90 CEREMONIAL INSTITUTIONS. 



folkland, with such commuted payments of feormfultum, or provision 

 in kind, as represented either the reserved rents from ancient posses 

 sions of the crown, or the quasi-voluntary tribute paid by the nation 

 to its chosen head.&quot; 



In which passage are simultaneously implied the transition 

 from voluntary gifts to involuntary tribute, and the commu 

 tation of tribute into taxes. 



372. If voluntary gifts to the supreme man by-and-by 

 become tribute, and eventually form a settled revenue, may 

 we not expect that gifts made to his subordinates, when 

 their aid is wished, will similarly become customary, and at 

 length yield them maintenance? Will not the process above 

 indicated in relation to the major State-functionary, repeat 

 itself with the minor State-functionaries? We find that it 

 does so. 



First it is to be noted that, besides ordinary presents, the 

 ruling man in early stages commonly has special presents 

 made to him when called on to use his power in aid of an 

 aggrieved subject. Among the Chibchas, &quot; no one could 

 appear in the presence of a king, cazique, or superior, with 

 out bringing a gift, which was to be delivered before the 

 petition was made.&quot; In Sumatra, a chief &quot; levies no 

 taxes, nor has any revenue, ... or other emolument from 

 his subjects, than what accrues to him from the deter 

 mination of causes.&quot; Of Gulab Singh, a late ruler of 

 Jummoo, Mr. Drew says &quot; With the customary offering 

 of a rupee as nazar [present] any one could get his ear; 

 even in a crowd one could catch his eye by holding up a 

 rupee and crying out. . . . Maharajah, a petition. lie 

 would pounce down like a hawk on the money, and, having 

 appropriated it, would patiently hear out the petitioner.&quot; 

 There is evidence that among ourselves in ancient days a 

 kindred usage existed. &quot; We may readily believe,&quot; says 

 Broom, referring to a statement of Lingard, &quot; that few 

 princes in those [Anglo-Saxon] days, declined to exercise 



