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OF THЕ

HISTORY OF MAN.

IN FOUR VOLUMES.

Kames

By HENRY HOME, Lord KAIMS,

Author of Elements of Criticism, &c.

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SKETCH IX.

MILITARY Branch of GOVERNMENT.

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URING the infancy of a nation, every mem

ber depends on his own industry for procuring the necessaries of life: he is his own mafon, his own taylor, his own physician; and on himself he chiefly relies for offence as well as defence. Every savage can say, what few beggars among us can say, Omnia mea mecum porto; and hence the aptitude of a savage for war, which makes little alteration in his manner of living. In early times accordingly, the men were all warriors, and every known art was exercised by women; which is the case at present of American fayages. And even after arts were so much improved as to be exercised by men, none who could bear afnis were exempted from war. In feudal governments, the military spirit was carried to a great height: eil gentlemen were foldiers by profession; and every other art was despised, as low, if not conteinptible.

Even in this untoward state, arts made some progress, not excepting those for amusement; and many conveniencies, formerly unknown, became necessary to comfortable living. A man cannot bear to be deprived of the conveniencies and amusements to which he is accustomed: he hates war, and clings to the sweets of peace.

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peace. Hence the necessity of a military establishment, hardening men by strict discipline to endure the fatigues of war. By standing armies, war is carried on more regularly and scientifically than in feudal governments; and as it is carried on with infinitely greater expence, nations are more referved in declaring war than formerly. Long experience has at the same time made it evident, that a nation feldom gains by war; and that agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, are the only folid foundations of power and grandeur. These arts accordingly have become the chief objects of European governments, and the only rational causes of war. Among the warlike nations of Greece and Italy, how would it have founded, that their effeminate defcendants would employ foldiers by profetlion to fight their battles? And yet this is necessary, in every country where arts and manufactures flourish; which requiring little exercise, tend to enervate the body, and of course the mind. Gain, at the fame time, being the sole object of industry, advances felfishness to be the ruling paffion, and brings on a timid anxiety about property and felf-prefervation. Cyrus, tho' flaming with refentment against the Lydians for revolting, liftened to the following fagacious advice, offered by Cræfus, their former King. "O Cyrus, destroy not Sardis, an ancient "city, famous for arts and arms; but, pardoning what " is past, demand all their arms, encourage luxury, " and exhort them to instruct their children in every "art of gainful comurerce. You will foon fee, O "King, that instead of men, they will be women." The Arabians, a brave and generous people, conquered Spain, and drove into the inacceffible mountains of. Bifcay and Auftria, the few natives who stood out. When no longer an enemy appeared, they turned their swords into plough-shares, and became a rich and flourishing nation. The inhabitants of the mountains, hardened by poverty and fituation, ventured, after a long interval, to peep out from their strong-holds, and to lie in wait for straggling parties. Finding themselves now a match for a people, whom opulence had betrayed to luxury, and the arts of peace to cowardice; they

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