FERNANDO DE N0R0NHA. 



53 



rapidity of its advance or tardiness of its growth 

 greatly depends upon the fostering care or in- 

 different negligence of its rulers. Still, what- 

 ever the conduct of these may be, its extent, its; 

 fertility, and other numerous advantages must, 

 in the course of time, give to it that rank which 

 it has a right to claim among the great nations 

 of the world. 



