On the Boundaries of Empires. 23 



great naval power is enabled to do this, by seizing on all 

 the small detached portions of the world, and on large king- 

 doms which have not yet arrived at their full power, and 

 which have become imbecile. This is easier, to such a 

 power, because all countries are easily approached by sea; 

 nature has made few impervious coasts, she intended that 

 man should make use of the ocean. This produces the 

 somewhat anomalous appearance of countries the most dis- 

 tant under one sceptre. 



If we examine the reason of this law which binds nations 

 within certain limits, we shall find it arises from similarity of 

 habits and feelings, which at the same time leads them to 

 hostilities with all around. 



The Indians of America war with all but their own tribe. 



In the highlands of Scotland, each clan was accustomed 

 to combat all those who lived in the neighboring valley. 



Denon has given a correct and vivid description of the 

 combats which take place between the villagers of the Nile. 

 On enquiring the reason, " They knew not ; but their ances- 

 tors had been accustomed to fight, and it would be improper 

 to break so laudable a custom." 



Even in civilized countries, this hostile spirit is shewn. 

 Wherever two villages, of nearly equal size, are situated 

 within ten miles of each other, rivalry takes place, and they 

 would occasionally combat, but they are restrained by the 

 laws. Cities within one hundred miles of each other, have 

 the same spirit of enmity. 



If we examine the map of Europe, we perceive that Great 

 Britain, France, Spain, Holland, Switzerland, Bavaria, Den- 

 mark, Sweden, and Austria, are natural kingdoms. Norway 

 has always been in vassalage, because her population is 

 much scattered. Turkey, Asia Minor, and Egypt are joined 

 by the power of a fleet, as they were under the Greek em- 

 pire. Persia has its ancient limits. China has had the same 

 from time immemorial. The Arabians subdued Asia, but 

 they retain their sway over nothing more than their original 

 sandy deserts. Hindoostan is a natural empire, too weak to 

 defend herself. America is arranged in natural divisions. 



Thus on the surface of the world, man has done little to 

 change the decrees of the Almighty Power, whose fiat gov*- 

 erns the universe. 



