第4章

类别:其他 作者:Adam Ferguson字数:26113更新时间:18/12/21 16:33:44
SectionIII OfRudeNationsundertheImpressionsofPropertyandInterestItwasaproverbialimprecationinuseamongthehuntingnationsontheconfinesofSiberia,ThattheirenemymightbeobligedtolivelikeaTartar,andbeseizedwiththefollyofbreedingandattendinghiscattle。(24*)Nature,itseems,intheirapprehension,bystoringthewoodsandthedesertwithgame,renderedthetaskoftheherdsmanunnecessary,andlefttomanonlythetroubleofselectingandofseizinghisprey。 Theindolenceofmankind,orrathertheiraversiontoanyapplicationinwhichtheyarenotengagedbyimmediateinstinctandpassion,retardstheirprogressinextendingthenotionofproperty。Ithasbeenfound,however,evenwhilethemeansofsubsistenceareleftincommon,andthestockofthepublicisyetundivided,thatthisnotionisalreadyappliedtodifferentsubjects;asthefurandthebowpertaintotheindividual,thecottage,withitsfurniture,areappropriatedtothefamily。 Whentheparentbeginstodesireabetterprovisionforhischildrenthanisfoundunderthepromiscuousmanagementofmanycopartners,whenhehasappliedhislabourandhisskillapart,heaimsatanexclusivepossession,andseeksthepropertyofthesoil,aswellastheuseofitsfruits。 Whentheindividualnolongerfindsamonghisassociatesthesameinclinationtocommiteverysubjecttopublicuse,heisseizedwithconcernforhispersonalfortune。andisalarmedbythecareswhicheverypersonentertainsforhimself。Heisurgedasmuchbyemulationandjealousy,asbythesenseofnecessity。 Hesuffersconsiderationsofinteresttorestonhismind,andwheneverypresentappetiteissufficientlygratified,hecanactwithaviewtofuturity,orratherfindsanobjectofvanityinhavingamassedwhatisbecomeasubjectofcompetition,andamatterofuniversalesteem。Uponthismotive,whereviolenceisrestrained,hecanapplyhishandtolucrativearts,confinehimselftoatedioustask,andwaitwithpatienceforthedistantreturnsofhislabour。 Thusmankindacquireindustrybymanyandbyslowdegrees。 Theyaretaughttoregardtheirinterest;theyaretaughttoabstainfromunlawfulprofits;theyaresecuredinthepossessionofwhattheyfairlyobtain;andbythesemethodsthehabitsofthelabourer,themechanic,andthetrader,aregraduallyformed。 Ahoard,collectedfromthesimpleproductionsofnature,oraherdofcattle,are,ineveryrudenation,thefirstspeciesofwealth。Thecircumstancesofthesoil,andtheclimate,determinewhethertheinhabitantshallapplyhimselfchieflytoagricultureorpasture;whetherheshallfixhisresidence,orbemovingcontinuallyaboutwithallhispossessions。 InthewestofEurope;inAmerica,fromsouthtonorth,withafewexceptions;inthetorridzone,andeverywherewithinthewarmerclimates;mankindhavegenerallyappliedthemselvestosomespeciesofagriculture,andhavebeendisposedtosettlement。IntheeastandthenorthofAsia,theydependedentirelyontheirherds,andwereperpetuallyshiftingtheirgroundinsearchofnewpasture。Theartswhichpertaintosettlementhavebeenpractised,andvariouslycultivated,bytheinhabitantsofEurope。Thosewhichareconsistentwithperpetualmigration,have,fromtheearliestaccountsofhistory,remainednearlythesamewiththeScythianorTartar。Thetentpitchedonamoveablecarriage,thehorseappliedtoeverypurposeoflabour,andofwar,ofthedairy,andofthebutcher’sstall,fromtheearliesttothelatestaccounts,havemadeuptherichesandequipageofthiswanderingpeople。 Butinwhateverwayrudenationssubsist,therearecertainpointsinwhich,underthefirstimpressionsofproperty,theynearlyagree。Homereitherlivedwithapeopleinthisstageoftheirprogress,orfoundhimselfengagedtoexhibittheircharacter。Tacitushasmadethemthesubjectofaparticulartreatise;andifthisbeanaspectunderwhichmankinddeservetobeviewed,itmustbeconfessed,thatwehavesingularadvantagesincollectingtheirfeatures。Theportraithasalreadybeendrawnbytheablesthands,andgives,atoneview,inthewritingsofthesecelebratedauthors,whateverhasbeenscatteredintherelationsofhistorians,orwhateverwehaveopportunitiestoobserveintheactualmannersofmen,whostillremaininasimilarstate。 Inpassingfromtheconditionwehavedescribed,tothiswehaveatpresentinview,mankindstillretainmanypartsoftheirearliestcharacter。Theyarestillaversetolabour,addictedtowar,admirersoffortitude,and,inthelanguageofTacitus,morelavishoftheirbloodthanoftheirsweat。(25*)Theyarefondoffantasticornamentsintheirdress,andendeavourtofillupthelistlessintervalsofalifeaddictedtoviolence,withhazardoussports,andwithgamesofchance。Everyservileoccupationtheycommittowomenorslaves。Butwemayapprehend,thattheindividualhavingnowfoundaseparateinterest,thebandsofsocietymustbecomelessfirm,anddomesticdisordersmorefrequent。Themembersofanycommunity,beingdistinguishedamongthemselvesbyunequalsharesinthedistributionofproperty,thegroundofapermanentandpalpablesubordinationislaid。 Theseparticularsaccordinglytakeplaceamongmankind,inpassingfromthesavagetowhatmaybecalledthebarbarousstate。Membersofthesamecommunityenterintoquarrelsofcompetitionorrevenge。Theyuniteinfollowingleaders,whoaredistinguishedbytheirfortunes,andbythelustreoftheirbirth。Theyjointhedesireofspoilwiththeloveofglory;andfromanopinion,thatwhatisacquiredbyforce,justlypertainstothevictor,theybecomehuntersofmen,andbringeverycontesttothedecisionofthesword。 Everynationisabandofrobbers,whopreywithoutrestraint,orremorse,ontheirneighbours。Cattle,SaysAchilles,maybeseizedineveryfield;andthecoastsoftheAegeanseawereaccordinglypillagedbytheheroesofHomer,fornootherreason,thanbecausethoseheroeschosetopossessthemselvesofthebrassandiron,thecattle,theslaves,andthewomen,whichwerefoundamongthenationsaroundthem。 ATartarmountedonhishorse,isananimalofprey,whoonlyinquireswherecattlearetobefound,andhowfarhemustgotopossessthem。Themonk,whohadfallenunderthedispleasureofManguChan,madehispeace,bypromising,thatthePope,andtheChristianprinces,shouldmakeasurrenderofalltheirherds。(26*) Asimilarspiritreigned,withoutexception,inallthebarbarousnationsofEurope,Asia,andAfrica。TheantiquitiesofGreeceandItaly,andthefablesofeveryancientpoet,containexamplesofitsforce。ItwasthisspiritthatbroughtourancestorsfirstintotheprovincesoftheRomanempire;andthatafterward,moreperhapsthantheirreverenceforthecross,ledthemtotheEast,tosharewiththeTartarsinthespoilsoftheSaracenempire。 Fromthedescriptionscontainedinthelastsection,wemayinclinetobelieve,thatmankind,intheirsimpleststate,areontheeveoferectingrepublics。Theirloveofequality,theirhabitofassemblinginpubliccouncils,andtheirzealforthetribetowhichtheybelong,arequalificationsthatfitthemtoactunderthatspeciesofgovernment;andtheyseemtohavebutafewstepstomake,inordertoreachitsestablishment。