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following sketch, by way of example, for supplying it, under the 

 title of the Military Statesman, or the Doctrine of Extending 

 the Bounds of Empire. 



THE MILITARY STATESMAN; 

 Or, a Specimen of the Doctrine of Enlarging the Bounds of Empire 



The saying of Themistocles, if applied to himself, was indecent and 

 haughty; but if meant in general, contains a very prudent observation, 

 and as grave a censure. Being asked, at a feast, to touch a lute, he 

 answered, " He could not fiddle; but he could raise a small village to 

 a great city."^ Which words, if taken in a political sense, excellently 

 describe and distinguish two very different faculties in those who are 

 at the helm of states. For upon an exact survey, we shall find some, 

 though but very few, that, being raised to the council-board, the sen- 

 ate, or other public office, can enlarge a small state, or city, and yet 

 have little skill in music; but many more, who, having a good hand 

 upon the harp, or the lute, that is, at the trifles of a court, are so far 

 from enlarging a state, that they rather seem designed by nature to 

 overturn and ruin it, though ever so happy and flourishing. And, in- 

 deed, those base arts and tricks by which many counsellors and men 

 of great place procure the favor of their sovereign, and a popular char- 

 acter, deserve no other name than a certain knack of fiddling; as being 

 things more pleasing for the present, and more ornamental to the 

 practitioner, than useful, and suited to enlarge the bounds, or increase 

 the riches of the state, whereof they are ministers. Again, there are, 

 doubtless, counsellors and governors, who, though equal to business, 

 and of no contemptible abilities, may commodiously manage things 

 so as to preserve them from manifest precipices and inconveniences, 

 though they by no means have the creative power of building and ex- 

 tending an empire. But whatever the workmen be, let us regard the 

 work itself; viz., what is to be deemed the true extent of kingdoms 

 and republics, and by what means this may be procured a subject well 

 deserving to lie continually before princes, for their diligent medita- 

 tion; lest, by over-rating their own strength, they should rashly engage 

 in too difficult and vain enterprises, or, thinking too meanly of their 

 power, submit to timorous and effeminate counsels. 



The greatness of an empire, in point of bulk and territory, is subject 

 to mensuration, and for its revenue, to calculation. The number of 

 inhabitants may be known by valuation or tax, and the number and 

 extent of cities and towns, by survey and maps; yet in all civil affairs 

 there is not a thing more liable to error than the making a true and 

 intrinsic estimate of the strength and riches of a state. The kingdom 

 of heaven is compared, not to an acorn, or any large nut, but to a grain 

 of mustard-seed; which, though one of the least grains, has in it a 

 certain quick property, and native spirit, whereby it rises soon, and 

 spreads itself wide: so some states of very large compass are little 

 suited to extend their limits, or procure a wider command, whilst oth- 



