually come 

 taxes specified in their amounts and times of payment. 



It needs but to observe how such a custom as that of 

 making wedding-presents has acquired a partially coercive 

 character, to understand how, when once there begins the 

 practice of seeking the good will of the headman by a gift, 

 this practice is apt to be established. One having gained by 

 it, another follows his example. The more generally the 

 example is followed the greater becomes the disadvantage to 

 those who do not follow it. Until at length all give because 

 none dare stand conspicuous as exceptions. Of course if 

 some repeat the presents upon such occasions as first prompted 

 them, others have to do the like ; and at length the periodic 

 obligation becomes so peremptory, that the gift is demanded 

 when it is not offered. In Loango, where presents are expected 

 from all free subjects, &quot;if the king thinks they do not give 

 enough, he sends slaves to their places to take what they 

 have.&quot; Among the Tongans, who from time to time give their 

 king or chief &quot; yams, mats, gnatoo, dried fish, live birds, &c., M 

 the quantity is determined &quot; generally by the will of each 

 individual, who will always take care to send as much as he 

 can well afford, lest the superior chief should be offended 

 with him, and deprive him of all that he has.&quot; At the 

 present time in Cashmere, at the spring festival, &quot; it is the 

 custom ... for the Maharajah s servants to bring him a 



