CONSULTATIVE BODIES. 403 



the examples frequently exhibit this composition on both a 

 small and a large scale both locally and generally. A 



rude and early form of the arrangement is shown in Africa. 

 We read of the Kaffirs that &quot; every chief chooses from among 

 his most wealthy subjects five or six, who act as counsellors 

 to him. . . the great council of the king is composed of 

 the chiefs of particular kraals.&quot; A Bechuana tribe &quot; gene 

 rally includes a number of towns or villages, each having its 

 distinct head, under whom there are a number of subordinate 

 chiefs/ who &quot; all acknowledge the supremacy of the principal 

 one. His power, though very great and in some instances 

 Despotic, is nevertheless controlled by the minor chiefs, who 

 in their piclws or pitshos, their parliament, or public meetings, 

 use the greatest plainness of speech in exposing what they 

 consider culpable or lax in his government.&quot; Of the Wan- 

 yamwezi, Burton says that the Sultan is &quot; surrounded by a 

 council varying from two to a score of chiefs and elders. . 

 His authority is circumscribed by a rude balance of power ; 

 the chiefs around him can probably bring as many warriors 

 into the field as he can.&quot; Similarly in Ashantee. &quot; The 

 caboceers and captains . . . claim to be heard on all ques 

 tions relating to war and foreign politics. Such matters 

 are considered in a general assembly ; and the king sometimes 

 finds it prudent to yield to the views and urgent representa 

 tions of the majority.&quot; From the ancient American 

 states, too, instances may be cited. In Mexico &quot;general 

 assemblies were presided over by the king every eighty days. 

 They came to these meetings from all parts of the country ; &quot; 

 and then we read, further, that the highest rank of nobility, 

 the Teuctli, &quot;took precedence of all others in the senate, 

 both in the order of sitting and voting : &quot; showing what was 

 the composition of the senate. It was so, too, with the 

 Central Americans of Vera Paz. &quot; Though the supreme rule 

 was exercised by a king, there were inferior lords as his 

 coadjutors, who mostly were titled lords and vassals ; they 

 formed the royal council . . . and joined the king in his 



