5a STUDIES OF NATURE. 



timeiits, (he conquered the Earth ; but flie was 

 juft only to her own people; it was by her injuf- 

 tice to other men, that (lie became weak and un- 

 happy. Her conquefts filled her with flaves, who, 

 under Spartacm^ brought her to the brink of de- 

 flruftion, and which decided her fate at laft by 

 the arms of corruption, much more formidable: 

 than thofe of war. By the vices and the flatteries 

 of the Grecian and Afiatic flaves at Rome, were 

 formed within her bofom the CaiilhieSj the Cefars, 

 the Neros ; and while their voice was corrupting 

 the mafters of the World, that of the Goths, the 

 Cimbri, the Teutones, the Gauls, the Allobroges, 

 the Vandals, the companions of their lor, was 

 inviting their compatriots from the North and, 

 from the Eaft, who at length levelled the glory of 

 Rome with the duft. 



Modern Governments exhibit a fimilar re-ac- 

 tion of equity and felicity, of injuftice and mis- 

 fortune. In Holland, where the People may 

 afpire to every thing, abundance pervades the 

 whole States, good order prevails in the cities, 

 fidelity in wedlock, tranquility in all minds ; dif- 

 putes and law-fuits are rare in that country, be- 

 caufe every one is content. Few European Na- 

 tions poffefs a territory fo contra6led, and no one 

 has extended her power fo far : her riches are im- 

 menfe : flie mainiained fingly fuccefsful^war againft 



Spain 



