THE OPEN QUESTION by Gilbert Meilaender Jr.

Boswell has recorded for us the following observation of Dr. Johnson:

I am clear that the best plan, for the government of India is a despotick governour; for ifhebea good man, it is evidently the best government; and supposing him to be a bad man, it is better to have one plunderer than many. A governour whose power is checked, lets others plunder, that he himself may be allowed to plunder; but if despotick, he sees that the more he lets others plunder, the less there will be for himself, so he restrains them; and though he himself plunders, the country is a gainer, compared with being plundered by numbers.

Boswell has recorded for us the following observation of Dr. Johnson:

I am clear that the best plan, for the government of India is a despotick governour; for ifhebea good man, it is evidently the best government; and supposing him to be a bad man, it is better to have one plunderer than many. A governour whose power is checked, lets others plunder, that he himself may be allowed to plunder; but if despotick, he sees that the more he lets others plunder, the less there will be for himself, so he restrains them; and though he himself plunders, the country is a gainer, compared with being plundered by numbers.