h is formed
by a plane at right angles to the axis of the cone; and the simplest
circle is that formed by a plane passing through the apex of the cone.
All this is simple mathematics; and let beginners consult more
elementary treatises than this one to satisfy themselves on these
points. But if they will assume these things to be true, they will know
quite enough for our present purpose. The simplest conic section of all
has been proved to be a _point_. Now, this represents the simplest and
original form of society, a _single family_. 'It is not good for man to
be alone' was the first observation made by the wise Creator upon the
rational creature whom He had introduced into Paradise as its lord.
Marriage is the rudiment of all social life, from which all others
spring, out of which all others are developed. Around the parents'
knees soon cluster a group of children, and in their relation to each
other we discern the earliest forms of law and discipline--the bonds by
which society is held together. When the children grow up, separate
households are formed; and then the multiplication of families, the
congregating of men together for purposes of security and mutual
advantages in division of labour; and thus is gradually formed a state,
which is only the development of the family--the king representing the
parent, and ruling on the same principle.

Mathematically speaking, our plane no longer passes through the apex.
The point represented the single family; but keeping the plane
horizontal, we move it along the axis, the sections will become
_circles_, which represent mathematically the next simplest form of
society, where the centre is the seat of government, which is connected
with each individual member of the social circle by equal radii. The
social property of a circle is that of a monarchical government in its
purest and simplest form. The larger the circle becomes (_i.e._, the
further you move the plane from the apex), the greater the distance
between the individual and the monarch. Therefore, the more independent
the monarchy becomes, and the less influence do individuals possess over
the ruling power. Hence, we may infer that as years roll on, the
government will become more despotic; but the stability of the country
diminished, and probably some individual particle, when sufficiently
withdrawn from the attraction of the central head, will begin to revolve
on its own account, and spontaneously generate a governme