The Origin of the Distinction of Ranks. John Millar

       ORIGIN

       OF THE

       DISTINCTION OF RANKS:

       OR,

       AN INQUIRY INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES

       WHICH GIVE RISE TO

       INFLUENCE AND AUTHORITY,

       IN THE

       DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

      BY JOHN MILLAR, ESQ.

      PROFESSOR OF LAW IN THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW.

      THE FOURTH EDITION, CORRECTED.

      TO WHICH IS PREFIXED,

       AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF THE AUTHOR,

      BY JOHN CRAIG, ESQ.

      EDINBURGH:

      PRINTED FOR WILLIAM BLACKWOOD, SOUTH-BRIDGE STREET;

      AND

      LONGMAN, HURST, REES, & ORME, PATERNOSTER-ROW,

      LONDON.

      1806.

      G. CAW, PRINTER, EDINBURGH.

      TO

      JOHN YOUNG, ESQUIRE,¹ PROFESSOR OF GREEK IN THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW.

      MY DEAR SIR,

      In presenting you with a Memoir on the Life of our late excellent Friend, Mr. Millar, I submit it to the person who, from long and familiar intercourse with him, will most readily perceive any misconceptions of his real character, or inaccuracies in the representation of his opinions.

      I am fully aware of the difficulty of delineating a character such as Mr. Millar’s, and I am not insensible of the danger of failing in a species of composition in which some late writings have accustomed the Public to the union, in an uncommon degree, of Philosophy and Taste; but I could<iv> not be deterred by any selfish regard to my own reputation, from making that attempt, for which, in the opinion of our mutual friends, my intimacy with Mr. Millar, begun by our near connection, and continued by his kind indulgence, had afforded me peculiar advantages.

      I am, with the greatest regard,

      MY DEAR SIR,

      Your most obedient Servant,

      JOHN CRAIG.

      GLASGOW, February, 1806. <v>

      CONTENTS²

ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF THE AUTHOR

       INTRODUCTION

       CHAPTER I.

       OF THE RANK AND CONDITION OF WOMEN IN DIFFERENT AGES.

       SECT. I. The effects of poverty and barbarism, with respect to the condition of women

       SECT. II. The influence acquired by the mother of a family, before marriage is completely established

       SECT. III. The refinement of the passions of sex, in the pastoral ages

       SECT. IV. The consequences of the introduction of agriculture, with respect to the intercourse of the sexes

       SECT. V. Changes in the condition of women, arising from the improvement of useful arts and manufactures<vi>

       SECT. VI. The effects of great opulence, and the culture of the elegant arts, upon the relative condition of the sexes

       CHAPTER II.

       OF THE JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY OF A FATHER OVER HIS CHILDREN.

       SECT. I. The power of a father in early ages

       SECT. II. The influence of the improvement of arts upon the jurisdiction of the father

       CHAPTER III.

       THE AUTHORITY OF A CHIEF OVER THE MEMBERS OF A TRIBE OR VILLAGE.

       SECT. I. The origin of a chief, and the degrees of influence which he is enabled to acquire

       SECT. II. The powers with which the chief of a rude tribe is commonly invested<vii>

       CHAPTER IV.

       THE AUTHORITY OF A SOVEREIGN, AND OF SUBORDINATE OFFICERS, OVER A SOCIETY COMPOSED OF DIFFERENT TRIBES OR VILLAGES.

       SECT. I. The constitution of government arising from the union of different tribes or villages

       SECT. II. The natural progress of government in a rude kingdom

       CHAPTER V.

       THE CHANGES PRODUCED IN THE GOVERNMENT OF A PEOPLE, BY THEIR PROGRESS IN ARTS, AND IN POLISHED MANNERS.

       SECT. I. Circumstances, in a polished nation, which tend to increase the power of the sovereign

       SECT. II. Other circumstances, which contribute to advance the privileges of the people

       SECT. III. Result of the opposition between these different principles<viii>