22 On the Boundaries of Empires. 



The powerful empire of Austria has subdued the smaller 

 divisions by which she is surrounded. 



3. Where natural kingdoms have a certain size it is diffi' 

 cult to conquer them. 



Nothing but the fury of religious dissension could have 

 subjected Bohemia, with her circular rampart of mountains, 

 to a foreign power. 



Let us now consider how the power of man modifies these 

 laws. There is scarcely any law known among nations but 

 force. The power of empire ebbs and flows like the tide ; 

 the savage tribes of Britain were easily defeated by the co- 

 horts of Rome ; at another period their descendants conquer- 

 ed the veteran troops of France, led on by their emperor. 



" Nations melt 

 From power's high pinnacle, when they have felt 

 The sunshine for a while." 



The legions of Rome, the peasants of Switzerland, the in- 

 fantry of Spain, the chivalry of France, the cross-bowmen of 

 England, and the battalions of Sweden, have, in succession, 

 given law to Europe, and then retired to their native land. 



The process of conquests is usually this. Nations become 

 luxurious, they are invaded by a neighboring tribe, some of 

 the vanquished fall in battle, and their place is supplied by 

 the conquerors. The kingdom retains its ancient boundary 

 and has merely sustained a change of inhabitants, together 

 with the havoc and distress which a state of war occasions. 



Fears have been expressed that France and Spain would 

 be united under one empire ! Europe was in arms many 

 years to prevent it. The Pyrenees have made ft impossible. 

 The union of Russia and Siberia is dreaded ! when Siberia 

 possesses a large population, she will no longer be under the 

 dominion of Russia. 



The empire of Rome may be cited as an instance against 

 this theory, but on examination, will be found to yield it 

 support. It required all the ferocity of the Romans, aided by 

 their naval power, and their permanent national council, to 

 subdue the nations around. On the decline of their high for- 

 tunes, their empire was broken into its original limits. 



Naval Power. 



" War is the trade of barbarians." "The whole art consists 

 in assembling a force superior to that of your adversary." A> 



