Let, 7, and State of E u k o p e. 2/5 1

The précise point at which the scales of powerturn fixe that of the solstice in either tropic, isimperceptible to common observation : and, in onecase as in the other, some progress must be madein the new direction, before the change is perceiv-ed. They who are in the fìnking scale, for in thepolitical balance of power, unlike to ail others,the scale that is empty sinks, and that which isíull rifes; they who are in the fìnking scale, donot easily corne off from the habituai préjudicesof superior wealth, or power, or fkill, or courage,n or srom the confidence that these préjudices in-spire. They who are in the rising seale do notimmediately feel their strength, n or assume thatconfidence in it which successfull expérience givesthem afterwards: They who are the m ost concern-ed to watch the variations of this balance, mif-judge often in the famé m armer, and from thefamé préjudices. They continue to dread a powerno longer able to hurt them, or they continue tohâve no appréhensions of a power that growsdaily more formidable. Spam verified the sirst ob-servation at the end of the second period, when,proud and poor, and enterprising and feeble, shestill thought herself a match for France . France verified the second observation at the beginníngof the third period, when the triple alliancestopped the progress of her arms, which alliancesmuch more considérable were not able to effectafterwards. The other principal powers of Europe ,in their turns, hâve verified the third observation

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