602 LETTERS ON POLITICS

mad, will give authority in the choice chiefly to those who have already given proof of superior sagacity. Observe, the geologist can prove to his three partners that he does know gold from firestone. This proof they must require of him before they allow him to act. He cannot impart to them his knowledge or his experience, but he can easily prove to them that he possesses it. He can tell them that in this or that spot they will find treasure, or that this and that appearance of treasure is deceptive. And they can test his assertions before they trust him in the great assertion which they cannot test, the probable productiveness of a large district.

§ 12. In like manner there are tests of men’s sagacity which may at once justify a nation in making those men electors of others, though there is no test of sagacity which will enable a nation at once to fix on the men fittest to act for it and think for it in Parliament. I do not say infallible tests; but evidences, assuredly in the long run indicative of the best men. The first and most natural is age. Much of the misery and evil of Continental systems of policy arises from the absurd weight attached to the acts and opinions of young men. I believe the chief error of Continental nations at present is Rehoboam’s,¹ and that it is one of the soonest punished, because one of the most ridiculous errors that men can possibly commit. The second most natural test is wealth. Many a foolish man indeed is wealthy, and many a wise one poor, but in the long run, wealth is an important index of three qualities-sagacity, economy, and method-all of them of much importance in electors, and this without taking into account that a rich man has commonly most interest in the prosperity of the country. The third test is position, and the fourth, education. Position, that is to say, of authority, for the attainment of which certain more or less eminent

¹ [1 Kings xii. 8: “But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men.”]

[Version 0.04: March 2008]