360 PSYCHOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION. [PART II. 



It may be that the muses only flourish among free rude 

 nations, as indeed it has been attempted to prove from history; 

 it may be true that despotism, in many cases, impedes the pro- 

 gress to a higher civilization, still such is not the necessary 

 result, though it must be admitted that the favourable or un- 

 favourable effect which it produces depends upon the accidental 

 disposition of the ruler. In despotically governed countries 

 there is no public opinion and no moral force among the 

 peoples ; what passes as such is merely the reflex of the views 

 of the despot. In all the Mohammedan states in Africa, the 

 man whom the sovereign degrades is despised and maltreated. 

 Everything that is ordered is considered right and proper ; 

 everything that is forbidden is looked upon as bad and dis- 

 graceful. This slavery of conviction is still greater among 

 some peoples. The Matebeles (Zulus) believe in the greatest 

 absurdities, and among others that their chief Moselkatse 

 can look forward into the future, and if any one were to doubt 

 that he can produce rain by ascending to the sky, he would 

 be treated as a traitor. One of the Zulus being told that these 

 are mere delusions, replied, " one must be very cautious in ex- 

 pressing any doubts on the subject." 1 On the other hand, we 

 find in Java, where all jurisdiction proceeds from the king or 

 his lieutenant, that there are cases in which despotism is the 

 most essential means of developing the moral sense of the nation. 

 In the legal language of Java, theft is called " a crime against 

 the king's property," unlawful wounding is called ' ' wounding 

 the king," ' ' regicide." 



As it is our chief object to investigate the main forces which 

 influence the development of human society, we shall only 

 mention the sum of the effects on civilization by living in 

 communities. These are -the discipline of the masses, they 

 being gradually habituated to obedience and self-control; 

 greater protection for life and property, which enables the 

 people to devote their activity to other purposes ; the establish- 

 ment of a community of interest and action against external 

 powers, etc. 



1 " Baseler Miss. Mag.," iii, p. 141, 1856. 