Theyhaveonlytodefinethenumbersofwhichtheircouncilsshallconsist,andtosettletheformsoftheirmeeting:Theyhaveonlytobestowapermanentauthorityforrepressingdisorders,andtoenactafewrulesinfavourofthatjusticetheyhavealreadyacknowledged,andfrominclinationsostrictlyobserve。 Butthesestepsarefarfrombeingsoeasilymade,astheyappearonaslightoratransientview。Theresolutionofchusing,fromamongtheirequals,themagistratetowhomtheygivefromthenceforwardarighttocontroultheirownactions,isfarfromthethoughtsofsimplemen;andnoeloquence,perhaps,couldmakethemadoptthismeasure,orgivethemanysenseofitsuse。 Evenafternationshavechosenamilitaryleader,theydonotintrusthimwithanyspeciesofcivilauthority。Thecaptain,amongtheCaribbees,didnotpretendtodecideindomesticdisputes;thetermsjurisdictionandgovernmentwereunknownintheirtongue。(27*) Beforethisimportantchangeisadmitted,menmustbeaccustomedtothedistinctionofranks;andbeforetheyaresensiblethatsubordinationismatterofchoice,mustarriveatunequalconditionsbychance。Indesiringproperty,theyonlymeantosecuretheirsubsistence:butthebravewholeadinwar,havelikewisethelargestshareinitsspoils。Theeminentarefondofdevisinghereditaryhonours;andthemultitude,whoadmiretheparent,arereadytoextendtheiresteemtohisoffspring。 Possessionsdescend,andthelustreoffamilygrowsbrighterwithage。Hercules,whoperhapswasaneminentwarrior,becameagodwithposterity,andhisracewassetapartforroyaltyandsovereignpower。Whenthedistinctionsoffortuneandthoseofbirthareconjoined,thechieftainenjoysapre-eminence,aswellatthefeastasinthefield。Hisfollowerstaketheirplaceinsubordinatestations;andinsteadofconsideringthemselvesaspartsofacommunity,theyrankasthefollowersofachieftain,andtaketheirdesignationfromthenameoftheirleader。Theyfindanewobjectofpublicaffection,indefendinghisperson,andinsupportinghisstation;theylendoftheirsubstancetoformhisestate;theyareguidedbyhissmilesandhisfrowns; andcourt,asthehighestdistinction,ashareinthefeastwhichtheirowncontributionshavefurnished。 Astheformerstateofmankindseemedtopointatdemocracy,thisseemstoexhibittherudimentsofmonarchicalgovernment。 Butitisyetfarshortofthatestablishmentwhichisknowninafteragesbythenameofmonarchy。Thedistinctionbetweentheleaderandthefollower,theprinceandthesubject,isstillbutimperfectlymarked:theirpursuitsandoccupationsarenotdifferent;theirmindsarenotunequallycultivated;theyfeedfromthesamedish;theysleeptogetherontheground;thechildrenoftheking,aswellasthoseofthesubject,areemployedintendingtheflock;andthekeeperoftheswinewasaprimecounselloratthecourtofUlysses。 Thechieftain,sufficientlydistinguishedfromhistribe,toexcitetheiradmiration,andtoflattertheirvanitybyasupposedaffinitytohisnobledescent,istheobjectoftheirveneration,notoftheirenvy:heisconsideredasthecommonbondofconnection,notastheircommonmaster;isforemostindanger,andhasaprincipalshareintheirtroubles:hisgloryisplacedinthenumberofhisattendants,inhissuperiormagnanimityandvalour;thatofhisfollowers,inbeingreadytoshedtheirbloodinhisservice。(28*) Thefrequentpracticeofwartendstostrengthenthebandsofsociety,andthepracticeofdepredationitselfengagesmenintrialsofmutualattachmentandcourage。Whatthreatenedtoruinandoverseteverygooddispositioninthehumanbreast,whatseemedtobanishjusticefromthesocietiesofmen,tendstounitethespeciesinclansandfraternities;formidable,indeed,andhostiletooneanother,butinthedomesticsocietyofeach,faithfuldisinterested,andgenerous。Frequentdangers,andtheexperienceoffidelityandvalour,awakentheloveofthosevirtues,renderthemasubjectofadmiration,andendeartheirpossessors。 Actuatedbygreatpassions,theloveofglory,andthedesireofvictory。rousedbythemenacesofanenemy,orstungwithrevenge;insuspensebetweentheprospectsofruinorconquest,thebarbarianspendseverymomentofrelaxationintheindulgenceofsloth。Hecannotdescendtothepursuitsofindustryormechanicallabour:thebeastofpreyisasluggard;thehunterandthewarriorsleeps,whilewomenorslavesaremadetotoilforhisbread。Butshewhimaquarryatadistance,heisbold,impetuous,artful,andrapacious:nobarcanwithstandhisviolence,andnofatiguecanallayhisactivity。 Evenunderthisdescriptionmankindaregenerousandhospitabletostrangers,aswellaskind,affectionate,andgentle,intheirdomesticsociety。(29*)Friendshipandenmityaretothemtermsofthegreatestimportance:theyminglenottheirfunctionstogether;theyhavesingledouttheirenemy,andtheyhavechosentheirfriend。Evenindepredation,theprincipalobjectisglory;andspoilisconsideredasabadgeofvictory。 Nationsandtribesaretheirprey:thesolitarytraveller,bywhomtheycanacquireonlythereputationofgenerosity,issufferedtopassunhurt,oristreatedwithsplendidmunificence。 Thoughdistinguishedintosmallcantonsundertheirseveralchieftains,andforthemostpartseparatedbyjealousyandanimosity;yetwhenpressedbywarsandformidableenemies,theysometimesuniteingreaterbodies。LiketheGreeksintheirexpeditiontoTroy,theyfollowsomeremarkableleader,andcomposeakingdomofmanyseparatetribes。Butsuchcoalitionsaremerelyoccasional;andevenduringtheircontinuance,moreresemblerepublicthanmonarchy。Theinferiorchieftainsreservetheirimportance,andintrude,withanairofequality,intothecouncilsoftheirleader,asthepeopleoftheirseveralclanscommonlyintrudeuponthem。(30*)Uponwhatmotiveindeedcouldwesuppose,thatmenwholivetogetherinthegreatestfamiliarity,andamongstwhomthedistinctionsofrankaresoobscurelymarked,wouldresigntheirpersonalsentimentsandinclinations,orpayanimplicitsubmissiontoaleaderwhocanneitheroverawenorcorrupt? Militaryforcemustbeemployedtoextort,orthehireofthevenaltobuy,thatengagementwhichtheTartarcomesundertohisprince,whenhepromises,’Thathewillgowhereheshallbecommanded;thathewillcomewhenheshallbecalled;thathewillkillwhoeverispointedouttohim;and,forthefuture,thathewillconsiderthevoiceoftheKingasasword。’(31*) Thesearethetermstowhicheventhestubbornheartofthebarbarianhasbeenreduced,inconsequenceofadespotismhehimselfhadestablished;andmenhave,inthatlowstateofthecommercialarts,inEurope,aswellasinAsia,tastedofpoliticalslavery。Wheninterestprevailsineverybreast,thesovereignandhispartycannotescapetheinfection:heemploystheforcewithwhichheisintrusted,toturnhispeopleintoaproperty,andtoCommandtheirpossessionsforhisprofitorhispleasure。Ifrichesarebyanypeoplemadethestandardofgoodandofevil,letthembewareofthepowerstheyintrusttotheirprince。’WiththeSuiones,’saysTacitus,’richesareinhighesteem;andthispeopleareaccordinglydisarmed,andreducedtoslavery。’(32*) Itisinthiswofulconditionthatmankind,beingslavish,interested,insidious,deceitful,andbloody,bearmarks,ifnotoftheleastcurable,surelyofthemostlamentable,sortofcorruption。