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The caufe, indeed, befides the diflipation 

 already mentioned, may be traced as far back 

 as the time of the crufades themfelves, when 

 the view of eaftern magnificence firft infpired 

 the Europeans with a defire of running hither 

 and thither in queft of luxuries and finery. 

 No fooner was this idea entertained than the 

 invention of the mariner's compafs put it ia 

 the power of mankind to gratify their wan- 

 dering inclinations, and Africa firft, and af- 

 terwards the Eaft and Weft Indies quickly be- 

 came receptacles for crouds of adventurers 

 from all nations in Europe. Thus, the atten- 

 tion of mankind was drawn from the improve- 

 ment of their own country, towards the im- 

 portation of commodities of which the diftance 

 from whence they were brought very often 

 conftituted the greateft value ; and thus, to 

 the prefent day, every European nation has 

 continued, like the daw in the fable, to drefs 

 herfelf in borrowed plumes ; without confider- 

 ing, that, thefe being very liable to a removal, 

 may foon leave them naked and deftitute, even 

 of what they might other wife poflefs. 



It is evident, therefore, that before any 

 nation attempts either foreign trade, or fo- 

 reign conqueft, the territory properly be- 

 longing 



