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Civil and Military Establishments 
CHAPTER XII. 
The Civil and Military Establishments of the Kingdom of Candy. 
The government of Candy is an absolute despotism, and any 
resistance to the will of the king, without power to maintain 
it, is sure to be attended with immediate destruction. In spite 
of these circumstances, however, the natives look upon certain 
fundamental laws and regulations, existing among them from 
time immemorial, as the real depositaries of supreme power. 
The Candians hold that their crown was anciently elective; 
that an advanced age, unblemished character, and benevolent 
disposition exalted a man to the throne ; and that the crown 
might not become hereditary, the king was obliged to abdicate 
it on marrying or having children. But these institutions have 
been long since done away, this island having like all other 
countries met with tyrants and usurpers who broke through the 
ancient laws of the people. Still however the Candians maintain 
that if the king ventures to encroach upon the fundamental 
laws of the state, he is amenable to the justice of his country 
as well as the meanest subject. Some instances of kings who 
have been deposed and put to death are cited in support of 
this idea; although it is evident that as long as the whole force 
of the state is vested in the king, and as long as there is no 
counterbalancing power opposed to him, it is a successful re- 
bellion alone that can bring him to justice. The whole doctrine, 
in fact, serves only to give a handle to any minister or officer. 
