I 4 2 BACON'S ESSAYS 



that are upon the north, whereas the south part, for aught 

 that is known, is almost all sea; or (which is most apparent) 

 of the cold of the northern parts, which is that which, 

 without aid of discipline, doth make the bodies hardest, 

 and the courages warmest. 



Upon the breaking and shivering of a great state and 

 empire, you may be sure to have wars. For great empires, 

 while they stand, do enervate and destroy the forces of 

 the natives which they have subdued, resting upon their 

 own protecting forces ; and then when they fail also, all 

 goes to ruin, and they become a prey. So was it in the 

 decay of the Roman empire ; and likewise in the empire of 

 Almaigne, after Charles the Great, every bird taking a 

 feather ; and were not unlike to befal to Spain, if it should 

 break. The great accessions and unions of kingdoms do 

 likewise stir up wars : for when a state grows to an over- 

 power, it is like a great flood, that will be sure to overflow. 

 As it hath been seen in the states of Rome, Turkey, Spain, 

 and others. Look when the world hath fewest barbarous 

 peoples, but such as commonly will not marry or generate, 

 except they know means to live, (as it is almost every 

 where at this day, except Tar tar y,) there is no danger of 

 inundations of people : but when there be great shoals of 

 people, which go on to populate, without foreseeing means 

 of life and sustentation, it is of necessity that once in an 

 age or two they discharge a portion of their people upon 

 other nations; which the ancient northern people were wont 

 to do by lot ; casting lots what part should stay at home, 

 and what should seek their fortunes. When a warlike 

 state grows soft and effeminate, they may be sure of a war. 

 For commonly such states are grown rich in the time of 

 their degenerating ; and so the prey inviteth, and their 

 decay in valour encourageth a war. 



As for the weapons, it hardly falleth under rule and 

 observation : yet we see even they have returns and vicissi- 

 tudes. For certain it is, that ordnance was known in the 

 city of the Oxidrakes in India ; and was that which the 

 Macedonians called thunder and lightning, and magic. 

 And it is well known that the use of ordnance hath been 



