56 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



is the political vice which has undermined the 

 power of Portugal, and that of Spain ; and not 

 the monaftic fpirir, as fo many Writers have af- 

 ferted. The monkilh order was all-powerful from 

 the times of Ferdinand and ÎJabella. It was a Monk 

 Avho decided at Court, the expedition of Chrijlo- 

 pher Columbus in queft of a new World, the con- 

 queft of which quadrupled in Spain the number 

 of Gentlemen. Not a Spanifli foldier went over 

 to America, but gave himfelf out, on his arriva,! 

 there, for a man of family, and who, on his return 

 to Spain, with money in his pocket, did not make 

 good his title. The fame thing Ihewed itfelf 

 among the Portugueze, who made conquefts in 

 Afia. The military order, in both thefe Nations, 

 at that time performed prodigies, becaufe the ca- 

 reer of ambition, in feats of arms, was then open 

 to the commonalty. But ever fince it has been 

 Tout againft them, by the prodigious number of 

 gentlemen with which thefe two States abound, the 

 balance has turned in favour of the monaftic or- 

 der, and conferred upon it a tribunitial Power. 



However wonderful our political fpeculations 

 may reprefent the threefold counterbalancing 

 powers which conftitute the Government of Great 

 Britain, it is to the violent agitations of thofe 

 powers we muft afcribe the perpetual quarrels 

 which difturb her happinefs, and the venality 



which 



