go EXCURSION" TO THE REALMS BELOW. 



religion, adling with all its energy, in favour of the mo- 

 narch ; and the priefls, fo long as he fhews no eager 

 delire to touch their well or ill derived immunities 

 and rights, are his formidable body guard, — in fuch 

 flatus, the iiercenefs of tyranny on one fide, and llavifh 

 fubmiffion on the other, will frequently be carried to 

 an inconceivable length. However, it fometimes like- 

 wife happens here, that the bow, too tightly drawn, 

 fnaps all at once, and a people, driven into the fu- 

 rioufnefs of defperation, begin to feel their long-for- 

 gotten ftrength ; and, as favourable circumftances arife 

 which add weight to their fcale, the right of the 

 ftrongeft is at length authentic on their part againft 

 their oppreffor. — 



Menipp. Juft as a tiger that has broke from his 

 chain, or a full-fed ox that has got loofe from the rope 

 by which he was led to the flaughter-houfe r 



/. The hiftory of monarchs and nations, fo far as I 

 know it, gives me no other refult than this : The 

 ftronger rules, and the weaker obeys till he becomes 

 the fcrbnger. 



Menipp. I confefs that I cannot perfriade myfelf into 

 a theory wherein mankind are placed in a rank with 

 oxen and alles. 



/. Is it my fault ? — But I fee a ftately, handfome 

 man approaching towards us from yonder cople, with 

 an open countenance and an engaging mien. Thou 

 art perhaps acquainted with him. Shall we call him to 

 be the umpire of our difpute ? 



Menipp. It is Xenophon, the favourite difciple of 

 the wife Socrates. I lhall be glad if he will confent to 

 take upon him the office of a judge between us, 



i ok 



