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finish their own fortifications on the Isthmus； they attempted to take
advantage of the distress to which exertions in their cause had reduced
their preservers； in order to make them their slaves； they strove to prevent
those who had abandoned their walls to defend them； from rebuilding
them to defend themselves； they commenced the Peloponnesian war in
violation of their engagements with Athens； they abandoned it in violation
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of their engagements with their allies； they gave up to the sword whole
cities which had placed themselves under their protection； they bartered；
for advantages confined to themselves； the interest； the freedom； and the
lives of those who had served them most faithfully； they took with equal
complacency； and equal infamy； the stripes of Elis and the bribes of Persia；
they never showed either resentment or gratitude； they abstained from no
injury； and they revenged none。 Above all； they looked on a citizen who
served them well as their deadliest enemy。 These are the arts which
protract the existence of government。
Nor were the domestic institutions of Lacedaemon less hateful or less
contemptible than her foreign policy。 A perpetual interference with every
part of the system of human life； a constant struggle against nature and
reason； characterised all her laws。 To violate even prejudices which have
taken deep root in the minds of a people is scarcely expedient； to think of
extirpating natural appetites and passions is frantic： the external
symptoms may be occasionally repressed； but the feeling still exists； and；
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 w