system it will be necessary to speak
at some length. It was the first, and probably the best, instance of
that form of government which, taking its name from the Persian word
for provincial ruler, is known generally as the system of "satrapial"
administration. Its main principles were, in the first place, the
reduction of the whole Empire to a quasi-uniformity by the substitution
of one mode of governing for several; secondly, the substitution of
fixed and definite burthens on the subject in lieu of variable and
uncertain calls; and thirdly, the establishment of a variety of checks
and counterpoises among the officials to whom it was necessary that the
crown should delegate its powers, which tended greatly to the security
of the monarch and the stability of the kingdom. A consideration of the
modes in which these three principles were applied will bring before us
in a convenient form the chief points of the system.

Uniformity, or a near approach to it, was produced, not so much by the
abolition of differences as by superadding one and the same governmental
machinery in all parts of the Empire. It is an essential feature of
the satrapial system that it does not aim at destroying differences, or
assimilating to one type the various races and countries over which
it is extended. On the contrary, it allows, and indeed encourages, the
several nations to retain their languages, habits, manners, religion,
laws, and modes of local government. Only it takes care to place above
all these things a paramount state authority, which is one and the same
everywhere, whereon the unity of the kingdom is dependent. The authority
instituted by Darius was that of his satraps. He divided the whole
empire into a number of separate governments--a number which must have
varied at different times, but which seems never to have fallen short
of twenty. Over each government he placed a satrap, or supreme civil
governor, charged with the collection and transmission of the revenue,
the administration of justice, the maintenance of order, and the general
supervision of the territory. These satraps were nominated by the king
at his pleasure from any class of his subjects, and held office for no
definite term, but simply until recalled, being liable to deprivation
or death at any moment, without other formality than the presentation
of the royal firman. While, however, they remained in office they were
despotic--they represented the Great King, and were