There can be such a magistrate only under despotic government. We see in Roman history to what extent a single judge can abuse his power. How could Appius in his tribunal not have scoffed at the laws, since he violated even the one he had made ? [1] Livy tells us of the unjust distinction of the decemvir : he had suborned a man who claimed Virginia as his slave before him ; Virginia’s family petitioned him by virtue of his law to return her to them pending the definitive judgment. He declared that his law had been made only for the father’s benefit, and that in the absence of Virginius it could not apply. [2]