ABSTRACT
The abilities or the character of an individual, however commanding, are a bad security at the best for the life of a State; and at Rome had such a military or political genius been wanted, he would not, with the one exception of the age which produced Julius Caesar, have been forth-coming. In the Church as well as in the State, there is always one misshapen Caliban, or a mighty Colossus ruling the roast to mutual destruction; in the State the transcendent possibilities of a tremendous destiny appear to be placed in the hands of Pinchbeck Politicians and tin-pot gods. The settled method by which the Government and affairs of any country is administered; any system designed for the promotion of the external and internal prosperity and progress of a State should be, and ought always to be, the net result of the deliberations, discussion and co-operation of those best qualified, and divinely endowed for the purpose.
