Solomon Maimon

Excerpt from Solomon Maimon

The inhabitants Of Poland may be conveniently divided into Six classes or orders  the superior nobility, the inferior nobility, the half-noble, burghers, peasantry and Jews. The superior nobility consist Of the great landowners and administrators Of the high Offices Of government. The inferior nobility also are allowed to own land and to fill any political Office but they are prevented from doing so by their poverty. The half-noble can neither own land, nor fill any high Office in the State; and by this he is distinguished from the genuine noble. Here and there, it is true, he owns land; but for that he is in some measure dependent on the lord Of the soil, within whose estate his property lies, inasmuch as he is required to pay him a yearly tribute.