APPENDIX 3: Millar’s “Lectures on Government” - John Millar, The Origin of the Distinction of Ranks [1771]
Edition used:
The Origin of the Distinction of Ranks; or, An Inquiry into the Circumstances which give rise to Influence and Authority in the Different Members of Society, edited and with an Introduction by Aaron Garrett (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2006).
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- Introduction
- A Note On the Text
- Acknowledgments
- To John Young, Esquire,1professor of Greek In the University of Glasgow.
- Account of the Life and Writings of John Millar, Esq.
- The Origin of the Distinction of Ranks.
- Introduction
- Chapter I: Of the Rank and Condition of Women In Different Ages
- Section I: The Effects of Poverty and Barbarism, With Respect to the Condition of Women.
- Section II: The Influence Acquired By the Mother of a Family, Before Marriage Is Completely Established.
- Section III: The Refinement of the Passions of Sex, In the Pastoral Ages.
- Section IV: The Consequences of the Introduction of Agriculture, With Respect to the Intercourse of the Sexes.
- Section V: Changes In the Condition of Women, Arising From the Improvement of Useful Arts and Manufactures.
- Section VI: The Effects of Great Opulence, and the Culture of the Elegant Arts, Upon the Relative Condition of the Sexes.
- Chapter II: Of the Jurisdiction and Authority of a Father Over His Children
- Section I: The Power of a Father In Early Ages.
- Section II: The Influence of the Improvement of Arts Upon the Jurisdiction of the Father.
- Chapter III: The Authority of a Chief Over the Members of a Tribe Or Village
- Section I: The Origin of a Chief, and the Degrees of Influence Which He Is Enabled to Acquire.
- Section II: The Powers With Which the Chief of a Rude Tribe Is Commonly Invested.
- Chapter IV: The Authority of a Sovereign, and of Subordinate Officers, Over a Society Composed of Different Tribes Or Villages
- Section I: The Constitution of Government Arising From the Union of Different Tribes Or Villages.
- Section II: The Natural Progress of Government In a Rude Kingdom.
- Chapter V: The Changes Produced In the Government of a People, By Their Progress In Arts, and In Polished Manners
- Section I: Circumstances, In a Polished Nation, Which Tend to Increase the Power of the Sovereign.
- Section II: Other Circumstances, Which Contribute to Advance the Privileges of the People.
- Section III: Result of the Opposition Between These Different Principles.
- Chapter VI: The Authority of a Master Over His Servants
- Section I: The Condition of Servants In the Primitive Ages of the World.
- Section II: The Usual Effects of Opulence and Civilized Manners, With Regard to the Treatment of Servants.
- Section III: Causes of the Freedom Acquired By the Labouring People In the Modern Nations of Europe.
- Section IV: Political Consequences of Slavery.
- Appendix 1: Note On the Editions
- Appendix 2: Millar’s Preface to the First Edition
- Appendix 3: Millar’s “lectures On Government”
- Bibliography
APPENDIX 3
Millar’s “Lectures on Government”
As mentioned in the Introduction to this volume, the Ranks grew out of Millar’s Lectures on Government. The university regularly published outlines of the courses. Below is the first section of the course in 1771, the year of publication of the Ranks. I have presented the first section of the 1771 course and the section headings of the succeeding topics in order that the reader might see the place of the Ranks in Millar’s system of teaching and its connection to the Historical View. I have followed the 1771 course with the corresponding sections of the course outline twenty years later to indicate how it had changed.
1.
A Course of Lectures on Government; Given Annually in the University. Glasgow. M.DCC.LXXI
Part I.
Of the Origin and Progress of Government in Society.
| Lecture 1. | The origin of influence and authority among mankind. |
| 2. | The primitive government of a family. |
| 3. | The government of a tribe or village of savages. |
| 4. | The progress of government among independent tribes of shepherds and husbandmen. |
| 5. | The government arising from the union of different tribes, or small societies. |
| 6. | Changes produced in the state of society by the improvement of arts, manufactures, and commerce. |
| 7. | Influence of these changes upon the government of a people. |
| 8. | — with regard to the provisions that are made for national defence. |
| 9. | — with regard to the distribution of justice. |
| 10. | — with regard to the exercise of the legislative power. |
| 11. | Remarks upon the decline of nations. |
Part II.
This subject illustrated from a view of particular Governments.
[Eighteen historical lectures on governments ranging from those of Athens, Sparta, and Rome to that of contemporary Scotland.]
Part III.
Present state of Government in Great Britain.
[Thirteen lectures on British government.]
2.
A Course of Lectures on Government; Given Annually in the University.
By John Millar,
Professor of Law.
Glasgow 1792
Part I.
Of the Origin and Progress of Government in Society.
| Lecture 1. | Order of the following Lectures—General principles of government. |
| Lecture 2. | —Continuation of the same subject. |
| Lecture 3. | State of government among savages. |
| Lecture 4. | Advancement of political society in the pastoral ages. |
| Lecture 5. | Progressive improvements in government, arising from the introduction of agriculture—In a single independent tribe of husbandmen. |
| Lecture 6. | —In a rude nation, composed of different tribes. |
| Lecture 7. | Changes produced in the state of society, by the improvement of manufactures, commerce, and the liberal arts—Causes of this improvement—Principal steps in the advancement of manufactures—of commerce—of the liberal arts. |
| Lecture 8. | Effect of these changes upon the general state of society. |
| Lect. 9. | Influence of manufactures, commerce, and the arts, upon the intellectual improvements—and upon the morals of a people. |
| Lect. 10. | Their influence upon the manners, the temper, and the deportment of mankind. |
| Lect. 11. | In what manner the government of a people is affected by these changes. |
| Lect. 12. | Effect of these changes upon the different powers of government—The legislative, or supreme directing power. |
| Lect. 13. | —Upon the ministerial powers of government. |
| Lect. 14. | —Upon the establishments for the distribution of justice. |
| Lect 15. | Remarks upon the decline of nations. |
| Lect 16. | The same subject continued. |
Part II.
The History of Government illustrated from a view of the Constitution in particular contries.
[Twenty-one historical lectures on government.]
Part III.
Present state of Government in Great Britain.
[Fourteen lectures on British government.]
Titles (by Subject) 
