Wherefore the erection of
an absolute monarchy in Oceana, or in any other country that is
no larger, without making it a certain prey to the first invader
is altogether impossible.
To plant by halves, as the Roman emperors did their
beneficiaries, or military colonies, it must be either for life;
and this an army of Oceaners in their own country, especially
having estates of inheritance, will never bear because such an
army so planted is as well confiscated as the people; nor had the
Mamelukes been contented with such usage in Egypt, but that they
were foreigners, and daring not to mix with the natives, it was
of absolute necessity to their being.
Or planting them upon inheritance, whether aristocratically
as the Neustrians, or democratically as the Israelites, they grow
up by certain consequences into the national interest, and this,
if they be planted popularly, comes to a commonwealth; if by way
of nobility, to a mixed monarchy, which of all other will be
found to be the only kind of monarchy whereof this nation, or any
other that is of no greater extent, has been or can be capable;
for if the Israelites, though their democratical balance, being
fixed by their agrarian, stood firm, be yet found to have elected
kings, it was because, their territory lying open, they were
perpetually invaded, and being perpetually invaded, turned
themselves to anything which, through the want of experience,
they thought might be a remedy; whence their mistake in election
of their kings, under whom they gained nothing, but, on the
contrary, lost all they had acquired by their commonwealth, both
estates and liberties, is not only apparent, but without
parallel.
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