PROM THE SPANISH MONARCHY. Ifl 



querable national pride, and heated by the remem- 

 brance of former victories, thirfting at once for glory 

 and fpoil, and moving as obedient members under the 

 impetuous genius of their chief — this man, who fpread 

 terror around him, forced to give up an obtiinately 

 determined plan, an undertaking which may be consi- 

 dered as the effect of the unremitted labour of the long 

 courfe of his reign; and notwithftanding all thefe 

 dreadful means were directed to one, tingle purpofe, in 

 the evening of his days, he finds himfelf obliged to 

 leave it unaccomplifhed — Philip the fecond, engaged 

 in a conteft with a few feeble nations, which he cannot 

 terminate ! 



And againft what nations ! Here a people compofed 

 of fifhermen and herdfrnen, in a corner of Europe al- 

 molt unknown, which was at firffc won from the fea by 

 means of incredible labour, and muft ftill be preferved 

 from its depredations by no lefs furpriting exertions ; 

 the fea,, at once their traffic, their wealth, and their 

 fcourge, a free poverty their fovereign poffeffion, their 

 glory their virtue. There, a good-tempered and ho- 

 neft commercial people, indulging themfelves in the 

 luxurious fruits of a profperous induftry, obfervant of 

 the laws, their patrqns and protectors. 



In the pleating calm produced by opulence, they 

 left the folicitous fphere of the wants of nature, and 

 learnt to afpire after fuperior gratification. The novel 

 truths which now began to dawn in Europe, fhed a 

 vivifying ray on this favoured region, and the free ci- 

 tizen embraced with joy that light, which was totally 

 excluded from the eyes of the oppreffed defponding 

 flave. A wanton petulancy, the ufual attendant on 



fuper- 



