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The Purple Path  by Dreamflower 2 Review(s)
KathyGReviewed Chapter: 14 on 1/26/2024
You know, it occurs to me that your three "Concerning the Shire" essays would go nicely in your "Dreamflower's Musings"! Why don't you transfer the essays there?

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 14 on 3/17/2017
A good idea of how the Shire was divided and constituted, and much in line with my own ideas, although I do tend to be more of a "one man, one vote" person. I do tend to add administrational duties to those of the Mayor, making him the one who oversees most registration of various contracts, wills, deeds, and so on, as well as being Head Shirriff--at least until Lotho sought to usurp that last office.

Author Reply: Yes, there were administrative duties, but traditionally they aren't very onerous. It wasn't until after the War that the duties became quite so difficult!

I thought it over a lot before I decided against "one hobbit, one vote", mainly because of the very clannish nature of their race. Most individuals would rather have left such decisions up to the Family Head, rather than deal with it themselves. And truthfully, that's how early democracy operated: only those of a certain status could vote. Even in the early days of our own country, only landowners could vote. I really think Head of the Family is more democratic than that!

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