speaking from the viewpoint of the problem of transmission of power,
that the superiority of the monarchical system over the republican
system is seen in the law of succession,--that is the eldest son of
the ruler should succeed to the throne.

Leaving out the nations of ancient times, the majority of countries
in Europe and Asia have adopted the monarchical system. There are,
however, exceptions such as _Wen-ni-shih_ (Venice) and Switzerland,
which adopted the republican form of government; but they are in the
minority while most of the great nations of the world have adopted
the monarchical form of government.

During the recent century and a half the attitude of Europe has
undergone a sudden change and the general tendency is to discredit
monarchism and adopt republicanism. The one great European power
which first attempted to make a trial of republicanism is Great
Britain. In the Seventeenth Century a revolution broke out in
England and King Charles I. was condemned to death by Parliament and
executed as a traitor to the nation. A republic was established and
the administration was called republican with Cromwell as regent,
_i.e._ President. Cromwell was able to control the power of
government because at the head of the revolutionary army he defeated
the King. This English republic, however, only existed for a few
years and was finally defeated in turn. The reason was that the
problem of succession after the death of Cromwell was difficult to
solve. Cromwell had a desire to place his son in his place as regent
after his death, but as the English people were then unsuited for a
republic and his son had not the ability to act as chief executive,
the republic of England suddenly disappeared. The British people
then abandoned the republican system and readopted the monarchical
system. Thus Charles II., the son of Charles I., was made King not
only with the support of the army but also with the general consent
of the country.

The second European race which attempted to have a republic was the
American. In the Eighteenth Century the United States of America was
established in consequence of the success of a revolution. But the
American revolution was not at first intended to overthrow the
monarchy. What it sought to do was to throw off the yoke of the
monarchy and become