(33*)Amongthem,waristhemerepracticeofrapine,toenrichtheindividual;commerceisturnedintoasystemofsnaresandimpositions;andgovernmentbyturnsoppressiveorweak。 Itwerehappyforthehumanrace,whenguidedbyinterest,andnotgovernedbylaws,thatbeingsplitintonationsofamoderateextent,theyfoundineverycantonsomenaturalbartoitsfurtherenlargement,andmetwithoccupationenoughinmaintainingtheirindependence,withoutbeingabletoextendtheirdominion。 Thereisnotdisparityofrank,amongmeninrudeages,sufficienttogivetheircommunitiestheformoflegalmonarchy; andinaterritoryofconsiderableextent,whenunitedunderonehead,thewarlikeandturbulentspiritofitsinhabitantsseemstorequirethebridleofdespotismandmilitaryforce。Whereanydegreeoffreedomremains,thepowersoftheprinceare,astheywereinmostoftherudemonarchiesofEurope,extremelyprecarious,anddependchieflyonhispersonalcharacter:where,onthecontrary,thepowersoftheprinceareabovethecontrolofhispeople,theyarelikewiseabovetherestrictionsoflaw。 Rapacityandterrorbecomethepredominantmotivesofconduct,andformthecharacteroftheonlypartiesintowhichmankindaredivided,thatoftheoppressor,andthatoftheoppressed。 ThiscalamitythreatenedEuropeforages,undertheconquestandsettlementofitsnewinhabitants。(34*)IthasactuallytakenplaceinAsia,wheresimilarconquestshavebeenmade;andevenwithouttheordinaryopiatesofeffeminacy,oraservileweakness,foundedonluxury,ithassurprisedtheTartaronhiswain,intherearofhisherds。Amongthispeople,intheheartofagreatcontinent,boldandenterprisingwarriorsarose:theysubdued,bysurprise,orsuperiorabilities,thecontiguoushords;theygained,intheirprogress,accessionsofnumbersandofstrength;and,likeatorrentincreasingasitdescends,becametoostrongforanybarthatcouldbeopposedtotheirpassage。Theconqueringtribe,duringasuccessionofages,furnishedtheprincewithhisguards;andwhiletheythemselveswereallowedtoshareinitsspoils,werethevoluntarytoolsofoppression,Inthismannerhasdespotismandcorruptionmadetheirwayintoregionssomuchrenownedforthewildfreedomofnature:apowerwhichwastheterrorofeveryeffeminateprovinceisdisarmed,andthenurseryofnationsisitselfgonetodecay。(35*) Whererudenationsescapethiscalamity,theyrequiretheexerciseofforeignwarstomaintaindomesticpeace:whennoenemyappearsfromabroad,theyhaveleisureforprivatefeuds,andemploythatcourageintheirdissensionsathome,which,intimeofwar,isemployedindefenceoftheircountry。 ’AmongtheGauls,’saysCaesar,’therearesubdivisions,notonlyineverynation,andineverydistrictandvillage,butalmostineveryhouse,everyonemustflytosomepatronforprotection。’(36*)Inthisdistributionofparties,notonlythefeudsofclans,butthequarrelsoffamilies,eventhedifferencesandcompetitionsofindividuals,aredecidedbyforce。Thesovereign,whenunassistedbysuperstition,endeavoursinvaintoemployhisjurisdiction,ortoprocureasubmissiontothedecisionsoflaw。Byapeoplewhoareaccustomedtoowetheirpossessionstoviolence,andwhodespisefortuneitselfwithoutthereputationofcourage,noumpireisadmittedbutthesword。 ScipioofferedhisarbitrationtoterminatethecompetitionoftwoSpaniardsinadisputedsuccession:’That,’saidthey,’wehavealreadyrefusedtoourrelations:wedonotsubmitourdifferencetothejudgementofmen;andevenamongthegods,weappealtoMarsalone。’(37*) ItiswellknownthatthenationsofEuropecarriedthismodeofproceedingtoadegreeofformalityunheardofinotherpartsoftheworld:thecivilandcriminaljudgecould,inmostcases,donomorethanappointthelists,andleavethepartiestodecidetheircausebythecombat:theyapprehendedthatthevictorhadaverdictofthegodsinhisfavour:andwhentheydroppedinanyinstancethisextraordinaryformofprocess,theysubstitutedinitsplacesomeothermorecapriciousappealtochance;inwhichtheylikewisethoughtthatthejudgementofthegodswasdeclared。 ThefiercenationsofEuropewereevenfondofthecombatasanexerciseandasport。Intheabsenceofrealquarrels,companionschallengedeachothertoatrialofskill,inwhichoneofthemfrequentlyperished。WhenScipiocelebratedthefuneralofhisfatherandhisuncle,theSpaniardscameinpairstofight,and,byapublicexhibitionoftheirduels,toincreasethesolemnity。(38*) Inthiswildandlawlessstate,wheretheeffectsoftruereligionwouldhavebeensodesireable,andsosalutary,superstitionfrequentlydisputestheascendantevenwiththeadmirationofvalour;andanorderofmen,liketheDruidsamongtheancientGaulsandBritons,(39*)orsomepretendertodivination,asattheCapeofGoodHope,finds,inthecreditwhichispaidtohissorcery,awaytothepossessionofpower: hismagicwandcomesincompetitionwiththesworditself;and,inthemanneroftheDruids,givesthefirstrudimentsofcivilgovernmenttosome,or,likethesupposeddescendentofthesunamongtheNatchez,andtheLamaamongtheTartars,toothers,anearlytasteofdespotismandabsoluteslavery。 Wearegenerallyatalosstoconceivehowmankindcansubsistundercustomsandmannersextremelydifferentfromourown;andweareapttoexaggeratethemiseryofbarbaroustimes,byanimaginationofwhatweourselvesshouldsufferinasituationtowhichwearenotaccustomed。Buteveryagehathitsconsolations,aswellasitssufferings。(40*)Intheintervalofoccasionaloutrages,thefriendlyintercoursesofmen,evenintheirrudestcondition,isaffectionateand。happy(41*)inrudeages,thepersonsandpropertiesofindividualsaresecure; becauseeachhasafriend,aswellasanenemy;andiftheoneisdisposedtomolest,theotherisreadytoprotect;andtheveryadmirationofvalour,whichinsomeinstancestendstosanctifyviolence,inspireslikewisecertainmaximsofgenerosityandhonour,thattendtopreventthecommissionofwrongs。 Menbearwiththedefectsoftheirpolicy,astheydowithhardshipsandinconvenienciesintheirmannerofliving。Thealarmsandthefatiguesofwarbecomeanecessaryrecreationtothosewhoareaccustomedtothem,andwhohavethetoneoftheirpassionsraisedabovelessanimatingortryingoccasions。Oldmen,amongthecourtiersofAttila,wept,whentheyheardofheroicdeeds,whichtheythemselvescouldnolongerperform。(42*) AndamongtheCelticnations,whenagerenderedthewarriorunfitforhisformertoils,itwasthecustom,inordertoabridgethelanguorsofalistlessandinactivelife,tosuefordeathatthehandsofhisfriends。(43*) Withallthisferocityofspirit,therudenationsoftheWestweresubduedbythepolicyandmoreregularwarfareoftheRomans。Thepointofhonour,whichthebarbariansofEuropeadoptedasindividuals,exposedthemtoapeculiardisadvantage,byrenderingthem,evenintheirnationalwars,aversetoassailingtheirenemybysurprise,ortakingthebenefitofstratagem;andthoughseparatelyboldandintrepid,yet,likeotherrudenations,theywere,whenassembledingreatbodies,addictedtosuperstition,andsubjecttopanics。 Theywere,fromaconsciousnessoftheirpersonalcourageandforce,sanguineontheeveofbattle;theywere,beyondtheboundsofmoderation,elatedonsuccess,anddejectedinadversity。