22 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



It is farther to be remarked, that thofe lingular 

 friendfhips have ever been aflbciated with virtuous 

 and heroic actions ; but whenever the union com- 

 prehended more perfons than two, it was fpeedily 

 diffolved by difcord, or, if permitted to fubfift for 

 any length of time, became famous only for the 

 mifchief which it brought on Mankind : fuch was 

 that of the triumvirate among the Romans. In 

 cafes when the affociates, in fuch alliances, were 

 flill more numerous, the mifchief which they did 

 was always in proportion to the greatnefs of the 

 number of which they confided. Thus, the ty- 

 ranny of the Decemviri at Rome exhibited a vio- 

 lence dill more cruel than that of the Triumviri, 

 for it fpread deftruct.ion, we may venture to fay, 

 without paflîon, and in cold blood. 



There are, likewife, triummillvirates, and de- 

 cemmillvirates : thefe are your various defcriptions 

 of Corps. With good reafon have they obtained 

 the appellation of Corps ; for they frequently have 

 a centre diftinct from their Country, of which they 

 ought only to be members. They have, likewife, 

 views diftinct from thofe of their Country, a di- 

 flinc~t ambition, and diftincr. interefts. They are, 

 with relation to the reft; of the citizens, inconftant, 

 detached, deftitute of an object, and frequently 

 deftitute alfo, of the fpirit of patriotifm : that, in 



a word, 



