ota being thus created, shall be signed,

"DICTATOR OCEANAE."

This order of instructions to the councils being (as in a matter of that
nature is requisite) very large, I have used my best skill to abbreviate
it in such manner as might show no more of it than is necessary to the
understanding of the whole, though as to the parts, or further duties
of the councils, I have omitted many things of singular use in a
commonwealth. But it was discoursed at the council by the Archon in this
manner:

"MY LORDS, THE LEGISLATORS:

"Your councils, except the Dictator only, are proper and native springs
and sources, you see, which (hanging a few sticks and straws, that, as
less considerable, would otherwise be more troublesome, upon the banks
of their peculiar channels) derive the full stream of business into the
Senate, so pure, and so far from the possibility of being troubled
or stained (as will Undeniably appear by the course contained in the
ensuing order) with any kind of private interest or partiality, that
it shall never be possible for any assembly hearkening to the advice or
information of this or that worthy member (either instructed upon his
pillow, or while he was making himself ready, or by the petition or
ticket which he received at the door) to have half the security in
his faith, or advantage by his wisdom; such a Senate or council being,
through the uncertainty of the winds, like a wave of the sea. Nor
shall it otherwise mend the matter by flowing up into dry ditches, or
referring businesses to be better examined by committees, than to go
further about with it to less purpose; if it does not ebb back again
with the more mud in it. For in a case referred to an occasional
committee, of which any member that is desirous may get himself named,
and to which nobody will come but either for the sake of his friend or
his own interest; it fares little better as to the information of the
Senate, than if it had been referred to the parties. Wherefore the
Athenians being distributed into four tribes, out of which by equal
numbers they annually chose 400 men, called the Senate of the Bean,
because the ballot at their election was performed by the use of beans,
divided them by fifties into eight parts. And every fifty in their turn,
for one-eighth part of the year, was a council apart called the Prytans.

"The Prytans in their distinct council receiving all comers, and
giving ear to every man