174 THOSE OTHER ANIMALS. 



chosen by vote, but born to the purple. Among animals 

 that congregate for mutual protection and convenience, such 

 as horses, stags, and elephants, there is always a leader ; but 

 in this case he assumes the position by right of superior 

 strength, valour, and sagacity. No_ scientific man has been 

 able to discover in his election to the post any trace of the 

 process known in the United States as lobbying. There 

 is neither intriguing nor currying for popular favour the 

 strongest and bravest assumes the position by right of his 

 strength and bravery, and may be termed a natural dictator. 

 These communities are evidently inferior in order and per- 

 fection to those of the first class. 



Thirdly, come creatures of duller brain, of which the 

 sheep may be taken as a type. And here we come to 

 nature's example of a republic, the dull level of equality 

 and fraternity, where none are superior to others, and there 

 is no emulation, no gradation of rank, and no rising of one 

 individual above the rest. One cannot doubt, with these 

 examples before us, that Nature has very clearly pointed 

 out that in all highly organised communities the monarchical 

 system is that best adapted for securing order and progress, 

 and for the general benefit of the whole ; that for those in a 

 less advanced stage of progress a dictatorship is the pre- 

 ferable form of government, while among those of the lowest 

 type of intelligence a republic serves the purpose as well 

 as any other system. 



In the ant nation, which stands at the head of such com- 

 munities, the monarchical principle is carried out to the 

 fullest extent. We have the Queen, the ruler and mother 

 of the whole ; her courtiers, who attend upon her ; the 

 military class, who may be considered as the nobles, who 



