CHAPTER VIIL 



CONSULTATIVE BODIES. 



490. Two parts of the primitive tri-une political struc 

 ture have, in the last two chapters, been dealt with sepa 

 rately ; or, to speak strictly, the first has been considered as 

 independent of the second, and again, the second as inde 

 pendent of the first : incidentally noting its relations to the 

 third. Here we have to treat of the two in combination. 

 Instead of observing how from the chief, little above the rest, 

 there is, under certain conditions, evolved the absolute ruler, 

 entirely subordinating the select few and the many ; and 

 instead of observing how, under other conditions, the select 

 few become an oligarchy tolerating no supreme man, and 

 keeping the multitude in subjection ; we have now to observe 

 the cases in which there is established a cooperation between 

 the first and the second. 



After chieftainship has become settled^ the chief continues 

 to have sundry reasons for acting in concert with his head 

 men. It is needful to conciliate them ; it is needful to get 

 their advice and willing assistance ; and, in serious matters, 

 it is desirable to divide responsibility with them. Hence the 

 prevalence of consultative assemblies. In Samoa, &quot; the chief 

 of the village and the heads of families formed, and still form, 

 the legislative body of the place.&quot; Among the Fill ah s, 

 &quot; before undertaking anything important or declaring war, 

 the king [of Kabbah] is obliged to summon a council of 



