OF NATURE. 261 



where accefTible, and rendered active and fertile ; 

 the valleys and plains converted into fmiling 

 meadows, rich paftures, and cultivated fields ; 

 the hills loaded with vines and fruits, and their 

 fummits crowned with ufeful trees ; the deferts 

 turned into populous cities, whofe inhabitants 

 fpread from its centre to its utmoft extremities; 

 open and frequented roads and communications 

 every where eftablifhed, as fo many evidences 

 of the union and ftrength of fociety. A thou- 

 fand other monuments of power and of glory 

 fufficiently demonftrate that man is the lord of 

 the earth ; that he has entirely changed and re- 

 newed its furface ; and that, from the remoter!: 

 periods of time, he alone has divided the empire 

 of the world between him and Nature. 



He reigns, however, by the right of conqueft 

 only. He enjoys rather than poffefTes ; and pre- 

 ferves his privileges by perpetual vigilance and 

 activity. If tnefe are interrupted, every thing 

 ianguifhes, alters, and returns to tbe abfolute do- 

 minion of Nature. She refumes her rights, ef- 

 faces the operations of man, covers with mofs 

 and duft his mod pompous monuments,, which, 

 in the progrefs of time, fhe totally deftroys, and 

 leaves him only the regret of having loft by his 

 own fault, what his anceftors had acquired by 

 their induftry. Thofe periods, when man lofes 

 his empire, thofe barbarous ages in which every 

 thing of value perilhes, commence with war, 

 and are completed by famine and depopula- 

 tion. Man, whofe ftrength confifts folely in the 



R 3 union 