andbeingdisposedtoconsidereveryeventasajudgementofthegods,theywereneverqualifiedbyanuniformapplicationofprudence,tomakethemostoftheirforces,torepairtheirmisfortunes,ortoimprovetheiradvantages。 Resignedtothegovernmentofaffectionandpassion,theyweregenerousandfaithfulwheretheyhadfixedanattachment; implacable,froward,andcruel,wheretheyhadconceivedadislike:addictedtodebauchery,andtheimmoderateuseofintoxicatingliquors,theydeliberatedontheaffairsofstateintheheatoftheirriot;andinthesamedangerousmoments,conceivedthedesignsofmilitaryenterprise,orterminatedtheirdomesticdissensionsbythedaggerorthesword。 Intheirwarstheypreferreddeathtocaptivity。ThevictoriousarmiesoftheRomans,inenteringatownbyassault,orinforcinganincampment,havefoundthemotherintheactofdestroyingherchildren,thattheymightnotbetaken;andthedaggeroftheparent,redwiththebloodofhisfamily,readytobeplungedatlastintohisownbreast。(44*) Inalltheseparticularsweperceivethatvigourofspirit,whichrendersdisorderitselfrespectable,andwhichqualitiesmen,iffortunateintheirsituation,tolaythebasisofdomesticliberty,aswellastomaintainagainstforeignenemiestheirnationalindependenceandfreedom。 NOTES: 1。Hume’sHistory,ch。8,p。278。 2。Ibid。,p。73。 3。HistoryoftheCaribbees。 4。Charlevoix。 5。Lafitau。 6。Ibid。 7。Charlevoix。 8。Wafer’saccountoftheIsthmusofDarien。 9。Colden’sHistoryoftheFiveNations。 10。Lafitau,Charlevoix,Colden,etc。 11。Lafitau。 12。Muneribusgaudent,sednecdataimputant,necacceptisobligantur。 13。Charlevoix。 14。Lafitau。 15。Charlevoix。 16。Charlevoix。 17。Colden。 18。Charlevoix。 19。Ibid。Thiswritersays,thathehasseenaboyandagirl,havingboundtheirnakedarmstogether,placeaburningcoalbetweenthem,totrywhowouldshakeitofffirst。 20。Lafitau。 21。Charlevoix。 22。Tacitus,Lafitau,Charlevoix。 23。Caesarquestus,quodquumultroincontinentemlegatismissispacemasepetissent,bellumsinecausaintulissent。Lib。4。 24。Abulgaze’sGenealogicalHistoryoftheTartars。 25。Pirgumquinimmoetinersvidetur,sudoreacquirereqodpossissanguineparare。 26。Rubruquis。 27。HistoryoftheCaribbees。 28。Tacitus,DemoribusGermanorum。 29。JeanduPlanCarpen。Rubruquis,Caesar,Tacit。 30。Kolbe,DescriptionoftheCapeofGoodHope。 31。SimondeStQuintin。 32。DemoribusGermanorum。 33。Chardin’sTravels。 34。SeeHume’sHistoryoftheTudors——Thereseemedtobenothingwantingtoestablishaperfectdespotisminthathouse,butafewregimentsoftroopsunderthecommandofthecrown。 35。SeetheHistoryoftheHuns。 36。DeBelloGallico,lib。6。 37。Livy。 38。Livy,lib。3。 39。Caesar。 40。Priscus,whenemployedonanembassytoAttila,wasaccostedinGreek,byapersonwhoworethedressofaScythian。Havingexpressedsurprise,andbeingdesiroustoknowthecauseofhisstayinsowildacompany,wastold,thatthisGreekhadbeenacaptive,andforsometimeaslave,tillheobtainedhislibertyinrewardofsomeremarkableaction。’Ilivemorehappilyhere,’ sayshe,’thaneverIdidundertheRomangovernment:fortheywholivewiththeScythians,iftheycanendurethefatiguesofwar,havenothingelsetomolestthem;theyenjoytheirpossessionundisturbed:whereasyouarecontinuallyapreytoforeignenemies,ortobadgovernment;youareforbidtocarryarmsinyourowndefence;yousufferfromtheremissnessandillconductofthosewhoareappointedtoprotectyou;theevilsofpeaceareevenworsethanthoseofwar;nopunishmentiseverinflictedonthepowerfulortherich;nomercyisshowntothepoor;althoughyourinstitutionswerewiselydevised,yetinthemanagementofcorruptedmen,theireffectsareperniciousandcruel。’Excerptadelegationibus。 41。D’Arvieux’HistoryoftheWildArabs。 42。Ibid。 43。Ubitranscenditflorentesviribusannos,Impatiensaevispernitnovissesenectam。 Silius,lib。I,225。 44。Liv。lib。xli。II。Dio。Cass。 PartThirdOftheHistoryofPolicyandArtsSectionI OftheInfluencesofClimateandSituationWhatwehavehithertoobservedontheconditionandmannersofnations,thoughchieflyderivedfromwhathaspassedinthetemperateclimates,may,insomemeasure,beappliedtotherudestateofmankindineverypartoftheearth:butifweintendtopursuethehistoryofourspeciesinitsfurtherattainments,wemaysoonenteronsubjectswhichwillconfineourobservationtomorenarrowlimits。Thegeniusofpoliticalwisdomandcivilartsappearstohavechosenhisseatsinparticulartractsoftheearth,andtohaveselectedhisfavouritesinparticularracesofmen。 Man,inhisanimalcapacity,isqualifiedtosubsistineveryclimate。Hereignswiththelionandthetygerundertheequatorialbeatsofthesun,orbeassociateswiththebearandtheraindeerbeyondthepolarcircle。Hisversatiledispositionfitshimtoassumethehabitsofeithercondition,orhistalentforartsenableshimtosupplyitsdefects。Theintermediateclimates,however,appearmosttofavourhisnature;andinwhatevermannerweaccountforthefact,itcannotbedoubted,thatthisanimalhasalwaysattainedtotheprincipalhonoursofhisspecieswithinthetemperatezone。Thearts,whichhehasonthisscenerepeatedlyinvented,theextentofhisreason,thefertilityofhisfancy,andtheforceofhisgeniusinliterature,commerce,policy,andwar,sufficientlydeclareeitheradistinguishedadvantageofsituation,oranaturalsuperiorityofmind。 Themostremarkableracesofmen,itistrue,havebeenrudebeforetheywerepolished。Theyhaveinsomecasesreturnedtorudenessagain:anditisnotfromtheactualpossessionofarts,science,orpolicy,thatwearetopronounceoftheirgenius。 Thereisavigour,areachofcapacity,andasensibilityofmind,whichmaycharacteriseaswellthesavageasthecitizen,theslaveaswellasthemaster;andthesamepowersofthemindmaybeturnedtoavarietyofpurposes。AmodernGreek,perhaps,ismischievous,slavish,andcunning,fromthesameanimatedtemperamentthatmadehisancestorardent,ingenious,andbold,inthecamp,orinthecouncilofhisnation。AmodernItalianisdistinguishedbysensibility,quickness,andart,whileheemploysontriflesthecapacityofanancientRoman;andexhibitsnow,inthesceneofamusement,andinthesearchofafrivolousapplause,thatfire,andthosepassions,withwhichGracchusburnedintheforum,andshooktheassembliesofasevererpeople。 Thecommercialandlucrativeartshavebeen,insomeclimates,theprincipalobjectofmankind,andhavebeenretainedthrougheverydisaster;inothers,evenunderallthefluctuationsoffortune,theyhavestillbeenneglected;whileinthetemperateclimatesofEuropeandAsia,theyhavehadtheiragesofadmirationaswellascontempt。 Inonestateofsociety,artsareslighted,fromthatveryardourofmind,andprincipleofactivity,bywhich,inanother; theyarepractisedwiththegreatestsuccess。Whilemenareingrossedbytheirpassions,heatedandrousedbythestrugglesanddangersoftheircountry;whilethetrumpetsounds,orthealarmofsocialengagementisrung,andtheheartbeatshigh,itwereamarkofdullness,orofanabjectspirit,tofindleisureforthestudyofease,orthepursuitofimprovements,whichhavemereconvenienceoreasefortheirobject。 