pursuant to the sentiments of that profound, but
corrupt politician Machiavel, who advises
any one who would change the constitution of a state
to keep as much as possible to the old forms; for then the people seeing the same officers, the
same formalities, courts of justice and other outward appearances, are insensible of the alteration,
and believe themselves in possession of their old government.
Thus Caesar, when he seized the
Roman liberties, caused himself to be chosen dictator (which was an ancient office), continued
the senate, the consuls, the tribunes, the censors, and all other offices and forms of the
commonwealth; and yet changed Rome from the most free, to the most tyrannical government in
the world. . . .
