SOUTHERN AFRICA. 219 
views on the memorable expedition to Egj'pt, there cannot* 
now be a difference of opinion on the subject. India is, un- 
doubtedly their object, and to gain that object they will leave 
no measures untried, nor regard the sacrifice of thou- 
sands^. They have now, indeed, stronger motives than ever 
for attempting the destruction of our power in the east. 
Driven from the most valuable of their West India settle- 
ments, by a conduct of which the consequences might easily 
have been foreseen, and in a fair way of losing the rest, they 
"will seek for reparation in Egypt and in India, and I am per- 
suaded that nothing, but our regaining possession of the 
Cape, will prevent them from making the attempt. That we 
should, at this moment, possess every strong point which may 
tend to ch€ck the career of an overwhelming and insatiable 
ambition, ought to be the wish of every nation of Europe. In 
vain would any of the inferior powers hope to meet a better 
fate under France if triumphant than Holland, Hanover, or 
Switzerland have experienced, where, before the palsying arm 
of Gallic tyranny had destroyed their health and vigour, the 
people were prosperous, happy, and free. Can Denmark or 
Sweden, Prussia or the principalities of Germany expect to be 
treated with more consideration than the Italian provinces have 
been ? Will Spain and Portugal increase their influence, wealth, 
and commerce, by being degraded into tributary provinces of 
France, and do the}' promise themselves a better securitjr of 
their colonies by the humiliating alliance ? Nothing, surely, but 
the most morbid apathy, will prevent these, and others, to 
join the great powers of Europe now in arms, and endeavour 
to wipe off the disgrace that has already fallen on many, and 
which momentarily threatens them all. How is it possible 
F F 2 
