EXCURSION TO THE REALMS BELOW. I^I 



Xenoph. We are already agreed , at leaft, on one 

 point, namely, that mankind cannot fublift without 

 civil conilitution and government. We mult therefore 

 confent, that nature has deftined the fole order of beings 

 which is capable of continual progrefs towards indefi- 

 nite perfection, eternally to perfevere in a fb.te of ani- 

 mal ferocity, grofs fenfuality, and an everlafting war 

 ■amofls: themfelves, and with all nature. For this is the 



o * 



natural and neceflary Hate of all the tribes of men who 

 live without civil government. 



Menippv To mew you J:hat I am above having re- 

 courfe to chicane, I am willing,^ on my part 5 that this 

 fhall be unprejudicially allowed. 



Xenoph. if it be true, then let us fee quite uncon- 

 cerned about whatever may follow from it. Truth can 

 bring forth nought but truth, and is never in contradic- 

 tion with itfelf. We are agreed then in this, that it is 

 neceffary for mankind, and for their own advantage, 

 to live tn fociety, and to be governed. But I think we 

 are like wife agreed, that, of all animals which are not 

 by nature wild and untameable, none are more difin- 

 clined to allow themfelves to be governed than man. 

 Even tiie natural supremacy over their children is a 

 yoke, from which the latter are always frtuggling to 

 get free ; and which, if they cannot entirely fhake off, 

 they flrive to elude by all pofiible means. With this 

 native impulfe to independency, and voluntary felf-de- 

 termination, with this inrlinctive averlion for whatever 

 would fet bounds to our liberty, what is it that mould 

 bring mankind to allow themfelves to be governed — if 

 it be not a neceffity from which they cannot efcape ? 



L 4 Menipp. 



