Such examples
however are so unfrequent that they can only be classed with the happy
accidents which have so often decided at a critical moment whether
some leading portion of humanity should make a sudden start, or sink
back towards barbarism: chances like the existence of Themistocles
at the time of the Persian invasion, or of the first or third
William of Orange.
It would be absurd to construct institutions for the mere purpose of
taking advantage of such possibilities; especially as men of this
calibre, in any distinguished position, do not require despotic
power to enable them to exert great influence, as is evidenced by
the three last mentioned. The case most requiring consideration in
reference to institutions is the not very uncommon one in which a
small but leading portion of the population, from difference of
race, more civilised origin, or other peculiarities of circumstance,
are markedly superior in civilisation and general character to the
remainder. Under those conditions, government by the representatives
of the mass would stand a chance of depriving them of much of the
benefit they might derive from the greater civilisation of the
superior ranks; while government by the representatives of those ranks
would probably rivet the degradation of the multitude, and leave
them no hope of decent treatment except by ridding themselves of one
of the most valuable elements of future advancement.
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