ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 279 



marriage and inheritance, but also the right of suffrage, and of candi- 

 dature for places and honors.* And this not only to particular per- 

 sons; but they conferred it upon entire families, cities, and sometimes 

 whole nations at once. Add to this their custom of settling colonies, 

 whereby Roman roots were transplanted in foreign soil. And to con- 

 sider these two practices together, it might be said, that the Romans 

 did not spread themselves over the globe, but that the globe spread 

 itself over the Romans: which is the securest method of extending an 

 empire. I have often wondered how the Spanish government could 

 with so few natives inclose and curb so many kingdoms and provinces. 

 But Spain may be esteemed a sufficiently large trunk, as it contains a 

 much greater tract of country than either Rome or Sparta did at first. 

 And although the Spaniards are very sparing of naturalization, yet they 

 do what comes next to it: promiscuously receive the subjects of all 

 nations into their army; and even their highest military office is often 

 conferred upon foreign leaders. Nay, it appears that Spain at length 

 begins to feel their want of natives, and are now endeavoring to supply 

 it 



It is certain, that the sedentary mechanic arts, practised within doors, 

 and the more curious manufactures, which require the finger rather 

 than the arm, are in their own nature opposite to a military spirit. 

 Men of the sword universally delight in exemption from work, and 

 dread dangers less than labor. And in this temper they must be 

 somewhat indulged, if we desire to keep their minds in vigor. It was, 

 therefore, a great advantage to Sparta, Athens, Rome, and other an- 

 cient republics, that they had the use, not of freemen, but generally of 

 slaves for this kind of domestic arts. But after the Christian religion 

 gained ground, the use of slaves was in great measure abolished. 

 What comes nearest this custom is to leave such arts chiefly to strang- 

 ers, who for that purpose should be invited to come in, or at least be 

 easily admitted. The native vulgar should consist of three kinds; viz., 

 husbandmen, free servants, and handicraftsmen, used to the strong 

 masculine arts; such as smithery, masonry, carpentry, etc., without 

 including the soldiery. 



But above all, it is most conducive to the greatness of empire, for a 

 nation to profess the skill of arms as its principal glory and most 

 honorable employ; for the things hitherto spoken of are but pre- 

 paratory to the use of arms; and to what end this preparation, if the 

 thing itself be not reduced to action? Romulus, as the story goes, left 

 it in charge to his people at his death, that of all things they should 

 cultivate the art of war, as that which would make tneir city the head 

 of the world.' The whole frame and structure of the Spartan govern- 

 ment tended, with more diligence, indeed, than prudence, only to 

 make its inhabitants warriors. Such was also the practice of the Per- 

 sians and Macedonians, though not so constant and lasting. The 

 Britons, Gauls, Germans, Goths, Saxons, and Normans, for some time 

 also principally cultivated military arts. The Turks did the same, be- 

 ing not a little excited thereto by their law, and still continue the dis- 

 cipline, notwithstanding their soldiery be now on its decline. Of all 



