Necessity of composing Laws in a
proper Manner. The law of ostracism was established at Athens, at
Argos,
[6]
and at Syracuse. At Syracuse it was productive of a thousand
mischiefs, because it was imprudently enacted. The principal citizens
banished one another by holding the leaf of a fig-tree in their hands,
so that those who had any kind of merit withdrew from public affairs.
[7]
At Athens, where the legislator was sensible of the proper extent and
limits of his law, ostracism proved an admirable regulation. They never
condemned more than one person at a time; and such a number of suffrages
were requisite for passing this sentence that it was extremely difficult
for them to banish aperson whose absence was not necessary to the
state.
[8]
The power of banishing was exercised only every fifth year: and
indeed, as the ostracism was designed against none but great personages
who threatened the state with danger, it ought not to have been the
transaction of every day.
