Book XVIII.
Chap. 18, & 19.in an equal manner. Equality is then unavoidable; and from hence it proceeds, that their chiefs are not despotic.
CHAP. XVIII.
Of the Power of Superstition.
IF what travellers tell us be true, the constitution of a nation of Louisiana, called the Natches, is an exception to this. Their[1] chief disposes of the goods of all his subjects, and makes them labour according to his pleasure. He has a power like that of the grand signor, and they cannot even refuse him their heads. \Vhen the presumptive heir enters into the world, they give him all the sucking children to serve him during his life. One would imagine that this is the great Sesostris. He is treated in his cabin, with as much ceremony as an emperor of Japan or China.
The prejudices of superstition are superior to all other prejudices, and its reasons to all other reasons. Thus, though the savage nations have naturally no knowledge of despotic tyranny, yet this people feel it. They adore the sun , and if their chief had not imagined that he was the brother of this glorious luminary, they would have thought him a miserable wretch like themselves.
CHAP. XIX.
Of the Liberty of the Arabs, and the Servitude of the Tartars.
THE Arabs and Tartars are nations of herdsmen and shepherds. The Arabs find them-
- ↑ Edifying letters, 20th Collect.