Thefrequentvicissitudesandreversesoffortune,whichnationshaveexperiencedonthatverygroundwheretheartshaveprospered,areprobablytheeffectsofabusy,inventive,andversatilespirit,bywhichmenhavecarriedeverynationalpursuittoextremes。Theyhaveraisedthefabricofdespoticempiretoitsgreatestheight,wheretheyhadbestunderstoodthefoundationsoffreedom。Theyperishedintheflameswhichtheythemselveshadkindled;andtheyonly,perhaps,werecapableofdisplaying,byturns,thegreatestimprovements,orthelowestcorruptions,towhichthehumanmindcanbebrought。 Onthisscene,mankindhavetwice,withinthecompassofhistory,ascendedfromrudebeginningstoveryhighdegreesofrefinement。Ineveryage,whetherdestinedbyitstemporarydispositiontobuildortodestroy,theyhaveleftthevestigesofanactiveandvehementspirit。ThepavementandtheruinsofRomeareburiedindust,shakenfromthefeetofbarbarians,whotrodwithcontemptontherefinementsofluxury,andspurnedthosearts,theuseofwhichitwasreservedfortheposterityofthesamepeopletodiscoverandtoadmire。ThetentsofthewildArabareevennowpitchedamongtheruinsofmagnificentcities; andthewastefieldswhichborderOnPalestineandSyria,areperhapsbecomeagainthenurseryofinfantnations。ThechieftainofanArabtribe,likethefounderofRome,mayhavealreadyfixedtherootsofaplantthatistoflourishinsomefutureperiod,orlaidthefoundationsofafabric,thatwillattaintoitsgrandeurinsomedistantage。 GreatpartofAfricahasbeenalwaysunknown;butthesilenceoffame,onthesubjectofitsrevolutions,isanargument,wherenootherproofcanbefound,ofweaknessinthegeniusofitspeople。Thetorridzone,everywhereroundtheglobe,howeverknowntothegeographer,hasfurnishedfewmaterialsforhistory; andthoughinmanyplacessuppliedwiththeartsoflifeinnocontemptibledegree,hasnowherematuredthemoreimportantprojectsofpoliticalwisdom,norinspiredthevirtueswhichareconnectedwithfreedom,andrequiredintheconductofcivilaffairs。 Itwasindeedinthetorridzonethatmereartsofmechanismandmanufacturewerefound,amongtheinhabitantsofthenewworld,tohavemadethegreatestadvance:itisinIndia,andintheregionsofthishemisphere,whicharevisitedbytheverticalsun,thattheartsofmanufacture,andthepracticeofcommerce,areofthegreatestantiquity,andhavesurvived,withthesmallestdiminution,theruinsoftime,andtherevolutionsofempire。 Thesun,itseems,whichripensthepine-appleandthetamarind,inspiresadegreeofmildnessthancanevenassuagetherigoursofdespoticalgovernment:andsuchistheeffectofagentleandpacificdispositioninthenativesoftheEast,thatnoconquest,noirruptionofbarbarians,terminates,astheydidamongthestubbornnativesofEurope,byatotaldestructionofwhattheloveofeaseandofpleasurehadproduced。 Transferred,withoutanygreatstruggle,fromonemastertoanother,thenativesofIndiaareready,uponeverycharge,topursuetheirindustry,toacquiesceintheenjoymentoflife,andthehopesofanimalpleasure:thewarsofconquestarenotprolongedtoexasperatethepartiesengagedinthem,ortodesolatethelandforwhichthosepartiescontend:eventhebarbarousinvaderleavesuntouchedthecommercialsettlementwhichhasnotprovokedhisrage:thoughmasterofopulentcities,heonlyincampsintheirneighbourhood,andleavestohisheirstheoptionofentering,bydegrees,onthepleasures,thevices,andthepageantrieshisacquisitionsafford:hissuccessors,stillmorethanhimself,aredisposedtofosterthehive,inproportionastheytastemoreofitssweets;andtheysparetheinhabitant,togetherwithhisdwelling,astheysparetheherdorthestall,ofwhichtheyarebecometheproprietors。 ThemoderndescriptionofIndiaisarepetitionoftheancient,andthepresentstateofChinaisderivedfromadistantantiquity,towhichthereisnoparallelinthehistoryofmankind。Thesuccessionofmonarchshasbeenchanged;butnorevolutionshaveaffectedthestate。TheAfricanandtheSamoiedearenotmoreuniformintheirignoranceandbarbarity,thantheChineseandtheIndian,ifwemaycredittheirownstory,havebeeninthepracticeofmanufacture,andintheobservanceofacertainpolice,whichwascalculatedonlytoregulatetheirtraffic,andtoprotectthemintheirapplicationtoservileorlucrativearts。 Ifwepassfromthesegeneralrepresentationsofwhatmankindhavedone,tothemoreminutedescriptionoftheanimalhimself,ashehasoccupieddifferentclimates,andisdiversifiedinhistemper,complexion,andcharacter,weshallfindavarietyofgeniuscorrespondingtotheeffectsofhisconduct,andtheresultofhisstory。 Man,intheperfectionofhisnaturalfaculties,isquickanddelicateinhissensibility;extensiveandvariousinhisimaginationsandreflections;attentive,penetrating,andsubtile,inwhatrelatestohisfellow-creatures;firmandardentinhispurposes;devotedtofriendshiportoenmity;jealousofhisindependenceandhishonour,whichhewillnotrelinquishforsafetyorforprofit:underallhiscorruptionsorimprovements,heretainshisnaturalsensibility,ifnothisforce;andhiscommerceisablessingoracurse,accordingtothedirectionhismindhasreceived。 Butundertheextremesofheatorofcold,theactiverangeofthehumansoulappearstobelimited;andmenareofinferiorimportance,eitherasfriends,orasenemies。Intheoneextreme,theyaredullandslow,moderateintheirdesires,regularandpacificintheirmanneroflife;intheother,theyarefeverishintheirpassions,weakintheirjudgements,andaddictedbytemperamenttoanimalpleasure。Inboththeheartismercenary,andmakesimportantconcessionsforchildishbribes:inboththespiritispreparedforservitude:intheoneitissubduedbyfearofthefuture;intheotheritisnotrousedevenbyitssenseofthepresent。 ThenationsofEuropewhowouldsettleorconqueronthesouthorthenorthoftheirownhappierclimates,findlittleresistance:theyextendtheirdominionatpleasure,andfindnowherealimitbutintheocean,andinthesatietyofconquest。 Withfewofthepangsandthestrugglesthatprecedethereductionofnations,mightyprovinceshavebeensuccessivelyannexedtotheterritoryofRussia;anditssovereign,whoaccountswithinhisdomain,entiretribes,withwhomperhapsnoneofhisemissarieshaveeverconversed,dispatchedafewgeometerstoextendhisempire,andthustoexecuteaproject,inwhichtheRomanswereobligedtoemploytheirconsulsandtheirlegions。(1*)Thesemodernconquerorscomplainofrebellion,wheretheymeetwithrepugnance;andaresurprisedatbeingtreatedasenemies,wheretheycometoimposetheirtribute。 Itappears,however,thatontheshoresoftheEasternsea,theyhavemetwithnations(2*)whohavequestionedtheirtitletoreign,andwhohaveconsideredtherequisitionofataxasthedemandofeffectsfornothing。HereperhapsmaybefoundthegeniusofancientEurope,andunderitsnameofferocity,thespiritofnationalindependence;(3*)thatspiritwhichdisputeditsgroundintheWestwiththevictoriousarmiesofRome,andbaffledtheattemptsofthePersianmonarchstocomprehendthevillagesofGreecewithintheboundsoftheirextensivedominion。 