88 CEREMONIAL INSTITUTIONS. 



of the royal family and court was viewed as a great misfor 

 tune.&quot; 



371. Grouped as above, the evidence implies that 

 from propitiatory presents, voluntary and exceptional to be 

 gin with but becoming as political power strengthens less 

 voluntary and more general, there eventually grow up 

 universal and involuntary contributions established trib 

 ute; and that with the rise of a currency this passes into 

 taxation. How this transformation takes place, is well 

 shown in Persia. Speaking of the &quot; irregular and oppres 

 sive taxes to which they [the Persians] are continually ex 

 posed/ Malcolm says &quot; The first of these extra taxes may 

 be termed usual and extraordinary presents. The usual 

 presents to the king are those made annually by all govern 

 ors of provinces and districts, chiefs of tribes, ministers, and 

 all other officers in high charge, at the feast of Xourouze, 

 or vernal equinox. . . . The amount presented on this 

 occasion is generally regulated by usage ; to fall short is loss 

 of office, and to exceed is increase of favour.&quot; 



The passing of present-making into payment of tribute 

 as it becomes periodic, is clearly exemplified in some com 

 paratively small societies where govern mntal power is 

 well established. In Tonga &quot; the higher class of chiefs 

 generally make a present to the king, of hogs and yams, 

 about once a fortnight : these chiefs at the same time receive 

 presents from those below them, and these last from others, 

 and so on, down to the common people.&quot; Ancient Mexico, 

 formed of provinces dependent in various degrees, exhibited 

 several stages of the transition. &quot; The provinces . . . 

 made these contributions . . . since they were conquered, 

 that the gallant Mexicans might . . . cease to destroy 

 them: &quot; clearly showing that the presents were at first pro 

 pitiatory. Again, &quot; in Meztitlan the tribute was not paid 

 at fixed times . . . but when the lord wanted it.&quot; Then of 

 the tributes throughout the country of Montezuma, we are 



