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CONSTITUTIONS OF THE GRECIAN STATES.have been exceptions, and we find in history examples, bothwithin and without Greece, where such states have beenadministered with moderation and wisdom. But more frequently experience has shown the contraryresult. Theprecautions taken against this evil by the Grecians, werethe same with those adopted inmany of the German imperial towns ; persons connected by blood, as father and son,or several brothers, could not at the same time be magistrates. 1Connexions by marriage are no where said to haveexcluded from office ;on the contrary,it would be easier tofind examples of brothers-in-law filling magistraciesat thesame time. 2Most of the magistrates were chosen annually ; many forbut half3a year. This frequent renewal had its advantages,and also its evils. It is the strongest pillarof the ruleof the people ;which isby nothing so much confirmed, asby the frequent exercise of the right of election. This wasthe point of view taken by the politicians of Greece, whenthey considered the authority of the people to reside in theelections. 4 That these frequent elections did not tend topreserve internal tranquillity, is easy to be perceived. Buton the other side, the philosopher of Stagira has not failedto remark, that the permanent possession of magistracies5might have led to discontent.An enumeration of the different magistracies usual amongthe Greeks, is not required by our purpose ;neither wouldit be possible, as our acquaintance with the several constitutions of the cities is incrediblyThe limited.6 little that weknow of the regulationsin the individual states, especiallyin Athens, proves that the number of such offices was veryconsiderable; and the same appears from the classification,which Aristotle has attempted to make of them. 7Their duties are commonly indicated by their names ;but theseagain were entirely different in the various cities, even incases where the duties were the same. The Cosmi were inCrete what the Ephori were in Sparta. Most of the cities1It was so in Massilia and in Cnidus. Aristot. Polit. v. 6.2As Agesilaus and Pisander in Sparta.a Aristot. Polit. iv. 15.4Thucyd.viii. 89.G See Tittaan on the Grecian Constitutions.7See the instructive passage, Polit. iv. 15.5 Aristot. Polit ti. 5.