THROUGH SWEDEN. 
from the hifiory of all favages, are trees excavated either by iron, 
or, previoufly to the ufe of iron, by the operation of fire. As the 
elements of navigation are fimple and obvious, and as this is an 
art intimately connected with the purfuits of men in all fiages of 
fociety, both in w'ar and peace, fo we find that the extenfion and 
improvement of navigation has at all times been a favourite objedl 
with the greatefi princes and the moft flourifhing and adventurous 
republics. Thus w ? e know that Charlemagne formed a defign of 
uniting by means of a canal the Rhine and Danube; and Peter 
the firfi of Ruffia projected a junction between the Don and 
Wolga, the execution of which was a favourite topic with Catha¬ 
rine II. though fhe had not the good fortune to fee it accomplifhed. 
It is referved only for fuch a fucceffor as may equal that princefs 
in extent of conception and fpirit of enterprife. 
The greater part of Rates and princes aCt moftly from tranfient 
interefis, which they generally purfue with cabal and intrigue, 
varying their defigns and expedients according to times and cir- 
cumfiances, and therefore feldom producing a great efteCt. In 
proportion as they are lofty in their ambition and comprehenfive 
in their view's, they overlook prefent difficulties and prefent ad¬ 
vantages, in the profpeCt of permanent power and future glory. 
Thus the Romans, undoubtedly the greatefi: people with whom 
we are at all acquainted, being extenfive in their plans, were fteady 
in their conduct. Like the laws of nature, they afted inceflantly 
in all feafons and all circumftances. The Roman works, aque¬ 
ducts, roads, walls, amphitheatres, and other firuCtures, were fo 
tranfcendantly 
