BOOK III PART II
ceeded him upon the same title. Nothing is
more usual, though nothing may, at first sight,
appear more unreasonable, than this way of
thinking. Princes often seem to acquire a right
from their successors, as well as from their an-
cestors; and a king, who during his life-time
might justly be deemed an usurper, will be
regarded by posterity as a lawful prince, be-
cause he has had the good fortune to settle
his family on the throne, and entirely change
the antient form of government. Julius Cae-
sar is regarded as the first Roman emperor;
while Sylla and Marius, whose titles were re-
ally the same as his, are treated as tyrants and
usurpers. Time and custom give authority to
all forms of government, and all successions
of princes; and that power, which at first was
founded only on injustice and violence, be-
comes in time legal and obligatory. Nor does