exalted the Sovereign as much above them as he himself affected in all
Things to appear beneath him.

This Management soon brought upon him the Hatred of the whole Nation;
but notwithstanding such a declared and general Hatred, he was succeeded
by another _Mollak_. He had the same Views as his Predecessor, tho' he
acted on different Maxims. And the former having succeeded in reducing
the first Order nearer the second, he was for bringing them both to an
Equality, and raising the third to a Level with them, by making all
Employments and Dignities venial; and, without any Regard to Merit,
constantly bestowing them on the highest Bidder. Thus, as the same Posts
and Honours were equally attainable by the Citizen and Gentleman, there
was no material Distinction betwixt them. The Government which had
flourished as Monarchical, was become an absolute Despotism. And whereas
the King in all important Transactions, was dependant on the Assembly of
the States, who were look'd upon as the Defenders and Interpreters of
the Laws; both Laws and States were now only mere Phantoms, which he
could raise or annihilate at his Pleasure. It is true, that this has
made the King of the _Kofirans_ the most powerful Monarch in the
Universe; but perhaps, it also makes the People the most miserable;
tho' an abject Veneration for their Kings will not permit them to own
their Slavery, or lament their Grievances.

In order to the better Understanding of what I shall relate concerning
this Monarchy, it will not be an useless Digression to say something of
its Foundation, and gradual Increase to that Pitch of Glory to which it
was raised by the King who proceeded _Zeokinizul_.

I am apt to believe, that when the divine Missionary offered up Paradise
to Men, as the Reward of their Belief and Obedience, he drew his Idea