Thegreatandstrikingdiversitieswhichobtainbetwixttheinhabitantsofclimatesfarremovedfromeachother,are,likethevarietiesofotheranimalsindifferentregions,easilyobserved。ThehorseandtheraindeerarejustemblemsoftheArabandtheLaplander:thenativeofArabia,liketheanimalforwhoseracehiscountryisfamed,whetherwildinthewoods,ortutoredbyart,islively,active,andferventintheexerciseonwhichheisbent。Thisraceofmen,intheirrudestate,flytothedesertforfreedom,andinrovingbandsalarmthefrontiersofempire,andstrikeaterrorintheprovincetowhichtheirmovingencampmentsadvance。(4*)Whenrousedbytheprospectofconquest,ordisposedtoactonaplan,theyspreadtheirdominion,andtheirsystemofimagination,overmightytractsoftheearth:whenpossessedofpropertyandofsettlement,theysettheexampleofalivelyinvention,andsuperioringenuity,inthepracticeofarts,andthestudyofscience,TheLaplander,onthecontrary,liketheassociateofhisclimate,ishardy,indefatigable,andpatientoffamine;dullratherthantame; serviceableinaparticulartract;andincapableofchange。Wholenationscontinuefromagetoageinthesamecondition,and,withimmoveablephlegm,submittotheappellationsofDane,ofSwede,orofMuscovite,accordingtothelandtheyinhabit;andsuffertheircountrytobeseveredlikeacommon,bythelineonwhichthosenationshavetracedtheirlimitsofempire。 Itisnotintheextremesalonethatthesevarietiesofgeniusmaybeclearlydistinguished。Theircontinualchangekeepspacewiththevariationsofclimatewithwhichwesupposethemconnected:andthoughcertaindegreesofcapacity,penetration,andardour,arenotthelotofentirenations,northevulgarpropertiesofanypeople;yettheirunequalfrequency,andunequalmeasure,indifferentcountries,aresufficientlymanifestfromthemanners,thetoneofconversation,thetalentforbusiness,amusement,andliterarycomposition,whichpredominateineach。 ItistotheSouthernnationsofEurope,bothancientandmodern,thatweowetheinventionandtheembellishmentofthatmythology,andthoseearlytraditions,whichcontinuetofurnishthematerialsoffancy,andthefieldofpoeticallusion。Tothemweowetheromantictalesofchivalry,aswellasthesubsequentmodelsofamorerationalstyle,bywhichtheheartandtheimaginationarekindled,andtheunderstandinginformed。 ThefruitsofindustryhaveaboundedmostintheNorth,andthestudyofsciencehasherereceiveditsmostsolidimprovements:theeffortsofimaginationandsentimentweremostfrequentandmostsuccessfulintheSouth。WhiletheshoresoftheBalticbecamefamedforthestudiesofCopernicus,TychoBrahe,andKepler,thoseoftheMediterraneanwerecelebratedforgivingbirthtomenofgeniusinallitsvariety,andforhavingaboundedwithpoetsandhistorians,aswellaswithmenofscience。 Ononeside,learningtookitsrisefromtheheartandthefancy;ontheother,itisstillconfinedtothejudgementandthememory。Afaithfuldetailofpublictransactions,withlittlediscernmentoftheircomparativeimportance;thetreatiesandtheclaimsofnations,thebirthsandgenealogiesofprinces,are,intheliteratureofNorthernnations,amplypreserved;whilethelightsoftheunderstanding,andthefeelingsoftheheart,aresufferedtoperish。Thehistoryofthehumancharacter;theinterestingmemoir,foundednolessonthecarelessproceedingsofaprivatelife,thanontheformaltransactionsofapublicstation;theingeniouspleasantry,thepiercingridicule,thetender,pathetic,ortheelevatedstrainofelocution,havebeenconfinedinmodernaswellasancienttimes,withafewexceptions,tothesamelatitudeswiththefigandthevine。 Thesediversitiesofnaturalgenius,ifreal,musthavegreatpartoftheirfoundationintheanimalframe:andithasbeenoftenobserved,thatthevineflourishes,where,toquickenthefermentsofthehumanblood,itsaidsaretheleastrequired。 Whilespirituousliquorsare,amongSouthernnations,fromasenseoftheirruinouseffects,prohibited;orfromaloveofdecency,andthepossessionofatemperamentsufficientlywarm,notgreatlydesired;theycarryintheNorthapeculiarcharm,whiletheyawakenthemind,andgiveatasteofthatlivelyfancyandardourofpassion,whichtheclimateisfoundtodeny。 Themeltingdesires,orthefierypassions,whichinoneclimatetakeplacebetweenthesexes,areinanotherchangedintoasoberconsideration,orapatienceofmutualdisgust。ThischangeisremarkedincrossingtheMediterranean,infollowingthecourseoftheMissisippi,inascendingthemountainsofCaucasus,andinpassingfromtheAlpsandthePyreneestotheshoresoftheBaltic。 ThefemalesexdomineersonthefrontierofLouisiana,bythedoubleengineofsuperstition,andofpassion。TheyareslavesamongthenativeinhabitantsofCanada,andchieflyvaluedforthetoilstheyendure,andthedomesticservicetheyyield。(5*) Theburningardours,andthetorturingjealousies,oftheseraglioandtheharam,whichhavereignedsolonginAsiaandAfrica,andwhich,intheSouthernpartsofEurope,havescarcelygivenwaytothedifferenceofreligionandcivilestablishments,arefound,however,withanabatementofheatintheclimate,tobemoreeasilychanged,inonelatitude,intoatemporarypassionwhichingrossesthemind,withoutenfeeblingit,andwhichexcitestoromanticatchievements:byafartherprogresstotheNorth,itischangedintoaspiritofgallantry,whichemploysthewitandthefancymorethantheheart;whichprefersintriguetoenjoyment;andsubstitutesaffectationandvanity,wheresentimentanddesirehavefailed。Asitdepartsfromthesun,thesamepassionisfurthercomposedintoahabitofdomesticconnection,orfrozenintoastateofinsensibility,underwhichthesexesatfreedomscarcelychusetounitetheirsociety。 Thesevariationsoftemperamentandcharacter,donotindeedcorrespondwiththenumberofdegreesthataremeasuredfromtheequatortothepole;nordoesthetemperatureoftheairitselfdependonthelatitude。Varietiesofsoilandposition,thedistanceorneighbourhoodofthesea,areknowntoaffecttheatmosphere,andmayhavesignaleffectsincomposingtheanimalframe。 TheclimatesofAmerica,thoughtakenunderthesameparallel,areobservedtodifferfromthoseofEurope。There,extensivemarshes,greatlakes,aged,decayed,andcroudedforests,withtheothercircumstancesthatmarkanuncultivatedcountry,aresupposedtoreplenishtheairwithheavyandnoxiousvapours,thatgiveadoubleasperitytothewinter,and,duringmanymonths,bythefrequencyandcontinuanceoffogs,snow,andfrost,carrytheinconvenienciesofthefrigidzonefarintothetemperate。TheSamoiedeandtheLaplander,however,havetheircounterpart,thoughonalowerlatitude,ontheshoresofAmerica:theCanadianandtheIroquoisbeararesemblancetotheancientinhabitantsofthemiddlingclimatesofEurope:theMexican,liketheAsiaticofIndia,beingaddictedtopleasure,wassunkineffeminacy;andintheneighbourhoodofthewildandthefree,hadsufferedtoberaisedonhisweakness,adomineeringsuperstition,andapermanentfabricofdespoticalgovernment。 GreatpartofTartaryliesunderthesameparallelswithGreece,Italy,andSpain;buttheclimatesarefoundtobedifferent;andwhiletheshores,notonlyoftheMediterranean,buteventhoseoftheAtlantic,arefavouredwithamoderatechangeandvicissitudeofseasons,theeasternpartsofEurope,andthenortherncontinentofAsia,areafflictedwithalltheirextremes。