( 4 ) 



themfelves great, only in confequence of the 

 quantity of filver they could extract from the 

 Spanilh mines, the eftates they could boaft of 

 in that country, or the money they could pro- 

 cure by means of trade. In thefe early ages, 

 the kingdom of Spain abounded with filver 

 mines, perhaps equal to any of thofe in the 

 new world, but, which were quickly exhauft- 

 ed, by the infatiable avarice of the Cartha- 

 ginians and Romans. To thefe things, there- 

 fore, they applied themfelves, leaving the 

 brave general to fhift for himfelf, and, at laft, 

 to fail in the conqueft of a country where he 

 had remained for 17 years, in defiance of the 

 moft warlike nation in the world, and, in 

 oppofition to the beft commanders they could 

 produce againft him. So fenfible, indeed, 

 was Hannibal of the neceffity of agriculture, 

 that, even while in Italy, he fometimes em- 

 ployed his men in planting olive trees, and, 

 when he returned to Carthage, did every 

 thing in his power to encourage and promote 

 that moft ufeful art. 



During the long traft of time, in which 

 agriculture was the principal occupation of 

 mankind in time of peace, and commerce but 



little 



