POLITICAL FORMS AND FORCES. 313 



that the political order observed on this occasion was the 

 usual order, is implied by its recurrence even in parts of 

 America where chiefs have become marked off by ascribed 

 nobility ; as instance the account of one of the Central 

 American tribes, who &quot; have frequent reunions in their 

 council-house at night. The hall is then lighted up by a 

 large fire, and the people sit with uncovered heads, listening 

 respectfully to the observations and decisions of the ahuales 

 men over forty years of age, who have occupied public 

 positions, or distinguished themselves in some way.&quot; Among 

 peoples unlike in type and remote in locality, we find, modi 

 fied in detail but similar in general character, this primitive 

 governmental form. Of the Hill tribes of India may be in 

 stanced the Khonds, of whom we read that 



K Assemblies of the whole tribe, or of any of its sub-divisions, are con 

 vened, to determine questions of general importance. The members of 

 every society, however, have a right to be present at all its councils, 

 and to give their voices on the questions mooted, although the patri 

 archs alone take a part in their public discussion.&quot; ...&quot; The federal 

 patriarchs, in like manner, consult with the heads of tribes, and 

 assemble when necessary the entire population of the federal group.&quot; 



In New Zealand, too, the government was conducted in 

 accordance with public opinion expressed in general assem 

 blies ; and the chiefs &quot; could not declare peace or war, or do 

 anything affecting the whole people, without the sanction of 

 the majority of the clan.&quot; Of the Tahitians, Ellis tells us 

 that the king had a few chiefs as advisers, but that no affair 

 of national importance could be undertaken without consult 

 ing the land-holders or second rank, and also that public 

 assemblies were held. Similarly of the Malagasy. &quot; The 

 greatest national council in Madagascar is an assembly of the 

 people of the capital, and the heads of the provinces, towns, 

 villages, &c.&quot; The king usually presides in person. 



Though in these last cases we see considerable changes in 

 the relative powers of the three components, so that the inner 

 few have gained in authority at the expense of the outer 

 many, yet all three are still present ; and they continue to 