Inoneseason,wearetold,thattheplaguesofanardentsummerreachalmosttothefrozensea;andthattheinhabitantisobligedtoscreenhimselffromnoxiousvermininthesamecloudsofsmokeinwhichhemust,atadifferenttimeoftheyear,takeshelterfromtherigoursofcold。Whenwinterreturns,thetransitionisrapid,andwithanasperityalmostequalineverylatitude,layswastethefaceoftheearth,fromthenorthernconfinesofSiberia,tothedescentsofMountCaucasusandthefrontierofIndia。 Withthisunequaldistributionofclimate,bywhichthelot,aswellasthenationalcharacter,oftheNorthernAsiaticmaybedeemedinferiortothatofEuropeanswholieunderthesameparallels,asimilargradationoftemperamentandspirit,however,hasbeenobserved,infollowingthemeridianoneithertract;andtheSouthernTartarhasovertheTongusesandtheSamoiede,thesamepre-eminencethatcertainnationsofEuropeareknowntopossessovertheirNorthernneighbours,insituationsmoreadvantageoustoboth。 TheSouthernhemispherescarcelyoffersasubjectoflikeobservation。Thetemperatezoneistherestillundiscovered,orisonlyknownintwopromontories,theCapeofGoodHope,andCapeHorn,whichstretchintomoderatelatitudesonthatsideoftheline。ButthesavageofSouthAmerica,notwithstandingtheinterpositionofthenationsofPeruandofMexico,isfoundtoresemblehiscounterpartontheNorth;andtheHottentot,inmanythings,thebarbarianofEurope:heistenaciousoffreedom,hasrudimentsofpolicy,andanationalvigour,whichservetodistinguishhisracefromtheotherAfricantribes,whoareexposedtothemoreverticalraysofthesun。 Whilewehave,intheseobservations,onlythrownoutwhatmustpresentitselfonthemostcursoryviewofthehistoryofmankind,orwhatmaybepresumedfromthemereobscurityofsomenations,whoinhabitgreattractsoftheearth,aswellasfromthelustreofothers,wearestillunabletoexplainthemannerinwhichclimatemayaffectthetemperament,orfosterthegenius,ofitsinhabitant。 Thatthetemperoftheheart,andtheintellectualoperationsofthemind,are,insomemeasure,dependentonthestateoftheanimalorgans,iswellknownfromexperience。Mendifferfromthemselvesinsicknessandinhealth;underachangeofdiet,ofair,andofexercise:butweare,eveninthesefamiliarinstances,atalosshowtoconnectthecausewithitssupposedeffect:andthoughclimate,byincludingavarietyofsuchcauses,may,bysomeregularinfluence,affectthecharactersofmen,wecanneverhopetoexplainthemannerofthoseinfluencestillwehaveunderstoodwhatprobablyweshallneverunderstand,thestructureofthosefinerorganswithwhichtheoperationsofthesoulareconnected。 Whenwepointout,inthesituationofapeople,circumstanceswhich,bydeterminingtheirpursuits,regulatetheirhabits,andtheirmanneroflife;andwhen,insteadofreferringtothesupposedphysicalsourceoftheirdispositions,weassigntheirinducementstoadeterminateconduct;inthiswespeakofeffectsandofcauseswhoseconnectionismorefamiliarlyknown。Wecanunderstand,forinstance,whyaraceofmenliketheSamoiede,confined,duringgreatpartoftheyear,todarkness,orretiredintocaverns,shoulddiffer,intheirmannersandapprehensions,fromthosewhoareatlibertyineveryseason;orwho,insteadofseekingrelieffromtheextremitiesofcold,areemployedinsearchofprecautionsagainsttheoppressionsofaburningsun。Fireandexercisearetheremediesofcold;reposeandshadethesecuritiesfromheat。TheHollanderislaboriousandindustriousinEurope;hebecomesmorelanguidandslothfulinIndia。(6*) Greatextremities,eitherofheatorcold,are,perhaps,inamoralview,equallyunfavourabletotheactivegeniusofmankind,andbypresentingalikeunsuperabledifficultiestobeovercome,orstronginducementstoindolenceandsloth,equallypreventthefirstapplicationsofingenuity,orlimittheirprogress。Someintermediatedegreesofinconvenienceinthesituation,atonceexcitethespirit,and,withthehopesofsuccess,encourageitsefforts。’Itisintheleastfavourablesituations,’saysMrRousseau,’thatartshaveflourishedthemost。IcouldshowtheminEgypt,astheyspreadwiththeoverflowingoftheNile;andinAfrica,astheymounteduptotheclouds,fromarockysoilandfrombarrensands;whileonthefertilebanksoftheEurotas,theywerenotabletofastentheirroots。’ Wheremankindfromthefirstsubsistbytoil,andinthemidstofdifficulties,thedefectsoftheirsituationaresuppliedbyindustry。andwhiledry,tempting,andhealthfullandsareleftuncultivated,(7*)thepestilentmarshisdrainedwithgreatlabour,andtheSeaisfencedoffwithmightybarriers,thematerialsandthecostsofwhich,thesoiltobegainedcanscarcelyafford,orrepay。Harboursareopened,andcroudedwithshipping,wherevesselsofburden,iftheyarenotconstructedwithaviewtothesituation,havenotwatertofloat。Elegantandmagnificentedificesareraisedonfoundationsofslime;andalltheconvenienciesofhumanlifearemadetoabound,wherenaturedoesnotseemtohavepreparedareceptionformen。Itisinvaintoexpect,thattheresidenceofartsandcommerceshouldbedeterminedbythepossessionofnaturaladvantages。Mendomorewhentheyhavecertaindifficultiestosurmount,thanwhentheyhavesupposedblessingstoenjoy:andtheshadeofthebarrenoakandthepinearemorefavourabletothegeniusofmankind,thanthatofthepalmorthetamarind。 Amongtheadvantageswhichenablenationstorunthecareerofpolicy,aswellasofarts,itmaybeexpected,fromtheobservationsalreadymade,thatweshouldreckoneverycircumstancewhichenablesthemtodivideandtomaintainthemselvesindistinctandindependentcommunities。Thesocietyandconcourseofothermen,arenotmorenecessarytoformtheindividual,thantherivalshipandcompetitionofnationsaretoinvigoratetheprinciplesofpoliticallifeinastate。Theirwars,andtheirtreaties,theirmutualjealousies,andtheestablishmentswhichtheydevisewithaviewtoeachother,constitutemorethanhalftheoccupationsofmankind,andfurnishmaterialsfortheirgreatestandmostimprovingexertions。Forthisreason,clustersofislands,acontinentdividedbymanynaturalbarriers,greatrivers,ridgesofmountains,andarmsofthesea,arebestfittedforbecomingthenurseryofindependentandrespectablenations。Thedistinctionofstatesbeingclearlymaintained,aprincipleofpoliticallifeisestablishedineverydivision,andthecapitalofeverydistrict,liketheheartinananimalbody,communicateswitheasethevitalbloodandthenationalspirittoitsmembers。 Themostrespectablenationshavealwaysbeenfoundwhereatleastonepartofthefrontierhasbeenwashedbythesea。Thisbarrier,perhapsthestrongestofallinthetimesofbarbarity,doesnot,however,eventhensupersedethecaresofanationaldefence;andintheadvancedstateofarts,givesthegreatestscopeandfacilitytocommerce。 ThrivingandindependentnationswereaccordinglyscatteredontheshoresofthePacificandtheAtlantic。