222 
TRAVELS IN 
As it must therefore obviously be the interest "of the whole 
Avorld that the restless and aggTaudiziiig spirit of France should 
as efi'ectually as possible be counteracted ; and as both the 
Cape of Good Hope and Malta, if left in her possession, 
Avould forward her views at universal dominion, there seem to 
be no reasonable objections on the part of the other powers 
of Europe against these two grand points of security being 
left, at a general peace, in the hands of England, or, at all 
events being protected by English garrisons, as some guarantee 
against the designs of the general enemy of the human race. 
As the importance of every militar}' station must depend, in a 
considerable degree, on the sufficiency of the works that either 
are already constructed for its defence against internal or ex- 
ternal attack, or on the local advantages it possesses of being 
rendered defensible, it may be expected I should here say 
something on this subject. Being no professional man, lam 
aware, in doing this, of the risk I run of laying myself open 
to the censure of some who are so, particular^ as I have heard 
■so many and such contrary opinions advanced as to the best 
means of attacking and of defending the Cape of Good Hope. 
The little I have to offer on the subject will be chiefly de- 
scriptive ; and as to the defence of the place, my ideas will be 
grounded on the opinion of those whose skill in their profes- 
sions, and whose sound judgment in the ordinary affairs of 
life, joined to their local knowledge, entitle such opinion to 
some degree of consideration. It may be observed, however, 
that there are not, perhaps, two officers who perfectly agree 
on this subject. 
