At a future time, I may be able to treat more fully, if not exhaustively, of "The Strength of Nations;" in the meantime, I trust that the present volume may be found serviceable in directing public attention to a subject which I believe has not before been discussed in a separate treatise; and which is, at the present time, of paramount importance to the safety and welfare of the country.

August 25th, 1859.

VI. CIVILIZATION AND CONQUEST-HERO-WORSHIP AND

VIII. "THE CHEAP DEFENCE OF NATIONS"-THE ANCIENT

ENGLISH NATIONAL DEFENCES

147

IX. THE DEAR DEFENCE OF NATIONS-THE MODERN

ON THE

STRENGTH OF NATION S.

CHAPTER I.

THE PRIMARY ELEMENT OF THE STRENGTH

OF NATIONS.

"WHEN a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils."

This is as true now as it was two thousand years ago, and it nearly concerns all independent nations to look well to their strength, and to take order that a stronger nation do not come upon them and overcome them, and take from them not only their armour, but all things that render life of value to them.

B

Since the publication, in 1776, of Adam Smith's immortal work on the "Wealth of Nations," the wealth of nations has, in this country at least, engaged so much attention, that but little has been left for another quality of nations-their Strength; without which their wealth, with all its advantages, may be of little use, since it may be destroyed at any time with fearful rapidity. There appears to be a time in the history of all powerful nations at which, while their wealth goes on increasing, their strength begins to decline, till-to use the words of Bacon *-it comes to "that, that not the hundredth poll will be fit for a helmet; and so there will be great population and little strength.”

And it is also well to bear in mind another remark of Bacon in the same Essay: "Neither is money the sinews of war (as it is trivially said) where the sinews of men's arms in base and effeminate people are failing; for Solon said well to Croesus (when in ostentation he showed him his gold): Sir, if any other comes that hath better iron than you, he will be master of all this gold."" As soon as this current has fairly set in, unless its course can be arrested-which is a difficult if not an impossible operation-the decay of that nation has commenced, and will continue, till the time arrives when its strength is inadequate for its defence, and its wealth becomes the prey of an invader.

* Essay on the True Greatness of Kingdoms and Estates.