TheysurroundedtheRedsea,theMediterranean,andtheBaltic;while,afewtribesexcepted,whoretireamongthemountainsborderingonIndiaandPersia,orwhohavefoundsomerudeestablishmentamongthecreeksandtheshoresoftheCaspianandtheEuxine,thereisscarcelyapeopleinthevastcontinentofAsiawhodeservesthenameofanation。Theunboundedplainistraversedatlargebyhordes,whoareinperpetualmotion,orwhoaredisplacedandharassedbytheirmutualhostilities。Althoughtheyareneverperhapsactuallyblendedtogetherinthecourseofhunting,orinthesearchofpasture,theycannotbearonegreatdistinctionofnations,whichistakenfromtheterritory,andwhichisdeeplyimpressedbyanaffectiontothenativeseat。Theymoveintroops,withoutthearrangementortheconcertofnations;theybecomeeasyaccessionstoeverynewempireamongthemselves,ortotheChineseandtheMuscovite,withwhomtheyholdatrafficforthemeansofsubsistence,andthematerialsofpleasure。 Whereahappysystemofnationsisformed,theydonotrelyforthecontinuanceoftheirseparatenames,andforthatoftheirpoliticalindependence,onthebarrierserectedbynature。 Mutualjealousiesleadtothemaintenanceofabalanceofpower; andthisprinciple,morethantheRhineandtheOcean,thantheAlpsandthePyreneesinmodernEurope;morethanthestraitsofThermopylae,themountainsofThrace,orthebaysofSalamineandCorinthinancientGreece;tendedtoprolongtheseparation,towhichtheinhabitantsofthesehappyclimateshaveowedtheirfelicityasnations,thelustreoftheirfame,andtheircivilaccomplishments。 Ifwemeantopursuethehistoryofcivilsociety,ourattentionmustbechieflydirectedtosuchexamples,andwemustherebidfareweltothoseregionsoftheearth,onwhichourspecies,bytheeffectsofsituationorclimate,appeartoberestrainedintheirnationalpursuits,orinferiorinthepowersofthemind。 SectionII TheHistoryofSubordinationWehavehithertoobservedmankind,eitherunitedtogetherontermsofequality,ordisposedtoadmitofasubordinationfoundedmerelyonthevoluntaryrespectandattachmentwhichtheypaidtotheirleaders;but,inbothcases,withoutanyconcertedplanofgovernment,orsystemoflaws。 Thesavage,whosefortuneiscomprisedinhiscabin,hisfur,andhisarms,issatisfiedwiththatprovision,andwiththatdegreeofsecurity,hehimselfcanprocure。Heperceives,intreatingwithhisequal,nosubjectofdiscussionthatshouldbereferredtothedecisionofajudge;nordoeshefindinanyhandthebadgesofmagistracy,ortheensignsofaperpetualcommand。 Thebarbarian,thoughinducedbyhisadmirationofpersonalqualities,thelustreofaheroicrace,orasuperiorityoffortune,tofollowthebannersofaleader,andtoactasubordinatepartinhistribe,knowsnot,thatwhatheperformsfromchoice,istobemadeasubjectofobligation。Heactsfromaffectionsunacquaintedwithforms;andwhenprovoked,orwhenengagedindisputes,herecurstothesword,astheultimatemeansofdecision,inallquestionsofright。 Humanaffairs,inthemeantime,continuetheirprogress。 Whatwasinonegenerationapropensitytoherdwiththespecies,becomes,intheageswhichfollow,aprincipleofnationalunion。 Whatwasoriginallyanallianceforcommondefence,becomesaconcertedplanofpoliticalforce;thecareofsubsistencebecomesananxietyforaccumulatingwealth,andthefoundationofcommercialarts。 Mankind,infollowingthepresentsenseoftheirminds,instrivingtoremoveinconveniencies,ortogainapparentandcontiguousadvantages,arriveatendswhicheventheirimaginationcouldnotanticipate,andpasson,likeotheranimals,inthetrackoftheirnature,withoutperceivingitsend。Hewhofirstsaid,’Iwillappropriatethisfield:Iwillleaveittomyheirs;’didnotperceive,thathewaslayingthefoundationofcivillawsandpoliticalestablishments。Hewhofirstrangedhimselfunderaleader,didnotperceive,thathewassettingtheexampleofapermanentsubordination,underthepretenceofwhich,therapaciousweretoseizehispossessions,andthearroganttolayclaimtohisservice。 Men,ingeneral,aresufficientlydisposedtooccupythemselvesinformingprojectsandschemes:buthewhowouldschemeandprojectforothers,willfindanopponentineverypersonwhoisdisposedtoschemeforhimself。Likethewinds,thatcomeweknownotwhence,andblowwhithersoevertheylist,theformsofsocietyarederivedfromanobscureanddistantorigin;theyarise,longbeforethedateofphilosophy,fromtheinstincts,notfromthespeculations,ofmen。Thecroudofmankind,aredirectedintheirestablishmentsandmeasures,bythecircumstancesinwhichtheyareplaced;andseldomareturnedfromtheirway,tofollowtheplanofanysingleprojector。 Everystepandeverymovementofthemultitude,eveninwhataretermedenlightenedages,aremadewithequalblindnesstothefuture;andnationsstumbleuponestablishments,whichareindeedtheresultofhumanaction,butnottheexecutionofanyhumandesign。(8*)IfCromwellsaid,Thatamannevermountshigher,thanwhenheknowsnotwhitherheisgoing;itmaywithmorereasonbeaffirmedofcommunities,thattheyadmitofthegreatestrevolutionswherenochangeisintended,andthatthemostrefinedpoliticiansdonotalwaysknowwhithertheyareleadingthestatebytheirprojects。 Ifwelistentothetestimonyofmodernhistory,andtothatofthemostauthenticpartsoftheancient;ifweattendtothepracticeofnationsineveryquarteroftheworld,andineverycondition,whetherthatofthebarbarianorthepolished,weshallfindverylittlereasontoretractthisassertion。Noconstitutionisformedbyconcert,nogovernmentiscopiedfromaplan。Themembersofasmallstatecontendforequality;themembersofagreater,findthemselvesclassedinacertainmannerthatlaysafoundationformonarchy。Theyproceedfromoneformofgovernmenttoanother,byeasytransitions,andfrequentlyunderoldnamesadoptanewconstitution。Theseedsofeveryformarelodgedinhumannature;theyspringupandripenwiththeseason。Theprevalenceofaparticularspeciesisoftenderivedfromanimperceptibleingredientmingledinthesoil。 Wearethereforetoreceive,withcaution,thetraditionaryhistoriesofancientlegislators,andfoundersofstates。Theirnameshavelongbeencelebrated;theirsupposedplanshavebeenadmired;andwhatwereprobablytheconsequencesofanearlysituation,is,ineveryinstance,consideredasaneffectofdesign。Anauthorandawork,likecauseandeffect,areperpetuallycoupledtogether。Thisisthesimplestformunderwhichwecanconsidertheestablishmentofnations:andweascribetoapreviousdesign,whatcametobeknownonlybyexperience,whatnohumanwisdomcouldforesee,andwhat,withouttheconcurringhumouranddispositionofhisage,noauthoritycouldenableanindividualtoexecute。 Ifmen,duringagesofextensivereflection,andemployedinthesearchofimprovement,areweddedtotheirinstitutions;and,labouringundermanyacknowledgedinconveniencies,cannotbreakloosefromthetrammelsofcustom;whatshallwesupposetheirhumourtohavebeeninthetimesofRomulusandLycurgus?Theywerenotsurelymoredisposedtoembracetheschemesofinnovators,ortoshakeofftheimpressionsofhabit:theywerenotmorepliantandductile,whentheirknowledgewasless;notmorecapableofrefinement,whentheirmindsweremorecircumscribed。