[Sidenote: By reason of the unsettledness of the laws:] 13. It follows hence, that when the legislative power resides in such convents as these, the laws must needs be inconstant; and change, not according to the alteration of the state of affairs, nor according to the changeableness of men’s minds, but as the major part, now of this, then of that _faction_, do convene. Insomuch as the laws do float here and there, as it were upon the waters. [Sidenote: For want of secrecy.] 14. In the fourth place, the counsels of great assemblies have this inconvenience; that whereas it is oft of great consequence that they should be kept secret, they are for the most part discovered to the enemy before they can be brought to any effect; and their power and will is as soon known abroad, as to the _people_ itself commanding at home. [Sidenote: These inconveniences do adhere to democracy, forasmuch as men are naturally delighted with an opinion of wit.] 15. These inconveniences, which are found in the deliberations of great assemblies, do so far forth evince _monarchy_ to be better than _democracy_, as in _democracy_ affairs of great consequence are oftener trusted to be discussed by such like committees, than in a _monarchy_. Neither can it easily be done otherwise. For there is no reason why every man should not naturally mind his _own private_, than the _public_ business, but that here he sees a means to declare his eloquence, whereby he may gain the reputation of being ingenious and wise, and returning home to his friends, to his parents, to his wife and children, rejoice and triumph in the applause of his dexterous behaviour. As of old, all the delight Marcus Coriolanus had in his warlike actions, was to see his praises so well pleasing to his mother. But if the _people_ in a democracy would bestow the power of deliberating in matters of war and peace, either on one, or some very few, being content with the nomination of magistrates and public ministers, that is to say, with the authority without the ministration; then it must be confessed, that in this particular _democracy_ and _monarchy_ would be equal. [Sidenote: The inconveniences of government proceeding from a king who is a child.]