108 On the Isatural Boundaries of Empires. 



There are however, some advantages to an inhabitant ol 

 these smaller divisions ; for his interest is identified in some 

 degree with that of the larger empire. They deprive him of 

 some political rights, but they fight his battles on a magnifi- 

 cent scale. Sometimes, the natives of the central districts 

 will pay a larger proportion of taxes merely for the pleasure 

 of keeping so many dependencies in subjection. 



4. Choice of residence. 



Unfortunate is the man who resides near the boundary 

 line of a large kingdom, for it is always a dangerous position ; 

 or in a small natural lungdom, unless he is endowed with 

 such a firm disposition of mind, that he would sooner die in 

 battle than submit to oppression. His example, though fatal 

 to himself, would secure better terms to his countrymen. 



Therefore, an individual, who has " the world before him 

 where to choose his place of rest" would perhaps do well 

 to avoid a residence on the borders of France, or an island 

 that could be visited by the fleets of the English. A thou- 

 sand years hence, the defiles of the Rocky Mountains, and 

 the country between Mexico and the United States, will cer- 

 tainly be a dangerous home. 



Thus, in former times, no individual, who valued his life 

 or property, would have chosen a residence in the debate- 

 able land between England and Scotland, or in the Marches 

 of Wales, where battles and skirmishes were the order of the 

 day for near five hundred years. 



5. On the effect of Geographical shape, arising from the 

 physical structure of the Earth, on the boundaries of Em- 

 pires. 



The Emperor observed the difficulty which arose in uni- 

 ting Italy in one kingdom. He said, that if the southern 

 extremity had been placed by nature between Genoa, Sar- 

 dinia and Rome, Italy would then have made a strong king- 

 dom ; which, in its present shape, even his energy was una- 

 ble to accomplish. The native of Otranto can have no 

 common interest with the inhabitant of Turin or Venice. 



The northern coast of Africa, extending from the Atlantic 

 ocean to the confines of Egypt ; bounded on the north by 

 the Mediterranean, on the south by the chain of Mount 

 Atlas ; is an'itther instance of a country whose destiny is fixed 

 by its shape. It could not be united under one government 

 except by a superior naval power, situated in those seas. 

 This was first accomplished by the Carthaginians, second by 



