My blood boils when
I am told that a merchant durst not enjoy his honest gains for fear
of losing them by the rapacity of power. Name the governor who
robbed the people that I may declare his crimes to the Emperor!"
"Sir," said Imlac, "your ardour is the natural effect of virtue
animated by youth. The time will come when you will acquit your
father, and perhaps hear with less impatience of the governor.
Oppression is, in the Abyssinian dominions, neither frequent nor
tolerated; but no form of government has been yet discovered by
which cruelty can be wholly prevented. Subordination supposes
power on one part and subjection on the other; and if power be in
the hands of men it will sometimes be abused. The vigilance of the
supreme magistrate may do much, but much will still remain undone.
He can never know all the crimes that are committed, and can seldom
punish all that he knows."
"This," said the Prince, "I do not understand; but I had rather
hear thee than dispute. Continue thy narration."
"My father," proceeded Imlac, "originally intended that I should
have no other education than such as might qualify me for commerce;
and discovering in me great strength of memory and quickness of
apprehension, often declared his hope that I should be some time
the richest man in Abyssinia.
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