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Why, that the human race, savage, and scattered in forests,

gathers together, collects, unites for common defence, and

considers it; that is its first consultation. Then each lays

aside a part of his own liberty for the common good; that is the

first foundation, from which, as from a spring, flow all laws. We

see then that government is created by agreement, and does not

proceed, as men erroneously hold, from the will of God. Thus,

since government rests upon the social contract, the division of

power is only its necessary consequence."

"So there you are at contracts! Do you mean those of Kiev or of

Minsk?"132 said old Maciej. "You must mean the Babin

government!133 Pan Buchmann, whether God or the devil chose to

cast the Tsar upon us I will not dispute with Your Honour; Pan

Buchmann, tell us, please, how to cast off the Tsar."