On the Natural Boundaries of Empires. 101 



cording to true natural lines of demarcation. Thus Char- 

 lemagne, after uniting France, Italy, and Germany, under 

 his temporary sway, established that division of his States, 

 which has remained unaltered to the present time. 



Even Napoleon, the ambitious Napoleon, perceived the 

 force of this law ; when victory had placed at his disposal ma- 

 ny of the finest regions of Europe, he did not attempt, except 

 in a few instances, to unite them to France ; he placed his 

 relations and friends on the vacant thrones, trusting to their 

 personal friendship, and to political reasons, for their assis- 

 tance in war. 



At other periods ; " how often has the funeral cry which 

 arose at the tomb of the warrior king been the signal for 

 the dismemberment of his empire." 



When victorious troops are poured into a country, they 

 gradually coalesce with the original inhabitants. The scenes 

 of nature impress them with irresistible force, and they soon 

 begin to understand, that the independence of nations should 

 be the first law of the world. 



Some may suppose, that the boundaries of nations depend 

 on the nature of their governments, but this does not appear 

 to be the fact. In the wars that frequently arise between mon- 

 archies and republics, the latter generally have the advan- 

 tage, for kings arc sometimes indolent, but republics never. 

 But a conquest over kings, introduces kings into a republic, 

 not merely those who are captured on their thrones, or ta- 

 ken prisoners in battle, but the pride of success, and the 

 wealth that is accumulated, introduce that state of feeling 

 which cannot be gratified without monarchical government. 

 Thus the same laws apply to the boundaries of nations, under 

 whatever form of government they are placed. 



RIVERS. 



There is probably no opinion more general, and more er- 

 roneous, than that of large rivers forming a boundary to 

 nations. 



It is wrong to vex a peaceful river with armed garrisons on 

 its banks. 



It is no less wrong in a political point of view. 



Numerous forces will be stationed on the shores, by either 

 party, and collisions must necessarily ensue. They also af- 

 ford so easy a communication that numerous custom house 

 officers must be engaged in active service. The river, instead 



