§. 75. Thus it was easy and almost natural for children, by a tacit and almost
natural consent, to make way for the father's authority and government. They
had been accustomed in their childhood to follow his direction, and to refer
their little differences to him; and when they were men, who was fitter to rule
them? Their little properties and less covetousness seldom afforded greater
controversies; and when any should arise, where could they have a fitter umpire
than he, by whose care they had every one been sustained and brought up. and
who had a tenderness for them all? It is no wonder that they made no
distinction betwixt minority and full age, nor looked after one-and-twenty, or
any other age, that might make them the free disposers of themselves and
fortunes, when they could have no desire to be out of their pupilage. The
government they had been under during it continued still to be more their
protection than restraint; and they could nowhere find a greater security to
their peace, liberties, and fortunes than in the rule of a father.
