259 on manufactures and agriculture. Dec. 19. 
its territory, and the extent of its population have 
increased to a degree, of which we in Europe can 
have no adequate conception. During the continu- 
ance of its progrefs, the mighty empires of the 
Afsyrians, Medes, Persians, Babylonians, Greeks, 
Carthagenians, and Romans, have been succefsive- 
ly swallowed up by each other; not to mention those 
swarms of ephemera states that have sprung from 
the ruins of the last, and fluttered a few hours in 
a transient day, and then been swept from off 
the stage, without leaving almost the memory of 
them behind, While these mighty states have suc- 
cefsively sprung up and disappeared, this singular 
nation alone has continued to augment in vigour and 
in strength. We, it is true, condemn its policy as 
unwise; but if wisdom consists in warding off ca- 
lamities, and promoting the happinefs of the hu- 
man race, with what injustice can we brand them 
with that opprobrious epithet ? Had all the nations 
above mentioned, which we dignify with the epi- 
thets of enlightened and heroic people,—had they 
all, I say, adhered to a similar policy to that of the 
Chinese, what wars, devastations, mafsacres, and 
bloodfhed, would have been prevented? how many 
myriads of widows, whose hearts have been torn 
with anguifh, might have enjoyed life with tranquil- 
lity, and resigned their souls in peace? how many 
orphans that have been exposed to the miseries that 
unprotected youth is liable to, would have been bred 
up to industry and happinefs.? what an infinite 
number of barbarous atrocities, at the bare recital 
of which the heart fhrinks into itself with’ horror, 
