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debarred from its natural objects； preys on the disordered mind and body
of its victim。 Thus it is in convents…thus it is among ascetic sectsthus
it was among the Lacedaemonians。 Hence arose that madness； or
violence approaching to madness； which； in spite of every external
restraint； often appeared among the most distinguished citizens of Sparta。
Cleomenes terminated his career of raving cruelty by cutting himself to
pieces。 Pausanias seems to have been absolutely insane； he formed a
hopeless and profligate scheme； he betrayed it by the ostentation of his
behaviour； and the imprudence of his measures； and he alienated； by his
insolence； all who might have served or protected him。 Xenophon； a
warm admirer of Lacedaemon； furnishes us with the strongest evidence to
this effect。 It is impossible not to observe the brutal and senseless fury
which characterises almost every Spartan with whom he was connected。
Clearchus nearly lost his life by his cruelty。 Chirisophus deprived his army
of the services of a faithful guide by his unreasonable and ferocious
severity。 But it is needless to multiply instances。 Lycurgus； Mr
Mitford's favourite legislator； founded his whole system on a mistaken
principle。 He never considered that governments were made for men；
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and not men for governments。 Instead of adapting the constitution to the
people； he distorted the minds of the people to suit the constitution； a
scheme worthy of the Laputan Academy of Projectors。 And this appears
to Mr Mitford to constitute his peculiar title to admiration。 Hear himself：
〃What to modern eyes most strikingly sets that extraordinary man above
all other legislators is； that in so many circumstances； apparently out of the
reach of law； he controlled and formed to his own mind the wills and
habits of his people。〃 I should suppose that this gentleman had the
advantage of receiving his education under the ferula of Dr Pangloss； for
his metaphysics are clearly those of the castle of Thunder…ten…tronckh：
〃Remarquez bien que les nez ont ete faits pour porter des lunettes； aussi
avons nous des lunettes。 Les jambes sont visiblement institues pour etre
chaussees； et nous avons des chausses。 Les cochons etant faits pour etre
manges； nous mangeons du porc toute l'annee。〃
At Athens the laws did not constantly interfere with the tastes of the
people。 The children were not taken from their parents by that universal
step…mother； the state。 They were not starved into thieves； or tortured
into bullies； there was no established table at which every one must dine；
no established style in which every one must converse。 An Athenian
might eat whatever he could afford to buy； and talk as long as he could
find people to listen。 The government did not tell the people what
opinions they were to hold； or what songs they were to sing。 Freedom
produced excellence。 Thus philosophy took its origin。 Thus were
produced those models of poetry； of oratory； and of the arts； which
scarcely fall short of the standard of ideal excellence。 Nothing is more
conducive to happiness than the free exercise of the mind in pursuits
congenial to it。 This happiness； assuredly； was enjoyed far more at
Athens than at Sparta。 The Athenians are acknowledged even by their
enemies to have been distinguished； in private life； by their courteous and
amiable demeanour。 Their levity； at least； was better than Spartan
sullenness and their impertinence than Spartan insolence。 Even in
courage it may be questioned whether they were inferior to the
Lacedaemonians。 The great Athenian historian has reported a remarkable
observation of the great Athenian minister。 Pericles maintained that his
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countrymen； without submitting to the hardships of a Spartan education；
rivalled all the achievements of Spartan valour； and that therefore the
pleasures and amusements which they enjoyed were to be considered as so
much clear gain。 The infantry of Athens was certainly not equal to that
of Lacedaemon； but this seems to have been caused merely by want of
practice： the attention of the Athenians was diverted from the discipline
of the phalanx to that of the trireme。 The Lacedaemonians； in spite of all
their boasted valour； were； from the same cause； timid and disorderly in
naval action。
But we are told that crimes of great enormity were perpetrated by the
Athenian government； and the democracies under its protection。 It is true
that Athens too often acted up to the full extent of the laws of war in an
age when those laws had not been mitigated by causes which have
operated in later times。 This accusation is； in fact； common to Athens； to
Lacedaemon； to all the states of Greece； and to all states similarly situated。
Where communities are very large； the heavier evils of war are felt but by
few。 The ploughboy sings； the spinning…wheel turns round； the wedding…
day is fixed； whether the last battle were lost or won。 In little states it
cannot be thus； every man feels in his own property and person the effect
of a war。 Every man is a soldier； and a soldier fighting for his nearest
interests。 His own trees have been cut downhis own corn has been
burnthis own house has been pillagedhis own relations have been killed。
How can he entertain towards the enemies of his country the same feelings
with one who has suffered nothing from them； except perhaps the addition
of a small sum to the taxes which he pays？ Men in such circumstances
cannot be generous。 They have too much at stake。 It is when they are；
if I may so express myself； playing for love； it is when war is a mere game
at chess； it is when they are contending for a remote colony； a frontier
town； the honours of a flag； a salute； or a title； that they can make fine
speeches； and do good offices to their enemies。 The Black Prince waited
behind the chair of his captive； Villars interchanged repartees with Eugene；
George II。 sent congratulations to Louis XV。； during a war； upon occasion
of his escape from the attempt of Damien： and these things are fine and
generous； and very gratifying to the author of the Broad Stone of Honour；
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and all the other wise men who think； like him； that God made the world
only for the use of gentlemen。 But they spring in general from utter
heartlessness。 No war ought ever to be undertaken but under
circumstances which render all interchange of courtesy between the
combatants impossible。 It is a bad thing that men should hate each other；
but it is far worse that they should contract the habit of cutting one
another's throats without hatred。 War is never lenient； but where it is
wanton； when men are compelled to fight in selfdefence； they must hate
and avenge： this may be bad； but it is human nature； it is the clay as it
came from the hand of the potter。
It is true that among the dependencies of Athens seditions assumed a
character more ferocious than even in France； during the reign of terror
the accursed Saturnalia of an accursed bondage。 It is true that in Athens
itself； where such convulsions were scarcely known； the condition of the
higher orders was disagreeable； that they were compelled to contribute
large sums for the service or the amusement of the public； and