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Travels in France 



provided and well defended. We know, on positive experience, 

 what the Austrians and Prussians, led by some of the greatest 

 men that have existed, were able to do in sieges, when undertaken 

 at their own doors; — what will they effect against places ten 

 times as strong and 700 miles from home? It is a matter of 

 calculation — of pounds and shillings; — not of discipline and 

 obedience. 



But many depend on the deranged state of the French finances ; 

 that derangement flows absolutely from a vain attempt at pre- 

 serving public credit: — the National Assembly will see its 

 futility; misery; ruin; the nation must be preserved — what 

 on comparison is public credit ? 



The divisions, factions, and internal disturbances ofifer to 

 others the hope of a civil war. It ought to be a vain hope. 

 During peace, such difficulties fill the papers, and are dwelt upon 

 till men are apt to think them terrible; in war they are treason, 

 and the gallows sweeps from the world and the columns of a 

 gazette the actors and the recital. 



Oil and vinegar — fire and water — Prussians and Austrians are 

 united to carry war amongst 26,000,000 of men, arranged behind 

 100 of the strongest fortresses in the world. — If we are deceived, 

 and Frenchmen are not fond of freedom, but will fight for 

 despotism — something may be done; for then France falls by 

 the power of France: but if united but tolerably, the attack 

 will be full of difficulties in a country where every man, woman, 

 and child is an enemy that fights for freedom. 



But, suppose this idea erroneous — suppose an impression 

 made— and that the German banners were flying at Paris. — 

 Where is the security of the rest of Europe? Is the division of 

 Poland forgotten ? Is an unforeseen union of two or three great 

 powers to protrude through Europe a predominancy dangerous 

 to all? Gentlemen who indulge their wishes for a counter- 

 revolution in France do not, perhaps, wish to see the Prussian 

 colours at the Tower, nor the Austrian at Amsterdam. Yet 

 success to the cause might plant them there. Should real danger 

 arise to France, which I hold to be problematical, it is the busi- 

 ness and direct interest of her neighbours to support her. 



The revolution and anti-revolution parties of England ha\'e 

 exhausted themselves on the French question ; but there can be 

 none, if that people should be in danger: — We hold at present 

 the balance of the world; and have but to speak, and it is 

 secure. 



