The shatter'd battlements with dead were strew'd, Th' incessant bolts that mighty cannon sent, Who rushes on, but finds his hopes betray'd, And there was one, the foremost of the brave, Who strove that glorious seat of power to save; Justiniani, who from Genoa came, Burning to conquer an immortal name; Who there with more than man appeared to vie, More zeal, more valour, he could ne'er have shown, Or had he there first drawn the vital breath, A source of watchfulness and fear became. Fierce as a deluge rushing from the hills, And death and desolation mark their path. And now the hostile fleet an effort tries To pierce the haven, where the guarding chain, Appal their friends on land, and shake the sounding shore. But nought could turn the Tyrant from his path, He grew The interposing arm of heaven alone Could throw protection round his tottering throne. And now with tenfold force the awful roar Its own defenders in the tomb of fate. Till through those breaches gleam the city's towers; The iron rain that makes each breach a grave. While thus the breaches wider seem'd to spread, END OF BOOK I. 364 DISCUSSION: IS THE PROSPERITY OF GREAT BRITAIN CHIEFLY ATTRIBU. TABLE TO HER LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES OR NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS? On the discusssion of this subject, which engaged the members of the Society at two of their weekly meetings, it was ob served, that it was equally important and difficult to determine what were the chief causes that co-operated in producing national prosperity. To say of what elements prosperity precisely consisted, was not very easy; and, unless we could ascertain the specific subject contemplated in the question, it was idle to attempt to trace the cause which produced it. In general terms it might be said, that national prosperity consisted of wealth, of power, and of a population proportioned to territory. To these general characteristics, freedom and intelligence should be added; though, in their largest signification, wealth and power could scarcely exist without including liberty and knowledge. Great Britain possessed these prosperous qualities to a considerable extent; but they were not all possessed in the same, or equal degree; and, in tracing the circumstances out of which they had arisen, we should distinguish the progress of each. The intelligence of the people, which had doubtless produced much improvement, could not strictly be referred either to the local circumstances in which Great Britain had been placed, or to the state of her institutions. The capacity of the national mind was an endowment of nature, and that capacity had been partly stimulated by physical, and partly by moral, causes. The local circumstances consisted of the insular situation of the country, its climate, and the nature and fertility of its soil. The national institutions comprised not only all those establishments by which the government performed its operations, but those also for the diffusion of learning and knowledge, of religion and charity. However probable it might, at first sight, appear, that moral were superior to physical causes; yet, in examining into the origin of our wealth and power, it would be found that soil, climate, and situation, were the first things in the order of national progression. We should commence the investigation at a time when but few social or national institutions existed, and enquire into the circumstances out of which they arose. It was probable that every nation, under favourable circumstances, would become distinguished for intellectual and moral excellence. We could not reasonably presume that there existed a natural superiority in the character of one nation over another. Although there might be an existing difference, that difference had probably been the result of dissimilar cultivation. That these were the germs of excellence in every country, was obvious from the occasional instances which history presented of genius and renown in the most unfavoured situations. It was obvious that the institutions of a nation were the result of its own intelligence and exertions. They ranked amongst the beneficial consequences of industry and enterprize. They were effects, not causes. It was true, that, after these institutions had been established, they contributed, in their turn, to the general good, and formed part of that mass of causes to which national prosperity might be referred. We were driven back, then, to enquire into the circumstances which preceded the existence of these national establishments, and which might be supposed to have given rise to their formation. How had it happened that Great Britain possessed a greater degree of freedom than other countries? How had it happened that she possessed also greater pecuniary resources than any other nation? If we could answer these questions, the difficulty would be at an end, for liberty and wealth were the great elements of national power, and were always followed by an increasing population, and by every thing that could be aggregately denominated prosperity. The wealth and freedom of Great Britain, (it was contended,) had originated from her peculiar local circumstances. The geographical situation of England was eminently advantageous. She was near enough to the Continent to derive every benefit of intercourse and commerce; and by emulation her energies were excited, yet sufficiently removed to secure her from attack. Thus she had been enabled to cultivate her own peculiar resources, and to avail herself of the improvements of others. The corruptions and the evils of other countries had floated round the island, but had never permanently been permitted to gain a dwelling. Whilst many of the nations of Europe had been convulsed by disorder and anarchy, she had steadily pursued her career. Her mind had "ample room and verge enough" to expand, and her prosperity had consequently increased. The disasters that had marked other states, had perpetually thrown them back to recommence their exertions, but Great Britain had for many centuries been gradually advancing. It was not, therefore, surprising, that with comparatively few interruptions, and with every inducement and means to improve, she had outstepped her less fortunate competitors. |